Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of the tropical climate to an interhemispheric thermal gradient: the role of tropical ocean dynamics

Abstract. This study aims to determine the role of the tropical ocean dynamics in the response of the climate to extratropical thermal forcing. We analyse and compare the outcomes of coupling an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) with two ocean models of different complexity. In the first configuration the AGCM is coupled with a slab ocean model while in the second a reduced gravity ocean (RGO) model is additionally coupled in the tropical region. We find that the imposition of extratropical thermal forcing (warming in the Northern Hemisphere and cooling in the Southern Hemisphere with zero global mean) produces, in terms of annual means, a weaker response when the RGO is coupled, thus indicating that the tropical ocean dynamics oppose the incoming remote signal. On the other hand, while the slab ocean coupling does not produce significant changes to the equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) seasonal cycle, the RGO configuration generates strong warming in the central-eastern basin from April to August balanced by cooling during the rest of the year, strengthening the seasonal cycle in the eastern portion of the basin. We hypothesize that such changes are possible via the dynamical effect that zonal wind stress has on the thermocline depth. We also find that the imposed extratropical pattern affects El Nino–Southern Oscillation, weakening its amplitude and low-frequency behaviour.
Can Video-based Perceptual-cognitive Tests Differentiate Between Skill Level, Player Position, and Experience in Elite Australian Football?

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate if there were differences in perceptual-cognitive skills of subgroups within an elite (full-time professional) Australian football (AF) team. Players completed a video-based test, measuring response accuracy, consisting of three sub-tests (pattern recall, ruck cue utilization, and decisionmaking with the ball) using clips from 2010 Australian Football League (AFL) matches. Forty-six males (M age = 22.0, SD = 3.4 years) were stratified in three ways for analysis: a) highly skilled and skilled decision-making groups, based on seven coaches’ ratings of decision-making skill; b) midfield and key position players; and, c) experienced and inexperienced players, based on the number of AFL games they have played (e.g., < 25 or 25+). No significant difference was found between the highly skilled and the skilled group for total test score (p = 0.04). The highly skilled group did, however, perform significantly better than the skilled group (p = 0.01) for the decision-making with the ball sub-test, but not for the pattern recall and ruck cue utilization sub-tests. No significant differences were found between the midfield and key position players, or between the experienced and inexperienced players. It appears that the more complex and realistic a video-based task is, the more likely perceptual-cognitive differences will be found within elite AF players. The study compared players at the elite (full-time professional) level, rather than comparing expert and novice participants, and found some perceptual differences between highly skilled and less skilled players.
Coliform organisms associated with milk of cows with mastitis and their sensitivity to commonly available antibiotics in Kaduna State, Nigeria

An examination of raw milk for the isolation of coliforms as members of mastitis-causing organisms was conducted on 300 cows from four Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria. A 10.3% prevalence was recorded for coliform organisms using the Microgen GN-ID A+B Kit (Medica-TecTM), these were; Enterobacter spp. , Citrobacter spp. , Klebsiella spp. , Serratia marcescens, Proteus spp. and Pantoea agglomerans (similar to Enterobacter aerogenes). Antibiotic sensitivity test using commonly available antibiotics showed that all isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin, but resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin. Age, parity number, stage of lactation, management system, hygiene of milking process, and presence of lesion on udder/teat were found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with the prevalence of mastitis in cows. The lowest prevalence (24%; 48 of 200) was recorded in cows within 3 to 4 years of age while, the highest (60.6%; 20 of 33) was in cows aged above 5 years. Stage of lactation was significant with the prevalence of mastitis being the highest (45.5%; 30 of 66) during the initial stage of lactation (0 to 5 month). It was concluded that, the relatively high prevalence of coliforms in bovine mastitis in dairy herds could significantly reduce milk production and cause economic losses. Good hygiene in milking process, milking clinically infected cows last, culling chronic mastitis cases, treating clinically infected cows and dry period therapy could reduce the prevalence of coliform mastitis in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Key words: Cow, milk, mastitis, coliforms, antibiotic sensitivity.
Move Structures in “Statement-of-the-Problem” Sections of M.A. Theses: The Case of Native and Nonnative Speakers of English

