Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Frequency Cut-Off of Observed Earthquake Spectrum and Source Parameters of Local Earthquakes in Himachal Himalaya

A dataset of 20 local earthquakes (3.4≤Mw≤5.2) occurred in the Himachal Himalaya recorded by Indian nation strong motion instrumentation network have been analyzed to infer the characteristics of high frequency attenuation of observed earthquake spectrum and source parameters of earthquakes of this region. In this study Brune’s earthquake source model (Brune, 1970) that yield a fall-off of 2 beyond corner frequency has been considered to estimate the source parameters namely seismic moment, source radius and stress drop of earthquakes. High frequency attenuation of earthquake source spectrum have been modelled with two high-cut fall off functions κ factor presented by Anderson and Hough (1984) and another arbitrary high-cut filter (Boore,1983; Wen and Chen, 2012) that fits well for frequencies greater than fmax. The seismic moment for these earthquakes vary between 4.2x1013 Nm and 2.3x1016 Nm and their moment magnitudes ranges from 3.4 to 5.2. The source radii of these events lie in the range 226 m to 511 m. The stress drops for these earthquakes vary from 0.2 MPa to 13.3 MPa and found in agreement with the other region of Himalaya as well as for other tectonically active regions of the world. Both functions fmax and κ accounting this high frequency attenuation seems to represent the same phenomenon. The results obtained in this study infer that source process is the prime controlling factor for this attenuation of earthquake spectrum at high frequencies. The data used in the present study is of 20 earthquakes, which were recorded on different sites. Data sets of earthquakes having large magnitude range (3.0≤M≤8.0) and recorded on stations having different geological site conditions will obviously help this effect to confirm properly.
Allozyme variation and genetic differentiation in the loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

SUMMARY: Allozyme variation of diploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus was examined in samples collected from 44 localities in Japan. Genetic differentiation was estimated based on allele frequencies of 12 enzyme loci. Nine loci (36.9%) were polymorphic (< 0.95 in major allele frequency) and average heterozygosities were unusually high (Ho = 0.110 ± 0.051, He = 0.131 ± 0.052). The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.774) suggested high genetic differentiation among populations. Based on the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram, loach populations were grouped into six clusters. The population of Memanbetsu, Hokkaido (group 1) was remarkably different from others (D = 0.286). Populations distributed in Niigata, Nagano, Tochigi, Saitama, Chiba and Shizuoka Prefectures (group 6) were also genetically distinct from other loaches (D = 0.192). These results suggest genetic differentiation among groups 1, 6, and other loaches may be inter-subspecies level. Other loaches could be separated to four clusters (groups 2–5) at D = 0.100–0.065. Genetic differentiation among them seems to be at local race level.
Multiple large shareholders of Thai firms:do they matter?

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the presence of multiple large shareholders of Thai listed firms and whether the multiple large shareholders affect firm value. This paper uses time series ownership data to identify various attributes of multiple large shareholders. In this panel data analysis, the fixed effects estimator is used. Multiple large shareholders are commonly found in Thai listed firms. However, the results show that the presence and identity of the second largest shareholder do not affect firm value. The combination of the first and second largest shareholders is positively related to firm value only when it is formed between family and family. The ability to contest the largest shareholder, measured by both relative power and distribution of power, is not associated with firm value. The role of the largest shareholder in corporate governance seems to be more pronounced than that of other large shareholders. The higher ownership of the largest shareholder strongly increases firm value. In the setting of concentrated ownership, large shareholders may play an important role in corporate governance. However, other large shareholders may not play an active monitoring role if the largest shareholder is highly influential, and it may not be straightforward for different types of large shareholder to cooperate to improve corporate governance.
Prevalence and intensity of smoking among healthcare workers and their attitude and behavior towards smoking cessation in the western region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of tobacco smoking among healthcare workers (HCWs) and to assess the need to establish a smoking cessation program. METHODS This is an institute survey that targeted HCWs from the following specialties: physicians, allied healthcare professionals and administrative workers who are affiliated to a tertiary healthcare institution in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An electronic self-administrated questionnaire was distributed among the study subjects during the day shift from June to September, 2015. The analysis was descriptive, and comparison of the characters of smokers and nonsmokers was done. RESULTS The total number of participating HCWs was 697 with about 62.3% response rate. Males (62.3%), allied health professionals (45.2%), and age group 19–30 years old (44.5%) dominated the sample. The crude prevalence of the current smoking was 18.4%, while 9.8% were past smokers, and 71.9% never smokers. Administrative workers, males and Saudis demonstrated significantly higher prevalence of current smoking (p>0.001). Approximately half of the current smokers had a mild smoking intensity and the subgroups did not show any significant differences for nicotine dependence (p>0.05). The results of the attitude towards smoking cessation showed that 80.3% of the currently smoking HCWs had positive attitudes and there were no statistically significant differences based on the characteristics of the participants (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The smoking prevalence among HCWs included in the study parallels nationally reported values. The results showed a need for the establishment of smoking cessation programs targeting HCWs, which eventually should make Mecca (Makkah) city truly free from smoking.
Effect of Learning Organization Culture on Organizational Performance Among Logistics Firms in Mombasa County

