Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interannual variability of the subsurface eddy field in the Southeast Pacific

The Southeast Pacific, which encompasses the coasts of Peru and Chile, is one of the world's most productive regions resulting principally from the upwelling of subsurface nutrient-rich waters. Over the satellite altimetry era, there have been numerous evidence that surface mesoscale eddies play an important role in the offshore transport of rich coastal waters, but it has been only recently that few observational/numerical studies have highlighted the importance of the subsurface eddies. The eddy field variability is explored using the results of a high-resolution model experiment from 1979 to 2012. The model results indicate an asymmetry of the surface and subsurface eddy fields. While surface-intensified cyclones are slightly more frequent than anticyclones, the subsurface field is dominated by anticyclones (IntrathermoclineEddies; ITEs), triggered by the instability of the subsurface Peru Chile undercurrent (PCUC). Composite maps are consistent with in situ observations. ITEs are associated with maximum vorticity around 150–200 m depth, warmer and more saline core, characteristic of the equatorial subsurface water from the PCUC. We find that the variability of the ITEs is significantly correlated with the ENSO equatorial signal. During strong El Nino events (e.g., 1982; 1998), we find that while the PCUC transport increases, the volume of coastal waters transported by ITEs however decreases during those periods. We find that the relaxation of the isopycnals along the coast during El Nino events leads to weakened baroclinic instability and to a decrease of the ITEs transport.
Growth and productive responses of tropical grass Panicum maximum to nitrate and ammonium supply

This study was conducted to investigate growth response parameters and forage yield of Panicum maximum Jacq. plants supplied with nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) as N source in a nutrient solution. Six NO3- and NH4+ combinations were tested at the following proportions: 100-0, 85-15, 70-30, 55-45, 40-60 and 25-75%. Grass shoot (number of tillers and leaves and leaf surface area) and root (length and surface area) growth parameters and dry matter production exhibited highest values in P. maximum plants growing in the nutrient solution supplied with NO3-:NH4+ at the proportions ranging between approximately 70-30 and 55-45%. The use of NO3-:NH4+ mixture at the ratio of 55-45% instead of the NO3- solely as N source in the nutrient solution enhanced the production of tillers and leaves and the leaf area surface of P. maximum by about 30, 20 and 30%, respectively. Plants supplied with NO3- and NH4+ mixture (55-45%) showed an increased root length and root surface area by approximately two and six-fold, respectively, compared with P. maximum fertilized with NO3- exclusively in the growth medium. Supplying N in the nutrient solution as NO3- or NH4+ exceeding approximately 70 or 50%, respectively, caused a diminished P. maximum forage yield. Enhanced N-use efficiency associated with P. maximum plants supplied with a NO3- and NH4+ mixture in the growth medium supports the assumption that it is possible to increase plant production by managing N fertilization based on quality (N forms) of N fertilizers applied in pasture systems.
CORPORATE CHARACTERISTICS OF LISTED COMPANIES ENGAGING IN WEB-BASED FINANCIAL REPORTING IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

We investigate the key corporate characteristics of using the web for voluntary disclosure of financial information in an emerging economy by companies listed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 132 companies listed on two stock exchanges were investigated to ascertain whether they engage in web-based financial reporting (IFR) or not. Eighty-eight of the companies (about 67%) were found to use their websites for IFR. Similar to prior studies in this area, logistic multiple regression was used to isolate the key corporate characteristics of IFR companies (IFRC) from non-IFR companies (N-IFRC). Results indicate firm size and leverage to be the key determinants of voluntary IFR adoption. Surprisingly, other traditional firm characteristics, such as profitability, industry and liquidity do not explain IFR practices. Policy implications of these findings, as well as the limitations of the study, which provide potential areas for future research, are also discussed.
Optimal Leniency Programs When Firms Have Cumulative and Asymmetric Evidence

An antitrust authority deters collusion with the use of fines and a leniency program. Firms have imperfect cumulative evidence of the collusion. That is, cartel conviction is not automatic if one firm reports. Reporting makes conviction only more likely: the more that firms report, the more likely is conviction. Furthermore, the evidence is distributed asymmetrically among firms. This set-up allows us meaningfully to analyze three typical features of leniency programs: minimum-evidence standards; ringleader discrimination; and marker systems. Minimum-evidence standards provide high-evidence firms with proper incentives to report. They are better at deterring than is ringleader discrimination. Under a marker system only one firm reports so that the antitrust authority never gets the entire available evidence. Appropriate minimum-evidence standards make a marker system redundant.
Return on Equity: A Popular, But Flawed Measure of Corporate Financial Performance