Understanding how to structure the “Statement-of-the-Problem” (SP) section of a thesis is necessary for EFL students to develop a logical argumentation for a problem statement. This study intended to compare Move structures of SP sections of theses written by native speakers of Persian (NSPs) and English (NSEs). To this end, 100 SP sections (50 SP sections written by NSEs and 50 written by NSPs) of theses in the field of English language teaching (ELT) were selected and analyzed by the researchers based on Swales' (1990, 2004) CARS models. The analysis of the data revealed that Move structures of SP sections of the two corpora were similar. In both corpora, the three Moves of “Establishing a territory”, “Establishing a niche”, and “Presenting the present work” were considered obligatory. There were some differences in the Steps and many Move pattern variations in the two corpora. The results can broaden the understanding of the nature and function of this genre and can have important implications for EFL instructors.
A Single Bit Matters: Coherent Noise of Seismic Data Loggers

Cross‐correlating seismic random signals, such as coda waves or ambient noise, at two sites can extract seismic wavefields as if a source is at one site and a receiver is at the other if certain conditions are met (e.g., Aki, 1957; Campillo and Paul, 2003). Given the recent development of dense seismic network, the last decade has witnessed the rapid emergence of imaging Earth’s local (Nagaoka et al. , 2012), regional (Shapiro et al. , 2005; Nishida et al. , 2008; Lin et al. , 2011), and global (Nishida et al. , 2009) seismic structures and their temporal changes (Brenguier, Campillo, et al. , 2008; Brenguier, Shapiro, et al. , 2008; Nagaoka et al. , 2010; Brenguier et al. , 2014) from these random signals. With this trend of research, we fortuitously found peculiar pulses in the cross correlations of the Japanese high‐sensitivity seismograph network (Hi‐net; Obara et al. , 2005) seismic records (Fig. 1). Here, we used one‐month records for January 2012 at 142 Hi‐net stations in southwest Japan. Applying a band‐pass filter of 10–20 s to correlograms reveals sharp pulses at lag times of every 60 s (Fig. 1a). Unfiltered correlograms nicely demonstrate a propagation of Rayleigh waves, but a closer look at locations where no wavetrain is extracted reveals sharp pulses at lag times of every second (Fig. 1b). Figure 1. Correlograms of ambient seismic noise aligned along the interstation distance. (a) Correlograms with a band‐pass filter between 10 and 20 s. (b) Unfiltered correlograms of a portion where no extracted wave propagation is expected. (c,d) Same as (a) and (b) but the quantization errors are subtracted from the raw data before cross correlation. (e,f) Same as (a) and (b) but the difference of ZR and RZ correlations is taken without subtraction of the quantization error. The amplitude scales of (c,e) and (d,f) are the same as those of (a) and (b), …
Worker Participation in Health and Safety Regulation: Lessons from Sweden

This paper is a comparative study of worker participation in occupational health and safety regulation in Sweden and Ontario,k Canada, based on research conducted in the late-1980s when worker militancy on the issue was strong in both jurisdictions. It examines differences in the extent of legal participation rights and emphasizes how differences in the social context in which the law operates influences the ability of workers to influence OHS outcomes at their workplaces.
Strategic Accounting Choice Around Firm-Level Labor Negotiations

Prior literature argues that managers make opportunistic income-decreasing accounting choices to limit the concessions made to trade unions. However, empirical research to date presents mixed evidence, potentially due to a common theoretical approach that views labor bargaining as a one-shot game in nature. Using a sample of U.S. firms that engage in firm-level labor collective agreement negotiations, we study whether managers act strategically to reduce the transfer of wealth to employees, and its consequences over investment efficiency. We expect that the repeated nature of this negotiation leads to cooperation among the parties and limits the incentives for earnings manipulation, particularly, over long windows. Our findings suggest that managers take both real and accounting actions, but that these choices are informative rather than opportunistic. In particular, we find evidence consistent with strategic timing of the negotiation and with increased conditional conservatism in the year when the agreement is signed. We do not find evidence of earnings manipulation through discretionary accruals or of decreased investment efficiency around labor bargaining.
Effect of Pharmacist Intervention to Self-Care Practices among Diabetes

