Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CONCENTRATIONS OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN FISH (MUGIL CEPHALUS) FROM A COASTAL ECOSYSTEM IN THE SOUTHWESTERN GULF OF CALIFORNIA

Abstract:Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in the muscle tissue of the fish commonly known as mullet (Mugil cephalus; in Mexico, lisa). Muscle tissues were collected during bimonthly samplings from March 2010 to February 2011 in the Navachiste Bay (southwestern area of the Gulf of California). The pesticides γ-HCH and dieldrin were the substances most frequently detected throughout the collection period, while endosulfan 1, endosulfan 2, endrin, heptachlor epoxide, γ-HCH and methoxychlor were identified in 80% of the samples analysed. Other pesticides were found in 20%-60% of samples. No correlation was found among water physicochemical parameters and OCP concentration. The one-way variance analysis between OCP concentrations and collection months revealed no significant differences. The correlation between OCP concentrations and the weight or size of the fish was not significant, although between size and weight there was a significant correlation. During the study period, as a whole, the pesticides that showed the highest concentrations above 0.3ppm per sample were α-HCH (MAY-JUN-2010), dieldrin (JAN-FEB-2011), dieldrin (JULAGO-2010), methoxychlor (two samples in MAR-ABR-2010) (0.568, 0.533, 0.533, 0.503 and 0.330ppm, respectively). The pesticides aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan (1 and 2), heptachlor epoxide, DDT and α-HCH, are listed in Appendix III of the Rotterdam Convention, which means that their use is illegal in most signatory countries. According to results, the higher OCP concentrations detected make frequent consumption of M. cephalus a human health risk for the low-income population in the Navachiste area.
Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells from human iPSC‐derived teratomas for osteochondral defect regeneration

Abstract Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great promise for personalized medicine, as they can be differentiated into specific cell types, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Therefore, our study sought to assess the feasibility of deriving MSCs from teratomas generated from human iPSCs. Teratomas serve as a model to mimic multilineage human development, thus enriching specific somatic progenitors and stem cells. Here, we discovered a small, condensed mass of MSCs within iPSC‐generated teratomas. Afterward, we successfully isolated MSCs from this condensed mass, which was a byproduct of teratoma development. To evaluate the characteristics and cell behaviors of iPSC‐derived MSCs (iPSC‐MSCs), we conducted comprehensive assessments using qPCR, immunophenotype analysis, and cell proliferation‐related assays. Remarkably, iPSC‐MSCs exhibited an immunophenotype resembling that of conventional MSCs, and they displayed robust proliferative capabilities, similar to those of higher pluripotent stem cell‐derived MSCs. Furthermore, iPSC‐MSCs demonstrated the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages in vitro. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of iPSC‐MSCs using an osteochondral defect model. Our findings demonstrated that teratomas are a promising source for the isolation of condensed MSCs. More importantly, our results suggest that iPSC‐MSCs derived from teratomas possess the capacity for tissue regeneration, highlighting their promise for future therapeutic applications.
Biomarker Responses in Coral Trout ('Plectropomus leopardus') as an Indicator of Exposure to Contaminants in a Coral Reef Environment

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a resource of immense economic and social benefit to Australia and one that is highly valued by the international community. A number of reefs of the GBR have moored pontoons and frequent boat traffic to service the tourist industry. The aim of the present study was to test whether these human activities are having a measurable impact on selected reef environments as caused by anthropogenic contaminants. A recognised method for assessing changes in levels of exposure in biota to chemical contaminants released by boating activity is by assessing biological markers. Biomarker responses measured included: fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) in bile, changes in enzymatic responses (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase: EROD and cholinesterase: ChE activities) and two general indices of condition (K and HSI) in a resident tropical reef species, coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus). EROD activity in liver was similar for both pontoon and non-pontoon (reference) sites suggesting no evidence of exposure to contaminants in coral trout. Similarly, the condition factor (K) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) failed to detect any evidence of exposure. However, results of FACs in bile suggest low-level exposure to naphthalene and its metabolites at both pontoon and non-pontoon reefs, and ChE activity was significantly inhibited in coral trout collected from reefs with pontoons as compared to trout from reefs without pontoons. These results raise concern that there may be other contaminants impacting these fish caused by exposure to chemicals such as antifoulants and further study is warranted to investigate these findings. This study is one of few to undertake assessment of biomarkers in fish from coral reefs of the GBR, and thus, provides a useful baseline reference for assessment of changes in environmental water quality in this part of the GBR.
Spatially explicit and stochastic forest landscape model of fire disturbance and succession

