Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An investigation of star formation and dust attenuation in major mergers using ultraviolet and infrared data

Merger processes play an important role in galaxy formation and evolution. To study the influence of merger processes on the evolution of dust properties and cosmic star formation rate, we investigate a local sample of major merger galaxies and a control sample of isolated galaxies using GALEX ultraviolet (UV) and Spitzer infrared (IR) images. Through a statistical study, we find that dust attenuation in merger galaxies is enhanced with respect to isolated galaxies. We find this enhancement is contributed mainly by spiral galaxies in spiral-spiral (S-S) pairs, and increases with the increasing stellar mass of a galaxy. Combining the IR and UV parts of star formation rates (SFRs), we then calculated the total SFRs and specific star formation rates (SSFRs). We find the SSFRs to be enhanced in merger galaxies. This enhancement depends on galaxy stellar mass and the companion's morphology, but depends little on whether the galaxy is a primary or secondary component or on the separation between two components. These results are consistent with a previous study based only on IR images. In addition, we investigate the nuclear contributions to SFRs. SFRs in paired galaxies are more concentrated in the central part of the galaxies than in isolate galaxies. Our studies of dust attenuation show that the nuclear parts of pairs most resemble ULIRGs. Including UV data in the present work not only provides reliable information on dust attenuation, but also refines analyses of SFRs.
Comparative Evaluation of Lightwand (Lighted Stylet) with Direct Laryngoscopy on Hemodynamic Response- A Prospective Study

Background:Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are often associated with hypertension, tachycardia, and an increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations. The present study was done to compare the hemodynamic response during tracheal intubation, guided by either Lightwand or Direct laryngoscopy. Method and patients: Seventy adult consented patients of ASA I or II aged 18-58 years of either sex scheduled for elective surgeries from September 2011 to March 2013 were randomized according to sealed envelopes into two groups of 35 patients each. The patients of Group LWI were intubated with lighted stylet (Lightwand, GE) and patients of Group DLI were intubated using direct laryngoscope (Macintosh). Any patient with history of systemic hypertension and cardiopulmonary disease, hepatic, renal or endocrine disorder, difficult airway or MP Grade III & IV, history of previous difficult tracheal intubation or patient who required more than 30 seconds or more than one attempt for intubation were excluded. The anesthetic induction technique was standardized. The hemodynamic parameters of heart rate, blood pressure and ECG were recorded, at baseline, after induction, after tracheal intubation and then at regular interval of 1 min for 5 min after tracheal intubation. Intubation time was noted by stopwatch. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic profile, in terms of changes in blood pressure and heart rate during laryngoscopy and after tracheal intubation between groups. Post intubation dysphasia, hoarseness, sore throat were also comparable between the groups. Conclusion: The effects of Lightwand technique on hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation were similar to those of direct laryngoscopy.
Not Your Parents' Presidential Debates: Examining the Effects of the CNN/YouTube Debates on Young Citizens' Civic Engagement

During the 2007–2008 U.S. presidential primaries, CNN partnered with YouTube to create the first nationally televised presidential debates where citizens interrogated the candidates via video questions posted to the Internet. The creators of these debates claimed their novel use of Internet technology “would change the face of presidential candidate debates. ” The CNN/YouTube debates were designed expressly to engage citizens in the campaign dialogue, and specifically to engage young citizens who are frequent users of YouTube yet not always among the viewing audience for a televised presidential debate. The current study examines the effects of viewing the CNN/YouTube debates, and particularly the debates' influence on young citizens' “normative” democratic attitudes. Building on previous research designed to test differences in debate formats, this study compares young citizens' reactions to the CNN/YouTube debates and also to a more traditional presidential debate with candidate questioning controlled by a journalist. Results suggest that while exposure to candidate debates in general yields positive effects on young citizens' normative democratic attitudes, there was very little difference found in the effects of exposure to the CNN/YouTube debates when compared to a traditional journalist-controlled presidential debate.
Estimation of Moment Magnitude (M) for Small Events (M<4) on Local Networks

We develop a simple model to estimate moment magnitude for events of M <4 at distances out to ∼300 km, based on readily available ShakeMap parameters and seismological scaling principles. Estimates of moment magnitude for such small events are not available from standard methods but are needed for local-network applications and for traffic light systems for induced-seismicity applications. This issue is currently of particular interest in central and eastern North America. The method takes advantage of the fact that for small events the response spectrum is well-correlated with seismic moment for periods greater than 0.3 s and can be predicted from a simple stochastic point-source model. We develop an equation by which we calculate M from the 1 s pseudoacceleration amplitudes (PSA) (M ≥3) or the 0.3 s PSA (M <3) at each station, using a simple linear equation that corrects for the effects of attenuation. We show that this method produces unbiased estimates of moment magnitudes in both eastern and western North America, for M ≤4 events recorded at distances <300 km.
Explicit Instruction of Pragmatic Features: Its Impact on EFL Learners’ Knowledge of Hedging Devices in Academic Writing

