Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Radar Reflectivity-Based Estimates of Water Content in Stratiform Marine Clouds

Abstract The performance of radar reflectivity (Ze)–based relations for retrievals of marine stratiform cloud liquid water content (LWC) is evaluated by comparing liquid water path (LWP) estimates from microwave radiometers with vertically integrated LWC values retrieved from radar measurements. Based on a measurement dataset from a research vessel in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, it is shown that reflectivity thresholding allows minimizing of the influence of drizzle drops present in marine stratiform clouds to the extent that LWP estimates from a ground-/shipborne radar can have uncertainties that might be acceptable for different applications. The accuracies of Ze-based retrievals depend on the thresholding level Zet, and they are generally better than a factor of 2 for Zet ≲ −15 dBZ. These accuracies typically improve when Zet is lowered; however, the amount of cloud profiles that pass thresholding diminishes as Zet is decreased from about 50% for a −15-dbZ threshold to only about 10% for a −25-.
Intercomparison of the comparative reactivity method (CRM) and pump–probe technique for measuring total OH reactivity in an urban environment

Abstract. The investigation of hydroxyl radical (OH) chemistry during intensive field campaigns has led to the development of several techniques dedicated to ambient measurements of total OH reactivity, which is the inverse of the OH lifetime. Three techniques are currently used during field campaigns, including the total OH loss rate method, the pump–probe method, and the comparative reactivity method. However, no formal intercomparison of these techniques has been published so far, and there is a need to ensure that measurements of total OH reactivity are consistent among the different techniques. An intercomparison of two OH reactivity instruments, one based on the comparative reactivity method (CRM) and the other based on the pump–probe method, was performed in October 2012 in a NOx-rich environment, which is known to be challenging for the CRM technique. This study presents an extensive description of the two instruments, the CRM instrument from Mines Douai (MD-CRM) and the pump–probe instrument from the University of Lille (UL-FAGE), and highlights instrumental issues associated with the two techniques. It was found that the CRM instrument used in this study underestimates ambient OH reactivity by approximately 20 % due to the photolysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside the sampling reactor; this value is dependent on the position of the lamp within the reactor. However, this issue can easily be fixed, and the photolysis of VOCs was successfully reduced to a negligible level after this intercomparison campaign. The UL-FAGE instrument may also underestimate ambient OH reactivity due to the difficulty to accurately measure the instrumental zero. It was found that the measurements are likely biased by approximately 2 s-1, due to impurities in humid zero air. Two weeks of ambient sampling indicate that the measurements performed by the two OH reactivity instruments are in agreement, within the measurement uncertainties for each instrument, for NOx mixing ratios up to 100 ppbv. The CRM technique has hitherto mainly been used in low-NOx environments, i.e. environments with ambient NOx mixing ratios lower than a few ppbv, due to a measurement artifact generated by ambient NO inside the sampling reactor. However, this study shows that this technique can also be used under NOx-rich conditions if a NOx-dependent correction is carefully applied on the OH reactivity measurements. A full suite of 52 VOCs, NOx, and other inorganic species were monitored during this intercomparison. An investigation of the OH reactivity budget for this urban site suggests that this suite of trace gases can account for the measured total OH reactivity.
Experimental Tests of Nonsurgical Reproductive Inhibitors to Prevent Coyote Reproduction

Sterilization is an effective nonlethal tool to reduce livestock depredation by coyotes (Canis latrans) because adults without pups to provision are less likely to kill livestock. Surgical sterilization is costly and invasive, so identifying nonsurgical methods for canids that allow wide-scale application is important. We conducted a preliminary assessment of 2 types of reproductive inhibitors (gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] vaccine and deslorelin, a GnRH agonist) on coyote reproductive capabilities. We treated captive coyotes with a GnRH vaccine (n = 6 males, n = 6 females) or deslorelin (n = 6 males), measured number of litters and pups born, and compared their behavior and hormone levels to captive coyote pairs in which the male was surgically vasectomized (n = 6). At least half of the pairs receiving treatment with either of the nonsurgical reproductive inhibitors produced pups, and litter size was larger than expected compared to historical records. Male coyotes treated with deslorelin showed decreased testosterone levels, whereas there was no difference in testosterone levels in males treated with GnRH vaccine compared to controls. Behavior did not differ between any groups. Despite the lack of efficacy of either reproductive inhibitor tested, our research suggests that hormonal alterations that disrupt reproduction of coyotes are unlikely to negatively affect behavior, and further investigation of nonsurgical reproductive inhibitors for wild canids is warranted.
Establishment of Standard Reference Environment for Photovoltaic Nominal Operating Cell Temperature Testing with Dedicated Approach for Tropical Region

