Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Viral infection of bacteria and phytoplankton in the Arctic Ocean as viewed through the lens of fingerprint analysis

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the oceans and play crucial roles as mortality agents and as catalysts in biogeochemical cycles. During a year-long study in the southeastern Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf in the Canadian Arctic, we used denaturing gra- dient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to investigate temporal and spatial changes in gene sequences encoding DNA polymerase B (polB) and the major capsid protein (g23) that are specific for the virus families Phycodnaviridae and Myoviridae, which infect phytoplankton and bacteria, respec- tively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the genetic composition of viruses infecting phyto- plankton was related to changes in productivity and hydrological conditions, as well as with changes in the potential host community, as indicated by DGGE fingerprints of 18S rDNA. In con- trast, changes in the composition of viruses infecting bacteria could not be related to changes in environmental variables or DGGE fingerprints of bacterial (16S) or eukaryotic (18S) rDNA. Over- all, these results document persistent and highly dynamic T4-like viruses and phycodnaviruses on the Canadian Arctic Shelf, implying that they are important in shaping microbial communities in the Arctic Ocean.
Novel pathway of SO 2 oxidation in the atmosphere: reactions with monoterpene ozonolysis intermediates and secondary organic aerosol

Abstract. Ozonolysis of monoterpenes is an important source of atmospheric biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA). While enhanced BSOA formation has been associated with sulfate-rich conditions, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this work, the interactions between SO2 and reactive intermediates from monoterpene ozonolysis were investigated under different humidity conditions (10 % vs. 50 %). Chamber experiments were conducted with ozonolysis of α-pinene or limonene in the presence of SO2. Limonene SOA formation was enhanced in the presence of SO2, while no significant changes in SOA yields were observed during α-pinene ozonolysis. Under dry conditions, SO2 primarily reacted with stabilized Criegee intermediates (sCIs) produced from ozonolysis, but at 50 % RH heterogeneous uptake of SO2 onto organic aerosol was found to be the dominant sink of SO2, likely owing to reactions between SO2 and organic peroxides. This SO2 loss mechanism to organic peroxides in SOA has not previously been identified in experimental chamber studies. Organosulfates were detected and identified using an electrospray ionization–ion mobility spectrometry–high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ESI-IMS-TOF) when SO2 was present in the experiments. Our results demonstrate the synergistic effects between BSOA formation and SO2 oxidation through sCI chemistry and SO2 uptake onto organic aerosol and illustrate the importance of considering the chemistry of organic and sulfur-containing compounds holistically to properly account for their reactive sinks.
Simulation of a Dissimilar Fresnel Relfectarray Antenna

Planar reflectarray antennas behave similarly to parabolic dish antennas, but are flat in their construction. They work by having areas on the planar surface of different reflection phase, causing the signal to be reflected to a focal point. This is done today by making planar patch antennas with the required reflection phase. These antennas are typically used in aerospace. This paper specifically discusses a planar reflectarray antenna that was originally constructed in Millimeter Wave Circularly Polarized Fresnel Reflector for On-Board Radar on Rescue Helicopters by K. Mazouni. In this paper, the authors eight different shaped antennas to form the planar reflectarray. The typical planar reflectarray would use eight variations on the same patch to achieve the required performance. This paper recreated the results of the simulations of the unit cell patches.
Fabrication of affordable and sustainable solar cells using NiO/TiO2 P-N heterojunction.

The need for affordable, clean, efficient, and sustainable solar cells informed this study. Metal oxide TiO2/NiO heterojunction solar cells were fabricated using the spray pyrolysis technique. The optoelectronic properties of the heterojunction were determined. The fabricated solar cells exhibit a short-circuit current of 16.8 mA, open-circuit voltage of 350 mV, fill factor of 0.39, and conversion efficiency of 2.30% under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. This study will help advance the course for the development of low-cost, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solar cell materials from metal oxides.
Application of Blind Source Separation Algorithms and Ambient Vibration Testing to the Health Monitoring of Concrete Dams

In this work, using AVT data, a health monitoring method for concrete dams based on two different blind source separation (BSS) methods, that is, second-order blind identification (SOBI) and independent component analysis (ICA), is proposed. A modal identification procedure, which integrates the SOBI algorithm and modal contribution, is first adopted to extract structural modal features using AVT data. The method to calculate the modal contribution index for SOBI-based modal identification methods is studied, and the calculated modal contribution index is used to determine the system order. The selected modes are then used to calculate modal features and are analysed using ICA to extract some independent components (ICs). The square prediction error (SPE) index and its control limits are then calculated to construct a control chart for the structural dynamic features. For new AVT data of a dam in an unknown health state, the newly calculated SPE is compared with the control limits to judge whether the dam is normal. With the simulated AVT data of the numerical model for a concrete gravity dam and the measured AVT data of a practical engineering project, the performance of the dam health monitoring method proposed in this paper is validated.
Human Capital, Top Management Quality, and Firm Performance

