Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microseisms and ocean wave measurements

Measurements of microseisms in Auckland, New Zealand, are compared with ocean wave data taken on the west coast of New Zealand, about 150 km southwest of Auckland. There is strong correlation at most times. Exceptions are when the Auckland area is subject to strong winds from the easterly quarter. Microseism activity in Auckland in the 0.05-1-Hz band appears to be entirely due to ocean waves.
Influence of Psychological Capital on the Gross Performance of Telesales Salespeople in a Wholesaler-Distributor Company

Abstract Raw performance and the factors that influence it is a relatively rare topic in Organizational and Work Psychology, especially in the context of Positive Organizational Behavior. This study aimed to verify whether psychological capital predicts the performance of salespeople in a wholesaler-distributor. The sample consisted of 237 salespeople who responded to the Inventory of Psychological Capital at Work (ICPT-25). The model test was performed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which indicated that the proposed model, in which psychological capital predicted gross performance, was not corroborated. We argue that situational variables can be more robust predictors than individual variables. We propose that raw performance should be investigated with independent variables of a situational nature, such as leadership.
Local‐scale adaptations: A modeled assessment of soil, landscape, microclimatic, and management factors in Norse home‐field productivities

Adaptation of farming practices to inherent site conditions was essential to the success of Norse colonization in pristine landscapes. A key factor in the initial success of colonization, or landnám, of Iceland was management of the area adjacent to the domestic dwelling, the home‐field, to provide fodder for over‐wintering livestock. In this paper we examine three settlement home‐fields in the Mývatn and Laxá valley area of northeast Iceland. Contemporary evidence reveals a distinct climatic toposequence together with differences in the nature of the inherent soils between sites. By considering the influence of these differences, microscale adaptations in early land management practices in the production of hay are sought within a tightly defined chronological context. Using an integrated agroecosystem modeling approach, the factors affecting long‐term sustainability of hay production in the Norse home‐field are examined. Results indicate that regional‐level climate differences will have an impact on production, especially pronounced cold periods. It is also clear that small‐scale climate factors, as well as inherent soil differences between sites influenced productivity for the Norse farmer. However, productivities overall are at subsistence level, emphasizing the need for optimized land management to sustain home‐field production. After examining different management scenarios, it is apparent that the effect of an increased rate of manuring will be most apparent during the first century of settlement; thereafter the effect is relatively diminished. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fossil indicators of nutrient levels. 2: Evolution and extinction in relation to oligotrophy

Abstract An overview of hypotheses on the impact of nutrients on biosphere history reveals the need for quantitative fossil indices for oligotrophy. Emphasis is given to indicators for endosymbiosis in relation to oligotrophic regimes, and a middle Eocene case history is selected for closer examination. Quantitative data, relating to changes in cellular integration in foraminifera are consistent with a catastrophic shift from highly oligotrophic towards eutrophic conditions, associated with global cooling near the end of the middle Eocene.
Dispersive Behavior of Nonswelling Clays

This paper examines the possible factors that contribute to the dispersive behavior of compacted nonswelling clays and proposes the use of a synthetic organic stabilizing agent to reduce the dispersive tendency of such soils. Results of chemical tests on saturation extracts of the clays tested failed to identify them as piping susceptible. However, pinhole tests on statically compacted specimens showed the materials to be intermediate (ND3, slightly to moderately dispersive clays that slowly erode under 180 or 380 mm head) to completely dispersive (D1 dispersive clays that fail rapidly under 50-mm head). Use of a concentrated salt solution (2N CaCl2) and a solvent with lower dielectric constant (methanol, dielectric constant = 32.6) did not reduce the dispersive tendency of the compacted kaolinite in the pinhole test (diameter of hole = 1 mm), suggesting that deflocculation triggered by diffuse double layer repulsion does not contribute significantly to the dispersive tendency of nonswelling clays. Pinhole tests conducted with variously saturated (33 to 84%), compacted kaolinite specimens (γd = 1.28 Mg/m3 in all instances) suggested that compression of entrapped air in the voids by capillary absorption of water is not the primary factor causing dispersion of nonswelling clays. Experimental results showed that pinhole test classification of statically compacted kaolinite changes from D1 (dispersive) to ND3 (intermediate) on reducing the remolding water content from wet of optimum (w = 34%) to a dry of optimum (w = 27%) value. The differences in structure of the compacted clay due to differences in molding water content are considered responsible for the higher erosion resistance of the compacted kaolinite on lowering the molding water content. Subsequent lowering of water content below 27% has no further influence on the pinhole test classification of the compacted clay. The use of a synthetic long chain organic polymer, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), in improving the resistance of compacted nonswelling soils was tested. The addition of 1% PVA solution to kaolinite transforms the nonswelling clay from dispersive D1 to the dispersive D1/D2 category suggesting that the long chain organic polymer can improve the dispersion tendency of nonswelling clays to a slight extent.
Cortical oxygen extraction fraction using quantitative BOLD MRI and cerebral blood flow during vasodilation

