Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of reindeer grazing on ground‐dwelling Carabidae and Curculionidae assemblages in Lapland

Reindeer Rangifer tarandus L. grazing shapes forest vegetation, microclimate, and soil respiration in Lapland, especially due to grazing on lichens (Cladina). We studied how these changes and their magnitude affect ground-dwelling species of beetle families Carabidae (predators) and Curculionidae (herbivores), by using pitfall traps to collect invertebrates from pairs of grazed and ungrazed study plots over a wide range of site types. Changes in abundance, composition, richness and diversity of beetle assemblage were tested in relation to magnitude of the impacts on vegetation. The species compositions of Carabidae and Curculionidae differed between grazed and ungrazed plots in all sites. The relative difference between grazed and ungrazed plots in the number of individuals increased linearly with the impact of reindeer on vegetation cover. Carabid beetles, as a family, were more common in grazed plots in all sites. Curculionid beetles were more common in ungrazed plots in the birch dominated sites. This difference was mainly due to the species that feeds on deciduous leaves. In the pine dominated sites with high Cladina cover and more changes in ground vegetation, the number of curculionids feeding on conifers was higher in grazed plots. Species richness and diversity (H’) of both families were higher in grazed plots. Of the total 27 species, 11 were found only in grazed plots, while not a single species was found only in ungrazed plots. The relative difference between plots in diversity and evennes (H’/H'max) had humped response to the difference in Cladina cover. The diversity values were greater in grazed plots at the intermediate levels of grazing impact, and only in sites with very low or extremely high Cladina cover difference was the diversity higher in ungrazed plots. The response of beetle diversity resembled the hypotheses suggested for the relationship between grazing and vegetation diversity: greatest positive effect at intermediate grazing intensity and negative effects at unproductive sites.
Integrating geospatial information into fire risk assessment

Fire risk assessment should take into account the most relevant components associated to fire occurrence. To estimate when and where the fire will produce undesired effects, we need to model both (a) fire ignition and propagation potential and (b) fire vulnerability. Following these ideas, a comprehensive fire risk assessment system is proposed in this paper,whichmakesextensiveuseofgeographicinformationtechnologiestoofferaspatiallyexplicitevaluationoffirerisk conditions. The paper first describes the conceptual model, then the methods to generate the different input variables, the approachestomergethosevariablesintosyntheticriskindicesandfinallythevalidationoftheoutputs.Themodelhasbeen applied at a national level for the whole Spanish Iberian territory at 1-km 2 spatial resolution. Fire danger included human factors, lightning probability, fuel moisture content of both dead and live fuels and propagation potential. Fire vulnerability was assessed by analysing values-at-risk and landscape resilience. Each input variable included a particular accuracy assessment, whereas the synthetic indices were validated using the most recent fire statistics available. Significant relations (P,0.001) with fire occurrence were found for the main synthetic danger indices, particularly for those associated to fuel moisture content conditions.
The Design of a 0.35THz Microstrip Patch Antenna on LTCC Substrate

A microstrip patch antenna on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) substrate operating at 350GHz for THz communication has been designed. CST MWS package has been used for simulation and S11 reached a minimum of -25.6dB at 349GHz with 8.6% bandwidth. The maximum gain achieved is 5dBi. Furthermore, a prototype for a downscaled antenna designed at 10GHz with available FR4 substrate has been fabricated and measured.
Microcontroller Based Flexible Modulation Scheme of MLI Operation for Selective Lower Levels: A Knowledge Based Approach

In today’s industrial world multilevel inverter (MLI) got a significant importance in medium voltage application and also a very potential topic for researchers. It is experienced that studying and comparing results of multilevel inverter (MLI) at distinct levels are a costlier and time consuming issue for any researcher if he fabricate different inverters for each level, as designing power modules simultaneously for different level is a cumbersome task. In this paper a flexible quotient has been proposed to recognize possible conversion of available MLI to few lower level inverters by appropriately changing microcontroller programming. This is an attempt to obtain such change in levels through simulation using MATLAB Simulink on inductive load which may also be applied to induction motor. Experimental results of pulse generation using dsPIC33EP256MC202 demonstrate the feasibility of proposed scheme. Proposed flexible quotient successfully demonstrates that a five-level inverter may be operated as three and two levels also. The paper focuses on odd levels only as common mode voltage (CMV) can be reduced to zero and performance of drives is better than even level. Simulated and experimental results are given in paper.
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATED SOILS IN TEHRAN

