Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of the oncospheral envelopes in the pseudophyllidean cestode Eubothrium salvelini [Schrank, 1790]

The aim of this study is to describe the ultrastructure of oncospheral envelopes in the pseudophyllidean cestode Eubothrium salvelini, a parasite of salmonid fishes. Our results indicate that the eggs of E. salvelini differ in their ultrastructure from those of the majority of the Pseudophyllidea. The entire embryonic development, including differentiation of the mature, infective oncosphere of E. salvelini takes place in the uterus and not in the aquatic environment, as is common for other pseudophyllideans. Egg maturation is not simultaneous; together with mature eggs containing fully differentiated oncospheres, can be found numerous small immature, nonfertilized and nonviable abortive eggs. The normally developing eggs of E. salvelini are large, oval and nonoperculated. Three envelopes surround the infective hexacanths: (1) the eggshell; (2) the outer envelope originating from macromere fusion; (3) the inner envelope formed by numerous mesomeres which usually persist in the mature eggs. Our observations confirm that both the outer and the inner envelopes of E. salvelini eggs are cellular in origin and syncytial in nature. The typical oncospheral membrane was not observed in this species. New data on the origin and ultrastructure of oncospheral envelopes may present useful criteria for phylogenetic analysis of lower cestodes. Ontogenetic characters, such as ultrastructural aspect of morphogenesis of infective larval stages, are proposed as phylogenetic indicators in studies of cestode evolution.
The Term Structure of Currency Hedge Ratios

This paper investigates the variance minimizing currency forward hedge of an exporting firm that is exposed to different sources of risk. In an empirical study, we quantify the corresponding hedge ratios of a "typical" German firm for different hedge horizons. Based on cointegrated vector autoregressive models of prices, interest rates and exchange rates, we show that hedge ratios decrease substantially with the hedge horizon for different currencies, reaching values of one half or less for a ten-years horizon. Our findings can partly explain underhedging of long-term exchange rate exposures and have important implications for the design of risk management strategies.
Inconsistency in precipitation measurements across the Alaska–Yukon border

Abstract. This study quantifies the inconsistency in gauge precipitation observations across the border of Alaska and Yukon. It analyses the precipitation measurements by the national standard gauges (National Weather Service (NWS) 8 in. gauge and Nipher gauge) and the bias-corrected data to account for wind effect on the gauge catch, wetting loss and trace events. The bias corrections show a significant amount of errors in the gauge records due to the windy and cold environment in the northern areas of Alaska and Yukon. Monthly corrections increase solid precipitation by 136 % in January and 20 % for July at the Barter Island in Alaska, and about 31 % for January and 4 % for July at the Yukon stations. Regression analyses of the monthly precipitation data show a stronger correlation for the warm months (mainly rainfall) than for cold month (mainly snowfall) between the station pairs, and small changes in the precipitation relationship due to the bias corrections. Double mass curves also indicate changes in the cumulative precipitation over the study periods. This change leads to a smaller and inverted precipitation gradient across the border, representing a significant modification in the precipitation pattern over the northern region. Overall, this study discovers significant inconsistency in the precipitation measurements across the USA–Canada border. This discontinuity is greater for snowfall than for rainfall, as gauge snowfall observations have large errors in windy and cold conditions. This result will certainly impact regional, particularly cross-border, climate and hydrology investigations.
Spectral and timing properties of the accreting X-ray millisecond pulsar IGR J17498-2921

Context. IGR J17498–2921 is the third X-ray transient accreting millisecond pulsar discovered by INTEGRAL. It was in outburst for about 40 days beginning on August 08, 2011. Aims. We analyze the spectral and timing properties of the object and the characteristics of X-ray bursts to constrain the physical processes responsible for the X-ray production in this class of sources. Methods. We studied the broad-band spectrum of the persistent emission in the 0.6–300 keV energy band using simultaneous INTEGRAL, RXTE, and Swift data obtained in August–September 2011. We also describe the timing properties in the 2–100 keV energy range such as the outburst lightcurve, pulse profile, pulsed fraction, pulsed emission, time lags, and study the properties of X-ray bursts discovered by RXTE, Swift, and INTEGRAL and the recurrence time. Results. The broad-band average spectrum is well-described by thermal Comptonization with an electron temperature of kTe ∼ 50 keV, soft seed photons of kTbb ∼ 1 keV, and Thomson optical depth τT ∼ 1 in a slab geometry. The slab area corresponds to a black body radius of Rbb ∼ 9 km. During the outburst, the spectrum stays remarkably stable with plasma and soft seed photon temperatures and scattering optical depth that are constant within the errors. This behavior has been interpreted as indicating that the X-ray emission originates above the neutron star (NS) surface in a hot slab (either the heated NS surface or the accretion shock). The INTEGRAL, RXTE, and Swift data reveal the X-ray pulsation at a period of 2.5 ms up to ∼65 keV. The pulsed fraction is consistent with being constant, i.e. energy independent and has a typical value of 6–7%. The nearly sinusoidal pulses show soft lags that seem to saturate near 10 keV at a rather small value of ∼−60 μs with those observed in other accreting pulsars. The short burst profiles indicate that there is a hydrogen-poor material at ignition, which suggests either that the accreted material is hydrogen-deficient, or that the CNO metallicity is up to a factor of about two times solar. However, the variation in the burst recurrence time as a function of u m (inferred from the X-ray flux) is much smaller than predicted by helium-ignition models.
Introducing a Context-Aware Scheme in an intelligent reasoning process

