Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the retrieval of snow grain morphology, the accuracy of simulated reflectance over snow using airborne measurements in the Arctic

Abstract. Accurate knowledge of the reflectance from snow/ice covered surface is of fundamental importance for the investigation and retrieval of snow parameters and atmospheric constituents. This is a prerequisite for identifying and quantifying changes in the environment and climate in Polar Regions. However, the current differences between simulated and measured reflectance in a coupled snow-atmosphere system, leads to systematic errors in the determination of the amount of trace gases, aerosol and cloud parameters from space based and airborne passive remote sensing observations. In this paper, we describe studies of the retrieval of snow grain morphologies, also called habits, and their use to determine reflectance and test the accuracy of our radiative transfer model simulations of reflectance by comparison with measurements. Firstly we report on a sensitivity study. This addresses the requirement for adequate a priori knowledge about snow models and ancillary information about the atmosphere; the objective being to minimize differences between measurements and simulation. For this aim we use the well-validated phenomenological radiative transfer model SCIATRAN. Secondly and more importantly, we present a novel two-stage snow grain morphology (i.e. size and shape of ice crystals in the snow) retrieval algorithm. We then describe the use of this new retrieval to estimate the most representative snow model, using different types of snow morphologies, for the airborne observation conditions, performed by NASA's Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR). The results show that the retrieved ice crystal shapes are consistent with the expected snow morphology (estimated from temperature information) in the measurement area over Barrow/Utqiaġvik, Alaska in 2008. Thirdly, we present a comprehensive comparison of the simulated reflectance (using retrieved snow grain size and shape as well as independent atmospheric data) with that from airborne CAR measurements in the visible and NIR wavelength range. The results of this comparison are used to assess the quality and accuracy of the radiative transfer model in the simulation of the reflectance in a coupled snow-atmosphere system. Assuming that that snow layer consists of ice crystals with aggregates of 8 column ice habit having an effective radius ~ 98.83 μm, we find that for a surface covered by old snow, the Pearson correlation coefficient, R, between measurements and simulations to be 0.98 (R2 ~ 0.96). For freshly fallen snow on areas having surface inhomogenity, the correlation is ~ 0.97 (R2 ~ 0.94) in the infrared and 0.88 (R2 ~ 0.77) in the visible wavelengths assuming that snow layer consists of aggregate of 5 plate ice habit with effective radius ~ 83.41 μm. Largest differences between simulated and measured values are observed in glint, i.e. in the angular regions of specular and near-specular reflection, with relative azimuth angles
Specific Inhibition of Bombyx mori Chitinase by Allosamidin

Allosamidin, a product of Streptomyces sp. No 1713, inhibited Bombyx mori chitinase specifically in a competitive way with a Ki o f about 0.1 μm. The effect of allosamidin on chitinases from r Streptomyces griseus and Serratia marcescens was weaker, about 1/500 that on B. mori chitinase. Allosamidin did not inhibit yam chitinase, lysozymes of hen egg-white or human urine, or B. mori α-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminidase. The results suggest that allosamidin is a specific inhibitor of the insect chitinase.
Evaluation of Energy Digestibility and Prediction of Digestible and Metabolisable Energy in Sunflower Seed Meal Fed to Growing Pigs

The experiment was conducted to determine the chemical composition, digestible energy (DE), metabolisable energy (ME) and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) in sunflower seed meal (SFSM) and to develop reasonable prediction equations for estimating energy digestibility based on chemical composition of these meals for growing pigs. Ten SFSMs were collected and 66 crossbred barrows (initial body weight=36.43±5.25 kg) were randomly allocated to one of eleven diets. The basal diet was based on corn and soybean meal which contained 82.2% corn, 14.8% de-hulled soybean meal and 3% premix. The test diets contained 30% SFSM at the expense of corn and soybean meals. The experiment comprised a 7-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d collection period of faecal matter and urine. On a dry matter (DM) basis, the content of crude protein, neutral and acid detergent fibre, and gross energy (GE) ranged from 29.33 to 39.09%, 38.15 to 55.40%, 24.59 to 37.34% and 18.65 to 21.50 MJ/kg, respectively. The concentration of DE and ME ranged from 10.51 to 12.47 MJ/kg and 10.26 to 12.16 MJ/kg of DM, respectively. The DE values and ATTD of GE among the ten SFSMs significantly differed (P<0.05). The ATTD of GE ranged from 52.86 to 63.90%. The best models for predicting DE and ME were also established. In conclusion, the chemical composition of SFSM was variable (coeffiecient of variance>10%) among the ten SFSMs (DM). The results of DE, ME and prediction equations could be applied to evaluate the energy digestibility of SFSM in growing pigs.
Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with intensive physical therapy for gait disturbance after hemorrhagic stroke: an open-label case series

