Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wave breaking in developing and mature seas

[1] In response to the growing need for robust validation data for Phillips (1985) breaking wave spectral framework, we contribute new field results observed from R/P FLIP for the breaking crest length distributions, Λ, during two different wind-wave conditions, and breaking strength during one wind-wave condition. The first experiment in Santa Barbara Channel had developing seas and the second experiment in the central Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii had mature seas. These are among the first experiments to use dissipation rate measurements probing up into the breaking crest together with simultaneous measurements of breaking crest length distributions. We directly measured the effective breaking strength parameter to be 4.2(±1.8)×10−5 in mature seas with wave age, cp/u*, of 40–47. We also found that the velocity scale of the breaking dissipation rate peak decreases with increasing wave age. Further, the breaking crest length spectrum falls off slower than the c−6 behavior predicted by Phillips (1985). The integrated dissipation rate was consistently higher for mature seas compared to developing seas due to higher energy and momentum fluxes from the wind.
Native and nonnative processing of Japanese pitch accent

ABSTRACT The theoretical framework of this study is based on the prevalent debate of whether prosodic processing is influenced by higher level linguistic-specific circuits or reflects lower level encoding of physical properties. Using the dichotic listening technique, the study investigates the hemispheric processing of Japanese pitch accent by native Japanese listeners and two groups of nonnative listeners with no prior pitch accent experience but differing in their native language experience with linguistic pitch: native listeners of Mandarin (a tone language with higher linguistic functional use of pitch) and native listeners of English (a stress language with lower functional use of pitch). The overall results reveal that, for both native and nonnative listeners, the processing of Japanese pitch accent is less lateralized (compared to lexical tone processing, which has been found to be a left hemisphere property). However, detailed analysis with individual pitch accents across groups shows a right hemisphere preference for processing the high–accent–low (H*L) pattern, a left hemisphere preference for LH*, and no hemisphere dominance for LH, indicating a significant reliance on the acoustic cues. These patterns are particularly prominent with the English listeners who are least experienced with linguistic pitch. Together, the findings suggest an interplay of linguistic and acoustic aspects in the processing of Japanese pitch accent by native and nonnative listeners.
An Intelligent Monitoring and Controlling of Greenhouse: Deployment of Wireless Sensor Networks and Internet-of-Things

Typically, the farmers are using the traditional ways of farming that cannot provide the proper amount of fertilizers and no specific criterion can be set the proper amount of climate parameters. Henceforth, the agricultural field demands up-to-date technology to enhance the desired outputs by deploying automated crop techniques for the better production of crops and plants. In the prescribed context, we have devised an architecture consisting of an embedded system and a wireless sensor network that could be employed to monitor the climatic parameters such as humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, acidity, soil moisture, and light intensity etc. in a greenhouse. This work is accomplished by manually positioning the different sensor nodes in the greenhouse for collection of climate data which is subsequently forwarded to gateway nodes. Gateway nodes are responsible to send this information to the intended user or an agriculture professional via an internet web browser. The received data trigger the proposed embedded system to automatically proceed a decision by executing suitable actions to adjust an agriculture field with climate parameters. For instance, the climate of a greenhouse is controlled by turning on certain devices including fan, water sprinkler, lights etc. The proposed fruitful system is constructed at lab-scale prototype as a witness to proof the reliability, low-cost and efﬁciency of the proposed design. We consider that the proposed design can be easily implemented at large-scale in future, and will be beneficial for escalation of the profitability, sustainability, and productivity of the agricultural system.
NUFIP and the HSP 90 / R 2 TP chaperone bind the SMN complex and facilitate assembly of U 4-specific proteins

The Sm proteins are loaded on snRNAs by the SMN complex, but how snRNP-specific proteins are assembled remains poorly characterized. U4 snRNP and box C/D snoRNPs have structural similarities. They both contain the 15.5K and proteins with NOP domains (PRP31 for U4, NOP56/58 for snoRNPs). Biogenesis of box C/D snoRNPs involves NUFIP and the HSP90/R2TP chaperone system and here, we explore the function of this machinery in U4 RNP assembly. We show that yeast Prp31 interacts with several components of the NUFIP/R2TP machinery, and that these interactions are separable from each other. In human cells, PRP31 mutants that fail to stably associate with U4 snRNA still interact with components of the NUFIP/R2TP system, indicating that these interactions precede binding of PRP31 to U4 snRNA. Knock-down of NUFIP leads to mislocalization of PRP31 and decreased association with U4. Moreover, NUFIP is associated with the SMN complex through direct interactions with Gemin3 and Gemin6. Altogether, our data suggest a model in which the NUFIP/R2TP system is connected with the SMN complex and facilitates assembly of U4 snRNP-specific
Many faces of the concept of culture (and education)

