Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERIZATION OF OXIDATION -REDUCTION PROCESSES IN CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR SWINE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Constructed wetlands designed and properly operated for treatment of swine wastewater may enhance oxidation -reduction processes and nutrient treatment performance. The objective of this investigation was to characterize soil wetland processes related to nitrogen (N) treatment (nitrification-denitrification) and phosphorus (P) removal using soil oxidation -reduction potential (ORP) data. We evaluated three surface-flow wetland systems constructed for treatment of swine wastewater in Duplin Co., North Carolina, in 1992. Each system consisted of two 3.6- × 33.5-m cells connected in series. The three systems were planted to bulrushes, cattails, and agronomic crops (soybean in saturated soil culture and flooded rice), respectively. Soil aerobic/anaerobic conditions were determined by monitoring soil ORP at 18 sites using platinum (Pt) electrodes. Three monitoring sites were established in each wetland cell. Each site consisted of five Pt electrodes at three soil depths (0.02, 0.05, and 0.10 m) and a reference electrode. A data logger was used for hourly acquisition of soil ORP and temperature records. Hourly ORP data were averaged on a 24-h basis and corrected to standard hydrogen electrode readings (Eh). Frequency analysis of daily soil Eh showed that bulrush and soybean cells were moderately reduced (+100 < Eh < +300 mV) and anaerobic (Eh < +300 mV) about 70% of the time. However, cattail and rice cells were anaerobic 100% of the time and had reduced (-100 < Eh < +100 mV) to highly reduced (Eh <-100 mV) soil conditions. These results indicate that different wetland plant species promote distinct anaerobic and reducing soil conditions. Outflow concentration of ammonia-N (NH3 -N) and soluble P increased with increasing ORP values for bulrush and soybean-rice wetland cells due to lower temperatures during fall and winter, but not for cattails. Denitrification enzyme activities and ORP indicated that soils in bulrush wetlands promoted better conditions for nitrification-denitrification than cattails or rice soils. However, equivalent NH3 -N removal rates (4.8-5.6 kg ha -1 d -1 ) for cattails and bulrush suggested that treatment occurred mostly in the water column for cattails rather than the wetland soil. Prevalent anaerobic soil conditions and soluble P outflow concentrations determined rather poor P retention capacity for all three wetlands.
Effects of hypercapnia on acid-base balance and osmo-/iono-regulation in prawns (Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide-induced 'ocean acidification' is predicted to have major implications for marine organisms. As the oceans becomes increasingly hypercapnic (elevated CO2) and seawater pH decreases, the ability of organisms to maintain extracellular pH homeostasis (acid- base balance) may be compromised. Acid-base regulation occurs by ionic transport, where hydro- gen and bicarbonate ions (HCO3 - ) are exchanged for sodium and chloride, respectively (H + /Na + ; HCO3 - /Cl - ), as exemplified by decapod crustaceans. Palaemonid prawns, in particular, are efficient hypo-ionic/osmotic regulators in seawater. We demonstrate that hypercapnic exposure (0.3 kPa) results in short-term (5 to 14 d) extracellular acidosis in 2 efficient ionic/osmo-regulators (thus, acid-base regulators), i.e. Palaemon elegans and P. serratus. Complete hypercapnic compensation was observed in both species after 30 d exposure with no effect on osmotic capacity, but at the expense of extracellular acid-base alteration (alkalosis). Furthermore, the predominantly subtidal species P. serratus was observed to be as tolerant as the intertidal species P. elegans, although 2 dif- fering mechanisms of ionic regulation may be at work, with P. elegans and P. serratus displaying lower and elevated haemolymph ion concentrations (i.e. sodium, chloride and calcium), respectively.
Stochastic simulation of gene expression : From individual to interacting cells PhD project in Computational Systems Biology

