Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen use and food production in European regions from a global perspective

SUMMARY Current production systems for crops, meat, dairy and bioenergy in the European Union (EU) rely strongly on the external input of nitrogen (N). These systems show a high productivity per unit of land. However, the drawback is a complex web of N pollution problems contributing in a major way to degradation of ecosystems. European Union Directives and national policies have improved nutrient management and reduced fertilizer N use in most European countries, which has curbed the N pollution trends particularly in regions with high stocking rates of animals. However, improvement is slowing down and environmental targets for N are not within reach. Building on the 2011 European Nitrogen Assessment, the current paper reviews key features of the complex relationships between N use and food production in Europe in order to develop novel options for a more N-efficient, less N-polluting and secure European food system. One option is to relocate feed and livestock production from Northwestern to Central and Eastern Europe. This would allow a reduction of N rates and N pollution in cereal production in Northwest Europe by 30% (50 kg N/ha), while increasing total cereal production in Europe. Another option is a change towards legume-based cropping systems to produce animal feed, in order to decrease dependence on N fertilizer and feed imports. The greatest challenge for Europe is to decrease the demand for feed commodities, and thus for land and N, by a shift to more balanced (and healthier) diets with less animal protein. These drastic changes can be stimulated by targeted public–private research funding, while the actual implementation can be enhanced by smart payment schemes using, for example money from the Common Agricultural Policy, certification and agreements between stakeholders and players in the food and energy chain. Involving networks of consumers, producers and non-governmental organizations is critical. An effective strategy starts with convincing consumers with a Western diet to eat less meat and dairy by communicating the associated health benefits and smaller ecological footprints. Internalizing the cost of N pollution leading to increased prices for N-intensive food products may also enhance involvement of consumers and provide financial resources to compensate farmers for loss of income and extra costs for stricter N measures.
Preventive effects of Malvae verticilate and Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf on activated carbon induced constipation in ICR mice

Constipation is a common problem which ordinarily refers to as persistent, difficult, infrequent, or seemingly incomplete defecation. It includes passage of unduly dry and hard feces, sluggish action of bowel, etc. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the extract of Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf against the activated carbon induced constipation in ICR mice. Constipation in mice was induced by the oral administration of active carbon (10% activated carbon dissolved in 0.5% arabic gum water) while the control group mice received 0.5% arabic gum water only. Constipated mice were treated with 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg body weight/day of the Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf extract for 9 days during which all the characteristics including the feeding characteristics as body weight, dietary and drinking water amount intake, as well as fecal properties, first black stool time, gastrointestinal transit and levels of serum biomarkers such as gastrin, motilin, substance P and somatostain all were monitored thoroughly. Treatment of constipated mice shows inhibited body weight loss, dietary intake loss, with increased intestinal motility speed, fecal volume, it also shortens the first black stool time, accelerated the serum levels in gastrin, motilin, substance P, decreased the serum level somatostain which inhibited Growth Hormone (GH). Especially the anti-constipation property shown by the extract of the herb at the intake level 1.0 g/kg body weight shows the best efficacy. The effect of the extract has comparative results with biscodyl, a standard laxative drug. These findings demonstrated that Perilla frutescens var. japonica leaf can be regarded as a natural preventive method of constipation medicine.
The Circular Economy: A New Development Strategy in China

Activities over the past several years, however, clearly show that CE is emerging as an economic strategy rather than a purely environmental strategy. The major objective of the government is to promote the sustainable development of economy and society, while it also helps to achieve sustainable environmental protection. powers, increasing the wealth of the population and providing employment and business opportunities. The rapid economic growth, however, has engendered serious natural resource depletion and environmental pollution, and the continuing increase of population has exacerbated this situation greatly. Recent research has pointed out that growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in China has significantly reduced the opportunities of future generations to enjoy natural and environmental resources.1 The central government promised in 2002 to build a prosperous society in a comprehensive way by 2020. By then, GDP per capita is anticipated to reach U.S. $3,000 and the total GDP to quadruple. Obviously, it is unrealistic for China to expect to realize this ambitious objective in terms of natural resource use if it continues its current development pathway, with population increasing to 1.45 billion in 2020 (Qu 2004), low productivity, and the absence of eco-efficiency.
THERMODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE Mg-Pb and Mg-Bi SYSTEMS USING SUBSTITUTIONAL SOLUTION AND ASSOCIATE MODELS FOR THE LIQUID PHASE

By means of CALPHAD approach, thermodynamic assessments of the Mg-Pb and Mg-Bi systems were carried out based on the available experimental data including thermodynamic properties and phase equilibrium data. The liquid phase was described with both the substitutional solution model and the associate model, and two sets of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Mg-Pb and Mg-Bi systems were obtained, respectively. It was found that the associate model can account for the experimental data more satisfactorily than the substitutional solution one, especially for the liquid phase with the short-range order behavior.
Data analysis in forest sciences: why do we continue using null hypothesis significance tests?

