Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of urban runoff on phosphorus, nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen in a shallow subtropical lake

viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 4 2.1 LAKE EUTROPHICATION 5 2.2 URBAN WATERBODIES 6 2.3 PHOSPHORUS OF LAKE WATERS 8 2.4 NITROGEN OF LAKE WATERS 10 2.5 DISSOLVED OXYGEN OF LAKE WATERS 11 2.6 METABOLIC PROCESSES OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 14 CHAPTER 3: RAINSTORM EFFECTS ON PHOSPHORUS TRANSPORT TO A SUBTROPICAL URBAN LAKE 16 3.
Monte Carlo Study of Criterion Validity of the Directed Lie Screening Test using the Seven-Position, Three-Position and Empirical Scoring Systems

Monte Carlo methods were used to calculate criterion accuracy profiles for DLST examinations scored with the seven-position, three-position, and ESS models. Multivariate ANOVAs were used to compare the results. Decision accuracy was significantly greater than chance, over 87%, for DLST exams scored with all three TDA models, and there were no significant differences in the unweighted accuracies achieved by the three scoring methods. The ESS model produced the fewest inconclusive results. Differences in inconclusive rates were significantly greater for the threeposition model, and the difference was loaded on deceptive cases. Results suggest that the component weighting achieved by the seven-position and ESS models is more effective than the three-position model at extracting diagnostic information from the raw test data.
E-Waste Management in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities

The production and use of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) continues to grow in both developing and developed countries therefore increasing the amount of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at its End-of-Life (EoL). This is exacerbated by the rapid growth and development in the Information and Communications Technology industry. The growth in WEEE has brought a number of challenges including introducing effective management practices that are environmentally sound to reduce its negative impact on human health and the environment as a result of pollution. Management of WEEE in most developing countries including Kenya is done through the informal sector and this poses a great challenge. There are a number of International conventions that have been formulated to deal with the issue of WEEE due to its hazardous nature. The main aim of this research was to establish the current trends, opportunity and challenges in the management of e-waste in Kenya and make recommendations on measures to be taken to effectively manage or mitigate the effects of WEEE proliferation in Kenya. The ICT industry in Kenya is growing at a very fast rate leading to drastic increase in WEEE. The greatest challenges facing Kenya in the management of WEEE include: low citizen awareness, lack of proper policy and legislative framework including public procurement and disposal laws, inadequate infrastructure for WEEE management; high cost of brand new EEE, absence of frameworks for End-of-Life (EoL) product take-back and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Effects of Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Incubation Conditions on the In vitro Degradability of Yeast and Roughage

The in vitro degradability of yeast and the effect of yeast on the in vitro degradability of forage may differ in terms of the specific yeast strains or their incubation conditions. Thus in experiment 1, two strains of sake yeast (strainK7 and strainK9) and one strain of bakers' yeast (KY5649) were incubated in an aerobic condition. In experiment 2, aerobically or anaero bically incubated K7 was used for investigating the in vitro degradability of yeast, the effect of yeast on the in vitro degradability of forage, and the degradability of yeast by pepsin and pronase treatment. The in vitrodegradability of bakers' yeast was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of sake yeasts. The in vitro degradability of anaerobically incubated yeast was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of aerobically incubated yeast. The degradability of bakers' yeast by pepsin treatment was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of the sake yeasts. The degradability of bakers' yeast by pronase treatment was slightly higher than that of the two sake yeasts, while the degradability of anaerobically incubated yeast by both enzymes, respectively, was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of aerobically incubated yeast. The degradability of forages was increased significantly (p<0.05) by the addition of yeasts. The degradability of roughage by sake yeast tended to be higher than that by the bakers' yeast. The degradability of roughage was significantly (p<0.05) higher by anaerobically incubated yeast than by aerobically incubated yeast. Given the above results, it seems that in vitro degradability of yeast and the magnitude of the increment of roughage degradation differ among the yeast strains and their incubation conditions. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 3 : 354-357)
Age-specific functional response of Psyllaephagus zdeneki (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoid of Euphyllura pakistanica (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

This study was conducted to evaluate the age-specific functional response of Psyllaephagus zdeneki Noyes & Fallahzadeh (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) at different nymph densities of olive psyllid, Euphyllura pakistanica Loginova (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Due to parasitoid behaviour of feeding and parasitizing the host, both traits were separately explored on a daily functional response. Results of logistic regression revealed a type II functional response of the wasp independent of their ages. The handling time (Th) and searching efficiency (a) were estimated using the Rogers equation. The highest searching efficiency for both parasitism and feeding was observed in the first five days of the adult age. The handling time for parasitism and host feeding increased with the age of female wasp. The highest searching efficiency and shortest handling time for host attacked (Parasitism and feeding) were gained in day 5 and day 2 and maximum parasitism and host feeding in days 2 and 3 of adult female age, respectively. We conclude that P. zdeneki demonstrated a reasonable performance as a potential biocontrol agent by feeding and parasitism of E. pakistanica which gained its maximum efficiency within 2 to 5 days of its life.
Settlement of bridge approaches on soft soil area in Batu Pahat, Johor