We make use of a panel data set from the BoardEx database on the quality of the management teams of 4635 firms during 1999 to 2010 to analyze the relationship between the management quality of firms and their long-run operating performance, current market valuations, and future long-run stock returns. We create a management team quality index using common factor analysis from various individual proxies for the quality of a firm's management team, such as management team size, fraction of managers with MBAs, the average employment- and education-based connections of each manager in the management team, fraction of members with prior working experience in the top management team, and the average number of board positions that each manager serves on. We find that this index is positively related to firms' long-run operating performance, current market valuations, and future long-run stock returns. We overcome hurdles related to endogeneity by using Vietnam War draft deferment rules for graduate education. Individuals graduating from college during this period enrolled into graduate degree programs for reasons unrelated to their intrinsic quality, i.e., to avoid getting drafted. Using this as an instrument, we find a causal relationship between our management quality index and firms' long-run future operating performance, current market valuations, and long-run future stock returns. We also find that firms with higher management quality are characterized by larger levels of investment and investment growth. The relationship of management quality with firm valuation and performance is stronger for firms in R&D intensive, more competitive, financially constrained industries, and during periods of recession.
Gay Marriage: An American and Feminist Dilemma

Gay marriage highlights a contradiction in American national identity: if gay marriage is supported, the normative status of the heterosexual nuclear family is undermined, while if not, the civil rights of homosexuals are undermined. This essay discusses the feminist dilemma of whether to support gay marriage to promote these individual civil rights or whether to critique marriage as a part of the patriarchal system that oppresses women.
Frequency and pattern of learner-instructor interaction in an online English language learning environment in Vietnam

This study examines the frequency and pattern of interpersonal interactions between the learners and instructors of an online English language learning course offered at a Vietnamese university. The paper begins with a review of literature on interaction type, pattern and model of interaction followed by a brief description of the online environment and its learners and instructors. The online messages extracted from the communication forums were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and content analysis techniques in the light of Salmon’s (2003) model of online teaching and learning to explore the frequency and pattern of interaction. The results of the study indicate that after a high level of engagement at the beginning of the course, the learners’ interaction dropped and different patterns interaction were found in the three communication forums of the online course.
Miniature Coplanar Implantable Antenna on Thin and Flexible Platform for Fully Wireless Intracranial Pressure Monitoring System

Minimally invasive approach to intracranial pressure monitoring is desired for long-term diagnostics. The monitored pressure is transmitted outside the skull through an implant antenna. We present a new miniature (6 mm × 5 mm) coplanar implant antenna and its integration on a sensor platform to establish a far-field data link for the sensor readout at distances of 0.5 to 1 meter. The implant antenna was developed using full-wave electromagnetic simulator and measured in a liquid phantom mimicking the dielectric properties of the human head. It achieved impedance reflection coefficient better than −10 dB from 2.38 GHz to 2.54 GHz which covers the targeted industrial, scientific, and medical band. Experiments resulted in an acceptable peak gain of approximately −23 dBi. The implant antenna was submerged in the liquid phantom and interfaced to a 0.5 mW voltage controlled oscillator. To verify the implant antenna performance as a part of the ICP monitoring system, we recorded the radiated signal strength using a spectrum analyzer. Using a half-wavelength dipole as the receiving antenna, we captured approximately −58.7 dBm signal at a distance of 1 m from the implant antenna which is well above for the reader with sensitivity of −80 dBm.
Towards an understanding of (bio)silicification: the role of amino acids and lysine oligomers in silicification

