Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-resolution mapping of the physical conditions in two nearby active galaxies based on 12CO(1–0), (2–1), and (3–2) lines

We present a detailed analysis of high resolution observations of the three lowest CO transitions in two nearby active galaxies, NGC4569 and NGC4826. The CO(1-0) and (2-1) lines were observed with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer and the CO(3-2) line with the Submillimeter Array. Combining these data allows us to compare the emission in the three lines and to map the line ratios, R 21 = I CO(2―1) /I CO(1―0) and R 32 = I CO(3―2) /I CO(1―0) at a resolution of ∼2", i.e., a linear resolution of 160pc for NGC4569 and 40pc for NGC 4826. In both galaxies the emission in the three lines is similarly distributed spatially and in velocity, and CO is less excited (R 32 < 0.6) than in the Galactic Center or the centers of other active galaxies studied so far. According to a pseudo-LTE model the molecular gas in NGC4569 is cold and mainly optically thick in the CO(1―0) and (2-1) lines; less than 50% of the gas is optically thin in the CO(3-2) line. LVG modeling suggests the presence of an elongated ring of cold and dense gas coinciding with the inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) of the stellar bar in agreement with a previous analysis of the kinematics. More excited gas is resolved in the circumnuclear disk of NGC 4826. According to our pseudo-LTE model this corresponds to warmer gas with a ∼20% of the CO(3-2) emission being optically thin. LVG modeling indicates the presence of a semicircular arc of dense and cold gas centered on the dynamical center and ∼70 pc in radius. The gas temperature increases and its density decreases toward the center. A near side/far side asymmetry noticeable in the CO, R 32 and Paα maps suggests that opacity effects play a role. Examining published CO maps of nearby active galaxies we find similar asymmetries suggesting that this could be a common phenomenon in active galaxies. These mainly qualitative results open new perspectives for the study of active galaxies with the future Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array.
Combining ability and gene action in sesame (Sesamum indicum L) elite genotypes by diallel mating design

An 8 x 8 diallel cross mating design with the parents and F1s was used to estimate gene action and combining ability for yield and yield characters in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment was conducted at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Serere, Uganda during the second season of 2013. The traits involved: days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, height to first branch, height to first capsules, plant height, length of the capsule fruiting zone and yield per plant. The genetic variance of combining ability was separated into general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variance components. Baker’s ratio, coefficients of genetic determination (CGD) were determined for narrow and broad sense heritabilities. High GCA effects were recorded for days to flowering, height of first capsule and number of branches, branches per plant and capsule length. Desirable SCA effects were recorded for Sesim2//5181 x Renner 1-3-1-1 for reduced height of first branch (-9.48*), Sesim1 x Sesim2 for number of branches per plant (0.901*), capsules on branches (20.75**) and yield per plant (2.42*). High Baker’s ratio was recorded for most of the traits except for yield per plant (0.233). CGDbs was high for most of the traits except for days to maturity (0.064), plant height (0.346), capsules on main stem (0.358) and capsule width (0.286). These results suggested that both additive and non-additive gene actions played a greater role in these traits. Sesim 1 had the highest number of desirable traits scored for GCA effects and could be considered as a parent for crossing to produce desirable progeny. Sesim 1 x Sesim 2, Sesim 1 x Ajimo A1-5 and Sesim2//5181 x SPS1438-1-6-4 recorded positive significant SCA effects for yield per plant and therefore they could be recommended for hybrid seed production. Key words: Baker’s ratio, coefficient of genetic determination, gene effects, yield, yield components, sesame.
Analysis of Financial Leverage, Operating Leverage and Capital Venture Effect on Tobin's Q Ratio of Investment and Holding Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange

The main purpose of this research is the study on effect of Financial and Operating Leverage and Venture Capital on Tobin's Q ratio amongst companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. In this research, the Holdings and Investment companies are used as statistical samples and 73 enterprises that are listed in Tehran Stock Exchange within 2001 to 2016 have been studied. The results driven by this research show that Venture Capital, hereafter called "VC", and Operating Leverage, hereafter called "OPL", are positively related to Tobin's Q ratio while Financial Leverage, hereafter called "FL", has negative relation. At the same time, combined variables “FL” and “VC” are negatively correlated with Tobin's Q ratio and combined variable “OPL” and “VC” are neutral on Tobin's Q ratio. The effect estimation of independent variables, namely FL, OPL and VC and control variables, over dependent variable of Tobin's Q ratio is 55%, which is in fact noticeable.
The Feasibility of Combined Coronary and Supra-aortic Arteries CTAngiography with a Single High-pitch Acquisition Protocol using DualsourceCT

