Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erratum: Morphology and environment of galaxies with disc breaks in the S4G and NIRS0S

We study the surface brightness profiles of disc galaxies in the 3.6 mu m images from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S(4)G) and K-s-band images from the Near-Infrared S0-Sa galaxy Survey (NIRS0S). We particularly connect properties of single exponential (type I), downbending double exponential (type II), and upbending double exponential (type III) disc profile types, to structural components of galaxies by using detailed morphological classifications, and size measurements of rings and lenses. We also study how the local environment of the galaxies affects the profile types by calculating parameters describing the environmental density and the tidal interaction strength. We find that in majority of type II profiles the break radius is connected with structural components such as rings, lenses, and spirals. The exponential disc sections of all three profile types, when considered separately, follow the disc scaling relations. However, the outer discs of type II, and the inner discs of type III, are similar in scalelength to the single exponential discs. Although the different profile types have similar mean environmental parameters, the scalelengths of the type III profiles show a positive correlation with the tidal interaction strength.
Balassa-Samuelson Effect Approaching Fifty Years: Is it Retiring Early in Australia?

This paper tests empirically the Balassa-Samuelson (BS) hypothesis using annual data for Australia. We applied the ARDL cointegration technique developed by Pesaran et al. (2001) and found evidence of a significant long-run relationship between real exchange rate and Australia-US productivity differential during the period of 1950-2003. We found that a one per cent increase in labour productivity in Australia relative to the US will lead to 5.6 per cent appreciation in the real exchange rate of Australia. We suspect that the elasticity coefficient is “over-estimated” due to the exclusion of relevant explanatory variables. The dynamics and the determinants of the real exchange rate movements are numerous; they include terms of trade, interest rate differentials, net foreign liabilities among others along with labour productivity differential.
First-Principles Study of the Structural Stability and Electronic and Elastic Properties of Helium in α-Zirconium

First-principles calculations within density functional theory have been performed to investigate the behaviors of helium in α-zirconium. The most favorable interstitial site for He in -Zr is not an ordinary tetrahedral or octahedral site, but a basal octahedral site with a formation energy as low as 2.40 eV. The formation energy reduces to 1.25 eV in the presence of preexisting vacancies. The analysis on the density of states and the charge density has been carried out. In addition, the influences of He and small He-V complexes on the elastic properties have been studied. The He-V complexes have been found to greatly affect the elastic properties compared with He alone.
Mitogen activated protein kinase Influence the immune response of a prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strain of the Indo-Oceanic Clade

Different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) are known to modify the host immune response in a strain-specific manner. However, studies linking M. tuberculosis strain-specific impact upon the regulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-induced monocyte activation are limited. We have studied the immunomodulation, induced by a prevalent Indo-Oceanic Clade clinical strain S7, isolated from the Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) trial area of Thiruvallur district, South India, in comparison with a low prevalent Beijing strain. It was shown that p38, stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) of the MAPK pathways were not activated via cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR (HLA-DR) receptors, upon infection of human monocytic cell line (THP-1) with clinical strain S7. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, surface expression of CD44 and CD25 receptors, and the production of anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), varied between the strains. Inhibition experiments showed that the clinical strains use different signaling pathways to induce interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion and surface expression of CD44. In addition, contrasting patterns were observed between strain-induced tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and Bcl-2 levels. These data provided a precedent for effects of M. tuberculosis strain-specific factors upon the mechanisms involved in MAPK-mediated immune activation. Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, clinical isolate S7, Beijing strain, mitogen-activated protein kinases.
Destination- Versus Origin-Based Commodity Taxation and the Location of Industry

This Paper studies the positive aspects of destination vs. origin principles of commodity taxation as well as tax harmonization, with an emphasis on the international implications of these measures when firms are mobile. We investigate the tax incidence of these two principles on price levels and uncover how taxes and trade costs interact. While under the destination principle an increase in the tax rate of a country always causes some firms to relocate to the other, this effect may get reversed under the origin principle when economic integration is deep enough, so that a tax increase leads to an inflow of capital.
Metabolic profiling of dairy cows affected with subclinical and clinical mastitis

