Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical studies on the conjugation of antibodies with turnip peroxidase using two different methods

The efficiency of conjugation between major carbohydrate rich peroxidase (TPOD) of turnip roots (Brassica rapa) and antibodies of rabbit anti-mouse IgGs (AM IgGs) was carried out for production of TPOD-AM IgG conjugate suitable for immunodiagnostic kits. The conjugate was prepared by two methods: one-step glutaraldehyde conjugation and periodate conjugation. The conjugates were characterized immunochemically and immuno-enzymatically. The two methods were comparable regarding the immunological activity of the conjugated products, while the ELISA titer of the conjugate prepared by the periodate method was almost double that prepared by the glutaraldehyde method. The conjugated product prepared by the one-step glutaraldehyde method was stable for at least six months at –20AEC with less than 20% loss of activity. Characterization of the TPOD and TPOD-AM IgG conjugate including Km values, optimum pH, optimum temperature, and thermal stability were carried out. The Km values of the TPOD and TPOD-AM IgG conjugate (ABTS) were 1.2 and 0.86 mM at pH 4 and 0.52 and 0.6 mM at pH 6, respectively. The Km values of these two products (H 2 O 2 ) were 2 and 1.25 mM at pH 4 and 0.35 and 1.2 mM at pH 6, respectively. The optimum pH value was 3.5 for both while optimum temperature values were 55 and 50AEC, respectively. Economically, the conjugated product by the one-step glutaraldehyde method was preferable, as it requires one step for its purification with higher recovery, and immunologically comparable beside its higher stability compared with the conjugate prepared by the periodate method.
Artificially induced migration of redox layers in a coastal sediment from the Northern Adriatic

Long-term experimental studies suggest that, under transient anoxic conditions, redox fronts within the sediment shift upwards, causing sequential rise and fall of benthic fluxes of reduced species (Mn(II), Fe(II) and S(-II)). Infaunal benthic organisms are associated with different redox fronts as micro-habitats and must be affected by such changes during natural hypoxia events. In order to document the geochemical evolution of the sediment during prolonged anoxia in the framework of an in situ experiment designed to mimic natural conditions, benthic chambers were deployed on the seafloor of the Northern Adriatic and sampled after 9, 30 and 315 days of incubation. Oxygen and sulfide were measured continuously in the early stages (9 days) of the experiment. High-resolution pore water profiles were sampled by DET probes and redox-sensitive species (S(VI), Mn(II) and Fe(II)) and alkalinity were measured. Starting oxygen saturation was about 80% within the chamber. After 7 days, anoxia was established in the bottom waters within the chambers. Mn(II) and Fe(II) started diffusing towards the anoxic water column until they reached the surficial sediment. Being reoxidized there, Mn and Fe reprecipitated, giving a rusty coloration to the seafloor. Infaunal species appeared at the sediment surface. After 20 days, all macro-organisms were dead. Decomposition of macro-organisms at the sediment–water interface generated S(-II) within the entire height of the chamber, leading to a downward flux of sulfides into the sediment, where they were quickly oxidized by metallic oxides or precipitated as FeS. S(-II) was below detection in the water column and pore waters at the end of the experiment. Our results suggest that S(-II) enrichment in the water column of coastal systems, which are episodically anoxic, is strongly controlled by the biomass of benthic macrofauna and its decay during anoxia, whereas its residence time in the water column is controlled by iron availability (as solid oxides or as dissolved reduced cations) within the sediment, even without water circulation.
A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF GAMMA-RAY BURST OPTICAL EMISSION. II. AFTERGLOW ONSET AND LATE RE-BRIGHTENING COMPONENTS

