Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulating the impacts of climate change on cotton production in the Mississippi Delta

General circulation models (GCMs) project increases of the earth's surface air tempera- tures and other climate changes in the middle or latter part of the 21st century, and therefore crops such as cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) will be grown in a much different environment than today. To understand the implications of climate change on cotton production in the Mississippi Delta, 30 years (1964 to1993) of cotton growth and yield at Stoneville, Mississippi, USA, were simulated using the cotton simulation model GOSSYM. The GCM projections showed a nearly 4°C rise in average tem- perature and a decrease in precipitation during the crop growing season. The fertilization effect of an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations from 360 to 540 ppm, without the change in other cli- matic variables, increased yields by 10% from 1563 to 1713 kg ha -1 , but when all projected climatic changes were included, yields decreased by 9% from 1563 to 1429 kg ha -1 . The rate of plant growth and development was higher in the future because of enhanced metabolic rates at higher tempera- tures combined with increased carbon availability. The effect of climate change on cotton production was more drastic in a hot and dry year. Since most of the days with average temperatures above 32°C will likely occur during the reproductive phase, irrigation will be needed to satisfy the high water demand, and this reduces boll abscission by lowering canopy temperatures. Therefore, if global warming occurs as projected, fiber production in the future environment will be reduced, and breed- ing heat-cold-tolerant cultivars will be necessary to sustain cotton production in the US mid-South. Cultural practices such as earlier planting may be used to avoid the flowering of cotton in the high temperatures that occur during mid to late summer.
What Determines the Profitability of Vietnam Commercial Banks

Kunt and Detragiache (1999) said that the profitability of the banking system was a good indication in signaling financial crisis. Therefore, studying determinants of bank profitability is necessary for better understanding of the current condition of the banking sector, and then, for launching new policies. The research explored determinants of Vietnamese commercial banks’ profitability. Using Regression Analysis for Panel Data set of 13 Vietnamese commercial banks over the period from 2006 to 2015, the study found that foreign ownership, cost to income and the level of credit risk, negatively influenced on the profitability of Vietnamese banks, whereas state ownership, size of assets, and macroeconomic factors (GDP and inflation) did not indicated statistically significant relations to the profitability and the relationships between capital structure, liquidity risk and the profitability were mixed.
Failure impact analysis of isolation valves in a water distribution

Bentley Systems provided the software to conduct the hydraulic simulation and valve segmentation. This study is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51320105010, 51579027), the National Science and Technology Major Project (2014ZX03005001), and Ministry of Water Resource of China (Grant No.201401014-2), which are greatly acknowledged.
The nuclear dust lane of Circinus: collimation without a torus

In some AGN, nuclear dust lanes connected to kpc-scale dust structures provide all the extinction required to obscure the nucleus, challenging the role of the dusty torus proposed by the Unified Model. In this letter we show the pc-scale dust and ionized gas maps of Circinus constructed using sub-arcsec-accuracy registration of infrared VLT AO images with optical \textit{Hubble Space Telescope} images. We find that the collimation of the ionized gas does not require a torus but is caused by the distribution of dust lanes of the host galaxy on $\sim$10 pc scales. This finding questions the presumed torus morphology and its role at parsec scales, as one of its main attributes is to collimate the nuclear radiation, and is in line with interferometric observations which show that most of the pc-scale dust is in the polar direction. We estimate that the nuclear dust lane in Circinus provides $1/3$ of the extinction required to obscure the nucleus. This constitutes a conservative lower limit to the obscuration at the central parsecs, where the dust filaments might get optically thicker if they are the channels that transport material from $\sim$100 pc scales to the centre.
THE INFLUENCE OF GRAIN BOUNDARY ELEMENTS ON PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURES OF P/M NICKEL BASE SUPERALLOYS

A study was conducted on the influence of grain boundary elements (GBE) on several P/M nickel base superalloys. Evaluations included microstructural response to chemistry and processing, tensile, creep, rupture, and fatigue crack growth testing (FCG). Boron was found to be the most influential element in the study, with increased boron leading to increased grain boundary triple point void formation and tendency for Thermally Induced Porosity (TIP). Boron reduced creep life but increased both rupture life and rupture ductility and slightly reduced hold time crack growth rates. Carbon also influenced microstructure by slightly refining grain size, and slightly reduced creep and hold time crack growth rates. Hafnium had slight impacts on yield strength and hold time crack growth rates. Magnesium overall had negligible effects. Tantalum had several significant effects, improving creep life and reducing crack growth rates. Overall, the results confirm that careful control and optimization of grain boundary chemistries and grain boundary microstructure are necessary to achieve maximum performance of P/M superalloys.
Average double-pass ocular diattenuation using foveal fixation