This article is aimed at analysing the impact of popular financial performance measures on shareholders' wealth. It tests the strength of linear relationships between these performance measures and shareholders' returns, which consists of dividends and changes in the share price. The return on equity (ROE) is weighed up against the present favorite, economic value added (EVA) and the merits and flaws of each approach are discussed. Other approaches, such as a combination of performance measures and the expectations theory are also discussed briefly. The statistical tests performed found Spreads (a standardised EVA) to be slightly superior to ROE in explaining changes in shareholders' returns. However, the use of same year data resulted in very weak linear relationships between all the performance measures tested, relative to shareholders' returns. When 5-year medians were used in the analysis, significant correlations were obtained between current shareholders' returns and the future results for the internal performance measures. This engenders some support for the expectations theory with its contention that the most effective positive impact on shareholders' returns can be accomplished by managing expectations about future financial results, rather than maximising these results now. It is clear that the debate about the effectiveness of traditional accounting performance measures, as well as the search for the real drivers of shareholder value, will continue and increase in intensity.
Food crop production in Nigeria. II. Potential effects of climate change

Two separate lines of investigation were adapted from the recommendations of the 1994 United States Country Studies Program (USCP). In one approach, arbitrary incremental scenarios were adopted to assess the response of crop yield to changes in the various elements of climate. Using the erosion productivity impact calculator (EPIC) crop model, tests were conducted to demonstrate how crop yield might respond to changes in rainfall, relative humidity (RH), temperature, solar radiation and CO2 concentration. The value of one element was altered incrementally while holding constant the values of the others. In the second approach, potential future changes in the yields of maize, sorghum, millet, rice and cassava were simulated based on a scenario specifying mean conditions for 1961-9190 as a baseline and general circulation model (GCM) projections from this for 3 periods: 2010-2039, 2040-2069 and 2070-2099. The results predicted a possible increase in crop yield during the first half of the 21st century to be followed by a decrease during the second half. Enhanced crop yield was explained by projected increases in rainfall, solar radiation, atmospheric humidity and CO2 concentrations. Lower yields were explained in terms of continued global warm- ing, as a result of which maximum and minimum temperatures approach the limits of tolerance for the modelled crops.
The epidemiology of congenital heart diseases in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

Several studies have been conducted on congenital heart disease in different regions of Saudi Arabia. However, no recent systematic review has examined the growing scientific evidence with respect to the epidemiology of CHD in the Kingdom. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of CHD incidence, prevalence, burden and impact on the Saudi population. A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords to identify studies performed in Saudi Arabia regarding CHD from 1993 to December 2013. Articles written in English that described or investigated the epidemiology, etiology, distribution, impact and burden of CHD in the Saudi Arabian population were included. Twenty one articles met these criteria. Cross-sectional studies found the prevalence of CHD ranging between 2.1 and 10.7 per 1,000 persons. The most prevalent type of CHD was the ventricular septal defect ranging from 29.5 to 39.5% of all diagnosed CHDs, followed by atrial septal defect (8.9 to 18.1%) and pulmonary stenosis (6 to 12.4%). Overall, the incidence of severe CHD was approximately 5.4 per 1,000 live births per year. Occurrence of CHD in Saudi Arabia was significantly associated with Down’s syndrome, consanguinity and maternal diabetes. Studies on the burden of these anomalies on children, families and society are scarce. This systematic review found that prevalence of CHD is comparable to that in other developing countries. Several modifiable risk factors have been identified emphasizing the importance of public health programs that are aimed at tackling such potentially preventable risk determinants. Keywords: Heart, congenital, defect, epidemiology, prevalence, Saudi
SUMMARY: LIVESTOCK-CROP INTEGRATION EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF A SOIL UNDER NO-TILL

Atributos físicos de solo foram avaliados num Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico, em Passo Fundo, RS, dez anos após o estabelecimento (1993 a 2003) de cinco sistemas de produção integrando culturas produtoras de grãos, pastagens de inverno e forrageiras perenes: I) trigo/soja, aveia-branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho; II) trigo/soja, aveia-branca/soja e forrageiras anuais aveia-preta + ervilhaca/milho; III) forrageiras perenes da estação fria festuca + trevo-branco + trevo-vermelho + cornichão; IV) forrageiras perenes da estação quente pensacola + aveia-preta + azevém + trevo-branco + trevo-vermelho + cornichão; e V) alfafa para feno, acrescentada em 1994, como tratamento adicional, com repetições em áreas contíguas ao experimento. Metade das áreas sob os sistemas III, IV e V retornou ao sistema I a partir do verão de 1996. As culturas, tanto de inverno como de verão, foram estabelecidas sob plantio direto. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Amostras de solo também foram coletadas em fragmento de floresta subtropical ao lado do experimento. O aumento da densidade do solo e da microporosidade, e a redução da porosidade total e da macroporosidade, devido aos distintos sistemas de produção de grãos com pastagens, não atingiram níveis capazes de promover degradação do solo. Os sistemas com pastagens perenes apresentaram menor densidade do solo e maior porosidade total e macroporosidade na camada 0–2 cm, em relação aos sistemas de produção de grãos ou produção de grãos com pastagens anuais.
Effect of different factors on non-symbiotic seed germination, formation of protocorm-like bodies and plantlet morphology of Cleisostoma racemiferum (Lindl.) Garay

