Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cambrian palaeomagnetic data confirm a Natal Embayment location for the Ellsworth—Whitmore Mountains, Antarctica, in Gondwana reconstructions

SUMMARY The Ellsworth‐Whitmore Mountains (EWM) are one of five terranes that form West Antarctica. Constraining the positions of these terranes in pre-break up Gondwana is crucial to understanding the history of the palaeo-Pacific Gondwana margin. We report the results of a detailed palaeomagnetic investigation of the EWM, which comprises some 150 sites in six formations, ranging in age from Cambrian to Permian. Five of the studied units yield only viscous remnant magnetizations of recent age, or unstable natural remanent magnetizations. The remaining unit, the mid-late Cambrian Frazier Ridge Formation, yielded stable magnetizations at 16 of 35 sites. This component passes a fold test at the 95 per cent confidence level, indicating that it pre-dates Permian deformation, and we argue that it is of primary origin. The resulting palaeopole (9 ◦ N; 293 ◦ E; A95 = 5.1 ◦ ) is in good agreement with two previously published palaeopoles from similarly aged rocks in the EWM. Collectively these data indicate that the EWM were located in the Natal Embayment prior to Gondwana break-up, and underwent 90 ◦ of anticlockwise rotation during break-up. All three studies, however, yield inclinations
How Do Firm Characteristics Influence the Relationship between R&D and Firm Value?

"This paper focuses on how a firm's characteristics affect the market valuation of its research and development (R&D) spending. We derive a valuation model based on the capital market arbitrage condition. Using the generalized method of moments and data from the Eurozone countries to estimate this model yields interesting results. Several firm characteristics (size, firm growth, and market share) positively affect the relationship between firm value and R&D spending, while others (free cash flow, dependence on external finance, labor intensity, and capital intensity) exert a negative effect. Therefore, we conclude that the effectiveness of R&D spending depends on firm characteristics". Copyright (c) 2010 Financial Management Association International.
Knowledge , Attitude and Practice of Breastfeeding in Urban Community of Lahore : A Cross – Sectional Study

Results: Study population consisted of 380 women with mean age of 26.3 ± 6 years. Out of total, 283 (74.5%) of women had less than four children. Most of the mothers (34.2%) were educated till high school, while 38% had monthly income of less than Rs.10, 000/-. Three hundred and nineteen (83.9%) women had knowledge that milk is the best diet for infants. One hundred and fifty nine (41.8%) mothers reported benefits of breast milk as adequate nutrition, and easy to digest while 119 (31.3%) reported it beneficial for themselves as well. Statistically significant association was found between educational status and knowledge about breast feeding (p-value = 0.000). Two hundred and thirty six (62.1%) had positive attitude towards breastfeeding. Results were statistically significant for positive attitude towards breastfeeding and educational status (p value 0.001). Regarding optimum breastfeeding practices, 291(76%) mothers breast feed their children among whom 237 (81%) mothers initiated breast milk during first an half hour of birth. Majority (24.5%) of mothers breast fed considering it good for health of their child. Eighty nine (23.4%) mothers did not breast feed and major reason (7.6%) being milk did not flow in. Results were statistically significant for reasons of not breast feeding and economic status (p-value = 0.012).
The reproductive performance of beef cows of different ages with calves weaned at three or seven months