The average amount of ocular diattenuation was studied using a double-pass polarimeter. This was directly computed from the central part of the elements of the first row of the Mueller matrix obtained from a series of 16 double-pass retinal images. For a 633 nm wavelength, the results show that the parameter is 0.10, on average. Axes of diattenuation are particular for each subject and differ from those associated with ocular birefringence. Moreover, polarization states providing maximum ocular intensity transmittance are in general elliptically polarized.
Deep Hooking and Angling Success When Passively and Actively Fishing for Stream-Dwelling Trout with Baited J and Circle Hooks

Abstract Circle hooks are becoming commonplace in recreational fisheries because they often reduce deep hooking, but there has been little evaluation of their effectiveness in trout fisheries. To compare the occurrence of deep hooking and angling success rates for stream-dwelling trout, we used three baited hook types (i.e., inline circle hooks, inline J hooks, and 4°-offset J hooks) fished with two angling methods (i.e., active fishing, using a traditional bait fishing hook set; and passive fishing, with no sharp hook set). Of the 583 wild trout caught by anglers, 20% were deep hooked. The deep hooking rate varied by hook type and angling method, but the interaction term hook type × angling method was statistically significant, indicating that the effect of hook type could not be interpreted separately from fishing method. Accordingly, the occurrence of deep hooking was significantly greater for offset J hooks fished passively (28 ± 9% [95% CI about the mean]) and inline J hooks fished actively (27 ± 9%).
The remarkably low affinity of CD4/peptide-major histocompatibility complex class II protein interactions Short title: The remarkably low affinity of CD4 for pMHC II

Peter Jönssona,b*, Jennifer Southcombec,d,e*, Ana Mafalda Santosc,d, Jiandong Huoc,d, Ricardo A. Fernandesc,d, James McColla, Melissa Leverf, Edward J. Evansc,d, Alexander Hudsonc,d, Veronica T. Changc,d, Tomáš Hankec, Andrew Godkinh, Paul D. Dunnea, Mathew H. Horrocksa, Matthieu Palayreta, Gavin R. Screatonc, Jan Peterseni,j, Jamie Rossjohnh,i,j, Lars Fuggerc,d,g, Omer Dushekf, Xiaoning Xuc§, Simon J. Davisc,d§ and David Klenermana§
Fatty acid biomarkers in coldwater eelgrass meadows: elevated terrestrial input to the food web of age-0 Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

Lipid classes, fatty acids (FAs), and stable carbon isotopes of FAs were used to investi- gate dietary sources of organic carbon for juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua during settlement into eelgrass Zostera marina. Primary producers, epibenthic prey, zooplankton, and fish were collected from August to November 2002 in shallow ( 80 µm) were associated with fresh organic material, while seston (5-80 µm) had high levels of bacterial FA and non-acyl lipids, typical of sedimentary material. Zooplankton, mysids, and amphipods showed a seasonal decrease in 22:6n-3 with a con- comitant increased in the ubiquitous terrestrial indicators 18:2n-3 and 18:3n-3. Based on essential FA composition of prey, there was a decrease in the quality of food available to juvenile fish from August until November. Earlier (August) pelagic juveniles had higher levels of marine-sourced FA (22:6n-3) than late (November) arrivers. Further, in October and November settled juveniles had higher pro- portions of terrestrial FA biomarkers than pelagic cod, indicating an increased dietary terrestrial input at settlement. Isotopic evidence demonstrated that eelgrass was the most enriched (-14‰) source of organic carbon and supported multivariate FA analysis, confirming that eelgrass was not incorporated into the food web of juvenile cod. Increased terrestrial input of organic carbon coupled with low proportions of dietary essential FAs indicate that the functional significance of this habitat is refuge and not nutrition.
Effect of Disease State on Human Carboxylesterase 1 Expression and Activity

Background: Human carboxylesterase 1, CES1, is a phase I drug metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of about 20% of therapeutic agents. Factors, such as metabolic syndrome, ethnicity, gender and genetic polymorphism can influence the activity and/or the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes. Consequently, these factors can affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs leading to toxicity or therapeutic failure. Objective: The objective of our study is to investigate the possible influence of ethnicity, gender, age, genetic polymorphism, metabolic syndrome or fatty liver on CES1 gene expression and activity. Methods: Expression of CES1 hepatic mRNA was measured in 89 human livers using RT-PCR techniques. Enzymatic activity of CES1 was measured in S9 fractions and cytosols obtained from 40 and 96 human liver donors, respectively. The hydrolysis rates of two CES1 specific substrates clopidogrel and oseltamivir to their corresponding carboxylic acids were measured using LC-MS/MS methods. Statistical analyses were performed to compare between different groups. Results and Conclusions: Our data showed that diabetic subjects had less CES1 hydrolytic efficiency although our data is limited by the small sample size. In addition, African American group had significantly higher CES1 activity as compared to Caucasian group. This result provides potential explanation to the clinical observation that African Americans subjects exhibit higher resistance to the CES1 substrates clopidogrel.
Co-administration of Nimodipine with Morphine in Rat, delayed the development of tolerance to analgesic effect of Morphine: The Tail- Flick test study: New insight for treatment of chronic pain