In order to understand the role that proteins play in the generation of well regulated biosilica structures we need to understand the contribution of the components, singly and in combination. To this end we have performed a systematic study of the effect of amino acids and small peptide oligomers on silica formation from aqueous solution. Silicas produced from a potassium silicon catecholate salt at ca. pH 7 in the presence of the amino acids (Gly, Arg, Asn, Gln, Glx, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Pro, Ala, Lys) at a 2 Si : 1 amino acid molar ratio have shown that these amino acids affect the kinetics of small oligomer formation, the growth of aggregate structures and the morphology and surface properties of the silicas produced. The effects seen during the early stages of oligomer formation carry through to the properties of the particles and aggregates produced after extended periods of reaction. The behaviour of the amino acids relates to the pI and hydrophobicity of the individual amino acids. The presence of the nitrogen containing amino acids generates larger particles and the presence of amino acids containing hydroxyl and hydrophobic groups generates silicas with smaller particles than are produced for silicas produced in the absence of amino acids. An extensive study of the effect of the number of lysine and glycine units per peptide was also performed (for lysine, 1–5 and ca. 150 and for glycine, 1,4,5). Increasing the number of glycine units per additive molecule had little effect on the kinetics, aggregation, sample morphology, surface area and porosity of the silicas produced. A distinct relationship between the number of lysine units per additive molecule and an increased rate of oligomer formation, aggregate growth and a reduction in silica surface area and broadening of pore sizes was observed. A distinct change over in behaviour, particularly in regard to the porosity characteristics of the silica produced was noted for between (lys) 3 and (lys) 4 as well as this being the smallest size of peptide that was incorporated into the siliceous material formed. Aggregation was observed to accelerate exponentially over the full range of lysine oligomers used. Consecutive sequences of the same amino acid residues were shown to produce effects much larger than the sum of the effects of the individual residues, and at extremes mediate macroscopic morphological changes. The consequences of these findings for biosilicification are discussed. It is clear that all amino acid functional groups in proteins that are accessible to silica during the stages of formation from orthosilicic acid through to the final material have a role to play in determining the physical nature and structure of the material that forms.
Entrepreneurship Education as a Catalyst of Business Start-Ups: A Study on Malaysian Community College Students

This study investigates the effect of entrepreneurship education on the Malaysian community college students’ inclination towards entrepreneurship. It is built on the previous study by Ooi (2008) which examined the university students’ inclination towards entrepreneurship. A sample consisting of 235 students were drawn from four community colleges located in the Malaysian northern region. The students were in the final year of their diploma studies in various disciplines. A survey questionnaire was employed to elicit responses concerning their entrepreneurship inclination and characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse respondents’ characteristics and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (SEM-PLS) was employed in determining the relationship among the variables of the study. The results of the study indicated that 51 per cent of the community college students would consider commencing a business as their future vocation, whilst 33 per cent stated that they are probably to start a new business venture after completion of their studies. This could be attributed to the effort taken by the community colleges in promoting entrepreneurship among students. The entrepreneurial factors: role models and the role played by the community colleges in promoting entrepreneurship showed a statistically significant positive influence on community college students’ decision to pursue an entrepreneurial career. The Partial Least Square – Multi Group Analysis (PLS-MGA) employed for moderating the personal background variables indicated no significant differences on path coefficients between the various groups across gender and working experience. An exception was the effect of role models on entrepreneurial inclination, which was significantly higher with those participants without working experience. Recommendations and future research direction are delivered in relation to the findings of this study.
A Technological Survey on Privacy Preserving Data Publishing

There is an enormous collection of records of a particular individual in a system. These data needs to be highly secured. Due to easily availa records, the records or information is on high risk. These records are being used for the business purpose and as well as for the decision-making in the respective domain. However, any data that is in the raw form comes in the category of sensitive record as it contains the complete information of each particular individual. In the present scenario while publishing, the data mainly depend on the rules, policies and guidelines so that only the required information are published based on the agreements. Hence, privacy preserving and data publishing can be defined as tool and methods for publishing information while preserving privacy of the records. In this paper, there is a survey of various techniques and algorithm designed so far in order to preserve privacy of the data.
To Be Responsible Socially Is Viable Financially

This paper aims to evaluate the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Company’s Financial Performance (CFP) operating or based in Pakistan. Emerging CSR practices in the developed world have raised question about the inclination of the developing world towards CSR. Pakistan being a developing country, its corporate sector is more concerned about profit maximization than CSR. Various studies around the globe have established that CSR has a positive impact on the financial performance of a company. In this study, secondary data has been used from audited annual reports of 26 companies listed in KSE of similar size from different sectors, which are striving towards better CSR. The data ranges from 2008 to 2012 (5 years). The researchers have used Stakeholder theory to measure CSR; stakeholders include Government, Employees, Suppliers, Creditors, Shareholders and Customers. Return on Asset (ROA) was used as a surrogate for Company’s financial performance (CFP). The result of Multiple Regression Model showed a significant impact of CSR on CFP for only a few stakeholders. After adjusting the model according to Pakistan’s scenario, customers, shareholders and creditors were identified as the key stakeholders for CSR to have an impact on CFP. Analyses also bifurcated the results for KSE 100 index companies and Non KSE 100 index companies in order to have an idea as to how firm size disparity affects CSR’s impact on CFP. The outcomes of the research would be helpful for the corporate decision makers, government policy formulators and other related quarters to understand the impact of CSR on CFP with reference to Pakistan.
Stand density estimators based on individual tree detection and stochastic geometry

