Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respiration and Microbial Dynamics in Two Subarctic Ecosystems during Winter and Spring Thaw: Effects of Increased Snow Depth

ABSTRACT Recent evidence suggests that biogeochemical processes in the Arctic during late winter and spring-thaw strongly affect the annual cycling of carbon and nutrients, indicating high susceptibility to climate change. We therefore examined the carbon and nutrient dynamics in a sub-arctic heath and a birch forest with high temporal resolution from March until snowmelt at both ambient and experimentally increased snow depths. Ecosystem respiration (ER) from mid-March to snowmelt at ambient snow was high, reaching 99 ± 19 (birch) and 67 ± 1.4 g C m−2 (heath). Enhanced snow depth by about 20–30 cm increased ER by 77–157% during late winter but had no effects during spring-thaw. ER rates at the birch site were poorly described by classic first-order exponential models (R2 = 0.06–0.10) with temperature as a single variable, but model fit improved considerably by including the supply of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or nitrogen (DON) in the model (R2 = 0.40–0.47). At the heath, model fit with temperature as the single variable was better (R2 = 0.38–0.52), yet it improved when the supply of DOC or DON was included (R2 = 0.65–0.72). Microbial carbon decreased by 43% within a few days after the first soil freeze-thaw event, while microbial nitrogen and phosphorus decreased more slowly. Because soil inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were low, nutrients released from lysed microbial cells may have been sequestered by surviving microbes or by plants resuming growth. The fast change in microbial biomass and the dependence of ER on substrate availability stress the need for high temporal resolution in future research on ecosystem carbon and nutrient dynamics at snowmelt in order to make robust models of their turnover.
Numerical Simulation on Flow Over Circular Cylinder With Heated Splitter Plate

This paper attempts to investigate numerically the two dimensional mixed convection flow over a circular cylinder at low Reynolds number with heated splitter plate attached to it. The surface heating under the influence of gravity field makes the buoyant force to play a vital role in the boundary layer development and eventually modifies the wake structure. The wake characteristics and the rate of heat transfer is critically affected by changing the length of splitter plate as well. The paper analyzes the effects of heating the splitter plate at different L/D ratios on the aerodynamic coefficients, vortex shedding frequency and heat transfer rate.
Does Advanced Maternal Age Increase the Risk of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes?

Objective: To compare the perinatal outcomes of advanced maternal aged women (≥ 35 years) to the controlgroup (20-35 years) in a tertiary hospital. Material and methods: This study was conducted on 2152 women who gave birth between 1st January and 31st December 2011. The ‘study group’ was comprised 537 pregnant women aged ≥35 years and the ‘control group‘ was comprised 1615 pregnant women aged between 20-35 years. The maternal and fetal outcomes of two groups were compared statistically. Results: The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly higher in the advanced maternal aged women group (14.5% vs 6.6%, p<0.001). Low birth weight, very low birth weight babies and intrauterin growth restriction were also significantly higher in this group (7.1% vs 4.6%, p= 0.01, 5.2% vs 0.9%, p<0.001, and 8.2% vs. 4.8% p=0.003, respectively). Although cesarean section rate was significantly higher in the study group (34.8% vs. 26.6%, p<0.001), emergency cesarean section rate was significantly higher in the control group (29.4% vs 40%, p=0.01). Pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in the older women compared to control group (p<0.001, OR: 2.2, 95% Cl:1.5-3.5 and p=0.01 OR: 1.89, 95% Cl:1.2-2, respectively). Conclusion: Pregnancies with advanced maternal age have higher risk of maternal and fetal complications. The most crucial risks for older pregnancies are pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus. The cesarean section rates are also higher in older pregnant women.
Inhibition of tumor metastasis by targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes modified with PFV for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: Chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still leads to unsatisfactory clinical prognosis because of poor active targeting and tumor metastasis. Purpose: The objective of this study was to construct a kind of PFV peptide modified targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes, which could enhance tumor targeting and inhibit tumor cell metastasis. Methods and results: Targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes were prepared by film dispersion and the ammonium sulfate gradient method. With the ideal physicochemical properties, targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes exhibited enhanced cellular uptake and showed strong cytotoxicity to tumor cells. The encapsulation of dioscin increased the inhibitory effects of daunorubicin on A549 cells, vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels and tumor metastasis. The enhanced antimetastatic mechanism of the targeted liposomes was attributed to the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cad), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Meanwhile, the targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes exhibited significant antitumor effects in tumor-bearing mice. H&E staining, immunohistochemistry with Ki-67 and TUNEL assay also showed the promoted antitumor activity of the targeted liposomes. Conclusion: Targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes may provide an effective strategy for the treatment of NSCLC.
The analysis of consumers’ attitudes towards online grocery shopping: A case study in Indian context

