Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
U.S. National PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitoring Networks—CSN and IMPROVE: Description of networks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the national PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitoring Network (CSN) in 2000 to support evaluation of long-term trends and to better quantify the impact of sources on particulate matter (PM) concentrations in the size range below 2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5; fine particles). The network peaked at more than 260 sites in 2005. In response to the 1999 Regional Haze Rule and the need to better understand the regional transport of PM, EPA also augmented the long-existing Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) visibility monitoring network in 2000, adding nearly 100 additional IMPROVE sites in rural Class 1 Areas across the country. Both networks measure the major chemical components of PM2.5 using historically accepted filter-based methods. Components measured by both networks include major anions, carbonaceous material, and a series of trace elements. CSN also measures ammonium and other cations directly, whereas IMPROVE estimates ammonium assuming complete neutralization of the measured sulfate and nitrate. IMPROVE also measures chloride and nitrite. In general, the field and laboratory approaches used in the two networks are similar; however, there are numerous, often subtle differences in sampling and chemical analysis methods, shipping, and quality control practices. These could potentially affect merging the two data sets when used to understand better the impact of sources on PM concentrations and the regional nature and long-range transport of PM2.5. This paper describes, for the first time in the peer-reviewed literature, these networks as they have existed since 2000, outlines differences in field and laboratory approaches, provides a summary of the analytical parameters that address data uncertainty, and summarizes major network changes since the inception of CSN. Implications Two long-term chemical speciation particle monitoring networks have operated simultaneously in the United States since 2001, when the EPA began regular operations of its PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitoring Network (IMPROVE began in 1988). These networks use similar field sampling and analytical methods, but there are numerous, often subtle differences in equipment and methodologies that can affect the results. This paper describes these networks since 2000 (inception of CSN) and their differences, and summarizes the analytical parameters that address data uncertainty, providing researchers and policymakers with background information they may need (e.g., for 2018 PM2.5 designation and State Implementation Plan process; McCarthy, 2013) to assess results from each network and decide how these data sets can be mutually employed for enhanced analyses. Changes in CSN and IMPROVE that have occurred over the years also are described.
Analysis of the Difference of Gaussians Model in Image Difference Metrics

The goal of this work is to present and review two new image difference metrics, named SDOG − CIELAB and SDOG − DEE. These metrics are along the same lines as the standard SCIELAB metric (Zhang and Wandell, 1997), modified to include a pyramidal subsampling, the Difference of Gaussians receptivefield model (DOG) (Tadmor and Tolhurst, 2000), and the ΔEE color-difference formula (Oleari et al., 2009). The DOG model and the ΔEE formula have been shown to improve respectively contrast measures and image quality metrics (Simone et al., 2009). Extensive testing using 29 state-of-the-art metrics and six image databases has been performed. Although this new approach is promising, we only find weak evidence of effectiveness. Analysis of the results indicates that the metrics show fairly good correlations over particular test images, yet they do not outperform the most common objective quality measures.
Forced Board Changes: Evidence from Norway

The recently introduced gender quota on Norwegian corporate boards dramatically increased the share of female directors. This reform offers a natural experiment to investigate changes in corporate governance from forced increases in gender diver- sity, and whether these changes in turn impact firm performance. I find that investors anticipate the new directors to be more effective in firms with less information asymmetry between insiders of the firm and outsiders. Firms with low information asymmetry experience positive and significant cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) at the introduction of the quota, whereas firms with high information asymmetry show negative but insignificant CAR.
The effect of the pricing policy of the Cypriot banks upon accession to the Euro area as at 31/12/2007

Cyprus’ accession into the Eurozone has been a cornerstone on the modern history of the island. The research project is concentrating on the effect that Cyprus’ participation in the Euro Area will have on the banking and financial institutions. The new Euro Area environment is characterized by “price stability” and that is achieved through an interest rate mechanism set by the European Central Bank. The interest rate levels however, are not disbursed uniformly within each member state. It was identified quite early in the research project that a number of factors are affecting the depositors and borrowers characteristics. Factors such as risk exposure, disposable income, alternative financing sources, average firm size, banking market concentration, asset and liability structure differ from one member state to another. For a banking institution, these particular factors, are enough to deviate from the interest rate benchmark that the European Central Bank is setting, in order to operate efficiently and profitable within each member state’s economic characteristics. The research project was concentrated on the level of the interest rates that exist between the different deposit and loan type products in the Cypriot economy and in the Euro Area. Involving case description general analytic strategies, results were produced from the description of the Euro Area and Cypriot economies, the Euro Area MFIs against Cypriot banks and also at the end the Creek banks against the Cypriot banks. It was proved that during this transition period, there exists disequilibrium on the level of the interest rates between the Cypriot banks, the Euro Area MFIs and the Greek banks. It is also proved that these differences on the level of the interest rates are in favour of the Cypriot banks.
Essays on Loan Markets in Less-Developed Economies

