Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observations of PW activity in the MLT during SSW events using a chain of SuperDARN radars and SD-WACCM

Anonymous Referee #1 Received and published: 14 February 2015 General Comments In this study by stray et al., the authors study the MLT planetary wave activity following SSW events from a network of SuperDARN radar measurements and simulations from specified dynamics WACCM. The authors show compelling evidence of enhanced PW activity (s1 and S2) in the MLT with a 3-day lag from stratospheric wind reversals at 50 km. The enhancement in PW activity is seen not only after strong SSW events with elevated stratopause events but also after smaller magnitude SSW events where the wind reversals might persist for only up to 4 days. The authors speculate that the enhancement in PW activity might be due to in-situ generation of PW in the MLT by either zonal asymmetry in GW drag or due to the development of baroclinic/barotropic instabilities.
The effects of sharing an experience on social interest in children and young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and traits of Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Sharing an experience is seen to increase liking and create bonds in typical individuals. Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are typically isolated; they do not to appear have the skills necessary to form bonds with others. The current research used an intervention consisting of listening to music to cause those with ASD to share an experience with a confederate. There were two conditions; one where the participant and confederate listened to the same piece of music, one where they listened to different music. 24 participants with ASD and traits of ASD took part in the study. A modified version of Nadel et al's (2000) still-face task was used as an observation measure, along with ratings in the intervention phase. A trend was seen in the overall differences between the two conditions. Social interest appeared to increase in the same music condition from before the intervention to after. Participants moved further away from the confederate but this was correlated with turning to face them, implying that sharing an experience with someone encourages eye-to-face and eye contact with that person. Findings from the present research suggest that sharing an experience with a partner increases social interest in that person. This could be the important first step in forming bonds with individuals with ASD.
Effect of Different Routes of Inoculation on Plant-Derived VP2 Immunogenicity and Ability to Confer Protection Against Infectious Bursal Disease

Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) is the etiological agent of an immunosuppressive and highly contagious disease that affects young birds causing important economic losses in the poultry industry. The structural protein VP2 has been used for the development of subunit vaccines in a variety of heterologous platforms. We have previously demonstrated that plant-derived VP2 (pVP2) is able to elicit a neutralizing antibody response in chickens when administered intramuscularly (i.m.) in a prime/boost scheme. However, administration via injection is impractical and carries the risk of needle stick injury or pain. Mucosal vaccination is noninvasive and has several advantages over traditional systemic vaccines. Taking this into account and the fact that natural infections with IBDV occur by the oral route, we decided to investigate whether pVP2 was also immunogenic when given intranasally (i.n.) or orally to chickens. In addition, we evaluated if intramuscular vaccination with VP2 plant extract in a more welfarefriendly scheme with less injections and without adjuvant was able to elicit a protective immune response against IBDV as previously seen. We determined that animals inoculated i.m. , but not i.n. , with the experimental vaccine developed high titres of specific antibodies, with virus neutralizing activity. Also, bursae of animals vaccinated i.m. with pVP2 presented few infiltrating T cells, low viral charge and normal morphology. However, chickens that received the immunogen via nasal or oral route were not protected after challenge. Considering the disadvantages of conventional live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines, a plant-based subunit vaccine represents a viable alternative in the veterinary field. Once again pVP2 has proven to be immunogenic when parentally inoculated. However, further investigations need to be done in order to find an alternative route of administration which is more practical than the intramuscular injection and capable of eliciting a mucosal immune response
Options for incorporating feed intake into national selection indexes

Feed costs are a significant proportion of total costs in most dairy production systems and there is strong evidence for substantial genetic variation in total feed intake. However, a large component of this variation is unfavorably correlated with important maintenance and production functions of the animal. Ideally, selection indexes for improved feed efficiency would consider total feed intake that explicitly accounts for the feed required for valuable energy sinks such as milk production, high fertility and adequate body reserves. Residual feed intake (RFI), which is defined at the phenotypic level as the difference between actual feed intake and predicted feed intake, is a potential selection criterion to improve efficiency of feed utilization. However, there are other potential approaches that might have desirable attributes when considered in the context of well-established genetic evaluation systems with breeding objective definitions that are accepted by industry. In this study, we used simulations to unravel the complex inter-relationships among traits such as milk production, live weight and total feed intake. Feed intake phenotypes were simulated as a composite of simulated component phenotypes, so that the underlying genetic relationships between total feed intake and other traits of interest in dairy production systems could be specified precisely. Genetic variance components were then estimated on animals simulated from a simple pedigree structure and estimated breeding values (EBVs) were populated into several selection indexes with and without feed intake components included. The performance of each index was measured by comparing the index predictions against the true observed merit of simulated sires. Additionally, we examined how feed intake-based selection indexes would perform when only limited feed records are available because feed intake is not routinely recorded in dairy systems. Our results show that selection indexes that explicitly account for feed intake were more strongly correlated with the true observed merit than a selection criterion that is only parameterized with EBVs for milk production. All indexes that included feed intake parameters were more accurate than our base index (i.e. without feed intake) even under poor data conditions with limited feed intake recording (e.g. when only 10% of daughters were phenotyped for feed intake). Including wasted feed by adjusting total feed intake EBVs for other traits that represent known energy sinks while accounting for differences in EBV reliability would be very simple to deploy and we found that such an index was almost as efficient as our selection indexes for feed intake.
DETERMINANTS OF FIRM-LEVEL TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE USING STOCHASTIC FRONTIER APPROACH

