Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production, water consumption and nutrient content of Chinese cabbage grown hydroponically in brackish water

Underground water reserves in the semi-arid region of Brazil are stored in the crystal formations that in large part have high concentrations of salt. However, the scarcity of this resource makes the use of this water necessary for various activities, including agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of brackish water on the electrical conductivity and pH of the nutrient solution, and on the production, water consumption and the uptake of nutrients in Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) under a hydroponic system. The experimental design was completely randomised, with four replications and six levels of water salinity (0.2, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2 dS m-1), obtained by adding NaCl to the local water supply, with this water being used to prepare the nutrient solution and to make up the volume lost through evapotranspiration. The results showed that with the exception of the treatment at the lowest salinity, there was a tendency to increased electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution with the increasing salinity of the water; that the pH of the nutrient solution remained within the normal range throughout the cycle; that with the increasing salinity of the solution there was a reduction in all growth and production variables under analysis, in water consumption, and in leaf N, K, Ca and Mg, and an increase in leaf concentrations of Na and Cl. It is possible to use brackish water for the production of Chinese cabbage when grown hydroponically as an alternative for those producers who have an available supply of brackish water and a restricted supply of fresh water, however with a reduction in productivity.
Genetic Diversity of Moroccan Orobanche crenata Populations Revealed by Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism Markers

Orobanche crenata Forsk. is a root holoparasitic plant that affects legume species in Mediterranean basin especially in Northern Africa. This parasitic weed is particularly problematic in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) and lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) fields. In Morocco, development of legume resistant/tolerant genotypes is considered the most economical and ecological control strategy against O. crenata . Efficient selection of resistant/tolerant cultivars requires prerequisite knowledge of the genetic diversity of the parasite. Thus, the present study focused on the assessment of the genetic diversity among and within Moroccan O. crenata populations, growing in faba bean fields, using Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism markers (SRAP). This marker system proved to be a powerful and an efficient tool for the evaluation of the genetic diversity among O. crenata populations. In fact, a total of 101 markers were identified and used for the Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), among which 98 bands were polymorphic (97.02%), indicating considerable genetic variation of these O. crenata populations. However, at population level, low level of polymorphic loci was observed with a percentage ranging between 41.58% and 67.33%. The Jaccard’s similarity coefficient and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed a clear differentiation among O. crenata samples according to the geographical origin of each population. AMOVA analysis revealed also a large extent of variation among O. crenata populations (60%; p < 0.010). Our outputs on molecular genetics of O. crenata combined with future epidemiological studies of these populations should clarify occurrence of O. crenata pathotypes and thereby validate the relevance of using multisite screening trials during breeding programs.
Comparisons of the Colonisation by Invertebrates of Three Species of Wood, Alder Leaves, and Plastic Leaves in a Temperate Stream

Small woody debris in streams is abundant, and may be a food source or may provide a substrate on which other food sources such as biofilm may develop, both of which may be significant to invertebrates in times of food scarcity. We examined patterns of invertebrate colonisation of small woody debris (veneers of red alder, Douglas-fir, and western red cedar), red alder leaves, and plastic (as an inert substrate to mimic leaves). Invertebrate colonisation was high on alder leaves, but low on wood substrates and plastic, controlling for the available surface area. Detritivorous invertebrates had significantly higher colonisation rates of alder leaves versus the other four substrates, whereas predators and collectors did not (consistent with their use of these as substrates and not food). All wood decreased in mass by <15% and leaves by ∼50% over the 75 days of the experiment. For all taxa tested, there was no significant difference in their colonisation of the wood veneers versus the plastic sheets. These results suggest that wood was not directly used by these invertebrates as a food source, or that there could be similar biofilm development on the surfaces of these substrates. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Catchment modelling of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient loads with SedNet/ANNEX in the Tully–Murray basin

