Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspectos del ambiente físico-químico del río Chaguana: un primer paso en el uso de los macroinvertebrados bentónicos en la evaluación de su calidad de agua

El monitoreo biologico mediante macroinvertebrados bentonicos es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada en la evaluacion de la salud de rios y arroyos en paises desarrollados. A fin de evaluar su aplicabilidad en el Ecuador, muestras de macroinvertebrados acuaticos fueron tomadas en la cuenca del rio Chaguana en conjunto con parametros fisico-quimicos de calidad de suelo y agua. El presente trabajo, basado unicamente en los datos abioticos obtenidos, realiza una caracterizacion fisico-quimica del rio. Esta sera relacionada a futuro con la diversidad de los macroinvertebrados encontrados. Aunque el uso de pesticidas en la agricultura es intensivo en el area, solo algunos de los pesticidas aplicados fueron detectados en las muestras, confirmando asi la naturaleza puntual en tiempo de este tipo de muestreo. Las estaciones muestreadas, al ser caracterizadas por sus variables ambientales, mostraron un gradiente en relacion a su altitud, principalmente estructurado por la concentracion de amonio en el sedimento, el ancho del rio, la conductividad y la temperatura del agua. Dicho gradiente no mostro patron alguno al ser evaluado en relacion al orden del rio, en tanto que lo hizo parcialmente en relacion al uso del suelo. En general, esta evaluacion mostro los inconvenientes de un monitoreo de condiciones puntuales en tiempo, reforzando la importancia de utilizar adicionalmente metodos de evaluacion biologica, al momento de evaluar y monitorear el rio.
CLINICAL PROFILE OF LINEAR DERMATOSES EMPHASIZING ON THEIR PRESENTATION ALONG THE BLASHCO’S LINES

Source of Funding: Self Conflicts of interest: None DOI: 10.16965/ijims.2018. 124 Introduction: Skin lesions present with innumerable patterns like Discoid, Petaloid, Arcuate, Annular, Polycyclic, Livedo, Reticulate, Target, Stellate, Digitate, Linear, Serpiginous and Whorled. Most of the linear lesions follow the Blaschko’s lines. In this study the incidence of linear dermatoses, the age and sex incidence, various types of clinical presentation among the patients, the association, and various sites of distribution and clinic histopathological correlation of various linear dermatoses.
Gauge/gravity correspondence from open/closed string duality

We compute the annulus diagram corresponding to the interaction of a fractional D3 brane with a gauge field on its world-volume and a stack of N fractional D3 branes on the orbifolds 2/2 and 3/(2 ? 2). We show that its logarithmic divergence can be equivalently understood as due either to massless open string states circulating in the loop or to massless closed string states exchanged between two boundary states. This follows from the fact that, under open/closed string duality, massless states in the open and closed string channels are matched into each other without mixing with massive states. This explains why the perturbative properties of many gauge theories living on the world-volume of less supersymmetric and nonconformal branes have been recently obtained from their corresponding supergravity solution.
Soil as a water resource : Some thoughts on managing soils for productive landscapes meeting development challenges

Humanity is facing fundamental challenges in the anthropocene on how to produce food, fodder and fibre, in an era of increasingly limited resources. Freshwater and healthy soil systems are fundamental in this, and in particular in areas with high rainfall variability soils with low inherent nutrient status and people with marginal resources to invest in their local landscape production resources. This paper argue that soil and water management for healthy soil systems and availability of soils moisture (green water) are a first step towards transforming landscapes to more productive and sustainable, and yet an untapped opportunity in particular in sub-Sahara Africa and South Asia semiarid and sub-humid tropical areas. Three examples of transforming landscapes in India, Burkina Faso and Tanzania serve to inform on processes of change initiated by managing soil health and water in landscape. Changes have been achieved over 15-30 years, although not always towards an healthy state of the landscapes. Positive change has been achieved with significant internal and external investments, added knowledge and awareness, and through coupled soil nutrient and soil water interventions. Soil science academics can contribute to adoption of ‘green’ water management as a lever to accelerate improved production, productivity and sustainability of crops and surrounding ecosystem services in currently low yielding and unsustainable landscapes.
Charting Trends in the Mandelbrot Set & Showing Their Significance for Cosmology

The author has been exploring the Mandelbrot Set in unique ways, for about 30 years, by highlighting areas of the Complex plane where the magnitude of the iterand follows a trend. He discovered the Butterfly figure which appears when one colors in areas where the iterand’s magnitude diminishes monotonically over three iterations, revealing patterns in M that may have significance for theories of Cosmology. The progression of form along either edge from the cusp has an evolutive trend that appears to elucidate the fundamental forces. He published a letter in Amygdala , and had conversations with Benoit Mandelbrot, in the late 1980s. But further advances in Mathematics, since that time, establish the importance of the Mandelbrot Set and affirm the relevance of this line of study to Physics. However; a rigorous presentation of these ideas to the Mathematics and Physics community has not been made, so the material presented here has had limited attention thus far, and much of the territory the author has mapped remains largely unexplored by others. This paper is the first in a series to present this body of research to the larger community.
Quality assessment of local and franchise beef and chicken burgers

