Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of ammonium, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen concentrations on uptake, nitrification, and denitrification rates associated with prairie stream substrata

Substrata samples were collected from Kings Creek on Konza Prairie Biological Station (Manhattan, Kansas) and incubated with varying levels of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), and dissolved oxygen (O2) to examine the response of nitrogen (N) uptake and transformation rates. Substrata collected were fine benthic organic matter (FBOM), coarse benthic organic matter, filamentous green algae, bryophytes, suspended particulate organic matter, and epilithic diatoms. Nitrification and denitrification were estimated by use of the nitrapyrin and acetylene inhibition methods, respectively. Ammonium uptake demonstrated Michaelis‐Menten kinetics, with the highest maximum rates (Vmax) associated with filamentous green algae (5.90 mg N gdm−1 d−1) and epilithic diatoms (4.96 mg N gdm−1 d−1). Nitrate uptake did not saturate at the highest NO3− addition (25 µg N L−1) above ambient when associated with FBOM. Overall, maximum uptake rates of NH4+ were 10‐fold higher than for NO3−. Nitrification response to increasing NH4+ concentrations was highly variable, depending on the substrata type. Nitrification was lowest under low O2 conditions, being undetectable when NO3− was added but not when NH4+ was added. Denitrification increased linearly with NO3− concentration when associated with epilithic diatoms and FBOM but became saturated at ~20 µg N L−1 above ambient concentrations when associated with filamentous green algae. Samples purged with N2 gas had the highest rates of denitrification. We predicted stream ecosystem rates using equations derived from the experimental data and substrata mass estimates measured in the field. Substantial temporal variability was predicted in uptake (0–1,300 mg NH4+−N m−2 d−1; 0–5.2 mg NO3−−N m−2 d−1), nitrification (0–35 mg NH4+−N m−2 d−1), and denitrification (0–130 µg N2O‐N m−2 d−1) as due to natural variation in water column NH4+, NO3−, and O2 concentrations.
A Combination Fungicide for the Management of Sheath Blight, Sheath Rot and Stem Rot Diseases of Paddy

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the world’s most important crop and a primary source of food for more than half of the world’s population. More than 90% of the world’s rice is grown and consumed in Asia where 60% of the earth’s people live (Kole, 2006). Ever growing population in India is further demanding more rice production and productivity. Under field condition, the productivity of rice is affected by many biotic and abiotic factors. Among the different biotic constraints, diseases caused by fungal pathogens such as sheath blight, sheath rot and stem rot cause significant damage in irrigated rice (Jackson et al., 1977; Bonman et al., 1991; Kindo and Tiwar, 2015).
Conductive-radiative heat transfer in grey materials

We study the well-posechiess of a class of models describing heat transfer by conduction and radiation. For that purpose we propose an abstract mathematical framework that allows us to prove existence, uniqueness and the comparison principle for the weak solution with minimal or almost minimal a priori assumptions for the data. The theory covers different types of grey materials, that is, both semitransparent and opaque bodies as well as isotropic or nonisotropic scattering/reflection provided that the material properties do not depend on the wavelength of the radiation. To demonstrate the use of the abstract theory we consider in detail two examples, heat transfer between opaque bodies with diffuse-grey surfaces and a model with semitransparent material and specularly reflecting surfaces.
Monte Carlo Simulation Studies on the Structure of the Counterion Atmosphere of B-DNA. Variations on the Primitive Dielectric Model

