Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TSUNAMI DAMAGES OF NAKOSO COAST DUE TO THE 2011 TOHOKU TSUNAMI

A post-2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami survey was conducted at the Nakoso Coast, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, on Mar 24-25 and Apr 1-2, 2011. Spatial distribution of the tsunami inundation height, together with the seawall height and damages, was investigated. We found a sharp contrast of tsunami damages within the target area; tsunami damage is the most serious in the north region (north of the Samegawa River) where seawalls with different heights played diverse roles for protection of local community. A relatively high seawall in this region kept intact after tsunami attack, and protected the lee side human properties; whereas, 71% of the low seawalls were broken during the tsunami and the disaster developed in the corresponding sheltered area. A sharp contrast at the boundary of these two types of seawalls was observed. Behind the high seawall, the tsunami intensity and velocity were significantly reduced and the inundation depth is only 0.6 m. Nevertheless, tsunami intensity was enhanced in the seawall-broken area with an inland inundation depth being 4.7 m, which ruins away the local houses. In the middle region between the Samegawa River and the Bindagawa River, the high seawall survived from the tsunami attack. We confirmed that the coastal pine tree forest, serving as a buffer zone, played a significant role in reducing the tsunami height approximately by 4 m within a cross-shore distance of 230 m. To the south of the Bindagawa River, the tsunami damage is the mildest due to the protection by the robust high seawall as well as high elevation of land topography.
Assessing the dynamic‐downscaling ability over South America using the intensity‐scale verification technique

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) ETA regional circulation model (RCM) was one‐way nested in the T62 NCEP general circulation model for a series of 3‐month simulations of the austral summer and winter over South America (SA). The intensity‐scale verification technique (ISVT), based on the scale decomposition of precipitation skill score and energy relative difference, was used to quantitatively assess the dynamic‐downscaling ability of seasonal precipitation and inter‐annual precipitation difference. The ISVT showed that the RCM was able to add value to summer and winter rainfall forecasts over southern South America. Largest improvements were associated to precipitation events at spatial scales of about 400–800 km and rainfall rates above 4 mm day−1. In general, downscaling failed to yield better results over northern South America. In terms of inter‐annual precipitation difference, the RCM produced better results over southern South America, by simulating the increase in intense small‐scale events in the wet years. Analysis of meridional moisture flux associated with the South American low‐level jet (SALLJ) suggested that the Andean topography plays an important role in the RCM's rainfall simulations over the La Plata basin. A sensitivity test with lowered Andean topography heights produced weaker moisture advection by the SALLJ, and lower rainfall totals over that basin for both seasons. During summer, results showed that the reduced rainfall was associated with deteriorated simulations of mid‐ to large‐scale precipitation events, whereas during winter it was associated with deteriorated simulations of smaller‐scale events. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
EvaluatingWater Vapor Permeance MeasurementTechniques for Highly Permeable Membranes

The cup method and dynamic moisture permeation cell (DMPC) method are two common techniques used to determine the water vapor permeation properties of a membrane. Often, ignoring the resistance of boundary air layers to the transport of water vapor results in the water vapor permeance of the membrane being underestimated in practical tests. The measurement errors are higher with highly permeable membranes. In this study, the two methods were simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics platform and the extent of the error was evaluated. Initial results showed that the error is equally high in both methods. With the correction for the still air gap, the cup method produces a relatively reduced error. In the DMPC method, reducing the error caused by the boundary air layer by increasing the sweep speed can produce higher instrument error. Highly accurate and precise instrument is needed for DMPC method; however, its error is still higher than that in the cup method. Simulations also show that lowering the test pressure is favorable to both methods.
Non-classical logic for elderly care management

Health decline among elderly is diverse and we indeed often speak of multiple diseases e.g. involving psychiatric and cardiac diseases. This disease orientation with a treatment add-on is, however, only one scenario in which care of elderly can be accurately and completely described. In the case of elderly it is important to place ability and its measurement in primary focus as measurable reductions in abilities trigger all processes involving solicitation and caring together with clinical estimation. Interventions are always joint concerns and also involve teamwork building upon a wide range of professional skills. Workflow modelling is important and, in particular, decision making within these processes along which patient abilities are declining. Decision support is always based on rules and in the end on underlying logic. We will show how coordination of professional skills and capacities require consideration of dierent logic platforms which need to be interrelated.
C G ] 15 S ep 2 01 5 Multivariate Topology Simplification Amit Chattopadhyay

