Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Physical, Chemical and Biological Indicators to Assess Water Quality on the Ouachita National Forest Utilizing Basin Area Stream Survey Methods

The Ouachita National Forest (ONF) has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMP's) designed to protect water quality and associated beneficial uses (fisheries, municipal water supplies, etc.). A monitoring program is necessary to document the effectiveness of that protection. The Basin Area Stream Survey (BASS) methodology provides a monitoring link from BMP's to the aquatic ecosystems. The goal of BASS is to identify the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a stream in a format that willallow comparisons with other streams, and indicate when a stream is being impacted. Six index streams within two ecoregions were selected and inventoried in 1990, 1991, and 1992, to serve as baseline data sources. The South Fork of Alum Creek and Bread Creek represent the upper Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion, Caney Creek and Brushy Creek represent the lower Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion, and Jack Creek and Dry Creek represent the Arkansas River Valley Ecoregion. served as control basins, while watersheds with harvesting activities typical of the ONF represented managed basins. Candidate watersheds were large enough to support a resident fishery, with primarily Forest Service ownership, and proximal to the other watershed in the ecoregion (Table 1). INTRODUCTION The National Forest Management Act (PL 94-588) requires the Forest Service to maintain or enhance water quality and soil productivity. The Clean Water Act of 1972 (PL 92-500) further requires the protection of beneficial uses and designates the State as the responsible agency. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the development and utilization of BMP's are the methods to meet state water goals for nonpoint pollution. Table 1. Stream inventory information. In conjunction with the States of Oklahoma and Arkansas, the ONF has developed a series of BMP's (USDA Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest, 1990). These practices, when properly implemented, should protect water quality and associated beneficial uses. While itis assumed that the BMP's are fullyprotecting beneficial uses, a monitoring program is necessary to document the effectiveness of that protection. One of the shortfalls of BMP's is that they are not directly tied to beneficial uses. BASS provides the monitoring link from BMP s to the aquatic ecosystem and beneficial uses. Stream Kilometers inventoried Ecoregion Control/ Managed S. Alum Fork 7.7 upper Ouachita Mtn C Broad Crttek 8.5 upper Ouachita Mtn M Caney Creek 13.5 lower Ouachita Mtn C Pfankuck (1975), Bisson et al. (1981), Hanken (1984) and Ebert et al. (1989) have developed criteria in the form of stream inventories to describe the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of streams. This study applied a paired-basin technique to use stream inventories in assessing the effects of forest management (Ponce et al., 1982). Brushy Creek 8.8 lower Ouachita Htn M Dry Creek 9.1 AR River Valley C Jacks Fork 7.0 AR River Valley M
SEARCHING FOR NATURAL ANTITUBERCULARS FROM MOZAMBICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is considered as one of the major global health problems. Due to an increased drug resistance all over the world including to the first line antibiotics, new efficient drugs are urgently needed. A promising approach to achieve this goal is the study of natural products derived from plants, which have been used to treat human diseases through ages. Currently, in Mozambique only 40% of inhabitants can access public health system and most of them still rely on traditional medicine for most of their basic health care needs. Likewise, more than 500 medicinal plant species have been reported for their enrolment by traditional healers to treat various diseases. Here, we show recent findings of our group for new effective antitubercular compounds isolated from medicinal plants traditionally used in Mozambique. Preliminary phytochemical and antimycobacterial evaluation of several crude extracts from fifteen medicinal plants, led us to identify Zanthoxylum capense as a promising species for further investigation. Sixteen compounds with various structural scaffolds were isolated, from the methanol extract of this plant, and evaluated for their antimycobacterial activity against different M. tuberculosis strains. A benzophenanthridine type alkaloid showed a promising activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, both in vitro and ex-vivo in human macrophages.
Relative and individual regulation: An investigation of investment incentives under a cost-plus approach

We analyze the effects of a modified Yardstick competition on firms’ cost-reduction efforts. Departing from the existing literature, we use a relative cost-plus approach: firms are regulated on the basis of other firms’ performances, but they are granted a mark-up and not a lump-sum transfer in order to be compensated for their investments. We show that the cost-reduction effort of a regulated firm is decreasing in the mark-up under relative regulation while it is increasing in the mark-up under individual regulation. Hence, the trade-off between encouraging cost reduction and minimizing prices that the regulator faces under individual cost-plus regulation does not exist under relative cost-plus regulation. We extend our model by including technical spillovers and we investigate their effects on firms’ cost reduction efforts and on the efficiency of the whole industry. Finally, we allow for quality-enhancing investments and study the interplay between them and cost reduction investments under relative cost-plus regulation.
Multi-GPU cluster wave propagation and OpenGL visualization

