Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LOSS OF EXTRACTION CAPACITY OF MEHLICH-1 AND MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE AS A VARIABLE OF REMAINING P AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CRITICAL LEVELS OF SOIL PHOSPHORUS AND SULFUR

The Mehlich-1 (M-1) extractant and Monocalcium Phosphate in acetic acid (MCPa) have mechanisms for extraction of available P and S in acidity and in ligand exchange, whether of the sulfate of the extractant by the phosphate of the soil, or of the phosphate of the extractant by the sulfate of the soil. In clayey soils, with greater P adsorption capacity, or lower remaining P (Rem-P) value, which corresponds to soils with greater Phosphate Buffer Capacity (PBC), more buffered for acidity, the initially low pH of the extractants increases over their time of contact with the soil in the direction of the pH of the soil; and the sulfate of the M-1 or the phosphate of the MCPa is adsorbed by adsorption sites occupied by these anions or not. This situation makes the extractant lose its extraction capacity, a phenomenon known as loss of extraction capacity or consumption of the extractant, the object of this study. Twenty soil samples were chosen so as to cover the range of Rem-P (0 to 60 mg L-1). Rem-P was used as a measure of the PBC. The P and S contents available from the soil samples through M-1 and MCPa, and the contents of other nutrients and of organic matter were determined. For determination of loss of extraction capacity, after the rest period, the pH and the P and S contents were measured in both the extracts-soils. Although significant, the loss of extraction capacity of the acidity of the M-1 and MCPa extractants with reduction in the Rem-P value did not have a very expressive effect. A “linear plateau” model was observed for the M-1 for discontinuous loss of extraction capacity of the P content in accordance with reduction in the concentration of the Rem-P or increase in the PBC, suggesting that a discontinuous model should also be adopted for interpretation of available P of soils with different Rem-P values. In contrast, a continuous linear response was observed between the P variables in the extract-soil and Rem-P for the MCPa extractor, which shows increasing loss of extraction capacity of this extractor with an increase in the PBC of the soil, indicating the validity of the linear relationship between the available S of the soil and the PBC, estimated by Rem-P, as currently adopted.
Increasing Thiamine Concentrations in Lake Trout Eggs from Lakes Huron and Michigan Coincide with Low Alewife Abundance

Abstract Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in the Laurentian Great Lakes suffer from thiamine deficiency as a result of adult lake trout consuming prey containing thiaminase, a thiamine-degrading enzyme. Sufficiently low egg thiamine concentrations result in direct mortality of or sublethal effects on newly hatched lake trout fry. To determine the prevalence and severity of low thiamine in lake trout eggs, we monitored thiamine concentrations in lake trout eggs from 15 sites in Lakes Huron and Michigan from 2001 to 2009. Lake trout egg thiamine concentrations at most sites in both lakes were initially low and increased over time at 11 of 15 sites, and the proportion of females with egg thiamine concentrations lower than the recommended management objective of 4 nmol/g decreased over time at eight sites. Egg thiamine concentrations at five of six sites in Lakes Huron and Michigan were significantly inversely related to site-specific estimates of mean abundance of alewives Alosa pseudoharengus, and successful.
Metabelian representations of knot groups

The question of determining which finite metabelian groups may be the homomorphic image of a given knot group G is considered in this paper. As a starting point, it is shown that a homomorphism of a knot group onto a metabelian group H such that [Hi H']—n must factor through Z n ΘA n9 where A n is the homology group of the n-folά cyclic covering space. This is similar to a theorem of Burde [1 Satz 4], and Reyner [5] has also proven a similar result, showing in effect that such a homomorphism must factor through Z0 A n . Now, A n can be given the structure of a module over the ring Zζf) of L-polynomials, and the problem of determining the metabelian factor groups of G can be reduced to determining the factor modules of A n .
Self-Selection and Economic Assimilation of Immigrants: The Case of Iranian Immigrants Arriving to Three Countries during 1979–1985

