Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Process and characterization of aggregate stabilization in degraded inceptisols by earthworms.

Earthworms are widely recognized as a means of enhancing soil quality. However, less is known about their role in aggregate formation, especially their interaction with organic materials and soil aggregate size, as well as the output of this process. The objectives of this research are to assess the process and characterization of aggregate formation on degraded inceptisols by earthworms. Experiments were conducted in a random block design with factorial pattern using a combination of soil aggregate size, presence and absence of earthworms, presence and absence of compost. Sixteen treatments and 6 replication were used. A total of 96 pots were prepared, and 32 pots were examined every month during three months. The changes of mmorphological and elemental composition were observed using a scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Aggregate stability was measured using the water aggregate stability method. The results showed that microand macro-aggregates were formed in less than two months, the aggregate surface became coarser and more porous. The interaction of aggregate size, earthworms and compost could improve degraded inceptisol quality through aggregate stabilization. This process started after the first month and increased after the second month. During the third month, 76.61% stable aggregates (without compost), 80.56% (without earthworms) and 91.74% (with both earthworms and compost) were formed. This finding suggests that stable aggregates are influenced more by a combination of earthworm and compost, however aggregates formation is strongly influenced by earthworm which is faster than compost.
STATISTICS OF X-RAY FLARES OF SAGITTARIUS A⋆: EVIDENCE FOR SOLAR-LIKE SELF-ORGANIZED CRITICALITY PHENOMENA

X-ray flares have routinely been observed from the supermassive black hole at our Galactic center, Sagittarius A ⋆ ? > (Sgr A⋆). The nature of these flares remains largely unclear, despite many theoretical models. In this paper, we study the statistical properties of the Sgr A⋆ X-ray flares by fitting the count rate (CR) distribution and the structure function of the light curve with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. With the 3-million-second Chandra observations accumulated in the Sgr A⋆ X-ray Visionary Project, we construct the theoretical light curves through Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the 2–8 keV X-ray light curve can be decomposed into a quiescent component with a constant CR of 6 × 10 − 3 ? > count s−1 and a flare component with a power-law fluence distribution dN / dE ∝ E − &agr; E ? > with &agr; E = 1.65 ± 0.17 ? > . The duration–fluence correlation can also be modeled as a power law T ∝ E &agr; ET ? > with &agr; ET < 0.55 ? > (95% confidence). These statistical properties are consistent with the theoretical prediction of the self-organized criticality system with the spatial dimension S = 3. We suggest that the X-ray flares represent plasmoid ejections driven by magnetic reconnection (similar to solar flares) in the accretion flow onto the black hole.
MODELING THE ROLE OF EXISTING HYDRO RESOURCES IN THE CAPACITY EXPANSION PROBLEM IN FACE OF A SIGNIFICANT PENETRATION OF SOLAR PV

Pablo Rodilla a, Carlos Batlle a, b, Andrea Veigac, Michael Hagertyd a Institute for Research in Technology, Comillas Pontifical University, Sta. Cruz de Marcenado 26, Madrid, Spain b Also with MIT Energy Initiative, 77 Mass. Av. , Cambridge, US and Florence School of Regulation, Florence Italy c Endesa, Ribera del Loira 60, Madrid, Spain d The Brattle Group, 44 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA, US. As well-known, wind and especially solar PV generation change the short-term scheduling of the conventional thermal plants, affecting in the end the long-term optimal thermal investments.
An efficient soft de-mapping algorithm for APSK signals

Abstract: In this paper, we present an efficient soft de-mapping method for M-ary APSK modulation based on hard decision thresholds (HDT), which significantly reduces the computational complexity compared with the maximum likelihood detection (MLD). Furthermore, bit error rate (BER) performance of several soft de-mapping methods combined with LDPC codes are provided. Simulation results reveal that the proposed method largely reduces the computational complexity with nearly the same performance to MLD.
Managing Intellectual Assets in Small Knowledge-Intensive Organizations

Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) firms supply knowledge products or use knowledge to support their clients’ own knowledge generation and knowledge processing activities (Miles et al., 1995; Muller & Zenker, 2001; Miles, 2005). The KIBS sector covers activities such as computer services, R&D services, legal, accountancy and management services, architecture, engineering and technical services, advertising and market research (Miles, 2005). KIBS firms rely heavily on professional knowledge to supply intermediate products and services that are knowledge based, fusing general codified (recorded) information with experience and tacit knowledge (den Hertog, 2000). KIBS firms are a subset of business services and can be grouped into two main categories, ABSTRACT
The Effect Of Innovation On Intellectual Capital: An Empirical Evaluation In The Biotechnology And Telecommunications Industries

This research studies how innovation competences affect the stock of intangibles and facilitate the development of intellectual capital (IC). We develop a theoretical model with these constructs, in which we distinguish two dimensions within innovation competences — Schumpeterian and continuous improvement competences; and three dimensions for IC — human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Theoretical relations are tested in an empirical study carried out in 222 Spanish firms from the Biotechnology and Telecommunications industries. We prove that innovation competences positively affect the stock of intangibles and facilitate the development of relational capital, structural capital and human capital.
Logistics outsourcing and the market value of the firm : an empirical investigation

In this paper we investigate the shareholder value effects of logistics outsourcing decisions. To this end, we use the event study methodology to examine the reaction of equity investors to 165 logistics outsourcing announcements for the case of 119 manufacturers for the period from 2000 to 2015. Using both parametric and nonparametric tests we find a significant positive reaction to logistics outsourcing announcements of planning activities. Further than academics, these findings are of importance to practitioners as they provide them with key insights on their decision to outsource logistics activities.
Reconsideration and upgrading of sampling and analysis methods for avoiding measurement-related design and operation failures in wastewater treatment

Success of design and high operational efficiency may basically stand or fall on the quality of measured (or estimated) input data. Even small mistakes committed in the initial steps of sampling and analysis may become large once scaled up in the design process or during full-scale operation. The paper provides several experiment-based practical recommendations and easily implemented, powerful methods for appropriate sampling and analysis practice in wastewater treatment. Representative wastewater characterization is crucial for satisfactory design and cost-effective operation. The paper highlights hidden problems and challenges of sampling and analysis in activated sludge wastewater treatment which may strongly affect the quality of input data, and thus basically determine the modelling outputs. Full-scale results proved that wastewater quality may change significantly in the sampling tubing and vessels; during the sampling process even nitrification can happen. Regarding sludge settling measurements, effects of dilution, temperature, floc structure, nitrate and dissolved oxygen concentrations as well as current biochemical condition of the sludge sample have been studied and important recommendations provided. A combined comparative method including SVI and DSVI measurements has been elaborated for indication and early warning alert of undesired floc structure transformations. Influent BOD5 concentration is a key factor for describing biodegradability and denitrification capacity of wastewater to be treated. Results of the two most commonly used BOD testing methods were compared for preclarified wastewater. An electrochemical measurement technique provided significantly lower BOD5 concentrations compared to manometric analysis results with a difference of 23% and 15% on average for unfiltered and filtered samples, respectively. Effects of BOD-based fractionation deviations on predictable denitrification efficiency were studied at different inlet C/N ratios by simulating existing full-scale wastewater treatment plants resulting in remarkable differences in effluent nitrate concentrations. Based on the results, application of the manometric BOD measurement method proved to be preferable.
An Investigation of Academic Dishonesty in a South African Institution

