Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Boron fertilization improves quality and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Boron deficiency drastically affects yield and quality of many crops especially maize. The low availability of boron in soils is one the major causes of poor quality and low yield of maize in Pakistan. A wire house experiment was carried out at Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to optimize dose of boron to increase quality and yield of maize. Two recommended local maize hybrids Monsanto-919 and Monsanto-5219 were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements. The Boron was applied as borax @ 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 kg ha¯¹ at tasseling stage. Although both hybrids showed non-significant differences in yield attributes but exogenous boron supply @ 0.6 kg boron ha¯¹ increased grain yield by 27% as compared to control treatment in both the hybrids. It increased grain oil, protein and starch contents by 10%, 12% and 16% respectively.
GAFF-IC: realistic viscosities for isocyanate molecules with a GAFF-based force field

ABSTRACT Aliphatic diisocyanates and their derivatives are key liquid components in the industrial processing of polyurethane materials. In particular, for the synthesis of crosslinked polyurethane materials, the higher functionality molecules obtained by reacting three -or more- diisocyanates are of interest. However, despite their widespread application, the relation between molecular structure and macroscopic physical properties, in particular viscosity, is poorly understood in these systems. In this work, we introduce a new force field parameter set, GAFF-IC, based on the widely-used and versatile GAFF force field, meant for accurate predictions of physical properties of isocyanate-based molecular liquids. The new parameters allow to predict the vaporization enthalpies and densities of several isocyanate-based molecules, which are found in excellent agreement with the available experimental data. The effectiveness and transferability of the improved parameters is verified by calculating the viscosities of several isocyanates, isocyanate dimers (uretdiones) and isocyanate trimers (isocyanurates), resulting in accurate viscosity predictions in excellent agreement with experimental values.
Physical and sensory perturbations changed joint regulations in control of posture: a power spectral analysis

Background. Standing on an unstable platform needs more effort of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. This study was about to highlight the joint regulations in keeping balance while standing on an unstable platform using spectral analysis. Methods. Thirteen healthy young males were participated to stand on an unstable platform with two levels of support stiffness, two visual, and three cognitive dual-task conditions. Motion analysis was utilized to measure postural regulations at the lower extremity joints. Power spectral analysis was applied on the joint rotations to discriminate the joint behaviors in different standing conditions. Results. Results showed that the body used higher levels of the postural adjustment by more joint regulations as the standing conditions become more difficult. Support stiffness of the platform and vision were effective in keeping balance (p .05). In simpler standing conditions, the ankle-hip strategy was responsible for body stabilization in lower frequencies. However, increasing the standing difficulty by eliminating the vision or use of looser support of the platform was led to the predominance of the ankle strategy. Conclusion. Standing in different conditions prevailingly relied on the ankle strategy. Enhancement of the postural difficulty may revert to dominantly use the ankle strategy.
Financial Inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS): A Study in Uganda

This study unravels trends and momentum in banking and mobile money channels and uptake of select services and thereafter draws implications for enhancing financial inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS). The Rate of Change (ROC) approach was applied to analyze the growth momentum in banking and mobile money channels in Uganda. Implications for growth momentum in banking and mobile money channels for DFS and financial inclusion was drawn from observing and making informed interpretation of such observed trends and momentum. The findings of this study imply that banks must innovate to increase their contribution towards enhancing financial inclusion. Additional channel innovations, which may infuse banking and mobile money channels, are needed for banking to leverage on growth of mobile money and regain its role in enhancing financial inclusion. Leveraging the application of digital innovations in services such as payments and digitizing alternative channels such as agent banking are likely to increase efficiencies in physical channels and the provision of banking services and thereby increase overall reach and penetration of banking. The fast pace of mobile money penetration is good for speeding up financial inclusion. However, this calls for better regulatory approaches for DFS risk reduction, consumer protection, and protecting mobile money against integrity and financial crimes.
De-Ethylation and Cleavage of Rhodamine B by a Zirconium Phosphate/Silver Bromide Composite Photocatalyst

A composite heterogeneous photocatalyst based on silver bromide was prepared by a reaction of silver exchanged zirconium phosphate (ZrP) and HBr. The ZrP/AgBr composite containing 53 wt% AgBr was tested in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and exhibited higher catalytic activity with respect to pure AgBr. As a matter of fact, the time needed to achieve a percentage of chromophore cleavage of about 90% was 3 min for the composite versus the 30 min needed for pure AgBr. The ZrP/AgBr composite turned out to be stable for at least three consecutive cycles. The UV-Vis spectra of the RhB solution, recorded at different irradiation times, were also decomposed and the concentration of the species formed by de-ethylation and cleavage processes during photocatalysis were calculated; the data obtained for the AgBr-based catalysis were also compared with those for the AgCl-based catalysis, and the degradation mechanism was suggested for both catalytic systems.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) paste as partial fat replacer in the development of reduced fat cooked meat product type pâté: Effect on quality and safety