Fire disturbance plays an important role in shaping ecosystem dynamics and vegetation patterns in many forested landscapes. This dissertation is dedicated to the modeling of fire disturbance in spatially explicit and stochastic forest landscape models, in particular, LANDIS model. A hierarchical fire frequency model was proposed to model fire occurrence. Four representative fire spread simulation methods were implemented in LANDIS. I compared fire patterns simulated using the four fire spread simulation methods under two fire occurrence process scenarios that are fuel-independent and fuel-dependent. Results showed that the incorporation of fuel into fire occurrence modeling greatly changes simulated fire patterns. Lastly, I used point process modeling approach to study the effects humans and other factors on the probability of fire occurrence in the Missouri Ozark Highlands. The spatial distribution of fire occurrence density, which is one of the results from point pattern modeling, can be further used in LANDIS as an input map for simulating fire occurrence.
AI-Based Geometry Recognition for Evaluating the Feasibility of Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems

Reactive distillation (RD) provides notable advantages over conventional processes, regarding reduced energy requirements and CO2 emissions. However, as the benefits of RD may not be universally applicable, a comprehensive feasibility assessment is necessary. This study introduced an automated feasibility evaluation procedure for an RD column using an AI-based region recognition approach, reducing the reliance on expert knowledge and heuristics in graphical methods. Through k-means clustering-based image segmentation, topological information on the reaction and separation reachable region was extracted from ternary diagram landscapes. Subsequently, the extracted information was integrated into tray-by-tray calculations to automate the evaluation. This geometric calculation procedure was applied to assess the feasibility of RD columns with different types of reactions. The feasibility results were obtained within seconds, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed approach. Furthermore, case studies validated the feasibility of the evaluation results for three practical examples using rigorous simulations, confirming its reliability and applicability.
Diverging Epigenetic Responses to Wildfire History in Two Sympatric Lizards

Abstract. In altered postdisturbance habitats, sympatric organisms that have different life history strategies may manifest different epigenetic marks in response to changing landscapes. Herein, we explore how DNA methylation patterns change in response to wildfire in two sympatric lizard species with different life histories: Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi) and Six-Lined Racerunner (Aspidocelis sexlineata). Both lizards prefer habitats that have experienced recent wildfire, yet they differ in distribution, body size, life span, reproductive output, vagility, home range size, diet, behavior, and morphology and have different patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. We used epiRADseq to screen DNA methylation levels in Florida Scrub Lizards (n = 35) and Six-Lined Racerunners (n = 30) from rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) scrub sites with different time since fire at Archbold Biological Station and Reserve, Florida, USA. We detected seven genomic locations in Florida Scrub Lizards with increased methylation in the site with most recent time since fire compared with individuals from the site with longest time since fire. We failed to detect differential methylation among locations in the Six-Lined Racerunner genome. We also found DNA methylation was positively correlated with time since fire for Florida Scrub Lizards and negatively correlated with time since fire for Six-Lined Racerunners. Our results indicate DNA methylation may play an important role in mediating the response of disturbance-dependent organisms to changing conditions, but the response of methylation to wildfire likely differs among species.
Deformed Penrose tilings

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of a model quasicrystal (2D Penrose rhomb tiling) shows that the kinds of local distortions that result from size-effect-like relaxations are in fact very similar to mathematical constructions called deformed model sets. Of particular interest is the fact that these deformed model sets are pure point-diffractive, i.e. they give diffraction patterns that have sharp Bragg peaks and no diffuse scattering. Although the aforementioned MC simulations give diffraction patterns displaying some diffuse scattering, this can be attributed to the fact that the simulations include a certain amount of unavoidable randomness. Examples of simple deformed model sets have been constructed by simple prescription and hence contain no randomness. In this case the diffraction patterns show no diffuse scattering. It is demonstrated that simple deformed model sets can be constructed, based on the 2D Penrose rhomb tiling, by using deformations which are defined in terms of the local environment of each vertex. The resulting model sets are all topologically equivalent to the Penrose tiling (same connectedness), are perfectly quasicrystalline but show an enormous variation in the Bragg peak intensities. For the examples described, which are based on nearest-neighbour environments, 12 deformation parameters may be chosen independently. If more distant neighbours are taken into account further sets of parameters may be defined. One example of these simple deformed tilings, which shows great similarity to the size-effect-distorted tiling, is discussed in detail.
Intimate Partner Violence among College Women: A Single-Centred Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of sexual violence between intimate partners among college women at Ankara University. The depression symptoms were compared with the history of their sexual abuse in the past and in six months. The study, a cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 400 college women. Intimate partner sexual violence was evaluated using the Intimate Partner Violence Victim version and depression was evaluated with the Personal Health Questionnaire-9. Study data were evaluated using statistics such as number, percentage, and mean Mann-Whintey U test, and sample t-test. Sexual violence between intimate partners is present during romantic relationships in college women. Using tobacco, alcohol compulsion, or substance abuse are risk factors for sexual violence with an intimate partner. Furthermore, depression is double diagnosed in college women with sexual violence from intimate partners.
The long and the short of it: DRASTIC, a semantically annotated dataset containing sentences of more natural length

