Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Scintillation Studies of Pulsars. III. Testing Theoretical Models of Refractive Scintillation

Refractive interstellar scintillation (RISS) is thought to be the cause behind a variety of phenomena seen at radio wavelengths in pulsars and compact radio sources. Though there are substantial observational data to support several observable consequences of it, the quantitative predictions from theories have not been thoroughly tested. In this paper, data from our long-term scintillation study of 18 pulsars in the DM range 3-35 pc cm-3 are used to test the relevant theoretical predictions. The variabilities of decorrelation bandwidth (νd), scintillation timescale (τd), and flux density (F) are examined for their cross-correlation properties and compared with the existing predictions. The theory predicts a strong correlation between the fluctuations of νd and τd and strong anticorrelations between those of νd and F, and τd and F. For five pulsars, we see a reasonable agreement with the predictions. There is considerable difficulty in reconciling the results for the rest of the pulsars, most of which show the positive correlation between νd and τd but are characterized by poor flux correlations. In general, the measured correlations are lower than the predicted values. Our analysis shows that while the underlying noise sources can sometimes reduce the degree of correlation, they cannot give rise to an absence of correlation. It is also unlikely that the observed poor flux correlations arise from a hitherto unrecognized form of intrinsic flux variations of pulsars. For PSR B0834+06, which shows anomalous behavior in the form of persistent drift slopes, positive correlation is found between τd and the drift-corrected νd. Many pulsars show an anticorrelation between the fluctuations of νd and the drift rate of intensity patterns, and this is in accordance with simple minded expectations from theory. The detections of correlations between the fluctuations of different observables and a reasonable agreement seen between the predicted and measured correlations for some pulsars confirm RISS as the primary cause of the observed fluctuations. However, the complexity seen with the detailed results suggests the necessity of more comprehensive theoretical treatments for describing refractive fluctuations and their cross-correlations.
Le viaduc de la Grande Ravine : Un pont à effet d'arc limité et contrôlé

Le viaduc de la Grande Ravine fait partie des ouvrages dits exceptionnels de la Route des Tamarins. L'ouvrage franchit la breche de la Grande Ravine, dont les dimensions vertigineuses sont d'environ 320 m de large au niveau du terrain naturel et 170 m de profondeur. Les principales contraintes du projet sont environnementales (faune et flore protegees), topographiques (pentes tres importantes sur les flancs et tres grande profondeur interdisant toute construction a partir du fond de la ravine) et climatiques (risques cycloniques tant en construction qu'en service). L'ouvrage est constitue d'un tablier metallique a dalle orthotrope de 288 m de long rotule sur deux bracons en beton precontraint hautes performances inclines de 20° par rapport a l'horizontale. Le tablier est mis en place par lancage depuis les deux bords de la ravine. Les bracons sont encastres en pied sur des culees contrepoids et tenus en tete par des tirants constitues de câbles de precontrainte exterieure situes a l'interieur du tablier. Les culees sont fondees sur semelle superficielle a l'arriere sous le contrepoids et sur puits a l'avant. Le phasage de construction et les fonctionnements structurels differents avant et apres clavage, ainsi que le role des tirants provisoires et definitifs en font un ouvrage particulier, qui peut se definir comme un pont avec effet d'arc limite et controle.
Utilization of Different Microbes in Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils Stimulated With Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers

Different microbes (E.coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas sp) were utilized in degradation of different hydrocarbon (Engine oil/diesel, kerosene and fuel) contaminated soils amended with inorganic (NPK and urea) and organic (cow dung and poultry litter) fertilizers and in some their combination. The incubation period ranged from 3 – 18 days. Bacterial population count and residual hydrocarbon were determined . Results showed that bacterial population count increased as the microbes utilized hydrocarbon for carbon and energy sources, the increase in population count and degradation of the hydrocarbons was stimulated by the fertilizer. It was also observed that as the population count increased due to hydrocarbon utilization for carbon and energy, residual hydrocarbon decreased and percentage degradation increased. Urea fertilizer was the best amendment for E.coli to degrade kerosene, NPK and cow dung differently aided the same E.coli in degrading engine oil. Pseudomonas and Proteus species degraded kerosene and fuel better in the presence of NPK fertilizer. Klebsiella specie degraded diesel and engine oil better when amended with poultry litter and cow dung respectively at least for the first 9 days. More than 90% of the hydrocarbons were degraded within each incubation period. The microbes began to die as from the 15th day of incubation, this may be due to secretion of toxic secondary metabolites. Control experiments revealed that there was initial increase in population count of the microbes as they utilized the hydrocarbon for carbon and energy, but they began to die because of non-stimulation with fertilizer, therefore less than 50% of the hydrocarbons were degraded in all the control experiments. Maize seeds grew on the remediated soil within six (6) days of planting.
A Theoretical Analysis of the Influence of Money Injections on Risk Taking in Football Clubs

This paper analyzes the adverse incentive effects produced by money injections of benefactors [sugar daddies (SD)]. We show that the existence of a SD induces the club to choose a riskier investment strategy and the more the SD commits to bailout the club, the more the clubs’ optimal level of riskiness increases. Moreover, a private SD bails out the club less often than a public SD. Our model further shows that a ‘too‐big‐to‐fail’ phenomenon exists because it is optimal to always bailout a club if its market size is sufficiently large.
Physical, Mechanical and Durability Properties of Soil Building Blocks Reinforced with Synthetic Fibre

Earth construction is the most economic way to solve housing problems, particularly in case of low cost building, with the limitation of resources. The simplicity in production of earth blocks justifies by the availability of soil as raw material and by the less energy in production. Generally, fibre inclusion increases the strength and performance of the earth blocks. Synthetic fibre such as AR glass fibre, polypropylene fibre were used and investigated experimentally with different percentages of fibre 0.25 %, 0.50 %, 0.75 % and 1 % by weight of earth. A sequence of test was conducted with and without addition of fibre to soil building blocks. Physical properties, mechanical properties and durability properties specifically density test, water absorption by capillarity test, linear shrinkage, compressive test, indirect tensile stress, wearing test and erosion test were conducted and compared with different fibre ratio to determine the optimum fibre content in each mix order to produce blocks that will provide the maximum strength.
Predation on the western honey bee, Apis mellifera L., by the hornet, Vespa tropica (L.)

Hornets of the genus Vespa are recognized as efficient and devastating predators of honey bees, especially in tropical and subtropical biomes. Of the four species of honey bees in the genus Apis only A. dorsata Fabr. , the giant honey bee, appears free from attack by hornets (Seeley et al. 1982). De Jong (1978) reviewed the records of Vespa predation on A. mellifera and A. cerana Fabr. Matsurra and Sakagami (1973) provided a detailed description on V. mandarinia Smith attack behavior on A. mellifera in Japan. We observed the predation and ultimate destruction ofa small A. mellifera colony by V. tropica (L.) on the Kamphaeng Saen campus of Kasetsart University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand, during a four day period in December 1981. The honey bee colony consisted of four standard frames with a comb area of ca. 7,000 cm in a hive body with a volume of 21 1. The colony entrance was restricted to an area of ca. 3.5 cm2. The colony possessed one comb approximately one-half full of capped honey, two empty combs, one comb with an active brood nest and an estimated 0.5 kg of worker bees which occupied two combs. The brood nest was infested with the parasitic brood mite Tropilaelaps clareae Delfinado and Baker. Uninterrupted observations of hornet behavior at the colony were conducted on December 21 and 23 for a total of 19 h and 50 min. To facilitate the observations eight individual hornets were tagged on their thoraces with color and number coded discs. Observations were begun at 0730 h on the 21st and 0715 on the 23rd and cbntinued until after 1700 h on both days. The ambient temperature was 16C at the start of observations on both days and reached a
Distribution Inference for Physical and Orbital Properties of Jupiter’s Moons

