Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Searching for dark matter in X-rays: how to check the dark matter origin of a spectral feature

A signal from decaying dark matter (DM) can be unambiguously distinguished from spectral features of astrophysical or instrumental origin by studying its spatial distribution. We demonstrate this approach by examining the recent claim of Loewenstein and Kusenko regarding the possible DM origin of the 2.5 keV line in Chandra observations of the Milky Way satellite known as Willman 1. Our conservative strategy is to adopt, among reasonable mass estimates derived here and in the literature, a relatively large dark mass for Willman 1 and relatively small dark masses for the comparison objects. In light of the large uncertainty in the actual DM content of Willman 1, this strategy provides minimum exclusion limits on the DM origin of the reported signal. We analyse archival observations by XMM-Newton of M31 and Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) and Chandra observations of Sculptor dSph. By performing a conservative analysis of X-ray spectra, we show the absence of a DM decay line with parameters consistent with those of Loewenstein and Kusenko. For M31, the observations of the regions between 10 and 20 kpc from the centre, where the uncertainties in the DM distribution are minimal, make a strong exclusion at the level above 10 Sigma. The Fornax dSph provides a similar to 3.3 Sigma exclusion instead of a predicted 4 Sigma detection, and the Sculptor dSph provides a 3 Sigma exclusion instead of a predicted 2.5 Sigma detection. The observations of the central region of M31 (1-3 kpc off-centre) are inconsistent with having a DM decay line at more than 20 Sigma if one takes the most conservative among the best physically motivated models. The minimal estimate for the amount of DM in the central 40 kpc of M31 is provided by the model of Corbelli et al., assuming the stellar disc's mass to light ratio similar to 8 and almost constant DM density within a core of 28 kpc. Even in this case one gets an exclusion at 5.7 Sigma from central region of M31, whereas modelling all processed data from M31 and Fornax produces more than 14 Sigma exclusion. Therefore, despite possible systematic uncertainties, we exclude the possibility that the spectral feature at similar to 2.5 keV found in Loewenstein and Kusenko is a DM decay line. We conclude, however, that the search for DM decay line, although demanding prolonged (up to 1 Ms) observations of well-studied dSphs, M31 outskirts and other similar objects, is rather promising, as the nature of a possible signal can be checked. An (expected) non-observation of a DM decay signal in the planned observations of Willman 1 should not discourage further dedicated observations.
WEAKLY BIASED MAPS AS A GENERALIZATION OF OCCASIONALLY WEAKLY COMPATIBLE MAPS

In this paper, we characterize the notion of weakly biased maps as a generalization of occasionally weakly compatible(owc) maps and establish common fixed point theorems for two pairs of weakly biased (resp. of type (A)) by using property (E.A.), without appealing continuity and completeness of space. The results improve and extend Theorem 2.11 in [12] and Theorem 3.5 in [10]. AMS Subject Classification: 47H10, 54H25
Bacteriophage prophylaxis against Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella pullorum using Caenorhabditis elegans as an assay system

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been used as animal model system to study bacterial pathogenesis. In this study we used C. elegans in a bacteriophage prophylaxis assay to test phage protection against infection by Salmonella enteritidis and S. pullorum. We found that pretreatment of nematodes with bacteriophage that lyse S. enteritidis and S. pullorum results in enhanced survival of C. elegans, when challenged with these bacterial pathogens. It is useful to have cheap, manageable and reproducible animal assay systems to test aspects related to bacterial pathogenicity and its control. In this respect, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a valid animal
A Teacher's Guide to Helping Young Dancers Cope with Psychological Aspects of Hip Injuries

