Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Development of an automated lysimeter for the calculation of peat soil actual evapotranspiration

Abstract. A limited number of publications in the literature deal with the measurement of actual evapotranspiration (AET) from a peat soil. AET is an important parameter in the description of water pathways of an ecosystem. In peatlands, where the water table is near the surface and the vegetation is composed of nonvascular plants without stomatal resistance, the AET measurement represents a challenge. This paper discusses the development of an automated lysimeter installed between 12 and 27 July 2010, at a 11-ha bog site, Pont-Rouge (42 km west of Quebec City, Canada). This system was made of an isolated block of peat, maintained at the same water level as the surrounding water table by a system of submersible pressure transmitters and pumps. The change in water level in millimetres in the isolated block of peat was used to calculate the water lost through evapotranspiration (ET) while accounting the precipitation. The rates of AET were calculated for each day of the study period. Temperature fluctuated between 17.2 and 23.3 °C and total rainfall was 43.76 mm. AET rates from 0.6 to 6.9 mm day −1 were recorded, with a ΣAET/ΣP ratio of 1.38. The estimated potential ET (PET) resulting from Thornthwaite's semi-empirical formula suggested values between 2.8 and 3.9 mm day −1 . The average AET/PET ratio was 1.13. According to the literature, the results obtained are plausible. This system, relatively inexpensive and simple to install, may eventually be used to calculate AET on peaty soils in the years to come.
A Fourth Order Finite Difference Method for the Good Boussinesq Equation

The “good” Boussinesq equation is transformed into a first order differential system. A fourth order finite difference scheme is derived for this system. The resulting scheme is analyzed for accuracy and stability. Newton’s method and linearization techniques are used to solve the resulting nonlinear system. The exact solution and the conserved quantity are used to assess the accuracy and the efficiency of the derived method. Head-on and overtaking interactions of two solitons are also considered. The numerical results reveal the good performance of the derived method.
The Relationship between Religious Beliefs, Social Support and Optimism in Students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Background: Strengthening the spirit of religiosity and developing the financial resources of students increase their optimism, which is followed by an improvement in their performance and promotion of the educational system of the country. The current research was performed to determine the correlation of optimism with religious beliefs and social support among students. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted at Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2014. The study sample was selected through convenience sampling and determined to be 327 students by Morgan formula. The data were collected by religiosity measure, social support and optimism scales, and analyzed by independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed a significance level for all the research questions (p<0.05) at 95% confidence level and 5% measurement error with df=325. There was a significantly positive correlation between religious beliefs and social support, and optimism among students. Since the correlation coefficient between research variables was r=0.783, it showed a positively high correlation between variables. Moreover, the findings of regression analysis showed that religious beliefs, with β=0.532, had the maximum level of correlation with optimism in students. Conclusions: The findings indicated that with a rise in religious beliefs and social support, optimism was increased in students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Furthermore, religious beliefs had a more predictive ability in optimism than social support.
Chemical zoning and lattice distortion in uraninite from Olympic Dam, South Australia

Abstract Compositionally zoned uraninite from the Olympic Dam iron oxide-copper-gold deposit is rarely preserved, but represents an early product of in situ transformation of primary uraninite. Electron backscatter diffraction data (inverse pole figure, image quality, and grain reference orientation deviation mapping) reveal formation of zoned uraninite to be the result of a sequence of superimposed effects rather than from primary growth mechanisms alone. This is the first known microstructural analysis of uraninite showing crystal-plastic deformation of uraninite via formation and migration of defects and dislocations into tilt boundaries. Defining grain-scale characteristics and microstructural features in radiogenically modified minerals like uraninite carries implications in better understanding the processes involved in their formation, highlights limitations in the use of uraninite for U-Pb chemical ages, as well as for constraining the incorporation and release of daughter radioisotopes, especially where zoning, porosity, fractures, and microstructures are present.
COLON SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF EUDRAGIT E-100 AND EUDRAGIT-FS30D COATED TABLETS OF LEFLUNOMIDE USING CHITOSAN-CHONDROITIN SULPHATE INTERPOLYMER COMPLEX

