Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical modeling of hypolimnion and sediment oxygen demand in temperate Canadian lakes

ABSTRACT Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and hypolimnetic oxygen demand (HOD) drive deep-water dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion in lakes, yet these parameters can be difficult to be measure routinely. To address this issue, we present an empirical DO depletion model from time-series measurements of hypolimnetic DO and water-column temperature profiles to estimate hypolimnion thickness (H). The model is based on a dataset that includes 3 temperate lakes (Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe, and Eagle Lake) in Ontario, Canada, of varying size and trophic state. We report SOD (mean [standard deviation]; 0.30 [0.07] g m−2 d−1) and HOD (0.08 [0.03] g m−3 d−1) values based on regression fits of (where t is time) and H from these lakes. The model shows that when vertical (through thermocline) and horizontal fluxes can be neglected in the DO budget during summer, SOD and HOD are the first-order parameters driving . The empirical model predicted hypolimnetic DO in the 3 lakes (root-mean-square error [RMSE] of DO < 3.58 g m−3) and was subsequently validated against observations from a fourth lake (Little Silver Lake, Ontario; RMSE of DO = 1.07 g m−3). The model provides insight into the importance of physical characteristics (i.e., 1/H) in the hypolimnetic DO budget and the relative impact of physical transport versus biogeochemical sources and sinks in the DO budget. When the spring turnover DO concentration is known, the model can be used to simulate depletion of DO in the hypolimnion, including the onset of hypoxia, using routinely collected temperature profile data. We suggest that the proposed values for SOD and HOD can serve as estimates for water quality model calibration when no information is available.
Non-Topotactic Phase Transformations in Single Crystals of β-Glycine

The metastable β polymorph of glycine exhibits a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation (SCSCT) to either the α or γ phase with retention of the crystal habit of the parent β phase. X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy reveal that of 51 single crystals of the β parent phase, 24 form single domain crystals of α or γ with a single orientation matrix, confirming an SCSCT. The remaining 27 β parent crystals transform to crystals with a few domains of either α and/or γ, each domain arising from a single nucleation event. In three cases the β → α and β → γ transformations occurred within the same glycine single crystal. In all cases, regardless of the number of domains, the transformation occurred with retention of the original habit of the parent phase. Both β → α and β → γ transformations proceed in a non-topotactic manner, as evident from the random orientations of the daughter phases in the crystallographic reference frame of the parent β phase. The transformation rates, as measured by advancem.
Antibiofilm and antimicrobial efficacy evaluation of polypyrrole nanotubes embedded in aminated gum acacia based nanocomposite

Abstract The sustainable development of natural polysaccharide‐based hybrid composites is highly important for the effective replacement of metal nanoparticles in diverse applications. Here, polypyrrole nanotubes (PPyNTs) were embedded on the surface of aminated gum acacia (AGA) to produce ecofriendly nanocomposites for biomedical applications. The morphology of a PPyNT‐enhanced AGA (PPyNT@AGA) hybrid nanocomposite was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and their affirmed interactions were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Raman, Fourier transform‐infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopy. Interestingly, the prepared PPyNT@AGA nanocomposite exhibited 90% biofilm inhibition against gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, gram‐positive Streptococcus pneumoniae and fungal strain Candida albicans with promising antimicrobial performance. This study establishes the good inhibition of a PPyNT@AGA hybrid composite against various microorganisms. The stability of the nanocomposite coupled with antimicrobial activity enables an effective strategy for diagnosing and controlling pathogens.
UNDERSTANDING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY OF SAHIWAL DISTRICT, PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to analyze the socio-cultural constraints that affect different dimensions of women empowerment in rural areas of Punjab province. Political participation and self-esteem were taken as dominant characteristics of women empowerment among lots of variables that collectively define women empowerment. Methodology: A mixed-method approach was used to study different dimensions of women empowerment. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to collect the data from 85 respondents excluding widows and divorced women. Two focus group discussions were conducted, one in each village to further understand the phenomenon or empowerment and constraints faced by women. The data got analyzed by using tables and graphs made in MS Excel. Main findings: Findings of the study indicate that although cultural constraints hinder the process of women empowerment a great deal, a husband's education along with a woman's education plays a significant role in women empowerment. Results showed that if the husband is more educated, women are more empowered politically and have higher self-esteem. Application of the study: The significant contribution of a single factor in overall women empowerment is very interesting and needs further in-depth studies on different locations. The results can contribute to policy formulation for women empowerment on a larger scale.
Neoadjuvant talazoparib in patients with germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) mutation-positive, early HER2-negative breast cancer (BC): Results of a phase 2 study.

