Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of marine atmospheric boundary layer structure across the cold tongue-ITCZ complex

The structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean is influenced by spatial variations of sea surface temperature (SST) in the region. As the MABL air is advected across a strong SST gradient associated with the cold tongue–ITCZ complex (CTIC), substantial changes occur in the thermodynamic structure, surface fluxes, and cloud properties. This study attempts to define and explain the variability in the MABL structure and clouds over the CTIC. Using data collected on research cruises from the fall seasons of 1999–2001, composite soundings were created for both the cold and warm sides of the SST front to describe the mean atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) structure and its evolution across this front. The average difference in SST across this front was 6°C; much of this difference was concentrated in a band only 50 km wide. During the fall seasons, on the cold side of the gradient, a well-defined inversion exists in all years. Below this inversion, both fair-weather cumulus and stratiform clouds are observed. As the MABL air moves over the SST front to warmer waters, the inversion weakens and increases in height. The MABL also moistens and eventually supports deeper convection over the ITCZ. Both the latent and sensible heat fluxes increase dramatically across the SST front because of both an increase in SST and surface wind speed. Cloudiness is variable on the cold side of the SST front ranging from 0.2 to 0.9 coverage. On the warm side, cloud fraction was quite constant in time, with values generally greater than 0.8. The highest cloud-top heights (3 km) are found well north of the SST front, indicating areas of deeper convection. An analysis using energy and moisture budgets identifies the roles of various physical processes in the MABL evolution.
Agricultural Contracting and the Scale of Production

This study presents evidence that contracting is positively associated with the scale of production for six major U.S. agricultural commodities. Specifically, contract producers tend to operate at a larger scale than do independent producers, and the likelihood of an operation contracting increases with its scale. This relationship is strongest in the cattle and hog sectors, where it persists even among large commercial operations. Six theoretical explanations for the observed correlation between scale and contracting are proposed, including imperfect capital markets, contractor transaction costs, input leverage, grower risk aversion, asset specificity, and technological change. Information from five annual national surveys is used to examine the validity of three of the proposed mechanisms.
Characterization of microbial communities in marine surface sediments by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and quinone profiling

We characterized microbial communities from Japanese coastal sediments by using ter- minal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and quinone profiling. Surface sediments (0 to 2 cm) were collected from 5 different locations, Tokyo Bay (S1: water depth 15 m), Sagami Bay (S2: 1520 m; S3: 1133 m), Suruga Bay (S4: 1290 m), and Nankai Trough (S5: 4023 m). The length of terminal-restriction fragments (T-RFs) was estimated by an automated DNA sequencer. The average fragment numbers (mean ± SD) estimated from the 3 separate restriction analyses (Hha I, RsaI and MspI) were S1 = 74 ± 6.2, S2 = 28 ± 4.6, S3 = 27 ± 6.2, S4 = 73 ± 4.0, and S5 = 35 ± 2.1. Six- teen quinone homologs were detected from S2, S3, S4 and S5, while 17 homologs were found from S1. Major differences in the quinone profiles among sampling sites were primarily related to the relative abundance of quinone homologs. However, the difference in homolog number did not con- tribute to the change of profile in each sampling site. The appearance and disappearance of quinone homologs were only seen in minor components. Community profiles from T-RFLP analysis revealed that the microbial population in Sagami Bay (S2 and S3) and Nankai Trough (S5) were similar (16.8 to 25.8% divergence). On the other hand, sediments from Sagami Bay (S2 and S3) were closely related to each other (13.9% divergence), but quinone profiling of Nankai Trough sediment (S5) was not similar to those of Sagami Bay. It was assumed that this difference derived from different charac- teristics of the 2 techniques used. Thus, we found that the phylogenetic structures in S2, S3, and S5 were similar, but the relative abundance and physiological condition of the microbial populations was apparently different between Sagami Bay (S2 and S3) and Nankai Trough (S5). In this study, a combination of the methods T-RFLP and quinone profiling succeeded in characterizing the microbial community of marine sediments and it is likely that this approach will prove effective in future ana- lyses of microbial communities in marine sediments.
Using Personal Portable Devices as Learning Tools in the English Class El uso de dispositivos portátiles en la clase de inglés para favorecer la producción del idioma

