Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Access to Care for Homeless Veterans During Disasters

Introduction: Since 1970, natural disasters have led to both temporary and permanent closures of multiple medical centers and outpatient clinics at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nationwide. Access to care during such events is critical for vulnerable populations, especially homeless veterans. As such, facility closures may disproportionately affect homeless veteran patients who are both more likely to experience adverse effects from disasters and face multiple barriers to care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to a probability sample of 2000 homeless VA patients living in and receiving VA health care in the Northeast United States. The survey was completed by 383 respondents (20% adjusted response rate). This pilot study examines predictors of difficulty accessing care in the event that the VA facility that homeless VA patients routinely use is forced to close because of a natural disaster. Results: In a multivariate logistic regression, homeless VA patients who had Medicaid were less likely (OR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.18-0.78; P < .01) to report that they would have difficulty obtaining care elsewhere if their normal VA facility was closed in a future natural disaster. Conclusions: Findings suggest that Medicaid coverage has the potential to facilitate access to care for homeless veteran VA patients during disasters. Policy changes that decrease Medicaid coverage could limit access to care for homeless veterans during closures of VA medical facilities.
Modeling and Scaling Coupled Energy, Water, and Carbon Fluxes Based on Remote Sensing: An Application to Canada's Landmass

Abstract Land surface models (LSMs) need to be coupled with atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) to adequately simulate the exchanges of energy, water, and carbon between the atmosphere and terrestrial surfaces. The heterogeneity of the land surface and its interaction with temporally and spatially varying meteorological conditions result in nonlinear effects on fluxes of energy, water, and carbon, making it challenging to scale these fluxes accurately. The issue of up-scaling remains one of the critical unsolved problems in the parameterization of subgrid-scale fluxes in coupled LSM and GCM models. A new distributed LSM, the Ecosystem–Atmosphere Simulation Scheme (EASS) was developed and coupled with the atmospheric Global Environmental Multiscale model (GEM) to simulate energy, water, and carbon fluxes over Canada’s landmass through the use of remote sensing and ancillary data. Two approaches (lumped case and distributed case) for handling subgrid heterogeneity were used to evaluate the effect .
Technology Policy Assessment of Methane Capture Development in Palm Oil Biodiesel Chain Production

Technology implementation contributed significantly in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction from biodiesel production chain. Methane capture is biggest contributor for GHG emission reduction among several identified technologies in palm oil biodiesel production. Aim of the paper was to assess technology policy for methane capture technology development in reduction GHG emission. Technology policy assessment was conducted by employing technology management approach. Initially, Technology strategy was formulated by analysis of technology status, technology capabilities and technology climate for methane capture implementation. Non Numeric Multi-Experts Multi Criteria Decision Model (ME-MCDM) was employed to assess technology status, capabilities, and climate, while technology strategy was determined by developing of If-Then Rule. Analysis result of technology policy for methane capture technology show level of technology status, technology capabilities and technology climate were medium, therefore strategic alliance in technology development was recommended as technology acquisition strategy. Keywords: Technology Policy, GHG emission, Biodiesel Industry
Mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances Phalaenopsis orchid’s growth and resistance to Erwinia chrysanthemi

Phalaenopsis is the most important potted orchid genus in the world. However, the low seedling survival rate, long vegetative growth period and disease outbreak are problems in production. Orchid micorrhizal fungi (OMF) are their obligate partners in orchid physiology. Orchids use their symbionts to gain access to organic and mineral nutrients by increasing nutrient absorption and translocation to plants under natural conditions. The benefit of orchid mycorrhizal symbiosis using Phalaenopsis as model plants was conducted. We inoculated in vitro grown plantlets of Doritaenopsis Taisuco Wonder ‘King Car Butterfly KC1111’ and Phalaenopsis Tai Lin Redangel ‘V31‘ with two OMF isolates, Ceratobasidium sp. AG-A (R02) and Rizoctonia solan i AG-6 (R04). The effects of OMFs on orchid plant growth and Erwinia soft rot progression were examined after two months of ex vitro growth. The results showed that the presence of OMFs in Phalaenopsis roots significantly increased the growth and soft rot resistance of plants. Selectivity of cultivar type to different OMF was also observed. The relevance of this findings and future work are discussed. Key words : Phalaenopsis, orchid micorrhizal fungi, orchid, cultivar type.
On the generation mechanisms of fluid‐driven seismic signals related to volcano‐tectonics

