Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation of mineral dust aerosol with Piecewise Log-normal Approximation (PLA) in CanAM4-PAM

Abstract. A new size-resolved dust scheme based on the numerical method of piecewise log-normal approximation (PLA) was developed and implemented in the fourth generation of the Canadian Atmospheric Global Climate Model with the PLA Aerosol Model (CanAM4-PAM). The total simulated annual global dust emission is 2500 Tg yr −1 , and the dust mass load is 19.3 Tg for year 2000. Both are consistent with estimates from other models. Results from simulations are compared with multiple surface measurements near and away from dust source regions, validating the generation, transport and deposition of dust in the model. Most discrepancies between model results and surface measurements are due to unresolved aerosol processes. Biases in long-range transport are also contributing. Radiative properties of dust aerosol are derived from approximated parameters in two size modes using Mie theory. The simulated aerosol optical depth (AOD) is compared with satellite and surface remote sensing measurements and shows general agreement in terms of the dust distribution around sources. The model yields a dust AOD of 0.042 and dust aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) of −1.24 W m −2 respectively, which show good consistency with model estimates from other studies.
The effect of inorganic cations Ca2+ and Al3+ on the release rate of propranolol hydrochloride from sodium carboxymethylcellulose matrices

Background and purpose of the study : Several methods are available for control release of propranolol hydrochloride (PLH). The aim of the present study was to develop a novel technique to sustain PLH release from matrices. Materials and methods : Matrices of PLH containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na CMC) and various amounts of the inorganic cations Ca 2+ and Al 3+ were prepared. Dissolution of the matrices was carried out using the USP apparatus I. Analysis of release data was performed by some model independent and dependent approaches. Results : The release of PLH was affected by incorporation of different amounts (milliequivalents, meq) of Ca 2+ and Al 3+ . When the Ca 2+ amount increased from 0- 0.375 meq, the fraction of PLH which released within 480 min was augmented from 0.74 to 1 apparently via disintegrating effect of the cation. Al 3+ in the range 0- 0.125 meq, decreased the fractional release from 0.74 to 0.37 presumably by in situ cross- linking with polymer. Al 3+ between 0.125 and 0.5 meq enhanced the release from 0.37 to 1 possibly due to the disintegrating effect. Among model independent metrics, the mean release time (MRT) failed to represent the effect of the cations on the release but the release efficiency (RE) as well as a suggested mean release rate (MRR) correlated well with the experimental release rate. Due to the complexity of the release, the only suitable kinetic model was the Weibull distribution. The minimum and maximum Weibull release rate constants for matrices containing Al 3+ were 0.0007-0.017 1/min. The corresponding values for the matrices with Ca 2+ were 0.0029-0.0082 1/min. Conclusion : Through careful choice of the amount of Al 3+ in NaCMC matrices the release of PLH can be controlled at a desired rate. The best model independent approach is MRR and the most accurate model dependent method is Weibull distribution to describe the release data.
The Role of Geographical Access in the Utilization of Institutional Delivery Service in Rural Jimma Horro District, Southwest Ethiopia

Introduction: Access to skilled maternal care in a suitable setting at all births is momentous to reduce maternal mortality. The role of geographical access particularly in rural Ethiopia is not sufficiently investigated. Hence, the central intention of this study was to estimate the effect of geographic access of rural mothers on institutional delivery care use in Jimma Horro District, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2012 in six randomly selected kebeles. Data on socio-demographic, maternal history and maternity services use were collected from 528 eligible mothers using structured questionnaire. Geo-referenced data on respondents’ houses and health institutions as well as walking tracks from each village center to the nearest health center were recorded using hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument and mapped using Arc GIS 9.3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of distance on facility delivery use by controlling for range of confounders. Results: Only 8% of the mothers gave birth to their last babies in health facilities. One third of the respondents live within 5-kilometer walking distance of the nearest health center. Each kilometer increase in walking distance to the nearest health center resulted in a reduction of institutional delivery service by 22% (AOR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.96). Use of institutional delivery service was also significantly higher among mothers who faced obstetric complications, and those who attended four and more ANC visits. Conclusion: Geographic access to health centers plays a major role in institutional delivery care use among rural mothers. Tackling the geographical dimension of access is pivotal in elevating institutional delivery care utilization.
Sequential nutrient uptake as a potential mechanism for phytoplankton to maintain high primary productivity and balanced nutrient stoichiometry