A group of university students used a variety of personal portable devices (cellphones, tablets, laptops, and netbooks) which distracted them in English class. This qualitative action research aimed to implement activities entailing the use of such devices and to learn their impact on students’ learning and the use of English in class. Thus, a series of applications was used to promote the use of these devices for the benefit of the English as a Foreign Language class. These applications included a learning management system that resembled a social network, a live interaction application, and an online dictionary. It was found that students were able to productively use these devices as learning tools plus they expressed comfort and interest in using them.
Experimental investigations on the toxicity of ammonia: effects on ventilation frequency, growth, epidermal mucous cells, and gill structure of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri

Juvenile rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri Rich. were experimentally exposed to 0.25 mg I' of NH3 for 4 wk. This concentration lies between those causing acutely lethal and sublethal effects. At first, significant effects from the ammonia were recorded: greatly increased ventilation frequency, reduced food intake and an associated decrease in weight gain. Subsequently, the fish adapted considerably to the toxicant. Ventilation frequency decreased, although it remained above that of controls. Food was taken up completely and there was only a minor difference in growth between exposed trout and unexposed controls. No change from exposure to the pollutant could be detected in the number of mucous cells in the epidermis. Examination of the gill structure at the end of the expenment revealed only a slight, but significant, tissue proliferation. Unexpectedly, the comparatively high ammonia concentration produced few chronic effects. Nevertheless, results indicate that the wellbeing of the experimental fish was disturbed.
Microbial and Sensory Stability of Cauliflower for 180 Days Preserved Through Hurdle Technology

Fresh cauliflower were preserved by combinations of hurdles i.e. blanching through different treatments-B1-98°C for 30 sec. , B2-98°C for 60 sec. , B3-99°C for 30 sec. , B4-99°C for 60 sec. , B5-100°C for 30 sec. , B6-100°C for 60 sec. , followed by dipping into 0.25% potassium metabisulphite for 10 minutes, among above 6 treatments, successful blanching treatment was selected. Then blanched cauliflower were steeped into different concentrations and combinations of preservatives - P0 (Control sample- fresh without treatment), P1[8% Salt+500 ppm (parts per million) Potassium metabisulphite+100 ppm Sodium benzoate)], P2 (10% Salt+400 ppm Potassium metabisulphite+200 ppm Sodium benzoate), P3(12% Salt+300 ppm Potassium metabisulphite+300 ppm Sodium benzoate), P4 (8% Salt+ 0.3% Citric acid+300 ppm Potassium metabisulphite+300 ppm Sodium benzoate), P5 (10% Salt+0.2% Citric acid+400 ppm Potassium metabisulphite+200 ppm Sodium benzoate) and P6 (12% Salt+0.1% Citric acid+500 ppm Potassium metabisulphite+100 ppm Sodium benzoate). Steeped cauliflower were aseptically packed into food grade polyethylene pouches and stored at two temperatures T1 (ambient temperature- 30-37°C) and T2 (refrigeration temperature- 5-7°C) for different time intervals i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days respectively. Thus there are 14 combinations of treatments under study were- P0/T1, P0/T2, P1/T1, P1/T2, P2/T1, P2/T2, P3/T1, P3/T2, P4/T1, P4/T2, P5/T1, P5/T2, P6/T1and P6/T2 for 180 days of storage period. Among above 6 (B1 to B6) different blanching treatments, the successful blanching treatment was B6-100°C for 60 sec. followed by dipping into 0.25% potassium metabisulphite for 10 minutes. Among above 14 different treatments, the treatments which remained microbial safe till 180 days of storage period were P4/T1 [YMC (Yeast and mold count)- 23.14count/gm, TPC (Total plate count)-46.86 cfu/ml, E.coli(Escherichia coli) -Nil], P5/T2 (YMC- 17.71count/gm, TPC- 14.42 cfu/ml, E.coli-Nil) and P4/T2 (YMC - 8.43 count/gm, TPC-23.43 cfu/ml, E.coli-Nil). Among these three (P4/T1, P5/T2 and P4/T2) treatments, P4/T2 was scored highest in sensory evaluation (color and appearance - 8.0, flavor and texture-8.2, Body and texture-8.14 and overall acceptability-8.0) in 180 days of storage period. So best hurdle treatment for preservation of cauliflower till 180 days of storage period was P4/T2.
Compressive strength of recycled aggregate to concrete with various percentage of recycled aggregate

