Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Physiological Changes of Uric Acid Concentration in the Blood of Snakes

Abstract The evaluation of uric acid concentrations in the blood of snakes is a crucial tool in the diagnosis of gout and renal disease; both prevalent diseases in captive reptiles. However, without an understanding of the physiological fluctuations in uric acid levels and the absence of distinction that makes pathological changes, biochemical parameters are devalued. This study focuses on investigating the relationship between feeding rate and plasma-uric acid concentrations of snakes. The aim of this investigation is to facilitate a better understanding of the feed-induced changes that occur, and to render the analysis of this biochemical parameter as a more potent diagnostic tool. A total of 10 snakes were used in the study and the basal concentration of uric acid was established prior to feeding via blood biochemical analysis. The snakes were then fed rats and successive postprandial blood samples were taken for the monitoring of uric acid levels. The results demonstrated that feeding led to substantial elevations in the uric acid values, whereby postprandial concentrations were significantly elevated for up to 5 days after feeding. The postprandial elevations in uric acid documented in these snakes were of similar levels reported in snakes afflicted with gout or renal disease. The results demonstrated the significant changes that occur to uric acid levels after feeding, and highlights the resemblance between postprandial increases in uric acid and concentrations reported in snakes suffering from renal disease or gout. To avoid a misdiagnosis and to distinguish transient postprandial hyperuricemia from pathological elevations, collecting sufficient anamnestic data on time since last feeding in performing repeated sampling after one week period of fasting is suggested.
A Comparative Study on the Water Quality of Two Nilotic Canals in the Delta of Egypt

The River Nile branches into irrigation canals, which extends for many kilometers (40 km to 85 km), where each represents a semi-independent ecosystem. Of those, Bahr Shebeen and Alkhadraweya Canals are present in the Minufiya Governorate, and extend through out other governorates in the Delta of Egypt. Water Quality data included the following parameters: total hardness, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, Cl, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, PO4, Fe, NO3, and Cu. These parameters were examined and discussed, for significant relationships for each Canal. The favorability of each ecosystem for fish is examined, on the basis of fish growth condition. Subsequently, Water Quality Index was discussed for those Canals, and a WQI is suggested.
Neutron diffraction study of the contribution of grain contacts to nonlinear stress‐strain behavior

Repeatable, hysteretic loops in quasi‐static loading measurements on rocks are well known; the fundamental processes responsible for them are not. The grain contact region is usually treated as the site of these processes, but there is little supporting experimental evidence. We have performed simultaneous neutron diffraction and quasi‐static loading experiments on a selection of rocks to experimentally isolate the response of these contact regions. Neutron diffraction measures strain in the lattice planes of the bulk of the grain material, so differences between this strain and the macroscopic response yield information about grain contact behavior. We find the lattice responds linearly to stress in all cases, oblivious to the macroscopic unrecoverable strains, curvature, and hysteresis, localizing these effects to the contacts. Neutron diffraction shows that the more granular rocks appear to distribute stresses so that the same strain appears in all the grains, independent of crystallographic orientation.
Climate and vegetation changes around the Atlantic Ocean resulting from changes in the meridional overturning circulation during deglaciation

Abstract. The Bolling-Allerod (BA, starting ~ 14.5 ka BP) is one of the most pronounced abrupt warming periods recorded in ice and pollen proxies. The leading explanation of the cause of this warming is a sudden increase in the rate of deepwater formation in the North Atlantic Ocean and the resulting effect on the heat transport by the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). In this study, we used the University of Victoria (UVic) Earth System-Climate Model (ESCM) to run simulations, in which a freshwater perturbation initiated a BA-like warming period. We found that under present climate conditions, the AMOC intensified when freshwater was added to the Southern Ocean. However, under Heinrich event 1 (HE1, ~ 16 ka BP) climate conditions, the AMOC only intensified when freshwater was extracted from the North Atlantic Ocean, possibly corresponding to an increase in evaporation or a decrease in precipitation in this region. The intensified AMOC led to a warming in the North Atlantic Ocean and a cooling in the South Atlantic Ocean, resembling the bipolar seesaw pattern typical of the last glacial period. In addition to the physical response, we also studied the simulated vegetation response around the Atlantic Ocean region. Corresponding with the bipolar seesaw hypothesis, the rainbelt associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifted northward and affected the vegetation pattern in the tropics. The most sensitive vegetation area was found in tropical Africa, where grass cover increased and tree cover decreased under dry climate conditions. An equal but opposite response to the collapse and recovery of the AMOC implied that the change in vegetation cover was transient and robust to an abrupt climate change such as during the BA period, which is also supported by paleovegetation data. The results are in agreement with paleovegetation records from Western tropical Africa, which also show a reduction in forest cover during this time period. Further agreement between data and model results was found for the uplands of North America and Southern Europe, where grassland along with warm and dry climates were simulated. However, our model simulated vegetation changes in South and North America that were much smaller than reconstructed. Along the west and east coast of North America we simulated drier vegetation than the pollen records suggest.
Residential Segregation and Unemployment: The Case of Brussels