We continue our systematic statistical study of various components of gamma-ray burst (GRB) optical light curves. We decompose the early onset bump and the late re-brightening bump with empirical fits and analyze their statistical properties. Among the 146 GRBs that have well-sampled optical light curves, the onset and re-brightening bumps are observed in 38 and 26 GRBs, respectively. It is found that the typical rising and decaying slopes for both the onset and re-brightening bumps are ∼1.5 and ∼ − 1.15, respectively. No early onset bumps in the X-ray band are detected to be associated with the optical onset bumps, while an X-ray re-brightening bump is detected for half of the re-brightening optical bumps. The peak luminosity is anti-correlated with the peak time for the onset bumps and for the re-brightening bumps. Both Lp and the isotropic energy release of the onset bumps are correlated with Eγ, iso, whereas no similar correlation is found for the re-brightening bumps. These results suggest that the afterglow onset bumps are likely due to the deceleration of the GRB fireballs. Taking the onset bumps as probes for the properties of the fireballs and their ambient medium, we find that the typical power-law index of the relativistic electrons is 2.5 and the medium density profile behaves as n∝r−1 within the framework of the synchrotron external shock models. With the medium density profile obtained from our analysis, we also confirm the correlation between the initial Lorentz factor (Γ0) and Eiso, γ in our previous work. The jet component that produces the re-brightening bump seems to be on-axis and independent of the prompt emission jet component. Its typical kinetic energy budget would be about one order of magnitude larger than the prompt emission component, but with a lower Γ0, typically several tens.
Ecotypic variation in selected fourwing saltbush populations in western Texas.

Fourwing saltbush [A tr@kx cmescens (Pursh) Nutt. ] seedlings from 4 western Texas tetraploid populations were established in uniform nurseries at San Angelo, Barnhart, and Marfa, Texas, in 1981 to determine relative adaptability to these respective environments. Survival and canopy development of the ecotypes were similar at the site with the most favorable growing conditions (San Angelo), but the ecotype originating nearest the planting site tended to have greatest survival and canopy size where site conditions were less favorable. Additional shrub attributes evaluated at the ! 3an Angelo site included: leaf, current year’s stem, and wood phytomass, seasonal nutrient concentrations, and floral develop ment and phenotype. prediction equations utilizing plant canopy measurements were used to estimate weights of plant components. Variation in canopy size and yields among individual plants within ecotypes masked detection of significant (PrO.05) differences among ecotypes, but ecotypes from arid environments tended to be larger and to have greater yields than those from more mesic environments. Concentrations of crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and digestible organic matter (DOM)of leaves and stems were similar among the 4 ecotypes. Floral development of the ecotype from the most mesic environment progressed at a faster rate than that of ecotypes from more xeric environments. Ecotypes from xeric environments tended to have fewer staminate plants, but more plants with no sex expression than ecotypes from more mesic areas.
Restoration of degraded landscapes: Principles and lessons from case studies with salt-affected land and mine revegetation

Land is a finite resource. Every attempt must be made to prevent land degradation. In addition restoration of the legacy of already degraded land needs to be undertaken. Restoration is still a relatively new science. It is increasingly informed by the new discipline of restoration ecology. Land restoration occurs at a range of different scales. Mine rehabilitation has developed many successful practices of land restoration at a site-specific scale. The challenge ahead is to develop effective land restoration practices at a regional or landscape scale. Most success at both scales has to date been concerned with restoring key ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling and water balance. Case studies outlining restoration of each of these functions is discussed. Mining forms a striking comparison with land degradation associated with agriculture for example. Both can result in a catastrophic change in land suitability for plant growth, and may prevent the replacement of the original vegetation. However, whereas agriculture affects vast areas of land, mining has a relatively small footprint. They differ further in that considerably more money is available per unit area for restoration of mined land than can be justified for amelioration of degraded agricultural land. Finally, whereas land degradation caused by mining is closely regulated and mining companies have contractual requirements with Governments to restore mined land to an agreed standard, generally no such obligations are mandatory for agriculture.
Validation of the method for the determination of some wine volatile compounds