Financial constraints are one of the most important obstacles for businesses particularly in less–developed and developing economies. Collateral requirements are frequently addressed as one the most important obstacles to starting and running a business especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in these countries. This thesis consists of four empirical papers each corresponding to a chapter on loan markets in less-developed economies. After the introduction chapter, the second chapter investigates both the presence of collateral and the collateral to loan ratios on loans extended to SMEs are examined. The informal credit mostly serves credit-constrained borrowers (mostly SMEs, poor households, informal businesses, borrowers in rural areas that are located far from formal creditors, and people who are not able to meet collateral requirements of formal creditors) in the formal financial markets. The third chapter aims to understand why and to what extend SMEs use informal credit from various sources, moneylenders and family/friends and suppliers/customers as forms of informal credit. The fourth chapter examines the financial constraints faced by female entrepreneurs. The primary data source in these second, third and fourth chapters is the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Surveys which are mainly based on Eastern European and Central Asian countries. These surveys are joint projects of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank. Chapter five of this thesis takes a different strand and focuses on the effect of banks’ market power on banks’ risk. The empirical analysis is based on data from Turkish banks and helps to shed light on the relation between market power and financial stability. Finally chapter six highlights the main conclusions and addresses potential future research directions.
Enteral Immunization with Attenuated Recombinant Listeria monocytogenes as a Live Vaccine Vector: Organ-Dependent Dynamics of CD4 T Lymphocytes Reactive to a Leishmania major Tracer Epitope

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is considered as a potential live bacterial vector, particularly for the induction of CD8 T cells. The CD4 T-cell immune response triggered after enteral immunization of mice has not yet been thoroughly characterized. The dynamics of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)- and interleukin-4 (IL-4)-secreting CD4 T cells were analyzed after priming through intragastric delivery of an attenuated ΔactA recombinant L. monocytogenes strain expressing the Leishmania major LACK protein; a peptide of this protein, LACK158-173 peptide (pLACK), is a well-characterized CD4 T-cell target in BALB/c mice. Five compartments were monitored: Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen, liver, and blood. A single intragastric inoculation of ΔactA-LACK-LM in BALB/c mice led to colonization of the MLN and spleen at a significant level for at least 3 days. Efficient priming of IFN-γ-secreting pLACK-reactive CD4 T cells was observed in all tested compartments. Interestingly, IL-4-secreting pLACK-reactive CD4 T cells were detectable at day 6 or 7 only in blood and liver. The absence of translocation of viable bacteria through the intestinal epithelium after further ΔactA-LACK-LM inoculations was concomitant with the absence of an increase in the level of IFN-γ secreted by the MLN, blood, and splenic pLACK-reactive Th1 T cells, although the levels remained significantly above the basal level. No change in this population size was detected in the spleen. However, an increase in the number of intragastric inoculations had a clinical beneficial effect in L. major-infected BALB/c mice. L. monocytogenes thus presents the potential of an efficient vector for induction of CD4 T cells when administered by the enteral route.
MECHANICAL STRETCH INDUCES ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE GENE EXPRESSION IN NEONATAL RAT CARDIOMYOCYTES

1 Mechanical stretch leads to cardiac hypertrophy and may ultimately cause heart failure. However, the effect of mechanical stretch on gene induction in cardiomyocytes remains to be determined. 2 In the present study, we compared transcript profiles of mechanically stretched neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with those of unstretched cells using cDNA microarrays. The microarrays contained probes for 480 known genes, including those involved in signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, the cytoskeleton and cell motility. Eighteen genes, including the eNOS gene, were identified as having significantly differential expression in response to mechanical stretch in cardiomyocytes. 3 Northern and western blot analysis further quantified the expression of the eNOS gene. Mechanical stretch increased constitutive NOS activity and nitric oxide (NO) production. The NO donor s‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) inhibited mechanical stretch‐stimulated protein synthesis, as measured by [3H]‐leucine uptake. In addition, cardiomyocytes were infected with adenoviral vectors encoding cDNA for eNOS (Ad‐eNOS) and a phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) empty vector (Ad‐PGK). In contrast with Ad‐PGK‐infected cells, in cardiomyocytes infected with Ad‐eNOS, there was increased calcium‐dependent NOS activity and nitrite production. Cardiomyocytes infected with Ad‐eNOS exhibited diminished mechanical stretch‐stimulated protein synthesis. In contrast, in eNOS‐knockdown cells, the increased eNOS protein levels and NOS activity induced by mechanical stretch were abolished, but protein synthesis was enhanced. 4 The results of the present study indicate that eNOS gene expression is induced by mechanical stretch, leading to increased constitutive NOS activity and NO production, which may be a negative regulator in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
A novel oxalosuccinate‐forming enzyme involved in the reductive carboxylation of 2‐oxoglutarate in Hydrogenobacter thermophilus TK‐6