Six brands of local beef and chicken burgers, three brands of franchise beef and two brands of franchise chicken burgers were evaluated for proximate composition, myoglobin and meat content, colour (L, a, b values) and microbiology composition i.e. Total Plate Count (CFU/gm), Coliform and Escherichia coli Counts (MPN/gm), Staphylococus aureus Count (CFU/gm) and presence of Salmonella sp. All franchise beef burgers had higher protein and moisture contents (except burger C) and lower carbohydrate content than the local brands. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in fat, ash and crude fibre contents were observed between local brands and franchise beef burgers. Most local brands of chicken burgers had lower levels of protein and moisture and higher levels of fat, fibre and carbohydrate than the franchises. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in ash content was observed between the local brands and franchise chicken burgers. All beef burgers had low myoglobin and meat contents «65%) with the exception of AI, FI and GI burgers. Chicken burgers, EI, FI and franchise burger B had higher meat content (>65%) than the others. All beef and chicken burgers had higher 'L' values which ranged between 45.13 % to 53.68% and 62.75 % to 72.48% respectively except FI which was darker. Local brands of beef burgers had a higher 'a' value compared to the franchises and all chicken burgers had a low 'a" value except FI which was redder. Low Total Plate Count, Coliform and E. coli counts were detected in all burger samples. S. aureus counts in most local brands of beefand chicken burger samples were higher than the franchises which ranged from 2 to 11 CFU/gm sample and 6 to 22 CFU/gm sample respectively. Salmonella sp was not present in all burger samples.
Operational Retrieval of aerosol optical depth over Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean using INSAT-3D/Imager product validation

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean region is derived operationally for the first time from the geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite INSAT-3D Imager data at 0.65 µm wavelength. Single visible channel algorithm based on clear sky composites gives larger retrieval error in AOD than other multiple channel algorithms due to errors in estimating surface reflectance and atmospheric property. However, since MIR channel signal is insensitive to the presence of most aerosols, therefore in present study, AOD retrieval algorithm employs both visible (centred at 0.65 µm) and mid-infrared (MIR) band (centred at 3.9 µm) measurements, and allows us to monitor transport of aerosols at higher temporal resolution. Comparisons made between INSAT-3D derived AOD (τI) and MODIS derived AOD (τM) co-located in space (at 1 o resolution) and time during January, February and March (JFM) 2014 encompasses 1165, 1052 and 900 pixels, respectively. Good agreement found between τI and τM during JFM 2014 with linear correlation coefficients (R) of 0.87, 0.81 and 0.76, respectively. The extensive validation made during JFM 2014 encompasses 215 co-located AOD in space and time derived by INSAT 3D (τI) and 10 sun-photometers (τA) that includes 9 AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) and 1 handheld sun-photometer site. INSAT-3D derived AOD i.e. τI, is found within the retrieval errors of τI = ±0.07 ±0. 15τA with linear correlation coefficient (R) of 0.90 and root mean square error equal (RMSE) to 0.06. Present work shows that INSAT-3D aerosol products can be used quantitatively in many applications with caution for possible residual clouds, snow/ice, and water contamination.
Preferences for Consistency

This paper studies how a preference for consistency can affect economic decision-making. We propose a two-period model where people have a preference for consistency because consistent behavior allows them to signal personal and intellectual strength. We then present three experiments that study main predictions and implications of the model. The first is a simple principal-agent experiment that shows that consistency is valued by others and that this value is anticipated. The second experiment underlines the crucial role of early commitment for consistency preferences. Finally we show how preferences for consistency can be used to manipulate choices.
Impedance loading state determination for UHF Passive RFID Applications

In this paper, the scattering of a tag antenna situated in multipath environments and connected to different loading impedances is analyzed. The scattered field is contributed by three major components: the clutter field, the structure mode, and the antenna mode of the scattering antenna. We use a complex coordinate to graphically explain the relationship among the measured quantity and each contributing component. Experimental results show that the response difference between the two impedance states obtained by the coherent detection method is always greater than or equal to that obtained by the incoherent detection method.
Stock Market Efficiency : A Test of the Swedish Stock Market in the Weak Form

