Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of biochar for increased crop yields and reduced climate change impacts from agricultural ecosystems: Chinese farmers perception and adoption strategy

Biochar is a carbon-rich product from pyrolysis of biomass at relatively low temperatures in a closed system with limited oxygen. The product has been shown to have economic and environmental benefits, ranging from improved soil moisture retention for carbon sequestration, reduced pollution and dependence on inorganic fertilizers. Additionally, biochar can be produced on-farm by small scale farmers using locally made stoves as well as on industrial scale in bioenergy plants. Chinese government is fast tracking commercial production of biochar based fertilizers from pyrolysis of crop straw. However, most of the work on biochar is confined to universities and other research institutions mainly through field trials. Yet, without understanding of farmers’ roles as the main stakeholders in generation and use of this innovation, use of biochar is unlikely to be effective. Using survey data collected in the Henan region, Central China where major biochar industries are located, this study assesses farmers’ perspectives and adoption decisions on the use of biochar in agricultural production. A binary logit model is used to analyze the factors influencing biochar adoption. Higher probabilities of adopting biochar are observed among farmers with more contact with extension officers and other sources of information, higher levels of education, credit access and those belonging to farmers’ groups. Furthermore, the perceived positive aspects of biochar increased the probability of biochar adoption. These results strongly suggest that, government interventions in these areas are needed to realize the full potential of biochar production and use by farmers’. Key words: Biochar adoption, logit model, smallholder farmers’, agriculture, China.
The contact binary VW Cephei revisited: surface activity and period variation

Context. Despite the fact that VW Cephei is one of the well-studied contact binaries in the literature, there is no fully consistent model available that can explain every observed property of this system. Aims. Our motivation is to obtain new spectra along with photometric measurements, to analyze what kind of changes may have happened in the system in the past two decades, and to propose new ideas for explaining them. Methods. For the period analysis we determined 10 new times of minima from our light curves, and constructed a new O$-$C diagram of the system. Radial velocities of the components were determined using the cross-correlation technique. The light curves and radial velocities were modelled simultaneously with the PHOEBE code. All observed spectra were compared to synthetic spectra and equivalent widths of the H$\alpha$ line were measured on their differences. Results. We have re-determined the physical parameters of the system according to our new light curve and spectral models. We confirm that the primary component is more active than the secondary, and there is a correlation between spottedness and the chromospheric activity. We propose that flip-flop phenomenon occurring on the primary component could be a possible explanation of the observed nature of the activity. To explain the period variation of VW Cep, we test two previously suggested scenarios: presence of a fourth body in the system, and the Applegate-mechanism caused by periodic magnetic activity. We conclude that although none of these mechanisms can be ruled out entirely, the available data suggest that mass transfer with a slowly decreasing rate gives the most likely explanation for the period variation of VW Cep.
Why Many Women in Arba Minch District Have Short Inter Birth Intervals? Implication to Health Care Workers and District Health Managers in Ethiopia

Background : One of the key strategies to reduce fertility and promote the health status of mothers and their children is adhering to optimal birth spacing. However, women still have shorter birth intervals and studies addressing its determinants were scarce. The objective of this Study, therefore, was to assess determinants of birth interval among women who had at least two consecutive live births. Methods : Case control study was conducted from February to April 2014. Cases were women with short birth intervals (<3years); whereas, controls were women having history of optimal birth intervals (3 to 5 years). A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine independent predictors. For the qualitative study, data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers and their husbands. Result: Having no formal education (AOR=2.36, 95%CL: [1.23-4.52]), duration of breast feeding for less than 24 months(AOR: 66.03, 95%CI;[34.60-126]), preceding child being female(AOR: 5.73, 95%CI; [3.18-10.310]), modern contraceptive use (AOR: 2.79, 95%CI: [1.58-4.940]) and poor wealth index (AOR: 4.89, 95%CI; [1.81-13.25]) of respondents were independent predictors of short birth interval. In the qualitative study, lack of information about optimal birth spacing, inaccessibility of health care service, reliance on clean lactation, family & religious influence, previous child being female were indicated as reasons of short birth interval. Conclusion: In equalities in education, duration of breast feeding, sex of the preceding child, contraceptive method use and wealth index were markers of the unequal distribution of inter birth intervals. Thus, to optimize birth spacing, strategies of providing information, education and communication targeting predictor variables should be improved. Key words: Determinants, short inter birth interval, between two live births, Case control study
Uncertainty Aversion, Robust Control and Asset Holdings with Stochastic Investment Opportunity Set