This paper presents a new dataset with Discourse Representation Structures (DRSs) annotated over naturally-occurring sentences. Importantly, these sentences are more varied in length and on average longer than those in the existing gold-standard DRS dataset, the Parallel Meaning Bank, and we show that they are therefore much harder for parsers. We argue, though, that this provides a more realistic assessment of the difficulties of DRS parsing.
The Origin and Evolution of Cultures

Over the past 25 years, Boyd and Richerson have become well-known across a wide range of disciplines for their path-breaking work on evolution and culture. This work collects twenty of the influential but relatively inaccessible published articels that form the backbone of this research. It could not be more timely given the growing influence of evolutionary psychology. The papers - which were published in a diverse set of journals and which are not easily available - a conceptually linked and form a cohesive, unified evolutionary account of human culture. Their interdisciplinary research is based on two notions. First, that culture is crucial for understanding human behavior: unlike other organism, socially transmitted beliefs, attitudes and values heavily influence our behavior. Secondly, culture is part of biology: the capacity to acquire and transmit culture is a derived component of human psychology, and the contents of culture are deeply intertwined with our biology. Taking off from these two assumptions, Boyd and Richerson's novel idea is that culture is a pool of information, stored in the brains of a population, that gets transmitted from one brain to another by social learning processes. Among their conclusions: culture can account for both our astounding ecological success as well as the maladaptations that characterize much of human behavior. Interest in Boyd and Richerson's work spans anthropology, psychology, economics, philosophy, and political science, and has influenced work on animal behavior, economics and game theory, memes, and even archaeology.
Ferruginous Conditions: A Dominant Feature of the Ocean through Earth's History

The reconstruction of oceanic paleoredox conditions on Earth is essential for investigating links between biospheric oxygenation and major periods of biological innovation and extinction, and for unravelling feedback mechanisms associated with paleoenvironmental change. The occurrence of anoxic, iron-rich (ferruginous) oceanic conditions often goes unrecognized, but refined techniques are currently providing evidence to suggest that ferruginous deep-ocean conditions were likely dominant throughout much of Earth's history. The prevalence of this redox state suggests that a detailed appraisal of the influence of ferruginous conditions on the evolution of biogeochemical cycles, climate, and the biosphere is increasingly required.
Self-Efficacy : Thought Control Of Action

Part 1: self-efficacy and human functioning exercise of personal agency through the self-efficacy mechanism two dimensions of perceived self- efficacy - cognitive control and behavioural coping ability. Part 2: self- Efficacy And Human Development Perceived Control - Motivation, Coping and development personal control over development - implications of self- Efficacy. Part 3: Self-Efficacy, Stress And Emotions Perceived Self- efficacy and phobic disability self-efficacy and depression. Part 4: self-efficacy and health behaviours self-efficacy in the adoption and maintenance of health behaviours - theoretical approaches and a new model self-efficacy and attribution theory in health education. Part 5: self-efficacy, physical symptoms, and rehabilitation of chronic disease the role of self-efficacy in recovery from heart attack self-efficacy mechanism in psychobiologic functioning.
The Postcranial Skeleton of the Aquatic Parareptile Mesosaurus tenuidens from the Gondwanan Permian

ABSTRACT The postcranial skeleton of Mesosaurus tenuidens, a reptile from the Lower Permian of eastern South America and southern Africa, is redescribed and illustrated in detail. The number of presacral vertebrae varies in M. tenuidens from 29 to a maximum of 33, which falls just short of the maximum (34–35 presacrals) known in its close relative Stereosternum tumidum. A cleithrum is reported for the first time in a mesosaur. The head of the interclavicle is triangular, rather than diamond-shaped as in other basal reptiles, including S. tumidum. The carpus of M. tenuidens is apomorphic in that the intermedium and the lateral centrale are coossified. The lateral centrale pedis is absent. Reappraisal of the aquatic adaptations of M. tenuidens suggests strongly that this reptile was fully dedicated to an aquatic lifestyle. Pervasive pachyostosis of the postcrania probably allowed animals to maintain neutral buoyancy in the uppermost 3–4 m of the water column. Additionally, such pachyostosis may have helped to control rolling at the surface, or perhaps served to maintain forward momentum during periods of gliding while moving underwater. Limited movement at the elbow and the ankle suggests that M. tenuidens could not walk on land, but individuals may have been able to push themselves across terrestrial substrates, perhaps in a manner analogous to that seen in female extant marine turtles on nesting beaches.
MODELING EFFECTS OF BRUSH MANAGEMENT ON THE RANGELAND WATER BUDGET: EDWARDS PLATEAU, TEXAS 1

