Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the lignin polymer in Brassicaceae family

Background and objectives: Residues of medicinal plants after extraction and weeds are suitable candidates for bioethanol production. Significant barriers exist to make the conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock to biofuel cost effective and environmentally friendly; one of which is the lignin polymer. Brassicaceae family is one of the potential targets for biofuel production. The structural characteristics of lignin from Hirschfeldia incana, Sisymbrium altissimum and Cardaria draba were studied in comparison to that of Brassica napus. Methods: Lignin deposition was observed by phloroglucinol and Maule staining. The total lignin content was determined by Klason method. Maximum UV absorbance and FT-IR spectra were compared. Ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl lignin (S/G ratio) as a metric of lignin digestibility was determined by DFRC followed by GC-MS analysis. 1H-NMR spectra of the total lignin was compared with other spectroscopic methods. Results: Staining of thestem cross sections of C. draba showed higher G units in contrast to the higher S units in S. altissimum which was in agreement with 1H-NMR analysis. Total lignin content for H. incana, C. draba and S. altissimum was 27.10%, 23.8% and 24.5%, respectively. The specific maximum UV absorbance appeared between 230-260 nm. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of more aromatic structures in the seed maturation stage than the flowering stage. S/G ratio was 0.26, 0.10 and 0.22 for H. incana, C. draba and S. altissimum, respectively. Conclusion: Except Cardaria draba with the predominance of G subunits in lignin polymer, Hirschfeldia incana and Sisymbrium altissimum are suitable candidates for bioethanol production.
Prototype of an Intervention Strategy with a focus on mathematics support for first year Civil Engineering students "at risk"

BACKGROUND Retention strategies are vital for universities to compete successfully in a deregulated market, as new cohorts of first year Engineering students not only struggle with the new environments, but also may be less prepared in prerequisite areas such as mathematics. In this environment, it is now each university’s responsibility towards enrolled students to provide support structures to engage them and to give them a chance to successfully complete their degree.
Effects of increased seawater pCO2 on early development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas

This study demonstrated that the increased partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in seawater and the attendant acidification that are projected to occur by the year 2300 will severely impact the early development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Eggs of the oyster were artificially fertilized and incubated for 48 h in seawater acidified to pH 7.4 by equilibrating it with CO2-enriched air (CO2 group), and the larval morphology and degree of shell mineralization were compared with the con- trol treatment (air-equilibrated seawater). Only 5% of the CO2 group developed into normal 'D- shaped' veliger larvae as compared with 68% in the control group, although no difference was observed between the groups up to the trochophore stage. Thus, during embryogenesis, the calcification process appears to be particularly affected by low pH and/or the low CaCO3 saturation state of high-CO2 seawater. Veliger larvae with fully mineralized shells accounted for 30% of the CO2-group larvae, compared with 72% in the control (p < 0.005). Shell mineralization was completely inhibited in 45% of the CO2-group larvae, but only in 16% of the control (p < 0.05). Normal D-shaped veligers of the control group exhibited increased shell length and height between 24 and 48 h after fertilization, while the few D-shaped veligers of the CO2 group showed no shell growth during the same period. Our results suggest that future ocean acidification will have deleterious impacts on the early development of marine benthic calcifying organisms.
The availability and utilization of school library resources in some selected Secondary Schools (High School) in Rivers State

This study investigates the availability and utilization of school library resources by Secondary School (High School) Students. Eight Selected Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria were chosen based on their performance in external examinations and geographic locations. In carrying out the research, questionnaires were administered to both teachers and students of the schools. Findings revealed that school library services were either lacking or not in place in most Secondary Schools. Consequently, it was discovered that none of the secondary school met the prescribed standard for established school libraries at the secondary levels. Also in cases where spaces were provided for library, the materials in the libraries were not only scanty but poorly organized for effective library and information service delivery. It is suggested that library and school authorities should make adequate provision for school library services in Secondary Schools for improvement in the standard. Equally important is the fact that the recommended National Educational Policy on the need for secondary school libraries be made mandatory for all Secondary Schools. This has become necessary as a result of the importance of school library especially development of e-library in the life of the modern child and its immense role towards realizing the educational and millennium goals. Key words: Availability and utilization, school library resources, secondary schools (high school)
Use of an external organic carbon source in the removal of nitrates in bio-sand filters (BSFs)