The inherent issues of properly deploying finite difference calculations onto GPUs are described and solutions are suggested. A speedup of 60x is achieved over the CPU version. Four visualization methods were implemented using OpenGL and compared in terms of the clarity of their visual result. A combination of hedgehogs and slices was deemed to give the best result.
Spatiotemporal variability of Canadian High Arctic glacier surface albedo from MODIS data, 2001–2016

Abstract. Inter-annual variations and longer-term trends in the annual mass balance of glaciers in Canada's Queen Elizabeth Islands (QEI) are largely attributable to changes in summer melt. The largest source of melt energy in the QEI in summer is net shortwave radiation, which is modulated by changes in glacier surface albedo. We used measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors to investigate large-scale spatial patterns, temporal trends, and variability in the summer surface albedo of QEI glaciers from 2001 to 2016. Mean summer black-sky shortwave broadband albedo (BSA) decreased at a rate of 0.029±0.025 decade−1 over that period. Larger reductions in BSA occurred in July (−0.050±0.031 decade−1). No change in BSA was observed in either June or August. Most of the decrease in BSA, which was greatest at lower elevations around the margins of the ice masses, occurred between 2007 and 2012, when mean summer BSA was anomalously low. The first principal component of the 16-year record of mean summer BSA was well correlated with the mean summer North Atlantic Oscillation index, except in 2006, 2010, and 2016, when the mean summer BSA appears to have been dominated by the August BSA. During the period 2001–2016, the mean summer land surface temperature (LST) over the QEI glaciers and ice caps increased by 0.049±0.038 °C yr−1, and the BSA record was negatively correlated (r: −0.86) with the LST record, indicative of a positive ice-albedo feedback that would increase rates of mass loss from the QEI glaciers.
Calibration of a general optical equation for remote sensing of suspended sediments in a moderately turbid estuary

A general algorithm for determining suspended sediment concentrations in the surface waters of estuaries has been developed for use with satellite data. The algorithm uses a three-parameter general optical equation to relate suspended sediment concentrations to water reflectances that have been corrected for sun angle effects, atmospheric path radiance, and tidal excursion. Using data collected by the advanced very high resolution radiometer on five different dates, reflectances were determined using two different methods, one providing maximum correction for haze and the other providing minimum sensitivity to pigments. For both methods, in situ and remotely sensed samples from Delaware Bay acquired within 3.5 hours of each other agreed to within 60% at the 95% confidence level. Pixel and subpixel scale spatial variations and variability associated with in situ measurements produced about 50% of the differences. Chlorophyll concentrations of >50 μg/L produced a discrepancy in the reflectance method that provided the best haze correction. The parameter values may be adjusted to allow for variations in sediment size and pigment variations, allowing application of the calibration to estuaries having optically different suspended sediments.
Investigation of the nature of light scattering by water

Capabilities of light scattering effects for researches of structural properties of water are analysed. It is shown that measuring of indicatriсes of light scattering by water for different incident radiation intensities make it possible to determine degree of water polydispersity, along with dimensions and concentration of scattering centres. We provide information on how the ions contained or gases dissolved in the water, the temperature, structural phase transitions, mechanical influence, purification efficiency and the sources of water affect the characteristics of the scattering centres, thus facilitating some important conclusions about the structure of water clusters.
The gauge-invariant dynamic equations for current-carrying plasma-like media with topological defects

A closed set of the gauge-invariant dynamic equations for a current-carrying plasma- like medium with dislocation-type and disclination-type topological defects together with the conditions at strong discontinuities is obtained using the variational principle and discussed. The dislocation and disclination fields, which compensate the non-homogeneity of the action of the gauge group GD SO.3/FT. 3/, are described in the present theory by inexact external differential forms. The set of the Cartan structural equations for these forms has a direct correlation with the continuity equations for topological defects. The integrability conditions for the equations describing the dynamics of topological defects are obtained. It is shown that the integrability condition for the equation for disclination fields is equivalent to the balance equation for the angular momentum of the plasma-like medium together with the magnetic field. This condition is degenerated in the requirement of symmetry of the total stress tensor in the case of lack of topological defects. It is also shown that the total tensor of an energy-momentum of the plasma-like medium and of the magnetic field satisfies the balance equation.
Accelerating and Growth Effects of Trade Openness across OIC Countries

