Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GHGT-11 Thermal degradation on already oxidatively degraded solutions

CO2 capture with alkanolamines has been in use since 1930, where 2-ethanolamine (MEA) is the most studied absorbent for post-combustion. In order to prevent degradation, it is important to understand the degradation mechanisms, which in turn requires knowledge of both stoichiometry and kinetics of the reactions and chemical pathways associated with degradation. In the present work thermal degradation with CO2 in closed cylinders at 135 C is performed on already oxidatively degraded solutions from both an open batch and a closed batch setup. Thermal degradation with CO2 on oxidatively degraded solutions seems to give typical thermal degradation compounds. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of GHGT
Recent Developments in Self-Employment in Canada

The authors document the recent evolution of the self-employment rate in Canada. Between 1987 and 1998, the self-employment rate rose 3.5 percentage points from 13.8 per cent to 17.3 per cent. In contrast, over the 1999 to 2002 period, the self-employment rate fell by 1.9 percentage points, returning the self-employment rate in 2002 to a level only 0.2 percentage points higher than in 1992. The authors explore the possible explanations for this reversal. They describe trends in self-employment by age, gender, and types of self-employment, and then decompose the changes in the self-employment rate into the fraction due to shifts in the industrial structure and the proportion due to changes within each industry. The authors also examine the role of the business cycle and other macroeconomic factors, such as tax rates.
Genetic diversity in a Colombian bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) collection as assessed by phaseolin patterns and isoenzymatic markers

The knowledge of genetic diversity patterns increase the efficiency of the conservation and the enrichment of the genetic resourses. This study allowed the discrimination of the existing genetic variability in a Colombian collection of shrub bean by phaseolin patterns and isoenzymatic markers. Bean seed proteins revelated that the phaseolin patterns types T and C are predominant in the Andean pool, type S in the Meso-American pool and type B in Colombian and Central American accessions, with a predominance of 81% of phaseolin T in the Andean pool, and 78% of phaseolin B in the Meso-American pool. The accessions of cultivated and wild beans showed variation in 10 of the studied enzymatic systems: ab-EST, GOT, ab-ACP, DIA, PRX, ASD, 6-PGDH, MDH, IDH and ME; and monomorphism in the PGI and PGM systems. The isozyme systems presented 19 bands of activity, of which 74% were polymorphic loci. Both in the Andean and Meso-American genetic pools, the loci Mdh-1, Mdh-2, b-Est-1, Skdh and Me exhibited polymorphisms. Single alleles in the Meso-American pool were found in 6-Pgdh-2103, Mdh-1100, Idh100, a-Est-1100, a-Est-2100, and Dia-195; and in the Andean pool, in 6-Pgdh-1100, and Acp-2100. For degree of domestication, the wild and cultivated accessions presented polymorphisms in 58 and 47% of the loci, respectively. The enzymatic relationship cluster analysis of the studied bean collection revealed three distinct groups of accessions; namely the Meso-American pool, including its cultivated and wild accessions; the Andean pool, which is mainly comprised of cultivated accessions, plus the wild DGD-626; and finally, featured by a high degree of enzymatic polymorphism and by the presence of the type I phaseolin, a third group that contains only a wild accession from the northern, Peruvian Andes.
A Review of Absorptive Capacity

