Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactive comment on “Large uncertainty in ecosystem carbon dynamics resulting from ambiguous numerical coupling of carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry: A demonstration with the ACME land model” by Jinyun Tang and William J. Riley

Given the current focus on explaining the large spread in carbon cycle predictions in CMIP5 simulations, studies such as this manuscript help clarify potential drivers of differences. Furthermore, it is important to highlight how subtle differences in process or implementation can potentially lead to large differences in terrestrial carbon stocks. This manuscript focuses on a seemingly subtle difference in how nutrient limitation is executed in a global biogeochemical model. While the authors highlight the issue
Analysis of paternal plastid inheritance in Arabidopsis thaliana and its impact on biosafety of gene-modified plants

Genetically modified plants for the use of transgene containment are a central concern. Nuclear gene flow is one of the most discussed topics in our days; therefore, plastid genetic engineering is a promising tool to reduce the risk of transgene flow, because in most angiosperm species plastids are inherited maternally. In addition, plastid transformation has the advantage that the site of gene insertion can be controlled, high rates of transgene expression and protein accumulation can be achieved and epigenetic effects are absent. In Arabidopsis pollen, plastids are inherited also maternally and not created de novo, but arise from pre-existing plastids by fission. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of plastid transfer from atrazin-resistant ElyF3BC4 Arabidopsis thaliana plants bearing a point mutation in the plastid psbA gene to male sterile N75 plants by spontaneous crossing under field conditions. Also the plastid transfer from atrazin-resistant, EMS-mutagenized M2ElyF3BC4 plants to wild-type A. thaliana plants by manual crossings under green house conditions was estimated. It was found that plastid-encoded atrazin resistance could not be transmitted via pollen, neither by manual pollination among 65,000 hybrid seeds nor by spontaneous pollination among 2,444,465 hybrid seeds in A. thaliana. Although various random nuclear mutations were screened for their potential to allow the transfer of paternal plastids into the egg-cells of the recipient plant, a corresponding mutant line could not be isolated. Explanation for this could be duplication or redundancy of nuclear genes mediating maternal inheritance and suppressing paternal leakage in Arabidopsis in such a way that the defect in one gene is compensated for by the function of its homologue. Therefore, a double mutant of two genes, atg4a and atg4b, which are involved in autophagy, were studied to test this hypothesis. However, the frequency of paternal plastid transfer was not increased. Taken together, in this study paternal leakage of Arabidopsis plastids could not be induced by mutations. To be able to follow plastid fate in developing pollen tubes, the colorless plastids in Arabidopsis pollen were visualized by the expression of a GFP fusion protein under the control of a pollen specific promoter. However, the affiliation of the GFP labeled plastids to either the vegetative or the generative cells was not clear. Placing particular emphasis on plastid behavior during specification of sperm cells in pollen of Arabidopsis might shed some light on this very strict process of maternal inheritance in the future work.
Knowledge mobility and appropriability in the context of value co-creation

Knowledge is one of the key resources in business development. Critical resources may extend beyond the enterprise's traditional boundaries, with the focal enterprise drawing upon the resources of other firms and institutions. Networks can be classified into two broad categories: market-based networks and localized learning networks. Interfirm learning in networks offers the potential to build competitive advantage. The key issues in the process of learning are: knowledge acquisition, knowledge appropriation and knowledge creation. New forms of governance have had an impact upon creative industries. Value co-creation has been greatly enhanced by the rise of the Internet and its associated interactive media forms. Using the business model approach, one can identify three different models that record labels started to implement since that time: extend­ing value networks, bundling value propositions, and validating new resources and competencies. The purpose of the article is twofold: to identify the key problems related to knowledge mobility and transfer within business networks and to highlight the new developments in the so called value co-creation processes. The methodology applied is literature overview and case study analysis.
Nash equilibria applied to Spot-financial equilibria in General equilibrium incomplete market models

We consider a two period pure exchange economy with a finite number of states of nature at the second date. The economy consists of a real asset structure and a finite set of durable goods in the initial period that depreciate; we suppose that there is only one single good available in each state of nature at the second date. In this paper, we demonstrate that the spot-financial equilibrium can be obtained as a Nash equilibrium of a market game in which the strategies of the players consist in suggesting prices and quantities for both goods and assets.
The effect of severe ground frost on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees in northern Finland and implications for palaeoclimate reconstruction

