Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iron and zinc deﬁciencies in China: what is a feasible and cost-effective strategy?

In order to prioritise interventions for micronutrient deﬁciencies in China, the populations affected by iron and zinc deﬁciencies were assessed based on data from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey. The costs and cost-effectiveness of supplementation, food diversiﬁcation and food fortiﬁcation were estimated using the standard World Health Organization ingredients approach. Results indicated that 30% of children ( , 2 years), adults ( . 60 years), pregnant and lactating women, and 20% of women of reproductive age were anaemic, some 245 million people. Approximately 100 million people were affected by zinc deﬁciency (zinc intake inadequacy and stunting), the majority living in rural areas. Among interventions on iron and zinc deﬁciency, biofortiﬁcation showed the lowest costs per capita, I$0.01 (international dollars), while dietary diversiﬁcation through health education represented the highest costs at I$1148. The cost-effectiveness of supplementation, food fortiﬁcation and dietary diversiﬁcation for iron deﬁciency alone was I$179, I$66 and I$103 per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY), respectively. Data for biofortiﬁcation were not available. For zinc deﬁ-ciency, the corresponding ﬁgures were I$399, I$153 and I$103 per DALY, respectively. In conclusion, iron and zinc deﬁciencies are of great public health concern in China. Of the two long-term
asymmetric cell intercalation drives directional collective cell movement in epithelial morphogenesis

Morphogenetic epithelial movement occurs during embryogenesis and drives complex tissue formation. However, how epithelial cells coordinate their unidirectional movement while maintaining epithelial integrity is unclear. Here we propose a novel mechanism for collective epithelial cell movement based on Drosophila genitalia rotation, in which epithelial tissue rotates clockwise around the genitalia. We found that this cell movement occurs autonomously and requires myosin II. The moving cells exhibit repeated left–right-biased junction remodelling, while maintaining adhesion with their neighbours, in association with a polarized myosin II distribution. Reducing myosinID, known to cause counter-clockwise epithelial-tissue movement, reverses the myosin II distribution. Numerical simulations revealed that a left– right asymmetry in cell intercalation is sufﬁcient to induce unidirectional cellular movement. The cellular movement direction is also associated with planar cell-shape chirality. These ﬁndings support a model in which left–right asymmetric cell intercalation within an epithelial sheet drives collective cellular movement in the same direction.
A new report of 'in vitro' flowering and multiple shooting in a wild epiphytic orchid 'Oberonia recurva' Lindl. from asymbiotically germinated seedlings

Anthropogenic activities are sparingly high from past many decades that are a major threat for the genetic diversity. Oberonia recurva is distributed in South West of India mainly in the areas of Western Ghats. The Western Ghats were once covered with dense forests. But now, a large part of the area has been logged or converted to agricultural land or cleared for livestock grazing, reservoirs and roads. The growth of populations around protected areas and other forests has also led to habitat destruction, increased fragmentation, wildlife poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Major threats to this species are from deforestation and habitat destruction. Endemism and particular habitat makes it prone to threats. Therefore, the aim is to set up in vitro protocol for this delicate species. Asymbiotic seed germination, seedling development and effect of cytokinins on germination and seedling development were investigated in O. recurva. Five different media (Vacin and Went, Modified Knudson C, 1/2 MS, Lindemann and BM1) were examined for their effectiveness in promoting seed germination. Three light treatments for seed germination (0/24, 16/8, 24/0 h light/dark cycle) and three light treatments for seedling development were examined (8/16, 12/12, 16/8 h light/dark cycle). Effect of cytokinins (BAP, KN, ZEA) were also examined along with five media and percentage seed germination was also observed. Out of all the five media tried, BM1, LM and 1/2 MS showed high germination percentage 86.66%, 84.23% and 80.75% respectively, but the seedling development was high in BM1 and 1/2 MS. The best responded light treatment was 16/8 for germination and the same results were observed for the seedling development too. Effect of cytokinins was observed on germination and seedling development. Higher concentrations of cytokinins were used for multiple shooting and in vitro flowering. KN and BA were the best responded cytokinins for the multiple shooting and in vitro flowering.
Direct and Indirect Ecological Consequences of Human Activities in Urban and Native Ecosystems

Residential landscapes are a common setting of human-environment interactions. These ubiquitous ecosystems provide social and ecological services, and yard maintenance leads to intended and unintended ecological outcomes. The ecological characteristics of residential landscapes and the human drivers of landscape management have been the focus of disciplinary studies, often at a single scale of analysis. However, an interdisciplinary examination of residential landscapes is needed to understand the feedbacks and tradeoffs of these complex adaptive social-ecological systems as a whole. Our aim is to synthesize the diversity of perspectives, scales of analysis, and findings from the literature in order to 1) contribute to a holistic, interdisciplinary understanding of residential landscapes and 2) identify research needs while providing a robust conceptual approach for future studies. We synthesize 256 studies from the literature and develop an interdisciplinary, multi-scalar framework on residential landscape dynamics.
Identification of a specific APOE transcript and functional elements associated with Alzheimer's disease