This research was set to establish the effect of learning organization culture on the performance of Logistics firms in Mombasa County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish whether Individual level learning, team level learning and organization level learning affect organizational performance. A descriptive design was adopted and stratified random sampling was used to select the subjects to be included in the study. A total of 171 employees were sampled from a population of 300 employees. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Data was then analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and the relationship between was determined using regression analysis. The results were presented descriptively using frequency tables and pie charts. The study concluded that there exists a positive but weak relationship between continuous learning, collaboration and team learning and organizational performance. There was a positive but average relationship between employee empowerment and organizational performance while Inquiry and dialogue, embedded systems, systems connection and strategic leadership had a positive and strong relationship with organizational performance. The study concluded that learning organization culture significantly affects organizational performance.
Does Regulator Selection of Auditors Improve Audit Quality ? Evidence from Auditor Designation in Korea

Although the hiring and firing of auditors by clients is believed to create a fundamental conflict of interest, there is little research on the issue except for experimental evidence in Mayhew and Pike (2004). To provide evidence on the issue, in this paper we exploit the setting in Korea, known as auditor designation, wherein regulators selectively and episodically selected auditors for certain client firms. We fail to find that audit quality proxied by absolute discretionary accruals, audit hours, modified opinions, and the tendency to meet or beat benchmarks, is higher for designated auditors. Our results therefore question whether hiring and firing of auditors by clients is a threat to auditor independence.
Organic Carbon Pools and Genesis of Alpine Soils with Permafrost: A Review

Abstract Soils with mountain permafrost occupy 3.5 million km2 worldwide, with 70% in central Asia. High-mountain environments have “warm” permafrost, with surface permafrost temperatures of -0.5 to -2 °C and deep active layers (2 to 8 m). From a global database of 41 sites and 312 pedons, alpine soils with permafrost are strongly acid (pH = 5.0 to 5.5), have intermediate cation-exchange capacities (20 to 25 cmolc/kg) and base saturation (44% to 85%), and commonly have an isotic mineral class. Soil organic carbon is concentrated in the upper 30 to 40 cm, with profile density averaging 15.2 ± 1.3 kg m-2 (range = <1.0 to 88.3 kg m-2), which is comparable to temperate grasslands (13 kg m-2) but substantially less than moist arctic tundra (32 kg m-2). Mountain soils with permafrost contain 66.3 Pg of soil organic carbon (SOC), which constitutes 4.5% of the global pool. In contrast, the SOC pool in the Arctic is 496 Pg (33% of the global pool). Alpine soils with deep active layers contrast strongly with high-latitude soils in areas of continuous permafrost. Permafrost in the upper 2 m induces cryoturbation in the profile, acts as a barrier to water movement, and generates cooler temperatures resulting in greater SOC levels. High-elevation and high-latitude soils are experiencing warming of air temperature and permafrost and a thickening of the active layer.
Induction of t-cell responses against PSA by plasmid DNA immunization

