Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fungal Resistance of Particleboard Made Using Glutardialdehyde Modified Corn Starch as the Binder with the Aid of Urea Formaldehyde Resin

Particleboard is a popular wood composite made using mixtures of wood particles and resin, binder or adhesives, pressed at high temperature to cured. Despite its popularity, formaldehyde-based adhesives used in the formulations lead to cancerous effect as the formaldehyde fumes released from the unreacted chemicals travel into human lungs. Therefore this study tries to reduce the utilization of formaldehydebased resin by replacement of a significant portion of the binder with glutardialdehyde modified corn starch as the binder. However, this practice could lower the durability of the particleboards against biological attack. Therefore, this study evaluates the fungal resistance of the particleboard panels. Panels were manufactured using 83:15:2 ratio of wood, corn starch-modified with glutardialdehyde and formaldehyde resin, respectively, as an improvement. Four types of wood-degrading fungal were chosen including Trametes versicolor, Formitopsis palustris, Schizophyllum commune and Pycnoporus sangineus. Some of the particleboard showed a little increased in fungal resistance when 2% urea formaldehyde was added, compared to using glutardialdehyde modified corn starch and starch only as the binder. Nine out of twelve samples showed a decrement in fungal degradation by using glutardialdehyde modified starch as the binder. Meanwhile, 6 out of 12 samples showed higher fungal resistance after additional of 2% urea formaldehyde in the binder formulation. Based on the results, combination of modified corn starch and urea formaldehyde resin could have a potential to be used in particleboard making without reducing the initial resistance towards fungal attack.
Genetic Connectivity of Nassau Grouper Aggregations in the Caribbean Sea

Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) form spatially and temporally predictable spawning aggregations that make them particularly susceptible to overfishing. It is the objective of this study to determine how sustainable aggregation-based fisheries are by determining the extent of genetic connectivity between aggregations. Genomic DNA was extracted from samples collected in aggregations in the Cayman Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands. Three mitochondrial markers (12S, ATP synthase, cytochrome b) were sequenced and 9 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated. Statistical analyses were performed on mitochondrial sequences to determine population structure and genetic connectivity. Preliminary results reveal high genetic connectivity and no statistically significant genetic structure at either the aggregation level or regional level between aggregations in the Cayman Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands (fst = 0.01283, p-value = 0.74585). Such results suggest that spawning aggregations do not represent distinct populations.
N anocube structured α-Fe 2 O 3 films mediated by Ag 3 PO 4 for solar water splitting

A new strategy for surface treatment of hematite nanocubes for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances is proposed. Silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) was adopted to mediate the formation of α-Fe2O3 films. Phosphate ions in Ag3PO4 caused a significant morphology change during annealing process, from β-FeOOH nanorod arrays to hematite nanocubes. Meanwhile, Ag ions were doped into α-Fe2O3 film. The obtained nanocube structured Fe2O3-Ag-P films demonstrated much higher photoelectrochemical performance as photoanodes than the bare Fe2O3 nanorod thin films. The effects of phosphate and silver ions on the morphology, surface characteristics and the PEC properties of the photoanodes are investigated.
Using formative assessment and social media for effective learning

In the interest of improving teaching and learning methods, the use of formative assessment in schools has, over the years, become the focus of a number of research review studies. Several of these studies have also shown how the emerging use of social networking has developed to a point where it has become a useful source that teachers could employ to promote student achievement. This paper addresses a critical view of the current findings and reports how educators want to push both of the fields forward for further developments specific to the realm of education. Some of the key elements presented here suggest that student engagement is highly connected to the teaching styles, assessment practices and socialization influences. Connecting the student’s world to education is a way to support the issue of improving student learning. Due to the dramatic increase in the use of social media amongst today's youth, schools need to embrace these and incorporate them in their education strategies in order to improve the overall teaching process and prepare for
Investigating dense interstellar environments in the X-rays

We present newly acquired laboratory data in the X–ray band of several silicate compounds, taken at the Soleil synchrotron facility in Paris. We focus in particular on the features caused by the silicon and magnesium absorption. Magnesium and silicon absorption features were measured for a set of different silicates in both crystalline and amorphous form. The absorption features were implemented in a fitting program (SPEX) in order to model the interstellar dust absorption and scattering. These features, which become more prominent in the spectrum as a function of dust density, are a powerful diagnostics for the denser regions of our Galaxy. The shape and observed energy of these features may indeed reveal the composition and abundance of the dust grains. As a test case we applied our models to a high quality spectrum of a bright background X–ray source located in the vicinity of the Galactic Center.
Metagenomic library preparation for Illumina platform