The APOE gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD). However, the gene regulatory mechanisms at this locus have not been fully characterized. To identify novel AD-linked functional elements within the APOE locus, we integrated SNP variants with RNA-seq, DNA methylation, and ChIP-seq data from human postmortem brains. We identified an AD-linked APOE transcript (jxn1.2.2) observed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The APOE jxn1.2. 2 transcript is associated with brain neuropathological features in DLPFC. We prioritized an independent functional SNP, rs157580, significantly associated with jxn1.2. 2 transcript abundance and DNA methylation levels. rs157580 is located within active chromatin regions and predicted to affect brain-related transcriptional factors binding affinity. rs157580 shared the effects on the jxn1.2. 2 transcript between European and African ethnic groups. The novel APOE functional elements provide potential therapeutic targets with mechanistic insight into the disease's etiology.
Principal Component Analysis of Selective Bands for Digital Satellite Imagery Classification

Principal Component Analysis technique was applied to correlated multispectral data to convert it into uncorrelated data for the purpose of benefiting from its use in the automatic classification process.This project aims to classify multispectral satellite images using selective thematic Mapper (TM) spectral bands, and principal component (PC) images. The supervised classification method with maximum likelihood is adopted to perform the classification process.This technique was implemented using banding images and PC’s images. The results showed that the classification accuracy of the three spectral bands with the highest contrast was 86.9%, compared to the classification accuracy of the first three PC’s (89.08%). This value represents the highest classification accuracy obtained among the classification accuracy values for the spectral bands or PC images alone or in combination. The results show the advantages of feature selection in the PC’s, for every value of n-components, the 1stprincipal is the best choice. Moreover at low values of n-PC’s contain more information about the discriminability of classes than for any combination of n-original spectral channels.
Virtual Laboratory of Ionizing Radiation Metrology: Validation by spectrometry

The digital revolution is a reality. Many areas of industry, services as well as other applications fields, are migrating part of their jobs - even the totality - to the digital environment. Ionizing radiation metrology cannot be out of this world. For this objective, the creation of a virtual environment from the physical systems of radiation meter calibration has been proposed. The methodology tools used consist of describing all the key elements of this laboratory in Monte Carlo, using EGSnrc and egs_phd application, to simulate them and to validate the system comparing it with experimental data in the same condition. In this context, the N60 radiation quality, from ISO 4037-1, was chosen for this purpose. An AMPTEK XR-100T CdTe was used on spectrometry, and the spectra were corrected based on the Stripping method. The results showed a good agreement between experimental and simulated spectra, with a difference in their mean energy of 1.4% within the ±5% tolerance range required on ISO 4037-1:1996. After being corrected, both had mean energy of 47.2 keV and a spectral resolution of 33%, which complies with the requirements to produce the ISO N60 reference beam. This indicates that, at first analysis, the virtual system can be exposed to new metrological tests.
Evaluation of the effects of leakage current in the calibration of standard resistors between two dc resistance bridges and a digital sampling impedance bridge

This article discusses calibrations results of standard resistors performed with two commercially available equipment and a digital sampling impedance bridge developed at Inmetro. One of the commercial bridges uses the current comparison method and the other the potentiometric method with a binary voltage divider. Calibration was performed with standard resistors of 10 kΩ and 100 kΩ with significant leakage current. This study showed divergent results between each methodology. A specific methodology was used to estimate the leakage resistance of these resistors. This study contributes to establish criteria for correction and/or inclusion of uncertainty components in resistors calibrated in these methodologies.
What do climate projections say about future droughts in Alabama and the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin?

Abstract. Droughts are one of the costliest natural disasters triggered by severe shortage of water. In recent years, the Southeast US has been hit by several severe droughts. The recurring nature of these droughts have called for a more pragmatic approach to mitigating their impacts. This study intends to study how droughts in Alabama will change in the future as a result of projected changes in the climate. Commonly used drought indices are being computed and analyzed to quantify changes in frequency, severity and spatial extent of future droughts. Historical and future droughts are being quantified by the means of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Palmerâ€™s Drought Severity Index (PDSI), and Self-calibrating Palmerâ€™s Drought Severity Index (sc_PDSI). Regionally-downscaled precipitation, temperature, and soil water content data for the Southeast for high emission scenario (A2) from three General Circulation Models, the Hadley Centre Coupled Model Version 3 (HadCM3), the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) and Community Climate System Model (CCSM), from the Third Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP3) archive are being used for this purpose. Data from 1969 to 2000 are being used for historical simulation, while from 2039 to 2070 are being used for future projections. Preliminary principal component analysis of SPI from GFDL and HadCM3 models indicate that the frequency of drought is likely to increase in the future. Years similar to the severe drought years of Alabama during the 1980s can be seen occurring more often during the future period being considered. In addition to frequency, the severity of future droughts are also projected to increase. The study of spatial patterns of droughts indicated that future droughts are expected to be spread across larger areas as compared to the ones in the past. The comparison of these results to that from other drought indices is expected to bolster the validity of these results. The analysis of drought trends can be applied in a drought monitoring/early warning system and can be used to proactively mitigate the effects of droughts. If droughts can be projected/forecasted well ahead of time, their consequences can be tackled more appropriately. The results of this research are expected to help us understand expected changes in droughts in the Southeast US and would help us better prepare to mitigate the economic, social as well as environmental effects of droughts.
Explorer Lichtsuchende : exploring the emergence of a cybernetic society