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of partially replacing fat by the addition of three quinoa pastes obtained from white, red and black quinoa on the quality and safety of a cooked meat product such as pork liver pâté. The addition of quinoa paste as fat replacer led to an increase in the moisture, ash and residual nitrite contents, while the fat content decreased with respect to control sample by an average of 8%. The use of quinoa pastes increased the hardness and the gumminess but had no effect on springiness and cohesiveness. The substitution of fat with white, red and black quinoa paste at 10% led to lower oxidation rates than observed in the control. No aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, moulds and yeasts were found in any sample. The most acceptable sample was the pâté containing red quinoa at 5%.
Consortia of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated from Halophytes Improve Response of Eight Crops to Soil Salinization and Climate Change Conditions

Soil salinization is an environmental problem that adversely affects plant growth and crop productivity worldwide. As an alternative to the conventional approach of breeding salt-tolerant plant cultivars, we explored the use of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from halophytic plants to enhance crop growth under saline conditions. Here, we report the effect of five PGPR consortia from halophytes on the growth of eight (alfalfa, flax, maize, millet, rice, strawberry, sunflower, and wheat) of the crops most commonly produced on salinized soils worldwide. To test the efficiency of halotolerant consortia, we designed a complex environmental matrix simulating future climate-change scenarios, including increased CO2 levels and temperature. Overall, biofertilizers enhanced growth of most crops with respect to non-inoculated control plants under different CO2 concentrations (400/700 ppm), temperatures (25/+4 °C), and salinity conditions (0 and 85 mM NaCl). Biofertilizers counteracted the detrimental effect of salinity on crop growth. Specifically, strawberry and rice showed the greatest positive additive response to inoculation in the presence of salt; above-ground biomasses were 35% and 3% greater, respectively, than their respective control grown without salt. Furthermore, depending on the interaction of environmental factors (salinity × CO2 × temperature) analyzed, the results varied—influencing the most effective biofertilizer determined for each crop now, or in the future. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting studies that consider stress interaction for realistic assessments of the potential of biofertilizers in a climate-changed world.
Exploring the Boundary Conditions and the Mechanisms Linking Coworker Negative Emotional Expressions to Employee Prohibitive Voice and Interpersonal Deviance

ABSTRACT The present study is designed to clarify when coworkers’ negative emotional expressions lead to prohibitive voice or interpersonal deviance, as well as the mechanisms that explain these associations. We collected data from 60 employees and their coworkers across 10 working days (resulting in 588 paired surveys). The results show that: (1) when employees are proactive, the indirect effect between coworker negative emotional expressions and employee prohibitive voice via daily prevention focus is positive while the indirect effect become negative when employees are less proactive; and (2) when employees are low in agreeableness, the indirect effect between coworker negative emotional expressions and employee interpersonal deviant behaviors via employee daily negative emotions is positive. However, this positive indirect effect is weakened when employees are more agreeable.
Culture and Sustainable Tourism: Does the Pair Pay in Medium-Sized Cities?

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest challenges to civilisation today is the need to fulfil commitments to build a just and caring global society. These commitments also apply to the tourism sector. The aim of the article was to determine how to identify opportunities for sustainable tourism development based on cultural heritage in medium-sized cities whose tourism assets can hardly be considered outstanding. This is an even more significant problem, as even in conditions of relatively low tourist traffic cultural tourism may have an unsustainable character if the relevant policy is pursued and the attitude of the inhabitants are inappropriate. The authors proposed to complement the Triple Bottom Line used to assess the sustainability of a destination with the assessment of the local authority’s attitude towards cultural development and characteristics regarding the involvement of the inhabitants. The study has shown that even if the cultural assets of medium-sized cities are not outstanding, they can play a role in tourism development. It is important to remember that their advantage lies in their locality, and that expecting too much of an economic effect of developing tourism can deprive them of this advantage permanently.
Modeling of Possible Plume Mechanisms on Europa

Plumes spewing water high above Europa's surface have been inferred from several observation campaigns in the past decade. Whereas the occasional existence of plumes on Europa has thus been confirmed, the origin of the plumes remains uncertain. Most notably, it is still unclear whether the inferred plumes are of oceanic origin, possibly containing information about the ocean's habitability, or if they are of surficial nature, offering information on the highly processed surface instead. In this study, we use a Monte‐Carlo model to analyze three different plume models, two of which are surficial (near‐surface liquid inclusion and diapir), and one of which originates in the sub‐surface ocean (oceanic plume). We analyze all relevant Lyman‐ α and OI 1304 Å emission mechanisms to determine the three models' emission profiles. These profiles are then compared to the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectograph measurements presented by Roth, Saur, et al. (2014, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1247051) with the goal of determining which ab initio model fits these measurements best. Our analyses show that all three models investigated produce similar Lyman‐ α and OI 130.4 nm emission profiles, with differences being perceivable only on scales well below the HST resolution and sensitivity. Since none of the models contradict the Roth, Saur, et al. (2014, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1247051) observations, none of them can be ruled out as being the acting force behind the observed plumes. The currently available optical measurements are thus not sufficient to determine the physical nature of Europa's plumes, identification of which can only be achieved through higher resolution images or in situ measurements.
Characterization of Temperature and Soot Volume Fraction in Laminar Premixed Flames: Laser Absorption/Extinction Measurement and Two-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling

We performed a comprehensive laser absorption/extinction study of temperature and soot volume fraction (SVF) in C2H4/air premixed sooting flames. Laser-absorption two-line thermometry at 2.5 μm provided a temperature uncertainty of 50 K compared with that of 90 K using conventional thermocouples. Laser extinction of soot at 633 nm was first validated against the previous measurements using laser-induced incandescence. All of the measurements were conducted at four representative C2H4 flame conditions (equivalence ratio Φ = 1.78, 1.95, 2.14, and 2.38). In addition, a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) framework coupling a skeletal mechanism (56 species and 428 reactions) with the Moss–Brookes model was developed for interpreting the experimental data. The current CFD simulations well predicted the temperature and SVF distribution along the centerline of flame. It is of interest to observe that the SVF depends on the Reynolds number of reactants by investigating the SVFs at different heights above the burne.
Chemical Composition, Cytotoxicity and Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils of Three Medicinal Plants of Ethiopian Flora against Anisakis L3 Larvae

Background and objectives: Uvaria scheffleri Diels (Annonaceae), Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. (Rutaceae), and Vepris dainelli (Pichi-Serm.) Kokwaro (Rutaceae) are medicinal plants traditionally used in Ethiopia against pathogenic infections. In the present study, the chemical composition, larvicidal activity, and cytotoxic effect of essential oils were investigated. Methods: Hydrodistillation technique was used to extract essential oils. In vitro larvicidal activity against Anisakis L3 larvae was tested in marinated solutions. MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity. Results: The yields (v/w) of essential oils obtained from U. scheffleri roots, Z. chalybeum, and V. dainelli fruits were 0.5, 2.7, and 2.0 %, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils revealed a total of 58, 18, and 20 chemical constituents, representing 97.6, 99.6, and 98.8 % of the oil contents, respectively. Tricyclo [5.3. 0.0(3, 9)] decane was identified to be the principal constituent in the essential oils of Z. chalybeum (82.8%) and V. dainelli (69.8%), reported herein for the first time. Essential oils of Z. chalybeum, U. scheffleri, and V. dainelli displayed a dose-dependent larvicidal activity with LT100 values of 3 h, 5 h, and 5 h for 5% concentrations, respectively. The cytotoxicity study of essential oils on VERO cells showed moderate toxicity with IC50 values of 65.46 µg/mL, 83.88 µg/mL, and 96.82 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained revealed that the studied essential oils could serve as larvicidal agents in treating human anisakidosis. The observed weak cytotoxicity at low concentrations points out the possibility of developing effective and safe botanical larvicides.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation Study of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation during Coalbed Methane Development

The extraction of low-permeability coalbed methane (CBM) has the dual significance of energy utilization and safe mining. Understanding hydraulic fracturing mechanism is vital to successful development of CBM. Therefore, it is important to improve the law of hydraulic fracture propagation in coal and rigorously study the influencing factors. In this paper, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation methods were used to investigate the hydraulic fracture propagation law of coal in coalbed methane reservoir with natural fractures. The results show that the maximum and minimum horizontal in situ stress and the difference in stress significantly affect the direction of crack propagation. The elastic modulus of coal, the mechanical properties of natural fractures, and the injection rate can affect the fracture length, fracture width, and the amount of fracturing fluid injected. To ensure the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing, a reservoir environment with a certain horizontal stress difference under specific reservoir conditions can ensure the increase of fractured reservoir and the controllability of fracture expansion direction. In order to increase the volume of fractured reservoir and fracture length, the pumping speed of fracturing fluid should not be too high. The existence of stress shadow effect causes the hydraulic fracture to propagate along the main fracture track, where the branch fracture cannot extend too far. Complex fractures are the main hydraulic fracture typology in coalbed methane reservoir with natural fractures. The results can provide a benchmark for optimal design of hydraulic fracturing in coalbed methane reservoirs.
Subclasses of λ-bi-pseudo-starlike functions with respect to symmetric points based on shell-like curves

