Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects Of Traffic Control On The Soil Physical Quality And The Cultivation Of Sugarcane [controle De Tráfego E Seu Efeito Na Qualidade Física Do Solo E No Cultivo Da Cana-de-açúcar]

SUMMARY The cultivation of sugarcane with intensive use of machinery, especially for harvest, induces soil compaction, affecting the crop development. The control of agricultural traffic is an alternative of management in the sector, with a view to preserve the soil physical quality, resulting in increased sugarcane root growth, productivity and technological quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of an Oxisol with and without control traffic and the resulting effects on sugarcane root development, productivity and technological quality. The following managements were tested: no traffic control (NTC), traffic control consisting of an adjustment of the track width of the tractor and sugarcane trailer (TC1) and traffic control consisting of an adjustment of the track width of the tractor and trailer and use of an autopilot (TC2). Soil samples were collected (layers 0.00-0.10; 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.30 m) in the plant rows, inter-row center and seedbed region, 0.30 m away from the plant row. The productivity was measured with a specific weighing scale. The technological variables of sugarcane were measured in each plot. Soil cores were collected to analyze the root system. In TC2, the soil bulk density and compaction degree were lowest and total porosity and macroporosity highest in the plant row. Soil penetration resistance in the plant row, was less than 2 MPa in TC1 and TC2. Soil aggregation and total organic carbon did not differ between the management systems. The root surface and volume were increased in TC1 and TC2, with higher productivity and sugar yield than under NTC. The sugarcane variables did not differ between the managements.
Comparative Immune Response of Formalin Inactivated and Binnary Ethyleneimine Inactivated Angara Disease Vaccines

Immune response of formalin inactivated and binnary ethyleneimine inactivated Angara disease (hydropericardium) vaccines were compared using indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test. A four fold increase in IHA antibody titre was recorded with binnary ethyleneimine (BEI) inactivated vaccine. Agar gel diffusion test gave a strong precipitation line with serum of chicks vaccinated with BEI inactivated vaccine whereas a weak precipitation line was observed with serum from chicks vaccinated with formalin inactivated vaccine. The results of challenge test were promising and no adverse effects were seen in vaccinated chicks. BEI as inactivating agent produced antigenically superior vaccine.
Crony Banking and Local Growth in China

The rise of city commercial banks (CCBs) in Chinese cities provides a unique opportunity to study the finance and growth nexus at the city level. Given the notorious inefficiency of China's “Big Four” state banks, policymakers attempted to correct the situation in 1995 through the creation of a new kind of local bank designed to promote local growth by lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. Using 1990-2009 panel data for 283 prefectural-level cities and four provincial-status municipalities, we find that the establishment of CCBs significantly reduced local economic growth overall. We suggest this outcome stems from the ability of firms to bribe local government officials to obtain credit from their local CCBs. In our proposed model for crony banking relations, large firms spend disproportionately larger amounts of time and bribe money cultivation relations with local officials involved in CCB lending decisions, so we expect large firms to have easier access to credit than small firms even if it results in inefficient lending. Using data on 206,771 firms for 1999-2007, we find that cities with CCBs had significantly lower overall growth rates. Small firms, in particular, were negatively impacted by the presence of CCBs, while large firms benefited from their presence. In the cities with CCBs, large firms, even those with relatively poor return-on-assets ratios, obtained more credit than small firms in aggregate. Using data from the 2005 World Bank Business Environment Survey, we find that an increase in a firm's crony relations with the government, measured in terms of the average number of days a month top managers of the firm spend interacting with government officials, increases the likelihood a firm will be granted bank credit. This effect was quite distinct for cities with CCBs.
Corporate Social Responsibility as a Strategic Means to Attract Foreign Investment: Evidence from Korea

This study examines how foreign investment can be driven by corporate social responsibility (CSR). By specifying the underlying mechanism of foreign investors’ stock picking behavior, we argue that CSR can attract foreign investment. Given that CSR actions are taken to meet various needs of its stakeholders, the host firm can convey a reliable signal to foreign investors as well as the stakeholders. As such, foreign investments can be increased in the host firm. This idea is examined in a sample of Korean firms. We hypothesize that Korean firms, as host firms, will have more foreign investments, instantiated by foreign ownership, if they are more actively engaged in CSR. To test this argument, we collected a panel dataset of the Korea Economic Justice Institute (KEJI) Index between 2004 and 2009 to measure CSR performance of the firm. We estimated foreign ownership with respect to CSR performance. As a result, we found a positive effect of CSR performance on foreign ownership. Given the importance of foreign investment in host countries, this study opens an avenue that can account for foreign investors’ stock-picking behavior.
Biotransformation of myrcene by Pseudomonas putida PTCC 1694