A severe frost event in the winter of 1986/1987 that resulted in widespread defoliation in northern Finland was used to test the influence of such growth disturbances on tree ring parameters commonly used for palaeoclimate reconstruction. In mature pine trees there was no effect on ring widths, latewood densities or on stable carbon isotope ratios. In young trees, however, the effect was immediate and prolonged, with a measurable increase in water stress for two years and a suppression of ring widths lasting for 6 to 7 years. There was no effect on latewood density. Where pine tree ring chronologies are used to reconstruct summer temperatures, the common practice of ignoring the juvenile years should ensure that severe frost events do not bias the reconstructions. However, extreme events may be important for understanding changes in forest dynamics, and changes in the magnitude, and frequency of such events may be important signals of human impact. The sensitivity of young pines makes them a potential archive for reconstructing past changes in growth disturbance events such as severe ground frosts.
Merging Wildlife and Environmental Monitoring Approaches with Forensic Principles: Application of Unconventional and Non-Invasive Sampling in Eco-Pharmacovigilance

Pharmaceutical residues in the environment have the potential to harm wildlife. A population’s fragility or an animal’s secretive nature may preclude capture and the use of invasive/destructive sampling techniques that are typically used in a risk assessment. Conventionally favoured matrices gathered opportunistically from carcasses have a finite lifespan, thereby limiting the detection window. This multidisciplinary paper aims to promote the use of non-invasive approaches and optimize use of even the most degraded carcasses. We highlight a selection of promising alternative, unconventional and underutilized sample types that could be applied in environmental monitoring efforts and wildlife forensic investigations. With a focus on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), now under increasing scrutiny in the freshwater and terrestrial environment, we first illustrate current sampling practices and gaps in knowledge by summarizing exposure of: 1) aquatic organisms to urban effluent discharged into waterways, and, 2) scavenging species to veterinary residues in livestock and other carrion. We then consider the merits and limitations of a range of alternative environmentally robust sample options that offer a broader detection interval for NSAIDs, with emphasis on hair, wool and feathers. The viability of eyes/ocular material, bone matter, fecal matter, injection sites, ingesta/pellets and scavenging/coprophagous insects are also discussed.
Accelerating Vector Calculations on GPU

Multicore computational accelerators such as Graphics Processor Units (GPUs) became common for gaining high-performance computing on a larger scale. Programming GPUs requires detailed knowledge of the underlying architecture in order to get maximum performance. In this paper we present solution of vector distance calculation on NVIDIA’s parallel computing architecture CUDA (Common Unified Device Architecture), where we optimize the performance of a parallel algorithm and get significant speedup.
SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF THE ISLAND SPOTTED SKUNK ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Abstract Two rare endemic carnivores occur on California's northern Channel Islands: island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) and island foxes (Urocyon littoralis). As insular carnivores, both may be particularly vulnerable to novel pathogens. We tested sera from 31 island spotted skunks on Santa Cruz Island, where both skunks and foxes occur sympatrically, to establish their exposure to disease agents. One skunk (3%) tested positive for canine heartworm, and 3 skunks (10%) tested positive for canine parvovirus. None showed evidence of exposure to canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpesvirus, Leptospira bacteria (serovars pomona, canicola, and icterohaemorrhagiae), or pseudorabies virus. Spotted skunks on Santa Cruz Island apparently have low susceptibility or exposure to these pathogens and are unlikely to be reservoirs of these diseases for island foxes.
A Perceptive Approach to Digital Image Watermarking Using a Brightness Model and the Hermite Transform

This work presents a watermarking technique in digital images using a brightness model and the Hermite Transform (HT). The HT is an image representation model that incorporates important properties of the Human Vision System (HVS), such as the analysis of local orientation, and the model of Gaussian derivatives of early vision. The proposed watermarking scheme is based on a perceptive model that takes advantage of the masking characteristics of the HVS, thus allowing the generation of a watermark that cannot be detected by a human observer. The mask is constructed using a brightness model that exploits the limited sensibility of the human visual system for noise detection in areas of high or low brightness. Experimental results show the imperceptibility of the watermark and the fact that the proposed algorithm is robust to most common processing attacks. For the case of geometric distortions, an image normalization stage is carried out prior to the watermarking.
The Feedforward Torch

An important challenge in deploying pervasive computing environments is the difficulty users have in understanding their behaviour. It has been suggested that these environments should be made intelligible by informing users about their understanding of the world. We propose the “Feedforward Torch”, a technique that combines a mobile phone with a pico projector to help users in an pervasive computing environment understand what the result of their actions will be.
Differential modeling of DAE's solutions for system's control