In this paper we define the subclass \(\mathcal{PSL}^\lambda_{s,\Sigma}(\alpha,\tilde{p}(z))\) of the class \(\Sigma\) of bi-univalent functions defined in the unit disk, called \(\lambda\)-bi-pseudo-starlike, with respect to symmetric points, related to shell-like curves connected with Fibonacci numbers. We determine the initial Taylor-Maclaurin coefficients \(|a_2|\) and \(|a_3|\) for functions \(f\in\mathcal{PSL}^\lambda_{s,\Sigma}(\alpha,\tilde{p}(z)). \) Further we determine the Fekete-Szego result for the function class \(\mathcal{PSL}^\lambda_{s,\Sigma}(\alpha,\tilde{p}(z))\) and for the special cases \(\alpha=0\), \(\alpha=1\) and \(\tau =-0.618\) we state corollaries improving the initial Taylor-Maclaurin coefficients \(|a_2|\) and \(|a_3|\).
Progress of electrochemical С(sp2)-H phosphonation

Abstract Recent achievements of electrochemical efficient and atom-economical catalytic methods for the formation of aromatic carbon-phosphorus bonds are summarized in this mini-review. Electrochemical reactions have several advantages over conventional chemical syntheses: mild conditions, high rates, selectivity, and convenient operational control by current density and potential applied. Electrochemical synthesis has become recognized as one of the methodologies that can fulfill several important criteria that are needed if society is to develop environmentally compatible processes because they do not require chemical redox agents and produce much less waste. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Indoor and Outdoor Nanoparticle Concentrations in an Urban Background Area in Northern Sweden: The NanoOffice Study

In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have received much attention due to their very small size, high penetration capacity, and high toxicity. In urban environments, combustion-formed nanoparticles (CFNPs) dominate in particle number concentrations (PNCs), and exposure to those particles constitutes a risk to human health. Even though fine particles (<2.5 µm) are regularly monitored, information on NP concentrations, both indoors and outdoors, is still limited. In the NanoOffice study, concentrations of nanoparticles (10–300 nm) were measured both indoors and outdoors with a 5-min time resolution at twelve office buildings in Umeå. Measurements were taken during a one-week period in the heating season and a one-week period in the non-heating season. The measuring equipment SMPS 3938 was used for indoor measurements, and DISCmini was used for outdoor measurements. The NP concentrations were highest in offices close to a bus terminal and lowest in offices near a park. In addition, a temporal effect appeared, usually with higher concentrations of nanoparticles found during daytime in the urban background area, whereas considerably lower nanoparticle concentrations were often present during nighttime. Infiltration of nanoparticles from the outdoor air into the indoor air was also common. However, the indoor/outdoor ratios (I/O ratios) of NPs showed large variations between buildings, seasons, and time periods, with I/O ratios in the range of 0.06 to 0.59. The reasons for high indoor infiltration rates could be NP emissions from adjacent outdoor sources. We could also see particle growth since the indoor NPs were, on average, almost twice as large as the NPs measured outdoors. Despite relatively low concentrations of NPs in the urban background air during nighttime, they could rise to very high daytime concentrations due to local sources, and those particles also infiltrated the indoor air.
Mechanisms of regional winter sea-ice variability in a warming Arctic

The Arctic winter sea-ice cover is in retreat overlaid by large internal variability. Changes to sea ice are driven by exchange of heat, momentum and freshwater within and between the ocean and the atmosphere. Using a combination of observations and output from the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble, we analyze and contrast present and future drivers of the regional winter sea-ice cover. Consistent with observations and previous studies, we find that for the recent decades ocean heat transport though the Barents Sea and Bering Strait is a major source of sea-ice variability in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors of the Arctic, respectively. Future projections show a gradually expanding footprint of Pacific and Atlantic inflows highlighting the importance of future Atlantification and Pacification of the Arctic Ocean. While the dominant hemispheric modes of winter atmospheric circulation are only weakly connected to the sea ice, we find distinct local atmospheric circulation patterns associated with present and future regional sea-ice variability in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors, consistent with heat and moisture transport from lower latitudes. Even if the total freshwater input from rivers is projected to increase substantially, its influence on simulated sea ice is small in the context of internal variability.
COVID-19 and currency market: a comparative analysis of exchange rate movement in China and USA during pandemic

Abstract By aiming to understand the importance of the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on several economies, this study attempts to highlight the impact of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths occurring in the most affected countries of the world such as China and the USA, especially in the context of their respective currencies. For this purpose, the daily data from January 22, 2020, till May 7, 2021, has been taken into account, and then has been analyzed to examine the linear relationship between the currency and proxies of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the (autoregressive distributed lag) ARDL model has been employed in order to fulfil the research objective with numerous statistical diagnostic measures, so as to validate the model. The results indicate that the exchange rate is affected negatively due to the effect of COVID-19 cases and deaths in particular countries. Moreover, the effect of the pandemic is not limited to the short run only, but also in the long run, as it is hurting the financial backbone of China and the USA.