Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On nitrogen fixation and preferential remineralization of phosphorus

Regional and global nitrogen fixation rates are often estimated from geochemical tracers related to N* (= NO3− − 16PO43−). However the patterns of this tracer reflect the influence of numerous processes including nitrogen fixation, denitrification, remineralization of organic matter, variable stoichiometry, atmospheric deposition and physical transport. Here we have used idealized models to illustrate how preferential remineralization of organic phosphorous may explain observed features of N* distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean, including a subsurface maximum and an increased temporal variability in the mid‐thermocline. If preferential remineralization of phosphorus is key in shaping the oceanic distribution of N*, published estimates of nitrogen fixation may be underestimating the marine nitrogen fixation rate by as much as a factor of three.
Estimating tropical pasture quality at canopy level using band depth analysis with continuum removal in the visible domain

Pasture quality, expressed as a percentage of total digestible nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium), is a major factor determining the grazing patterns of wildlife and livestock. Existing rangeland monitoring techniques seldom reflect the nutritive quality of the pastures and are consequently of limited value in explaining animal distribution. Techniques that can estimate pasture quality on a large scale are therefore critical in understanding and explaining wildlife and livestock distribution. We present the results of a greenhouse experiment designed to estimate the concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and non‐detergent fibre (NDF), using the reflectance of a tropical grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) canopy. Canopy spectral measurements were taken under controlled laboratory conditions using a GER 3700 spectroradiometer. We tested the utility of using the band depth analysis methodology in the visible region (where water absorption is less effective) to estimate foliar chemistry in fresh canopies. Continuum removal was applied to the visible absorption feature centred at 670 nm, and band depth ratios (BDRs) were calculated. Stepwise linear regression was used to select wavelengths from calculated BDRs that were highly correlated with foliar chemistry in a randomly selected training dataset. The resulting regression models were used to predict foliar chemistry in a test dataset. Results indicate that stepwise regression on bands calculated from continuum‐removed reflectance spectra could predict foliar nutrient concentration with high accuracy. The correlations were highest for magnesium and nitrogen (R 2 = 0.77 and 0.73 respectively, using the normalized band depth index (NBDI)) between the measured and estimated biochemicals—a satisfactory result in estimating foliar chemistry in fresh standing pastures. With the advent of new sensors such as Hymap and MERIS, these results lay the basis for developing algorithms to rapidly estimate and ultimately map pasture quality in tropical rangelands.
Title Quantitative and qualitative analysis of antibody response after dose sparing intradermal 2009 H1N1 vaccination

Rights NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Vaccine. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Vaccine, 2012, v. 30 n. 17, p. 2707-2708. DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine. 2011.12. 069 CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac. uk
Sensitivity of washout on HNO3/NO x ratio in atmospheric chemistry transport models

Global chemistry transport models often overestimate the HNO 3 /NO x ratio in the free troposphere compared with observations. The sensitivity of the HNO 3 /NO x ratio to the parameterization of washout is studied using two global models, IMAGES and MOZART. The observed ratio of HNO 3 /NO x is about 4±3 in the free troposphere over remote areas. Calculations with the IMAGES model are in good agreement with these observations, but those with the MOZART model are too high (about 7-20). The good agreement found for IMAGES might be fortuitous, caused by the physically unrealistic parameterization of washout as a continuous removal rate. Applying different magnitudes of a continuous washout or different intermittent washout frequencies increases the HNO 3 /NO x ratio by about a factor of 2-3, worsening the agreement with observations. Smaller, but significant, changes of the order of 10-20% can be seen in NO, NO 2 , and ozone as a result of changes in the washout parameterization. The heterogeneous conversion of HNO 3 on SO 4 (used as a proxy for soot) yields only a small improvement in the HNO 3 /NO x ratio for most remote locations. Significant effects of this heterogeneous conversion can be expected over and downwind of polluted locations. Given the sensitivity of the HNO 3 /NO x ratio to the parameterization of washout, this ratio may be more suited to test the quality of the parameterization of the washout than the nitrogen chemistry in global chemistry transport models. Expressed differently, the HNO 3 /NO x ratio is little affected by and not very important for tropospheric chemistry in these models.
Phonological Acquisition in Optimality Theory: The Early Stages 1

