Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and yield performance of bird eye pepper in the forest ecological zone of Ghana

Objective: To evaluate the growth and yield performance of Bird Eye pepper (Capsicum frutescence) in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. Methodology and results: Field experiments were conducted at the teaching and research farm of the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Kade during the rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010. The treatments were randomized in complete block design and replicated three times. The parameters assessed were: plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, stem girth, fruit number, fruit weight and yield as well as quantitative characters. Results showed that there were significant differences in growth parameters as well as in the yield and yield components of the four cultivars and in both seasons. Plant heights were highest in cultivar 7777 and local in both seasons. Cultivar 7777 had significantly higher number of branches, canopy girth, fruit number and weight compared to the other cultivars. In terms of fruit colour, cultivar 7777 had dark green colour, a characteristics required in the export industry. Based on the results, cultivar 7777 is recommended for release to farmers and stakeholders in the vegetable industry in Ghana due to its colour, yield and consumer preference on the export and local market. Conclusion and application: The use of this cultivar will increase the foreign exchange earnings of Ghana and well-being of farmers not forgetting that it is going to be a good material for breeding purposes.
Free‐air CO2 enrichment of wheat: leaf flavonoid concentration throughout the growth cycle

To test the predictions that plants will have a larger flavonoid concentration in a future world with a CO 2 -enriched atmosphere, wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yecora Rojo) was grown in a field experiment using FACE (free-air CO 2 enrichment) technology under two levels of atmospheric CO 2 concentration : ambient (370 μmol mol -1 ) and enriched (550 μmol mol -1 ), and under two levels of irrigation: well-watered (100% replacement of potential evapotranspiration) and half-watered. We also studied the effects of CO 2 on the concentration of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) and nitrogen (N), two parameters hypothesized to be linked to flavonoid metabolism. Throughout the growth cycle the concentration of isoorientin, the most abundant flavonoid, decreased by 62% (from an average of 12.5 mg g -1 on day of year (DOY) 41 to an average of 4.8 mg g -1 on DOY 123), whereas the concentration of tricin, another characteristic flavone, increased by two orders of magnitude (from an average of 0.007 mg g -1 of isoorientin equivalents on DOY 41 to an average of 0.6 mg g -1 of isoorientin equivalents on DOY 123). Although flavonoid concentration was dependent on growth stage, the effects of treatments on phenology did not invalidate the comparisons between treatments. CO 2 -enriched plants had higher flavonoid concentrations (14% more isoorientin, an average of 7.0 mg g -1 for ambient CO 2 vs an average of 8.0 mg g -1 for enriched CO 2 ), higher TNC concentrations and lower N concentrations in upper canopy leaves throughout the growth cycle. Well-irrigated plants had higher flavonoid concentrations (11% more isoorientin, an average of 7.1 mg g-' for half watered vs an average of 7.9 mg g -1 for well-watered) throughout the growth cycle, whereas the effect of irrigation treatments on TNC and N was more variable. These results are in accordance with the hypotheses that higher carbon availability promoted by CO 2 -enrichment provides carbon that can be invested in carbon-based secondary compounds such as flavonoids. The rise in atmospheric CO 2 may thus indirectly affect wheat-pest relations, alter the pathogen predisposition and improve the UV-B protection by changing flavonoid concentrations.
Post-Merger Strategy and Performance: Evidence from the US and European Banking Industries

The banking industry has one of the most active markets for mergers and acquisitions. However, little is known about the type of operational strategies adopted by banking firms in the years following a deal. For a sample of bidding banks in the USA and Europe, this study compares the design and performance implications of different post-merger strategies in both geographical regions. Using accounting data, we show that European banks pursue a cost-cutting strategy by increasing efficiency levels vis-a-vis non-merging banks and by cutting back on both labour costs and lending activities. US banks, on the other hand, raise both interest and non-interest income in the post-merger period.
Towards a culture of environmental efficiency: An application of conditional partial nonparametric frontiers

Due to the fact that norms govern individual behavior, which in turn it is related to the environmental behaviour, this study tries to establish a link between human behavior (in terms of cultural values) and the environment. With the use of robust frontiers this paper constructs countries’ environmental efficiency ratios. Then it conditions these ratios with countries’ cultural values in order to capture their effect on the calculated environmental efficiency measures. The empirical results of the conditional and unconditional robust nonparametric frontiers of a sample of 17 OECD countries (for the census years of 1980, 1990 and 2000) reveal that countries’ national culture values have changed over the years from a neutral posture towards the enhancement of countries’ environmental efficiency. In addition, the results indicate that there is still much work to be done from countries’ environmental policy makers for the enhancement of an efficient environmental culture.
Note on a generalized wage rigidity result

