Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calibration methods for two scientific multibeam systems

Ona, E. , Mazauric, V. , and Andersen, L. N. 2009. Calibration methods for two scientific multibeam systems. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1326-1334.The new Simrad scientific multibeam systems, the MS70 sonar and the ME70 echosounder, each transmit over many electronically formed beams with centre frequencies spanning from 70 to 120 kHz. Calibrations of these systems are therefore more complex than for conventional split-beam echosounder systems. Two large tungsten-carbide spheres (75 and 84 mm diameter) were designed and manufactured to facilitate accurate field calibrations over the entire operational bandwidth. These are heavy and therefore stable when suspended beneath a ship, and have target strengths much larger than those of biological targets potentially within the measurement volume. This paper presents procedures for calibrating each system in the field and the results from two such experiments. Detailed inspections of the results for individual beams indicate that minor adjustments in the described procedures might further improve the reported calibration accuracy.
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes by salicylic acid in arsenic exposed Glycine max L.

To investigate the physiological and metabolic attributes of arsenic (As) stress tolerance conferred by exogenous salicylic acid (SA), Glycine max L. (variety JS 335) seeds were aseptically germinated over filter paper moistened with SA (500 µM) and/or10 and 100 µM As (Sodium arsenite was used). On 2nd and 5th days of germination, the growing radicles were harvested, and analyzed for growth and different metabolic attributes. Findings exemplified that As significantly decreased germination percentage, radicle length, dry mass and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), while stimulated the contents of As, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipoxygenase (LOX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and proline. Additionally, isozymes of antioxidants were also scrutinized over Native-PAGE gels and were found to be altered considerably under As-stress. However, exogenous SA remarkably enhanced germination percentage, growth indices, activities of SOD, CAT and APX, and proline accumulation along with reduced As, ROS and LOX, and restoring POD in As-stressed seedlings. In conclusion, SA confers As-stress tolerance to Glycine max L. by regulating the antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation thereby reduced As content and ROS production. Further study is intended, particularly at gene level, to understand precise mechanism(s) involved in SA-mediated As-stress tolerance.
Summertime contributions of isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpene oxidation to the formation of secondary organic aerosol in the troposphere over Mt. Tai, Central East China during MTX2006

To better understand the contribution of biogenic volatile organic compounds to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in high mountain regions, ambient aerosols were collected at the summit of Mt. Tai (1534 m, a.s.l.), Central East China (CEC) during the Mount Tai eXperiment 2006 campaign (MTX2006) in early summer. Biogenic SOA tracers of isoprene, monoterpenes, and β-caryophyllene oxidation products were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. All the biogenic SOA tracers showed no clear diurnal variations, suggesting that they are formed during long-range atmospheric transport. Although isoprene- and monoterpene-derived SOA tracers did not correlate with levoglucosan (a biomass burning tracer), β-caryophyllinic acid showed a good correlation with levoglucosan, indicating that biomass burning may be a source for this compound. Total concentrations of isoprene oxidation products are much higher than those of monoterpene and β-caryophyllene oxidation products. The ratio of isoprene to monoterpene oxidation products ( R iso/mono ) was found to co-vary with ozone and NO x during the summer campaign. The average R iso/mono value was 6.94 at daytime and 10.0 at nighttime. These values are among the highest in the aerosols studied in different regions, which may be due to the large isoprene fluxes, high O 3 and NO x levels and relatively high OH concentrations in CEC. Using a tracer-based method, we estimated the average concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC) derived from isoprene, monoterpenes, and β-caryophyllene to be 1.76 μgC m −3 at daytime and 1.85 μgC m −3 at nighttime. These values correspond to 11.2% and 11.0% of the total OC concentrations, in which isoprene-derived SOC are 7.4% and 8.0% at day- and night-time, respectively. This study suggests that isoprene is a more significant precursor for biogenic SOA than monoterpenes and β-caryophyllene in high altitude in CEC.
Conservation through Chocolate: a win‐win for biodiversity and farmers in Ecuador's lowland tropics