The study was conducted to determine the effect of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) on biochemical parameters of cows. A total of 200 samples of milk and blood, were collected from different areas of District Rajouri of J&K state. Before collection of blood and milk samples, the selection of animals from which samples had to be taken were put forward to screening by different cowside tests i.e. California Mastitis Test, electrical conductivity and pH. Subclinical mastitis were screened by California Mastitis Test (CMT), milk pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of milk. After screening Blood and milk samples were collected from 120 healthy, 50 SCM and 30 CM affected cows. Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. The present study was designed to study the possible biochemical profile (Glucose, Triglyceride, Albumin, Cholesterol, Globulin, HDL and TP) in the plasma of selected animals. Our study showed that total protein concentration was significantly (p≤0.05) higher in subclinical and clinical mastitic animals, compared to the control groups. Albumin level of the subclinical and clinical infected animals was significantly (P< 0.05) lower than the control group. Other parameters like glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL of subclinical and clinical mastitic animals showed non significant results as compared to the control group. Further, significant (p≤0.05) increase was observed in EC and pH of milk from SCM and CM infected animals compared to the control groups. Our study demonstrates that there is a significant increase in the levels of total protein, EC and pH in mastitic animals as compared to control groups and a significant reduction in the levels of albumin with the mastitic groups compared to control groups. Also glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL of subclinical and clinical mastitic animals showed non significant results as compared to the control group.
Experimental evidence of convective and absolute instabilities in rotating Hagen–Poiseuille flow

Abstract Experimental results for instabilities present in a rotating Hagen–Poiseuille flow are reported in this study through fluid flow visualization. First, we found a very good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical predictions for the onset of convective hydrodynamic instabilities. Our analysis in a space–time domain is able to obtain quantitative data, so the wavelengths and the frequencies are also estimated. The comparison of the predicted theoretical frequencies with the experimental ones shows the suitability of the parallel, spatial and linear stability analysis, even though the problem is spatially developing. Special attention is focused on the transition from convective to absolute instabilities, where we observe that the entire pipe presents wavy patterns, and the experimental frequencies collapse with the theoretical results for the absolute frequencies. Thus, we provide experimental evidence of absolute instabilities in a pipe flow, confirming that the rotating pipe flow may be absolutely unstable for moderate values of Reynolds numbers and low values of the swirl parameter.
University Students Use of Explanatory Models for Explaining Electric Current in Transitory Situations

There are many studies on students' understanding of DC circuits in the steady state, but few studies have been made about students' ideas on transient states of movement of charges in a conductor. The traditional Electricity curriculum often involves situations of transient motion of charges such as the process of charging a body (conductor or dielectric), closing or opening the switch in a DC circuit or, circuits charging and discharging capacitors. In this research, we present two questions that have been used to investigate the representations of students about the movement of charges of transients in direct current, which focus on the transition between electrostatics and electrodynamics in first year university undergraduate study. The results obtained show that a significant percentage of students cannot correctly interpret simple transitory state current phenomena. Their explanations fall into two general categories. Firstly, one based on potential difference and secondly, one that excludes current flow in processes of transitory state. Some consequences for teaching are discussed.
Epidemiology of Fasciola Hepatica in Iran

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease. Their greatest importance lies in the economic impact. In order to know the current status of this parasite in the province, we decided to carry out the Epidemiology. We used history-necropsy technique for the diagnosis of this parasitosis in infected bovine animals. When we were suspecting to fascioliasis we did a proper history of the area where the animals were sick. A retrospective study was carried out based on the existent registrations of Fascioliasis discoveries in the bovine slaughterhouse of Ilam province during 3 years successively. In the year of (07-08), 8.48% of the sacrificed animals were infested. The year of (08-09) 6.03% and the third years (09-10) 11.09%. In the (2007-2010) we found a high prevalence of Fascioliasis in animals slaughtered in the province, rising more than one third of the total, with significant differences in proportions (P<0.01) among the three years. The findings were also subcapsular hematomas, venous congestion and fibrous peritonitis. The economic losses were considerable.
SEROPREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST SWINE INFLUENZA VIRUS IN PIGS OF DIFFERENT AGE

The prevalence of antibodies specific to swine influenza virus (SIV) among domestic pigs of different age, raised in large farms in Poland and Lithuania, was evidenced. Two thousand seven hundred and thirty five blood samples, taken from non-vaccinated animals were tested in HI assay against 3 SIV strains (H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes). As a positive result the haemagglutinin titre ≥20 was estimated. Performed monitoring study showed that the most spread is H1N1 subtype of SIV. The occurrence of antibodies specific to SIV depended on the age of the tested animals. The first parity sows in Poland had low level of antibodies against H1N1 subtype (about 8%, at both - farm and individual levels) and no antibodies against H1N2 or human variant of SIV. In Lithuania, first parity sows presented the antibodies against H1N1 (27.3% of farms) and H1N2 (9.1% of farms) subtypes. The percentage of seroconversion among individual sows reached in this country 1.1 and 0.8 for H1N1 and H1N2 subtypes, respectively. It should be stressed that no antibodies against any of the tested subtypes of SIV were detected in boars and suckling piglets. The highest percentage of animals producing antibodies to all 3 antigens was detected, in both countries, among weaners and fatteners. In Poland it reached the level 11.1, 5.5, and 2.8 while in Lithuania - 18.2, 9.1, and 0, respectively against H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes. The titre of the sera ranged from 20 to 160, but in the most samples it was low.
A CMOS image sensor with dark-current cancellation and dynamic sensitivity operations

