Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stratigraphy and Provenance of the Paleogene Syn‐Rift Sediments in Central‐Southern Palawan: Paleogeographic Significance for the South China Margin

The Palawan microcontinental block is thought to have separated from the South China margin due to seafloor spreading and opening of the South China Sea. However, it is uncertain when and from which section the Palawan microcontinental block rifted from the South China margin and little is known about sediment routing across the rifted margin before continental breakup. To address these aspects, we studied the biostratigraphy and provenance of syn‐rift sedimentary rocks collected from the Panas‐Pandian Formation in central‐southern Palawan. Micropaleontological evidence indicates a Middle Eocene‐earliest Oligocene (47.7–32.9 Ma) age for the Panas‐Pandian Formation. Based on this and the oldest age of the post‐rift Nido Limestone (∼32 Ma), the breakup unconformity on the Palawan microcontinent block is dated around 33–32 Ma. This timing of breakup unconformity is close to that of the Pearl River Mouth Basin (∼30 Ma) and IODP Site U1435 (∼34 Ma), suggesting a conjugate relationship between the Palawan microcontinental block and the Pearl River Mouth Basin. Trace fossils and benthic foraminifera from the Panas‐Pandian Formation indicate a middle bathyal to abyssal environment on the continental slope of the South China margin. Multidisciplinary provenance analysis reveals that the Panas‐Pandian Formation was derived from both local Mesozoic basement uplifts and the interior Cathaysia Block. It indicates that a paleo‐Pearl River has been established at least since the Middle Eocene (47.7–41.9 Ma) and could deliver sediments from the interior Cathaysia Block to the continental slope, across the wide rifted margin with a low topographic gradient.
A Study on the Characteristics of Fishery Resources Distribution in Coastal Waters of Yeongil Bay Using Acoustic Survey

In this study, the identification of dominant fish species in the East Sea was conducted using the dB-difference method. The survey was conducted using the two frequencies of 38 and 120 kHz in transect 6 of the southern part of the East Sea. Information on fish species was identified using fishing gear and e-DNA, and the dominant target fish species were selected and analyzed as cod, anchovy, common squid, and herring. The dB-difference range for each fish species was set to −0.86 dB < ∆MVBS 38–120 kHz < 0.82 dB for cod and to the range of 2.66 dB < ∆MVBS 38–120 kHz < 2.84 dB for anchovy. The dB-difference of the common squid was set to −0.36 dB < ∆MVBS 38–120 kHz < 1.25 dB and to the range of 0.88 dB < ∆MVBS 38–120 kHz < 2.28 dB for herring; the fish species were then identified in the echograms. When comparing the results of swimming depths by fish species and previous studies, cod was detected mainly at the bottom of the sea, and anchovy and common squid were detected mainly at a depth of 50 m. Herring was detected to be mainly distributed in water depths from 50 to 150 m.
Managing Stochastic Bucket Brigades on Discrete Work Stations

Bucket brigades are notably used to coordinate workers in production systems. We study a J‐station, I‐worker bucket brigade system. The time duration for each worker to serve a job at a station is exponentially distributed with a rate that depends on the station's expected work content and the worker's work speed. Our goal is to maximize the system's productivity or to minimize its inter‐completion time variability. We analytically derive the throughput and the coefficient of variation (CV) of the inter‐completion time. We study the system under two cases. (i) If the work speeds depend only on the workers, the throughput gap between the stochastic and the deterministic systems can be up to 47 % when the number of stations is small. Either maximizing the throughput or minimizing the CV of the inter‐completion time, the slowest‐to‐fastest worker sequence always outperforms the reverse sequence for the stochastic bucket brigade. To maximize the throughput, more work content should be assigned to the stations near the faster workers. In contrast, to minimize the CV of the inter‐completion time, more work content should be allocated to the stations near the slower workers. (ii) If the work speeds depend on the workers and the stations such that the workers may not dominate each other at every station, the asymptotic throughput can be expressed as a function of the average work speeds and the asymptotic expected blocked times of the workers, and can be interpreted as the sum of the effective production rates of all the workers.
“Oya let’s go to Nigeria”

