Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reply to Comment on “Retrieval of aerosol properties over the ocean using multispectral and multiangle photopolarimetric measurements from the research scanning polarimeter”

In a recent paper [Chowdhary et al., 2001; hereafter CCM&T], we showed that the inclusion of polarimetric information provides superior esults in the retrieval of aerosol properties to those obtained using only the intensity. Having previously shown detailed theoretical analyses of the superiority of well calibrated polarimetric remote sensing to intensity only remote sensing of aerosols [Mishchenko and Travis 1997a, b], the purpose of CCM&T was to demonstrate that such analyses carry over to actual measurements. The excellent agreement between upward looking sunphotometer measurements of spectral optical depth and those inferred from the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) measurements (Fig. 2 of CCM&T) provides a first demonstration of the validity of the previous theoretical analyses in a natural setting. In their commentary [this issue] Martonchik, Kahn, Diner and West (hereafter MKD&W) discuss the complementarity of polarimetric remote sensing and the type of measurements made by MISR. We would concur with MKD&W that it is "essential to validate retrieved spectral refractive indices and particle size distributions" that are possible with polarimetric measurements, just as it is essential to evaluate and validate the true capabilities of MISR. We look forward to such evaluation and analysis of RSP measurements in future co-ordinated field campaigns. In the following we discuss why we believe the set of measurements and the analysis presented in CCM&T provides a fair, although not perfect, representation of the capabilities of MISR and discuss the other issues raised by MKD&W.
Homogenization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms from high-resolution visualization by freeze substitution

A knowledge of the mechanical properties of bacterial biofilms is required to more fully understand the processes of biofilm formation such as initial adhesion or detachment. The main contribution of this article is to demonstrate the use of homogenization techniques to compute mechanical parameters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. For this purpose, homogenization techniques are used to analyze freeze substitution electron micrographs of the biofilm cross-sections. The concept of a representative volume element and the study about his representativeness allows us to determine the optimal size in order to analyze these biofilm images. Results demonstrate significant heterogeneities with respect to stiffness and these can be explained by varying cell density distribution throughout the bacterial biofilms. These stiffness variations lead to different mechanical properties along the height of the biofilm. Moreover, a numerical shear stress test shows the impact of these heterogeneities on the detachment process. Several modes of detachment are highlighted according to the local strain energy in the different parts of the biofilm. Knowing where, and how, a biofilm may detach will allow better prediction of accumulation and biomass detachment.
AHypothalamic Leptin-Glutamate Interaction in theRegulation of Sympathetic Nerve Activity

Accumulated evidence indicates that obesity-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with enhanced sympathetic activation. The present study was conducted to investigate the role for leptin-glutamate signaling within the hypothalamus in regulating sympathetic nerve activity. In anesthetized rats, microinjections of leptin (5 ng~ 100 ng) into the arcuate nucleus (ARCN) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) induced increases in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). Prior microinjections of NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 (16 pmol) into the ARCN or PVN reduced leptin-induced increases in RSNA, BP, and HR in both ARCN and PVN. Knockdown of a leptin receptor with siRNA inhibited NMDA-induced increases in RSNA, BP, and HR in the ARCN but not in the PVN. Confocal calcium imaging in the neuronal NG108 and astrocytic C6 cells demonstrated that preincubation with leptin induced an increase in intracellular calcium green fluorescence when the cells were challenged with glutamate. In high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced T2D rats, we found that leptin receptor and NMDA NR1 receptor expressions in the ARCN and PVN were significantly increased. In conclusion, these studies provide evidence that within the hypothalamic nuclei, leptin-glutamate signaling regulates the sympathetic activation. This may contribute to the sympathoexcitation commonly observed in obesity-related T2D.
Attitude and Entrepreneurial Intention Among Rural Community: the Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition

Entrepreneurship has been well documented to have an economic and social implication for the nation to increase income. Most of developing countries give further consideration to include entrepreneurship as an agenda to help the poor to increase the living standard. In fact, entrepreneurship offers various business opportunities for rural communities to achieve better quality of life. However, the crucial part of doing business is to recognize business opportunity. Entrepreneurship and opportunity are two terms that complement each other. Opportunity recognition enables the entrepreneur to identify a good idea and transform it into a business concept. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between attitude (attitude toward money, attitude toward start-up) and entrepreneurial intention. This paper also intends to understand the role of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition as a mediator between attitude and entrepreneurial intention. The aim of this research is to support training providers, to identify input for entrepreneurial training, specifically developing business concepts among rural community. From the practical perspective, it might help the government to understand the necessity to encourage entrepreneurial movement among rural community as to ensure business ideas flow. This research employed the quantitative method of data collection. The questionnaires were distributed to 500 local populations according to districts and villages. The findings of this study showed that both attitude (attitude toward money, attitude toward start-up) influence entrepreneurial intention. The relationship between attitude toward start-up and entrepreneurial intention was mediated by opportunity recognition.
Screening, isolation and identification of microbial lipase producers from palm oil mills (Penyaringan, pemencilan dan pengenalpastian mikrob penghasil lipase dari kilang sawit)

Screening, isolation and identification of microbial lipase producers from 16 locations of palm oil mills in Malaysia were successfully conducted. A total of 52 different strains were found to be lipase producers. These isolates were identified and divided into three different groups i.e. bacteria, yeast and mould. Twenty-five isolates were bacteria, 10 were yeast and the remainder were mould. Out of the 52 isolates, four were found to be new lipase producers and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae rhinoschlero, CDC gr. IV C-2, Geotrichum penicillatum and Rahnella aquaticus. Lipases from Bacillus lentus, Bacillus sphaericus, Tatumella ptyseos, Geotrichum capitatum and Thielaviopsis sp. have been less reported and studied as lipase producers. Both Bacillus lentus and Bacillus sphaericus were found to be thermophilic bacteria and produce alkaline tolerantlipase. Keywords: screening; isolation; identification; microbial lipase producer; palm oil mill
A Quadtree Based Vehicles Recognition System

− This paper presents a Quadtree based Vehicles Recognition System (SIREVIA), which uses images captured by a digital camera for identifying the vehicle’s license plate. A methodology to identify the license plate in the captured image using digital image processing techniques and artificial intelligent techniques is presented. The plate location algorithm is based on the detection of high contrast areas along the image lines. The character recognition is preformed using a quadtree based object detection algorithm and an automatic classifier using decision trees trained for identifying all the alphabet letters and numbers. A prototype of an access control for a car parking is also presented. This application uses a database witch keeps the information about authorized cars, users and different access levels to a specific place. Key-Words: Licence Plate Recognition; tonal variation; Segmentation; OCR; Quadtree;
Salt-driven , thin-skinned tectonics and inherited deep seated fault-driven thick tectonics in the Dezful Embayment ( Zagros , Iran ) , illustrated by regional 2 D geomechanical restoration

Two-dimensional geomechanical reconstructions across the Front Flexure of the Zagros Mountains (Iran), based on 2D regional seismic interpretation, were carried out to investigate the salt kinematics and the influence of inherited structures at depth in the Dezful Embayment. This study identified a positive structural inversion related to detachment within the evaporites of the Miocene Gachsaran formation and diachronism in the deformation from NE to SW. Disharmonic tectonism was also observed, leading to a singular vertical succession with anticlines in deeper limestones (reservoirs) underneath shallow synclines. Finally, an earlier deformation controlled by previous deep-seated faults was proposed to explain the oil traps.
Spectral impairment in HRTF based binaural reproduction systems