ABSTRACT: The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to evaluate the influence of woody plants on water budgets of semi‐arid rangelands in karst terrain. The model was configured for the hydrologic evaluation of the North Fork of the Upper Guadalupe River watershed and was calibrated and verified using measured flow data. Nash and Sutcliffe fit efficiencies for daily and monthly verification periods were 0.09 and 0.50, respectively. Streamflow, baseflow, and evapotranspiration (ET) rates were comparable to published field data. Simulated deep recharge was considerably higher than the published values for the Edwards Plateau. The model was then used to simulate conditions with existing brush cover and four different brush removal scenarios. Scenarios were created to represent existing brush and the removal of brush from only locations that were either covered by heavy brush, were on a moderate slope, or were in shallow soils. Resulting data was compared to previous studies of both field experiments and model simulations. Maximum brush removal resulted in a reduction in ET equal to 31.94 mm/yr depth over the entire basin, or 46.62 mm/yr depth over the treated area. Removal of heavy brush cover resulted in the greatest changes in evapotranspiration, surface runoff, base‐flow, and deep recharge. Slope was found to have the greatest effect on lateral subsurface flow.
Beach Erosion Trends and Shoreline Forecasting

A principal research objective in coastal geomorphology is to define trends of phenomena, be it sea level or shoreline change. Many coastal states are presently utilizing historical shoreline change data to predict erosional trends for use in establishing building setback lines. A major concern involves choosing the appropriate statistical technique for trend determination. Unfortunately, shoreline position data are very limited and irregularly spaced through time.
Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in Australia: current and future perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide, and is increasing in incidence in Australia. For most people with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B, HCC screening and surveillance is recommended with 6‐monthly ultrasound. However, most patients with HCC are still diagnosed outside of surveillance with incurable disease. While HCC surveillance almost certainly reduces cancer‐related mortality, the potential harms of surveillance are incompletely understood. Surveillance uptake remains suboptimal in many contexts, and stems from a combination of patient, clinician and system level barriers. Improved case‐finding strategies may be required to identify high risk individuals in need of surveillance, as cirrhosis and viral hepatitis are often asymptomatic. HCC prediction models and novel surveillance tools such as biomarker panels, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may have a future role in personalised HCC surveillance. Analyses suggest surveillance may be cost‐effective, but Australian data remain limited. A centralised HCC surveillance program may ultimately have a role in delivering improved and more equitable care.
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd CARDIFF SCHOOL OF SPORT DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 2015-6 THE INFLUENCE OF RECOVERY MODE ON PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS AND PERFORMANCE DURING A REPEATED SPRINT PROTOCOL (Dissertation submitted under t

ii CHAPTER ONEIntroduction 1 CHAPTER TWOReview of Literature 4 2.1 Teaching styles and learning environment 5 2.2 How students learn theories 7 2.3 The visual, auditory and kinaesthetic (VAK) theory 7 2.4 The multiple intelligences theory 8 2.5 Deep and Surface Learning Theories 10 CHAPTER THREEMethodology 13 3.1 Design 14 3.2 Participants 14 3.3 Pilot study 15 3.4 Ethics 15 3.5 Procedure 16 3.6 Trustworthiness 16 3.7 Data Analysis 17 CHAPTER FOURResults and Discussion 19 4.1 Lead Lectures 22 4.2 Seminars 24 4.3 Practicals 27 4.4 Summary of Main Findings 29 CHAPTER FIVEConclusion 31
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd CARDIFF SCHOOL OF SPORT DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) SPORT & PHYSICAL EDUCATION The Effects of Music on Physiological Responses in Sub Maximal Arm Crank Ergometry

Discussion and Conclusions 2 To include: collation of information and ideas and evaluation of those ideas relative to the extant literature/concept/theory and research question/problem; adoption of a personal position on the study by linking and combining different elements of the data reported; discussion of the real-life impact of your research findings for coaches and/or practitioners (i.e. practical implications); discussion of the limitations and a critical reflection of the approach/process adopted; and indication of potential improvements and future developments building on the study; and a conclusion which summarises the relationship between the research question and the major findings.
UK National Ecosystems Assessment -Breeding Bird diversity as a function of Land Cover, Report to the Economics Team of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment

Birds are both the highest profile part of UK biodiversity with the general public and high in the food chain, so widely considered to be good indicators of wider ecosystem health. Birds are generally highly visible animals and thus provide a relatively easy form of wildlife for enthusiasts to view and record. Valuable, geographically sensitive, data is obtained from observers across the country which is not readily available for most other taxa in the UK. It has been demonstrated that birds can be sensitive to land use change, indeed, changes in farming practices have contributed to a 53% decrease in the England farmland bird index between 1966 and 2009 (DEFRA 2010). They are, therefore, the best available means by which to assess the biodiversity implications of land-use scenarios developed under the NEA.