The concept of online grocery shopping is in its nascent stage. This study has been carried out to examine the impact of varied attributes on the consumers’ attitude towards online grocery shopping. Perceived Cost, Convenience, Risk and Enjoyable are the four attributes examined in this study. The sub-populations of the various demographic traits and usage behavior will be compared and analyzed to find out if there is any significant difference amongst the attitudes of sub-populations towards online grocery shopping in India.
Terahertz Sources, Detectors, and Transceivers in Silicon Technologies

With active devices lingering on the brink of activity and every passive device and interconnection on chip acting as potential radiator, a paradigm shift from “ top-down ” to “ bottom-up ” approach in silicon terahertz (THz) circuit design is clearly evident as we witness orders-of-magnitude improvements of silicon THz circuits in terms of output power, phase noise, and sensitivity since their inception around 2010. That is, the once clear boundary between devices, circuits, and function blocks is getting blurrier as we push the devices toward their limits. And when all else fails to meet the system requirements, which is often the case, a logical step forward is to scale these THz circuits to arrays. This makes a lot of sense in the terahertz region considering the relatively efficient on-chip THz antennas and the reduced size of arrays with half-wavelength pitch. This chapter begins with the derivation of conditions for maximizing power gain of active devices. Discussions of circuit topologies for THz sources, detectors, and transceivers with emphasis on their efficacy and scalability ensue, and this chapter concludes with a brief survey of interface options for channeling THz energy out of the chip.
Neither So Low nor So Short: Wages and Heights in Bourbon Spanish America from an International Comparative Perspective

Abstract This paper offers new quantitative evidence on living standards in Bourbon America through a pioneering study of both wages and heights. Wages were not low, nor were heights short, by the international standards of the period. The living standards of Spanish Americans thus compare favourably with those of other regions of the world, including Europe. As in many parts of the West, one can observe a trend towards the deterioration of real wages in Spanish America at the end of the period. Our findings suggest that the ‘Great Divergence’ in living standards between Spanish America and the developed Western countries might have taken place mainly after independence and that currently available GDP per capita estimates might be too low. Spanish abstract Este artículo ofrece nueva información cuantitativa sobre los niveles de vida en la América borbónica mediante el estudio de salarios y estaturas. Ni los salarios ni las estaturas eran bajas en términos comparativos internancinales, Europa incluida. Como en muchas partes del mundo occidental, los salarios reales tendieron a deteriorarse al final del período estudiado. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la ‘Gran Divergencia’ en niveles de vida entre los países occidentales desarrollados podría haber ocurrido principlamente después de la independencia y que los PIB per capita disponibles podrían estar infraestimados. Portuguese abstract Este artigo oferece novas evidencias quantitativas acerca dos níveis de qualidade de vida na América bourbônica a partir de um estudo pioneiro que abrange salários e estaturas. Pelos padrões internacionais da época, salários não eram baixos, tampouco as estaturas das pessoas. Os padrões de vida de hispano-americanos podem portanto ser comparados de maneira favorável a outras regiões do mundo, incluindo a Europa. Assim como em várias regiões do ocidente, pode-se observar uma tendência em direção à redução dos salários reais na América espanhola no final do período. Nossas conclusões sugerem que a ‘Grande Divergência’ nos padrões de vida entre a América espanhola e os países desenvolvidos ocidentais pode ter ocorrido principalmente após a independência e que as atuais estimativas de PIB per capita podem ser demasiado baixas.
Analysis of growth response and tolerance index of Glycine max (L.) Merr. under hexavalent chromium stress

Background: Metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems due to various human activities. It can damage or alter the biosphere reducing the agricultural productivity and can affect both animals and humans. Emission of various pollutants into the atmosphere has many harmful effects on plant growth. Rapid urbanization, unregulated industrialization, growing transport, metal plating and agricultural activities have created a problem of heavy metals contamination. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the toxicity of chromium on Glycine max . Chromium concentration applied to G. max was managed as 0.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 for experimental period of 90 days. The phytotoxic effect of chromium metal was analyzed by studying seed germination, seedling vigor index, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content tolerance index. Results: The data presented in this study showed that chromium metal adversely affects the seedling vigor of G. max and significantly (p<0.05) reduces seed germination and growth. The toxic effect of chromium on the seeds increased with increasing the concentration of the metal. It was also found that high concentrations of chromium (50 and 100 mg kg-1) can completely inhibit the seed germination. Conclusion: The chromium metal is extremely toxic for seeds and young seedling of G. max at high concentrations. Moreover, G. max has little potential to counteract the deleterious effect of chromium metal in soil at aforementioned treatments. The results of the present study may help in better understanding of the mechanisms involved in pytoextraction.
A TURBULENCE INTENSITY SIMILARITY DISTRIBUTION FOR EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF A SMALL WIND TURBINE IN LOW WIND SPEED REGIMES