Soft soil is well known to have low bearing capacity, high water content, high differential settlement, long term settlement and not able to sustain external loads without having large deformation. A study was conducted to measure the settlement at two bridge approaches on soft soil area in Batu Pahat, Johor. The settlements not only cause uncomfort to road users but may be dangerous to road users as drivers tend to reduce speed drastically while approaching the bridges. This paper specifies and presents the settlement values of bridge approaches as well as identifies the critical areas. The result of this study indicates that the settlement value is higher in the area approaching the bridge and more critical than the settlement in the area leaving the bridge. In addition to these results, a description of the measurement technique, field data collection and procedures are presented.
Effects of Dietary Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) Supplementation on Body Weight and Gut Morphometry of Commercial Broilers

Fue investigado el efecto del ajo sobre la superficie de absorcion del intestino delgado de pollos de engorde para dilucidar su mecanismo de promocion del crecimiento. Cien pollos pollos de engorde Arbor acres de cien dias de edad fueron criados en 4 grupos. La dieta de los pollos se complemento con dosis graduales de ajo en: 0% - el grupo A; 0,125% - el grupo B, 0,25% - el grupo C y 0,5% - el grupo de alimentacion D. El indice de conversion alimenticia (ICA) se determino a las 6 semanas de edad. A las 8 semanas de edad, 5 pollos de cada grupo fueron seleccionados al azar, se eutanizaron y secciones del yeyuno fueron preparadas para el examen histologico. Fueron determinadas la longitud y el ancho de las vellosidades, junto a la profundidad de las criptas. La media de peso corporal a las 8 semanas fue mayor en el grupo B (1930 ± 41 g) y menor en el grupo A (1850 ± 92 g). El ICA fue mayor en el grupo D (4,34) y menor en el grupo B (3,8). La media de longitud de las vellosidades, ancho de las vellosidades y profundidad de las criptas fueron mayores (p <0,05) en el grupo B es decir, 39,3 ± 2,3 mm, 7,64 ± 1,6 mm y 23,0 ± 1,6 mm, respectivamente, indicando mayor area de superficie de absorcion. Se concluyo que los suplementos de ajo en concentracion del 0,125% en la dieta de los pollos de engorde comerciales mejoro la ganancia de peso corporal y el ICA mediante el aumento de longitud y ancho de las vellosidades, junto a la profundidad de las criptas.
Characterization of trees, fruits and genetic diversity in natural populations of mangaba.

The state of Sergipe is the largest mangaba producer, which is a fruit native to Brazil, and has cultural, social and economic importance in its area of occurrence. It is an endangered species due to human actions, and despite its economic potential, there are still no commercial plantations. The study was carried out in order to characterize trees, fruits and the genetic diversity of natural populations of mangaba in Sergipe, Brazil. Fruits from Abaís Beach/Estância (AB) presented, on average, twice the vitamin C content (414.81 mg of vit. C/100g), when compared with the others. The use of ISSR primers was efficient in estimating the genetic similarity of populations. The primers clustered the populations of mangaba according to their origin, which indicates the genetic diversity of mangaba and their isolation. The results can be used to guide the selection of individuals in situ and ex situ conservation actions of these genetic resources.
Uncertainty of absolute gravity measurements

[1] A total of 96 absolute gravity (AG) measurements at the Membach station and 221 at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) is analyzed for noise content. The lengths of the series were around 10 years (POL) and 8 years (Membach). First the noise at frequencies lower than 1 cpd is studied. This noise consists in setup-dependent offsets and geophysical colored sources. The setup white noise is estimated using continuous relative superconducting gravity (SG) measurements at Membach. The colored environmental noise affecting both AG and SG is estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation technique to fit two types of stochastic models to the SG time series, power law noise, and first-order Gauss Markov (FOGM) noise. We estimate the noise amplitudes of a white noise process plus power law model while simultaneously solving for the spectral index and the noise amplitudes of a white noise process plus FOGM noise model is also estimated. The gravity rate of change and the associated uncertainties as a function of the noise structure are then computed. At frequencies higher than 1 cpd, a time-varying white noise component usually dominates AG time series. Finally, the POL and Membach experiments are applied to estimate the uncertainties for AG campaigns repeated once or twice a year to monitor crustal deformation. Such repeated AG measurements should allow one to constrain gravity rate of change with an uncertainty of 1 nm s−2 yr−1 (or 0.5 mm yr−1) after 14 or 24 years, depending on the noise model. Therefore long-term measurements using absolute gravimeters are appropriate for monitoring slow vertical tectonic deformation.
New peptide nucleic acids for biotechnological applications