In this paper we formulate the portfolio choice problem as a robust control problem. Extending our previous work [32] , by considering a stochastic investment opportunity set, we derive optimal portfolio rules under uncertainty aversion, in the cases of one and two risky assets. In particular, with two risky assets and one risk-free asset, with the same level of ambiguity aversion for the two assets, we show that the robust portfolio rule could lead to an increase in the total holdings of risky assets as compared to the holdings under the Merton rule, which is the standard risk aversion case. Furthermore the investor is more likely to increase the holdings of the asset for which there is no ambiguity, and reduce the holdings of the asset for which there is ambiguity, a result that might provide an explanation for the home bias puzzle.
The circumnuclear cold gas environments of the powerful radio galaxies 3C 236 and 4C 31.04

We present Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) Hi absorption observations of the core regions of the powerful radio galaxies 3C 236 and 4C 31.04. Broad absorption (Δv ≈ 350 km s −1 ) straddling the systemic velocity is detected in both sources, in each case concentrated on one side of the radio core. We argue that the observations are consistent with the presence of Hi absorbing disks with r ≈ 900 pc and r ≥ 200 pc in 3C 236 and 4C 31.04 respectively - although given the limited spatial coverage of the HI absorption other interpretations cannot be ruled out. The spatially resolved absorption detected against the counter-jet of 3C 236 shows a velocity gradient with an amplitude and direction supporting a rotating disk model; in contrast only a tentative velocity gradient is seen in the 4C 31.04 data set. While on larger scales both radio galaxies show evidence for interaction and merging we find no direct evidence in either source that cold gas is in-falling onto the radio core. In 3C 236 we instead find against the core blue-shifted absorption that might be part of the fast outflow of neutral gas detected in more sensitive (but lower spatial resolution) observations. Along the main jet of 3C 236 we find clumps of high opacity Hi absorption concentrated to one side of the jet. We speculate that these Hi clumps may be interacting with the jet, potentially even being the cause of the misalignment of the eastern jet between kiloparsec and megaparsec scales. In addition to its broad absorption 4C 31.04 shows a narrow absorption component (FWHM = 23 km s −1 ) redshifted relative to the galaxy systemic velocity by 115 km s −1 . This feature may be a residual sign of a recent accretion/merging event, however the
The Effect of Training in Gifted Education on Elementary Classroom Teachers' Theory-Based Reasoning about the Concept of Giftedness

Classroom teachers play an important role in the identification of gifted students through teacher recommendations and referrals. This study is an investigation of teachers' theories of giftedness using methods adapted from those used to study theory-based reasoning in categorization research. In general, the teachers in this study focused on traditional characteristics of giftedness and did not tend to include characteristics associated with diverse gifted students in their theories. Comparisons of teachers with greater and fewer hours of training in gifted education showed no significant differences between the groups. However, there was also little consistency among the teachers in their graphic representations of their theories, suggesting that not all elementary classroom teachers define common characteristics of giftedness in the same way.
Detection and Projections of Climate Change in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A study on the detection and future projection of climate change in the city of Rio de Janeiro is here presented, based on the analysis of indices of temperature and precipitation extremes. The aim of this study is to provide information on observed and projected extremes in support of studies on impacts and vulnerability assessments required for adaptation strategies to climate change. Observational data from INMET’s weather stations and projections from INPE’s Eta- HadCM3 regional model are used. The observational analyses indicate that rainfall amount associated with heavy rain events is increasing in recent years in the forest region of Rio de Janeiro. An increase in both the frequency of occurrence and in the rainfall amount associated with heavy precipitation are projected until the end of the 21st Century, as are longer dry periods and shorter wet seasons. In regards to temperature, a warming trend is noted (both in past observations and future projections), with higher maximum air temperature and extremes. The average change in annual maximum (minimum) air temperatures may range between 2℃and 5℃(2℃and 4℃) above the current weather values in the late 21st Century. The warm (cold) days and nights are becoming more (less) frequent each year, and for the future climate (2100) it has been projected that about 40% to 70% of the days and 55% to 85% of the nights will be hot. Additionally, it can be foreseen that there will be no longer cold days and nights.
Evaluation of wild cod versus wild caught, farmed raised cod from Norway by Dutch consumers