Compressive strength is the basic mechanical properties and one of the indicators to determine the performance of a concrete. In this paper, the effects of various percentages (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) of Recycled Aggregate (RA) on compressive strength of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) were investigated. RA is used to replace natural aggregate (NA) as coarse aggregate in concrete mixes. This research also covered RAC mixtures at different water-cement ratio (0.4, 0.5, 0.6). It was found that RAC had lower compressive strength compared to Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC). At the age of 28 days, RAC with water-cement ratio 0.4 had the highest strength.
Calculation of the Ettingshausen coefficient in a Rectangular quantum wire with an infinite potential in the presence of an Electromagnetic wave (the electron - optical phonon interaction )

The Ettingshausen coefficient (EC) in a Rectangular quantum wire with an infinite potential (RQWIP)in the presence of an Electromagnetic wave (EMW) is calculated by using a quantum kinetic equation for electrons. Considering the case of the electron optical phonon interaction, we have found the expressions of the kinetic tensors ik ik ik ik , , ,     . From the kinetic tensors, we have also obtained the analytical expression of the EC in the RQWIP in the presence of EMW as function of the frequency and the intensity of the EMW, of the temperature of system, of the magnetic field and of the characteristic parameters of RQWIP. The theoretical results for the EC are numerically evaluated, plotted and discussed for a specific RQWIP GaAs/GaAsAL. We also compared received EC with those for normal bulk semiconductors and quamtum wells to show the difference. The Ettingshausen effect in a RQWIP in the presence of an EMW is newly developed.
NESTING BIOLOGY OF THE BAIRD'S SPARROW IN SOUTHWESTERN MANITOBA

Very few studies have documented aspects of Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) nesting biology, apparently because of difficulty in locating their nests. Subsequently much of the information regarding the breeding biology of the Baird's Sparrow is based on small samples of nests and anecdotal information. We studied the nesting biology of the Baird's Sparrow in southwestern Manitoba, during 1991-1992. Baird's Spar- rows arrived in the first two weeks of May and initiated clutches as early as 2.5 May. Clutch initiation peaked between 29 May and 4 June with a second smaller peak occurring in mid- to late July. Seventy-six nests were located with a mean clutch size of 4.6 eggs. The incubation period extended 11-12 days and young fledged between 8 and 11 days of age. Mayfield nest success was 37% with predation being the primary cause of nest loss. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) parasitized 36% of the nests with 67% of these nests containing more than one cowbird egg (2 = 2.0 2 0.2 S.E., range = l-4). Hatching success of non-parasitized nests was significantly higher than that of parasitized nests. In addition, significantly fewer young fledged from successful parasitized nests than from successful non-parasitized nests resulting in an average cost of 1.1 Baird's Sparrow fledglings per parasitized nest. Egg removal by cowbirds was likely the primary cause of lowered productivity in parasitized nests. Baird's Sparrows appear to be a good quality host for cowbirds in southwestern Manitoba as 21% of cowbird eggs laid fledged young with 0.5 cowbirds fledging per parasitized nest. Received 15 Aug.
Modeling Structural Influences on Soil Water Retention

