Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CRUSTAL THICKNESS VARIATIONS AND SEISMICITY OF NORTHWESTERN SOUTH AMERICA

Any uncompensated mass of the northern Andes Mountains is presumably under pressure to adjust within the Earth to its ideal state of isostatic equilibrium. Isostasy is the ideal state that any uncompensated mass seeks to achieve in time. These pressures interact with the relative motions between adjacent plates that give rise to earthquakes along the plate boundaries. By combining the gravity MOHO estimates and crustal discontinuities with historical and instrumental seismological catalogs the correlation between isostatically disturbed terrains and seismicity has been established. The thinner and thicker crustal regions were mapped from the zero horizontal curvature of the crustal thickness estimates. These boundaries or edges of crustal thickness variations were compared to crustal discontinuities inferred from gravity and magnetic anomalies and the patterns of seismicity that have been catalogued for the last 363 years. The seismicity is very intense along the Nazca-North Andes, Caribbean-North American and North Andes-South American collision zones and associated with regional tectonic compressional stresses that have locally increased and/or diminished by compressional and tensional stress, respectively, due to crustal thickness variations. High seismicity is also associated with the Nazca-Cocos diverging plate boundary whereas low seismicity is associated with the Panama-Nazca Transform Fault and the South American Plate.
Modelling of SiC Chemical Vapour Infiltration Process Assisted by Microwave Heating

The excessive presence of residual SiC matrix inter-fiber pores is often the main cause for the very poor mechanical strength and toughness of SiC/SiC composites manufactured by CVI process. The use of numerical modeling, for optimizing both the CVI process and the material properties, poses further problems related with the presence of two very different domain scales, i.e. the reactor scale and the pore scale, which is difficult to be solved when conventional finite element codes are used. This work presents a micro/macro microwave- assisted chemical vapour infiltration (MW-CVI) model as a strategy to attack the problems above. The proposed model couples a reactor-scale (macro) steady state electromagnetic MW- heating/heat conduction model with a pore-scale (micro) transient gas diffusion-flow/densification kinetic model. A sensitivity analysis is first accomplished to identify the most critical parameters playing a role in the MW-CVI process. Second, the densification process of the SiC/SiC composite is investigated in detail. The results show that the MW frequency is, among others, the most critical factor affecting the MW- CVI process. The predicted optimum temperature profile across the SiC preform provides a step forward to the optimum densification of SiC/SiC composites during MW-CVI.
Charge-Transfer Complexations of Oxidative Coupling Products of Carbazole with TCNE and P- Chloranil

Charge-transfer (CT) complexations of 9H-carbazole (Cz), 9,9’-dicarbazyl (DCz), 3,9’;9,9’’-tricarbazyl (TCz), and polycarbazyl (PCz) with acceptors tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and pchloranil (p-CHL) were investigated spectroscopically. The relative stabilities, thermodynamic properties and stoichiometries of the CT complexes were discussed based on the molecular structure of the donor molecules and relative electron affinities of the acceptor molecules. It is concluded that DCz, TCz, and PCz form less stable complexes with TCNE and p-CHL than their monomeric analogues Cz.
An unusual euchelicerate linking horseshoe crabs and eurypterids, from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) of Yunnan, China

Two new specimens of the xiphosuran Kasibelinurus yueya Lamsdell, Xue & Selden, 2013 are described, from the same horizon and locality as the type. The new specimens are conspecific with the type, but show ventral morphology, which considerably alters interpretation of the species. It can no longer be referred to Kasibelinurus Pickett, 1993, and a new genus, Houia n. gen., is erected. Houia shows a unique combination of xiphosurid and chasmataspidid/eurypterid characteristics such as lack of opisthosomal pleura and possession of a large, ventral metastomal plate. Phylogenetic analysis of all the major chelicerate orders suggests that Houia branched from the main euchelicerate lineage prior to the divergence of the three constituent clades of the Dekatriata Lamsdell, 2013 (Eurypterida, Arachnida, Chasmataspidida). Together with bunodids and pseudoniscids, Houia provides evidence for basal dekatriatans persisting into the middle Palaeozoic alongside eurypterids and arachnids and that the morphological diversity of these basal forms was greater than previously thought.
News attention to voter fraud in the 2008 and 2012 US elections