Individual tree detection methods leave smaller trees hiding below larger trees undetected. This is a problem for remote sensing forest inventories, leading, for example, to severe underestimation of stand density. We develop new methods of formulating the probability of detecting individual trees — the detectability — based on stochastic geometry and use them to derive estimators of stand density. We assume that a tree remains undetected if the centre point of the crown falls within an erosion set based on the larger tree crowns. These estimators allow the tree to be undetected even if a portion of its crown would be visible, taking into account possible differences in the accuracy of remote sensing data and detection algorithms. The behaviour of these estimators is quantified using 36 field plots and compared with a previously proposed estimator. The best estimator according to the data used, allowing trees to be undetected when 40% or more of crown radius is hidden, performs well compared with the esti.
α-galactosidase activity and carbohydrate mobilization in seeds of Dalbergia nigra (vell.) Allemão ex Benth. - fabaceae (Brazilian rosewood) during germination

Substâncias complexas sao convertidas, pela acao de enzimas, em moleculas soluveis, durante o processo de germinacao, as quais sao translocadas para a plântula em crescimento, servindo como fonte de energia ou estrutura fisica. Com o objetivo de quantificar a atividade enzimatica da α-galactosidase e a mobilizacao de mono e oligossacarideos durante o periodo de germinacao, foi conduzido este estudo utilizando-se sementes de jacaranda-da-bahia. As sementes foram mantidas em germinador a 25oC sob luz continua, sendo avaliada a protrusao da radicula, pelo periodo de 10 dias. Foram quantificados os teores de mono e de oligossacarideos, assim como a atividade especifica da enzima α-galactosidase nos tempos zero, um, tres e cinco dias. Houve mobilizacao das reservas de glicose e manose nos cotiledones e xilose neste e no embriao nos tres primeiros dias de germinacao. A ramnose teve os teores aumentados nos cotiledones e no eixo embrionario. A rafinose foi o oligossacarideo utilizado inicialmente, tanto no eixo embrionario, quanto nos cotiledones, enquanto a sacarose acumulou-se em ambos. A atividade da enzima variou no periodo estudado, com maior atividade especifica no primeiro dia de embebicao, tanto nos cotiledones, quanto no eixo embrionario.
Alpha Lipoic Acid for Symptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Diabetes : AMeta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands 2 Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands 3 Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands 4 Diabetes Centre, Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands 5 Langerhans Medical Research Group, P.O. Box 21, 4254 ZG Sleeuwijk, The Netherlands
A capillary pumping device utilizing super-hydrophobic silicon grass

In this study, we show that a compact silicon grass surface can be generated by utilizing the induced coupled plasma method with suitably chosen fabrication parameters. This super-hydrophobic structure suspends deionized water on top of the grass and keeps the contact angle at around 153°. The silicon grass is used to improve the driving efficiency of a capillary pumping micro-duct (without sidewalls), which is completely defined by a bottom hydrophilic stripe (adjacent to a Teflon substrate) and a fully top-covered hydrophobic Teflon surface which is coated on a glass substrate. The channel has a height of 3 µm and a width of 100 µm. In this work, the Teflon substrate is replaced with the silicon grass surface. When the fluid is flowing through the micro-duct on the stripe, the interface between the silicon grass and the hydrophilic stripe forms a stable air cushion barrier to the fluid, thus effectively reducing the frictional force. By changing only the interface with this replacement, we demonstrate that the average measured velocities of the new design show improvements of 21% and 17% in the driving efficiency over the original design for transporting deionized water and human blood, respectively. It is also shown that the measured data of the present design are closer to the values predicted by a theoretical analysis which relates the flow velocity to the contact angles, surface tension and fluid viscosity.
Design of a Broadband Inverted Conical Quadrifilar Helix Antenna

This paper introduces the design of a broadband inverted conical circularly polarized quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA). The antenna has many good characteristics, including wide beam and broad bandwidth, which are achieved by utilizing inverted conical geometry and adjusting the dimensions of the inverted conical support. The antenna is fed by a wideband network to provide 90° phase difference between the four arms with constant amplitude. The antenna impedance and axial ratio bandwidth values are more than 39% and 31.5%, respectively. The measured results coincide well with the simulated ones, which verified the effectiveness of the proposed design.