Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Filamentary structure and magnetic field orientation in Musca

Herschel has shown that filamentary structures are ubiquitous in star-forming regions, in particular in nearby molecular clouds associated with Gould's Belt. High dynamic range far-infrared imaging of the Musca cloud with SPIRE and PACS reveals at least two types of filamentary structures: (1) the main ~10-pc scale high column-density linear filament; and (2) low column-density striations in close proximity to the main filament. In addition, we find features with intermediate column densities (hair-like strands) that appear physically connected to the main filament. We present an analysis of this filamentary network traced by Herschel and explore its connection with the local magnetic field. We find that both the faint dust emission striations and the plane-of-the-sky (POS) magnetic field are locally oriented close to perpendicular to the high-density main filament (position angle ~25-35°). The low-density striations and strands are oriented parallel to the POS magnetic field lines, which are derived previously from optical polarization measurements of background stars and more recently from Planck observations of dust polarized emission. The position angles are 97 ± 25°, 105 ± 7°, and 105 ± 5°. From these observations, we propose a scenario in which local interstellar material in this cloud has condensed into a gravitationally-unstable filament (with "supercritical" mass per unit length) that is accreting background matter along field lines through the striations. We also compare the filamentary structure in Musca with what is seen in similar Herschel observations of the Taurus B211/3 filament system and find that there is significantly less substructure in the Musca main filament than in the B211/3 filament. We suggest that the Musca cloud may represent an earlier evolutionary stage in which the main filament has not yet accreted sufficient mass and energy to develop a multiple system of intertwined filamentary components. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.
Random Forests and Decision Trees Classifiers : Effects of Data Quality on the Learning Curve

Random forests have been introduced by Leo Breiman (2001) as a new learning algorithm, extending the capabilities of decision trees by aggregating and randomising them. We explored the effects of the introduction of noise and irrelevant variables in the training set on the learning curve of a random forest classifier and compared them to the results of a classical decision tree algorithm inspired by Breiman's CART (1984). This study was realized by simulating 23 artificial binary concepts presenting a wide range of complexity and dimension (4 to 10 relevant variables), adding different noise and irrelevant variables rates to learning samples of various sizes (50 to 5000 examples). It appeared that random forests and individual decision trees have different sensitivities to those perturbation factors. The initial slope of the learning curve is more affected by irrelevant variables than by noise on both algorithms, but counterintuitively random forests show a greater sensitivity to noise than decision trees for this parameter. Globally, average learning speed is quite similar between the two algorithms but random forests better exploit both small and big samples : their learning curve starts lower and is not affected by the asymptotical limitation showed by single decision trees.
GENETIC PARAMETERS AND THE EFFICACY OF MOLECULAR BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO THE STALK BORER ELDANA

BREEDING for resistance to the stalk borer Eldana saccharina is one of the goals of the SASRI variety improvement program being addressed through an integrated approach involving conventional and molecular breeding. The objectives of this study were: to evaluate a mass screening method to estimate eldana resistance at a family level; to estimate narrow-sense heritability of eldana resistance, as well as family repeatability of resistance; and to attempt an initial verification of the efficacy of molecular breeding for resistance. Seedlings from 36 bi-parental crosses were planted at high density and inoculated with eldana larvae at 6 months of age. Phenotypic data for eldana resistance of the parents of the crosses were available, and the parents had been characterised for eight previously identified marker loci that ascribe 37% of the phenotypic variation in resistance. After one month, plots were harvested, eldana damage was measured and subjected to appropriate analysis. Mean stalk length damaged was highly significant between families. Variance components estimated by REML gave a family repeatability of 0.90, indicating that the mass-screening method was highly effective in estimating eldana resistance on a family level. Heritability calculated from phenotypic mid-parentoffspring regression was estimated at 0.57 explaining 12.6% of the variation in resistance at the family level. Heritability estimated from molecular marker prediction was 0.82, explaining 19.2% of the variation in progeny resistance. Molecular markers have apparently been effective in breeding for eldana resistance. Using sets of markers exhibiting stronger association with resistance may further increase the efficiency of molecular breeding. Introduction The African sugarcane stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a major insect pest of sugarcane in South Africa, causing extensive damage especially when cane is under stress. Larvae enter the stalk about one week after hatching where they are protected from exposure, with the result that insecticidal control is variable and not widely practised. Host-plant resistance and cultural practices such as early harvesting have been, and will continue to be, the main methods of limiting damage caused by the insect. Development of eldana resistant cultivars is one of the goals of the South African Sugarcane Research Institute’s (SASRI) breeding program, and eldana damage is routinely measured in variety selection trials at SASRI's Gingindhlovu research station. In addition to eldana assessment in yield trials, all promising individuals are screened in eldana inoculation trials conducted under controlled conditions in a shade-house, and resistance ratings are assigned, based on statistical principles as described by Keeping (2006). The scale used is a modified version of the ISSCT-published scale (Hutchinson, 1968), where low values (1, 2, and 3) indicate resistance, and high values (7, 8, 9) indicate susceptibility.
Antioxidant and antibacterial studies of Phoenix dactylifera and its varieties