Higher Order Ambisonics is a method for capturing and reproducing sound fields. With Ambisonics‘ advantageous features and possibilities for binaural reproduction, the method has been established as one of the best ways of recreating 3D sound fields, and is widely used in both VRand 360◦ applications. A drawback is that accurate reconstruction is only feasible inside a sphere, with radius r limited by ekr < 2N − 1, where e is the base of the natural logarithm, k is the wavenumber and N is the Ambisonics order. This thesis presents the theory for spherical harmonics, binaural hearing and Ambisonics, and how they can be combined. HRTF datasets with different resolutions have been investigated to see if a recommended resolution can be suggested. Localization cues were also investigated. All evaluations were done with φ = 0◦ and for orders N=1-4. For the HRTF reconstruction, the results behaved as expected. The lowest resolution dataset resembled its reference most for N=1-2. All of the datasets did sufficiently reconstruct the ITDp correctly for N=1-2. The key features of the ILD were kept somewhat intact up to f ≈ 6kHz, with some ambiguity. The results are based on a visual comparison model. The work in this thesis lacks a more clear, objective measure, and should also be complimented with a listening test showing the significance of the changes. Hence, this thesis does not present a strong enough foundation to provide a conclusion for a recommended HRTF resolution. However, ideas for future work are presented, which could be implemented in order to reach the desired conclusion.
Climate and CO 2 modulate the C 3 /C 4 balance and δ 13 C signal in simulated vegetation

Abstract. Climate and atmospheric CO2 effects on the balance between C3 and C4 plants have received conflicting interpretations based on the analysis of carbon isotopic fractionation (δ13C) in sediments. But, climate and CO2 effects on the C3/C4 balance and δ13C signal are rarely addressed together. Here, we use a process-based model (BIOME4) to disentangle these effects. We simulated the vegetation response to climate and CO2 atmospheric concentration (pCO2) in two sites in which vegetation changed oppositely, with respect to C3 and C4 plants abundance, during the Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene transition. The C3/C4 balance and δ13C signal were primarily sensitive to temperature and CO2 atmospheric partial pressure. The simulated variations were in agreement with patterns observed in palaeorecords. Water limitation favoured C4 plants in case of large negative deviation in rainfall. Although a global parameter, pCO2 affected the δ13C signal differently from one site to the other because of its effects on the C3/C4 balance and on carbon isotopic fractionation in C3 and C4 plants. Simulated Plant functional types (PFT) also differed in their composition and response from one site to the other. The C3/C4 balance involved different competing C3 and C4 PFT, and not homogeneous C3 and C4 poles as often assumed. Process-based vegetation modelling emphasizes the need to account for multiple factors when a palaeo-δ13C signal is used to reconstruct the C3/C4 balance.
Regional representativeness of CH4 and N2O mixing ratio measurements at high-altitude mountain station Kasprowy Wierch, Southern Poland

Records of trace gas composition of the atmosphere originating from mountain stations are difficult to interpret in terms of continental gas balances due to complex topography and local wind patterns. Kasprowy Wierch station, located in the High Tatra Mountains, Poland, provides datasets to European GHG databases and can be used for regional and continental balances of trace gases in Earth's atmosphere. Although it suffers from strong influence of local valley winds, the concentration record obtained at Kasprowy Wierch contains also a discernible fraction of methane (up to 100 ppb) emitted mainly by large regional source of this gas (Silesian Coal Basin) located ca. 150 km north-west of Kasprowy Wierch. Comparison of GOSAT satellite CH_4 record in the pixel including High Tatras at the level of 850 hPa with the data obtained at Kasprowy Wierch mountain station revealed surprisingly good correlation, even for relatively short time intervals.
Effect of four natural antioxidants on automatically deboned broiler meat.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the protective effect of applying 4 natural antioxidants and one synthetic antioxidant on ADM. We evaluated the degree of lipid oxidation of ADM through TBARS and peroxides analysis. In addition, microbiological quality of ADM was assessed by aerobic mesophillic bacteria counting. Basal and induced lipid oxidation levels in general were lower as a result of the application of antioxidants when compared to the control sample. Synthetic antioxidant produced lower lipid oxidation levels; yet, this result was similar to the outcome obtained by the application of two natural antioxidants (oregano and quillay). Regarding microbiological analysis, the different antioxidants used did not reduce bacterial counts.
Enabling strain hardening simulations with dislocation dynamics

