Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wetland restoration and methanogenesis: the activity of microbial populations and competition for substrates at different temperatures

Abstract. Ljubljana marsh in Slovenia is a 16 000 ha area of partly drained fen, intended to be flooded to restore its ecological functions. The resultant water-logging may create anoxic conditions, eventually stimulating production and emission of methane, the most important greenhouse gas next to carbon dioxide. We examined the upper layer (~30 cm) of Ljubljana marsh soil for microbial processes that would predominate in water-saturated conditions, focusing on the potential for iron reduction, carbon mineralization (CO2 and CH4 production), and methane emission. Methane emission from water-saturated microcosms was near minimum detectable levels even after extended periods of flooding (>5 months). Methane production in anoxic soil slurries started only after a lag period of 84 d at 15°C and a minimum of 7 d at 37°C, the optimum temperature for methanogenesis. This lag was inversely related to iron reduction, which suggested that iron reduction out-competed methanogenesis for electron donors, such as H2 and acetate. Methane production was observed only in samples incubated at 14–38°C. At the beginning of methanogenesis, acetoclastic methanogenesis dominated. In accordance with the preferred substrate, most (91%) mcrA (encoding the methyl coenzyme-M reductase, a key gene in methanogenesis) clone sequences could be affiliated to the acetoclastic genus Methanosarcina. No methanogens were detected in the original soil. However, a diverse community of iron-reducing Geobacteraceae was found. Our results suggest that methane emission can remain transient and low if water-table fluctuations allow re-oxidation of ferrous iron, sustaining iron reduction as the most important process in terminal carbon mineralization.
E-learning Experience using Open Source Software: Moodle

The present paper highlights the efforts made by the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Pune to use an open source software, viz., Moodle for the promotion of e-learning in the department.Various utilities of the Moodle such as development of the course, blogs, wiki, question banks, notificationto the students, etc., has been used. This article narrates the experience of designing, development andimplementation of e-learning course for the ‘Information Technology’ paper of the MLISc curriculum. http://dx.doi. org/10.14429/djlit.32. 5. 2650
Can South-South Trade Liberalisation Stimulate North-South Trade?

This paper uses a combination of Ethier (1982) and Melitz's (2003) models to show that liberalizing trade among developing countries, so-called South-South trade, could contribute to improve the access to international markets of developing countries' would-be exporters. Lower trade barriers among developing countries has the effect of lowering the price of intermediate inputs and eventually allows exporters in those countries to serve international markets. We also compare unilateral and multilateral South-South trade liberalization and find that the latter unambiguously reduces the price of intermediates in all participating countries, whereas the former has ambiguous effects.
Exchange rate exposures of Taiwanese firms

This study aims to investigate whether the stock returns of Taiwanese firms are exposed to exchange rate risks. Our results show that only a small percentage of Taiwanese firms are exposed symmetrically, but a larger percentage of them are exposed asymmetrically no matter in the short or longer time horizons. The traditional symmetric measures may underestimate exchange rate exposure. In addition, this underestimation is associated with wrong direction in the long run due to the J-curve effect of Taiwanese firms. Only when considering potential asymmetric exposure components can firms’ financial exposures be estimated and hedged properly.
High Frequency Model of PV Systems for the Evaluation of Ground Currents

A high frequency model of a photovoltaic (PV) plant is developed and analysed to investigate the common mode (CM) currents circulating through the ground connections of the plant. The modelling method is based on the measurement of the impedance frequency response of photovoltaic module and on a high frequency representation of the power conversion unit. An overall lumped parameters circuit model is obtained and then implemented in PSpice. The CM leakage currents are evaluated by simulation.
A ‘Diplomatic Republic of Europe’? Explaining role conceptions in EU foreign policy

Using an original database of 138 questionnaires, the article explores how national officials perceive their role when participating in European Union (EU) foreign policy committees. It first shows that they systematically assume not only intergovernmental but also supranational role conceptions: a good number of diplomats understand EU foreign policy as a collective political project with the objective to craft a common European policy. The article then investigates some scope conditions. If the overall picture is complex and heterogeneous, it reveals that socializing activities occur in this policy field. More specifically, the number of years spent in Brussels is a relatively strong predictor of a supranational attitude. At the same time, diplomats’ conceptions are formed also outside EU contexts: the structure and the pro-European opinions of the national polity affect the formation of a diplomat’s orientation. Remarkably, member states’ military power is a weak and non-significant variable in all the models tested.
Fragments of what? Postmodernism, Hybridity and Collage