This paper presents the establishment of Standard Reference Environment (SRE) for photovoltaic (PV) Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) testing in Malaysia representing one of the countries that lies in tropical region. From a field testing conducted, 12-months data of six parameters namely solar irradiance (SI), ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (WS), wind direction (WD), module temperature (MT) and open circuit voltage were analysed to determine the median SI and the median AT. From the analysis, the median SI and the median AT are 228 W/m2 and 30 °C respectively. However, these results show that the current approach in determining SRE using median ambient parameters is not suitable for tropical Malaysia based on the percentage error of approximately 30 %. Due to this, the proposed approach applied in this study is determining the corresponding AT of the same SI (800 W/m2) used in present SRE of international standard. Thus, the new proposed SI and AT for SRE in this study are 800W/m2 and 31°C respectively. The SRE found in this study is determined using dedicated approach to suit tropical climate in deriving a more accurate NOCT for tropical region.
The genetic foundation of fitness and reproduction traits in Australian pig populations. 2. Relationships between weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval, stayability, and other common reproduction and production traits.

Data sets from 2 large Australian piggeries were used to estimate genetic parameters for the traits weaning to conception interval (WCIi-l,i) and farrowing interval (FIi-l,i), number born alive (NBAI), average piglet birthweight (BWi), 21-day litter weight (W21i), and sow stayability (STAYli) recorded for each ith parity, as well as sow average daily gain (ADG) and backfat (BF) recorded at the end of performance test. Over parities and herds, heritabilities for each trait were in the ranges: WCI/FI, 0.0-0.10; NBA, 0.09-0.16; BW, 0.11-0.35; W21, 0.12-0.23; STAYli, 0.02-0.09; ADG, 0.35-0.37; BF, 0.36-0.45. Genetic correlations between NBAl and NBA from later parities were significantly different from 1. In addition, in 1 herd negative genetic correlations (rg = -0.04 to -0.25) were found between sow stayability traits and NBA1, but not NBA recorded in later parities. Stayability was Unfavourably correlated with ADG and BF, and favourably correlated with WCI12. However, WCI12 was unfavourably correlated genetically with BF (rg = -0.24) but uncorrelated with ADG. Antagonistic relationships also existed between NBA and BW, NBA and W21, and BW and STAY. In addition to the traditional traits currently included in pig-breeding programs (e.g. ADG, BF, and NBA), traits such as WCI, BW, and STAY should also be considered as selection criteria to minimise the detrimental effects of antagonistic genetic relationships between traits.
Phytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts of Ailanthus altissima Swingle

LILIANA LUNGU1, MANUELA RODICA SAVOIU1, BOGDAN NICOLAE MANOLESCU2, ILEANA CORNELIA FARCASANU3, CLAUDIA VALENTINA POPA3* 1Institute of Organic Chemistry, C.D. Nenitzescu, 202B Spl. Independentei 202B, 060023, Bucharest, Romania 2University Politehnica Bucharest, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Science of Materials, 1-7 Polizu Str. , 011061, Bucharest, Romania 3University of Bucharest, Faculty of Chemistry, 90-92 Sos. Panduri , 050657, Bucharest, Romania
Factors motivating code switching within the social contact of Hausa bilinguals

The study reported in this paper centers on the factors motivating code switching within the social contact of Hausa bilingual speakers studying at University Utara Malaysia. Information for the survey was collected using questionnaire sets distributed to 80 bilinguals, who completed them.The data were examined within the sketch of Holmes (2013) social factors and social dimensions of language use.The result of the investigation established that alternating between two languages is a discourse strategy use by bilinguals to communicate effectively, which is mostly influenced by certain social variables and morphosyntactic structures of the languages.
Protective effect of Octreotide on histological and ultrastructural changes in the exocrine pancreas of albino rats induced by L-asparaginase ( Elspar )

