Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Feasibility of Constraining Dark Energy Using LAMOST Redshift Survey

We consider using future redshift surveys with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) to constrain the equation of state of dark energy ω. We analyze the Alcock & Paczynski (AP) effect imprinted on the two-point correlation function of galaxies in redshift space. The Fisher matrix analysis is applied to estimate the expected error bounds of ω0 and ωa from galaxy redshift surveys, ω0 and ωa being the two parameters in the equation of state parametrization ω(z) = ω0+ωaz/(1+z). Strong degeneracies between ω0 and ωa are found. The direction of the degeneracy in ω0−ωa plane, however, rotates counter-clockwise as the redshift increases. LAMOST can potentially contribute in the redshift range up to 0.5. In combination with other high redshift surveys, such as the proposed Kilo-Aperture Optical Spectrograph project (KAOS), the joint constraint derived from galaxy surveys at different redshift ranges is likely to efficiently break the degeneracy of ω0 and ωa. We do not anticipate that the nature of dark energy can be well constrained with LAMOST alone, but it may help to reduce the error bounds expected from other observations, such as the Supernova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP).
An Empirical Study of Taiwan’s Real Business Cycle

We study the characteristics of the real business cycle and the sources of the economic fluctuation in Taiwan over the last forty years, when it experienced both developing and developed stages of the economy, by considering a small open economy real business cycle model with financial friction. In particular, the breaking time point that distinguishes between developing and developed stages of the economy in Taiwan is chosen on the basis of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We use a Bayesian approach to obtain the posterior densities for the structural parameters of interest. Conditioning on the Bayesian point estimates, the posterior mean in particular, we generate a set of statistical moments and related statistics that characterize the features and sources of the real business cycle. We find that a real business cycle model with financial friction explains the features of real business cycle in a developing stage of Taiwan’s economy well. However, the results it provides are unsatisfactory for matching the characteristics of real business cycle in a developed stage of Taiwan’s economy. In addition, the technology shock explains a large fraction of the economic fluctuation, particularly in real output, consumption and investment. More precisely, permanent technology shock explains a larger fraction of the economic fluctuation than a transitory technology shock.
Relationship Between ISO 9001:2008 QMS and the Tangibiles of Services Offered in Public Universities in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between ISO 9001:2008 management systems and the tangibility of services offered in Kenyan Universities. The study employed correlational research design and the target population for the study comprised of academic staff, administrators and students in the public universities. The population of the study was 305 214 respondents and therefore a normal sample of 384 respondents was adequate for the study. A sample of 222 students, 72 members of academic staff and 90 members of administrators were proportionately sampled. Linear regression analysis statistics at α = 0.05 level of significance was used to empirically test the hypothesis. The study established that ISO 9001:2008 had significant relationship between the tangibility of service offered in public universities with variations of 9% and 37% of quality from teaching staff respondents and student’s respondents respectively but contradicted by administrative staff who showed zero variations. Keywords : ISO 9001:2008 QMS, Tangibility of services, public universities
Overstory treatment and planting season affect survival of replacement tree species in emerald ash borer threatened Fraxinus nigra forests in Minnesota, USA

Fraxinus nigra Marsh. (black ash) wetland forests in northern Minnesota, USA, are threatened by the invasive insect, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (EAB)). A potential management option is promoting regeneration of tree species that are not EAB hosts to maintain ecosystem functions. Using an operational-scale field experiment, we examined the survival of 12 alternative tree species in response to different canopy treatments. We planted the seedlings in 1.6 ha plots assigned to four replicated canopy treatments: untreated control, group selection (0.04 ha gaps, 20% of stand), black ash girdling to emulate EAB-induced mortality, and clearcut. Fall and spring plantings were used to compare the effects of spring ponding. Control (32.9%), group selection (34.5%), and girdling (33.3%) treatments had comparable overall seedling survival. Survival in the clear-cut treatments was significantly lower (22%). Species selection, overstory treatment, and season of planting together resulted in surviva.
MEASURING OF PARTICULATE MATTER LEVELS IN THE GREATER AREA OF ATHENS AT TWO DIFFERENT MONITORING SITES

