Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of N and P Immobilizing Agents on Ammonia Emissions and Nutrient Contents of Broiler Litter

Development of cost-effective treatments for broiler litter has become critical as broiler production continues to grow and the land available for manure spreading becomes more limited. Ammonia volatilization and nutrient losses are major forms of environmental pollution associated with land application of animal manures as fertilizers. A bench top study was conducted in the laboratory to determine the effect of nutrient immobilizing agents on ammonia emissions from broiler litter. The immobilizing agents include biochar, zeolite and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum were mixed with broiler litter at 10 and 20% by weight (w/w). Ammonia volatilization was measured over 7 days. Manure samples from the start and end of trials were analyzed for total N and were extracted with 1.0 M KCl and water with the extracts analyzed for ammonium, nitrate and water-soluble nutrients. Water-soluble N, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in broiler litter were lower with FGD gypsum than with zeolite and biochar. Averaged across chemical additive rates, ammonia emissions from broiler litter were reduced by 68, 40 and 21% with the additions of zeolite, biochar and FGD gypsum, respectively. Ammonia emissions were not different between broiler litter treatment rates for FGD gypsum or biochar, however, the effect of zeolite on reducing ammonia emissions was much greater at 20% than 10%. Although addition of all agents to broiler litter reduced ammonia emissions, the abundant availability and lower cost of FGD gypsum and its potential for reducing P and heavy metal losses make FGD gypsum a better amendment for broiler litter than zeolite or biochar.
Striking Oil: Another Puzzle?

textabstractWe find that changes in oil prices strongly predict future stock market returns in many countries in the world. In our thirty year sample of monthly data for developed stock markets, we find statistically significant predictability in 12 out of the 18 countries and in a world market index. For our shorter time series of emerging markets we obtain similar results. We show that these results are economically significant and robust with respect to the sample period, different kind of oil prices we consider and well known effects like the January effect and the Halloween effect.
Preparation and Evaluation of Glibenclamide-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoparticles

Purpose: To formulate and evaluate glibenclamide (GB)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for controlled release. Methods: GB-loaded PLGA NPs were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using methanol/dichloromethane (2:1) and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of stirring speed (250, 1000, 1500 and 2500 rpm) and drug: polymer ratio (1:1, 1: 2, 1:3 and 2:1) on particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and drug release was also studied. Results: Stable NPs were successfully prepared without any incompatibility, as indicated by TEM and DSC studies, respectively. As polymer and drug concentrations, and stirring speed increased, particle size, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency also increased. Increase in polymer concentration sustained drug release but reverse was obtained as drug concentration increased. Conclusion: Controlled release biodegradable glibenclamide NPs can be efficiently prepared by emulsification solvent evaporation method suitably modulating processing variables.
An Experimental Histopathological Rating Scale of Sedimentation Stress in the Caribbean Coral Montastraea cavernosa

Colonies of Montastraea cavernosa were exposed to daily applications of approx. 200–225 mg cm 2 sediments, during a four-week period, in order to investigate coral responses to increased sedimentation. Effects were assessed based on the histopathological condition of specimen tissues. Mild stress responses were noted as early as week one, including tissue swelling and polyp retraction, as well as changes in size and appearance of mucous secretory cells. As stress progressed, further inflammation of the mucous secretory cells was observed. Severe effects were observed in weeks 3 and 4, including atrophy of the outer epidermis, increased granularity and debris in gastrodermal cells of the middle and lower polyp region, as well as swelling and granularity of the calicoblastic epithelium. A semiquantitative rating scale was developed to score tissue condition based on the histopathological changes observed in control and treated corals. Although some signs of stress were also present in some control colonies, statistical analyses indicated significant differences in histopathological condition between control and treated corals. Our results confirm previous research that sublethal effects of sedimentation on corals are complex, involving both localized and systemic cell injury. Our results offer insight with regards to the diagnosis of healthy vs. unhealthy condition in reef corals, and provide a framework to survey for cellular reactions to environmental stress in coral reefs.
Outage Probability Analysis of the VAF Relaying M 2 M Networks

Based on variable-gain amplify-and-forward (VAF) relaying scheme, the lower bound on outage probability (OP) of the mobile-relay-based mobile-to-mobile (M2M) networks over N-Nakagami fading channels is investigated in this paper. By the method of the harmonic mean of positive random variables, the exact closed form expression of the lower bound on OP is derived. Then the OP performance under different conditions is evaluated through numerical simulations. The numerical simulation results coincide with the theoretical results well, and the accuracy of the analytical results is verified. The simulation results showed that: the fading coefficient, the number of cascaded components, the relative geometrical gain, and the power-allocation parameter have an important influence on the OP performance.
PRESERVATION OF FOSSIL BONE FROM THE PIPE CREEK SINKHOLE (LATE NEOGENE, GRANT COUNTY, INDIANA, U.S.A.)