A long-term, annual-average catchment biophysical model (SedNet/ANNEX) was used to calculate sediment, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads in the Tully–Murray catchment of north-eastern Australia. A total of 119 000 t year–1 of suspended sediment, equivalent to 430 kg ha–1 year–1, was calculated to be exported to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Most of the sediment (64%) was generated from hill-slope erosion. The modelled load of dissolved inorganic N (1159 t year–1 or 4.2 kg N ha–1 year–1) was similar to that from other wet tropics catchments in Queensland with similar areas of sugarcane. Sugarcane produced 77% of this load. The annual loads of total N and total P were 2319 t and 244 t, respectively. Simulations (scenarios) were run to evaluate the impact of improved land management on pollutant loads to the GBR. A combination of improved cultivation and fertiliser management of sugarcane and bananas (99% of cropping land) and restoration of the most degraded riparian areas reduced sediment by 23 000 t year–1 (18%) and dissolved inorganic N by 286 t year–1 (25%). However, this reduction is much less than the reduction of 80% that may be needed in the catchment to meet target chlorophyll loads in the marine environment.
DYNAMIC TIME INCONSISTENCY AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

This paper derives the econometric restrictions imposed by the Barro and Gordon model of dynamic time inconsistency on a bivariate time-series model of consumer price index (CPI) inflation and real gross domestic product (GDP), and tests these restrictions based on quarterly data for South Africa covering the period of January 1960-April 1999, i.e. for the pre-inflation targeting period. The results show that the data are consistent with the short- and long-run implications of the theory of time-consistent monetary policy. Moreover, when the model is used to forecast one-step-ahead inflation over the period of January 2001-February 2008, i.e. the period covering the starting point of the inflation-targeting regime until date, we, on average, obtain lower rates of inflation. The result tends to suggest that the South African Reserve Bank perhaps needs to manage the inflation-targeting framework better than it has done so far.
Comparing Measures of Citizen Trust and User Satisfaction as Indicators of ‘Good Governance’: Difficulties in Linking Trust and Satisfaction Indicators

Until recently, public administration mainly used so-called ‘hard indicators’, such as resources and outputs, to monitor performance. Increased attention on accountability and issues around impacts and outcomes have stimulated the introduction of ‘soft’ indicators—e.g. citizen and user satisfaction targets. Moreover, there is increased demand for information on performance in relation to ‘governance’ as a whole, including ‘quality of life’ indicators. Politicians, journalists and citizens increasingly express their worries about a decreasing level of trust in government and the detrimental effects this has on government and on the cohesion of society—they appear to assume that more trust and more satisfaction equal better governance. Increasing the quality of governance will thus also lead to citizens who are more satisfied and more trusting. This article shows that current attempts to measure trust and satisfaction in government are misleading if they claim to be measuring good governance for two reasons. First, satisfaction is difficult to measure and very service-specific. Second, trust in government is easier to measure but its linkages with good governance are far from clear. Even when trust in government can be measured, it is not at all clear whether changes in the level of trust are actually influenced by government-related factors. We suggest, finally, the hypothesis that trust could be insufficient but necessarily part of a set of indicators which are unnecessary but sufficient for good governance.
Smallholder farmers perceptions on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)-based cropping systems: A case study of Chisamba District, Zambia

The inclusion of legume crops in cropping systems has been shown to improve soil fertility and productivity, but the adoption rate is low among many smallholder farmers. A study to determine the perceptions of the smallholder farmers on groundnut production, use of inputs and cropping systems was conducted in Chisamba District, Zambia. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 164 farmers from 20 villages within 11 agricultural camps in two agricultural blocks were randomly chosen for the study. Questionnaires were administered to only smallholder farmers who cultivated groundnuts. Results showed that the cropping systems used by smallholder farmers in Chisamba District were crop rotation (90%), mixed-intercropping (5%) and sole-cropping (5%). Groundnut production was mainly undertaken by female smallholder farmers (71%) on land averaging 1.68 ha. However, there was non-significant relationship between gender of the household head and adoption of cropping system (χ2 (2) = 1.726; p = 0.414). Fifty-seven percent of the smallholder farmers perceived the groundnut variety Natal Common to be most suitable for the study area (χ2 (4) = 9.745; p = 0.045). It was concluded that particular traits of varieties affected the perceptions and hence adoption decisions of smallholder farmers in Chisamba District. Key words: Groundnut production, smallholder farmer’s perception, cropping system
Processing of high-frequency multibeam echo sounder data for seafloor characterization