In this study wildand wild caught, farmed raised cod were evaluated in 403 households (approximately 1000 consumers) in the Netherlands. The expected and experienced quality of the both product characteristics were measured in relation to information about the origin of the cod. Also the effect of freshness of the farmed cod was investigated. The quality profile of farmed and wild cod, based upon the evaluated product properties was similar. Expected and experienced quality on both products did not differ very much from each other. Farmed cod seemed to be appreciated after consumption as good as wild cod. Higher scores were given on some quality attributes in case information was given about the origin of the cod (wild or farmed).
The Topology of Auditory and Visual Perception, Linguistic Communication, and Interactive Written Discourse

language@internet , 2 , article 2 (2005) - In this article, it is shown that IWD incorporates topological perceptual characteristics of both spoken and written language, and it is argued that these characteristics should not be ignored or given up when synchronous textual CMC is technologically developed and upgraded.
The Lorentzian distance formula in noncommutative geometry

For almost twenty years, a search for a Lorentzian version of the well-known Connes’ distance formula has been undertaken. Several authors have contributed to this search, providing important milestones, and the time has now come to put those elements together in order to get a valid and functional formula. This paper presents a historical review of the construction and the proof of a Lorentzian distance formula suitable for noncommutative geometry.
Determination of ionic conductivity in the Bi-Si-O and Pb-Si-O glasses

Abstract Impedance spectroscopy measurements in various gas atmospheres were carried out in order to explain the doubts about the type of carriers and the mechanism of electrical conductivity in Bi-Si-O and Pb-Si-O glasses. In bismuth silicate glass, a typical ionic conductivity with oxygen ions as charge carriers was observed. The level of electrical conductivity of the glass at 400 °C was 5 × 10-8 S·cm-1, with the activation energy of 1.3 eV and was independent of measuring atmosphere. In the case of lead silicate glasses, the conductivity changed with measuring atmosphere. Two types of charge carriers: oxygen ions and proton ions were postulated. Proton conductivity measured in wet argon at temperature 400 °C was estimated at the level of 4 × 10-8 S·cm-1 while the oxygen ions conductivity in such conditions was 78 × 10-8 S·cm-1. We suggest that both types of charge carriers are transported along the same conduction paths using oxygen defects in the glass structure.
Sprat Sprattus sprattus can exploit low oxygen waters for overwintering

Acoustic studies and sampling during 4 winters in a Norwegian fjord showed that the clupeid fish sprat Sprattus sprattus inhabited severely hypoxic waters. Their lower tolerable oxygen content was at ~7% O2 saturation (~0.5 ml O2 l–1 at 7°C), and they occurred as deep as this limit allowed in the 150 m water column. Sprat in this hypoxic habitat were foraging on dormant copepods Calanus spp. in the daytime, or did not feed at all. Use of hull-mounted, submerged and bottommounted echosounders allowed observations of in situ swimming behavior of individual sprat, revealing that they were continuously moving up and down. This behavior can likely be ascribed to negative buoyancy, compensated for by repetitive upward swimming. A large portion of the sprat population occurred in deep water during both day and night, yet the sprat did undertake both synchronous and asynchronous nocturnal vertical migrations. Some individuals swam all the way to the surface, apparently to refill their swimbladder, before immediately diving. Gadoid predators seemed to avoid waters with oxygen contents below ~15 to 20% O2 saturation so that few predators occurred in the deep, low-oxygen sprat habitat. However, gadoids were foraging on the vertically migrating sprat at night. We hypothesize that overwintering sprat may take advantage of low oxygen waters due to higher tolerance for hypoxia than their predators.
Numerical solution of the boundary layer flow over an exponentially stretching sheet with thermal radiation