This paper investigates the causal effects of the spatial organisation of Brussels on unemployment propensities. Using census data at the individual level, the unemployment probability of young adults is estimated while taking into account personal, household and neighbourhood characteristics. The endogeneity of residential locations is solved by restricting the sample to young adults residing with their parents; the potential remaining bias is evaluated by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The results suggest that the neighbourhood of residence significantly increases a youngster's probability of being unemployed, a result which is quite robust to the presence of both observed and unobserved parental covariates.
Analysis of Mean and Volatility Spillovers Using BRIC Countries, Regional and World Equity Index Returns

This paper analyses the degree of integration of the BRIC countries on a regional and global basis, achieved by using daily equity index level data. The paper concludes that a high degree of integration exists between the BRIC countries and their respective regions, and to a lesser extent, the rest of the world. Regional trends are found to have a much greater influence than world trends upon the stock return process of the BRIC countries. The world index returns, and most likely the US equity market returns, have a significant influence upon the variance of returns seen across Brazil, Russia and India. China is the only country where there exists a negative relationship between volatility spillover effects on a regional and global basis. This suggests existence of diversification opportunities for investment managers. Global portfolio managers can still add value from investments in these countries, however the increased levels of integration of these economies highlight the need for portfolio stock selection strategies as well as investment in specific growth areas within these economies, rather than taking a position in the country index.
Decision Support System for Evaluation Procurement of Goods with Simple Additive Weighting Method (SAW)

Procurement of goods through the provision requiring a decision support in selecting the winner of the procurement decision-making in order to vote and determine the winner of the procurement . This research aims to build a Decision Support System (DSS), which serves as a tool in decision-making on procurement evaluation process. For the purpose of DSS can be achieved with both the aided by using one of the methods in decision-making that is the method of Simple Additive Weighting Method (SAW) to evaluate alternatives in the procurement of goods based on the criteria for decision-making. This method has the benefits criteria and cost criteria. Benefit criteria is use when making decisions that take into account the maximum profit. When the cost criteria is the inverse of the attribute gains, in this draft decision will be search for a minimum cost. The results may support the decision on the evaluation of alternative procurement election winners based on predetermined criteria.
Comparing the returns to education for entrepreneurs and employees

The returns to education (RTE) for entrepreneurs, unlike for employees, have not yet been estimated by methods coping with the potential endogeneity problem. We estimate the RTE for entrepreneurs and employees while testing for and coping with this problem. Our results derived from a large US sample strongly indicate that OLS renders downward biased RTE's for entrepreneurs and employees. The bias is larger for entrepreneurs. This leads to an interesting and policy relevant result: The RTE are higher for entrepreneurs than for employees (14% and 10%, respectively), whereas previous estimates suggested similar RTE's. Tests indicate that this result is robust.
O nly Seed endosymbiosis : a vital relationship in providing prenatal care to plants

Global food security is a challenge, especially under changing climatic conditions. Recent advances in plant technology using plant-microbiome interactions promise an increased crop production. Indeed, all healthy plants or crop genotypes carry a beneficial microbiome, encompassing rootand seed-associated endosymbionts, providing mycotrophy and mycovitality to plants, respectively. Recent studies have found that mycovitality, or the endosymbiotic seed-fungus relationship and its key translational functions, bear tangible biotechnological benefits. Thus, this paper underlines the role of endophytes as early plant growth promoters under stressful environments. Notably, it explores the concept of plant prenatal care towards enhanced seed vigor/germination and resilience, which results in an improved crop yield under stressful conditions. It presents an extensive research overview of endosymbiotic plant-fungi relationships with special focus on the wheat seed, an important source of staple food. Historical advances in terminology and scientific concepts on the subject are also presented to highlight the areas where further research is urgently needed.
The role of hydrogeological research in the realization of a combined pumping and deep infiltration system at the excavation ‘Duinenabdij’