In this paper, we describe Lichtsuchende, an interactive installation, built using a society of biologically inspired, cybernetic creatures who exchange light as a source of energy and a means of communication. Visitors are invited to engage with the installation using torches to influence and interact with the phototropic robots. As well as describing the finished piece, we explore some of the issues around creating works based on biologically inspired robots. We present an account of the development of the creatures in order to highlight the gulfs between conceptual ideas of how to allow emergent behaviours and the manners in which they are implemented. We also expose the interrelations and tensions between the needs of the creatures as they emerge and the needs of the creators, to understand the duet between the cyber-organisms and their initiators. Finally, we look at the ways in which creators, robots and visitors are enrolled to perform their functions, so that the network of activity can be woven between all parties.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Zooplankton Biomass in Sfântu Gheorghe Branch (The Danube Delta, Romania) in Relation to Environmental Factors

Abstract Sfântu Gheorghe fluvial branch belongs to the macroregional hydrological system of the Danube Delta. In order to improve the navigation on the river branches, between 1983 and 1989 various technical works have been initiated, which later proved to be one of the most aggressive factors leading to changes over time in the Danube Delta. The influence of anthropogenic impact on the zooplankton biomass distribution patterns in Sfântu Gheorghe was investigated in 2008 - 2010 interval. From this perspective, the aim of this paper was to emphasize the structure and distribution of zooplankton in the new conditions of the river system. Seasonal sampling shows that Copepoda and Cladocera were the dominant groups while the protozoans (Ciliata and Testacea) presented the smallest values of biomass and also emphasized distinct differences among the three sampling periods: summer, spring and autumn. Résumé Sfântu Gheorghe est la branche fluviale qui appartient au système hydrologique macrorégionale de Delta du Danube. Afin d’améliorer la navigation sur les bras du fleuve, entre 1983-1989 divers travaux techniques ont été lancés, lesquels plus tard se sont avérés être l’un des facteurs les plus agressifs conduisant à des changements au fil du temps dans les Delta du Danube. L’influence de l’impact anthropique sur la distribution de la biomasse du peuplement de zooplancton a été étudiée dans Sfântu Gheorghe entre 2008 et 2010. Dans cette perspective, l’objectif de cette étude était de mettre l’accent sur la structure et le rôle du zooplancton dans les conditions nouvelles du ce système fluvial. L’échantillonnage saisonnier montre que les Copepoda et les Cladocera étaient les groupes dominants tandis que les protozoaires (Ciliata et Testacea) présentent des valeurs plus faibles de la biomasse et met également l’accent sur les différences marquées entre les trois périodes de prélèvement: été, printemps et automne REZUMAT Braţul fluvial Sfântu Gheorghe aparţine sistemului macroregional Delta Dunării. În perioada 1983-1989 au fost iniţiate numeroase lucrări hidrotehnice cu scopul de a îmbunătăţi transportul naval pe braţele Dunării. Aceste lucrări care au modificat trăsăturile geomorfologice ale braţelor, s-au dovedit a fi printre cele mai agresive influenţe antropice, de-a lungul timpului în Delta Dunării. În perioada 2008-2010 au fost investigate efectele lucrărilor hidrotehnice asupra distribuţiei spaţiale şi temporale a comunităţilor zooplanctonice. Scopul acestei lucrări este de a evidenţia structura biomasei zooplanctonului în noile condiţii ecologice. Analiza distribuţiei sezoniere a zooplanctonului evidenţiază dominanţa în biomasă a grupelor Cladocera şi Copepoda, în timp ce Ciliata şi Testacea prezintă cele mai mici valori. Rezultatele studiului indică o distribuţie semnificativ diferită a biomasei atât în dinamica sezonieră cât şi în cea spaţială.
Understanding Society â€“ a geographical profile of respondents

Understanding Society was designed to be representative of the UK population using a stratified, clustered, equal probability sampling design. This paper uses Census 2001 data to analyse whether Wave 1 respondents are representative of the different regions of the UK in terms of the types of neighbourhoods individuals live in. Neighbourhoods are classified using Townsend Material Deprivation quintiles and the Census Output Area Classification. We find that the respondent members of the general population sample of Understanding Society closely resemble the Census 2001 population at the neighbourhood level - nationally and regionally.
Upwelling in the late middle Eocene at Blake Nose?