Contamination of soil was investigated in this study from the Tehran Oil refining Co. of Iran. Fifteen soil samples were collected at several points in the Azimabad, 15 km south of Tehran City, Iran. Samples were collected at depths of 0-30 cm. Control sampleswere prepared to determinebackgroundlevels ofsoil contaminationwithpetroleumhydrocarbonsfor comparison with contaminatedsites. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations varied from 101334.0-101367.1 and 25321.1-25876.6 mg kg -1 respectively. The results elevated levels of TPH and PAH contents when compared with the control sample. Soil acidity (low pH of 5.3-5.9) and low electrical conductivity provided evidence of reduced metabolic activities on the affected site.Microbialgrowthrates for bacteria and fungi expressed as colony forming units were 2.62×10 9 and 4.14×10 6 CFU/g soil, respectively for the contaminated and 5.76×10 9 and 6.83×10 6 CFU/g soil, for the control treatments respectively. These drastic changes can have impact on the nutrient cycle and prevents the absorption of nutrients by plant root sand lead to a reduction in yield.
The Composition and Use Value of Tree Biomass Ash

Abstract Wood-based ash landfilling is increasing issue not only in Latvia but in the whole world as more biomass is used for energy production. Utilization of wood burning waste as fertilizer is already used worldwide, but there is lack of information about chemical composition of wood ash obtained from Latvia plants, so the aim of this study was to determine chemical composition and analyse possible utilization options of wood-based ash from Latvia plants. Therefore wood ash samples from 53 companies were collected, sieved and chemical composition of samples was determined. It was concluded that within higher capacity of furnace more coarse fraction of wood ash was observed which is less valuable as fertilizer. Wood ash is good liming material consisting alkali compounds and other biogenic elements but also heavy metals, which are pollutants and could cause environmental problems.
A comparative analysis of functional & structural i mpact of N171A in endo-β- N-acetylglucosaminidases through computational approach

Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases (ENGases) are the key enz ymes showing dual specificity with an ability to catalyze hydrolysis and transglycosylation reaction s.These enzymes have became the focal point for res earchers because of their potentiality for synthesis of glyc opeptides. Recently, few important ENGase mutants o Artherobacter protophormiae were screened that affe cts the catalytic activity of ENGase. Out of variou s mutants, the N171A mutant is having the property to abolish the whole enzymatic activity, both hydrolytic and transglycosylation activity (Jie Yin.,et al, 2009) . In this study, we compared mutant N171A with nati ve protein(PDB 3FHQ) to understand the structural changes, especia lly the hydrogen bonding pattern at the active site region which is causing the loss of catalytic activity in the mutant. The mutation position at 171 was mapped in th e 3FHQ the native protein structure and a mutant with replacem ent of amino acid residue from Aspargine to Alanine was modeled by using homology modeling and simulation u p to 10ns was done by Scrodinger Molecular modeling software. The results obtained from this computatio nal analysis are correlated to experimental data an d it Provides the potential insights to understand the key residu es for catalytic activity of Atherobacter ENGase of both native and mutant protein to evaluate the stability, conformat ional differences .
Potent anticancer compounds from the ocean Pt

Over 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans, and it is an established fact now, that life originated in the oceans. Additionally, the oceans are also the source of matchless natural products that are mainly accumulated in living organisms. Several bioactive compounds of therapeutic interest have been isolated from marine invertebrates, and some of them have been reported to be of microbial origin. Numerous of these compounds show pharmacological activities and are helpful for the invention and discovery of bioactive compounds, primarily for deadly diseases like cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, etc., while others have also been shown to possess several valuable properties. The secondary metabolites of microorganisms, algae and invertebrates, possess lifesaving properties, and are deadly toxins as well, depending on the dosage. Recent developments have opened colossal areas of research for the isolation of biologically active compounds from marine flora and fauna.
Facile green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs): antibacterial and photocatalytic activities

The objective of this study was carried out to exhibit a novel, cost-effective, non-toxic and green way to prepare ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using Laurus nobilis plant extract as both reducing and capping agents without any hazardous material. X-ray diffraction analysis also confirmed that the synthesized NPs has Wurtzite hexagonal structure with an average crystalline size between 20 and 35 nm. The extract was found to contain reducing components such as polyphenols (22.5%) and flavonoids (21%). The ZnO NPs was characterized by a peak 375 nm in the UV- Vis spectrum. In addition, FTIR results provided the presence of both, leaf extract and ZnO NPs. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs was investigated against Escherichia coli using an agar dilution method. The minimal inhibitory concentration value of the ZnO nanoparticles was found to be 1200 μg ml−1 for E. coli. As a result, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs indicated a great promise for applications in a large area of biomedical applications as a kind of antibacterial material. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs also conducted successful photocatalytic activity as much as commercial ZnO powders under the UV light using the textile dye, Remazol Brilliant Red F3B (Reactive Red 180 (RR180)) solutions. We found an excellent degradation percentage (99%) within a short time (60 min). Plant extract was suggested as an essential bioresource of producing ZnO NPs.
ompariag Predictor Methods ; the case of Po ikruptcy Predicti ! oir

