Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urban aerosol size distributions: a global perspective

Abstract. Urban aerosol measurements are necessary to establish associations between air pollution and human health outcomes and to evaluate the efficacy of air quality legislation and emissions standards. The measurement of urban aerosol particle size distributions (PSDs) is of particular importance as they enable characterization of size-dependent processes that govern a particle's transport, transformation, and fate in the urban atmosphere. PSDs also improve our ability to link air pollution to health effects through evaluation of particle deposition in the respiratory system and inhalation toxicity. To inform future measurements of urban aerosol observations, this paper reviews and critically analyzes the current state of knowledge on urban aerosol PSD measurements by synthesizing 737 PSD observations made between 1998 to 2017 in 114 cities in 43 countries around the globe. Significant variations in the shape and magnitude of urban aerosol number and mass PSDs were identified among different geographical regions. In general, number PSDs in Europe (EU) and North America, Australia, and New Zealand (NAAN) are dominated by nucleation- and Aitken-mode particles. PSDs in Central, South, and Southeast Asia (CSSA) and East Asia (EA) are shifted to larger sizes, with a meaningful contribution from the accumulation mode. Urban mass PSDs are typically bimodal, presenting a dominant mode in the accumulation mode and a secondary mode in the coarse mode. Most PSD observations published in the literature are short-term, with only 14 % providing data for longer than 6 months. There is a paucity of PSDs measured in Africa (AF), CSSA, Latin America (LA), and West Asia (WA), demonstrating the need for long-term aerosol measurements across wide size ranges in many cities around the globe. Geographical variations in urban aerosol effective densities were also reviewed. Size-resolved urban aerosol effective density functions from 3 to 10 000 nm were established for different geographical regions and intra-city sampling locations in order to accurately translate number PSDs to mass PSDs, with significant variations observed between near-road and urban background sites. The results of this study demonstrate that global initiatives are urgently needed to develop infrastructure for routine and long-term monitoring of urban aerosol PSDs spanning the nucleation to coarse mode. Doing so will advance our understanding of spatiotemporal trends in urban PSDs throughout the world and provide a foundation to more reliably elucidate the impact of urban aerosols on atmospheric processes, human health, and climate.
Delineating the C. elegans MicroRNA Regulatory Network: A Dissertation

Metazoan genomes contain thousands of protein-coding and non-coding RNA genes, most of which are differentially expressed, i.e., at different locations, at different times during development, or in response to environmental signals. Differential gene expression is achieved through complex regulatory networks that are controlled in part by two types of trans-regulators: transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). TFs bind to cis-regulatory DNA elements that are often located in or near their target genes, while microRNAs hybridize to cisregulatory RNA elements mostly located in the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of their target mRNAs. My work in the Walhout lab has centered on understanding how these trans-regulators interact with each other in the context of gene regulatory networks to coordinate gene expression at the genome-scale level. Our model organism is the free-living nematode Caenorahbditis elegans, which possess approximately 950 predicted TFs and more than 100 miRNAs. Whereas much attention has focused on finding the protein-coding target genes of both miRNAs and TFs, the transcriptional networks that regulate miRNA expression remain largely unexplored. To this end, we have embarked in the task of mapping the first genome-scale miRNA regulatory network. This network contains experimentally mapped transcriptional TF=>miRNA interactions, as well as computationally predicted post-transcriptional miRNA=>TF interactions. The work presented here, along with data reported by other groups, have revealed
Did Unconventional Interventions Unfreeze the Credit Market?