The fossil assemblage from the Pipe Creek Sinkhole (PCS; Grant County, Indiana, USA) preserves abundant bones from a diversity of late Neogene, large and small, terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates. We used several techniques to investigate diagenesis of PCS bones: scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and measurements of bone weight loss after ignition. Most PCS bone shows little surficial weathering. Internally PCS bone is also generally well-preserved, but at least one bone shows a small amount of cortical microbial attack. The chemistry of PCS bone is not unusual for fossil bone; the bone apatite is francolite. PCS bone shows small amounts of manganese and iron, both of which occur in greater abundance in sideritic fillings of bone pores, although most large openings in PCS bone remain unfilled by crystalline material. Microscopic, sideritic "hemispberoids" (often paired), probably of bacterial origin, abundantly occur on the trabecular surfaces of some PCS bone. Siderite is also abundant in numerous nodules in the otherwise unconsolidated PCS fossiliferous deposit. PCS bone apatite shows greater crystallinity than modern bone, with Full Width Half Maximum Values ofthe d? ₂ apatite peak comparable to those seen in bone from other paleontological sites.
Effects of debinding and sintering atmosphere on properties and corrosion resistance of powder injection molded 316 L - Stainless steel

316L stainless steel is a common biomedical material. Currently, biomedical parts are produced through powder injection molding (PIM). Carbon control is the most critical in PIM. Improper debinding can significantly change the properties of the final product. In this work, thermal debinding and sintering were performed in two different furnaces (i.e. laboratory and commercially available furnaces) to study the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Debounded samples were sintered in different atmospheres. The samples sintered in inert gas showed enhanced mechanical properties compared with wrought 316L stainless steel and higher corrosion rate than those sintered in the vacuum furnace. The densification and tensile strength of the hydrogen sintered samples increased up to 3% and 51%, respectively, compared with those of the vacuum-sintered samples. However, the samples sintered in inert gas also exhibited reduced ductility and corrosion resistance. This finding is attributed to the presence of residual carbon in debonded samples during debinding.
Effect of viral RNA mimics and ISA virus infection on expression of key genes ofthe Atlantic salmon interferon system

The papers of the thesis are not available in Munin: 1. Kileng, O. , Brundtland, M. I. and Robertsen, B. : «Infectious salmon anemia virus is a powerful inducer of key genes of the type I interferon system of Atlantic salmon, but is not inhibited by interferon», Fish & Shellfish immunology 23(2007); 378-389 (Elsevier - publisher's restriction). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.fsi. 2006.11. 011 2. Kileng, O. , Albuquerque, A. and Robertsen, B. : «Induction of interferon system genes in Atlantic salmon by the imidazoquinoline S-27609, a ligand for Toll-like receptor 7», Fish & Shellfish immunology 24(2007); 514-522 (Elsevier - publisher's restriction). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.fsi. 2007.10. 005 3. Garcia-Rosado, E. , Markussen, T. , Kileng, O. , Baekkevold, E. S. , Robertsen, B. , Mjaaland, S. and Rimstad, E. : «Molecular and functional characterization of two infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) proteins with type I interferon antagonizing activity», Virus Research 133(2008); 228-238 (Elsevier - publisher's restriction). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.virusres. 2008.01. 008 4. Kileng, O. , Workenhe, S. T. , Bergan, V. and Robertsen, B. : «An Atlantic salmon IRF-7 gene identified by analysis of sequence and function and its expression compared with a STAT1 gene». Manuscript, later published in Developmental and Comparative Immunology 33(2009); 18-27 (Elsevier), published version available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.dci. 2008.07. 020
Polarized light pollution: a new kind of ecological photopollution

The alteration of natural cycles of light and dark by artificial light sources has deleterious impacts on animals and ecosystems. Many animals can also exploit a unique characteristic of light – its direction of polarization –as a source of information. We introduce the term “polarized light pollution” (PLP) to focus attention on the ecological consequences of light that has been polarized through interaction with human-made objects. Unnatural polarized light sources can trigger maladaptive behaviors in polarization-sensitive taxa and alter ecological interactions. PLP is an increasingly common byproduct of human technology, and mitigating its effects through selective use of building materials is a realistic solution. Our understanding of how most species use polarization vision is limited, but the capacity of PLP to drastically increase mortality and reproductive failure in animal populations suggests that PLP should become a focus for conservation biologists and resource managers alike.
Are Digital Imaging Devices Better than General Ophthalmologists at Diagnosing Glaucoma