Abstract Hip injuries are a potentially significant and debilitating condition. In addition to the physical complications, there are serious psychological consequences that can be as incapacitating as the physical damage. This review presents two case studies that describe salient issues that may arise when a young dancer is injured, and outlines practical strategies to help teachers manage psychological recovery in class and rehearsal. The two adolescent females in these examples each suffered a long-term, chronic injury to the hip and were subsequently unable to dance for a period of several months. They each discuss the ongoing progress of the injury, and the resultant devastation they experienced emotionally. Practical strategies for helping young dancers cope with the psychological aspects of hip injuries include: modification of dance activities, alternative activities during dance practice, activities outside the studio, and the encouragement of psychosocial strategies for recovery. Each of these areas is examined and suggestions are provided for dance teachers dealing with injured dancers.
The Economics of Secession: Analysing the Economic Impact of the Collapse of the Former Yugoslavia

Abstract This paper looks at the economic impact of secession through the lens of the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. It uses an econometric analysis covering the period between 1956 and 2011—including a series of factors linked to the independence process, socio-economic and structural controls, and the level of development—in order to assess whether (a) breaking away from the former Yugoslavia delivered an ‘independence dividend’ to the newly independent countries and whether (b) independence had a more favourable impact in richer, rather than poorer territories. The results of the analysis underline that there has been no favourable economic impact of secession and that how secession was achieved is key in understanding the subsequent economic performance of the newly independent countries. In cases of secession without conflict, independence did not have a noticeable impact on ensuing economic performance. Secession achieved by conflict, by contrast, seriously dented growth prospects.
The decline of Europe and the US: shifts in the world economy and in global politics

At the same time, however, the aforementioned nations are too weak because they – despite strong economic growth – are unable to eradicate poverty in their own countries, and an extremely imbalanced distribution of income and wealth prevails, resulting in massive social problems. The weak infrastructure, technological underdevelopment, and low levels of education of the majority of the population are characteristic of their economic and social situations.
Temporal limits of the power law aftershock decay rate

[1] We compare the aftershock decay rate in natural data with predictions from a stochastic analytical model based on a Markov process with stationary transition rates. These transition rates vary according to the magnitude of a scalar representing the state of stress and defined as the overload. Thus, the aftershock decay rate in the model is a sum of independent exponential decay functions with different characteristic times. From different shapes of the overload distribution and different expressions of the transition rates, we discuss the magnitude of the exponent of the power law aftershock decay rate and the time interval over which we can expect to observe this regime. Before and after this time interval, we show that the decay is linear and exponential, respectively. From our analytical solutions, we deduce a model of aftershock decay rate in which a power law scaling exponent and two characteristic rates emerge. One rate is a short-term linear decrease before the onset of the power law decay to account for a finite number of events at zero time, and the other one can be interpreted as an inverse correlation time, after which aftershocks no longer occur. Then, we interpret the empirical modified Omori law (MOL) and its parameters in the framework of our theoretical model. We suggest a technique to systematically estimate and interpret the temporal limits of the power law aftershock decay rate in real sequences. We approximate these temporal limits from data available from several well-known aftershock sequences and show from an Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) that, in almost all cases examined here, our model fits better the aftershock decay rate than the MOL despite a quantitative penalty for the extra parameter required. From this work, we conclude that the time delay before the onset of the power law decay may be related to the recurrence time of an earthquake. Finally, we suggest that the power law decay rates extend over longer times according to the concentration of the deformation along dominant major faults.
Implications of multilateral tariff bindings on the formation of preferential trade agreements and quest for global free trade

Using an endogenous preferential trade agreement (PTA) formation model under all possible multilaterally negotiated bound tariff rates, we examine the effects of multilateral trade liberalization on the role of PTAs in achieving global free trade. We first show that, when countries are completely symmetric, no country has an incentive to unilaterally deviate (free ride) from free trade network while exclusion incentives arise when bound tariffs are sufficiently low. Due to the relatively flexible nature of the FTA formation, such exclusion incentives go unexercised and free trade always obtains as the coalition-proof Nash equilibrium (CPNE) of the FTA game. However, such flexibility does not exist under the CU game and thus countries are able to exercise the exclusion incentive and free trade fails to be CPNE when the bound tariff rates are sufficiently low. We then consider a scenario where countries are asymmetric with respect to their comparative advantage. The country with a weaker comparative advantage has an incentive to free ride on trade liberalization of the other two countries and lower bound tariff rates disciplines this incentive via limiting the ability to set optimal tariffs. As a result, multilateral free trade is more likely to be a CPNE as the multilateral negotiated bound tariff rates decline. This result provides support for the idea that multilateral trade liberalization acts as a complement to the FTA formation in achieving global free trade.
Factors influencing the clutch size, number of broods and annual fecundity of North American and European land birds