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of beef cows in different age groups, with the calves weaned at three (early weaning) or seven months (conventional weaning). The study was based on data gleaned from 1,868 cows from 3 to 11 years old (British breeds and cross-breeds) on a farm located in Cristal, a South Brazilian town. During the experiment, the animals were raised only on natural pasture. The mating season ranged from mid-November to mid-February (11/19 to 02/19). After pregnancy diagnosis, information was analyzed according to the age of the cow (A3 to A11) and to the weaning procedure, early (EW) or conventional (CW). A chisquare test was performed to evaluate the reproductive performance of the cows in each age group (PRA3, PRA4, PRA5,., PRA11), as well as the reproductive performance of cows submitted to early weaning (PREW) and conventional weaning (PRCW). Pregnancy rates were higher for EW only, for cows 3 and 4 years old (A3 and A4, 84.3% and 95.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the PREW and PRCW of cows mating between 5 and 11 years old. Cows that were 6 years of age reached the highest pregnancy rate (97.4%). The PRT (pregnancy rates that did not consider the age) was 88.7% and 82.0% for the EW and CW, respectively (P < 0.01). Therefore, the age of weaning had a strong influence on the reproductive performance evaluated by pregnancy rate, especially on animals between 3 and 4 years old.
Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity in Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Data on the relationship between H. pylori infection and diabetes mellitus are scarce and discordant. Objective: A case-control study has been conducted to investigate the relationship between infection with Helicobacter pylori and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Abakaliki, south eastern Nigeria; a region with high H. pylori endemicity. Materials & Methods: The study population comprised 60 type 2 diabetics (32 males and 28 females) and 60 non-diabetics (27 males and 33 females) aged 29 to 72 years. Hematological and biochemical parameters were determined using standard techniques while Helicobacter pylori detection in serum was done by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the identification of immunoglobulin G. Results: There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of H. pylori infection and dyspeptic symptoms between diabetics and non-diabetics. Although H. pylori-infected diabetics were significantly older (63.71 vs. 51.95 years; p = 0.00) and had significantly lower fasting plasma glucose (7.96 vs. 11.58 mmol/l; p = 0.01) than the non-infected diabetics, the two groups had comparable hematological and biochemical parameters. Conclusion: H. pylori seropositivity and dyspeptic symptoms were similar in type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics, although H. pylori infection when present in diabetics appears to influence glycaemic status, the mechanism of which remains largely unknown.
The role of social capital in homogeneous society: Review of recent researches in Japan

It is widely and increasingly acknowledged that social capital plays a crucial role in the economic performance, which covers various facets of human behavior. A growing body of literature has sought to investigate the role of social capital mainly in heterogeneous societies such as USA, whereas works concerning homogeneous society have not yet sufficiently been provided. From the comparative point of view, researches on homogeneous society are called for. In this paper, therefore, I aim to introduce researches to explore how social capital affects the socio-economic outcomes of Japan, which is considered as a relatively homogeneous society. Recent preliminary empirical works attempted to provide the interesting evidence in Japan, which covers the following topics. (1) Criminal prevention, manner of driving, suicide, lawyers demand for conflict resolution (2) cinema and baseball attendance, (3) voter turnout, response to Census, and protection against natural disasters, (4) diffusion of knowledge, efficiency improvement and industrial development, (5) quality of life in terms of health, (6) formation of trust in a community. It follows from them that the social capital enhances the collective action, leading to benefit, however such effect has changed over time.
Multi-level Machine Learning Traffic Classification System

In this paper, we propose a novel framework for traffic classification that employs machine learning techniques and uses only packet header information. The framework consists of a number of key components. First, we use an efficient combination of clustering and classification algorithms to make the identification system robust in various network conditions. Second, we introduce traffic granularity levels and propagate information between the levels to increase accuracy and accelerate classification. Third, we use customized constraints based on connection patterns to efficiently utilize state-of-theart clustering algorithms. The components of the framework are evaluated step-by-step to examine their contribution to the performance of the whole system. Keywords-traffic classification; machine learning; packet header
Evaluating bovine sperm transfection using a high-performance polymer reagent and assessing the fertilizing capacity of transfected spermatozoa using an in vitro fertilization technique