This paper investigates whether and how unconventional interventions in 2008–2010 unfroze the credit market. We construct a dataset of 198 interventions for 16 countries during 2008–2010 and examine heterogeneous responses in stock prices to the interventions across 7,873 nonfinancial firms in those countries. Stock prices increase when the interventions are announced, particularly for firms with greater intrinsic need for external capital. This pattern is corroborated by subsequent expansions in firm investment, R&D expenditure, and employment. Among various forms of interventions, recapitalization of banks appears particularly effective in channeling the intervention effects from financial to nonfinancial sectors. (JEL E44, E58, G01, G14, G21, G31, G32)
Investigating the Necessity of Delay in Marking Menu Invocation

Delayed display of menu items is a core design component of marking menus, arguably to prevent visual distraction and foster the use of mark mode. We investigate these assumptions, by contrasting the original marking menu design with immediately-displayed marking menus. In three controlled experiments, we fail to reveal obvious and systematic performance or usability advantages to using delay and mark mode. Only in very constrained settings  after significant training and only two items to learn  did traditional marking menus show a time improvement of about 260~ms. Otherwise, we found an overall decrease in performance with delay, whether participants exhibited practiced or unpracticed behaviour. Our final study failed to demonstrate that an immediately-displayed menu interface is more visually disrupting than a delayed menu. These findings inform the costs and benefits of incorporating delay in marking menus, and motivate guidelines for situations in which its use is desirable.
Handbook of Sampling Methods for Arthropods in Agriculture

Introduction to Sampling Arthropod Populations (L.P. Pedigo). Sampling Principles: Arthropod Sampling in Agricultural Landscapes: Ecological Considerations (D.A. Landis). Statistics for Describing Populations (P.M. Davis). Bias and Variability in Statistical Estimates (D.E. Legg and R.D. Moon). Sampling Techniques and Initial Program Development: Techniques for Sampling Arthropods in IPM (S.H. Hutchins). Developing a Primary Sampling Program (G.D. Buntin). Improving Sampling Program Efficiency: Initiating Sampling Programs (L.G. Higley and R.K.D. Peterson). Sequential Sampling for Classifying Pest Status (M.R. Binns). Sequential Estimation and Classification Procedures for Binomial Counts (V.P. Jones). Sequential Sampling to Determine Population Density (W.D. Hutchison). Sampling to Predict or Monitor Biological Control (J.P. Nyrop and W. van der Werf). Time-Sequential Sampling for Taking Tactical Action (L.P. Pedigo). Sampling Programs: Sampling Methods for Insect Management in Alfalfa (R. Berberet and W.D. Hutchison). Sampling Pest and Beneficial Arthropods of Apple (E.H. Beers, L.A. Hull, and V.P. Jones). Sampling Arthropod Pests in Citrus (J.D. Hare). Sampling Arthropod Pests in Corn (J.J. Tollefson and D.D. Calvin). Estimating Abundance Impact, and Interactions among Arthropods in Cotton Agroecosystems (L.T. Wilson). Sampling Arthropods in Livestock Management Systems (T.J. Lysyk and R.D. Moon). Sampling Programs for Soybean Arthropods (M.R. Zeiss and T.H. Klubertanz). Sampling Arthropod Pests in Vegetables (J.T. Trumble). Sampling Arthropod Pests of Wheat and Rice (N.E. Elliott, G.L. Hein, and B.M. Shepard). Implementation of Sampling Programs: Training Specialists in Sampling Procedures (G.W. Cuperus and R. Berberet). Designing and Delivering In-The-Field Scouting Programs (E.J. Bechinski).
Antibiotic Resistance in Swine-Manure-Impacted Environments

An increasing body of evidence demonstrating entry of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes from anthropogenic sources into natural soil and water environments has raised even more questions about the lasting and future impacts consequent to drug resistance development in bacteria. These concerns stem, in part, from emerging knowledge about increased incidences, persistence, and diversity of antibiotic resistance (ABR) genes in soil and water environments with still very limited knowledge about the molecular microbial ecology of ABR occurring in situ in these natural systems. The practice of subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics for use in disease prophylaxis and growth promotion in animal livestock production has been the subject of particularly intense scrutiny, prompting bans of such uses completely in the European Union since 2006 and causing mounting concerns in the United State for more judicious use of antibiotics in food animals. Numerous articles over the last two decades have discussed in detail the various health and environmental aspects concerning the routine use of subtherapeutic antibiotic treatment in animal production (Gustafson and Bowen, 1997; Khachatourians, 1998; USGAO, 1999; Isaacson and Torrence, 2002; Seveno et al., 2002; Kummerer, 2004; Shea, 2004; Chee-Sanford et al., 2009).
In situ assembly of a graphene oxide quantum dot-based thin-film nanocomposite supported on de-mixed blends for desalination through forward osmosis