The purpose of systems biology is to understand the biological phenomena that we observe on a cellular, tissue and organism level, through an understanding of the molecular interactions that occur inside individual cells. In contrast to many other biological fields, systems biology has embraced mathematical modeling and simulation as a major tool to achieve those goals. With algorithms and software for computer simulation of the biochemistry of cells and aggregations of them, it is possible to understand and predict their quantitative behavior and to suggest new hypotheses and new experiments. The models need to span multiple scales, from the detailed interactions between molecules on a sub-cellular level to the communication between individual cells, to the interactions of cells in colonies. Those multiscale models should allow for accurate and efficient simulation from molecules to cell populations based on analysis of the models and their numerical properties yielding quantitative measures of the modeling errors.
In situ carbonation of peridotite for CO2 storage

The rate of natural carbonation of tectonically exposed mantle peridotite during weathering and low-temperature alteration can be enhanced to develop a significant sink for atmospheric CO2. Natural carbonation of peridotite in the Samail ophiolite, an uplifted slice of oceanic crust and upper mantle in the Sultanate of Oman, is surprisingly rapid. Carbonate veins in mantle peridotite in Oman have an average 14C age of ≈26,000 years, and are not 30–95 million years old as previously believed. These data and reconnaissance mapping show that ≈104 to 105 tons per year of atmospheric CO2 are converted to solid carbonate minerals via peridotite weathering in Oman. Peridotite carbonation can be accelerated via drilling, hydraulic fracture, input of purified CO2 at elevated pressure, and, in particular, increased temperature at depth. After an initial heating step, CO2 pumped at 25 or 30 °C can be heated by exothermic carbonation reactions that sustain high temperature and rapid reaction rates at depth with little expenditure of energy. In situ carbonation of peridotite could consume >1 billion tons of CO2 per year in Oman alone, affording a low-cost, safe, and permanent method to capture and store atmospheric CO2.
Monitoring Cartel Behavior and Stability: Evidence from NCAA Football

We investigate self-monitoring and enforcement of the NCAA player recruitment agreement in the context of a cartel model with incomplete information and reaction lags. Empirical results from a panel probit model strongly support the predictions of the model. Lagged winning percentage, the discount rate of the decision maker, the institution’s commitment to nonathletic activities, and the institution’s demand-cost configuration are all important predictors of institutions being placed on probation for violating the cartel rules.
Results of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in supratentorial malignant glioma patients

Sixty patients with the diagnosis of supratentorial malignant glial tumor, treated between November 1993-June 1997, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients had a median age of 47 years and a median Karnofsky Performance Status score of 90. Histology consisted of anaplastic astrocytoma in 21 (35%) and glioblastoma multiforme in 39 (65%) patients. Median survival was 13 months for all patients, 12 months for GBM patients and 43 months for AA patients. Survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 55%, 28% for all patients; 39%, 12% for GBM patients and 80%, 54% for AA patients, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed significant impact of histology, KPS, duration of symptoms and age on survival. KPS was found to be an independent prognostic factor according to multivariate analysis. These results were compared with literature. [Turk J Cancer 2002;32(2):41-47]
Tunable delay compensation circuit in polar loop transmitter for WiMAX applications

In this paper, a time delay circuit is designed for path mismatch compensation in the polar loop transmitter for the WiMAX standard. The delay circuit contains two stages, each realized in the second-order form of the Padé approximant, to account for a tuning range from 1 ns to 10 ns in 1 ns steps. The proposed circuit is fabricated using 0.35-µm SiGe technology in order to be incorporated into a fully integrated transmitter in the future. The measurement result in network analyzer shows the delay dispersion in worst case within 30 MHz signal bandwidth has 7% variation and has gain dispersion 1.4 dB.
Bionic Orientation and Visual Enhancement With a Novel Polarization Camera