This thesis is focused on using plasmid DNA encoding human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for immunotherapy of prostate cancer. PSA is a secreted serine protease, which is produced almost exclusively by prostate epithelial cells. It is also expressed by prostate epithelial cells after malignant transformation and thus can be considered a tumor-associated antigen for prostate cancer. In our studies we investigated the potency of DNA vaccines to induce PSA-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which can efficiently target and eliminate PSA-producing tumor cells. In the first study we evaluated the efficacy of PSA-encoding plasmid DNA (pVaxPSA) in inducing T cell responses in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The plasmid DNA was administered during five cycles in doses of 100, 300 and 900μg, with three patients in each cohort. We demonstrated in this study that the pVax-PSA vaccine given in doses of 900μg is safe and can induce cellular immune responses against PSA. The major aim of the following studies was to characterize the potency of pVax-PSA plasmid in inducing CD8+ T-cell responses in a mouse model. We demonstrated that the pVax-PSA plasmid is highly immunogenic in mice, with just one DNA immunization being sufficient to induce potent CTL responses against PSA. Additional modifications of human PSA, by linking it to heat shock proteins of different origin (pVax-PSA-HSPs plasmids), did not further increased the efficacy of pVax-PSA plasmid in inducing CTL responses or mediating protection against tumor challenge. We have also characterized the epitope specificity of CTLs induced after immunization of C57Bl/6 mice with the pVax-PSA plasmid. We demonstrated that the majority of PSA-specific CTLs were directed against a single H-2D-restricted epitope HCIRNKSVIL65-74 of PSA. However, immunization of mice with pVax-PSA plasmid does not properly reflect the clinical settings, where endogenous expression of PSA may potentially lead to depletion of high-avidity CD8+ T cell precursors with PSAspecific reactivity. Nevertheless, our findings in this study, will allow us to address this relevant question in experiments with transgenic mice expressing human PSA in prostate tissue, once such model is available on C57Bl/6 background. In the last study, we investigated the role of activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by the plasmid DNA backbone in the induction of CTL responses by DNA vaccines. A single immunization with pVax-PSA plasmid induced stronger CTL responses in wild-type than in TLR9or MyD88-deficient mice. These results suggest that immunostimulatory activity of CpG-DNA is essential for efficient priming of CTLs after a single DNA immunization. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that DNA vaccines represent a promising modality for induction of PSA-specific T-cell responses. Detailed characterization of immunogenicity of pVax-PSA plasmid in C57Bl/6 mice establishes an experimental background for further evaluation of various strategies to increase its potency in inducing CTL responses in a PSA-transgenic murine model.
Low Body Mass Index and Trends of Tuberculosis Infection: A Cohort Study of Orphan Children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan

The tuberculosis is one the most life-threatening poverty associate diseases affecting one-third of the world population. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the trends of tuberculosis infection, and general health conditions of orphan children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Total 1708 children have enrolled in this a longitudinal study and were screened for tuberculosis through sputum smear and PCR tests. Body Mass Index (BMI), exposure to tuberculosis risk factors was also analyzed for all participants. In 2011, the prevalence of tuberculosis was 3.41%, 1.36%, which was among male and 2.05% among female children. In 2015, we found 1.95% positive tuberculosis cases including 1.12% females and 0.83% males. A significant overall decline in tuberculosis infection was found in four years, p < 0.01. The mean BMI value for male and female children was 21.70 (SD±0.68) and 17.53 (SD±0.72), respectively. In conclusion, malnutrition, unhygienic and crowded living conditions are strong factors contributing to TB infection and serious threat to the orphan children, especially for the females.
Age Difference in Trunk Kinematics During Walking with Different Backpack Weights in 6- to 12-Year-Old Children

The study reported herein investigated age difference in trunk kinematics during walking with different backpack weights. Two groups of boys, aged 6 and 12 years old, participated in the study. A multiple trial test was conducted with backpacks loaded with 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of each subject's body weight. The subjects walked on a treadmill at a self-selected comfortable speed for 20min. The movements of the subjects in sagital plan were filmed and analyzed. The results indicate that trunk inclination angle progressively increased with the increase backpack weight in both age groups. Carrying a load heavier than 15% of body weight resulted in a significantly increased trunk inclination angle when compared to no load. The 12-year-old children showed a significantly lager amplitude in the trunk inclination angle than the 6-year-old children when carrying the same backpack weight.
Studies of the TOL plasmid transcription factor XylS

We describe here the use o f two newly mapped bovine papillomavirus type I (BPV-1 ) E2 proteins as epitope tags. We constructed several vector plasmids fo r overexpression as well as f o r moderate expression o f singleo r double-tagged pro ­ teins in either Escherichia co li o r eukaryot­ ic cells The new tags wert fused to several proteins, and the activity o f the lagged pro ­ teins was tested in different assays. The tags were shown not to interfere with the func­ tion o f these proteins in vivo and in vitro. In teraction o f the monoclonal antibodies 3FI2 and 1E2 with their respective epitopes was specific and had high affinity in a vari­ ety o f conditions. We have demonstrated that the 3F12 antibody-epitope interaction tolerates high salt concentrations up to 2 M This permits immunoprecipitation and immunopurification o f the tagged proteins in high-salt buffers and reduction o f the nonspecific binding o f the contaminating proteins. We also provide a protocol f o r DNA binding and DNase / footprinting as­ says using the lagged, resin-bound DNAbinding proteins. The B PV -I E2-derived tags can be recommended as useful tools fo r detection and purification o f proteins.
Baseline Needs Assessment for Breast Cancer Awareness among Patients in Iraq

