Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A kinetic analysis of leaf uptake of COS and its relation to transpiration, photosynthesis and carbon isotope fractionation

Abstract. Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is an atmospheric trace gas that holds great promise for studies of terrestrial carbon and water exchange. In leaves, COS follows the same pathway as CO2 during photosynthesis. Both gases are taken up in enzyme reactions, making COS and CO2 uptake closely coupled at the leaf scale. The biological background of leaf COS uptake is a hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Based on this, we derive and test a simple kinetic model of leaf COS uptake, and relate COS to CO2 and water fluxes at the leaf scale. The equation was found to predict realistic leaf COS fluxes compared to observations from field and laboratory chambers. We confirm that COS uptake at the leaf level is directly linked to stomatal conductance. As a consequence, the ratio of normalized uptake rates (uptake rates divided by ambient mole fraction) for leaf COS and CO2 fluxes can provide an estimate of Ci/Ca, the ratio of intercellular to atmospheric CO2, an important plant gas exchange parameter that cannot be measured directly. The majority of published normalized COS to CO2 uptake ratios for leaf studies on a variety of species fall in the range of 1.5 to 4, corresponding to Ci/Ca ratios of 0.5 to 0.8. In addition, we utilize the coupling of Ci/Ca and photosynthetic 13C discrimination to derive an estimate of 2.8±0.3 for the global mean normalized uptake ratio. This corresponds to a global vegetation sink of COS in the order of 900±100 Gg S yr−1. COS can now be implemented in the same model framework as CO2 and water vapour. Atmospheric COS measurements can then provide independent constraints on CO2 and water cycles at ecosystem, regional and global scales.
Efficiency of microenterprises in the Nigerian economy

This study investigates the efficiency of microenterprises in the Nigerian economy, using cross sectional data collected on 180 microenterprises selected from block-making, metalfabricating and sawmilling occupational groups. Quantitative estimates obtained from the stochastic frontier production function indicate a wide variation in technical and allocative efficiencies within and across occupational groups and across operational scales. The wide variation in the level of efficiency is an indication that there is ample opportunity for these enterprises to raise their level of efficiency. The level of education of enterprise owners was found to be highly significant in affecting the level of efficiency of the microenterprises. This implies that education is an important policy variable, and could be used by policy makers to improve both technical and allocative efficiency in the sampled enterprises. Hence, education policy that would encourage operators of microenterprises in the country to undergo literacy and training programmes would lead to substantial increase in efficiency of production and hence in the volume of output at the current level of technology. Finally, rising age of enterprise owners was found to lead to decline in the mean efficiency. Therefore, government policy should focus on ways to attract and encourage young entrepreneurs who are agile and able to put in more efforts at raising the level of efficiency.
Nutrient-limited growth of the coral reef macroalga Sargassum baccularia and experimental growth enhancement by nutrient addition in continuous flow culture

The observed high biomass of Sargassum species and other fleshy macroalgae on nearshore coral reefs in the Great Barner Reef (Australia) raises the concern that this may be a sign of a phase shift from hard coral to dominance by algae, thus indicating the degradation of these reefs. Nearshore reefs are, due to their geographical position, exposed to inputs of nutnents and particles from mainland run-off. This study estimated the limiting and optimum nutrient concentrations for the growth of Sargassum baccularia under continuous supply of ammonium and phosphate. To assess the nutrient situation in the field, critical and subsistence levels of tlssue nutrients as determined in cultures were compared with field tissue nutrient levels, and a 'mlnl budget' was estimated that compares nutnent requirements with nutrient supply. The growth rates of S, baccularia almost doubled within the narrow window of substrate concentrations from 3 pM ammonium plus 0.3 pM phosphate to 5 pM ammonium plus 0.5 pM phosphate. Lower and, unexpectedly, higher nutrient concentrations resulted in reduced growth rates. Field thalli of S. baccularia were always sufficiently supplied with N and P to show positive growth rates. However, field growth was both Nand P-limited, particularly in austral summer, when fast growth of S. baccularia occurs. Thls was indicated by tissue N and P concentrations that fell below the respective critical nutrient values, and estimated nutrient demands that exceeded the nutrients available from the water column. We suggest that if land-derived nutrient inputs increased. S. baccularia would become nutrient-sufficient, especially during the summer wet season. This may increase the competitive potential of this species to colonise larger areas on the nearshore reefs. K E Y WORDS: Sargassum . Nutrient-l~mlted . Growth . Tlssue nutrients . Coral reefs
Cost allocation in cooperative transport: The joint network vehicle routing game