In this theoretical essay, we examine four conceptual gestalt approaches to culture and education: “culture as pattern,” “culture as boundary,” “culture as authorship,” and “culture as critical dialog. ” In the “culture as pattern,” education aims at socializing people into a given cultural practice. Any decline from culturally valued patterns becomes a deficit for education to eliminate. In the “culture as boundary,” encounter with other cultures highlights their arbitrariness and equality. Education focuses on celebration of diversity, tolerance, pluralism, social justice, and equal rights. The “culture as authorship” is about authorial transcendence of the given recognized by others. Education promotes dialogic creativity and authorship. Student/author is the final authority of his/her own education. “Culture as critical dialog” promotes testing ideas, opinions, beliefs, desires, and values. Critical dialog is inherently deconstructive, promoting never-ending search for truth. Education aims at the critical examination of the self, life, world, and society. Student is welcomed as an ultimate spoilsport, a devil’s advocate. In conclusion, we discuss complex relationships among the four gestalt approaches to culture and education and the ontology of these gestalt approaches. As a by-product of our analysis, we critically deconstruct the concept of meaning making as deeply dialogic process, separating it from its many masks that are mistakenly identified with it.
Evaluation of some heavy metal contaminants in biscuits, fruit drinks, concentrates, candy, milk products and carbonated drinks sold in Ibadan, Nigeria

There is an increasing concern about the health effect in human due to continual consumption of food contaminated with heavy metals gotten from raw materials, manufacturing and packaging processes. It is therefore crucial to know the level of heavy metals in them because of its bio-accumulative property. A total of twelve (12) different brands of sweet and milk sweets, six different brands of biscuits, eleven different brands of fruit and flavoured concentrates and five different types of liquid drinks all of popular brands were collected. All the samples were cold digested using concentrated hydrochloric acid and nitric acid in ratio 1:1. The extracts were analysed for calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, and cadmium with Perkin Elmer (A Analyst 200) Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Appropriate quality assurance procedures were followed to ensure accuracy of results. Results showed that calcium and iron were present in all the samples analysed while chromium, copper, lead and cadmium were not detected in some samples. Calcium had higher concentration than other heavy metals in all the samples. Concentrations of these metals in all the samples were found to be lower than their permissible limits, which implied non contamination hence no health threat to human, but continuous consumption may be hazardous to the health. Keywords : Hazardous, bio-accumulative, contamination.
Online Social Presence: A Study of Score Validity of the Computer-Mediated Communication Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis of the Computer-Mediated Communication Questionnaire scores, using structural equation modeling, to assess the consistency between the empirical data and the hypothesized factor structure of the CMCQ in the proposed models, which is stipulated by the theoretical framework and previous research. Online social presence is a vital affective learning factor that influences online interaction. In this study, online social presence was defined as the degree of feeling, perception, reaction, and trustworthiness of being connected by computer-mediated communication to another intellectual entity through electronic media. Currently, valid instruments to determine the degree of social presence felt and exhibited by online learners are wanting. The results of this study indicated that online social presence was multidimensional, and composed of 4 factors as hypothesized in the theoretical framework: social context, online communication, interactivity, and privacy, although revision of some test items was also suggested by the results.
Growth Hormone Deficiency During the Transition Phase

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis has several roles. While achievement of a satisfactory height is probably the most important and well-known, it is now clear that it also affects body composition, metabolism, muscle mass and bone density during the transition period. Recombinant-growth hormone (Rec-GH) therapy is normally administered to GH-deficient children to achieve a reasonable final height. Retesting with a provocative test (insulin tolerance test or growth-hormone-releasing hormone + arginine test) is necessary during the transition period, after measuring IGF-1 levels. If the patient is still GH-deficient, rec-GH therapy should be restarted at 0.2–0.5 mg/day up to a final dosage of 0.8–1.0 mg/day (albeit there is no general consensus on the dosage). In fact, there is widespread literature evidence of the negative impact of GH-deficiency during the transition period, which provokes increased visceral fat and waist/hip ratio, decreased muscle mass and bone density and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
A Study of the Relationship of Firm Characteristics and Corporate Governance with the Difference between Declared and Final Taxes in Iran

