Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil Using Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers

The study involves the use of first-order kinetics model in the remediation of crude oil contaminated arable soil at 2, 4, and 6% crude oil spill respectively, this was biostimulated with inorganic fertilizer (NPK), cow dung (CD), and palm kernel husk ash (PKHA) applied singly and in combinations (cow dung & inorganic fertilizer); (cow dung & palm kernel husk ash) in a 50:50 ratio. The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD), which was conducted in two phases, i.e., the first block comprises of inorganic fertilizer and cow dung, while the second block consist of cow dung and palm kernel husk ash used singly and in combination. The degree of biodegradation was observed for a remediation period of 40 days under laboratory conditions. The results obtained reveal a positive correlation coefficient for the various biostimulants used. Also, student’s t-test conducted reveals a significant p inorganic fertilizer used singly> cow dung used singly> combination (cow dung & palm kernel husk ash)> and finally palm kernel husk ash used singly at 2, 4% crude oil contamination, and inorganic fertilizer preceding before a combination (inorganic fertilizer & cow dung) at 6% crude oil contamination.
Barriers to women’s participation in coffee pest management learning groups in Mt Elgon Region, Uganda

Abstract There is insufficient empirical research on barriers to women’s participation in mixed sex coffee Integrated Pest Management learning groups. Previous studies focused on socio economic factors with less emphasis on gender in a male dominated crop in Elgon Sub region of Uganda. The study used a cross sectional survey research design and a total 126 (71 men and 55 women) coffee IPM group members by census. A participation index was computed as a measure of level of participation in coffee IPM group processes while cross tabulations and correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between level of participation and hypothesized barriers to women’s participation. Qualitative data informed interpretation of the observed correlations. Findings revealed that about 46% of the men compared to 25% women rated high on the group participation index with a significant chi-square difference (p < 0.05). Age, ability to read and write English and lumasaba, organizational goals set, membership criteria, access to credit, marital status, mobility constraints, access to and control over coffee management inputs and benefits were significantly correlated to group participation. The study concluded that research and development approaches that utilize groups should identify and address barriers to women’s participation and benefits from mixed sex group processes for better targeting of interventions.
Interactive comment on “Surface motion of active rock glaciers in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA: inventory and a case study using InSAR” by Lin Liu et al

Despite the abundance of rock glaciers in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA, few efforts have been made to measure their surface flow. Here we use the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technique to compile a benchmark inventory describing the kinematic state of 59 active rock glaciers in this region. In the late summer of 2007, these rock glaciers moved at speeds that range from 14 cmyr−1 to 87 cmyr−1, with a regional mean value of 53 cmyr−1. Our inventory reveals a spatial difference: rock glaciers in the southern Sierra Nevada moved faster than the ones in the central Sierra Nevada. In addition to the regional mapping, we also conduct a case study to measure the surface flow of the Mount Gibbs rock glacier in fine spatial and temporal detail. The InSAR measurements over this target reveal (1) that the spatial pattern of flow is correlated with surface geomorphic features and (2) a significant seasonal variation of flow speed whose peak value was 48 cmyr −1 in the fall of 2007, more than twice the minimum value observed in the spring of 2008. The seasonal variation lagged air temperatures by three months. Our finding on the seasonal variation of surface speed reinforces the importance of a long time series with high temporal sampling rates to detect possible long-term changes of rock glacier kinematics in a warming climate.
Impact of Foreign Investment and Natural Resources Sharing Funds Against Environmental Degradation in Indonesia

This study examines the impact of foreign investment as a reflection of economic globalization and fiscal policy in the form of natural resource revenue sharing in development against environmental degradation, especially water in Indonesia. Using 33 provincial panel data during 2011-2015 with the basic model of EKC’s of cubic forms. The results explain that is a relationship between income and degradation that support the EKC hypothesis, but it not significantly. Foreign investment has a positive and significant impact on increasing degradation, while fiscal policy has a negative and not insignificant impact on reducing environmental degradation. Natural Resources Sharing Funds are not entirely used for environmental costs but are also used to provide basic infrastructure. The government needs to increase supervision of foreign capital, increase revenue sharing for natural resources and focus more on improving the environment.
The biosorption of cadmium and lead ions from aqueous Solution using musa paradisiaca stalk

