Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE POTENTIAL FOR HYPOGENE SPELEOGENESIS IN THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU OF SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY, U.S.A.

This manuscript offers preliminary geochemical evidence that investigates the potential for hypogene speleogenesis in the Cumberland Plateau of southeastern Kentucky, U.S.A. The region was traditionally considered a classic example of epigenic karst, but new insights have uncovered tantalizing observations that suggest alternatives to simple carbonic acid speleogenesis. Such first-order observations have included natural petroleum seeps at the surface and in caves, occasional cave morphologies consistent with action of hypogene fluids, and prolific gypsum within cave passages. To this point, geochemical data from caves and springs verify carbonic acid as the primary dissolutional agent; however, these same analyses cannot rule out sulfuric acid as a secondary source of dissolution. In this paper, Principal Component Analysis of ionic data reveals two components that coordinate with parameters associated with “karst water” and shallow brine. In contrast, molar ratios of Ca + and Mg + as compared to HCO3 - and SO4 2- closely follow the reaction pathway stipulated by the carbonate equilibria reactions. Despite these data, the role, if any, of hypogene speleogenesis in the karst of the Cumberland Plateau remains inconclusive. It is very likely that carbonic acid dominates speleogenesis; however, contributions from sulfuric acid may influence our understanding of “inception” and carbon flux within these aquifers.
A Study on Cyberbullying: Its Forms, Awareness and Moral Reasoning Among Youth

This purpose of the study is to investigate forms, awareness and moral reasoning against cyberbullying among youth. The study used primary data which was obtained through self-administered survey questionnaire. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to three different universities to examine the behaviour of youth towards cyberbullying pattern. Descriptive, frequency and correlation analysis were carried out on the primary data gathered. Findings showed that the three independent variables have close relationship towards the activities of cyberbullying among youth.
Multi-Drug Resistant Neisseria gonorrhea Among Hotel-Based Sex Workers in Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Information on antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of Neisseria gonorrhea among commercial sex workers in worldwide many cities have already been reported but are yet to be investigated in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile in N. gonorrhea among hotel-based sex workers in this city. N. gonorrhea strain was isolated from endocervical swab specimen from sex workers and identified by biochemical analysis. In vitro susceptibility test of gonorrhea isolates was performed by disk diffusion method with traditional and widely used antimicrobials, e.g. penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone and cefixime. Sex workers' mean age ranged 20-30 years having either hidden or obvious gonococcal infection. All isolated N. gonorrhea strains were highly or intermediately resistant against tetracycline, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone. High-level resistance was found in three isolates against tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. Eythromycin was resistant against three isolates but was highly active against one isolate. Only cefixime was potentially active against all isolates indicating that cefixime is currently the choice of drug for gonorrhea treatment. However, tested antibiotics exhibited a case-specific effectiveness on gonorrhea isolates. Obtained drug resistance pattern varied on the case of individual, some other factors associated with lifestyle of individual and geographic location. Multi-drug resistant N. gonorrhea was in alerting level that bears a risk of transmission of STD to general public. The need of surveillance and counseling to sex workers, prevention and control of infection should be undertaken seriously otherwise it would cause a devastating epidemic in near future.
The Competitiveness of Multinational Firms: A Case Study of Samsung Electronics and Sony

Recently Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (SEC) has made headlines in the mass media for its outstanding performance. Reputable international newspapers and magazines have said that it was a shock to see SEC transform from ‘low-cost and often unreliable’ into ‘high-quality and sophisticated’. SEC is often compared with Sony Corporation and some say that it has already caught up with the Japan-based giant. The purpose of this paper is to give answers to two questions: Is the media talking about the whole picture of competitiveness; is SEC really as competitive as Sony? Here we try to clarify the issue of competitiveness using the generalized double diamond model (Moon, Rugman, and Verbeke 1995, 1998), which was extended from Porter’s (1990) diamond model. Also, we will suggest the main factors that determine the competitiveness of multinational firms in the global market.
The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, in Portugal: possible introductions and spread routes of a serious biological invasion revealed by molecular methods

The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), is a major world-wide pathogen and pest of pine, with impacts on forest health, natural ecosystem stability and international trade. In Portugal, PWN was first diagnosed in 1999, the first occurrence also for Europe. The disease was recently detected on the island of Madeira and in northern Spain. In an attempt to search for more reliable and robust molecular markers that enable the study of intraspecific variability of B. xylophilus from different geographic locations, the intergenic spacer (IGS) region of the 5S rRNA gene and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) analysis were used to determine the genetic relationships among 43 B. xylophilus isolates from Portugal, China, Japan, South Korea and USA. IGS sequence analysis showed that this region can only be used to establish interspecific relationships, since no differences were detected among Portuguese isolates from different geographic locations. Fingerprints obtained with ISSR show high genetic variability among Portuguese isolates, except for the ones obtained prior to 2008. The ISSR dendrogram suggests the spread of the disease inside continental Portugal and to Madeira. Until 2008, B. xylophilus populations found in continental Portugal showed low genetic diversity, pointing to a single introduction, probably from Asia, whereas recent populations from continental Portugal (2009-2010) and Madeira show high genetic diversity, suggesting multiple introductions from different origins.
Nearby and vanishing cycles for perverse sheaves and D-modules