Abstract. Bio-sand filters (BSFs) are point-of-use (POU) potable water filtration systems commonly used in low-income communities at household level. The principle of operation is similar to that of a slow sand filter and the major difference is that they are operated intermittently at the POU. It is one of the emerging low-cost technologies which makes use of readily and locally available construction materials but is poor in the removal of nitrates. In order to enhance the removal of nitrates through denitrification, a modified BSF with ethanol as an external carbon source at C / N ratios of 1.1 and 1.8 was investigated. In the absence of an external carbon source, the nitrate removal efficiency was 32 %, whilst removal efficiencies at C / N ratios of 1.1 and 1.8 were 44 and 53 % respectively. The inflow rate reduced significantly from an initial flow rate of 0.04 to 0.01 m3 h−1. The reduction in the inflow rate was mainly due to the growth of the biological layer on the filter media. The study showed that the use of an external carbon source like ethanol in bio-sand filtration enhances the removal of nitrates in potable water.
Cotton institutions and perverse incentives for fertilizer traders in Benin

Agricultural development in Benin is constrained by low productivity mainly due to low use of mineral fertilizers and improved seeds. After more than two decades of the cotton state company’s monopoly, a market liberalization program is being implemented since the 1990s but still fail to meet farmers’ needs for quality fertilizers and efficient supply-chain services. This paper discusses Benin’s state-controlled licensing system, which forms the market liberalization program’s institutional basis. Empirical evidence is given of the relationships between the theory of institutions and transaction costs, and its application in the fertilizer supply chain management. In Benin, the licensing system particularly illustrates a case of institutional failure, where distorted rules of the game and collusion between traders and market regulation institutions in the play of the game provided perverse incentives to private oligopolies in the liberalized market. Indeed, the distortions were beneficial for the trade alliances which were in a position to largely influence the setting and application of the rules, thereby discouraging other traders to compete with better fertilizer quality and marketing service delivery. Tests on operations management, competition and entrepreneurship were performed to demonstrate that competition is lacking, and that in this condition other traders cannot create value in the cottonoriented fertilizer supply-chain and promote a liberalized entrepreneurial economy.
On the Origins of Forecast Walk-Downs: A Macro-to-Micro Perspective

We document a walk-down in gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections that is akin to that in sell-side analysts’ earnings forecasts. While the walk-down in earnings forecasts has been generally attributed to the strategic interplay between corporate managers and sell-side analysts, professional macro forecasters affiliated with the Federal Reserve are less susceptible to outside pressure. Our evidence shows that countercyclical variation in forecasting difficulty, due to asymmetry in the steepness of economic downturns relative to upturns, is relevant in explaining the walk-down in macro forecasts. Without rejecting the expectations game between managers and sell-side analysts, our article offers a more auspicious characterization of forecast walk-downs whereby such patterns can surface even without conditioning on strategic incentives for bias. An overarching implication is that research on the properties of sell-side analysts’ forecasts should consider strategic incentives for bias interacted with information about the state of the economy and heterogeneity in the cyclical exposure of individual firms.
Informa on and Sequence Events of the Story) in Late Implanted Pre-Lingual Hearing Impaired Students: The Benefits of Persian Cued Speech

* Corresponding Author: Moahamad Taheri, MSc Address: Department of Excep onal Children Psychology, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilita on Sciences, Daneshjoo Blvd., Evin, Tehran, Iran. Tel. : +98 (21) 77384416 E-mail: taheri.mo@aol.com Research Paper: The Effect of Cued Speech on Language Skills (Topic Maintenance, Basic Informa on and Sequence Events of the Story) in Late Implanted Pre-Lingual Hearing Impaired Students: The Benefits of Persian Cued Speech
Knee function and neuromuscular adaptations following ACL rupture and reconstruction

In order to alleviate symptoms associated with progressive knee dysfunction and deterioration following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, patients undergo either conservative non-operative rehabilitative regimens or early reconstructive surgery using the patella tendon (PT) or combined semitendinosus and gracilis tendon (STGT) grafts. Following treatment, ACL deficient (ACLD) and ACL reconstructed (ACLR) patients demonstrate varying levels of knee function with compensatory neuromuscular adaptations thought to be responsible for enhancing the dynamic restraint capabilities in more functional patients. Derivation of the neuromuscular factors that estimate participation restrictions could assist clinicians in developing prognoses and outcome measures for ACLD and ACLR patients. Therefore, the main aim of the present thesis was to identify neuromuscular variables, derived during open and closed kinetic chain tasks, that relate to and predict post ACL injury/ACLR functional outcome. To achieve this, 10 male ACLD subjects together with 27 matched-males who had undergone ACLR (14 PT graft and 13 STGT graft) and 22 matched-control subjects were recruited. In Experiment 1, the Cincinnati Knee Rating System was used to assess knee symptoms and limitations associated with activities of daily living and sports. Three single-leg tests designed to replicate athletic activities were also implemented. Subjective and objective scores were combined to provide an overall knee function score for each subject. The ACLD group was significantly more symptomatic and limited in activities of daily living and sports and they also demonstrated impaired jump and hop performance. Whilst the PT and STGT subjects rated significantly higher than their ACLD counterparts, their average subjective and overall knee function scores were significantly lower compared to the control group. Importantly, graft selection did not significantly influence average subjective, objective or overall knee function scores. In Experiment 2, the effect of ACL injury and ACLR on open kinetic chain isokinetic strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings was assessed in 10 intervals through their operational domain. Antagonist activity of the semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles was also determined during knee extension in 10 intervals between 80 and 10 flexion. Conservatively managed subjects demonstrated significant quadriceps and hamstring weakness with involved limb quadriceps strength deficits transferred to the contralateral limb. Harvesting the central one-third of the PT as an
Use of electromyography measurement in human body modeling