Several investigations have been developed around analogies based reasoning in different domains, however the analogy between arguments has not been deeply explored. A semiformal way to express these patterns of reasoning were proposed by Walton, through argument schemes from analogy. From this, it is possible to propose computable approximations for comparing arguments. In this paper we introduce a formalism based on the comparison of arguments through descriptors or labels which describes an aspect that the argument refers to. This formalism allows us classifying similar arguments considering the natural descriptors of them, in a specific context.
Security and online social networks

In the last few years we have witnessed a sustained rise in the popularity of online Social Network Sites (SNSs) such as Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, LinkedIn, FriendFeed, Google Friend Connect, Yahoo! Groups, etc., which are some of the most visited websites worldwide. However, since they are are easy to use and the users are often not aware of the nature of the access of their profiles, they often reveal information which should be kept away from the public eyes. As a result, these social sites may originate security related threats for their members. This paper highlights the benefits of safe use of SNSs and emphasizes the most important threats to members of SNSs. Moreover, we will show the main factors behind these threats. Finally we present policy and technical recommendations in order to improve security without compromising the benefits of information sharing through SNSs.
The Trade-off between Child Quantity and Child Quality: An Application of the Kremer-Chen Model to Households in Rural Terengganu, Malaysia

The idea of the trade-off between child quantity and child quality has long been documented in economics. In the past, this trade-off has been attributed to the rising marginal cost of child quantity and quality. In recent years, this trade-off has been attributed to a declining direct cost of childrearing and an escalating opportunity cost of childrearing induced by rising household income. Exploiting a micro data set from rural Terengganu, we revisit the idea based on this new postulate. Our goal is to investigate whether a rise in household income has a positive impact on child quality and a negative impact on child quantity. In a series of empirical exercises, we find that household income has a positive impact on both child quantity and child quality. We take these findings as evidence that there is no trade-off between child quantity and child quality among rural households in Terengganu, Malaysia.
Isolation and application of siderophore producing bacteria

Siderophores are low molecular weight metal chelating agents which are produced by plants and microorganisms in Felimiting conditions. In this study bacteria were isolated from different soil sample and were characterized for PGPR traits. Biochemical characters were studied and the isolates were identified. Influence of different environmental factors, such as carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, temperature and salt stress, on siderophore production was studied. Isolates were further used to increase the fertility of the soil to help the plantlets grow well and increase the Fe content of the plantlets. It was found that different siderophore producing bacteria produced siderophore at different time and with different percentage. At different environmental condition the amount of siderophore produced was different. They also increased the iron concentration in plantlets grown in different soil samples.
FAUNAL AGGREGATION IN THE EARLY TRIASSIC KAROO BASIN: EARLIEST EVIDENCE OF SHELTER-SHARING BEHAVIOR AMONG TETRAPODS?

Abstract The first report of a multitaxon aggregation from the Early Triassic Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone is presented here. The aggregation includes two vertebrates—the suricate-sized cynodont Galesaurus planiceps and a gecko-like procolophonoid Owenetta kitchingorum—and a diplopod millipede. The high degree of articulation of the skeletal remains and the preservation of delicate bones in situ suggest that the animals were either rapidly buried or died in a place protected from weathering and agents of dispersal. Two hypotheses are possible to explain this multitaxon aggregation: trapping in a floodplain gully followed by immediate burial or shelter-sharing. The latter hypothesis is favored after the analysis of the fossil evidence recorded in the South African Karoo Basin.
The long-term freshening and nutrient increases in summer surface water in the northern East China Sea in relation to Changjiang discharge variation