This paper argues that unresolved issues about identity affecting art historical and art education theory-practice are traceable to modernism’s anxiety about hybridity’s imagined threat to cultural purity and integrity. Postmodernism’s solution to modernist anxiety involved showing the fallacy of deriving identity from essences and exposing identity’s socially constructed origins. This advanced recognition of cultural plurality and relativity, but cast identity’s integrity as the effect of cultural imagination projected onto autonomous fragments. Fragments, however, presuppose wholes. A picture of integrated interrelated dynamic wholes is retrieved by reconceiving the concepts of hybridity and collage outside the dualistic frames of modernism and postmodernism. Reconceived in metonymic terms as constituted of presence and absence, and repositioned within the dialectic of the context-sensitive and context-free tendencies of culture, art pedagogy is established on a foundation that predisposes practice to recognize cultural difference and integrity, in and through transcultural similarities, dynamic agency and interdependence.
A Compact Dual-Band Octagonal Slotted Printed Monopole Antenna for WLAN/ WiMAX and UWB Applications

A compact (20 x 20 mm2 size), coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed, octagonal slotted, dual-band antenna is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna has a simple structure consisting of an octagonal slot, L-shape stub, and a two stepped rectangular patch. The introduction of the L-shaped metallic stubs in the ground plane generates a lower resonance frequency at 2.42 GHz. The proposed antenna is fabricated on a low cost FR4 substrate having thickness of 1.6 mm. The measured impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is from 2.40 to 2.46 GHz and 3.2 to 6.2 GHz. It is also shown that the proposed antenna has stable radiation patterns of almost dumb-bell shape in the E-plane and omni-directional shape in the H-plane. The effects of various design parameters on the impedance bandwidth are also studied and presented in detail. The proposed antenna can be used for 3.5/5.5 GHz worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) and 3.1-6.0 GHz Direct-Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) / Multi-Band Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MB-OFDM) ultra wideband (UWB) applications.
An overview of the assisted reproduction and genome banking activities of White Oak Conservation Center, Yulee, FL, in the service of species conservation

Assisted reproduction includes simple strategies, such as oral progestin to maintain pregnancy and hormone monitoring to predict oestrus for breeding introductions, as well as complex procedures, such as oestrous synchronization and artificial insemination (AI). The primary focus of research at White Oak Conservation Center, Yulee, FL, has been to work towards techniques allowing movement of frozen semen to manage metapopulations rather than translocate animals. Using the Gerenuk Litocranius walleri walleri as a model for threatened antelope, oestrous synchronization and AI were refined to produce four live offspring (from six attempts) using hand restraint rather than anaesthesia for inseminations. Conversely, similar progress with Okapi Okapia johnstoni has been slower. Okapi sperm are highly susceptible to osmotic changes and the physical pressures of the freezing process, which has limited the ability to develop suitable cryopreservation protocols. Storage of frozen semen from highly threatened animals provides insurance against loss of the individual’s genes to the population and, if used for future insemination, can potentially provide new ‘founders’. Biomaterials from both species, including blood and blood products, are preserved in genome resource banks together with samples from other threatened species, including the Florida panther Felis concolor coryi. It is important to note that assisted reproduction in novel species requires significant commitment and continuity from zoological institutions for optimal results.
Experiencing the tool without experiencing the pain: concepts for an experiential user guide

Motivation - Intelligent software tools face substantial obstacles to adoption, because of their complexity and lack of transparency. Research Approach - We describe the Experiential User Guide for intelligent software systems, which aims to compress critical challenges users discover along the pathway to expertise. Design- The EUG uses vignettes to illustrate learning challenges, employing examples of how the tool can be used successfully, and examples of its limitations, boundary conditions, and the common errors made by users of the tool. Research limitations/Implications. The EUG focuses on advanced concepts of operation, as these are areas that can especially benefit from experiential training. Originality/Value - The EUG shows how software is used in situ, rather than the more typical toolcentered approach describing the different functions of the software system. Take away message - The EUG is a new approach to help users of intelligent software tools become experts faster and more systematically.
ΛCDM SATELLITES AND H i COMPANIONS—THE ARECIBO ALFA SURVEY OF NGC 2903

We have conducted a deep, complete H i survey, using Arecibo/Arecibo L-band Feed Array (ALFA), of a field centered on the nearby, isolated galaxy, NGC 2903, which is similar to the Milky Way in its properties. The field size was 150 kpc × 260 kpc and the final velocity range spanned from 100 to 1133 km s−1. The ALFA beams have been mapped as a function of azimuth and cleaned from each azimuth-specific cube prior to forming final cubes. The final H i data are sensitive down to an H i mass of 2 × 105M☉ and column density of 2 × 1017 cm−2 at the 3 σ 2 δ V level, where σ is the rms noise level and δ V is the velocity resolution. NGC 2903 is found to have an H i envelope that is larger than previously known, extending to at least three times the optical diameter of the galaxy. Our search for companions yields one new discovery with an H i mass of 2.6 × 106 M☉. The companion is 64 kpc from NGC 2903 in projection, is likely associated with a small optical galaxy of similar total stellar mass, and is dark matter dominated, with a total mass >108 M☉. In the region surveyed, there are now two known companions: our new discovery and a previously known system that is likely a dwarf spheroidal, lacking H i content. If H i constitutes 1% of the total mass in all possible companions, then we should have detected 230 companions, according to Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) predictions. Consequently, if this number of dark-matter clumps are indeed present, then they contain less than 1% H i content, possibly existing as very faint dwarf spheroidals or as starless, gasless dark-matter clumps.
Optimum Corrugations for Low-loss Square and Cylindrical Waveguides