Cleisostoma racemiferum, an epiphytic orchid of primary forest under threat in their natural habitat, was studied. Immature seeds of different developmental stages [(8-20 week after pollination (WAP)] were cultured on Knudson ‘C’, Mitra et al and MS media supplemented with sucrose (0-3%, w/v), coconut water (CW, 0-20%, v/v) and NAA (0-30 μM) + BA (0-8 μM) singly or in combination. After 7 week of culture, first sign of germination was recorded as nodular swelling of seeds. Amongst the three different basal media tested, better germination was supported by MS medium, followed by Mitra et al and Knudson ‘C’ media containing sucrose (3%) and NAA (10.0 μM ) + BA (8.0 μM). Of various developmental stages of the seed, better germination was obtained from green pods of 16 week after pollination. Younger seeds did not show any sign of germination, while mature seeds exhibited delayed and deformed germination. Though incorporation of CW in the medium did not show much influence on seed germination, but 15% (v/v) CW in the initiation medium enhanced the early differentiation of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) into plantlets. Within 14-16 week of culture on germination medium, the PLBs started releasing the first set of leaflets. The advanced stage PLBs were converted into rooted plantlets on MS medium containing IAA (10.0 μM) + Kn (9.0 μM). Although the medium containing NAA (10.0 μM) + BA (8.0 μM) resulted in multiple shoot buds, but the leaves were thin and etiolated. Further, the medium enriched with NAA (10.0 μM) + Kn (9.0 μM) resulted in stunted growth of plantlets, while presence of IAA (10.0 μM) + BA (8.0 μM) resulted in plantlets with poor roots.
Credit Card Usage Pattern in Ozamiz City, Philippines

The credit card market in the Philippines is growing and the household sector’s increasing access to it could raise concern over how households might use the credit cards given the negative consequences associated with its misuse. This study examined the credit card usage pattern in Ozamiz City in terms of types of commodities purchased through credit cards and card ownership and determined how this pattern is influenced by the user’s socioeconomic status and attitude towards debt. Survey method was used. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results showed that the type of commodities purchased with credit card is influenced by age, gender, marital status, educational attainment and income level but not with the number of dependents and the type of workplace organization. The credit card ownership is influenced by age, marital status, educational attainment and workplace organization but not the gender, number of dependents and income level. Findings also showed that cardholders with the positive attitude towards credit cards were less cautious of their credit card activities; thus, they were more susceptible to riskier activities than those cardholders with the negative attitude towards debt. Overall results showed that the credit card usage pattern varies among different context. Results of this study can help issuing banks for more effective regulation on credit and collection, as well as organizations that promote financial education for consumer protection. Keywords: cardholders, commodities, debt, financial, income
Effects of Cultivation of Gerbera on some Physical and Chemical Properties of Different Growing Substrates

This study was carried out in the research greenhouse of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) branch, to explore the effect cultivation of Gerbera on some physical and chemical properties of growing substrates. The experimental design was randomized complete, using different organic growing substrates including raw date palm waste, spent date palm waste, spent date palm waste+perlite (60+40%) in three sizes (0-0.5, 0.5-1 and 1-2 cm) and coco peat+perlite (50+50%) with 5 replications. The results indicated that cultivation of gerbera on spent date palm waste and spent date palm waste+perlite resulted in significant increases in bulk density of these substrates. The results indicated that cultivation of gerbera on coco peat+perlite and spent date palm waste+perlite resulted in significant increases in particle density of these substrates. However, there were no significant differences between treatments in porosity except in spent date palm waste treatments that had significant decrease in porosity after cultivation. The results indicated that cultivation of gerbera on the raw date palm waste and spent date palm waste with the particle size of 1-2 cm resulted in significant increases in water holding capacity. The cultivation of gerbera on growing substrates resulted in significant increase in pH. Although the EC of coco peat+perlite was also significantly greater in after cultivation than in before cultivation, the cultivation of gerbera on other growing substrates (in most cases) resulted in significant decrease in EC.
10-09 Social Status and Bargaining when Resources are Scarce : Evidence from a Field Lab Experiment by