Field tests from June 2013 to September 2014 on a Skystream wind turbine in a turbulent environment (at the Sustainability Experience Center on the Pennsylvania State University’s main campus) were used to study the impacts of turbulence intensity on power performance. Representations of the power curves for small wind turbines do not currently account for impact of turbulence. The study examined the influence of turbulence intensity on the deviations in power output, commonly experienced by small wind turbines, as compared to published power curves such that more accurate predictions in performance can be made for future small wind projects. The first aspect of this study analyzed the turbine’s performance at its location with respect to manufacturer specifications for the Skystream 3.7. The wind speeds were measured via anemometers on the tower at two different heights in compliance with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, and were extrapolated to hub height via the Power Law. The data at each 3 s time step were collected via meteorological packages for temperature, air density, pressure, wind speed and direction as well as power output from the turbine. This data was then averaged and binned for 1 min intervals. One-minute averaged data was used to explore the distribution of turbulence intensities experienced in wind speed bins of 5.00±0.25, 7.50±0.25, and 10.0±0.25 m/s. The resulting turbulence intensity distributions have a similar distribution across these wind speeds and thus it was compared to four common statistical distributions: Weibull (α = 2, β = 0.11), Gamma (k = 12, θ = 0.014), Normal (μ = 0.1889, σ = 0.067), and Exponential (k = 5.2). A goodness of fit study was conducted, finding that a Gamma and a Normal distribution were each the statistically well correlated (with R2 values ranging from 0.983 to 0.991 and 0.979 to 0.989 respectively). However, based on a visual inspection of the two distributions compared to the tested wind speeds, the Gamma distribution was determined to be the best fit. This finding constitutes a more elegant approach to empirically adjusting power curves for turbulence intensity than has been suggested by previous studies, as well as using a 1 min averaging scale to obtain a better sample of the wind speed and turbulence intensity data experienced at the site and a better representation of the power performance on a more relative scale to the turbulence itself.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from Pennisetum clandestinum associate to livestock systems in the Andean area

The grass Pennisetum clandestinum is the base of the dairy systems in high mountain regions in Colombia. Due to its fertilization requirements it is vital to find sustainable alternatives for its management. In this study, four native strains of the genera Azotobacter , Pseudomonas , Micrococcus and Bacillus , isolated from P. clandestinum were used. Characterization of growth promotion ability in vitro such as phosphorus solubilization, production of indole compounds and siderophores synthesis was made for all strains, followed by a test under greenhouse conditions using 50% tricalcium phosphate plus each bacterium. After two months the bacteria's potential to increment height, radical length, leaf and root weight in P. clandestinum was measured. The results indicated that the four strains have the ability for plant growth promotion. The treatment with the strain Azotobacter beijerinckii KA206 + 50% tricalcium phosphate increased significantly (p≤ 0.05) the assessed agronomical variables. These results surpassed the treatment with a 50% phosphate fertilization in terms of plant performance regarding roots length and dry weight. The four strains exhibited results that were significantly different (p≤ 0.05). These preliminary results suggest the existence of a feasible alternative that could reduce the phosphate fertilization with sources of low solubilization for the dairy production in sustainable agriculture systems.
Electrical Insulation Weaknesses in Wide Bandgap Devices

The power electronics research community is balancing on the edge of a game-changing technological innovation: as traditionally silicon (Si) based power semiconductors approach their material limitations, next-generation wide bandgap (WBG) power semiconductors are poised to overtake them. Promising WBG materials are silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), diamond (C), gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and aluminum nitride (AlN). They can operate at higher voltages, temperatures, and switching frequencies with greater efficiencies compared to existing Si, in power electronics. These characteristics can reduce energy consumption, which is critical for national economic, health, and security interests. However, increased voltage blocking capability and trend toward more compact packaging technology for high-power density WBG devices can enhance the local electric field that may become large enough to raise partial discharges (PDs) within the module. High activity of PDs damages the insulating silicone gel, lead to electrical insulation failure and reduce the reliability of the module. Among WBG devices, electrical insulation weaknesses in WBG-based Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) have been more investigated. The chapter deals with (a) current standards for evaluation of the insulation systems of power electronics modules, (b) simulation and modeling of the electric field stress inside modules, (c) diagnostic tests on modules, and (d) PD control methods in modules.
Fish scale identification: From individual to species-specific shape variability

