Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulphate reduction, methanogenesis and phylogenetics of the sulphate reducing bacterial communities along an estuarine gradient

Four sites were investigated along the salinity gradient in the estuary of the River Colne, UK. Sulphate reduction rates at all sites decreased with depth in the sediment, but the annual rate of sulphate reduction over the 0 to 20 cm profile did not decrease significantly, even at a low salinity site up the estuary where sulphate concentrations were much lower than at the estuary mouth. Methane was formed at all of the sites, at rates 2 orders of magnitude lower than sulphate reduction, and was greatest at a site on the marsh top site where organic matter was high. Methane emissions to the atmosphere were substantially lower than sedimentary methanogenesis, suggesting methane oxida- tion occurred in the sediments before emission, with the proportion oxidized before emission increas- ing down the estuary. Nucleic acids were extracted from the sediments at each site, slot-blotted onto nylon membranes, and 16S rRNA quantified with radiolabelled oligonucleotide probes against differ- ent groups of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). Autoradiographs were quantified by laser densito- metry compared to known standards of RNA, and expressed as a percentage of the signal from a total bacterial probe. The 4 SRB genera analysed (Desulfovibrio, Desulfobacter, Desulfobulbus and Desul- fobacterium) were all detected at all 4 sites. Desulfovibrio was the largest group of SRB at the 3 lower estuary sites, while Desulfobacter, which appeared to be the major acetate utiliser present along the estuary, and Desulfobulbus were detected at lower levels. Signal from the physiologically diverse Desulfobacterium occurred at significantly higher levels in the upper estuary at the Hythe, and it was possible that this was associated with its use of electron acceptors other than sulphate, such as nitrate.
An Issue of Boundary Value for Velocity and Training Overhead Using Cooperative MIMO Technique in Wireless Sensor Network

A boundary value of velocity of data gathering node (DGN) and a critical value for training overhead beyond which the cooperative communication in wireless sensor network will not be feasible is proposed in this paper. Multiple Input Multiple Outputs (MIMO) coopera- tive communication is taken as an application. The performance in terms of energy efficiency and delay for a combination of two transmitting and two receiving antennas is analyzed. The results show that a set of critical value of velocity and training overhead pair is present for the long haul communication from the sensors to the data gathering node. Later a graphical relation between bound- ary value of training overhead and velocity is simulated. A mathematical relation between velocity and training overhead is also developed. The effects of several parame- ters on training overhead and velocity are analyzed.
The contribution of migration to economic development in Holland and the Netherlands 1510-1900

Migration always played an important role in Dutch society. However, little quantitative evidence on its effect on economic development is known for the period before the 20th century even though some stories exist about their effect on the Golden Age. Applying a new dataset on migration and growth for the period 1510-1900 in a system of equations, we find that in the Golden Age, the 18th century, and the 19th century there was a direct positive effect of migration on productivity. However, when taking account of indirect effects via humanand physical capital, only during the Golden Age the net effect of migration on per capita GDP was positive. This seems to confirm those studies that claim that the Golden Age at least partially benefitted from immigration.
Probabilistic Ideas and Methods in Undergraduate Mathematics: Axiological Aspects

The goal the article is to answer the questions: “Why the probability theory and its applications should be studied? ” and “What is the attitude of students to the study of probabilistic branches of mathematics? ”. The values of probabilistic branches of mathematics (stochastics) are revealed on the analysis of scientific publications on the philosophy and history of probability theory, as well as pedagogical works of mathematicians known for their achievements in this area. Further, to examine the attitude of students to study probability theory and its applications, a survey of 76 mathematics sophomores was conducted. The results of the survey were investigated using cluster analysis. It has been found that students, who have a positive attitude and motivation to study probabilistic branches of mathematics, realize the value of probabilistic ideas and methods at the philosophical level and recognize the practical utility of this. Therefore, the scientific publications on the philosophy and history of probability theory, as well as the pedagogical works of well-known mathematicians, can be the valuable resource that could be of use in the educational process to improve the motivation of students in learning probability theory.
Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Timothy Hay in Relation to Compression

The physical and mechanical characteristics of first-cut high premium and second-cut low premium timothy hay qualities were determined at various moisture contents. The secant modulus for both hay qualities decreased with increasing applied pressure and moisture content. For almost similar moisture contents, the high premium hay was stiffer and offered more resistance to compression than the low premium hay. The static coefficient of friction values for the low premium hay ranged from 0.152 to 0.220 and the values for the high premium hay varied from 0.159 to 0.246, respectively. The dynamic coefficient of friction for low premium hay ranged from 0.133 to 0.187 and the values for the high premium hay varied from 0.146 to 0.243, respectively. The internal coefficient of friction values for the low premium quality hay varied from 0.439 to 0.731 and the values for the high premium ranged from 0.419 to 0.761, respectively. For both hay qualities, the particle density decreased with increasing moisture content. Average particle density for the low premium hay ranged from 1409.2 to 1489.1kg/m3 and the values of the high premium hay varied from 1410.8 to 1522.2 kg/m3, respectively.
External Neural Network Augmentation for Fast Object Recognition