505 Background: Talazoparib (TALA) is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor approved as monotherapy for treating adult patients (pts) with g BRCA1/2-mutated HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic BC. Methods: This phase 2, non-randomized, single-arm, open-label study (NCT03499353) evaluated the efficacy and safety of TALA in the neoadjuvant setting for pts with early g BRCA1/2-mutated HER2− BC. Primary endpoint was evaluation of pathologic complete response (pCR) as assessed by Independent Central Review (ICR) after completing 24 weeks of neoadjuvant TALA monotherapy 1 mg QD (0.75 mg for moderate renal impairment) followed by surgery. Secondary endpoints included pCR by investigator (INV) and residual cancer burden (RCB) by ICR (RCB: 0 [pCR], I [minimal], II [moderate], III [extensive]). The evaluable population included pts who received at least 80% of the TALA dose prescribed at treatment start and underwent breast surgery and pCR assessment, plus those who progressed before pCR could be assessed. The intent-to-treat (ITT) population included all pts who received at least 1 dose of TALA. Results: Of 61 pts treated with TALA (ITT and safety populations), 48 comprised the evaluable population. All pts had triple-negative BC. 60 pts had adenocarcinoma and 1 had squamous cell histology, with the following staging: I=20, II=27, III=14. Mean age was 44.6 years, mean duration of 4.5 wks since disease onset, mean duration of treatment of 23.3 wks, and mean overall relative dose intensity of 84.5% (ITT population). pCR (assessed by ICR and INV) and RCB (by ICR) for the evaluable and ITT populations are shown in the table below. Ten (16.4%) patients discontinued treatment due to progressive disease. One pt had a disruption of treatment as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, 2 pts for other reasons: to undergo surgery early and consent withdrawal; 9 patients received <80% dose. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported in 98.4% of pts (27.9% grade [G] 1, 23.0% G2, 45.9% G3, 1.6% G4); the most common were fatigue (78.7%; G1 54.1%; G2 21.3%; G3 3.3%), nausea (68.9%; G1 54.1%; G2 13.1%; G3 1.6%), and alopecia (57.4%; G1 54.1%; G2 3.3%). Three (4.9%) pts discontinued treatment due to AEs (G3 anemia [n=2] and G3 vertigo [n=1]) and continued on study. Conclusions: TALA monotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting was active and showed pCR rates comparable to those observed with combination anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy regimens and was generally well tolerated. Clinical trial information: NCT03499353. [Table: see text]
Forecasting Regional Indicators Based on the Quarterly Projection Model

The paper presents a semi-structural model of a regional economy based on the standard version of the neo-Keynesian model in gaps. The main feature of this tool is its ability to predict regional indicators and model the regional heterogeneity of the national economy. In our model, Russia is divided into two macro-regions: the Central Federal District and the rest of Russia in aggregate. These regions are modelled separately but are interrelated. The benefit of this approach is that it allows us to analyse how shocks in one region are passed along to others, how the regions react to general shocks and what the appropriate monetary policy response should be. The model represents a simple and convenient tool for building macroeconomically consistent forecasts and generating recommendations in the area of monetary policy based on regional specifics.
MACROFAUNA DO SOLO NO PARQUE MUNICIPAL DE MACEIÓ, ALAGOAS

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the soil macrofauna in a Conservation Unit, in Maceió, Alagoas, in the conserved, transition environments and changed in Aug/2018 to Jun 2019. Provid traps were used and remained in the field for 96 hours. The organisms (> 2 Macrofauna do solo no Parque Municipal de Maceió, Alagoas Renato Willian Santos de Lima Carlos Rocha Augusto da Silva Delane dos Santos Dias Élida Monique da Costa Santos Danúbia Lins Gomes Kallianna Dantas Araujo Caminhos de Geografia Uberlândia-MG v. 22, n. 81 jun./2021 p. 292–307 Página 293 mm in length) were identified at the order of the level. The abundance was quantified and the Shannon (H) and Pielou (e) ecological indexes were applied. Soil water content (SWC) and soil temperature (ST) were quantified at a depth of 0.10 m and rainfall (R). The data were submitted to analysis of variance, with their averages compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The conserved environment presents greater wealth and abundance, due to the variety of food and shelter in the litter, combined with the abiotic factors SWC and ST; Hymenoptera, adapted to anthropic conditions, is dominant in environments, proven by the low values of the (H) and (e) indexes; In the conserved area, Hymenoptera was not inconsistent in relation to the other groups, reflecting the balance of the area. The ST variable influenced the abundance, the SWC had an influence on wealth and the R influenced both variables.
The Emergence of Resource-Based Theory: A Personal Journey