The study is designed to evaluate the impact of the interaction between patterns of immigrants’ self-selection and the context of reception at destinations on economic assimilation of Iranian immigrants who came to three countries during 1979–1985. For that purpose, we studied immigrants at the age of 22 or higher upon arrival by utilizing the 5 percent 1990 and 2000 Public Use Microdata files (PUMS) of the United States census, the 20 percent demographic samples of the 1983 and 1995 Israeli censuses of population, and the 1990 and 2000 Swedish registers. The results indicate that the “most qualified” immigrants – both on observed and unobserved variables – who left Iran right after the Islamic revolution, arrived in the US Their positive self-selection led them to reach complete earnings assimilation with natives there. Iranian immigrants who arrived in Israel and Sweden did not achieve full earnings assimilation with natives. Of these two groups, a smaller immigrant-to-native gap in average earnings was found in Sweden, but in the same time Iranian immigrants in Israel were more positively self-selected and showed better assimilation than their counterparts in Sweden. Market structure played a certain role in immigrants’ earnings assimilation mainly in Sweden.
Effect of oil , surfactant and phenolic extract from mango seed kernel on the physicochemical properties of W / O / W emulsions

The effects and interactions of emulsion components namely refined soybean oil content (1.87-4.12%, w/w), polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) content (0.89-1.93%, w/w), mango seed kernel extract (MSKE) content (0.00-0.24%, w/w) on water–oil–water (W/O/W) emulsion characteristics were studied using response surface methodology. The emulsion properties studied as response variables were droplet size distribution, centrifugation stability, apparent viscosity and encapsulation efficiency. The results indicated that the response surface models were significantly (p<0.05) fitted for stability and viscosity. The effects of PGPR and MSKE were significant (p<0.05) variables affecting all responses. Therefore, the concentration of PGPR and MSKE should be considered as critical variables for the formulation of W/O/W emulsions in term of the emulsion characteristics studied. The overall optimum region resulting in a desirable double emulsion was predicted to be obtained at 2.33% (w/w) refined soybean oil, 1.68% (w/w) PGPR and 0.16% (w/w) MSKE. No significant (p>0.05) difference was found between the experimental and predicted values, thus ensuring the adequacy of the response surface models employed for describing the changes in physicochemical properties as a function of the main emulsion components.
A Study on Castor Oil and Its Conversion into Biodiesel by Transesterification Method

Castor ( Ricinus communis ) beans were subjected for the extraction of oil which contained 48% yield. The refined oil contained 0.8% free fatty acid (FFA) and 76.258mg KOH/g saponification value which showed that oil was very suitable for biodiesel production. Biodiesel can be synthesized by transesterification process using acid or base catalyst. The obtained oil and biodiesel was analysed by GC/MS and characterized for its use as fuel in compression ignition motors. From GC/MS, methyl esters content (6:1 molar ratio) was found to be about 88%. The experiments were performed at variable condition such as methanol/oil molar ratio, different temperatures, types and concentration of catalysts used. The best condition for transesterification process was 9:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 65°C and 1 weight % of KOH. Product analysis was performed by ASTM/EN standards. The obtained biodiesel provided satisfactory values of density and saponification but its viscosity was very high. This situation can be corrected by mixing other methyl esters or mineral diesel for its use as diesel fuel. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/njst.v15i1. 12009 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 15, No.1 (2014) 45-52
Evaluating Model Fit:a Synthesis of the Structural Equation Modelling Literature

The following paper presents current thinking and research on fit indices for structural equation modelling. The paper presents a selection of fit indices that are widely regarded as the most informative indices available to researchers. As well as outlining each of these indices, guidelines are presented on their use. The paper also provides reporting strategies of these indices and concludes with a discussion on the future of fit indices.
A Two-Staged SEM-AHP Technique for Understanding and Prioritizing Mobile Financial Services Perspective Adoption

