Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The fate of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Boliviar waste stabilisation ponds

During the last two decades there have been significant efforts directed towards re-use of treated wastewater effluent streams for exploitation in the agricultural, horticultural and mining sectors. This water must be “Fit for Purpose” as according to the guidance set out in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling, yet provision of this re-use water must not only manage health and environmental risks but also be cost effective. Recently there has been a renewed focus on Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSPs) as they offer an efficient and low cost option for the removal of nutrients and pathogens. However the ever-present risk of Cryptosporidium oocysts within wastewater effluent streams (due to the innate resistance of oocysts to chlorine based disinfection) has required additional treatment processes such as UV and ozone to be incorporated into treatment strategies where water is re-used, adding additional costs to recycling. Yet a knowledge gap exists regarding the fate of Cryptosporidium (oocyst numbers and infectivity) in lagoon systems and the addition of further treatment processes may not be warranted if oocysts are effectively removed and/or inactivated.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Age-related increases in false recognition

Older adults (OAs) are more likely to falsely recognize novel events than young adults, and recent behavioral and neuroimaging evidence points to a reduced ability to distinguish overlapping information due to decline in hippocampal pattern separation. However, other data suggest a critical role for semantic similarity. Koutstaal et al. [(2003) false recognition of abstract vs. common objects in older and younger adults: testing the semantic categorization account, J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. 29, 499–510] reported that OAs were only vulnerable to false recognition of items with pre-existing semantic representations. We replicated Koutstaal et al.’s (2003) second experiment and examined the inﬂuence of independently rated perceptual and conceptual similarity between stimuli and lures. At study, young and OAs judged the pleasantness of pictures of abstract (unfamiliar) and concrete (familiar) items, followed by a surprise recognition test including studied items, similar lures, and novel unrelated items. Experiment 1 used dichotomous “old/new” responses at test, while in Experiment 2 participants were also asked to judge lures as “similar,” to increase explicit demands on pattern separation. In both experiments, OAs showed a greater increase in false recognition for concrete than abstract items relative to the young, replicating Koutstaal et al.’s (2003) ﬁndings. However, unlike in the earlier study, there was also an age-related increase in false recognition of abstract lures when multiple similar images had been studied. In line with pattern separation accounts of false recognition, OAs were more likely to misclassify concrete lures with high and moderate, but not low degrees of rated similarity to studied items. Results are consistent with the view that OAs are particularly susceptible to semantic interference in recognition memory, and with the possibility that this reﬂects age-related decline in pattern separation.
Mapping regional forest fire probability using artificial neural network model in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem

ABSTRACT Forest fires are one of the most important factors in environmental risk assessment and it is the main cause of forest destruction in the Mediterranean region. Forestlands have a number of known benefits such as decreasing soil erosion, containing wild life habitats, etc. Additionally, forests are also important player in carbon cycle and decreasing the climate change impacts. This paper discusses forest fire probability mapping of a Mediterranean forestland using a multiple data assessment technique. An artificial neural network (ANN) method was used to map forest fire probability in Upper Seyhan Basin (USB) in Turkey. Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) approach based on back propagation algorithm was applied in respect to physical, anthropogenic, climate and fire occurrence datasets. Result was validated using relative operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Coefficient of accuracy of the MLP was 0.83. Landscape features input to the model were assessed statistically to identify the most descriptive factors on forest fire probability mapping using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Landscape features like elevation (R = −0.43), tree cover (R = 0.93) and temperature (R = 0.42) were strongly correlated with forest fire probability in the USB region.
A ﬁrst parallel programming approach in basins of attraction computation

The paper focuses on the development of a numerical code for the computation of basins of attraction by using the parallel programming. Two different approaches based on the massage passing interface (MPI) standard are presented; the performance analysis presented encourages to use a massive communication between nodes only for a few-cores architecture. The critical issues arising from the study of a generic dynamical system are discussed while the computation of basins is performed on a benchmark system described by the Dufﬁng’s equation. We paid attention at the optimization of the computing time as well as the work time load on each node in order to develop a performing and portable code. For the presented codes, both the scalability with an implementation on a professional cluster and the capabilities of the parallelism in the elaborations of basins with a large set of initial conditions have been tested.
Uncertainty assessment of mapping topsoil DDT spatial distribution using multiple indicator kriging.