Processing simultaneous bathymetry and backscatter data, multibeam echosounders (MBESs) show promising abilities for remote seafloor characterization. High-frequency MBESs provide a good horizontal resolution, making it possible to distinguish fine details at the water-seafloor interface. However, in order to accurately measure the seafloor influence on the backscattered energy, the recorded sonar data must first be processed and cleared of various artifacts generated by the sonar system itself. Such a preprocessing correction procedure along with the assessment of its validity limits is presented and applied to a 95-kHz MBES (Simrad EM 1000) data set. Beam pattern effects, uneven array sensitivities, and inaccurate normalization of the ensonified area are removed to make possible further quantitative analysis of the corrected backscatter images. Unlike low-frequency data where the average backscattered energy proves to be the only relevant feature for discriminating the nature of the seafloor, high-frequency MBES backscatter images exhibit visible texture patterns. This additional information involves different statistical distributions of the backscattered amplitudes obtained from various seafloor types. Non-Rayleigh statistics such as K-distributions are shown to fit correctly the skewed distributions of experimental high-frequency data. Apart from the effect of the seafloor micro-roughness, a statistical model makes clear a correlation between the amplitude statistical distributions and the signal incidence angle made available by MBES bathymetric abilities. Moreover, the model enhances the effect of the first derivative of the seafloor backscattering strength upon statistical distributions near the nadir and at high incidence angles. The whole correction and analysis process is finally applied to a Simrad EM 1000 data set.
Cytogenetic Analysis of seven species of Eucalyptus L'Her.(Myrtaceae)

Abstract Seven species of the genus Eucalyptus were studied cytogenetically (E.deanei, E. dunni, E. grandis, E. maculata E. propinqua, E. saligna and E. tereticornis). The species showed a symmetrical karyotype with 2n=22 chromosomes,with chromosome length ranging from 0.58 m to 1.39 m. Karyotypic analysis indicated homogeneity of morphology and of chromosome number for most of the species of this genus studied here, although casual disploid species with 2n=24 have been found in previous studies. According to these data, a basic number of x=11 was established for this genus. The evolutionary tendency probably occurred by structural alterations (deletions, duplications, additions and translocations) and in some cases by aneuploid chromosome alterations.
Efficient nonmyopic batch active search

Active search is a learning paradigm for actively identifying as many members of a given class as possible. A critical target scenario is high-throughput screening for scientific discovery, such as drug or materials discovery. In these settings, specialized instruments can often evaluate \emph{multiple} points simultaneously; however, all existing work on active search focuses on sequential acquisition. We bridge this gap, addressing batch active search from both the theoretical and practical perspective. We first derive the Bayesian optimal policy for this problem, then prove a lower bound on the performance gap between sequential and batch optimal policies: the ``cost of parallelization. '' We also propose novel, efficient batch policies inspired by state-of-the-art sequential policies, and develop an aggressive pruning technique that can dramatically speed up computation. We conduct thorough experiments on data from three application domains: a citation network, material science, and drug discovery, testing all proposed policies (14 total) with a wide range of batch sizes. Our results demonstrate that the empirical performance gap matches our theoretical bound, that nonmyopic policies usually significantly outperform myopic alternatives, and that diversity is an important consideration for batch policy design.
A Whitehall perspective on decentralisation in England’s emerging territories

Decentralisation is a key thread running through current UK policy making. The Coalition Government has abolished New Labour’s regional legacy in favour of a new set of strategies around growth and development that has tapped into the localist agenda. Drawing on a series of recent interviews conducted with civil servants, this article explores government initiatives aimed at enhancing local autonomy in England and provides new empirical insights into decentralisation from a Whitehall perspective. It examines departmental aspirations for decentralised structures and Whitehall perceptions of the capacity of local arrangements to successfully manage territorial development in an era of austerity. The article concludes that, in the fields of economic development, planning and transport, there are signs of enhanced local policy and fiscal autonomy. However, there are different levels of enthusiasm for decentralisation across and within Whitehall departments that continue to undermine a more cohesive approach.
Comparison of blast analysis methods for modular steel structures

