Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can silicate and turbulence regulate the vertical flux of biogenic matter? A mesocosm study

The effects of silicate and turbulence on the vertical flux of biogenic matter were stud- ied in mesocosms. The experiment consisted of eight 27 m 3 enclosures all fertilised with nitrate and phosphate (NP), while 4 of the enclosures were supplied with silicate as well (NPS). A 2-layer density gradient was created, and turbulence was generated at 2 intensity levels in the upper layer of the enclosures by a vertically moving grid. We tested the hypotheses that: (1) dissolved silicate (DSi) has a strong regulating effect on biogenic sedimentation by favouring the growth of diatoms instead of flagellates; (2) there is a positive linear relationship between DSi consumption and carbon export; and (3) elevated levels of turbulence would further increase the loss rates of diatoms through aggre- gate formation. Addition of DSi caused higher primary production and a shift from a flagellate to diatom-dominated phytoplankton community. However, contrary to expectations, sedimentation of chl a was lower (<15 mg m -2 d -1 ) where diatoms dominated than where flagellates prevailed (≤ 80 mg m -2 d -1 ). The hypothesised linear relationship between addition of DSi and vertical export was thus not found in this experiment. The 2 levels of turbulence caused no statistically significant differences in the suspended concentrations or sedimentation rates of phytoplankton groups. In conclusion, DSi triggered a diatom bloom with stable sedimentation rates in the NPS replicates, while comparatively higher loss rates were found in the flagellate-dominated NP enclosures. Turbulence had little effect on the phytoplankton community and sedimentation of biogenic matter.
Further Improvements on Bose’s 2D Stability Test

This paper proposes some further improvements on N.K. Bose's 2D stability test for polynomials with real coefficients by revealing symmetric properties of the polynomials, resultants occurring in the test and by generalizing Sturm's method. The improved test can be fulfilled by a totally algebraic algorithm with a finite number of steps and the computational complexity is largely reduced as it involves only certain real variable polynomials with degrees not exceeding half of their previous complex variable counterparts. Nontrivial examples for 2D polynomials having both numerical and literal coefficients are also shown to illustrate the computational advantage of the proposed method.
Diagenetic Implications of Stylolitization in Pelagic Carbonates, Canterbury Basin, Offshore New Zealand

Abstract Stylolites are irregular discontinuity surfaces that are thought to result from localized stress-induced dissolution during burial or tectonic compression. The genesis of stylolites and the controls on stylolitization are still debated, and the interplay between stylolitization, generation of carbonate-rich fluids, diagenetic fluid flow within fractures and matrix, cementation, and porosity modifications is complex. All of these processes have important diagenetic effects potentially altering the intrinsic properties of the host rock, with implications for hydrocarbon exploration and water resources in aquifers. We investigate the process of stylolitization by a macroscopic, petrographic, and geochemical study of pressure-solution features in Eocene to early Oligocene limestones in cores from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Hole 317-U1352C (Canterbury Basin). The results indicate correlations among stylolite amplitude, stylolite density, and siliciclastic content of the host rock. These relationships are interpreted to suggest that siliciclastic content in carbonate rocks increases heterogeneity, which in turn impacts stylolite nucleation. Moreover, the geochemical data support that clay along the stylolite is not authigenic, but a relict from impurities in the limestone host rock. The statistical approach of stylolite spacing used in this study, which is different than previous studies, reinforces the model of random occurrence of stylolites in (carbonate) lithologic units. This study shows that local stresses in tectonically passive areas may allow the formation of rare oblique stylolites with peaks perpendicular to the stylolite plane. Estimation of the amount of limestone dissolved during stylolitization (minimum 7% to 12% of the depositional limestone) and the volume of sparite in the host rock (up to 1.6% of the compacted limestone) suggests that the pressure-solution fluids cemented the micropores, reducing porosity to about 10% (from a common porosity of about 40% in mechanically compacted chalk). This study thus highlights the importance of microporosity as a sink for burial cements, an observation difficult to make in thin-section. Analysis of stylolite infills at Site U1352 shows no evidence that the stylolites acted as conduits for diagenetic fluids, unless if the fluid was host-rock buffered and thus its chemistry indistinguishable from that of the host rock. The link between siliciclastic content in carbonate rocks and the spacing and amplitude of stylolites improves understanding of burial compaction processes. Predicting the morphology and spacing of stylolites in the subsurface can be used to identify baffles to cross-stylolite fluid flow or cementation (of microporosity) influencing heterogeneity of petrophysical properties in (subsurface reservoir) host rocks.
Application of sumac and dried whey in female broiler feed