A new model quantifies the effect of soil structure, considered as the arrangement of particles in the soil, on soil water retention. The model partitions the pore space into texture-related and structure-related components, the textural component being what can be deduced to exist if the arrangement of the particles were random, and the structural component being the remainder. An existing model, based on particle-size distributions, represents the textural component, and a new model, based on aggregate-size distributions, represents the structural component. This new model makes use of generalized properties that vary little from one medium to another, thereby eliminating any need for empirically fitted parameters. It postulates a particular character of the structural pore space that in some ways resembles texture-related pore space, but with pore shape related to the breadth of the aggregate-size distribution. To predict a soil water retention curve, this model requires the soil's porosity and particle- and aggregate-size distributions. Tested with measurements for 17 samples from two sources, it fits the data much better than does a model based on texture alone. Goodness of fit indicated by correlation coefficients ranged from 0.908 to 0.998 for the new model, compared with a range of 0.686 to 0.955 for the texture-based model.
Effect of pregnancy on packed cell volume and total white blood cells count among Sudanese pregnant women attending antenatal care at Ribat University Hospital (Khartoum state)

Pregnancy is characterized by many hematological changes, which may appear to be pathological in the nonpregnant state. Many studies have identified the hematological profile of the pregnant woman as one of the factors affecting pregnancy and its outcome. During pregnancy, plasma expansion and haemodilution contribute to the majority of these changes, there is increase in plasma volume as well as in red cells and ABSTRACT
Dormancy in reproductive vegetative buds in creeping perennials dominating the agricultural weed florain Scandinavia

Dormancy, which is the inability to initiate normal growth under otherwise favourable conditions, is an adaptation to escape sprouting prior to seasonal cold temperatures and/or drought in areas where winters are harsh or summers dry. Dormancy in woody perennials of northern temperate areas is, in general, induced by photoperiodic and/or temperature changes, and released after prolonged exposure to chilling. Besides being species specific, northern ecotypes are usually more sensitive to inductive signals than are southern ecotypes (in cold temperate areas). Dormancy in perennial weeds has been little studied, but might influence the effect of weed control measures. These often involve repeated fragmentation of the roots or rhizomes to stimulate re-sprouting, thus reducing the storage of nutrient reserves. Such measures would be a waste of energy and time if conducted during a period of dormancy. Furthermore, herbicide applications might be less efficient, since there is no or little transport to reproductive organs. In this thesis, the autumnal growth pattern of five perennial weeds, which all propagate vegetatively from underground adventitious or axillary buds, has been studied. In an outdoor pot experiment, emergence from defoliated plants with undisturbed underground systems was followed at two weeks intervals from late July to late January/April, for 2 years. During the second year, sprouting capacity from root and rhizome fragments was also tested. Emergence was impaired in Cirsium arvense, Equisetum arvense, Sonchus arvensis and Tussilago farfara during a period in September-October. This seasonality was, however, not preserved in C. arvense root buds after fragmentation of the root system. Fragmented rhizomes of Elytrigia repens, originating from southern Sweden, sprouted less readily in September-October. The shoot-to-rhizome ratio of this species was lowest during the same period. A climate chamber experiment suggested a photoperiodic control of sprouting from fragments of S. arvensis, with least sprouting in short photoperiods (12 h of light) combined with high temperature. None of the 12 combinations of photoperiods and temperatures used induced dormancy in C. arvense. In neither of the experiments could timing of dormancy onset be attributed to the latitudinal origin of the plants.
Ownership Structure and Building Society Efficiency

This paper investigates the effect of ownership structure on the cost efficiency of Australian building societies using the stochastic econometric frontier approach. Contrary to the expense preference hypothesis, mutually‐owned societies were found to be, on average, more cost efficient than those under stock ownership. Moreover, mutual and share‐owned societies have significantly different cost functions or production technologies. The results are consistent with the US results of Mester (1993).
Effect of Invasive Aspergillosis Infection on the Immune Responses of Cancer Mice