Simultaneous PM10 and PM2.5 sampling was conducted for a six months period, at two sites of different characteristics. The first site was located in an urban background location in the North-Eastern part of GAA, affected by primary emission sources and particle transport from other parts of the GAA basin. The second site was located in central Athens, at a busy roadway, affected by heavy traffic-related and commercial activities. Additionally, continuous field measurements of PM fractions were also performed using direct-reading monitor in parallel with gravimetric samplers. The mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations for the sampling period were 26.2 and 13. 7μg m -3 and 40.1 and 22.8 μg m -3 for ZOG and ARI, respectively. The PM2.5/PM10 ratio found 0.52 and 0.57 for ZOG and ARI, respectively. The coefficient of variation calculated equal to 0.40 for both fractions. Additionally, the weekday/weekend discernment of the particulate concentration levels for each site display different characteristics of the emission sources and composition, while the diurnal distribution of particulate levels demonstrated the dependence of the PM levels on anthropogenic activities and habits. Both the local meteorological conditions and the air mass history indicating long-range atmospheric transport of particles are significant parameters that influence the levels of PM.
Influence of maturity stage of mango at harvest on its ripening quality

Introduction . The subjectivity of the external criteria used for the determination of mango maturity at its harvest led to the search for additional more reliable parameters to determine the optimal harvest maturity and able to replace the external and internal morphological indices. Materials and methods . Some physicochemical characteristics, such as colour of pulp, soluble dry extract, titratable acidity and weight loss, were evaluated on fruits of the cv. Kent (Mangifera indica L.) collected in North Cote d’Ivoire. The days necessary for ripening after harvest were estimated. Measurements were correlated to five maturity stages corresponding to the fruit harvest carried out at (76, 82, 88, 94 and 100) days after flowering. On each date of harvest, batches of 52 fruits were gathered. On half of them, maturation was observed as of harvest, the other half being kept at room temperature and the ripening evaluation then being done at the end of storage. Results . According to the harvest date, the soluble dry extract values varied from 8.3 °Brix to 10 °Brix at fruit harvest, and from 14.2 °Brix to 20 °Brix after ripening of the fruits stored at ambient temperature. Titratable acidity was correlated positively with maturity stage. Time to ripen and weight loss continuously decreased with the fruit maturity. For mangos of the cv. Kent, the date of the most suitable harvest seemed to be at 94 days after flowering. Mangos collected at 100 days after flowering developed better organoleptic characteristics such as sugar content, peel aspect and pulp colour than those of the fruit harvested earlier. Conclusion . Starting from the 94th day after flowering, the mango of the cv. Kent collected under the conditions of the North Cote d’Ivoire develops its best organoleptic characteristics during ripening.
The Influence of Corporate Governance, Size, Growth and Performance to Executive Compensation (Study of Indonesian Capital Market)

Abstract The purposes of this study are as follows: (1) to determine whether executive compensation policies influenced by corporate governance practices, (2) to determine whether executive compensation policy are influenced by the size, growth and performance. This research have done in 2014 with the observation period from 2009 to 2011. The methods of collecting data in this research through the observations of the financial statements of companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. This study used inferential statistical methods in analyzing the data that is processed by regression analysis. The results showed performance and size have the positive effect significantly on the executive compensation. Abstrak Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah sebagai berikut: (1) menentukan apakah kebijakan kompensasi eksekutif dipengaruhi oleh corporate governance (2) untuk menentukan apakah kebijakan kompensasi eksekutif dipengaruhi oleh ukuran, pertumbuhan dan kinerja. Penelitian ini telah dilakukan pada tahun 2014 dengan periode pengamatan dari tahun 2009 sampai 2011. Metode pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini melalui pengamatan terhadap laporan keuangan perusahaan yang tercatat di Bursa Efek Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode statistik inferensial dalam menganalisis data yang diolah dengan analisis regresi. Hasilnya menunjukkan kinerja dan ukuran memiliki efek positif secara signifikan terhadap kompensasi eksekutif.
Effects of branch expansion on bank efficiency: evidence from Japanese regional banks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether branch expansions have realized efficiency gains by focussing on regional banks in Japan. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a single-step estimation procedure, where both cost frontier parameters and inefficiency effects are addressed simultaneously, and examine the impact of expanding branch networks on bank performance. Findings – The findings show that regional banks expanding their branch networks to certain levels exhibit lower cost inefficiencies. Robustness results are also obtained from the samples, excluding the regional banks located in urban regions. Originality/value – The findings suggest that adequate levels of branch expansion have beneficial impacts for regional banks, although this result is contrary to the current region-based relationship banking policy promoted by Japan’s financial regulators.
Morphological characterization of nanofibers: methods and application in practice

Biomedical applications such as wound dressing for skin regeneration, stem cell transplantation, or drug delivery require special demands on the three-dimensional porous scaffolds. Besides the biocompatibility and mechanical properties, the morphology is the most important attribute of the scaffold. Specific surface area, volume, and size of the pores have considerable effect on cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation. In the case of incorporated biologically active substances, their release is also influenced by the internal structure of nanofibers. Although many scientific papers are focused on the preparation of nanofibers and evaluation of biological tests, the morphological characterization was described just briefly as service methods. The aim of this paper is to summarize the methods applicable for morphological characterization of nanofibers and supplement it by the results of our research. Needleless electrospinning technique was used to prepare nanofibers from polylactide, poly(e-caprolactone), gelatin, and polyamide. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the fiber diameters and to reveal eventual artifacts in the nanofibrous structure. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements were employed to measure the specific surface areas. Mercury porosimetry was used to determine total porosities and compare pore size distributions of the prepared samples.
An investigation on fire effects within xeric sage grouse brood habitat.