Cooperative transport provides the opportunity for logistic service providers to reduce costs while also receiving additional benefits such as a reduced carbon footprint. To this end, potentially competing companies are asked to join forces. This thesis strives to give an insight into the benefits of cooperative transportation by providing a mathematical foundation for cooperative transportation and visualising its results. In this manner, the potential benefits to each collaborator become more clear. In this thesis a new cooperative game is introduced. The joint network vehicle routing game is a generalisation of the vehicle routing game. In this generalisation each player is allowed to have multiple locations. As the new game is a generalisation of the vehicle routing game, one can show that the core of the joint network vehicle routing game can be empty. Besides this, it is shown that the joint network vehicle routing game is monotonic, sub-additive and under some simplistic assumptions even essential. The joint network vehicle routing game has been solved using a multitude of randomly generated instances, each with different characteristics. The amount of players, locations and locations per player have been varied along with the spacial structure of the instances. Then, each of the instances has been solved using a variety of solution algorithms. These solution algorithms are based upon relaxed as well as exact constraint and column generating techniques. Overall, the algorithms utilising constraint generation outperformed the algorithms that did not utilise constraint generation. Furthermore, it is shown that an average cost reduction from 17% up to 55% can be obtained for each of the involved players. The average savings are shown to depend heavily on the structure of the instances. Most savings are achieved if the locations of each player are not clustered but randomly located throughout the considered space.
Learning with Multimedia: Effects of Different Modes of Instruction and Animation on Student Understanding

In a series of experimental studies, this paper reports on the understanding achieved by learners when studying a complex domain in computer science, that is, the subject of memory management concepts in operating systems. Seven different multimedia instructions were used in this study to explain the subject of memory management concepts – (G1) Static and text (Control), (G2) 2-D Animation and Text, (G3) 2-D Animation and Voice, (G4) 2-D Animation and Voice and Text, (G5) 3-D Animation and text (G6) 3-D Animation and Voice, (G7) 3-D Animation and Voice and Text. The purpose of these experiments is to understand how students learn and which combination of instructions help student learn better. A total of a hundred and twenty students who had no prior knowledge on the subject were given a test on recall and transfer knowledge after viewing the treatments. An independent sample t-test, paired t-test and two-way ANOVA test was run to get the results. This paper reports the results of the experiment which may provide useful guidance for instructional designers specifically in the area of computer science.
HELL-BASED A DSORBENT USING H 2 SO 4 T REATMENT FOR R EMOVAL OF A TRAZINE FROM A QUEOUS S OLUTIONS

Activated carbon is a prominent material for adsorption of atrazine, however its usage is restricted due to the high cost. Thus, alternative adsorbent derived from agricultural waste has been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of oil palm shell-based adsorbent to remove atrazine from aqueous solutions. Oil palm shell-based adsorbent was prepared using H2SO4 treatment. The adsorbent was characterized for the surface morphology and surface chemistry via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. SEM micrographs confirmed that the H2SO4 treatment developed porosity on the surface of the adsorbent. The FTIR spectrum obtained for the adsorbent before and after the treatment was almost similar. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the effects of initial atrazine concentration (5 30 mg/L), contact time, adsorbent dosage (0.2 – 2.0 g) and solution pH (pH 2 12) on the adsorption uptake of the adsorbent for atrazine. The adsorption uptake of atrazine increased with increasing initial concentration. The percentage of removal of atrazine increased with increasing adsorbent dosage, but it decreased as the solution pH increased. The equilibrium data were well described by the Freundlich isotherm model. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption of atrazine on the adsorbent followed the pseudosecond-order kinetic model. Based on the experimental results, it was evident that the oil palm shell-based adsorbent derived in this work might be employed as a low cost adsorbent for removal of atrazine from aqueous solutions.
Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Nigeria

In most developing countries, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) serves as a means of earning foreign reserves via investments, businesses and foreign aids from advanced countries. FDI is considered a valuable source of finance and capital formation, Technology-Transfer and know-how, as well as a viable medium for trade among countries. The Spillover effect also allows for the transfer of innovations and invention to the receiving countries, one of which Nigeria belongs. According to the requirement for accelerated growth in association with the Sustainable Development Goals is not completely clear, however, for economies to experience sustainable and inclusive development, cross-border trade is paramount. Presently, Nigeria is the first host economy of FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the third in the continent. Recently, Nigeria has witnessed several trade policies which aim at diversifying the economy away from oil revenue. These policies are focused on improving the industrial sector, and of course, results in austerity. In 2018, the total FDI inflow to the country was around USD 1.9 billion, while in 2017, FDI inflow was around USD 3.5 billion, showing a decrease due to the consequence of the austerity measures imposed in 2018. At the third quarter of 2019, the FDI was only 3.37% (USD 200.08 million) of the total capital inflow for the period. Traditionally, FDI is designed to improve the recipient economies thereby enhancing economic growth and development, it is in this view that many developing countries attract foreign investors with the hope of strengthening their economy by increasing the foreign investment portfolio. However, most empirical analysis of the impact of FDI on economic growth advises otherwise, hence, a controversy. According to the existing literature, some empirical results found a negative relationship between FDI and economic growth, while others opined that as FDI increases, it results in a boost of output productivity, hence a positive relationship between the variables. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature by investigating the effects of FDI both on the owner, and the host country, using Nigeria as a case study.
Water Quality Assessment of the Semenyih River, Selangor, Malaysia