I have recently been encouraged to share my personal reflections on the emergence of resource-based theory. In many ways, I have been reluctant to do so, at least in print, since any such effort would necessarily reflect my idiosyncratic view of this history. A complete discussion of both the people involved in the development of resource-based theory and the context within which this theory developed in the field of management would, I suspect, require the objective eye of a third party. In this way, I certainly do not qualify to write such a history. However, when the 30th anniversary of the publication of the Special Theory Forum on Resource-Based Theory in the Journal of Management came around, I thought it might be time to put down on paper—a quaintly old-fashioned phrase—my own recollections of this history. In doing so, I decided to make no pretense that this is an objective or rigorous historical effort. Rather, these are the reflections of a strategic management scholar, coming toward the end of his career, about a time, now over 30 years ago, when resource-based theory did not yet exist. I have not tried to verify my reflections by appeal to historical documents, except for any papers I and others have published. I did pass this essay by many of the people mentioned in it—to see if my memories were consistent with their memories—but that is as far as I have gone in verifying the “facts” I share in this essay.
Usage of Airborne Hyperspectral Imaging Data for Identifying Spatial Variability of Soil Nitrogen Content

Soil is a significant natural resource composed of organic and inorganic material. Nitrogen, one of the essential elements, is traditionally measured using laboratory methods. The development of hyperspectral imaging enables the cost-effective acquisition of both spectral and spatial information for detecting physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the soil samples. The presented work evaluates the suitability of airborne hyperspectral imaging for determining soil nitrogen content and producing a soil nitrogen map on a pixel-wise basis. The measurement of spatial variability of the soil nitrogen content was taken at two fields located at Rudice, in northeast Brno, Czech Republic, using laboratory methods and a handheld spectrometer. The soil reflectance was also recorded using airborne-mounted imaging spectroscopy sensors. A partial least squares regression was used to develop a model for the calibration of the data collected with a portable spectrometer and to predict the total nitrogen in the soils based on hyperspectral images from airborne sensors. The determination factor for the PLSR model presented in this paper reached an R2 of 0.44. The model’s performance could be improved by using a handheld spectrometer with a wider spectral range, using the same acquisition period for field data collection and hyperspectral imaging, and enlarging the sample size.
Highly Sensitive Capacitive Pressure Sensor Based on a Micropyramid Array for Health and Motion Monitoring

Flexible capacitive pressure sensors with simple structure and low power consumption have attracted great interest because of their promising applications in wearable electronics. However, assembling a pressure sensor with high sensitivity, low detection limit, and wide dynamic range is still a big challenge. Here, a sandwich‐like, flexible capacitive pressure sensor is reported with micropyramid array electrode and porous dielectric layer. Under external stimulus pressure, the distance between two electrodes, and dielectric constant of dielectric layer will change simultaneously, resulting in high sensitivity (2.51 kPa−1) of the sensor. Due to the micropyramid array electrode, the sensor exhibits low detection limit (2.0 Pa), fast response speed (84 ms), wide working range (>10 kPa), and high stability (>5000 dynamic cycles). Finite‐element analysis also reveals that the larger duty ratio and altitude of micropyramid arrays lead to higher sensor sensitivity. By depicting the deformation of micropyramid during compression, the sensing mechanism of these sensors is discovered, providing a potential direction for developing sensitivity and linear range. Additionally, the sensor has been demonstrated to be efficient in monitoring human motion, such as muscle activation and rope skipping, showing high potential in the field of sport wearable equipment.
Impounded rivers, compounded injustice: contesting the social impacts of hydraulic development in Laos

ABSTRACT Laos has rapidly expanded its hydraulic infrastructure, creating profound environmental, economic and social ruptures. We combine frameworks of environmental justice with political ecology to examine the multiple expressions of water injustice evident in three hydropower project case studies involving resettlement. We find that livelihood restoration measures have not ameliorated, but reproduced underlying problems of poverty, inequity, exclusion and coercive expressions of social injustice. These are viewed as the structural outcomes of political choices. We conclude that there is little potential for a water justice paradigm in Laos without significant reforms to the national frameworks for water governance and human rights.
The Relationship between Strategic Orientation, Service Innovation, and Performance in Hotels in Angola

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of customer orientation, competitor orientation, learning orientation, technology orientation, and entrepreneurial orientation on hotel innovation and performance. Data from 69 hotels in four Angolan provinces were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) approach and multi group analysis. The results show that learning and entrepreneurial orientations have a positive impact on hotel innovation. As anticipated, innovation has a positive impact on performance. According to the multigroup analysis, only the hotel category has a moderating effect on performance. Results suggest that hotels in developing countries could add value to both customers and shareholders by promoting new services and exploring new business opportunities. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies that has researched the impact of strategic orientation on hotel innovation and financial performance in developing countries.
Real Fault Location in a Distribution Network Using Smart Feeder Meter Data