Abstract. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of sumac and dried whey powder on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, microbial population, and some biochemical parameters and antibody titer against Newcastle disease of female broiler chicks. A total of 360 1-day-old female broiler chicks with an average weight of 38 ± 0.42 g were randomly divided into three treatments. Each treatment was further divided into six replicates. Three treatments were used: chicks were fed by basal diet as control group, basal diet + 0.02% sumac powder (S), and basal diet + 0.02% dried whey powder (DW) for 42 days. Results showed that feed intake of chicks increased significantly in S and DW in comparison with the control group (P
The host galaxies of active galactic nuclei with powerful relativistic jets

We present deep Near-infrared (NIR) images of a sample of 19 intermediate-redshift ($0.3 10^{27}$ WHz$^{-1}$), previously classified as flat-spectrum radio quasars. We also compile host galaxy and nuclear magnitudes for blazars from literature. The combined sample (this work and compilation) contains 100 radio-loud AGN with host galaxy detections and a broad range of radio luminosities $L_{1.4GHz} \sim 10^{23.7} - 10^{28.3}$~WHz$^{-1}$, allowing us to divide our sample into high-luminosity blazars (HLBs) and low-luminosity blazars (LLBs). The host galaxies of our sample are bright and seem to follow the $\mu_{e}$-$R_{eff}$ relation for ellipticals and bulges. The two populations of blazars show different behaviours in the \mnuc - \mbulge plane, where a statistically significant correlation is observed for HLBs. Although it may be affected by selection effects, this correlation suggests a close coupling between the accretion mode of the central supermassive black hole and its host galaxy, that could be interpreted in terms of AGN feedback. Our findings are consistent with semi--analytical models where low--luminosity AGN emit the bulk of their energy in the form of radio jets, producing a strong feedback mechanism, and high--luminosity AGN are affected by galaxy mergers and interactions, which provide a common supply of cold gas to feed both nuclear activity and star formation episodes.
Data assimilation experiments using diffusive back-and-forth nudging for the NEMO ocean model

The diffusive back-and-forth nudging (DBFN) is an easy-to-implement iterative data assimilation method based on the well-known nudging method. It consists of a sequence of forward and backward model integrations, within a given time window, both of them using a feedback term to the observations. Therefore, in the DBFN, the nudging asymptotic behaviour is translated into an infinite number of iterations within a bounded time domain. In this method, the backward integration is carried out thanks to what is called backward model, which is basically the forward model with reversed time step sign. To maintain numeral stability, the diffusion terms also have their sign reversed, giving a dif-fusive character to the algorithm. In this article the DBFN performance to control a primitive equation ocean model is investigated. In this kind of model non-resolved scales are modelled by diffusion operators which dissipate energy that cascade from large to small scales. Thus, in this article, the DBFN approximations and their consequences for the data assimilation system setup are analysed. Our main result is that the DBFN may provide results which are comparable to those produced by a 4Dvar implementation with a much simpler implementation and a shorter CPU time for convergence. The conducted sensitivity tests show that the 4Dvar profits of long assimilation windows to propagate surface information downwards, and that for the DBFN, it is worth using short assimilation windows to reduce the impact of diffusion-induced errors. Moreover, the DBFN is less sensitive to the first guess than the 4Dvar.
Students’ Ability to Act Independently in University Studies

Independence is a fundamental personality trait that enables people to choose aims, tools and ways of activity and communication wisely and to act actively and efficiently. Opinions vary on when (at what age) and where (in a family / education institution) a person’s ability to learn and act independently should be developed most prominently (intensively). According to Linkaityte (2003), education at school is closely related to the objective to develop schoolchildren’s skills to look for information. The aim working with students is to provide them with sources of information and to support individual search for information, to encourage creativity, critical thinking and independent problem solving. However, that schools have to follow their programmes and independence is not significantly emphasized. On the other hand, the main function of higher education institutions is to “prepare students for their future activity, to develop their creative strengths, critical thinking, problem solving and constructive communication skills (Lietuvos aukstasis mokslas. Baltoji knyga 1999). One of the most important abilities of an active and responsible individual, who can act independently, is self-management, i.e. the ability to plan and organize individual learning process and ability to reflect. A university research has revealed that some of the 1 st year and 4 th year social science students describe learning independence as student’s participation in planning, monitoring, correcting and assessing one’s own learning process and results. Emphasis is given to creativity, ability to make the right decisions in a new learning situation when putting present and new knowledge together, the search for more diverse solutions, taking responsibility for the learning process and future learning outcomes.
Evaluation of genotoxic e V ects of lead in pottery-glaze workers using micronucleus assay , alkaline comet assay and DNA di V usion assay

