Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen balance of a temperate eelgrass

The nitrogen balance of a shallow water eelgrass Zostera marina L. bed was assessed in April and August 1995 by quantifying pools of nitrogen in plants and sediment and by measunng rates of nitrogen inputs and losses in vegetated and bare sediments. The total pool of nitrogen in the vegetated sediment doubled from Apnl to August. The exchange of inorganic nitrogen between water column and sediment was measured in benthic flux chambers, and showed that vegetated sediment was a sink for water column nitrogen in both April and August. Net nitrogen fluxes of NO3and NH,' were controlled mainly by light dependent nitrogen uptake in eelgrass leaves, which accounted for 60% of the estimated nitrogen requirements for plant growth. Nitrogen fixation was stimulated by eelgrass photosynthesis, but contributed less than 4 % to total nitrogen input. The nitrogen mass balance suggested a large import of particulate nitrogen in addition to net uptake of inorganic nitrogen. Nitrogen was lost from the vegetated sediment mainly via export of leaves. Rates of denitrification measured with In s ~ t u techniques were low compared to the activity in bare sedlrnents of similar areas. Increased denitrification was found in the eelgrass rhizosphere in Apr~l, but the overall denitrification activity within the bed barely balanced nitrogen fixation. The study shows that eelgrass vegetated sediments may influence the nitrogen cycling of shallow waters substantially by incorporating large pools of nitrogen into slowly degradable material, making nitrogen at least temporally unavailable to phytoplankton and ephemeral macroalgae. The results also suggest that neither nitrogen fixation nor denitrification plays a major role in the nitrogen dynamics of eelgrass beds.
Asset Pricing Implications of a New Keynesian Model

To match the stylised facts of goods and labour markets, the canonical New Keynesian model augments the optimising neoclassical growth model with nominal and real rigidities. We ask what the implications of this type of model are for asset prices. Using a second-order approximation, we examine bond and equity returns, the equity risk premium, and the behaviour of the real and nominal term structure. We catalogue the factors that are most important for determining the size of risk premia and the slope and level of the yield curve. In a world of technology shocks only, increasing the degree of real rigidities raises risk premia and increasing nominal rigidities reduces risk premia. In a world of monetary policy shocks only, both real and nominal rigidities raise risk premia. The results indicate that the implications of the New Keynesian model for average asset returns depend critically on the characterisation of shocks hitting the model economy.
The effect of preservation on lizard morphometrics – an experimental study

The millions of conserved biological specimens that are stored upon the shelves of Natural History Museums across the world constitute a capital of biological information that is becoming increasingly accessible to students of various disciplines. Most students have taken measures of body size and shape of preserved museum specimens to test various elements of ecological and evolutionary theory. One possible hazard of using morphological measurements of museum specimens is that fixation and preservation may deform bodies or body parts, but most researchers implicitely assume that the magnitude of conservation-induced distortions are insufficient to jeopardize their analyses. However, no study to our knowledge has clearly quantified those possible distortions. In this study, we have measured 17 morphological variables on a set of 65 green iguanas (Iguana iguana), starting shortly after their death and then repeatedly over a two month period, a period during which they were fixated and preserved. Our aims were (1) to quantify and compare the deformation in different morphometrics frequently used in evolutionary studies; (2) to determine the amount of temporal variation that can be attributed to reader variability; and (3) to build conversion equations that should improve the reliability of morphological comparisons of life and conserved specimens. Conserved lizards revealed major reduction in snout vent length and body weight. Changes in other measured traits are more subtle, but persistent. These facts disturb analyses when using relative measurements, especially when comparing (often small) intraspecific differences or even morphological differences within populations in a temporal frame. We urge caution in using museum specimens as direct proxies for living organisms in ecological and taxonomic studies.
Co Evolution of Man and Microbial Pathogenic Genome

Background: Co-evolution of human and microbial genome is of fundamental interest. It allows both the human and pathogens to adapt themselves in the changing environment. Even in an experimental condition to check resistance against a particular antibiotic the microbes slowly develop resistance against that antibiotic in laboratory environment. Thus it is a very critical issue that should be address in order to overcome the microbial diseases. Purpose: The present study is focus on the currently evolved pathogens and availability of vaccines; that work against the pathogens to protect human population. Conclusion: By understanding the way pathogens get evolved will be helpful in future to develop new and more affective vaccines. It may also helpful in understanding the disease pathogenesis.
Analyses of task based learning in developing M-Learn mobile learning software solution: case study