Objectives: In the present study, site specific colonic drug delivery system was developed on the principles of the combination of pH and microbially triggered controlled system. Methods: The basic design consists of chitosan-chondroitin sulphate inter-polymer complex containing leflunomide. The core tablet was enteric coated with Eudragit E-100 so that colon specific drug release can be achieved. The leflunomide, chitosan (CH), chondroitin sulphate (ChS), chitosan-chondroitin sulphate inter-polymer complex (CH-ChS IPC) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). In vitro drug release study was conducted using sequential dissolution technique at 0.1 N HCl buffer (simulated gastric fluid), phosphate buffer pH 7.4 (simulated intestinal fluid) and finally in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 (simulated colonic fluid) with or without rat caecal content. Results: FTIR studies confirmed that there was no interaction between drug and polymer. Tablets coated with Eudragit E-100 with different coat weights showed less than 10% of drug release in the stomach whereas same tablets showed 13.42%, 9.5%, 12.37% and 12.83% release of drug in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and95.43%, 90.31%, 98.44% and 96.64% release of drug in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Histopathology of rat colon after administration of Eudragit E-100 coated tablets containing chitosan-chondroitin sulphate inter-polymer complex revealed the marked reduction in acetic acid induced colitis in the test group. Conclusion: The present study confirmed that coating with Eudragit E-100 delivered the leflunomide to colon in highest efficacy with the least toxic effects of an anti-inflammatory therapy.
Impact of anorectic drugs fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, lorcaserin, and rimonabant on obesity

Anorectic drugs are used to suppress appetite and increase satiety, thereby encouraging weight loss. Among the anorectic drugs that have been most commonly used are fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, lorcaserin, and rimonabant, which promote weight loss in different ways and to different degrees. By reviewing recent literature, this paper comparatively assesses the benefits and risks of these anorectic drugs. Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, while highly effective in promoting weight loss, were associated with the highest risk of potentially fatal cardiac valve damage. Lorcaserin has proven to be significantly safer than fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, but its impacts on weight loss were generally modest and it was less sucessful in promoting long-term weight loss. Rimonabant resulted in a more significant decrease in weight than did lorcaserin, but was associated with unpredictable psychological side effects. This review identifies lorcaserin as the safest of the anorectic drugs discussed, even if it is not the most effective in promoting and sustaining weight loss. While anorectic drugs may help to treat obesity, they are not without potentially harmful side effects and are best used in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle modifications. Future research should seek to improve the specificity of anorectic drugs and thereby reduce potential side effects.
Identifying and Solving Multivariate Rational Expectations Models

This article discuses the identification of Generalised Rational Expectations Models. It is shown that the necessary and sufficient conditions for local identification of the Quasi-Structural Form (Q-SF) derive from the first derivatives of the Non-Linear Instrumental Variables (NLIV) criterion. The necessary and sufficient conditions for local identification consist of an appropriately defined and informative instrument set and a Jacobian matrix with appropriate rank.However, these conditions do not identify the full structural form (SF) linked to either the true expectations or the full solution. For the identification of SF, the parameters need to be associated with a model that satisfies the transversality condition. It is shown that the testing of this condition is impossible when relying exclusively on the existing instruments.
Trust, partner selection and innovation outcome in collaborative new product development

A key feature of collaboration in general and collaboration for innovation in particular is the existence of trust. Trust is important because it reduces the costs and risks involved in collaboration, while also increasing the overall performance. This article explores the role that trust plays during the selection of suppliers in new product development (NPD), and the outcome that reliance on trust has on the innovation effort. The research involves a case study of two organisations following contrasting approaches to NPD sourcing, but both relying on collaborative, long-term relationships. In both cases, we find goodwill trust as the key variable explaining the reliance on collaboration. We also find that over-reliance on goodwill trust and geographical proximity in selecting NPD suppliers leads to an emphasis on incremental innovation which hampers the ability of both organisations to engage in radical NPD.
Reef Water CO 2 System and Carbon Production of Coral Reefs: Topographic Control of System-Level Performance

The variations of seawater CO2 system and organic and inorganic carbon production of coral reefs were investigated with respect to topographic types and oceanographic settings. Because of dominant carbonate production in coral reef ecosystems, most coral reefs are likely to act as a net or at least a potential CO2 source to the atmosphere. The comparison of the seawater CO2 system parameters (pH, total alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon and partial pressure of CO2; pCO2) between a reef lagoon and the surrounding ocean allowed us to evaluate the system-level performance of the carbon cycle in the particular reef system. Surface pCO2 in the lagoons of some atolls and barrier reefs in the western Pacific were consistently higher than those of their offshore waters. The alkalinity decrease in the lagoon water was attributed to calcification of reef organisms. Reef topography, especially residence time of lagoon water, affects the carbon budget of coral reefs to some extent. The offshore-lagoon differences in pCO2 from several reefs showed a tendency to increase with the longer residence time of reef water. Another important factor controlling carbon turnover in coral reefs is proximity to land: terrestrial carbon and nutrient inputs were clearly observed in the northern Great Barrier Reef lagoon as well as a fringing reef of the Ryukyus. These coastal reefs serve as an active CO2-releasing area due not only to calcification but also to degradation of land- derived carbon.
THE STELLAR AND GASEOUS CONTENTS OF THE ORION DWARF GALAXY