Topological simplification of scalar and vector fields is wel lestablished as an effective method for analysing and visual ising complex data sets. For multi-field data, topological analys is requires simultaneous advances both mathematically and comp utationally. We propose a robust multivariate topology simpli fication method based on “lip”-pruning from the Reeb Space. Math ematically, we show that the projection of the Jacobi Set of m ultivariate data into the Reeb Space produces a Jacobi Structu re that separates the Reeb Space into simple components. We als o show that the dual graph of these components gives rise to a Re eb Skeleton that has properties similar to the scalar contour t ree and Reeb Graph, for topologically simple domains. We then intro duce a range measure to give a scaling-invariant total order ing of the components or features that can be used for simplification. Computationally, we show how to compute Jacobi Structure, Reeb Skeleton, Range and Geometric Measures in the Joi nt Contour Net (an approximation of the Reeb Space) and that the se can be used for visualisation similar to the contour tree or R eeb Graph. keyword Simplification, Topology, Multi-Field, Reeb Space, Joint Contour Net, Multi-Dimensional Reeb Graph, Reeb Skel eton
Multiple paternity but no evidence of biased sperm use in female dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica

Assessing the natural level of multiple paternity and sperm-use patterns provides important information regarding sperm competition and the potential for cryptic female mate choice. We developed 5 novel polymorphic microsatellites for the dumpling squid Euprymna tasmanica and used them to measure multiple paternity from both fieldand laboratory-laid clutches. All clutches had multiple paternity, with a minimum of 2 to 4 sires per clutch, consistent with benefits to females of polyandry in this species, and indicating strong potential for sperm competition. We found a higher level of multiple paternity within field-laid eggs than in the first and second clutches from females that laid in the laboratory. The level of multiple paternity did not change over successive clutches from individual laboratory females and sperm from different males did not consistently dominate separate clutches, although individual females differed in patterns of sperm use. This suggests that spermatangia may be somewhat mixed within the female spermatheca at the time of fertilisation. Sperm competition is enhanced by high sperm longevity, and we found that viable sperm could be stored for up to 145 d in the laboratory. Overall, our results suggest strong potential for post-copulatory sexual selection in this species, due to the presence of sperm from multiple males in the female sperm storage organ competing for fertilisation of the female’s eggs.
Optical and thermoelectric characterizations of electroplated nBi 2 ( Te 0 . 9 Se 0 . 1 ) 3

Bismuth selenotelluride (Bi2(Te0.9Se0.1)3) films were electrodeposited at constant current density from acidic aqueous solutions with Arabic gum in order to produce thin films for miniaturized thermoelectric devices. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy determined film compositions. X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the films as deposited are polycrystalline, isostructural to Bi2Te3 and covered by crystallites. Mueller-matrix analysis reveals that the electroplated layers are optically like an isotropic medium. Their pseudo-dielectric functions were determined using mid-infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry. Tauc–Lorentz combined with Drude dispersion relations were successfully used. The energy band gap Eg was found to be about 0.15 eV. Moreover, the fundamental absorption edge was described by an indirect optical band-to-band transition. From Seebeck coefficient measurement, films exhibit n-type charge carrier and the value of thermoelectric power is about 40mV/K. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Characterization of Differentially Methylated Regions in 3 Bovine Imprinted Genes: A Model for Studying Human Germ-Cell and Embryo Development

Correct imprinting is crucial for normal fetal and placental development in mammals. Experimental evidence in animal models and epidemiological studies in humans suggest that assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) can interfere with imprinted gene regulation in gametogenesis and early embryogenesis. Bos taurus is an agriculturally important species in which ARTs are commonly employed. Because this species exhibits a similar preimplantation development and gestation length as humans, it is increasingly being used as a model for human germ-cell and embryo development. However, in contrast to humans and mice, there is relatively little information on bovine imprinted genes. Here, we characterized the bovine intergenic IGF2-H19 imprinting control region (ICR) spanning approximately 3 kb. We identified a 300-bp differentially methylated region (DMR) approximately 6 kb upstream of the H19 promoter, containing a CpG island with CTCF-binding site and high sequence similarity with the human intergenic ICR. Additional differentially methylated CpG islands lie –6 kb to –3 kb upstream of the promoter, however these are less conserved. Both classical bisulfite sequencing and bisulfite pyrosequencing demonstrated complete methylation of the IGF2-H19 ICR in sperm, complete demethylation in parthenogenetic embryos having only the female genome, and differential methylation in placental and somatic tissues. In addition, we established pyrosequencing assays for the previously reported bovine SNRPN and PEG3 DMRs. The observed methylation patterns were consistent with genomic imprinting in all analyzed tissues/cell types. The identified IGF2-H19 ICR and the developed quantitative methylation assays may prove useful for further studies on the relationship between ARTs and imprinting defects in the bovine model.
Effects of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust application on the primary nutrients of rice plants grown under variable moisture conditions in a saline soil