According to the physical and orbital characteristics in Carme group, Ananke group, and Pasiphae group of Jupiter’s moons, the distributions of physical and orbital properties in these three groups are investigated by using one-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov nonparametric test. Eight key characteristics of the moons are found to mainly obey the Birnbaum–Saunders distribution, logistic distribution, Weibull distribution, and t location-scale distribution. Furthermore, for the moons’ physical and orbital properties, the probability density curves of data distributions are generated; the differences of three groups are also demonstrated. Based on the inferred results, one can predict some physical or orbital features of moons with missing data or even new possible moons within a reasonable range. In order to better explain the feasibility of the theory, a specific example is illustrated. Therefore, it is helpful to predict some of the properties of Jupiter’s moons that have not yet been discovered with the obtained theoretical distribution inference.
Beyond the chains that bind: the political crisis of unions in Western Europe

The dynamics of neo-liberal restructuring have generated serious tensions in the institutional alignments between social democratic political parties and labor unions in Western Europe. This article explores the origins, development and consequences of the resulting political crisis through a detailed analysis of the institutional alignment of parties and unions in Sweden, Germany, UK and France. The authors reject the argument that the changing contours of the party-union nexus can be understood solely on the basis of a rational choice analysis of labor movement actors in favor of an account that also highlights the importance of historical path dependency and ideological orientation. The resulting complexity of union responses to the crisis of the party-union nexus is explored through the construction of a typology that charts union reorientation along the dimensions of accommodation with, or resistance against, neo-liberalism and within and beyond the national political context.
Atomic Gas in Blue Ultra Diffuse Galaxies around Hickson Compact Groups

We have found the atomic gas (H i) reservoirs of the blue ultra diffuse galaxy (UDG) candidates identified by Róman and Trujillo in images near Hickson Compact Groups (HCGs). We confirm that all of the objects are indeed UDGs with effective radii kpc. Three of them are likely to be gravitationally bound to the HCG near which they project, one is plausibly gravitationally bound to the nearest HCG, and one is in the background. We measure H i masses and velocity widths for each object directly from the spectra, and use the widths together with the UDG effective radii to estimate dynamical masses and halo spin parameters. The location of the blue UDGs in the H i mass–stellar mass plane is consistent with that of the broader gas-rich galaxy population, and both their H i masses and gas richnesses are correlated with their effective radii. The blue UDGs appear to be low-mass objects with high-spin halos, although their properties are not as extreme as those of the faintest diffuse objects found in H i searches. The data presented here highlight the potential of single-dish radio observations for measuring the physical properties of blue diffuse objects detected in the optical.
A Grounded Theory Model of Auditor-Client Negotiations

The central research question addressed in this paper is 'How do companies and their auditors resolve important audit issues? ' In-depth interviews are conducted with the audit partners and finance directors of a varied group of six major UK listed companies who had recently experienced audit interactions involving 22 significant accounting issues. A grounded theory model is developed of the negotiation process and the factors that influence the nature of the outcome of interactions. This model identifies, as principal analytical categories, a range of general relationship factors and specific accounting issue factors that influence aspects of the negotiation process. These aspects include the parties involved, the strategies adopted, the quality of the financial reporting outcome and the ease with which it is achieved. A secondary outcome of the research is that distinct categories of audit engagement partner are identified, termed the crusader, the safe pair of hands, the accommodator and the truster.
Pattern of epidemiological correlates among road traffic accident in-patients of a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal, India