Wine aroma is influenced by a number of volatile compounds. This article describes the validation of the method for 26 volatile compounds found in wine. Volatile compounds were determined with discontinuous liquid-liquid extraction and GC-MS detection. It was determined, that the method is linear with square correlation coefficient ranging from 0.961 to 0.999. Limits of quantitative determination range from 0.52 mg/L to 14.8 mg/L. Recoveries range from 71.1% to 105.7% except for two compounds with lower recoveries. Measurement uncertainty ranges from 5.0% to 28.9%. According to the validation, the method is suitable for the determination of at least 24 volatile compounds common to wine. A practical method application was presented on Zelen wine variety from two different production procedures.
Caracterização de efluentes de viveiros de engorda de rã-touro (lithobates catesbeianus, Shaw, 1802)

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a qualidade do efluente na fase de engorda da ra-touro; METODOS: Quinzenalmente foram mensurados a temperatura, pH, oxigenio dissolvido, condutividade eletrica, turbidez, PT, N-NH3, N-NO3, DBO5, DQO e numero de coliformes termotolerantes (Escherichia coli) da agua de abastecimento e do efluente das baias de criacao. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos (agua de entrada e saida das baias) e seis repeticoes, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as subparcelas as coletas no tempo; RESULTADOS: Todas as variaveis apresentaram diferenca significativa (p < 0,05) para os tratamentos e entre as coletas (p < 0,05). Os valores medios de temperatura, pH e oxigenio dissolvido da agua de abastecimento das baias foram superiores aos do efluente. As demais variaveis; condutividade eletrica, turbidez, fosforo total, amonia, nitrato, demanda bioquimica de oxigenio, demanda quimica de oxigenio e E. coli foram superiores no efluente, em relacao a agua de abastecimento; CONCLUSOES: O manejo realizado na fase de engorda de ra-touro deteriora a qualidade da agua utilizada, aumentando as concentracoes de nutrientes dissolvidos e o numero de coliformes termotolerantes. As concentracoes de amonia e fosforo, provenientes de restos de racao, peles e excretas, podem acelerar o processo de eutrofizacao do corpo d'agua receptor, sendo necessario estudos sobre tratamentos desse tipo de efluente.
Farm Level Demand for Pecans Reconsidered

Abstract Previous studies have consistently indicated the anomalous result of a price inflexible demand for pecans. However, these efforts did not have an adequate measure of pecan stocks available and, as a result, stocks were either excluded from consideration or a proxy variable was introduced. A time series of pecan stocks is now available. Use of this time series in a price dependent demand function results in a flexible farm level demand for pecans. This points out the danger of excluding an appropriate variable or using a so-called “reasonable” proxy variable.
Emission-dominated gas exchange of elemental mercury vapor over naturalsurfaces in China

Abstract. Mercury (Hg) emission from natural surfaces plays an important role in global Hg cycling. The present estimate of global natural emission has large uncertainty and remains unverified against field data, particularly for terrestrial surfaces. In this study, a mechanistic model is developed for estimating the emission of elemental mercury vapor (Hg0) from natural surfaces in China. The development implements recent advancements in the understanding of air–soil and air–foliage exchange of Hg0 and redox chemistry in soil and on surfaces, incorporates the effects of soil characteristics and land use changes by agricultural activities, and is examined through a systematic set of sensitivity simulations. Using the model, the net exchange of Hg0 between the atmosphere and natural surfaces of mainland China is estimated to be 465.1 Mg yr−1, including 565.5 Mg yr−1 from soil surfaces, 9.0 Mg yr−1 from water bodies, and −100.4 Mg yr−1 from vegetation. The air–surface exchange is strongly dependent on the land use and meteorology, with 9 % of net emission from forest ecosystems; 50 % from shrubland, savanna, and grassland; 33 % from cropland; and 8 % from other land uses. Given the large agricultural land area in China, farming activities play an important role on the air–surface exchange over farmland. Particularly, rice field shift from a net sink (3.3 Mg uptake) during April–October (rice planting) to a net source when the farmland is not flooded (November–March). Summing up the emission from each land use, more than half of the total emission occurs in summer (51 %), followed by spring (28 %), autumn (13 %), and winter (8 %). Model verification is accomplished using observational data of air–soil/air–water fluxes and Hg deposition through litterfall for forest ecosystems in China and Monte Carlo simulations. In contrast to the earlier estimate by Shetty et al. (2008) that reported large emission from vegetative surfaces using an evapotranspiration approach, the estimate in this study shows natural emissions are primarily from grassland and dry cropland. Such an emission pattern may alter the current understanding of Hg emission outflow from China as reported by Lin et al. (2010b) because a substantial natural Hg emission occurs in West China.
Letter. Experimental confirmation of high-temperature silicate liquid immiscibility in multicomponent ferrobasaltic systems