Recent experimental work indicates that by the age of ten months, infants have already learned a great deal about the phonotactics (legal sounds and sound sequences) of their language. This learning occurs before infants can utter words or apprehend most phonological alternations. I will show that this early learning stage can be straightforwardly modeled with Optimality Theory. Specifically, the Markedness and Faithfulness constraints can be ranked so as to characterize the phonotactics, even when no information about morphology or phonological alternations is yet available. I will also show how later on, the information acquired in infancy can help the child in coming to grips with the alternation pattern. I also propose a procedure for undoing the learning errors that are likely to occur at the earliest stages. There are two specific formal proposals. One is a constraint ranking algorithm, based closely on Tesar and Smolensky’s Constraint Demotion, which mimics the early, “phonotactics only” form of learning seen in infants. I illustrate the algorithm’s effectiveness by having it learn the phonotactic pattern of a simplified language modeled on Korean. The other proposal is that there are three distinct default rankings for phonological constraints: low for ordinary Faithfulness (used in learning phonotactics); low for Faithfulness to adult forms (in the child’s own production system); and high for output-to-output correspondence constraints.
Influence of Control Systems on Internal Efficiency in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru County, Kenya

Even though every public secondary school in Nakuru County, Kenya, has adopted strategic plans, internal inefficiencies in the form of poor academic performance and a low student transition rate exist. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the influence of control systems on internal efficiency in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. This research study was guided by the 7-S model developed by McKinsey, the 10-step model developed by Bryson, and the system theory developed by Von Bertanlanffy. This study employed a mixed approach and concurrent triangulation design. The study sought responses from a target population of 311 public secondary school teachers in Nakuru County, 311 principals and 11 sub-county education officials. Using stratified random sampling a total of 240 teachers, principals, and sub-county education officers were included in the sample. The study utilised questionnaires, document analysis, and interview schedules. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was 0.76, indicating reliability. Data was analysed descriptively using SPSS (version 23). The study also employed inferential statistics, such as regression analysis and Pearson correlations. Results are presented using bar graphs, pie charts, and frequency distribution tables. The control system positively impacted the schools’ internal efficiency despite the fact that most of the public secondary schools in Nakuru County had subpar supervision. According to the findings of this research, the Ministry of Education should conduct more frequent checks on implementing the control strategy to improve the organisation’s overall efficiency
Delay of the First Transition of Asian Summer Monsoon under Global Warming Condition

We evaluate reproducibility of seasonal evolution of the thermal fields associated with the first transition of Asian summer monsoon (ASM) in atmosphere-ocean coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3). Many CGCMs reproduce seasonal evolution of the thermal fields related to the first transition of ASM well, though the degree of reproducibility differs to some extent. Based on this evaluation, weighted multi-model ensembles are calculated, and the future projections of the ASM onset from the viewpoint of lower-tropospheric westerlies are conducted. The onset dates over the Bay of Bengal, the Indochina Peninsula and the South China Sea are projected to delay by 5 to 10 days in the end of the 21st century under the A1B scenario of the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES), compared to those in the end of the 20th century. This change might be related with delay of the reversal of upper-tropospheric meridional thermal gradient between over the Eurasian Continent and the north Indian Ocean.
Deep-water ostracods from the Middle Anisian (Reifling Formation) of the Northern Calcareous Alps (Austria)

A diverse silicified ostracod aassemblage from Middle Anisian, Middle Triassic, intra-shelf basin deposits (Reifling Formation) is described. It comprises 32 species, of which 5 are new species (Bairdia biforis n. sp., B. schneebergiana n. sp., Mirabairdia praepsychrosphaerica n. sp., M. plurispinosa n. sp., Bairdiacypris aequisymmetrica n. sp.). The assemblage consists of both neritic species and deep-water taxa which have been considered as representatives of the ‘Thuringian Ecotype’ or the ‘Palaeopsychrospheric Fauna’. Lithofacies, palaeogeographical setting and taxonomic composition are suggestive of a deep neritic to upper bathyal depositional environment. ‘Archaic’ faunal elements are relatively rare and include the genera Spinomicrocheilinella and Processobairdia, which were formerly known only from the Palaeozoic and are now recorded for the first time from the Mesozoic.
Personality Dimensions of the Captive California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

Although the field of animal personality research is growing, information on sea lion personality is lacking. This is surprising as sea lions are charismatic, cognitively advanced, and relatively accessible for research. In addition, their presence in captivity and frequent interactions with humans allow for them to be closely observed in various contexts. These interactions provide a valuable and unique opportunity to assess dimensions of their personality. This study created a personality survey for captive California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) using a 3-step approach that balances comprehensiveness and comparability to other species. Zookeepers (N = 43) at 5 zoological parks rated sea lions (N = 16) on 52 personality traits and 7 training traits. A principal components analysis and regularized exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 dimensions (Extraversion/Impulsivity, Dominance/Confidence, and Reactivity/Undependability). Each dimension was significantly correlated with at least 1 training trait. Pups and juveniles scored significantly higher on Extraversion/Impulsivity than adults. No other age or sex effects were present on this or any other dimension. Sea lions are cognitively complex marine mammals that represent a valuable addition to the group of species in which personality structure and function have been studied. The unique behavioral and ecological characteristics of sea lions offer another vantage point for understanding how personality varies between disparate species.
Image correlation tool for ASTER geometric validation