The biosorption potentiality of Musa paradisiaca stalk at removing cadmium and lead ions from aqueous solution was investigated. The biosorption experiment was carried out as a function of contact time, initial pH, initial metal ion concentration and biosorbent dose. Adsorption equilibria were obtained from batch experiment and described using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Kinetics of adsorption was fitted into the pseudo - first and second - order kinetic equations to quantitatively describe cadmium and lead uptake from aqueous solution. The results showed that the maximum biosorption capacity was 7.73 mg/g and 6.78 mg/g for cadmium and lead ion respectively at 300 K and a pH of 6. At a constant concentration of adsorbate, cadmium ion reached saturation faster than the lead ion. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo second model for the two ions. Keywords: Musa paradisiaca , Biosorption, Cadmium, Lead, Isotherm
Catalysts and Inhibitors of the Trade Collapse

I study the responsiveness of Slovenian trade during the collapse of 2008-2009 in an attempt to shed light on channels that enhanced or dampened the sensitivity of international trade to the demand shock and the tightening of credit supply. The responsiveness of intermediate goods’ trade is found to be associated with the cost-share of inputs in …nal output; in other words, trade of inputs accounting for a larger cost-share faced a more than proportionate drop in the downturn coupled with a more than proportionate rebound in the recovery. I hypothesise that this is the outcome of larger post-shock inventory adjustments which higher cost-share intermediates are subject to, and demonstrate this rationale with a simple (S, s) model of inventory management. The study of the collapse along the intra-…rm versus arm’s length trade dimension does not
Restratification after Deep Convection

Abstract An important, yet poorly understood, aspect of the water mass transformation process in the ocean is the manner in which the convected fluid, once formed, is accommodated and drawn into the general circulation. Following “violent mixing” in the open ocean that creates a deep homogenous body of fluid, restratification of the surface (∼500 m) layer is observed to occur rapidly, sealing over the convection patch. Recent hydrographic casts and tomography inversions in the Gulf of Lions by Send et al., for example, show that very quickly, within a week or so of the cessation of cooling, a stratified near-surface layer develops on top of the mixed patch. This restratification occurs much more rapidly than can be accounted for by air–sea fluxes. By analytical and numerical study the authors argue that advection by geostrophic eddies spawned by the baroclinic instability of the mixed patch is likely to be a principal mechanism by which restratification occurs. A restratification timescale, τrestrat ≈ 56r.
The influence of coyote on Canada lynx populations assessed at two different spatial scales

Previous studies have suggested that the attenuation of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) cyclic dynamics with decreasing latitude may be the consequence of a reduced specialization on the lynx’s primary prey, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). However, intraguild competitive interactions remain largely unexplored in situations where the temporal dynamics of food resources is pronounced, and lynx populations in the south of their distribution may be negatively affected by interspecific competition with other carnivores. In this paper, we used spectral analysis of fur harvest data collected at the state (US) and province (Canada) level to explore the spatial gradient of cyclic dynamics in lynx. Although some patterns were consistent with the ‘diet specialization’ hypothesis, we found that temporal variance of cycling propensity peaked at mid-latitudes, where transient, non-cyclic periods, coexisted with regular 10-year cycles. In these mid-latitude zones, non-cyclic periods did not coincide with loss of snowshoe hare cycling as demonstrated by historical records, and were not more frequent in recent decades as could be expected under a ‘climatic forcing’ scenario. Instead, we show that non-cyclic periods tended to coincide with periods of high coyote (Canis latrans) abundance and periods when coyotes apparently tracked snowshoe hare abundance as suggested by significant 10-year cycles lagging one or two years behind hare peaks. We used landscape-scale (trapline) fur harvest returns from five provinces in Canada to further probe the importance of interspecific competition in Canada lynx population dynamics. Accounting for coyote distribution and abundance did not bring additional explanatory and predictive power to models based solely on environmental and autecological predictors, suggesting that competition with coyote is not a force driving population abundance and cyclicity among lynx. We discuss the possible factors behind the apparent lack of consistency across spatial scales and recommend that further studies examine species interactions at a smaller (local) scale.
Effects of Time of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on the Growth and Productivity of Rice ( Oryza Sativa L) in Fogera Plain, North Western Ethiopia

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important food security crop for about half of the world’s population (Brohi et al., 1998) and ranks third in area after wheat and maize and second both in production and productivity after maize worldwide (FAOSTAT, 2012). The total world rice production has risen steadily from about 200 million tons (1960) to over 678 million tons (2009) (USDA, 2012). In the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, the world paddy productions were estimated at 691.3 and 713.8 million tons, respectively. Globally, 158.9 million hectare of rice was harvested during the 2011/2012 (USDA, 2012). Rice represents 29% of the total output of grain crops worldwide (Xu et. al., 2003). These yields are compared with the world average of about 3.8 tones/ha; it is evident that there is a lot of potential to improve rice yields worldwide. Over 90% of the world’s total rice crop is produced in South and East Asia. In area and production, China is the leading country in the world (EUCORD, 2012).
Development of fad7-1 single mutant Arabidopsis thaliana plants that are resistant to aphids