We conducted a comparative analysis of 373 North American and 252 European land bird species to determine whether clutch size, annual number of broods and annual fecundity (clutch size × annual number of broods) are influenced by body size, diet, nest type, nest location, nestling development, migratory behaviour, habitat, latitude, continent and the phylogenetic relatedness among the species. The most significant factors influencing the three life-history traits were body size, nestling development, migratory behaviour and latitude. Body size had a negative effect on clutch size, number of broods and annual fecundity. Precocial species had larger clutches, fewer broods and higher annual fecundity than altricial birds. Long-distance migrants had smaller clutches, fewer broods and lower annual fecundity than short-distance migrants and residents. With increasing latitude, there was a significant increase in clutch size and a similarly strong decrease in number of broods, but no latitudinal gradient in annual fecundity. Thus, birds breeding at high latitudes had, on average, the same annual fecundity as species breeding at low latitudes (within North America and Europe). Phylogenetic effects were strong, particularly in clutch size. However, controlling for phylogenetic effects using permutational phylogenetic regression had only a minor influence on the results. Comparing the present results with those of previous studies on the three life-history traits demonstrates that results differ considerably and depend mainly on the diversity of bird species included in the study.
STROKE INDEX VALUES ACCORDING TO LEVEL, GENDER, SWIMMING STYLE AND EVENT RACE DISTANCE

The performance of swimmers competing in all events at the First World Short Course Championships and at the XXXVII Winter Spanish Championship were videotaped and analyzed to determine stroke length (SL), stroke rate (SR), average velocity (v) and stroke index (SI); relationships were then taking into account the final time (FT), level, gender, swimming style and event distance. Results revealed significant correlation between SI and FT at both championships in all the butterfly race distances. SI may be used as performance index being significantly greater in male swimmers than female in all the events, independently of their level. The freestyle had the greatest SI followed by the backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke. The general tendency indicates that as the distance of the race increases the SI decreases.
The Choice of Monetary Policy Regime for Small Open Economies

Inflation targeting and exchange rate targeting, including monetary union, are analyzed in a simple, estimated macroeconomic model of a small open economy. Flexible inflation targeting produces lower nominal and real variability than exchange rate targeting because the latter gives rise to persistent oscillations in the real interest rate and the real exchange rate due to the 'Walters' effect'. We find, however, that with commitment to simple instrument rules, the performance of flexible inflation targeting can almost be matched.
PENGARUH PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN TENTANG PHBS DENGAN MEDIA PERMAINAN ULAR TANGGA DAN CERAMAH TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN SISWA SD NEGERI LIMPAKUWUS KABUPATEN BANYUMAS TAHUN 2017