Abstract. Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) has been considered as an innovative device for transgenesis on a mass scale by taking advantage of live spermatozoa to transfer exogenous DNA. However, the fertilizing ability of transfected sperm cells and the poor reproducibility of this method are still matters of controversy. Hence, the current study was conducted to evaluate transfecting the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as the source of exogenous DNA into bovine spermatozoa using a high-performance polymer reagent as well as assessing the fertilizing capacity of transfected sperm cells by in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the first experiment, three different concentrations of rhodamine-labeled DNA and high-performance polymer transfection reagent, X-tremeGENE HP, were used to transfect bovine spermatozoa. In the second experiment, IVF and fluorescence microscopy methods were utilized to assess the fertilizing capacity of sperm cells carrying exogenous DNA when X-tremeGENE HP was used either alone or with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment. Findings revealed that at 1 µL X-tremeGENE HP and 1 µg of DNA concentration, approximately one-third of total spermatozoa were transfected. However, following IVF and fluorescence microscopy, no EGFP expression was detected in zygotes and morula-stage embryos. Results of this study showed that, although X-tremeGENE HP could transfer EGFP to bovine spermatozoa, transfected sperm cells were unable to transfer foreign DNA to matured bovine oocytes. Under our experimental conditions, we hypothesized that the absence of the EGFP fluorescence signal in embryos could be due to the detrimental effects of transfection treatments on sperm cells' fertility performance as well as incompetency of IVF to produce transgenic embryos using transfected sperm cells.
Carbonate system distribution, anthropogenic carbon and acidification in the western tropical South Pacific (OUTPACE 2015 transect)

Abstract. The western tropical South Pacific was sampled along a longitudinal 4000 km transect (OUTPACE cruise, 18 February, 3 April 2015) for the measurement of carbonate parameters (total alkalinity and total inorganic carbon) between the Melanesian Archipelago (MA) and the western part of the South Pacific gyre (WGY). This paper reports this new dataset and derived properties: pH on the total scale (pHT) and the CaCO3 saturation state with respect to aragonite (Ωara). We also estimate anthropogenic carbon (CANT) distribution in the water column using the TrOCA method (Tracer combining Oxygen, inorganic Carbon and total Alkalinity). Along the OUTPACE transect a deeper penetration of CANT in the intermediate waters was observed in the MA, whereas highest CANT concentrations were detected in the subsurface waters of the WGY. By combining our OUTPACE dataset with data available in GLODAPv2 (1974–2009), temporal changes in oceanic inorganic carbon were evaluated. An increase of 1.3 to 1.6 µmol kg−1 a−1 for total inorganic carbon in the upper thermocline waters is estimated, whereas CANT increases by 1.1 to 1.2 µmol kg−1 a−1. In the MA intermediate waters (27 kg m−3 <σθ<27.2 kg m−3) an increase of 0.4 µmol kg−1 a−1 CANT is detected. Our results suggest a clear progression of ocean acidification in the western tropical South Pacific with a decrease in the oceanic pHT of up to −0.0027 a−1 and a shoaling of the saturation depth for aragonite of up to 200 m since the pre-industrial period.
THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND TEAM PERFORMANCE: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION IN A MAJOR SWISS HR CONSULTING FIRM

This paper reports the results of an empirical examination of leadership traits and behaviors that contributed to team performance in a major Swiss HR consulting firm. Based on personality tests, survey research, and in-depth interviews, results indicate that, in the context of the company’s sales-driven, high-pressure environment, personality factors such as conscientiousness or detailorientation seem to be better predictors of leadership success than extraversion and openness to experience. Female leaders overall outperformed their male counterparts, and experience was found to significantly contribute to superior performance. Implications for hiring, development, and succession practices are discussed.
EVALUATION OF ACUTE RENAL FAILURE AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN HEART SURGERY PATIENTS IN FATIMA ZAHRA HOSPITAL, SARI, 2012

Background and purpose: Acute renal failure after cardiac surgery is a dang erous condition that increases mortality and hospital costs. The present study aim ed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factor s of acute renal failure in patients with open-heart surgery in Sari 2012. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study with available data was performed on 250 patients who referred to cardiac surgery department in Fatima Za hra Hospital, Sari, Iran from April to March 2012. Creatinine levels, before and 3 days after surgery and associated fact ors, were collected using demographic and medical data list. After data collection their analysis was performed using Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney and t-test . Results: In this study, 58.8% of the patients were males an d 41.2% were females. The mean age of subjects was 60.75 ± 9.87. The most commonly associated disease was hypertension. The prevalence of renal failu re was 15% (in the first 48 hours after surgery). Results showed that age, history of hypertension and the am ount of intra operative blood transfusion have been correlated wi th acute renal failure. Conclusion: In this study, acute renal failure after open-hear t surgery was 15%. This disorder can cause problems for patients and their family and rise hea lth care costs. The recognition of risk factors and treatments are keys to reduce adverse outcomes.
Bullying Among School Students in the UAE Society

