Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction in the Sulfur Content of Fossil Fuels by Cunninghamella elegans (UCP 0596) to Dibenzothiophene Compound

Biodesulfurization (BDS) is one of the most promising technologies used together with traditional hydrodesulfurization (HDS) to reduce the sulfur content of fossil fuels. In this research study, a strain of Cunninghamella elegans (UCP 596) was isolated from mangrove sediments to metabolize an organosulfur dibenzothiophene (DBT) compound in the con- centrations of 0.5 and 1 mM and transform to DBT sulfone (DBT-5-dioxide), followed by dibenzothiophene 5,5-dioxide and 2-hydroxybiphenyl metabolites, thus suggesting the use of the “4S” metabolic pathway. The fungus also degraded the DBT completely in the first 24 h of growth on a 2.0 mM DBT concentration by angular deoxygenation, which suggests that a new second metabolic pathway was used. The DBT was consumed as the carbon source, and the sulfur was removed in the form of sulfite ion. A new prod - uct, benzoic acid, was formed at the end of the catabolism of DBT by C. elegans using an angular route. and at the end of the experimental period of 96 h of growth, the compound 2-hydroxybi-phenyl was detected. These results suggest the fungus uses the “4S” metabolic pathway
Evolution of science I: Evolution of Mind

The central nervous system and particularly the brain was designed to control the life cycle of a living being. With increasing size and sophistication, in mammals, the brain became capable of exercising significant control over life. In Homo Sapiens the brain became significantly powerful and capable of comprehension beyond survival needs with visualisation, formal thought and long term memory. Here we trace the rise of the powers of the brains of the Homo Sapiens and its capability of three comprehending the three spatial dimensions as well as time. By tracing the evolution of technology over the last millennium and particularly the late arrival of astronomy to discuss the evolution of the formal thinking process in humans. In a follow up paper we will trace the extensive use of this new faculty by humans to comprehend the working of the universe.
Thin current sheets with strong bell-shape guide field: Cluster observations and models with beams

Abstract. We study the kinetic structure of intense ion-scale current sheets with strong electron currents and the guide field having a bell-shape profile. We consider four crossings of the Earth magnetotail current sheet by the Cluster mission in 2003. The thickness of these current sheets is about the ion inertial length and significantly smaller than the characteristic ion gyroradius. We analyze the asymmetry of the electron velocity distribution functions and show that the electron current is provided by the small electron subpopulation interpreted as an electron beam or two counter-streaming electron beams. The beam (counter-streaming beams) has a bulk velocity of the order of the electron thermal velocity and a density (difference of beam densities) of about 1–5% of the plasma density. To describe the observed current sheets we develop a kinetic model with particle beams. The model predicts different thickness of the current sheet for different types of current carriers (one electron beam or two counter-streaming electron beams). The observed ion-scale current sheets can be explained assuming that the current is carried by one electron beam and a co-streaming ion beam. Although the ion beam does not carry a significant current, this beam is required to balance the electron current perpendicular to the current sheet neutral plane. The developed model explains the dominance of the electron current and the ion scales of the current sheets.
QTL mapping associated with rooting stem cuttings from Citrus sunki vs. Poncirus trifoliata hybrids

The citrus vegetative propagation by stem cuttings depends on factors such as genetics, age, vigor, woodiness, growth regulators, environment and nutrition. Lemons (Citrus limon), acid limes (Citrus aurantifolia) and citrons (Citrus medica) root very easily. Plant cuttings from the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), mandarins (Citrus reticulata) and Poncirus trifoliata are more difficult to root. The objective of this study was to detect quantitative trait loci linked to the rooting of citrus stem cuttings in F 1 hybrids obtained from a crossing between Citrus sunki x Poncirus trifoliata. The semi-woody cuttings were treated with 1 g/L indole-3-butyric acid for 10 minutes and cultivated in citrus substrate under a mist environment. QTLs were identified by the composite interval mapping strategy. Two QTLs were detected for the rooting trait in plant cutting, in the P. trifoliata map.
HOHENHEIM DISCUSSION PAPERS IN BUSINESS, ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Understanding household-level asset dynamics has important implications for designing relevant poverty reduction policies. To advance this understanding, we develop a microeconomic model to analyze the impact of a shock (for example a drought) on the behavioral decisions of pastoralists in Northern Kenya. Using household panel data this study then explores the livestock asset dynamics using both non-parametric and semi-parametric techniques to establish the shape of the asset accumulation path and to determine whether multiple equilibria exist. More specifically, using tropical livestock units as a measure of livestock accumulation over time, we show not only that these assets converge to a single equilibrium but that forage availability and herd diversity play a major role in such livestock accumulation.
Characterization of a “Smart” Hybrid Varnish Electrospun Nylon Benzotriazole Copper Corrosion Protection Coating