Monte Carlo computer experiments on the structure and organization of counterions around a B form of a DNA double helix in aqueous media have been carried out, treating water in the system as a modified homogeneous dielectric. The detailed shape of the DNA and, the finite size and spatial correla- tions of the counterions are taken into account. Convergence criteria, step size, single-particle versus mul- tiparticle moves, and other methodological issues in the Monte Carlo calculations are addressed. The poten- tial influence of the dielectric discontinuity between the DNA and solvent and the implications of dielectric saturation around DNA are examined. Results of studies on the structure and equilibrium properties of NaDNA solutions in the absence and presence of excess Na+Cl- salt are presented and discussed. We find in all cases a concentration of counterions near DNA (- 10 A) that is in excess of 1 M even in the absence of excess salt, consistent with previous theoretical studies. A comparison of the simulation results on the basis of different dielectric models for the solvent showed that the effects of dielectric saturation on the total energetics, the internal energies of counterion binding, and the local counterion distributions are sig- nificant. Saturation favors increased counterion condensation relative to the coulombic model, with DNA- counterion interactions dominating the small ion repulsions. A consideration of the lowering of the sol- vent dielectric constant near DNA and near small ions due to dielectric saturation in water results in an essentially salt-independent estimate of the net counterionic charge per phosphate around DNA over the added salt concentration range of 25-150 mM studied here. This observation is also consistent with the counterion condensation theory and the current inferences from 23Na NMR experiments.
Secular Trends in U.S Saving and Consumption

National saving rate in the U.S. has been declining since the 1960s while the share of consumption in output has been increasing. We explore if a standard growth model can explain the secular trends observed in this time period. Our results indicate that the standard neoclassical growth model is able to generate saving rates and consumption that are remarkably similar to the data during 1960-2004. Our quantitative findings identify the growth rate of total factor productivity as the main factor generating the secular trends in the behavior of consumption and saving in the U.S
Short-term Sparse Portfolio Optimization Based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

We propose a short-term sparse portfolio optimization (SSPO) system based on alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Although some existing strategies have also exploited sparsity, they either constrain the quantity of the portfolio change or aim at the long-term portfolio optimization. Very few of them are dedicated to constructing sparse portfolios for the short-term portfolio optimization, which will be complemented by the proposed SSPO. SSPO concentrates wealth on a small proportion of assets that have good increasing potential according to some empirical financial principles, so as to maximize the cumulative wealth for the whole investment. We also propose a solving algorithm based on ADMM to handle the l1-regularization term and the self-financing constraint simultaneously. As a significant improvement in the proposed ADMM, we have proven that its augmented Lagrangian has a saddle point, which is the foundation of the iterative formulae of ADMM but is seldom addressed by other sparsity strategies. Extensive experiments on 5 benchmark data sets from real-world stock markets show that SSPO outperforms other state-of-the-art systems in thorough evaluations, withstands reasonable transaction costs and runs fast. Thus it is suitable for real-world financial environments.
Dual-Modality All-Optical Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Using Permanent Marker Ink

A dual-modality all-optical ultrasound and photo toacoustic imaging probe was fabricated using a commercially available permanent marker ink. The permanent marker ink was dried and mixed with polydimethylsiloxane to form a composite coating on optical fiber tips. The coating exhibited wavelength-selective absorption, with absorption > 90% at 532 nm for ultrasound generation, and < 10% at 1064 nm for photoacoustic light transmission. Ultrasound generated by the device had a peak-to-peak pressure in excess of 200 kPa and a corresponding −6 dB bandwidth of 17.3 MHz. The fabricated transmitter was combined with a plano-concave Fabry-Perot fiber optic hydrophone to create an imaging probe. The axial ultrasound resolution of the probe was < 200 μm. Co-registered ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging was demonstrated with a wire phantom. This work demonstrates the feasibility for making low-cost dual-modality devices using all-optical ultrasound.
Sea Surface Height Measurement Using a GNSS Wave Glider