Background : Opioids like morphine produce side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting, pruritus, oversedation, dizziness and urinary retention to respiratory depression. Particularly, on chronic administration, it leads to development of tolerance. Combining opioids with certain other drugs (adjuvant analgesics) like ketamine, which is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, not only increases the analgesia, but also reduces the dose of opioids. Previous research done in our laboratory and outside suggests that nimodipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker (L-CCBs), could be one such adjuvant drug. Aims & Objectives : Study of morphine-induced analgesia and the development of morphine tolerance & effect of nimodipine on morphine-induced analgesia and tolerance Study Design : Experimental Design : The experimental work was divided into 4 parts- Part I - Study of morphine induced analgesia and the development of morphine tolerance. Part II - Study the effect of nimodipine on morphine-induced analgesia and tolerance. Material & Methods : Adult Wistar rats (n=24) received either normal saline, L-CCB (Nimodipine), Morphine or both drugs (Morphine + Nimodipine). Tail-Flick test was done after 40 minutes of injection Statistics : To compare the control with treated groups, statistical analysis of the values of Tail-flick latency was done by Kruskal Wallis one way ANOVA, followed by "Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test” (multiple range 't' test) ( p<0.05 was taken to be significant ). Results & Conclusion : In the present study it has been seen that, co-administration of nimodipine with morphine, has significantly increases the analgesic effect of morphine and also delayed the development of tolerance.
Weed control and yield improvement of Solanum tuberosum (L.) in Adamawa region (Cameroon) by soil solarization and chicken manure .

Objective : In Adamawa region (Cameroon), the reduction of crop productivity due to inappropriate weed management can be estimated to 90%. The use of herbicides is a principal main method of weed control but is expensive for resource poor farmers and detrimental to the environment. A sustainable solution for weed control is an urgent challenge. Methodology and results : A randomised complete block design with 3 replications was used. Treatments were a one month soil solarization alone (SS), chicken manure (8.75 t.ha -1 ) alone (CM), soil solarization + chicken manure (SCM), and untreated control (C). Solarization and chicken manure increased soil temperature and reduced the emergence and growth of weeds. Solarization technique reacts like herbicide on recalcitrant weeds like Imperata Cylindrica, the most troublesome weed of vegetable crops in subSaharan Africa. Chicken manure enhances the weed control effect of solarization technique. Immediate effect of this weed control is potatoes yield improvement. SCM treatment increases potatoes yield by 91 %. Conclusions and application of findings : Making use of the weed control by the soil solarization technique, farmer can save money and time of weeding. High temperature reached under the plastic mulch removes seed-coats dormancy of some leguminous genus that emerges as weeds. These atmospheric nitrogen fixing species reinforce the positive effect of solarization technique by having positive impact on soil fertility. Chicken manure has also an apparent antagonist effect on weeds density. Potatoes yield was significantly increased by solarization and by chicken manure; therefore, soil solarization combined with organic mater such as chicken manure could be a sustainable alternative strategy to the use of herbicides for weed control and for potatoes yield improvement in the context of Adamawa region (Cameroon). This sustainable practice is cheaper for limitedresource farmers, is harmless to human and is environment-friendly. It may be mostly useful in agroecosystems that do not use herbicide, such as in biological agriculture practised by organic growers.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Converting Enzyme Inhibition during Acute Colitis in Mice: A Regional Analysis

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Converting Enzyme (TACE) induces active TNFα and may contribute to the development of colitis in humans. I hypothesized that pharmacological blockade of TNFα production would improve colitis scoring through decreased expression of inflammatory biomarkers. Acute colitis was induced in wild type BALB/c mice using 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days. TACE inhibition was accomplished through twice daily intraperitoneal injection of DPC333 (10mg/kg; BSM Inc.) To determine the effects of TACE blockade during colitis, the following experimental groups (n=6-7/group) were tested: 1) vehicle; 2) DPC-333; 3) 5% DSS and vehicle; and 4) 5% DSS and DPC-333. Twice daily TACE inhibition did not significantly improve overall colitis scoring index as determined by the presence of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and percent weight loss. TNFα, IL-6, Il-1β, IL-10, and MPO in regional colon tissue were not reduced following DPC-333 in this model (p<0.05). Thus, TACE inhibition does not appear to reduce colitis scoring, TNFα production, or other regional biomarkers of inflammation in this model of experimental colitis. Future studies may ascertain the role of TACE during systemic inflammatory diseases.
Social Security and Macroeconomic Risk in General Equilibrium