The study was conducted at Kuakata of Patuakhali to evaluate the impacts of indigenous organic amendments such as rice hull, rice straw and saw dust alone and in combination under variable moisture conditions (moist and saturated) on the primary nutrients (N, P and K) of BRRI dhan64 grown in a coastal saline soil. The individual application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust at the rate of 0, 4 and 8 t/ha and their combined effects were found to be significant (p ≤ 0.05) for N content in the rice plants. Effects of the treatments on phosphorus content alone and in combination were slightly additive but not significant. The maximum P content in the plant tissues was determined at saturated condition with the increased rate of the treatments (T 27 = RH 8 RS 8 SD 8 ), while the lowest content of P was recorded in control (T 1 = RH 0 RS 0 SD 0 ). The K content in plant tissues increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with the increased rate of application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust. The higher K contents were found under saturated condition of soil. Under moist condition of soil, the highest contents of N, P and K were 21.3, 1.45 and 15.67 g/kg, respectively and under saturated condition, the highest contents of N, P and K were 23.4, 1.78 and 15.87 g/kg by the combined application of rice hull, rice straw and saw dust, respectively at the rate of 8 t/ha, suggested that the primary nutrition of rice had better response under saturated moisture condition in saline soil, which received rice hull, rice straw and saw dust. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 11-21, December-2017
Novel NPC 1 mutations with different segregation in two related Greek patients with Niemann-Pick type C disease : molecular study in the extended pedigree and clinical correlations

Background: Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC) is an autosomal recessive, neurovisceral, lysosomal storage disorder with protean and progressive clinical manifestations, resulting from mutations in either of the two genes, NPC1 (~95% of families) and NPC2. Contrary to other populations, published evidence regarding NPC disease in Greece is sparse. Methods: The study population consisted of two Greek NPC patients and their extended pedigree. Patients’ clinical, biochemical, molecular profiles and the possible correlations are presented. Genotyping was performed by direct sequencing. Mutations’ origin was investigated through selected exonic NPC1 polymorphisms encountered more frequently in a group of 37 Greek patients with clinical suspicion of NPC disease and in a group of 90 healthy Greek individuals, by the use of Haplore software. Results: Two novel NPC1 mutations, [IVS23 + 3insT (c.3591 + 3insT) and p. K1057R (c.3170A > C)] were identified and each mutation was associated with a specific haplotype. One of the patients was entered to early treatment with miglustat and has presented no overt neurological impairment after 11.5 years. Conclusions: The splicing mutation IVS23 + 3insT was associated in homozygocity with a severe biochemical and clinical phenotype. A possible founder effect for this mutation was demonstrated in the Greek Island, as well as a different origin for each novel mutation. Longitudinal follow-up may contribute to clarify the possible effect of early miglustat therapy on the patient compound heterozygous for the two novel mutations.
Long-term effects of cropping system on N 2 O emission potential

The potential for N2O emissions outside the main growing season may be influenced by long-term effects of cropping system. This was investigated by collecting intact soil cores (100 cm3, 0e4 cm depth) under winter wheat in three organic cropping systems and a conventional reference within a long-term crop rotation experiment. Average annual inputs of C in crop residues and manure ranged from 1.7 to 3.3 Mg ha 1. A simulated freezeethaw cycle resulted in a flush of CO2 during the first 48 h, which could be mainly from microbial sources. Other samples were adjusted to approximately 10, 30 or 100 hPa and amended with excess NO3 prior to freezing and thawing. Denitrification was the main source of N2O during a 72-h incubation at 22 C, as judged from N2O and total 15N evolution. Although the input of C in the conventionally managed cropping system was significantly less than in the organic cropping systems, it showed higher N2O evolution at all three matric potentials. Estimates of relative gas diffusivity (DP/D0) in soil from the four cropping systems indicated that C input affected soil aeration. Soil from the two cropping systems with highest C input showed N2O evolution at DP/D0 in excess of 0.02, which is normally considered a threshold for development of anaerobic sites in the soil, presumably because the oxygen demand was also high. The study shows that cropping system affects both soil gas diffusivity and C availability, and that both characteristics significantly influence the N2O emission potential. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Proximate Composition, Phytonutrients and Antioxidant Properties of Oven Dried and Vacuum Dried African Star Apple ( Chrysophyllum albidum ) Products

Chrysophyllum albidum has been reported to be a medicinal plant due to its high Vitamin C content and the presence of phytonutrient such as phenols and flavonoids. Freshly harvested African star apple fruits were processed and separated into pulp, seeds and peel and were dried between 60°C to 65°C using different forms of drying technology, specifically Oven drying and Vacuum drying. The dried products were subjected to proximate, elemental and vitamin C analysis. Also, the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the products were determined and their antioxidant potentials explored. Results showed that samples that were vacuum dried retained their nutritional composition, phytonutrient content and antioxidant potentials better than samples that were oven dried. Also, results showed that the seeds appeared to contain more fibre, ash, protein and fat content than all other fruit parts. However, the pulp contained more moisture and Vitamin C content while the peels were the richest in carbohydrates. Results also revealed that the pulp had the highest phytonutrient content and as such exhibited more antioxidant potentials than all other fruit part.
Cantor fractal-based printed slot antenna for dual-band wireless applications

