Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration of Crude Oil Polluted Soil and Water in Some Coastal Communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The level of heavy metals concentrations of crude oil polluted soil and water was assessed in some coastal communities (Eket, Ibeno, EsitEket and Onna) of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean values of the heavy metals determined were: Cr(0.1544±0.01), Cd(0.0137±0.00), Pb(0.0340±0.04), Ca(64.9360±1.55), Ni(0.0112±0.02), Cu(0.0164±0.00), Co(0.00), Mn(1.0067±1.54), Fe(0.6526±0.13), Zn(0.1175±0.04) for water samples and Cr(0.5595±0.12), Cd(0.2139±0.17), Pb(0.1559±0.03), Ca(1.7940±0.62), Ni(0.1685±0.02), Cu(0.1398±0.04), Co(0.0180±0.01), Mn(5.7187±1.34), Fe(9.5787±0.89), Zn(0.2626±0.22) for soil samples. The results showed that calcium was very high in water Ca(64.9360±1.55) samples compared to the soil Ca(1.7940±0.62) samples which suggest that the water is hard, though these values were within the WHO standards. Also, cobalt was not detected in water samples. All other heavy metals determined were above the WHO permissible limits for water and soil samples except zinc and copper which were within the acceptable limits. In all, the concentration of heavy metals in the soil samples was observed to be higher than the water samples which might be due to leaching and bioaccumulation. Thus, a further comprehensive study is recommended and also, intervention strategies like remediation, to better the life of the people.
STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE

Of the many laboratory measures and techniques available for understanding and quantifying biological aspects of Alzheimer disease (AD), imaging the structure and function of the brain is a particularly attractive approach in that it can provide highly relevant and diverse information using a variety of techniques. The application and interpretation of such information have considerable practical clinical relevance, but as these technologies and our understanding of the disease pathogenesis continue their rapid evolution, so do the potential utilities of these imaging methods in addressing timely neuropsychopharmacologic research issues. Brain imaging techniques are often categorized as either structural or functional, based on the primary form of information provided. This classification method breaks down, however, when considering newer applications of these techniques. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment is used to provide functional brain responses with functional MRI (fMRI). Moreover, both positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have the potential to provide visualizations of the pathognomonic structural lesions of AD, the amyloid neuritic plaques (NPs), and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The in vivo visualization of relevant structures and functions through brain imaging has several clinical and research applications for AD and other dementias. Recognition of dementia is particularly difficult in its early stages, when family members and physicians often incorrectly attribute the patient’s symptoms to normal aging (1,2). Systematic studies indicate that the frequency of unrecognized memory impairment, beyond that associated with normal aging, or a dementia diagnosis can range from 50% to 90% of cases (3,4). A related application is the differential diagnosis of
ASymbolicMatrixDecompositionAlgorithm forReduced OrderLinearFractionalTransformationModelling ⋆

In this paper an algorithm that provides an equivalent, but of reduced order, representation for multivariate polynomial matrices is given. It combines ideas from computational symbolic algebra, polynomial/matrix algebraic manipulations and information logic. The algorithm is applied to the problem of finding minimal linear fractional transformation models. Statistical performance analysis of the algorithm reveals that it consistently outperforms currently available algorithms.
Modified Baryonic Dynamics: two-component cosmological simulations with light sterile neutrinos

In this article we continue to test cosmological models centred on Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) with light sterile neutrinos, which could in principle be a way to solve the fine-tuning problems of the standard model on galaxy scales while preserving successful predictions on larger scales. Due to previous failures of the simple MOND cosmological model, here we test a speculative model where the modified gravitational field is produced only by the baryons and the sterile neutrinos produce a purely Newtonian field (hence Modified Baryonic Dynamics). We use two-component cosmological simulations to separate the baryonic N-body particles from the sterile neutrino ones. The premise is to attenuate the over-production of massive galaxy cluster halos which were prevalent in the original MOND plus light sterile neutrinos scenario. Theoretical issues with such a formulation notwithstanding, the Modified Baryonic Dynamics model fails to produce the correct amplitude for the galaxy cluster mass function for any reasonable value of the primordial power spectrum normalisation.
Slovenian national excellence award and TQM deployment in Slovenian companies