Abstract Here we report the results of an experimental study aimed at testing the existence of stable, superliquidus immiscibility between silica- and Fe-rich multicomponent melts at temperatures above 1100 °C. Four pairs of the potentially immiscible compositions were tested in a 1-atm gas-mixing furnace (Ar/H2-CO2 gas mixture) at 1150 and 1200 °C and at the oxygen fugacity corresponding to that of the QFM buffer. Pre-synthesized pairs of the silica-rich and Fe-rich starting compositions were loaded in Pt wire loops, fused separately at 1300 °C, then brought in contact and kept at constant experimental temperature for more than 24 h. Three pairs of compositions out of four used in this study did not mix. Some temperature-dependent chemical re-equilibration was observed in the Fe-rich liquid phase but, in the cases of immiscibility, the two liquids remained compositionally distinct and showed sharp compositional gradients at contacts. One pair of liquids crystallized some tridymite, whereas the other compositions were clearly above the liquidus. Overall, the results of the experiments are in good agreement with the earlier centrifuge study and confirm the existence of stable, super-liquidus immiscibility in some Fe-rich basaltic-andesitic compositions at temperatures up to 1200 °C.
Analysis of risk management strategies: A proposition for risk management model

Summary: This research analyses the different strategies of financial risk management, based on the results of an empirical survey on the practices of financial risk management implemented by non-financial firms. Financial risks are defined as the risk of commodity, currency risk and interest rate risk. Four different management strategies are defined and identified; the internalization of risks, the management with operational tools as the netting, the management with linear derivatives as forwards and management with optional derivatives. After identifying these strategies, a strategic choice model is developed. This model seeks to identify the determinants and predictors of choosing a strategy rather than another one. The Multinomial logistic model explains these strategic choices by financial and structural characteristics of firms. This model is tested and an alternative is developed with the logistic nested model. Beyond these models, the purpose of this research is to develop a management model. This model explains which financial risk management strategy the firm implement according to their characteristics. The empirical results show that the sophistication of the hedging strategy increases as business and size growth. Finally, the discussion focuses on the difference between the two concurrent models and their explanatory power. This analysis shows that the superiority of the nested logit model is relative and evaluating the marginal effects of the explanatory variables on the choice of strategies according the two competitors models indicates that the choice of one or the other may change conclusions of this analysis.
Revisiting PSS and service design in the light of the SD-logic

Researchers and practitioners have increasingly recognized the importance of offering value propositions to customers that enable value co-creation as discussed in the service dominant logic (SD-logic). SD-logic recognizes customers as active co-creators and posits that products and services are only means to an end. Also, different approaches, methods and tools have been developed to design value propositions however they still lack to explicit the SDlogic principles. The design of solutions that provide value-in-use is at the centre of both Product Service System (PSS) approach and service design (SD). Whereas PSS focuses on designing required functions and aims at sustainability, embedding a more organizationcentred approach and problem-solving way of thinking; SD adopts a more human-centred perspective for creative enquiry and focuses on the customer experience, orchestrating interactions between different actors that engage over time, in a complex socio-technological environment. Although SD becomes more established as a discipline, it tends to focus on the early stages of the design process and could further expand its impact if integrated with current organizational innovation approaches. Moreover, PSS design is currently well known in industries and similar principles may be shared among these disciplines. However, so far, these approaches have not been fully integrated. This paper analyses the PSS and SD approaches in light of the SD-logic. It attempts to provide a more comprehensive discussion about these two approaches and proposes a conceptual framework for integrating PSS organizational point of view; and SD human-centred focus to design better service.
Arctic sea ice area in CMIP3 and CMIP5 climate model ensembles – variability and change