Distribution networks transmit electrical energy from an upstream network to customers. Undesirable circumstances such as faults in the distribution networks can cause hazardous conditions, equipment failure, and power outages. Therefore, to avoid financial loss, to maintain customer satisfaction, and network reliability, it is vital to restore the network as fast as possible. In this paper, a new fault location (FL) algorithm that uses the recorded data of smart meters (SMs) and smart feeder meters (SFMs) to locate the actual point of fault, is introduced. The method does not require high-resolution measurements, which is among the main advantages of the method. An impedance-based technique is utilized to detect all possible FL candidates in the distribution network. After the fault occurrence, the protection relay sends a signal to all SFMs, to collect the recorded active power of all connected lines after the fault. The higher value of active power represents the real faulty section due to the high-fault current. The effectiveness of the proposed method was investigated on an IEEE 11-node test feeder in MATLAB SIMULINK 2020b, under several situations, such as different fault resistances, distances, inception angles, and types. In some cases, the algorithm found two or three candidates for FL. In these cases, the section estimation helped to identify the real fault among all candidates. Section estimation method performs well for all simulated cases. The results showed that the proposed method was accurate and was able to precisely detect the real faulty section. To experimentally evaluate the proposed method’s powerfulness, a laboratory test and its simulation were carried out. The algorithm was precisely able to distinguish the real faulty section among all candidates in the experiment. The results revealed the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method.
New computational approaches for the power dominating set problem: Set covering and the neighborhoods of zero forcing forts

To monitor electrical activity throughout the power grid and mitigate outages, sensors known as phasor measurement units can installed. Due to implementation costs, it is desirable to minimize the number of sensors deployed while ensuring that the grid can be effectively monitored. This optimization problem motivates the graph theoretic power dominating set problem. In this paper, we propose a method for computing minimum power dominating sets via a set cover IP formulation and a novel constraint generation procedure. The set cover problem's constraints correspond to neighborhoods of zero forcing forts; we study their structural properties and show they can be separated with delayed row generation. In addition, we offer several computation enhancements which be be applied to our methodology as well as existing methods. The proposed and existing methods are evaluated in several computational experiments. In many of the larger test instances considered, the proposed method exhibits an order of magnitude runtime performance improvement.
Electrostatics and Metal Oxide Wettability

The wettability of a titania surface, whose surface was partially covered with a strongly based octadecyltrihydrosilane, was studied above and below the isoelectric point (or pHiep). The advancing water contact angle is at a maximum at the pHiep, decreasing symmetrically on either side in a Lippmann-like manner. The change in wettability, for a given pH, became more pronounced with increasing salt concentration. Using a non-Nernstian model of the electrical double layer, the experimental dependence of contact angle on both pH and salt concentration was satisfactorily predicted.
Contributions to the class of beta-generated distributions

Abstract The beta generator technique entails constructing a univariate distribution function as a composite function of two distribution functions. The success of this technique in the univariate setting has prompted research into the possibility of generalization to the bivariate case. Such a generalization, using copulas, has already been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we construct bivariate distribution functions by passing a bivariate distribution function as an argument to the univariate beta distribution function. The class of distributions obtained is identical to an existing class of distributions; however, the elementary elements of the two classes differ (i.e., some distributions are simple to construct using one of the techniques considered and difficult to construct using the other). This paper provides a rigorous derivation of the parameter space of the beta-generated distributions, as well as a result relating to the dependence structure of the marginals. Finally, a practical example is included demonstrating the use of a beta-generated distribution in the modeling of observed losses in the energy market.
Active hydrogen evolution on the plasma-treated edges of WTe2

The tuning catalytic functionality of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with multi-dimensional defects, such as interfaces (2D), edges (1D), and atomic vacancies (0D), is currently considered a promising strategy for energy applications. The pristine edges and plasma-treated basal planes of various TMDs have been extensively studied for practical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we demonstrate active HER on the plasma-treated edges of semimetallic layered tungsten ditellurides (WTe2) using a microcell device. Atomic defects, substitutions, and new chemical bonds were locally induced on the basal plane and the edges of WTe2 by mild plasma treatment, leading to catalytically activated WTe2 for HER. The plasma treated WTe2 was characterized by Raman spectroscopy and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The local HER at the plasma-treated edges in the microcell device exhibited active electrocatalytic activity with an improved overpotential (325 mV at 10 mA/cm2) and Tafel slope (96 mV/dec), compared with pristine WTe2 (overpotential of 538 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope of 145 mV/dec). Our study proposes a novel strategy to tune the catalytic functionality with multi-dimensional defects for practical catalytic applications.