Introduction: We aimed to demonstrate non-invasive measurements of regional oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) from quantitative BOLD MRI modeling at baseline and after pharmacological vasodilation. We hypothesized that OEF decreases in response to vasodilation with acetazolamide (ACZ) in healthy conditions, reflecting compensation in regions with increased cerebral blood flow (CBF), while cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) remained unchanged. We also aimed to assess the relationship between OEF and perfusion in the default mode network (DMN) regions that have shown associations with vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular reactivity in different neurological conditions. Material and methods: Eight healthy subjects (47 ± 13 years, 6 female) were scanned on a 3 T scanner with a 32-channel head coil before and after administration of 15 mg/kg ACZ as a pharmacological vasodilator. The MR imaging acquisition protocols included: 1) A Gradient Echo Slice Excitation Profile Imaging Asymmetric Spin Echo scan to quantify OEF, deoxygenated blood volume, and reversible transverse relaxation rate (R2 ’) and 2) a multi-post labeling delay arterial spin labeling scan to measure CBF. To assess changes in each parameter due to vasodilation, two-way t-tests were performed for all pairs (baseline versus vasodilation) in the DMN brain regions with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The relationships between CBF versus OEF and CBF versus R2’ were analyzed and compared across DMN regions using linear, mixed-effect models. Results: During vasodilation, CBF significantly increased in the medial frontal cortex ( P=0.004 ), posterior cingulate gyrus (pCG) ( P=0.004 ), precuneus cortex (PCun) ( P=0.004 ), and occipital pole ( P=0.001 ). Concurrently, a significant decrease in OEF was observed only in the pCG (8.8%, P=0.003 ) and PCun ( 8.7%,P=0.001 ). CMRO2 showed a trend of increased values after vasodilation, but these differences were not significant after correction for multiple comparisons . Although R2’ showed a slightly decreasing trend, no statistically significant changes were found in any regions in response to ACZ. The CBF response to ACZ exhibited a stronger negative correlation with OEF ( β=−0.104±0.027 ; t=−3.852,P<0.001 ), than with R2’ ( β=−0.016±0.006 ; t=−2.692,P=0.008 ). Conclusion: Quantitative BOLD modeling can reliably measure OEF across multiple physiological conditions and captures vascular changes with higher sensitivity than R2’ values. The inverse correlation between OEF and CBF across regions in DMN, suggests that these two measurements, in response to ACZ vasodilation, are reliable indicators of tissue health in this healthy cohort.
Historic fire regimes of eastern Great Basin (USA) mountains reconstructed from tree rings

Management of natural landscapes requires knowledge of key disturbance processes and their effects. Fire and forest histories provide valuable insight into how fire and vegetation varied and interacted in the past. I constructed multi-century fire chronologies for 10 sites on six mountain ranges representative of the eastern Great Basin (USA), a region in which historic fire information was lacking. I also constructed tree recruitment chronologies for two sites. I use these chronologies to address three research foci. First, using fire-scar data from four heterogeneous sites, I assert that mean fire interval (MFI) values calculated from composite chronologies provide suitable estimates of point MFI (PMFI) when sample area size is ≈1/2 ha. I also suggest that MFI values for single trees can be used to estimate PMFI after applying a correction factor. Next, I infer climate effects on regional fire patterns using 10 site chronologies and tree-ring-based indices of drought and of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation ([PDO), Pacific Ocean surface temperature variability known to affect North American climate. Regional fire years (≥33% of recording sites) were synchronized by wet-dry cycles where the probability of occurrence was highest in the first year of drought following a wet phase and lowest when climate conditions transitioned from dry to wet. Regional fire probability was highest when ENSO and PDO were negative (Southwest pattern). Local fire years occurred under a broad range of conditions. Fire seasonality was bimodal with early and late-season fires dominant. I imply that Native American burning practices were responsible for differences in historic and modern fire seasonality. Lastly, I assess fire regime and tree recruitment variability within two fire-sheds. PMFI varied more than 10-fold within each site. A mixed-severity regime was dominant. A majority (>60%) of fires were small (<10 ha) but together accounted for a minor proportion of area burned. Recruitment pulses varied spatially from stand to landscape-scales and were often synchronous with multi-decade, fire-quiescent periods. I recommend that management strategies employ fire and fire-surrogate treatments to restore disturbance processes to these and similar landscapes at spatial and temporal scales consistent with the historic record.
Sleep Disordered Breathing in Elderly: Current Evidence and Future Directions in Clinical Practice