In this paper, the problem of steady laminar two-dimensional boundary layer flow and heat transfer of an incompressible viscous fluid with a presence of thermal radiation over an exponentially stretching sheet is investigated numerically. The governing boundary layer equations are reduced into ordinary differential equations by a similarity transformation. The transformed equations are solved numerically using an implicit finitedifference scheme known as the Keller-box method. The numerical solutions for the wall skin friction coefficient, the heat transfer coefficient, and the velocity and temperature profiles are computed, analyzed and discussed.
Efficiency of carbon removal per added iron in ocean iron fertilization

The major response to ocean iron fertilization is by large diatoms, which at Fe-replete ambient seawater show an optimum C:Fe elemental ratio of ~23 000 and a higher ratio of ~160 000 or more under Fe-limited conditions. The efficiency of CO2 drawdown during the several weeks of artificial fertilization experiments with concomitant observations is in the range of 100 < (CO2:Fe) < 1000 and is unknown in direction (positive or negative) and magnitude in the period after observations. The efficiency of biogenic carbon export into deeper water layers ranges from ~650 < (C:Fe)export < ~25 000 for reported export depths in the 100 to 250 m range. Variations in ocean initial conditions and variable weather during an experiment cause this range of ~2 orders of magnitude. Approximately 75% of Fe added in fertilization experiments is lost very rapidly. Hence the above efficiencies can be multiplied 4-fold, to ~2600 < (C:Fe)export < ~100 000, for the sake of comparison with natural fertilization with Fe-organic complexes, which stabilize Fe in solution. Quantification of the Fe source of natural fertilization is difficult, leading to an export efficiency in the ~2400 < (C:Fe)export < ~800 000 range. Due to severe under-sampling, the existing datasets of artificial experiments and natural fertilizations may allow a wider range of alternative assessments than reported here.
Isolation and characterization of textile dye degrading native bacterial strains from textile effluent contaminated sites

Synthetic dyes constitute the largest and most versatile class of synthetic dyes used in the textile, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries and represent major components in wastewater from these industrial dying processes. Biological decolorization of azo dyes is an alternative and efficient tool for environmental management. Hence, in this study totally 40 bacterial isolates were screened from textile effluent contaminated soil samples. Out of 40 bacterial isolates, six potential bacterial strains were chosen based on their decolorization efficiency. Among the six bacterial strains, T11 strain was found to decolorize maximum number of dyes followed by T1, T4, T9, T7 and T10. The strain T11 decolorized reactive red 94%, reactive blue 95%, reactive grey 94% and reactive violet 100% after 120 h incubation at 300ppm concentration. Moreover, the selected bacterial strains were showed resistance to various heavy metals like Cr, Mn, Pb, Zn and Fe. The Phytotoxicity effect of degraded product was evaluated after 5 days of degradation. Phytotoxicity test revealed the nontoxic nature of the degraded metabolites. Based on the biochemical characterization and 16s rDNA gene sequencing analysis, the selected bacterial strain T11 was identified as Bacillus firmus.
In vitro propagation of Aloe vera Linn from shoot tip culture