This paper examines five bilingual pragmatic markers: oya, ke, ni, walahi, and ba, loaned from indigenous Nigerian languages into Nigerian English, with a view to investigating their sources, meanings, frequencies, spelling stability, positions, collocational patterns and discourse-pragmatic functions. The data for the study were obtained from the International Corpus of English-Nigeria and the Nigerian component of the Global Web-based English corpus. These were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively, using the theory of pragmatic borrowing. The results show that oya, ke, and ni are borrowed from Yoruba, walahi is loaned from Arabic through Hausa and Yoruba while ba is borrowed from Hausa. Oya serves as an attention marker, ke and ni function as emphasis markers, walahi serves as an emphatic manner of speaking marker while ba functions as an attention marker and agreement-seeking marker. The study highlights the influence of indigenous Nigerian languages on the discourse-pragmatic features of Nigerian English.
Distribution and sources of secondary deposit archaeological obsidian in Rio Grande alluvium New Mexico, USA

In 2000, Tim Church published an excellent examination of the secondarily deposited obsidian in Rio Grande Quaternary alluvium for a relatively small section of the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico. Here, the goal is to complement Church's study to include six secondary deposits of a portion of the Rio Grande hydrological basin nearly 400 km in length, coupled with a comparison to 11 archaeological sites on or near the river basin. Additionally, the compositional and metric data on obsidian sources from the Jemez Lineament sources have also improved since 2000, providing useful data on nodule dimension as well as compositional data at the primary sources. By recording both nodule sizes against source provenance at these points along the Rio Grande, scholars can compare the results of nearby archaeological contexts and the source obsidian available at various points along the Rio Grande. It is often difficult to determine whether the raw material used to produce a chipped stone tool was originally procured at the source or in secondary contexts. That, however, can never be achieved anywhere in the world without firm secondary depositional data. This issue is the focus of this study.
Hygroscopicity of Water‐Soluble PM2.5 in Rural Northwest China: Contrasting Contributors Between Summer and Winter

In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and hygroscopicity of water‐soluble fraction in PM2.5 collected from a rural site of Guanzhong Basin, a highly polluted region in northwest China. We found that inorganic components are the main substances promoting the hygroscopic properties of particulate matter (PH) in summer, while in winter, an increasing contribution from water‐soluble organic matters (WSOM) was observed. The sulfate‐nitrate‐ammonium concentration is higher on heavily polluted days, and a high concentration of water‐soluble organic matter was observed in non‐polluting days. Hygroscopic growth factors, g(RH), with elevated relative humidity (RH) of water‐soluble matter (WSM) were measured for 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 nm by hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyzer. An initial dry particle diameter of 100 nm was chosen as the research object because the particle size has little effect on the hygroscopic growth factor at RH = 90%. The g(90%)WSM and κWSM was in the range of 1.19–1.49 and 0.06–0.22 in summer, 1.24–1.49 and 0.08–0.22 in winter, respectively, which is similar to the hygroscopicity parameters of PH produced by biomass burning. The g(90%)WSOM and κWSOM, obtained using E‐AIM model and Zdanovskii‐Stokes‐Robinson approach, were in the range of 1.06–1.69 and 0.02–0.36 in summer, 1.06–1.58 and 0.02–0.28 in winter, respectively. The hygroscopicity parameters of water‐soluble organic matter is close to the value of levoglucosan, an indicator of biomass burning, implying this region is highly affected by biomass burning. Overall, our results revealed that PM2.5 in rural regions of Guanzhong Basin is mainly influenced by biomass burning.
The Impact of Copper Ions on Oxidative Stress in Garden Cress Lepidium sativum