The nature and frequency of voter fraud figure prominently in many ongoing policy debates about election laws in the United States. Policy makers frequently cite allegations of voter fraud reported in the press during these debates. While recent studies find that voter fraud is a rare event, a substantial segment of the public believes that voter fraud is a rampant problem in the United States. It stands to reason that public beliefs are shaped by news coverage of voter fraud. However, there is very little extant academic research on how the news media, at any level, covers allegations or documented cases of voter fraud. This paper examines local newspaper attention to voter fraud in each of the 50 states during the 2008 and 2012 US elections. The results show that local coverage of voter fraud during the 2012 elections was greatest in presidential swing states and states that passed restrictive voting laws prior to the 2012 election. No evidence that newspaper attention is related to the rate of actual voter fraud cases in each state was found. The findings are consistent with other studies indicating that parties and campaigns sought to place voter fraud on the political agenda in strategically important states to motivate their voting base ahead of the election.
The protistan microplankton community along the Kuroshio Current revealed by 18S rRNA gene clone analysis: a case study of the differences in distribution interplay with ecological variability

The distribution of protistan microplankton situated southwest (S09) and northeast (S18) of the Izu Ridge along the Kuroshio Current was revealed by 18S rRNA gene clone analysis. A total of 257 clones were identified, consisting of 65 phylotypes of dinoflagellates, 49 phylotypes of diatoms and 57 phylotypes of other protists affiliated with Ciliophora, Cryptophyta, Cryptophyta nucleomorph, Choanoflagellata, Chlorophyta, Cercozoa, and Hetero- konta. The dinoflagellate phylotypes were affiliated with five genera and 14 uncultured groups, with Gyrodinium as the most frequently detected genus. The diatoms were also well represented and consisted of 13 genera and six uncul- tured groups. The clones belonging to the genus Pseudo-nitzschia were most frequently detected. The frequencies of dinoflagellate clones and phylotypes were higher at station S09 in the south than at station S18 to the north, with the frequency of diatom phylotypes being higher at the latter. The species richness (number of phylotypes) and diversity (Shannon-Wiener) of the protistan microplankton community were slightly higher at S18 compared to S09. When the Kuroshio Current encountered with the Oyashio Current at northwestern Pacific, it affects the water temperature and nutrients of the Kuroshio Current. The clone analysis results showed a difference in the protistan microplankton com- munity at both stations due to the collision of both currents.
BIODEGRADATION OF AZO DYES BY A NEWLY ISOLA- TED WHITE ROT FUNGUS Basidiomycota sp.

Synthetic dyes are extensively used in textile industry, paper printing and color photography and as additives in petroleum products. In the textile industry, up to 50% of the dyes are lost after the dyeing process and 10–15% of dye is discharged in the effluent. Among the synthetic dyes released in effluents, azo dyes is one of the most detrimental class because it is highly persistent in the aquatic environment, due to its chemical compositions, involving aromatic rings, azoic linkages and amino groups. The removal of hazardous compounds from the industrial effluents is one of the growing needs of the current issues. The present study deals with an application of a potent laccase producer Basidiomycota sp. for its effective remediation towards azo dyes. The isolate is able to decolorize three different azo dyes in mineral medium. Among the three azo dyes, acid orange 52 was only 34% decolorized, while acid red 2 and direct red 28 were decolorized to 100% and 90%, respectively. In addition, the laccase produced by the isolate also potently decolorized and degraded all three azo dyes. Noticeable effect of 1hydroxybenzotriazole as mediator, on the decolourization was recorded. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis of products indicated degradation of the azo dyes. This evidently suggests that laccase produced by this fungus serves as a promising candidate with bioremediation prospects.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDIES OF PHASE MODULATION IN Yb-DOPED FIBER AMPLIFIERS ( POSTPRINT )

We present detailed studies of the effect of sinusoidal phase modulation on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in ytterbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Based on a time-dependent SBS model, SBS enhancement factor versus pump linewidth for different modulation depths ranging from 0 toπ , and modulation frequencies ranging from 30 MHz to 500 MHz were analyzed. In addition, experimental validation of SBS suppression via sinusoidal phase modulation is presented with experimental results agreeing well with the model and simulations. Furthermore, narrow linewidth coherent beam combining (CBC) of 5 sinusoidal phase modulated lasers is demonstrated via LOCSET.
Pressure fluctuation identification of draft tube based on singular value decomposition and cascade correlation neural network