Numerical algorithms for discrete dislocation dynamics simulations are investigated for the purpose of enabling strain hardening simulations of single crystals on massively parallel computers. The algorithms investigated include the calculation of forces, the equations of motion, time integration, adaptive mesh refinement, the treatment of dislocation core reactions and the dynamic distribution of data and work on parallel computers. A simulation integrating all these algorithmic elements using the Parallel Dislocation Simulator (ParaDiS) code is performed to understand their behaviour in concert and to evaluate the overall numerical performance of dislocation dynamics simulations and their ability to accumulate percent of plastic strain.
Evaluation of Reservoir Sand Bodies in Kwe Field Onshore Eastern Niger Delta ASUBIOJO

Reservoir sand bodies in Kwe Field, coastal swamp depobelt, onshore eastern Niger Delta Basin were evaluated from a composite log suite comprising gamma ray, resistivity, density and neutron logs of five (5) wells with core photographs of one (1) reservoir of one well. The aim of the study was to evaluate the petrophysical properties of the reservoirs while the objectives were to identify the depositional environment and predict the reservoir system quality and performance. The study identified three reservoir sand bodies in the field on the basis of their petrophysical properties and architecture. Reservoir A has an average NTG (61.4 %), Ø (27.50 %), K (203.99 md), Sw (31.9 %) and Sh (68.1 %); Reservoir B has an average NTG (65.6 %), Ø (26.0 %), K (95.90 md), Sw (28.87 %) and Sh (71.13 %) while Reservoir C has an average NTG (70.4 %), Ø (26.1 %), K (91.4 md), Sw (25.0 %) and Sh (75.03 %) and therefore show that the field has good quality sandstone reservoirs saturated in hydrocarbon. However, the presence of marine shales (or mudstones) interbedding with these sandstones may likely form permeability baffles to vertical flow and compartmentalize the reservoirs. These reservoirs may therefore have different flow units. Integrating wireline logs and core data, the reservoir sand bodies were interpreted as deposited in an estuarineshoreface setting thus indicating that the Kwe Field lies within the marginal marine mega depositional environment. ©JASEM http://dx.doi. org/10.4314/jasem.v20i2. 21
Interspecific Crosses between Rhizobium leguminosarum and R. meliloti: Formation of Haploid Recombinants and of R-primes

SUMMARY: Using R68.45 as a conjugative plasmid in crosses between strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum and R. meliloti, transfer of chromosomal genes occurred. Haploid recombinants were formed in which rif and str alleles were transferred from R. leguminosarum to R. meliloti. In crosses in the reverse direction haploid recombinants arose at barely detectable frequencies and progeny were isolated which were high frequency donors of the selected allele. Genetic evidence showed that such progeny harboured R-primes in which sections of the R. meliloti chromosome were inserted into R68.45. Four different classes of R68.45-prime, each carrying a different prototrophic marker, were obtained.
Radio limits on off-axis GRB afterglows and VLBI observations of SN 2003gk

We report on a survey for late-time radio emission from 59 Type I b/c supernovae. Supernova of Type I b/c have been associated with long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and it is expected that an “off-axis” burst (i.e. whose relativistic jet points away from us) would produce radio-emission at late times even in the absence of significant prompt gamma-ray emission. Of the supernovae in our sample, only SN 2003gk was detected in the radio with a flux density of 2260 ± 130µJy. We subsequently undertook VLBI observations of SN 2003gk at an age of �8 yr, which allowed us to determine its radius to be (2.4 ± 0.4) × 10 17 cm, or 94 ± 15 light days, which is not compatible with a relativistically expanding source expected in the case of an offaxis GRB jet. Instead, the average expansion speed of � 10 000 km s 1 is typical for non-relativistic core-collapse supernovae. We attribute the late-onset radio emission to interaction of the ejecta with a dense shell caused by episodic mass-loss from the progenitor. In addition, we present new calculations for the expected radio lightcurves from GRB jets at various angles to the line of sight, and compare these to our observed limits on the flux densities of the remainder of our sample of Type I b/c SNe. We find that bright jet emission, similar to that for GRBs detected at cosmological distances, is incompatible with our observed limits, and that therefore we can say only a fraction even of broadlined Type I b/c SNe have such a jet regardless of its orientation. However, we also find that for a reasonable range of parameters, as might be representative of the actual population of GRB events rather than the detected bright ones, the radio emission from the GRB jets can be quite faint, and that present radio observations do not place strong constraints on the presence of jets Type I b/c SNe.
Substrate Temperature Effect on Photovoltaic Performance of Lead Sulfide (PbS) Nanostructures Deposited by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Method

PbS nanostructures for solar cell application, deposited in different substrate temperatures by CVD method. FESEM images show nanostructures with rod and spherical volumes and porous surface for samples. XRD analysis verified formation of cubic crystalline nanostructures. Photovoltaic measurements also shown that with increasing in substrate temperature, efficiency conversion of cells was increased.
Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity and the Recall of Predicted Elements in the Text.