In this pilot study, we aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of a 15-day protocol consisting of in-hospital repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) combined with intensive physical therapy for the recovery of the gait disturbance in chronic stroke patients with lower limb hemiparesis. Seven hemorrhagic stroke patients with lower limb hemiparesis and gait disturbance (age: 50–78; time from onset of stroke: 7–107 months) were enrolled. rPMS was applied to the muscles of the paretic lower limb with a parabolic coil. A train of stimuli at a frequency of 20 Hz was applied for 3 s followed by a 27-s rest interval. Therapy with rPMS was performed with eighty such trains of stimuli (total 4800 pulses). Following rPMS therapy, 120 min of physical therapy was administrated daily. Each patient received this combination treatment over fifteen consecutive days, with the walking function of all participants assessed before and after the intervention. The proposed treatment protocol resulted in significant improvements in the walking speed, ambulation ability, and balance ability, but showed no significant effects on the endurance capacity, step length, and spasticity. No rPMS-related side effects were noted. Our protocol consisting of rPMS and intensive physical therapy appears well tolerated and feasible for therapy in hemorrhagic stroke patients with gait disturbance. Further large-scale studies are required to confirm its efficacy.
Investigating the Predictors of the Diploma Programme Outcome Scores

The main purpose of this investigation was to explore the predictors of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) outcome scores. A purposive sample of 123 high school students was drawn from a selective private school in a city in Eastern Turkey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for one dependent variable: Diploma Programme outcome scores by using the independent variables: students’ International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) scores, English scores and IBDP mock exam score variance. The model found to explain 76% of the DP outcome scores. It was found also found that the English levels of the students were not considered by teachers as important as they should be. If students could increase their English achievement level in IGCSE by 1 point, their IBDP results would increase . 21 points. This means that the prospective IBDP students and their teachers must consider students’ English achievement level as well as their achievement level in IGCSE exam for each course when they are to register for IBDP. The model built as a result of this study can be used by IBDP teachers, coordinators, and students to predict the achievement level of students in the end of IBDP.
Intermolecular Interaction of Carboxylic Group with Calcium Ions and Dissolution of Solid Scales in Bmim-PF6 and Tba-NfO Ionic Liquid Solution

Understanding the mechanism of solid scale dissolution at a molecular level is important to formulate a new chemical dissolver. A molecular dynamics simulation between glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) with calcite was performed to understand the intermolecular interaction between the carboxylic groups with calcium ions (Ca) during the dissolution process at 90 °C. Two solid scales obtained from oil wells were characterised using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersing x-ray (EDX). The dissolutions test of the solid scales were conducted using two ionic liquids solutions; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (Bmim-PF6) and tetrabutylammonium nonafluorobutane sulfonate (Tba-NfO) to evaluate the ionic liquids for solid scales dissolution. Hydroxyls (-OH) in the carboxylic groups of GLDA have strong intermolecular interactions with Ca that plays a role in the chelation process. Two of the carboxylic groups close to amine have the strongest interactions with calcium ions in calcite. Characterisations result shows that the two solid scales are silica-based and barite based. Barite scales have kink-terrace-step crystal surface. Dissolutions test shows that both ionic liquids solutions can dissolve the silica solid scale up to 2700 ppm.
Herbicide safeners and glutathione metabolism

Herbicide safeners are chemicals which protect crop plants from injury by certain herbicides, without affecting weed control efficacy of the herbicides. The protective mechanism of herbicide safeners has not yet been fully elucidated, but there is increasing evidence that safeners act by selectively enhancing herbicide detoxification in crop plants. To date, two main detoxification pathways have been related to the mode of action of herbicide safeners. The first includes oxidation and subsequent glucose conjugation, mediated by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases and UDP-glucosyltransferases, respectively. This pathway appears to be important predominantly in safener protection to aryloxyphenoxypropionate and sulfonylurea herbicides. The second pathway represents the conjugation of thiocarbamate sulfoxides and chloroacetanilide herbicides with glutathione. This mechanism is accomplished by either elevating the levels of reduced glutathione or the activity of glutathione S-transferase, or both. Since glutathione has been reported to be involved in several stress situations of plants its function associated with safener-induced herbicide tolerance will be discussed in more detail in this review.
Cadmium-Resistance Plasmid Affected Cd+2 Uptake More Than Cd+2 Adsorption in Klebsiella oxytoca