The generation mechanics of fluid‐driven volcano seismic signals, and their evolution with time, remains poorly understood. We present a laboratory study aiming to better constrain the time evolution of such signals across temperature conditions 25 to 175°C in order to simulate a “bubbly liquid. ” Simulations used pressures equivalent to volcanic edifices up to 1.6 km in depth using a triaxial deformation apparatus equipped with an array of acoustic emission sensors. We investigate the origin of fluid‐driven seismic signals by rapidly venting the pore pressure through a characterized damage zone. During the release of water at 25°C broadband signals were generated, with frequencies ranging from 50 to 160 kHz. However, the decompression of a water/steam phase at 175°C generated a bimodal spectrum of different signals, in the range 100–160 kHz. These new results are consistent with natural signals from active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna, and highlight the role of fluid and gas phases (such as bubbly liquids) in generating different types of volcano‐tectonic seismicity.
Detection of a D″ discontinuity in the south Atlantic using PKKP

A strong arrival in the early coda of major‐arc PKKPab is observed on recordings of earthquakes in the Banda Sea region from the short‐period, small‐aperture Yellowknife array. The arrival has a move‐out close to PKKPab with an average delay of ∼12 s. We show that the phase is most likely an underside reflection from a D″ discontinuity above the PKKP reflection point at the core‐mantle boundary beneath the southern Atlantic on the edge of the African superplume. Differential travel times between PKKPab and PKdKP (the underside reflection at the D″ discontinuity) is used to constrain potential D″ velocity models. The high amplitude of PKdKP requires proximity to the b‐caustic adding further velocity control. We find that a P‐velocity model with a sharp positive velocity jump ∼280 km above the core‐mantle boundary, and a negative velocity gradient closer to the core‐mantle boundary, fits the data well.
Phytohormonal effects on rhizosphere processes of maize (Zea mays L.) under phosphorus deficiency

Effects of the hormones indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), and trans -zeatin ( t -Z) on growth, P status and rhizosphere processes of maize (Zea mays L., cv. 'Bezemara') were investigated in a pot experiment at two levels of phosphorus availability (+P: water soluble phosphate and -P: sparingly soluble tricalcium phosphate). Six weeks after seed germination, plants were harvested and analysed for dry weight, shoot length, root surface, P concentration, acid phosphatases activity (acid Pase) in shoot and rhizosphere and the content of carboxylic acids and sugars in the rhizosphere. ANOVA was used to estimate the effects of treatments on measured parameters. Hormone application via rhizosphere had a highly significant effect on the growth of whole plants, their P status and rhizosphere processes. GA 3 and t -Z promoted quantitatively shoot and root growth and morphological changes, whereas IAA affected the chemical composition of the rhizosphere. In several parameters, the effects of hormone treatment depended on the P status of plants indicating different sensitivity of +P and -P plants to plant growth regulator (PGR) application (significant interaction of hormone application × P availability). The findings help to improve our knowledge, why PGR treatments and plant growth promoting rhizo-microorganisms have varying effects on plants depending on growth conditions.
Nutritional Efficiency in Clones of Conilon Coffee for Phosphorus

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional efficiency of phosphorus in clones of conilon coffee, in greenhouse condition. A factorial design 13 x 4 was used, with three replications, and the factors being: 13 clones that compose the clonal cultivar "Vitoria Incaper 8142" and four levels of phosphorus fertilization (0%, 50%, 100% and 150% of the recommended P 2 O 5 for the culture) in a completely randomized design (CRD). The cultivation consisted of a period of 150 days, then in each experimental unit, the values of dry matter and phosphorus content of the vegetative parts were obtained. The indices of nutritional efficiency (absorption, translocation and utilization) were calculated. The clones of conilon coffee showed different behavior for all variables at each level of fertilization with P 2 O 5 . The mass of dry weight, phosphorus content, and efficiency of phosphorus utilization of the clones increase linearly with the increase of P 2 O 5 . The efficiency of phosphorus absorption, depending on the levels of P 2 O 5 applied to the clones of conilon coffee, has set to a quadratic model. The translocation efficiency of phosphorus, depending on the levels of P 2 O 5 applied, is different for clones of conilon coffee, with a linear characteristic and also quadratic.
Modification of antiphase domain sizes in omphacite by dislocation glide and creep mechanisms and its petrological consequences

Abstract A T.E. M. study of omphacites from the western Italian Alps (Sesia Lanzo Zone and Monviso eclogites) has revealed a bimodal size distribution of antiphase domains: (a) 250–350 Å, (b) ≥ 2500 Å. In addition observed dislocation substructures and ‘large-scale’ antiphase domains are intimately interconnected. A model is presented that can explain modification of the antiphase domain sizes by the interplay of cooling/growth and dislocation glide and/or creep mechanisms. Subsequent coarsening of the modified antiphase domains is inferred to be the result of surface free-energy processes. The model clearly illustrates that only the ‘relatively undeformed’ areas containing the small-scale antiphase domains can be used for thermometric methods.
Relevance of terpenoids on flammability of Mediterranean species: an experimental approach at a low radiant heat flux