Our study objective was to evaluate the pharmacist interventions in providing patient home care. A 24-week longitudinal quasi-experimental-pre-test/post-test study design was used to assess the effectiveness of a diabetes education program to enhance self-care practices. Since this was a longitudinal study a 25% attrition rate was included in the calculation of sample size. Hence the sample size for the proposed study was 106 subjects with 53 subjects in each group. All analyses were done using SPSS version 18 ® . The level of significance was set at 0.05. The Research Ethics Committee of hospital and the Malaysian Medical Research and Ethics Committee approved the study. Of the 109 subjects who met the study-entry criteria, 3 subjects declined to participate due to lack of time and interest. There was no significant relationship between the demographic and clinical characteristic of participants who completed the study. During follow-up there was a statistically significant difference in Self Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) practices between the intervention group (M=2.94, SD=2.25) and control group (M=0.47, SD=1.36; t(127.64)=-8.23, p ≤ 0.001) with moderate effect size (eta squared=0.06). Total physical activity was defined as the combination of non-leisure and leisure activities. There was a statistically significant difference in total physical levels between the intervention (M=14.01, SD=6.41) and control groups (13.21, SD=5.22; t(148.04)=-3.15, p=0.002) with no difference in the non-leisure activity (p=0.43). As for the control group, there was no significant difference in SMBG practices from baseline (M=0.70, SD=1.35) to follow-up (M= 0.47, SD=1.36, t(72)=0.97, P=0.34) and no relationship was found between the number of blood glucose tests done with demographic or clinical variables. Improvement of self-care practices that require lifestyle changes such as diet and increased in physical activities are problematic. This could be due to the complexity of these self-care practices that are socially and culturally constructed and often lifetime habits when compared to SMBG.
A P2PSIP event notification architecture

This M.Sc. thesis, part of the EU FP6 IST project MUSIC, presents a P2PSIP event notification architecture where a traditional SIP event server is replaced by a distributed P2P overlay network. Our objective is a scalable, fault resilient, and redundant SIP architecture that meets the state of the art in handling event state subscriptions, notifications, and publications. The users of the architecture non overlay SIP user agents continue to transparently access the overlay according to the IETF specifications for event state publications (RFC3903 [1]), and notifications (RFC3265 [2]). The proposed architecture leverages a structured P2P overlay network, an application level multicast protocol, and a modified SIP stack that invokes the P2P functionality. The overlay installs a routing and transport infrastructure that distributes the total processing load among the peers. The application level multicast protocol builds dissemination trees each of which serves a particular subscriber group. It also provisions for the failure and recovery features of the overlay in coordination with the P2P subsystem. Finally the SIP stack receives out of overlay SIP calls and invokes the internal P2P functionality. However, not all the overlay peers need to have a SIP stack; only the ones acting as gateways to out of overlay SIP requests. This design allows for lightweight peers, completely unaware of SIP operations and semantics. Moreover, we are evaluating the performance of the notification mechanism in a mobile environment where the peers disconnect and join the overlay at random intervals. The evaluation is performed with a packet level simulator that introduces a variable churn rate to the P2P overlay network. The simulation results show that the architecture experiences service discontinuities when the overlay connections break faster than the overlay repairs these connections. However it is also seen that, when appropriately configured, the notification architecture can partially mitigate the effect of churn and achieve a stable operation.
Performance of INTERCOM for predicting corn–velvetleaf interference across north-central United States