This study investigates the relationship between reading ability, working memory capacity, and readers' use and recall of the mechanism of Prediction. Reading ability was measured by free recall and by comprehension questions, and working memory capacity was assessed by the Reading Span Test (Daneman and Carpenter 1980). Twelve Brazilian speakers of Portuguese read texts containing the textual organizational aspect of Prediction and were asked to verbalize their thoughts while reading. An analysis of the verbal protocols indicates that better and weaker readers, also high and low span respectively, showed a different behavior when recalling the information from the texts. More proficient readers tended to recall both the predictive signal and all the predicted elements correctly, and could also recall more propositions from each text. Weaker readers, on the other hand, tended to simply disregard the predictive signal and recall only some of the predicted elements, and to recall less information than better readers.
Antioxidant Activity of Some Edible Yemeni Plants Evaluated by Ferrylmyoglobin/ABTS?+ Assay

The antioxidant activity, expressed in mM Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), of some edible Yemeni plants belonging to different families was evaluated using the ferrylmyoglobin/ABTS·+ method. Methanolic (80%) extracts of tested plants exhibited higher (pCoffea arabica), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and sorrel (Rumex acetosa) had antioxidant activities equivalent to 8.7–47.1 mM Trolox or 7.9–42.8 mM BHA per g dry weight of plant. The TEAC of methanolic extracts for sorrel was not significantly different (p>0.05) from extracts of Leucaena leucocephala (Thailand) and Japanese green tea (Camellia sinensis). A good correlation (R2=0.937) was observed between TEAC and total phenol contents in 80% methanol extracts of tested plants.
Effects of Coupled Chemo-Mechanical Processes on the Evolution of Pore-Size Distributions in Geological Media

The pore space in rocks, sediments, and soils can change significantly as a result of weathering (see Navarre-Sitchler et al. 2015, this volume), diagenetic, metamorphic, tectonic, and even anthropogenic processes. As sediments undergo compaction during burial, grains are rearranged leading to an overall reduction in porosity and pore size (Athy 1930; Hedberg 1936; Neuzil 1994; Dewhurst et al. 1999; Anovitz et al. 2013). In addition, geochemical reactions can induce the precipitation and dissolution of minerals, which can either enhance or reduce pore space (e.g., Navarre-Sitchler et al. 2009; Emmanuel et al. 2010; Stack et al. 2014; Anovitz et al. 2015). During metamorphism too, mineral assemblages can change, altering rock fabrics and porosity (Manning and Bird 1995; Manning and Ingebritsen 1999; Neuhoff et al. 1999; Anovitz et al. 2009; Wang et al. 2013). As the pore space in geological media strongly affects permeability, evolving textures can influence the migration of water, contaminants, gases, and hydrocarbons in the subsurface. Although models—including the Kozeny–Carman equation (Kozeny 1927; Bear 1988)— exist to predict the relationship between porosity and permeability, they are often severely limited, in part because little is known about how pore size, pore geometry, and pore networks evolve in response to chemical and physical processes (Lukasiewicz and Reed 1988; Costa 2006; Xu and Yu 2008). In the case of geochemical reactions, calculating the change in total porosity due to the precipitation of a given mass of mineral is straightforward. However, predicting the way in which the precipitated minerals are distributed throughout the pores remains a non-trivial challenge (Fig. 1; Emmanuel and Ague 2009; Emmanuel et al. 2010, Hedges and Whitlam. 2013; Wang et al. 2013; Stack et al. 2014; Anovitz et …