The aim of this study was to compare three methods of bankruptcy prediction, which were Multivariate Discriminant Analysis, Logit Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks. The methods were compared based on their ability to correctly classify and predict bankruptcy on American public listed companies one year prior to the year of failure. The window of interest in this study was the ten year period from 1984 to 1994. Eleven financial ratios, based on a study by Karels & Prakash (1987), were used in the three prediction methods. It was expected, based on previous literature, that the Artificial Neural Network would be the superior method. This study used a more robust testing technique, incorporating different proportions of bankrupt and financially stable companies as well as different sample mixes between the classification and holdout sample. Overall, it was Multivariate Discriminant Analysis which proved to be the best method of prediction in this study.
EFFECT OF SEASON ON PLASMA CONCENTRATION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I AND 1.25-DIHYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL IN HORSES

During the summer season, plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in Arabian, Anglo-Arabian and Hucul horses as well as colts and fillies were higher compared to the winter season. Significant differences in IGF-I concentration between the seasons were found in Hucul horses (P≤0.01) and in colts (P≤0.05). Season had no significant effect on 1.25(OH) 2 -D 3 concentration in the horse breeds studied. However, plasma concentrations of this hormone were always higher in the summer than in the winter season regardless of the breed (except Anglo-Ara - bians) and sex. Knowledge and monitoring of the physiological concentrations of IGF-1 and vita - min D 3 metabolites in different seasons of the year, combined with analysis of growth rate during these periods may contribute to the improvement of the horse management and feeding system. Because of the association between these hormones and the frequency of developmental orthopaedic diseases, this information could be potentially used in veterinary practice.
Queen Pheromone and Monopoly of Reproduction by the Queen in the Social Wasp Ropalidia Marginata

Ropalidia marginata is a primitively eusocial (truly social) wasp found in peninsular India. It is different from the typical primitively eusocial species in having docile queens that cannot use aggression to maintain reproductive monopoly. Recent studies using chemical analysis and bioassays indicate that Dufour’s gland is a source of the queen pheromone in this species. Queens appear to signal their presence to workers through their Dufour’s gland compounds, possibly by applying them on the nest surface, and this results in suppression of reproduction by workers, resulting in reproductive monopoly by the queen. The Dufour’s gland was found to contain saturated long chain hydrocarbons, which have recently been suggested to be the ancestral state of fertility signals in Hymenoptera. The Dufour’s gland composition differed significantly between queens and workers, and was also correlated with the state of ovarian development, varying continuously as a function of ovarian development, thereby advocating the honesty of the queen pheromone. This elucidates the mechanism of maintenance of eusociality through pheromonal queen signalling by the Dufour’s gland compounds.
Accounting for the Decline in the Velocity of Money in the Japanese Economy

A notable feature of the Japanese economy following the banking crisis of the late 1990s is the drastic decline in the velocity of money and the consequent decline in the price level. Based on the inventory model of money demand a la Alvarez, Atkeson, and Edmond (2009), we explore how macroeconomic shocks affect the velocity. Households in the model are subject to a multiple-period cash-in-advance constraint in which the portion of the payment in cash, which we call the liquidity requirement, varies according to the credit service supply in the economy. Extracting various shocks underlying the velocity variations from 1990 to 2010, we find that an increase in the liquidity requirement is the key driver of the decline in velocity. Particularly important is the channel stemming from households f expectations about the future liquidity requirement. During the Japanese banking crisis and the global financial crisis, credit service is disrupted and households expect the disruption to last long. Since they demand additional money for a higher liquidity requirement for current and future transactions, the velocity and the price level decrease, even though the growth rate of money stock then exceeds that of consumption.
Method to estimate critical exponents using numerical studies

A novel method to estimate the critical point and critical exponents of physical models from numerical studies is presented. The method utilizes linear approximation to compute the values of the characteristic variables in the near vicinity of the critical point from numerical results obtained for only one point in that vicinity. The method is applied to two models: Two-dimensional directed percolation, and one-dimensional reaction-diffusion model. In both cases the critical point and critical exponents are determined with higher accuracy than achieved in former studies. In the reaction-diffusion model, the results strongly suggest simple rational values of 1/3, 1/12, etc., for the characteristic exponents.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PCL/HA/PPY COMPOSITE SCAFFOLD USING FREEZE-DRYING TECHNIQUE