Hydrogeological interventions in ecologically valuable areas must be well studied beforehand. Modelling of these interventions based on field observations and field studies is herein a valuable step. This is illustrated with an example in the western Belgian coastal plain. A new drainage system had to be designed for the preservation of the archaeological excavation site ‘OLV Ten Duinen’. This site is situated in a valuable and protected dune area. A system of pumping and deep infiltration of water was studied to optimise the draining of the site but to minimise the effects in the nearby dunes. A double pumping test was used to derive the relevant parameters. These were then used to simulate and find the optimal configuration of the extraction and deep infiltration wells.
An account of sustainability: Failure, success and a reconceptualization

Abstract The concept of sustainable development (SD) has a pre-eminent place in the environmental policy agenda where it is defined as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (United Nations World Conference Environment and Development, 1987, p. 8). Within the accounting literature, research activity has focused on what SD may mean for business and accounting activity (see, for example, Batley & Tozer, 1993; Canadian Institute Chartered Accountants, 1993; Gray, et al., 1993; Gray, 1994; Rubenstein, 1994; Geno, 1995; Stone, 1995; Gray & Bebbington, 1996; Milne, 1996; and Bebbington & Thomson, 1996). As part of this literature Gray (1992) proposes the construction of an “account of sustainability" utilizing the idea of a sustainable cost calculation (SCC) which attempts to measure the additional costs which would be borne by the organization if the organization’s activities were not to leave the planet worse off at the end of an accounting period. This paper reports on an attempt to construct a SCC for Manaaki Whenua, Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. The paper explains why such an account was attempted, outlines the SCC, reviews the attempt to perform the calculations and reflects on the tensions which emerged from the case. The case, while being unsuccessful because it failed to produce the numbers expected, was successful in that it highlighted conceptual mis-specifications of the SCC. This paper builds on this insight and attempts to theorize the research process and reconceptualize the SCC in a manner which seeks to avoid the pitfalls of the original SCC.
Safety and production: an integrated planning and control model

A safety planning and control model (SPC) has been integrated into the production planning and control process. The model integrates safety into three hierarchical levels of production control. Safety long‐term planning starts with the preliminary hazard analysis (PHA) of construction processes. These plans are detailed and updated at both medium‐ and short‐term planning levels. The main performance measure adopted for safety evaluation at the short‐term level is the Percentage of Safe Work Packages (PSW). It monitors the degree in which work packages are safely carried out. The model also proposes a participatory mechanism that allows workers to point out existing risks as well as to evaluate risk controls. This paper discusses two empirical studies in which the model was implemented in industrial construction projects.
Natural history of hepatitis C virus among injecting drug users

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Kinetics and thermodynamics of Pb sorption onto bentonite and poly(acrylic acid)/bentonite hybrid sorbent

AbstractIn this work, bentonite (Bent) and poly(acrylic acid)–bentonite (PAA–Bent) hybrid were applied for the removal of Lead (Pb) from aqueous solutions. Sorption experiments were conducted under batch condition at different times, Pb concentrations, and temperatures. Equilibrium studies showed that Pb sorption data on PAA–Bent followed the Langmuir model. Both capacity and affinity of PAA–Bent and Bent for Pb retention increased with rising temperature. Maximum capacity (qm) of PAA–Bent for Pb sorption was 91.88 mg g−1 at 15°C which increased to 96.13 mg g−1 at 50°C. For the Bent sample, the qm values were 52.31 and 82.51 mg g−1, respectively, at 15 and 50°C. The Langmuir Pb sorption affinity parameter (KL) was increased from 0.12 to 2.25 L mg−1 for PAA–Bent and from 0.009 to 1.19 L mg−1 for Bent, as temperature rose from 15 to 50°C. Pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order kinetic models could best describe the time-dependent Pb sorption data by the PAA–Bent which occurred at a fast rate approaching equil.
New model of understanding income distribution through graduation of normalized Gini Mean Difference

This work covers such a topical problem as the study of income and wealth inequality. It introduces the notion of “graduation”, i.e. rate of wage rate scale customary at time wage system. Graduation means introduction of the index m as a degree of the polynomial based on which the wage rate scale is distributed. In other words, using m allows to graduate Gini mean difference (0<G<1) by assigning integral number or fraction m, 0<m<∞ to every value of Gini index. Similarly, for each m we can calculate and estimate corresponding normalized Gini mean difference (the analog of Gini index used for simplicity of calculations). Note that in this case we are not talking about distribution in real society, but in the simplest model of this society – a metaphoric community with only one person at each income level. This way we get the most distinct impression of the mechanism of income distribution that gives us the chance to assess scale of inequality. To some extent it clarifies the wide-spread Gini coefficient and “the nature of populations’ wealth”.
Does the Presence of Ethnic Chinese in Trading Partner Countries Influence Bilateral Trade Flows with China