This paper studies the interaction between macro-economic risk and paygo social security. For this, it uses an applied general equilibrium model with overlapping generations of risk-averse households. The sources of risk are productivity shocks and depreciation shocks. The risk profile of pensions differs from that of financial assets because pensions are linked partially to future wage rates and productivity. The model is used to discuss the effects of changes in the social security system on labor supply, private saving, and welfare in a closed economy. The author finds that switching from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution is generally welfare improving, if current generations are compensated, while a switch from a wage-indexed Defined Benefit system to a price-indexed system is generally welfare deteriorating. A reduction in the size of the pay-as-you-go system does not yield clear results: if current generations are compensated, some future generations lose, and others gain.
Freedom, Entitlement, and the Path to Development

Twenty years after the revolutions of Central and Eastern Europe, the Arab Spring is again raising some fundamental questions about the place of freedom and entitlement in development. Depending on the balance between free choices and more coerced decisions, individual opportunities to learn, own, work, save, invest, trade, protect, and so forth could vary greatly across countries and over time. Reviewing the economic performance of more than 100 countries over the past 30 years, new empirical evidence tends to support the idea that economic freedom and civil and political liberties are the root causes of why certain countries achieve and sustain better economic outcomes. In contrast, entitlement rights do not seem to have any significant effects on long-term per capita income, except for a possible negative effect. These results tend to support earlier findings that, beyond core functions of government responsibility (including the protection of liberty itself), the expansion of the state to provide for various entitlements (including so-called economic, social, and cultural rights) may not make people richer in the long run; it may even make them poorer.
Public Debt, Money Supply, and Inflation: A Cross-Country Study and its Application to Jamaica

This paper provides comprehensive empirical evidence that supports the predictions of Sargent and Wallace's (1981) 'unpleasant monetarist arithmetic' that an increase in public debt is typically inflationary in countries with large public debt. Drawing on an extensive panel dataset, we find that the relationship holds strongly in indebted developing countries, weakly in other developing countries, but generally not in developed economies. These results are robust to the inclusion of other variables, corrections for endogeneity biases, and relaxation of common-slope restrictions and are invariant over sub-sample periods. We estimate a VAR to trace out the transmission channel and find the impulse responses consistent with the predictions of a forward-looking model of inflation. Wealth effects of public debt could also affect inflation, as posited by the fiscal theory of the price level, but we do not find supportive evidence. The results suggest that the risk of a debt-inflation trap is significant in highly indebted countries, and pure money-based stabilization is unlikely to be effective over the medium term. Our findings stress the importance of institutional and structural factors in the link between fiscal policy and inflation.
The Co-movement between Oil and Agricultural Commodity Prices: Evidence from the Emerging Market of China

Although much empirical research has examined the relationship between oil price changes and economic activity it is surprising that little research has been conducted on the relationship between oil price shocks and agricultural markets in large-sized emerging industrial countries. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to fill this gap in the literature by analyzing this issue in more detail by using weekly data for China covering the period from September 2004 to September 2012. To this end, the Toda-Yamamoto causality approach and impulse response analysis method are applied to identify the long- and short-run interrelationships. Our results are mixed: we infer that the fluctuations in fuel oil prices have a short-term effect on the dynamics of agricultural products in China; however, there are no significant long-term effects.
Biotreatment of High Fat and Oil Wastewater by Lipase Producing Microorganisms

Studies on biotreatments of high fat and oil wastewater by selected lipase producing bacteria were carried out in two experiments with two groups of bacteria, single culture and mixed culture. In the first experiment, wastewater of bakery industry was treated with 4 bacteria isolates. Results showed that grease in the form of fat and oil and COD decreased remarkably with treatments. With single culture, the removal of fat and oil and COD were 73%-88% and 81%-99% during 7 days treatment. Isolates KUL8 and KUL39 showed better activities. However, better treatments were found in experiment treated with single culture than using mixed culture. In the second experiment, wastewater of palm oil and bakery industries were treated with 6 isolates within 48 hours. All 6 isolates showed better degradation in palm oil wastes than bakery wastes. However, KUL8 and KUL39 still showed better degradation activities. Both isolates can removed fat and oil by 87.7% and 80.6% in palm oil wastewater and 70% and 64% in bakery wastes respectively. The decreasing of COD was found to be 90%-96%. When mixed culture of KUL8, KUL39 and KLB1 were applied for both kinds of wastewater. It was found that better results were observed in palm oil treated with single culture KUL8, KUL39, and KUB1 while mixed culture KUL8 mixed with KLB1 was suitable for use in bakery waste. The three isolates were identified as Acinetobacter sp. (KUL8), Bacillus sp. (KUL39), and Pseudomonas sp. (KLB1). They were all mesophilic strains. Besides, it was found that all three strains also produced amylase and protease which stimulate better waste treatments.