Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of xylans on cellulosic fibres -Influence of xylan composition on adsorption characteristics and kraft pulp properties

Xylans are polysaccharides present in large amounts in cell walls of vascular plants. They possess an inherent affinity to cellulose and will thus adsorb irreversibly on cellulose surfaces. This propensity, along with the great abundance in nature, provides great opportunities for the use of xylans as renewable and biodegradable cellulose fibre modifying agents. The research presented in this thesis provides further knowledge of how the composition of xylan fractions influences solution properties and characteristics of xylan adsorption on cellulosic fibres. The study also describes how xylan adsorption can be used to improve the strength properties of bleached softwood kraft pulp. Furthermore, the work investigates the potential of utilizing xylan isolated from agricultural waste materials in cellulose fibre modification. Results show that lignin has a great influence on the aggregation behaviour of glucuronoxylan (GX) from birch. As lignin affects the solubility of xylan, it most likely also influences the driving force for xylan adsorption and deposition on cellulosic surfaces. Adsorption of GX on bleached softwood kraft pulp before drying is shown to preserve a considerable part of the fibre-swelling, fibre wall porosity, specific fibre surface area and wet fibre flexibility observed in the never-dried state. It is therefore suggested that GX adsorption reduces the degree of drying-induced fibre wall cross-linking. The use of GX as a hornification inhibitor provides once-dried fibres with increased tensile strength and beatability. Water-soluble (glucurono)arabinoxylan (GAX) isolated from barley husks is shown to interact with cellulose fibres. GAX with a low degree of substitution has an enhanced propensity to form aggregates in aqueous solutions and adsorb on cellulosic surfaces. In order to increase the driving force of adsorption of the more highly substituted xylan, GAX was cationized. This chemical modification increases the rate and magnitude of GAX adsorption extensively, due to the induced electrostatic interaction between anionic pulp fibres and cationic xylan. Furthermore, it is shown that adsorption of GAX on never-dried fibres may be beneficial in the production of market pulps with increased tensile strength and beatability.
Happiness, Well-being and Psychocultural Adaptation to the Stresses Associated with Marine Fishing

The purpose of this paper is to develop a heuristic model to account for the attachment that many particularly successful fishermen seem to have to their occupation. It is argued here that the relatively risky nature of the occupation of fishing attracts and holds individuals manifesting an active, adventurous, aggressive, and courageous personality; hence, these risky components of the job have a positive influence on their levels of happiness. There is more to fishing than money. What other occupation is reflected in a popular recreational activity like marine sport fishing? It takes one into a different environment, away from shore-based activities and allows participants to become involved in the thrill of the hunt, pitting ones’ luck and skill against others as well as against elusive prey hidden beneath the water. As a consequence, some fishermen resist leaving the occupation even when economic returns suggest they should. The paper first develops a heuristic human ecology model that illustrates relationships between aspects of the physical, political, and social environments that generate stress among commercial fishermen. The model is then elaborated to include psychological, biobehavioral, technological, ideological and social adaptations that mediate between the stress causing variables and the individual fisherman, reducing or eliminating the stress. A possible genetic component is also discussed. The model is discussed in terms of its application to fisheries management in New England and elsewhere.
Regional expert models for bilberry and cowberry yields in Finland

This study presents regional berry yield prediction models for the 13 Forestry Centres of Finland. The study material was collected by mailing a questionnaire to Forestry Centres' forest planners and other staff members whose work was related to forest planning in the field. These persons assessed bilberry and cowberry production of 117 imaginary forest stands, differing in site fertility, dominant tree species, stage of stand development and stand density. A total of 266 regional experts evaluated the stands. Using the resulting data, models were prepared which predict the berry yields from those site and stand characteristics which are usually known in forest planning calculations. In bilberry modelling, two separate models were developed: one for the Forestry Centre of Kainuu and the other for the rest of Finland. In cowberry modelling, the statistical analyses resulted in the sub-division of (1) North Karelia, Kainuu and Lapland vs. (2) the rest of Finland. Several district-specific, or Forestry Centre-specific, predictors were included in models common to several Forestry Centres. The results of this study, based on unexceptionally wide regional expertise, on the effects of site and tree cover on berry production were largely in line with previous field and other studies conducted in some parts of Finland. The models developed can be utilised in multiple-use forest planning throughout the whole Finland. They also provide possibilities for estimating the regional supply of the major wild berries in Finland. However, there still remains a need to calibrate the models with field data.
Bank capital and profitability: evidence from a global sample