By estimating stochastic frontiers we investigate the determinants and dynamics of firm efficiency. We use a representative sample of Estonian firms for the period 1993-1999 – and are able to address problems that plague much previous work, such as the endogeneity of ownership. Our main findings are that: (i) foreign ownership increases technical efficiency; (ii) firm size and higher labor quality enhance efficiency, while soft budget constraints adversely affect efficiency; (iv) Estonian firms operate under constants returns to scale; (v) the percentage of firms operating at high levels of efficiency increases over time. As such our findings provide support for hypotheses that a firm’s ownership structure and its characteristics such as firm size, labor quality, soft budget constraints and time of privatization are important for its technical efficiency.
Essential oil composition and bioactivity of Thuja orientalis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis

The chemical composition of the essential oil extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevenger apparatus from aerial parts of Thuja orientalis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis grown in Ondo State, Nigeria was analysed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry technique. Toxicity of the essential oils using anti-feedant and filter paper methods on Callosobrochus maculatus was also carried out after 6 and 24 hours application. Antibacterial and antifungal activity against ten pathogens which are Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Bacillus subtillis, Staphyclococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia as bacteria and Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida tropicallis and Fusarium solari as fungal were carried out. The results of the GC-MS showed that twentythree compounds representing 93.73% of total oil of T. orientalis with α-pinene (32.93%), Δ-3- carene (20.43%), benzyl alcohol (8.69%), myrcene (8.18%), α-terpineol (6.01%) and limonene (5.02%) as the major components. Also, five components which constituted 97.37% of the total oil of E. camaldulensis were identified with 1,8- cineole (73.94%), Limonene (9.22%), Cymene (5.90%), Geraniol (5.20%) and α-pinene (3.11%). The results of the toxicity of the Essential oils showed that 100% mortality were recorded for antifeedant of both plants, except at 0.1mL/g concentration for T. orientalis which has 96.7% and that of filter paper ranged between 83 to 100% for T. orientalis and 70 to 100% for E. camaldulensis. T. orientalis showed inhibition against all the tested organisms in the order of Klebsiella pneumonia > Bacillus subtillis > Streptococcus pneumonia > Salmonella paratyphi > Escherichia coli for bacterial and Candida tropicalis > Aspergillus flavus > Aspergillus niger > Fusarium solari for fungus. The order of activity of E. camldulensis is staphylococcus aureus > Bacillus subtillis > Salmonella paratyphi > Streptococcus pneumonia and Fusarium solari > Candida tropicalis > Aspergillus flavus with Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger showing resistance to the oil. Keywords : Essential oils, Thuja orientalis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, toxicity, bioactivity, organism.
OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN OF CONCENTRICALLY BRACED STEEL FRAMES SUBJECTED TO NEAR-FAULT GROUND MOTION EXCITATIONS

This paper presents a practical methodology for optimization of concentrically braced steel frames subjected to forward directivity near-fault ground motions, based on the concept of uniform deformation theory. This is performed by gradually shifting inefficient material from strong parts of the structure to the weak areas until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. In this regard, to overcome the complexity of the ordinary steel concentrically braced frames a simplified analytical model for seismic response prediction of concentrically braced frames is utulized. In this approach, a multistory frame is reduced to an equivalent shear-building model by performing a pushover analysis. A conventional shear-building model has been modified by introducing supplementary springs to account for flexural displacements in addition to shear displacements. It is shown that modified shear-building models provide a better estimation of the nonlinear dynamic response of real framed structures compared to nonlinear static procedures. Finally, the reliability of the proposed methodology has been verified by conducting nonlinear dynamic analysis on 5, 10 and 15 story frames subjected to 20 forward directivity pulse type near-fault ground motions.
Social Networks , Corporate Governance and Contracting in the Mutual Fund Industry ∗