We investigated the short-term influence of fire on xeric sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) brood habitat in southeastern Idaho from 1990-92. A prescribed fire in 1989 removed Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis Nutt.)/threetip sagebrush (A. tripartita Rydb.) canopy cover from approximately 57% of a 5,800-ha area, potentially influencing brood-rearing habitat. Although the fire created a mosaic of sagebrush areas interspersed with open areas having abundant grasses and forbs, the relative abundance of males, females, and broods on survey routes in burned and unburned habitat were similar. Cover of forbs important in sage grouse summer diets was similar in burned and unburned habitat. However, the abundance of Hymenoptera, an insect Order important in sage grouse diets, was significantly lower in burned habitat the second and third years postburn. Our research did not support the contention that fire may enhance sage grouse brood-rearing habitat.
Simulated Leachate of Soil from Petroleum, Diesel and Kerosene Dispensing Sites Induced DNA Damage using Ames Salmonella Test and SOS Chromo Test

Indiscriminate location of petrol filling stations is of public health concern, as these filling stations are located around residential and agricultural areas. This study assessed the mutagenicity of simulated leachate from soil collected from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites (sites 1, 2 and 3 respectively) in a petrol station by using two standard microbial assays: the Salmonella reverse mutation assay (Ames test) and the E. coli SOS chromo assay. Physico-chemical parameters of the samples were also analyzed. The result of the Ames test showed mutagenicity of the test samples. The SOS Chromotest results were in agreement with those of the Ames Salmonella fluctuation test. The petrol dispensing site soil was the most mutagenic, followed by the diesel dispensing site and then kerosene dispensing site soils. The level of mutagenicity observed correlates with the level of the physic-chemical parameters analyzed. Fe, Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb analyzed in the samples were believed to play significant role in the observed mutagenicity in the microbial assays. The results of this study showed that the simulated leachate from soil contaminated with petroleum products showed strong indication of a mutagenic risk. This should foster legislation about the location of petrol filling stations away from residential and agricultural areas.
Low water column nitrogen fixation in the Mediterranean Sea: Basin-wide experimental evidence

The abundance and nitrogen fixation rates of Trichodesmium sp. integrated down to the deep chlorophyll maximum as well as nitrogen fixation rates in size-fractionated discrete surface water samples were measured across the Mediterranean Sea. The abundance of Trichodesmium sp. was generally low ( 20°C and Trichodesmium sp. was present at a higher density (ca. 700 trichomes m -3 ). Across the basin, size-fractionated nitrogen fixation rates were low (<250 nmol N2 m -3 h -1 ). The highest rate was measured at a station characterized by relatively high concentrations of total dissolved P and dissolved Fe. High δ 15 N values (8.04 ± 2.03‰) of the particulate organic nitrogen were in accordance with the observed low water column nitrogen fixation rates across the Mediter- ranean Sea.
Mountain Waves Entering the Stratosphere

Using the National Science Foundation (NSF)‐NCAR Gulfstream V and the NSF‐Wyoming King Air research aircraft during the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) in March‐April 2006, six cases of Sierra Nevada mountain waves were surveyed with 126 cross-mountain legs. The goal was to identify the influence of the tropopause on waves entering the stratosphere. During each flight leg, part of the variation in observed parameters was due to parameter layering, heaving up and down in the waves. Diagnosis of the combined wave-layering signal was aided with innovative use of new GPS altitude measurements. The ozone and water vapor layering correlated with layered Bernoulli function and cross-flow speed. GPS-corrected static pressure was used to compute the vertical energy flux, confirming, for the first time,
The Epidemiology of Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in Larestan, 2006-2008