Метагеномное секвенирование, позволяющее определять таксономическую принадлежность и долю прокариотических организмов в сообществах в разных средах, широко используется не только в научной деятельности, но и в медицинской практике. В настоящее время для изучения микробиома человека применяется так называемое метагеномное секвенирование маркерных генов, при котором секвенируется не весь геном, а лишь те его регионы, по которым можно установить родовую и иногда видовую принадлежность микроорганизмов. Чаще всего для амплификации выбирают участки гена 16S рибосомальной РНК (16S рРНК), последовательность которого, с одной стороны, высококонсервативна, а с другой — содержит вариабельные участки, которые отличаются однонуклеотидными заменами в случае с разными микроорганизмами. При этом для амплификации таких участков генома возможен подбор универсальных праймеров, что значительно снижает стоимость и время исследования. Точность секвенирования в этом случае обеспечивается точностью подбора универсальных праймеров и оптимальностью условий проведения ПЦР на этапе подготовки библиотеки для секвенирования. В статье мы описываем подход к подобру универсальных праймеров и условий ПЦР для амплификации регион-специфической части V3 и V4 участков гена 16S рРНК для дальнейшего секвенирования образцов на платформах Illumina.
Interventions for Improving Young Childrenâ€™s Dietary Intake through Early Childhood Settings: A Systematic Review

Early childhood settings (ECS) offer a unique opportunity to intervene to improve childrenâ€™s nutrition. This paper reviews the literature on early childhood setting interventions that aim to improve childrenâ€™s dietary intake. Environmental and individual determinants of childrenâ€™s dietary intakes were also investigated. Prospective intervention studies targeting centres, staff, parents/caregivers or children, were reviewed. Methodological quality was assessed. Twenty six studies (14 weak, 12 moderate quality) were included. Interventions were delivered primarily via training workshops and/or written materials. Study findings favoured intervention effectiveness in 23 studies. Improvements were seen in childrenâ€™s intake for 8 out of 11 studies assessing dietary intake outcomes. Small increases in fruit and vegetable consumption were observed in five studies. Most studies measuring parental or centre food provision observed post-intervention improvements across a number of food groups, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains and sweetened beverages. Significant improvements in child, parent and/or staff knowledge, attitudes or behaviours were observed consistently across studies. For those studies that included a comparison group, these improvements were observed only in the intervention group. ECS interventions can achieve changes in childrenâ€™s dietary intake and associated socio- environmental- determinants, although the quality of current research limits confidence in study findings. Future intervention development needs to carefully consider the behavioural targets, modifiable determinants and utilise age-appropriate and effective behaviour change theory, in addition to inclusion of dietary intake outcomes.
The Influence of Foliar Application of Biostimulant Atonik and Different Sources of Potassium on Full Sun and Partial Shade Salvia farinacea Plants

Corresponding author: amaalhiekal@gmail.com DOI: 10.21608/ejoh.2017. 1205.1014 ©2017 National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) NUTRITION and some environmental variables play a major role in the growth and development of ornamental plants. Two pot experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design to study the effect of foliar application of biostimulator agent (Atonik, 0.2%) and different sources of potassium viz. potassium sulphate (2g/L), potassium citrate (2g/L) and potassium humate (3g/L) on growth parameters and chemical constituents of Salvia farinacea plants grown under full sun and/or partial shade conditions (50 % shade) during 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons.
Experience of Joy and Sadness in Alexithymic Emotional Discourse

Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties identifying and describing emotions. Suffering from a deficit in the cognitive processing of emotions, alexithymic individuals are unable to symbolize their emotions. Even though emotional elaboration is one of the core aspects of alexithymia, it has not been thoroughly investigated. Few studies have reported quantitative features of alexithymic’s discourse. However, the qualitative properties of alexithymic emotional discourse and the difference in symbolization between positive and negative emotions remain to be investigated. This study aims to examine how individuals with alexithymia symbolize their subjective emotional experiences by defining the characteristics of their discourse related to positive and negative emotions. A sample of 9 clinically alexithymic individuals rated on the TAS-20 was interviewed about a typical experience of joy and sadness. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes associated with sadness revealed that alexithymic individuals tend to avoid contact with sadness. They also perceived sadness as an imposed state by external events. Themes associated with joy revealed that this emotion seemed easier to share with peers. Moreover, joy seemed easier to express and symbolize for alexithymic individuals than sadness. This comprehensive description of alexithymic emotional discourse allows to better understand the symbolization of emotions according to their valence and to better recognize alexithymic ways of expressing emotions.
Implications of z ∼ 6 Quasar Proximity Zones for the Epoch of Reionization and Quasar Lifetimes