Aphids are a group of sap-feeding insects that attack most of the world’s crops. The loss of function of fatty acid desaturase7 (FAD7) in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato plant) induces aphid resistance that is dependent upon the accumulation of plant defense hormones such as salicylic acid (SA). Tomato lacks most of the genetic resources found in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). There is an analogous fad7-1 line of Arabidopsis; however, the line has a background mutation, the glabra-1 (gl1), that causes the absence of trichomes (small hairs), which are essential to plant defense. In order to study aphid resistance, a single mutant line of fad7-1 mutants were developed using cross breeding between the fad7-1/gl1 mutant and wild-type plants. Homozygous fad7-1 mutants were then identified using the Kasajima DNA extraction method, followed by the use of single nucleotide polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (SNP-PCR) primers using allele-specific PCR. A phenotypic screening was then performed to screen out the plants with the glabra-1 mutation using the presence or absence of trichomes. Two single Arabidopsis fad7-1 mutant lines were identified, and subsequently verified using a bioassay to be aphid resistant relative to other genotypes as seen in tomato. * Kaleb L. Vaughn graduated from Harding University with a major in molecular and cellular biology. This research was performed while on an INBRE fellowship intern in the Goggin Lab. † Carlos A. Avila is a post-doctoral associate at the University of Arkansas in the Department of Entomology. § Carmen S. Padilla-Marcia is a post-doctoral associate at the University of Arkansas in the Department of Entomology. ‡ Fiona L. Goggin is a faculty mentor and university professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas.
Cord blood nucleated red blood cell count as a predictor of long term sequelae in cases of perinatal asphyxia: a one-year follow-up study

Background: Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) can be easily found in cord blood and its >20/100 WBCs has been distinguished as a marker of perinatal asphyxia at birth. Authors conducted this study to find out if there exists a relation between NRBCs at birth and its effects on long term neurological outcome in patients of perinatal asphyxia.Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics in collaboration with Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, G.S. V.M. Medical College, Kanpur from December 2014 to September 2016.Results: On assessing the long term neurodevelopmental outcome in newborns with HIE at birth, Authors found that cord blood NRBCs had no direct influence on the final neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of life as did HIE staging.Conclusions: Authors propose that cord blood NRBC counts of > 20/100 WBCs is a good predictor of asphyxia at birth but is definitely not an indicator of forth coming developmental delay.
Prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in Goats of Western Chitwan of Nepal

The research was done in cross sectional design to study about the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in goats of Western Chitwan of Nepal. A total of 252 fecal samples were collected through purposive sampling. Fecal samples were examined through sedimentation and floatation method. Egg per gram (EPG) was calculated through Mac Master Counting Technique of positive samples. Total prevalence was found to be 13.89%. Infection of parasite was more prevalent in males (15.18%) than in female (12.86%) but was statistically non-significant (P>0.05). In non-dewormed goats (40.32%), the prevalence was significantly (P 0.05). Maximum goats were found with medium level of infestation through EPG. This study shows higher prevalence of Haemonchus in non-dewormed than in dewormed goats which is statistically significant at (P<0.05). Thus, effective deworming programme and management must be maintained in order to upgrade the health status and maximize the benefits from the animal. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(3): 321-325
PS and SMP dynamics at different heights of a submerged anaerobic embrane bioreactor ( SAMBR )

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) technology for wastewater offers many advantages over conventional technologies such as high effluent quality, less footprint and others. The main disadvantage of membrane bioreactors (MBR) is related to membrane fouling, which is mainly caused by extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP). This research studied EPS and SMP dynamics at different heights of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAMBR). The SAMBR was operated under two organic loading rates (OLR) (0.79 and 1.56 kg/m3 d) and was fed with synthetic wastewater with glucose as the carbon source. The results showed percentages of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal above 95% and the highest COD removal rates were observed at the bottom of the reactor (>83%) for both OLR. The EPS showed a stratification with highest quantities in the supernatant. For the SMP the ouling naerobic digestion highest concentration was in the bottom of SAMBR where utilization predominated associated products whereas in the SAMBR supernatant predominated biomass associated products. The OLR change led to a significant increase in SMP accumulation but not in EPS. These facts showed that EPS and SMP dynamic in the SAMBR seemed to be mainly influenced by biological activity, total suspended solids concentration and substrate composition.
The impact of post-IPO changes in corporate governance mechanisms on firm performance: evidence from young Australian firms