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common problem in the general population, and its prevalence in the community of middle-aged subjects varies depending on several factors such as age, sex, race, body habitus measures including body mass index, etc [1-6]. Most common treatment of SDB in the world that has been widely used is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) through CPAP device, surgery, dental device, and so on [7]. When practicing sleep medicine in clinics, we often find out there are still uncharted areas that are yet to be discovered and need further elucidations. Due to lack of scientific evidences, there might be confusion in making decisions and diagnosing patients with declining compliance of CPAP machine due to older age, individual variation of upper airway anatomy, chronic medical problems in addition to taking medications, and those who experience cumbersome usage of mask on the top of mouth, nose, inside nose like “nasal pillow” type mask, etc. We all have been experiencing the same issue in the clinics without any definite solutions for those issues and reasons why it happens sometimes. And it is demonstrated that patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (apnea-hypopnea index > 15 and/or Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10) mostly have poor compliance to CPAP device [8]. In our
“Nulichal” Barley Extract Suppresses Nitric Oxide and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production by Lipopolysaccharides in RAW264.7 Macrophage Cell Line

The cultivar “Nulichal,” a type of naked waxy barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Korea, in 2010. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the “Nulichal” ethanol extract (NRE) using various assays. The NRE exhibited a total phenolic content of 7.55±0.30 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and a flavonoid content of 1.74±0.08 mg rutin equivalent/g. Cell viability assays showed no toxicity of NRE on RAW264.7 macrophage cells up to concentrations of 500 μg/mL. The NRE (300 and 500 μg/mL) significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). It also down-regulated the mRNA expression and protein levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the NRE treatment significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, and their mRNA expression compared to LPS treatment alone. The NRE demonstrated strong free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals in a dose-dependent manner. The ferric reducing antioxidant power assay also showed increased antioxidant activity with increasing NRE concentrations. These findings suggest that the NRE can be used as a functional food with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Leadership training programmes and productivity: The influence of trainee motivation as a mediator

Recent empirical studies have recognised that trainee motivation indirectly influences the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity. Although this relationship has been widely studied, the role of trainee motivation as a mediating variable has not been discussed in detail in the training management literature. This study focuses on the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity and examines the role of trainee motivation as a mediating variable. A survey method was used to gather 328 sets of questionnaires from various categories of positions in the central administration sector, in Malaysia. This study employed SmartPLS programme path model analysis to evaluate the measurement and structural models and further examine the significance level of the research hypotheses. The results of path model analysis testing confirm that trainee motivation indirectly influences the relationship between leadership training programmes and productivity. This study’s findings can be used as important certificates by management to understand the diversity of perspectives on trainee motivation and design a training programme master plan that can increase employee inspiration to succeed and maintain the organisation’s strategies and goals in an era of global competition and an unstable economy.
Content-Focused Formative Feedback Combining Achievement, Qualitative and Learning Analytics Data

Research that integrates Learning Analytics (LA) with formative feedback has been shown to enhance student individual learning processes and performance. Debates on LA-based feedback highlight the need to further understand what data sources are appropriate for LA, how soon the feedback should be sent to students and how different types of feedback promote learning. This study describes an empirical case of LA-based feedback in higher education and analyzes how content-focused feedback promotes student achievement. The model combines quantitative achievement indicators with qualitative data about student learning challenges to develop feedback. Data sources include student pretest results, participation in practice exercises as well as midterm and final exam grades. In addition, in-depth interviews with high-, medium- and low-performing students are conducted to understand learning challenges. Based on their performance, students receive content-focused feedback every two weeks. The results show statistically significant improvements in final grades, in addition to a higher rate of problem-solving participation among students who receive feedback compared to their peers who opt out of the study. The contributions to the area of LA-based formative feedback are the following: (a) a model that combines quantitative with qualitative data sources to predict and understand student achievement challenges, (b) templates to design pedagogical and research-based formative feedback, (c) quantitative and qualitative positive results of the experience, (d) a documented case describing the practical implementation process.
Enhancing the Longevity and Functionality of Ti-Ag Dry Electrodes for Remote Biomedical Applications: A Comprehensive Study