Circular corrugated waveguides are widely used for transmission due to low loss propagation of the HE11 mode. Rectangular corrugated waveguides can be used for compact remote-steering antennas and power splitters. For high-power applications, the ohmic loss becomes important. The experience however has shown, that analytical formulas for the losses often are too optimistic. This is mostly due to the fact, that they calculate the fields and losses by modelling the corrugated wall as a surface with anisotropic impedance. Thus, the fields and wall-currents inside the grooves, which contribute to the losses, are neglected. Furthermore, most calculation methods only work for rectangular corrugation profiles. The new approach is based on the fact, that the propagation in a waveguide is similar to the periodic reflection of a plane wave at a planar wall. The reflection losses are calculated using a 2-dimensional FDTD code. By the implementation of periodic boundary conditions, it becomes sufficient to consider a single corrugation period. The wall is modelled as a plasma with a plasma-frequency far above the microwave frequency. This results in a skin-depth in the order of a few grid-distances. By integrating the squared plasma current over the whole wall, one gets an expression, which is proportional to the dissipated power. The final calibration is then done with the well known reflection losses at a smooth wall under perpendicular incidence. The method works for arbitrary corrugation profiles and for both polarizations. An additional feature of the code is the calculation of the phase of the reflected wave. By comparing the phase shifts for both polarizations, one can characterize a corrugation profile with respect the propagation of balanced hybrid modes or design optimum corrugation profiles for polarizers. The paper presents the calculation method as well as the results for several typical groove profiles and comparisons with measurements.
Multimodal character viewpoint in quoted dialogue sequences

We investigate the multimodal production of character viewpoint in spoken American English narratives by performing complementary qualitative and quantitative analyses of two quoted dialogues, focusing on the storyteller’s use of character viewpoint gestures, character intonation, character facial expression, spatial orientation and gaze. A micro-analysis revealed that the extent of multimodal articulation depends on (i) the quoted speaker, with different multimodal articulatory patterns found for quotes by the speaker’s past self vs. a third-person character, and (ii) the position of the quoted utterance within the quoted dialogue, with mid-dialogue utterances garnering less co-articulation than initial or final utterances within the quoted dialogue. We further investigated these observations using a quantitative approach, which was based on generalized additive modeling (GAM). The GAM analysis revealed different multimodal patterns for each quoted character, as indicated by the number of co-produced multimodal articulators. These patterns were found to hold regardless of the quote’s position within the narrative. We discuss these findings with respect to previous work on multimodal quotation. This article is part of the special collection: Perspective Taking
Rotation curves of galaxies and the stellar mass-to-light ratio

Mass models of a sample of 171 low- and high-surface brightness galaxies are presented in the context of the cold dark matter (CDM) theory using the NFW dark matter halo density distribution to extract a new concentration-viral mass relation ($c-M_{vir}$). The rotation curves (RCs) are calculated from the total baryonic matter based on the 3.6 $\mu m $-band surface photometry, the observed distribution of neutral hydrogen, and the dark halo, in which the three adjustable parameters are the stellar mass-to-light ratio, halo concentration and virial mass. Although accounting for a NFW dark halo profile can explain rotation curve observations, the implied $c-M_{vir}$ relation from RC analysis strongly disagrees with that resulting from different cosmological simulations. Also, the $M/L-$color correlation of the studied galaxies is inconsistent with that expected from stellar population synthesis models with different stellar initial mass functions. Moreover, we show that the best-fitting stellar $M/L-$ ratios of 51 galaxies (30\% of our sample) have unphysically negative values in the framework of the $\Lambda $CDM theory. This can be interpreted as a serious crisis for this theory. This suggests either that the commonly used NFW halo profile, which is a natural result of $\Lambda $CDM cosmological structure formation, is not an appropriate profile for the dark halos of galaxies, or, new dark matter physics or alternative gravity models are needed to explain the rotational velocities of disk galaxies.
Modelling the effects of low-inpu dairy farming using bookkeeping data from Austria