An ultralow dark-signal and high-sensitivity pixel has been developed for an embedded active-pixel CMOS image sensor by using a standard 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS logic process. To achieve in-pixel dark-current cancellation, we developed a combined photogate/photodiode photon-sensing device with a novel operation scheme. The experimental results demonstrate that the severe dark signal degradation of a CMOS active pixel sensor is reduced more than an order of magnitude. Through varying the bias conditions on the photogate, dynamic sensitivity can be obtained to increase maximum allowable illumination level. Combining the above two operation schemes, the dynamic range of this new cell can be extended by more than 20/spl times/.
Retrospective Analysis Of Treatment Options In First Recurrences Of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax In Young Adults

Aim: Surgical approach in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is still not well defined. We aimed to evaluate treatment options in first recurrences of PSP. Methods: We treated 44 male patients with first recurrences of PSP. All cases had been treated with chest tube for the first attack. In first recurrences, treatment strategies were classified into three groups such as chest tube (n:15, mean age 25.4±9.1), VATS (n:14, mean age 24.4±1.91) and open thoracotomy (n:15, mean age 23.2±3.1). These cases were retrospectively evaluated in terms of recurrence and succes rates. Results: There was no conversion to open thoracotomy in VATS series. VATS group had significant difference in terms of mean time to removal of chest tube when compared to chest tube and thoracotomy groups (p=0,042 and p=0,018 respectively). Also recurrences occurred in chest tube group (n:8), no recurrence was seen in thoracotomy and VATS groups. Conclusion: The present study strongly suggests VATS for management of first recurrences of PSP following pleural abrasion.
New Semiconductor Material Power Components for High End Power Supplies

Progress in semiconductor technology now permits to produce new power Schottky diodes based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) or silicon carbide (SiC) material. This paper describes two particular aspects which are essential to understand operational behaviour of those devices: Their switching characteristics differ from silicon bipolar diodes’, which should be taken into account when replacing conventional devices. The superior dynamic characteristics make the influence of parasitics on operational behaviour increase; thus packaging and the resulting secondary effects are considered. These reflections are referenced by a survey of exemplary GaAs and SiC Schottky diode components, complemented by an outlook on the ongoing technological development.
ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCES ENHANCE OCCURRENCE OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN ISRAEL DESERTS: PATTERNS AND MECHANISMS

A continuous and gradual increase in the incidence of cutaneous leishman- iasis (CL) has been reported in southern Israel over the last 20 years. The goal of our research was to determine if and how anthropogenic disturbances enhance the occurrence of the disease. To assess the effect of anthropogenic disturbances, we selected twelve 60 3 60 m plots, six in disturbed and six in undisturbed habitats at each of five study sites in southern Israel. We trapped rodents and sand flies, determined Leishmania majorinfection prevalence in rodents, and measured various environmental parameters. Infection prevalence in the reservoir host, the rodent Psammomys obesus, was significantly higher in disturbed habitats than in undisturbed ones. Infection prevalence was positively correlated with vector (Phlebotomus papatasi) density but not with host density. P. papatasi density was positively correlated with soil moisture. Soil in disturbed habitats had significantly more moisture, and plants were significantly more lush than in undisturbed habitats. P. obesus density was positively correlated with plant lushness. These results suggest that an important impact of anthropogenic disturbance, the addition of water, improves the conditions for vector breeding and promotes larger host populations by improving the quality of their food. These effects, in turn, should enhance disease transmission risk to humans.
The LSI-R and the Compas