This study employs bank-level data for a global sample of 125 countries to examine the relationship between capital and profitability for a period of 19 years (2000–2018) that includes both normal and crisis time. Our evidence suggests that bank capital is positively related to bank profitability, although the estimated impact is relatively weak. The relationship depends on environmental conditions as well as bank size. It is typically stronger in crisis periods, in lower and middle income countries and for larger banks (but not for Global Systemically Important Banks, or GSIBs). Finally, for banks operating in more corrupt environments, the same increase in capital is associated with more profitable institutions compared with banks based in countries with lower corruption levels. Our findings are robust to different specifications of the baseline model, and carry useful implications for policy reforms aimed at ensuring stability to the banking sector globally.
The Coastal Zone of Brazil : an Overview

Brazil has an area of 8,512,000 km2 which represents almost 50% of South America. Brazil's coastal zone extends for approximately 9,200 km and presents a very diverse suite of coastal environments that evolved during the Quaternary, in response to changes in climate and sea level, interacting with a geological heritage that dates back from the South America Africa break up, during the Mesozoic. This paper presents a brief overview of the major characteristics of the Brazilian coastal zone and its Quaternary evolution which hopefully will provide the adequate background information for those attending the 2004 ICS meeting.
Simplified Seismic Analysis of Disordered Masonry Towers

AbstractThe structural assessment of existing masonry towers under exceptional loads, such as earthquake loads, requires reliable and expedite methods of analysis. These approaches should take into account both the specific nonlinear behavior of the material (for instance, the small tensile strength) and the randomness that affect the masonry material’s properties (in some cases the distribution of the elastic parameters too). Considering the need of simplified but effective methods to assess the seismic response of such a class of structures, the paper proposes an expeditious approach based on an equivalent Bouc and Wen model. As a prototype of masonry towers, a cantilever masonry beam is analyzed assuming that the first mode shape governs the dynamic behavior. With this hypothesis, the nonlinear Bouc and Wen model is employed to reproduce the system hysteretic response. Subsequently, assuming the material properties as random variables, stochastic linearization and the perturbative approach are employed.
Performance and Energy Requirements of Gestating Grasscutters Fed Agro-Industrial By-Products

The grasscutter ( Thryonomys swinderianus ) is a large herbivorous rodent of the grasslands of Sub-Sahara Africa. It is an important source of much-needed animal protein; and holds promise as an acceptable ‘bushmeat’ substitute for the hunted and endangered wildlife animal species of West Africa. The intensive production of the grasscutter would require the supply of inexpensive and adequate dietary nutrients. Energy requirement was determined using sixteen 8-months old gestating grasscutters. The grasscutters were separated into four groups and fed diets, which differed in their energy contents of 2000, 2200, 2400, and 2600 kilocalories metabolizable energy per kilogram (Kcal ME/kg). The test diets had the same crude protein (CP) level of 18%. The results showed that total feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher on the 2200 kcal ME/kg diet than on other diets. Weight gain was highest on the 2200 kcalME/kg diet. Average litter size was significantly (P<0.05) higher on the 2200 kcalME/kg and 2400 kcal ME/kg diets. The average birth weight of grasscutter pups was significantly (P<0.05) higher on the 2200 kcalME/kg and 2600 kcalME/kg diets. Taken together, growth and reproductive performance of gestating grasscutters was superior, on the 2200 kcalME/kg diet, to performance on other diets. The results of this study suggest that agro-industrial by-products, soybean and wheat offal in cassava-based diets, can effectively be used at dietary energy level of 2200 kcalME/kg, to rear gestating grasscutters. It is, therefore, concluded that the optimum dietary energy requirement of gestating grasscutters is 2200 kcal ME/kg.
Studies of Reaction Kinetics of Methane Hydrate Dissocation in Porous Media

