Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How did the nutrient concentrations change in northeastern German lowland rivers during the last four millennia? - a paleolimnological study of floodplain sediments

This study focuses on the feasibility of floodplain sediments and fluvial sediments in paleomeanders and ox-bows of two lowland rivers (River Havel, River Spree, Brandenburg State, Germany) as archives for quantitative paleolimnological reconstructions and potential basis of future river management strategies. The results presented provide a mean to differentiate between the natural and cultural eutrophication of rivers. Available transfer functions of littoral diatom assemblages in 84 Brandenburg lakes and river sites, and total phosphorus (TP) and total inorganic nitrogen (TN) were used to infer nutrient changes in the Rivers Havel and Spree since the last 4,000 years. In the River Spree near Platkow, fossil diatoms indicated moderate eutrophic TPand TN-concentrations between 1300 and 1850 AD (TP: 36 μg dm, TN: 1,000 μg dm). During this time period, the human impact on the nutrient status of the River Spree was more or less indirect via increases of runoff from the catchment as a result of deforestation. In the second lowland river, the lower River Havel, diatom inferred TP-concentrations were 80 μg dm in the late Subboreal (2,000 to 500 BC). That means that the natural diatom flora of this river was eutrophic; mesotrophic conditions even in times without intensive land use did not occur. Furthermore, the fossil diatom flora revealed a potential nitrogen limitation during summer times (till 1400 AD: TN 1,600 to 1,700 μg dm). Anthropogenic eutrophication impact on the River Havel can be detected since approximately 800 year ago. The diatom-inferred nitrogen/phosphorus-relation highlighted different trends in eutrophication history within the study area. Without human activities the ratio of both nutrient components was relatively constant. Anthropogenic changes in the catchment area led to a declining TN/TP ratio in the last 1,000 years with changes in algal communities, such as increases of nuisance cyanobacteria blooms in the last decades.
Limnological variables and nutritional content of submerged aquatic macrophytes in a tropical lagoon

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a composicao elementar (C, N e P) e conteudo de carboidratos e lipideos das macrofitas aquaticas Egeria densa, Ceratophyllum demersum e Najas marina encontradas em uma lagoa do Norte Fluminense, e relacionar esses dados a parâmetros limnologicos medidos em igual periodo; METODOS: As amostras foram obtidas em julho/2001 (periodo seco) e janeiro/2002 (periodo chuvoso), em 10 pontos ao longo da lagoa do Campelo com determinacoes de parâmetros limnologicos e quantificacao de componentes nutricionais e bioquimicos das macrofitas aquaticas; RESULTADOS: Elevados valores de condutividade eletrica e alcalinidade explicam a distribuicao espacial das macrofitas estudadas, e os valores de pH (<9,0), supersaturacao de O2 e subsaturacao de CO2 sugerem uma elevada producao primaria, tanto fitoplanctonica quanto de macrofitas submersas. Para os nutrientes avaliados nas macrofitas aquaticas, variacoes sazonais significativas foram observadas no conteudo de fosforo total (p < 0,05), de nitrogenio total e carbono total, entretanto, sem qualquer padrao definido entre periodos sazonais e macrofitas. Observou-se tendencia as maiores concentracoes de P nos tecidos das macrofitas no periodo chuvoso, assim como carboidratos e lipideos, sugerindo que este periodo e mais propicio ao desenvolvimento de Ceratophyllum demersum e Egeria densa na lagoa do Campelo; CONCLUSOES: Nao se observou uma clara associacao entre os conteudos nutricionais e de reservas encontrados nas macrofitas com as variaveis limnologicas e ambientais medidas.
THE INVERTED U-SHAPED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPANY SIZE AND REPORTING QUALITY: THE ITALIAN CASE

The aim of this paper is to explore sustainability reporting in the Italian environment, with a special attention to the determinants of disclosure quality. More specifically, this paper’s objective is to test the impact on the quality of sustainability reporting made by elements through which legitimacy can be connected, with particular reference to firm size. The choice of analysing the Italian companies lies in the fact that in this country, in a particular way, and more in general, in the non-Anglophone countries, there is no consolidated literature on the subject. The statistical analysis we carried out on this paper, in order to test the research hypotheses, is based on a linear regression model. Particularly relevant is the finding, liked to size, of the inverted U-shaped relationship. Previous contributions had highlighted a positive relationship between size and quality of sustainability reporting, connected to higher pressures by the external context on the bigger firms. Instead, our study has highlighted an inversion of such relationship (from positive to negative), starting from a certain value of market capitalization. The finding of the statistical insignificance of the relationship between industry and sustainability reporting is also very interesting.
Sustainability and Depoliticisation: Certifications in the Cut-Flower Industry at Lake Naivasha, Kenya