The purpose of this study is to research the bullying phenomenon among school students in the UAE society. This is done through showing the extent of prevalence of bullying, the rate of recurrence of bullying incidences, the most widespread forms of bullying among school children in the Emirati society, and finally, the variation with regards to the prevalence and forms of bullying as related to the student’s gender. Therefore, this study aims to probe the prevalence of this phenomenon in schools, and the frequency of bullying cases as well as its forms. For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and conducted on a sample size of 1,309 students of both genders. The data were later analyzed using descriptive statistical and analytical metrics that are appropriate for the variables’ measurement level, and which achieve the objectives of the study. The study found that a third of the students (33.3%) were involved in bullying incidents. Furthermore, it was found that 14.2% were the party causing the bullying incident, while 19.1% were the party upon which bullying was inflicted. The study also revealed that within school premises the places where bullying was most likely to occur are corridors, and the places which students felt were the least safe are the closed spaces. As for the forms of bullying students are subjected to, offensive name calling or insults came in first place, followed by cyber/online bullying. The young age and smaller size of a student were among the most important motivators for students to bully him/her. It was also found that 32.8% of students who are exposed to bullying respond in a similar manner. The study showed that most of the bullied students (78.4%) know the person doing the bullying, the females being more cognizant of the perpetrator bullying them. Moreover, 40.7% of the students believe that the teachers and other employees are aware of the bullying taking place, female students to a greater extent than males in this regard. In the study sample, the students believe that strong and strict school administration would contribute to stopping the bullying phenomenon. The study additionally concluded a number of recommendations to reduce this phenomenon.
K-theoretic duality for hyperbolic dynamical systems

The K-theoretic analog of Spanier-Whitehead duality for noncommutative C � - algebras is shown to hold for the Ruelle algebras associated to irreducible Smale spaces. This had previously been proved only for shifts of finite type. Implications of this result as well as relations to the Baum-Connes conjecture and other topics are also considered. Hn−i(X) → H i (S n+1 \ X), given by slant product. This was generalized by Spanier and Whitehead to allow S n+1 \ X to be replaced by a space of the homotopy type of a finite complex, Dn(X), for which the analog of the above relations hold. It is in this form that these notions extend naturally to the noncommutative setting. In noncommutative topology, the roles of homology and cohomology are played by K- theory and K-homology. These have been combined into a bivariant theory by Kasparov, for which one has K-theory, K∗(A) = KK ∗ (C,A), and K-homology, K ∗ (A) = KK ∗ (A,C). Kasparov's theory comes equipped with a product that is the analog of the slant product used above. Of course, noncommutative C ∗ -algebras play the role of algebras of continuous functions on ordinary spaces. With this in hand, the generalization of Spanier-Whitehead duality to this setting is easily accomplished. Let A be a C ∗ -algebra. We will consider indices in K-theory to be modulo 2. A C ∗ - algebra Dn(A) is a Spanier-Whitehead n-dual of A, (or simply a "dual" when the context
Heterogeneity of a Plume Axis: Bulk-Rock Geochemical Evidence from Picrites and Basalts in the Emei Large Igneous Province, Southwest China