Abstract Normal oxygen metabolism is an endogenous source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The source of ROS are also many environmental factors including heavy metals. In certain concentration range, the presence of ROS is necessary to maintain proper cell function. Thus, cells have many mechanisms, which role is focused on maintaining a constant concentration of ROS. Imbalance between the formation of ROS and action of a protective antioxidant system leads to oxidative stress. This may results with a damage to the structure of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, which in turn can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the cell and even to the death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of copper ions on the metabolic activity of garden cress Lepidium sativum L. The action of copper ions with different concentrations was treated seeds. After four, six and eight days after planting in the leaves of garden cress were determined the specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), lipid peroxidation and protein content. Additionally intake of copper ions was determined using adsorption spectrometry technique. The results revealed that the applied doses of copper ions affected the activity of guaiacol peroxidase. The highest enzyme activity was found in plant material, which was treated with dose of copper ions 1000 mg/dm3 regardless of day. In the same samples the lowest level of lipid peroxidation was found. The highest concentrations of total proteins was found in samples treated with the highest dose of copper ions. The copper content in the tested plant material is correlated with the applied dose of copper ions. Our results indicate reliable correlations between copper content and values of oxidative stress biomarkers in plant tissues.
The GASA Gene Family in Cacao (Theobroma cacao, Malvaceae): Genome Wide Identification and Expression Analysis

The gibberellic acid-stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA/GAST) gene family is widely distributed in plants and involved in various physiological and biological processes. These genes also provide resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, including antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal. We are interested in characterizing the GASA gene family and determining its role in various physiological and biological process in Theobroma cacao. Here, we report 17 tcGASA genes distributed on six chromosomes in T. cacao. The gene structure, promoter region, protein structure and biochemical properties, expression, and phylogenetics of all tcGASAs were analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses divided tcGASA proteins into five groups. Among 17 tcGASA genes, nine segmentally duplicating genes were identified which formed four pairs and cluster together in phylogenetic tree. Differential expression analyses revealed that most of the tcGASA genes showed elevated expression in the seeds (cacao food), implying their role in seed development. The differential expression of tcGASAs was recorded between the tolerant and susceptible cultivars of cacao, which indicating their possible role as fungal resistant. Our findings provide new insight into the function, evolution, and regulatory system of the GASA family genes in T. cacao and may suggest new target genes for development of fungi-resistant cacao varieties in breeding programs.
CLT For U-statistics With Growing Dimension

The purpose of this paper is to present a general triangular array Central Limit Theorem for U -statistics, where the kernel hk(x1, . . . , xk) and its dimension k may increase with the sample size. Some motivating examples which require such a general result are presented. The examples include a class of Hodges-Lehmann estimators, subsampling estimators, and combining p-values through data splitting. A result for the so-called M -statistic is also presented, which is defined as the median of some kernel computed over all subsets of the data of a given size. The conditions in the theorems are verified in the motivating
Innovation Competencies and Sustainability: A Proposed Model for Project Team Members

Acquiring the right innovation competencies can lead to a successful implementation of sustainability projects. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify the innovation competencies required by project team members to adopt and implement innovation effectively in sustainability projects. To achieve this target, a comprehensive literature review has been performed to build a model that integrates innovation competencies of project team members with the successful achievement of substantiality projects. In specific, these innovation competencies are leadership, communication, teamwork, creativity, and commitment of project team members. The paper also reveals that a successful implementation of innovation in sustainability projects leads to economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity as main outcomes. Accordingly, this research proposes a model that presents the associations between project team members’ innovation competencies and the implementation of sustainability projects (considering the three pillars of sustainability that are economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity). As a result, the project team members, who acquire the required innovation competencies, have the capability to implement sustainability projects, successfully.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Antioxidant Activity Against Non-Enzymatic Peroxidation of Rat Kidney and Liver Mitochondria