The development of wireless and mobile technologies has offered a remarkable business opportunity for mobile financial services (MFS). This research focuses on predicting and prioritizing MFS perspective adoption through multi-dimensional consumers’ trust and perceived risk factors concurrently, which concepts found scant in the literature. An integrated technique based on survey questionnaire was suggested whereby the theoretical model was tested employing structural equation modeling (SEM), and the SEM output generated were utilized as inputs for analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to rank MFS perspective. Several antecedents of trust and perceived risk were identified and confirmed. However, perceived time risk has no statistically significant influence on aggregate perceived risk. The findings indicated that dispositional trust and perceived privacy risk impact consumers more than do other precursors of trust and perceived risk respectively. Consumers rely on these two factors probably because they are quite related to consumer personality trait and relevant to services provided. Mobile money transfer is the preferable MFS perspective used in Togo followed by mobile payment, and mobile banking correspondingly based on AHP result. The outcomes underscore that MFS managers require adopting and build trust-risk base in strategically crucial information system when formulating strategies to attract the ever-larger consumer. This study as well offered an innovative new approach to comprehend MFS adoption perspective through the benchmark methodology provided. Keywords : Mobile financial services adoption, SEM (Structural Equation Modeling), AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), Multi-analytic approach, Trust, Perceived risk, User behavior
Bacteriocinogenic Lactic Acid Bacteria of Caprine Products from Chaco

The microbiota of artisanal caprine products is essential for the manufacture of fermented products, such as cheeses and dry sausages, conferring them particular and distinctive flavors and generating high value-added products. Many of the bacteria comprising this microbiota are able to produce bacteriocins and antimicrobial substances. The finding of bacteriocinogenic strains within this microbiota could be the first step to introduce biopreservation into these products. Hence, ten lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (6 Lactobacillus paracasei, 2 Lactococcus lactis, 1 Leuconostoc mesenteroides and 1 Lactobacillus rhamnosus) isolated from artisanal caprine products from Chaco (Argentina) were screened for antagonistic activity against other LAB and some spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, such as Listeria innocua (in lieu of Listeria monocytogenes), Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The final goal was to investigate LAB antibacterial activity within this unexplored ecological niche and to select interesting strains for the role of bio-preservatives. Bacteriocin-like substances (BLIS) produced by the isolated strains inhibited three species of S. aureus, L. innocua and Brochothrix thermosphacta. Titles of these antibacterial substances were within the range 100200 AU.mL -1 . BLIS produced by the isolated strains were heat stable and effective after refrigerated storage and freeze/thaw cycles. Moreover, BLIS activity was higher at acidic pH values, showing a decrease when these values were closer to neutrality or they become alkaline. BLIS did not adsorb to the producer cells which is expected for future production and application on food systems. The results presented in this study could contribute to characterize the antimicrobial activity of the indigenous flora of artisanal caprine products manufactured in the province of Chaco, Argentina. The isolated bacteriocinogenic strains showed a regular production of BLIS in culture broth, which offers promising applications for the biopreservation of these products.
Prevalence and associated factors of elder abuse in a community-dwelling population of Aotearoa New Zealand: A cross-sectional study

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of elder abuse in a representative sample of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Analysis was conducted on responses from the second wave of the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NZLSA) omnibus survey of 3,923 adults aged 50-87 years. Using the elder mistreatment screening questions, the sample was split between those who identified of having experienced elder abuse (n = 529) and those who did not (n = 2417) from a large population-based study to compare on 19 variables (i.e. age, gender, marital status, living arrangement, education levels, ethnicity, personal income, total number of health conditions, physical health, mental health, ability to get around, economic wellbeing, loneliness, social and emotional loneliness, depression, happiness, satisfaction with life and quality of life). Significant differences were found on 16 of the variables assessed. Results suggested that those who have experienced elder abuse had a higher level of loneliness and poor economic wellbeing. They were more likely to experience depression, have poorer mental health and be less happy. The experience of abuse had significant impact on their satisfaction with life and overall quality of life. A better understanding of these risk factors associated with elder abuse in aging population will assist with both prevention and intervention.
Rates of phase transformations in mixed‐phase clouds