Background: Road traffic accident (RTA) is an emerging epidemic of current century perpetrated by a complex interaction of human, vehicle and roadways/environmental factors. The current study was conducted to find out the various determinants of outcomes of RTAs in a district of West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over one year by face-to-face interviewing 384 RTA in-patients of departments of General Surgery and Orthopedics of a rural tertiary level hospital of West Bengal, India selected via scheduled sampling. Information pertaining to demographic and correlates of RTA were collected. Follow-up telephonic interview was conducted after one month for ascertaining the final outcome. There were 16 nonrespondents in the 2 phase who were excluded during final compilation rendering the sample size to 368. With SPSS version 22.0, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were done. Results: 13.2% and 21.0% of study participants had death and disability respectively. On multinomial logistic regression assuming complete cure as reference outcome, both death and disability were revealed to have significant (<0.05) association to non-usage of protective devices, time of incidence (6AM to 6PM), poor road condition, sustaining multiple injuries and lapsing „golden hour‟ for treatment. Conclusions: Stringent enforcement of legislations regarding various road safety measures, improving ply-worthiness of roads and establishment of trauma care centre at the district are essential to induce road “safe systems”.
Cystatin C as a marker and its clinical importance

Cystatin C is a non glycosylated neuroendocrine protein having isoelectric pH of 9.3, encoded by CST3 gene. It is a low molecular weight protein approximately 13.3 kilodaltons consisting 120 amino acids and is removed from the bloodstream by glomerular filtration in the kidneys which can be used as a biochemical marker for proximal tubular damage superior to serum creatinine (sCr). Increased levels of CysC are linked with the risk of death, several types of cardiovascular disease and healthy aging. sCysC is a better glomerular filtration rate marker than sCr for its early detection in incipient diabetic nephropathy. Concentration of cystatin C is increased in patients with hypothyroidism and decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism with treatment. Individuals with untreated carcinomas and leukaemia had significantly higher sCysC concentrations compared to treated patients due to its antitumor effect. CysC regulates certain aspects of immune function because interleukin-10 controls CysC synthesis in response
Aptitude as a Predictor of Second Language Achievement: An Investigation in the Saudi Arabian Context

A two-wave longitudinal design was used to examine the extent to which aptitude predicts second language achievement. First-year Saudi university students (N = 56), who were involved in a seven-month intensive English language course as part of their degree, completed Aptitude and English proficiency tests at the start and the end of the treatment period. Univariate and multivariate analyses found moderate relationships between aptitude and second language achievement. Results are discussed for their implications for theory and interventions.
Alpha amylase and Alpha glucosidase inhibitory effects of aqueous stem extract of Salacia oblonga and its GC-MS analysis

Our present investigation deals with the phytochemical screening, estimation of total flavonoids, terpenoids and tannin contents to evaluate the anti-diabetic activities of Salacia oblonga stem followed by GC-MS analysis. It explores the natural compounds and the potential α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory actions of stem extracts. The aqueous stem extract was selected from other extracts (ethanol, acetone, petroleum ether and chloroform) for the in vitro study of anti-diabetic activity by alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory assays. The stem extract was also analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry to identify the natural chemical components. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous stem extract showed major classes of secondary metabolites such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins. The total flavonoid, terpenoid, and tannin contents were quantified as 19.82±0.06 mg QE/g, 96.2±0.20 mg/g and 11.25±0.03 mg TAE/g respectively. The percentage inhibition of assays showed maximum inhibitory effects (59.46±0.04% and 68.51±0.01%) at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The IC50 values of stem extract was found to be 73.56 mg/mL and 80.90 mg/mL for alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibition. Fifteen chemical constituents were found by GC-MS analysis. This study suggest the aqueous stem extract of Salacia oblonga might be considered as potential source of bio active constituents with excellent antidiabetic activity.
Examining the Differences of the 8th-Graders' Estimation Performance Between Contextual and Numerical Problems