In this work, in order to enhance the desalination performance, a unique thin-film composite membrane was designed by in situ assembly of a polyamide (PA)–graphene oxide quantum dot (GQD) framework. This unique assembly was supported on a templated hierarchical porous membrane derived from the de-mixing of a classical UCST (upper critical solution temperature) system consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The de-mixing was achieved by melt processing the blend above the UCST (in the miscible state) and quenching it below UCST. The pore size was controlled by varying the composition in the blends and by etching the PMMA phase. A sandwich architecture was developed by stacking different membranes using polyacrylic acid, as an adhesive, to achieve a gradient in pore size. Pure water flux, dye removal, and desalination experiments were carried out to study the efficacy of this strategy. The stacked membrane (used here as control) showed moderate dye rejection (about 50%) and poor desalination performance. In order to improve the desalination performance, the membranes were suitably modified by depositing a layer of polyamide (PA)–GQD framework obtained using interfacial polymerization. This strategy resulted in efficient salt rejection (more than 94% and 98% for monovalent salt and divalent salt, respectively) when studied through a pressure enhanced osmosis process using a 1000 ppm draw solution, and dye rejection (more than 90% and 85% for methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR), respectively) was studied through a cross-flow experimental set up using a 10 ppm feed solution @ 60 psi. Moreover, the antifouling properties of the PA–GQD modified membranes were superior (80%) to those of the control stacked membrane.
Leadership’s long arm: The positive influence of digital leadership on managing technology-driven change over a strengthened service innovation capacity

Introduction In this qualitative study, we examine digital leadership (DL) capabilities and their positive influence on the management of technology-driven change by leveraging service innovations. The context of digital transformation (DT) has triggered a new leadership paradigm, among others referred to as digital leadership (DL). However, despite its practical relevance, leadership research has yet paid little attention to conceptualise DL as an approach to digitally transform organisations. Methods Drawing on mid- and top-level mangers’ experiences with service innovation projects, and based on Grounded Theory, we develop a taxonomy of DL-related capabilities and a conceptual framework which exemplifies their influences on dynamic service innovation capabilities (DSICs). DSICs build on the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) and represent the “organisational muscle” to repeatedly deliver service innovations indicating an effective management of technology-driven change. Results and Discussion Taxonomy results show that aggregated dimensions in terms of a digital leader’s personal, social, and organisational capital serve as underpinnings (DL-related capabilities) to drive strategic change in DT contexts. The conceptual framework further reveals that especially the personal and organisational capital of a digital leader owns several strong and moderate influences on DSICs which demonstrates DL’s “long arm” on the management of technology-driven change. Our findings contribute to leadership research by advancing the conceptualisation of DL and by adding a novel micro-foundational perspective towards the DCV discourse. As organisations struggle to realise the full benefits of DT initiatives, our results also provide a valuable contribution for practitioners by supporting them to strategically prepare for the human-related challenges of DT.
Behavioral Response of the Asian Corn Borer Ostrinia furnacalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the Earwig Euborelia annulipes Lucas (Dermaptera: Anisolabiidae) to Selected Crops and Weeds Associated with Sweet Corn

The identification of crops or weeds that provide semiochemicals beneficial to crops, such as repellents for the insect pests and/or attractants to natural enemies, is important for pest management in the field. Ovipositional preference and behavioral bioassays were conducted to determine suitable companion plants for sweet corn that will enhance repellency for the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralideae), or affect the common earwig [Euborelia annulipes Lucas (Dermaptera: Anisolabiidae)]. In oviposition preference tests, lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) produced the greatest oviposition deterrence. As an oviposition host, eggplant reduces the number of egg masses on corn and has potential as a trap crop in sweet corn production as it does not support larval growth. Larvae were found to be very mobile on oregano (Coleus aromaticus Benth.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) and quickly dispersed in silken threads, landing on the soil and dying. Associated weeds such as Mimosa pudica L. and Ageratum conyzoides L. proved toxic to larvae. Earwigs were not repelled by lemon grass, eggplant, oregano and the test weed species extract. Field trials must be conducted to verify that lemon grass and eggplant can serve as good companion crops for sweet corn. Key Words: companion crop, larval growth, oviposition deterrence, oviposition preference, predation
Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii ODA5 Encodes an Axonemal Protein Required for Assembly of the Outer Dynein Arm and an Associated Flagellar Adenylate Kinase: A Dissertation