The study investigated the comparative antioxidant ability of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) and date bark. Fardh, Khasab and Khalas are the three major date palm varieties grown in Sultanate of Oman. The antioxidants of these varieties were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing/ antioxidant power (FRAP). The total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity of the bark extract and date fruit was quantified. The total phenolic content of bark extract obtained was 0.57±0.072 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/10 g of dry weight (DW) and all the three varieties of dates ranged from 0.88-0.94 µg GAE/10 g of DW. The total antioxidant activity of bark extract obtained was 0.14±0.07 µg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/10 g of DW, whereas the antioxidant activity of all the three varieties of dates ranged from 0.24-0.32 µg AAE/10 g of DW. The percent scavenging activity of bark extract and the three varieties of dates was 42% and ranged from 67-89%, respectively; observed from DPPH assay at different concentrations. Whereas in hydrogen peroxide percent inhibition of bark extract and three varieties was 60% and ranged from 26-39% at different concentrations, respectively. The reducing ability was observed in a decreasing order of Khalas>Fardh>Khasab>Bark extract. While the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was observed in a decreasing order of Khalas>Bark extract>Fardh>Khasab at different wavelengths. Date fruit as well as bark extract exhibited an excellent antioxidant ability probably because they contain huge amount of phenolic content as well as a high capacity of electron donating groups that neutralize the free radicals. Comparison between bark extracts of the three varieties (Khasab, Khalas and Fardh) revealed that Khalas exhibited maximum antioxidant ability as well as the phenolic content.
Intraspecific divergences and phylogeography of Panzerina lanata (Lamiaceae) in northwest China

Climatic fluctuations during the Quaternary significantly affect many species in their intraspecific divergence and population structure across northwest China. In order to investigate the impact of climate change on herbaceous plants, we studied Panzerina lanata (Lamiaceae), a widely distributed species. Sequences of two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) intergenic spacers (trnH-psbA and rpoB-trnC) and a nuclear ribosomal region (nrDNA, ITS) were generated from 27 populations of Panzerina lanata and resulted in the identification of seven chloroplast haplotypes and thirty-two nuclear haplotypes. We applied AMOVA, neutrality test and mismatch distribution analysis to estimate genetic differentiation and demographic characteristics. The divergence times of the seven cpDNA haplotypes were estimated using BEAST. Our results revealed high levels of genetic diversity (cpDNA: Hcp = 0.6691, HT = 0.673; nrDNA: Hnr = 0.5668, HT = 0.577). High level of genetic differentiation (GST = 0.950) among populations was observed in the cpDNA sequences, while the genetic differentiation values (GST = 0.348) were low in nuclear sequences. AMOVA results revealed major genetic variation among the three groups: northern, central, and eastern group. However, the genetic differentiation in ITS data was not found. The species distribution modeling and demographic analysis indicated that P. lanata had not experienced recent range expansion. The occurrence of divergence between seven cpDNA haplotypes, probably during Pleistocene, coincides with aridification and expansion of the desert across northwest China that resulted in species diversification and habitat fragmentation. In addition, we discovered that the deserts and the Helan Mountains acted as effective geographic barriers that promoting the intraspecific diversity of P. lanata.
Frequency-based model validation and parameter identification of a sea-surface vehicle

Abstract This paper focuses on the modeling of the roll motion for a manned sea-surface vehicle. An extension of the Conolly model is proposed, where the uncertainties in the mechanical torques acting on the vehicle – torques coming out from wind and sea-wave action – are also included in a general state space representation. A frequency-based identification procedure is provided in order to identify both the ship and the disturbance parameters. The algorithm has been tested on real data and most significative results are proposed.
A Habermasian Analysis of Qatar's National Teacher Professional Standards

The belief that implementing professional standards will improve teaching and learning has led many countries to embrace standards based educational reforms. Qatar is one of those nations implementing, Education for a New Era that includes the adoption of professional teacher standards. This paper examines Qatar’s professional standards for teachers using Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests (KCIs) as a theoretical framework. Findings provide insight into how the KCIs are embedded in the professional standards. Suggestions are provided regarding the possible use of Habermas’ knowledge constitutive interests in the preparation of teachers.
Serum enzymes and some Biochemical Parameters responses of male chinchilla rabbits exposed to crude oil contaminated feed