Objectives: To compare the image quality and radiation dose of combined coronary and supra-aortic arteries CT angiography (CTA) with a one stop shop single high-pitch acquisition protocol to that of separately acquisition protocol. Materials and methods: This study screened 211 consecutively symptomatic patients who were suspected coronary artery disease and/or cerebrovascular diseases and a total of 164 patients were included in this study. Each group of 82 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 fashion to one of high-pitch combined coronary and supra-aortic arteries CTA acquisition protocol (group A) or separately acquisition protocol using high-pitch mode coronary CTA and Dual-energy mode carotid-cerebrovascular CTA (group B). The objective image quality including the enhancement values, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of coronary and supra-aortic arteries were measured and calculated. The subjective image quality was evaluated according to the image quality scores. Results: The average enhancement and image noise of supra-aortic arteries in group A were significantly higher than that of group B. The SNR and CNR measurements in the intra-cranial and extra-cranial carotid arteries did not show a statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). No significant difference was found for the mean image quality score either in coronary arteries or in the intra-cranial and extra-cranial carotid arteries between the two groups with regard to each score rate. The effective radiation dose was 1.36 ± 0.37 mSv in group A and 2.39 ± 0.38 mSv in group B (P<0.01). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that the combined coronary and supra-aortic arteries CTA with a one stop shop single high-pitch acquisition protocol provides a high image quality and success ratio along with significant reduction of radiation exposure and less contrast material, compared to that of separately acquisition protocol.
THE 2000 STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OF TRADE UNIONS IN SEVEN WEST EUROPEAN

Migration issues are central to the current political discourse in Europe and are likely to remain a prominent theme in European politics for a long time to come. The discussion about the desirability of migrants has created political tensions in several countries. On the one hand, the role of migrant workers in the European labour market is seen as a necessity to strengthen national economies. On the other, migrants are perceived as outsiders who take jobs, sponge off welfare benefits and threaten social cohesion. These fears have been intensified in many European countries by economic recession, high unemployment and increases in precarious jobs. Populist political discourse has further contributed to anti-immigrant feelings, spreading the idea of an ‘invasion’ of migrants and refugees and of their links with the terrorist threat. Racism, xenophobia and hostility towards migrants are on the rise in Europe. Consequently, immigrant integration has become a major issue for governments at all levels (Penninx et al. 2006). Trade unions have to take positions on these matters, based both on their own convictions and interests, and as actors in national labour market regulatory frameworks as well as in the international arena. An analysis of union stances towards immigration and migrant workers constituted the core theme of a book published in 2000 by two of the editors of the current volume, Rinus Penninx and Judith Roosblad. Trade Unions, Immigration, and Migrants in Europe, 1960–1993: A Comparative Study of the Attitudes and Actions of Trade Unions in Seven West European Countries offered a comparative analysis of how trade unions in seven north-west European countries looked at labour immigration, migrant
Nesting Ecology and Predation of Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, at Gateway National Recreation Area, New York

Abstract We studied Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, at Gateway National Recreation Area, New York. We found evidence of nesting terrapins at three locations within the Recreation Area and focused our research on the islands of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Female terrapins nested from early June through early August and oviposited at least two clutches per year. Mean clutch size was 10.9 eggs. Nesting activity increased with daily high temperature and high tide. The greatest number of terrapin nests was found in shrubland, dune, and mixed-grassland habitats, but nest densities were higher on a human-made sandy trail and on sandy beaches. We estimate that approximately 2053 nests were oviposited on the largest island in the refuge in 1999. In 1998 and 1999, we counted 1319 and 1840 depredated nests, respectively, throughout the refuge. Raccoons were introduced into Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge approximately 20 yr prior to this study. Raccoons depredated 92.2% of nests monitored on the largest island during the 1999 nesting season. We also found the carcasses of adult female terrapins that apparently were killed by raccoons as they came on land to nest. This terrapin population may be undergoing demographic changes as a result of the introduction of raccoons.
Novel Growth and Death Related Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) in Melanoma: Greater Potency of IFN-β Compared with IFN-α2

Interferon (IFN)-dependent cellular effects are mediated by transcriptional induction of responsive genes, collectively referred to as IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Which ISGs regulate the potent antiviral, antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing, antiangiogenic, and immunologic effects of IFNs remains largely undetermined. To identify genes that might be useful for predicting or targeting apoptosis induction in response to IFNs, WM9 melanoma cells were assessed. WM9 cells had equivalent antiviral activity in response to IFN-β and IFN-α2 but underwent apoptosis only in response to IFN-β. RNA samples from WM9 cells and WM35 cells, a second melanoma cell line, treated with IFN-α2 or IFN-β were assessed on oligonucleotide arrays. For 95% of genes assessed, IFN-β was more potent than IFN-α2 in inducing ISG expression. Using a 22,000-gene oligonucleotide array, the largest yet reported for assessing ISG induction, approximately 910 genes were identified as induced by IFN-β at 500 U/ml, and 260 ISGs were identifie.
Phenological response of tropical plants to regional climate change in Xishuangbanna, south-western China