Do business connections affect hiring, compensation, and performance? This paper presents evidence from the mutual funds industry using a novel panel data set of business connections between fund directors and the advisory firms that manage the funds. I find that fund boards award portfolio management contracts preferentially to advisory firms which have had more business relationships with the funds’ directors. A one-standard deviation increase in connections between directors and a candidate advisor increases the odds that the candidate is chosen by 16%. Similarly, when advisory firms create new funds they offer board seats preferentially to directors known from past business relationships. Increasing connections by one standard deviation corresponds to a 28% increase in the odds of a candidate director being nominated. Moreover, advisors receive higher pay when they are more connected to the fund directors. A one standard deviation increase in connections translates into more than $1 billion increase in transfers from mutual fund investors to advisory firms each year. The preferential hiring and pay of connected advisors is not compensated by higher performance. A one standard deviation increase in connections corresponds to a decrease in fund returns (before and after advisory fees) and fund alphas of 1% per year. These findings identify adverse effects of social networks on corporate governance, and support recent initiatives for more disclosure regarding the negotiation of advisory contracts by fund boards.
Asymmetric News Effects on Volatility: Good vs. Bad News in Good vs. Bad Times

We study the impact of positive and negative macroeconomic US and European news announcements in different phases of the business cycle on the highfrequency volatility of the EUR/USD exchange rate. The results suggest that in general bad news increases volatility more than good news. The news effects also depend on the state of the economy: bad news increases volatility more in good times than in bad times, while there is no difference between the volatility effects of good news in bad and good times.
On Designing of Membrane Thickness and Thermal Conductivity for Large Scale Membrane Distillation Modules

Membrane distillation has the potential to concentrate solutions to their saturation level, thus offering the possibility to recover valuable salts from the solutions. The process performance and stability, however, is strongly dependent upon the features of membranes applied. In addition, several other parameters, membrane thickness and thermal conductivity significantly affect the process performance. These parameters are of fundamental importance in the selection of optimum module length due to their influence on temperature and flux profiles along the fiber. In the current study, the experimental data from a lab-scale membrane distillation plant has been modeled to analyze the interrelated effect of membrane thickness, thermal conductivity and module length on process performance. It has been observed that flux initially improves by decreasing the membrane thickness followed by a decrease and ultimately negative value. For any given fiber length and thickness, the flux can be greatly improved by decreasing the membrane-conductivity. The length that corresponds to the highest flux and the maximum fiber length ensuring a positive flux have been identified as a function of membrane thickness and thermal conductivity.
Relationships between thyroid hormones, serum trace elements and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in goats.

ABSTRACT Received: Revised: Accepted:December 07, 2009 December 26, 2009 February 10, 2010 Key words: Antioxidant enzymes Thyroid hormones Trace elements Iranian native goats Thyroid hormones might be able to regulate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzymes. The role of thyroid hormones in metabolic pathways and antioxidant enzyme activities are well known in many species. Nevertheless, there is no report describing probable relationship between thyroid hormones status, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and serum profiles of trace elements. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between these parameters in Iranian native goats. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 50 clinically healthy Iranian native goats under aseptic conditions during 6 consecutive days of summer. The serum was analyzed for serum profile of thyroid hormones, trace elements, SOD and GPX activity. There were no significant differences in serum thyroid hormones, serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and antioxidant enzymes on different days (P>0.05). There were significant correlations between triiodothyronine (T
Role of Plant Fatty acid Elongase (3 keto acyl-CoA Synthase) gene in Cuticular Wax Biosynthesis

Plant surfaces are ensheathed by cuticular wax, amorphous intra-cuticular embedded in cutin polymer and crystalloid epi-cuticular that imparts a whitish appearance, confers drought resistance by reducing stomatal transpiration and also protects from U.V Radiation, phytophagous insects etc. Very long chain fatty acids acts as precursors for cuticular wax bio-synthesis. Wax bio-synthesis begins with fatty acid synthesis in the plastid (de novo synthesis of C16 and C18) and elongation of fatty acids in endoplasmic reticulum (C20 – C34) by four distinct enzymes 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase, 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductase, 3-hydroxacyl-CoA dehydratase, trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase (KCS, KCR, HCD, ECR). The KCS, a fatty acid elongase, determines the chain length and substrate specificity of the condensation reaction, a rate limiting step and the subsequent elongated products alkanes, aldehydes, primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, ketones and wax esters. 21 KCS genes were annotated in Arabidopsis thaliana Genome of which some KCSs were identified involved in cuticle formation (CER6) (CUT1), KCS1, KCS2, (DAISY), KCS20 and FDH). The current review will focus on the bio-chemical, genetic and molecular approaches on KCSs genes, predominantly KCS1 in plants particularly useful in identifying and characterizing gene products involved in wax bio-synthesis, secretion and function for developing transgenic crops that combat various stresses. INTRODUCTION
Detection of the Predominant Strain of Epstein-Barr Virus in Systemic Autoimmune and Thalassemia Patients