The paper deals with the question of haw to find in a unified manner the solution of DAEs, having a rigorous guide line stated as "necessary and sufficient condition" in an algebraic equation form and than to find a method to use the result to find relevant solutions for system's control DAEs. The view point considers an extended DAE system that allows to formulate this question as an inverse problem and to regard the algebraic equation as a singular implicit solution of the differential subsystem. It is formulate the necessary and sufficient condition for an implicit equation be a singular implicit solution as an algebraic equation and, accordingly, is stated a sequential algorithm to find the differential modeling function for the algebraic variables. These theoretic results are used to find solutions for DAEs in an intuitive manner using additive components for control variables.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Preferential Flow in Fractured Network with Clogging Process

In this study, physical experiments and numerical simulations are combined to provide a detailed understanding of flow dynamics in fracture network. Hydraulic parameters such as pressure head, velocity field, Reynolds number on certain monitoring cross points, and total flux rate are examined under various clogging conditions. Applying the COMSOL Multiphysics code to solve the Navier-Stokes equation instead of Reynolds equation and using the measured data to validate the model, the fluid flow in the horizontal 2D cross-sections of the fracture network was simulated. Results show that local clogging leads to a significant reshaping of the flow velocity field and a reduction of the transport capacity of the entire system. The flow rate distribution is highly influenced by the fractures connected to the dominant flow channels, although local disturbances in velocity field are unlikely to spread over the whole network. Also, modeling results indicate that water flow in a fracture network, compared with that in a single fracture, is likely to transit into turbulence earlier under the same hydraulic gradient due to the influence of fracture intersections.
Design and Development of an Automated Voice Agent: Theory and Practice Brought Together

Sophisticated, commercially deployed spoken dialogue systems capable of engaging in more natural human-machine conversation have increased in number over the past years. Besides employing advanced interpretation and dialogue management technologies, the success of such systems greatly depends on effective design and development methodology. There is, actually, a widely acknowledged, fundamentally reciprocal relationship between technologies used and design choices. In this line of thought, this chapter constitutes a more practical approach to spoken dialogue system development, comparing design methods and implementation tools highly suited for industry oriented spoken dialogue systems
In vitro screening of unconventional feeds and various natural supplements for their ruminal methane mitigation potential when included in a maize-silage based diet.

Various supplements and unconventional feeds (supplement-type: Acacia tannins, Yucca saponins, extruded linseed, lauric and myristic acid; medicinal-type plant parts: garlic bulbs, hop cones, grape seeds, maca hypocotyls; legumes: lupine seeds and lucerne meal) were screened with the in vitro Hohenheim gas test for their methane mitigating potential in an incubation period of 48 h. The control diet consisted of maize silage and concentrate (0.85:0.15). Replacing 150 g/kg dry matter of the control diet with garlic bulbs (Allium sativum) decreased methane by 50% and the methane-to-total gas ratio by 15 to 17% at 75 and 150 g garlic/kg DM. This was accompanied by a decline in acetate proportion of total short-chain fatty acids. Methane formation tended to be reduced by 15% with a high-tannin extract from Acacia mearnsii (50 g/kg diet). The methane-tototal gas ratio was not significantly affected by the other treatments. Accordingly, garlic turned out most promising for the mitigation of methane without negatively affecting rumen microbial fermentation.
Detection of corona and dry-band arc discharges on nano-composite epoxy insulators using RF sensing

RF radiation due to corona and dry-band arc discharges have been observed using an antenna. Variations in radiated energy were observed due to change in the distance between two water droplets, the contact angle and the volume of the droplets, and the condition of the insulator surface. Changes in the frequency spectrum within the 800MHz{900MHz and 1.25GHz{1.4GHz frequency bands have been used to identify the transition from corona discharge to dry- band arc discharge. The 800MHz{900MHz emission band has also been used to monitor the condition of the insulator. These flndings highlight the potential for RF sensing in the identiflcation of partial discharges and insulator condition monitoring.
Potential Applications of Infrared and Raman Spectromicroscopy for Agricultural Biomass

The low bulk density agricultural biomass should be processed and densified making it suitable for biorefineries. However, many agricultural biomass (lignocellulosic) especially those from straw and stover results in poorly formed pellets or compacts that are more often dusty, difficult to handle and costly to manufacture. The binding characteristics of biomass can be enhanced by modifying the structure of lignocellulose matrix (cellulose-hemicellulose-lignin) by different pre-processing and pre-treatment methods. However, it is not well understood as to how various pre-processing and pre-treatment methods affect the lignocellulosic matrix at the molecular level. Therefore, it is essential to determine chemical composition of agricultural biomass and the distribution of lignin relative to cellulose and hemicellulose before and after application of various treatment methods and after densification process. In this paper, the structural characteristics of lignocellulosic plant biomass and applications of Infrared (IR) and Raman spectromicroscopy methods are reviewed. The IR and Raman methods have good potential to determine the structural characteristics and distribution of chemical components in lignocellulosic biomass. Both methods have their own advantages and drawbacks, and should be used as complementary techniques.
The Tale of the Tails: Canadian Income Inequality in the 1980s and 1990s