Academic dishonesty has generated a lot of interest over the past two decades. A descriptive cross section design was used. The sample was under-graduate students from different faculties residing in the institution’s hostels. SPSS was used for all data analyses. All measures were valid and reliable. Pearson product correlations and coefficients, and regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis. Results: Students considered academic dishonesty in monitored situation to be a serious offence compared to unmonitored situations. Students indicated that cheating in certain assessments (examinations) were considered more serious than in others (tutorials). The issue of cyber plagiarism and use of technology were the commonly identified forms of academic dishonesty and acknowledged to be commonly undertaken. Findings revealed that direct and indirect attitudes had a significant inverse relationship with intentions to engage in academic dishonesty. The study established that a student’s justification for engaging in academic dishonesty mediated Theory of Planned Behaviour variables – attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intentions to engage in academic dishonesty. Students’ intention to engage in academic dishonesty was further influenced by sanctions or lack of these from the relevant faculty. Conclusion: Study findings are important for institutions to consider relevant interventions to safe guard academic quality and reputation.
Development and Testing of a Curriculum for Teaching Informed Consent for Spinal Anesthesia to Anesthesiology Residents

Introduction: Properly obtaining informed consent for spinal anesthesia is a skill expected of anesthesiology residents. The goals of the study were to 1) use a Delphi method to develop a curriculum for teaching informed consent for spinal anesthesia, and a checklist of required elements; 2) determine which elements of the informed consent process were most frequently missed prior to the curriculum; 3) quantify if this curriculum improved performance of correctly obtaining informed consent from a standardized patient; and 4) measure retention of learning as measured by how residents performed on actual patients. Methods: Performance on obtaining informed consent was tested with an 11-item checklist on a standardized patient before and after completing the curriculum. Resident performance on their next three patients scheduled to have spinal anesthesia was evaluated at the bedside using the same checklist. Results: At baseline before completing the curriculum 18 anesthesia residents (39% female) with a mean 6.29 months (SD 3.59, median 6.5, 25th-75th quartile range 4.25-9.75) of residency completed and 11.39 prior spinals (SD 13.1, median 13.14, 25th-75th quartile range 3-14) successfully performed 47% (SD 20%, median 45%, 25th-75th quartile range 36-41%) of the 11 required elements. The 3 most commonly missed elements were: “Teach back: Ask the patient to repeat key items in discussion” (0% correct), “Connect, Introduce, Communicate, Ask permission, Respond, Exit” (6%), and “Have the patient verbally agree with the consent forms (17%). ” 7 residents completed the written materials and video curriculum and significantly increased their performance to successfully complete 90% of the required elements on a standardized patient, and 86% on actual patients 1-5 days later (P<0.01). 11 other residents completed the written materials and video curriculum supplemented with a 1:1 session with a faculty and significantly increased the percentage of properly completed elements to 97% on the standardized patient, and to 88% on actual patients (P<0.01). Conclusions: The curriculum developed increased performance on how well informed consent was obtained by junior anesthesia residents on an 11 item checklist and may be used by training programs to teach and evaluate their residents.
Some problems of evaluating fungicides for use on coffee in Kenya

SUMMARY As part of a programme testing fungicides for control of coffee berry disease (CBD) promising materials were also tested in the field against leaf rust of coffee. In all, fourteen fungicides were tested, five of which have been recommended for control of CBD. Only Perenox (representative of 50% copper fungicides) and Du-Ter (not highly effective against CBD and no longer recommended) gave good control of rust; Difolatan gave some control but Benlate and Daconil were virtually ineffective. Where only CBD is present there is generally a good relationship between disease control and yield, but in these experiments where leaf rust was also present, this relationship was seriously disturbed. The implications of this for testing fungicides for use on coffee in Kenya are discussed.
Evaluation of brinjal varieties for yield, genetic variability and disease reaction grown as late rabi season crop in Assam