We survey nearby and vanishing cycles for both perverse sheaves and D-modules under analytic setting. Following ideas of A. Beilinson, M. Kashiwara and M. Saito, we explain in detail the proof of the comparison theorem between them in the sense of Riemann-Hilbert correspondence.
Petrology and mineralogy of the angrite Northwest Africa 1670

Abstract— Northwest Africa (NWA) 1670, contains olivines of up to 5 mm in size representing about 30% of the studied section. With subordinate clinopyroxene and chrome‐spinel microphenocrysts (0.2‐0.5 mm), they represent a xenocrystic association. Phenocrysts are surrounded by a groundmass, predominantly comprising bundles of plagioclase and clinopyroxene (typically 20 × 200 μm crystals). Olivine and kirschsteinite are present in the groundmass in lesser amounts. The olivine xenocrysts (Fo90) are significantly fractured and show mosaicism for their major part, the remaining showing faint undulatory extinction. They are surrounded with a rim of 100–200 μm zoned down to Fo80 and overgrown with serrated olivine, Fo80 to Fo60 (about 100 μm). Olivine in the groundmass is zoned from Mg# 0.55 to 0.15; its CaO content ranges 2.0 to 8.4%. Subcalcic kirschsteinite is zoned from Mg# 0.13 to 0.03, CaO increasing from 15.8 to 21.3%. Pyroxenes xenocrysts (Mg# = 0.77) are superseded in the groundmass by less magnesian pyroxenes, Mg# 0.61 to 0.17, with an average FeO/ MnO of 98. Their compositions range from En30 Fs22 Wo27 Al‐Ts28 Ti‐Ts2 to En2 Fs37 Wo22 Al‐Ts40 Ti‐Ts1. Anorthite microcrysts (An99‐100) are restricted to the groundmass. Accessories are pyrrhotite, kamacite, Ca‐phosphate, titanomagnetite, hercynite and Ca‐carbonate.
Utilizing AMCs to tackle Eurozone’s legacy non-performing loans

The recovery of the Eurozone (EZ) economy has made even more pressing the tackling of its debt overhang with the bulk of over 1 trillion Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) concentrated in the more vulnerable economies of the EZ periphery. There is clearly a need to adopt a more radical approach to resolving NPLs than merely augmenting supervisory tools and national legal frameworks. The discussion about the feasibility of country-based or Pan-European Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to tackle legacy NPLs has recently intensified. Yet political objections premised on fears of debt mutualisation, the structural and legal questions surrounding the possible establishment of AMCs, and differing recovery rates and levels of market transparency within the EZ have led to the dismissal of the idea by the European Council. This article discusses the merits and shortcomings of AMCs in tackling NPLs and proposes a comprehensive structure for a Pan-European “bad bank” with virtually ring-fenced country subsidiaries to ensure burden sharing without debt mutualisation. The proposed “bad bank” structure intends to resolve a host of governance, valuation, and transparency problems that would otherwise surround a “bad bank” solution. Also, the proposed scheme is in effective compliance with the EU state aid regime and could lead, if implemented, to the alleviation of the EZ debt overhang to stimulate credit growth.
First molecular identification of Entamoeba moshkovskii from diarrhoeic stools in Kaduna State, Nigeria: a short report.

Background: Entamoeba moshkovskii is morphologically identical, but different to Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar biochemically and genetically. There are paucity of data on the prevalence of these commensal infectious organisms from Africa. Aim: The present study was carried out to identify and differentiate Entamoeba moshkovskii from Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar genetically using PCR and DNA sequencing. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from microscopically positive stool samples and amplified using the Nested Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (NM-PCR). The PCR products of 16S-like rRNA genes of E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii were sequenced on ABI3730XL sequencer (Macrogen, Seoul, South Korea) using species specific primers. Results: Of the 46 microscopically positive stool samples, only16 (34.8%) successfully amplified Entamoeba species DNA. Out of the 16 PCR positive results, 3 (18.8%) contained Entamoeba moshkovskii, of which co-infection with Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii was found in 2 (12.5%) samples, while 1 (6.3%) sample had only Entamoeba moshkovskii mono infection. Conclusion: This study reports the first intestinal infections with Entamoeba moshkovskii in diarrhoeic patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The recovery of E moshkovskii from diarrhoeic stools supports the concept that it could be a potential pathogen for humans as reported by many authors from different parts of the world. Therefore, the microscopic detection of Entamoeba needs further confirmation using molecular techniques in order to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
Risk Management theory: the integrated perspective and its application in the public sector