Evaluation of the optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) is fundamental for glaucoma diagnosis. Limitations in clinical assessment of this structure may be related to normal anatomical variability and level of experience. Computerised imaging technologies such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography have been proposed as alternative methods to help the clinician in glaucoma diagnosis. Recent case–control studies suggest that these instruments do not provide better ability to discriminate normal from glaucomatous eyes compared with glaucoma experts, but that the reverse may be true for examiners with lower levels of experience in this disease. Increasing evidence suggests that the combination of information provided by subjective and objective analysis of ONH and RNFL could be useful to improve diagnostic certainty.
Integrating ensemble species distribution modelling and statistical phylogeography to inform projections of climate change impacts on species distributions

Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to forecast climate change impacts. These models, however, are subject to important assumptions and limitations. By integrating two independent but complementary methods, ensemble SDMs and statistical phylogeography, we addressed key assumptions and created robust assessments of climate change impacts on species distributions while improving the conservation value of these projections.
Extension of the asymptotic relative efficiency method to select the primary endpoint in a randomized clinical trial

We extend the ARE method proposed in Gomez and Lagakos (2013) devised to decide which primary endpoint to choose when comparing two treatments in a randomized clinical trial. The ARE method is based on the Asymptotic Relative Efficiency (ARE) between two logrank tests to compare two treatments: one is based on a relevant endpoint E1 while the other is based on a composite endpoint E* = E1 ? E2, where E2 is an additional endpoint. The ARE depends, besides some intuitive parameters, on the joint law of the times T1 and T2 from randomization to E1 and E2, respectively. Gomez and Lagakos (2013) characterize this joint law by means of Frank’s copula. In our work, several families of copulas can be chosen for the bivariate survival function of (T1, T2) so that different dependence struc- tures between T1 and T2 are feasible. We motivate the problem and show how to apply the method through a real cardiovascular clinical trial. We explore the influence of the copula chosen into the ARE value by means of a simulation study. We conclude that the recommendation on whether or not to use the composite endpoint as the primary endpoint for the investigation is, almost always, independent of the copula chosen.
Effects of Liming on Soils and Streamwaters in a Deciduous Forest: Comparison of Field Results and Simulations

Soil and chemical responses to liming in a deciduous forest watershed at Coweeta, NC, are compared with simulation results using the Nutrient Cycling Model (NuCM). Field comparisons of limed and unlimed soils after 23 yr indicated substantial net retention of applied Ca{sup 2+} and Mg{sup 2+} in upper soil horizons, even in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) sites where NO{sub 3}{sup -} leaching was elevated. We hypothesized that NuCM simulations would also show that (i) retention of most applied Ca{sup 2+} and Mg{sup 2+} in the upper horizons and (ii) increased Ca{sup 2+} and Mg{sup 2+} retention with increased cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable H{sup +} (simulating pH-dependent CEC). Both hypotheses were supported by simulation results for Ca{sup 2+}, but not for Mg{sup 2+}. Most applied Mg{sup 2+} in the simulations was retained in the BC horizon, where the largest pool of exchangeable Mg{sup 2+} was initially located. Increasing CEC and exchangeable H{sup +} did result in increased retention of applied Ca{sup 2+} and Mg{sup 2+} in surface horizons. However, increasing CEC caused lower Mg{sup 2+} retention in the BC horizon, which offset the surface horizon increases and resulted in lower total retention of applied Mg{sup 2+}. Simulated BCmore » horizon soil solution concentrations mimicked the general patterns in streamwater NO{sub 3}{sup -}, Mg{sup 2+}, Na{sup +}, Cl{sup -}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, and K{sup +} between 1971 (12 yr after liming) and 1979. NuCM simulations did not, nor was it possible to simulate the observed effects of an insect outbreak on streamwater NO{sub 3}{sup -}. 28 refs., 13 figs., 3 tabs. « less
A-priory Error of the Initial Conditions While Solving the Problem of the Space Vehicle Navigation Using Pulsar Signals

