Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Improved In Situ and Satellite SST Analysis for Climate

Abstract A weekly 1° spatial resolution optimum interpolation (OI) sea surface temperature (SST) analysis has been produced at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) using both in situ and satellite data from November 1981 to the present. The weekly product has been available since 1993 and is widely used for weather and climate monitoring and forecasting. Errors in the satellite bias correction and the sea ice to SST conversion algorithm are discussed, and then an improved version of the OI analysis is developed. The changes result in a modest reduction in the satellite bias that leaves small global residual biases of roughly −0.03°C. The major improvement in the analysis occurs at high latitudes due to the new sea ice algorithm where local differences between the old and new analysis can exceed 1°C. Comparisons with other SST products are needed to determine the consistency of the OI. These comparisons show that the differences among products occur on large time- and space scales wit.
Simulating equilibrium within aerosols and nonequilibrium between gases and aerosols

A numerical method to solve chemical equilibrium equations and a method of coupling the equilibrium calculations to nonequilibrium growth and evaporation are discussed. The equilibrium program solves any number of equations for gas, aqueous, ionic, and solid equilibrium concentrations over large spatial grids and particle size grids. It also simultaneously computes electrolyte mean mixed activity coefficients and aerosol liquid water content. Mean mixed activity coefficient calculations require mean binary activity coefficient information. Temperature-dependent mean binary activity coefficient polynomials were constructed using mean binary activity coefficient data at 298 K, apparent molal enthalpy data, and apparent molal heat capacity data. The equilibrium solver is mole and charge conserving, requires iteration, but always converges. Solutions to the equilibrium equations are used for two purposes. The first is to estimate surface vapor pressures over particles containing a solution and/or a solid phase. Such vapor pressures are then applied in gas-aerosol transfer equations. The second is to estimate intraparticle composition and size immediately after gas-aerosol transfer.
Novel fluorescent probes and analysis methods for single-molecule and single-cell microscopy

By directly visualizing biological processes at the level of individual cells down to single proteins, many fundamental biological questions can be answered. Fluorescence microscopy has emerged as the most widely used tool for this purpose as it has unique advantages. The technique is minimally perturbative, and state of the art fluorescent labels are used which yield high specificity. Single fluorescent emitters can be imaged with high signal-to-noise ratios. By circumventing ensemble averaging, underlying heterogeneity in molecules can be resolved and dynamic events are observed without the need of synchronization. The aim of this thesis is to address some of the current limitations in fluorescence microscopy. Specifically, the focus is on the development of new fluorescent probes used to acquire images, and the development software for its analysis. New fluorescent derivatives were developed which exhibited enhanced resistance against irreversible destruction by the high illumination intensities applied in single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. This allows users to observe samples for extended periods of time. The probes were tested in optical super-resolution techniques and were found to have superior performance, thereby further pushing the spatial resolution that can be achieved. Next, the thesis describes the development of an open-source software package for the analysis of fluorescence microscopy data of single cells, aimed to stimulate open and reproducible. Finally, a novel imaging probe is described, and we characterize its ability to selective image gram-negative bacteria and its potential for combating antimicrobial resistance through photodynamic therapy.
Growth of 3C-Silicon Carbide Nanowires using Chemical Vapor Deposition

: The focus of this project was the characterization and growth of 3C-silicon carbide ( b -SiC) nanowires using the vapor-liquid-solid method. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) occurred at temperatures ranging from 1050ºC to 1100ºC using silane and propane as precursor gases. Experimentation with various surface preparations, including metal catalysts such as nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al) deposited by electron beam evaporation on silicon and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) coated silicon substrates, were found to be the most effective in aiding SiC nanowires growth. Nanowires with lengths up to 50 µm and with diameters of 50-100 nm were achieved. The SiC nanowire growth parameters are compared to that of Si. The nanowires grown were further characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS).
Are ICT’s boosting tax revenues? Evidence from developing countries

This paper investigates the effect of ICT readiness and ICT usage on tax revenue mobilization in developing countries. The paper uses a panel fixed effect methodology on a sample of 96 developing countries from 2005 to 2016. We provide evidences that although ICT readiness affects positively tax revenue, the effect is not significant. However, overall ICT usage increase tax revenue. This positive and significant effect remains valid for various taxes: direct taxes and VAT notably. In addition, business, government and individual use of ICTs each have a greater effect on tax revenues than global ICT usage. Regarding the transmission channels, we find that the effect passes through the control of corruption, government effectiveness and tax compliance. Finally, taking into account the time dimension of the study, the positive effect is observed over the second half of the period under study rather than during the first.
The Qualitative Report The