Real-time computer-based object recognition is necessary for useful computer vision, and is thus of critical importance to the development of autonomous robots. Biologically inspired artificial neural networks can perform object recognition with a high degree of accuracy, but often fail to achieve real-time execution speeds. This thesis presents two methods for reducing the computation time of a neural network, specifically using HMAX a neural network developed by MIT, with the end goal of achieving real-time object recognition in an autonomous mobile robot. First, this thesis presents a method for feature removal in linear SVMs that optimally selects appropriate features for object recognition. By removing unnecessary features, this method attempts to improve speed while maintaining accuracy, effectively introducing a feedback loop into a neural network. Second, this thesis presents an a priori estimation method that determines object location using superpixels, a type of image segmentation. By matching superpixels, which can identify visually consistent regions within an image, between frames, it is possible to estimate target object location without running the computationally intensive HMAX algorithm on every frame. These methods were validated using real-world images captured by a front-facing camera while driving on a dirt road at sunset. The results show these methods can significantly reduce the computation time of a neural network, while maintaining classification accuracy.
Enhancing Lab Source Anomalous Scattering Using Cr Kα Radiation for Its Potential Application in Determining Macromolecular Structures

Obtaining phase information for the solution of macromolecular structures is a bottleneck in X-ray crystallography. Anomalous dispersion was recognized as a powerful tool for phasing macromolecular structures. It was used mainly to supplement the isomorphous replacement or to locate the anomalous scatterer itself. The first step in solving macromolecular structures by SAD (single-wavelength anomalous diffraction) is the location of the anomalous scatterers. The SAD method for experimental phasing has evolved substantially in the recent years. A phasing tool, 5-amino-2,4,6- triiodoisophthalic acid (I3C—magic triangle), was incorporated into three proteins, lysozyme, glucose isomerase and thermolysin using quick-soaking and co-crystallization method in order to understand the binding of metal ion with proteins. The high quality of the diffraction data, the use of chromium anode X-ray radiation and the required amount of anomalous signal enabled way for successful structure determination and automated model building. An analysis and/or comparison of the sulfur and iodine anomalous signals at the Cr Kα wavelength are discussed.
Pricing Convertible Bonds with Interest Rate, Equity, Credit, and FX Risk

Convertible bonds are hybrid securities whose pricing relies on a set of complex inter-dependencies due to the sensitivity to interest rate risk, underlying (equity) risk, FX risk, and credit risk, and due to the convertible bond’s early exercise American feature. We present a two factor model of interest rate and equity risk that is implemented using the Crank-Nicholson technique on the discretized pricing equation with projective successive over-relaxation. This paper extends a methodology proposed in the literature (TF[98]) to deal with credit risk in a self- consistent way, and proposes a new methodology to deal with FX sensitive cross-currency convertibles. A technique for extracting the price of vanilla options struck on a synthetic asset, the foreign equity in domestic currency, is employed to obtain the implied volatility for these options. These implied volatilities are then used to obtain the local volatility for use in the numerical routine. The model is designed to deal with most of the usual contractual features such as coupons, dividends, continuous and/or Bermudan call and put clauses. We suggest that credit spread adjustments in the boundary conditions can be made, to account for the negative correlation between spreads and equity. Detailed description of the numerical methods and the discretization schemes, together with their accuracy, are provided.
Investigation of resonance characteristics and effective parameters of a metamaterial structure with split rings

This paper presents a new metamaterial, based on SRR structure and systematically investigate the various properties of the metamaterial structure. The resonant frequency of the proposed metamaterial structure is first estimated using its equivalent circuit model and the estimated value thus obtained is then compared with the values obtained by High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) simulations. The negative refraction in the unit cell is demonstrated by estimating the negative ε and negative μ on placing the unit cell in a waveguide with well defined PEC/PMC boundary conditions. Finally the unit cells are combined to form linear 2D array topology.
The impact of immigrants settlements’ on Italian firms