In the most cases, there is a difference between the tax declared by companies and the tax determined by tax authorities. The current study, aims the relationship of differences in declared and final taxes with some firm characteristics and corporate governance criteria in companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange including 102 listed companies (510 observations). The research hypotheses tested using the multiple linear regression (MLR) along with the generalized panel method of integrated data. The findings of the study indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between interest expense coverage ratio, earnings before tax (EBT) to revenue ratio, and earnings before tax (EBT) to total assets ratio and differences in declared and final taxes; as a result, the higher the ratios are, the greater the tax wedge will be. Also, according to the results, no significant relationship is observed between differences in declared and final taxes and other variables including firm size and debt ratio, the ownership percentage of the big owner, presence of the state shareholder with minimum influence, independence of the board, and existence of the tax paragraph in financial audit report. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n4p488
Antimicrobial Activity of Satureja Hortensis L. Essential Oil Against Pathogenic Microbial Strains

ABSTRACT A hydrodistilled oil of Satureja hortensis L. was investigated for its antimicrobial activity against a panel of 11 bacterial and three fungal strains. The antimicrobial activity was determined using disk-diffusion method and broth microdilution method. Essential oil of S. hortensis L. showed significant activity against wide spectrum of Gram (-) bacteria (MIC/MBC=0.025–0.78/0.05–0.78 μl/ml) and Gram (+) bacteria (MIC/MBC=0.05–0.39/0.05–0.78 μl/ml), as well as against fungal strains (MIC/MBC=0.20/0.78 μl/ml). Therefore, the present results indicate that this oil can be used in food conservation, treatment of different deseases of humans, and also for the treatment of the plants infected by phytopathogens.
Performance assessment of reinforced ballasted rail track

In coastal Australia, high population density and increased traffic volumes have promoted rapid expansion of urban transportation infrastructure including railways. Coastal soft clays pose significant construction challenges. Therefore, the search for innovative ground improvement techniques imperative for more resilient and sustainable transport infrastructure has become an obvious priority in research and development. Use of artificial inclusions such as polymeric geosynthetics and energy-absorbing shock mats is described in this paper as a suitable alternative for reducing unacceptable track degradation and for ensuring sustainable track alignment. An extensive monitoring programme was undertaken on fully instrumented track sections constructed near Singleton, New South Wales, Australia. Four types of geosynthetics were installed at the ballast–capping interface of track sections located on different types of subgrades. It was found that geogrids could decrease the vertical settlement of the ballast la.
Residence time and potential range: crucial considerations in modelling plant invasions

A prime aim of invasion biology is to predict which species will become invasive, but retrospective analyses have so far failed to develop robust generalizations. This is because many biological, environmental, and anthropogenic factors interact to determine the distribution of invasive species. However, in this paper we also argue that many analyses of invasiveness have been flawed by not considering several fundamental issues: (1) the range size of an invasive species depends on how much time it has had to spread (its residence time); (2) the range size and spread rate are mediated by the total extent of suitable (i.e. potentially invasible) habitat; and (3) the range size and spread rate depend on the frequency and intensity of introductions (propagule pressure), the position of founder populations in relation to the potential range, and the spatial distribution of the potential range. We explored these considerations using a large set of invasive alien plant species in South Africa for which accurate distribution data and other relevant information were available.
Chemical similarities between Galactic bulge and local thick disk red giants: O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, and Ti

Context. The formation and evolution of the Galactic bulge and its relationship with the other Galactic populations is still poorly understood. Aims. To establish the chemical differences and similarities between the bulge and other stellar populations, we performed an elemental abundance analysis of α- (O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti) and Z-odd (Na and Al) elements of red giant stars in the bulge as well as of local thin disk, thick disk and halo giants. Methods. We use high-resolution optical spectra of 25 bulge giants in Baade’s window and 55 comparison giants (4 halo, 29 thin disk and 22 thick disk giants) in the solar neighborhood. All stars have similar stellar parameters but cover a broad range in metallicity (−1.5 < [Fe/H] < +0.5). A standard 1D local thermodynamic equilibrium analysis using both Kurucz and MARCS models yielded the abundances of O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti and Fe. Our homogeneous and differential analysis of the Galactic stellar populations ensured that systematic errors were minimized. Results. We confirm the well-established differences for [α/Fe] at a given metallicity between the local thin and thick disks. For all the elements investigated, we find no chemical distinction between the bulge and the local thick disk, in agreement with our previous study of C, N and O but in contrast to other groups relying on literature values for nearby disk dwarf stars. For −1.5 < [Fe/H] < −0.3 exactly the same trend is followed by both the bulge and thick disk stars, with a star-to-star scatter of only 0.03 dex. Furthermore, both populations share the location of the knee in the [α/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] diagram. It still remains to be confirmed that the local thick disk extends to super-solar metallicities as is the case for the bulge. These are the most stringent constraints to date on the chemical similarity of these stellar populations. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the bulge and local thick disk stars experienced similar formation timescales, star formation rates and initial mass functions, confirming thus the main outcomes of our previous homogeneous analysis of [O/Fe] from infrared spectra for nearly the same sample. The identical α-enhancements of thick disk and bulge stars may reflect a rapid chemical evolution taking place before the bulge and thick disk structures we see today were formed, or it may reflect Galactic orbital migration of inner disk/bulge stars resulting in stars in the solar neighborhood with thick-disk kinematics.
On an adaptive version of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with independent proposal distribution

