Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Differentiation of Total Nitrogen Content and the Activity of n-transforming Enzymes in a Soil

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the spatial differentiation of total N (NTOT) content and urease (UR), nitrate reductase (NR) and arginine deaminase (ADA) activities in the surface horizon of Luvisol and Phaeozem of the Pomerania and Cuiavia region. 50 soil samples from both study areas were collected in April 2007 in a square sampling grid (90 × 40 m). The results were evaluated with the use of geostatistical methods. Spatial variability of the investigated parameters was evaluated by using empirical semivariograms with adjusted theoretical mathematical model of variograms. Raster maps of the studied properties were drawn. The concentration of chemical properties (TN, TOC, pHKCl) and the activity of UR and ADA was significantly higher in Phaeozem compared to Luvisol. Only the nitrate reductase activity was similar in samples of both types of soils. To characterise the spatial variability of the properties studied, spherical or mixed (spherical/linear) models with or without the nugget effect (only NR activity in Luvisol), were fitted to the calculated semivariograms. Total N content, NR activity in Phaeozem and ADA activity in Luvisol were in the strong variability class (the nugget effect < 25 %), while UR activity in both soil types and ADA activity in Phaeozem were situated in the moderate variability class (the nugget effect between 25 and 75 %). The ranges of influence calculated for properties studied ranged from 9.0 to 17 m. The raster maps showed that the distribution of each variable had a different pattern on the area studied. A specific variable was distributed in both topsoils in a different way.
Milk Reverts the Effects of an Enamel Erosive but Healthy Diet

Objective: To determine the erosive effects of popular fruits and vegetables on enamel, and the potential counter effects of milks. Material and Methods: Ten popular fruits and vegetables were individually blended in a juicer to form a fruit or vegetable juice. The labial surfaces (three for each treatment group) were then immersed for thirty minutes in a fresh juice of one of ten products: strawberry, spinach, pineapple, grapefruit, green pepper, pickle, orange, apple, tomato, and carrot. In a second experiment, human enamel was treated with Coca-Cola for 30 minutes, followed by a variety of milks: Skim, 2%, Whole, Chocolate, Lactaid, Almond, and Silk Soy. Three teeth were used for each treatments and enamel microhardness of each sample was measured at baseline, after erosive exposure, and after the 30-minute variable treatment. Results: All fruits and vegetables showed differences between the pre- and post-treatment microhardness values. For the second experiment, tested milks result in significant increases (p<0.05) in enamel microhardness. Paired-t test was used for all comparisons. A thirty-minute exposure to the juices of all fruits and vegetables examined in the study significantly changed the microhardness of enamel, with grapefruit and pickle having potentially the most erosive effect on enamel. Diets that are high in fruits and vegetables can predispose to enamel erosion. For the second experiment, filtered water, ACT fluoride rinse, and varying milks all result in remineralization of enamel. Conclusion: Eroded enamel exposed to milk demonstrated a significant greater gain of enamel microhardness as compared to filtered water.
Comparative Assessment of Limnochemistry of Dal Lake in Kashmir

A comparative assessment of different water quality parameters of Dal Lake, Kashmir was carried out during 2005 and 2015 in order to assess the changes that have occurred over time. The data was collected from five stations of the Lake during both the years. The results obtained indicate that the water quality of Dal Lake has significantly deteriorated. The different water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, chloride, NH4 -N, NO3 -N and total phosphorus showed marked variation from 2005 to 2015 with One Sample t-test showing significant differences (p=0.000) over this period. The NSFWQI ranges from 25-50 for both the years indicating the high pollution level and bad water quality of the Lake. The results of the present comparative investigation reflected increasing nutrient load in the Dal Lake which needs to be monitored for the conservation of Lake ecology.
EU Bank Capital Structure and Capital Requirements What is the importance of CRD IV in determining bank leverage

LUND UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ECONOMICS EU Bank Capital Structure and Capital Requirements What is the importance of CRD IV in determining bank leverage? Supervisor: Hossein Asgharian Author: Carin Rehncrona Spring 2011 This paper studies the determinants of bank capital structure and discusses how traditional theories of capital structure apply to banks in the light of financial regulation. The purpose is to find out the impact, to EU in particular, of the new regulatory framework that has been pushed through because of the financial crisis post 2007. This is done by a review of capital structure theories and the main amendments to capital requirements globally and with a focus on the EU. Subsequently, an empirical study of the determinants of bank capital structure is performed with panel-data from 51 large European banks 1994-2010 with book leverage as dependent variable. The study finds inconsistency between empirics and theory, suggesting that there is inadequate theoretical ground for bank capital structure. The paper also finds that there are arguments in favour of a non-risk based capital ratio as a regulatory instrument.
Effects of copper stress on antioxidative enzymes, chlorophyll and protein content in Atriplex halimus