In view of the non-stationary and time-varying characteristics of the pressure fluctuation signal in the draft tube of hydraulic turbine, a method combining noise reduction based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) with Cascade Correlation (CC) neural network to analyze the pressure fluctuation signal is developed. Firstly, the singular value decomposition based on an improved threshold is used to reduce the noise, and then the signal component of different frequency band is extracted, finally the feature vector is applied to the CC neural network for pattern recognition, obtaining the different patterns of pressure fluctuation in the draft tube. The results show that this method is effective in identifying states of pressure fluctuation in the draft tube.
THE ROLE OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE 3B IN CAMP-MEDIATED REGULATION OF INSULIN SECRETION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by various combinations of ? -cell failure and insulin resistance leading to hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. In order to maintain glucose tolerance in the insulin resistance state, increased insulin secretion is a requirement and it is because of inadequate islet adaptation that glucose intolerance develops in T2DM. The pathophysiology of T2DM is not fully understood and more knowledge is needed concerning both insulin action and ? -cell physiology and adaptation. The general aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of ? -cell cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) in the regulation of insulin secretion and whole body energy homeostasis. The specific aims were (i) to study the physiological importance of well-regulated ? -cell-cAMP levels for insulin release and whole body energy homeostasis during a long-term metabolic challenge, (ii) to evaluate the role of PDE3B in biphasic insulin secretion and its intracellular localization, and (iii) to investigate the mechanisms for regulation of PDE3B activity in ? -cells. It was previously shown that PDE3B attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) potentiated-insulin secretion. It is shown here that accurate regulation of ? -cell cAMP is necessary for adequate islet adaptation to a perturbed metabolic environment and protective for the development of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. This finding is coupled to the novel discovery that PDE3B, shown to localize to the exocytotic machinery, functions as a specific attenuator of cAMP-mediated potentiation of depolarization-induced insulin secretion. Further, we have begun to elucidate the details concerning the regulation of PDE3B activity in ? -cells. Data are presented suggesting that PDE3B activity in ? -cells is intricately regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, probably by the action of several differentially regulated kinases and phosphatases. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the knowledge regarding the importance and function of cAMP-mediated regulation of stimulus-secretion coupling in pancreatic ? -cells and demonstrates that dysfunction of cAMP-PDE3B signalling results in a substantially increased sensitivity to the adverse effects of a high-fat diet. (Less)
Determinants of Sicilian Wine Consumption: Evidence from a Binary Response Model

The growing importance of Sicilian wines in the Italian market provides the context in which this paper is set. This study presents the results of a recent survey on Sicilian wine consumption in Italy. By means of a binary response model, this paper evaluates the main determinants (demographic profile, preference and attitudes) that influence Italian consumersâ preferences for Sicilian wines. The estimates, based on the stated preference of 953 Italian wine consumers, emphasize that income and habits to purchase at wine shops and the habit to drink between meals significantly influence the willingness to consume Sicilian wines. Furthermore the sample propensity to consume the Sicilian wine increases for white wines and when the consumption takes placed in public spaces.
A Relational Database Model and Tools for Environmental Sound Recognition

Environmental sound recognition (ESR) has become a hot topic in recent years. ESR is mainly based on machine learning (ML) and ML algorithms require first a training database. This database must comprise the sounds to be recognized and other related sounds. An ESR system needs the database during training, testing and in the production stage. In this paper, we present the design and pilot establishment of a database which will assists all researchers who want to establish an ESR system. This database employs relational database model which is not used for this task before. We explain in this paper design and implementation details of the database, data collection and load process. Besides we explain the tools and developed graphical user interface for a desktop application and for the WEB.
LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED TEACHER CANDIDATES

This paper reports on findings of a qualitative study that explored the experiences, needs and challenges of internationally educated teacher candidates (IETCs) in a large metropolitan university in Canada. Interviews were conducted with IETCs as well as the teacher educator working with them. Findings revealed that IETCs required additional support in developing their oral and written communication skills and cultural knowledge for teaching in Canadian classrooms. The pedagogical implications of these findings for IETCs, for teacher educators and educational institutions are discussed.
Corrigendum: Effectiveness of commercial harvesting in controlling feral-pig populations

Context The feral pig (Sus scrofa) is a widespread pest species in Australia and its populations are commonly controlled to reduce damage to agriculture and the environment. Feral pigs are also a resource and harvested for commercial export as game meat. Although many other control techniques are used, commercial harvesting of feral pigs is often encouraged by land managers, because it carries little or no cost and is widely perceived to control populations. Aims To use feral-pig harvesting records, density data and simple harvest models to examine the effectiveness of commercial harvesting to reduce feral-pig populations. Methods The present study examined commercial harvest off-take on six sites (246–657km2) in southern Queensland, and 20 large blocks (~2–6000km2) throughout Queensland. The harvest off-take for each site was divided by monthly or average annual population size, determined by aerial survey, to calculate monthly and annual harvest rates. A simple harvest model assuming logistic population growth was used to determine the likely effectiveness of harvesting. Key results Commercial harvest rates were generally low (50%) in long-term population size were isolated occurrences and not maintained across sites and years. High harvest rates were observed only at low densities. Although these harvest rates may be sufficiently high to hold populations at low densities, the population is likely to escape this entrapment following a flush in food supply or a reduction in harvest effort. Implications Our results demonstrated that, at current harvest rates, commercial harvesting is ineffective for the landscape-scale control of feral-pig populations. Unless harvest rates can be significantly increased, commercial harvesting should be used as a supplement to, rather than as a substitute for, other damage-control techniques.
Liding Control With Genetic Algorithm for Mismatched Disturbance