In this paper, we present a general formulation of an algorithm, the adaptive independent chain (AIC), that was introduced in a special context in Gasemyr et al. [Methodol. Comput. Appl. Probab. 3 (2001)]. The algorithm aims at producing samples from a specific target distribution Π, and is an adaptive, non-Markovian version of the Metropolis-Hastings independent chain. A certain parametric class of possible proposal distributions is fixed, and the parameters of the proposal distribution are updated periodically on the basis of the recent history of the chain, thereby obtaining proposals that get ever closer to Π. We show that under certain conditions, the algorithm produces an exact sample from Π in a finite number of iterations, and hence that it converges to II. We also present another adaptive algorithm, the componentwise adaptive independent chain (CAIC), which may be an alternative in particular in high dimensions. The CAIC may be regarded as an adaptive approximation to the Gibbs sampler updating parametric approximations to the conditionals of II.
Possible Applications to Aquaculture of Salmonid Sleeping Beauty Transposon Vectors

The sleeping beauty (SB) vectors have been designed from transposons “sleeping” in thousands of incomplete copies in the salmon/trout genomes. The SB system consists of one vector containing the transposase enzyme and of second vector carrying the inverted terminal repeats flanking an exogenous gene. The SB dual vectors system originated from fish, but it has been mostly used in mammals that lack these transposon systems. Several human clinical trials for gene therapy are using this SB system. Some of the advantages of SB vectors include the introduction of a defined, non-viral sequence as a single copy with each transposition (instead of a random recombination), thus avoiding the carrier over of prokaryotic sequences. This manuscript reviews the development of SB transposase versions and their derived vectors for possible use in fish cultured at a commercial level. There is a potential use for the SB vectors for the creation of transgenic fish, for the improvement of fish DNA vaccines and for the identification of genes in fish that might be important to improve the culture of these animals. However, the presence of thousands of incomplete SB transposon-related copies in many fish genomes and the possible activity of their endogenous SB transposases might interfere with the use of SB vectors in fish. Those possible limitations will depend on the fish specie and will have to be investigated in each case. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Finance-Growth Nexus : Evidence from Sri Lanka 1

This study investigates the relationship between financial development and economic growth of Sri Lanka using time series data from 1960 to 2008. Cointegration and causality tests are conducted to assess the finance-growth link by taking saving, investment, trade and real interest rate into account. The empirical results show that economic growth causes financial development in the long-run and there is no reverse causation. This conclusion of the study goes in line with the views expressed by Demetriades and Hussein (1996), Macri and Sinha (2001) and Abma and Fase (2003) but departs distinctively from the observations made by Ahmed and Ansari (1998), on the finance-growth link in relation to Sri Lanka. The results of this research also show that the investment causes the economic growth which in turn results in demand for financial services to follow the growth in the real sector of the economy. This study has further identified that Sri Lanka’s financial system has shown some weaknesses in performing its tasks which would have been instrumental in the determination of causality pattern between financial sector development and economic growth of the country.
Enhancement of inorganic nutrient regeneration in a eutrophic sediment-bottom water complex system by adding effective indigenous bacteria

: To enhance heterotrophic activities for decomposing organic matter in a eutrophic bottom environment, two promising bacterial strains isolated from the study site, named Enterobacter sp. 9410-O and Pseudomonas sp. W-4 were introduced by absorbance onto porous substrates in the sediment-bottom water complex system. Strain 9410-O grew well at >20°C, considered as mesophilic, while the other strain W-4 grew at a wide rage of temperatures from 5°C to 30°C and was psychrotolerant. Addition of 9410-O stimulated net regeneration of inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and inorganic phosphorus (DIP) from the sediment by approximately four–fivefold at a high temperature of 26°C, but some stimulation was noticed at the lower temperature of 13°C. However, strain W-4 stimulated DIN and DIP net regeneration both at low (13°C; approx. threefold) and high temperatures (26°C; approx. four–fivefold). These results suggest that the application of such effective bacteria as described here would be promising for the stimulation of self-purification in the field of eutrophic bottom environments.