Abstract Cost-effective weed management requires accurate estimates of yield and the potential yield loss resulting from weed infestations. However, crop yield and the effects of weeds are highly variable across years and locations. Ecophysiological models may be useful for predicting the effects of environment and management on crop and weed growth and competitive ability. Ability of the model INTERCOM to predict corn (Zea mays) growth and yield, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) interference on corn yield loss, and single-year economic threshold velvetleaf density (Te) was evaluated using 13 data sets collected in four states. Predicted and observed monoculture corn total aboveground biomass and leaf area index were in close agreement for most of the growing season. Predicted and observed weed-free corn yields were in agreement for yields ranging from 8 to 13 Mg ha−1 but were over- and underpredicted under low-yielding and near-optimal production conditions, respectively. Predicted and observed corn yield loss agreed well across the full range of observed velvetleaf densities for five to nine location years, depending on the performance criterion used. Estimates of Te calculated from predicted weed-free yield and yield loss relationships were an average of 6% smaller than those calculated from observed data, indicating that the model predicts a conservative value of Te in most cases. Although results are encouraging, they indicate that further research is needed to improve the capacity of INTERCOM for predicting weed-free yield and corn–velvetleaf interference. Nomenclature: Corn, Zea mays L. ; velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti Medic. ABUTH.
Topologically close-packed phases in binary transition-metal compounds: matching high-throughput ab initio calculations to an empirical structure map

In steels and single-crystal superalloys the control of the formation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases is critical for the performance of the material. The structural stability of TCP phases in multi-component transition-metal alloys may be rationalized in terms of the average valence-electron count N¯? > and the composition-dependent relative volume-difference ΔV/V¯? >. We elucidate the interplay of these factors by comparing density-functional theory calculations to an empirical structure map based on experimental data. In particular, we calculate the heat of formation for the TCP phases A15, C14, C15, C36, χ, μ and σ for all possible binary occupations of the Wyckoff positions. We discuss the isovalent systems V/Nb–Ta to highlight the role of atomic-size difference and observe the expected stabilization of C14/C15/C36/μ by ΔV/V¯? > at ΔN = 0 in V–Ta. In the systems V/Nb–Re, we focus on the well-known trend of A15 → σ → χ stability with increasing N¯? > and show that the influence of ΔV/V¯? > is too weak to stabilize C14/C15/C36/μ in Nb–Re. As an example for a significant influence of both N¯? > and ΔV/V¯? >, we also consider the systems Cr/Mo–Co. Here the sequence A15 → σ → χ is observed in both systems but in Mo–Co the large size-mismatch stabilizes C14/C15/C36/μ. We also include V/Nb–Co that cover the entire valence range of TCP stability and also show the stabilization of C14/C15/C36/μ. Moreover, the combination of a large volume-difference with a large mismatch in valence-electron count reduces the stability of the A15/σ/χ phases in Nb–Co as compared to V–Co. By comparison to non-magnetic calculations we also find that magnetism is of minor importance for the structural stability of TCP phases in Cr/Mo–Co and in V/Nb–Co.
Phosphorus and Zinc in Wheat ‐ Based Diets