The remarkable polarization vision of animals provides a significant inspiration for robotic navigation and visual enhancement, as polarization pattern provides additional information besides spectral signatures. A novel bio-inspired polarization camera is proposed in this paper, which can realize real-time image-based polarization measurement. The composition of the system is described and the optimal estimation of the polarization state is derived based on the least square algorithm. This paper concentrates particularly on the camera orientation algorithms and visual enhancement methods with it. To estimate the camera’s heading angle with the skylight polarization pattern, the sun vector is established as an optimization problem of finding the minimum eigenvector. The solar meridian is also estimated from the degree of polarization pattern by detecting reflectional symmetry axes. The result shows that the measured polarization patterns are very close to the theory. The maximum orientation error of the proposed method based on angle of polarization is about 0.5°. The average error is 0.012° with standard deviation of 0.28°. Thus, the novel polarization camera could be used as sun compass. When observing scenes in distance, the polarization camera is used to decouple the airlight from the object radiance, which results in much better contrast. More importantly, the polarization information is helpful for scene identification and object detection. The result also shows that the polarization camera can reasonably cope with the semi-reflection problem.
Effects of Overseeding Cool‐Season Annuals on Hay Yield and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake by Tifton 44 Bermudagrass Fertilized with Swine Effluent

Use of Tifton 44 bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ] in manure nutrient management is limited to summer haying. This study was done to determine how hay yield and nutrient uptake in a manurefertilized Tifton 44 field were affected by fall overseeding and spring haying with berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Overseeding treatments were compared with a nonoverseeded control on Mantachie loam (fine, siliceous, acid, thermic Aeric Fluvaquents) receiving 168 kg P ha - 1 in swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) effluent. Spring hay was cut April-June and summer hay July-October 2000-2002. Dry matter (DM) (4.4-5.5 Mg ha - 1 yr - 1 ) and P uptake (12.2-17.1 kg ha - 1 yr - 1 ) of spring berseem clover hay were higher than the control in 2 of 3 yr and higher than other treatments in 2002. Total DM and P uptake with berseem clover overseeding were 10% higher than the control. Final Mehlich-3 P soil levels (0-5 cm) tended to be lower in the berseem clover treatment than the control (65 vs. 81 mg kg - 1 , respectively). Spring berseem clover hay was higher in N (94-122 kg ha - 1 yr - 1 ) than the control each year and higher than other treatments in 2 of 3 yr. Summer Tifton 44 hay in the berseem dover treatment had more DM in 2002 and higher N uptake in 2001 and 2002 than other treatments. No treatment reduced Tifton 44 yield or nutrient uptake. Overseeding increased hay yield and nutrient uptake, and berseem clover was as good as or better than other treatments.
Variable structure control for Markovian jump T-S fuzzy descriptor systems

This paper is concerned with the variable structure control problems for Markovian jump T-S fuzzy descriptor systems with mode-dependent derivative-term coefficient. A new integral sliding mode control strategy is firstly proposed for Markovian jump T-S fuzzy descriptor systems with mode-dependent derivative-term coefficient. It is shown that although the state variables of the Markovian jump T-S fuzzy descriptor systems are discontinuous at the switching instant, the switching function is continuous all the time. Then a variable structure control method without sliding motion is provided which is regarded as an alternative way to complement the existing sliding mode control method. Finally, an example is given to verify the proposed methods in this paper.
Fluctuating asymmetries and reproductive success in the peacock blenny