This study aims to evaluate the lifespan of Ti-Ag dry electrodes prepared using flexible polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates. Following previous studies, the electrodes were designed to be integrated into wearables for remote electromyography (EMG) monitoring and electrical stimulation (FES) therapy. Four types of Ti-Ag electrodes were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering, using a pure-Ti target doped with a growing number of Ag pellets. After extensive characterization of their chemical composition and (micro)structural evolution, the Ti-Ag electrodes were immersed in an artificial sweat solution (standard ISO-3160-2) at 37 °C with constant stirring. Results revealed that all the Ti-Ag electrodes maintained their integrity and functionality for 24 h. Although there was a notable increase in electrical resistivity beyond this timeframe, the acquisition and transmission of (bio)signals remained viable for electrodes with Ag/Ti ratios below 0.23. However, electrodes with higher Ag content (Ag/Ti = 0.31) became insulators after 7 days of immersion due to excessive Ag release into the sweat solution. This study concludes that higher Ag/Ti atomic ratios result in heightened corrosion processes on the electrode’s surface, consequently diminishing their lifespan despite the advantages of incorporating Ag into their composition. This research highlights the critical importance of evaluating electrode longevity, especially in remote biomedical applications like smart wearables, where electrode performance over time is crucial for reliable and sustained monitoring and stimulation.
Seabed classification through multifractal analysis of sidescan sonar imagery

The authors present a technique for the classification and analysis of seabed sediments from sidescan sonar images, the origins of which lie in the body of fractal theory. Six seabed types were analysed, namely clay, mud, sand, gravel, stones and rock. These data sets have previously been analysed by several authors who have used techniques based on the power spectrum. The method proposed in the paper allows frequency information to be obtained but without the use of large windows which are generally required for frequency domain measurements. Results are presented for the classification of individual ground truthed sediments and the segmentation of composite images containing these sediments. Correct classification rates of greater then 99% have been obtained and good segmentation accuracy achieved.
The Apollo 17 drill core: petrologic systematics and the identification of a possible Tycho component.

Modal data support a five-unit stratigraphy for the Apollo 17 drill core. The upper unit E (0-22 cm depth) is marked by high content of fused soil, brown glass, and mare basalt fragments. This unit corresponds with a portion of the core excavated and refilled within the last 2 m.y. The underlying unit D (22071 cm depth) has a low abundance of fused soil (i.e., low maturity) and is rich in coarse (less than 200 microns) mare fragments. A large section of the core, unit C (71-224 cm depth), is finer-grained, more mature (richer in agglutinates), more feldspathic and has more highland lithic, mineral and glass fragments than unit D. The next underlying unit, B (224-256 cm depth), has yellow/colorless KREEP glasses with a high Si, low-alkali composition unlike the common Apollo 15 or Apollo 17 KREEP series. The petrologic (fused soil) and Is/FeO maturity of this layer is also lower than the units above and below. The deepest unit, A (256-284 cm depth), is marked by its relatively higher maturity and lower yellow/colorless KREEP glass content. The most prominent petrographic/stratigraphic indicators are the pyroxene-rich immature mare unit D and the abundance of KREEP glass in unit B. This KREEP glass is distinctive petrographically and compositionally, and is probably exotic to the Apollo 17 site. It is suggested here that the KREEP glass in unit B is derived from Tycho, which implies widespread distribution of KREEP on the lunar nearside.
Endometriosis as an Uncommon Cause of Intestinal Obstruction—A Comprehensive Literature Review

The prevalence of intestinal endometriosis has been estimated to be between 3% and 37% of all endometriosis cases. Cases of intestinal occlusion due to endometriosis foci on the small bowel and on the large bowel are even rarer, with a reported prevalence of 0.1–0.7%. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the available published evidence on the diagnosis, characteristics, and management of intestinal occlusion due to endometriosis. The search on PubMed retrieved 295 records, of which 158 were rejected following a review of the title and abstract. After reviewing the full text, 97 studies met the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, and Study (PICOS) criteria and were included in the analysis. The total number of patients with bowel occlusion due to endometriosis included in the studies was 107. The occlusive endometrial foci were localized on the ileum in 38.3% of the cases, on the rectosigmoid in 34.5% of the cases, at the ileocecal junction and the appendix in 14.9% of the cases, and at the rectum in 10.2% of the cases. Only one case reported large bowel obstruction by endometriosis of the hepatic flexure of the colon extending to the transverse colon (0.9%), and in one case the obstruction was caused by an omental giant endometrioid cyst compressing the intestines. We identified six cases of postmenopausal females with acute bowel obstruction due to endometriosis. Malignant degeneration of endometriosis was also identified as a cause of intestinal occlusion. The mechanisms of obstruction include the presence of a mass in the lumen of the intestine or in the wall of the intestine, extrinsic compression, adhesions, or intussusception.