The objective of this study is the description of the kinetic dissociation of CH4-hydrates in porous media, and the determination of the corresponding kinetic parameters. Knowledge of the kinetic dissociation behavior of hydrates can play a critical role in the evaluation of gas production potential of gas hydrate accumulations in geologic media. We analyzed data from a sequence of tests of CH4-hydrate dissociation by means of thermal stimulation. These tests had been conducted on sand cores partially saturated with water, hydrate and CH4 gas, and contained in an x-ray-transparent aluminum pressure vessel. The pressure, volume of released gas, and temperature (at several locations within the cores) were measured. To avoid misinterpreting local changes as global processes, x-ray computed tomography scans provided accurate images of the location and movement of the reaction interface during the course of the experiments. Analysis of the data by means of inverse modeling (history matching ) provided estimates of the thermal properties and of the kinetic parameters of the hydration reaction in porous media. Comparison of the results from the hydrate-bearing porous media cores to those from pure CH4-hydrate samples provided a measure of the effect of the porous medium on the kinetic reaction. A tentative model of composite thermal conductivity of hydrate-bearing media was also developed.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND DIVERSITY IN DAIRY BUFFALOES OF PAKISTAN

Buffalo is the main dairy animal in Pakistan. There are five known buffalo breeds in the country namely: Nili, Ravi, Nili-Ravi, Kundhi and Azi Kheli (or Azakhale). Population trend is available for NiliRavi and Kundhi breeds and is positive. Azi-Kheli breed was included in 2006 livestock census for the first time. General production system is low-input extensive system but high input intensive system prevails around most cities in the form of buffalo colonies for supplying fresh milk. Buffaloes are seasonal breeders. Vast diversity exits both at phenotypic and genetic level. Economic traits have a wide variation and genetic control is moderate for production traits but very low for reproduction traits. Inbreeding is inimical to genetic diversity and has been reported to deteriorate productivity. Efforts to improve productivity of the species are needed alongwith sustainable utilization of existing resources.
An Algorithm for the Automatic Detection of Abnormal Mitotic Figure towards the Automated Diagnosis of Melanoma

Histopathology is a recognised technique for the detection of melanoma, and is often referred to as the 'Gold Standard' for the detection of this disease. However, its results can sometimes be rendered inconclusive, hence demanding the need for further, more advanced, forms of testing to be conducted (e.g., FISH testing and comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH)). In order to support pathologists with the detection of melanoma, an algorithm has been proposed for the detection of abnormal mitotic figure; a feature of melanoma that is a key indicator of malignancy. It is anticipated that this work can contribute towards research and development in the area of automated histopathological detection of melanoma. The proposed algorithm is described here as a flow diagram. It is currently undergoing further improvement, and it will then be implemented in computer code and tested.
QUALITY OF HUMAN CAPITAL AND LABOR PRODUCTIVITY: A CASE OF MALAYSIA

In this study, we investigate the impacts of human capital on labor productivity in Malaysia using panel data analysis. Central to the study are the magnitudes of human capital variables, represented by educational levels and health status, on labor productivity. The panel data employed covers 14 states in Malaysia, spanning from 2009 to 2012. Results of the study are estimated using the fixed effects generalized least squares (GLS) model. The results show that human capital quality (higher educational levels and better health status) is positively significant in improving the level of labor productivity in Malaysia. Our estimates also suggest that the impact of health on labor productivity is greater than the impact of education. Improvements in the quality of health and education are therefore crucial for Malaysia to achieve higher productivity growth.
MODIFICATION OF AMORPHOUS a-C:H FILMS BY LASER IRRADIATION

