Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protozooplankton and its relationship with environmental conditions in 13 water bodies of the Mogi-Guaçu basin - SP, Brazil

Protozooplankton is an important component of the aquatic microbial food webs and its composition, density, and distribution reflect the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the environment. Considering the scarce literature on freshwater protozoans in Brazil and on protozoan ecology in subtropical environments, we listed the ciliates and amoebae taxa found in 13 water bodies in Sao Paulo State and analyzed their abundance in relation to the environmental variables. We collected two samples in each environment, fixed immediately with mercuric chloride and stained with bromophenol blue. After microscopical analysis, 74 protozoan genera were identified and the Ciliophora were dominant in the majority of the environments. The Stichotrichia, represented mostly by the genus Halteria, occurred in all environments, and was the dominant subclass in five of them. The canonic correspondence analysis of the most frequent genera and the environmental variables showed that nitrite and nitrate were the variables that better explained the distribution of Limnostrombidium, Urotricha, and Vorticella. The densities of the genera Halteria, Coleps, and of the species Cinetochilum margaritaceum were positively affected by increasing concentrations of dissolved oxygen, particulate phosphate, conductivity, and temperature. C. margaritaceum were also negatively affected by increasing concentrations of nitrite and nitrate. Considering that we made only one sampling in each environment, the richness was high compared to the mean diversity of lakes in the Sao Paulo State. The Diogo Lake, located in an ecological reserve, was the richest one, confirming the need of more research on the biodiversity of more preserved environments.
Stock Price Reaction to Announcements of Right Issues and Debenture Issues: Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange

This study investigates the stock market reaction for right issues and debenture issues of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) during the period of 2005 to 2011 while providing evidence for the research question â€œhow do stock prices react to the debt and equity issue announcements of listed companies in CSE? â€ In investigating the ex-ante and ex-post market reactions the study employees event study methodology, while predicting abnormal returns, based on three alternative normal/expected returns modeling methods, namely Mean Adjusted Model, Market Adjusted Model, and Capital Asset Pricing Model. When testing the alternative hypothesis, whether stock prices significantly reacts to the announcement of right & debenture issues, results of all models show positive market reaction during the 30 days prior to the announcement and react negatively from 2 days after the announcements for right issues, but for debenture issues market reacted negatively during the period prior to debenture issues and continue to do the same during the post event period. Although the magnitude and significance of abnormal return generated through three alternatives methods differ, the pattern of the CAAR of all models are similar. Thus, as far as the speed of the price adjustment is concerned it seems that the CSE is not efficient.
Genetic Variability, Inheritance and Correlation for Mineral Contents in Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata L.)

Abstract Brassica vegetables are important sources of dietary minerals. However, information on the inheritance and correlation for content of mineral elements such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, and calcium in cabbage, which is essential if the quality of this vegetable is to be improved through breeding, is not available. Therefore, the experiment was set up with seventy-one cabbage genotypes including cultivars, germplasm and F1 hybrids grown in field. Mineral composition of the genotypes tested differed highly significantly indicating the presence of adequate amount of variability. A high heritability (>80%) accompanied by high genetic advance as percentage of mean (>40%) for uptake and accumulation of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ca indicates the predominance of additive gene, which could be improved by hybridization followed by selection breeding approach. Nevertheless, heterosis breeding would be an imperative in increasing the K content in cabbage heads as indicated by non-additive gene action for K accumulation having high heritability (>80%) and low genetic advance as percentage of mean (<30%). Moreover, both additive and non-additive genes were responsible for individual head weight. A positive correlation for Fe, Zn and Mn contents with other minerals will help in simultaneous selection of mineral elements. Nevertheless, major yield contributing ‘head weight’ was negatively correlated with minerals content and emphasized the selection of smaller head size to maintain the higher minerals content in tissues of cabbage heads. Hence, assessing the heritability, inheritance and correlation for minerals would be useful in the developing mineral-rich and productive genotypes.
Schrödinger cat states in a Penning trap

The time-dependent Schrodinger equation of an ion moving in an asymmetric Penning trap is solved. Properties of the evolution of squeezed and Schrodinger cat states in the trap are studied. Analytic expressions for the energy expectation values, dispersions and correlations of the position and momentum operators of different macroscopic states, solutions of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation of the trap, are obtained. The probability densities in coordinate and momentum representations are also given. As an example, the behaviour of Schrodinger cat states of a proton moving in the trap is described numerically.
Common price and volatility jumps in noisy high-frequency data