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of crude oil contaminated feed on serums enzyme and some biochemical parameters of male chinchilla rabbits. The crude oil was incorporated at the graded levels of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 ml per kg feed in T 1 (control) , T II , T III T IV and T V respectively. A total of thirty (30) male chinchilla rabbits, aged 12 weeks and weighing 950gms were used. They were randomly assigned into 5 groups (T I ,T II , T III , T IV and T V ) in a Randomized Complete Design (RCD), six replicates, each of the replicate having one rabbit. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from three rabbits from each treatment group for cortisol, total protein, cholesterol and enzymological analysis. Results obtained showed that the inclusion of crude oil had significant (P< 0.05) effect on cortisol, total protein, cholesterol and enzymes (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Key words: Serum enzymes, biochemical parameters and male rabbits.
Challenges of the Modeling Methods for Investigating the Interaction between the CNT and the Surrounding Polymer

The interaction between the carbon nanotubes (CNT) and the polymer is a key factor for determining the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the CNT/polymer nanocomposite. However, it is difficult to measure experimentally the interfacial bonding properties between the CNT and the surrounding polymer. Therefore, computational modeling is used to predict the interaction properties. Different scale models, from atomistic to continuum, are critically reviewed addressing the advantages, the disadvantages, and the future challenges. Various methods of improvement for measuring the interaction properties are described. Finally, it is concluded that the semicontinuum modeling may be the best candidate for modeling the interaction between the CNT and the polymer.
Photosynthetic behaviour of Arabidopsis thaliana (Pa-1 accession) under salt stress

The growth reduction observed in many plants caused by salinity is often associated with a decrease in their photosynthetic capacity. This effect could be associated with the partial stomatal closure and/or the non-stomatal limitation which involves the decrease in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RUBISCO) activity. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanisms of inhibited photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana ( Pa-1 accession) under salt stress. Pa-1 seeds grown on a solid substrate for 25 days on standard medium were challenged with 50 mM NaCl for 15 days. Harvests were carried out every five days by separating the rosette leaves and roots. Salt stress reduced growth by limiting the number of the rosette leaves and not their biomass. Accumulation of Na+ and Cl- increased during the treatment period, whereas K+ and Ca2+ accumulation were reduced in salt treatment. RUBISCO and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activities were increased with the age of the leaves to a maximum after 10 days of treatment then later decreased. We concluded that the sensitivity of Pa-1 to salinity may be due to a reduction in number of leaves, in the photosynthetic assimilation with stomatal closure and damage of the RUBISCO and PEPC activities. Keywords : Arabidopsis thaliana , photosynthetic parameters, salinity, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RUBISCO), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(29), pp. 4594-4602
The Effects of Shared Decision Making on Cancer Screening – A Systematic Review

s from the MEDLINE search (n=1640) were reviewed in duplicate, independently by investigators and co-investigators. Abstracts from the CINAHL (n=460) and PsycINFO (n=268) searches were reviewed by a co-investigator. Each article identified for full-text review was independently reviewed by 2 investigators or co-investigators. We included RCTs comparing a SDM intervention to usual care (UC), alternative SDM interventions, or a combination. We included studies that evaluated SDM interventions for cancer screening as part of the study, excluding studies in which participants made hypothetical cancer screening choices. We included studies involving adults in a clinic setting, either at or shortly before an appointment, as a component to encourage SDM with the clinician. To ensure that we did not include interventions that encouraged screening, we excluded studies that measured only Decision Action (not Decision Quality or Decision Impact) and studies evaluating interventions with the stated goal of promoting screening. Excluded articles are presented in Appendix B. Shared Decision Making for Cancer Screening Evidence-based Synthesis Program 17 9CONTENTS 34 DATA ABSTRACTION Study characteristics (population; sample age, gender, and race; study setting; length of followup), SDM intervention characteristics (format, delivery mode, delivery timing/location, inclusion of values clarification exercise, risk communication method, consideration of vulnerable populations, resources required), and outcomes (Decision Quality, Decision Impact, and Decision Action) were extracted onto evidence tables by one investigator or co-investigator and verified by a second.
‘I’m committed to her and the family’: positive accounts of vasectomy among New Zealand men