This paper presents a theoretical framework describing the thermodynamics and phase transformations of a three phase component system consisting of ice particles, liquid droplets and water vapour. The instant rates of change of water (q̇w), ice (q̇i) and vapour (q̇v) mixing ratios are described based on the quasi‐steady approximation. The local thermodynamic conditions required for the equilibrium of liquid (q̇w = 0), ice (q̇i = 0) and vapour (q̇v = 0) phases are analysed. It is shown that there are four different regimes of the partitioning of water between liquid, ice, and gaseous phases in mixed clouds. The Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process is identified as being relevant to two of those regimes. The efficiency of the WBF process in characterizing the capability of ice crystals to deplete the water evaporated from liquid droplets is introduced here. It is shown that the WBF process has maximum efficiency at approximately zero vertical velocity. The analysis of the dependences of q̇w, q̇i and q̇v on the vertical velocity, temperature, pressure and the integral radii of the cloud particles is presented. It is shown that the maximum rates of ice growth and droplet evaporation do not necessarily occur at T = − 12 °C where the maximum difference between saturation vapour pressure over ice and that over liquid is observed. Copyright © 2008 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Modeling the effects of land-sea roughness contrast on tropical cyclone winds

Abstract The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) is used to simulate tropical cyclone (TC) wind distribution near landfall. On an f plane at 15°N, the effects of the different surface roughness between the land and sea on the wind asymmetry is examined under a strong constraint of a dry atmosphere and time-invariant axisymmetric mass fields. The winds are found to adjust toward a steady state for prelandfall (50, 100, and 150 km offshore), landfall, and postlandfall (50, 100, and 150 km inland) TC positions. The TC core is asymmetric even when it lies completely offshore or inland. The surface (10 m) wind asymmetry at the core for pre- (post) landfall position is apparently related to the acceleration (deceleration) of the flow that has just moved over the sea (land) as a response to the sudden change of surface friction. For prelandfall TC positions, the resulted strong surface inflow to the left and front left (relative.
Information, Reputation and Ethnic Conflict

Empirical studies have found ethnic cleavages to play an important role in the occurrence of civil conflict. Surprisingly, theoretical research on ethnic con.ict has been very scarce. In the present contribution a theoretical model of reputation and ethnic conflict is built. Depending on the information structure and the reputation cost of defecting, economic interaction can either result in (peaceful) trade or in appropriative conflict. Ethnic divisions affect the reputation cost of defection and therefore influence the conflict risk. It is shown what respective effects ethnic fractionalisation, polarisation and segregation have on the risk of conflict.
Regional climate consequences of large-scale cool roof and photovoltaic array deployment

Modifications to the surface albedo through the deployment of cool roofs and pavements (reflective materials) and photovoltaic arrays (low reflection) have the potential to change radiative forcing, surface temperatures, and regional weather patterns. In this work we investigate the regional climate and radiative effects of modifying surface albedo to mimic massive deployment of cool surfaces (roofs and pavements) and, separately, photovoltaic arrays across the United States. We use a fully coupled regional climate model, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, to investigate feedbacks between surface albedo changes, surface temperature, precipitation and average cloud cover. With the adoption of cool roofs and pavements, domain-wide annual average outgoing radiation increased by 0.16 ± 0.03 W m − 2 (mean ± 95% C.I.) and afternoon summertime temperature in urban locations was reduced by 0.11–0.53 °C, although some urban areas showed no statistically significant temperature changes. In response to increased urban albedo, some rural locations showed summer afternoon temperature increases of up to + 0.27 °C and these regions were correlated with less cloud cover and lower precipitation. The emissions offset obtained by this increase in outgoing radiation is calculated to be 3.3 ± 0.5 Gt CO2 (mean ± 95% C.I.). The hypothetical solar arrays were designed to be able to produce one terawatt of peak energy and were located in the Mojave Desert of California. To simulate the arrays, the desert surface albedo was darkened, causing local afternoon temperature increases of up to + 0.4 °C. Due to the solar arrays, local and regional wind patterns within a 300 km radius were affected. Statistically significant but lower magnitude changes to temperature and radiation could be seen across the domain due to the introduction of the solar arrays. The addition of photovoltaic arrays caused no significant change to summertime outgoing radiation when averaged over the full domain, as interannual variation across the continent obscured more consistent local forcing.
Persistence versus extinction for two competing species under a climate change