[1] Using historical in situ data sets, we investigated long-term variations in summer surface salinity and dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration (DIN) in the northern East China Sea (ECS). From 1950 to 2002, there were interannual and decadal variations in sea surface salinity, as well as a long-term decrease. Along with the Changjiang discharge, wind fields and surface circulations appeared to play roles in determining the interannual salinity variation. Although we attributed the long-term decrease in surface salinity to a long-term increase in the Changjiang discharge, the high salinity between 1978 and 1988 appeared to be associated with an increase in the Kuroshio Current transport. The increase in DIN from 1971 to 2001 appeared to be caused by a combination of changes in Changjiang discharge and an increase in nitrogen fertilizer use in China. The long-term increase in DIN modified the nutrient composition, implying that biological production in the northern ECS changed from a DIN-limiting to a phosphorous-limiting. We should pay attention to changes in the northern ECS ecosystem in future decades because the volume of the Changjiang discharge, as well as its physical and chemical properties, may change dramatically because of the continuous anthropogenic perturbations and climate change.
The Significance of Validity Theory to College English Listening and Speaking Course Test

The validity theory is an effective criterion to measure the success of a test, playing an important role in College English Listening and Speaking Course. Tests for College English Listening and Speaking Course under the validity theory are more reasonable, scientific and efficient when the College English teachers structure tests in their minds. The test for College English List ening and Speaking Course were taken as an example to explain the significance of the validity theory to improve the quality of the test. On the basis of the statistical data, the characteristics of the te st were found out and analyzed. Several effective ways to improve the listening and speaking competence were also discussed in this paper.
Global integrator firm' task: to connect demanding customers and global suppliers. How to develop connecting, translating and product developing capabilities

There has been an increasing interest in international entrepreneurship since the research field has been seen as the intersection of two research traditions: international business and entrepreneurship (McDougall and Oviatt 2000). The aim of this paper is to investigate a global integrator a specific type of subcontractor. The global integrator concept originates from the network research approach to international business (Andersen and Christensen 2005). The specific aim of this paper is to investigate to which degree the characteristics of a global integrator apply also to a certain entrepreneurial case of a global subcontractor. So the aim is not theory testing, but the use of a paradigmatic case to translate and extend the concept of global integrator from the international business research path to the international entrepreneurship path. The paper contributes by developing and documenting a more clarified understanding of a global integrator entrepreneurial firm by extending and adding dimensions to the characteristics of the global integrator from an international entrepreneurship perspective. The paper does this by using a single case about the firm Back11basics A/S and describes how the entrepreneurial company adds value to suppliers and customers. Furthermore, the paper contributes to the theoretical definition of what constitutes international entrepreneurship. AGSE 2009
Maybe It Should Be a Laughing Matter: A Further Exploration of the Persuasive Power of Humorous Threat Appeals

The purpose of this research is to further explore alternatives to pure fear appeal advertisements. Although found to be effective, fear appeals also have numerous shortcomings, such as elicitation of defensive reactions and lack of persuasiveness in the real-world due to their omnipresent nature. In an effort to overcome these weaknesses, and to help further improve the persuasiveness of fear appeals, previous literature has suggested integrating positive appeals such as humor. As such, the current study explores the comparative effectiveness of humor, fear, and combined humor and fear advertisements. Additionally, the complexity of the recommended response is investigated as a potential moderator of persuasion. Furthermore, the current study builds upon previous work by using an established persuasion model, Witte’s extended parallel process (Witte, 1992), to account for the mediating cognitive processes leading to message acceptance or rejection. Results show that ads generating low fear were equally persuasive regardless if humor was present or absent from the message, and that complexity of the recommendation did not affect persuasion for any of the emotional appeals. Interestingly, it was found that a higher level of fear led to lower levels of message acceptance, and that this effect was more pronounced in the presence of humor. Although no support was found for any of the hypothesized relationships, additional analyses found that all of the ads were successfully persuasive. Future research directions to expand upon the limited literature on the topic are discussed, and actionable insights for marketers regarding the creation of effective persuasive messages are provided.
Science Communication: Towards a Proper Emphasis on the Social Aspects of Science and Technology

The weaknesses in compulsory school science education are summarized and used to explain the lowerthan-desired uptake of post-compulsory courses and the lack of interest in matters scientific by the general public. Against the background of a model for 'interactive science communication' which addresses these weaknesses and which focuses on the key theme of 'the social aspects of science /technology', two approaches to improved provision are presented. The first is the use of 'context-based' courses within formal provision. The second is the much greater use of informal provision, namely that made through museums zoos and botanical gardens, TV, the internet. , newspapers and magazines, books. The challenges to be faced in using these two broad approaches, namely: the nature of science, of technology, and the relation between them; the treatment of risk; the treatment of contemporary issues, are evaluated. Finally, ways to bring about these desirable changes are summarised.
Solar/Interplanetary Plasma Phenomena Causing Geomagnetic Activity at Earth