An image correlation tool, which can calculate co-variance of sub-images with an arbitrary window size, was developed. The tool has been applied to the evaluation of image quality of ASTER data products. Other application to the DEM creation is presented. The tool is also promising for the image navigation method to detect the attitude fluctuation of the satellite.
Shear-wave velocity structure in the northern Basin and Range province from the combined analysis of receiver functions and surface waves

A new method based on the joint inversion of receiver functions and surface-wave phase velocities results in well-determined shear-velocity structures that are consistent with the compressional-wave structure, gravity, heat flow, and elevation data in the northern Basin and Range. This new inversion method takes advantage of average-velocity information present in the surface-wave method and differential velocity information contained in the receiver function method, thus minimizing the nonuniqueness problem that results from the velocity-depth trade-off. An unusually thick (38 km) and relatively faster crust and upper mantle are found in central and eastern Nevada compared to the thin (28 to 34 km) and slower crust and upper mantle of the western Basin and Range. We interpret the regions of thicker and faster crust and upper mantle as zones that have undergone less Cenozoic extension relative to the surrounding regions to the west and north. The thick crust and consequently greater depth to the dense mantle material is consistent with the gravity low pattern in central and eastern Nevada. Simple gravity modeling shows both local and regional isostatic compensation occur within 40 km of the surface, indicating a near-classical Airy type of compensation in the province. We analyze in detail the shear-wave (S-wave) velocity model derived from the receiver functions at station BMN and compressional-wave (P-wave) velocity models derived from the 1986 PASSCAL experiment in northwestern Nevada. The most interesting feature of these models is the presence of negative-velocity gradients in the S-wave model with no corresponding velocity decrease in the P-wave models between depths of 10 and 24 km. This combined velocity model may be explained by high pore fluid pressures at these depths. This model favors a layered fluid porosity model proposed in the literature to explain extensive middle- to lower-crust continental seismic reflections and high electrical conductivity. An upper-mantle, gradational low-velocity zone is present between 32 and 38 km in the S-wave model. This upper-mantle, shear-wave, low-velocity zone is consistent with partial melt, which may be the source material for magmatic underplating in this region.
Planck early results. XVII. Origin of the submillimetre excess dust emission in the Magellanic Clouds

The integrated Spectral Energy Distributions of the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud appear significantly flatter than expected from dust models based on their FIR and radio emission. The origin of this millimetre excess is still unexplained, and is here investigated using the Planck data. The background CMB contribution is subtracted using an ILC method performed locally around the galaxies. The foreground emission from the Milky Way is subtracted. After subtraction, the emission of both galaxies correlates closely with the gas emission of the LMC and SMC. The millimetre excess in the LMC can be explained by CMB fluctuations, but a significant excess is still present in the SMC SED. The Planck and IRIS data at 100 micron are combined to produce thermal dust temperature and optical depth maps of the two galaxies. The LMC temperature map shows the presence of a warm inner arm already found with the Spitzer data, but also shows the existence of a previously unidentified cold outer arm. Several cold regions are found along this arm, some of which are associated with known molecular clouds. The average emissivity spectral index is found to be consistent with beta=1.5 and beta=1.2 below 500 microns for the LMC and SMC respectively, significantly flatter than the values observed in the Milky Way. Furthermore, there is evidence in the SMC for a further flattening of the SED in the sub-mm. The spatial distribution of the millimetre dust excess in the SMC follows the gas and thermal dust distribution. Different models are explored in order to fit the dust emission in the SMC. It is concluded that the millimetre excess is unlikely to be caused by very cold dust emission and that it could be due to a combination of spinning dust. emission and thermal dust emission by more amorphous dust grains than those present in our Galaxy.
Abundance and distribution of ichthyolarvae from upper pelagic waters of the northwestern Arabian Sea during different monsoon periods, 1992-1994

Surface to subsurface ichthyolarval distribution and abundance in the northwestern Arabian Sea is presented. Fish larvae were sorted from zooplankton samples from five NASEER (North Arabian Sea Environment and Ecosystem Research) cruises carried out during different monsoon periods between 1992 and 1994. No areas of exceptionally high fish larval concentration were identified. However, there was a weak concentration of fish larvae at stations southeast of Karachi during three of the cruises, though its actual location was not the same during each cruise, and there was a peak in concentration of fish larvae off the west coast of Pakistan during May 1994. Abundance of fish larvae is compared with zooplankton standing stock, temperature, salinity, wind speed and dissolved oxygen using non-parametric tests. However, no clear relationship between biotic and abiotic factors at surface to subsurface water depths was found.
Dispersion in Ice-Covered Lakes