The first type of dynein identified, axonemel dynein (Gibbons and Rowe, 1965), slides adjacent microtubules within the axoneme, generating the force necessary for ciliary and flagellar beating. The outer dynein arm is an important component of the flagellar axoneme, providing up to 60% of the force for flagellar motility. In the absence of the outer arm, cells swim with a slow-jerky motion at about 1/3 rd the speed of wild-type cells, and the flagellar beat frequency is markedly reduced. Sixteen genes (ODA1-ODA16) have been identified that are required for outer arm assembly in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . In addition, PF13, PF22, and FLA14 are required for outer dynein arm assembly, but their phenotypes are pleiotropic, suggesting that they affect additional flagellar components. Of the uncloned genes, ODA5, ODA8, and ODA10 are of particular interest because they do not encode subunits of the outer arm or the outer dynein arm-docking complex (ODA-DC). Mutant alleles of these genes are unable to complement in temporary dikaryons, suggesting that the gene products interact with each other (Kamiya, 1988). Since the genes encoding all of the known components of the outer dynein arm and the ODA-DC have been characterized, it is of great interest to identify the gene products of these additional, uncloned ODA alleles. The first chapter provides an introduction to the Chlamydomonas flagellum, the dyneins in general, the outer dynein arm in particular, and mutations that impinge on the assembly and regulation of this important axonemal structure. The second chapter addresses the identification and isolation of genomic DNA containing the ODA5 gene. Utilizing a NIT1-tagged oda5-insertional mutant, I identified sequences flanking the site of the inserted NIT1 gene. These sequences were used to isolate wild-type genomic clones spanning the ODA5 gene. When transformed into the oda5 mutant, the wild-type clones rescued the mutant phenotype. These results demonstrated the successful isolation of the ODA5 gene. The third chapter describes the identification of the ODA5 gene and its corresponding cDNA. The rescuing genomic fragments were sequenced. Gene modeling was used to predict intron-exon splice sites. Primers to predicted exons were designed and used to obtain the ODA5 cDNA. The gene structure of Oda5 was analyzed and its predicted amino acid sequence deduced. Secondary structure predictions indicate that Oda5p is likely to contain a series of coiled-coil domains, followed by a poly-glycine sequence and a short, highly charged region. Northern analysis demonstrated that ODA5 gene expression is upregulated by deflagellation, a hallmark of many flagellar mRNAs. Data in CHAPTER IV further characterize the Oda5 protein and its association with the axoneme. Oda5p localizes to the flagellum, consistent with the enhancement in mRNA levels in response to deflagellation. Within the flagellum, Oda5p is an axonemal component that is released from the axoneme upon high salt…
The Resedaceae : a taxonomical revision of the family

For this study 17.000-20.000 specimens were scrutinized of Mueller's material (Monographie, 1857, revised 1868). The number of genera here distinguished remained the same (6), but the number of species was a bit less (60). Among the many additions and changes necessary, some species were scrapped, also new ones established, the limits of some genera and of many species were improved or amended, some names were revised, new keys to genera and species were compiled. All species were illustrated in detail. Aspects of the family Resedaceae sensu lato discussed, were morphology, taxonomy, geography, biology and econonics. Genera were treated alphabetically, and selected references were added. All conclusions were explained and for each genus a key to species was made. Each species was described, and references, characteristics, geographic distribution, a number of selected herbarium specimens and synonyms were listed. An explanation was given for any synonymy. Notes on each species relate to nomenclature, history of the species, life cycle or ecological features and, so far as known, its importance to man.
Chemical and enzyme kinetics