This article focuses on the emergence of certification schemes in the cut-flower industry in Naivasha, Kenya. It is shown that, although this turn is often legitimised through references to “sustainability,” the change was mainly brought about by the growing importance of a new value chain of “direct sales. ” The article furthermore elaborates on the most well-known certificate in Naivasha, Fairtrade. This certificate aims to enhance sustainability by empowering workers, yet it does not profoundly change power relations within the industry. The article concludes that “sustainability” in the context of Naivasha has been an ill-defined concept, used to legitimise a turn to certifications. Rather than bringing about a profound transformation of the production process, these certifications obscure and even consolidate the existing socio-economic configuration of the industry. Certifications thus run the risk of having “depoliticising” effects.
The effectiveness of providing evidenced-based perinatal practice to low-income populations providing perinatal care: Does patient income influence the delivery of quality care?

Background: This study examines a national perinatal quality improvement collaborative designed to create high reliability through the use of evidence-based perinatal care bundles. The objective of this study is to determine whether hospitals serving low-income patient populations experienced lower compliance with perinatal care bundles than hospitals serving higher-income patient populations. Objective: We investigated the relationship between the rate of perinatal bundle compliance within a hospital and the economic characteristics of the patients and surrounding community. We hypothesized a negative relationship between poverty and care bundle compliance. Methods: Using prospective data from 131,847 births over 34 months within 16 hospitals located in cities across the United States, we examined the relationship between compliance with evidence-based obstetrical care bundles and three measures of the poverty status of the patient population served and the hospital service area: 1) proportion of the obstetrical patients with Medicaid as the primary payer, 2) median income in the hospital service area, and 3) poverty rate in the hospital’s service area. Results: The findings indicate no difference in bundle compliance rates in relation to the economic characteristics of the participating hospitals and their patients. Conclusions: While previous research has indicated that patients of lower socioeconomic status are less likely to receive high quality care, the findings in this study indicate that hospital compliance with evidence-based perinatal care bundles did not differ by economic characteristics of the hospital service area. These results indicate uniformity of care across hospitals irrespective of patient economic characteristics.
Process tracing of complex cognitive work tasks

Process tracing has become popular as a means of analysing a person's cognitive activities during complex work tasks. These tasks may be real or simulated. Despite the popularity of process tracing, no single methodology or prescribed set of techniques has emerged from the literature. There is variation in both the goal of process tracing and how it is carried out although unfortunately its nature and accompanying justification are often not made explicit. This paper proposes a four-stage generic model of process tracing comprising: data collection (including behavioural records, verbal reports and eye movements); transcription, integration and segmentation of data into a time-lined account; coding using cognitive categories; and further analysis and representation of the data. How these stages are accomplished is discussed in the context of examples from a range of field studies together with principles of good practice.
IN VITRO MICROPROPAGATION OF DATURA METEL L. THROUGH CALLUS INDUCTION FROM LEAF AND ANTHER CULTURE

The present study was carried out to analyse the effects of growth regulators on Callus formation of Datura metel L. in different explants. Datura metel was cultured in MS medium supplemented with different concentration of 2-4 D, NAA, Kinetin, BAP and IAA (from 1mg/L to 5 mg/L). Medium supplemented with various phytohormone for callus and shoot regeneration. Culture was kept on 25±2 degree temperature and 16h photoperiod while callus was observed on different concentration of auxin or cytokinin alone or in combinations. Most suitable medium for callus induction from leaf and anther were 2-4D (1.5mg/L) in alone and 2-4 D (1.5mg/L) + Kinetin (2mg/L) + IAA (1mg/L) in combinations. KEY WORDS Micropropagtion Callus, Phytohormone, Explants Received on :
Agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of Gliricidia sepium grown under different residual heights in different seasons

This research was conducted to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of Gliricidia sepium grown under different residual heights in different seasons. Experimental design used was a complete randomized block in a split-plot. Plots consisted of three residual heights (70, 90 and 110 cm) and subplots were four seasons (fall, winter, spring and summer) with four replications. There was no effect (P>0.05) of interaction between season and residual heights for agronomic characteristics. However, these features were influenced by the cutting season, with no significant effect (P>0.05) for residual height significant effects (P<0.05) were observed for DM, MM, ADF and EE in cutting seasons and residual height. Gliricidia sepium can be cut in residual height of 70 cm, with better agronomic characteristics and chemical composition in fall.
Implication of Cotton Price Behavior on Market Integration

The cotton market in China is highly interactive with international markets, especially, the US market. The prices in these two markets can reveal important market relations. Investigating the data of futures prices from the New York Board of Trade (NYBOT) and the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (CZCE) using several time series methods, we find a long-run cointegration relationship between these I(1) series. Furthermore, a bi-directional Granger Causality between these two futures markets is detected with Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) error specifications. We also find the relationship is impacted by the Chinese exchange rate policy change in the 2005.
A Method for Designing Broadband Doherty Power Amplifiers