Developing mobile software solutions in order to enhance learning in University environments by using the new mobile communication technology is becoming a very popular research focus. However there is a lack of research on the instruction method that should be used in the development of mobile learning software as a very important factor in the learning process and in the software engineering process. In this paper we investigate, develop and analyses a mobile software solution in using the Task Based Learning model. The research focuses on the developed software solution and reviews learning modeling approach focusing on task based learning that from the findings is concluded as the best approach for mobile learning. For testing purposes developed is a software prototype called M-Learn and its analyses has been investigated and recommendations for developing similar software solutions have been defined.
Towards a Definition of Harmless Nanoparticles from an Environmental and Safety Perspective

The rapid development of nanoparticles (NPs), such as silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs), and their use in myriad commercial applications have raised questions of their potential impacts on wastewater treatment systems. In this study, we investigated the consequences of the presence of Si NPs and Fe2O3 NPs in the denitrification of anoxic sludge. Fe2O3 NPs, at a concentration up to 50 mg/L, had no significant impact on nitrate removal, whereas Si NPs, at concentrations up to 50 mg/L, increased the rate of nitrate removal. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the effect of Si NPs and Fe2O3 NPs. Si NPs exposure enhanced the abundance of narG-1 gene, which might promote nitrate removal process directly. Finally, we reviewed and identified the specific properties of a variety of NPs responsible for toxicity and found NPs larger than about 100 nm and without ion release in general possible to energy safety and nontoxic or low toxic to environment. Our results provide useful information to understand the response of anoxic sludge to Si NPs and Fe2O3 NPs in complex environmental matrix as well as potent support for wide use of the environmentally friendly NPs.
Improvement of Salt Tolerance in Trigonella foenum-graecum L. var. PEB by Plant Growth Regulators

The crop yield is reduced under saline conditions and this hampers agricultural productivity. The incorporation of plant growth regulators (PGRs) during presoaking treatments in many crops has improved seed performance under saline conditions. In order to study the ameliorative effect of plant growth regulators, experiments were conducted to study the variation in organic constituents in the leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. var.PEB, where the seeds were primed with different plant growth regulators and grown under NaCl salinity. After a pre-soaking treatment of six hours in 20 mg L -1 solutions of gibberllic acid (GA3), 6furfuryladenine (Kinetin) and benzyl adenine (BA), the seeds were allowed to germinate and grow for forty-five days under saline conditions. On the analysis of mature leaves, it was observed that chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and protein showed an increase in PGRtreated plants compared to the untreated set. The accumulation of the stress metabolite such as proline and sugars, which increase under saline conditions, showed a significant decrease in the plants pretreated with PGRs.
Continuous flux measurements of VOCs using PTR-MS — reliability and feasibility of disjunct-eddy-covariance, surface-layer-gradient, and surface-layer-profile methods

We measured VOC fluxes using disjunct-eddy-covariance (DEC), surface-layer-gradient (SLG), and surface-layer-profile (SLP) methods with proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) above a boreal forest in Hyytiälä, Finland. Our aim was to examine the reliability and feasibility of these methods for long-term measurements at low-flux conditions typical for boreal forests. The compounds targeted were formaldehyde, methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, isoprene/methylbutenol fragment, methylbutenol, hexanal, hexenal and monoterpenes. We carried out a 10-day comparison between the techniques and used longer continuous data sets for the feasibility study. Out of these surface layer methods, the SLP method performed the best. We found out that with the SLP method we were able to detect fluxes for all the targeted compounds except formaldehyde. The method had also smaller detection limits and better data coverage than the DEC method. The systematic error of both SLP and SLG techniques was estimated to be around 10% for these measurements and it was caused by the high frequency attenuation for the DEC and by the turbulence parametrization for the SLP. As a conclusion the SLP method can be recommend for long-term flux measurements in low-flux conditions.
Human Resource Orchestration for the Implementation of Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Entrepreneurial service firms continuously seek new opportunities, trying to integrate identified opportunities as part of their service portfolio. Successful implementation of new opportunities requires effective management of human resources and development of competences required in these firms. The concept of resource orchestration offers a theoretical framework for strategic human resource management in entrepreneurial firms. However, there is limited research on how the firms orchestrate their human resources in the process of implementation of entrepreneurial opportunities. This paper is a case study of five small technology service firms. The paper examines how the case firms have managed and developed their human resources while implementing new business opportunities and how they have adopted the concept of resource orchestration. Results of this study show that the importance of different subprocesses of resource orchestration varies among small service firms and that often several sub-processes must be managed simultaneously. Successful implementation of new business opportunities requires good managerial abilities and is connected to the sub-processes of resource orchestration. Based on the findings of the study, this paper proposes a revised model for human resource orchestration for the process of entrepreneurial opportunity implementation.
Dynamic Biological Functioning Important for Simulating and Stabilizing Ocean Biogeochemistry