Introduction:: Leishmaniasis is one of the six important tropical diseases, different aspects of which are required to be studied, as recommended by World Health Organization. This study investigated the status of Antroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Larestan. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were gathered through the epidemiological survey forms of the patients including questions on age, sex, the number of sores, location of the lesion, place of residence, and the type of construction. The data were analyzed by SPSS, version 15. Results: From776 patients, 327 (42.1%) were male and 449 (57.9%) female. The highest prevalence was in the age group of 0-9 years (43.9%) and the lowest was in 60 33 (4.3%). The mean of age and its standard deviation were 18.27 and 17.8, respectively with the range of 1-84. Of the patients, 575 (74.1%) were villagers and 201(25.9%) of them were residents of the urban areas. More than 484 (62.4%) patients had more than one sore. 406 (52.3%) of them were living in newly-built houses and 47.7 were living in old house. The high risk parts of the body were the hands; 301(58.4%) patients had sores on their hands. Conclusion: This study showed that the sex pattern of the disease differs from that in other areas and children under 10 years of age are mostly at risk. Also, leishmaniasis was mostly seen in rural areas; therefore, prevention measures must be taken together with education for groups at risk.
Teacher's Discoursal Strategies in Providing Positive Feedback to Student Responses: A Study of Four English Immersion Teachers in People's Republic of China

This paper investigates the discoursal strategies of four teachers in providing feedback to student responses in English classrooms in Xi’an, People’s Republic of China. The fi ndings indicate that the teachers provide positive feedback for students English learning in various ways, including using the most common strategies such as accepting, encouraging, and repeating, as well as the strategies of extending and prompting. This study indicates that these strategies are benefi cial to the students’ linguistic and cognitive development because they provide comprehensible input and require English-speaking on the part of students. Although some of the strategies appear to be common among teachers in English-speaking educational systems, they are identifi ed explicitly in this study because they are strategies different from those used in traditional language classrooms in China. In addition, this study differs from the previous work done in that it posits the analysis of discourses in extended exchanges within one thematic topic. These exchanges usually consist of more than one round of initiation – response – followup (IRF) sequence. Such broadened IRF sequences provide a rich and meaningful situated context from which the education on the function of classroom discourse can be made.
THE EFFECTS OF SPICE BLENDS IN AN APPLE-BASED EXTRUDED CEREAL-LIKE PRODUCT: MAXIMIZING FLAVOR AND HEALTH by BRANDON EUGENE BELL

The potential health benefits of spices, used as flavor enhancers since ancient times, are being explored more and more by researchers in animal and in vitro models. The application of mood and emotion constructs to understand the consumer psyche is a relatively new area of study in food science. The main objective of our study was to determine if spices (a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves) that have high antioxidant properties evoke/change emotions in consumers. The carrier food, an extruded apple-based cereal-like product, was selected because cereals are convenient and consumed by many. Three cereal-like products containing 0, 4, or a 5% spice blend were extruded at Kansas State University. Four consumer tests, one day of hedonic and just-about-right evaluations (n= 100), followed by three days of emotion testing were carried out. For the emotion tests, 25 consumers saw the control sample three times, 25 consumers saw the 4% blend sample three times, 25 consumers saw the 5% blend sample three times, and 25 consumers saw all three samples once. In a clinical trial (n=10), total antioxidant capacity and blood glucose levels were determined from two samples (control and the 4% blend). The data were subjected to analysis of variance and principal components analysis to determine significant effects and trends in the data, respectively. ̳Calm‘ was the only emotion that was significantly different in all three samples, which decreased over time (preconsumption to 1-hour post consumption). The emotion ̳Satisfied‘ increased significantly in the 5% blend showing that there might have been an effect because of the higher spice content. The PCAs showed that for the 4% and 5% blends, the movement of the consumers was towards emotions such as active, energetic, and enthusiastic. There were no trends for the control. For the clinical trial, the 4% blend was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity than the baseline, although the differences in absolute terms are debatable. Blood glucose levels were not significantly different. Future research needs to be done to better understand how individual emotions affect overall liking and product acceptance.
Entropy and Temperature from Entangled Space and Time

Two coupled oscillators provide a mathematical instrument for solving many problems in modern physics, including squeezed states of light and Lorentz transformations of quantum bound states. The concept of entanglement can also be studied within this mathematical framework. For the system of two entangled photons, it is of interest to study what happens to the remaining photon if the other photon is not observed. It is pointed out that this problem is an issue of Feynman's rest of the universe. For quantum bound-state problems, it is pointed out the longitudinal and time-like coordinates become entangled when the system becomes boosted. Since time-like oscillations are not observed, the problem is exactly like the two-photon system where one of the photons is not observed. While the hadron is a quantum bound state of quarks, it appears quite differently when it moves rapidly than when it moves slowly. For slow hadrons, Gell-Mann's quark model is applicable, while Feynman's parton model is applicable to hadrons with their speeds close to that of light. While observing the temperature dependence of the speed, it is possible to explain the quark-to-parton transition as a phase transition.