Fractal geometries are attractive for antenna designers seeking antennas with compact size and multiband resonant behavior. This paper presents the design of a new microstrip-fed printed slot antenna for use in dual-band wireless applications. The slot structure of the proposed antenna is in the form of Cantor square fractal geometry of the second iteration. The slot structure has been etched on the ground plane of a substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and 1.6 mm in thickness. A parametric study is conducted to explore the effects of some geometrical parameters on the antenna performance. Results show that the antenna possesses a dual-band behavior with a wide range of resonant frequency ratio. In addition to the ease of fabrication and simple design procedure, the antenna offers desirable radiation characteristics. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been simulated, fabricated, and measured. The measured 10 dB return loss bandwidths for the lower and the upper resonant bands are 42% (2.35–3.61 GHz) and 20% (5.15–6.25 GHz), respectively. This makes the proposed antenna suitable to cover a number of operating bands of wireless systems (2.4 GHz-Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz ISM, 2.4/5.8 GHz-WLAN, 3.5 GHz-WiMAX, and 5.8 GHz-ITS).
Ethical vs. non-ethical - is there a difference? Analyzing performance of ethical and non-ethical investment fund

Ethical investments have become increasingly popular over the past years. Ethical funds restrict their investment based on environmental, social and/or ethical criteria. Prior research on the performance of ethical versus non-ethical funds yields mixed results. This paper investigates the differences in risk profiles and realized returns between ethical and non-ethical funds. A sample of 23 ethical funds and 152 non-ethical funds covering the time period between 2000 and 2007 is investigated. The analysis of the portfolio composition shows that there are small differences in the structure of portfolios concerning industry composition and company size. However, the ethical funds tend to hold more stocks in their portfolios than non-ethical ones. The results provide some evidence on the underperformance of ethical funds; this underperformance is stronger in years of poor stock market performance, which indicates that systematic risk of ethical funds may be higher.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus (Chondrichthyes, Lamnidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) was determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitochondrial DNA is 16,701 bp and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 replication origin region, and 1 control region. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of the tiger tail seahorse is also matching the one observed in the most vertebrate creatures. Base composition of the genome is A (28.8%), T (28.0%), C (28.0%), and G (15.2%) with an A + T rich hallmark as that of other vertebrate mitochondrial genomes.
Complete mitogenomes of King angelfish (Holacanthus passer) and Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) (Teleostei: Pomacanthidae)

Abstract In this study, we used the next-generation sequencing method to deduce two complete mitogenomes of King angelfish (Holacanthus passer) and Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) for the first time. The assembled mitogenome consists of 16,620 bp in H. passer and 16,606 bp in H. ciliaris, showing 95% identities each other. Both mitogenomes follow the typical vertebrate arrangement, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes, and a non-coding control region of D-loop. D-loop contains 903 bp in H. passer and 888 bp in H. ciliaris and locates between tRNA-Pro and tRNA-Phe. The overall GC content is 45.8% for H. passer and 46.2% for H. ciliaris. Complete mitogenomes of King angelfish and Queen angelfish deduced in this study provide essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for marine angelfish.
Strain differences in Merinos for carcass and meat quality

The increased emphasis on the Merino for meat production has heightened the need to quantify the variation across the breed for meat and carcase traits and to produce genetic correlations and heritabilities for these traits. This paper reports on strain effects (broad, medium and fine wool) on carcase and meat quality traits for 1934 rams. Rams (~19 months of age) were slaughtered over 4 years and data on animals from 272 sires were collected. Every year, the rams were fed a formulated pellet at pasture for 5 weeks before slaughter. All animals were slaughtered in commercial abattoirs. Hot carcase weights were recorded and the GR measured using a GR knife. After overnight chilling (4–5°C), carcases were cut between the 12th/13th ribs and the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL) was exposed to the air at chiller temperature for 30 min. Meat colour was measured on the cut surface using a Minolta Chromameter set on the L*, a*, b* system. The pH of the LL and the semitendinosus (ST) muscle was also measured. Fine wool rams were the fattest when compared at the same carcase weight. The broad wool strain had the lowest pH in both muscles and there were minimal differences between strains for meat colour. These real differences between Merino strains in meat quality traits require more detailed investigation in order to understand their biological bases and identify if potential markers exist that could be used in Merino breeding programs.