Hedging academic claims has been recognized as one of integral pragmatic features of academic writing in which most EFL academic writers seem to face substantial problems. Explicit instruction has been proposed by some scholars as an effective approach to make EFL writers aware of the importance, different forms, and pragmatic functions of hedging devices some of which are polysemous and polypragmatics (e.g., Hyland 1996a). The present study with the aim of shedding more light on the effectiveness of explicit instruction in improving the pragmatic knowledge of Iranian EFL learners in terms of hedging devices, investigates the acquisition and use of English modal auxiliaries as hedging strategies via applying a direct teaching strategy in the classroom. To this end a sample of 37 undergraduate students majoring in different fields of study were recruited and assigned into a control and experimental group. Explicit instruction of the modal auxiliaries as hedging resources was applied for the treatment group while the control group received only the regular academic writing instruction. A pretest and a posttest were administered to the two groups. The descriptive analysis of the scores as well as the results of the t-tests revealed a significant progress in the participants’ linguistic and pragmatic knowledge of modal auxiliaries as hedges in the treatment group. The results also indicated that the experimental group outperformed the control group in acquiring and using modal verbs to hedge their claims. The findings of the study provide insightful implications for the administrators of educational programs.
Spatial complementarity of FDI: the example of transition countries

This article investigates spatial determinants of FDI location. In particular, it focuses on FDI in neighbouring countries and foreign market potential for a panel of 25 transition countries in 1993–2010. The spatial FDI spillovers are found to be positive and economically large. Moreover, omitting spatial FDI leads to a serious misspecification of the model explaining FDI location and biases estimation of the coefficient of the foreign market potential variable, which is found to be a non-robust determinant of FDI location. The spatial complementarity is stronger for disaggregated data such as bilateral FDI and sector level FDI. There is substantial heterogeneity of spatial FDI spillovers across sectors. Spillovers are large and positive for services sectors and non-significant or even negative for manufacturing sectors.
Complementarity or substitutability in networks? Methodology and application to the hospital industry

We develop a network approach to study the transmission and propagation of firm-level shocks in industries with spatially differentiated agents and imperfect competition. Deriving comparative statics for oligopoly from the properties of Leontief matrices, we construct centrality indicators that reflect the geographic distribution of firms as well as their importance in the network. When longitudinal data are available, we show how to estimate the link between the firms' responses to the shocks and the centrality indicators, and to empirically assess the nature and strength of strategic interactions. The results in our application strongly suggest that the utilitiesprovided by hospitals to patients are strategic complements.
Exploring the Effects of Right-to-Work Laws on Private Wages

The empirical literature on the wage effect of 'right-to-work' (RTW) legislation remains fairly ambiguous with studies producing contrasting results. In this article, we address this issue by exploring the impact of RTW on wage heterogeneity between socio-demographic and occupational subpopulations in the U.S. Using data from the 2012-2014 Current Population Survey, we employ two analytical techniques for estimating the wage effect of RTW legislation. First, we utilize multi-level regression to observe the effects of state-level RTW legislation on individual hourly earnings and wage differences while controlling for socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of individual workers as well as developmental and regulatory characteristics of states. Second, we utilize propensity-score matching (PSM) to observe the wage difference between similar workers located in RTW and non-RTW states. According to estimates from the fully specified multi-level regression models, private workers in RTW states earn 1 percent less than workers in non-RTW states. However, according to estimates from the PSM approach, private workers in RTW states earn about 6 percent less than similar workers in non-RTW states. The results show RTW legislation reduces hourly wages, but the magnitude of the wage effect is dependent on the specification of regression models and the statistical approached use to estimate the treatment effect of RTW legislation. Additionally, we also find RTW both suppresses and exacerbates existing wage inequalities between socio-demographic subpopulations.
Glacial climate sensitivity to different states of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: results from the IPSL model