This work presents the electrochemical evaluation of a proposed copper corrosion protection hybrid coating acting as a smart corrosion protection system. This consists of an alkyd varnish, painted over electrospun nylon fibers acting as a secondary diffusion barrier and also as a benzotriazole (BTAH) inhibitor nanocontainer. Submicron diameter electrospun nylon 6-6 fiber nanocontainers were prepared from a polymeric solution containing BTAH at different concentrations, and Cu samples were coated with the electrospun fibers and painted over with an alkyd varnish by the drop method. Functional groups in fibers were determined through FTIR spectroscopy. Optical and SEM microscopies were used to characterize the nanocontainer fibers. Samples were evaluated using electrochemical impedance and noise, during six weeks of immersion, in a chloride-ammonium sulfate solution. Excellent response was obtained for the smart inhibitor coating system. For long periods of immersion good corrosion protection performance was observed. The results presented demonstrate the good barrier properties of the hybrid coating, obstructing the diffusion of aggressive species, through the electrospun structure. Furthermore the nanocontainer functionality to store and liberate the corrosion inhibitor, only when it is needed, was also proved.
Investigation of Range Profiles from a Simplified Ship on Rough Sea Surface and Its Multipath Imaging Mechanisms

The range profiles of a two-dimension (2 D) perfect electric conductor (PEC) ship on a wind-driven rough sea surface are derived by performing an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) on the wide band backscattered field. The rough sea surface is assuming to be a PEC surface. The back scattered field is computed based on EM numerical simulation when the frequencies are sampled between 100 MHz and 700 MHz. Considering the strong coupling interactions between the ship and sea, the complicated multipath effect to the range profile characteristics is fully analyzed based on the multipath imaging mechanisms. The coupling mechanisms could be explained by means of ray theory prediction and numerical extraction of the coupling currents. The comparison of the range profile locations between ray theory prediction and surface current simulation is implemented and analyzed in this paper. Finally, the influence of different sea states on the radar target signatures has been examined and discussed.
HIGH SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN: A PREDICTOR OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN YOUNG MEDICOS OF KOLKATA

This study was done to find out the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MS) among young medicos and to determine the relationship of highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the parameters of MS i.e. Body mass index, Waist circumference, Blood pressure, serum lipid profile, Fasting plasma glucose and Insulin resistance (IR). 160 young medicos between 17-25 years of age of R.G. Kar medical college and hospital, Kolkata were selected as study population. We found that the prevalence of MS is 13.13%. hsCRP is significantly elevated in medicos with MS (p 7.78 µg/ml with 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Hence, it can be concluded that hsCRP can be used successfully as a predictor of MS in young Indians with sedentary lifestyle.
The effects of different levels of Beta Plus on growth performance, microbial flora and blood parameters of Caspian trout, Salmo caspius (Kessler, 1877)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Beta plus probiotic, a mixture of Bacillius leicheniformic and Bacillius subtilis , on the growth performance and intestinal microbial flora of Caspian trout ( Salmo caspius ). A basal diet was formulated and supplemented with Beta plus at 0, 0.5 and 1 g kg -1 , leading to three experimental diets. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to quadruple 1500 L tanks. The Caspian trout with an initial weight of 108.7 ± 1.8 g were randomly distributed in the experimental tanks. The results showed that inclusion of dietary Beta plus significantly increased the final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of Caspian trout compared to those the control treatment. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also improved significantly after probiotic administration to the experimental fish. However, the body composition and blood parameters were not influenced by the probiotic inclusion. Total count of Gram positive and negative bacteria in the intestine of the fish increased by feeding on diet contained 1 g kg -1 Beta Plus ( P <0.05). In conclusion, administration of the probiotic Beta plus can improve the nutrient efficiency and growth performance of Caspian trout confirming the positive effect of a mixture of Bacillus spp.
Vasorelaxant effects in aortic rings of eight diterpenoids isolated from three Venezuelan plants