Abstract. We hypothesize that phytoplankton have the sequential nutrient uptake strategy to maintain nutrient stoichiometry and high primary productivity in the water column. According to this hypothesis, phytoplankton take up the most limiting nutrient first until depletion, continue to draw down non-limiting nutrients and then take up the most limiting nutrient rapidly when it is available. These processes would result in the variation of ambient nutrient ratios in the water column around the Redfield ratio. We used high-resolution continuous vertical profiles of nutrients, nutrient ratios and on-board ship incubation experiments to test this hypothesis in the Strait of Georgia. At the surface in summer, ambient NO3− was depleted with excess PO43− and SiO4− remaining, and as a result, both N : P and N : Si ratios were low. The two ratios increased to about 10 : 1 and 0. 45 : 1, respectively, at 20 m. Time series of vertical profiles showed that the leftover PO43− continued to be removed, resulting in additional phosphorus storage by phytoplankton. The N : P ratios at the nutricline in vertical profiles responded differently to mixing events. Field incubation of seawater samples also demonstrated the sequential uptake of NO3− (the most limiting nutrient) and then PO43− and SiO4− (the non-limiting nutrients). This sequential uptake strategy allows phytoplankton to acquire additional cellular phosphorus and silicon when they are available and wait for nitrogen to become available through frequent mixing of NO3− (or pulsed regenerated NH4). Thus, phytoplankton are able to maintain high productivity and balance nutrient stoichiometry by taking advantage of vigorous mixing regimes with the capacity of the stoichiometric plasticity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the in situ dynamics of continuous vertical profiles of N : P and N : Si ratios, which can provide insight into the in situ dynamics of nutrient stoichiometry in the water column and the inference of the transient status of phytoplankton nutrient stoichiometry in the coastal ocean.
Fructose Dehydration to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over Sulfated TiO2–SiO2, Ti-SBA-15, ZrO2, SiO2, and Activated Carbon Catalysts

Different sulfated catalysts including SO4/TiO2–SiO2, SO4/Ti-SBA-15, SO4/ZrO2, SO4/AC, and SO4/SiO2 were tested in fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Reactions were carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 110 °C. Characterization results indicated that no sulfur leaching was observed from SO4/ZrO2, SO4/TiO2–SiO2, and SO4/Ti-SBA-15 catalysts in the reaction tests. The SO4/TiO2–SiO2 catalyst had a high amount of strong acid sites and the highest amount of Bronsted sites. The highest selectivity to HMF at high conversion, that is, 89% selectivity at 77% fructose conversion was obtained over this catalyst. It preserved its activity after four times reuse.
Object Segmentation by Edges Features of Graph Cuts

This paper proposes a simple graph cuts algorithm based edges features to object segmentation problems. Graph cuts are used to find the global optimum of a cost function based on boundary and region of an image. Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) are built based on the seeds which are given by user to the object and background in an image. The contribution of this paper is to add edges features to GMMs. The proposal can segment an object region having noisy edges and colors similarity between the object and background. Experimental results illustrate the validity of the proposal. Keywords-object segmentations; edges features; graph cuts; Gaussian Mixture Models
A phylogenetic framework for the evolution of female polymorphism in anoles

Female pattern polymorphisms (FPP) are striking, poorly understood, and a major challenge to evolutionary theory. We examined the evolution of FPP in anoline lizards in a phylogenetic context. Accordingly, we used comparative analyses that traced the evolution of female pattern polymorphism over historical time, and overlaid the historical pattern on the biogeographical distribution of current species. Comparative analyses used a maximum likelihood approach with variable rates of trait evolution. We found that, among almost 180 well-described species, 52 exhibited FPP and most of these occurred on the Central American mainland. Pagel’s l= 0.644 indicated not only a moderately strong phylogenetic signal in FPP among 162 species with sound estimates of phylogeny, but also independent evolution. Their common ancestor was not polymorphic (0.003% likelihood of FPP), and there were at least 28 gains or losses of FPP during phylogenetic history. The geographical distribution of FPP indicates that, in the Caribbean islands, it has been present for almost 20 million years, and that parallel evolution of FPP has taken place during that time, including independent evolution on Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Evidence of parallel evolution of FPP in anoles was fairly strong. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104, 303–317. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: analysis – anolis – comparative studies – dorsal patterns – lizards – neotropics – polychrotidae.
Hereditary musculoskeletal diseases and changes in biochemical parameters in healthy and diseased light (LL) and heavy (HM) turkey parents and turkey broilers during growth under environmental stress and comfort.