ABSTRACT A bacterial strain was isolated from Petra City Wastewater Treatment Plant. This isolate was identified as Klebsiella oxytoca based on 16S rDNA analysis. A single plasmid (> 23 kb) was detected in this strain and transformed into Esherichia coli JM83. The transformed E. coli cells exhibited elevated resistance to cadmium as compared to parental plasmid-free cells. The sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-treated cells showed higher efficiency in plasmid curing than the ethidium bromide–treated cells. The ethidium bromide–cured cells grew only in a 10 μ g/ml Cd+ 2 minimal tolerable concentration, whereas the SDS-treated cells had no growth in any of the Cd concentrations tested (2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm). Contrary to the Freundlich model, the Langmuir model gave a good fit to the Cd biosorption data by K. oxytoca cells. Plasmid curing caused 80%, 82%, and 70% inhibition in the Cd biosorption, adsorption, and uptake, respectively. Furthermore, the absence of lysine decarboxylase (LDC) activity in the cured strain strongly implies that the structural gene-encoding LDC in this bacterium is plasmid encoded. After curing of the plasmid, 100% of the antibiotic-resistant loci were observed as chromosomal encoded. All of the results shown above indicated that the Cd resistance is plasmid mediated.
Influence of vessel characteristics and atmospheric processes on the gas and particle phase of ship emission plumes: in situ measurements in the Mediterranean Sea and around the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract. A total of 252 emission plumes of ships operating in the Mediterranean Sea and around the Arabian Peninsula were investigated using a comprehensive dataset of gas- and submicron-particle-phase properties measured during the 2-month shipborne AQABA (Air Quality and Climate Change in the Arabian Basin) field campaign in summer 2017. The post-measurement identification of the corresponding ship emission events in the measured data included the determination of the plume sources (up to 38 km away) as well as the plume ages (up to 115 min) and was based on commercially available historical records of the Automatic Identification System. The dispersion lifetime of chemically inert CO2 in the ship emission plumes was determined as 70±15 min, resulting in levels indistinguishable from the marine background after 260±60 min. Emission factors (EFs) as quantities that are independent of plume dilution were calculated and used for the investigation of influences on ship emission plumes caused by ship characteristics and the combustion process as well as by atmospheric processes during the early stage of exhaust release and during plume ageing. Combustion efficiency and therefore emission factors of black carbon and NOx were identified to depend mostly on the vessel speed and gross tonnage. Moreover, larger ships, associated with higher engine power, were found to use fuel with higher sulfur content and have higher gas-phase SO2, particulate sulfate, particulate organics, and particulate matter EFs. Despite the independence of EFs of dilution, a significant influence of the ambient wind speed on the particle number and mass EFs was observed that can be traced back to enhanced particle coagulation in the case of slower dilution and suppressed vapour condensation on particles in the case of faster dilution of the emission plume. Atmospheric reactions and processes in ship emission plumes were investigated that include NOx and O3 chemistry, gas-to-particle conversion of NOx and SO2, and the neutralisation of acids in the particle phase through the uptake of ambient gas-phase ammonia, the latter two of which cause the inorganic particulate content to increase and the organic fraction to decrease with increasing plume age. The results allow for us to describe the influences on (or processes in) ship emission plumes quantitatively by parameterisations, which could be used for further refinement of atmospheric models, and to identify which of these processes are the most important ones.
Water use efficiency in crop production at different spatial and temporal scales

Water is essential for plant life but it is also the most limiting factor for their growth. The temporal variation in the supply of soil water from precipitation, the spatial variability of soil factors and landscape irregularities influencing soil water supply for crop plants affect food production and create a risky environment for growing crops. Increases in crop production per unit of water used is imperative for supplying adequate food, feed and fiber in an environment where future water supplies are not expected to increase substantially. Field studies indicate that when yield from crops with common development patterns are increased by better crop management, water use efficiency (WUE) is also increased. Increased yields from genetic improvement usually result in an increased WUE with the possible exception where season length is different. The objective of this review is to present the state of the art of research in the field of WUE and future perspective to optimize water resources in agriculture. Significant results will be presented considering the important issue of spatial and temporal scale.
Central place foraging in a human‐dominated landscape: how do common cranes select feeding sites?

Human infrastructure and disturbance play an important role when animals select resources in human‐modified landscapes. Theory predicts that animals trade food intake against costs of movement or disturbance to optimize net energy gain and fitness, but other necessary resources may also constrain the decisions, e.g. when animals repeatedly need to return to a central location, such as a nest, waterhole or night roost. Central place foraging theory states that the probability of occurrence of an animal decreases with the distance to the central location while selectivity for food items or foraging sites providing high net energy gain should increase with distance. We studied foraging patterns of common cranes Grus grus feeding in an agricultural landscape adjacent to a wetland to which they return for night roost. We used availability of spilled grains on harvested fields and distance to human settlement as proxy for site quality (i.e. increased likelihood of increased net energy gain with increased food availability and less disturbance). As predicted by theory, our results clearly show that cranes were more likely (more than twice as high resource selection function scores) to select foraging sites close to roosts. However, contrary to predictions, the selection of high quality sites in terms of high food availability decreased with distance to roost sites. Nevertheless, our results indicate that cranes were more likely to select sites with low risk of human disturbance far from roost sites, and were more tolerant to disturbance close to roost sites. How different species respond to the local and environmental conditions will increase the understanding of the species’ resource requirement, and also where in the landscape to prioritize conservation or management actions (e.g. mitigation of human disturbance and crop damage prevention to sustain agricultural production).
Growth promotion of canola (rapeseed) seedlings by a strain of Pseudomonas putida under gnotobiotic conditions