In the present study was designed and realized a new similar to the PNA. It is a chiral nucleo-γ-peptide, dabPNA, isomer of the aegPNA unit and characterized by a 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA)-based backbone carrying the carboxymethylated nucleobase on its α amino group. Differently from aegPNA monomers, dabPNA presents a shorter backbone (3C between the nitrogen atom and the carbonyl) and an enhanced distance between the nucleobase and the backbone, i.e. 3 atoms (1N+2C) instead of 2C in aegPNAs. Furthermore, in comparison with ornPNA that binds to RNA forming a stable triplex, daba-based PNA has a methylene group less in the backbone. To achieve dabPNA oligomers, the new monomers tL-dab, tD-dab, aL-dab and aD-dab were synthesized in good yield using suitable protected building blocks and characterized by NMR and ESI-MS techniques. Initially, the homothymine oligomers (tL-dab)12 and (tD-dab)6 were synthesized, using a synthetic strategy that ensured the maintenance of chirality during the coupling steps, and tested for hybridization towards natural nucleic acids. No binding evidence with both DNA (dA12) and RNA (A12) was revealed by CD and UV experiments. Furthermore, the insertion of a single tL-dab unit in the middle or at N-terminus of a homothymine aegPNA chain leads to a decreased binding efficiency to the target DNA in comparison to full aegPNA.Since dabPNAs based on L- and D-DABA don’t bind natural nucleic acids, we explored the possibility that complementary nucleopeptides based on D or L-DABA could bind between themselves. This property would be interesting in order to develop novel DABA-based dendrimeric systems, as new materials, and also to realize new diagnostic tools, as for example new molecular beacon probe. To verify this interesting possibility, the monomers aL-dab and aD-dab were oligomerized to the homoadenine hexamers (aL-dab)6 and (aD,L-dab)6. In order to find the correct combination of chirality suitable for obtaining the binding, also the (tD,L-dab)6 oligomer were realized to perform the hybridization studies. From CD and UV experiments, binding evidence was revealed in the case of the complementary oligomers with alternate chirality, (aD,L-dab)6 and (tD,L-dab)6, even if the stability of the complex formed was not so high (Tm 11°C). Furthermore, some interesting properties relative to the self-complementary oligomer (aL−dab-tD−dab)3 emerged from preliminary DLS experiments that evidenced the formation of multimeric aggregates for this system. These results, together with the high serum stability of the DABA-based oligomers, suggest further studies on dabPNAs as new self-recognizing bio-inspired polymers, with the potentiality to develop new nanomaterials or new biotechnological tools in bioengineering and biomedical applications.
On the diurnal cycle of surface energy fluxes in the North American monsoon region using the WRF‐Hydro modeling system

The diurnal cycles of surface energy fluxes are important drivers of atmospheric boundary layer development and convective precipitation, particularly in regions with heterogeneous land surface conditions such as those under the influence of the North American monsoon (NAM). Characterization of diurnal surface fluxes and their controls has not been well constrained due to the paucity of observations in the NAM region. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the uncoupled WRF‐Hydro modeling system in its ability to represent soil moisture, turbulent heat fluxes, and surface temperature observations and compare these to operational analyses from other commonly used land surface models (LSMs). After a rigorous model evaluation, we quantify how the diurnal cycles of surface energy fluxes vary during the warm season for the major ecosystems in a regional basin. We find that the diurnal cycle of latent heat flux is more sensitive to ecosystem type than sensible heat flux due to the response of plant transpiration to variations in soil water content. Furthermore, the peak timing of precipitation affects the shape and magnitude of the diurnal cycle of plant transpiration in water‐stressed ecosystems, inducing mesoscale heterogeneity in land surface conditions between the major ecosystems within the basin. Comparisons to other LSMs indicate that ecosystem differences in the diurnal cycle of turbulent fluxes are underestimated in these products. While this study shows how land surface heterogeneity affects the simulated diurnal cycle of turbulent fluxes, additional coupled modeling efforts are needed to identify the potential impacts of these spatial differences on convective precipitation.
Current Account Rebalancing and Real Exchange Rate Adjustment between the U.S. And Emerging Asia