Accelerating and growth effect of trade openness are controversial subjects that has been subjected to a whole literature. This paper investigates whether trade openness accelerates income per capita convergence process across OIC countries. For this purpose, we used convergence-growth equation that include three trade openness measures i.e. intra-trade openness, extra(outside)-trade openness and overall trade openness and dynamic GMM-SYS panel data estimator. We find that growth effect of trade openness varies by different openness proxies and by income groups. Coefficients of openness proxies show that growth effect of extra (outside)-trade openness is greater than intra- trade openness. Our results also show that overall openness trade and intra-openness trade proxies have dampened GDP per capita convergence process. But, extra (outside)-trade openness has accelerated this process.
Informal Inquiry for Professional Development among Teachers within a Self-Organized Learning Community: A Case Study from South Korea

This study explores how informal inquiry among teachers occurs in pursuit of their professional development within a learning community that has been voluntarily constructed by South Korean teachers. To this end, the study investigates what leads teachers to participate in a self-organized learning community, how informal inquiry occurs in the community, and what this informal inquiry means for teachers in the community. The findings show that learning communities self-organized by teachers have the force to maintain and develop themselves without any external rewards or support because of the similar status and work experience of the teachers and the resulting parity in their relationships. The findings also demonstrate that through informal inquiry, some teachers have not only increased their knowledge of instructional practice but also transformed their attitudes toward the teaching profession. The study indicates that by providing opportunities for teachers to keep developing their professional identity and sense of autonomy, a self-organized learning community can become a place that contributes to helping teachers become “reform agents” capable of continually improving their teaching practice.
Full vectorial mapping of the complex electric near-fields of THz resonators

Using micro-structured photo-conducting probes, we demonstrate full vectorial mapping of the complex electric fields in the near-field region of a resonant structure at THz frequencies. The investigated structure represents the simplest case of a resonator: a metallic rod. We show field amplitude as well as phase maps for the three field components at the half wavelength (λ/2) resonance of the rod. The field as well as the phase distributions are in excellent agreement with our physical understanding of local electric-field distributions in the vicinity of λ/2 resonant structures and are validated by numerical simulations. These measurements can be a platform for performance optimization of the emerging field of THz photonic and plasmonic devices with complex sub-wavelength structures.
Crustal structure beneath the Indochina peninsula from teleseismic receiver functions

We analyze teleseismic receiver functions to determine the crustal structure beneath the Indochina peninsula which is located immediately south‐east of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis basin. We found that the Indochina peninsula is characterized by a thin (∼31 km) crust with a low Vp/Vs ratio (∼1.68). The intra‐lower crustal low‐velocity zone (LVZ) is observed beneath the northwestern part of our study region. We hypothesize that it is an extension of the lower crustal LVZ observed beneath the southeastern Tibet and the South China block and that it terminates at the Dien Bien Phu Fault (DBPF). A LVZ observed in the upper crust beneath southeast of the DBPF indicates that the crust is ductile and earthquakes are rare.
BMR Biotechnology-Protective mechanisms of rats heart in the acute phase of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in functional remodeling

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes was manifested by compromised ventricular contraction and prolonged relaxation attributable to multiple causative factors including oxidative stress and to elucidate the role of these changes in adaptation of the heart to acute streptozotocin induced diabetescardiomyopathy contributes to high morbidity and mortality in diabetic populations. This study was designed to examine the effect of cardiac expression after injection of the protein purified from Eugenia jambolana on cardiac contractile function, intracellular Ca2+ cycling proteins and the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isozyme in diabetes. Diabetes depressed the level of SERCA2a, Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and triggered a β MHC isozyme switch. All of these STZ-induced alterations with the exception of depressed SERCA2a and enhanced (MHC) isozyme data suggest a beneficial effect of Eugenia jambolana extract in the therapeutics of diabetic cardiomyopathy, possibly through a mechanism related to SERCA2a and MHC isozyme switch appear as the manifestation of endogenous protective mechanisms participating in the functional remodeling which contributes to adaptation of the heart to diabetes.
Factors correlated with equity market risk premiums in developed and emerging markets

This paper re-examines how three theory-suggested factors affect equity returns - specified as risk-premiums - and how the results differ between developed and emerging markets. Traditional time series or cross-sectional regression procedures have yielded inconclusive evidence on maintained hypotheses about the determinants of equity premiums. However, on pooling observations, our estimated coefficients are much more accurate. Using panel data regression, we find that the risk premiums of developed appear to be affected by variation in the three factors within the equity markets of countries. In the emerging Asian markets, the risk premiums are affected more by the variation over time in at least one of the same three factors.
Nest Predation Processes and Farmland Birds Habitat Selection and Population Dynamics of Predators and Prey

