Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trophic structure and chemosynthesis contributions to heterotrophic fauna inhabiting an abyssal whale carcass

The trophic structure and role of chemosynthesis remain unexplored in deep-sea whale-fall communities in areas other than the California margin. This gap limits the understanding of these communities and their ecological relationships with other chemosynthetic ecosystems, such as vents and seeps. Here, we studied 3 different whale skeleton microhabitats with hypothesized high, intermediate and low reducing conditions as well as the sediments surrounding an abyssal whale fall (4204 m depth, SW Atlantic Ocean). We analyzed trophic structures (δ13C and δ15N) and the contribution of chemosynthetically derived carbon to heterotrophic species. The high and intermediate reducing microhabitats harbored food webs dominated by consumers of chemosynthetic production, similar to those of diffusive areas of hydrothermal vents and seeps. Both the low reducing microhabitat and the sediments harbored food webs with greater trophic complexity, dominated by higher consumers mainly relying on whale and/or photosynthesis-derived organic matter, a type of food web commonly reported in small whale, wood and kelp falls. The main whale-fall ecosystem engineer, the bone-eating worm Osedax, appeared to produce unique food web effects not observed in other chemosynthetic habitats. We conclude that whale falls provide the deep sea with a mosaic of microhabitats that supports assemblages with different chemosynthesis reliance levels and trophic structures, similar to those found at vents and seeps. Such a mosaic allows species-rich communities with numerous trophic levels to develop in a very small area of the food-limited deep sea.
Evidence for transverse spread in Leonid meteors

ABSTRA C T We report here evidence for significant transverse spread of the light production region in bright Leonid meteors. One Leonid meteor has an apparent spread in the light production region of about 600 m perpendicular to the flight path for the meteor, that transverse spread persisting for at least 0.3 s. We have also detected short-duration, jet-like features emanating from a bright Leonid meteor recorded in 1998. These jet-like features have maximum spatial dimensions up to 1.9 km. While we cannot definitively rule out instrumental artefacts as a cause for these jet-like features, they may be evidence of motion contributing to the observed spatial spread in the light production region.
The Transparency of Derivative Disclosures by Australian Firms in the Extractive Industries

This paper investigates the transparency of derivative disclosures of Australian firms in the extractive industries using 1998 to 2001 financial reports. The quality of financial reporting has become a major corporate governance issue since the collapse of prominent companies such as Enron in the United States, HIH Insurance in Australia, and, of particular relevance here, Barings PLC in the United Kingdom, where the losses were caused by derivative instruments. Disclosure transparency is an important component of the quality of financial reporting. We measure transparency based on a disclosure index developed from AASB 1033 Presentation and Disclosure of Financial Instruments. We examine the relationship between transparency and firm characteristics represented by size, performance, growth opportunities, auditor and type of extractive firm. The results indicate that the transparency of derivative disclosures among firms in the extractive industries has increased over the period. However, there is still evidence of non-compliance with the disclosure requirements, especially in relation to net fair value. We find that firm size, price-earnings ratio and debt-to-equity ratio, and to a lesser extent, market-to-book ratio and profitability are associated with disclosure transparency.
Quantitative soot measurements in an HSDI Diesel engine

Quantitative in-cylinder measurements of soot volume fraction in a single-cylinder HSDI Diesel engine, based on a VOLVO D5, has been carried out using the laser-induced incandescence (LII) technique using laser excitation at 1064 nm and an ICCD camera with prompt gate detection. Quantitative data was obtained by relating the LII signal response from the engine to that from a calibration flame. The aim of this paper is twofold: to present quantitative data for relevant engine operating conditions and to discuss the issues related to quantification of the LII technique using the present approach. Two different operating condition schemes were investigated. In the first, the soot production for different amounts of EGR was investigated. The in-cylinder soot volume fraction levels were found to decrease with increasing EGR ratio in the tested EGR regime, which correlates well with engine-out soot emissions. In the second part of the investigation, the injection event was divided into one pilot injection and one main injection at a constant EGR ratio of 60%. The CAD position of the pilot injection was varied, while keeping the position of the main injection constant. Early pilot injection timings resulted in excessive fouling of the optical parts, thus limiting the accuracy of quantitative measurements. Still, the flow pattern of the soot within the cylinder is presented and discussed. The corrections needed to accurately estimate soot volume fractions in an optical engine by relating the integrated LII signal to that obtained in a calibration flame are discussed. Using a heat and mass transfer model for LII, the pressure and temperature effects on the absolute LII signals are investigated. Results show that the use of a short prompt gate (30 ns) is preferable in order to decrease systematic errors due to differences in the conditions between the engine and the calibration flame. Also the systematic errors introduced by potential particle aggregation are studied and discussed.
Ratio of 36Cl/Cl in ground ice of east Siberia and its application for chronometry