This paper studies how individual social status influences bilateral bargaining in small-scale societies where resources are scarce. It reports the results of a field lab experiment with members of irrigation schemes who participate either as water distributors or receivers. Our results indicate that social status influences bargaining behavior in two ways. First, with social status being positively correlated with economic wealth, our results confirm a selfserving bias in fairness conceptions. Second, social status influences how receivers react to the received share as well as how distributors adapt their distributive decisions after the receivers’ reaction. We also highlight implications of the results for the efficient use of scarce resources.
Effect of natural sunflower oil and its components on the skin permeability to water and some drugs

Objective: To investigate the effect of natural oils and their components on the water permeability and marker molecules of stratum corneum either when intact or after exposure to mechanical stress. Methods: Full thickness porcine skin was used. The subcutaneous fat was removed with a scalpel. The remaining tissue was dermatomed. A validated tape-stripping procedure was used to induce skin damage. Tritiated water coupled with a scintillation counter was used for measuring the water permeability of skin, caffeine as hydrophilic molecule and testosterone as hydrophobic one. Results: Mean flux values for permeation of tritiated water versus time were monitored for intact and stripped skin treated with the oils and for untreated controls shows reduction of water permeability and retain skin barrier function for stripped skin, on the other hand all tested oils increases the reflux of caffeine and testosterone for both intact and stripped skin. Conclusions: Both sunflower oil and its main components, oleic acid and linoleic acid, significantly decreased the permeability of skin to water. For the damaged skin the oils were effective in reducing the flux to values lower than intact skin. No significant differences between sunflower oil and its components were found to exist, the implication being that either the natural sunflower oil or its components could be employed in skin products.
An Enhancement Deep Feature Extraction Method for Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Kernel Function and Autoencoder

Rotating machinery vibration signals are nonstationary and nonlinear under complicated operating conditions. It is meaningful to extract optimal features from raw signal and provide accurate fault diagnosis results. In order to resolve the nonlinear problem, an enhancement deep feature extraction method based on Gaussian radial basis kernel function and autoencoder (AE) is proposed. Firstly, kernel function is employed to enhance the feature learning capability, and a new AE is designed termed kernel AE (KAE). Subsequently, a deep neural network is constructed with one KAE and multiple AEs to extract inherent features layer by layer. Finally, softmax is adopted as the classifier to accurately identify different bearing faults, and error backpropagation algorithm is used to fine-tune the model parameters. Aircraft engine intershaft bearing vibration data are used to verify the method. The results confirm that the proposed method has a better feature extraction capability, requires fewer iterations, and has a higher accuracy than standard methods using a stacked AE.
Efficacy of pseudostem and pheromone seasonal trapping of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus in South Africa

Abstract The banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) is an important pest of bananas (Musaceae: Musa species) in South Africa. Adult trapping methods were compared in field trials using a randomised block design. Pseudostem traps, pitfall traps containing a pheromone (either Cosmolure® (Pheromone A) or Cosmolure+® (Pheromone B)), and unbaited pitfall traps (control), were compared over 5 weeks during all seasons along the Southeast coast of South Africa. Pseudostem traps treated with an insecticide, and rhizome traps, were included as additional treatments in autumn. In summer two treatments were also added: individual suspension of both pheromones above a pitfall trap either in combination with or without a pseudostem trap. The adult beetles were sexed, and the number of internal eggs noted. Pheromone A proved to be the most effective of the different pheromone lures. Grouping of the pheromones resulted in a synergistic response, while combining the pseudostem did not enhance trap efficacy. The different plant material traps and the control were usually equally effective in catching weevils. Plant material traps caught greater numbers of fecund females, but pheromone traps captured a higher proportion of females. Treatment effects were much less pronounced in summer, and compared to a pseudostem trap, pitfall traps were the most efficacious during spring. Compared to conventional pseudostem trapping, Pheromone A pitfall traps should be optimally applied during spring in South Africa.
Unit root testing with stationary covariates and a structural break in the trend function

The issue of testing for a unit root allowing for a structural break in the trend function is considered. The focus is on the construction of more powerful tests using the information in relevant multi‐variate data sets. The proposed test adopts the generalized least squares detrending approach and uses correlated stationary covariates to improve power. As it is standard in the literature, the break date is treated as unknown. Asymptotic distributions are derived, and a set of asymptotic and finite sample critical values are tabulated. Asymptotic local power functions show that power gains can be large. Finite sample results show that the test exhibits small‐size distortions and power that can be far beyond what is achievable by univariate tests.
Examining language switching in bilinguals: The role of preparation time*

Much research on language control in bilinguals has relied on the interpretation of the costs of switching between two languages. Of the two types of costs that are linked to language control, switching costs are assumed to be transient in nature and modulated by trial-specific manipulations (e.g., by preparation time), while mixing costs are supposed to be more stable and less affected by trial-specific manipulations. The present study investigated the effect of preparation time on switching and mixing costs, revealing that both types of costs can be influenced by trial-specific manipulations.