The biogeochemistry of the ocean exerts a strong influence on the climate by modulating atmospheric greenhouse gases. In turn, ocean biogeochemistry depends on numerous physical and biological processes that change over space and time. Accurately simulating these processes is fundamental for accurately simulating the ocean's role within the climate. However, our simulation of these processes is often simplistic, despite a growing understanding of underlying biological dynamics. Here we explore how new parameterizations of biological processes affect simulated biogeochemical properties in a global ocean model. We combine 6 different physical realizations with 6 different biogeochemical parameterizations (36 unique ocean states). The biogeochemical parameterizations, all previously published, aim to more accurately represent the response of ocean biology to changing physical conditions. We make three major findings. First, oxygen, carbon, alkalinity, and phosphate fields are more sensitive to changes in the ocean's physical state. Only nitrate is more sensitive to changes in biological processes, and we suggest that assessment protocols for ocean biogeochemical models formally include the marine nitrogen cycle to assess their performance. Second, we show that dynamic variations in the production, remineralization, and stoichiometry of organic matter in response to changing environmental conditions benefit the simulation of ocean biogeochemistry. Third, dynamic biological functioning reduces the sensitivity of biogeochemical properties to physical change. Carbon and nitrogen inventories were 50% and 20% less sensitive to physical changes, respectively, in simulations that incorporated dynamic biological functioning. These results highlight the importance of a dynamic biology for ocean properties and climate.
Interests and power as drivers of community forestry

Conversely, though, CF practices can also been seen –rather than as genuine devolution of forest management to local forest users-as an extension of state hegemony. By creating or giving space in a new policy arena, states are making trade-offs with local communities to restore and conserve forests lands without providing even nominal incentives to them. Baker et al. (2003, p. 140) caution that the restoring of planning authority and decision making power to local arenas will enable private sector interests to more easily access and extract public land resources. Furthermore, Coggins (1999 qtd. in Baker et al. 2003) mentions that past experiences with local control of public resources have resulted in short-term profit schemes and over extraction.
EXPORTING FOOD, IMPORTING FOOD AID? KENYA AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE WORLD FOOD SYSTEM

Food crises in Kenya are recurring phenomena. Despite widespread and perennial famines, Kenya is exporting food while importing food aid. This study focuses on the concept and question of food security in Kenya. If Kenya can produce and even export food products, why does the country still import food aid every year? Why is the country classified as food insecure? And why does the country still suffer from recurrent famines? Drawing on social science theory from the political economy of food and agriculture, this study postulates that the contradiction between exporting food and importing food aid is related to Kenya’s subordinate position in the world economy. Using a comparative-historical, in-depth case study research design, this research descriptively explores the relationship between trends in food aid, trade, production and food security. The study finds that the relationship between food trade and aid with food security is mixed in Kenya. Aid and trade have not strongly enhanced food security in Kenya, but food insecurity in Kenya has not gotten markedly worse.
Investment Strategies and Risk Management for Participating Life Insurance Contracts

This paper proposes an asset allocation strategy for the risk management of the broad category of participating life insurance policies. The nature of the liability implied by these contracts allows us to treat them as options written on the reference portfolio backing the policy; consequently, the valuation approach is based on classical contingent claim theory. This leads to the identification of additional safety loadings against the risk of default implied by these contracts, and the setting up of suitable investment strategies aimed at minimizing this risk. The impact on the solvency requirements for the capital of the insurer of the proposed asset allocation strategy is analyzed by means of Monte Carlo techniques. Stress testing is considered as well with respect to the key risk factors of the model, such as the equity volatility and the market interest rate. The numerical analysis shows that, for the specific policy design considered in this paper, a suitable choice of the participation rate combined with the proposed investment strategy minimizes the overall default risk of the insurance company, both in terms of probability of default and expected severity.
From Microbial Proteomics to Synthetic Biology: Amycolatopsis balhimycina case