This article aims to discuss in a normative way, the foundations of the theory of risk management, showing its evolution and reviewing the main best practices. As consequence, after a quick description of the current environment into which public and private organizations currently struggle, we proceed to develop a clear definition of risk. We introduce then, the fundamental aspects of risk management and the practices prescribe in the literature. Moreover, we describe the fundamental elements that have marked the transition from the "silo" approach or compartmental perspective of risk management, to the integrated risk management approach. At the end of the article, we discuss the application of risk management in the public sector, describing its difference from private risk management.
Evaluating the performance of coupled snow–soil models in SURFEXv8 to simulate the permafrost thermal regime at a high Arctic site

Abstract. Climate change projections still suffer from a limited representation of the permafrost–carbon feedback. Predicting the response of permafrost temperature to climate change requires accurate simulations of Arctic snow and soil properties. This study assesses the capacity of the coupled land surface and snow models ISBA-Crocus and ISBA-ES to simulate snow and soil properties at Bylot Island, a high Arctic site. Field measurements complemented with ERA-Interim reanalyses were used to drive the models and to evaluate simulation outputs. Snow height, density, temperature, thermal conductivity and thermal insulance are examined to determine the critical variables involved in the soil and snow thermal regime. Simulated soil properties are compared to measurements of thermal conductivity, temperature and water content. The simulated snow density profiles are unrealistic, which is most likely caused by the lack of representation in snow models of the upward water vapor fluxes generated by the strong temperature gradients within the snowpack. The resulting vertical profiles of thermal conductivity are inverted compared to observations, with high simulated values at the bottom of the snowpack. Still, ISBA-Crocus manages to successfully simulate the soil temperature in winter. Results are satisfactory in summer, but the temperature of the top soil could be better reproduced by adequately representing surface organic layers, i.e., mosses and litter, and in particular their water retention capacity. Transition periods (soil freezing and thawing) are the least well reproduced because the high basal snow thermal conductivity induces an excessively rapid heat transfer between the soil and the snow in simulations. Hence, global climate models should carefully consider Arctic snow thermal properties, and especially the thermal conductivity of the basal snow layer, to perform accurate predictions of the permafrost evolution under climate change.
Kinematics of the Pamir and Hindu Kush regions from GPS geodesy

GPS velocities measured in the Pamir and surrounding regions show a total of ~30 mm/yr of northward relative motion between stable Pakistan and Eurasia. The convergence budget is partitioned into 10–15 mm/yr of localized shortening across the Trans‐Alai Thrust, which bounds the Pamir on the north, consistent with southward subduction of intact lithosphere. Another 10–15 mm/yr of shortening is distributed across the Chitral Himalaya and Hindu Kush, suggesting that Hindu Kush seismicity might be related to northward subduction of Indian lithosphere. Modest shortening at <5 mm/yr occurs north of the Trans‐Alai Thrust, across the South Tien Shan and between the Ferghana Valley and Eurasia. Negligible north‐south shortening occurs within the high Pamir, but as much as 5 mm/yr, and perhaps 10 mm/yr, of east‐west extension occurs within this region. This extension is matched by a comparable amount of east‐west shortening in the Tajik Depression. The localization of shortening to the margins of the Pamir combined with observations of distributed internal extension implies that the east‐west vertically averaged, horizontal compressive normal stress is smaller than the north‐south compressive stress.
An empirical investigation of hierarchical versus distinction relations in a self-based ACT exercise

Since its inception, ACT has placed a significant emphasis on the use of self-based techniques, and the self was defined initially through the three selves (i.e., self as content, self as process, and self as context). In addition, RFT provided a more technical account of self in terms of the deictic relational frames. However, the overlap between ACT's mid-level terms (e.g., self as context) and RFT's derived relations has been the subject of limited empirical scrutiny. The current study investigated the relative utility of manipulating distinction deictic versus hierarchical deictic relations in a self as context exercise designed to reduce experimentally induced emotional distress. The findings demonstrated superiority of the intervention that focused on hierarchical, rather than distinction, deictic relations in terms of reducing distress. The implications of the data for the potential overlap between ACT and RFT are discussed.
DEPARTEMENT TOEGEPASTE ECONOMISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN

Despite its obvious importance, not much marketing research focuses on how business-cycle fluctuations affect individual companies and/or industries. Often, one only has aggregate information on the state of the national economy, even though cyclical contractions and expansions need not have an equal impact on every industry, nor on all firms in that industry. Using recent time-series developments, we introduce various measures to quantify the extent and nature of business-cycle fluctuations in sales. Specifically, we discuss the notions of cyclical volatility and cyclical comovement, and consider two types of cyclical asymmetry related, respectively, to the relative size of the peaks and troughs and the rate of change in upward versus downward parts of the cycle. In so doing, we examine how consumers adjust their purchasing behavior across different phases of the business cycle. We apply these concepts to a broad set (24) of consumer durables, for which we analyze the cyclical sensitivity in their sales evolution. In that way, we (i) derive a novel set of empirical generalizations, and (ii) test different marketing theory-based hypotheses on the underlying drivers of cyclical sensitivity. Consumer durables are found to be more sensitive to business-cycle fluctuations than the general economic activity, as expressed in an average cyclical volatility of more than four times the GNP, and an average comovement elasticity in excess of 2. This observation calls for an explicit consideration of cyclical variation in durable sales. Moreover, even though no evidence is found for depth asymmetry, the combined evidence across all durables suggests that asymmetry is present in the speed of up- and downward movements, as durable sales fall much quicker during contractions than they recover during economic expansions. Finally, key variables related to the industry's pricing activities, the nature of the durable (convenience vs. leisure), and the stage in a product's life cycle tend to moderate the extent of cyclical sensitivity in durable sales patterns.
Impact of the Changed Eating Habits on the Health Risks among the Algerians University Female

Until now, associations between the lifestyle university female and health risk factors have not yet been evaluated in the Algerian community. From that, we choose the body weight as parameter usually expressed as a relative parameter allowing comparisons in similar health risk studies. Whether our background confirms that, the physiological parameters generally vary with body weight according to a power equation expressed. Through that, our sample is consisting of 48 female university students not engaged in any planned physical activity and the only difference between them existed in the behavior eating habits due to the transition to a university, were some of them avoid fast food and others do not. Based on these limitations, our sample was divided into two homogeneous groups (sex-age- Height and eating habits). While our assessments were based on weight, height, BMI as measurements Anthropometric and Upper limb muscle endurance, Endurance of muscles of the lower back and pelvic and muscular endurance of the lower limbs (the test Killy) as physiological parameters. Based on the Statistical treatment applied we confirm: • The university life increases the health risks due to changes in the food habits. • The choice of Snacks increases the Body Fat, which reduces physiological capacity. • The student must adopt lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and healthy eating.
Dominant role of winds near Sri Lanka in driving seasonal sea level variations along the west coast of India

The strong seasonal cycle of sea level along the west coast of India (WCI) has important consequences for ecosystem and fisheries, and the Lakshadweep high/low in the southeast Arabian Sea is important for fisheries and the Indian summer monsoon. Previous studies suggested that WCI sea level variability is primarily driven by remote wind forcing from the Bay of Bengal and equatorial Indian Ocean through coastal Kelvin wave propagation. Using a linear ocean model, we demonstrate that wind forcing in a relatively small region around the southern tip of India and east of Sri Lanka contribute to ~60% of this variability. Wind variations from the rest of the Bay and the equator only account respectively for ~20% and ~10%. Sea level signals forced by the “southern tip” winds extend westward into the eastern Arabian Sea through Rossby wave propagation, with more than 50% contribution in the Lakshadweep high/low region.
Impacts of citrus pulp addition and wilting on elephant grass silage quality.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of citrus pulp addition and wilting on fermentative characteristics, chemical composition as well as gas and effluent losses of elephant grass silage. The elephant grass (70 growth days) was collected manually; one portion was immediately chopped and another one was allowed to wilt in the sun for a period of 6 h and subsequently chopped for the production of silage. Experimental PVC silos (10 cm diameter x 30 cm height) were used and sand bags were placed at the bottom of the silos. Citrus pulp (80 g kg-1 of MN) was added at the beginning of ensilage. The ensiled material was manually compressed to provide a specific mass of approximately 600 kg m-3 of silage. After 60 days, the silos were opened; gas and effluent losses were calculated and we determined pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein(CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), lignin, ammonia nitrogen, ash and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). We added 0 or 80 g kg-1 of citrus pulp to wilted and un-wilted elephant grass. We used a completely randomised design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (wilted or un-wilted) x (with or without citrus pulp), totalling treatments with five repetitions. Average values were compared using the F test with a probability of 5%. The addition of citrus pulp resulted in reduced levels of NDF, lignin, ash, N-NH3 and pH and in increased values of DM and IVDMD of silages. Wilting increased the DM, NDF and lignin values and reduced the concentrations of CP, IVDMD and N-NH3. Based on our results, citrus pulp addition improves the chemical composition of elephant grass silage and increases its in vitro dry matter digestibility.