AbstrakMenurut data PHBS tatanan Institusi Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar Tahun 2016 dari Puskesmas Sumbang 1 danPuskesmas Sumbang 2, jumlah nilai terendah terdapat di SDN Limpakuwus. Berdasarkan kuisioner yang didapatPuskesmas Sumbang 2 mengenai data PHBS di SDN Limpakuwus, tidak terdapat dokter kecil atau kaderkesehatan, terdapat siswa yang merokok, tidak terdapat gerakan PSN dengan 3M, siswa tidak menjadi anggotaDana Sehat/JPK, serta tidak terdapat warung sekolah/kantin yang sehat. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahuipengaruh pendidikan kesehatan tentang PHBS dengan media permainan ular tangga dan ceramah terhadappeningkatan pengetahuan siswa SD Negeri Limpakuwus Kecamatan Sumbang Kabupaten Banyumas Tahun 2017.Jenis penelitian ini adalah pra eksperimen. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa sekolah dasar SDN 1Limpakuwus dan SDN 2 Limpakuwus Kabupaten Banyumas. Sampel dalam penelitian berjumlah 40 siswa, dengan20 siswa kelas IV SDN 1 Limpakuwus yang mendapatkan pendidikan kesehatan dengan media permainan ulartangga serta 20 siswa kelas IV SDN 2 Limpakuwus yang mendapatkan pendidikan kesehatan dengan ceramah.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan hasil uji t berpasangan pada kelompok perlakuan 1 denganmenggunakan media ular tangga didapatkan hasil nilai p 0,000 0,005 yang berarti terdapat perbedaan bermaknaantara nilai pretest dan posttest pada kelompok perlakuan 1. Sedangkan pada kelompok perlakuan 2 denganceramah didapatkan hasil bahwa nilai p 0,513 0,005 yang berarti tidak ada perbedaan bermakna antara nilaipretest dan posttest pada kelompok perlakuan 2. Hasil uji t tidak berpasangan antara kelompok media ular tanggadan ceramah didapatkan hasil nilai p 0,000 0,005. Artinya bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna antarakelompok perlakuan.Kesimpulan dalam penelitian ini adalah terdapat pengaruh pendidikan kesehatan tentangPHBS dengan media permainan ular tangga, namun tidak terdapat pengaruh pendidikan kesehatan tentang PHBSdengan cermah.Peneliti menyarankan kepada peneliti selanjutnya untuk dapat mengontrol variabel pengganggusecara ketat yang meliputi waktu penelitian yang sama dan jarak waktu pretest-posttest yang sama.
The use of a Performance Assessment for Identifying Gifted Lebanese Students: Is DISCOVER Effective?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of DISCOVER, a performance-based assessment in identifying gifted Lebanese students. The sample consisted of 248 students (121 boys, 127 girls) from Grades 3–5 at two private schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Students were administered DISCOVER and the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM). Teachers and parents of identified students were interviewed. Results showed evidence for DISCOVER's concurrent validity with RSPM, as correlations between students' DISCOVER ratings in spatial intelligence and their Raven scores were high, whereas correlations between students' DISCOVER ratings in linguistic intelligences and their Raven scores were low. Parents' and teachers' interviews corroborated the results, with a few exceptions. Of the total sample, 14.5% were identified, with no gender differences. The researcher concluded that DISCOVER could be used effectively in Lebanon for identification purposes, but further research is needed to support the findings.
Simulation based complex energy assessment of office building fenestration

Abstract The number of office buildings with highly fenestrated facades is currently increasing in Lithuania and neighboring countries. Highly fenestrated facades reduce energy consumption for lighting and simultaneously increase energy consumption for heating, cooling, air conveying and may cause thermal and visual discomfort. Pursuing to reduce negative effects of the highly glazed facade, special glasses are frequently used. However, such windows usually increase demand for lighting energy. Therefore, when making early decisions about glazing the building, it is important to have a complex evaluation of energy demand related to the specific case. The paper presents the results of analysis made using energy simulation tools. The obtained results have shown that when shading is not applied, the north is the most energy efficient orientation to glazing for an air conditioned office building in cool climate zones like Lithuania. The most energy efficient window‐to‐wall ratios (WWR) for the south, east and .
An integrated model for the assessment of global water resources – Part 2: Anthropogenic activities modules and assessments