Considering Cournot competition, this note shows that, if the firms differ in labor productivities, the equilibrium wage rates under a centralized labor union are not independent of the number of firms and product differentiation if the labor union charges a uniform wage rate. However, if the centralized labor union can discriminate wage rate between the firms, the equilibrium wage rates do not depend on the number of firms and product differentiation. Hence, the wage rigidity result of Dhillon and Petrakis (2002) may not be robust with respect to the asymmetry in firms, which is perhaps more common than symmetry considered by them. The effects of the number of firms and product differentiation on the equilibrium wage rate are also shown.
Adjusting the aggregate association index for large samples

Recently, the aggregate association index (or AAI) was proposed to quantify the strength of the association between two dichotomous variables given only the marginal, or aggregate, data from a 2x2 contingency table. One feature of this index is that it is susceptible to changes in the sample size; as the sample size increases, so too does the AAI even when the relative distribution of the aggregate data remains unchanged. Therefore the true nature of the association between the variables is at great risk of being masked by the magnitude of the sample size. This paper proposes two adjustments to the AAI that overcome this problem. We consider a simple example using Fisher’s twin criminal data to demonstrate the application of the AAI and its adjustments.
The Role of PurÎ± in Neuronal Development, the Progress in the Current Researches

As a ubiquitous protein in the body, Purα has been considered to possess multiple regulatory functions from DNA replication and transcription to RNA transport and translation. The recent studies have proved that Purα protein played a vital role in neuronal development with the solid and abundant evidence both in transgenic mice and human genetic DNA analysis. The Pur knocked out mice models have been successfully established in two independent research groups and their results demonstrated that lack of Purα alters postnatal brain development. Mice lacking of Purα display decreased neurogenesis and impaired neuronal development. In the mouse brain, the expression level of Purα seems to be regulated with brain development. It starts to express Purα after birth and quickly reach to highest level in the third week. The recent studies also have proved that some neurodegenerative disease also linked with Purα, such as fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. rCGG-mediated neuronal toxicity could be modulated by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 and Purα, which is rCGG-repeat-binding proteins. The 5q31.3 Microdeletion Syndrome is another disorder that is associated with the mutation of Purα gene, it has been demonstrated that all the symptoms such as the neurocognitive impairment, neurodevelopmental delay and learning disability are caused by the mutation of Purα gene. In this mini review, we will retrospectively review the current progress of Purα in neuronal development and try to figure out the connections between these observed phenomena and the biological function of Purα.
Anti-Hyperglycemic and Renal Protective Activities of Andrographis paniculata Roots Chloroform Extract

The chloroform extract of Andrographis paniculata roots was tested for its antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats using chronic and acute studies. The blood glucose lowering activity was determined after oral administration at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight in acute study. Where as in case of chronic study blood glucose, protein, albumin and creatinine levels were estimated after 4 weeks of treatment at the dose of 300 mg/kg. Significant reductions in blood glucose levels were observed in both acute and chronic studies. The extract significanly inhibited the induction of albuminuria, proteinemia and uremia. The present study clearly indicated a significant antidiabetic activity with the chloroform extract of A. paniculata roots and supports the traditional usage of the plant by Ayurvedic physicians for the control of diabetes. Also the extract is useful in preventing the incidence of long-term complication, diabetic nephropathy.
The effect of gender and different levels of education on the relationship between students' achievement goal and their academic achievement

With the development of research on educational psychology and foreign language teaching and learning, one of the most controversial concepts in educational psychology might be the issues related to the students’ achievement goal orientations. Regarding the goals that students adopt which might influence their academic success and failure, this study was undertaken to determine whether gender and different years of education affected the relationship between students’ achievement goal and their academic achievement. To achieve such goals, achievement goal orientation questionnaires were distributed among 182 male and female B.A. students, majoring in English Literature at Shiraz University. The obtained data were analyzed through multiple regression coefficient. The results showed that only in the case of females, gender affected the relationship between students with performance approach and performance avoidant goal orientation and their academic achievement. In addition, in the case of freshmen and juniors, only performance approach was the significant predictor of the students’ academic achievement. Regarding sophomore students, adopting such a goal did not have significant effects on their academic achievement. Likewise, in the case of seniors, both performance approach and performance avoidant had significant effects on the students’ academic achievement.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Reduces Dendritic Spine Density across Sensory Cortices

PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE INDUCES ALTERATION OF DENDRITIC SPINE DENSITY ACROSS SENSORY CORTICAL REGIONS By Francis Oppong, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: M. Alex Meredith, PhD Professor, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Dendritic spines are the major site of excitatory synapses in cortex, and factors that reduce dendritic spine numbers will produce serious cortical processing deficits, such as has been demonstrated for mental retardation and other psychiatric disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure also has detrimental effects on brain development that lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which results in reduction of dendritic spine numbers in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and somatosensory cortex. FASD also is associated with temporal processing disorders involving sequential auditory stimuli that would be processed in auditory cortical areas. However, it is unknown if the reduction of spine density following prenatal alcohol exposure occurs at auditory cortex, or is generally reduced across the different sensory cortices. This present study examined that question. Young adult ferrets (176 days old, 1 male, 1 female), that were exposed to alcohol during the equivalent of third-trimester development, were used to prepare Golgi-Cox stained sections through primary auditory cortex (A1). Other cortical regions examined included primary somatosensory (S1), and higher-level multisensory cortices of lateral rostral suprasylvian (LRSS) and rostral posterior parietal (PPr) areas. Control values from normal animals (n=3) were derived from a previous study. The results of this present study demonstrated that, dendritic spine density was significantly (Student's t-test, P < 0.05) lower in the alcohol treated group than in normal controls in all the cortical regions examined. These data indicate that although reduced spine density in auditory cortex may underlie temporal processing disorders in FASD, pre-natal alcohol exposure has widespread consequences for sensory cortical processing in general.
Media Influence and Firms Behaviour : A Stakeholder Management Perspective

To better understand the media as a stakeholder we study the media influences and the types of actions used by firms to manage this stakeholder. A hegemonic approach to the subject argues that the media is part of an economic, political, social, and cultural struggle. Accordingly, different stakeholders and classes compete for dominance and attempt to impose their visions, interests, and agendas on society as a whole. Firms, along with other groups, struggle for social dominance by disseminating images through the media. By means of stakeholder management and organizational response literature we show that given the dependency on the media’s accountability, answerability, and credibility, firms implement either strategic actions or fire-fighting actions. Evidence is brought from foreign firms in the traditional media business (print, radio, television) in the Netherlands, context characterized by freedom of the press, opinion, and information.
Psychopathology and Quality of Life in Children of Mentally Ill Parents

Children of mentally ill parents are considered a high-risk population for the development of psychological disorders although the reported rates of affected children vary between studies. Whether or not a child will develop a mental illness himself depends on risk factors as well as protective factors. This chapter presents findings concerning the mental health status and the quality of life in children of mentally ill parents (N = 86). The results reveal an increased relative risk to develop psychopathological symptoms being 3 to 7 times higher than in children of the general population. At the same time, the quality of life in children with a mentally ill parent is substantially decreased. The psychological disturbances of the children are associated with the parents’ perceived impairments caused by their mental illness. The results support the need for prevention programs for this special group of children.
Use of local rank‐based spatial information for resolution of spectroscopic images

Spectroscopic images are singular chemical measurements that enclose chemical and spatial information about samples. Resolution of spectroscopic images is focused on the recovery of the pure spectra and distribution maps of the image constituents from the sole raw spectroscopic measurement. In image resolution, constraints are generally limited to non‐negativity and the spatial information is generally not used. Local rank analysis methods have been adapted to describe the local spatial complexity of an image, providing specific pixel information. This local rank information combined with reference spectral information allows the identification of absent compounds in pixels with low compound overlap. The introduction of this information in the resolution process under the form of constraints helps to increase the performance of the resolution method and to decrease the ambiguity linked to the final solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co-Integration, Aggregate Consumption, and the Demand for Imports: A Structural Econometric Investigation

