Modelling Extreme Wave Overtopping at Aberystwyth Promenade

The work presents a methodology to assess the coastal impacts during a storm event which caused significant damage along the promenade at Aberystwyth, Wales on the 3 January 2014. Overtopping was analysed in detail for a section of promenade by downscaling offshore wave conditions to force a surf zone hydrodynamic model, NEWRANS. Overtopping discharges are computed and were in qualitative agreement with published discharges for the level of damage observed along the promenade. Peak storm conditions were observed to arrive just before and during high tide at Aberystwyth, which in addition to a storm surge and wave-setup, contributed to the damage observed. A high frequency of overtopping occurs during peak high tide, with overtopping also occurring in the hour leading up to and following high tide. Finally, comparisons to design methods for the estimation of overtopping discharge were made. Current empirical formulae underestimated the peak overtopping event at high tide. The methodology applied is generic and applicable to any location

RNF168 cooperates with RNF8 to mediate FOXM1 ubiquitination and degradation in breast cancer epirubicin treatment

The forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) transcription factor has a central role in genotoxic agent response in breast cancer. FOXM1 is regulated at the post-translational level upon DNA damage, but the key mechanism involved remained enigmatic. RNF168 is a ubiquitination E3-ligase involved in DNA damage response. Western blot and gene promoter-reporter analyses showed that the expression level and transcriptional activity of FOXM1 reduced upon RNF168 overexpression and increased with RNF168 depletion by siRNA, suggesting that RNF168 negatively regulates FOXM1 expression. Co-immunoprecipitation studies in MCF-7 cells revealed that RNF168 interacted with FOXM1 and that upon epirubicin treatment FOXM1 downregulation was associated with an increase in RNF168 binding and conjugation to the protein degradation-associated K48-linked polyubiquitin chains. Consistently, RNF168 overexpression resulted in an increase in turnover of FOXM1 in MCF-7 cells treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Conversely, RNF168, knockdown significantly enhanced the half-life of FOXM1 in both absence and presence of epirubicin. Using a SUMOylation-defective FOXM1-5x(K>R) mutant, we demonstrated that SUMOylation is required for the recruitment of RNF168 to mediate FOXM1 degradation. In addition, clonogenic assays also showed that RNF168 mediates epirubicin action through targeting FOXM1, as RNF168 could synergise with epirubicin to repress clonal formation in wild-type but not in FOXM1-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). The physiological relevance of RNF168-mediated FOXM1 repression is further emphasized by the significant inverse correlation between FOXM1 and RNF168 expression in breast cancer patient samples. Moreover, we also obtained evidence that RNF8 recruits RNF168 to FOXM1 upon epirubicin treatment and cooperates with RNF168 to catalyse FOXM1 ubiquitination and degradation. Collectively, these data suggest that RNF168 cooperates with RNF8 to mediate the ubiquitination and degradation of SUMOylated FOXM1 in breast cancer genotoxic response.published_or_final_versio

A STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENSION

Entrepreneurship plays a very important role in achieving development goals for a country. This study investigates the factors that affect female entrepreneurs' intentions. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to identify the factors that affect female entrepreneurs' intentions. For this purpose, 40 female entrepreneurs from the Balangoda divisional secretariat were sampled. The sample was selected using the simple random sampling method, and data were collected through a questionnaire and interview method. A multiple regression test was conducted to study the relationship between the intentions of female entrepreneurs and the factors considered. It was identified that Economic Factors, Social & Cultural Factors, Motivation, and Security have a positive effect on the intentions of female entrepreneurs. Thus, it is important to focus on these identified factors to uplift women as entrepreneurs, providing them with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial abilities. To achieve this, conducting training and awareness programs is essential. Through these initiatives, women will have the opportunity to flourish as entrepreneurs

ETHNICITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM BALANGODA TOWN

Political and economic progress as well as social reconciliation are essential for the development of a country. Through this research, the effect of ethnicity on business development was studied. Many economic development goals can be achieved through the development of enterprises in a country. But depending on ethnicity, entrepreneurs who face different problems can be seen. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to identify the effect of ethnicity on entrepreneur activities. There, the research was conducted using 250 entrepreneurs of Balangoda town consisting of different ethnicities. A simple random sampling method was used to select the sample. According to the results of the research, it was clear that ethnicity has a positive effect on entrepreneurial activities. Accordingly, the factor of ethnicity should be considered in order to create a more effective product by encouraging entrepreneurs. Also, it is important to consider all ethnic groups in formulating policies and laws related to business activities so that they all get benefits. It can achieve social reconciliation, and it will directly lead to economic development

Finding needles in haystacks: linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Re-annotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi

Gender Differences in the Usage of Online Banking Services

The rise of online banking has transformed the global financial landscape, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka, where the adoption of digital banking is increasing. This study investigates gender differences in the usage of online banking services in Sri Lanka, with special reference to the Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division. The objective is to identify whether there are significant differences between male and female users in terms of their usage of online banking services. A quantitative methodology was employed, with data collected from a sample of 382 bank customers in the Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division. A structured questionnaire and interviews were used to gather primary data, while secondary data were sourced from previous studies and reports. The Independent sample t-test was conducted to analyze gender differences, with the results indicating a statistically significant difference between male and female users. These findings suggest that gender influences online banking behavior in Sri Lanka. Therefore, based on these results, the study recommends that financial institutions and policymakers design gender-sensitive strategies to enhance digital literacy and improve the security of online banking platforms. This will help foster greater inclusivity and bridge the gender gap in digital financial services. Further research is needed to explore how other socio-cultural factors, such as ethnicity and geographic location, might influence online banking usage in Sri Lanka

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) and Efficiency of Feed Utilization (EFU) of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Fed Frisian Cross Bred Cows – a Case Study

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is the difference between an animal’s actual feed and expected feed intakes for a given period of time. Literature shows that highly efficient animals have a negative or lower RFI. Thus understanding about RFI is important to maintain an efficient herd. A feeding trial was undertaken at a commercial farm in Sri Lanka having Frisian cross bred cows. The cows were fed with a grass-based Total Mixed Ration (TMR) having maize (Zea mays), CO3 (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum), beer pulp (wet brewer’s grain), dhal meal (Lens culinaris), mineral mixture and commercial cattle feed. However, the milk yields were lower than expected affecting the farm profit. Thus a study was undertaken to test a new TMR with the hypothesis that the new TMR would enhance milk production of the cows. Eighteen, Frisian cross bred cows were randomly assigned into two groups (Treatment 1: existing TMR; TMR 1) and Treatment 2: new TMR; TMR 2), in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Each treatment had three replicates. Data were collected (daily feed intake, milk yield and live body weight of cows) for a 28 day period. Residual Feed Intake was derived by a regression model using feed intake and live weight data. Efficiency of Feed Utilization was calculated using cumulative milk yield and feed intake data. The RFI in Treatment 1 (0.42± 0.197 kg/cow) was higher (P\u3c 0.05) than Treatment 2 (-0.45± 0.197 kg/cow). Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Treatment 2 (36% ± 0.797 ml/cow) was higher (P\u3c 0.05) than Treatment 1 (29% ± 0.797 ml/cow). The results show that the cows in Treatment 2 were more efficient than the cows in Treatment 1. Hence it can be concluded that the new TMR (TMR 2) consists of maize, CO3, Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), beer pulp, coconut (Cocos nucifera) poonac, rice bran, maize meal and mineral mixture was better than the exiting TMR (TMR 1)

Natural and human-induced coastal dynamics at a back-barrier beach

This study contributes to the understanding of very low-energy fetch-limited environments by reporting the evolution of a back-barrier beach (Ancão Peninsula, southern Portugal). It considers two timescales: a large-scale evolution for the past 60 years based on aerial photograph analysis, and a small-scale beach evolution based on monthly topographic surveys performed during three years of monitoring. Each timescale revealed a different rate of evolution, the first reporting a modified beach response-type (from human activities), and the second reporting a natural beach response-type. Human activities caused significant changes in the back-barrier shore, whereas changes under natural forcing were much smaller, were less influential on the area's evolution, and were not sufficient to counteract or mask the consequences of human activities. The findings of the study should contribute to a better understanding about the large- and small- scale changes in other back-barriers characterised by similar very low-energy conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Creating Equal Opportunities: Evaluating Physical Facilities for Undergraduate Students with Special Needs

Every individual in the world desires to carry out their daily tasks with ease. The surrounding environment plays a crucial role in facilitating this. While able-bodied individuals seamlessly navigate their surroundings, people with special needs often face significant challenges in meeting their requirements. Therefore, it is essential for them to have a moral understanding of the support they receive from their environment. The main objective of this research is to investigate the available physical facilities that were provided to the visually impaired and physically disabled undergraduates by their universities. The purposive sample contained 100 differently abled undergraduates from five universities namely; Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Kelaniya, Jaffna, and Eastern university. A structured interview schedule was used for data collection. According to the results, students had a certain level of awareness regarding library facilities (46%), elevator facilities (53%), cafeteria facilities (75%) and sanitary facilities (67%). They have a moderate level of satisfaction on access to the library (30%), lecture halls (22%), gymnasium (41%) and hostels (29%) at their respective universities. Results revealed that there are some issues that visually impaired students face during their education that need to be addressed. Implementing equal opportunities is essential to create a user-friendly environment at universities and hostels to provide the students a satisfactory experience during their university education in spite of the disability. DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i02.0