In an investigation of the relationship between reproductive success and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in the peacock blenny Salaria pavo, FA was measured in four bilaterally paired characters in successful and unsuccessful males during the breeding season. Reproductive success among successful males was assessed by calculating the number of eggs the males were defending. Absolute FA values relative to trait size were high for all characters and it is suggested that this could be a consequence of sub-optimal environmental conditions. Two of the traits presented higher absolute FA values suggesting a lower canalization during ontogeny. No difference in FA between successful and unsuccessful males was found and no relationship between FA and number of eggs among the successful males occurred for any of the measured traits. A composite index of FA, that should better reflect overall developmental competence, was also unrelated to reproductive success. These results indicate that FA is not associated with reproductive success among males of S. pavo. Successful males were larger than unsuccessful males and a strong positive correlation was detected between the body length of the parental males and the number of eggs they had in the nest, even when controlling for the internal nest area. Body size may give males a reproductive advantage by being preferred by females and by having an advantage in male-male competition for nests of higher quality.
Functional Polymorphisms in the Regulatory Regions of the VNN1 Gene Are Associated with Susceptibility to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background:Vanin-1 is an epithelial pantetheinase, which regulates intestinal inflammation in mouse. We investigated whether human VNN1 levels could be associated to the susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and explored the participation of PPARg to these processes. Methods:We studied VNN1 expression in colon biopsies from IBD patients. We investigated polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of the VNN1 gene and examined their genetic association with the disease. Functional relevance of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was assayed, and we tested PPARg in nuclear complexes associated with specific VNN1 polymorphic sequences. In mouse, we examined Vanin-1 expression in gut and feces during dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and assayed the effect of PPARg on Vanin-1 regulation. Results:VNN1 is expressed by enterocytes and is upregulated in IBD. Three SNPs are statistically associated to IBD. The regions containing these SNPs specifically bind nuclear complexes and are correlated with the VNN1 transcript abundance in colon in an allele-dependent manner. One rare SNP is associated to severe ulcerative colitis with strong VNN1 and dropped PPARg levels. PPARg is involved in nuclear complexes that bound to VNN1 regulatory sites. Similarly, Vanin-1 is tightly regulated in the mouse gut in normal and colitis conditions and PPARg regulates its expression. Conclusions:VNN1 is a marker for IBD. Polymorphic positions in the VNN1 locus are direct targets for nuclear factors that might regulate the level of VNN1 in colon, and this could be linked to IBD susceptibility. It is hoped that modulating locally VNN1 expression or activity can be exploited to develop future therapeutic strategies against IBD.
Thickness Measurement of Metal Plates Using Swept-Frequency Eddy Current Testing and Impedance Normalization

Electromagnetic nondestructive testing signals generally change with the electromagnetic properties of the test objects. In the determination of metal thickness by electromagnetic nondestructive testing methods, the material’s electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability are required but practically unavailable or inexact. This paper investigated the use of swept-frequency eddy current testing (SFECT) and impedance normalization to measure a metal plate’s thickness, without the prior knowledge of its exact conductivity and permeability. Analytical and experimental studies were conducted separately on nonmagnetic and ferromagnetic metal plates. For nonmagnetic metal plates, it was found that the plate thickness can be determined by using the extreme values (maximum or minimum) of the normalized SFECT impedances’ phases. For ferromagnetic metal plates, phase and resistance of very low frequency normalized impedance were found to be “permeability-independent,” and a conductivity-insensitive function was constructed. The thickness of a ferromagnetic plate was evaluated by using this function. This paper concludes that it is possible to measure a metal plate’s thickness by SFECT and impedance normalization even without the prior knowledge of the conductivity and permeability of the test object.
What is a Neo-Weberian State? Reflections on a Concept and its Implications

According to Pollitt and Bouckaert, there are continuing broad differences between different groups of countries (2004, 102). These groups are the maintainers, the modernizers, and the marketizers. But, as I understand them, there are really only two groups of great interest in the context of reform: the core, Anglo-American NPM marketizers and the continental European modernizers. The reform model of this latter group is what Pollitt and Bouckaert classify as the Neo-Weberian State.
Impact of Maternal Helicobacter pylori Infection on Trace Elements (Copper, Iron and Zinc) and Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: H. pylori infection has been suggested to interfere with micronutrient metabolism and influence pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: This study therefore seeks to document the prevalence of H. pylori seroposivity among pregnant women and to determine its impact on some trace element status and pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: Three hundred and forty nine consenting pregnant women aged 15-40 years (mean; 27. 04 ± 4. 75 years) and gestational age ≤ 25 weeks (mean 21.77 ± 3.14 wks) attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, between July 2007 and September 2008 participated in the study. H. Pylori antibody (IgG) was determined by a new generation ELISA method. Plasma copper, iron and zinc were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Bulk Scientific AVG 210 Model) while haemoglobin and albumin were analysed using standard haematological and biochemical techniques. Both maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters were recorded at recruitment. The women were followed-up till delivery after which neonatal anthropometrics and other birth outcomes were recorded. Results: H. pylori seroprevalence of 24.1% (84/349) was recorded with higher prevalence in multiparous and older women. H. pylori infected women had significantly higher BMI (29.00 ± 3.89 vs. 26.86 ± 4.10, p = 0.020) and lower (p > 0.05) plasma levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, albumin, and haemoglobin when compared to non-infected women. Also H. pylori infected women had significantly (p < 0.05) higher rates of convulsion and concomitant illnesses than their non-infected counterparts, although there was no difference in the two groups for other pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: H. pylori infection during pregnancy seems to interfere with trace element metabolism and contribute significantly to increased maternal morbidity. Prior to confirmation of these findings in a well controlled randomised trial, it is suggested that pregnant women be screened for H. pylori infection to reduce H. pylori associated morbidities during pregnancy.
Laser Ultrasound Measurement of Diaphragm Thickness, Young's Modulus and Poisson's Ratio in an MEMS Device