To assess global water resources from the perspective of subannual variation in water resources and water use, an integrated water resources model was developed. In a companion report, we presented the global meteorological forcing input used to drive the model and two natural hydrological cycle modules, namely, the land surface hy5 drology module and the river routing module. Here, we present the remaining four modules, which represent anthropogenic activities: a crop growth module, a reservoir operation module, an environmental flow requirement module, and an anthropogenic withdrawal module. In addition, we discuss the results of a global water resources assessment using the integrated model. The crop growth module is a relatively simple 10 model based on heat unit theory and potential biomass and harvest index concepts. The performance of the crop growth module was examined extensively because agricultural water comprises approximately 70% of total water withdrawal in the world. The estimated crop calendar showed good agreement with earlier reports for wheat, maize, and rice in major countries of production. The estimated irrigation water withdrawal also 15 showed fair agreement with country statistics, but tended to underestimate countries in the Asian monsoon region. In the reservoir operation module, 452 major reservoirs with more than 1 km each of storage capacity store and release water according to their own rules of operation. Operating rules were determined for each reservoir using an algorithm that used currently available global data such as reservoir storage capac20 ity, intended purposes, simulated inflow, and water demand in the lower reaches. The environmental flow requirement module was newly developed based on case studies from around the world. The integrated model closes both energy and water balances on land surfaces. Global water resources were assessed on a subannual basis using a newly devised index that locates water-stressed regions that were undetected in ear25 lier studies. These regions, which are indicated by a gap in the subannual distribution of water resources and water use, include the Sahel, the Asian monsoon region, and southern Africa. The integrated model is applicable to assess various global environ3584 mental projections such as climate change.
Prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase and metallo β-lactamase mediated resistance in Escherichia coli from diagnostic and tertiary healthcare centers in south Bangalore, India

Background: The increasing reports on multidrug resistant Escherichia coli has become a potential threat to global health. Here, we present a cross-sectional study to characterize extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase and metallo β-lactamase producing E. coli isolated from different human clinical samples. Methods: A total of 300 clinical Gram negative bacterial isolates were collected and re-characterized for the identification of E. coli following standard microbiological techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates was initially screened by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and MIC methods. The resistant isolates were confirmed to be ESBL, AmpC and MBL producers by their respective phenotypic confirmatory tests of combined disc method. Results: We identified 203 (68%) E. coli and 97 (32%) Non-E. coli isolates. The highest recovery of E. coli was from urine samples 72 (35%). Combined disc method using ceftazidime/ceftazidime+clavulanic acid and cefotaxime/cefotaxime+clavulanic acid confirmed 156 (79%) and 144 (73%) E. coli as ESBL producers, respectively. Thirty-four (34%) and 16 (27%) resistant E. coli isolates were confirmed to be AmpC and MBL producers, likewise. Conclusions: Increased prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and MBL producing E. coli were observed. Beta-lactamase mediated resistance appears to be prime mechanism in the multidrug resistant E. coli. Thus, early detection of beta lactamase producing E. coli is necessary to avoid treatment failure and prevent the spread of MDR.
Implementation of school-based assessment: the experienced teachers’ thoughts

Background: In School-Based Assessment (SBA), teachers have the autonomy to carry out formative and summative assessment.In a sense, teachers’ integrity and credibility is recognized and enhanced.Teachers are indeed suitable to continuously monitor their students’ performance in schools. SBA was officially introduced by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and implemented in stages, in-line with the Standards based Primary School Curriculum, starting in the year 2011 as part of Malaysia’s educational reform.Literature has shown that teachers still have difficulty in accepting the changes made in the school assessment policy, they do not get sufficient information on SBA and as well as relevant trainings.Objective: This paper deals with the implementation of SBA in Malaysia and the issues related to its early years of implementation, which include teachers understanding of SBA and their readiness to implement SBA in their respective schools.This paper sets out to provide a glimpse of the purposively selected group of seven teachers’ understanding of SBA and to what extent are they ready to implement SBA in their schools. Results: In this exploratory qualitative study, it was found that there are respondents who lacked knowledge about SBA.Some of them were less satisfied with the ways knowledge about SBA was disseminated to them by the authorities.Some of the respondents also reported that despite some hiccups with the training's they received, they are ready to implement SBA in their schools. Conclusion: The findings in the study contribute to knowledge about teachers’ understanding of SBA and their state of readiness during the early years of the implementation of SBA within Malaysia’s education system.