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) participate in the induction and progression of damage in many human pathologies, such as: heart attack, cerebral ischemia, diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease, among others. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA, also called thioctic acid) is a sulfur compound that acts as a growth factor in some microorganisms and as a coenzyme or prosthetic group in mammalian tissues. The beneficial action of ALA is due to its high antioxidant power that allows it to capture numerous free radicals such as Hydroxyl Radicals (OH•), Hypochlorous (HClO-) and oxygen (O•). ALA easily crosses cell membranes acting in both lipophilic and hydrophilic media, so it can act against oxidative stress and prevent cell damage at many levels. In the study reported here the effect of ALA on chemiluminescence of mitochondria isolated from liver and kidney rat was analyzed. After incubation of both mitochondria in an ascorbate (0.4mM)-Fe++ (2.15μM) system (120min at 37°C), non-enzymatic peroxidation, it was observed that the total cpm/mg protein originated from light emission: chemiluminescence was lower in liver and kidney mitochondria obtained from ALA group than in the control group (without ALA). Moreover, it was observed that the ALA was reduced, concentration dependent (0.05 mg, 0.15 mg and 0.25 mg of solution), of chemiluminescence, measured as total cpm. The analyses of chemiluminescence indicate that ALA may act as antioxidant protecting rat liver and kidney mitochondria from peroxidative damage.
The role of higher-order terms in perturbation approaches to the monomer and bonding contributions in a SAFT-type equation of state for square-well chain fluids

ABSTRACT A perturbation theory for square-well chain fluids is developed within the scheme of the (generalised) Wertheim thermodynamic perturbation theory. The theory is based on the Pavlyukhin parametrisations [Y. T. Pavlyukhin, J. Struct. Chem. 53, 476 (2012)] of their simulation data for the first four perturbation terms in the high temperature expansion of the Helmholtz free energy of square-well monomer fluids combined with a second-order perturbation theory for the contact value of the radial distribution function of the square-well monomer fluid that enters into bonding contribution. To obtain the latter perturbation terms, we have performed computer simulations in the hard-sphere reference system. The importance of the perturbation terms beyond the second-order one for the monomer fluid and of the approximations of different orders in the bonding contribution for the chain fluids in the predicted equation of state, excess energy and liquid–vapour coexistence densities is analysed.
Running demands and activity profile of men’s rugby sevens: a tournament scenario

This study profiled the changes in running performances and collisions within a Rugby sevens tournament. Sixteen male players were equipped with global positioning system units while competing at the 2015 and 2016 Asia Rugby Sevens series held in Colombo and Hong Kong, respectively. Both tournaments consisted of 4 matches each, and were played over 2 days (i.e., 2 matches/day). Total distance (TD) covered increased in match 3 compared with matches 1 (19 ± 19%; p < 0.001) and 2 (16 ± 11%; p = 0.001), whilst a decrease in TD in match 4 compared with match 3 (8 ± 9%; p = 0.019) was observed. Distances covered within 6.1–12 km·h-1 and 12.1–14 km·h-1 speed bands were generally higher in matches 3 and/or 4 when compared with match 1 and/or 2 (p < 0.05). Frequency of entries into 14.1–18 km·h-1 speed zone was decreased in match 4 compared with match 3 (45 ± 41%; p = 0.009), whilst incidences of heavy, very heavy and severe collisions were generally higher in matches 3 or 4 compared with matches 1 or 2 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, while some decrements in the final match were evident, running performance were generally maintained throughout despite the competitive and congested nature of Rugby Sevens tournaments
Rapid Mode Decomposition of Few-Mode Fiber By Artificial Neural Network