We present new Kitt Peak National Observatory 0.9 m optical and Very Large Array H i spectral line observations of the Orion dwarf galaxy. This nearby (D ≃ 5.4 Mpc), intermediate-mass (Mdyn≃ 1.1 × 1010 M☉) dwarf displays a wealth of structure in its neutral interstellar medium, including three prominent “hole/depression” features in the inner H i disk. We explore the rich gas kinematics, where solid-body rotation dominates and the rotation curve is flat out to the observed edge of the H i disk (∼6.8 kpc). The Orion dwarf contains a substantial fraction of dark matter throughout its disk: comparing the 4.7 × 108 M☉ of detected neutral gas with estimates of the stellar mass from optical and near-infrared imaging (3.7 × 108 M☉) implies a mass-to-light ratio ≃13. New Hα observations show only modest-strength current star formation (SF; ∼0.04 M☉ yr−1); this SF rate is consistent with our 1.4 GHz radio continuum non-detection.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES TO STUDY THE POLLUTION POTENTIAL OF UJJANI RESERVOIR, SOLAPUR DISTRICT, INDIA

Sampling was made of the physico-chemical factors from 20 stations on the surface water of Ujjani dam (Yeshwantsagar reservoir), Solapur district, India. Water of Ujjani dam was studied for pollution by determining various water quality parameters, for the two season’s viz, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. The dam water is subjected to sever domestic and industrial pollution. The aim’s been to determine the water quality, productivity, assess nature or mans impact and industrial pollution on the physico-chemistry of the reservoir water. Our findings highlighted the deterioration of water quality in the dam due to industrialization and urbanization. Temperature ranged between 20 0
Patterns and drivers of cultural economy in Spain’s extra-metropolitan small towns

Research on the location of cultural and creative firms has traditionally focused on large cities, but small towns are also likely to hold them. This work investigates which factors determine cultural specialisation in a group of 46 extrametropolitan Spanish towns with 30-50,000 inhabitants. We consider factors related to markets and government policies —hard factors— and new factors related to amenities, tolerance, and the local climate —soft factors—. When we check them statistically, the greatest explanatory power is attributed to some hard-type factors such as economic activity and human capital, as well as the distance to urban markets. In contrast, the expectations raised by the soft factors are not confirmed.
Antimicrobial Properties and Phytochemical Analysis of Methanolic Extracts of Aframomum Melegueta and Zingiber Officinale on Fungal Diseases of Tomato Fruit

The antimicrobial properties of methanolic extracts of Aframomum melegueta seeds and rhizomes of Zingiber officinale were investigated on Helminthosporium solani, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum and Mucor piriformis isolated from tomato. This research was undertaken to control the growth of these rot fungi in vitro. Extracts at various concentrations ranging from 0-30% were separately added to PDA media. The plates were inoculated separately with the fungal isolates. Effects of these extracts on mycelial growth of the fungi were highly significant (P < 0.05) for all treatments. Z. officinale extract at 25% and A. melegueta at 30% concentration gave complete inhibition. Phytochemical analyses of extracts revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, steroids, tarpenes, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The presence of these compounds supports the use of the extracts as antimicrobial agents which can prolong the shelf–life of fresh tomato fruits. Keywords: Antimicrobial properties, Extract, Phytochemicals, Aframomum melegueta, Zingiber officinale.
Household Debt, Housing Prices and the Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Canada: A Provincial Analysis

Following the recent financial crisis in 2008 the topics of household debt and house prices have been brought to the forefront of economic research. Several papers have been directed towards identifying the implications of these variables as they pertain to the vulnerability of the macroeconomy. However, the available literature, as it pertains to the Canadian economy, is limited. This paper utilizes a Global Vector Autoregressive (GVAR) framework to investigate the monetary transmission mechanism in Canada, and in nine individual provinces. The conclusions drawn from the paper indicate that there exist asymmetries in the transmission of monetary policy across provinces. Furthermore, the level of household debt held by a province is found to be proportional to the magnitude of the responses following a monetary policy shock. This result identifies consequences of increasing levels of household debt and over-priced real estate as they pertain to the overall stability of the macroeconomy.
Internal Control and Corruption: Evidence from Chinese State-owned Enterprises