The aim of this study was to determine the affect of hereditary musculoskeletal diseases (HMSD) to the blood serum parameters and enzyme activity in turkey parents from light laying and heavy meat breed, as well as the impact of conditions of environmental comfort and environmental stress on biochemical changes in turkey broilers. Muscular dystrophy expression was on the 80-th day, and on the 46-th day in parents and broiler, respectively. Data on the level of liver enzyme creatine kinase (CK) in the group of turkeys with HMCD showed a decrease compared with control group. The increase is observed in the change of the enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferaze (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferaze (ALAT). In turkey broilers under the stress conditions, the changes of enzymes were more severe, instead of the lower rate of muscular dystrophy compared to parents.
Braid groups and quiver mutation

We describe presentations of braid groups of type ADE and show how these presentations are compatible with mutation of quivers, building on work of Barot and Marsh for Coxeter groups. In types A and D these presentations can be understood geometrically using triangulated surfaces. We then give a categorical interpretation of the presentations, with the new generators acting as spherical twists at simple modules on derived categories of Ginzburg dg-algebras of quivers with potential.
Attitude of Students towards Teaching Profession in Nigeria: Implications for Education Development

The study was conducted to ascertain attitude of students towards teaching profession in Faculty of Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. A sample of 300 students completed a 15 item questionnaire designed for the study the instrument was validated and the reliability calculated which was 0.92 using Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient indicating that the instrument was reliable to collect data for the study. Mean scores were used to answer the research questions. The results of the study showed that students have negative attitude towards teaching profession, that teaching is a difficult task, and teachers are not well paid compared to other professions. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended, among others, that Government should adequately fund education, there should be improvement in teacher’s salary and regular payment of salary and parent should encourage their children to study education courses. Keywords: Attitude, students, teaching profession
Life cycle and biological control of the Eucalyptus snout beetle (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) by Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) in north‐west Spain

1 Gonipterus scutellatus is a weevil that has become a pest in most Eucalyptus plantations in Africa, America and Europe. The egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens has been introduced into many countries as a biological control agent. Even if control has been successful in most countries no detailed study of the interactions between both species has been published.
Skin Lesion Classification Using HybridSpatial Features and Radial Basis network

In this paper we used hybrid spatial features representation and Radial basis type network classifier to classify melanoma skin lesion. There are five different skin lesions commonly grouped as Actinic Keratosis, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Melanocytic Nevus / Mole, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Seborrhoeic Keratosis. To classify the queried images automatically and to decide the stages of abnormality, the automatic classifier PNN with RBF will be used, this approach based on learning with some training samples of each stage. Here, the color features from HSV space and discriminate texture features such as gradient, contrast, kurtosis and skewness are extracted. The lesion diagnostic system involves two stages of process such as training and classification. An artificial neural network Radial basis types is used as classifier. The accuracy of the proposed neural scheme is high among five common classes of skin lesions . This will give the most extensive result on non-melanoma skin cancer classification from color images acquired by a standard camera (non-ceroscopy). Final experimental result shows that the texture descriptors and classifier yields the better classification accuracy in all skin lesion stages.
Gender differences in subjective well-being and feeling of safety at school: evidence from cross-lagged relations in a 1-year longitudinal sample

School is a significant ecology of adolescents’ life and influences strongly their subjective well-being. With the prevalence of violence and bullying at school being high,many students feel unsafe and insecure, which have a detrimental effect for academic achievements, motivation and psychological adjustment. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the cross-lagged relations between subjective well-being and feeling safe at school over one year period among girls and boys. Data used for this research was taken from the on-going Positive Youth Development project.2 Data from 1,556 adolescents was collected. 628 (40.4%) boys and 928 (59.6%) girls, aged 14–18 (M=16.26; SD=0.94), participated in the research. The measures used in this research were the Feeling of Safety at School Scale (Weissberg, Voyce, & Kasprow, 1991) and Subjective Wellbeing Scale (Diener et al., 1985). Data from two measurement points was used in the study. The second measurement took place in a one year period after the first one. The results of the research showed that (1) girls had higher subjective well-being at T2 and feeling of safety at school on both measurement points while boys had higher subjective well-being only at T1; (2) measures of subjective well-being and feeling of safety at school across one year time showed moderate stability in boys’ and girls’ samples however, the stability in the girls’ sample is higher; (3) bidirectional relationship between subjective well-being and feeling of safety at school over a one-year period was established in the girls’ sample while in the boys’ sample only the feeling of safety at school at T1 predicted subjective well-being at T2.
Variation H452Y in HTR2A Gene Affects Immediate Visual Memory

Serotonin and its receptors, including the 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 2A encoded by the HTR2A gene, are important for learning and memory in animals and humans. Polymorphic variation in the HTR2A gene, which encodes the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, has previously been shown to associate with some memory traits, in particular affecting delayed verbal memory. In the current study ie we have examined the HTR2A His452Tyr (H452Y) substitution for association in a cohort of healthy individuals whose memory traits were assessed using a comprehensive battery of memory tests including, but not limited to, measures of prospective and retrospective memory.Although we failed to replicate previous findings of an affect of the polymorphism on delayed verbal memory, we found a significant association between the HTR2A H452Y polymorphism and immediate visual memory, showing that the heterozygous genotype is associated with poorer immediate visual memory, with delayed visual memoryunaffected, although, with correction for multiple testing, this no longer passed significance thresholds. No HTR2A Tyr/Tyr individuals were detected in this cohort due to the low minor allele frequency. This study suggests this variant of HTR2A may have implications on memory consolidation and immediate memory of healthy individuals with further examination of this marker warranted in other cohorts.
Proteomics: An Indispensable Tool for Novel Biomarker Identification in Melanoma