Abstract Competency-based education (CBE) is an increasingly popular instructional model in K-12 schools. In this qualitative case study, we examine how teachers make sense of CBE, and what challenges they in implementing a CBE model. We find that CBE teachers’ teaching identities had to undergo a shift to truly engage in CBE. Rather than acting as conveyors and assessors of knowledge, teachers had to construct their classrooms in a way that engaged and supported students in owning their own learning. We also found that educators face challenges around time, communication, and alignment.
Biometric Identification Using Matching Algorithm Method

This paper is with authentication of people based on iris recognition. This is widely developing technology. The presented biometric method is compared with a database for identification, or verification. The process is based on the unique nature and extreme richness of the human iris. Iris recognition is feasible for use in differentiating between identical twins. Though the iris color and the overall statistical quality of the iris texture may be dependent on genetic factors, the textural details are independent and uncorrelated for genetically identical iris pairs. For determining the recognition performance of the system one databases of digitized grayscale eye images were used. The iris recognition system consists of an automatic segmentation system that is based on the Hough transform, and is able to localize the circular iris and pupil region, occluding eyelids and eyelashes, and reflections. The extracted iris region was then normalized into a rectangular block with constant dimensions to account for imaging inconsistencies. The Classification is done using 2D Log-Gabor Filter. The accuracy is obtained 99.96% with FAR and FRR is 0.00% and 0.0750% respectively.
The DEAD-box helicase RCF1 plays roles in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis

RCF1 is a highly conserved DEAD-box helicase found in yeast, plants and mammals. Studies about the functions of RCF1 in plants are limited. Here we uncovered the functions of RCF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana as a player in pri-miRNA processing and splicing, as well as in pre-mRNA splicing. A mutant with miRNA biogenesis defects was isolated and the defect was traced to a recessive point mutation in RCF1 (rcf1-4). We show that RCF1 promotes D-body formation and facilitates the interaction between pri-miRNAs and HYL1. Finally, we show that intron-containing pri-miRNAs and pre-mRNAs exhibit a global splicing defect in rcf1-4. Together, this work uncovers roles for RCF1 in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis. One-sentence summary RCF1 promotes not only the processing of pri-miRNAs, but also the splicing of intron-containing pri-miRNAs, therefore promotes miRNA biogenesis.
Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Background: Healthcare-associated infections appear in a patient receiving medical attention at a hospital or other healthcare facility and develops infections that weren't present when they were admitted. One of the most important organisms causing infections acquired in hospitals is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) . For many bacterial species, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a low-cost but effective typing technique. Objectives: To determine the genotypic polymorphism, the level of genetic relatedness, and the antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance among various S. aureus isolates. Methods: The following tests were performed on 50 samples that were obtained using strict aseptic precautions: sample culture, isolate identification using colony morphology, Gram stained film, biochemical responses, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. After RAPD-PCR, Syngene gene tool software was used to analyse the fingerprint pattern. Results: The most prevalent isolated organism was S. aureus. as it represented (70%) of isolated pathogens. Vancomycin and linezolid were effective against S. aureus isolates. The isolates of S. aureus were more common in nasal swab (42.9%) followed by wound (28.5%) then urine &endotracheal aspirate (14.3%). Patterns of RAPD-PCR of S.aureus isolates generated with primer GEN1-50-01 (5’GTGCAATGAG-3’) resulting in several polymorphic bands and a dendrogram was created. Conclusions: S. aureus is an important cause of HCAI, Health care workers represent an important source of HCAI, RAPD –PCR technique was an easy and rapid one to perform with a good discriminatory power in typing (fingerprinting) of Staphylococcus aureus .
Coloured graphlet profles as a predictor of career length in scientifc co-authorship networks

—Graphlets, or induced motifs, have long been used to fnd important medium-scale structures in directed networks. We present a method using the composition of coloured graphlets in ego-networks to characterise nodes. We give an example application using our technique to predict the numbers of years researchers are active from their collaboration networks, and compare our success with simpler metrics; particularly, we fnd that the use of coloured graphlets improves predictive performance compared to colour-blind graphlets; that 4-star graphlets centred on an author are predictors of a long career, and that this effect is not degenerate to centralities.
Present Velocity Field in the Italian Region by GPS Data: Geodynamic/Tectonic Implications