We introduce a statistical test for simultaneous jumps in the price of a financial asset and its volatility process. The proposed test is based on high-frequency tick-data and is robust to market microstructure frictions. To localize volatility jumps, we design and analyze a nonparametric spectral estimator of the spot volatility process. A simulation study and an empirical example with NASDAQ order book data demonstrate the practicability of the proposed methods and highlight the important role played by price volatility co-jumps.
Prime-age adult morbidity and mortality in rural Rwanda: which households are affected and what are their strategies for adjustment? / доклад на 25 конференции IAAE, Reshaping Agriculture’s Contribution to Society, International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa, 16-23 August 2003

In Rwanda for the past decade, rural households have lived with civil unrest and genocide, changing land laws, large population flows both into and out of the country, and climatic threats with droughts and floods. The illness and untimely death of prime age adults from a number of health problems (increasingly HIV/AIDS) adds to the stress of these households and has lasting effects on the ability of households to survive. In this research, the authors use household and member level survey data to increase understanding about what is happening in households with such shocks and how they may be different from other Rwandan rural households. This research finds that households affected by adult illness and death strive to maintain their agricultural production, and work to avoid selling assets, yet some households appear to be in a downward spiral, losing assets and income earning potential. They rely heavily on social networks for labor and skills, but clearly these networks will be stretched beyond their means in any continuing epidemics. Female-headed households in particular struggle to find labor with neighbors or work more themselves. If special programs are developed for the affected families, focusing on increasing land and labor productivity fits into their own strategies. Since households with prime age death and disease appear to be similar to other Rwandan households in the poorest two quintiles, such programs would be beneficial to rural households in general, and possibly strengthen social networks through generalized agricultural and income growth.
Plumbagin and azadirachtin deplete hemolymph ecdysteroid levels and alter the activity profiles of two lysosomal enzymes in the fat body of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The profile of hemolymph ecdysteroid was studied in the gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, during larval-pupal transformation. The changes closely correspond to the developmental events occurring at metamorphosis. Two insect growth regulators, plumbagin and azadirachtin, significantly depleted the content and altered the profile of ecdysteroids at crucial stages, when applied at ED50 doses. The activity profiles of two fat body lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and b-galactosidase, were also significantly affected by the insect growth regulators. It is suggested that plumbagin and azadirachtin treatments primarily modify the ecdysteroid titer, which in turn leads to changes in lysosomal enzyme activity causing overt morphological abnormalities during the metamorphic molt.
Foreign aid, foreign direct investment and economic growth of Lao PDR

This paper investigates the impact of foreign aid and foreign direct investment on the long-run income per capita and short-run income growth of Lao PDR. We formulate a modification of Solow model; then we employ a cointegration technique to carry out the long-run relationship, and employ an error correction model to estimate the short-run growth effects. The results show that foreign aid has a strong positive impact and is the main contributor on income level and income growth of Lao PDR in the long run. Surprisingly, FDI has significant negative impact on long-run income per capita and small positive impact on income growth in the short run. We conclude that the long-run negative impact of FDI might be due to its surge and concentration on few economic sectors and due to its extreme rises and falls in some period. Therefore, the policies to promote FDI in many sectors and the policies that attract stable FDI inflows should be promulgated.
What may we conclude about global tropospheric temperature trends?

Three realizations of the atmospheric temperature representing the layer from the surface to about 18 km generated from microwave emissions were published in 2003. Their 1979–2002 linear trends were stated as +0.24 ± 0.02, +0.12 ± 0.02 and +0.03 ± 0.05°C decade−1. Because the upper portion of this layer includes the stratosphere, the opportunity to utilize radiosonde measurements as an independent assessor of these trend values is diminished. However, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) also produces a lower tropospheric temperature (LT) product (0–8 km, trend of +0.08°C decade−1) for which radiosondes are much more suitable. Comparisons of this UAH product with radiosonde‐simulated layer temperatures show no significant difference in LT trends, lending support for the least positive trend of the three deeper layer values (+0.03 ± 0.05°C decade−1) as it was constructed in the same manner as LT.
Disappearing medicinal plants in Mt. Kenya forests , Kenya: a case study of East African green heart ( Warburgia ugandensis sprague)

Natural disturbances and human activities are significantly affecting indigenous trees species in forests. Warburgia ugandensis is a plant highly valued for its medicinal properties, timber and fuel among other uses. Many rural communities use it as a remedy for a number of ailments. Investigations into the value of its chemical content reveal that it has antibiotic, antifungal, anti inflammatory and antiseptic effects. W. ugandensis has been rated as the second highest medicinal plant after Prunus africana. However its population has been affected by human activities, climatic effects and pests. The objective of this study is to investigate the threats of W. ugandensis in Mt. Kenya forests. The study was conducted in dry montane potential natural vegetation type forests in the North West of Mt. Kenya forest. Eighteen subplots of 625 m 2 each were used to sample number of debarked trees, stumps and other types of damages. Causes of threat were identified as human, wildlife, livestock and pests. Data was analyzed by general linear models (GLM) using SPSS 11.0 (2001) statistical software and Student Newman Keuls (S-N-K) at 5% significance level. Human activities caused the highest amount of threats while debarking was the most damaging form of threat. The findings of this study are important for sustainable utilization, management and conservation of the remnants of W. ugandensis in the forest and farm lands.
FACTORS OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PRESENT LEVEL OF USE IN TWO COUNTRIES