Purpose: This research aims to study the deployment and use of total quality management (TQM) approaches and tools for the systematic implementation of TQM, especially within companies that have been applicants for the National Quality Award Slovenian Business Excellence Prize (SBEP), and its relation to tools and approaches regarding people involvement, external recognition, benchmarking and financial results. Methodology/Approach: The survey is based on the analysis of a sample of companies composed of the three subgroups: “top companies” (based on their financial performance), a randomly chosen control group, and a group consisting of SBEP applicants. The questionnaire was distributed to 500 companies in 2007. The research was done on the basis of 110 respondents. Factor analysis was used to narrow the initial number of items, ANOVA to obtain statistically significant differences between the three group means and discriminant analysis to classify the sample according their use of TQM tools and approaches. Findings: The results showed that the main differences between the three groups of companies in favour of the SBEP group were related to the importance of benchmarking, peer assessment, collaborating in national quality awards (NQA) and partly in financial results. Research limitations/implications: Research limitations of this study might be related to the size of the sample, which is rather small (110 companies), and the fact that the survey conducted in the year 2006 (before the economic crisis). There is every reason to believe that a repeated survey could provide additional perspectives about the development of the TQM and positive effects of SBEP on reached quality excellence level and business performance after the crisis. However, this paper discusses managerial and research implications and provides suggestions for future study. Originality/Value of paper: Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that,
The control parameterization enhancing transform for constrained optimal control problems

Abstract Consider a general class of constrained optimal control problems in canonical form. Using the classical control parameterization technique, the time (planning) horizon is partitioned into several subintervals. The control functions are approximated by piecewise constant or piecewise linear functions with pre-fixed switching times. However, if the optimal control functions to be obtained are piecewise continuous, the accuracy of this approximation process greatly depends on how fine the partition is. On the other hand, the performance of any optimization algorithm used is limited by the number of decision variables of the problem. Thus, the time horizon cannot be partitioned into arbitrarily many subintervals to reach the desired accuracy. To overcome this difficulty, the switching points should also be taken as decision variables. This is the main motivation of the paper. A novel transform, to be referred to as the control parameterization enhancing transform, is introduced to convert approximate optimal control problems with variable switching times into equivalent standard optimal control problems involving piecewise constant or piecewise linear control functions with pre-fixed switching times. The transformed problems are essentially optimal parameter selection problems and hence are solvable by various existing algorithms. For illustration, two non-trivial numerical examples are solved using the proposed method.
Current Developments and Potential Applications of Biosensor Technology

The development of various new kinds of sensors for the accurate detection of biomarkers in biological fluids and environmental samples are of greatest importance for the early diagnosis of diseases and to avoid the contamination of environment through pollutants, toxic and biohazardous materials. Sensitivity limits of biosensor have increased due to developments of new biological methods like tagging of fluorescence molecule with nanomaterials. Moreover, usage of peptide arrays, aptamers, antibodies, nucleotides and molecule fixed polymers, facilitate to improve advanced biosensors over conventional approaches. Several biosensors ranging from nanomaterials, polymers to microbes have broader potential applications. Generally, biosensor has been organized into several categories containing diverse sensing arrangements such as mechanical, optical and electrical transducers and modern biosensors use micro- and nanofabrication tools, as either label-free or labeled. This review provides an overview of recent developments and applications of biosensors in the fields of biomedical sciences and environmental monitoring, along with the better detection limit and improved sensitivity of the biosensors.
Aiding Collaborative Reuse of Computational Notebooks with Annotated Cell Folding

Computational notebooks aim to support collaborative data analysis by combining code, visualizations, and text in a single easily shared document. Yet, as notebooks evolve and grow they often become difficult to navigate or understand, discouraging sharing and reuse. We present the design and evaluation of a Jupyter Notebook extension providing facilities for annotated cell folding. Through a lab study and multi-week deployment we find cell folding aids notebook navigation and comprehension, not only by the original author, but also by collaborators viewing the notebook in a meeting or revising it on their own. However, in some cases cell folding encouraged collaborators to overlook folded sections or spend longer reviewing a notebook before editing it. These findings extend our understanding of code folding's trade-offs to a new medium and demonstrate its benefits for everyday collaboration. We conclude by discussing how dynamic reorganization can support sharing and reuse of computational notebooks.
PCB Dissipation and Microbial Community Analysis in Rhizosphere Soil Under Substrate Amendment Conditions

ABSTRACT Dissipations of PCB in soils under factorial combinations of soil amendment (biphenyl, pine needles, orange peels, unamended) and planting (reed canarygrass, flat pea, burr medic, unplanted) regimes were evaluated in relation to carbon substrate utilization patterns of corresponding soil microbial populations. We examined potential differences among microbial communities under the treatments and then related the differences to PCB dissipation. Based on univariate analysis of treatment results, three PCB dissipation groups were identified. They were (1) high: 50% or more loss of an original 50 mg/kg aroclor 1248 after 100 d, (2) medium: 40 to 50% loss, and (3) low: <20% loss. A canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was performed on the data with the PCB dissipation grouping as the class variables and the carbon substrates as exploratory variables so as to relate PCB dissipation to C substrate use. The three PCB dissipation groups were reconstructed based on a subset of C substrates. The CDA identified C substrates that were most important in differentiating between population communities under the various treatments. The potential importance of the ability to correlate community substrate utilization to contaminant dissipation is discussed.
Ecophysiological Study of the Growth of Conifers in Korea in Acidified Soil with Elevated CO2: the Role of Ectomycorrhizal Infection