To overcome spatial and temporal limitations of sea surface height instruments such as tide gauges, satellite altimetry, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) buoys, we investigate the use of an unmanned, self‐propelled Wave Glider surface vehicle equipped with a geodetic GNSS receiver. Centimetric precision instantaneous sea surface height measurement is demonstrated from a 13‐day deployment in the North Sea, during which the glider traversed a track of about 600 km. Ellipsoidal heights were estimated at 5 Hz using kinematic GNSS precise point positioning and, after correcting for tides using the Finite Element Solution 2014b model and for the geoid using the Earth Gravitational Model 2008, hourly dynamic ocean topography measurements agreed with those from the UK Met Office Forecasting Ocean Assimilation Model‐Atlantic Margin Model 7 to 6.1‐cm standard deviation. Conversely, on correcting for the tides and dynamic ocean topography, 5.1‐cm standard deviation agreement with Earth Gravitational Model 2008 at its North Sea spatial resolution was obtained. Hourly measurements of significant wave height agreed with the WAVEWATCH III model and WaveNet buoy observations to 17 and 24 cm (standard deviation), respectively, and dominant wave periods to 1.4 s. These precisions were obtained in winds gusting up to 20 m/s.
Comparative evaluation between different concentrations of ozonizated water on sanitizing of fresh-cut lettuce

Ozone (O3) is a potent oxidant and sanitizer, utilized in small concentrations and short contact time in order to inactivate bacteria, yeasts and molds, spores, protozoas and viruses. For this reason, its use has been recommended as an alternative treatment in traditional chlorinated compounds to reduce the microbial load. The aim of this article was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the ozonizated water in the sanitization of fresh-cut lettuce. The samples were harvested in the rural zone of Campinas, SP, Brazil, transported to the laboratory and the toilet operation was carried out, removing the external and dirty leaves and also the heart. In sequence, a portion to constitute treatment 1 (T1 - without washing) was removed and four other portions of leaves were separated and submitted to the following treatments: T2) washing in water; T3) immersion in ozonizated water at 1.4 mg L-1; T4) immersion in ozonizated water at 1.6 mg L-1; T5) immersion in ozonizated water at 2.0 mg L-1. The ozone concentration was measured by a commercially available kit (CHEMetrics, Vacu-vials, Ozone K-7402, Calverton, Va., U.S.A.). The efficiency of treatments was evaluated by microbial analysis of: mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia Coli, yeasts and molds, besides the presence of Salmonella spp. Physical-chemical analysis of pH and soluble solids was also performed. Sanitization was effective to diminish the total coliforms count, reducing initial contamination of >1. 1x10³ MPN g-1 to 2. 3x10¹ MPN g-1 (1.4 and 1.6 mg L-1), and without detecting the presence of E.coli and Salmonella spp. To mesophilic aerobic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, the average initial contamination of samples was 1.9x106 CFU g-1 and 2.1x106 CFU g-1, respectively. After the treatment (1.6 mg L-1), they were reduced to 6.3x103 CFU g-1 and to 2.8x103 CFU g-1, respectively. The largest reductions in microbial load were obtained when ozonizated water at 1.6 mg L-1 was used.
Performance and hormonal profile in broiler chickens fed with different energy levels during post restriction period

(2) , Renato Luis Furlan(3) and Marcos Macari(3) Abstract - The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of diet energy level on performance and hormonal profiles of broilers during post restriction period. It was a split-plot experiment, and the main treatments were in a 2x2 factorial scheme. Birds were fed restricted to 30% of the ad libitum intake, from 7 to 14 days of age. After the restriction period, birds were fed ad libitum with diets containing low (2,900 kcal ME/kg) or high (3,200 kcal ME/kg) energy until 49 days of age. Broilers fed with high energy ration showed lower feed intake and better feed conversion and decreased carcass protein; however, abdominal fat pad, and total carcass fat were not affected by ration energy levels or feeding program. Neither diet energy level nor feed restriction program changed body weight at 49 days. The profile of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was reduced during the feed restriction period, but increased at refeeding period. Feeding program and ration energy level did not affect T3, T4 and growth hormone serum concentrations. Feed restriction at 30% of ad libitum intake is not enough to promote changes on carcass quality, related to fat deposition, and on metabolic hormone levels, except IGF-1 seric level that has rapid increase after feed restriction.
COMPARISON THE EFFECTS OF TACRINE AND GALANTAMINE ON ACTIVE AVOIDANCE TEST IN RATS WITH DIAZEPAM-AMNESIA MODEL