Two 12-question estimation instruments were designed to compare the differences of estimating strategies used by the 8th-graders when solving contextual and numerical problems. Both instruments are parallel, meaning that the numbers used in both instruments are the same; however, they were presented differently. One hundred and ninety-eight 8th-graders in southern Taiwan were selected to participate in this study. The correct percentage for the numerical problems and contextual problems were 45% and 33%, respectively. The t-test result shows a significant difference for the estimation performance between contextual and numerical problems at α = 0.05. This implies that these 8th-graders perform significantly better on numerical problems than that of contextual problems. In addition, the t-test results show that there is a significant difference in the performance of reformulation, transformation, and compensation dimensions for numerical and contextual problems at α = 0.05, respectively. The results show that students performed better on numerical problems than on contextual problems for each dimension. In addition, data show that students tended to use the written method to solve numerical and contextual problems instead of estimation. Implications are discussed.
Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Term Oligohydramnios

Background: Oligohydramnios is defined as when the maximum vertical pockets of liquor is less than 2 cm or when amniotic fluid index (AFI) is less than 5 cm or less than 10 th centile. It is one of the major causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the maternal and fetal outcome in AFI of 5 cm or less (oligohydramnios) in term pregnancies. Method: In this prospective study total 100 cases with oligohydramnios (< or = 5cm) diagnosed by ultrasound after 37 weeks of gestation were enrolled and studied for maternal and fetal outcome after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Mean maternal age was 25.48 years. Incidence of oligohydramnios was more (53%) in primigravida. Non stress test (NST) was reactive in 59% and nonreactive in 41% cases. 43% patients delivered vaginally, 4% delivered instrumentally and 53% by caesarean section with most common indication being fetal distress (52.83%). The occurrence of meconium stained amniotic fluid was 30%. Incidence of Low birth weight was 68% and incidence of abnormal doppler changes was found in 25% of cases. 41% of newborns were admitted in neonatal ward (NICU) with tachypnoea was commonest indication followed by baby not cried immediately after birth and meconium aspiration. There were no neonatal or maternal deaths observed in the study. Conclusion: Oligohydramnios is associated with adverse perinatal outcome and increased maternal morbidity in terms of operative interference. Thus, proper antepartum surveillance and timely intervention is needed for better results.
THE EXTENSIVE AGE GRADIENT OF THE CARINA DWARF GALAXY

The evolution of small systems such as dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) is likely to have been a balance between external environmental effects and internal processes within their own relatively shallow potential wells. Assessing how strong such environmental interactions may have been is therefore an important element in understanding the baryonic evolution of dSphs and their derived dark matter distribution. Here we present results from a wide-area CTIO/MOSAIC II photometric survey of the Carina dSph, reaching down to about two magnitudes below the oldest main-sequence turnoff (MSTO). This data set enables us to trace the structure of Carina in detail out to very large distances from its center, and as a function of stellar age. We observe the presence of an extended structure made up primarily of ancient MSTO stars, at distances between 25′ and 60′ from Carina's center, confirming results in the literature that Carina extends well beyond its nominal tidal radius. The large number statistics of our survey reveals features such as isophote twists and tails that were undetected in other previous, shallower surveys. This is the first time that such unambiguous signs of tidal disruption have been found in a Milky Way “classical” dwarf other than Sagittarius. We also demonstrate the presence of a negative age gradient in Carina directly from its MSTOs, and trace it out to very large distances from the galaxy center. The signs of interaction with the Milky Way make it unclear whether the age gradient was already in place before Carina underwent tidal disruption.
La lutte chimique contre les mauvaises herbes en palmeraie. II. Les matières actives herbicides usuelles en élaeiculture et les techniques des traitements

La liste des produits herbicides donnee dans ce conseil n'est pas exhaustive, mais les principales matieres actives mentionnees ont ete experimentees et peuvent etre utilisees avec succes dans l'entretien des plantations de palmiers a huile. Presentation sous forme de tableau des matieres actives, de leur mode d'action, des doses usuelles a employer, leur forme, de leur eventuelle phytotoxicite. Information sur le choix des matieres actives et le materiel de traitement