Abundance of the cosmogenic nuclide chlorine‐36 (36Cl) was measured together with the chloride (Cl−) concentration in different horizons of Quaternary permafrost samples collected from various types of ground ice in the northeastern part of Siberia. The 36Cl/Cl in 32 samples ranged in value from 2.4 × 10−14 to 1.4 × 10−12. Nonetheless, after a few extreme values were excluded, these 36Cl/Cl ratios provided a local permafrost chronometry. The general concordance of the modeled ages with geological expectations and other chronological methods supports the potential power of the proposed dating method. However, the large observed change in ratios from higher to lower values during the transition from Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene climatic conditions remains unexplained. An attempt to make use of the corresponding beryllium‐10 (10Be) absolute concentrations in the same samples failed because input of 10Be attached to particulate matter into permafrost is unknown. Further 36Cl/Cl serial measurements of modern precipitation and fossil ground ice are needed to refine this dating method into a practical tool with a clear protocol.
SEQUENCE ANALYSIS AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF IRON ACQUISITION GENES IN TWO MARINE DIATOMS 1

The centric diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle et Heimdal and the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin possess genes with translated sequences homologous to high‐affinity ferric reductases present in model organisms. Thalassiosira pseudonana also possesses putative genes for membrane‐bound ferroxidase (TpFET3) and two highly similar iron (Fe) permeases (TpFTR1 and TpFTR2), as well as a divalent metal (M2+) transporter belonging to the NRAMP superfamily (TpNRAMP). In baker’s yeast, the ferroxidase–permease complex transports Fe(II) produced by reductases. We investigated transcript abundances of these genes as a function of Fe quota (QFe). Ferric reductase transcripts are abundant in both species (15%–60% of actin) under low QFe and are down‐regulated by 5‐ to 35‐fold at high QFe, suggesting Fe(III) reduction is a common, inducible strategy for Fe acquisition in marine diatoms. Permease transcript abundance was regulated by Fe status in T. pseudonana, but we did not detect significant differences in expression of the copper (Cu)‐containing ferroxidase. TpNRAMP showed the most dramatic regulation by QFe, suggesting a role in cellular Fe transport in either cell‐surface uptake or vacuolar mobilization. We could not identify ferroxidase or permease homologues in the P. tricornutum genome. The up‐regulation of genes in T. pseudonana that appear to be missing altogether from P. tricornutum as well as the finding that P. tricornutum seems to have an efficient system to acquire Fe′, suggest that diverse (and uncharacterized) Fe‐uptake systems may be at play within diatom assemblages. Different uptake systems among diatoms may provide a mechanistic basis for niche differentiation with respect to Fe availability in the ocean.
HOPF BIFURCATION FROM NEW-KEYNESIAN TAYLOR RULE TO RAMSEY OPTIMAL POLICY

This paper compares different implementations of monetary policy in a new-Keynesian setting. We can show that a shift from Ramsey optimal policy under short-term commitment (based on a negative feedback mechanism) to a Taylor rule (based on a positive feedback mechanism) corresponds to a Hopf bifurcation with opposite policy advice and a change of the dynamic properties. This bifurcation occurs because of the ad hoc assumption that interest rate is a forward-looking variable when policy targets (inflation and output gap) are forward-looking variables in the new-Keynesian theory.
The Impact of Dual Credit as a School District Policy on Secondary and Postsecondary Student Outcomes

The surest path to the middle class in today’s global economy comes from an education that goes beyond high school. In Texas, as in the nation, economic forecasts expect the number of jobs requiring a postsecondary credential to continue to increase, while the pool of jobs requiring at most a high school diploma will continue to decline. The challenge and promise of postsecondary education is greater in a large, fast-growing, diverse state like Texas where the fastest-growing segments of the population are economically disadvantaged and come from communities historically underserved by higher education institutions. Recognizing this reality, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board set a goal to raise the percent of 25to 34-yearsolds in Texas with a certificate or degree to 60 percent by 2030. In 2015, it was 41 percent. (Carnevale, 2013; Murdock et al, 2014; THECB, 2015).
Notes on the Field Identification of Anser fabalis serrirostris and A. f. middendorfi