Tacrine is the first cholinesterase inhibitor approved for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Galantamine is reversible, competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and positive modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Diazepam induced amnesia is well known and used model for studying effects of different compounds on learning and memory processes. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of Tacrine and Galantamine on learning and memory processes in rats using active avoidance test. The male Wistar rats (9 per group, with body weight 220-240 g) was treated with: 1 st Saline 0.1ml/100g body weight (controls) p.o. ; 2 nd – Diazepam 2.5 mg/kg i.p. + Saline 0.1ml/100g p.o. (amnesia model), 3 rd – Diazepam 2.5 mg/kg i.p. + Tacrine 1 mg/kg p.o. ; 4 th – Diazepam 2.5 mg/kg i.p. + Galantamine 0.1 mg/kg p.o. All groups of animals were trained in shuttle-box active avoidance test, using original made standard apparatus (Ugo Basile, Italy) with training parameters for rats. In active avoidance test learning session was performed 5 consecutive days and consist 30 trails, memory retention was done 7 days later. The following behavioral parameters were observed: number of correct responses (avoidances), number of escapes from food shocks and number of intertrial crossings. The comparison between groups made by Instat computer program using analysis of variance (ANOVA for repeated measurements). In active avoidance test control group significantly increased the number of avoidances on learning and on memory retention. The animals with diazepam-amnesia model significantly decreased the number of avoidances on the same days testing in comparison with control group. The rats with Diazepam and Tacrine significantly increased the number of correct responses on second day learning and on memory test, compared to the same day group with diazepam and saline. The animals treated with Diazepam and Galantamine increased the number of avoidances on learning and on memory tests. The group with amnesia model decreased the number of escapes on learning and memory tests compared to saline group. The rats with Diazepam and Tacrine did not change the number of escapes on learning and memory tests compared to the group with amnesia only. The animals with Diazepam and Galantamine significantly increased the number of escapes on all learning and on memory retention. The group with amnesia model decreased the number of intertrial crossings on learning session and memory test. The group with Diazepam and Tacrine did not change the number of intertrial crossings compared to the amnesia model group. The rats with Diazepam and Galantamine increased the number of intertrial crossings on learning, but not kept it on memory retention. Our results allow us to conclude that Diazepam applied chronically impaired learning capacities and memory function of the animals. Galantamine improved learning ability better than Tacrine on rats with diazepam-amnesia model. Both cholinesterase inhibitors have similar improving effect on long term memory.
Stable processes with drift on the line

The stable processes on the line having a drift are investigated. Except for the symmetric Cauchy processes with drift these are all transient and points are nonpolar sets. Explicit information about the potential kernel is obtained and this is used to obtain specific results about hitting times and places for various sets. 1. Statement of results Let be a process with stationary independent increments having log characteristic function -*|0|°(l-iAsgn(0)), where 0 0 . There is an enormous literature on the behavior of drift free stable processes. Surprisingly, little has been written on stable processes with drift. In view of the extensive results known for the potential theory [6] and the path behavior [3, 4] for infinitely divisible processes in general, the interest today in special processes such as stable processes with drift lies in the fact that for such processes rather explicit results may be obtained. The incorporation of a drift term changes the behavior of the process as compared to a drift free process. However the drift acts substantially different for processes with index a 1 . In all cases except for a 1 and s = 0 (i.e. the symmetric Cauchy process) the processes with drift are transient and hit points with positive probability. This fact follows from the general theory [3 and 6]. This is in contrast to the drift free processes. For drift free processes if a < 1 the processes are transient but do not hit points, Received by the editors July 31, 1986 and, in revised form, February 1, 1988. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision). Primary 60J30; Secondary 60J45.
Interactive comment on “ Methyl hydroperoxide ( CH 3 OOH ) in urban , suburban and rural atmosphere : ambient concentration , budget , and contribution to the atmospheric oxidizing capacity ” by X .