In this contribution, a design approach for the realization of broadband Doherty Power Ampliflers (DPAs) is proposed and demonstrated. The methodology is based on the exploitation of the wideband response of 2-sections branch-line couplers both as input splitter and output combiner of the DPA. These couplers are designed through a CAD optimization process which is speciflcally oriented to the development of DPAs. The method is also applied to realize a GaN based hybrid prototype that shows more than 36% of fractional bandwidth around 2GHz frequency range, validated through single carriers and modulated signals (3gpp and WiMax). In single carrier mode an e-ciency higher than 41% (> 50% in saturation, with a peak of 72%) is obtained in 6dB of output power dynamic range in the entire operating band. Experimental results with 5MHz 3gpp and WiMax signals shown an average e-ciency of 50% and 45% when 37dBm and 34dBm of average output power are reached, respectively.
Return and Volatility Spillovers between Large and Small Stocks in the UK

This paper investigates return and volatility spillover effects between the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE Small Cap equity indices using the multivariate GARCH framework. We find that return and volatility transmission mechanisms between large and small stocks in the UK are asymmetric. In particular, there are significant spillover effects in both returns and volatility from the portfolios of larger stocks to the portfolios of smaller stocks. For volatility, there is also evidence of limited feedback from the portfolios of smaller stocks to the portfolios of larger stocks, although sub-period analysis suggests that this is to some extent period-specific. Simulation evidence shows that non-synchronous trading potentially explains some, but not all, of the spillover effects in returns, and that it explains none of the spillover effects in volatility. These results are consistent with a market in which information is first incorporated into the prices of large stocks before being impounded into the prices of small stocks. Copyright 2006 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
CROP DECLARATION AND CONTROL INFORMATION SYSTEM QUALITY EVALUATION

The aim of this article was to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of Crop Declaration and Control Information System (CDCIS) and to identify the trends of improvement of this system. There are presented results of monographic and empirical of CDCIS quality evaluation according to three of five criteria, identified in standard ISO 9126. To evaluate the quality of this system the following means were created: model of evaluation process; integrated mathematical model; system of criteria and indicators for CDCIS quality evaluation and, also, determined matrixes of these indicators. Using prepared questionnaires 4 experts provided evaluation of importance of CDCIS quality indicators and 16 users provided evaluation of means of these indicators. Using the integrated mathematical model the common index of CDCIS quality it was calculated. The fact that mean of common CDCIS quality index is equal to 0.93 allowed to make conclusion that quality and effectiveness of Crop Declaration and Control Information System is very good, but could be improved by using the recommended measures.
Mars submillimeter sensor on microsatellite: sensor feasibility study

Abstract. We present a feasibility study for a submillimeter instrument on a small Mars platform now under construction. The sensor will measure the emission from atmospheric molecular oxygen, water, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide in order to retrieve their volume mixing ratios and the changes therein over time. In addition to these, the instrument will be able to limit the crustal magnetic field, and retrieve temperature and wind speed with various degrees of precision and resolution. The expected measurement precision before spatial and temporal averaging is 15 to 25 ppmv for the molecular oxygen mixing ratio, 0.2 ppmv for the gaseous water mixing ratio, 2 ppbv for the hydrogen peroxide mixing ratio, 2 ppbv for the ozone mixing ratio, 1.5 to 2.5 µT for the magnetic field strength, 1.5 to 2.5 K for the temperature profile, and 20 to 25 m s−1 for the horizontal wind speed.
Unsteady Free Surface Flow in Corrugated Drainage Pipes: Finite Volume Solution and Experimental Verification

A subsurface drainage network mainly carries unsteady flow and data are not usually available for model parameters calibration in such networks. In the present research, the finite volume method using the time splitting scheme was employed to develop a computer code for solving the one dimensional unsteady flow equations. Using corrugated sub-drainage pipes, an experimental prototype setup was constructed to examine the numerical model response in predicting the observed unsteady data in such circumstances. The experimental setup components and the model parameters were calibrated in place based on steady state flow condition. The results revealed satisfactory performance by the abovementioned method and the scheme employed and justified its validity for field application.
What fraction of the Pacific and Indian oceans' deep water is formed in the Southern Ocean?