Despite the ongoing trend of higher intensities in dairy farming, some farmers select rather low-input systems. We identify such system in an agricultural bookkeeping dataset and assess economic effects of this system selection under volatile prices situations using cluster analysis and direct covariates matching. We find one lowinput cluster with low levels of input use and three clusters with rather higher input levels. Those clusters differ in site conditions, farm size and milk production. After applying the matching methodology, the results indicate that choosing a low-input system does not affect farm income but reduces the work load and borrowed capital even under volatile markets.
Organic nitrate aerosol formation via NO 3 + BVOC in the Southeastern US

In this manuscript the authors analyze data taken during the SOAS campaign to estimate the molar yield of particle-phase organic nitrates from nitrate radical (NO3) oxidation of BVOCs. Brieﬂy, they calculate NO3 loss due to oxidation of BVOCs using measured concentrations of BVOCs, estimated concentrations of NO3 and literature values of the BVOC + NO3 rate constants, and compare that to the total amount of particle-phase organic nitrates measured using two instruments (AMS and TD-LIF). The subject of the manuscript is of general interest to the ACP community. However, important details on the data analysis are missing, some uncertainties are glanced over, and some results may be overstated considering those uncertainties. In sum-mary, I recommend publication after major revisions and consideration of my speciﬁc C5116 comments below.
Epilithic lichens and their morphological adaptations to the conditions of the White and Barents Seas coast (Russian Arctic)

The main aim of our work was to investigate the biodiversity of coastal lichens, conditions of lichen cover formation, and study the structural and functional adaptations of Lecanora intricata (Ach.) Ach. and L. polytropa (Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) Rabenh. The investigation was carried out during 2008-2012 on cliffs both along the Murmansk (the Barents Sea) coast and the southern and western shores of the White Sea. For the evaluation of species composition, and ecotopic coenotical features of epilithic lichen growing on cliffs, the geobotanical methods have been used. In addition, the anatomical, morphological and biochemical studies of Lecanora intricata and L. polytropa have been made. 91 species have been included in the total list of lichens on the White Sea coast. On the Murmask coast of the Barents Sea, 36 lichen species had revealed. On the coastal territory, the epilithic lichens inhabit the upper littoral and supralittoral zone. The lichen cover is formed by two interacting factors: the water factor (sea) and the terrestrial vegetation. Four lichen zones were distinguished in the all studying territories. They differed by the lichen species composition and effect of the sea. The first lichen's zone is the intrazonal structure in the complex coastal lichen cover. In Lecanora polytropa and L. intricata, structural and functional features of lichens for adaptation to unstable coastal conditions were identified. The crustose biomorphs were better adapted to temperature and degree of hydration of thalli. Formation of the smallest ascospores is reproductive strategy of epilithic lichens in extreme habitats. High content of usnic acid in the studied lichen thalli allows them to exist in the open areas exposed to solar radiation and provides the biotic regulation that affects the structure of lichen cover. Optimal ratio of algal to fungal components in the thalli of these species is necessary to maintain their life in extreme environments.
Rôle de la protéine Alix dans le système nerveux central : De la neurogenèse à la plasticité synaptique

Alix (ALG-2 Interacting Protein X) est une proteine cytoplasmique impliquee dans divers processus cellulaires allant de l'apoptose a la cytocinese en passant par le bourgeonnement des virus, la reparation membranaire et la regulation de la voie endosomale. Toutes ces fonctions sont etroitement associees a l'interaction d'Alix avec ses partenaires impliques dans la deformation des membranes telles que les endophilines A, Tsg-101 et CHMP4B du complexe ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport). Le but de ce projet est de caracteriser le phenotype de la souris Alix ko recemment developpee au laboratoire, dans l'espoir de mieux comprendre le role physiologique d'Alix. Ces souris, viables et fertiles, sont caracterisees par une microcephalie apparaissant au cours de l'embryogenese. Ce phenotype est accompagne d'une apoptose massive touchant les progeniteurs neuronaux durant la neurogenese et d'une alteration du developpement de l'arborisation dendritique apres la naissance. Les souris adultes presentent egalement des defauts de plasticite synaptique accompagnes d'une alteration du recyclage des vesicules synaptiques. L'ensemble de ces processus repose sur la capacite d'Alix a controler le remodelage de la membrane plasmique. Au niveau moleculaire, nos travaux sur les neurones en cultures et sur les fibroblastes montrent une regulation de l'endocytose independante de la clathrine (CIE) par Alix et les endophilines A qui pourrait etre a l'origine du phenotype neuronal de la souris. Cependant, l'association d'Alix avec CHMP4B du complexe ESCRT pourrait egalement etre necessaire au developpement du systeme nerveux puisque l'interaction Alix-CHMP4B est necessaire pour le controle de la CIE et de la mort neuronale.L'ensemble de ces resultats mets en evidence qu'a travers des mecanismes et des partenaires bien caracterises, Alix est requise pour de nouvelles fonctions necessaires au developpement et au fonctionnement du systeme nerveux.