This paper presents a new sliding control to deal with linear systems suffering from matched‐to‐part disturbance and mismatched disturbance. Only parts of the control inputs are designed using the sliding‐mode theory in order to eliminate the matched‐to‐part disturbance. Based on an important criterion, the proposed controller employs the applicable genetic algorithm to effectively reduce the influence of mismatched disturbance during sliding motion. A numeric example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed controller.
Fuels Reduction in a Western Coniferous Forest: Effects on Quantity and Quality of Forage for Elk

Abstract Use of mechanical thinning and prescribed fire to reduce fuels in dry forest ecosystems has become increasingly common in western North America. Nevertheless, few studies have quantified effects of fuels reduction treatments on wildlife. We evaluated effects of fuels reduction on quantity and quality of forage available to elk (Cervus elaphus) in northeastern Oregon. From 2001 to 2003, 26 stands of true fir (Abies spp.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirbel] Franco) were thinned and burned, whereas 27 similar stands were left untreated to serve as experimental controls. We estimated percentage of cover, percentage of in vitro dry-matter digestibility (digestibility), and percentage of nitrogen (%N) of 16 important forage species and genera in treatment and control stands during spring (May–June) and summer (July–August) of 2005 and 2006. Quantity and quality of forage were lower in summer than spring in both stand types. In contrast, total cover of forage was higher in treatment than in control stands during spring, whereas the opposite was true during summer. For graminoids, %N was higher in control than in treatment stands whereas digestibility did not differ between stand types. For forbs, neither index of forage quality differed between stand types. When treatment stands were separated by years since burning, %N and digestibility of forbs and %N of graminoids increased from 2 to 5 yr following treatment, and by the fifth year after burning had exceeded maximum values observed in control stands in both seasons. As a result of the interacting effects of fuels reduction and season on forage characteristics, treated stands provided better foraging opportunities for elk during spring, whereas control stands provided better foraging opportunities during summer. Consequently, maintaining a mosaic of burned and unburned (late successional) habitat may be of greater benefit to elk than burning a large proportion of a landscape.
Modeling time series of microwave brightness temperature at Dome C, Antarctica, using vertically resolved snow temperature and microstructure measurements

Abstract Time series of observed microwave brightness temperatures at Dome C, East Antarctic plateau, were modeled over 27 months with a multilayer microwave emission model based on dense-medium radiative transfer theory. The modeled time series of brightness temperature at 18.7 and 36.5 GHz were compared with Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–EOS observations. The model uses in situ high-resolution vertical profiles of temperature, snow density and grain size. The snow grain-size profile was derived from near-infrared (NIR) reflectance photography of a snow pit wall in the range 850–1100 nm. To establish the snow grain-size profile, from the NIR reflectance and the specific surface area of snow, two empirical relationships and a theoretical relationship were considered. In all cases, the modeled brightness temperatures were overestimated, and the grain-size profile had to be scaled to increase the scattering by snow grains. Using a scaling factor and a constant snow grain size below 3 m depth (i.e. below the image-derived snow pit grain-size profile), brightness temperatures were explained with a root-mean-square error close to 1 K. Most of this error is due to an overestimation of the predicted brightness temperature in summer at 36.5 GHz.
U.S. Earnings Mobility: Comparing Survey-Based and Administrative-Based Estimates

Earnings mobility has been studied both at the macro level (how much of a certain kind of mobility is there in the economy? ) and at the micro level (what are the correlates of change in income or position? ). Many empirical mobility studies provide estimates of the amount of mobility in a country over time and the correlates of individual mobility within the income distribution. While measurement error is recognized as potentially important at both these levels, very little is known about the degree to which earnings mobility estimates are affected by measurement error. In this paper, we use a new dataset that contains individually reported total annual labor earnings from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) linked to employer-reported total annual labor earnings from the Social Security Administration’s Detailed Earnings Record (DER; these are taken directly from Box 1 on theW-2 form and are not capped by FICA) to compare micro and macro earnings mobility estimates for the U.S. during the 1990s using the two different earnings measures. We ask how much difference it makes to mobility estimates to use administrative-based earnings rather than survey-based earnings, and we obtain two major findings. Qualitatively, we find that the results are similar but not identical when administrative-based earnings are used rather than survey-based earnings. Quantitatively, we find that magnitudes are often very different when administrative-based earnings are used rather than survey-based earnings. The administrative-based results are neither systematically larger nor systematically smaller than the survey-based ones.