Los metodos estadisticos son una parte indispensable del quehacer cientifico. En las ciencias forestales el uso de pruebas de significancia estadistica ha sido la regla predominante para juzgar hipotesis o asociaciones entre variables a pesar de sus multiples problemas y las diversas criticas publicadas por muchos anos en otras areas de la ciencia. En esta revision se muestra el origen de las actuales metodologias, sus principales problemas y se presentan algunas opciones al alcance de la mayor parte de los investigadores. De continuar usando estas tecnicas en lugar de metodos estadisticos correctos o sin el adecuado complemento, el trabajo podria tornarse ineficiente y riesgoso, en especial, dadas las importantes decisiones que en materia medioambiental corresponde tomar. Razones para la permanencia de estas pruebas en las ciencias forestales son discutidas
DYNAMIC AND STATIC NETWORKING : MAIN IDEAS AND NATURE , SPECIFICS IN A COUNTRY WITH EMERGING MARKETS

The objective of the article is to systematize the dynamic and especially static entrepreneurial networks as they look, appear, and act in a country with so-called emerging markets. This is accomplished on the example of Russia. Special attention is paid to relevant business goals and patterns to typical members of such networks, to why, when and how one passes from outsourcing in dynamic networks to static networking. The article contains a field research based on (1) access to public databases like Spark-Interfax in Russia, with updated information on registered firms (their founders, affiliated companies, businesses) and (2) interviews with businessmen who agreed to comment on the problems under discussion. As regards the results of the research, two points seem to be especially important. First, when, according to legislation, information on registered firms and their statistical reports is public, it is not too problematic to find out and monitor the activities of practically all types of business static networks in all industries. Second, when the business environment becomes more competitive, dynamic networks tend to be transformed into static ones not only due to considerable contract risks, but also because one needs to select from wider samples of possible suppliers the most competitive and those who are ready to invest into the technological innovations. The general conclusion is that in countries with a dynamic economic growth and increasing competitiveness of the business environment, like in Russia, this advantage of static networking might prevail, especially if static networks appear as a result of selecting business partners from the firm’s experience in outsourcing.
AN AGENT-BASED APPROACH TO SUPPORT PLANNING FOR CHANGE DURING EARLY DESIGN

Early design is the most dynamic and unpredictable stage of complex design processes, since it involves a great deal of uncertainty, collaborative iteration and adaptive organizational behaviour. This paper argues that current activity-based modelling approaches have limited ability to capture the dynamics of early design and explores novel modelling approaches to support planning during this stage. The development of an Agent Model for Planning and rEsearch of eaRly dEsign (AMPERE) aiming to support early design planning is described. The initial results from agent-based simulations are presented reporting an investigation to the likely effects of requirements change in global design process performance.
Post-Collisional Central Anatolian Alkaline Plutonism, Turkey

A number of Upper Cretaceous-Palaeogene alkaline plutons intruded into the crustal metamorphic rocks, the pre- Maastrichtian ophiolitic melange, and the Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary units are located in the Central Anatolia (CA), Turkey. These alkaline plutons constitute an important association in the post-collisional Central Anatolian Granitoids. The Dumluca, Murmana, Karakeban, Koseda¤, Hasancelebi, Karacayir and Davulalan plutons constitute the eastern; whereas the Erialan, Baranada¤, Hamit, Camsari, Durmufllu and Bayindir units the western part of this alkaline association. These plutons are mainly composed of silica oversaturated syenitic to monzonitic, and undersaturated syenitic felsic rocks. However, the Dumluca, Murmana and Karakeban plutons also include some undersaturated alkaline mafic rocks which are derived from a different mafic magma source rather than being the early fractionation derivatives of the felsic rocks in these plutons. There are some diversification or subdivisions on the basis of mineralogical-chemical characteristics, wall-rock, silica saturation and associated ore deposit/mineralization in these alkaline plutons. The diversification is thought to be sourced from either some solidification processes which modify the primary composition of any mantle-derived magma, or some different alkaline magma pulses generated by the partial melting of mantle material with different types and degrees of partial melting processes in water-starved environment. The latter consideration seems to be more reasonable due particularly to LIL and F enrichments in these rocks. They apparently indicate "late orogenic" , "within plate granite (WPG)" and "post-collisional" characteristics on the basis of their major and trace element geochemistry. When the mineralogical- chemical data is considered together with the space-time relations in a regional geological setting, one can suggest such a geodynamic model for the CA post-collisional alkaline plutonism: The magma source of this plutonism can be derived from the partial melting of upwelling upper mantle material by the adiabatic decompression mechanism in the passive margin of the Anatolides in a post- collisional lithospheric attenuation environment within a tensional regime immediately after crustal thickening due to Anatolide- Pontide collision along the northward subduction zone of the northern branch of Neo-Tethys.
Competitiveness of Latvia’s exporters