Our study showed the effect of Cu on Atriplex halimus grown in hydroponics conditions. The aim of this work was to investigate some enzymatic systems response of this plant to copper stress. Analysis was carried on enzymatic profiles, protein tenor and chlorophyll content of A. halimus leaves. Two months after sowing, plants were subjected to different concentrations of CuSO 4 (50, 500, 1000 and 2000 μM) and samples were analyse after 6, 24 and 48 h. Results demonstrate that chlorophyll content declined progressively with increasing concentrations of copper. In contrast, protein content decreased after 6 h to 38% at 2000 μM CuSO 4 , and then increased after 48 h to 155% at 500 μM CuSO 4 . Non-denaturing polyacrlamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed three catalase (CAT) isoformes, three superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoformes and five peroxidase (POX) isoformes. One new SOD isoforme and two new CAT isoformes were found as response to high concentration of Cu. The bands density of these enzymes increased with increase of Cu-dose. These results indicate that stress of Cu induced changes in A. halimus metabolism with stimulation of new gene expressions involved in the mechanism of abiotic plant defence. Key words : Atriplex halimus, copper (Cu), oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), isoenzyme.
Reliability of FAMACHA© chart for the evaluation of anaemia in goats in and around Maiduguri

The reliability of FAMACHA © chart for identifying anaemic goats was compared with Packed Cell Volume (PCV). The colour of the lower eyelids was graded with FAMACHA © chart based on FAMACHA © scores (FS) of 1-5. The animals were scored from severely anaemic (white or FS 5) through moderately anaemic (pink or FS 3) to non-anaemic (red or FS 1). The prevalence of anaemia in the animals was also determined. This study was done to control death of animals from anaemia by the use of FAMACHA © chart, a method which does not need laboratory analysis and can be used by the illiterate with minimal training. A total of 415 goats were used for the study. Blood samples were collected for determination of PCV. Data for both FS and PCV were evaluated using two separate cut off points for each sample (values of FS 4 and 5 or FS 5 and PCV values of ≤ 19% or ≤ 15 %), to determine anaemic animals. The FAMACHA © Score of the evaluated goats was normally distributed, with FS 3 occurring most frequently (34.5%), whilst, the least was FS 1 (5.3%). There was a high negative correlation between FS and PCV (r = -0.69, P < 0.02). The sensitivity of FS was high (64%) when FS 5 and PCV ≤ 19%, were used to determine anaemia, but when FS 4&5 and PCV ≤ 15% were used, the sensitivity decreased to 22%. Thus, it was concluded that FAMACHA © scores of 5 gave the most reliable indicator of anaemia in goats, coinciding with the PCV values of ≤ 19%. A high Likelihood Ratio of 22 was recorded in this study. Indicating that FS will be positive for anaemia 22 times in anaemic animals than in non anaemic animals. Keywords: Anaemia, FAMACHA © chart, Goat, Reliability, Sensitivity
The Twannberg (Switzerland) IIG iron meteorites: Mineralogy, chemistry, and CRE ages

Abstract— The original mass (15915 g) of the Twannberg IIG (low Ni‐, high P) iron was found in 1984. Five additional masses (12 to 2488 g) were recovered between 2000 and 2007 in the area. The different masses show identical mineralogy consisting of kamacite single crystals with inclusions of three types of schreibersite crystals: cm‐sized skeletal (10.5% Ni), lamellar (17.2% Ni), and 1–3 × 10 μm‐sized microprismatic (23.9% Ni). Masses I and II were compared in detail and have virtually identical microstructure, hardness, chemical composition, cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) ages, and 10Be and 26Al activities. Bulk concentrations of 5.2% Ni and 2.0% P were calculated. The preatmospheric mass is estimated to have been at least 11,000 kg. The average CRE age for the different Twannberg samples is 230 ± 50 Ma. Detrital terrestrial mineral grains in the oxide rinds of the three larger masses indicate that they oxidized while they were incorporated in a glacial till deposited by the Rhône glacier during the last glaciation (Würm). The find location of mass I is located at the limit of glaciation where the meteorite may have deposited after transport by the glacier over considerable distance. All evidence indicates pairing of the six masses, which may be part of a larger shower as is indicated by the large inferred pre‐atmospheric mass.
Customer Perceived Value towards Convenience Stores in Malaysia: The Influence on Customer Satisfaction, Loyalty and Retention