Objective(s) Using a cancer murine model of invasive aspergillosis (IA), we investigated the expression of TLR-2, Dectin-1 and the level of cytokine production by CD4+ T helper cells in different groups of mice (with or without cancer), also, the effect of invasive aspergillosis on the immune response pattern of cancer mice. Materials and Methods Patterns of susceptibility and resistance to infection obtained with different groups of mice injected with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. TLR-2 and Dectin-1 analyzed applying flowcytometry and cytokine production of cultured splenocytes by ELISA method. Results Cancer mice that challenged with A. fumigatus conidia showed significant increase in TLR-2 and Dectin-1 levels compared with the two other control groups (normal mice challenged with A. fumigatus and non-infected cancer mice). Moreover, it showed insignificant decrease in IFN-γ and IL-10 levels and insignificant increase in TNF-α level. The data demonstrated remarkable rise in IL-4 level and the mortality of cancer mice that intravenously infected with A. fumigatus. Conclusion Probably IA causes stimulation in innate immunity and Th2 cells, also some disorganization in cytokine production in CD4+ T helper cells. We hypothesize that concomitance of IA and cancer may change the microenvironment for local or systemic immune responses. Other complementary studies could help supporting our hypothesis.
Will tree euphorbias (Euphorbia tetragona and Euphorbia triangularis) survive under the impact of black rhinoceros (Bicornis diceros minor) browsing in the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa?

The impact of black rhinoceros (Bicornis diceros minor) on the tree euphorbias Euphorbia tetragona and Euphorbia triangularis was studied in the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa. Black rhinoceros pushed over about 5–7% of the trees in a 2-month period. There was a preference of rhinos for smaller trees, however this preference did not guarantee euphorbia survival in the larger size classes. This means that tree euphorbias could very well disappear from all areas accessible to rhinos. Rhino feeding choices were correlated with higher plant moisture content, higher nitrogen content, and a higher digestibility.
Survival and Spatial Ecology of the Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina , on the Upper Mississippi River

We studied the survival and spatial ecology of adult Snapping Turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ) on Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) during 1997-2001. We captured 597 Snapping Turtles 745 times (333 adult males; 238 adult females; and 26 juveniles) at two study sites; Goose Island, Wisconsin and Lawrence Lake, Minnesota. From this sample, we radio-marked 104 Snapping Turtles of legal harvest size 128 times. Annual survival ranged from 0.857 to 1.000 and averaged 0.944 with Goose Island and Lawrence Lake estimates pooled. Legal harvest was the most important cause of mortality and accounted for 57% of documented deaths. Annual home range size using the Poly-Buff (PB) method averaged 11.13 ha and ranged from 2.20 ha to 37.18 ha. Emergent and rooted-floating aquatic vegetation were used disproportionally more than their availability and 72% of all locations collected during the active period occurred within these habitat types. Overall, radio-marked Snapping Turtles selected hibernacula in the following habitat categories; marshes (38%), main/side channels (28%), backwater sloughs and small ponds (14%), spring areas (10%), small tributary streams (7%), and tertiary channels (3%). Developing conservative, consistent harvest regulations among the states that border the UMR should be a management priority.
A Literature Review of Disruption and Sustainability in Supply Chains

A search was conducted for peer-reviewed academic literature in the management and business field that relates to the topics of disruption and sustainability in supply chains. A limited set of relevant papers were identified that are dominated by a single journal (the International Journal of Production Economics) suggesting that the reviewed area is still in its early stages of development. Where sustainability features in the literature the discussion tends to concentrate on trade-offs between economic and environmental aspects, with social aspects, on the whole, ignored.
Ambiguous jointness and multifunctionality

Many previous analyses of multifunctionality in agriculture claim there is positive jointness between the production commodities and nonmarket goods and services. Those analyses have not treated acreage as an endogenous variable. This leads to several errors in terms of the analysis of policy impacts, and hence also the policy advice. The main contribution of this paper is the development of an analytical framework where acreage is endogenously determined. This framework is then used to demonstrate that any policy that influences resource allocation also affects agricultural commodity production. Hence, there is no such thing as a fully decoupled support. The impacts on commodity markets from direct payments to environmental goods and services are, however, smaller than the distortions from policies that inflate commodity prices.