Topsoil samples (n=544) were collected from the Zhangjiagang county of China. MultiGaussian (MG) approach and multiple indicator kriging (MIK) were applied for mapping the spatial distribution of DDT concentrations and the probability that DDT concentration exceeded a critical threshold concentration. High variability of DDT concentrations was observed. Areas with higher DDT concentrations are mainly distributed in the northeastern parts of the county where fluvo-aquic soils are the dominated soil types and historical heavy applications of DDT pesticide for cottons were identified during investigation. The DDT spatial distributions obtained by MG and MIK methods showed similar spatial patterns except that estimate of MG method is smoother. The areas with DDT concentrations that exceeded the background value of the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (CEQS) using MIK method is larger than those obtained by MG method. The estimated conditional cumulative distribution functions (ccdf) using MG and MIK methods are accurate and the goodness statistics G both close to 1. However the MIK is of higher precision for modelling DDT uncertainty because the widths of probability intervals are narrower while including the expected proportions of true values.
BAYESIAN MODELING OF M E A S U R E M E N T ERROR IN PREDICTOR VARIABLES USING ITEM RESPONSE THEORY JEAN-PAUL FOX AND CEES A.W. GLAS UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE

It is shown that measurement error in predictor variables can be modeled using i tem response theory (IRT). The predictor variables, that may be defined at any level of an hierarchical regression model, axe treated as latent variables. The normal ogive model is used to describe the relation between the latent variables and dichotomous observed variables, which may be responses to tests or questionnaires. It will be shown that the multilevel model with measurement error in the observed predictor variables can be estimated in a Bayesian framework using Gibbs sampling. In this article, handling measurement error via the normal ogive model is compared with alternative approaches using the classical true score model. Examples using real data are given.
Assessing illicit drugs in wastewater: advances in wastewater-based drug epidemiology

Assessing illicit drugs in wastewater: advances in wastewater-based drug epidemiology reviews a new approach to estimating drug use in populations, based on the detection and quantification of drugs and their metabolic products in community wastewater. Strengths of the wastewater-based approach include avoiding the problems associated with questionnaire-based research, better identification of the drugs being used and being able to provide near-real-time results, with the power to identify trends in drug use patterns, over time and geographically. Novel uses of the approach are explored, such as the early detection of new psychoactive substances on the drug market. The report also looks at the limitations to the approach and how these can be overcome for this new tool to take its place in the drug epidemiologist? s toolkit.
Scenario-Based Projection of Extreme Sea Levels

ABSTRACT Obeysekera, J. and Park, J., 2013. Scenario-based projection of extreme sea levels. Heavily populated urban centers and natural areas located in low-lying coastal regions are highly vulnerable to sea-level extremes. Historical data at many tide gages suggest that changes over time in extremes generally follow the rise in mean sea level. Assuming this observation to hold in the future, a relationship between mean sea-level rise and its associated extremes with a generalized extreme value distribution can provide future return levels of extreme sea levels. Current projections of future sea level, which include varying degrees of acceleration, may result in large increases in extremes that need to be accounted for in the evaluation of existing coastal projects or in the planning of new ones. Because precise quantitative estimates of the uncertainties in sea-level rise projections are not available, scenario-based approaches have been suggested for project evaluation and design. Here, we propose a general method based on the synthesis of extreme value statistics with sea-level rise scenarios that allows any combination of linear or nonlinear local and global sea-level rise components and can accommodate the nonstationary evolution of sea-level extremes. The temporal variation of the design level of protection for coastal projects, expressed as the return period of extreme events, and the future behavior of the risk are explored. The concepts are demonstrated through application to tide gage data at several locations in the United States.
THE SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING AND MAPPING OF CITY GREEN SPACE BASED ON AERIAL REMOTE SENSING DATA

This paper introduces the system for extracting and mapping of city green space based on aerial remote sensing data, including the method of city green space extraction, green space statistics, accuracy analysis and transformation from vector to raster. Aerial remote sensing data of East China Normal University is used to examine the system, the result showed that the system can quickly figure out the distribution and amount of green space, and the accuracy reaches over 85 percent.
Orthophoto generation from unorganized point clouds

The reconstruction of realistic precise surfaces is required in many different applications. To date, terrestrial laser scanning offers 3D input data which are suitable for surface generation but are lacking in photo-realistic appearance. Texture for scanned surfaces can be provided by orthophotos generated from photographs that are acquired from almost the same viewpoint as the incident laser beam. However, the creation of an orthophoto using typical photogrammetric procedures requires the representation of the scanned surface with a triangulated mesh which cannot be created automatically in all cases. In this paper, a new method for automatic orthophoto generation from unorganized point clouds is presented. In the proposed methodology, the acquisition of accurate height information is directly derived from the point cloud without the prior requirement of a triangulated mesh. Analysis of experimental data with large height variations demonstrates the success of the algorithm which produces an orthophoto in near real-time. Issues on the performance of the method are also discussed.
Predicting Potential Distribution of Gaur （Bos gaurus） in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Central India