Abstract This paper evaluates the competitiveness of Latvia’s exporters from various aspects by using detailed trade data from UN Comtrade. Competitiveness represented by the market share of Latvia’s products in world trade was on a rising trend, growing almost two times between 1999 and 2010. This dynamic improvement was mainly accounted for by intensive margin, as Latvia’s exporters increased their presence on traditional markets. Moreover, the contribution of extensive margin was also positive due to geographical expansion. Analysis of non-price competitiveness signals that although Latvia’s export unit values were increasing faster than those of its main competitors, relative quality and taste for Latvia’s products were rising even faster, and, overall, the competitiveness of Latvia’s exporters improved.
Public Expenditure, Demography and Growth: Theory and Evidence from India

Many countries in the developed world are ageing in terms of their distribution of population. Conversely, a number of countries in the south have younger population. India for example, has 60% of its population in the age group of 15-59, with the mean age close to 27 years as of present times. The lower share of population in the higher and lower age brackets make the dependency ratio lower than that of the ageing countries. The economic growth such a large share of working age population can usher in lies at the core of the demographic dividends. However, low human capital, poor health and inadequate physical infrastructure seems to create significant hurdles in the potential growth path such countries can achieve. We investigate through an endogenous growth model applied to the Indian macroeconomic data, as to whether public expenditures in education, health and physical infrastructure are conducive to rapid economic growth commensurate with the projected demographic dividends for India. We deploy a Structural Vector Autoregressive Model on data for shares of public expenditure on education and health as the main pillars of growth of human capital in the country, on the per capita GDP growth rate, the working age population, etc. Importantly, we find that a rise in expenditure on health imparts a positive impact on the working age population through greater participation. However, higher allocations for education and training draws workers away from the labor market in a country with large share of unskilled workers and employment opportunities in the large informal sector.
Electrical Characterization of 1.8 MeV Proton-Bombarded ZnO

We report on the electrical characterization of single-crystal ZnO and Au Schottky contacts formed thereon before and after bombarding them with 1.8 MeV protons. From capacitance–voltage measurements, we found that ZnO is remarkably resistant to high-energy proton bombardment and that each incident proton removes about two orders of magnitude less carriers than in GaN. Deep level transient spectroscopy indicates a similar effect: the two electron traps detected are introduced in extremely low rates. One possible interpretation of these results is that the primary radiation-induced defects in ZnO may be unstable at room temperature and anneal out without leaving harmful defects that are responsible for carrier compensation.
How soil-borne pathogens may affect plant competition

A role for pathogens in plant competition has often been suggested, but examples are rare and, in the case of soil pathogens, virtually absent. In this paper we examine if and how soil-borne pathogens may play a role in plant competition. As a model, two successional plant species from coastal sand dunes were used: Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) and Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria (sand fescue). The root zone of A. arenaria contains pathogens that contribute to the degeneration of their host when dunes become stabilized. These pathogens (plant parasitic nematodes and pathogenic fungi) are relatively harmless to the immediate successor F. rubra. We tested the hypothesis that F. rubra, when grown in a mixed culture with A. arenaria, will be favored when A. arenaria is exposed to soil-borne pathogens from its own root zone. In a greenhouse, seedlings of both species were grown in replacement series in sterilized (pathogen-free) and unsterilized (pathogen-containing) soils originating from the root zone of natural A. arenaria. Nutrient additions, soil moisture, and the length of the experiment were based on two pilot studies. When exposed to its soil-borne pathogens, A. arenaria was outcompeted, especially when it constituted <50% of the planted mixture. Nutrient limitation enhanced the replacement of A. arenaria by F. rubra especially in unsterilized soil. This was due to reduced plasticity of A. arenaria in responding to nutrient limitation when exposed to its pathogens. The present results support previous suggestions that soil pathogen-driven competition may be an important mechanism in species replacement in coastal foredune vegetation.
Predation of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Eggs in Sweet Corn by Generalist Predators and the Impact of Alternative Foods