Aloe vera Linn. , plant belongs to Liliaceae family, is a plant originated in the warm, dry climates of Africa readily adaptable and grows worldwide. Slow propagation rate of axillary shoots and male sterility to use its seeds hinders its efficient propagation. Hence, the present study aimed to standardize optimum in vitro propagation conditions for it. Based on this purpose MS media supplemented with 0.6 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L of IBA; 1.0 mg/L BAP; and devoid of hormone were selected as the optimum medium for Aloe vera establishment, multiplication and rooting respectively. The higher mean number of shoots, 2.90 and multiplication factor, 2.87 were registered on MS media with 0.2 mg/L IBA & 1.0 mg/L BAP respectively. During their rooting and acclimatization, the selected treatment yields 100% rooted plant and 92.59 survival percentage during acclimatization on 3:1 mixture of filter cake and sand after their fifth week. Application of this protocol helps to propagate thousands of Aloe vera plants from few initial mother plants in year period.
In-vitro Antimicrobial, Anti-oxidant Activities and Cytotoxicty of Carum carvi L

Carum carvi L. was used traditionally in different populations for many medical complains. The study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial, anti-oxidant activities and cytotoxicty of fixed oil of Carum carvi L. (seeds). The oil was extraction by petroleum ether (60-80°C) using a Soxhlet apparatus. The oil of Carum carvi L. seeds were tested against four standard bacterial species: two Gram-positive bacteria viz, Bacillus subtilis (NCTC 8236) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), two Gram-negative bacterial strains Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and fungal strains viz, Candida albicans (ATCC 7596) using the disc diffusion method. The antioxidant activities were conducted via DPPH radical scavenging assay and cytotoxicty using brine shrimp assay. Antimicrobial activity of fixed oil of C. carvi L. dissolved in methanol (1:10), showed high activity against the Gram-negative bacteria ( P. aeruginosa & E. coli ) (18 & 14 mm). It also showed against Gram positive bacteria ( S. aureus & B.subtilis ) (14 & 13 mm) and against ( C. albicans ) (14 mm). The tested anti-oxidant activity gave (18±0.06 RSA %) in comparison to the control of propylgalate (92±0.01 RSA %). In addition cytotoxicity (brine shrimp lethality Bioassay) verified the safety of the examined extract with an IC 50 less than 1000μg/ml. This study conducted for essential oil of C. carvi L. seeds proved to have potent activities against antimicrobial activity In-vitro with verified safety evidence for use.
Efficient Institutions and Effective Deterrence: On Timing and Uncertainty of Formal Sanctions

Although the decisions of policy professionals are often more consequential than those of individuals in their private capacity, there is a dearth of studies on the biases of policy professionals: those who prepare and implement policy on behalf of elected politicians. Experiments conducted on a novel subject pool of development policy professionals (public servants of the World Bank and the Department for International Development in the UK) show that policy professionals are indeed subject to decision-making traps, including the effects of framing outcomes as losses or gains, and, most strikingly, confirmation bias driven by ideological predisposition, despite having an explicit mission to promote evidence-informed and impartial decision making. These findings should worry policy professionals and their principals in governments and large organizations, as well as citizens themselves. A further experiment, in which policy professionals engage in discussion, shows that deliberation may be able to mitigate the effects of some of these biases.
Influence of environmental factors on the abundance of naturalised annual clovers in the South Island hill and high country

The abundance of four naturalised annual clovers (striated, cluster, suckling, haresfoot) and two sown clovers (subterranean and white clover) was investigated in relation to topographical, soil fertility and management factors on two contrasting hill/high country stations in the South Island: Glenfalloch in inland Canterbury (1 665 mm annual rainfall), and Mt Grand in Central Otago (703 mm annual rainfall). Site surveys were conducted in three hill blocks per farm, with measurements of grassland species cover, slope, aspect, grazing intensity, soil fertility, soil depth, and altitude made within quadrats along three transects at upper, middle and lower hill slope positions. The only naturalised clover present at Glenfalloch was suckling, whereas all were present at Mt Grand. The % cover of naturalised annual clovers was greater (30.1) than that of white clover (3.8) or subterranean clover (0.1) at Mt Grand. The % cover of white clover decreased with increasing altitude. The % cover of striated and cluster clover was greatest on sunny aspects, while white clover % cover was greatest on shady aspects. White clover cover increased and striated clover cover decreased with increasing available soil phosphorus. Naturalised annual clovers exhibit regeneration and persistence strategies that allow them to regenerate and grow in dry hill/high country pastures.