Laser-generated Lamb waves, coupled with a large bandwidth Michelson interferometer, have been demonstrated to accurately measure the thickness of a microelectromechanical systems pressure sensor diaphragm in the [110] direction of a silicon wafer. Using the reassigned Gabor time–frequency method to produce group velocity dispersion curves, the technique facilitates the measurement of thickness, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio from just one noncontact measurement. In this paper, thickness was determined to be 35.01 μm ± 0.18 μm. For comparison, the thickness was measured using an independent optical technique, obtaining a value of 34.60 μm ± 0.27 μm. Values for Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were also determined to be 163 GPa ± 11.7 GPa and 0.351, respectively, and these are in good agreement with values found in the literature.
Metoda za dekontaminaciju priona

Autoklaviranje je metoda naj~e{}e primjenjivana za dekontaminaciju priona, sama ili u kombinaciji s NaOH ili drugim kemijskim reagencijama. Na{a metoda autoklaviranja u 0,1N NaOH pri temperaturi od 134 °C, kroz 18 minuta je ne{kodljiva za instrumente i okolinu, pouzdanija od prijedloga Svjetske Zdravstvene Organizacije (bez NaOH ) koja se danas primjenjuje u ve}ini evropskih zemalja (Velika Britanija 1986., [vicarska 2003.). Na{a metoda je jednostavno izvediva a tro{kovi dekontaminacije su mali. Uspjeh je ovisan o postupku s instrumentima neposredno nakon uporabe, da bi se sprije~ilo sušenje; osu{ene instrumente vi{e nije mogu}e dekontaminirati. Tako se danas radi u ve}ini bolnica na svijetu, a mogu}e je to izbje}i uranjanjem instrumenata neposredno nakon uporabe u autoklavabilne posude iz polipropilena (pp) u kojima je 0,1N NaOH (ili druge kemikalije). Na kraju rada, instrumenti se ru~no, prenesu u autoklav zajedno s teku}inom u koju su uronjeni. Proces autoklaviranja traje 2,5–3 sata. Na kraju se i pp posude, slo`ene jedna u drugu, autoklaviraju na jednaki na~in i osu{e za slijede}i radni dan.
Voltage-fed trans Z source inverter in PV solar panel

This paper extends the impedance-source (Z-source) inverters concept to the transformer based Z-source (transSource) inverters in PV solar panels. In PV system MPPT controller is implemented best output of the solar panels. The voltage fed Trans z source is going to be used to convert solar output voltage DC to AC voltage. In this paper sinusoidal pulse width modulation is used to control the switches. Trans z source inverter introduced in this section, it is the arrangement of the two capacitors & one transformer. While maintaining the main features of the previously presented Z-source network, the new networks exhibit some unique advantages, such as the increased voltage gain and reduced voltage stress in the voltage-fed trans-ZSI. the simulation results for the voltage fed PV system are presented for analysis.