The rapid pace of development of GIS (geographical information system) has assisted in identification of conservation priority sites by delineating species distribution using models on habitat suitability. Gaur, Bos gaurus, is categorized as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2009. The study has used ENFA (ecological niche factor analysis) to understand the distribution status of Gaur in TATR (Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve), Central India. TATR was sampled using stratified random sampling strategy. A total of 21 continuous variables were used, categorised under 4 environmental descriptors categories viz. habitat, anthropogenic, topographic and hydrological variables. All the variables were tested for the correlation and one of the variable among strongly correlated (r > 0.7) variables was discarded to avoid redundancy. A total of 14 variables were retained. The model resulted in marginality of 0.56 and specialization of 2.608. Presence of Gaur showed the positive association with canopy density classes (< 30% & 40-60%) and open forest. However, it was negatively associated with elevation, non-forest, riparian forest, scrub and teak forest. The study has delineated the areas where appropriate habitat conditions exist to sustain Gaur populations vital for planning strategies for conservation of this megaherbivore species in tropical forests.
Effects of Oilseed Meals on the Germination, Growth, and Survival of Crop and Weed Species

Effects of Oilseed Meals on the Germination, Growth, and Survival of Crop and Weed Species. (December 2010) Katie Lynn Rothlisberger, B.S., Sam Houston State University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Frank M. Hons Dr. Terry J. Gentry Oilseed crops are being widely evaluated for potential biodiesel production. Seed meal (SM) remaining after extracting oil may have use as a bioherbicide or organic fertilizer. Brassicaceae SM often contains glucosinolates that can hydrolyze into biologically active compounds. Jatropha curcas SM does not contain glucosinolates but contains curcin, a known phytotoxin (toxalbumin). A 14-d greenhouse study was conducted to determine how Sinapis alba (white mustard, WM), Brassica juncea (Indian mustard, IM), Camelina sativa (camelina) and Jatropha curcas (jatropha) applied to soil at varying application rates and incubation times affected seed germination and seedling survival of cotton [Gossypium hirsutum (L.)], sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Seed meals were analyzed for the presence of glucosinolates, and were applied at 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.5% (w/w) to Darco fine sand soil and incubated for 1, 7 or 14 d prior to planting. With the weed species, germination and survival was most reduced by 2.5% WM SM incubated 1d for Johnsongrass and 14 d for redroot pigweed. Cotton and sorghum seedlings showed strong negative responses to WM SM applications of 2.5% at any
La Fauna silvestre y su relación con el bienestar de tres comunidades de la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de Huautla, Morelos

La fauna silvestre constituye un recurso para comunidades rurales que puede ser aprovechado como alimento, fuente de empleo y fuente de ingreso; ademas de estar presente en actividades de convivencia y cultura. El objetivo delpresente trabajo fue documentar las formas tradicionales de aprovechamiento de fauna silvestre y su relacion con el bienestar social en las comunidades: El Limon, Los Sauces y Chimalacatlan, dentro de la Reserva de la BiosferaSierra de Huautla, Morelos. Se realizaron 46 entrevistas semi-estructuradas a personajes clave de las comunidades, 2 grabaciones de juntas con las autoridades de SEMARNAT y 16 observaciones participativas de aprovechamientos de fauna. Se registraron un total de 16 especies animales aprovechadas de las cuales destacan: Venado cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus), tejon (Nasua narica), serpiente de cascabel (Crotalus durissus) y cuatro especies de aves: huilota (Zenaida macroura), tortolita (Columbina passerina), paloma de ala blanca (Zenaida asiatica) y chachalaca(Ortalis poliocephala). Las formas de caceria usadas son: arriada, espiada, campeada y lampareada. Los motivos de caza, y por tanto los beneficios que aporta la fauna silvestre al bienestar, son el alimenticio, el medicinal, la caceriade animales daninos para cultivos o venenosos, y el esparcimiento.
Evolution of Access Routes to High Mountain Refuges of the Mer de Glace Basin (Mont Blanc Massif, France). An Example of Adapting to Climate Change Effects in the Alpine High Mountains