Abstract. The shrinking Arctic sea ice cover observed during the last decades is probably the clearest manifestation of ongoing climate change. While climate models in general reproduce the sea ice retreat in the Arctic during the 20th century and simulate further sea ice area loss during the 21st century in response to anthropogenic forcing, the models suffer from large biases and the model results exhibit considerable spread. The last generation of climate models from World Climate Research Programme Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), when compared to the previous CMIP3 model ensemble and considering the whole Arctic, were found to be more consistent with the observed changes in sea ice extent during the recent decades. Some CMIP5 models project strongly accelerated (non-linear) sea ice loss during the first half of the 21st century. Here, complementary to previous studies, we compare results from CMIP3 and CMIP5 with respect to regional Arctic sea ice change. We focus on September and March sea ice. Sea ice area (SIA) variability, sea ice concentration (SIC) variability, and characteristics of the SIA seasonal cycle and interannual variability have been analysed for the whole Arctic, termed Entire Arctic, Central Arctic and Barents Sea. Further, the sensitivity of SIA changes to changes in Northern Hemisphere (NH) averaged temperature is investigated and several important dynamical links between SIA and natural climate variability involving the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and sea level pressure gradient (SLPG) in the western Barents Sea opening serving as an index of oceanic inflow to the Barents Sea are studied. The CMIP3 and CMIP5 models not only simulate a coherent decline of the Arctic SIA but also depict consistent changes in the SIA seasonal cycle and in the aforementioned dynamical links. The spatial patterns of SIC variability improve in the CMIP5 ensemble, particularly in summer. Both CMIP ensembles depict a significant link between the SIA and NH temperature changes. Our analysis suggests that, on average, the sensitivity of SIA to external forcing is enhanced in the CMIP5 models. The Arctic SIA variability response to anthropogenic forcing is different in CMIP3 and CMIP5. While the CMIP3 models simulate increased variability in March and September, the CMIP5 ensemble shows the opposite tendency. A noticeable improvement in the simulation of summer SIA by the CMIP5 models is often accompanied by worse results for winter SIA characteristics. The relation between SIA and mean AMOC changes is opposite in September and March, with March SIA changes being positively correlated with AMOC slowing. Finally, both CMIP ensembles demonstrate an ability to capture, at least qualitatively, important dynamical links of SIA to decadal variability of the AMOC, NAO and SLPG. SIA in the Barents Sea is strongly overestimated by the majority of the CMIP3 and CMIP5 models, and projected SIA changes are characterized by a large spread giving rise to high uncertainty.
Characterisation of the non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) of Gruyère PDO cheese

The diversity of non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) of Swiss Gruyere cheese was studied in three factories over a six-month period. A total of 1099 isolates of NSLAB from raw milk, skimmilk and Gruyere cheese were characterised at both the species and strain level. Over 90% of the isolates were either Lactobacillus casei or L. rhamnosus, and a combined total of 45 genotypes were found. The genotypes from the three factories differed from one another and varied slowly over the six-month period. At one factory, samples from the corresponding raw milk, skimmilk and cheese culture were also analysed. No NSLAB were found in the cheese starter culture. On the con- trary, raw milk contained the largest number of different genotypes. The genotypes found in the cheese all came from raw milk. non-starter lactic acid bacteria / NSLAB / L. casei / L. rhamnosus / Gruyere cheese