Amorphous diamond-like hydrogenated carbon lms a-C:H were formed on Si wafers by a direct ion beam deposition method from acetylene or a gas mixture of acetylene and hydrogen. The samples were irradiated in a scanning mode by second harmonic (wavelength ‚ = 532 nm) of a Q-switched YAG : Nd laser. The effect of laser irradiation was studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The changes in the optical spectra of the samples with different H amount were investigated in the dependence on laser intensity. Experimental data were interpreted taking into account the structural transformations of a-C:H lms.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Recent Work Title Wettability impact on supercritical CO 2 capillary trapping : Pore-scale visualization and quantification Permalink

Wettability is an important factor controlling the displacement of immiscible fluids in porous media and therefore affects the flow and transport of supercritical (sc) CO2 in geologic carbon sequestration. Because few studies have focused on the wettability effect in scCO2-brine flow systems, we experimentally and numerically tested influences of wettability on drainage at the pore network scale. Using a high-pressure micromodel-microscopy system, we performed experiments of scCO2 invasion into brinesaturated water-wet and intermediate-wet micromodels, and recorded the scCO2 invasion morphology under reservoir relevant conditions. We also performed pore-scale numerical simulations to infer 3D details of fluid–fluid displacement processes. During drainage under intermediate-wet conditions, we found higher scCO2 saturation, wider scCO2 fingering, and more compact displacement patterns. The simulation results are qualitatively consistent with the experiments. Through quantitative analyses of the experiments, we found that the reduced wettability decreases the displacement front velocity, promotes non-wetting phase pore-filling events in the longitudinal direction, delays the breakthrough time of invading fluid, and increases the displacement efficiency. Simulated results also show that the fluid–fluid interface area follows a unified power-law relation with scCO2 saturation, and show smaller interface area in intermediate-wet case which suppresses the mass transfer between the phases. These pore-scale results provide insights for the wettability effects on CO2–brine immiscible displacement in geologic carbon sequestration. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
GROWTH HORMONE GENE GENOTYPING BY Msp I RESTRICTION ENZYME AND PCR-RFLP METHODS IN ACEH CATTLE BREED AT INDRAPURI DISTRICT OF ACEH PROVINCE

The objective of this research was to identify growth hormone (GH) genes genotype in selected Aceh cattle at Indrapuri’s Breeding and Forage Centre (IBFC) of Aceh Cattle. Fourty one cattle consisting of 21 male and 20 female cattle were used in this study. The genomic DNA was extracted from blood using Sambrook et al. (1989) methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and mehod of sequencing was used to detect MspI site on GH gene. Based on sequencing results, it can be concluded that all cattle were monomorphism. The frequency of TT genotype were 1.00 and same as T allele frequency. The transition of C (cytosine) into T (thymine) on 1548 bp caused the lost of restriction site.
WEAR PERFORMANCE OF DUPLEX TREATED LOW ALLOYED STEEL AGAINST WOOD (BEECH)AS STATIC PARTNER

The sliding tribological behaviour of Cr-(WC-Co) coating against wood (beech) as counterpart was investigated using a duplex treatment of low carbon steel(DIN 18CrMo4). The duplex treatment consists of LPC (low pressure carburising) + R.F magnetron co-sputtering of Cr and WC-Co. Pin-on-disk configurations in dry condition wear tests were performed. The wear scars of the coatings were evaluated using optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) and the wear mechanisms were consequently discussed. The aim of this work is to study wear mechanisms on the wood pin/disc couple. It was concluded that best behaviour was observed in the case of higher Cr content coating.
Effects of hormone therapy on brain structure