Over the past two decades, the role of risk-needs assessment in the criminal justice system has increased substantially. This study provides validation data on the Level of Service Inventory—Revised (LSI-R) and the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) using a large male cohort ( N = 975) with a substantial proportion of ethnic minority offenders. In comparing the predictive validity of these tools, the authors employed a retrospective, archival, known-groups design to study outcomes of offenders released into the community from New Jersey prisons between 1999 and 2002, with a postrelease outcome period of 12 months. The results indicate that both the LSI-R composite score and the COMPAS recidivism score have inconsistent validity when tested on different ethnic/racial populations. Furthermore, the results suggest that different ethnic/racial groups have varying risk and needs factors that predict recidivism.
Recalibrating social protection: Electoral competition and the new partisan politics of the welfare state

This article investigates the new party politics of welfare states with a particular focus on electoral competition. The argument is that welfare state politics are no longer just about more or less, but involve trade‐offs among ‘new’ versus ‘old’ social rights, and hence social investment versus social consumption. However, party priorities on these issues are highly dependent upon their electoral situation. As electoral competition becomes more intense, parties focus more on vote maximisation than on their traditional policy goals. For left parties, this means focusing more on social investment, which appeals to their growing constituency of progressive sociocultural professionals, and less on defending the traditional income maintenance programmes favoured by their core blue‐collar voters. Centre‐right parties, on the other hand, should hesitate to retrench old social rights when electoral competition intensifies because they need to prioritise their appeal to culturally conservative working‐class voters over their traditional fiscally conservative policy profiles. Using a new dataset and a recently published measure of electoral competitiveness, the article shows that as electoral competition intensifies, left governments are willing to prioritise social investment by reducing pension rights generosity in order to expand programmes for new social risks, while centre‐right governments by contrast avoid retrenchment of pension rights and pension expenditures. The findings demonstrate that this relationship is moderated by the presence of a credible radical right challenger, which increases the electoral risk of welfare state recalibration.
An examination of corporate social disclosures in the annual reports of Indonesian listed companies

This study examines the extent of corporate social disclosures (CSD) in Indonesian listed companies’ annual reports for the years 2003 to 2006. Content analysis methods were employed and descriptive analysis conducted to explore the quantity and quality of this disclosure. The findings show that ‘human resources’ information is the information most disclosed, while ‘sustainability’ is the least disclosed information in the companies’ annual reports. Documentation of information disclosed in the annual reports is mostly positive and descriptive in nature, rather than negative and quantitative. The results provide insight into the extent and nature of CSD in Indonesia.
How Does Corporate Investment Respond to Increased Entry Threat?

We study how product-market interactions affect investment. We use reductions of import tariffs to examine how incumbents modify investment when the threat of rivals’ entry intensifies. Incumbents reduce investment by 7.2% in response to higher entry threat. Consistent with a strategic behavior, the investment reduction varies across market structures: it concentrates in markets in which competitive actions are strategic substitutes, where deterring entry is costly and investment makes incumbents look soft. Our results provide novel evidence on how and why firms’ interactions influence corporate investment.
The Policy Choices and Reaction Functions of Bank of England MPC Members

The results of an econometric exercise are presented, showing that Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members appointed from outside the ranks of Bank of England staff (outsiders) react differently to forecasts of inflation and output than those appointed from within the Bank (insiders). All results are reinforced by the well-established findings that, compared with outsiders, insiders choose higher interest rates, are more likely to vote as a bloc, and feature on the winning side of policy decisions more frequently. On the basis of these results, it is argued that the current MPC framework is biased toward the policy choices of insiders.
Fully resolved simulations of colliding monodisperse spheres in forced isotropic turbulence

Fully resolved simulations of particles suspended in a sustained turbulent flow field are presented. To solve the Navier–Stokes equations a lattice-Boltzmann scheme was used. A spectral forcing scheme is applied to maintain turbulent conditions at a Taylor microscale Reynolds number of 61. The simulations contained between 2 and 10 vol % particles with a solid to fluid density ratio between 1.15 and 1.73. A lubrication force is used to account for subgrid hydrodynamic interaction between approaching particles. Results are presented on the influence of the particle phase on the turbulence spectrum and on particle collisions. Energy spectra of the simulations show that the particles generate fluid motion at length scales of the order of the particle size. This results in a strong increase in the rate of energy dissipation at these length scales and a decrease of kinetic energy at larger length scales. Collisions due to uncorrelated particle motion are observed (primary collisions), and collision frequencies are in agreement with theory on inertial particle collisions. In addition to this, a large number of collisions at high frequencies is encountered. These secondary collisions are due to the correlated motion of particles resulting from short-range hydrodynamic interactions and spatial correlation of the turbulent velocity field at short distances. This view is supported by the distribution of relative particle velocities, the particle velocity correlation functions and the particle radial distribution function.