This paper uses a two-good version of Hall's (1978) representative agent, permanent income model to derive a structural import demand equation for nondurable consumer goods. Under the identification restriction that taste shocks are stationary, the model is shown to imply that log imports, log domestic goods, and the log relative price of imports are co-integrated. The data decisively reject the null hypothesis that imports, the relative price of imports, and the consumption of home goods are not co-integrated. We employ the non-linear least squares technique recently proposed by Phillips and Loretan (1990> to estimate the parameters of the import demand equation. The long-run price elasticity of import demand is estimated to be -0.95. The elasticity of import demand with respect to a permanent increase in real spending is estimated to be 2.20. These estimates fall within the range reported in studies by Helkie and Hooper (1986), Cline (1989), and the many studies surveyed by Goldstein and Kahn (1985) The message of this paper is that, at least for non-durable consumer goods, it is possible to interpret the traditional import demand equation as a co-integrating regression, and to interpret the price and expenditure elasticities estimated from such a trade equation as a co-integrating vector. Estimates of the co-integrating vector can be used to recover estimates of the utility parameters of the representative household. The similarity between the OLS and Phillips-Loretan estimates of the parameters suggests that the simultaneous equation bias is not large.
Root system and resistance to penetration of Mombaça grass fertilized with nitrogen and irrigated

High stocking rates in intensive pasture-based animal production systems may compromise the development of the forage roots due to increased resistance in the surface layer. This study tested the hypothesis that an increase in stocking rate resulting from different levels of nitrogen fertilization in irrigated Mombaca grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaca) pasture under intermittent grazing could increase resistance to penetration and consequently the growth of the root system. A split-plot design with randomized blocks and subplots was used, including three replications and the following four treatments: 0, 200, 400 and 800 kg N ha? 1 year. Evaluations performed in spring, summer and fall seasons were assigned as subplots. The highest values for area, diameter, length and percentage of root biomass (91.4%) were concentrated at the 0-10 cm soil depth, which is explained by the lower penetration resistance in this layer. Increased stocking rate resulting from increased levels of nitrogen in the Mombaca grass sward does not directly affect the penetration resistance of the soil or root characteristics. However, in the rainy season, higher nitrogen levels lead to increased resistance, as they provide higher cumulative stocking rates in this period.
Title Global distribution and surface activity of macromolecules in offline simulations of marine organic chemistry Permalink

Organic macromolecules constitute a high percentage of remote sea spray. They enter the atmosphere through adsorption onto bubbles followed by bursting at the ocean surface, and go on to influence the chemistry of the fine mode aerosol. We present a global estimate of mixed-layer macromolecular distributions, driven by offline marine systems model output. The approach permits estimation of oceanic concentrations and bubble film surface coverages for several classes of organic compound. Mixed layer levels are computed from the output of a global ocean ecodynamics model by relating the macromolecules to standard biogeochemical tracers. Steady state is assumed for labile forms, and for longer-lived components we rely on ratios to existing transported variables. Adsorption is then represented through conventional Langmuir isotherms, with equilibria deduced from laboratory analogs. Open water concentrations locally exceed one micromolar carbon for the total of proteins, polysaccharides and refractory heteropolycondensates. The shorter-lived lipids remain confined to regions of strong biological activity. Results are evaluated against available measurements for all compound types, and agreement is generally well within an order of magnitude. Global distributions are further estimated for both fractional coverage of bubble films at the air–water interface and the two-dimensional concentration excess. Overall, we show that macromolecular mapping provides a novel tool for the comprehension of oceanic surfactant patterns. These results may prove useful in planning Responsible Editor: Mark Brush. O. O. Ogunro O. W. Wingenter New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM 87801, USA S. M. Burrows Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA S. Elliott (&) S. Wang Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA e-mail: sme@lanl.gov A. A. Frossard L. M. Russell Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA A. A. Frossard University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA F. Hoffman Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA R. T. Letscher J. K. Moore University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA 123 Biogeochemistry (2015) 126:25–56 DOI 10.1007/s10533-015-0136-x
The little Heston trap

The role of characteristic functions in finance has been strongly amplified by the development of the general option pricing formula by Carr and Madan. As these functions are defined and operating in the complex plane, they potentially encompass a few well known numerical issues due to ”branching”. A number of elegant publications have emerged tackling these effects specifically for the Heston model. For the latter however we have two specifications for the characteristic function as they are the solutions to a Riccati equation. In this article we put the i’s and cross the t’s by formally pointing out the properties of and relations between both versions. For the first specification we show that for nearly any parameter choice, instabilities will occur for large enough maturities. We subsequently establish - under an additional parameter restriction - the existence of a “threshold” maturity from which the complex operations become a spoil-sport. For the second specification of the characteristic function it is proved that stability is guaranteed under the full dimensional and unrestricted parameter space. We blend the theoretical results with a few examples.