The analysis of geodetic observations carried out by 478 continuous GPS stations in the Italian region since 2001 has allowed a fairly good definition of the ongoing horizontal velocity field with respect to Eurasia. It is argued that such evidence can provide important insights into the geodynamic context in the central Mediterranean area. Numerous velocity vectors in the Apulia zone coherently indicate that the southern Adriatic domain is moving roughly NE ward. Since no significant decoupling zone between this domain and Nubia has so far been recognized, one could expect that the kinematics of these two plates is compatible. However, this condition is not fulfilled if the Nubia-Eurasia relative motion is taken from the global kinematic models, either deduced by long-term evidence [1] or short-term geodetic data [2] [3]. This problem is considerably reduced if the alternative Nubia-Eurasia rotation pole suggested by [4] is taken into account. This choice is also suggested by other major long-term evidence in the Mediterranean region. The numerous geodetic vectors available in two Adriatic sectors, the Apulia zone and the Venetian plain, would imply an Adria-Eurasia rotation pole incompatible with all Nubia-Eurasia Eulerian poles so far proposed. Since a significant relative motion between these plates is not compatible with the absence of a tectonic decoupling zone, we suppose that the short-term kinematics of Adria might be influenced by a transient non-rigid behaviour of that plate. This hypothesis is compatible with the expected effects (post seismic relaxation) of the major decoupling earthquakes that have occurred along Periadriatic zones in the past tens of years. The compatibility of the GPS kinematic pattern in the Apennine belt, Calabria Arc and Sicily with the implications of the geodynamic/tectonic interpretations so far proposed for the central Mediterranean area is then discussed.
EFSA BIOHAZ Panel (EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards), 2015. Scientific Opinion on the public health risks related to the consumption of raw drinking milk

Raw drinking milk (RDM) has a diverse microbial flora which can include pathogens transmissible to humans. The main microbiological hazards associated with RDM from cows, sheep and goats, horses and donkeys and camels were identified using a decision tree approach. This considered evidence of milk-borne infection and the hazard being present in the European Union (EU), the impact of the hazard on human health and whether there was evidence for RDM as an important risk factor in the EU. The main hazards were Campylobacter spp. , Salmonella spp. , shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium bovis and tick-borne encephalitis virus, and there are clear links between drinking raw milk and human illness associated with these hazards. A quantitative microbiological risk assessment for these hazards could not be undertaken because country and EU-wide data are limited. Antimicrobial resistance has been reported in several EU countries in some of the main bacterial hazards isolated from raw milk or associated equipment and may be significant for public health. Sale of RDM through vending machines is permitted in some EU countries, although consumers purchasing such milk are usually instructed to boil the milk before consumption, which would eliminate microbiological risks. With respect to internet sales of RDM, there is a need for microbiological, temperature and storage time data to assess the impact of this distribution route. Intrinsic contamination of RDM with pathogens can arise from animals with systemic infection as well as from localised infections such as mastitis. Extrinsic contamination can arise from faecal contamination and from the wider farm environment. It was not possible to rank control options as no single step could be identified which would significantly reduce risk relative to a baseline of expected good practice, although potential for an increase in risk was also noted. Improved risk communication to consumers is recommended. © European Food Safety Authority, 2015
Executive Compensation, Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting Quality: Evidence from listed firms in Nigeria

In many emerging economies with less efficient market systems like Nigeria, investors tend to rely on financial reports for decision-making. Managerial opportunistic behavior is associated with the need to achieve performance-based remuneration targets. However, corporate governance mechanisms are established to monitor managerial affairs which are believed to curb such behaviors. Hence, this study assesses the influence of executive compensation on the quality of financial reports with an interactive effect of corporate governance in Nigerian listed firms. The population of the study comprised all listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from which 74 firms were selected. Executive compensation was proxied with the chief executive officer’s total remuneration, and the corporate governance index was adopted as a measure of corporate governance. The discretionary accruals from the modified Jones model by Kothari, Leone, and Wasley (2005), and the accruals of Dechow and Dichev (2002) proxied for financial reporting quality. The estimation results showed that the interactive effect of executive compensation and corporate governance has a significant and negative influence on discretionary accruals, which indicates a positive relationship with reporting quality.
The Influence of El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on Caribbean Tropical Cyclone Activity