Abstract. Paleorecords from distant locations on the globe show rapid and large amplitude climate variations during the last glacial period. Here we study the global climatic response to different states of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as a potential explanation for these climate variations and their possible connections. We analyse three glacial simulations obtained with an atmosphere-ocean coupled general circulation model and characterised by different AMOC strengths (18, 15 and 2 Sv) resulting from successive ~0.1 Sv freshwater perturbations in the North Atlantic. These AMOC states suggest the existence of a freshwater threshold for which the AMOC collapses. A weak (18 to 15 Sv) AMOC decrease results in a North Atlantic and European cooling. This cooling is not homogeneous, with even a slight warming over the Norwegian Sea. Convection in this area is active in both experiments, but surprisingly stronger in the 15 Sv simulation, which appears to be related to interactions with the atmospheric circulation and sea-ice cover. Far from the North Atlantic, the climatic response is not significant. The climate differences for an AMOC collapse (15 to 2 Sv) are much larger and of global extent. The timing of the climate response to this AMOC collapse suggests teleconnection mechanisms. Our analyses focus on the North Atlantic and surrounding regions, the tropical Atlantic and the Indian monsoon region. The North Atlantic cooling associated with the AMOC collapse induces a cyclonic atmospheric circulation anomaly centred over this region, which modulates the eastward advection of cold air over the Eurasian continent. This can explain why the cooling is not as strong over western Europe as over the North Atlantic. In the Tropics, the southward shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone appears to be strongest over the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific and results from an adjustment of the atmospheric and oceanic heat transports. Finally, the Indian monsoon weakening appears to be connected to the North Atlantic cooling via that of the troposphere over Eurasia. Such an understanding of these teleconnections and their timing could be useful for paleodata interpretation.
A Comparison of Reading Accuracy and Reading Comprehension in Bilingual Arabic/Farsi-speaking and Monolingual Farsi-speaking Elementary Students in the Fifth Grade

Background: Reading comprehension is one of the primary skills required of students in elementary schools. Various factors can influence this skill, including bilingualism. Owing to the variety of languages and dialects in Iran, a large number of students learn Farsi as a second language; consequently, they are faced with numerous challenges in acquiring high-level skills such as reading and writing. The present study was aimed at comparing reading comprehension and reading accuracy between bilingual Arabic and Farsi-speaking and monolingual Farsi-speaking fifth grade children in Ahvaz. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive analytic study was carried out employing a random sample of 165 bilingual students (91 girls and 74 boys), and 159 monolingual students (79 girls and 80 boys). The students were evaluated in terms of reading accuracy and comprehension skills using some selected parts from a reading test developed by Shafei et al., in 2009. Finally, mean scores were compared between the two groups employing the independent samples t-test. Results: Both reading comprehension and accuracy were significantly higher in monolinguals compared to bilingual Arabic/Farsi-speaking students (P=0.000). Gender stratified results showed higher levels of reading comprehension skills in both monolingual girls (P=0.000) and boys (P=0.03) in comparison to bilinguals. However, in the reading accuracy subtest, only monolingual girls had a significantly superior performance than the bilinguals (P=0.000). Conclusion: Overall, our results showed lower levels of reading comprehension and accuracy skills in bilingual fifth grade students in comparison to their monolingual peers in the city of Ahvaz. It seems that even in the late elementary school years, bilingual children have not attained the same level as their monolingual peers. Due to the importance of reading skills in academic achievement and day-to-day life, we highly recommend the implementation of measures toward improving these skills among bilingual elementary school students.
Research note: Manure production by goats grazing native pasture in Nigeria

In a study carried out to determine the quantity and quality of overnight manure voided by Red Sokoto goats grazing native pasture and fed a concentrate supplement at NAPRI, Shika-Zaria, bucks and does produced 0.38 and 0.37 kg of manure per head per night, respectively, during the wet season. Corresponding values were 0.35 and 0.34 kg during the dry season. Nutrient concentrations in the dry manure were: N ‐ 2.8%; P ‐ 0.42%; and K ‐ 0.93%. An adult goat is capable of producing 138 kg dry manure per year which would contain 3.4 kg N, 0.5 kg P and 1.1 kg K. There is significant potential to reduce fertiliser costs for crop production by substituting goat manure for expensive inorganic fertiliser currently used. Field studies are warranted to demonstrate to farmers the financial benefits to be obtained.
Perspectives of transient tracer applications and limiting cases

Abstract. Currently available transient tracers have different application ranges that are defined by their temporal input (chronological transient tracers) or their decay rate (radioactive transient tracers). Transient tracers range from tracers for highly ventilated water masses such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) through tritium (3H) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) up to tracers for less ventilated deep ocean basins such as argon-39 (39Ar) and radiocarbon (14C). In this context, highly ventilated water masses are defined as water masses that have been in contact with the atmosphere during the last decade. Transient tracers can be used to empirically constrain the transit time distribution (TTD), which can often be approximated with an inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution. The IG-TTD provides information about ventilation and the advective/diffusive characteristics of a water parcel. Here we provide an overview of commonly used transient tracer couples and the corresponding application range of the IG-TTD by using the new concept of validity areas. CFC-12, CFC-11 and SF6 data from three different cruises in the South Atlantic Ocean and Southern Ocean as well as 39Ar data from the 1980s and early 1990s in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Weddell Sea are used to demonstrate this method. We found that the IG-TTD can be constrained along the Greenwich Meridian south to 46° S, which corresponds to the Subantarctic Front (SAF) denoting the application limit. The Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) describes the limiting water layer in the vertical. Conspicuous high or lower ratios between the advective and diffusive components describe the transition between the validity area and the application limit of the IG-TTD model rather than describing the physical properties of the water parcel. The combination of 39Ar and CFC data places constraints on the IG-TTD in the deep water north of the SAF, but not beyond this limit.
A 3D MULTI-PLATE ENVIRONMENT FOR SOUND SYNTHESIS