A filter strip and composite assemblies for filtering microliter quantities of fluids. A linear array of wells having open top and bottom ends are connected by frangible webs in spaced-apart relation with discrete filter membranes closing the bottom ends of each well. Tabs are provided on the ends of the filter strip for holding the same and supporting the strip in a rectangular holder having alpha-numeric designations for identifying each well in a plurality of such filter strips contained within the holder. The filter strip may be used in a vacuum manifold for applying a pressure differential across the filter membrane and directing the filtrate into an aligned aperture of a closed bottom well of an array of wells held within the manifold. Alternatively, the filter strip may be used with a transfer plate for directing the filtrate from each well of the filter strip to an aligned well of a closed bottom array of wells. Another composite assembly includes a pressure manifold for applying an increased pressure above the membranes.
Characterization of the HPK2-RRP2, two-component regulatory system of Treponema denticola

S • Sarkar J., Frederick J., Marconi R.T, “Role of PAS domain in activation of Hpk2 in response to environmental signals”. Poster, Systems Biology Summit for integrated Life Sciences, Richmond, Virginia June 2011. : • Sarkar J., Marconi R.T. “Role of Hpk2-Rrp2 two-component system in periodontal pathogen Treponema denticola: insight into molecular mechanism of environmental adaptation and global gene regulation”. Talk, VA American Society of Microbiology, November 2010, Lynchburg, Virgina. • Sarkar J., Frederick J., Marconi R.T. , “Identification of a two component regulatory system of the periodontal pathogen, Treponema denticola: insight into the molecular mechanisms of environmental adaptation during the development of periodontal disease”. Poster. The 26 Annual Daniel T. Watts Research Symposium, October 2009. Richmond, Virginia • Sarkar J., Frederick J., Marconi R.T. , “Identification of a two component regulatory system of the periodontal pathogen, Treponema denticola: insight into the molecular mechanisms of environmental adaptation during the
Research on Modeling and Forecasting of Network Traffic Data with Alpha Distribution Noise Based on FARIMA Model

Network business traffic data has obvious self-similar characteristics, and its modeling and predictive analysis should also adopt self-similar models. Short correlation models, which cannot accurately describe their self-similarity, is mainly adopted in traditional network traffic data modeling. Therefore, It is necessary to research long correlation models. In addition, network traffic data also has certain pulse characteristics, which leads to inaccurate data modeling. In this research, alpha stable noise is added in FGN time series to simulate network traffic data, and the simulated data is analyzed by improved FARIMA model. Finally, the improved FARIMA model is applied to the BC-p Aug89. TL data modeling and predictive analysis. The analysis shows that the improved FARIMA model has a better prediction effect on network traffic and is of great significance for the application of network traffic prediction.
Influência do padrão alimentar sobre os níveis de danos oxidativos no DNA em linfócitos de sangue periférico

The contribution of diet to cancer ranges from 10% to 80%. The low ingestion of antioxidants and enzymatic cofactors involved in DNA-repair and methylation reactions and the high ingestion of chemical addictives present in the modern diet, associated with genetic factors, could lead to genomic instability and the hypomethylation of proto-oncogenes, thus contributing to cancer development. The present study evaluated the influence of diet on the level of oxidative DNA damage, misincorporated uracil and DNA repair capability in peripheral blood lymphocytes from two groups of individuals with antagonist diets: 1) 49 healthy individuals with a diet rich in organic products, whole grains, fruit and vegetables and poor in industrialized products (Group I); 2) 56 healthy individuals with diet rich in industrialized products and poor in fruit and vegetables (Group II). Oxidative DNA damage, uracil incorporation and DNA repair capability were assessed by the comet assay. The individuals in Group I presented lower levels of oxidative DNA damage (oxidized purines and pyrimidines) and lower levels of DNA damage induced by in-vitro treatment with H2O2 than did individuals in Group II. The analysis of our results suggests that a diet rich in organic products, integral grains, fruit and vegetables and poor in industrialized products can protect against oxidative DNA damage and DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).