Global biodiversity conservation significantly depends on bringing conservation measures to the agricultural production systems that dominate the earth's surface. One of the leading candidates for wildlife‐friendly farming in the megadiverse lowland tropics is shade‐grown cocoa. However, tropical farmers increasingly believe that shade reduces yield and consequently, are removing most shade trees from their farms. Conservation goals therefore conflict with production imperatives. Nevertheless, we tested the trade‐off between production and biodiversity conservation in the critical conservation area of the Ecuadorean Chocó and found that both farmers and biodiversity would benefit from an increase in shade. This rare partial win‐win situation in wildlife‐friendly farming permits the creation of a sustainable, economically sensitive certification and geographic indication for biodiversity‐friendly chocolate. We suggest that similar trade‐off studies be carried out in other agroforestry regions of conservation importance, not least to establish the probable sustainability of conservation initiatives in production‐centered landscapes.
Traditional knowledge of sertanejos about Zootherapeutic practices used in ethnoveterinary medicine of NE Brazil

The present paper analyzes animal-based remedies used in ethnoveterinary medicine in a semi-arid area of Paraiba State (Caatinga biome) in NE Brazil. Information was obtained through semi-structured questionnaires applied to 32 local residents (24 men and 8 women) concerning animal species used as remedies, the body parts used, and the illnesses for which these remedies were prescribed. It is recorded the use of 13 animal species (of which 7 were non-domestic) recommended for treating 18 illnesses. Ram (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758), rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758), and “teju” lizards (Tupinambis merianae (Dumeril & Bibron, 1839)) were important medicinal resources for the community studied. The examination of folk knowledge and animal health practices gives us a better understanding of human interactions with their local environment and aids in formulating appropriate strategies for natural resource conservation.
Is it all in the reward ?

The presence of peers is suggested to increase risk-taking behaviour by heightening response to reward. The current study investigated this using a computerised financial risk-taking task which was performed twice by a group of young adults (n=201, median age 19.8 years); once alone and once while in the presence of two peers. An overall increase in risk-taking was observed when with peers compared to when alone (CHANGE). CHANGE was positively associated with self-reported levels of reward responsiveness and fun seeking while older age and lack of perseverance were associated with reduced CHANGE. The association between risk-taking when with peers and both resistance to the influence of peers and age was indirect through reward responsiveness. Reward responsiveness was positively associated with impulsiveness. Only in those who showed a peer-related decrease in risk-taking (1/3 of participants), risk-taking in the presence of peers was associated with increased impulsiveness. The current findings suggest an important role for reward responsiveness in risk-taking behaviour and demonstrate the influence of peers. Increased understanding of these processes has direct implications for prevention and intervention efforts. Placing risktaking behaviour within varying (social) contexts with an eye for differences in personality, development and emotions provides ample scope for future research.
Water quality implications of cattle grazing on a semiarid watershed in southeastern Utah.

Highlight: During 19 73 and 1974 wildland water quality analyses were performed on a semiarid, chained and seeded, pinyon-juniper site in southeastern Utah. The area was treated in 1967 and protected from grazing until 1974. In 1974 livestock grazing was introduced and investigations continued to determine if any deleterious land use effects were present from fecal contamination by cattle. No significant changes were noted in fecal and total coliform production (fecal pollution bacterial indicators) from grazing use. There is an element of risk involved whenever data generated from a small area are projected to larger land areas. However, it appears that this level of livestock grazing (2 hafA UM) did not constitute a public health hazard in terms of fecal pollution indicators on the semiarid watershed.
Ground State and Magnetostatic Properties of a Dipole System Arranged in Two-Dimensional Lattice