Background. Species identification from recovered fish scales, e.g., from the sediment or stomach contents, has proven to be problematic for clupeid species. To ensure reliable species discrimination within Clupeidae, we attempted to reveal interand intra-specific, as well as, the intra-individual variability of scale shape in two sympatric clupeid species the European pilchard, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and the round sardinella, Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847. Our aim was to test, whether the landmark-based geometric morphometric method is reliable for species identification from mixed samples. Material and methods. The specimens of European pilchard and round sardinella were collected between May and October 2014 from the Gulf of Ambracia, Greece. The scale samples were taken from ten body areas (marked by letters A–J) of 487 specimens in total. A multiple-step analysis was conducted on randomly selected blind samples. The differences between body areas were assessed with canonical variate analysis (CVA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) to compute generalized Mahalanobis distances (D) and discriminant functions (T2), respectively. Results. The CVA based on the total scale samples showed that in sardinella, all body areas differed significantly from each other (D = 2.54 ± 0.79, P < 0.001) except for one (area I vs. J: D = 22.36, P = 0.085). In pilchard, two body area pairs represented non-significant group pairs (area D vs. G: D = 1.03, P = 0.12; and area F vs. G: D = 1.21, P = 0.06), whereas all other areas were significantly different (D = 2.43 ± 0.88, P = 0.003). At the last step of the blind sampling procedure, all scales were correctly classified by species with an average discrimination rate as high as 96.3%. Conclusion. In contrast to scale identification based merely on morphology, the geometric morphometric method is capable of detecting differences in scale shape from mixed samples that are unattainable with the former approach. Therefore, a more reliable and effective species identification can be accomplished from recovered scales, especially when discriminating species within the same family or genus.
Studies on Genetic Variability Parameters and Character Association among Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Grape (Vitis vinifera L.)

The Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most valuable, demandable and remunerative horticultural crop. Vitis vinifera L. is considered to be interspecific hybridization in American species, V. vulpina L. and V. labrusca L. (Regel, 1973). European grape (V.vinifera L.) is considered to have originated in Caucasus region between Caspian and Black sea region (Vavilov, 1951). Viticulture is one of the major horticultural industries of the world. Vitis vinifera possesses many varieties. These all varieties having so many variations in their qualitative as well as quantitative attributes. A study of differentiation and characterization of grape germplasm is a basis of its use in a specific region. The aim of this work is to assess the qualitative and quantitative traits and selection of elite genotype for further breeding work.
Parallel, multi frequency EIT measurement, suitable for recording impedance changes during epilepsy

Abstract Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) has been proposed as a method for imaging and localising epileptic activity in the brain. No existing EIT system meets all of the requirements for effective imaging of epilepsy. A parallel EIT system, employing frequency division multiplexing, is described, which is optimised for measuring impedance changes during epilepsy. The system is capable of imaging short duration, spontaneous events in a saline filled tank, using as little as 1ms of recorded data. In-vivo impedance measurements recorded during epilepsy in a rat model are presented.
A Case of Retroperitoneal Primary Neuroblastoma that Developed in Adulthood

Neuroblastoma is a solid malignant tumor found in young children period, but it may also develop in adulthood. Adult neuroblastoma is rare in Japan (incidence of at least 1/100 million). Here, we report on an adult with retroperitoneal primary neuroblastoma. A 32-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of abdominal tumor diagnosed as neuroblastoma on needle biopsy. The tumor markers for neuroblastoma were 32.6 ng/ml for neuron specific enolase, 30.1 μg/mg Cr for urine vanillylmandelic acid and 42.3 μg/mg Cr for urine homovanillic acid. Imaging showed metastasis to the mediastinal lymph nodes, but bone metastases were not found. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System classification for this neuroblastoma was stage M. The tumor involved the left renal artery and aorta. The case was positive for image defined risk factors. Therefore, the patient received three courses of cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin, vincristine, and cisplatin. Tumor shrinkage was noted. We recommended continued chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation, but the patient refused further chemotherapy due to the serious side effects of chemotherapy. Tumor extirpation was judged possible by resection of the left renal tumor using a retroperitoneal mirror in combination. The excised tumor was more ganglion-like than at biopsy, and a stroma-rich portion was recognized, which was thought to be maturation due to chemotherapy. MYCN gene amplification was absent. Postoperatively, radiotherapy of the tumor bed and mediastinal lymph nodes was performed and the patient was followed-up. Many adults refuse chemotherapy, which makes sufficient treatment difficult. In adults, even when MYCN gene amplification is not allowed, sufficient observation is necessary since prognosis is the poor.