This paper considers effects of a climate-induced range shift on outcomes of two competitive species, which is modeled by a reaction–diffusion system with the increasing growth rates of species along a shifting habitat gradient. Analytical conditions are established for the coexistence or competitive exclusion of two-competitors under the climate change, which present the control strategies to maintain the persistence of species.
Impact of Corporate Governance on Performance of Firms: A Case Study of Cement Industry in Pakistan

This research paper throws light on the relationship between the corporate governance and Firm financial performance in Cement industry of Pakistan. This study gives attention to three variables which include board Size, Family controlled firms, and CEO duality. Firm’s performance is measured through return on equity, return on assets, and earnings per share, debt to equity and current ratio. Positive relationship between corporate governance and firm performance has been observed.
Generic Diversity of Scleractinians Around Poshetra Point, Gulf of Kutch

Generic diversity of the scleractinian corals occurrin~ around Poshetra point (lon~. 69°11'12"Eand lat. 22°25'N)in the Gulf of Kutch has been studied durin~ 1975. Different intertidal locations of reef building corals are classified into 3 categories, viz. rock pool facies, eulittoral and submer~ed. Some of rock pool facies have no corals while others, where the slope is steep to pro~ressively ~entle, are nearly devoid of corals. Mid-eulittoral frin~in~ reef acts as an intermediate between rock pool facies and submer~ed ~roup with reference to ~eneric diversity. The submerged group, characterized by rocky substratum, exhibits maximum generic diversity on surface. Comparison of generic diversity of scleractinians in the seas around India is made.
Use of the “Odds Ratio” for Diagnosing Forecast Skill

This study investigates ways of quantifying the skill in forecasts of dichotomous weather events. The odds ratio, widely used in medical studies, can provide a powerful way of testing the association between categorical forecasts and observations. A skill score can be constructed from the odds ratio that is less sensitive to hedging than previously used scores. Furthermore, significance tests can easily be performed on the logarithm of the odds ratio to test whether the skill is purely due to chance sampling. Functions of the odds ratio and the Peirce skill score define a general class of skill scores that are symmetric with respect to taking the complement of the event. The study illustrates the ideas using Finley’s classic set of tornado forecasts.
Implementing lean: UK culture and systems change

For the IGLC 12 Conference the authors reported the results of implementing Last PlannerTM methods with a large UK contracting company. The projects studied demonstrated some success but also some cultural, organizational and systemic barriers to its effective implementation. Alarcon and Conte’s White Paper for the IGLC11 conference discussed these issues and invited researchers to consider them. In response, the authors have reflected upon and critically re-analysed the research as a means to refocus their future work in implementing Lean Construction methods in UK construction. Based on a review of the literature on construction culture we have identified theoretical factors that, together with Alarcon and Conte's list of critical organizational elements, provide a framework against which the results of the research have been considered. We conclude that the implementation of Last Planner was hindered by not fully considering cultural, organizational and systemic problems and by failing to recognize how deepseated these problems could be. We intend, in future projects, to take a more considered, and wider approach to Lean Construction (possibly using the LCI’s Lean Project Delivery System) and to focus our attention upon construction ventures where efforts at culture change have already started - in particular, where strategic partnering arrangements are in place.