Vasorelaxant activity Vasorelaxant effects of eight diterpenoids isolated from three Venezuelan plants [(+)-manool [(+)-labda-8(17),14-dien-13-ol], (+)-manoyl oxide, (+)-2-oxomanoyl oxide, sandaracopimara-8(14), 15-dien-3β, 19-diol, jhanidiol acetate (18-acetoxy-1βhydroxymanoyl oxide), jhanidiol (1β,18-dihydroxymanoyl oxide),ent-kaur-16-en-19ol and grandiflorenic acid (ent-kaur-9(11),16-dien-19-oic acid)] aortic rings were assessed in intact endothelium and endothelium-denuded isolated rat. Thw cumulative addition (10-6 to 10-4 M) of each product were carried out after contraction with phenylephrine (10-6 M). Jhanidiol acetate and ent-kaur-9,16-en-19-oic acid at 10-4 M dose concentration, exhibit the maximal vasorelaxant effect in endothelium-intact rings (51.61 ± 7.62% and 79.27 ± 7.41%, respectively). In endothelium-denuded aortic rings, the maximum vascular response exerted by both compounds was not abolished (64.14 ± 5.64% and 84.84 ± 3.62%, respectively). In denuded aortic rings, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) Jhanidiol was obtained by the ethyl less than those obtained in rings endothelium (1.09 × 10-4 vs 7.29 × 10-5 M, respectively), although this difference was not significant. These results suggested that the mechanism behind the vasorelaxant effect of the two diterpene is mediated by endothelium-independent pathways.
Foreign Direct Investment in Regional Integration: Comparative Attractiveness in the CEMAC and UEMOA Economic Spaces

The competition or complementarity of foreign direct investment (FDI)attractiveness between economically similar regions located in the same continenthas not yet been up to now sufficiently explored in the literature. The purpose ofthis paper is consequently to contribute to this literature by determining whetheror not there exists a long-term relationship between FDI flows in the CEMAC andUEMOA regions of Central and West Africa. This hypothesis is tested in botheconomic spaces using a Vector Autoregression (VAR) model. The study showsthat the FDI flowing in the UEMOA zone directly attracts FDI flows in theCEMAC zone. These inflows improve the business environment in both regions.Overall, the study however finds that the long-term relationship which existsbetween these two regions is inclined to be more competitive rather thancomplementary.
The Effect of Indonesian Farmer Preferences for Crop Attributes in the Adoption of Horticultural Crops: A Best-Worst Scaling Approach

The main objective of this study is to provide insight on how Indonesian farmer preferences for crop attributes influence their adoption decisions. Results from a Latent Class (LC) cluster analysis, using the individual scores for each of the Best-Worst (BW) scaling attributes, indicate there are four clusters of farmers, each distinct in their relative preferences for crop attributes and socio-demographic characteristics. The multinomial endogenous treatment regressions show that preference cluster effect varies across models. For the binary adoption model, we find an insignificant preference cluster effect. We find a significant preference cluster effect both for the intensity of adoption and the timing of adoption models. The effects of farmers’ crop preference cluster, however, are different across those models. The findings allow more targeted programming and the development of information on specific cropping attributes that are most likely to encourage farmers to adopt new crops that have a high probability of offering benefits, including improved livelihoods for farmers.
Vasculitis Diagnosed on Fluorine-18 Labelled-2-Deoxy-2-Fluoro-D-Glucose Uptake in A Patient With Fever of Unknown Origin and A History of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

There are increasing data demonstrating the role of 18F-flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computerized tomography fusion (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis, including Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis. We report a case of large vessel vasculitis detected on 18F-FDG PET/CT; a 32-year-old woman with history of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma, admitted with fever of unknown origin (FUO) of 2-months duration and asthenia. To exclude FUO of malignancy, in the suspect of NHL relapse, 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was performed. The images demonstrated significant 18F-FDG uptake in aortic arch and no signs of NHL relapse. This case report supports the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a useful and noninvasive tool in diagnostic evaluation of patient with FUO, both by excluding a malignant etiology and providing information about other possible causes such as inflammation, including vasculitis. 18F-FDG PET/CT is very useful in the early diagnosis of active inflammation including vasculitis and provides timely information for appropriate therapy.
Price or Politics? An Investigation of the Causes of Expropriation

Expropriations of foreign direct investment in developing countries are typically blamed on political and economic crises in those countries. Developing a new database of expropriations in the minerals sectors of developing country exporters, I show that expropriations were correlated with mineral price booms and that democratic governments were more likely to expropriate. No link is found between expropriations and political or economic crises, except at independence. A better explanation of expropriation would be opportunistic behaviour by host governments when profits of investments are high. In two developed countries, Australia and Canada, expropriations are also found to occur during price booms.
Efficacy of In vitro Propagation and Crown Sizes on the Performance of Strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch) cv. Festival under Field Condition

In vitro propagated and conventional runner propagated plantlets of strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch) cv. ‘Festival’ were transferred to the field and the size of crown for plants derived from both sources of planting material were compared. Four sizes of the crown, i.e., 1 cm were taken from both sources of planting material. The results obtained flashed that vegetative and reproductive responses of in vitro propagated plants in the field were superior over the runner propagated plants. The upshots among the various crown sizes of the planting material revealed that the plants of crown size > 1 cm performed better in all the vegetative and reproductive parameters like number of crowns per plant, number of leaves, plant height, number of runners, plant spread, terminal leaf area, number of days to flower induction, number of flowers, number of fruits, average fruit weight and fruit size. Thus, in vitro propagated derived plants can be advocated for large scale commercial cultivation. The crown size > 1 cm can be set as a selection criterion for planting materials.
Helping others or helping oneself? International subsidies and the provision of global public goods