Objective: To investigate the effects of hormone therapy on brain structure in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in recently postmenopausal women. Methods: Participants (aged 42–56 years, within 5–36 months past menopause) in the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study were randomized to (1) 0.45 mg/d oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), (2) 50 μg/d transdermal 17β-estradiol, or (3) placebo pills and patch for 48 months. Oral progesterone (200 mg/d) was given to active treatment groups for 12 days each month. MRI and cognitive testing were performed in a subset of participants at baseline, and at 18, 36, and 48 months of randomization (n = 95). Changes in whole brain, ventricular, and white matter hyperintensity volumes, and in global cognitive function, were measured. Results: Higher rates of ventricular expansion were observed in both the CEE and the 17β-estradiol groups compared to placebo; however, the difference was significant only in the CEE group (p = 0.01). Rates of ventricular expansion correlated with rates of decrease in brain volume (r = −0.58; p ≤ 0.001) and with rates of increase in white matter hyperintensity volume (r = 0.27; p = 0.01) after adjusting for age. The changes were not different between the CEE and 17β-estradiol groups for any of the MRI measures. The change in global cognitive function was not different across the groups. Conclusions: Ventricular volumes increased to a greater extent in recently menopausal women who received CEE compared to placebo but without changes in cognitive performance. Because the sample size was small and the follow-up limited to 4 years, the findings should be interpreted with caution and need confirmation. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class I evidence that brain ventricular volume increased to a greater extent in recently menopausal women who received oral CEE compared to placebo.
Human Growth Hormone Mice Effects of Every-Other-Day Feeding on Prolactin Regulatory Mechanism in Transgenic

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , November 15, 2005; 112 (20): 3115-3121. Circulation I. Ahmet, R. Wan, M. P. Mattson, E. G. Lakatta and M. Talan Cardioprotection by Intermittent Fasting in Rats [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , February 1, 2006; 82 (964): 84-88. Postgrad. Med. J. R Peters Ageing and the brain [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , July 1, 2007; 86 (1): 7-13. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition K. A Varady and M. K Hellerstein Alternate-day fasting and chronic disease prevention: a review of human and animal trials [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , February 1, 2008; 23 (1): 35-41. Nutr Clin Pract M. H. DeLegge and A. Smoke Neurodegeneration and Inflammation [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2008; 233 (4): 434-438. Experimental Biology and Medicine V. Jimenez-Ortega, M. M. Masternak, J. A. Panici, Z. Wang, A. Bartke and A. I. Esquifino Human Growth Hormone Mice Effects of Every-Other-Day Feeding on Prolactin Regulatory Mechanism in Transgenic
Decoupled Programs, Payment Incidence, and Factor Markets: Evidence from Market Experiments

We use laboratory market experiments to assess the impact of asymmetric knowledge of a per-unit subsidy and the effect of a decoupled annual income subsidy on factor market outcomes. Results indicate that when the subsidy is tied to the factor as a per-unit subsidy, regardless of full or asymmetric knowledge for market participants, subsidized factor buyers distribute nearly 22 percent of the subsidy to factor sellers. When the subsidy is fully decoupled from the factor, as is the case with the annual payment, payment incidence is mitigated and prices are not statistically different from the no-policy treatment.
Ecosystem resistance in the face of climate change: a case study from the freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades

Shaped by the hydrology of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades watershed, the Florida Everglades is composed of a conglomerate of wetland ecosystems that have varying capacities to sequester and store carbon. Hydrology, which is a product of the region's precipitation and temperature patterns combined with water management policy, drives community composition and productivity. As shifts in both precipitation and air temperature are expected over the next 100 years as a consequence of climate change, CO2 dynamics in the greater Everglades are expected to change. To reduce uncertainties associated with climate change and to explore how projected changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate can alter current CO2 exchange rates in Everglades freshwater marsh ecosystems, we simulated fluxes of carbon among the atmosphere, vegetation, and soil using the DAYCENT model. We explored the effects of low, moderate, and high scenarios for atmospheric CO2 (550, 850, and 950 ppm), mean annual air temperature (+1.