EBV, is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses, Epidemiological data suggest that EBV is associated with polytransfused blood βthalassemia and several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. We examined the presence of IgM antibodies against EBV in serum of 35 Thalassemic patients, 75 autoimmune patients among as 35 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 20 Systemic lupus erythrematosus and 20 autoimmune hypothyroid diseases, and 20 healthy controls by ELISA assay then detected the predominant strain in positive samples. The results show that the highest EBV infection percent was in SLE 15% whilst the lowest infection percent was in Thalassemia 5.7%. , and according to gender, the results showed that the highest infection percentage recorded in females with rheumatoid arthritis 30 %, whilst the infection does not appear in males with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroid disease and females of thalassemia patients. On the other hand, this study reveals that EBV-1 is the predominant strain in autoimmune diseases and thalassemia in Iraq.
Discourses on Empowerment in Adult Learning: A View on Renewed Learning

The paper examines critically the dimension of empowerment in the European discourse, starting from some operational definitions used in official documents. The author analyses the shift in the European documents from 2000 to recent years, from a lifelong learning vision to an adult education approach, basically labour market – oriented, thus leaving aside the social cohesion and self-emancipatory dossiers. Against this background, a theoretical approach derived from the categories of transaction and reflexivity is suggested, setting out from the works of John Dewey. This paper investigates whether the categories of experience, problem posing and emancipation are more suitable for a long-term project on adult learning than the categories of activation, problem solving, and empowerment.
A Rigorous Treatment of Vertical Dipole Impedance Located Above Lossy Dps, Mng, Eng, and DNG Half-Space

In this paper, accurate analytical expressions for the impedance of vertical electric and magnetic dipoles which are located over the half-space materials of arbitrary permittivity and permeability are developed. In this regard, the impedance variations are expressed in integral forms. For metamaterial half-space, a proper expression for approximating the Fresnel re∞ection coe-cient is proposed. Using this approximate expression, the impedance integrals are analytically solved, and exact formulas for impedance variations are obtained. The results for the metamaterial half-spaces are compared with the case of natural materials (positive permittivity and permeability), and key difierences are explained. The in∞uences of sign changing in permeability of the half-space material on the impedance of vertical dipole are studied, and the results are validated by comparison with those of numerical solution of integrals. It is shown that for elevated dipoles over materials with high and/or low conductivities, the results of both methods are in complete agreement. For vertical dipoles above low loss materials, the results are somewhat identical. However, a better agreement could be obtained using higher order approximations for the integrand.
DIRECT TORQUE CONTROL OF MATRIX CONVERTER FED INDUCTION MOTOR DRIVE

This paper presents the direct torque control of induction motor drive using matrix converters. DTC is a high performance motor control scheme with fast torque and flux responses. However, the main disadvantage of conventional DTC is electromagnetic torque ripple. In this paper, direct torque control for Induction Motors using Matrix Converters is analysed and points out the problem of the electromagnetic torque ripple which is one of the most important drawbacks of the Direct Torque Control. Besides, the matrix converter is a single-stage ac-ac power conversion device without dc-link energy storage elements. Matrix converter (MC) may become a good alternative to voltage-source inverter (VSI). This work combines the advantages of the matrix converter with those of the DTC technique, generating the required voltage vectors under unity input power factor operation. Simulation results demonstrates the effectiveness of the torque control.
Scenario-based design methods in mobile appliance development: a case study in industry

This paper investigates how scenario-based design methods can better support the development of mobile appliances. We report the results of an industry case study in a telecommunication organization. Insights were gained into the use of scenarios in current design practice in industry. Because changing use context is a main characteristic of mobile appliances, one focus was on the problems and possibilities of capturing context in scenarios. Initial suggestions are proposed for encoding use context and changing use context in scenarios.
SORPTION AND DESORPTION STUDIES OF METALLIC ZINC ON AN ALLUVIAL SOIL

The sorption of metallic zinc from the pH-adjusted aqueous solution at varying initial concentrations onto a clay soil through batch equilibrium experiments has been studied. The pH of the initial concentrations ranging between 50 mg/L to 250 mg/L has been varied from 3 to 7. The sorption data fitted very well with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and Freundlich model gave higher correlation coefficients. The maximum sorption of metallic zinc occurred at pH=6. The pseudo-second order kinetics model was most agreeable with the experimental sorption data, whereas the pseudo-first order model was found to be insufficient. A nonionic surfactant was tested for its desorption potential and was found to be fairly effective at 2% concentration with removal of more than 60% sorbed Zinc.