Background: A well-known study, similar to ours, was made in 1985 in America, showing that "loser" portfolios outperformed the market while "winner" portfolios earned less return than the market. This finding is not in accordance with the theory of efficient markets. If a market is efficient, there should be no possibility of making sustainable excess returns and prices should follow a random walk. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study a "winner" portfolio and a "loser" portfolio in order to establish whether the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form. We will study the efficiency of the A-list at Stockholm Stock Exchange. Delimitations: We test efficiency of the Swedish stock market in the weak form. Our investigation comprises stocks registered on the A-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. We do not take tax- and transactions costs into consideration in this study. Methodology: "Winner" and "loser" portfolios are formed for the period 1997- 2002. We keep the portfolios during a test period of one year, i.e. form new portfolios at the end of each year. The first winner and loser portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 1996 and the last two portfolios are selected on the last day of trading in 2001. Results: Our result indicates that the Swedish stock market is efficient in the weak form during the period 1997-2002.
Vertical Price Transmission of Perishable Products: The Case of Fresh Fruits in the Western United States

This paper investigates the asymmetry of price transmission in the marketing chain of shipping points and terminal markets for fresh fruits in the western United States. To preserve the distinct price patterns related to product perishability, we use data constructed at a fine time scale and representing the vertical markets linked with shipments. Using a decade of weekly data, we estimate the autoregressive distributed lag price transmission model and derive the dynamic multiplier effects of price responses. Our results indicate that the price adjustments and asymmetry patterns are closely related to product characteristics, especially the intensity of product perishability.
GENOTOXIC TESTING OF LEAD NITRATE IN AIR-BREATHING TELEOST CHANNA PUNCTATUS (BLOCH)

The in vivo genotoxic potential of lead nitrate was evaluated in a freshwater fish teleost Channa punctatus by investigating mitotic index (MI%) in the kidney cells and micronucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. Fishes were divided into seven groups. Fishes of group I constituted untreated controls. Fishes of group II consisted positive controls treated with cyclophosphamide @ 5 mg/l. Fishes of group III-VII were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (1.16, 1.55, 2.32, 4.64 and 5.8 mg/l) of Pb (NO 3 ) 2 dissolved in the distilled water. For genotoxicity assay, hematopoietic cells from the kidneys and caudal vein of fishes were examined after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. In the cells of kidney mitotic index decreased with increase in the concentration of lead nitrate. The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood increased concomitantly with the increase in concentration and period of exposure. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test revealed statistically significant effect of concentration of lead nitrate as well as duration of treatment on mitotic index and frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes.
A Survey of Search Strategies in the Dynamic Symbolic Execution

Dynamic symbolic execution (DSE) is an important way to discover software vulnerabilities. One key challenge in DSE is to find proper paths in the huge program execution space to generate effective inputs. Currently, the main search strategies used for DSE include classical search strategy, heuristic search strategy, and pruning redundance strategy. This paper reviews and compares the main search strategies of DSE in recent years, including the Generational strategy, CarFast, Control-Flow Directed Search, Fitness-Guided Search strategy, Context-Guided Search strategy, RWset technique and Veritesting.
A Review on Agency Cost of Shariah Governance in Mutual Fund

Mutual fund has become an increasingly important investment vehicle for retail investors, especially among households. Besides developing the institutional investment as an efficient momentum trader, the long-established separation of ownership and control in contemporary type of fund management has very much caused depreciation in shareholder value under minimum investor protection environment. The unobserved activities and widely magnitude decision skills of managers under imperfect contract with the tendency to serve self-interest exacerbates the shareholder wealth, predominantly in Shariah mutual fund, pertaining to dual investing interests. This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical literature with central attention given to the existing governance structure, Shariah governance in religious based fund, and some other related internal governance mechanisms. Concurrently, the review explains theoretically and conceptually the interrelationships among all relevant governance mechanisms. After some rigorous discussion and argument, this paper recommends further empirical investigation into this line of research to integrate the gap from developed market evidence.
Wear and Corrosion at the Titanium-Zirconia Implant Abutment Interface