The aim of this study is to test the use of the human body model for the muscle activity computation. This paper shows the comparison of measured and simulated muscle activities. Muscle active states of biceps brachia muscle are monitored by method called electromyography (EMG) in a given position and for given subsequently increasing loads. The same conditions are used for simulation using a human body model (Hyncik, L., Rigid Body Based Human Model for Crash Test Purposes, EngineeringMechanics, 5 (8) (2001) 1–6). This model consists of rigid body segments connected by kinematic joints and involves all major muscle bunches. Biceps brachia active states are evaluated by a special muscle balance solver. Obtained simulation results show the acceptable correlation with the experimental results. The analysis shows that the validation procedure of muscle activities determination is usable.
A Switching Criterion in Hybrid Quasi-NewtonBFGS - Steepest Descent Direction

Two modified methods for unconstrained optimization are presented. The methods employ a hybrid descent direction strategy which uses a linear convex combination of quasi-Newton BFGS and steepest descent as search direction. A switching criterion is derived based on the First and Second order Kuhn-Tucker condition. The switching criterion can be viewed as a way to change between quasi-Newton and steepest descent step by matching the Kuhn-Tucker condition. This is to ensure that no potential feasible moves away from the current descent step to the other one that reduced the value of the objective function. Numerical results are also presented, which suggest that an improvement has been achieved compared with the BFGS algorithm.
Global Nonlinear Model for Efficacy Evaluation in Team Sports

There is probably no efficiency model within team sports games that represents kinesiological reality in whole. This is so because in sport kinesiology or sports science it is impossible to explicitly form theories and models without fault, since they are tested on a limited assembly of instances. This is particularly true for theories and models applying to the situational approach because the experts are aware of the fact that kinesiological theories and models constantly modify based on the feedback generated in the process of scientific-exploratory work. The linear model, which is dominantly present in explaining the factors of sports efficacy, does not explain the interaction between inner and outer factors of competition efficacy. The reason is that it doesn't describe the bothways' effect of mentioned variables, but shows an assembly of known and unknown factors that influence the team or athlete efficacy, that is, it shows a pondered sum of their influences. Unlike the linear, the suggested nonlinear model enables a more appropriate insight and understanding of multiple influences of inner and outer efficacy factors in sports. The goal is to use the basis of the suggested nonlinear model to construct an exact, expert-scientific interaction approach that would enable an appropriate efficacy formula in team sports games based on which appropriate diagnostics, selection and development of potential top-level athletes and/or teams could be conducted.
The large‐scale freshwater cycle of the Arctic

This paper synthesizes our understanding of the Arctic's large-scale freshwater cycle. It combines terrestrial and oceanic observations with insights gained from the ERA-40 reanalysis and land surface and ice-ocean models. Annual mean freshwater input to the Arctic Ocean is dominated by river discharge (38%), inflow through Bering Strait (30%), and net precipitation (24%). Total freshwater export from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic is dominated by transports through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (35%) and via Fram Strait as liquid (26%) and sea ice (25%). All terms are computed relative to a reference salinity of 34.8. Compared to earlier estimates, our budget features larger import of freshwater through Bering Strait and larger liquid phase export through Fram Strait. While there is no reason to expect a steady state, error analysis indicates that the difference between annual mean oceanic inflows and outflows (∼8% of the total inflow) is indistinguishable from zero. Freshwater in the Arctic Ocean has a mean residence time of about a decade. This is understood in that annual freshwater input, while large (∼8500 km3), is an order of magnitude smaller than oceanic freshwater storage of ∼84,000 km3. Freshwater in the atmosphere, as water vapor, has a residence time of about a week. Seasonality in Arctic Ocean freshwater storage is nevertheless highly uncertain, reflecting both sparse hydrographic data and insufficient information on sea ice volume. Uncertainties mask seasonal storage changes forced by freshwater fluxes. Of flux terms with sufficient data for analysis, Fram Strait ice outflow shows the largest interannual variability.
School of Chemical Technology European Minerals Engineering Course Carlos Suárez García IMMOBILIZATION OF ARSENIC FROM COPPER SMELTER WASTE