A reduction in the U.S. current account deficit vis-a-vis emerging Asia involves a shift in demand from U.S. to emerging Asia tradable goods and a change in international relative prices. This paper quantifies the required adjustment in the terms of trade and real exchange rates in a three-country open economy model of the U.S., China, and other emerging Asia. We compare scenarios where both Chinese and other emerging Asian export prices change by the same proportion to the case where export prices remain constant in one country and increase in the other. Our results are robust to different assumptions about elasticities of substitution and to introducing a high degree of vertical fragmentation in production in the model.
The Empirical Research on Civil Servants’ Motivation: Evidence from Romania

The purpose of this article is to identify the most important factors with impact on civil servants motivation. The factors affecting motivation are examined and their effects on job satisfaction are explained. In order to achieve the aforementioned objective of the research, we will employ the Maslow-Herzberg combined model. The study was conducted in 21 Town Halls from the IASI County, Romania. Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses were used to establish whether the selected motivational factors were related to civil servants’ job satisfaction. The civil servants who feel that they are important for their organization will pursue goals actively and will increase the efforts to be more competitive at work and perform better. The limits of our research depend on the organizations analysed. The framework provides an explanation of why some factors enhance the civil servants’ motivation, while others not so much.
Impact of Stock Market on Economic Growth Evidence: Dar-es Salaam Stock Exchange - Tanzania

The objective of the study was to establish relationship between the stock market measures and economic growth in Tanzania. In order to achieve the objective, we need to examine the impact of stock market capitalization, total value of share traded and turnover on Tanzanian economy based on the time series data from 2000 - 2011. The unit root test and wnteestq (Portmanteau) tests were carried out. The findings suggest that Dar-es Salam Stock Exchange (DSE) has no effect on economic growth of Tanzania. We recommended that Tanzania government should establish financial policies, in order to encourage companies develop financial stock market culture, and enhance to push companies to initiate Initial Public Offering (IPO) instead of bank loans when money is needed to increase their investment.
Graduate Employability: A Gap between Perspectives - the Case of Croatia

Awareness of the importance of higher education (HE) in the transition to a knowledge-based society is growing in Croatia and universities are increasingly required to produce employable graduates who have attributes, capabilities, knowledge and skills to work successfully, and are able to respond to the changing and complex needs of the labor market. This paper seeks to investigate and compare the importance of skills and attributes which enhance graduate employability, as well as their reception through higher education, from the perspective of employers, university teachers and senior students. The research has shown that students, university teachers and employers have a significantly different view regarding knowledge, skills and attributes important for employment, and the contribution of university teaching to the development of these skills, knowledge and attributes. In April 2015 a total of 340 surveys were collected (230 from senior students, 30 teachers at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, and 80 employers from the region filled in the questionnaire). In analyzing data descriptive statistics and hypotheses testing are given. Mann-Whitney test is used to test the difference between two distributions, and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA between three distributions.
The effect of quality management on the service quality and business success of logistics service providers

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to analyse empirically the causal relationships between quality management, service quality and business success in German logistics companies.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a measurement instrument of logistics service quality by combining conceptual approaches from service marketing with quality indicators from operations management. This measure is verified through factor analysis on a sample of 229 German logistics providers. Relationships between logistics service quality, quality management and business success are investigated in a structural equation model.Findings – The results support measuring logistics service quality by the three dimensions: service potential, process and outcome. The effect of quality management on these constructs is confirmed. Likewise, the positive effect of service quality on business success is confirmed, with the notable exception of outcome quality.Research limitations/implications – This research only involves G.
Site-specific plasticity and demography determine litter size in a population of white-footed mice

Background: Despite heritable variation and positive selection gradients, the mean number of young that a female produces often fails to increase through time. This paradox can be resolved by mapping fitness as a manifestation of heritable variation, direct and indirect selection on traits, and environmental interactions with demography. Questions: Does environmental variation in time and space determine the outcome of selection on litter size? Is the pattern of variation consistent with our understanding of the fitness map? Study organism: White-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, reproducing in nest boxes in southern Ontario, Canada. Methods: I analysed 35-years’ data on litter-size variation at two nearby study sites and interpreted the results in the context of the fitness-mapping function. Analyses: Linear regression, mixed models, generalized linear models, model selection, meanstandardized selection gradients. Results: There was no detectable cost of reproduction. Mean annual litter sizes did not vary at one site where shallow selection gradients were associated with small spring litters. Those litters yielded higher recruitment than larger litters born in autumn. The other site was different: mean litter size increased marginally from year to year and recruitment was higher for large autumn litters than for smaller litters produced in spring. Conclusions: Spatial variation in apparent selection on white-footed mouse litter size is associated with site-specific, demographically induced seasonal differences in recruitment success. Failure to incorporate such relevant environmental clines can lead to biased interpretations of selection and misunderstanding of the lock-step connection between ecology and evolution.