The globalization of markets, rapid technological change, shortening of product life cycles and the increasing aggressiveness of competitors have changed the competitive arena in business environments in many ways. These changes have prompted not only fast-moving, high-tech industries to react, but even industries that were assumed to be stable are now heating up. In this context, the firm’s capacity to acquire and absorb external knowledge represents a critical capacity to innovate (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990), and to develop and sustain competitive advantages (Camisón & Forés, 2010; Zahra & George, 2002). The problems that organizations face in attaining self-sufficiency in knowledge creation and the path-dependence nature of external knowledge absorption (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990) contradict research that posits high levels of one learning process (e.g. internal) would imply low levels of the other process (e.g., external) as firms compete for scarce resources (Gupta et al., 2006). In contrast, they support the perspective that organizational learning processes are not mutually exclusive, high levels of internal and external learning may coexist, and their conjoint development will enhance organizational success and innovation (Cassiman & Veugelers, 2006). Absorptive capacity has become one of the most significant constructs in the last twenty years precisely because external knowledge resources are so important. Since the publication of Cohen and Levinthal’s (1989) work on absorptive capacity, numerous theoretical and empirical studies have analysed firms’ capacity to absorb knowledge.1 Nonetheless, despite the huge growth in the absorptive capacity literature, certain important gaps still remain. Specifically, there is a certain ambiguity in the definition of the construct, its measurement and its antecedents (Lane, Koka, & Pathak, 2006). This controversy lies behind our objective to compile a “state of the art” of the absorptive capacity construct. The article is structured in four parts. First we present a review of the literature on the construct and the definitions it offers in order to provide the foundations on which to construct and measure an integrating, multi-dimensional and theoretically grounded concept. Second, we examine the major external and internal antecedents of firm’s absorptive capacity. Finally, we report the study conclusions and implications.
Axiomatic decomposition of a zero-sum game: the penalty shoot-out case

The game of soccer has offered matter of wide scientific analysis about the effective application of the game theory in real-life. The field observations have often detected divergent behaviors from theoretical predictions. The basic problem comes from the fact that it is difficult to build scientific models reflecting reality as closely as possible. Axiomatic Design offers us a powerful tool of rational decomposition of a real and complex issue into elementary components. Independence Axiom guarantees that game decomposition will define a set of elementary actions logically consistent and free of redundancies. At the same time, Information Axiom can allow to select among alternative strategies, those that they predict the actions with a higher probability rate of success. In this paper, it is suggested the use of the Axiomatic Design methodology in the Collectively Exhaustive and Mutually Exclusive (CEME) mode, as a tool of analysis of the penalty shoot-out in extra time. This methodology allows to define the game strategies for goalkeepers and penalty takers. It will be analyzed both, the case when the opponents' behavior is well known and the situation when the statistics about the opponents are unknown. Axiomatic Design allows the process of decomposition to be simplified, enabling the selection of optimal game strategies. These strategies correspond to Nash’s equilibrium solutions when you already know about your opponents' game behavior. On the contrary, when penalty takers whose behavior is unknown, then it is always possible to define a strategy corresponding to the Bayesian equilibrium game solutions.
Comparisons between velocity profiles according to the modified and the Navier-Stokes equations of motion and the experimental measurements for laminar boundary layer over a flat plate

The solution of the modified form of the equation of motion is compared with the classical Blasius solution, exact numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equation, and the experimental observations of Burgers and Zijnen (1924), Hansen (1930), Nikuradse (1942), Dhawan (1953), and Buttner and Czarske (2005) for laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate. Nearly all of the experimental data, except some of the data of Nikuradse, obtained by three different velocity measurement techniques of hot wire anemometry, Pitot tubes, and laser Doppler interferometry are in close agreement with the modified theory and show small but systematic deviation from the classical theory. Also, the predicted friction coefficient of the modified theory is found to be in closer agreement with the experimental observations of Janour (1951) as compared to that of the Navier-Stokes equation of motion. Key-Words: Laminar boundary layer. Modified form of the equation of motion. Navier-Stokes equation.
Estimation of boreal forest canopy cover with ground measurements, statistical models and remote sensing