Abstract: The phenology of temperate plants is vulnerable to climate change. Yet, the phenological responses of tropical plants to climate change are still unclear. In this study, temporal trends (1973–1999) of four phenological events (budburst, growing season, flowering and flowering duration) were studied among 21 plant species in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (south-western China). Fourteen species (67%) showed significant phenological trends during the study period. Seven species (33%) presented delaying trends in budburst (average 1.4 d y−1) and such trend was more likely to be presented in those that started budburst earlier in the dry season. Four species (19%) showed trends of extension in growing season (average of 3.5 d y−1). These vegetative events appeared to be mainly influenced by increasing temperature. Rainfall showed little effects directly, however, the effects of temperature seemed to largely depend on the moisture condition. Flowering duration of five species (24%) was shortened by average 2.1 d y−1 which was most likely to be the result of the decline in sunshine duration during the rainy season. Our results suggest that the phenology of tropical plants has changed significantly in response to the regional climate change but these reactions are somewhat different from those of temperate plants.
Time-Series Analysis of Medium-Resolution, Multisensor Satellite Data for Identifying Landscape Change

The overall goal of this study is to use medium-resolution satellite imagery to determine recent changes in the landscape of the coastal zone near Sanya in the Province of Hainan, China. A search for suitable satellite imagery revealed that the only way to identify the changes was to use data from three different sensors acquired over a 12-year time period: a 1987 Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) image, a 1999 Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM� ) image, and two SPOT 2 High Resolution Visible (HRV) images acquired in 1991 and 1997. Given that the Landsat and SPOT images have different spatial resolutions and that the spectral bands cover somewhat different spectral ranges, the challenge was how to combine the images in digital format to be able to detect subtle changes in the landscape. Measures of brightness, greenness, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were explored using standardized principal components analysis (PCA). Approximately 38 percent of the scene was occupied by water, so tests were performed with the water included and also with the water masked out to remove these low-variance pixels. Factor loadings and input-band contributions were used to interpret component images. Results show that PCA of the visible bands, representing brightness, is the superior approach for identifying new urban features in the landscape. For identification of changes to vegetation, the near-infrared (NIR) bands outperformed NDVI. Selected standardized PCA images with visible and NIR bands are recommended for identifying general changes to an urban landscape using a time-series of imagery acquired by different satellite sensors. Benefits of using a mask are believed to be dependent upon study-site characteristics.
MUSE spectroscopy and deep observations of a unique compact JWST target, lensing cluster CLIO

STFC; NASA JWST Interdisciplinary Scientist grants from GSFC [NAG5-12460, NNX14AN10G]; MINECO/FEDER, UE [AYA2015-64508-P]; Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad [CSD2010-00064]; European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern hemisphere under ESO programme(s) [096.B-0605(A)]; ESO [180.A-0776]; [AYA2012-39475-C02-01]
Estimating Components of Mean Squared Error to Evaluate the Benefits of Mixing Data Collection Modes

Abstract Mixed mode data collection designs are increasingly being adopted with the hope that they may reduce selection errors in single mode survey designs. Yet possible reductions in selection errors achieved by mixing modes may be offset by a potential increase in total survey error due to extra measurement error being introduced by the additional mode(s). Few studies have investigated this empirically, however. In the present study, we compute the Mean Squared Error (MSE) for a range of estimates using data from a mode comparison experiment. We compare two mixed mode designs (a sequential web plus mail survey, and a combined concurrent and sequential CATI plus mail survey) with a single mode mail survey. The availability of auxiliary data on the sampling frame allows us to estimate several components of MSE (sampling variance, non-coverage, nonresponse and measurement bias) for a number of sociodemographic and target variables. Overall, MSEs are lowest for the single mode survey, and highest for the CATI plus mail design, though this pattern is not consistent across all estimates. Mixing modes generally reduces total bias, but the relative contribution to total survey error from different sources varies by design and by variable type.
Agricultural Input Subsidies and Productivity: The Case of Paraguayan Farmers