of master's thesis i Author Carlos Suárez García Title of thesis Immobilization of arsenic from copper smelter waste Department Materials science and engineering Professorship Mineral processing and recycling Code of professorship MT-46 Thesis supervisor Professor Rodrigo Serna Thesis advisor(s) / Thesis examiner(s) M.Sc. Lidia Gullón Corral Date 07.08. 2016 Number of pages 67+15 Language English Abstract Arsenic is an inconvenient impurity for copper smelters and its problematic its bound to worsen as concentrates become dirtier. Air emissions are prevented during the off-gas treatment so it deports to liquid effluents and dusts. From effluents it cannot be removed easily together with other metals and specific removal needs to be considered. At industrial level the preferred choice is precipitation and copper smelters thus seek precipitates that are safe enough for inexpensive landfill disposal.Arsenic is an inconvenient impurity for copper smelters and its problematic its bound to worsen as concentrates become dirtier. Air emissions are prevented during the off-gas treatment so it deports to liquid effluents and dusts. From effluents it cannot be removed easily together with other metals and specific removal needs to be considered. At industrial level the preferred choice is precipitation and copper smelters thus seek precipitates that are safe enough for inexpensive landfill disposal. The literature review identified the most common methods used by industry as well as more novel proposals to remove arsenic from solution. When precipitates or other types of solids are still too hazardous for safe disposal, it is possible to stabilise them with other methods discussed. The experimental work tested one solid stabilisation approach, vitrification, on hazardous copper smelter waste. Next, after producing an arsenic-bearing solution similar to copper smelter effluents by leaching the same waste, five precipitation methods were tested: high-iron arsenical ferrihydrite, a two-step process using aluminium and iron, arsenate hydroxyapatite, gypsum-seeded scorodite and ferrous arsenate (symplesite). The short term leaching behaviour of the solids was tested with 24-hour bottle tests performed at different pH conditions. The results showed that all methods produced solids somewhat safer than the original one, but only the symplesite and two-step precipitation methods have resulted in solids safe enough for landfill disposal. A preliminary cost estimation shows that these methods could be competitive with existing processes, while producing a safer solid. Regarding vitrification of the current waste, even though the particular conditions of the test were unable to produce a safe enough solid, the waste proved amenable to the process.
Termination criteria for inexact fixed point methods

We analyze inexact fixed point iterations where the generating function contains an inexact solve of an equation system to answer the question of how tolerances for the inner solves influence the iteration error of the outer fixed point iteration. Important applications are the Picard iteration and partitioned fluid structure interaction. We prove that the iteration converges irrespective of how accurate the inner systems are solved, provided that a specific relative termination criterion is employed, whereas standard relative and absolute criteria do not have this property. For the analysis, the iteration is modelled as a perturbed fixed point iteration and existing analysis is extended to the nested case x=F(S(x)).
Association of fasting with heavy metals and minerals

Millions of Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan and avoid eating and drinking during this month (1). Fasting is a healthy and non-pharmacological way to improve your health and weight loss (2, 3). During fasting days, nutritional patterns and the amount of food consumed will change (4). It can be concluded that these changes can lead to changes in the metabolism of the human body. The purpose of this review is to investigate the effect of fasting on the rate of secretion and absorption of heavy metals and minerals. According to the former studies during the fasting period, the amount of heavy metal adsorption and disposal and its toxic effects increase. On the other hand, by addition of calcium and phosphorus supplements, it is possible to reduce heavy metal adsorption. Moreover, due to the increase in the absorption of minerals with the empty stomach, individuals with mineral deficiencies can take more of these minerals and trace elements during fasting. Also, Fasting can reduce body mass and release mercury from tissues.
Semiology Improvements In PDA Maps For The Pedestrian Tourists

This work shows symbol selection for the usage on city plans for tourist purposes considering the efficiencies of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) for their everyday usage. A questionnaire used for the research is focused on everyday PDA user being at the same time real or potential tourist, and today it can be al-most anybody. The aim of questionnaire is to select symbols/icons for carto-graphic usage of PDA screen. We are testing not only symbol types but also the means of presentation, size of symbols and possibilities of their visualization on real tourists in the city of Zagreb.