This study was carried out to determine the Semenyih River water quality based on the physicochemical and biological parameters. The sampling was conducted in dry and rainy seasons during 2012. Water samples were collected from 8 stations along the river and analyzed using standard methods. The results showed that temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, SO4, and TH were classified as class I, while DO, turbidity, and BOD were categorized under class II, and NH3-N, TSS, COD, and OG were categorized as class III based on NWQS, Malaysia. Moreover, NO3 was classified under class IV, while PO4 and FC were categorized as class V and exceeded the allowable threshold levels. Therefore, the river was slightly polluted with NH3-N, TSS, COD, and NO3, whereas it is extremely contaminated with PO4 and FC. Furthermore, cluster analysis classified 8 sampling stations into three clusters based on similarities of water quality features. Furthermore, factor analysis of the water quality datasets generated three factors with total variance of 94.05% and pointed out that water quality deterioration in the river was associated with industrial and agricultural activities, livestock farming, and erosion. Therefore, the river water can be used for irrigation with precaution but extensive treatment needed before using for domestic purposes.
Convective Air Drying Characteristics for Thin Layer Carrots

Introduction : Carrot is one of the most commonly used vegetables for human nutrition due to high vitamin and fibre content. Drying is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, and it represents a very important aspect of food processing. Sun drying is the most common method used to preserve agricultural products in most tropical countries; this technique is extremely weather dependent, and has the problems of contamination with dust, soil, sand particles and insects. Also, the required drying time can be quite long. Therefore, using solar and hot-air dryers, which are far more rapid, providing uniformity and hygiene are inevitable for industrial food drying processes. Aim : This paper presents a kinetic study of convective drying without pre-treatment of carrot. The effects of the temperature of the drying agent, the speed of the drying agent and the thickness of the kinetics of drying the sample of carrots were investigated. Materials and methods : The experiments were carried out with the aid of an installation for drying food products, that is capable of ensuring the temperature of the drying agent (air) in the range of +25 . +125 Â°C. The drying process was conducted at temperature of 45 Â°C in first hour of process, 2 hours at 55 Â°C, and 3 hours at 60 Â°C. The air velocity was setupÂ at 1.0 - 2.5 m/s. Carrots were divided into segments of a thickness of 0.4 cm. Two mathematical models available in the literature were fitted to the experimental data. Results : The drying rate increases with temperature and decreases with the sample diameter. The Page model is given better prediction than the Henderson and Pabis model and satisfactorily described drying characteristics of carrot slices. Conclusions : The most important characteristics of carrot required for simulation and optimization of the drying were studied. The values of calculated effective diffusivity for drying at 45, 55 and 60 o C of air temperature and 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 m/s of air flow velocity. The effective diffusivity increases as air-flow rate and temperature increases. Pageâ€™s empirical model showed a good fit curves than the Henderson and Pabis model.
An Evaluation of the Kernel Equating Method: A Special Study with Pseudotests Constructed from Real Test Data. Research Report. ETS RR-06-02.

This study examines how closely the kernel equating (KE) method (von Davier, Holland, & Thayer, 2004a) approximates the results of other observed-score equating methods—equipercentile and linear equatings. The study used pseudotests constructed of item responses from a real test to simulate three equating designs: an equivalent groups (EG) design and two non-equivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) designs, one with an internal anchor and another with an external anchor. To compare results, the study sets the equating function in the EG design as the equating criterion. In these examples, the KE results were very close to the results from the other equating methods. Moreover, in almost all situations investigated, the KE results were closer to the equating criterion.
Ownership Structure and Audit Pricing: Conventional Versus Islamic Banks in Jordan

This paper empirically looks at the effect of ownership structure on audit fees in developing economies using all the national twelve banks in Jordan as a case ; the study uses published annual data ranging from 2008 to 2015. Those banks include (10) conventional and the (2) Islamic banks. The Jordan banking sector is dominated by a high institutional ownership concentration; this is followed by family and government ownership. We find a significantly positive (insignificantly negative) effect of both family and institutional (Government) ownership on audit fees regarding of conventional banks; which means, it is possible that owners ask the auditors to provide high quality service which in turn results on high audit fees. We further document that our results show insignificantly negative effect of controlled family and institutional ownership of Islamic banks on audit fees. Finally, we do not, however, find evidence of any effect of government ownership for both banking systems on audit fees. This shows that in Jordan, conventional banks truly pay higher audit fees when these are controlled by family or institutional shareholders and pay lower fees if dominated by government ownership, these results explain the mixed effects of the nature of family and institutional ownership on audit fees. Based on these results; we suggest that ownership variable constitutes a key determinant of audit fees.
Distribution of polyploid plants in the common annual Brachypodium distachyon (s.l.) in Israel is not linearly correlated with aridity