A novel method based on deep learning technique for the modal decomposition of the optical fields emerging from the few-mode fiber is demonstrated in this paper. By combining the advantages of principal component analysis (PCA) and Back-Propagation (BP) neural network, this scheme can reveal the exact superposition of eigenmodes. Firstly, PCA algorithm is applied to preprocess the target samples to reduce the computational complexity and extract the characteristics of the samples. Then, the mapping between the mode coefficients and the preprocessed near-field beam patterns is learned by using the BP neural network. The superiority of the proposed scheme is evaluated through simulation and experiment. The results show that the scheme can perform a complete modal decomposition within a few milliseconds, and it can still work well when the SNR level is as low as 20 dB. It is also worth noting that the method described in this work also has the advantages of short network training time, non-iterative, and low experimental equipment requirements.
Statistical anxiety and attitudes towards statistics: Criterion-related construct validity of the HFS-R questionnaire revisited using Rasch models

Abstract In 2018, Nielsen and Kreiner provided evidence that the Attitudes and Relationship to Statistics—Revised (HFS-R) questionnaire provides essentially valid, objective, and reliable measurement of three statistical anxiety constructs and one statistical attitude construct among students of sociology and public health. The purpose of the study described in this paper was to revisit the HFS-R instrument to assess the degree to which the properties of the instrument and its subscales extends to students of psychology. The study confirmed that this was largely the case. HFS-R is again found to provide essentially valid, objective and reliable measures of a three-dimensional construct related to Statistical Anxiety and a unidimensional construct associated with attitudes towards statistics. This paper provides the documentation supporting these claims.
Validation of the State Version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in a University Sample

Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Model makes a theoretical distinction between the contribution of dispositional anxiety and the transitory experience of anxiety to performance difficulties during testing situations. According to the State-Trait framework, state anxiety is viewed as the primary performance barrier for test-anxious students, and as such, educators and educational researchers have expressed interest in validated, state anxiety measurement tools. Currently, the most widely used measure of state anxiety is the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. However, evidence regarding the psychometric properties of this scale is relatively scarce. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the structural validity, reliability, and concurrent/divergent validity of the instrument. Participants (N = 294) completed the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale 2nd Edition, and an exam task. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we tested the viability of one-, two-, and bi-factor solutions for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated a two-factor solution consisting of State Anxiety and State Calmness dimensions provided superior fit to the observed data. Results of a reliability analysis indicated that the State Anxiety and State Calmness factors demonstrated excellent internal consistency when applied to university students. Our discussion concerns the utility of the State Anxiety factor as a tool for the identification of test-anxious students.
Spatial and temporal variability of water table dynamics in an afforested catchment of the Central Spanish Pyrenees

Human‐induced afforestation has been one of the main policies for environmental management of farmland abandonment in Mediterranean areas. Over the last decades, several studies have reviewed the impact of afforestation activities on geomorphological and hydrological responses and soil properties, although few studies have evaluated the effects on water table dynamics. In parallel to human‐induced afforestation activities, natural revegetation occurred in abandoned fields and in fields where the intensity of human activity declined, driving the expansion of shrubs. This research addresses the spatial and temporal variability of water table dynamics in a small afforested sub‐catchment located in the Central Spanish Pyrenees. Differences between afforestation (Pinus nigra and Pinus sylvestris) and natural plant colonization (shrubs, mainly Genista scorpius, Buxus sempervirens, and Juniperus communis) and early abandoned meadows (G. scorpius), are analysed in terms of runoff generation and seasonal water table depth dynamics. Precipitation, runoff and water table datasets recorded for the 2014–2019 period are used. Results show a high temporal and spatial variability with large fluctuations in discharge and water table. Groundwater dynamics varied markedly over the year, identifying a wet and dry period with different responses suggesting different runoff generation processes (Hortonian flow during dry and wet periods, and saturation excess runoff during wet conditions). Furthermore, important differences are noted among the various land cover types: (i) in the natural revegetation area (shrubland and meadows) a marked seasonal cycle was observed with short saturation periods during winter and spring; and (ii) in the afforestation areas, the water table dynamics showed a seasonal cycle with a high variability, with fast responses and rapid oscillations. Likewise, the relationship between the depth of water table and hydrological variables was not straightforward, suggesting complex hydrological behaviour.