Abstract: One of the major factors influencing forest fuel combustion are terpenoids, a fraction of flammable Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) produced and stored by most Mediterranean species. The qualitative and quantitative effect of terpenoids on flammability has been only partially explained. In this study several major terpenoid-storing Mediterranean species (common cypress and three pines) were considered and compared to Holm oak as a reference non-storing species. The terpenoids were quantified via gas chromatography (GC-MS) analysis from both live fine fuel (LFF) and litter samples, and the relations between flammability and the terpenoids content were investigated by categories (Monoterpenoids, oxygenated Monoterpenoids, Sesquiterpenoids). The effect of fuel moisture content and species on ignition probability of LFF was also explored. A very different ignition probability was observed at the same fuel moisture content for the different species (Pinus spp. > C. sempervirens > Q. ilex). The stored terpenoids explained 19% to 50% of the whole flammability of both LFF and litter. Fuel moisture content (FMC) did not substantially change the relative effect of terpenoids on flammability, except in C. sempervirens. Monoterpenoids do not seem to significantly affect flammability, while sesquiterpenoids greatly influenced most flammability components, though their relative effect varied among species. A relation between storing structure of terpenoids and flammability was suggested. The results of this study indicate that isoprenoids should be included in physical models of the prediction and propagation of wildfire in Mediterranean vegetation as significant factors in driving flammability.
Preschool Writing Instruction: Modeling the Writing Stages

Swant, Shelby, M.S., Spring 2016 Speech-Language Pathology Preschool Writing Instruction: Modeling the Writing Stages Chairperson: Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed.D. , CCC-SLP Writing is an essential component of language development and early literacy. With the growing focus on national and state education standards, the early foundation of writing and literacy skills proves to be an area of importance and concern; however, limited research has been conducted in the area of preschool writing instruction. This study investigated writing and other foundational literacy skills in preschoolers following three different instructional conditions. Preschoolers (n=85), who attended a preschool educational setting serving low-income families, were randomly assigned to classrooms in three research groups: control, comparison, and treatment. The control group participated in implicit writing experiences and instruction, typical in many preschool classrooms. Students in the comparison group received biweekly modeled adult writing instruction, and students in the treatment group received biweekly modeled emergent writing instruction over a 10 week period of time. Preand post-assessment of early literacy skills indicated that children who received modeled emergent writing and those who received modeled adult writing demonstrated statistically significant improvement in their early writing skills compared to children in the control group who did not receive explicit writing instruction. Results indicated no statistical significance for letter knowledge, print concept, and phonological awareness skill growth between the research groups. Writing skill growth occurred among 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old participants. This study contributes to the knowledge base of the most effective and efficient form of writing instruction for preschool children building early literacy foundations needed for later achievement.
Virulence factors and beta-lactamase production among vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis isolated from clinical samples and hospital environment

Enterococcus faecalis , though opportunistic pathogen has emerged as one of the leading nosocomial pathogens and has been implicated in different human infections. The severity of the infections caused by this organism is largely due to its complex pathogenic process. The objective of this study was to determine the carriage of virulence factors and vanA gene among the strains of vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis isolated from hospitals. Standard methods were used for isolation, antibiotic susceptibility and detection of virulence factors in the isolates. A total of one hundred and twenty three (123) samples were screened out of which 69 (45.70 %) yielded E. faecalis . The highest percentage of the isolates was recovered from the environment followed by the clinical samples. Children surgical ward had the highest occurrence of the test organism followed by male surgical ward. All the isolates were resistant to both amoxycillin/clavulanic acid and ceftazidime, while 98.55%, 89.86% and 53.62% were resistant to ampicillin, cefuroxime and gentamicin respectively. Only twenty seven (39.13%) of the isolates were resistant to the vancomycin. Among the vancomycin-resistant isolates, haemolysin had the highest occurrence (60.29%) followed by caseinase (55.88%). A total of 16 (59.26%) were beta-lactamase positive while 8 (29.63%) out of the isolates (vancomycin-resistant) were non-biofilm former while vanA genes was detected in 9 (33.33%) of the isolates. This study gives an insight to antibiotic resistant pattern of circulating Enterococcus faecalis and also the isolate showed varying patterns of virulent factors.
Effect of Lactobacillus salivarius metabolites against Staphylococcus aureus producing Phenol-Soluble Modulins (PSMs)