The use of Web 2.0 technologies in educational contexts is being emphasized in recent times with significant increase in its awareness in educational institutions. These tools are popularly used for social (non-academic) purposes (as also confirmed by this research). However, there is low use of these tools and little research on behavioural intention of students and academics. Hence, this study used technology acceptance models to develop a research model that includes perceived ease of use and motivation as constructs. These constructs were operationalised into a questionnaire that was responded to by 279 participants in Scotland and 317 in Nigeria. The constructs correlated with behavioural intention, which in turn correlated with actual use of social media for educational purposes. The validation of the model suggests that the constructs (which include prior knowledge) of the model should be taken into consideration when implementing social media in educational institutions.
Biogenic emissions and land-atmosphere interactions as drivers of the diurnal evolution of secondary organic aerosol in the southeastern US

Abstract. The interactions between biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), like isoprene and monoterpenes, and anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides lead to high concentrations of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the southeastern United States. To improve our understanding of SOA formation, we study the diurnal evolution of SOA in a land-atmosphere coupling context, based on comprehensive surface and upper air observations from a characteristic day during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) campaign. We use a mixed layer model (MXLCH-SOA) that is updated with new chemical pathways and an interactive land surface scheme that describes both biogeochemical and biogeophysical couplings between the land surface and the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). MXLCH-SOA reproduces observed BVOC and surface heat fluxes, gas-phase chemistry and ABL dynamics well, with the exception of isoprene and monoterpene mixing ratios measured close to the land surface. This is likely due to the fact that these species do not have uniform profiles throughout the atmospheric surface layer, due to their fast reaction with OH and incomplete mixing near the surface. SOA formation from isoprene through the intermediate species IEPOX and ISOPOOH is in good agreement with the observations, with a mean isoprene SOA yield of 1.8 %, and mean monoterpene yield of 10.7 %. However, SOA from monoterpenes, oxidized by OH and O3, dominates the locally produced SOA (69 %). Isoprene SOA is produced primarily through OH oxidation via ISOPOOH and IEPOX (31 %). A sensitivity analysis of the coupled land surface-boundary layer-SOA formation system to changing temperatures reveals that SOA concentrations are buffered under increasing temperatures: a rise in BVOCs emissions is offset by decreases in OH concentrations and the efficiency with which SVOCs partition into the aerosol phase.
Retrofit of RC joints with FRP composites

The exterior and corner beam-column joints are among the weakest members of RC (reinforced concrete) frames in terms of seismic resistance. Poor seismic performance of inadequately detailed exterior/corner joints can lead to total or partial collapse of reinforced concrete frame structures. Since most of the existing beam-column joints in relatively old structures have not been constructed properly in terms of reinforcement detailing, they are in urgent need of retrofitting, particularly in terms of shear strength. To address a solution for this problem, from beginning of 1990s up to now, many researchers spent efforts on retrofitting of beam column joints by making use of conventional and FRP (fibre reinforced polymer) materials. In this study, after the introduction of typical failure modes of RC beam-column joints, available results on the behaviour and retrofitting of exterior and corner beam-column joints are reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, the most common FRP retrofitting schemes and contribution of the FRP retrofitting to behaviour of exterior beam columns are examined. Additionally, the large-scale structural tests conducted at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) on retrofitting of beam column joints built with low strength concrete and plain bars by FRP sheets are summarised. Based on the available research, it seems possible to include the issue of seismic retrofit of RC joint using FRP materials in the future versions of seismic design/retrofit guidelines/codes.
Kobe University Repository : Kernel タイトル Tit le Cont inuity and est imates of the Liouville heat kernel with applicat ions to spectral dimensions 著者