Inoculation of canola (Brassica campestris) seeds with a nitrogen-fixing strain of Pseudomonas putida (GR12-2) drastically increased the root length of seedlings grown in sterile growth pouches. Seed inoculation with inactive bacteria did not affect root lengths. Root elongation capacity was retained by nonnitrogen-fixing mutants of strain GR12-2. On the other hand, two other wild-type pseudomonads that do not fix nitrogen also increased root elongation. The addition of mineral nitrogen to the growth solution at concentrations of 1 mM or higher significantly inhibited root elongation of either inoculated or noninoculated seedlings. On the other hand, the addition of phosphate to the growth solution at similar concentrations stimulated root elongation of inoculated and noninoculated seedlings. The combined effects of bacterial inoculation and addition of phosphate on root and shoot elongation and on root and shoot weight were additive. Seed inoculation with P. putida GR12-2 increased the uptake of labelled.
The Double-edged Sword of Oppositional Category Positioning: A Study of the U.S. E-cigarette Category, 2007–2017

To gain attention and build support for new categories, market entrepreneurs often define a new category through its contrast with related, established offerings. Existing research has largely focused on the benefits of this oppositional categorical positioning. In this study, we explore how this strategy might be a double-edged sword. Through a longitudinal inductive study of the e-cigarette category in the U.S. (2007–2017), we develop theory on the risks of associating with an already established category. In our empirical case, we document how value-based distinctions between cigarettes and e-cigarettes became eroded and the e-cigarette category grew increasingly stigmatized. We then propose several mechanisms through which the symbolic and social boundaries between a new and an established category can weaken and the stigma associated with an existing category can become diffused, intensified, and generalized—both across organizational features and across organizations in the new category. This case allows us to investigate the processes by which strategies to legitimize categories may backfire and to consider the role that a diverse set of core and peripheral stakeholders—who enter the market with pre-existing knowledge and motivations—play in category stigmatization processes.
Effectiveness of biological control of Trichoderma harzianum on soybean leaf rust disease and the production in West Papua Lowland, Indonesia

Abstract. Martanto EA, Tanati AE, Baan S, Tata HR, Murdjoko A. 2020. Effectiveness of biological control of Trichoderma harzianum on soybean leaf rust disease and the production in West Papua Lowland, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1935-1939. This study aims to evaluate the application of Trichoderma harzianum in leaf rust disease on soybean and its production. The study was conducted for three months starting from May to July 2017, at Residential Unit 11th Sidey Subdistrict, Manokwari District, West Papua Province, Indonesia. This study was designed using Factorial Complete Randomized Design consisting of two treatment factors and repeated three times. There was no treatment of pathogen inoculation in the field. The tested varieties had a different response to plant height. Burangrang, Grobogan, Dena-1, Anjasmoro, and Detam-1 varieties were categorized as moderate resistant varieties. The Trichoderma harzianum application should be applied in the whole crops of soybean to control environmentally the leaf rust disease. Seeds weight per plot for Dena-1 variety was higher compared to other varieties. The combination of Detam-1 varieties with Trichoderma treatment 2 times resulted in increased production.
Should I Touch the Customer? Rethinking Interpersonal Touch Effects from the Perspective of the Touch Initiator

Previous research has highlighted the effects of receiving interpersonal touch on persuasion. In contrast, we examine initiating touch. Individuals instructed to touch engage in egocentric projection in which they project their own affective reaction onto their expectations for how the recipient will feel (i.e., empathic forecast), how they appear to the recipient (i.e., metaperception), and the evaluation of the interaction itself (i.e., interaction awkwardness). Touch initiators expect that recipients will feel worse with touch, express concern for how they, themselves, will be perceived, and think that interactions are more awkward. Interestingly, touch recipients do not evaluate these interactions more negatively and leave higher tips after having been touched; touch initiators do not expect this to be the case. As a result, instructed touch initiators (vs. volitional touch initiators) are less (more) likely to engage in subsequent interactions with customers, potentially undermining future service provided to customers. Across five studies, four of which involve actual dyadic interactions, we test the consequences of initiating touch with an inquiry into the effects of interpersonal touch on the initiator. We discuss theoretical and managerial implications.