Lactobacillus salivarius is Gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic rods , non spore forming , widespread in human mouth, especially in saliva, as well as in intestinal tract of humans and animals (Caralampopoulos and Rastall ,2009). Lactobacillus species are the main part of the normal flora of fish (Ghanbari et al., 2009). L.salivarius one of the species that isolated from the intestines of fish (Ogunshe and Olabode, 2009 ; Talpur et al., 2012). These bacteria are portentous probiotics(O'Shea et al.,2011).
Promoting Students' Motivation and Use of SRL Strategies in Online Mathematics Learning

Computer and information technologies have brought revolutions to many aspects of our lives. Online learning is one of the new learning methods that have emerged with the development of new technologies. Even though the advantages of online learning are very attractive to students and educators, when they are applied in real educational settings, not all individuals that participate in online learning are successful; not all programs that are offered online attain their academic goals. This study was based on an experiment involving high school students from two high schools in China over about two weeks’ time. It evaluated the effectiveness of motivational and SRL design implemented in the online trigonometry function instructional system. Two hundred and thirty-six students participated in the study to test the effectiveness of the instructional design and 183 students completed the tasks through to the end. Participants were randomly divided into four groups: the motivational design group (MD); the SRL intervention group (SI); the SRL intervention and motivational design group (MDSI); and the control group (CT). Three sets of two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) were used to test the effectiveness of the motivational design and SRL intervention
Climate change and crop adaptation in Spain: ­consistency of regional climate models

This work analyses projections of agricultural impacts obtained with an ensemble of 10 regional climate models (RCMs) from the European project PRUDENCE, applied to yields of winter and summer crops. Projections were evaluated for 12 sites of the Iberian Peninsula for the 2071−2100 period, taking 1961−1990 as the control period or baseline. Future prospects for agriculture require quantifying the variability and discrepancy between results obtained from the modelling chain RCMs−crop models, i.e. the climate−impact ensemble, as well as the possible benefits drawn from the adaptation strategies of agriculture to the new climate conditions. Consistency within the climate−impact ensemble members was assessed by ranking comparisons of both projected yield impacts and yield changes. Adaptation strategies were simulated for cropping options having low uncertainty projections of yield decrease, as was the case for fully irrigated maize. The consistency between the 10 RCMs per crop and site was classified as generally moderate. Consistency among RCMs was greater both in rainfed and irrigated farming of winter cereals in N-plateau, NE-Valley, NW-Inland, Centre and NE, and very low in maize in the NW-Coast for example. RCM inconsistencies are a source of uncertainty in predicting climate change (CC) impacts on agriculture. Ranking comparisons of yield changes among different sites and cropping options gave even lower ensemble consistency, which shows the difficulty in projecting yield changes resulting from CC.
An Event-based Implementation of Emotional Agents

Emotions play a significant role in the process of decision making and render it much more complicated. Several models have already been discussed and introduced using emotions for the process of decisionmaking. Each model has its own merit. In this paper, a model of emotion is used in order to process the triggering events to possibly induce emotions and also to evaluate the emotions. An event-based implementation is presented. The model has the advantage of being implementable easily.
Precision Improvement in Inertial Miniaturized Navigators Based on Fuzzy Logic Denoising of Sensors Signals

The chapter presents a new strategy to improve the precision of the inertial navigators processing in a fuzzy manner the signals provided by the miniaturized sensors equipping their inertial measurement units (IMU). To apply the developed technique, the hardware component of the inertial measurement units was specifically designed to include some redundant clusters of inertial sensors disposed in linear configurations on the measure - ment axes. The algorithm acts at the level of each detection cluster designed to measure an acceleration or angular speed along with an IMU axis by fusing the data obtained from the sensors in respective cluster. Based on the standard deviations of the sensors signals estimated for a data frame with a well-known size, the fuzzy logic mechanism provides a set of weights associated with each sensor in cluster, which are further used to fuse the data acquired from sensors at the current time. The algorithm has an adaptive charac- ter, the data frame used to estimate the standard deviations of the sensors signals being permanently updated with the new sensors measurements, and, in this way, the weights associated with each sensor are reestimated at each measurement step.
A preclinical evaluation on antioxidant and gastroprotective effect of Dioscorea bulbifera in Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the gastro-protective effect of hydro alcohol extract of Dioscorea bulbifera (DB) tubers Linn in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The gastric lesions were significantly reduced by all doses of DB as compared with the Indomethacin (100 mg/kg body weight) treated group. In the stomach tissues of treated animals, the in-vitro antioxidant levels were evaluated. The administration of indomethacin caused a significant decrease in the levels of peroxidase, catalase (CAT) and an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level. The administration of all doses of DB reversed the trend, inducing a significant increase of peroxidase, Catalase and a reduction in GPx, GSH and LPO level in tissues. These results suggest that the gastro-protective effect of DB can be attributed to its reducing effect on the oxidative damage in rats.