In order to document the chemical characteristics of sources of a continental flood basalt (CFB) and to understand its origin, we studied four typical picrite-basalt flows and three picritic intrusions in the Emeishan picrite-cluster field (5 x 104 km2 area), located in the southwestern part of the Emei large igneous province. Major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions, are reported for picrites and associated basalts in the picrite-cluster field, regarded as the axial area of the Emei mantle plume. These rocks exhibit a range of MgO contents (4.2-27.2%), variable degrees of LREE enrichment (LaN/YbN = 2.7-29.0), and heterogeneous isotopic ratios (εNd(t) = 4.84 to -4.00; initial 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7023-0.7064; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.034-20.641). Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic covariations are similar to at least three groups of the picrites and basalts. Ontong Java-like lavas yielded low (87Sr/86Sr)i (<0.7045), high ε Nd(t) (>2.5), and the lowest (Ce/Yb)N (∼4), La/Sm (∼3), Th/Nb (∼0.75), La/Nb (∼0.85), and Ba/Nb (∼8) ratios, suggesting a focus zone (FOZO)-like mantle source. Cook-Austral-like lavas have high 206Pb/204Pb (>19.0), low (87Sr/86Sr)i (<0.7045), and high Sm/Yb (>4), Nb/Y (>1) and Zr/Y (>8), similar to the HIMU component. Heard-like lavas yielded high (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7044 ∼ 0.7060), low εNd(t) (1.7 to -3.0), 206Pb/204Pb (18.75-18.03) and 208Pb/204Pb (37.8-39.0), and high (Ce/Yb)N (>10), Ba/Nb (>30), and Th/Nb (>0.1), which might be explained by mixing of picritic magmas from the plume with lamproitic melt from continental lithospheric mantle. Three samples outside the three groups have Sr-Nd isotopic signatures similar to EM I, and high Th/Nb (>0.2), La/Nb (>1.5), and low Nb/U (<25), suggesting a pelagic sediment source component. The picritic intrusives have low εNd(t) (0.32-0.59), intermediate (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7037-0.7042), very high Th/Nb (0.11-0.20), and low Nb/U (<25), implying minor crustal assimilation. The trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of the Emei picrites and associated basalts reflect processes involving: (1) partial melting of a heterogeneous, eclogite-bearing source to produce picritic magmas; then (2) mixing with small amounts of melt from the continental lithospheric mantle; and (3) crustal assimilation during picritic magma ascent. The heterogeneity of this source is related to recycling of subducted oceanic crust and associated sediments into the deep upper mantle.
Spatial use and habitat selection of golden eagles in southwestern Idaho

-We measured spatial use and habitat selection of radio-tagged Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) at eight to nine territories each year from 1992 to 1994 in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Use of space did not vary between years or sexes, but did vary among seasons (home ranges and travel distances were larger during the nonbreeding than during the breeding season) and among individuals. Home ranges were large, ranging from 190 to 8,330 ha during the breeding season and from 1,370 to 170,000 ha outside of the breeding season, but activity was concentrated in small core areas of 30 to 1,535 ha and 485 to 6,380 ha during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, respectively. Eagles selected shrub habitats and avoided disturbed areas, grasslands, and agriculture. This resulted in selection for habitat likely to contain their principal prey, black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus). Individuals with home ranges in extensive shrubland (n = 3) did not select for shrubs in the placement of their core areas or foraging points, but individuals in highly fragmented or dispersed shrublands (n = 5) concentrated their activities and foraged preferentially in jackrabbit habitats (i.e. areas with abundant and large shrub patches). As home ranges expanded outside of the breeding season, individuals selected jackrabbit habitats within their range. Shrubland fragmentation should be minimized so that remaining shrub patches are large enough to support jackrabbits. Received 1 May 1996, accepted 6 May
Asymptotic topology of random subcomplexes in a finite simplicial complex

We consider a finite simplicial complex $K$ together with its successive barycentric subdivisions $Sd^d(K), d\geq0,$ and study the expected topology of a random subcomplex in $Sd^d(K), d\gg0$. We get asymptotic upper and lower bounds for the expected Betti numbers of those subcomplexes, together with the average Morse inequalities and expected Euler characteristic.
Wicking Behavior and Drying Capability of Functional Knitted Fabrics

Liquid transporting and drying rate are two vital factors affecting the physiological comfort of sport garments. In this study, plated knitted fabrics produced with functional fiber yarns in the back of the knit (close to the body), combined with polypropylene or polyester in the face (outer surface) were tested in terms of their wicking behavior and drying rate capacity. Functional knitted fabrics were evaluated by vertical and horizontal wicking tests. The drying capability was assessed by drying rate tests under two different conditions, namely, at 20±2°C and 65±3% relative humidity and, in an oven, at 33±2°C, in order to simulate the human body temperature. The influence of the functional fiber used and that of the ground material, polyester or polypropylene, was analyzed and discussed.