日本 で越 冬 す る ヒシ クイ Anser fabalisの 亜 種 は,そ の大 多数 が ヒ シ クイ A.f.serrirostris で,オ オ ヒ シ クイ A.f. middendorfaは 数 が 少 な く,ヒ メ ヒ シ クイA.f. curtusは 稀 に 渡 来 す る,と 考 え られ て い る(日 本 鳥学 会,1974). し か し,日 本 国 内 の ガ ン類 の越 冬 地 ・中 継 地 の調 査 を行 う過 程 で,著 者 らはA.fabalisの 亜 種 の問 題 を再 検 討 す る必 要 を 感 じた. A.fabalisの 亜 種 の分 類 と識 別 に つ い ては 多 くの研 究 が発 表 され て い るが(黒 田,1939; DELACOUR,1951;DEMENT'EV et al.1952;OWEN,1980),こ れ らは いず れ も標 本 を 対 象 と し た も の で あ る. 野 外 観 察 に よる亜 種 の識 別 に つ い ては っ き り述 べ た ものは,今 まで な か っ た. 著 者 らは 日本 に渡 来 す るA.fabalisの 各 個 体 群 の亜 種 構 成 を 調 査 す るた めA.f.serrirostris と A.f. middendorfiの 野 外 識 別 が 可 能 か ど うか を検 討 した. 識 別 に あ た って は形 態 的 な特 徴 に 重 点 を 置 き,生 態 的 な 相違 も参 考 に した. そ の結 果,野 外 で 両 亜 種 を 識 別す る こ とは 可 能 で あ る とい う結 論 に 達 した ので,以 下 に報 告 した い. な お,A.f. curtusに つ い て は,例 数 が きわ め て少 な く,ま た分 類 学 的 に も検 討 の余 地 が あ るの で,今 回 は論 議 の対 象 か ら除外 した.
Reductions of integrable equations: dihedral group

We discuss the algebraic and analytic structure of rational Lax operators. With algebraic reductions of Lax equations we associate a reduction group—a group of automorphisms of the corresponding infinite-dimensional Lie algebra. We present a complete study of dihedral reductions for sl(2, C) Lax operators with simple poles and corresponding integrable equations. In the last section we give three examples of dihedral reductions for sl(N,C) Lax operators.
Designing green taxes in a political context: from optimal to feasible environmental regulation

In this essay, we argue that to design green taxes which are high enough to have the desired incentive effects, tax revenues must be reimbursed, either by earmarking them for environmental subsidies or by reducing other taxes directed at industry. This would decrease industrial opposition to green taxation. However, in practice, the requirement of reimbursement may be difficult to fulfil because most polluting industries are not homogeneous. This means that reimbursement will redistribute financial resources within industry, creating winners and losers. We demonstrate how green taxation can be used by operating separate tax schemes for each branch of industry.
Antifungal Effects of English Camphor Basil (Ocimum canum) Leaves and Flower Extracts on some Selected Fungi Associated with Skin Infections

Investigations were carried out to ascertain the antifungal activity of English camphor basil (Ocimum canum) leaves and flower extracts on some selected fungi associated with skin infections. Plant samples were collected at Mista Ali, Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Phytochemical analysis was carried out in the Biochemistry Laboratory of National Veterinary Research Institute Vom (NVRI), located in Jos South LGA. Qualitatively, both extract revealed the presence of steroids, cardiac glycosides and flavonoids while tannins were detected in the leaves extract only. There was significant (p<0.05) variation in the quantity of inherent phytochemical components of the extracts. Cardiac glycoside was present in the leaves and flower extracts of Ocimum canum. The test organisms, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, T. rubrum, T. vericosum, M. canis were obtained from the microbial banks of bacteriology and dermatophilosis sections of NVRI, Vom and were standardized with a Nephelometer. T. mentagrophytes was the only fungi specie susceptible to both extracts. The flower extract had significantly higher (p<0.05) antifungal activity (20 ± 0.93 mm) against T. mentagrophytes than the leaves extract (16.7 ± 1.53 mm). Both extracts showed MIC of 25 mg/ml against T. mentagrophytes. MFC ranged from 50-100 mg/ml for the sensitive fungal isolate. Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) from the combined extracts varied from 1.89 to 3.97on the fungus and that showed lack of interaction (FICI<4). Synergistic activity of O. canum was not effective on fungal isolates tested. However, bioactive constituents of the plant parts can be of pharmacological importance.
Analysis of Selected Metallic Impurities in Soft Drinks Marketed in Chittagong, Bangladesh