Background: Breast Cancer is the most common malignancy among the Iraqi population; the majority of cases are still diagnosed at advanced stages with poor prospects of cure. Early detection through promoting public awareness is one of the promising tools in its control. Objectives: To evaluate the baseline needs for breast cancer awareness in Iraq through exploring level of knowledge, beliefs and behavior towards the disease and highlighting barriers to screening among a sample of Iraqi women complaining of breast cancer. Methodology: Two-hundred samples were enrolled in this study; gathered from the National Cancer Research Center of Baghdad University and the Oncology Teaching Hospital of the Medical City throughout the year 2015. The study population comprised two groups: the first included 100 female patients who were receiving treatment for breast cancer (Group A), while another 100 randomly selected apparently healthy women served as Control (Group B). Those were asked to complete a structured questionnaire which was designed to explore the level of knowledge, beliefs, behavior towards breast cancer and the barriers to early diagnosis. The studied variables included the socio demographic and clinical data, women needs and beliefs regarding breast health and cancer care, and the barriers to screening. Results: Ninety percent of patients with breast cancer in Group I recorded a minimum score of Good; they answered confidently that the disease is common among women, can be curable when detected at early stages and is not contagious. They also displayed a significantly higher attitude regarding performing BSE, receiving routine CBE check up and having the courage to be informed about the diagnosis of cancer. Although both groups believed that early detection of cancer should be promoted culturally, Group I displayed a stronger reaction to place this approach as a priority in the community. Overall, both groups did not believe that the disease is usually fatal, could bring disgrace to the family leading to divorce, and did not consider mammography as an embarrassing procedure against religious beliefs. Nevertheless, the majority refused to be examined by a male doctor and to undergo screening mammography if they have no complaints. Conclusion: Feasible strategies should be more promptly adopted to overcome barriers to early detection of breast cancer among the Iraqi patients; focusing on promoting public health education and ensuring the availability of accessible well equipped diagnostic facilities.
Evaluation of white blood cell and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in acute coronary syndrome patients admitted to emergency department

Objective: Inflammatory reaction, which causes tissue damage in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), leads to deterioration. White Blood Cell (WBC), Neutrophil (N), Lymphocyte (L) and Neutrophil/ Lymphocyte (N/L) ratios were used to refer to the inflammation. High neutrophil levels show us acute inflammatory situation and low lymphocyte levels show us physiological stress. That is why N/L ratio is a valuable parameter which enables us to guess patient prognosis in Emergency Department (ED). In this study, white cell and NLR relations with ACS in patients with chest pain is evaluated. Material and Method: Patients referring to ED with chest pain within 3 months were investigated retrospectively. 100 patients were included in the study. Patients' WBC count, NLR and WBC values, gender, Troponin-I and CK-MB positivity, history of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and additional diseases were examined according to the final diagnoses. All the patients were divided into three groups according to ACS: Unstable Angina Pectoris (USAP), Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Mortality and morbidity levels in hospital and after discharge were also examined in the study. Findings: WBC values in patients with positive Troponin-I were found statistically higher than patients with negative Troponin-I (p<0.05). In STEMI group, WBC values were statistically higher than USAP group (p<0.0083). When patients' N/L ratio average distribution was examined; Troponin-I and CK-MB positive patients' NLR was found to be statistically higher than Troponin-I and CK-MB negative ones (p<0.05). Conclusion: N/L ratio, which is a marker of inflammatory process in the myocardial vascular bed, may be considered as a risk marker. For this reason, N/L ratio at admission can be used as an auxiliary parameter for predicting the diagnosis of ACS.
Spatial distribution of hemlock woolly adelgid induced hemlock mortality in the Southern Appalachians

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA) outbreaks are posing a major threat to eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L. Carr.) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana Engelm.) forest landscapes in the eastern USA. As foundation species, hemlocks play a variety of functional roles in forest landscapes. These species usually occur as isolated canopies and mixed species in landscapes where variation in topography is extreme. Spatially explicit inventory information on HWA induced hemlock mortality at landscape scale does not exist. High resolution aerial imageries enable landscape scale assessment even at the individual tree level. Accordingly, our goal was to investigate spatial pattern and distribution of HWA induced hemlock mortality using a high resolution aerial image mosaic in the Linville River Gorge, Southern Appalachians, western North Carolina. Our study objectives were: 1) to detect dead trees within the Lower Linville River watershed; 2) to estimate the area occupied by dead trees in the forest canopy surface; 3) to investigate the relationship of dead hemlocks and topography; and 4) to define the spatial pattern of the dead trees. We found ca. 10,000 dead trees within the study area, occupying over 7 ha of the canopy surface with an average area of 36 m2 per dead tree. The density of the dead trees was higher in proximity to the Linville River, at higher elevations, and on northern and northwestern aspects. Spatial pattern of the dead trees was generally clustered at all spatial scales. We suggest that although the reduction in plant biomass resulting from herbivory within the landscapes is modest, impact of the clustered distribution of hemlock mortality, especially in the riparian zones, is noteworthy. Our analysis of the pattern of hemlock decline provides new means for projecting future impacts of HWA on the range of hemlock distribution in eastern North America.