Abstract. In this contribution we explore constraints on the fractions of deep water present in the Indian and Pacific oceans which originated in the northern Atlantic and in the Southern Ocean. Based on PO4* we show that if ventilated Antarctic shelf waters characterize the Southern contribution, then the proportions could be close to 50–50. If instead a Southern Ocean bottom water value is used, the Southern contribution is increased to 75 %. While this larger estimate may best characterize the volume of water entering the Indo-Pacific from the Southern Ocean, it contains a significant portion of entrained northern water. We also note that ventilation may be highly tracer dependent: for instance Southern Ocean waters may contribute only 35 % of the deep radiocarbon budget, even if their volumetric contribution is 75 %. In our estimation, the most promising approaches involve using CFC-11 to constrain the amount of deep water formed in the Southern Ocean. Finally, we highlight the broad utility of PO4* as a tracer of deep water masses, including descending plumes of Antarctic Bottom Water and large-scale patterns of deep ocean mixing, and as a tracer of the efficiency of the biological pump.
The Square Kilometre Array Epoch of Reionisation and Cosmic Dawn Experiment

Abstract The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Epoch of Reionisation and Cosmic Dawn (EoR/CD) experiments aim to explore the growth of structure and production of ionising radiation in the first billion years of the Universe. Here I describe the experiments planned for the future low-frequency components of the Observatory, and work underway to define, design and execute these programs.
Using exploratory factor analysis in information system (IS) research

This paper is part of a field study that explored the impact of Information System implementation on Organisational Performance by examining the concept of IS effectiveness and by exploring how businesses arrive at the conclusion that the undertaking is successful or unsuccessful. Many statistical techniques have been used for the inference of conclusions. This paper will explain in brief the methodology followed and the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted for the measurement of the construct if IS effectiveness. Following all tests on correlations and a number of extraction methods the final solution comprised 13 factors representing the independent variables and 4 factors representing the dependent variables. The results from our analysis provide insight into the IS evaluation field of research and provide new scales for the measurement of IS effectiveness ".
Thinking and Exploring Use Situations

Within design teams, knowledge of the variety of situations in which products are used remains often unshared. Furthermore these ‘dynamic and diverse use situations’ are not always applied consistently to contextualize use evaluations. This paper describes the development of guidelines to deal with these issues in the design process. The initial guidelines were aimed at generating and applying an evolving explicit frame of reference of product use that could be used to set up use evaluations, to share knowledge of product use and to inspire solution generation. An application of the guidelines to the design of a carrier bike by four student teams showed the added value of using the frame of reference in setting up use evaluations, the value of explorative activities to create the explicit frame of reference, and unexpected benefits of the additionally created mindset.
The effects of blanching treatment on the radical scavenging activity of white saffron (Curcuma mangga Val.)

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of blanching methods on antioxidant activity of parts and whole white saffron rhizomes. White saffron rhizomes were peeled, washed, and blanched in boiling water at 100°C, or steamed for 5, 7.5, and 10 minutes in the media of distilled water, 0.05%, and 0.1% citric acid solution. The antioxidative activity of blanched white saffron was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA) method. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay using gallic acid (GA) as a standard. White saffron rhizomes blanched at 100°C for 5 minutes in 0.05% citric acid solution showed the highest antioxidant activity with RSA of 86.57%. Antioxidant activity of the first branch of white saffron rhizome (RSA of 84.89%) showed no significant difference from the main rhizome. These findings confirmed that blanching in media containing citric acid (0.05%) resulted in increased RSA and TPC in white saffron rhizome as compared to fresh or water blanched white saffron.
Absence of anthraquinone pigments is paraphyletic and a phylogenetically unreliable character in the Teloschistaceae

Abstract It has been suggested that the absence of anthraquinones is not a synapomorphic character, but appears independently in unrelated lineages of Teloschistaceae. We analyzed ITS nrDNA regions in species of the genus Caloplaca and present evidence for five such examples: the Caloplaca cerina group, C. obscurella, the C. servitiana group, the C. xerica group and the C. variabilis group (Pyrenodesmia). In some cases, loss of anthraquinones is observed only in individuals within ordinarily pigmented populations, but sometimes the loss covers whole lineages containing one or more species. Both situations are observed in the C. servitiana group. Loss of anthraquinones is always followed by the synthesis of ‘alternative’ pigments (often Sedifolia-grey). In the specimens with anthraquinone-containing apothecia studied, these pigments are not visible in apothecial sections after dissolving anthraquinones in K. Fully unpigmented apothecia have not been observed. The Caloplaca xerica group is a newly established, infraspecific grouping of species related to, and similar to, C. xerica. The Caloplaca servitiana group is also newly established and represents an isolated lineage covering two rather different, but related species. Caloplaca neotaurica is described here as a new species with apothecia of two colour variants; orange-red (with anthraquinones) and grey (with Sedifolia-grey). The genus Huea represents another taxon lacking anthraquinones within Teloschistaceae. The genera Apatoplaca and Cephalophysis, which lack anthraquinones, are tentatively placed in Teloschistaceae, but their phylogenetic identity has not been recognized. Hueidea is reported to have no anthraquinones, but its secondary metabolites should be studied further and its possible placement in Teloschistaceae assessed. We suggest that Caloplaca abbreviata var. lecideoides and C. celata represent variants of C. stillicidiorum lacking anthraquinones.