The Liouville Brownian motion (LBM), recently introduced by Garban, Rhodes and Vargas and in a weaker form also by Berestycki, is a diffusion process evolving in a planar random geometry induced by the Liouville measure Mγ , formally written as Mγ(dz) = eγX(z)−γ 2E[X(z)2]/2 dz, γ ∈ (0, 2), for a (massive) Gaussian free field X. It is an Mγ -symmetric diffusion defined as the time change of the two-dimensional Brownian motion by the positive continuous additive functional with Revuz measure Mγ . In this paper we provide a detailed analysis of the heat kernel pt(x, y) of the LBM. Specifically, we prove its joint continuity, a locally uniform sub-Gaussian upper bound of the form pt(x, y) ≤ C1t log(t−1) exp ` −C2((|x − y| ∧ 1)/t) 1 β−1 ́ for t ∈ (0, 1 2 ] for each β > 1 2 (γ + 2), and an on-diagonal lower bound of the form pt(x, x) ≥ C3t ` log(t−1) −η for t ∈ (0, tη(x)], with tη(x) ∈ (0, 1 2 ] heavily dependent on x, for each η > 18 for Mγ -almost every x. As applications, we deduce that the pointwise spectral dimension equals 2 Mγ -a.e. and that the global spectral dimension is also 2.
Supply Chain Integration Configurations: Process Structure and Product Newness

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the configurations of supply chain integration. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use qualitative data from manufacturers shortlisted for the UK’s Manufacturing Excellence awards over three years. Detailed processes and policies of 68 manufacturers are analysed. Findings – Process structure and product newness require different supply chain configurations, which change as products mature. Supply chain integration is dynamic, and the extent of collaboration between suppliers and customers will be different at different moments in time. The authors define and discuss four key supply chain configurations: customised; ramp-up; recurring; coordinated. Research limitations/implications – Future studies on supply chain integration should be controlled for the variation in the configurations. A limitation is the use of data which were derived for an award. The paper explains how the authors have mitigated the associated risks. Practical implications – The .
Early Growth and Reproductive Performances of Horro Cattle and thier F 1 Jersey Crosses in and around Horro-Guduru Livestock Production and Research Center, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional survey, an assessment of recorded data and measurements of different traits were conducted to determine the reproductive and early growth performances of Horro cattle and their F 1 Jersey crosses of the study area. The mean(SD) total farmland, cropland and grazing land holdings of individual smallholder householders were 3.6±3.16, 2.86±2.51 and 0.81±0.89 respectively, while the mean(SD) livestock species holding were 17±11.66, 2.9±3.98,2.9 ±4.83, 1.8±1.66 and 9.3±8.97 for cattle, sheep, goats, equine and poultry respectively. Anestrous, repeat breeder, endo-metritis and dystocia were the main reproductive health problems which were found to occurs with the proportion of 21.1%, 19.7%, 5.6% and 1.4%, while the remaining 52% attribute to non pregnancy in cows due to voluntary waiting period, post partum period and lack of AI service. The overall mean age at first service across both production sites(on station and on farm) was 48.85 months for local Horro and 33.25 months for Horro-Jersey F 1 Crosses, where as the mean (SD) NSPC for Horro and Horro-Jersey crossbred heifers was found 2.1±1.09 and 1.7±0.94 respectively. Breed of animals had high significance effect at (P < 0.001) on AFS and AFC. The mean birth weight of Horro and Horro-Jersey crossbred calves was 17.5±2.25 and 18.2±2.03 kg respectively. Calf birth weight was significantly (P<0.001) influenced by breed and sex, season and year of birth of a calf. The mean (SD) body weight measure of Horro calves at six, twelve, eighteen and twenty four months age is found to be 69.8±31.19, 117.7±22.65, 129.4±24.82 and 150±23.56 Kg respectively. While, their respective counterpart Horro-Jersey F 1 crossbred calves were found to weigh 64.42±10.18, 136.6±27.97 and 145.1±22.27 kg mean(SD) body weight at six, twelve and eighteen months of ages respectively.
Variant anatomy of the hepatic artery in adult Kenyans

Knowledge of the variant vascular anatomy of the subhepatic region is valuable to hepatobiliary surgeons to limit operative complications due to unexpected bleeding. One hundred and two subhepatic regions were studied by gross dissection for the pattern of arterial blood supply. Measurements were made for the distance of hepatic bifurcation from the liver. The common hepatic artery (CHA) originated from the celiac trunk in 95.1% and from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 4.9% of cases. The mean distance of bifurcation from the liver was 2.6cm and the CHA gave rise to 2 hepatic branches in 93.1% of cases. The right hepatic artery (RHA) passed anterior to the CHD in 48%, posterior in 41.2% and in 7.8% was related to the common bile duct (CBD). Accessory RHA and left hepatic arteries (LHA) were observed in 10.8% and 9.8% of the cases. There is wide variation in the pattern of arterial supply to the liver and biliary apparatus in adult Kenyans. A comprehensive understanding and application of this aspect of surgical anatomy is essential for good results to be maintained and even improved when carrying out surgical procedures in this area.