Forest canopy cover (CC) is an important ecological variable and the basis for the international definition of forest. Canopy cover is defined as the proportion of forest floor covered by the vertical projection of the tree crowns. Thus, an unbiased estimation of CC requires that the area of interest is covered by vertical measurements, typically by using upward-looking sighting tubes. However, these measurements are very laborious. In practical forest inventories the estimate should be obtained as quickly as possible, but large errors should still be avoided. The aim of this thesis was to compare different quicker-toapply CC estimation techniques to more accurate sighting tube estimates. One alternative is to use instruments with an angle of view (AOV), such as cameras or spherical densiometers, instead of the sighting tubes. This may, however, lead to biased results when using large AOVs, because the sides of the crowns are also observed. The results showed that moderate (max. 40°) AOVs can be used to decrease the number of required sample points without causing a large bias, but more than 20 measurements per plot should be made to avoid large errors in all forests. A new instrument, the crown relascope, is potentially a good alternative in low cover forests where the trees are not very tall. Ocular estimates were found to depend on the observer, but considerable underestimation of CC was common. Furthermore, models for predicting CC based on commonly available forest metrics such as tree height and basal area were created, and reached a precision similar to the quicker field methods. Finally, airborne laser scanning data can be used to estimate CC from the proportion of pulses that hit the canopy above a predefined height limit. The laser method was found to have a high precision but resulted in a small overestimation of CC.
Currency Excess Returns and Global Downside Market Risk

We assess cross-sectional differences in 23 bilateral, conditional currency excess returns in an empirical model that distinguishes between US-specific and global risks, conditional on US bull (upside) or bear (downside) markets. Our results suggest that global downside risk is not only compensated in average returns on currency portfolios but also in conditional, bilateral currency excess returns. Emerging markets’ currencies mainly drive our results. We show that the link between global downside risk and risks associated with a typical carry trade strategy is much weaker for emerging markets’ currencies than for developed markets’ currencies.
Nutritional Status and Related Factors in Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Article history Received 25 Feb 2015 Accepted 29 Apr 2015 Introduction: A challenge for health care providers is that there will be a distinct rise globally in the number of elderly people aged 80 years and over. Malnutrition is a wellknown problem among elderly people. The aim of this study was to determine nutritional status and its associated risk factors in elderly nursing home residents in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out among 385 elderly people aged 60 years or elder in 2014. All subjects who were attending to daily care centers for elderly people entered the study voluntarily. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool was used to evaluate nutritional status. Results: Of participants, 13.25% were malnourished according to MNA, 60% were at risk for malnutrition, and 26.75% were well fed. In other words, 73.25% of elderly people were at risk of or suffering from Malnutrition. Nutritional status of the elderly based on MNA, was significantly associated with history of acute illness or stress, recent mobility problems, nervous mental depression, personal views about nutrition and health status. Conclusion: Considering the high percentage of elderly people eat risk or suffering from malnutrition in nursing homes, the need for nutritional interventions seems to be crucial.
High Prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis in the Sperm of Males with Low Sperm Count in Nigeria

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis has been linked with female infertility in male infertility and sequelae especially in developing countries which is the rationale for this study. This study view Chlamydia trachomatis as causing low sperm count in males which is a factor of male fertility. Methods: A total of 666 sperm samples were collected from males with low sperm count and another 666 from normal individuals to serve as control. Blood samples (n=855) were collected from cases and control. The sperm samples were analysed using the WHO parameters of 2010. Sperm samples were stained using the Giemsa technique. Sperm were analysed for Chlamydia trachomatis using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The presence of other microorganisms likely to be incriminated with low sperm count was detected by culture unto nutrient agar plates, blood agar plates and Thayer Martins medium. Any sample containing any microorganism capable of causing low sperm count was eliminated from the study. The blood samples were analysed using the microimmunofluorescence assay for Chlamydia trachomatis IgM. Results: Of the 666 cases only 417(62.6%) were positive while the control had only 225 (33.3) positive. There was significant difference between the cases and control and they both varied in the same direction statistically. The result from the IgM Chlamydia trachomatis antibody also gave a significant difference in both cases and control. The variation between ages was not significant except in older ages of both cases and control. The 582 semen samples positive for both Chlamydia trachomatis culture and IgM analysed for WHO sperm count parameters, 432 of the cases fell short of the normal sperm count along with 150 of the controls. Conclusion: This study then confirms Chlamydia trachomatis as a major cause of low sperm count and recommends the screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in cases of low sperm counts.
Particle dynamics in a non-flaring solar active region model