Several Pinaceae species (Pinus and Larix sp.) in northeastern Asia, especially Korea, show symptoms of decline due to soil acidification and air pollution. In the industrial area of northwest Korean, growth and physiological activities of Pinus koraiensis and P. rigida are adversely influenced by increased deposition of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl) and Manganese (Mn), involving both wet and dry deposition; these also have harmful effects on the ectomycorrhizal status. The ectomycorrhizal infection level at the damaged site was 30% less than at a control site. To determine the role of ectomycorrhizal symbiotic association with seedlings of P. densiflora, P. koraensis, P. rigida and Larix kaempferi during progressive soil acidification, the relation between relative total dry mass (TDM) and the molar ratio of base cation to aluminum (BC/Al) was examined. The TDM of P. koraiensis and L. kaempferi seedlings was approximately 40% at a BC/Al ratio of 1.0, but that of P. rigida and P. densiflora was approximately 50% at the same BC/Al ratio. With increasing amount of H + added to the soil, the water-soluble concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Al and Mn increased, especially below a soil pH of 3.8. Development of ectomycorrhizae, i.e. Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt), Ectodrench (EC) or Cenococcum geophilum (Cg) in all four test species was significantly greater in the 10 and 30 mmolH + ·kg -1 treatments than in control treatments. Ectomycorrhizal development in the 60 and 90 mmolH + ·kg -1 treatments was significantly lower than the other treatments. Atmospheric CO2 increases yearly that may affect mycorrhizal growth and diversity in forest ecosystems through host plant physiology. The ectomycorrhizal development of each species was significantly higher under elevated CO2 concentration (720μmol·mol -1 ) than at ambient levels (360μmol·mol -1 ) in the present study. The P concentration in needles and roots following inoculation with Pt, EC or Cg was significantly higher in all species than without inoculation, at both CO2 concentrations. Furthermore, no photosynthetic down-regulation was found in any species when inoculated with Pt, EC or Cg, and photosynthesis was significantly higher than in non-inoculated seedlings at both CO2 concentrations. Stomatal limitation in each species at each CO2 concentration was less than in non-inoculated seedlings.
miR-1925 p , TGFβ 2 and the expression of extracellular matrix moieties in of human trabecular meshwork cells

Increased obstruction in trabecular meshwork (TM) especially juxtacanalicular tissue (JCT), is a major factor that contributes to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). With POAG extracellular matrix (ECM) moieties such as fibronectin, collagen IV and elastin accumulate within the trabecular meshwork so the obstruction of the aqueous humor outflow pathway increased. MiR-192-5p is known to regulate the ECM deposits. In this study, we quantified the effects of miR-192-5p transfection on the expression of ECM components. MiR-192-5p mimic, inhibitor was used to transfect human trabecular meshwork cells (hTM) in vitro. Protein expression of fibronectin, collagen I, collagen IV and SPARC were measured using Western blot analysis. There was not a significant difference in the expression of fibronectin, laminin, collagen I, collagen IV and SPARC protein between the control plus transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) group and the miR-192-5p mimic plus TGF-β2 group. After the transfection of hTM with miR-192 inhibitor, expression of fibronectin, laminin, collagen I, collagen IV and SPARC protein was depressed in the TM conditional medium transfected with TGF-β2 group compared with the control group. Transfection with miR-1925p inhibitor can decrease the expression of ECM components in cultured hTM. Our data suggest that miR-192-5p could serve as a new therapeutic for POAG in future studies.
Synthesis , Characterization , and Application of Dendrimer Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agent

Synthesis and characterization of different generations (G0–G5) of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer – coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles using ethyl acrylate and 1,3-propane diamine have been reported in this study. Superparamagnetic iron oxide Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation method and modified with tris(hydroxymethylamino) methane hydrochloride for dendrimer coating. Physical characterization of the newly prepared PAMAM dendirmer-coated Fe3O4 nanocomposite have been carried out by using infrared spectrophotometer (IR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), steady-state spectrophotomer (UV–Vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X–ray diffraction. TEM images demonstrated that the PAMAM dendirmercoated nanocomposite have monodisperse of 7.3–6.3 nm. The antimicrobial activity of the PAMAM dendirmercoated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were tested against various microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus (+ve) Gram and (-ve) Escherichia coli bacteria. In general, the PAMAMdendirmer -coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity. [Samia M. El-Sigeny, Manal F. AbouTaleb. Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Dendrimer Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agent. Life Sci J 2015;12(6):161-170]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 21
Infraestructura pública y cánones de arrendamiento El caso de San Javier