We have previously demonstrated that the reductive carboxylation of 2‐oxoglutarate in Hydrogenobacter thermophilus TK‐6 is not simply a reversal of the oxidative decarboxylation catalysed by isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH). The reaction involves a novel biotin protein (carboxylating factor for ICDH – CFI) and ATP. In this study, we have analysed the ICDH/CFI system responsible for the carboxylation reaction. Sequence analysis revealed a close relationship between CFI and pyruvate carboxylase. Rather unexpectedly, the rate of ATP hydrolysis was greater than that of isocitrate formation or NADH oxidation. Furthermore, ATP hydrolysis catalysed by CFI was dependent on 2‐oxoglutarate but not on ICDH, suggesting that a carboxylated product is formed in the absence of ICDH. The product, which was detectable only at low temperatures, was identified as oxalosuccinate. Thus, CFI was confirmed to be a novel enzyme that catalyses the carboxylation of 2‐oxoglutarate to form oxalosuccinate, which corresponds to the first step of the reductive carboxylation from 2‐oxoglutarate to isocitrate. The CFI‐ICDH system may also be present in mammals, where it could play a significant role in modulating central metabolism.
Leaf litter decomposition in three wetland types of the Paraná River floodplain

Leaf decomposition rates of nine types of litter, ranging in lignin content from 1.04 to 25.71%, were measured at three wetlands with different inundation regimes and related to internal and external factors. In these sites (located in the alluvial floodplain along at transect perpendicular to the main channel of the Paraná River), 180 litter bags were incubated under water. To test the importance of initial nitrogen, lignin, phosphorus, or L:N content of the litter in predicting decay rates, we analyzed the relationship between leaf quality and dry weight remaining (at 30 days and at the end of the incubation) within each wetland and under uniform environmental conditions. To elucidate the effects of environmental factors (especially hydroperiod) on decomposition processes, we compared the decay coefficient of one of these species (Eichhornia crassipes) across the three wetlands. Our results strongly suggest that under uniform environmental conditions, decomposition rates were best explained by a single internal factor related to litter quality. We found two different situations. 1) In the marsh with riverine forest, where decomposition was rapid and the half-life of the litter ranged from 9.6 to 63 days, the initial nitrogen content of leaves was a good predictor of decay rates both at 30 days and at the end of the incubation. 2) In the oxbow lake and palm swamp forest, where decomposition was lower and the half-life varied between 31.5 and 219 days, the L:N explains the variability on dry weight remaining at the end of the incubation. The decay coefficient of E. crassipes across sites was significantly related to NO3− concentration of water. We concluded that both environmental variables (i.e., the fluvial quotient of connectivity and the number of days in high water) and leaf litter quality (i.e., nitrogen content and L:N) are important factors regulating leaf litter decomposition in Paraná River floodplain wetlands.
Detection of Hepatitis B Virus M204I Mutation by Quantum Dot-Labeled DNA Probe

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 10 nm, which have been widely used as fluorescent probes in biochemical analysis and vivo imaging because of their excellent optical properties. Sensitive and convenient detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene mutations is important in clinical diagnosis. Therefore, we developed a sensitive, low-cost and convenient QDs-mediated fluorescent method for the detection of HBV gene mutations in real serum samples from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who had received lamivudine or telbivudine antiviral therapy. We also evaluated the efficiency of this method for the detection of drug-resistant mutations compared with direct sequencing. In CHB, HBV DNA from the serum samples of patients with poor response or virological breakthrough can be hybridized to probes containing the M204I mutation to visualize fluorescence under fluorescence microscopy, where fluorescence intensity is related to the virus load, in our method. At present, the limits of the method used to detect HBV genetic variations by fluorescence quantum dots is 103 IU/mL. These results show that QDs can be used as fluorescent probes to detect viral HBV DNA polymerase gene variation, and is a simple readout system without complex and expensive instruments, which provides an attractive platform for the detection of HBV M204I mutation.
Wine tourism and subsequent wine purchase behaviour

Wine Tourism within the grape-growing areas of Australia is an integral part of local and regional tourism initiatives, however, it is an area that has been under-researched resulting in few available resources to wine tourism providers. This research set out to address this deficiency by establishing whether there is a link between the wine tourism experience and wine purchasing behaviour.
Low-Temperature Microwave Annealing Processes for Future IC Fabrication—A Review