In this paper, a physics-based sound synthesis environment is presented which is composed of several plates, under nonlinear conditions, coupled with the surrounding acoustic field. Equations governing the behaviour of the system are implemented numerically using finite difference time domain methods. The number of plates, their position relative to a 3D computational enclosure and their physical properties can all be specified by the user; simple control parameters allow the musician/composer to play the virtual instrument. Spatialised sound outputs may be sampled from the simulated acoustic field using several channels simultaneously. Implementation details and control strategies for this instrument will be discussed; simulations results and sound examples will be presented.
BIOLOGY OF THE GREAT CLAM, MERETRIX MERETRIX IN THE KORAMPALLAM CREEK, TUTICORIN

In the great clam Meretrix meretrtx spawning period is prolonged and the reproductive cycle is bia­ nnual in January-April and June-October with peak spawning activity in January-February and Septem­ ber. The proportion of males to females is not significantly different at 5 % probability from the theore­ tical 1:1 ratio. The condition index, expressed as percentage of wet flesh weight in total weight varied from 7.6 to 16.1 with an average of 12.1. The parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth equation in M. meretrix0X6 Loo =99.1 mm, K •= 0.3221 per year and t = -0.0745 year. The life-span is estimated at 7.8 years. The various dimensional and length-weight relationships are given. Also the environmental conditions of the clam bed are described.
Comparison of measured and modelled wetness duration as inputs to a grape disease model.

Measured surface wetness duration is often used in disease risk prediction models, but is only available from a few weather stations. Wetness can be modelled from more widely available weather station networks using other meteorological variables. This study compared wetness duration measured using different methods of interpreting wetness sensor output, and from different sensor types, with wetness calculated from a classification and regression tree (CART) model. The model calculated wetness from temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. Different wetness sensors and different wetness calculation methods from the same sensor made little difference to recorded wetness duration. Total wetness duration was greater for modelled than for measured wetness at all but one of seven sites investigated. The use of modelled and measured wetness inputs into a grape botrytis prediction model indicated that modelled wetness is unsuitable for use in New Zealand without being calibrated for local conditions.
Teams Are Changing: Are Research and Practice Evolving Fast Enough?

In the past, there was a fairly strong alignment between what teams experienced, the topics that team researchers were studying, and the practices that organizations used to manage their teams. However, the nature of teams and the environment in which they operate has changed, and as a result, new needs have emerged. Although there have been some innovative advancements, research and practice have not always adjusted to remain aligned with emerging needs. We highlight 3 significant change themes that are affecting teams: (a) dynamic composition, (b) technology and distance, and (c) empowerment and delayering. For each theme, we share our observations, review the related science and identify future research needs, and specify challenges and recommendations for employing effective team-based practices in applied settings. We conclude with thoughts about the future and suggest that new theories, research methods, and analyses may be needed to study the new team dynamics.
Are mash-ups the future for online learning platforms? Psychology A–level students’ judgements about VLE and MUPPLE interfaces

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) have become ubiquitous in colleges and universities but have failed to consistently improve learning (Machin, 2007). An alternative interface can be provided in the form of a mashed–up personal learning environment (MUPPLE). The aim of this study was to investigate student perceptions of its desirability and utility in comparison to their existing VLE. A psychol gy–oriented MUPPLE was constructed using a free online mash–up platform. A focus group of psychology A–level students was asked to identify likely advantages and disadvantages of the MUPPLE as compared to their existing VLE interface. They identified five potential advantages of the MUPPLE interface; aesthetics, congruence with online apps used outside formal education, user control, utility as an aid to A–level study, and likely utility as an aid to undergraduate study. With regard to utility as an aid to A–level study, the focus group expressed concern that, whilst the MUPPLE interface would be likely to enhance independent study, that this might not in turn advantage A–level students. However, no advantages were attributed to the VLE interface. Sixtyfive psychology A–level students assessed a MUPPLE and a VLE interface against the five criteria identified by the focus group. A within–subjects MANOVA revealed significant preferences for the MUPPLE interface on all five criteria. Implications for psychology education are discussed, and further research is called for.