It is a well-known fact that a great majority of countries implement agricultural input subsidies as a tool to boost agricultural productivity and output. However, even though this practice is widely spread and represents a large part of the agricultural budget, little emphasis has been placed on the evaluation of the effectiveness of such schemes. This paper aims to shed light on this issue by exploring the impact of agricultural input subsidies on agricultural productivity. Using a quasi experimental approach (Propensity Score Matching), this study estimates the impact of receiving an agricultural input donation on the value of production per hectare as a measure of the effect on agricultural productivity. To this end, data from the "Encuesta Permanente de Hogares" of Paraguay, a nationally representative household survey collected in 2012, was utilized. The results provide evidence that agricultural input donations do not have an impact on agricultural productivity or input utilization.
Necrosis BRONJ of the mandible, complicated by Actinomyces infection – Case Report

Biphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a common complication of the therapy of malignant cancers. Drugs improve bone density and reduce hypercalcaemia in patients with primary tumours, as well as their metastases to the bones. A characteristic feature are emerging foci of osteonecrosis of the jaws, with secondary infection which is often actinomycotic. Actinomyces are Gramm-positive bacteria which colonize the mucous membrane and in favourable conditions are the cause of inflammation. BRONJ appears spontaneously or may be a consequence of surgical treatment in the area of the jaws. The case is presented of an 82-year-old woman after hysterectomy due to a cancerous lesion who had taken ibandronic acid for a long time. Because of the severe pain in the mandible and the advanced disease, surgical sequestration of the necrosis and antibiotic treatment of the actinomycosis were necessary.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ASCORBIC ACID ON ISCHEMIC AND REPERFUSED RAT HEART

Summary Oxidative stress plays a major role in the biochemical and pathological changes associated with myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI). The need to identify agents with a potential for preventing such damage has assumed great importance. In the present study, the effect of oral administration of ascorbic acid on oxidative stress induced by ischemic-reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart was investigated. Eighteen Wister rats were divided into sham-operated control group (I) (n=6), ischemia and reperfusion group (II) (n=6) and ascorbic acid treated group (1mg kg -1 p.o./day for 7 consecutive days before induced ischemia reperfusion) group (III) (n=6). Hearts from all the groups were then processed for biochemical analysis. One way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test was applied to test for significance and values are expressed as mean±SEM (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in myocardial catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in group III as compared to group II. There was depletion of myocardial endogenous antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GPx) was observed in control rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion group II. The present study demonstrated for the ascorbic acid protected rat heart from oxidative stress associated with ischemic-reperfusion injury.
Associative effect of feeding jowar straw in combination with soybean straw to crossbred (HF X Deoni) interse calves on digestibility and economics

Experiment was designed to improve the utilization of soybean straw by simple physical mixing of jowar straw with soybean straw. Nine H.F. X Deoni cross bred interse calves of 6 to 12 months of age were selected. Three calves under each treatment were allotted with similar weight and age forming three groups. The control group was fed with jowar straw adlib + concentrate (T0) and the group with jowar straw 50% and soybean straw 50% + concentrate was designated as treatment T1 and T2 having 100% soybean straw + concentrate as per requirement. Total experimental period was of 105 days in switch over design with a period of 35 days per period. The digestibility of dry matter in cross-bred calves under treatment T1 (56.77%) was significantly (P<0.05) superior over treatment T0 (55.75%) and T2 (55.35%). The digestibility of CP, CF, EE and NFE under treatment T0, T1 and T2 was 55.77, 57.77 and 56.00, 52.18, 52.61 and 51.64, 53.15, 56.00 and 54.71 and 56.62, 56.70 and 56.76 per cent, respectively. The cost per kg body weight gain was highest in treatment T0 (Rs. 48.99) and followed by T1 (Rs. 43.09) and T2 (Rs. 39.11).
The Influence of Writing Beliefs on Two Chinese EFL University Students’ Use of Peer Feedback: An Ecological Perspective

Despite the increasing popularity of peer feedback in EFL writing classrooms, little research has been conducted to explore how individual factors such as learner beliefs may influence L2 students’ use of peer feedback. From an ecological perspective (van Lier, 2000, 2004), this exploratory case study investigated the extent of peer feedback use by two purposefully-chosen Chinese EFL university students and how their use of feedback was mediated by learner beliefs, a salient factor that emerged from the study. Detailed qualitative data were collected from multiple sources: written documents, stimulated recall, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations. The findings indicated that the two students integrated peer comments selectively into their revision across two tasks. The selective use of peer feedback was found to be mediated by writing beliefs related to qualities of good English expository writing, to the importance of word limit and to student reviewer roles. Seen from an ecological perspective (van Lier, 2000, 2004), these writing beliefs were employed by the students to create affordances to mediate the use of feedback while some of these beliefs were shaped by local classroom affordances (Peng, 2011). Pedagogical implications of the findings are also discussed.