corresponding author: phone: +98(09121484813), fax:+98(21)88787204, e-mail: akbaresmaeili@iau.ac. irSummaryTerpineol and linalool are sources of fragrances providing an unique volatile terpenoid alco-hol of low toxicity, and thus are widely used in the perfumery industry. They are also being applied in folk medicine and in aromatherapy, as well as important chemical constituents of the essential oil of many plants. Previous studies have implicated the biotransforma-tion of limonene by Pseudomonas putida. The objective of this research was to study the pathways involved in biotransformation of myrcene by Pseudomonas putida. The culture preparation was done by using such variables as different microbial methods and incuba-tion periods to obtain maximum cells of P. putida for myrcene biotransformation. It was found that myrcene was converted to dihydrolinalool, cis-β-dihydroterpineol, linalool and cis-ocimene-8-oxo in high percentages. The biotransformation products were identified by theoretical study (TS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet vis-ible (UV), gas chromatography (GC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chroma-tography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Comparison of different incubation times showed that 120 h which was more effective, the major products were dihydrolinalool (4.1%), cis-β-dihydroterpineol (67.6%) and linalool (25.8%). The main compounds comprised 97.5%. The incubation period of 72 h yielded dihydrolinalool (16.7%), cis-ocimene-8-oxo (61.6%),
Integration Effects of Split Nitrogen Fertilization and Herbicide Application on Weed Management and Wheat Yield

A field study was conducted to determine the integration of split N fertilization and herbicide application on weed management and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yield in Shiraz, Iran, in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 growing seasons. The experimental design was split plot with four replications. Main factors consisted of N timing and splitting, and sub plots included iodosulfuron–methyl–sodium plus mesosulfuron–methyl–sodium, solfosulfuron and two weedy and weed free controls. Compared with the weedy check, iodosulfuron–methyl–sodium plus mesosulfuron–methyl–sodium and solfosulfuron reduced weed biomass by 66% in 2005/06 and 55% in 2006/07, 37% in 2005/06 and 45% in 2006/07, respectively. In all herbicide treatments applied in both years, the highest (353.6 kg h -1 in 2005/06 and 224.1 kg h -1 in 2006/07) and the lowest (65.6 kg h -1 in 2005/06, and 24.0 kg h -1 in 2006/07) weed biomass were obtained from the full N (304 kg urea ha -1 ) application at tillering stage and zero N application at sowing and stem elongation stages T1N0, T 2N1, T 3N0 and no N fertilization at sowing, tillering and stem elongation stages T1N0, T 2N0 and T 3N0. Nitrogen use efficiency of the crop increased when N was split. Consequently, wheat LAI and grain yield increased. However, in the presence of weeds, both LAI and grain yield increases were lower. The results of the present study showed that integration of N and herbicide treatments caused even a higher increase in wheat LAI and grain yield, but resulted in a higher reduction in weed biomass when compared with either treatment alone. N splitting of T 1N½, T 2N½ and T 3N0 increased wheat grain yield (61% in 2005/06 and 75% in 2006/07), biological yield (76% in 2005/06, 94% in 2006/07), and LAI (62% in 2005/06 and 2006/07). In conclusion, weed control was essential for efficient use of N fertilizer by the crop. Therefore, in order to increase wheat grain yield, integration of split N and herbicide is recommended for the region. The results of this study showed that N splitting treatments of T 1N½, T 2N½, T3N0 and iodosulfuron–methyl–sodium plus mesosulfuron–methyl–sodium had the best efficiency in terms of weed control in wheat.
Gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep and goats in West Java, Indonesia

These studies were carried out in three locations representing low, medium and high altitudes in West Java to determine the effects of season, climate, management, growth and mortality on nematode parasitism in sheep and goats. Basically, the animals in each location were divided into treated and untreated groups with anthelmintics. Animals were weighed and faecal samples were collected every 2 to 4 weeks. Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. were the predominant species of gastrointestinal nematodes recovered from faecal cultures. In low altitude areas, faecal egg counts dropped progressively throughout the dry season and rose again with the onset of the wet season. The proportion of H. contortus larvae decreased progressively throughout the dry season and increased with the onset of the wet season, however the opposite pattern occurred with proportions of larvae of Trichostrongylus spp. In medium altitude areas, there was no consistent pattern of rising or falling faecal egg counts associated with fluctuations in rainfall. In high altitude areas, there was a trend for egg counts to increase progressively after the onset of the wet season even faecal egg counts were below 1500 epg. After treated with anthelmintics, faecal egg counts were suppressed to only few eggs in two weeks and then rose again in four week later, however in animals received medicated phenothiazine, mean egg counts were maintained below 500 epg. Treated animals in medium areas maintained low egg counts until the end of the trial. Seasonal fluctuation in weight gain of sheep was observed in low areas. Treated animals had significantly lower mortality than untreated animals but the evidence that parasitism contributed to this mortality is persuasive. It was concluded that nematode parasites cause a significant loss of production in sheep during wet season in coastal regions and in areas of rainfall throughout the year. Key Words: Sheep, Goat, Nematode, Anthelmintic
Assimilation and partitioning of prey nitrogen within two anthozoans and their endosymbiotic zooxanthellae