Received 21.01. 2016, received in revised form 27.03. 2016, accepted 10.05. 2016 The problem of a space vehicles (SV) navigation while processing the moments of signals from several space sources of Roentgen illumination incoming taking into consideration random error of measurements is discussed in the paper. The device of processing realizes Kalman filter quasi-optimal sigma-point algorithm and forms at the output estimates of SV current coordinates and velocity. It is done estimates error analysis when a-priory input and measured date about the SV position and velocity differ. There is also analyzed intensity of measurement of incoming moments errors due to the observation properties compared with the initial values. Method of statistical tests allowed to estimate the influence of a-priory inaccuracy on the root-mean-square error of the SV coordinate and velocity estimation.
Yam bean ( Pachyrhizus erosus ) tuber processing in Benin: production and evaluation of the quality of yam bean- gari and yam bean-fortified gari

Yam bean ( Pachyrhyzus erosus ) tubers were processed singly and mixed with cassava into different types of gari (100% yam bean gari , 75% yam bean gari , 50% yam bean gari and 25% yam bean gari ) following the traditional gari processing method. Conventional gari from cassava was processed following the same approach and used as control. Physical characteristics, proximate composition and sensory quality of the garis obtained were assessed. Results showed that low and medium (25% and 50%) yam bean fortified gari processing yielded better than 75% and 100% yam bean gari processing. Low and medium yam bean gari were the closest to conventional gari regarding the brown index (18.0 and 18.3 respectively), had good swelling capacity (≥ 3) and had higher relative bulk density (0.57 and 0.53 respectively). The proteins content of the processed yam bean garis increased with increasing incorporation rate of yam bean but, similarly, the crude fibres content increased going beyond the recommended level of 2% maximum. The processed garis were used to cook eba which were submitted to panellists’ appreciation. Panellists scored better low and medium yam bean fortified garis and the resulting eba . Combining the results, the highest suggested incorporation rate was 50% yam bean tubers. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords : Legume tuber-root crop, quality, physical characteristics, chemical composition, sensory evaluation.
Activity classification and dead reckoning for pedestrian navigation with wearable sensors

This paper addresses an approach which integrates activity classification and dead reckoning techniques in step-based pedestrian navigation. In the proposed method, the pedestrian is equipped with a prototype wearable sensor module to record accelerations and determine the headings while walking. To improve the step detection accuracy, different types of activities are classified according to extracted features by means of a probabilistic neural network (PNN). The vertical acceleration data, which indicate the periodic vibration during gait cycle are filtered through a wavelet transform before being used to count the steps and assess the step length from which the distance traveled is estimated. By coupling the distance with the azimuth, navigation through pedestrian dead reckoning is implemented. This research provides a possible seamless pedestrian navigation solution which can be applied to a wide range of areas where the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal remains vulnerable. Results of two experiments in this paper reveal that the proposed approach is effective in reducing navigation errors and improving accuracy.
Enabling effective problem-oriented research for sustainable development

Environmental problems caused by human activities are increasing; biodiversity is disappearing at an unprecedented rate, soils are being irreversibly damaged, freshwater is increasingly in short supply, and the climate is changing. To reverse or even to reduce these trends will require a radical transformation in the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Just how this can be achieved within, at most, a few decades is unknown, but it is clear that academia must play a crucial role. Many believe, however, that academic institutions need to become more effective in helping societies move toward sustainability. We first synthesize current thinking about this crisis of research effectiveness. We argue that those involved in producing knowledge to solve societal problems face three particular challenges: the complexity of real-world sustainability problems, maintaining impartiality when expert knowledge is used in decision making, and ensuring the salience of the scientific knowledge for decision makers. We discuss three strategies to meet these challenges: conducting research in interdisciplinary teams, forming research partnerships with actors and experts from outside academia, and framing research questions with the aim of solving specific problems (problem orientation). However, we argue that implementing these strategies within academia will require both cultural and institutional change. We then use concepts from transition management to suggest how academic institutions can make the necessary changes. At the level of system optimization, we call for: quality criteria, career incentives, and funding schemes that reward not only disciplinary excellence but also achievements in inter-/transdisciplinary work; professional services and training through specialized centers that facilitate problem-oriented research and reciprocal knowledge exchange with society; and the integration of sustainability and inter-/transdisciplinary research practices into all teaching curricula. At the level of system innovation, we propose radical changes in institutional structures, research and career incentives, teaching programs, and research partnerships. We see much value in a view of change that emphasizes the complementarity of system innovation and system optimization. The goal must be a process of change that preserves the traditional strengths of academic research, with its emphasis on disciplinary excellence and scientific rigor, while ensuring that institutional environments and the skills, worldviews, and experiences of the involved actors adapt to the rapidly changing needs of society.