Bone tissue regeneration and healing could be notably quickened via applying electrical stimuli in the defected area. Hence, a conductive tissue engineering scaffold that is capable of delivering the electrical stimuli is greatly desirable. In this study, electrically conductive scaffold was fabricated by using a biocompatible conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPY) in the optimized nanocomposite scaffold of Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) using freeze–drying technique. The scaffolds were evaluated by using a number of techniques. The morphology of the scaffolds was observed and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Composite scaffolds with suitable pore size distribution were obtained by freezing the polymer solution mixture at -18oC, by controlling the polymer and solvent phase crystallization. The results showed that the average pore sizes were decreased from 123. 7μm for PCL scaffolds to 91. 6μm with the incorporation of HA nanoparticles. Electrical conductivity of the scaffolds was evaluated using a digital multimeter. The wettability and porosity of the scaffolds were increased with the incorporation of Polypyrrole than Polycaprolactone scaffold. The newly fabricated PCL/HA/PPY scaffold showed good prospect to be employed for bone tissue engineering applications.
The (In)Security of Smart Cities: Vulnerabilities, Risks, Mitigation, and Prevention

ABSTRACT In this paper we examine the current state of play with regards to the security of smart city initiatives. Smart city technologies are promoted as an effective way to counter and manage uncertainty and urban risks through the effective and efficient delivery of services, yet paradoxically they create new vulnerabilities and threats, including making city infrastructure and services insecure, brittle, and open to extended forms of criminal activity. This paradox has largely been ignored or underestimated by commercial and governmental interests or tackled through a technically-mediated mitigation approach. We identify five forms of vulnerabilities with respect to smart city technologies, detail the present extent of cyberattacks on networked infrastructure and services, and present a number of illustrative examples. We then adopt a normative approach to explore existing mitigation strategies, suggesting a wider set of systemic interventions (including security-by-design, remedial security patching and replacement, formation of core security and computer emergency response teams, a change in procurement procedures, and continuing professional development). We discuss how this approach might be enacted and enforced through market-led and regulation/management measures, and then examine a more radical preventative approach to security.
A novel body-on-insulator (BOI) FinFET with excellent TID tolerance and scaling capability

In this paper, the total ionizing dose (TID) response of body-on-insulator (BOI) FinFETs is investigated and compared with bulk Si FinFETs by 3D TCAD simulation. The irradiation induced off-state leakage current (Ioff) is significantly reduced by the localized oxide layer in the sub-fin region of BOI FinFETs. The Ioff of BOI FinFETs increases negligibly after irradiation. In contrast, the Ioff of bulk Si FinFETs with the same geometry increases by several times after irradiation. Besides, BOI FinFETs show weaker dependence on fin width, and the off-state leakage current of bulk FinFETs induced by TID irradiation increases significantly with the decrease of fin width. Moreover, with the scaling of gate length, the Ioff of BOI FinFETs remains almost unchanged, while it increases by more than an order of magnitude for bulk FinFETs, which indicates that BOI FinFETs show strong scaling capability in terms of TID. Therefore, BOI FinFETs demonstrate strong TID tolerance and scaling capability, and have great potential for application in radiation environment.
Lipid Distribution Associated With a Clandestine Grave: A Burial in Mangrove Soil

Locating clandestine grave is difficult using the traditional methods as it is time consuming, costly and involves a lot of human power. By determining the soil lipid distribution for each decomposition stages, the prior presence of a body in a grave can be confirmed and the estimated postmortem interval (PMI) can be established. In this study, fatty flesh of commercial pig (Sus Scrofa) was allowed to decompose under controlled laboratory experiment, mimicking a burial in a shallow grave. The fatty flesh was buried in mangrove soil under tropical climate. Soils were collected at eight designated sampling points, representing different decomposition stages. Lipids were extracted using Modified Bligh-Dyer Extraction Method and analyzed with Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The common lipids found were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and cholesterol. Obvious difference in lipid content was observed in soil with and without burial. Lipid is a suitable burial biomarker for forensic scientists and law enforcements in solving crime cases.
Sustainability management and tourism impacts on communities: Residents’ attitudes in Maun and Tshabong, Botswana

Sustainability management and especially socio-cultural sustainability of tourism is premised on community awareness, participation and deriving socio-economic benefits from tourism. The purpose of the study was to examine local awareness, attitudes and relations towards tourism operations in Maun and Tshabong, Botswana. A qualitative study informed by in-depth interviews was undertaken in two tourist destinations in Botswana, viz. Maun and Tshabong which are at different stages and scales of tourism development. Based on the study the interviewed community members from both case sites were supportive of further tourism growth and development. Interestingly, in particular, there was support for the promotion of cultural tourism which was seen as ensuring meaningful community participation in tourism development and operations. Other findings suggested that interviewees were also aware of negative impacts associated with tourism such as pollution, demonstration effects and economic leakages. The issue of poaching was of particular local concern as it was perceived against the spirit of community-based tourism.