High resolution stable isotopic analyses (δO, δC) were conducted on late middle Eocene planktonic foraminifera recovered from Site 1051, Blake Nose, western North Atlantic, to examine the stability of subtropical sea surface temperatures in the late middle Eocene. The results reveal large shifts in the δO and δC values, interpreted as variations in upwelling intensity. The Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 171B drilled five sites at the Blake Nose. This salient in the western North Atlantic is located due east of northern Florida, on the eastern margin of the Blake Plateau (Fig. 1). The Paleogene and Cretaceous deposits in this area have never been deeply buried by younger sediments and are thus little affected by diagenesis. Site 1051 (30°03’N, 76°21’W) is located at a water depth of 1980 m. This site comprises an expanded and virtually entire Paleogene section of Paleocene to early late Eocene sediments, dominated by a siliceous nannofossil and foraminifer ooze. These deposits are ideal for high resolution studies of the Eocene climate, as the microfossils are well preserved and the sequence appears to be complete (Norris et al. 1998). Whilst the climatic shifts during the Eocene are understood in general terms, the middle and late Eocene are inadequately documented, in terms of its variability, timing of cooling, and its effect on oceanographic structure. This is because high resolution, low-latitude Paleogene records are scarce and previously acquired Eocene records are either incomplete, intermittently cored or disturbed by drilling through Eocene chert. We have produced δO and δC profiles from outstandingly preserved planktonic foraminifera, which we use to obtain late middle Eocene sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from the subtropical Atlantic. The stable isotopic composition of planktonic foraminifera from Site 1051 enables the accurate documentation of the timing and scale of relatively short-term climatic changes associated with the warm to cool Eocene transition. Lowand high-resolution studies were conducted on late middle Eocene sediments from Site 1051. Site 1051A was examined to investigate long-term changes in the ocean structure. Three species of planktonic foraminifera from different depth habitats were analysed for their stable isotopic composition. These were Morozovella crassata, Subbotina spp. , and Catapsydrax uni-
The Real Exchange Rate, Foreign Aid and Macroeconomic Transmission Mechanisms in Tanzania and Ghana

Abstract A recent study of 36 sub-Saharan African countries found a positive impact of aid in the majority of these countries. However, for Tanzania and Ghana, two major aid recipients, aid did not seem to have been equally beneficial. This study singles out these two countries for a more detailed empirical investigation. The focus is on the effect of aid when allowing external and nominal factors to play a role in the macroeconomic transmission mechanism. We conclude that when monetary and external factors are properly accounted for, then aid has been pivotal to growth in both real GDP and investment.
Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality in discrete two-dimensional driven-dissipative exciton polariton condensates

The statistics of the fluctuations of quantum many-body systems are highly revealing of their nature. In driven-dissipative systems displaying macroscopic quantum coherence, as exciton polariton condensates under incoherent pumping, the phase dynamics can be mapped to the stochastic Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation. However, in two dimensions (2D), it was theoretically argued that the KPZ regime may be hindered by the presence of vortices, and a non-equilibrium BKT behavior was reported close to condensation threshold. We demonstrate here that, when a discretized 2D polariton system is considered, universal KPZ properties can emerge. We support our analysis by extensive numerical simulations of the discrete stochastic generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We show that the first-order correlation function of the condensate exhibits stretched exponential behaviors in space and time with critical exponents characteristic of the 2D KPZ universality class, and find that the related scaling function accurately matches the KPZ theoretical one, stemming from functional Renormalization Group. We also obtain the distribution of the phase fluctuations and find that it is non-Gaussian, as expected for a KPZ stochastic process.
Optimum Plannar Antenna Design Based on an Integration of IE 3 D Commercial Code and Optimization Algorithms

− The optimum planar antenna design utilizing a simulation tool based an integration of IE3D commercial code as an electromagnetic computational engine and an add-on optimization algorithm is proposed in this paper. The work is motivated by the popularity of planar antennas and the need of customized designs in industrial applications, which can be effectively achieved by using simulation tools. Currently available commercial codes are reliable and relatively accurate in the analysis with more efforts tending to enhance the efficiency. The quality of the antenna design will mainly rely on an effective optimization algorithm that can be and should be developed independently according to engineers’ own need since the variables and cost functions for optimization can be flexibly selected. The integration of existing analysis codes, as mentioned above, and self-developed algorithms will be most effective for an engineer in the customized antenna design. The concepts and strategies are addressed with numerical examples to validate.