An increase in foreign labour supply might represent an opportunity for firms to both cut their costs and increase productivity. Accordingly, new establishments might be opened or relocated where there is abundance of foreign workforce. This study investigates the impact of immigration on both the number of local units and employees at Italian provincial level during the 2004-2010 time span. The results show positive effects on both response variables at aggregate and sectoral level. Once focused on natives’ employment, the results exclude any displacement effect for the low-skilled natives, whilst for the high-skilled native workers the estimated impact is positive and statistically significant.
Credibility Evaluation Algorithm Based on Deep Learning

The credibility of a recommendation system is a hot focus nowadays in the field of personalized recommendation research. However, it is difficult to carry out effective credibility evaluation for the users in the presence of a false recommendation system, say nothing of eliminating suspicious users and further more improve the security and reliability of the system. This paper proposed a new method of reliability assessment based on deep learning. According to the users’ rating database, community of users with average scores is constructed and traditional credibility algorithm is used to calculate the initial credibility of the users. With the average users' reliability value as a criterion, the second assessment to the credibility based on deep learning algorithm is applied to other users, the results of which are arranged in ascending order. Then suspicious users ranking top-L will be removed and a trustfully adjacent group for the target users will be created. Experiments show that the improved algorithm can optimize the recommendation system with better security, accuracy and reliability as well.
Multinational enterprises and the provision of collective goods under formal and informal institutional voids. The case of electricity in sub-Saharan Africa

Despite their unprecedented growth, developing countries still face severe problems in the provision of collective goods. Electricity, whose provision is scarce or unreliable in most developing regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, is an emblematic case. The reason for this shortage is not only imputable to the lack of effective formal institutions, but also to the inefficacy of informal institutions in enabling alternative solutions for the production, transmission and distribution of electricity. In this context of “double institutional void”, multinational enterprises (MNEs) can play a decisive role. However, we claim that their effectiveness depends on both the formal and informal institutional proximity that exists between the country of origin and the destination of the multinational company. Our econometric analysis relies on a sample of pairs of home-host countries, the latter of which are all from sub-Saharan Africa, observed from 2005 to 2011. Our findings confirm our expectations.
Microbial quality and antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens isolated from groundwater used by residents of Ongata Rongai, Kajiado North County, Kenya

Groundwater represents an important source of drinking water and its quality is currently threatened by a combination of over-abstraction and microbiological and chemical contamination. Nairobi, Kenya and its environs is plagued with un-planned dwelling residential settlements, with limited potable water sources which are often contaminated by bacterial pathogens. This coupled with increased incidences of antibiotic resistance among the pathogens is alarming. This study used the MPN technique to determine indicator organisms, and the agar diffusion method to determine resistance in isolated pathogenic bacteria. The total coliforms values recorded were as high as 1.12x10 2 (±8.8x10 1 ) MPN/100 ml, fecal coliform loads were 8.63(±7.01) MPN/100 ml for the shopping centre. Total bacterial counts values recorded were as high as 5.64x10 4 (±1.77x10 4 ) CFU/ml at the shopping centre. Numerous organisms that are potential enteric pathogens such as Vibrio sp, Salmonella sp. , Shigella sp. , P. aeruginos a and E. coli were isolated from the water samples. There was high resistance to many antibiotics particularly sulphamoxazole (98.5%), kanamycin (95.3%) and ampicillin (87.5%). The most active antibiotics were chloramphenicol with resistance level of 45.4% and streptomycin (59.4%). The study indicates that water from the studied boreholes was not suitable for human consumption and therefore calls for urgent intervention. There is a high likelihood that congestion and lack of proper waste and waste water management is responsible for contamination of aquifers in this region. Keywords: groundwater, contamination, coliforms, potable water, antibiotic resistance
Uncertainty management in complex models: the NUSAP method

A novel approach to uncertainty assessment, known as the NUSAP method (Numeral Unit Spread Assessment Pedigree) was applied to assess qualitative and quantitative uncertainties in the TIMER energy model, part of RIVMs IMAGE Model. The TIMER model is a system dynamics energy model that has been used, for instance, in the development of the new IPCC baseline scenarios (SRES). For our analysis we have used the IMAGE B1 scenario as case study. We used two complementary tools to assess uncertainty: (1) The Morris algorithm for global sensitivity analysis and (2) a NUSAP expert elicitation workshop, which assessed different aspects of the strength of the knowledgebase of the parameters. Results of (1) and (2) were combined into a diagnostic diagram putting spread and strength together to provide guidance in prioritisation of key uncertainties. The project has shown that the NUSAP method can be applied to complex models in a meaningful way. The method provides a means to focus research efforts on the potentially most problematic parameters, identifying at the same time specific weaknesses in these parameters.
O-PHTHALALDEHYDE BASED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF SITAGLIPTIN IN TABLETS