Hypothesis: this study aimed to assess the effect of Lasparaginase (ASNase) on rat pancreatic acinar cells and then investigated the preventive effects of the drug (Octreotide) one of the synthetic somatostatin analogue as a prophylactic drug against ASNase –induced pancreatic injury in rats. Material and methods: There were 7 groups of rats, control group (group1) received intraperitoneal (i.p) normal saline, experimental groups (II, IV, VI) received i.p. of ASnase at different doses 200, 500, and 1000 IU respectively for (5 days total time of experiment). The protective groups (III, V, VII) received octreotide (10μg/Kg/day) subcutaneously 8 hours before the ASNase different doses for 5 days. Results: The apparent histopathological changes observed lightly and ultrastructurally in rat pancreatic acinar cells compared to control rats were increase accumulation of apical zymogen granules of variable size and shape in acinar cells, edema, vacuolization which extend to apical portions of cells, congestion and dilatation of blood vessels and further damage in the form of focal areas of necrosis of pancreatic tissue with inflammatory infiltration of mononuclear cells mainly lymphocytes also some degree of interlobular fibrosis was detected with doses 500 and 1000 IU but minimal changes with dose 200IU. Biochemically there is significant increase of pancreatic amylase enzyme above the upper normal level in rats given 500IU ASNase group IVwhich obviously decrease after giving octreotide, no significant change in group II (ASNase 200IU),while in group VI (ASNase 1000IU) a slight non significant decrease was observed compared to control group which was slightly improved in group VII after giving octreotide. There was no significant difference between the control group and experimental groups for the serum lipase enzyme. However, Octreotide injection provided protection against histological damage manifested by disappearance of cytoplasmic vacuolation and restoration of more regular acinar pattern and the pancreatic enzymes remained within normal limits. Conclusion Although ASNase by itself did not cause pancreatitis, it did cause increased levels of pancreatic enzymes and histological damage to the pancreas associated with pancreatic injury or pre-pancreatitis in experimental animals. In this study prior treatment with octreotide prevented the development of ASNase-induced pancreatic injury, although previous clinical studies have established the usefulness of octreotide in the management of L-asparaginase induced pancreatitis and pseudocyst, they did not examine prophylactic application. [Nevine R.Taha, Hanan A.Amin and Zahraa A.ElBishi. Protective effect of Octreotide on histological and ultrastructural changes in the exocrine pancreas of albino rats induced by L-asparaginase (Elspar). Life Sci J 2013; 10(3):2609-2627]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 377
Production of major mycotoxins by fusarium species isolatedfrom wild grasses in Peninsular Malaysia

The Fusarium species are notoriously known for causing various plants and animal diseases and producing a number of harmful mycotoxins. The mycotoxins production by species recovered from non-agricultural hosts such as wild grasses have hitherto never been given attention. We examined 30 strains representing 12 Fusarium species i.e. F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. semitectum, F. nelsonii, F. compactum, F. equiseti, F. chlamydosporum, F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans, F. sacchari, F. lateritium and F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex isolated from wild grasses in Peninsular Malaysia for the production of four major mycotoxins i.e. moniliformin (MON), fumonisin B1 (FB1), zearalenone (ZEN) and beauvericin (BEA) using TLC and HPLC techniques. BEA was the highest frequency of mycotoxin detected, followed by MON, ZEN and FB1. This study also presented the first report of BEA production by F. solani, F. compactum and F. chlamydosporum. All mycotoxins were not produced by F. nelsonii and F. lateritium. All Fusarium species were isolated from asymptomatic grasses, hence they are likely to exist as endophytes or latent pathogens.
Tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ genes polymorphisms and serum levels in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Several biochemical pathways can lead to cancer cachexia, one of which involves the elevation of the cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interferon γ (INF-γ). It was suggested that TNF-α and INF-γ genes polymorphisms may influence these cytokines serum levels, but published data are still controversial. The aim of our study was to assess the clinical significance of -308G/A TNF-α and +874A/T INF-γ genes polymorphisms as well as TNF-α and INF-γ serum levels in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) as regards to healthy volunteers. We studied 41 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 56 with chronic pancreatitis and 50 healthy volunteers. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from all patients for TNF-α and INF-γ serum concentrations measurement. After DNA isolation TNF-α and INF-γ genes polymorphisms have been studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Plasma levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in PA patients (32.7 pg/ml) compared with CP patients (3.2 pg/ ml) and control group (<1.6 pg/ml; p<0.01). Similarly, plasma levels of INF-γ in PA patients (12.7 pg/ml) were higher from those in CP and control group (<7.1 pg/ml; p<0.01). In contrast, there were no differences between CP patients and healthy volunteers in INF-γ levels. We observed a trend toward a correlation between weight loss in PA patients and TNF-α serum level (p=0.02). The TNF-α and INF-γ genotype distribution were similar in patients with PA, CP and control group. We have not observed any association between TNF-α and INF-γ serum levels and their genes polymorphisms. Our results suggest that elevated TNF-α serum level may have clinical significance in the development of cachexia in PA patients. -308G/A TNF-α and +874A/T INF-γ genes polymorphisms probably do not play important role in pancreatic diseases.
Potency testing of β-glucan immunostimulating effect in food for ornamental fish.