Melanoma is a prevalent disease with a high mortality rate. The advent of proteomics has enabled the identification of various prognostic and diagnostic melanoma biomarkers, fulfilling a vital need. The development of various protein fractionation and analysis tools has advanced the role of proteomics in analyzing complex protein samples obtained from melanoma patients. Proteomics is also being utilized to help guide drug design and the development of treatment algorithms. Ultimately, proteomics-based methodologies have proven to be paramount to the success of research being done on melanoma and the drugs used for treatment. These techniques will continue to shed light on the mechanisms of action driving therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, in hopes of extending survival and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Low osmolar oral rehydration solution (ORS) for treating diarrhea in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Standard WHO-ORS reduces dehydration but does not reduce stool volume and duration of diarrhea. Low osmolar ORS produce maximal water absorption. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of low osmolar ORS in comparison to standard WHO-ORS. Evidence acquisition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing efficacy of low osmolar ORS and standard WHO-ORS in childhood diarrhea was carried out. RCTs were searched in PubMed Cochrane CENTRAL DOAJ Google Scholar and Google. The data was extracted in Excel and entered in Review Manager 5.3 for calculation of effect sizes. Results: The outcome of stool output was reported in 9 trails. Reduced osmolarity ORS resulted in significantly reduced stool output as compared with standard WHO-ORS (pooled standardized mean difference -0.44 95% CI -0.72 to -0.15). Information for the outcome of duration of diarrhea was available from 6 trials. The pooled standardized mean difference was -0.21 (95% CI -0.79 to 0.37) suggesting that reduced osmolarity ORS did not have significant effect on the duration of diarrhea as compared to standard WHO-ORS. The outcome of need for intravenous fluid therapy was reported in 8 trials. The meta-analysis revealed that reduced osmolarity ORS when compared to WHO standard ORS was associated with fewer unscheduled intravenous infusions (Odds Ratio 0.62 95% CI 0.47 to 0.83). The meta-analysis for the outcome of vomiting reported in 5 clinical trials showed that children treated with low osmolar ORS were less likely to vomit than children treated with standard WHO-ORS (Odds Ratio 0.74 95% CI 0.57 to 0.97). Conclusion: Low osmolar ORS when compared to standard WHO-ORS is associated with reduced stool output reduction in need for unscheduled intravenous infusion and lesser episodes of vomiting. However there was no significant difference in duration of diarrhea.
WAP: Automatic Detection and Correction of Web Application Vulnerabilities

Web application security is an important problem in today’s internet, and its relevance continues to raise as statistics show, for instance, a 93% increase of web attacks in 2010. An important cause of the problem is that many programmers do not have adequate knowledge about secure coding. However, the approaches available to address this issue either put the programmer aside (e.g., web application firewalls) or leave to him the burden of correcting the application. The paper presents a middle-term approach that supports the discovery and removal of vulnerabilities, and helps the programmers learn from the mistakes. This last aspect is enabled by inserting fixes that follow common security coding practices, to train the programmer to replicate these practices by seeing the vulnerabilities and how they were removed. The approach was implemented in the WAP tool, and an extensive experimental evaluation was performed with a large number of open source applications, showing how the tool manages to find and correct many vulnerabilities.
Phonological feature based multilingual lexical description

This paper presents a framework for compactly describing word forms in terms of phonological features. Using a highly modular default-inheritance based approach, the f ramework supports the description of lexical generalisations traditionally modelled as m orphology and phonology in a single phonology-based representation. This representation is more uniform and more detailed than previous approaches of this kind, allowing us to capture general isations within a language and between related language elegantly and flexibly. The fr amework is illustrated with examples taken from English, German, Dutch and Danish.
Biometric security based on ECG

Recently the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been proposed as a novel biometric. This paper aims to construct a reliable ECG verification system, in terms of privacy protection. To this end, an improved expression to estimate the capacity in the autocorrelation (AC) of the ECG is derived, which not only gives an upper bound for the number of identifiable subjects using ECG, but also helps to determine the number of independent features needed for verification. This capacity derivation, to our best knowledge, is new and can be easily extended to other biometrics. In addition, we apply the Quantization Index Modulation (QIM) scheme to the verification system for template protection. Based on our database, we found that, the capacity in the AC of ECG is approximately 20 bits information contained in the 23 independent features. We have also shown that compared to unprotected systems, the QIM scheme greatly enhances privacy protection of ECG templates without significant sacrificing of the identification performance.