Roos, S. 2004. Nest predation processes and farmland birds: Habitat selection and population dynamics of predators and prey. Doctor’s dissertation. ISSN 1401-6230, ISBN 91-576-6535-4 It is generally expected that predators affect the breeding biology of prey species, but most studies have had a prey-biased view of the predator-prey relationship. Without studying the predator, one may draw erroneous conclusions of how predators and prey interact and conservation strategies for prey species could therefore be misleading. In this thesis, I investigated whether omnivorous avian generalists known to depredate nests of passerine birds, mainly the magpie (Pica pica) and the hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix), affected breeding habitat selection and population dynamics of one of their prey species, the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) in a Swedish farmland landscape (c. 94 km). The studies were performed between 1997 and 2003. My results showed that red-backed shrikes avoided to breed close to magpies and hooded crows, and that the spatial dynamics of red-backed shrikes between years were linked to corresponding spatial dynamics of the two corvid species. By avoiding corvids, red-backed shrikes increased their breeding success. The distribution and population dynamics of magpies were closely linked to human settlements. Thus, in areas with many houses and farms, magpies occurred in higher population densities and had higher reproductive success than in areas with few houses and farms. The studied magpie population increased in numbers by c. 86% between 1997 and 2003. At the same time did the red-backed shrike population decrease by c. 40% and this decline in numbers was closely linked to the increase of magpies both at a landscape and at a local scale (km-squares). My results also suggest that corvid nest predators form a search-image for shrub nests and therefore display density-dependent nest predation. However, the density-dependent nest predation risk was nest-site and time specific. Thus, corvids formed a search-image for nests in junipers early in the season, while it was changed towards thorny deciduous shrubs late in the season, probably as a result of corresponding seasonal changes in shrub specific nest densities. My results suggest that the effects of nest predation potentially could affect nest site choice, habitat patch choice and population dynamics of many song birds. Key-words: Corvids, red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio, magpie, Pica pica, spatial avoidance, prey refuge, functional response, search image, density-dependent predation. Author’s address: Staffan Roos, Department of Conservation Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Denna avhandling tillagnas min mor Louise Roos (1944-2000), som formade mitt naturintresse under orakneliga baroch svamputflykter.
The Stability Analysis of a Multi-Port Single-Phase Solid-State Transformer in the Electromagnetic Timescale

This paper proposes an overall practical stability assessment for a multi-port single-phase solid-state transformer (MS3T) in the electromagnetic timescale. When multiple stable subsystems are combined into one MS3T, the newly formed MS3T has a certain possibility to be unstable. Thus, this paper discusses the stability assessment of the MS3T in detail. First and foremost, the structure of the MS3T and its three stage control strategies are proposed. Furthermore, the stability analysis of each of the MS3T’s subsystems is achieved through the closed loop transfer function of each subsystem, respectively, including an AC-DC front-end side converter, dual active bridge (DAB) with a high-frequency (HF) or medium-frequency (MF) transformer, and back-end side incorporating DC-AC and dc-dc converters. Furthermore, the practical impedance stability criterion in the electromagnetic timescale, which only requires two current sensors and one external high-bandwidth small-signal sinusoidal perturbation current source, is proposed by the Gershgorin theorem and Kirchhoff laws. Finally, the overall stability assessment, based on a modified impedance criterion for the MS3T is investigated. The overall practical stability assessment of the MS3T can be validated through extensive simulation and hardware results.
Histological effect of iron supplementation on bone marrow and peripheral blood cells of rabbits

The aim of this study is to evaluate iron deficiency and iron overload on the structure of the bone marrow as well as the peripheral blood cells of rabbits (Oryctolagus cunicuolus) as a model of experimental animals. For this purpose twenty four premature rabbits were divided into four groups, two control groups, sex-well fed animals and sex starved animals, and two experimental and supplemented groups, sex-well fed animals and sex starved animals were daily supplemented with therapeutic dose of iron as Fumarate tablets. Smears from bone marrow and peripheral blood were prepared. The bone marrow of the starved without iron supplementation showed normal appearance. However, the stem cell progenitors were predominantly in the last stage of development the reticulocytes were appeared with clear cytoplasm. By continuous iron supplementation the bone marrow cells restored their normal distribution and shapes. By time stainable materials were deposited within the cytoplasm and nuclei of the proerythroblasts. The reticulocytes become irregular in shape. These abnormalities took place in the red blood cells. In the well fed and iron supplemented groups the stainable materials were badly accumulated in the bone marrow cells from the first week of administration. These results concluded the severe need of iron to treats iron deficiency in a limited time. However, long duration of iron supplementation will introduce certain types of abnormalities in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells.
Accelerating RDBMS Operations Using GPUs

This survey paper reviews how the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) can be leveraged by accelerating queries for the Relational Database Management System. Queries can be accelerated in many ways like optimizing primitives, using an opcode execution model, using an in memory database, kernel fusion, batching and data placement. Data transfer remains a significant bottleneck and thus the mitigation methods such as database compression, differential update and unified address space are reviewed.