Numerous researchers have centred their attention on Customer Perceived Value towards brands but only a few have focussed on CPV towards convenience stores. The main purpose of the research is to measure the CPV dimensions and identify which dimension infl uences customer satisfaction and as a result leads to customer loyalty and retention for convenience stores in Malaysia. Independent variables such as functional, conditional, social, emotional and economic values were taken into account; the number of 200 customers were sampled, using a blend of explanatory and descriptive research design and a quantitative research method. The reliability was measured ranging from (? =.560-.966) using Cronbach’s alpha. The application of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis was intended to explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables of the research, whereas the inferential statistics and linear regression were used to test the hypotheses; with a signifi cance level p ? 0/05 whereby the fi ndings of the research showed that economic value has a high infl uence on customer satisfaction as well as loyalty and retention. However, based on the fi ndings customers are highly infl uenced by the economic value they get from a convenience store. Among the realistic contributions are positioning value pricing, formulating a strategy that encourages convenience value, connects to customers’ emotions during shopping and also creates a diverse approach that sets a convenience store apart from another. However, there is a need for future studies to extend the model of this research by adding other perceptions such as demographic features of the consumers.
A Role for the NMDA receptor in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of the Fmr1 transgenic mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome

Supervisory Committee Dr. Brian R. Christie (Department of Biology) Supervisor Dr. Raad Nashmi (Department of Biology) Departmental Member Dr. Robert L. Chow (Department of Biology) Departmental Member Fragile-X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual impairment. Caused by the transcriptional repression of the Fmr1 gene on the X chromosome, FXS results in the loss of the Fragile-X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). Human female patients with FXS are heterozygous for the Fmr1 mutation whereas males are hemizygous. FXS has been studied far less in females than in males due to a generally less severe clinical phenotype. Previous research has implicated the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) in synaptic plasticity alterations in the cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) region of the juvenile male Fmr1 knock-out (KO) hippocampus. In contrast, our investigations into the young adult dentate gyrus (DG) subfield of the hippocampus have revealed N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-associated impairments in synaptic plasticity. The current study sought to extend these investigations to the young adult female Fmr1 heterozygous (Het) and Fmr1 KO mouse as well as investigate NMDARand mGluR-mediated long-term depression (LTD) in the DG and CA1 of the young adult male Fmr1 KO mouse. Input-output curves and paired pulse measures of short-term plasticity were also evaluated in all genotypes. Field electrophysiology revealed a significant impairment in long-term potentiation (LTP) and LTD in male Fmr1 KO and female Fmr1 Het mice that was associated with NMDAR alteration. A more robust synaptic protocol was not able to rescue LTP in the male Fmr1 KO DG. Paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation and (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG)-induced mGluR-LTD was intact in all genotypes and brain regions examined. Although further investigation will be required to expand our understanding of FXS and to fully elucidate the mechanisms behind intact synaptic plasticity in the female Fmr1 KO mouse, our results suggest that NMDARs may be poised as important contributors to hippocampal pathophysiology in FXS.
The Effects of Corporate Governance Practices on the Choice between Efficient and Opportunistic Earnings Management

This study aims to explore the preferences of the publicly listed companies on the S&P 500 index regarding their earnings management (efficient or opportunistic) as well as the impact of the corporate governance practices (audit committee, board independence and audit quality) on their decision. Using two separate regression models, it was found that American firms listed on the S&P 500 index tend to conduct efficient earnings management, which is in line with the findings of prior research. Moreover, it emerged that the earnings management selection does not depend on the amount (high vs small) of audit fees paid by the companies. Additionally, the governance practice of employing more outside directors in the audit committees leads to more efficient earnings management. Finally, according to the study results, the impact of discretionary accruals on future profitability is not significantly related to the proportion of independent members on the board of directors.
The Impact of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol Model on Student Teachers’ Teaching Skills and Self-efficacy

The main purpose of this study was to determine the impact of sheltered instruction observation protocol on student teachers’ teaching skills and self-efficacy. Questions formulated to achieve the purpose of the study focused on. (1) Determining the teaching skills necessary for the EFL student teachers. (2) Finding out differences in both EFL student teachers’ teaching performance observation checklist experimental and control group. (3) Finding out differences in both EFL student teachers’ self-efficacy scale of experimental and control group. Twenty two EFL student teachers constituted the sample for this study and two instruments-designed by the researchers- were used for data collection. Results indicated that students of experimental group outperformed their counterparts of control group in EFL teaching performance. The effect of sheltered instruction observation protocol model on student teachers teaching skills and self-efficacy was profound and significant. Sheltered instruction observation protocol model was very motivating for student teachers and gave them opportunities to make decisions and be creative.
Heavy Metals and Autism