A total of 18 non-canned soft drinks and 12 canned soft drinks of different brands were collected from markets in Chittagong City of Bangladesh. It was found that, lead concentrations were significantly low in non-canned soft drinks. The highest level of lead content was obtained 0.016 mgL -l . The content of lead in non-canned soft drinks was found in the range from 0.005 mgL -l to 0.016 mgL -l . Lead concentrations in non-canned soft drinks were found below the maximum allowed limit for lead. Among all non-canned soft drinks, chromium was present in 11 samples. The highest concentration of chromium was found 0.018 mgL -l . The concentrations of chromium in non-canned soft drinks were in the range from 0.006 mgL -l to 0.018 mgL -l . Lead was found in 7 canned soft drinks. The lead concentration was in the interval from 0.006 mgL -l to 0.017 mgL -l . The highest level of lead was found 0.017 mgL -l . Chromium was found in 8 canned soft drinks. Concentration of chromium was in the range from 0.007 mgL -l to 0.019 mgL -l in canned soft drinks. The maximum concentration of chromium was found 0.019 mgL -l in canned soft drinks. J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 153-156 2015
Sexual Addiction or Simply Cheating

Sexual addiction has become the catch-all for infidelity, cheating, and promiscuity. The problem is that the experts in the field of sexual addiction have promulgated these misperceptions and misdiagnoses. The wealthy and famous appear to have mental health field in their pocket to use as a get-out-of-jail-free card, to have an excuse for having engaged in affairs or promiscuity or the use of prostitutes. Sexual addiction was defined similarly to how the DSM-5 has defined substance use disorders. Following those diagnostic criteria, as well as how Carnes et al. defined sexual addiction, it appears that the rich and famous do not meet the diagnostic criteria for sexual addiction. They do appear however to meet the criteria for infidelity, cheating, sense of entitlement, and promiscuity. And what about sexual offenders who claim to be sexual addicts? They may or may not have a sexual addition however they are also sexual offenders.
Zonal flows and grand minima in a solar dynamo model

Observations of differential rotation within the solar convection zone have revealed a cyclic pattern of zonal shear flows. Given that the 11-yr periodicity of this flow pattern is approximately half that of the 22-yr solar activity cycle, it is likely that these flows are magnetically driven. In this paper, these zonal shear flows are investigated in the context of a parametrized mean-field solar dynamo model which incorporates the feedback of the large-scale magnetic fields upon an imposed differential rotation profile. This ‘interface-like’ model produces dynamo action and a pattern of zonal flows that is qualitatively consistent with solar observations. One of the key parameters in this model is the magnetic Prandtl number – when this parameter is small, it is possible to find time-dependent solutions that are characterized by prolonged phases of significantly reduced magnetic activity (so-called ‘grand minima’). Despite the presence of grand minima, it is still possible to find a solar-like pattern of zonal shear flows in this highly modulated, low magnetic Prandtl number regime.
Dermaptera hindwing structure and folding: New evidence for familial, ordinal and superordinal relationships within Neoptera (Insecta)