We study quasar proximity zones in the redshift range 5.77 ≤ z ≤ 6.54 by homogeneously analyzing 34 medium-resolution spectra, encompassing both archival and newly obtained data, and exploiting recently updated systemic redshift and magnitude measurements. Whereas previous studies found strong evolution of proximity zone sizes with redshift and argued that this provides evidence for a rapidly evolving intergalactic medium (IGM) neutral fraction during reionization, we measure a much shallower trend ∝ ( 1 + z ) − 1.44 . We compare our measured proximity zone sizes to predictions from hydrodynamical simulations post-processed with one-dimensional radiative transfer and find good agreement between observations and theory, irrespective of the ionization state of the ambient IGM. This insensitivity to IGM ionization state has been previously noted, and results from the fact that the definition of proximity zone size as the first drop of the smoothed quasar spectrum below the 10% flux transmission level probes locations where the ionizing radiation from the quasar is an order of magnitude larger than the expected ultraviolet ionizing background that sets the neutral fraction of the IGM. Our analysis also uncovered three objects with exceptionally small proximity zones (two have R p < 1 proper Mpc), which constitute outliers from the observed distribution and are challenging to explain with our radiative transfer simulations. We consider various explanations for their origin, such as strong absorption line systems associated with the quasar or patchy reionization, but find that the most compelling scenario is that these quasars have been shining for ≲105 years.
Middle Temporal Gyrus Encodes Individual Differences in Perceived Facial Attractiveness

Given the far-reaching implications of facial attractiveness for human behavior, its neural correlates have been the focus of much recent interest. However, whereas the focus of previous studies has been on highlighting a common network that underlies attractiveness judgments for all participants, we were also interested in examining individual differences in perceived facial attractiveness. We scanned 29 participants with functional MRI as they evaluated the attractiveness of faces. Activation in left anterior frontal cortex and right middle occipital gyrus covaried as a function of attractiveness ratings, which we attribute to making evaluative judgments involving the rewarding properties of faces. In addition, comparing participants who on average gave higher versus lower ratings to faces revealed activation in right middle temporal gyrus exclusively. We suggest that the activation in middle temporal gyrus reflects an aspect of individual differences in perceived facial attractiveness, possibly driven by the convergence of information from a variety of sources that extend beyond the domain of faces exclusively.
Optimal Design of Brushless Doubly Fed Reluctance Machine

Optimization techniques are widely used in the design of electrical machines to obtain maximum performance at minimal capital cost. After a brief overview of some of the optimization techniques employed in electrical machine design, this chapter highlights the features of brushless doubly fed reluctance machine (BDFRM) and its optimal design. The simple and robust construction, variable speed operation, better performance com- pared to traditional counterpart, and requirement of partially rated converter for speed control have made BDFRM an attractive alternative for variable speed applications such as pumps, blower, and wind generators. Due to unusual construction of BDFRM, conventional design procedures cannot be applied. A few critical issues in the design of BDFRM that greatly affect its performance are discussed. Design optimization is performed using nonlinear programming technique for 6-4-2 pole reluctance rotor and 8-6-4 pole ducted rotor configurations of BDFRM. 2 kW prototypes are then constructed for laboratory use. The performance of the prototypes is examined through finite element analysis (FEA) employing Maxwell 16 software. The test results are also presented.
Intergenerational Income Mobility in Vietnam

This paper uses five waves of Vietnam Living Standard Survey (VHLSS) in 1992/1993, 1997/1998, 2002, 2010, and 2012 from General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) to estimate income elasticity for Vietnam and contributes it to the growing of literature review on intergenerational mobility. The result of analysis, employing the two-sample two-stage least squares technique, shows that intergenerational income mobility is about 0.48 – 0.49 in Vietnam and it is one of the most mobility in developing countries. In terms of distribution income, the findings from transition matrix and two-sample instrumental variable quantile regression highlight that the bottom quintile has the lowest mobility, implying that opportunities for children in poor families escape the poverty being still fragile. Income mobility at top quintile, in addition, has increase over time. Finally, educational mobility at bottom and second groups has significant upper mobility and the top is “like father, like son”.
CONSUMPTION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI BY TERRESTRIAL AND ARBOREAL SMALL MAMMALS IN A PANAMANIAN CLOUD FOREST