There are a variety of different physical mechanisms responsible for transferring solar wind energy and momentum into the Earth’s magnetosphere. The dominant mechanism for magnetic storms and substorms is generally agreed to be magnetic reconnection, interconnection between interplanetary and planetary fields. For lesser intensity geomagnetic activities, there are numerous other mechanisms. One of these. cross-field, diffusion due to resonant wave-particle interactions will be addressed in detail. Plasma instabilities within the Earth’s magnetosphere lead to electromagnetic and electrostatic wave growth, concomitant particle pitch angle scattering, and loss of particles into the ionosphere. Ionospheric atoms and molecules excited by the precipitating
Deformation of zirconium – niobium alloy E635 in sub-microsecond shock waves

Strength characteristics of zirconium - niobium alloy E635 were measured under shock - wave loading conditions at normal and elevated temperatures and results of these measurements are presented. Measurements were taken in conditions when samples were impacted by plane shock waves with the pressure up to 13 GPa and duration from ∼0.05 μs up to 1 μs. Free-surface velocity profiles were recorded with the help of VISAR and PDV laser Doppler velocimeters having nanosecond time resolution. Evolution of elastic precursors with samples thickness varying from 0.5 up to 8 mm is also considered. Measured attenuation of the elastic precursor was used to determine plastic strain rate behind the precursor front. Temperature effect on the value of dynamic elastic limit and spall strength at normal and elevated temperatures is studied. This work is implemented with the support of the State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom” under State Contract H.4x. 44.90. 13.1111.
The effect of social media on researchers’ academic performance through collaborative learning in Malaysian higher education

This study aims to explain the way social media contributes to the enhancement of collaborative learning among researchers Malaysian higher education. The sample comprised of 723 researchers. The findings showed that introvert researchers perceive social media to help in increasing collaborative learning and improving their performance. These researchers are more inclined to communicate through social media as opposed to face-to-face. In addition, the sample researchers are inclined to utilize social media. Therefore, Malaysian higher education institutions are recommended to employ social media in enhancing the researchers’ collaborative learning. The researcher employs the use of theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) for this purpose. The results show that collaborative learning positively and significantly relates to impact intention to use social media for collaborative learning to improve performance of researchers in Malaysian higher education. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n4s1p193
Handwavey: A Gestural Motion Password Interface

Handwavey is an innovative gestural authentication method, enabling users to set a motion password and attempt to authenticate to a system based acceleration recorded from 6 degrees-of-freedom motion. Using dynamic time warping, we are able to compare two passwords which may differ in total time. Preliminary tests show great success allowing a user to authenticate, while denying access to other users. Due to kinesthetic memory, a Handwavey password is safe from onlookers and also from users that are taught the correct password. Further tests are required to study the effects of day-today and long-term muscle change.
The Effect of Radiosensitization of Gemcitabine Related to Suppression of a Repair Pathway: Examination of Mammalian Cells with Therapeutic High Energy X-rays

Gemcitabine is used in clinical chemo-radiotherapy; however, the mechanism underlying enhanced radiosensitivity by gemcitabine is not fully elucidated. We evaluated the role of gemcitabine in mammalian cell lines using a therapeutic high energy 10 MeV linac-X-ray irradiation device. Rodent cell lines CHO and xrs5 were used. A total of 5 μM gemcitabine for 24 hours was administered with or without post-X-ray irradiation. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cell enlargement were observed by using singly gemcitabine. Enhanced cell killing effects by radiotherapy were observed with gemcitabine pre-treatment in both CHO and xrs5 cells. We focused on the dynamics of phosphorylated p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1)-positive foci after irradiation. Significantly higher numbers of 53BP1 foci were observed after irradiation in gemcitabine pre-treated cells than in untreated cells. The radiosensitizing effect of gemcitabine was not suppressed in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) deficient xrs5 cells. We confirmed that in rodent cells the radiosensitizing effect of gemcitabine is related to suppression of a repair pathway other than NHEJ.
Handling Soft and Hard Errors for Scientific Applications

Due to the rapid decrease in Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) in High Performance Computing, fault tolerance emerged as a critical topic to improve overall performance in the HPC community. In recent decades, along with the decrease in size of hardware, and the extensively used near-threshold computation for energy saving, the community is now facing more frequent soft errors than ever. Particularly, due to the difficulty in detecting soft errors, we are in urgent need for a general solution for these errors. Our work includes providing efficient and effective solution to handle soft and hard errors for parallel system. We start from solving the write bottleneck of the traditional checkpoint and restart. We exploit the communication structure to find locally finalized data, as well as each process’s contribution to globally finalized data. We allow each node to take independent checkpoint using this information and therefore achieve uncoordinated checkpointing. We checkpoint asynchronously by overlapping the workload of checkpoint with computation, so that the system avoids write congestion. We discovered that the soft error impact in convergent iterative applications’ output follows a pattern. We developed a signature analysis based detection with checkpointing based recovery, which is driven by the observation that high order bit flips can very negatively impact execution, but can also be easily detected. Specifically, we have developed signatures for this class of applications.