This paper investigates the effectiveness of internal control quality on corruption activities by managers using a sample of Chinese state-owned enterprises. Our empirical evidence shows that firms with high-quality internal controls are associated with less corruption activities, measured as scandal possibility and PERK. We further find that the role of internal controls on corruption activities depends on the managerial power. Our findings provide evidence that internal control quality can play a positive role in firm value in concentrated ownership structures and in emerging markets.
The Impact of Corporate Governance and Firm-Specific Characteristics on Earnings Management: Evidence from East Africa

Inthis study we assess the role played by corporategovernance and firm-specific characteristics in determining how firmssubstitute accruals-based earnings management for real earnings management using a sample of forty-four (44) non-ﬁnancialcompanies listed in East African security markets for ten (10) years from2004-2013. With the use of three models and panel data regressions, wefound that; managers in East Africa also substitute accruals-based earningsmanagement for real earnings management. Moreover, both corporate governanceand firm-specific characteristics play a major role in determining how firmssubstitute the two earnings management strategies. In addition, among realearnings management strategies, sales manipulation is the most commonly usedstrategy in East Africa. These findings have important implications for policymakers, standard setters and regulators such as capital market authorities aswell as other researchers in the region.It helps inform them about the importance of considering both earningsmanagement strategies as well as both corporate governance and firm uniquenessin ensuring the quality of reported financial information.Keywords:Corporate governance, Firm-specificcharacteristics, Accrual-based earnings management and Real activitymanipulation.
Exports and Firm Productivity: The effect of US steel safeguards. Bruges European Economic Research (BEER) Papers 19/January 2011

This paper investigates possible negative effects of the 2002 US steel safeguards on productivity of Eurozone steel companies. The analysis is based on an extensive literature which predicts that exporting firms not only are bigger and more productive, but also that exporting itself has positive effects, improving efficiency and leading to better utilization of firm resources. The paper investigates a large sample of EU-13 steel producing firms, in the 1998 - 2005 period. Using three methods of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) estimation among which the Olley-Pakes semiparametric estimator, we first calculate the productivity levels of companies, and then check for any unusual fluctuation in this performance variable. We find that in 2002 there has been a significant drop in TFP. The paper is an invitation for further research in this field, given the possible important effects of safeguard measures on exporters.
Forced Convection From a Stationary Cylinder Placed in a Uniform Stream

A finite difference solution is presented for 2D laminar unsteady flow around and forced convection from a stationary cylinder placed in an otherwise uniform flow. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and of constant property. The temperature of the cylinder wall is kept constant, and the viscous energy dissipation term is neglected in the energy equation. The computed Strouhal numbers, time-mean drag and base pressure coefficients, as well as the average Nusselt numbers compare well with existing experimental results. The distribution of the local Nusselt number on the cylinder was investigated over a complete vortex shedding cycle, and shifts in Nu belonging to different phases were identified.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Pair Programming: A Contingency Approach

Pair programming (PP) is a practice when two developers work together on the same task using one computer screen (Beck, 2000; Williams & Kessler, 2003). The pair consists of a “driver” and a “navigator. ” The driver’s goal is to write the program code while the navigator’s goal is to perform more strategic tasks such as reviewing the code and searching for errors. PP has drawn the attention of many researchers and practitioners because many believe it is a better alternative to individual programming. Yet, the current literature possesses conflicting results, which reflect a lack of consensus. In this paper we look to take a step toward reconciling these ambiguous findings by carefully distinguishing between dependent variables used in the various extant studies, and by developing a contingency approach to understanding the merits of PP.
Morocco's vertisol characterization (Tirs)

In Morocco, the Vertisols, known by vernacular name Tirs, are often used for cereal and arboriculture. Because of their difficult physical properties due to their high content of swelling clay and the presence of cracks, Vertisols are generally underutilized at present. This paper presents a state of the art on Vertisols and their distribution in the world. Then, it focuses on the criteria for soil classification used in the Moroccan system and the American system (Soil Taxonomy). Additionally, a part of this paper will address the typology of Tirs and its degree of similarity with the Vertisols class; this paper concludes with the major constraints and potentiality of those soils in Morocco. Received 13 July 2016, Revised 30 Sept 2016, Accepted 04 Oct 2016