Autism is rapidly growing worldwide with massive impact on families, country and economy. Genetic and environmental causes are thought to be the main groups of aetiology of autism. Genetic mutations in multiple genes are identified, but they affect only less than 1/3 of cases. Environmental causes, specially trace elements deficiency and excess, leading to development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through several mechanisms is discussed in this editorial, with a mini literature survey. However, satisfactory evidence for clear mechanism or aetiology of autism is still lacking. Thus delays the development of an effective treatment strategy for ASD.
How development leads to democracy

In the last several years, a democratic boom has given way to a democratic recession. Between 1985 and 1995, scores of countries made the transition to democracy, bringing widespread euphoria about democracy's future. But more recently, democracy has retreated in Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand, and Venezuela, and the Bush administration's attempts to establish democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq seem to have left both countries in chaos. These developments, along with the growing power of China and Russia, have led many observers to argue that democracy has reached its high-water mark and is no longer on the rise
Hall-effect characterization of the metamagnetic transition in FeRh

The antiferromagnetic ground state and the metamagnetic transition to the ferromagnetic state of CsCl-ordered FeRh epilayers have been characterized using Hall and magnetoresistance measurements. On cooling into the ground state, the metamagnetic transition is found to coincide with a suppression in carrier density of at least an order of magnitude below the typical metallic level that is shown by the ferromagnetic state. The carrier density in the antiferromagnetic state is limited by intrinsic doping from Fe/Rh substitution defects, with approximately two electrons per pair of atoms swapped, showing that the decrease in carrier density could be even larger in more perfect specimens. The surprisingly large change in carrier density is a clear quantitative indication of the extent of change at the Fermi surface at the metamagnetic transition, confirming that entropy release at the transition is of electronic origin, and hence that an electronic transition underlies the metamagnetic transition. Regarding the nature of this electronic transition, it is suggested that an orbital selective Mott transition, selective to strongly-correlated Fe 3d electrons, could cause the reduction in the Fermi surface and change in sign of the magnetic exchange from FM to AF on cooling.
Stock market returns and macroeconomic variables in nigeria: testing for dynamic linkages with a structural break

The paper analysed the dynamic interactions between two macroeconomic variables and stock market returns in Nigeria from 1970-2013, using F-Bound Cointegration and Todayamamoto Causality tests that are robust to structural breaks. The result of Zivot Andrew unit root test indicated that all the variables were non stationary at level but stationary at first difference. The result of ARDL F-Bound Test to cointegration also indicated that cointegration exist among the variables. In the sense of Causality Test, there is a strong evidence of uni-directional causality from per capita income to stock market returns and from inflation to stock market returns.It is also indicated that gross domestic per capita income and inflation jointly caused the stock market returns. In the context of policy implications, this study suggests that government should formulate appropriate policy to encourage investment in financial markets which in resulting stimulate economic growth.
BUMBLEBEE (BOMBUS LATREILLE, 1802) DISTRIBUTION IN HIGH MOUNTAINS AND GLOBAL WARMING

(*) Di.Va. P.R. A. Entomologia e Zoologia applicate all’Ambiente «Carlo Vidano», Università degli Studi, via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino). (**) CRA Istituto Sperimentale per la Frutticoltura, via di Fioranello 52, 00134 Roma. (***) CRA Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria, Sezione di Apicoltura, via Leonida Rech 36, 00156 Roma. (****) Dipartimento di Biologia applicata alla Difesa delle Piante, Università degli Studi, via delle Scienze 208, 33100 Udine.
The determination of nitrogen status in microalgae

Present methods used for the determination of N-status in microalgae typically involve testing for the existence of gross metabolic changes which develop in response to N-stress. Such approaches have 2 problems. First, the experimental tech~uques may be inappropriate for the species present and may perturb the organisms, possibly creating artifacts. Second, these gross changes, such as changes in rates of CO2-fixation and N-source uptake, may be affected by factors other than N-stress. There is a need to develop methods to detect metabolic changes which themselves trigger the genetic response to N-stress rather than to detect the products of that response. Such changes are likely to be in relative proportions of key metabolites of C and N metabolism, as In bacteria. It is suggested that only in the presence of excess NH: are the processes of cellular response to N-stress fully suppressed. As a consequence, microalgae throughout the oceans may show some symptoms of N-stress. The level of derepression of the N-stress responses which corresponds to growth-limitation, and hence is of ecological significance, needs to b e determined.