ABSTRACTThe ecological benefits of polyploidy are intensely debated. Some authors argue that plants with duplicated chromosome sets (polyploids) are more stress-resistant and superior colonizers and may thus outnumber their low ploidy conspecifics in more extreme habitats. Brachypodium distachyon (sensu lato), for example, a common annual grass in Israel and the entire Mediterranean basin, comprises three cytotypes of differing chromosome numbers that were recently proposed as distinct species. It was suggested that increased aridity increases the occurrence of its polyploid cytotype.Here, we tested at two spatial scales whether polyploid plants of B. distachyon s.l. are more frequently found in drier habitats in Israel. We collected a total of 430 specimens (i) along a large-scale climatic gradient with 15 thoroughly selected sites (spanning 114–954 mm annual rainfall), and (ii) from corresponding Northern (more mesic) and Southern (more arid) hill slopes to assess the micro-climatic difference between c.
The Impact of the Electoral System on Political Campaigning: Are Candidates for the Council of States More Moderate than their Fellow Candidates for the National Council?

It is commonly believed that majority voting enhances parties to cluster around the centre of the political space, whereas proportional systems (PR) foster great ideological divergence. The theoretical arguments for these expectations go back to the work of Downs (1957) and Duverger (1954). More recent studies, however, produced quite contradictory empirical findings. In this paper I will test whether similar arguments hold true for the positioning of candidates campaigning in different electoral systems. The elections for the two chambers of the Swiss Parliament and the data from the Swiss Electoral Studies (SELECTS) and the Swiss Voting Advice Application (VAA) smartvote offer an excellent - almost laboratory like - opportunity to do so empirically. The analyses show clearly, the theoretical claims that majority voting necessarily fosters more moderate positions find no support. The candidates for the Council of States, elected in a majority system, are not more moderate than their fellow party candidates for the National Council which are elected in a PR system.
Validation of the Aura MLS cloud ice water content measurements

[1] Retrieval and validation of upper tropospheric ice water content (IWC) measurements with the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) are described. The MLS version 2.2 (V2.2) IWC, derived from 240-GHz cloud-induced radiances (Tcir) at high tangent heights, is scientifically useful at 215–83 hPa. The V2.2 IWC represents a bulk cloud property averaged over a ∼300 × 7 × 4 km3 volume near the pointing tangent height. Precision, accuracy, and spatial resolution of the V2.2 IWC are determined through model simulations and comparisons with CloudSat observations. Comparisons of MLS V2.2 and CloudSat R03 IWCs are made for the months of January and July in terms of normalized probability density function (PDF). The differences between MLS and CloudSat IWC PDFs are generally less than 50% over the IWC range where the MLS technique is valid. At pressures <177 hPa and extratropical latitudes, the MLS V2.2 IWC exhibits a slightly low bias compared to CloudSat, part of which can be attributed to systematic errors in the MLS retrieval. Cloud inhomogeneity and particle size distribution are the leading sources of uncertainties in the V2.2 IWC.
Inequality in an Equal Society: Theory and Evidence

We consider empirically the degree of wealth and income inequality that would prevail in a society in which, other than differences in age, everyone was equal. Theory suggests that life-cycle factors will still lead to substantial ‘natural’ inequality. Analysing cross-national data from the recently collected National Transfer Accounts we find that societies with no other source of inequality will exhibit substantial concentrations of income and wealth – Gini coefficients of circa 0.45 are common for income, purely due to these life-cycle effects. Using a modified Gini coefficient we find a substantial fraction of extant inequality can be attributed to this natural inequality. Finally, we show that if relative cohort sizes were equal to their long run values inequality would increase further.
Modified logarithmic Sobolev inequalities for canonical ensembles

In this paper, we prove modified logarithmic Sobolev inequalities for canonical ensembles with superquadratic single-site potential. These inequalities were introduced by Bobkov and Ledoux, and are closely related to concentration of measure and transport-entropy inequalities. Our method is an adaptation of the iterated two-scale approach that was developed by Menz and Otto to prove the usual logarithmic Sobolev inequality in this context. As a consequence, we obtain convergence in Wasserstein distance $W_p$ for Kawasaki dynamics on the Ginzburg-Landau model.