Abstract Fecal pellets collected from 10 small-mammal species captured in a Panamanian cloud forest were examined for presence of spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Fifty-two percent of the 94 fecal samples examined contained spores of ≥1 of 6 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species, including Sclerocystis coremioides, Glomus fasciculatum, G. rubiforme, G. geosporum, and 2 unidentified Glomus species. G. fasciculatum was the most frequently encountered species, occurring in 87% of the fecal samples that contained spores and occurring in diets of 7 small-mammal species occupying terrestrial and arboreal habitats. Peromyscus mexicanus and Oryzomys devius frequently consumed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and may be important spore dispersers in terrestrial habitats. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores also were common in diets of the primarily arboreal rodent Reithrodontomys mexicanus, suggesting a potentially important role of this species in the dispersal of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores to epiphytes of Neotropical cloud forests.
Incentives to Learn

We study a randomized evaluation of a merit scholarship program in which Kenyan girls who scored well on academic exams had school fees paid and received a grant. Girls showed substantial exam score gains, and teacher attendance improved in program schools. There were positive externalities for girls with low pretest scores, who were unlikely to win a scholarship. We see no evidence for weakened intrinsic motivation. There were heterogeneous program effects. In one of the two districts, there were large exam gains and positive spillovers to boys. In the other, attrition complicates estimation, but we cannot reject the hypothesis of no program effect.
Diagnosis of breast cancer using hybrid magnetoacoustic method and artificial neural network

This paper presents a new approach in breast cancer diagnosis by using Hybrid Magnetoacoustic Method (HMM) and artificial neural network. HMM is a newly developed one dimensional imaging system that combines the theory of acoustic and magnetism for breast imaging. It is capable to produce 2 outputs, the attenuation scale of ultrasound and the magnetoacoustic voltage. In this study, an artificial neural network was developed to automate the output of HMM for breast cancer classification. The ANN employs the steepest gradient descent with momentum back propagation algorithm with logsig and purelin transfer function. The best ANN architecture of 3-2-1 (3 network inputs, 2 neurons in the hidden layer, one network output) with learning rate of 0.3, iteration rate of 20000 and momentum constant of 0.3 was successfully developed with accuracy of 90.94% to testing data and 90% to validation data. The result shows the advantages of HMM outputs in providing a combination of bioelectric and acoustic information of tissue for breast cancer diagnosis consideration. The system's high percentage of accuracy shows that the output of HMM is very useful in assisting diagnosis. This additional capability is hoped to improve the existing breast oncology diagnosis.
Efficient Global Minimization Methods for Variational Problems in Imaging and Vision

Energy minimization has become one of the most important paradigms for formulating image processing and computer vision problems in a mathematical language. Energy minimization models have been developed in both the variational and discrete optimization community during the last 20-30 years. Some models have established themselves as fundamentally important and arise over a wide range of applications. One fundamental challenge is the optimization aspect. The most desirable models are often the most difficult to handle from an optimization perspective. Continuous optimization problems may be non-convex and contain many inferior local minima. Discrete optimization problems may be NP-hard, which means algorithms are unlikely to exist which can always compute exact solutions without an unreasonable amount of effort. This thesis contributes with efficient optimization methods which can compute global or close to global solutions to important energy minimization models in imaging and vision. New insights are given in both continuous and combinatorial optimization, as well as a strengthening of the relationships between these fields. One problem that is extensively studied is minimal perimeter partitioning problems with several regions, which arise naturally in e.g. image segmentation applications and is NP-hard in the discrete context. New methods are developed that can often compute global solutions and otherwise very close approximations to global solutions. Experiments show the new methods perform significantly better than earlier variational approaches, like the level set method, and earlier combinatorial optimization approaches. The new algorithms are significantly faster than previous continuous optimization approaches. In the discrete community, max-flow and min-cut (graph cuts) have gained huge popularity because they can efficiently compute global solutions to certain energy minimization models. It is shown that new types of problems can be solved exactly by max-flow and min-cut. Furthermore, variational generalizations of max-flow and min-cut are proposed which bring the global optimization property to the continuous setting, while avoiding grid bias and metrication errors which are major disadvantages of the discrete models. Convex optimization algorithms are derived from the variational max-flow models, which are very efficient and are more parallel friendly than traditional combinatorial algorithms.
A Bivariate Real Options Model to Evaluate the Effects of Oil and Natural Gas Price Uncertainties on the Oil Sands Projects

This paper presents a practical, yet financially sound, real options framework to evaluate Canadian oil sands projects. The framework considers oil and natural gas price uncertainties, as well as managerial flexibilities in their decision making process. The Canadian oil sands hold the world’s third largest oil deposit. To process oil sands into a usable source of energy, an extensive amount of natural gas, which has a highly volatile price, is required. We show that the importance of natural gas price and its volatility on the optimal investment policies is fading, as the price has decreased significantly in recent years.