Five hybrid brinjal varieties viz., Ketan, Vijay Kiron, Utkal Green, NV2035 Sarpan Bharata and two local cultivars viz., JC-1, Longai were evaluated at Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi, Guwahati as late rabi crop during 2014-16. Significant variation in plant growth parameters and fruit yield as well as on bacterial wilt incidence (Ralstonia solanacearum) were shown by all the varieties.Utkal Green recorded the highest per plant fruit yield (2.32 kg/plant) leading to the maximum total marketable yield (469.66 q/ha) and longer active fruiting duration (43.70 days). It also showed resistant reaction to bacterial wilt, recording only 12.44 per cent wilt incidence as compared to other varieties where it was in the range of 34.44 to 62.22 % at 55 days after transplanting. Although, Ketan and Vijay Kiron recorded moderately higher per plant fruit yield of 1.52 and 1.47 kg/plant,respectively but their total marketable fruit production reduced substantially due to high incidence of bacterial wilt (62.22 and 57.78%, respectively). The local cultivars, JC-1 and Longai exhibited moderately resistant reaction to bacterial wilt which registered 40.00 and 34.44 % , respectively.
Friction Stir Welding of a Commercial 7075-T6 Aluminum Alloy : Grain Refinement, Thermal Stability and Tensile Properties

Commercial 7075-T6 aluminum alloy was subjected to friction stir welding (FSW), resulting in development of a fine-grained structure with average size of about 3 μm in the nugget zone. Static annealing at temperatures ranging from 623 to 773 K for 30 min showed that the fine grain microstructure was stable at temperatures not higher than 723 K. Increase in annealing temperature up to 773 K led to an abnormal grains growth, followed by the development of mm-scale grains. The stamens obtained from the nugget zone demonstrated a superplastic behavior at temperatures ranging from 623 to 723 K and at strain rates ranging from 1 x 10 - 4 to 1 x 10 - 2 s - 1 . Large elongation of about 440% was observed at a temperature of 673 K and at a strain rate of 1 x 10 - 3 s - 1 .
Quality Characteristics of Wood Ear Icebox Cookie

Wood ear ( Auricularia polytrica ) powder (WE) was used to substitute 10 %-40 % of wheat flour to make icebox cookies. Contents of fiber, polysaccharide, and total phenols in WE were 2.73 %, 66 %, and 2.49 %, respectively. Hunter L , a , b , hardness, moisture, and water activity of cookies decreased with the increased WE percentages, while ash and carbohydrate contents showed a reverse effect. With the increased WE replacement, dimension of cookies became shorter, narrower and thicker. Total phenols content in WE40 extract was the highest among extracts, and had the best effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability. On a seven-point hedonic test, the score of color, sweetness, hardness, flavor and overall liking of cookies made with 0 %-30 % replacement of wheat flour with WE were moderately acceptable. Overall, a partial replacement of wheat flour with WE in cookies making could be developed as a novel food with more bioactive components and effective antioxidant activity.
Bradykinin Stimulates NFk B Activation and Interleukin 1 b Gene Expression in Cultured Human Fibroblasts

Bradykinin (BK), a pluripotent nonameric peptide, is known for its proinflammatory functions in both tissue injury and allergic inflammation of the airway mucosa and submucosa. To understand the mechanisms by which BK serves as an inflammatory mediator, the human lung fibroblast cell line WI-38 was stimulated with BK and the expression of IL-1 b gene was examined. BK at nanomolar concentrations induced a marked increase in immunoreactive IL-1 b , detectable within 2 h in both secreted and cell-associated forms. BK-induced IL-1 b synthesis was inhibited by a B2-type BK receptor antagonist and by treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of a BK receptor that couples to the G i /G o class of heterotrimeric G proteins. Whereas cycloheximide and actinomycin D both inhibited BK-induced IL-1 b synthesis, results from Northern blot and nuclear run-on assays suggested that BK acted primarily at the transcription level which led to the accumulation of IL-1 b message in stimulated cells. Gel mobility shift assays were used with nuclear extracts from stimulated WI-38 cells to examine the transcription mechanism for BK-induced IL-1 b expression. A DNA binding activity specific for the decameric k B enhancer was detected and was found to contain the p50 and p65 subunits of the NFk B/rel protein family. BKinduced NFk B activation correlated with IL-1 b message upregulation with respect to agonist concentration, time course, sensitivity to bacterial toxins, and blockade by the B2 receptor antagonist. After BK stimulation, a significant increase in the activity of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase was observed in WI-38 cells transfected with a reporter plasmid bearing the k B enhancers from the IL-1 b gene. Deletion of the k B enhancer sequence significantly reduced BK-induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity. These findings suggests a novel function of BK in the activation of NFk B and the induction of cytokine gene expression. ( J. Clin. Invest. 1996. 98:2042–2049.)
Effects of selective cuts on the mycorrhizae of regenerating Betula alleghaniensis and Acer saccharum seedlings in two Quebec mixed deciduous forests