The Dermaptera are a small order of insects, marked by reduced forewings, hindwings with a unique and complicated folding pattern, and by pincer-like cerci. Hindwing characters of 25 extant dermapteran species are documented. The highly derived hindwing venation and articulation is accurately homologized with the other pterygote orders for the first time. The hindwing base of Dermaptera contains phylogenetically informative characters. They are compared with their homologues in fossil dermapteran ancestors, and in Plecoptera, Orthoptera (Caelifera), Dictyoptera (Mantodea, Blattodea, Isoptera), Fulgoromorpha and Megaloptera. A fully homologized character matrix of the pterygote wing complex is offered for the first time. The wing venation of the Coleoptera is re-interpreted and slightly modified. The all-pterygote character analysis suggests the following relationships: Pterygota: Palaeoptera + Neoptera; Neoptera: [Pleconeoptera + Orthoneoptera] + [Blattoneoptera + (Hemineoptera + Endoneoptera)]. Blattoneoptera share at least 15 wing apomorphies with the sistergroup Hemineoptera + Endoneoptera and none with the Orthoneoptera and Pleconeoptera; Blattoneoptera: (Grylloblattodea + (Dermaptera + Dictyoptera)); Dictyoptera: (Mantodea + (Blattodea + Isoptera). Dermaptera share 13 wing apomorphies with the sistergroup Dictyoptera. In order to document the intra-ordinal relationships of Dermaptera, 18 new characters of venation and articulation are added to an existing data set and analyzed cladistically. The following relationships are suggested (43 characters, tree length 72, CI 0.819 and RI 0.935). Dermaptera: Karschiellidae + ("Diplatyidae" + ("Pygidicranidae" + (Allostethus indicum + (Anisolabididae + ("Labiduridae" + [Forficulidae + (Chelisochidae + Spongiphoridae)]))))). The taxa in quotation marks are probably paraphyletic. Fossil Dermaptera and "Protelytroptera" show that wing-folding characters were already present in Permian ancestors. The evolution of the dermapteran wing-folding mechanism is discussed and the hindwing is presented as a working "origami" model, which will fold as in living earwigs. The functional role of the wing base in wing folding is examined. Characters in orders and other higher taxa are not independent and cannot be analyzed out of context with their groundplans. Higher systematics is dealing with diametrally different problems than species-level systematics. The necessity of using a different methodology for species-level and higher-level phylogenetics is discussed and recommendations are made.
Informal Leadership in the Clinical Setting: Occupational Therapist Perspectives

Date Presented 4/20/2018 This novel qualitative research considered participation in the role of informal leader for 10 occupational therapists in Ontario, Canada. A qualitative analysis supports understanding the role and its unique clinical contribution. Recommendations for curriculum and professional support are provided. Primary Author and Speaker: Clark Patrick Heard Contributing Authors: Jared Scott, Emily Van Der Kamp, Tanisha McGinn, Amjad Yahia
Maturity and Repayment Structure of Sovereign Debt

This paper studies the maturity, timing and relative size of repayments for sovereign debt. Using Bloomberg bond data for emerging economies, we document that sovereigns issue debt with shorter maturity but more back-loaded repayments during downturns. To account for this pattern, we study a sovereign-default model of a small open economy which issues a state-uncontingent bond, with a flexible choice of maturity and repayment schedule. In our model, as in the data, during recessions the country prefers its payments to be more back- loadedâ€”delaying relatively larger paymentsâ€”in order to smooth consumption. However, such back-loaded debt is expensive since payments scheduled later involve higher default risk. To reduce borrowing costs, the country optimally shortens its maturity. We calibrate the model to yearly Brazilian data. The model can rationalize the observed patterns of maturity and repayment structure, as an optimal trade-off between consumption smoothing and endogenous borrowing cost due to lack of enforcement.
Measurements of radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations using twin cup dosimeter for indoor Al-Madaan city – Baghdad – Iraq

In this study, the activity concentrations of indoor radon, thoronand their progeny have been measured in air for 61 differentlocations of Al-Maddan city using twin cup dosimeter. Furthermore,some useful parameters concerning the health hazards have beenestimated; working level month (WLM), annual effective dose (Eff),and excess lung cancer per million person per year (ELC). The resultsshow that the values of radon gas levels in the investigated districtsvaried from 56.28 to 194.43Bq/m3with an overall average value132.96Bq/m3, while 0.313 to 1.085 for WLM with an overall average0.740, respectively. The value of Eff and ELC have been found tovary from 1.420 to 4.918 mSv/y with an overall average value3.354mSv/y, and 852 to 2951 with an overall average value 2013,respectively. For thoron gas only, the results showed that the thoronactivity concentration varied from 15.05 to 172.40 Bq/m3 with anoverall average 76.48 Bq/m3, and 0.021to 0.240for WLM with anoverall average 0.106, respectively. The values of Eff and ELC havebeen found to vary from 0.256 to 2.94 mSv/y with an overallaverage1.30 mSv/y and from 57 to 652 with an overall average of298, respectively. The concentration of radon progeny varied from59.44 to 301.39 Bq/m3 with an overall average 157.62 Bq/m3. Theresults illustrated that there is a large variation in the values of themeasured concentrations. This is due to the wide variation in theconstruction of the houses in Al-Madaan city. However, allinvestigated locations have radon concentration below the actionlevel (200-300Bq/m3) that recommended byICRP. Therefore, there isno health hazard of radon in the region of Al-Madaan city wheremeasurements have been performed.