The movement of nitrogen from zooplankton prey into the temperate scleractinian coral Oculina arbuscula and the anemone Aiptasia pallida was measured using 15 N-labeled brine shrimp. The efficiency with which prey nitrogen was incorporated into cnidarian tissues was species-specific. O. arbuscula with a full complement of zooxanthellae had an assimilation efficiency of nearly 100%, compared to only 46% for corals containing few zooxanthellae. In A. pallida, symbiont density had no effect, and nitrogen assimilation was 23 to 29%. In both species, the host retained the bulk of the ingested label. Complete digestion was rapid (<4 h), as was the partitioning of the label between host amino acids and macromolecules. The label was primarily in the low-molecular weight-amino acid pool in O. arbuscula, where it remained for 30 h. A maximum of ca. 20% of the 15 N appeared in the zooxanthellae, where it was rapidly converted into macromolecules. Individual amino acids in A. pal- lida tissues were highly labeled with 15 N within 4 h and showed no subsequent enrichment with time; however, zooxanthellae amino acids became increasingly enriched over 30 h. Differences in 15 N enrichment among amino acids were consistent with known synthesis and transformation pathways, but it was not possible to discriminate between host feeding and de novo synthesis.
Economic evaluation of hospital management information systems in Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: Huge investments have been made in implementing computerized Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS) across the world, including developing countries. Economic evaluation studies have shown that HMIS implementations are beneficial. While measuring effectiveness, studies have compared the quality of data generated in the HMIS with paper-based systems and have shown that HMIS is more advantageous. However, not all HMIS implementations are successful. Many successful implementations are the result of a continuous process of re-engineering, with inputs obtained from the end-users at every stage of the implementation process. The aims of this study were to compare cost-effectiveness, end-user satisfaction and perspectives between HMIS and traditional paper-based system (TPBS). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluates the HMIS in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu using a mixed method approach. The study sample included 24 hospitals (13 HMIS and 11 TPBS), and hospital staff in four professional categories (doctors, staff nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians). Results: Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that HMIS implementation has high cost and high effectiveness with an ICER value of 3301.33. The Likert scale used to measure end-user satisfaction levels found that end-users were highly satisfied with HMIS as compared to TPBS. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the high cost and high effectiveness of HMIS implementation. The 'accuracy of data', 'content of the system' and the 'timely availability' characteristics of HMIS were highly appreciated by the users, whereas in TPBS, the users appreciated the 'user friendly' nature of this system.
How Student Game Designers Design Learning into Games

This investigation examined how to support students in creating learning designs for specific learning goals in analogue and digital games as a means of learning. The study also explored the learning trajectories that emerged in the digital games created by the student learning-game designers. The DBR study was developed through three iterations over two years, involving teachers and students in co-design processes. Together with the teachers, an overall learning design supported the learning process for students by inviting them to be their own learning designers as they designed digital learning games for specific learning goals in cross-disciplinary subject matters. The findings were that the students succeeded in developing and implementing specific learning goals in their games. The students also developed learning trajectories through the games by designing various learning and evaluation opportunities for the player/learner playing the game.
A CORRECTED METHOD TO EXTRACT DIELECTRIC PARAMETERS FROM TRANSMISSION LINES WITH CONDUCTOR SURFACE ROUGHNESS AT TERAHERTZ FREQUENCIES

“Curve-fitting” method is an important method to extract dielectric parameters of substrate materials from planar transmission lines. At gigahertz frequencies, effective conductivity concept is adopted to model the conductor’s surface roughness effects in planar transmission lines, and differential extrapolation method is used to remove surface roughness effects. However, such a concept and method lose their accuracy at extremely high frequency such as terahertz waves. This paper details some new limitations in the terahertz regime and proposes corrections in calculating effective conductivity with rough conductor and curve-fitting method for transmission performance characterization in eliminating the effects of surface roughness. The proposed method is validated by simulation data for conductivity with parallel plate waveguide model, and the corrected method presented here can effectively extract dielectric parameters with an error less than 7%.
The effect of higher fuel price on pollutants emission in Iran