Objective: The objective of the method was to develop a simple, cost effective and reproducible spectroscopic method for the determination of sitagliptin (STG) in bulk and tablets. Methods: In this method, sitagliptin reacted with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in a borate buffer (pH 9.8)at room temperature to produce a chromogen. The absorption of reaction product was measured at 338 nm. Results: The method was linear in a concentration range between 5 and 120µg/ml. The regression line equation was: Y = 0.0140X + 0.0503 with a regression coefficient of 0.9997 (n=6). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 1.1 and 3. 7µg/ml, respectively. The precision was satisfactory; the values of relative standard deviation (RSD) had not exceeded 2%. The average values of recovery study were found to be in the range98.82 - 100.2 ± 0.28 – 1.12%. Conclusion: The developed method was simple, fast, accurate and precise. It could be applied for routine quality control analysis of STG in tablets.
Acculturation, health locus of control, and smoking tobacco in Cuban-American, Puerto Rican and Mexican-American youth in the United States

NELI V. STOYANOVA (Under the Direction of Lynda Henley Walters) ABSTRACT The purpose of the proposed study is to examine the relation between acculturation strategy, health locus of control, and smoking tobacco among ethnic subgroups of Hispanic youth in the United States. The sample includes 213 Cuban-American, 1350 Mexican-American, and 632 Puerto Rican adolescents 12-19 years of age. The data are collected as part of a national Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) conducted from 1982 to 1984. Analysis is conducted to assess whether smoking tobacco can be accurately predicted by acculturation strategy and/or health locus of control.
Rice seed varietal purity inspection using hyperspectral imaging

When distributing rice seed to farmers, suppliers strive to ensure that all seeds delivered belong to the species that was ordered and that the batch is not contaminated by unhealthy seeds or seeds of a different species. A conventional method to inspect the varietal purity of rice seeds is based on manually selecting random samples of rice seed from a batch and evaluating the physical grain properties through a process of human visual inspection. This is a tedious, laborious, time consuming and extremely inefficient task where only a very small subset of the entire batch of the rice seed can be examined. There is, therefore, a need to automate this process to make it repeatable and more efficient while allowing a larger sample of rice seeds from any batch to be analysed. This paper presents an automatic rice seed inspection method which combines hyperspectral imaging and tools from machine learning to automatically detect seeds which are erroneously contained within a batch when they actually belong to a completely different species. Image data from Near-infrared (NIR) and Visible Light (VIS) hyperspectral cameras are acquired for six common rice seed varieties. Two different classifiers are applied to the data: a Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a Random Forest (RF), where each consists of six one-versus-rest binary classifiers. The results show that combining spectral and shape-based features derived from the rice seeds results in an increase in the precision (PPV) of the multi-label classification to 84% compared with 74% when only visual features are used.
39. DATA REPORT: MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE PLEISTOCENE-LATE PLIOCENE SEDIMENTS OF ODP SITES 994, 995, AND 997, BLAKE RIDGE 1

The Blake Ridge, offshore South Carolina, was drilled at three sites, Sites 994, 995, and 997, during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 164. During the cruise, shipboard paleomagnetic measurements were performed to establish a magnetostratigraphy to refine age dates of the sediments. Shipboard measurements yielded a preliminary reversal stratigraphy (Shipboard Scientific Party, 1996a, 1996b, and 1996c). The routine paleomagnetic measurements of continuous core sections with the pass-through cryogenic magnetometer after alternating field (AF) demagnetization at 20 mT showed downhole inclination profiles with negative and positive intervals in the sections recovered with the advanced hydraulic piston corer (APC). The cryogenic results agreed with the results from analysis of discrete samples. The reversal stratigraphy was constructed based on the cryogenic and discrete sample results. Although the primary reversal stratigraphy was constructed for each site during the cruise, the boundaries of magnetic polarity zones were poorly constrained because there were insufficient polarity measurements obtained from the discrete sample analysis (Only one or two samples per core were made in the intervals recovered with the APC; fewer were made in the intervals cored with the extended core barrel [XCB]. Each core is 9.5 m). Therefore, I conducted shore-based paleomagnetic analyses to determine more precise locations of the magnetic polarity zones and reversals for the APC-cored intervals at Sites 994, 995, and 997. In this report, I describe progressive AF demagnetization behavior of the samples and present paleomagnetic declination, inclination, and intensity data before and after AF demagnetization. Magnetic polarity zones are defined for the APC-cored intervals of Sites 994, 995, and 997, and these are presented with nannofossil data and interpreted nannofossil zonations (Okada, Chap. 33, this volume).