Glacial shrinkage and the gravitational processes associated with it, which are characteristic of global warming effects in high mountain environments, are affecting mountaineering routes more and more, including access routes to high altitude refuges. These changes have almost never been studied. Also, this research seeks to identify and explain the evolution of access trails to five refuges, located in the Mer de Glace basin (Mont Blanc massif), over more than a century. This glacier is the largest in France (L = 11.5 km, SA = 30 km²) is a major Alpine tourist attraction since 1741 and is the birthplace of mountaineering. This work is based on a three-step methodology: 1) collection and analysis of maps, climbing guidebooks and photographs, 2) semi-structured interviews and 3) analysis of high-resolution digital terrain models obtained through terrestrial laser scanning.While there was not a significant evolution during most of the 20th century, glacier thickness loss and the associated erosion of lateral moraines have resulted in numerous modifications made to the access trails since the 1990s. Despite these adaptations, the danger they pose continues to rise, and the necessity to equip them is ever more important (633 m. of ladders at present), which raises doubts about the future accessibility of such high mountain refuges.
Effect of Genotype , Explant Type and Culture Medium on Shoot Regeneration in Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill . ) in vitro

GROZEVA, S. , V. RODEVA and Z. DANAILOV, 2006. Effect of genotype, explant type and culture medium on shoot regeneration in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in vitro. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 12: 435-439 The regeneration capacity of three explants types (segments from hypocotyls, cotyledons and true leaves) in eight tomato lines (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was studied. Explants were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators BA and IAA. In the studied treatments of these regulators highest regenerative activity was established in leave explants (44.0% and 36.4%, respectively), comparatively lower in the cotyledon (33.3% and 30.6%, respectively) and hypocotyl segments (21.7% and 19.3%, respectively). The highest regenerative frequency was observed in line XXIVA (65.3%) and the lowest one in line No8 (3.6%). The best results were obtained in medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BA and 0.2 mg/l IAA that proves the strongest dependence of in vitro regeneration on genotype as well as less on type of explants and medium composition. Kay words: Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. , tomato, in vitro regeneration stanislava77@abv.bg; velirod@evrocom.net; Zhivkodanailov@abv.bg Introduction The initial genetic diversity is a necessary basis for successful development of the applied breeding. At present, the necessity of rich and various initial breeding material for creation of high qualitative and competitive varieties and F1 hybrids requires parallel application of traditional and modern biotechnological methods. In vitro tomato regeneration is achieved through direct and indirect organogenesis and embryogenesis. These problems are studied by many authors marking dependence of the process from genotype and explant type (Moghaieb et al., 1999; Gubis et al., 2003; Bhatia et al., 2004). It was established that on the regeneration activity there is an effect of medium content, explant size and age (Plastira and
Optimal Control for a System Modelling Tumor Anti-Angiogenesis

The scheduling of angiogenic inhibitors to control a vascularized tumor is analyzed as an optimal control problem. For the underlying dynamics the model by Ergun, Camphausen and Wein [3], which is an approximation and simplification of the more complex model developed by Hahnfeldt et al. [4], is taken. Two formulations of the problem are considered. In the first model optimal controls minimize the tumor volume for a given amount of angiogenic inhibitors to be administered while the second formulation tries to achieve a balance between tumor reduction and total amount of angiogenic inhibitors given. For both models a full synthesis of optimal solutions is presented and the differences in the two solutions are discussed.
School leadership for equity: lessons from the literature

Responding to Thrupp’s (2003, p. 169) call for writers on school leadership to offer ‘analyses which provide more critical messages about social inequality and neo-liberal and managerialist policies’ we use Foucault’s (2000) theory of power to ask what lessons we might learn from the literature on school leadership for equity. We begin by offering a definition of neoliberalism; new managerialism; leadership and equity, with the aim of revealing the relationship between the macropolitical discourse of neoliberalism and the actions of school leaders in the micropolitical arena of schools. In so doing we examine some of the literature on school leadership for equity that post-dates Thrupp’s (2003) analysis, seeking evidence of critical engagement with/resistance to neoliberal policy. We identify three approaches to leadership for equity that have been used to enhance equity in schools internationally: (i) critical reflection; (ii) the cultivation of a ‘common vision’ of equity; (iii) ‘transforming dialogue’. We consider if such initiatives avoid the hegemonic trap of neoliberalism, which captures and disarms would-be opponents of new managerial policy. We conclude by arguing that, in spite of the dominance of neoliberalism, head teachers have the power to speak up, and speak out, against social injustice.