El estudio del sector inmobiliario ha suscitado la atención de una gran cantidad de investigadores alrededor del mundo. A pesar de ello, en Colombia, el impacto ha sido limitado toda vez que la información de venta y arrendamiento de bienes inmuebles, es bastante limitada como consecuencia de la difícil situación de seguridad del país. En este artículo se emplearon modelos de regresión geográficamente ponderada, con el fin de analizar la influencia de la Unidad Deportiva de Belén en los cánones de arrendamiento del barrio Fátima. El principal hallazgo de este estudio, radica en que en la medida en que una vivienda se encuentra alejada de la Unidad Deportiva de Belén, sus cánones tienden a ser menores, por lo que la Unidad Deportiva se constituye en una externalidad positiva para las viviendas de la zona. Palabras-Clave: Sector Inmobiliario, GWR, Regresión Geográficamente Ponderada, Precios hedónicos. ABSTRACT:
Modeling educational quizzes as board games

In last decades, online computer games are used for e-learning purposes with significant success which determines steadily increasing interest in game development. Board games are special group of computer games where figures are manipulated on a surface according predefined rules. The paper presents a new, formalized model of traditional quizzes, puzzles and quests as multimedia board games created for facilitating the construction process of games of such types. By several examples authors show the model is quite general in order to support not only quiz, puzzle and quest presentation but also any instructional set of teaching activities presented as a race game. An adaptive game control strategy is proposed where dices are used for random selection of complexity of next questions. The model is going to be used as a basic paradigm for construction of a software platform for multimedia game development for adaptive education.
Framework for Contextual Outlier Identification using Multivariate Analysis approach and Unsupervised Learning

Majority of the existing commercial application for video surveillance system only captures the event frames where the accuracy level of captures is too poor. We reviewed the existing system to find that at present there is no such research technique that offers contextual-based scene identification of outliers. Therefore, we presented a framework that uses unsupervised learning approach to perform precise identification of outliers for a given video frames concerning the contextual information of the scene. The proposed system uses matrix decomposition method using multivariate analysis to maintain an equilibrium better faster response time and higher accuracy of the abnormal event/object detection as an outlier. Using an analytical methodology, the proposed system blocking operation followed by sparsity to perform detection. The study outcome shows that proposed system offers an increasing level of accuracy in contrast to the existing system with faster response time.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers Inhibits Cholinesterase and Modulates the Expression of Inflammation-Related Genes: In Vitro Models

Purpose: Exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is believed to increase oxidative stress and may cause oxidative damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. UV light triggers a number of deleterious cellular responses in retinal cells that lead to changes in gene and protein expression. Lutein and zeaxanthin isomers—RRand RS-zeaxanthin—(L/Zi) are carotenoids that play a functional role in the macula and retina of the eye. Optimal levels of L/Zi may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, due in large part to their antioxidant properties and ability to absorb light within the UV range. This study is to evaluate soluble macular carotenoids’ (Lutemax ® 2020) effect on cholinesterase activity, antioxidant enzymes and in response to UV irradiation in an in vitro model. Methods: Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play a key protective role by shielding the retina from damaging UV rays, and are used as a model to study the effect of therapeutic interventions. In this study, a human RPE cell line [ARPE-19 cells were acquired from ATCC (CRL-2302)] was either mock treated or given L/Zi (Lutemax ®
Libration Orbit Mission Design: Applications of Numerical & Dynamical Methods

Sun-Earth libration point orbits serve as excellent locations for scientific investigations. These orbits are often selected to minimize environmental disturbances and maximize observing efficiency. Trajectory design in support of libration orbits is ever more challenging as more complex missions are envisioned in the next decade. Trajectory design software must be further enabled to incorporate better understanding of the libration orbit solution space and thus improve the efficiency and expand the capabilities of current approaches. The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is currently supporting multiple libration missions. This end-to-end support consists of mission operations, trajectory design, and control. It also includes algorithm and software development. The recently launched Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) and upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Constellation-X missions are examples of the use of improved numerical methods for attaining constrained orbital parameters and controlling their dynamical evolution at the collinear libration points. This paper presents a history of libration point missions, a brief description of the numerical and dynamical design techniques including software used, and a sample of future GSFC mission designs.
Pedagogy of CS Unplugged : Lessons from Outreach and Education Activities in Computer Science

Copyright is held by the author/owner(s). DIS 2017 , June 10–14, 2017, Edinburgh, UK. ACM Introduction Data physicalization (or Physicalization) has been defined as a "physical artifact whose geometry or material properties encode data"[7]. Organizers of the Pedagogy & Physicalization workshop state in the workshop call that Physicalization has been found useful in introducing people to activities around data collection, processing, and representation, and identify reflection on related pedagogy as a major goal of the workshop.