A system of nano sized modomain ferromagnetic particle arranged in two-dimensional lattice is theoretically investigated. The basic aim of the investigation is to find the ground state of these types of models where the interaction is long-ranged and anisotropic. The numerical calculations show that for some lattices there is a number of degenerated states near the zero temperature. The ground state of these systems is basically of a complicated antiferromagnetic type.
Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics Nonlinear long-wave deformation and runup in a basin of varying depth

Nonlinear transformation and runup of long waves of finite amplitude in a basin of variable depth is analyzed in the framework of 1-D nonlinear shallow-water theory. The basin depth is slowly varied far offshore and joins a plane beach near the shore. A small-amplitude linear sinusoidal incident wave is assumed. The wave dynamics far offshore can be described with the use of asymptotic methods based on two parameters: bottom slope and wave amplitude. An analytical solution allows the calculation of increasing wave height, steepness and spectral amplitudes during wave propagation from the initial wave characteristics and bottom profile. Three special types of bottom profile (beach of constant slope, and convex and concave beach profiles) are considered in detail within this approach. The wave runup on a plane beach is described in the framework of the CarrierGreenspan approach with initial data, which come from wave deformation in a basin of slowly varying depth. The dependence of the maximum runup height and the condition of a wave breaking are analyzed in relation to wave parameters in deep water.
Transfers between grandparents and grandchildren: The importance of taking a three-generation perspective

The key argument in this article is that recent demographic change, with unprecedented duration of intergenerational ties and shifting balance between old and young in family lines necessitates three-generational views of transfers between grandparents and grandchildren. Much support from grandparents comes through continued parenting of the middle generation, the grandchildrenÂ’s parents. Using recent data from Norway, such indirect support is explored through three avenues: ideal role perceptions, actual help in parenting, support in difficult times and potential help. In most instances, there is considerable evidence that grandparents represent a Â“reserve armyÂ” for their children and grandchildren, especially grandmothers in the maternal line. Divorce may represent structural obstacles to the flow of support, especially in the paternal line. In designing and executing studies of modern grandparents, researchers need to be aware of asymmetry as a potential problem and be very clear on where in vertical connections the research is anchored. (DIPF/Orig.) Der demographische Wandel mit der beispiellos langen gemeinsamen Lebenszeit und der sich verschiebenden Balance zwischen Alt und Jung in der Familie erfordert in Hinblick auf Transfers zwischen Groseltern und Enkeln eine Drei-Generationen-Perspektive. Ein groser Teil der Hilfen von Groseltern besteht in ihrer fortwahrenden Unterstutzung fur ihre erwachsenen Kinder, also die Eltern ihrer Enkelkinder. Mit aktuellen norwegischen Daten wird diese indirekte Unterstutzung auf drei Ebenen untersucht: Wahrnehmung von Rollenmodellen, tatsachliche Hilfen bei dem elterlichen Aufgaben sowie Unterstutzung in schwierigen Zeiten und potenzielle Hilfe. Dabei existieren deutliche Hinweise, dass die Groseltern eine Â„ReservearmeeÂ“ fur ihre Kinder und Enkelkinder darstellen, und zwar insbesondere die Grosmutter mutterlicherseits. Scheidungen weisen hingegen auf strukturelle Hindernisse fur fortwahrende Hilfeleistungen hin, insbesondere auf Seiten der Groseltern vaterlicherseits. Beim Forschungsdesign und der Durchfuhrung von Studien uber heutige Groseltern muss man sich des potenziellen Asymmetrie-Problems bewusst sein und klare Entscheidungen daruber treffen, an welcher Stelle in der Generationenlinie die Untersuchung verankert wird. (DIPF/Orig.)
A lab in the field: high-frequency analysis of water quality and stable isotopes in stream water and precipitation