Dispersion studies in three ice-covered lakes are presented. One of the lakes has a large river through-flow. In the other two lakes, small seiche-induced currents are generated through wind action on the ice cover. Dispersion coefficients are computed from five dye experiments lasting from ½ day to 16 days. These coefficients are related to measured current velocities. The turbulence in the river-flow dominated lake is found to be very low with disperision coefficients less than 1 cm2/s in directions transverse to the flow. In the lakes where the turbulence is generated by shear from the seiche-induced currents the horizontal dispersion coefficients are two orders of magnitude higher, being almost as high as in ice-free lakes.
Institutional Synergies and the Fragility of Loan Funds

There are two major institutional investors in the syndicated loan market: collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and loan mutual funds. CLOs are closed-end funds while loan funds are openend funds that issue claims that are redeemable on demand. In this paper, we examine whether CLOs provide arbitrage capital that contributes to the resilience of loan funds. We find that CLOs act as shock absorbers, providing liquidity through par building trades when loan funds experience large outflows. However, CLO-provided liquidity is limited to par build eligible loans, leading to potential flow-induced fire sales among par ineligible loans.
Dynamical influences from thermal‐chemical instabilities at the core‐mantle boundary

Two-dimensional, time-dependent calculations show that the thermal and flow structures can be influenced by the lower-mantle thermal-chemical instabilities. The style of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) deformation in thermal-chemical convection is different from that obtained in thermal convection. The amplitude of CMB hills is reduced greatly from the depth-dependence of thermal expansivity, found in recent high-pressure experiments.
Eigenvalue programming beyond matrices

In this paper we analyze and solve eigenvalue programs, which consist of the task of minimizing a function subject to constraints on the"eigenvalues"of the decision variable. Here, by making use of the FTvN systems framework introduced by Gowda, we interpret"eigenvalues"in a broad fashion going beyond the usual eigenvalues of matrices. This allows us to shed new light on classical problems such as inverse eigenvalues problems and also leads to new applications. In particular, after analyzing and developing a simple projected gradient algorithm for general eigenvalue programs, we show that eigenvalue programs can be used to express what we call vanishing quadratic constraints. A vanishing quadratic constraint requires that a given system of convex quadratic inequalities be satisfied and at least a certain number of those inequalities must be tight. As a particular case, this includes the problem of finding a point $x$ in the intersection of $m$ ellipsoids in such a way that $x$ is also in the boundary of at least $\ell$ of the ellipsoids, for some fixed $\ell>0$. At the end, we also present some numerical experiments.
Nanomaterials in sunscreens: Potential human and ecological health implications

Inorganic nanomaterials such as TiO2 and ZnO provide significant benefits in terms of UV protection, and their use generally has increased in commercial sunscreens. However, more recently there have been concerns about their potential human and ecological health implications, mostly driven by perception rather than by formal assessments. The large and increasing body of literature on these nanomaterials indicates that in most circumstances their risk are minimal. Penetration of the human epidermis is minimal for these nanomaterials, significantly reducing the potential effects that these nanomaterials may pose to internal organs. The excess Zn ion dose is very small compared to normal dietary consumption of Zn, which is a necessary element. The levels of residual nanomaterials or released ions in public swimming pools is also low, with minimal effect in case this water is ingested during swimming or bathing. In natural environments with significant water flow due to wind and water currents, the concentrations of nanomaterials and released ions are generally well below levels that would cause effects in aquatic organisms. However, sensitive habitats with slow currents, such as coral reefs, may accumulate these nanomaterials. The number of studies of the levels and effects of nanomaterials in these sensitive habitats is very small; more research is needed to determine if there is an elevated risk to these ecosystems from the use of sunscreens with these nanomaterials.
Assessing techniques of assessment: post-development auditing of noise predictive schemas in environmental impact assessment

Post-development auditing provides a means of introducing a feedback mechanism in which knowledge on actual impacts can be used to im- prove future environmental impact assessments (EIAs). In this paper a spatial approach to au- diting noise predictive schemas is developed. For two selected methods, relevant noise impact predictions are tested to identify and quantify the residual errors between predicted and actual impacts. The main focus is then on the develop- ment and interpretation of statistical models of the errors identified, to explore factors which explain the relative performance of the original noise prediction model. For one noise model, the notion of using audits to improve future EIA is put into practice by applying a generalised model of residual errors to 'correct' the model and its associated prediction at a test site.