A key aspect of sustainable development in a country is how energy, environment and economic sectors interact. Greenhouse gas emissions and their impacts are among important environmental issues that have been in focus. The increase in the concentration of these gases in atmosphere to levels above the natural level results in global warming, depletion of the Earth’s protective layer against harmful solar radiation, and threatening whole natural life. The present study aimed at examining the factors affecting CO2 emission in Iran in 1981-2015. The studied variables included per capita CO2 emission, fuel price, per capita production, and per capita energy consumption. The relationship was examined by auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. It was found that CO2 emission is related to actual price of fuel indirectly and to per capita production and per capita energy consumption directly. According to the findings, 1% higher price of fuel would decrease CO2 emission by 0.14%, while 1% higher per capita production would increase it by 0.59%. Given the effectiveness of subsidy reform policy and the increased price of fuel on the alleviation of greenhouse gas emissions by road transport sector, it is advisable to gradually increase fuel price until it reaches FOB price in the Persian Gulf.
Illusions for life: on the importance of illusions for our life and the role of cinema in creating these illusions

The relationship between art, illusion and reality has been part of philosophical debate for centuries. With the increasing use of digital technologies in modern cinema, this debate entered a new dimension. This thesis aims to discuss the notion of illusions as a system of stories and values that inspire a culture similar to other grand narratives, such as mythology or religion. Cinema thus becomes the postmodern 'mythmaking machine‘ par excellence in a world that has increasing difficulties in creating unifying concepts and positive illusions that can inspire a culture and give hope. I will argue that illusions have always been a crucial element of culture, and my hypothesis is that they are not necessarily a sign of people‘s naivety or unconscious manipulationas has often been argued but a conscious choice, deriving from a longing for positive inspiration. This longing is particularly strong in times of ideological crisis, when other institutions fail to provide relief and guidance. This seems to be emphasised by the fact that in the last decade, at a time of deep ideological crisis, mainstream cinema has seen a significant revival of grand mythic epics. The thesis focuses on three key aspects: the area of belief, illusion and the creation of myths; the relationship between realism and illusion; and the possibilities of modern cinema in relation to these aspects. I chose to base my research project on continental philosophy rather than classic film theory or analytic philosophy in order to stimulate a new debate in film studies and philosophy that links traditional aesthetic concepts with contemporary thoughts on society and cinema. To begin with I draw on theories by Nietzsche, Kracauer and Deleuzeto unravel the interesting similarities in their works, such as the redemptive capacities of art and the acknowledgement that illusion/art/cinema is always closely related to the state of the society that produces them. This is then applied to recent Hollywood epics, namely The Lord of the Rings (P. Jackson, 2001-04), Troy(W. Petersen, 2004) and Avatar (J. Cameron, 2009). Here I argue that rather than being mere escapism, mainstream cinemacan have an important function in providing postmodern culture with important illusions, which is significantly facilitated by new digital technologies.The thesis concludes that these technologies present new creative opportunities for filmmakers and philosophers alike.
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Different Land-Use Systems: A Case Study of CO2 in the Southern Zone of Ghana

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) results in global warming and climate change. The extent to which developing countries contribute to GHG emissions is not well known. This study reports findings on the effects of different land-use systems on GHG emissions (CO2 in this case) from two locations in the southern zone of Ghana, West Africa. Site one (located at Kpong) contained a heavy clay soil while site two (located at Legon) contained a light-textured sandy soil. Land-use systems include cattle kraals, natural forests, cultivated maize fields, and rice paddy fields at site one, and natural forest, woodlots, and cultivated soya bean fields at site two. CO2 emissions were measured using the gas entrapment method (PVC chambers). Trapping solutions were changed every 12–48 h and measurement lasted 9 to 15 days depending on the site. We found that, for the same land-use, CO2 emissions were higher on the clay soil (Kpong) than the sandy soil (Legon). In the clay soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from the cattle kraal (256.7 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (146.0 mg·m−2·h−1) and rice paddy (140.6 mg·m−2·h−1) field. The lowest average emission was observed for maize cropped land (112.0 mg·m−2·h−1). In the sandy soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from soya cropped land (52.5 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (47.4 mg·m−2·h−1) and woodlot (33.7 mg·m−2·h−1). Several factors influenced CO2 emissions from the different land-use systems. These include the inherent properties of the soils such as texture, temperature, and moisture content, which influenced CO2 production through their effect on soil microbial activity and root respiration. Practices that reduce CO2 emissions are likely to promote carbon sequestration, which will consequently maintain or increase crop productivity and thereby improve global or regional food security.
h-BN-TiO 2 nanocomposite for photocatalytic applications

h-BN-TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by the thermal hydrolysis of titanium peroxo-complexes in the presence of exfoliated h-BN. The bulk h-BN was prepared by annealing mixture of boric acid and urea, and high intensity ultrasound was used for its exfoliation. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), high resolution electron microscopy, BET surface area, and BJH porosity measurement. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band-gap energies. The photoinduced charge on the surface of h-BN-TiO2 nanocomposites was visualized using electric force microscopy (EFM). The photocatalytic activity was determined by azo dyes Orange II and Reactive Black 5 photobleaching. The highest rate constant k = 0.0762 min-1 and 0.0164 min-1, under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively, showed sample denoted TiP050BN with moderate concentration of h-BN.