Methyl hydroperoxide (MHP), one of the most important organic peroxides in the atmosphere, contributes to the tropospheric oxidizing capacity either directly as an oxidant or indirectly as a free radical precursor. In this study we report measurements of MHP from seven field campaigns at urban, suburban and rural sites in China in winter 2007 and summer 2006/2007/2008. MHP was usually present in the order of several hundreds of pptv level, but the average mixing ratios have shown a wide range depending on the season and measuring site. Primary sources and sinks of MHP are investigated to understand the impact of meteorological and chemical parameters on the atmospheric MHP budget. The MHP/(MHP+H2O2) ratio is also presented here to examine different sensitivities of MHP and H 2O2 to certain atmospheric processes. The diurnal cycle of MHP/(MHP +H2O2), which is out of phase with that of both H 2O2 and MHP, could imply that MHP production is more sensitive to the ambient NO concentration, while H2O2 is more strongly influenced by the wet deposition and the subsequent aqueous chemistry. It is interesting to note that our observation at urban Beijing site in winter 2007 provides evidence for the occasional transport of MHP-containing air masses from the marine boundary layer to the continent. Furthermore, the contribution of MHP as an atmospheric oxidant to the oxidizing capacity of an air parcel is assessed based on the “Counter Species” concept.
Re-visiting the women’s empowerment through microfinance: new evidence from Bangladesh

Previous literature has produced inconclusive evidence on the link between microcredit and women’s empowerment. This study, therefore, has re-visited the issue by conducting a household survey in the 4 districts of Bangladesh to examine whether microcredit is really empowering. In doing so, we have done a thorough review of the previous literature. Our results from the logistic regression indicate that microfinance has actually increased women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. We have found positive impact of most of the selected indicators on women’s empowerment. However, for achieving full benefit of microfinance in empowering women it must be supplemented by a significant amount of skills training and educational opportunities for these poor women and intensive awareness campaigns with an integrated approach.
A web-scale experience to identify the component impacts of intellectual capital on corporate performance from perspective of multimedia data applications

This research employs multiple linear regressions to explore the impacts of intellectual capital on corporate performance of biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms from perspective of multimedia data applications in Taiwan. We divided multimedia data of intellectual capital into four main components: human capital, process capital, innovation capital, and customer capital. The sample includes companies listed in Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) and Taipei exchange market for the period 2007 to 2013. The results show that the association between innovation capital and performance is positive. The human capital and process capital partially improve firms' performance while customer capital did not significantly improve the accounting performance. The results suggest the role of intellectual capital and innovation capital in enhancing the financial performance of companies in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. From the web-scale experience, the finding serves as valuable information for investors while making investment decisions.
A Hydraulic Solution for Implementing Human's Hand Prehen- sion Function

It is possible that a good part of humans becoming the dominant species on the planet resides in the natural design on the hand. That is why researchers give a lot of attention to modeling it, in order to obtain a good hand prosthesis. Despite many attempts, very few solutions are implemented, and even those are far to expensive to reach the general public. Our solution restricts the purpose of a human hand prosthesis only to its prehension function, considering that the vast majority of potential patients have one good hand for delicate actions and one affordable prosthesis with grabbing capabilities, to replace the missing one, will help them to manage through most of the daily activities.
A new method to estimate the risk of financial intermediaries

In this paper we reconsider the formal estimation of the risk of financial intermediaries. Risk is modeled as the variability of the profit function of a representative intermediary, here bank, as formally considered in finance theory. In turn, banking theory suggests that risk is determined simultaneously with profits and other bank- and industry-level characteristics that cannot be considered predetermined when profit maximizing decisions of financial institutions are to be made. Thus, risk is endogenous. We estimate the model on a panel of US banks, spanning the period 1985q1-2010q2. The findings suggest that risk was fairly stable up to 2001 and accelerated quickly thereafter and up to 2007. Indices of bank risk commonly used in the literature do not capture this trend and/or the scale of the increase.