The mycorrhizae of younger (2- to 3-year-old) and older (5- to 12-year-old) yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedlings and saplings were recorded from naturally regenerating plants in gaps created by selective cuts and compared with those of plants of comparable age growing in the undisturbed forest. The levels of ectomycorrhizal colonization and the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (based on morphotyping) were recorded for yellow birch and the levels of colonization and the abundance of arbuscules, vesicles, and coils were reported for the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of sugar maples. Selective cutting had no negative ef- fect on the mycorrhizal community structure of yellow birch and sugar maple. This may be because of the quick re- generation of the mycorrhizal hosts coupled with the minor levels of soil disruption and relatively small gap size at the study sites. Greater colonization levels in the gaps versus uncut areas were observed in the 2- to 3-year-old maples but not in the 2- to 3-year-old birch seedlings. The types of ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing the roots of birch seedlings from the gaps did not differ from those in the uncut forest areas. Resume : Les mycorhizes de jeunes (2-3 ans) et de vieux (5-12 ans) semis et gaules de bouleau jaune (Betula alleg- haniensis Britton) et d'erable a sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) ont ete denombres chez la regeneration naturelle dans des trouees dues a des coupes selectives et comparees a celles de plants d'âge comparable croissant dans la foret non perturbee. Le degre de colonisation ectomycorhizienne et la diversite des champignons ectomycorhiziens (basee sur le type morphologique) ont ete notes chez le bouleau jaune. Chez l'erable a sucre, le degre de colonisation et l'abondance des arbuscules, des vesicules et des vrilles ont ete notes pour les mycorhizes a vesicules et arbuscules. La coupe selec- tive n'a pas eu d'effet sur la structure de la communaute mycorhizienne du bouleau jaune et de l'erable a sucre. Cela pourrait etre du a la regeneration rapide des hotes combinee a une perturbation mineure du sol et a la relativement pe- tite dimension des trouees dans les sites etudies. Un degre de colonisation plus eleve a ete observe dans les trouees comparativement aux endroits non coupes chez les semis d'erable d e2a3a ns mais nonchez les semis de bouleau du meme âge. Les types de champignons mycorhiziens qui colonisent les racines des semis de bouleau dans les trouees sont les memes que ceux qui sont presents dans la foret non coupee.
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in GALNT 8 are associated with the response to interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Received 17 May 2012 Accepted 26 September 2012 Laboratory for Digestive Diseases, RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine, Hiroshima, Japan Pharmacology Research Laboratories, Drug Research Division, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Osaka, Japan Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan Laboratory for Medical Informatics, RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine, Yokohama, Japan Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan Laboratory for International Alliance, RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine, Yokohama, Japan Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Inductive braking of thermomagnetic avalanches in superconducting films

The stabilizing effect of placing a normal metal layer adjacent to a thermomagnetically unstable superconducting film is investigated. By solving the coupled Maxwell and heat transfer equations numerically it is shown that the metal, via inductive braking of the rapidly propagating flux avalanches, strongly reduces their impact. It is found that with increasing thickness and/or electrical conductivity of the metal layer, the number of avalanche events increases, while the amount of flux involved in each avalanche is strongly reduced, resulting in an overall more stable thermomagnetic system. The numerical results provide detailed insight into the braking process, and explain both previous dc magnetometry measurements and new magneto-optical imaging results obtained for a superconducting NbN film coated with a Cu-layer.