The aim of this work is to investigate and characterise particle behaviour in an (observationally-driven) 3D MHD model of the solar atmosphere above a slowly evolving, non-flaring active region. We use a relativistic guiding-centre particle code to investigate the behaviour of selected particle orbits, distributed throughout a single snapshot of the 3D MHD simulation. Two distinct particle acceleration behaviours are recovered, which affect both electrons and protons: (i) direct acceleration along field lines and (ii) tangential drifting of guiding centres with respect to local magnetic field. However, up to 40\% of all particles actually experience a form of (high energy) particle trap, because of changes in the direction of the electric field and unrelated to the strength of the magnetic field; such particles are included in the first category. Additionally, category (i) electron and proton orbits undergo surprisingly strong acceleration to non-thermal energies ($\lesssim42$MeV), because of the strength and extent of super-Dreicer electric fields created by the MHD simulation. Reducing the electric field strength of the MHD model does not significantly affect the efficiency of the (electric field-based) trapping mechanism, but does reduce the peak energies gained by orbits. We discuss the implications for future experiments, which aim to simulate non-flaring active region heating and reconnection.
Mango Production Knowledge and Technological Gaps of Smallholder Farmers in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Mango production is steadily expanding in Amhara region, Ethiopia. However, its productivity is below the national average. A survey conducted in four representative districts of Amhara region using 70 randomly selected mango growers in order to assess mango production knowledge and technological gaps of smallholder farmers. Data collected through individual interview using semi-structured questioner and field observation, and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 15. Majority (91.4%) of the respondents had less than 21 year mango production experiences. Further, 54.3% of the respondents did not attend formal education. Only 1.4 % of the respondents can do mango grafting. Majority of the respondents did not apply inorganic fertilizer, did not spray pesticides and fungicides to control pests and diseases, and did not prune their mango trees. These depict mango production knowledge and skill gaps of smallholder farmers. There is no site specific recommendation on irrigation interval, fertilizer rate, spacing, pruning season, scion and rootstock varieties, and insect pest and disease control methods for mango production. About 66% of the mango trees of the respondents are developed from seedlings and need to be converted into improved varieties through top-working. These indicate the existing technological gaps for mango production in the study area. Therefore, farmers need to be trained and improved mango production technologies should have to be introduced in order to improve the quality and boost the productivity of mango in the study area.
Landscape and pedogenesis of an oxisol-inceptisol-ultisol sequence in Southeastern Brazil

The topographic sequence of Oxisols, Inceptisols, and Ultisols is frequently observed in tropical hilly surfaces in the southeastern region of Brazil. The purpose of this study was to relate pedogenesis to major geomorphic surfaces (MGS) in the Caetes watershed, located in Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro State. The landscape is characterized by steep bedrock hills and cliffs of pre-Paleozoic gneiss, granite, and related metamorphic rocks rising above long, nearly level, accordant ridge crests, convex hills, and narrow fluvial plains. Intense soil development, with deep weathering and kaolinite formation in the gneiss-granite rock, took place on the ridges and convex hills. Six pedons were examined using field investigation and laboratory soil characterization techniques. The degree of pedogenesis on the various geomorphic surfaces supports the landscape evolution theories of Penck and King. A Typic Hapludox, with the greatest degree of pedogenesis, formed on the stable summit position, MGS1. The upper part of the retreating slope, MGS2, bevels MGS1, and the material eroded from MGS2 moved downslope and formed a surface with lower gradient, MGS3. Dystrochrepts are on shoulder positions and shallow Hapludox are on backslope positions of the geomorphic surface MGS2, and Kandiudults formed on footslopes, MGS3. Eutrochrepts are on the youngest surface MGS4, a toeslope position.
Extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg by cantaloupe plants (Cucumis melo L.) Packstar hybrid under Tarabana conditions, Lara state.