Patlama yuklerine dayanikli endustriyel moduler celik yapilar on uretimli ve kolay tasinabiliyor olmalarindan dolayi patlama riskinin yuksek oldugu yerlerde yaygin olarak kullanilmaktadirlar. Bu yapilarin sistem elemanlarinin patlama yuklerinin etkisi icin tasariminda ve analizinde genelde basitlestirilmis esdeger tek serbestlik dereceli yay (ESDOF) modelleri kullanilir. Fakat bu yontem, elemanlarin dinamik etkilesimini ihmal eden bir yaklasimdir. Bu calismada, iki modulden olusan prototip binanin patlama yukleri etkisinde yapisal elemanlarinda olusan hasar duzeyi ESDOF ve dinamik etkilesimin ihmal edilmedigi daha guvenilir sonuclar veren sonlu elamanlar yontemleriyle belirlenmistir. Sonuclar, yapisal elemanlarda olusan patlama hasarlarinin belirlenmesinde ESDOF yonteminin sonlu elemanlar yontemine oranla yeterliligini belirlemek icin kullanilmistir.
Chemical compositions and antimicrobial activity of twig essential oils from three Xylopia (Annonaceae) species

The chemical composition of twig essential oils of Xylopia malayana , Xylopia elliptica and Xylopia fusca were analyzed using GC and GCMS. Both X. malayana (12.9%) and X. fusca (11.8%) twig oils contained spathulenol as the major constituent while X. elliptica twig oil was found to be rich in terpinen-4-ol (11.9%). The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils were evaluated against six gram positive bacteria, two gram negative bacteria and yeast by using the broth microdilution method. The twig oil of X. elliptica at a concentration ranging from 156 to 625 μg/ml was found to be active against all bacterial and yeast strains tested. Both X. malayana and X. fusca twig oils demonstrated weak activity toward all microorganisms tested with the MIC value of 5000 μg/ml. Gram negative bacteria’s, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli seemed to be resistant to the essential oils tested. α-Pinene showed moderate to strong inhibitory effect against all the microorganism strains tested with the MIC value ranging from 325 to 2500 μg/ml, as compared to the other standard compounds which showed weak inhibitory even at the highest concentrations used. This finding demonstrated that the twig oil of X.elliptica possesses antimicrobial activity which may be useful and potential ingredient in the production of health care products. Key words: Xylopia twigs, essential oils, GC & GCMS analysis, antimicrobial activity.
Spatial variation in nutrient excretion by macrozoobenthos in a Chinese large shallow lake (Lake Taihu)

Nutrient (N and P) fluxes via excretion by macrozoobenthos were estimated in a Chinese large shallow lake (Lake Taihu). The spatial variation in nutrient fluxes and the differences of specific excretion rate among six dominant species were quantified. The distribution of dominant species varied significantly among different trophic lake areas. The maximum biomass of macrozoobenthos was calculated in phytoplankton-dominated lake areas, while the minimum occurred in macrophyte-dominated lake areas. Mass-specific excretion rate among six dominant species was significantly different. Our results indicated that nutrient flux through benthic invertebrate varied spatially, which was affected by dominant benthic species composition and biomass. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Corbicula fluminea and Bellamya aeruginosa made the greatest contribution to the total nutrient fluxes in Lake Taihu. N and P fluxes excreted by macrozoobenthos were greatest in phytoplankton-dominated lake areas (1037.7 μmol N m−2 d−1 and 111.74 μmol P m−2 d−1), which were almost 20 times greater than in the other lake areas. Since N and P excreted by macrozoobenthos could be rapidly absorbed by algae, macrozoobenthos might be a significant nutrient source contributing to frequent algal blooms in Lake Taihu.
Habits of a glacier-covered volcano: seismicity patterns and velocity structure of Katla volcano, Iceland