Background: More than 15 years ago, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) identified men’s involvement with reproductive and contraceptive tasks as vital for improving women’s reproductive health worldwide. The uptake of vasectomy provides one measure of men’s involvement in reproductive and contraceptive actions, but uptake requires the negotiation of a complex set of social and psychological meanings related to masculinity, sexuality and contraceptive involvement. The limited research in this area paints a largely negative picture around vasectomy, emphasising fears, side effects, and men being pressured into having the operation, but it is not the only account of vasectomy. Objectives: The aim of this research was to examine the accounts of New Zealand men who had undergone vasectomy. Method: Interviews with 28 men who had opted to have a vasectomy (16 had children; 12 did not) based in New Zealand, a country with a high rate of vasectomy, offer a more positive portrayal of the meanings and experiences of vasectomy. Results: Men referred to vasectomy as a positive reflection of their identities, and their choice to have it as exemplifying personal characteristics they valued. Such accounts disrupt the common-sense story of vasectomy as negative or difficult for men, and allow it to be positioned as a positive choice for heterosexual male reproductive involvement and responsibility
Influence of trust on destination loyalty - An empirical analysis - The discussion of the research approach

Purpose – The idea of trusting a destination is a relatively new one and the academic investigation of such a process is still in its infancy. In the ever more competitive tourism marketplace, destinations are increasingly adopting branding techniques to craft an identity which emphasizes the uniqueness of their product. A key component of this trust building process is the thorough management of service delivery with particular attention to trust-related factors. Destination trust can be regarded as an attitudinal construct and it can be clearly argued that our loyalty towards a destination is affected by the trust we form towards that destination. Although a conceptual model exists in an academic study, no apparent effort has been made to empirically investigate the relationship between destination trust and destination loyalty in a particular tourism context. The aim of this paper is to present a thorough discussion of the work in progress of the empirical study at hand namely the influence of the Mauritian brand-related factors especially brand trust on loyalty in a tourism context. Design/methodology/approach – A deductive approach is employed in this study. It starts with thorough review of existing literatures and expose the approaches to empirically test the hypotheses. Findings – The synthesized research gaps were presented. The validity of the application of existing brand trust and loyalty scales in the field of tourism was elaborated and the application of deductive and triangulation research methodologies to the field of tourism was presented. Last but not least, a model for empirically testing the relationship of the independent and the variables was exposed. Originality/value – To our knowledge, to date, no effort has been made to empirically investigate the impact of destination trust on destination loyalty using the existing brand trust and loyalty scales.
Improving Content Literacy in Social Studies Classrooms: Teachers’ Voices Within Comprehensive School Reform

The increased demands for access to and accountability for mastery of social studies curriculum by all students, including students with disabilities (SWDs) and diverse learning needs, is a current reality within secondary schools. Research has suggested classroom implementation of evidence-based instructional practices to improve content literacy. However, the lack of descriptive data related to classroom implementation of instructional practices seems to be an area of concern, especially following professional development (Correnti & Rowan, 2007). Research related to the context and conditions of classroom implementation is needed. This manuscript describes a district-wide professional development initiative within secondary social studies classrooms, outlines qualitative research, reports findings related to teacher perceptions of classroom implementation, and describes the considerations and implications related to implementation of professional development as part of comprehensive school reform.
Modeling female haul-out in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

It is dicult to achieve good estimates of population size for pinnipeds by direct counts, because a part of the population is at sea at any time. In southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), the estimation of population size is carried-out by applying a correction factor, calculated from life tables, to the number of females hauled-out during the breeding season. Dierent models have been proposed in the literature to estimate the total number of females. In this paper, we consider the model proposed by Rothery & McCann (1987) for the South Georgia population. We applied their model to a five year data set for Sea Lion Island (Falkland Islands) southern elephant seals. We tested the assumptions of the model, and found them to be reasonable. We fitted the model to this data set, and obtained an excellent fit in all cases, better than or equal to other models proposed in the literature. The precision of the estimation depended mostly on the duration of females presence on land, which is a constant of the model. A one day variation in stay-length produced a 4% variation in the estimate of the total number of females. When a good model of the haulout process is already available for the population, even a single count close to the peak of the season is enough to estimate the total number of females (&2%). When such a model is to be estimated directly from data, at least 8 counts distributed along the season are needed to have good results. The model was not only a good description of the haulout process at the population level, but its application to a set of daily counts of single harems demonstrated that it was also useful at sub-population level.
Duplex scanning in vascular disorders

Historical Aspects. Traditional Methods of Patient Evaluation. Haemodynamics of the Normal Arterial and Venous System. Haemodynamics of Arterial Stenosis and Occlusion. Haemodynamics of Venous Occlusion and Valvular Incompetence. Extracranial Arterial Disease. Peripheral Arterial System. The Renal Arteries. The Mesenteric and Portal Circulation. Deep Venous Thrombosis and the Post-thrombotic Syndrome. Is There a Gold Standard for the Diagnosis of Vascualr Disease?