The object of the investigation was to test, whether a significant reduction of mortality might occur in glucan-treated fish compared to controls consisting of fish fed a glucan-free diet. Five different diets were tested combined with six pathogen/fish species variations. Mortality was compared to matching controls and the results were statistically analysed. Enhanced resistance to challenge with A. hydrophila or Ps. fluorescens was found in the glucan-fed ornamentals.
Fuzzy Multicriteria Analysis for Performance Evaluation of Internet-of-Things-Based Supply Chains

This paper presents a fuzzy multicriteria analysis model for evaluating the performance of Internet of Things (IoT)-based supply chains. The inherent uncertainty and imprecision of the performance evaluation process was handled by using intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. A new fuzzy multicriteria group decision making algorithm based on the technique ordered preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach, and the concept of similarity measures was developed for determining the overall performance of each alternative. The advantage of the proposed fuzzy multicriteria analysis model is that it can overcome the limitations of the existing approaches in an intuitionistic fuzzy environment. The fuzzy multicriteria group decision-making model provides organizations with the ability to evaluate the performance of their IoT-based supply chains for improving their competitiveness. An example is presented to highlight the usefulness of the proposed model for tackling a real world IoT performance evaluation problem.
Properties of casting solutions and ultrafiltration membranes based on fullerene-polyamide nanocomposites

Poly(phenylene isophtalamide) (PA) was modified by fullerene C60 using solid-phase method. Novel ultrafiltra- tion membranes based on nanocomposites containing up to 10 wt% of fullerene and carbon black were prepared. Properties of PA/C60 composites in solutions were studied by light scattering and rheological methods. The relationship between char- acteristics of casting solutions and properties of nanocomposite membranes was studied. Scanning electron microscopy was used for structural characterization of the membranes. It was found that increase in fullerene content in nanocomposite enhances the membrane rigidity. All nanocomposite membranes were tested in dynamic (ultrafiltration) and static sorption experiments using a solution of protein mixture, with the purpose of studying protein sorption. The membranes modified by fullerene demonstrate the best values of flux reduced recovery after contact with protein solution. It was found that addition of fullerene C60 to the polymer improves technological parameters of the obtained composite membranes.
Acidic Deposition: Sources and Effects

Acidic deposition delivers acids and acidifying compounds to the Earth's surface, which are then transported through soil, vegetation, and surface waters and, in turn, set off a cascade of adverse ecological effects. Acidic deposition has altered forest soil by accelerating the leaching of available base cations, enhancing the accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen, and increasing the concentration of dissolved inorganic aluminum in soil waters. Soils that are compromised by acidic deposition are less able to neutralize additional amounts of acidic deposition, and provide poorer growing conditions for plants. Acidic deposition has impaired the surface water quality by lowering pH, decreasing acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), and increasing concentrations of dissolved inorganic aluminum. These changes have reduced the species diversity and abundance of aquatic life. Regulatory controls initiated in Europe and North America over the last three decades have decreased emissions of sulfur dioxide and to a lesser extent nitrogen oxides. Emission reductions have resulted in widespread decreases in concentrations of sulfate in surface waters, with some waters showing an increase in ANC. Given the loss of acid-neutralizing base cations and the accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen in soil, many ecosystems have become more sensitive to additional acidic deposition and recovery will likely be delayed. Long-term research shows that deeper emissions cuts will lead to greater and faster recovery from acidic deposition in impacted regions. Keywords: acid rain; acidic deposition; acidification; emissions; nitrate; sulfate; watershed
Toward Smarter Vulnerability Discovery Using Machine Learning

A Cyber Reasoning System (CRS) is designed to automatically find and exploit software vulnerabilities in complex software. To be effective, CRSs integrate multiple vulnerability detection tools (VDTs), such as symbolic executors and fuzzers. Determining which VDTs can best find bugs in a large set of target programs, and how to optimally configure those VDTs, remains an open and challenging problem. Current solutions are based on heuristics created by security analysts that rely on experience, intuition and luck. In this paper, we present Central Exploit Organizer (CEO), a proof-of-concept tool to optimize VDT selection. CEO uses machine learning to optimize the selection and configuration of the most suitable vulnerability detection tool. We show that CEO can predict the relative effectiveness of a given vulnerability detection tool, configuration, and initial input. The estimation accuracy presents an improvement between $11%$ and $21%$ over random selection. We are releasing CEO and our dataset as open source to encourage further research.
Indirect Hamiltonian identification through a small gateway

Identifying the many-body Hamiltonian of a large quantum system is essential in understanding many physical phenomena, yet extremely difficult in general. We show that coupling strengths in networks of spin-1/2 particles can be estimated indirectly through a gateway, provided that the coupling topology is known. The criterion for the feasibility of identification is described only by a simple topological property concerning how the gateway is connected to the entire network. We also address the issues of process efficiency and how degeneracies of the system can be lifted.
Dimensions of Macroeconomic Uncertainty: A Common Factor Analysis

Uncertainty about the future course of the economy is a possible driver of aggregate fluctuations. To identify the different dimensions of uncertainty in the macroeconomy we construct a large dataset covering all types of economic uncertainty. We then identify two fundamental factors which account for the common dynamics in this dataset. These factors are interpreted as macroeconomic uncertainty. The first factor mainly captures business cycle uncertainty while the second factor is identified as oil and commodity price uncertainty. While both types of uncertainty foreshadow a decline in output, surprise increases in oil and commodity price uncertainty appear to be more important for fluctuations in real activity.