Actinomycetes, filamentous Gram-positive bacteria, are usually exploited as bio-farms naturally producing a wide range of small biologically active metabolites, such as antibiotics, extensively used in medicine, food-industry, chemistry and bio-remediation strategies. The development of high throughput technologies, like proteomics, allows functional genomic studies aimed at shedding light on molecular mechanisms controlling the production of useful compounds and macromolecules. Differential proteomic analyses, performed by using Two Dimensional PolyAcrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (2D- PAGE) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) procedures, revealed novel links between balhimycin production (a vancomycin-like antibiotic) and metabolic pathway regulation in Amycolatopsis balhimycina DSM5908. In particular, our investigation, performed by combining data from differential proteomic analyses carried-out using wild-type (Wt) and non-producing strains incubated in different growth conditions, showed that antibiotic production is always associated with the up-regulation of either specific enzymes of balhimycin (bal) biosynthetic gene cluster and enzymes related to central carbon metabolism, cell energy and redox balance. Thus this approach suggested new insights to improve fermentation technology strategies and revealed target genes for synthetic biology approaches aimed to improve antibiotic yield production.
Forms of Market Orientation and Business Performance in China

China is going through a rapid transition phase from the old centrally planned economy to an increasingly open market economy. This paper examines whether the market orientation (MO) concept originally developed in the West can also be applied to China. It investigates the extent of the market orientation practice among Chinese firms and its effect on business performance. Three different forms of MO, namely Underdeveloped Orientation, Fragmented Orientation, and Comprehensive Orientation, were found to be practised by 331 Chinese companies operating in the residential property development sector in Guangzhou, China. The three forms of MO were found to have significantly different levels of business performance and have distinct organisational characteristics.
Archana Analyzing inhibition of BCL 11 A gene expression in K 562 cells by RNAi

Article info: Received: 15 April 2013 Accepted: 21 June 2013 ABSTRACT RNA interference (RNAi), an effective approach to sequence-specific gene knockdown is widely used for the investigation of regulation of gene expression in various cells. BCL11A (B cell lymphoma 11A) plays a vital role in the evolutionarily different globin gene switches of mammals. In the current study, siRNA complementary to BCL11A was used to inhibit the BCL11A gene expression in erythroleukemic K562 cells and the expression was evaluated through real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. On day 7 of cell culture, 1x10 K562 cells were transfected with lipofectamine containing BCL11A specific siRNA. GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) was used as the reference gene to confirm the relative expression level of BCL11A gene mRNA and BCL11A protein. After 48 h of transfection, BCL11A specific siRNA produced significantly reduction of BCL11A mRNA level in a dose-dependent manner. It also affects the level of BCL11A protein. BCL11A siRNAs were equally effective at reducing the expression level of BCL11A mRNA and protein.
To sprout or not to sprout: Multiple factors determine the vigor of Kalmia latifolia (Ericaceae) in southwestern Connecticut

Abstract Kalmia latifolia has declined in southern New England and other parts of its range in recent decades. This long-term decline is generally attributed to abiotic forces (i.e., low light levels in maturing forests) with little attention to the possible role that top-down effects from ungulate herbivory may be playing. We examined the extent to which mature K. latifolia is capable of sprouting under a relatively undisturbed forest canopy—both after severe stem injury and when uninjured—and tested the hypothesis that, in areas with high deer densities, herbivory may exceed abiotic forces in controlling the dynamics of K. latifolia. A block design experiment with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exclusion and control as treatments and landscape position (hilltop and low slope) as block was established in 2008. Canopy openness was measured in the two treatments within each block using hemispherical canopy photos. Survival and sprouting vigor of cut and uncut K. latifolia stems were monitored over 4 years and analyzed using Bayesian Information Criteria model selection with deer herbivory, percent canopy openness, and slope position as predictor variables. Canopy openness and slope position were important drivers of adult K. latifolia survival and sprouting capacity, whereas deer herbivory and slope position were the most important drivers of sprouting vigor on cut stems. Our results suggest that in a relatively undisturbed forest with high deer densities, herbivory does not exceed abiotic factors in determining adult K. latifolia vigor over the short term, but herbivory and slope position are more important than light in determining sprouting vigor after stem cutting.
A Framework to Analyze Data Governance of Swiss Population Registers

In June 2006 the Swiss Parliament adopted a new law on population registers' harmonization in order to simplify statistical data collection and data exchange from around 4'000 decentralized registers. Besides there are more than 2'000 administrative services delivered to Swiss citizens and businesses, of which hundreds could potentially use data from population registers. The law is rather vague about the implementation of this harmonization and even though many projects are currently being undertaken in this domain, most of them are quite technical. We believe there is a need for analysis tools and therefore in this paper we propose a conceptual framework to analyse data governance of these populations registers, with a strong focus on information requirements and identity management. In order to develop this framework we built on existing approaches to define its building blocks: data consumers, data sources, identity in a given context, requirements, and data sets.