Abstract Caribbean basin tropical cyclone activity shows significant variability on interannual as well as multidecadal time scales. Comprehensive statistics for Caribbean hurricane activity are tabulated, and then large-scale climate features are examined for their impacts on this activity. The primary interannual driver of variability is found to be El Nino–Southern Oscillation, which alters levels of activity due to changes in levels of vertical wind shear as well as through column stability. Much more activity occurs in the Caribbean with La Nina conditions than with El Nino conditions. On the multidecadal time scale, the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation is shown to play a significant role in Caribbean hurricane activity, likely linked to its close relationship with multidecadal alterations in the size of the Atlantic warm pool and the phase of the Atlantic meridional mode. When El Nino–Southern Oscillation and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation are examined in combination, even stronger relations.
PSYCHOSOMATIC SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAUMATIC EVENTS EXPERIENCED IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Objectives: Many facts indicate the important role of psychosomatic symptoms that occur due to traumatic events. This study is an analysis of the coexistence of psychosomatic symptoms and traumatic events. Though not every person taking part in these events develops a fully symptomatic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosomatic symptoms with a strong psychological component are observed in many. This study focuses on a comparison of the intensity of somatization, anxiety, depression, and distress of medical university students, who encountered a traumatic event and those who have not experienced trauma. Material and Methods: The data was collected from 594 students of different academic majors at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. The participants were asked if they had experienced situations that caused psychological trauma as well as about the intensity of their psychosomatic symptoms. The data was collected with 2 questionnaires: Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale and Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire. Results: The study reveals that 78% of students experienced a traumatic event, in 15% moderate and severe symptoms of PTSD are observed, 45% presents average and high stress levels, 23% experiences symptoms of depression, whereas 30% has anxiety and 26% somatic symptoms. Conclusions: Studies show that experiencing traumatic events in life is linked to the higher intensity of an/the entire range of psychosomatic symptoms. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):606–17
Client Relationship Development for Application Service Providers: a Research Model

Application Service Provision emerged in the late 1990s as a viable method for remote delivery of software to multiple clients. This form of outsourcing differs from traditional outsourcing on aspects such as attributes of vendors and clients, contracts coverage and length, and functions and customization offered. Such differences are expected to result in a different pattern of relationships between Application Service Providers (ASPs) and their clients. This paper compares traditional outsourcing with ASP model, and proposes a research model and propositions on vendor-client relationship development based on prior empirical work, popular media, and theoretical perspectives from economic and marketing literature. A profile of an actual ASP is provided for illustration. In addition to providing insight into this growing form of out-sourcing, this paper rectifies a prior client-centric bias in outsourcing research by considering both the vendor and the client's point of view on relationship development.
Eight years of AIRS

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on the EOS Aqua Spacecraft was launched in May of 2002. The AIRS Sounding Suit, AIRS along with AMSU-A and HSB, were designed to measure the atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles, the surface and the cloud parameters for climate research and for improvement in weather forecast. Over the last 8+ years AIRS has been operating extremely stable, far surpassing original design life of 4 - 5 years. Many exciting research papers on climate have been published with AIRS data. The AIRS data are assimilated by most NWP centers and have shown considerable improvement in forecast skill. We will describe the current status of the instruments as well as the new activity on the data processing software.
The Implementation of Flipped Learning Model and STEM Approach in Elementary Education: A Systematic Literature Review

This study aimed to explore the implementation and impact of the Flipped Learning Model (FLM) and STEM Approach in elementary education. The advancement of technology and the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the importance of e-learning, including in elementary schools. The literature review analyzed 193 academic works published in the past six years using NVivo, Mendeley, and VOSviewer software. The validity of the data was verified through the analysis of five online databases. The results showed that STEM research has been well-developed with innovative approaches that improve learning outcomes, while FLM research in elementary schools is limited. The study suggested that combining FLM with STEM Approach (FLM-SA) can optimize learning in the technological era. By integrating FLM-SA, students can engage in active learning experiences in class and acquire fundamental knowledge outside of class, offering a solution to e-learning challenges. The study emphasized the strong connection between FLM and STEM Approach and how they can support each other to enhance student learning.
In situ and in vitro degradation parameters of elephant grass silage with sugarcane bagasse

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradability of elephant grass silage dry matter with increasing levels of sugarcane bagasse. A completely randomized design was adopted with five treatments: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% inclusion of sugarcane bagasse on an as-fed matter basis, with five replications, totalling 25 experimental units. The increasing proportion of sugarcane bagasse analysed was favourable only in increasing the concentration of dry matter and fibre of silages and in maintaining a considerable crude protein content. In the in situ degradation assay, the addition of sugarcane bagasse in silage decreased the ruminal degradability of dry matter, and as the passage rates increased, the effective degradability decreased. In the in vitro gas production assay, the total production of gases was decreased with the inclusion of sugarcane bagasse, as did the degradability of organic matter and neutral detergent fibre. The recommendation for the inclusion of sugarcane bagasse should be analysed according to the desired objective, emphasizing that values higher than 5% can greatly compromise the final nutritive value of elephant grass silage