Abstract The Katla volcano, overlain by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, is one of the most active and hazardous volcanoes in Iceland. Earthquakes show anomalous magnitude-frequency behaviour and mainly occur in two distinct areas: within the oval caldera and around Goðabunga, a bulge on its western flank. The seismicity differs between the areas; earthquakes in Goðabunga are low frequency and shallow whereas those beneath the caldera occur at greater depths and are volcano-tectonic. The seismicity shows seasonal variations but the rates peak at different times in the two areas. A snow budget model, which gives an estimate of the glacial loading, shows good correlation with seismic activity on an annual scale. Data recorded by the permanent network South Iceland Lowland (SIL), as well as by a temporary network, are used to invert for a 3D seismic velocity model underneath Eyjafjallajökull, Goðabunga and the Katla caldera. The tomography resolves a 15 km wide, aseismic, high-velocity structure at a depth of more than 4 km between the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the west and the Katla volcano in the east. Anomalously low velocities are observed beneath the Katla caldera, which is interpreted as being a significantly fractured area of anomalously high temperature.
Starter Culture Development from Lactic Acid Bacteria for Improved Nutritive Value of Linamarase Treated Cassava Peels

This study was design to develop starter culture from lactic acid bacteria for improved nutritive value of linamarase treated cassava peels. Isolation and identification of bacteria were carried out using standard microbiological and biochemical methods. The grated cassava peels was pre-treated by subjecting to pasteurization process. Pasteurized samples were inoculated with prepared bacterial inoculum and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in a sealed vessel. The samples were withdrawn at interval for viable cell count. The proximate evaluation, mineral and anti-nutrient contents of the fermented and inoculated-fermented samples were determined using standard methods. From the fermented and inoculated-fermented cassava peels, the microbial loads increased from 1.5 x 106 to 26.1 x 106cfu/ml and 1.0 x 106 to 6.3 x 106cfu/ml. The protein content showed a significant increase from 5.99 to 6.15% and 6.17 to 8.03% while crude fiber decreased from 14.33 to 13.01% and 14.46 to 11.47% respectively in fermented and inoculated-fermented samples. The cyanide content of the naturally fermented cassava peels decreased from 14.07 to 3.06 mg/kg while the inoculated-fermented cassava peels with linamarase-producing isolate showed a significant decrease in the cyanide content from 1.61 to 0.02 mg/kg respectively. Improvement in the nutritional composition with reduction in the anti-nutrient content of fermented and inoculated-fermented cassava peels suggest a promising and the application of these bacteria as biological tools in the production starter for the formulation of animal feeds.
Phase Angle Associated with Over-Hydration in Healthy Chinese

Background A body composition monitor (BCM) has a role not only in determining over-hydration (OH) but also as an aid to nutritional assessment. For dialysis patient-specific clinical applications of BCM, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between body composition parameters and OH in healthy Chinese individuals. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 314 healthy individuals with a mean age of 45.7±13.1 years. BCM measurements were performed while the subjects were fasting. Results The mean OH level was 0.379±0.81 L. Lean tissue index (LTI) and Lean tissue mass (LTM) were significantly higher in males (p<0.001), while fat tissue index (FTI) was significantly higher in females (p<0.001). In univariate correlation analysis, FTI, Fat, and ATM had a negative correlation with OH in females and all subjects (p<0.05), while LTM and BCM had a positive correlation in all subjects (p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between phase angle (PhA) and OH in males, females, and all subjects (r=-0.634, p<0.001; r=-0.666, p<0.001; r=-0.484, p<0.001, respectively). In multivariate linear regression analysis, PhA (b=-1.266, p<0.001), LTM (b=0.987, p<0.001), age (b=-0.307, p<0.001) were independent predictors of OH. Conclusions This study demonstrated that age, LTM and especially PhA, had important roles in predicting OH in healthy Chinese individuals. In the future, PhA may aid in clinical assessment by helping to titrate dry weight among hemodialysis patients with malnutrition.