Abstract Generalist predators are common in most agricultural cropping systems. However, pest control from these predators is often overlooked as a component of integrated pest management (IPM) because the extent of predation is generally unknown and difficult to assess. In western New York sweet corn (Zea mays L.), the primary predators are Orius insidiosus (Say), Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)] is the primary insect pest. The objectives of this study were to compare O. nubilalis egg predation rates for these three species and to understand how egg predation by these predators is affected by the availability of alternative food. Laboratory data indicate that all three predators feed on O. nubilalis eggs. C. maculata consumed more eggs than H. axyridis or O. insidiosus. Immatures of C. maculata and O. insidiosus readily completed development on a diet of O. nubilalis eggs, but H. axyridis larvae could not complete development on this diet. The presence of corn leaf aphids [Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch)] and corn pollen reduced egg predation per insect for some stage of all species. The reduction in O. nubilalis egg predation associated with the presence of aphids was confirmed in field cage studies and was similar among the coccinellid populations tested. Field studies comparing aphids, predator populations, and O. nubilalis egg predation show that reduced egg predation per insect more than offsets the higher populations encountered when aphids and pollen are numerous, resulting in less biological control of O. nubilalis when alternative foods are available.
Using GARCH Model in the Analysis of Trade Liberalization and Poverty in Developing Countries

The current paper reviews impacts of trade liberalization on developing countries and levels of poverty. The expected impacts of multilateral trade liberalization on wage levels and subsequent poverty are implored. Empirical Auto-regression models are visualized to develop a different set of strategies and programs to provide real benefits to the poor with real benefits. It is concluded that GARCH updating formula takes the weighted average of the unconditional variance, the squared residual for the first observation and the starting variance and estimates the variance of the second observation. This input into the forecast of the third variance and so forth. Eventually, an entire time series of variance forecasts is constructed. Ideally, this series is large when the residuals are large and small when they are small. The likelihood function provides a systematic way to adjust the parameters to give the best fit. It is possible that the true variance process can differ from the one specified by econometricians. In order to detect this, a variety of diagnostic tests are available. Various tests such as tests for autocorrelation in the squares are able to detect model failures.
A National Disability Insurance Scheme: What Social Work Has to Offer

This paper appraises key features of the recently proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia and explores underpinning conceptualisations of ‘disability’, ‘autonomy’, ‘choice’ and ‘assessment’. In particular, it examines the ways in which the Scheme reconfigures a continuation of individualised payments and care package policies. These proposals can be seen to have international significance in terms of how new policy is formulated and also implemented in this controversial field. It is argued that, by utilising embedded human rights perspectives, social work practice principles and social model understandings of disability, social workers can play a crucial role in reframing the opportunities presented by key policy changes.
Financial Product Preferences of Trichirapalli investors using Analytical Hierarchy process and fuzzy Multi Criteria Decision Making

Decision-making is the most important scientific, social and economic endeavor. Many classical methods are available in the literature if the relationship between alternatives and criteria is in linguistic terms. Among them Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy processes is a very much useful method. In this paper we are dealing with six financial investment products. Since each alternative has a slight difference with one another, the selection of the best alternative needs fuzzy knowledge. Our objective is to rank financial products in order according to the preference of the respondents who select, and rank them according to various attributes, namely Safety of principal, Liquidity, Stability of income, Capital growth, Tax benefit, Inflation resistance and Concealability.
Excess degassing from volcanoes and its role on eruptive and intrusive activity

Volcanoes emit larger amounts of volcanic gas than can be dissolved in the volume of erupted magma during a variety of volcanic processes, including explosive and effusive eruption and noneruptive continuous degassing. Degassing of unerupted magma with a much larger volume than that of erupted magma caused such a large degassing; erupted magma represents only a small portion of the magma that drives volcanic activity. Evaluation of the magma‐gas differentiation process causing the excess degassing is necessary to understand eruption processes, magma chamber evolution, and crustal growth by magma intrusion. Three mechanisms are proposed to explain various degassing modes, including eruption of bubble‐accumulated magma, degassing of a convecting magma column, and permeable gas transportation from a deep magma chamber. Examples of large degassing in excess of the erupted magma are common in subduction zone volcanism but are rare in rift‐ and hot spot–associated volcanism.