High-frequency measurements of solutes and isotopes (18O and 2H) in rainfall and streamflow can shed important light on catchment flow pathways and travel times, but the workload and sample storage artifacts involved in collecting, transporting, and analyzing thousands of bottled samples severely constrain catchment studies in which conventional sampling methods are employed. However, recent developments towards more compact and robust analyzers have now made it possible to measure chemistry and water isotopes in the field at sub-hourly frequencies over extended periods. Here, we present laboratory and field tests of a membrane-vaporization continuous water sampler coupled to a cavity ring-down spectrometer for real-time measurements of δ18O and δ2H combined with a dual-channel ion chromatograph (IC) for the synchronous analysis of major cations and anions. The precision of the isotope analyzer was typically better than 0.03 ‰ for δ18O and 0.17 ‰ for δ2H in 10 min average readings taken at intervals of 30 min. Carryover effects were less than 1.2 % between isotopically contrasting water samples for 30 min sampling intervals, and instrument drift could be corrected through periodic analysis of secondary reference standards. The precision of the ion chromatograph was typically ∼ 0.1–1 ppm or better, with relative standard deviations of ∼ 1 % or better for most major ions in stream water, which is sufficient to detect subtle biogeochemical signals in catchment runoff. We installed the coupled isotope analyzer/IC system in an uninsulated hut next to a stream of a small catchment and analyzed stream water and precipitation samples every 30 min over 28 days. These high-frequency measurements facilitated a detailed comparison of event-water fractions via endmember mixing analysis with both chemical and isotope tracers. For two events with relatively dry antecedent moisture conditions, the event-water fractions were < 21 % based on isotope tracers but were significantly overestimated (40 to 82 %) by the chemical tracers. These observations, coupled with the storm-to-storm patterns in precipitation isotope inputs and the associated stream water isotope response, led to a conceptual hypothesis for runoff generation in the catchment. Under this hypothesis, the pre-event water that is mobilized by precipitation events may, depending on antecedent moisture conditions, be significantly shallower, younger, and less mineralized than the deeper, older water that feeds baseflow and thus defines the pre-event endmember used in hydrograph separation. This proof-of-concept study illustrates the potential advantages of capturing isotopic and hydrochemical behavior at a high frequency over extended periods that span multiple hydrologic events.
The reproductive biology of Diplodus sargus sargus in the Gulf of Tunis (central Mediterranean)

The sexual activity of Diplodus sargus sargus in the Gulf of Tunis takes place from January to May. Spawning occurs in spring (March to May), as the water temperature rises from 15 to 18°C, just after the winter minimum. The spawning period increases as the latitude decreases. The overall male to female ratio was statistically different from unity. Size at sexual maturity (TL 50 ) was 21 cm (4 years old). The length-weight relationship for all individuals was described by the following parameters: a = 0.015 and b = 3.051. D. s. sargus from the Gulf of Tunis is a rudimentary hermaphrodite with partial protandry.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent scalar transport across a flat surface

Abstract To elucidate the physical mechanisms that play a role in the interfacial transfer of atmospheric gases into water, a series of direct numerical simulations of mass transfer across the air–water interface driven by isotropic turbulence diffusing from below has been carried out for various turbulent Reynolds numbers ( $R_T=84,195,507$ ). To allow a direct (unbiased) comparison of the instantaneous effects of scalar diffusivity, in each of the DNS up to six scalar advection–diffusion equations with different Schmidt numbers were solved simultaneously. As far as the authors are aware this is the first simulation that is capable to accurately resolve the realistic Schmidt number, $\mathit{Sc}=500$ , that is typical for the transport of atmospheric gases such as oxygen in water. For the range of turbulent Reynolds numbers and Schmidt numbers considered, the normalized transfer velocity $K_L$ was found to scale with $R_T^{-{1/2}}$ and $\mathit{Sc}^{-{1/2}}$ , which indicates that the largest eddies present in the isotropic turbulent flow introduced at the bottom of the computational domain tend to determine the mass transfer. The $K_L$ results were also found to be in good agreement with the surface divergence model of McCready, Vassiliadou & Hanratty (AIChE J., vol. 32, 1986, pp. 1108–1115) when using a constant of proportionality of 0.525. Although close to the surface large eddies are responsible for the bulk of the gas transfer, it was also observed that for higher $R_T$ the influence of smaller eddies becomes more important.
Some evidence on the performance benchmarking of Australian fixed interest funds