1Universidad del Zulia. 2Universidad Central Lizandro Alvarado. Lara State is one of the largest cantaloupe farmers in Venezuela, thus the importance of determining the crop nutrient removal in order to program rational fertilizer practices. Cantaloupe plants hybrid Packstar were grown in Tarabana, Lara State, Venezuela, and N by microkjeldahl method, P by colorimetric analysis using ammonium-vanadate, K by flame photometry, Ca and Mg using atomic absorption spectrophotometry removal were determined based on plant dry weight and nutrient concentrations. The experiment was conducted as a randomized complete design with seven replications and fiveplant plots. During harvest time, highest level of K, Ca and Mg were found in petioles while the lowest was found in lamina, root and ripe fruits, respectively. Highest level of N and P were found in lamina and ripe fruits whereas the lowest was found in roots. Total extraction of macronutrients were 75 kg N, 7 kg P, 64 kg K, 62 kg Ca and 10 kg Mg per hectare when 28,440 kg of fruits were harvested.
Dentalisation as regional indicator in General South African English: An acoustic analysis of /z/, /d/ and /t/

Abstract Drawing on Bekker's (2007) study on the dentalisation of /s/ among young middle-class females from Johannesburg, this research aims to test whether the other traditionally alveolar oral obstruents, namely /z/, /d/ and /t/, are similarly fronted. The speech of two groups, one consisting of five females from prestigious private schools in Johannesburg and the other consisting of five females from similar schools in Cape Town, was recorded and the data analysed acoustically. For /z/, a spectral moments analysis was employed (Jongman, Wayland & Wong, 2000), which examined four parameters: centre of gravity, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. For /d/ and /t/, a metric established by Jongman, Blumstein and Lahiri (1984) was used, one which involves calculating the ratio of the root mean square (rms) amplitude at the onset of voicing against the rms amplitude of the stop burst. Results support the hypothesis that /z/ is dentalised by Johannesburg speakers, but do not support a similar hypothesis for /d/ and /t/.
Uniform Water Distribution From Low Pressure Rotating Sprinklers

Population of India has probably crossed 1150 million marks by the end of 2007 (Survey of Indian Agriculture 2007). The estimated requirement of food grains by 2020 will be 307.75 million tonnes to meet the balanced diet norms prescribed by Indian Council of Medical Research. In 2007, the production of food grains was only 212.62 million tonnes. The gap of 95.13 million tonnes has to be narrowed down by adopting modern scientific approaches for efficient management of scarce land and water resources at a sustainable manner. Sprinkler irrigation is one of the modern scientific approaches which is becoming more and more popular in India in regions of water scarcity where available water is insufficient to irrigate the command area by surface irrigation. Uniformity of water distribution at four different nozzle pressures and three different spacing was studied for both plastic and brass type of sprinklers. The deviation of uniformity coefficient of plastic sprinklers from that of brass sprinklers was found to be from 0 to 2 %. It was also observed that optimum uniformity of water distribution was obtained at a nozzle pressure of 2.0 kgf/cm2 in normal windy condition. The uniformity of water distribution decreased with the increase of nozzle pressure beyond 2.0 kgf/cm2 for small and medium size nozzles. Comparison was made among different sprinklers and lateral spacing of 6.1 m x 6.1 m, 6.1 m x 12.2 m and 12.2 m x 12.2 m. It was observed that the spacing of 6.1 m x 6.1 m gives better distribution for low pressure sprinklers for all combinations of nozzle pressures and sizes. It was recommended to operate the low pressure sprinklers at a sprinkler and lateral spacing of 30 % of the spray diameter. It was also observed that the effect of wind velocity on uniformity of water distribution was less for wind velocities below 4 km/h and moderate for wind velocity below 7 km/h and the distribution pattern gets distorted at high wind velocity of 15 km/h.