This paper examines the potential impact of governance mechanisms (top management team structure and board composition) on post-IPO performance of young Australian firms from 2002-2007. We find that change in board of directors and TMT membership significantly affects firm performance. The higher proportion of the IPO original board remains, the better performance. An analogous relationship between the proportion of original TMT members and firm performance is also documented. Our study reveals that both original TMT and board members have a significant effect on both short-term and long-term IPO performance. We conclude that the retention of both the original directors and TMT members is favourable to young IPO firms and their post-IPO performance.
Spectral and scattering theory for Schrdinger operators with Cartesian anisotropy

We study the spectral and scattering theory of some n-dimensional anisotropic Schrodinger operators. The characteristic of the potentials is that they admit limits at infinity separately for each variable. We give a detailed analysis of the spectrum: the essential spectrum, the thresholds, a Mourre estimate, a limiting absorption principle and the absence of singularly continuous spectrum. Then the asymptotic completeness is proved and a precise description of the asymptotic states is obtained in terms of a suitable family of asymptotic operators.
Use of radio as a tool for promoting integrated pest management among farmers in Shika, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study took a look at the place of radio in the improvement of farming practices among the farmers in Shika community in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The focus of the study was the use of radio for sensitizing farmers on integrated pest management. The objectives of the study were; examining the importance of radio as a source of agricultural information to farmers in Shika, ascertaining the level of farmers’ awareness of chemical pest control and determining how Radio can be used as a communication channel for promoting chemical pest control among farmers in Shika. Survey research method was used for the study, while copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 60 respondents purposively selected and descriptive data analysis technique was used to present and analyze the data. The findings included the fact that people of Shika do not have requisite agricultural information needed for pest control hence, there is high rate of pest attacks on their farms, the radio stations in the area rarely broadcast issues related to pest control, while there is low extension attention to the community. Improved access to agricultural information on Radio, through the Hausa language could lead to pest control needed for improved agricultural productivity in Shika community.
Picophytoplankton : Bottom-up and top-down controls on ecology and evolution

CHLOROPHYTA CYANOBACTERIA EUKARYA GRAZING PARASITISM RESOURCE ACQUISITION SEDIMENTATION VIRUSES ABSTRACT. - Picophytoplankton organisms were derived from larger ancestors in both cyanobacteria and (polyphyletically) in eukarya. There are a number of puta- tive advantages in the acquisition of photosynthetically active radiation and nutrient solutes from resource-limited habitats, and probably of maximum specific growth rate, for very small cells relative to the situation for larger phytoplankton cells. However, there are also putative disadvantages for such small cells with respect to bottom-up factors (i.e. those limiting biomass production), including an increased potential for solute leakage and an increased metabolic cost of screening out damaging UV-B. Among top-down factors (i.e. those removing biomass), picophytoplankton may be at an advantage relative to larger phytoplankton cells in avoiding damage from eukaryotic parasites, and losses from sedimentation. How- ever, viruses and (small) grazers can attack picophytoplankton, just as viruses and (larger) grazers can attack larger phytoplankton. Picophytoplankton may be at a disadvantage relative to larger phytoplankton in environments with temporally vari- able resource supply. CHLOROPHYTES CYANOBACTERIES EUCARYOTES BROUTAGE PARASITISME
Molecular evaluation of Ethiopian sweet sorghum germplasm and their contribution to regional breeding programs

Sweet sorghum is an excellent feedstock for ethanol production and is also used for food and livestock feed. Germplasm collection and characterization in sweet sorghum is a crucial step towards breeding and development of superior genotypes for various end-uses. In the present study, 13 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers were used for genotyping 175 Ethiopian sweet sorghum genotypes alongside 27 improved accessions from eastern and southern Africa. All the tested markers detected 159 alleles and a high degree of polymorphism information content (PIC) averaging 0.69. A comparison between Ethiopian and improved accessions revealed higher allele numbers (124) in Ethiopian than improved accessions (92 alleles). More than half (65 out of 124) of the alleles observed in the Ethiopian accessions were rare (<5%) and 64 were private (only present within Ethiopian accessions) while in the improved accessions, 41% and 38% of the alleles detected were rare and private respectively. Both weighted Neighbor Joining-based clustering and hierarchical clustering grouped the 202 accessions into three major clusters based on geographical origin. Ethiopian accessions from the north (north Wello and south Tigray) not only clustered separately from accessions from the west central and eastern Ethiopia, but were also distinct from most of the improved genotypes. Our results reveal an unexploited highly diverse sweet sorghum genetic resource from Ethiopia that can be included in the regional breeding programs in order to efficiently optimize productivity.