In this paper we analyse the performance of Australian fixed interest managed funds by examining the relative effectiveness of various indices of bond performance which are combined with various measures of: interest rate fluctuations, economic fundamentals, maturity risk, default risk, and equity market returns, in an attempt to find an ‘optimum’ index. Our dataset is sourced from the Australian fund-rating agency ASSIRT. We show that a correct combination of a bond market variable, a mixture of interest rate factors and economic factors as well as a proxy for movements in the equity markets yield the optimal benchmark.
Carcass yield, sensory analysis and meat quality of broilers fed canola meal

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary levels of canola meal on carcass yield, fatty acids profile, physical characteristics, chemical and sensory composition of breast meat of broilers. A total of 300 one-day-old, both sexes, Cobb broilers were assigned to a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of ten birds each. Birds were given 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% canola meal in place of soybean meal in the diet. After 42 days, four birds per replicate were slaughtered to analyze the carcass yield and the breast was used for analysis of fatty acid profile, sensory analysis and chemical and physical composition. The fatty acid profile was influenced by increasing levels of canola meal, decreasing (p 0.05) with 100% replacement and the hardness decreased (p < 0.05). Canola meal can replace soybean meal up to the level of 25% without affecting carcass yield and chemical, instrumental and sensory analysis of meat.
The Effect of Strategic Management Practices on SME Performances in Makassar, Indonesia

The increasingly dynamic market conditions and competition among companies encourage business owners, including small and medium enterprises (SME) owners in Indonesia and in other countries to understand how SMEs can be maintained or enhanced their marketing and financial performances. In order to compete, strategic and policy management experts encourage companies, including SME to apply strategic management practices. This study aims to measure how strong the effect of the implementation of strategic management practices on the performance of SMEs in Makassar, Indonesia especially the performance associated with sales turnover, break even point (BEP), and profit. This research uses quantitative data with primary data source through interview process and questionnaire. The interview process was conducted with the head of the small and medium enterprises (SME) in Makassar, whereas questionnaires were distributed directly to 178 respondents by the survey officer. Of the 178 questionnaires distributed to the respondents, 158 of them (88.76%) were eligible to be processed and analyzed. The results show that the strategic management practices such as strategic planning, strategic execution, and strategic evaluation have a positive and significant impact on sales volume, BEP achievement, and profits of SMEs, especially in medium-sized of enterprises. But the level of education does not serve as an important factor in moderating these strategic management practices against sales volume, BEP and profits. The study also shows that the determination of mission and strategic formulation (part of strategic management practices) have no significant effect on sales volume, BEP and profit. The results of this research are expected to contribute both to the academic community and to business actors, especially managers and/or owners of SME in Makassar. Another practical contribution is to provide inputs to policy makers such as Department of Cooperative and SME in Makassar, in order to develop the quality of SME to remain competitive and still exist in an increasingly dynamic and more competitive market.
Surface circulation in the Algerian basin during 1984

The Algerian current observed during most of the summers between 1975 and 1983 appeared as a succession of eddies (diameter about 100 km) propagating eastward along the coast. In 1984, however, satellite infrared imagery revealed two huge (diameter about 200 km) and driftless anticyclonic eddies occupying most of the Algerian basin. The Atlantic water was deflected seaward as far as the Balearic islands by the westernmost eddy located off Algiers, and was then dispatched by other eddies throughout the basin as if by a set of paddle-wheels. Nevertheless, and independent of the general situation, the occurrence of eddies induces secondary phenomena such as advections of surface water from the Liguro-Provencal basin into the Algerian basin, cool tongues and small-scale cyclonic eddies along the Algerian coast. In consequence, the circulation in the Algerian basin is mainly driven by mesoscale eddies and its temporal and spatial variability is thus very large.