Microwave annealing (MWA) and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of dopants in implanted Si are compared in their abilities to produce very shallow and highly activated junctions. First, arsenic (As), phosphorus (P), and BF2 implants in Si substrate were annealed by MWA at temperatures below 550 °C. Next, enhancing the substitutional carbon concentration ([C]sub) by cluster carbon implantation in (100) Si substrates with MWA or RTA techniques was investigated. Annealing temperatures and time effects were studied. Different formation mechanisms of SiCx layer were observed. In addition, substrate temperature is an important factor for dopant activation during MWA and in situ doped a-Si on oxide/Si substrate or glass were compared to elucidate the substrate temperature effect. After the discussion of dopant activation in Si substrates, low temperature formation of ultrathin NiGe layer is presented. Ultrathin NiGe films with low sheet resistance have been demonstrated with a novel two-step MWA process. In the two-step MWA process, the first step anneals the sample with low power MWA, and the second step applies higher power MWA for reducing sheet resistance. During fixed-frequency microwave heating, standing wave patterns may be present in the MWA chamber resulting in nodes and antinodes and thermal variations over the process wafer. Therefore, the effects of Si or quartz susceptor wafers on dopant activation and sheet resistance uniformity during fixed-frequency MWA were investigated.
Adsorption Behavior of Potato Starch-silica Nanobiocomposite

In continuation to our recent study on the synthesis and characterization of starch-silica nanocomposite, in the present study the nanocomposite has been evaluated for the removal of Cd(II) from the aqueous solution. The conditions for the sorption have been optimized and kinetic and thermodynamic studies were performed to understand the adsorption behaviour of the composite. Though the cadmium sorption by the nanocomposite takes place in wide pH range, pH 7.5 was found most favorable and at this pH the adsorption equlibrium data were modeled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms at 10C, 20C, 30C and 40 C. At all the temperatures, the data fitted more satisfactorily to Langmuir isotherm indicating unilayer adsorption. Based on Langmuir model, Qmax was calculated to be 769.23 mg/g. The adsorption showed pseudo second order kinetics with a rate constant of 5.65 × 10 -5 g mg -1 min -1 (at 100 mg/L initial Cd(II) concentration) indicating chemisorption. The thermodynamic study revealed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Effect of electrolyte on the adsorption was also studied. The nanocomposite was sucessfully recycled for six consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles with only a marginal loss in its efficiency indicating its high reusability. The composite was found to be a highly stable photoluminescent Cd(II) adsorbent which may be suitable for sensor applications in detecting the metal ions both in vivo and vitro as the material is natural polymer based. Copyright © 2010 VBRI press.
Dynamic fluorescent imaging with the activatable probe, γ-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green in the detection of peritoneal cancer metastases: Overcoming the problem of dilution when using a sprayable optical probe

Optical fluorescence-guided imaging is increasingly used to guide surgery and endoscopic procedures. Activatable probes are particularly useful because of high target-to-background ratios that increase sensitivity for tiny cancer foci. However, green fluorescent activatable probes suffer from interference from autofluorescence found in biological tissue. The purpose of this study was to determine if dynamic imaging can be used to differentiate specific fluorescence arising from an activated probe in a tumor from autofluorescence in background tissues especially when low concentrations of the dye are applied. Serial fluorescence imaging was performed using various concentrations of γ-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green (gGlu-HMRG) which was sprayed on the peritoneal surface with tiny implants of SHIN3-DsRed ovarian cancer tumors. Temporal differences in signal between specific green fluorescence in cancer foci and non-specific autofluorescence in background tissue were measured at 5, 10, 20 and 30 min after application of gGlu-HMRG and were processed into three kinetic maps reflecting maximum fluorescence signal (MF), wash-in rate (WIR), and area under the curve (AUC), respectively. Using concentrations up to 10 μM of gGlu-HMRG, the fluorescence intensity of cancer foci was significantly higher than that of small intestine but only at 30 min. However, on kinetic maps derived from dynamic fluorescence imaging, the signal of cancer foci was significantly higher than that of small intestine after only 5 min even at concentrations as low as 2.5 μM of gGlu-HMRG (p < 0.01). At lower concentrations, kinetic maps derived from dynamic fluorescence imaging were superior to unprocessed images for cancer detection.
Reputation in danger: selected case studies of reputational crises created by social networking sites

11 1 Introduction . 13 1.1 Thesis background . 13 1.2 Aims of the research . 16 1.3 Thesis structure . 18 1.4 Summary . 18 2 Literature review . 19 2.1 Introduction . 19 2.2 Public Relations . 19 2.3 The Internet, Web 2.0 and social media . 23 2.3. 1 Social Networking Sites . 25 2.3. 2 Blogs . 26 2.3. 3 Facebook . 28 2.3. 4 Twitter . 30 2.4 Reputation . 31 2.4. 1 Reputation, image and identity . 31 2.4. 2 Corporate Social Responsibility . 33 2.4. 3 Reputation and reputation management . 35 2.4. 4 Online reputation management in social media . 37 2.5 Crisis communication . 42