Objectives: Dental implants have been shown to have predictable success, but esthetic complications often arise. To reduce tissue shadowing from titanium, zirconia abutments may be used; however, literature suggests that the use of zirconia leads to greater destruction of the implant interface and may result in biological complications such as titanium tattoos and heavy metal toxicity. Previous studies have examined the mechanical aspects of this implant/abutment relationship, but they have not accounted for the corrosive degradation that also takes place in the dynamic atmosphere of the oral cavity. This study investigated the synergistic effect of both wear and corrosion on the materials at the implant and abutment interface. Methods: Utilizing a simulated oral tribocorrosive environment, titanium (Ti) and zirconia (Zr) abutment materials were slid against titanium and RoxolidTM implant alloys. The testing was conducted for 25K cycles, and the coefficient of friction (COF) and voltage evolution were recorded simultaneously. Following the tribocorrosion assays, the wear volume loss was calculated, and surface characterization was performed. Statistical analysis was completed using a one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Bonferroni comparisons. Results: Zr/Ti groups had the highest COF (1.1647μ), and Ti/Ti had the lowest (0.5033μ). The Zr/Ti coupling generated significantly more mechanical damage than the Ti/Ti group (p=0.021). From the corrosion aspect, the Ti/Ti groups had the highest voltage drop (0.802 V), indicating greater corrosion susceptibility. In comparison, the Zr/RoxolidTM group had the lowest voltage drop (0.628 V) and significantly less electrochemical degradation (p=0.019). Overall, the Ti/Ti group had the largest wear volume loss (15.1x107 μm3), while the Zr/Ti group had the least volume loss (2.26x107 μm3). Both zirconia couplings had significantly less wear volume than the titanium couplings (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the synergistic interaction between wear and corrosion, which occurs when masticatory forces combine with the salivary environment of the oral cavity. Overall, the zirconia groups outperformed the titanium groups. In fact, the titanium groups generated 5-6 times more wear to the implant alloys as compared with the zirconia counterparts. The best preforming group was Zr/Ti, and the worst performing group was Ti/Ti.
Towards a better quantitative assessment of the relevance of deep-sea viruses, Bacteria and Archaea in the functioning of the ocean seafloor

The deep-ocean interior contains the majority of microbes present on Earth. Most deep-sea microbes are concentrated in surface sediments, with abundances up to 4 orders of magnitude higher, per unit of volume, than in highly productive waters of the photic zone. To date, it has been shown that prokaryotic biomass largely dominates over all other biotic components, but the relative importance of Bacteria, Archaea and viruses to the global benthic biomass has not yet been quantified. Here, we report that the microbial abundance in the top 50 cm of deep-sea sediments of the world oceans is on the order of 1.5 ± 0.4 × 1029. This is largely represented by viruses (9.8 ± 2.5 × 1028), followed by Bacteria (3.5 ± 0.9 × 1028 cells) and Archaea (1.4 ± 0.4 × 1028 cells). The overall biomass in the top 50 cm of the deep-sea sediments is 1.7 ± 0.4 Pg C, largely represented by bacterial biomass (ca. 78%), followed by archaeal biomass (ca. 21%) and viruses (<1%). The bathymetric patterns of abundance and biomass of the 3 microbial components show differences: abundance and biomass of Bacteria decrease with increasing water depth, whereas those of Archaea and viruses remain constant. These results support the hypothesis that the role of Archaea and viruses could be more relevant in the deepest part of the ocean floor.
An Open Invitation to Open Innovation

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Multi-domain Causal Structure Learning in Linear Systems

We study the problem of causal structure learning in linear systems from observational data given in multiple domains, across which the causal coefficients and/or the distribution of the exogenous noises may vary. The main tool used in our approach is the principle that in a causally sufficient system, the causal modules, as well as their included parameters, change independently across domains. We first introduce our approach for finding causal direction in a system comprising two variables and propose efficient methods for identifying causal direction. Then we generalize our methods to causal structure learning in networks of variables. Most of previous work in structure learning from multi-domain data assume that certain types of invariance are held in causal modules across domains. Our approach unifies the idea in those works and generalizes to the case that there is no such invariance across the domains. Our proposed methods are generally capable of identifying causal direction from fewer than ten domains. When the invariance property holds, two domains are generally sufficient.
On Localized Countermeasure Against Reactive Jamming Attacks in Smart Grid Wireless Mesh Networks

Reactive jamming attacks have been considered as one of the most lethal and disruptive threats to subvert or disrupt wireless networks since they attack the broadcast nature of transmission mediums by injecting interfering signals. Existing countermeasures for the Internet against reactive jamming attacks, i.e., channel surfing or frequency hopping, demands excessive computing resources, which are infeasible on the low cost resource constraint of the electrical devices in the Smart Grid wireless mesh networks. Even these are inadequate protect approaches to the control systems where the availability is the major security priority to achieve. To overcome the problems for normal lower computation power electrical devices in the Smart Grid wireless mesh networks with difference security triad from the Internet, we propose an efficient localized jamming-resistant countermeasure against the jamming attacks by the identification of trigger nodes whose wireless signal invokes the jammer in the grid. By constraining the trigger nodes to be receivers only, we can avoid the activation of the jammers and completely nullify the reactive jamming attack. The triggers identification approach utilizes a hexagon tiling coloring and sequential Group Testing (GT), which does not demand any sophisticated hardware. Theoretical analyses and simulation results endorse the suitability of our localized algorithm in terms of message and time complexity.