This paper explores the welfare effects of international subsidies designed to expedite the production of global public goods. It distinguishes between the impact subsidies exert on behaviour and the impact subsidies exert on welfare. Subsidies that encourage recipients to contribute to the provision of global public goods can be designed to maximize the welfare of donor countries. While these optimal subsidies achieve a Pareto efficient allocation of resources, all the efficiency gains are appropriated by donor countries. If equity is irrelevant, optimal subsidies are higher for high-income recipients than for low-income recipients. Copyright 2013 Oxford University Press 2012 All rights reserved, Oxford University Press.
PSO ESTIMATION OF A SYMETRIC THRESHOLD MODELS

The TAR model introduced by Tong may be specified in several different ways. Here we propose the case in which the delay parameter is endogenous, depending on both the past value of the series and the specific past regime. In particular we consider a system switching between two regimes each of which consider an AR(p) with respect of the value assumed by a delayed self–variable compared with an asymmetric threshold, that is the switching rule also depend on the regime in which the system is at time t−d. To estimate this model we propose a procedure based on the Particle Swarm Optimization technique.
High-performance inertial confinement fusion target implosions on OMEGA

The Omega Laser Facility is used to study inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts. This paper describes progress in direct-drive central hot-spot (CHS) ICF, shock ignition (SI) and fast ignition (FI) since the 2008 IAEA FEC conference. CHS cryogenic deuterium–tritium (DT) target implosions on OMEGA have produced the highest DT areal densities yet measured in ICF implosions (∼300 mg cm−2). Integrated FI experiments have shown a significant increase in neutron yield caused by an appropriately timed high-intensity, high-energy laser pulse.
Amplification of real-time high resolution melting analysis PCR method for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) gene mutations in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients

PKD1 and PKD2 are the two genes responsible for the development of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). PKD1 gene mutations accounts for ≈85% of all ADPKD cases, while the remaining ≈15% of cases is caused by mutations in the PKD2 gene. Genotyping for PKD1 and PKD2 mutations was usually identified using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-single stranded conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) methods. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of eight common primers amplifying the respective genes in real-time high resolution melting analysis PCR (real-time HRMA PCR) in terms of time, cost and sensitivity with respect to PCR-SSCP method. We found that case sample can easily be differentiated from control sample by melting curve profile difference, although a primer was found to be less useful. We concluded that real-time HRMA PCR is a rapid and sensitive method to categorize samples based on the melting curve profiles with comparable sensitivity to conventional PCR-SSCP.
The Development and Initial Testing of the Purpose in Leadership Inventory: A Tool for Assessing Leader Goal- Orientation, Follower-Focus, and Purpose-in-Leadership

Various and sometimes divergent threads in the leadership literature emphasize the importance of leaders focusing on followers, focusing on goals, and having a sense of purpose and meaning in leadership. In order to facilitate further study around these themes the researcher has developed and initially tested (N = 354) the Purpose in Leadership Inventory (PLI). A 24-item inventory provided the strongest overall set of factors, explained 70.01% of the variance in the factor analysis, and had Cronbach alphas of (a) . 97, (b) . 92, and (c) . 90 for the three scales. An overview of the instrument’s development and analysis is provided.
Social determinants of fruit and vegetable intake and validation of Pro-Children Eating Habits Questionnaire for 3rd and 5th grade children

BACKGROUND: The Pro Children Eating Habits Questionnaire has been evaluated as a valid and reliable tool in Europe to measure determinants of fruit and vegetable intake for children; however, it has not been validation for United States populations. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the reliability and discrimination validity of fruit and vegetable correlates for the Pro Children Eating Habits Questionnaire; (2) investigate the predictive validity of determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption for multi-ethnic elementary school children; and, (3) to assess the association of social determinants with fruit and vegetable consumption. METHODS: One hundred and thirty elementary school students from the 3 and 5 grades completed this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Fruit and vegetable determinants, had satisfactory internal consistencies. No differences were found between the test and the retest for the individual questions with the exception of the question for mean perceived vegetable intake. The discriminatory validity indicated the questionnaire could show differences across grade and gender levels for barriers of fruit and vegetables but not for other factors. Grade together with gender explained barriers to eating fruit and vegetables. Greater availability of fruit in the home and school was associated with higher frequency of consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the Pro-Children Eating Habits Questionnaire may be a reliable and valid tool for assessing fruit and vegetable consumption of children in the United States.