Purpose We investigated genotoxic eVects of occupational exposure to lead acetate in pottery-glaze ceramic workers. Methods The study was carried out in 30 exposed workers and 30 matched controls, to whom several biochemical parameters—the blood lead (B-Pb; range: exposed, 41.68– 404.77; controls, 12–52) and cadmium (B-Cd) level, the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), the level of vitamin B12 and folate in serum—were measured. The genotoxic eVects were evaluated by the alkaline comet assay, the DNA diVusion assay and micronucleus test in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results Subjects exposed to lead had signiWcantly higher B-Pb level and, consequently, increased values of tail intensity (TI), frequency of apoptotic and necrotic cells, and frequency of micronuclei (MN). In contrast, their activity of ALAD, the level of vitamin B12 and folate in serum were signiWcantly lower compared to controls. Poisson regression analysis showed a signiWcant correlation of profession, duration of exposure, smoking, level of cadmium in blood, ALAD and EP with primary DNA damage. A majority of primary damage repairs in a short period after exposure to a genotoxic agent. In addition, the inXuence of gender and level of vitamin B12 and folate in serum MN frequency in exposed group was observed. Conclusions In this study, DNA diVusion and micronucleus test showed higher inXuence of tested parameters to DNA damage. The results indicate a need for concomitant use of at least two diVerent biomarkers of exposure when estimating a genetic risk of lead exposure.
Nanoparticles and Nanostructures Fabricated Using Femtosecond Laser Pulses

Recently, the processing of materials by femtosecond (fs) laser pulses has attracted a great deal of attention, because fs pulse energy can be precisely and rapidly transferred to the materials without thermal effects (Stuart et al., 1995). In particularly, periodic microstructures can be produced in almost any materials using fs pulses directly and without the need for masks or chemical photoresists to relieve the environmental concerns. For instance, nanoripples (Hsu et al., 2007; Luo et al., 2008; Sakabe et al., 2009; Jia et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2010; Bonse & Kruger, 2010; Okamuro et al., 2010; Huang et al., 2009), nanoparticles (Jia et al., 2006; Luo et al., 2008; Teng et al., 2010), nanocones (Nayak et al., 2008), and nanospikes (Zhao et al., 2007b) have been induced in various materials using single-beam fs laser pulses in air. In addition, fs laser ablation for metals and semiconductors in a vacuum environment (Amoruso et al., 2004; Liu et al., 2007a) and in liquid (Tsuji et al., 2003) have also been extensively investigated. These results are a strong indicator of the application potential of fs laser pulses in science and industry. In this chapter, we demonstrate the generation of nanoparticles and nanostructures (including ripples and dots) using fs laser pulses. Initially, we selected the II-VI semiconductor ZnSe to demonstrate the fabrication of nanoparticles. Following the irradiation of fs laser pulses at a wavelength of 800 nm and pulse duration of 80 fs, many hexagonal-phase ZnSe nanoparticles formed on the surface of an undoped (100) cubic ZnSe single-crystal wafer. The interesting phase transition from the cubic structure of ZnSe singlecrystal wafer to the hexagonal structure of ZnSe nanoparticles may have been caused by the ultra-high ablation pressure at the local area due to the sudden injection of high-energy leading to solid-solid transition. This chapter discusses the details of the mechanisms underlying this process. In the second part of this chapter, we introduce controllable nanoripple and nanodot structures to high-Tc superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) thin films. We also introduce the surface morphology of YBCO thin films under single-beam and dual-beam fs laser irradiation. The generation of periodic ripple and dot structures is determined by the application of laser fluence, the number of pulses, polarization and the incident angles of the laser beam. The period and orientation of ripples and even the size and density of dots can be controlled by these parameters.
New Public Management and Public Enterprise Restructuring in Fiji

Public Enterprise restructuring in Fiji has preceded wider civil service reforms in both pace and magnitude. Part of this has to do with the fact that the model being used for reforms is at least theoretically supposed to face fewer problems in its application to Public Enterprises because of its efficiency/cost orientation. A part of this can be explained by the political and economic imperatives of ruling governments in Fiji. On the other hand, the reform process has attracted its share of criticisms. This article analyses critically the New Public Management (NPM) model for public sector reforms and outlines the domestic political and economic framework within which the restructuring of Public Enterprises has taken place in Fiji so far.
Limit free computation of entropy

Various limit-free formulas are given for the computation of the algebraic and the topological entropy, respectively in the settings of endomorphisms of locally finite discrete groups and of continuous endomorphisms of totally disconnected compact groups. As applica- tions we give new proofs of the connection between the algebraic and the topological entropy in the abelian case and of the connection of the topological entropy with the finite depth for topological automorphisms.
The influence of three seedling rootstocks on the growth and fruiting of peach trees in the first years after planting.