Environmental pollution due to the excretion of unutilized mineral compounds such as phytate phosphorus (PP) from large-scale poultry farming has compelled nutritionists to redefine the optimum concentrations of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) for broiler chickens. Also, genetic selection for higher growth rate has increased broilers’ body weight to about 2.5 kg at age 45 days. Since corn and soybean meal make up a substantial portion of broiler diets, much of the phosphorus of these ingredients is unavailable for absorption because of its binding to phytic acid (Harland and Oberleas, 1999; Ravindran et al. 1999). Therefore, inorganic P must be added to corn-soybean based broiler diets. Phytates, the salts of phytic acid, are the main storage form of P in plants (Pallauf and Rimbach, 1997; Ravindran et al. 1995) and render the P relatively unavailable to monogastric animals. Phytates are hydrolyzed by phytase to inositol and phosphoric acid, making the P available to the animals (Liu et al. 1998). Besides Ca and P, zinc (Zn) is important in biological processes such as immunity and bone formation in birds and mammals. For example, Zn is an essential An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) supplementation and different concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in wheat-based diets on the performance, immune responses and bone parameters of broiler chickens. A randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement was used (three concentrations of Zn supplementation×two concentrations of dietary Ca-P), 300 day-old broilers were assigned to six dietary treatments with five replicates of ten birds. Dietary treatments were the basal diet (control; TRT1), control plus 50 ppm Zn (TRT2), control plus 70 ppm Zn (TRT3), low Ca-P diet (0.60 to 0.30%; TRT4), low Ca-P diet plus 50 ppm Zn (TRT5) and low Ca-P diet plus 50 ppm Zn (TRT6). Ca and P in the control diet were 0.90 and 0.45% in the grower phase and 0.85 and 0.42% in the finisher phase. Changes in dietary Ca-P had no effect on body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) or serum Ca and P concentrations (P>0.05) whereas Zn supplementation increased FI (P<0.05). The addition of 50 ppm Zn increased serum P concentration (P<0.05) and dietary treatments had no effect on antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) (P>0.05). The lowest blood heterophil (H) and the highest lymphocyte (L) percentages and lowest H:L ratio were observed in birds fed with the diet containing a standard Ca-P with 70 ppm Zn supplementation (P<0.05). Dietary treatments had no effect on bone length, thickness and breaking strength (P>0.05). Tibia and fibula ash decreased by feeding lower Ca-P than the standard diet (P<0.05). It is concluded that low Ca-P diets did not have a detrimental effect on performance or blood and bone parameters and that Zn supplementation did not improve those parameters when feed was low in Ca-P.
The application of different component schemes to predict wood pyrolysis and fire behaviour

An analytical method and a genetic algorithm searching method are used to estimate the kinetic properties of wood based on the assumptions of two different multiple-component schemes. The pyrolysis model in Fire Dynamics Simulator is used to model material-scale and benchscale experiments using the kinetic properties derived from the two methods. It is found that the use of the kinetic properties from the different methods and the different component assumptions cause slight differences in the prediction of pyrolysis behaviour for the materialscale experiments, however, no significant differences are found in the prediction of heat release rate for bench-scale experiments.
Diversity in growth and expression pattern of PoHKT1 and PoVHA transporter genes under NaCl stress in Portulaca oleracea taxa

Plant growth and the expression of two transporter genes; PoHKT1 and PoVHA transcripts in root and shoot tissues were studied under salt stress of three Portulaca oleracea s.l. taxa. The study showed no significant differences in ratios between root lengths in saline and non-saline treatments of the three taxa, which was correlated with a clear down-regulation of the PoHKT1 transcripts in the root after 150mM NaCl. All measured growth parameters except root length increased in P. oleraceae, decreased in P. granulatostellulata and remain unchanged after 100mM NaCl in P. nitida compared to control under saline conditions. The result was consistent with the type of taxon which had significant effect on the shoot length, number of leaves and dry weight (P< 0.05). All measured growth parameters except root length showed a significant negative correlation with the shoot fold change of PoHKT1 transcripts (r = -0.607, -0.693 and -0.657 respectively). The regulation of PoVHA in root and shoot tissues in the three taxa are significantly different. Under salt stress, both decreased uptake of Na+ into the cytosol by decreasing the expression of PoHKT1 and increased vascular compartmentalization ability of Na+ by inducing the expression of PoVHA seem to work more efficiently in P. oleraceae and P. nitida than in P. granulato-stellulata.
Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)-SiC Nanocomposites Prepared Through in Situ Polymerization

In this study, polymeric nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles were prepared by radical mass polymerization in the presence of filler. Nanoparticles of SiC with and without surface treatment with organosilane were obtained . The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TGA) and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG SEM) with an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detector. The produced nanocomposites showed welldispersed SiC incorporation in the PMMA matrix. The results pointed that the surface treatment on SiC fillers was successful on enhancing the interaction between the organic matrix and the inorganic filler.