This paper uses gravity modelling to investigate whether ethnic Chinese presence in host countries influences their imports from, exports to and total trade between China over the period 1990-2000. Trade flows at both aggregate and disaggregate levels are considered. In the latter analysis, commodities are grouped into homogeneous, reference priced and differentiated categories according to Rauch (1999) classification of goods. We capture ethnic Chinese presence by a dummy variable as well as other intensity measures based on absolute, relative and density criteria. Results from the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood estimator shows that ethnic Chinese presence affects imports, exports and trade at both levels. Network effects are higher for exports compared to imports, indicating dominance of the “transactions cost or information” effect. We find strong evidence of ethnic Chinese networking for reference priced and differentiated goods categories on the export side while only the reference priced group is affected on the import side.
Towards a methodology for semantic annotation: The case of meteorology

Internet has brought with it a new way of organizing and obtaining information. It provides the possibility of accessing any type of information at any time and at any place. Although search engines such as Google have emerged to deal with this information overload, searches are often frustrating because users are unable to find what they are looking for. The main reason for this lack of satisfaction is the fact that the World Wide Web generally uses HTML for the codification of documents. HTML allows the annotation of documents, but unfortunately, this particular kind of annotation only deals with the visual presentation of texts, and has no semantic links. In order to overcome this difficulty and improve the results obtained in searches, it has become necessary to create semantic machine-readable contents that computers can understand and process. This is the reason why the Semantic Web was conceived. The idea is to help computers to understand contents, which humans can easily process. In this respect, semantic annotation has become a fundamental part of the development of the Semantic Web. This paper describes a methodology for the semantic annotation of specialised texts and web documents. This approach applied to the domain of Meteorology, through the use of a subcorpus of texts extracted from the EcoLexicon corpus of the Ecosystem research project. The tagging system proposed is based on an incipient ontology currently being built within EcoLexicon. With the software application SMORE we This is the final version of the following article: Buendía, Miriam, and José Manuel Ureña. 2010. Towards a Methodology for Semantic Annotation: The Case of Meteorology. In Traducción y modernidad. Textos científicos, jurídicos, económicos y audiovisuales, ed. R. López‐Campos, C. Balbuena, and M. Álvarez, 27‐36. Córdoba: Universidad de Córdoba. You can find more articles authored by LexiCon Research Group members at <http://lexicon.ugr. es>. have imported the ontology and generated semantic annotations, thus linking different sections of the texts (words, phrasemes, etc.) to the concepts of the ontology. This preliminary linguistic analysis shows that these semi-automatic annotation systems help us to semantically annotate texts through the use of an ontology, but do not allow us to see the results of the annotation, and benefit from them. Consequently, we are now working on the implementation of a query agent that will exploit the semantic annotations, map the queries to the ontology in order to identify only those projects related to the Semantic Web area, and then offer semantic information.
Performance of the Large Hadron Collider cleaning system during the squeeze: Simulations and measurements

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is a 7 TeV proton synchrotron, with a design stored energy of 362 MJ per beam. The high-luminosity (HL-LHC) upgrade will increase this to 675 MJ per beam. In order to protect the superconducting magnets and other sensitive equipment from quenches and damage due to beam loss, a multi-level collimation system is needed. Detailed simulations are required to understand where particles scattered by the collimators are lost around the ring in a range of machine configurations. Merlin++ is a simulation framework that has been extended to include detailed scattering physics, in order to predict local particle loss rates around the LHC ring. We compare Merlin++ simulations of losses during the squeeze (the dynamic reduction of the \beta-function at the interaction points before the beams are put into collision) with loss maps recorded during beam squeezes for Run 1 and 2 configurations. The squeeze is particularly important as both collimator positions and quadrupole magnet currents are changed. We can then predict, using Merlin++, the expected losses for the HL-LHC to ensure adequate protection of the machine.
Ethnic categorization among children in multi-ethnic schools in the Netherlands

textabstractIn this study the use and importance of ethnic categories is investigated among children in multi‐ethnic schools. It is argued that concentrating on ethnic categories ignores the many alternative forms of social categorization that can be used. It also ignores the possibility that social categories are not used at all. In the present study children were not confronted with material that explicitly stressed ethnicity, nor were they forced to respond to ethnic categories, but the social categories spontaneously used in written essays were analysed. The results show that ethnic categories should not be taken for granted. First, categorical constructs were not the only ones used, as many particular descriptions were given. Second, although most children did use ethnicity in describing differences between schoolmates, many other social categories were used and there were hardly any references to ethnicity when the children described patterns of playing. Copyright