We present new evidence on levels and trends in after-tax income inequality in Canada between 1980 and 2000. We argue that existing data sources may miss changes in the tails of the income distribution, and that many of the changes in the income distribution have been in the tails. For this reason, we turn to an alternative source. In particular, we construct data on after-tax and transfer income using Census files augmented with predicted taxes based on information available from administrative tax data. Using these data, we find that Canadian after-tax inequality levels are substantially higher than has been previously recognized, primarily because income levels are lower at the bottom of the distribution than in commonly used survey data. We also find larger long-term increases in after-tax income inequality and far more variability over the economic cycle. This raises interesting questions about the role of the tax and transfer system in mitigating both trends and fluctuations in market income inequality.
The incentive effects of long-term contracts on performance - Evidence from a natural experiment in European Football

The empirical analysis of the impact of long-term contracts on performance is challenging for two reasons: first, it is diffi cult to get adequate performance measures and second, potentially negative incentive effects of long-term contracts are countervailed by selection effects when workers with higher abilities get longer contracts. We adopt data from professional sports to disentangle selection and incentive effects. The famous Bosman judgement in European football provides a natural experiment as it has led to an exogenous increase in the contract length of players independently of ability, and can hence be used as an instrumental variable to solve the endogeneity problem associated with the contract length. Using data from the German “Bundesliga”, we find evidence that long-term labor contracts reduce average performance of professional players. In addition, we find that longer contracts influence the distribution of performance asymmetrically in the sense that they increase the probability of poor performances but do not reduce the probabilities of good performances.
Price-Volume Relationship in the Brazilian Market, Stock Lending and Technical Analysis

The paper tests the relevance of contemporaneous trading volume information for the pricing of shares of stock in the Brazilian market. As developed by Karpoff (1987), the particular relationship results from positive covariance between a stock’s market turnover and the absolute value of that stock’s price change in the same period. In Technical Analysis, it is believed that a role exists for trading information when predicting or at least explaining market price changes. The results show that the predicted V-shaped relationship is significant, so that the technical analysis argument is at least partially vindicated, and also contradicts the efficient market hypothesis, since this hypothesis says that all relevant information would already be reflected in current market prices. The paper uses daily data for 47 individual stocks traded at the BM&FBovespa over the period from January 04, 2010 to June 28, 2013, and tests the proposed hypothesis using ordinary least squares and estimation of panel data with fixed effects for both stock and day.
Examining the Effectiveness of Electronic Payment System in Ghana: The Case of e-ZWICH in the Tamale Metropolis

There have been significant development of technological innovations in Ghana’s banking sector and financial services in general. The introduction of e-ZWICH in Ghana in 2008 came with so much euphoria as great news meant to move the country towards a cashless economy. Many Ghanaians signed on to the first biometric payment system – the e-ZWICH. After several years, the interest and patronage seem to have waned drastically. The study examines the effectiveness of that form of electronic payment system in the Tamale metropolis in Ghana. The study adopts questionnaire administration to ascertain the common types of e-payment systems, the level of adoption of e-ZWICH, and the factors affecting its effectiveness. This study reveals that there is low patronage of the e-ZWICH smart card due to frequent link failures, long queues in banking halls and limited point-of-sale devices. This has stalled the effective adoption and use of the system. The study recommends that the innovators and regulators introduce measures to renew the interest of stakeholders through sensitization workshops, making the point-of-sale devices more available and enhancing the smooth operation of the devices. Keywords : e-ZWICH, Point-of-Sale devices, Biometric, Innovations, Payment systems
Fragmentation in Simple Trade Models

This paper examines the effects of "fragmentation," defined as the splitting of a production process into two or more steps that can be undertaken in different locations but that lead to the same final product. Introducing the possibility of fragmentation into simple theoretical models of international trade, the paper finds the effects of fragmentation on national welfare, on patterns of specialization and trade, and on factor prices. Models examined include the Ricardian Model and the Heckscher-Ohlin Model, both for small open economies and for a two-country world. Results are as follows: 1. If fragmentation does not change the prices of goods, then it must increase the value of output of any country where it occurs and that of the world. 2. If fragmentation does change prices, then fragmentation can lower the welfare of a country by turning its terms of trade against it. 3. Even in a country that gains from fragmentation, it is possible (but not necessary) that some factor owners within that country will lose. 4. To the extent that factor prices are not equalized internationally in the absence of fragmentation, fragmentation may be a force toward factor price equalization.