The aim of the study conducted during 2007-2009 was to estimate the growth and cropping of four peach tree cultivars growing on three vegetative rootstocks (Rakonievicka, Hui-Hun-Tao, and Minnesota seedlings). The growth of the trees in the orchard was evaluated on the basis of trunk cross-sectional area and canopy volume. In the years 2008-2009, the fruit yield and 100 fruits from each tree were weighed separately. The weakest growth of trees was observed on Minnesota seedling rootstock as well as 'Harnaś', and 'Royalvee' peach tree cultivars. A better total yield was obtained from peach trees growing on Rakonievicka and Minnesota seedling rootstocks. 'Harbinger' cultivar gave a weaker yield in comparison with other cultivars. Fruits on Minnesota seedling rootstock had a smaller mass. The highest yield efficiency was from trees growing on Minnesota seedling, except for the 'Harbinger' cultivar, which had the lowest yield efficiency.
Primeval very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. I. Six new L subdwarfs, classification and atmospheric properties

We have conducted a search for L subdwarf candidates within the photometric catalogues of the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey and Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Six of our candidates are confirmed as L subdwarfs spectroscopically at optical and/or near infrared wavelengths. We also present new optical spectra of three previously known L subdwarfs (WISEA J001450.17-083823.4, 2MASS J00412179+3547133, ULAS J124425.75+102439.3). We examined the spectral types and metallicity subclasses classification of known L subdwarfs. We summarised the spectroscopic properties of L subdwarfs with different spectral types and subclasses. We classify these new L subdwarfs by comparing their spectra to known L subdwarfs and L dwarf standards. We estimate temperatures and metallicities of 22 late type M and L subdwarfs by comparing their spectra to BT-Settl models. We find that L subdwarfs have temperatures between 1500 K and 2700 K, which are higher than similarly-typed L dwarfs by around 100-400 K depending on different subclasses and subtypes. We constrained the metallicity ranges of subclasses of M, L and T subdwarfs. We also discussed the spectral type and absolute magnitude relationships for L and T subdwarfs.
Box inverse models, altimetry and the geoid: Problems with the omission error

[1] When one combines satellite altimetry and a geoid model to improve estimates of the ocean general circulation from hydrographic data with a box inverse model, there arises a problem of different resolution and representation of the data types involved. Here we show how this problem can lead to an artificial leakage of the error estimates of short-scale (high degree) spherical harmonic functions into long wavelength (low wave number) Fourier functions. A similar paradox effect can be seen in an idealized box inverse model constrained by additional sea-surface topography data of low, medium, and high resolution: When more information is added in the form of additional smaller scales, the error of a transport estimate eventually increases. Consequently, including the large geoid omission errors associated with smaller scales in a box inverse model of the Southern Ocean increases the posterior errors of transport estimates over those of a model that does not include the geoid omission error. We do not claim that including or excluding the geoid omission error is correct. Instead, we juxtapose two different ways of estimating the geoid errors to demonstrate the effect that the omission error might have on the long, supposedly well-known, scales. How (or if) to properly account for the geoid omission error must be the topic of further research. A proper treatment of the geoid model errors is demanded when one evaluates the errors of absolute sea-surface topography data.
Constructing an Error Estimate from Finite Difference Time Domain Calculations

Numerical calculation of Maxwell’s equations will give results where the smallest features that can be resolved are normally limited by the resolution of the grid, or mesh, on which the equations are solved. A method to allow meaningful error estimates to be made in 3D and 2.5D finite difference time domain solvers is developed. This report introduces a straightforward prescription which can be applied to large data sets, outlining the free parameters and appropriate choices for wakefield calculations of tapering structures and illustrates how this can give be used to assign an estimate of the residual uncertainty in the calculation.
Characterising the Fermi-LAT BCUs: Optical Spectroscopy and Neural Networks

The Fermi-LAT telescope has provided an unprecedented view of the GeV gamma-ray sky since its launch in 2008. The latest Fermi-LAT catalogue of Active Galactic Nuclei lists 1591 sources associated with AGN, of which 460 are classified as blazar candidates of uncertain type (BCU). The characterisation of the physical properties of these BCU sources is important for observational cosmology and fundamental physics, as these sources and their environments constitute a natural laboratory to study particle acceleration and matter/radiation interactions in extreme conditions. Of particular interest is the search for new and interesting/unusual sources that may be observable at very high energies by ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Based on the observed gamma-ray properties, a number of machine learning techniques are being investigated to classify these sources. However, the classification of a blazar as a FSRQ or BL Lac depends on the optical spectral properties. Here we discuss the work that we have thus far undertaken to optically characterise a selection of sources as well as future plans to undertake classification to help calibrate an artificial neural network method.
How to simplify return-mapping algorithms in computational plasticity: part 2 –implementation details and experiments

The paper is devoted to numerical solution of a small-strain quasi-static elastoplastic problem. It is considered an isotropic model containing the Drucker-Prager yield criterion, a non-associative flow rule and a nonlinear hardening law. The problem is discretized by the implicit Euler and finite element methods. It is used an improved return-mapping scheme introduced in ”PART 1” and the semismooth Newton method. Algorithmic solution is described and efficiency of the improved scheme is illustrated on numerical examples.