Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of the cosmic variance on 
H0
 on cosmological analyses

The current $3.8 \sigma$ tension between local (arXiv:1804.10655) and global (arXiv:1605.02985) measurements of $H_0$ cannot be fully explained by the concordance $\Lambda$CDM model. It could be produced by unknown systematics or by physics beyond the standard model. On the other hand, it is well known that linear perturbation theory predicts a cosmic variance on the Hubble parameter $H_0$, which leads to systematic errors on its local determination. Here, we study how including in the likelihood the cosmic variance on $H_0$ affects statistical inference. In particular we consider the $\gamma$CDM, $w$CDM and $\gamma w$CDM parametric extensions of the standard model, which we constrain with the latest CMB, BAO, SNe Ia, RSD and $H_0$ data. We learn two important lessons. First, the systematic error from cosmic variance is - independently of the model - approximately $\sigma_{\text{cv}}\approx 0.88$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ (1.2\% $H_0^{\text{loc}}$) when considering the redshift range $0.0233 \le z \le 0.15$, which is relative to the main analysis of (arXiv:1804.10655), and $\sigma_{\text{cv}}\approx 1.5$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ (2.1\% $H_0^{\text{loc}}$) when considering the wider redshift range $0.01 \le z \le 0.15$. Although $\sigma_{\text{cv}}$ affects the total error budget on local $H_0$, it does not significantly alleviate the tension which remains at $\approx 3 \sigma$. Second, cosmic variance, besides shifting the constraints, can change the results of model selection: much of the statistical advantage of non-standard models is to alleviate the now-reduced tension. We conclude that, when constraining non-standard models it is important to include the cosmic variance on $H_0$ if one wants to use the local determination of the Hubble constant by Riess et al. (arXiv:1804.10655). Doing the contrary could potentially bias the conclusions.
EVALUATING MEASUREMENT PROPERTIES OF ATTITUDINAL ITEMS RELATED TO LEARNING SCIENCE IN TAIWAN FROM TIMSS 2007

In the recent empirical studies utilizing existing items and derived variables of international large-scale assessment (ILSA) data, the three major methodological deficiencies, including the use of a single item to define a construct, the statistical properties of ordinal data, and the fitness of the measurement structure for different scenarios, are examined. To overcome these issues, this study proposes an integrated approach to evaluating items and constructing derived variables in a given situation. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the item response model are utilized to evaluate student attitudinal items and derived variables from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 Taiwanese data. The results suggest that the three-factor model composed of 12 items is optimal for the data, not the default factor structure in the database. The implications of evaluating items and creating derived variables from ILSA data for the education research community are also discussed. Key words: attitudinal items, factor analysis, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.
The Association of Cognitive Distortions , Problems with Self-Concept , Gender , and Age in Adults Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD )

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurocognitive condition, which can cause a variety of functional impairments that can result in the development of negative self-perceptions. These maladaptive beliefs often lead to the development of maladaptive thoughts or cognitive distortions. Research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for adults with ADHD. Yet data on the association between cognitive distortions in adult ADHD is limited, particularly, regarding self-concept. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact that cognitive distortions, problems with self-concept, gender and age have on symptoms of ADHD in a group of adults (N = 130), who presented to a universitybased outpatient clinic, specializing in the assessment and treatment of ADHD. Results suggest that problems with self-concept significantly and positively predicted ADHD symptom severity. Additionally, cognitive distortions significantly, positively predicted problems with self-concept, whereas gender was not significantly predictive, in this regard. However, gender, age, and cognitive distortions were not significantly predictive of ADHD symptoms.
ANATOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BONY INNER EAR IN THE WOOLLY OPOSSUM, Caluromys philander (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, MARSUPIALIA)

The ontogenetic changes of the skeletal tissue of the vestibular and cochlear system of Caluromys philander were investigated using CT scans of an adult skull and 3D reconstructions of histological serial sections of three pouch-youngs. The bony labyrinth of C. philander differs in several aspects from what has been reported for other marsupials. Some of the proportions of the semicircular canals (SC) are probably characteristic of arboreal as opposed to terrestrial species. Several significant changes in the SCs shape occur postnatally. The most remarkable difference among stages is the different height of the anterior SC and posterior SC in relation to the common crus. In the adult the posterior arm of the lateral SC and the inferior arm of the posterior SC build a common crus, a condition of several basal metatherians and crown-group marsupials. The number of turns of the cochlea in the adult is 2.4.
The Three-Component Model of Occupational Commitment

The authors find some support for the cross-cultural validity of the Meyer, Allen, and Smith (1993) three-component model of occupational commitment in samples of Chinese and British accountants. Normative and affective commitments are higher in the Chinese sample, and continuance commitment is higher in the British sample. There is some support for hypotheses on the consequences of the components of occupational commitment (occupational withdrawal cognitions and the intention to participate in professional activities). However, contrary to the hypotheses, the authors' analysis suggests that there are no significant differences in these relationships between the two samples. The authors find a significant interaction between affective and continuance commitment in the analysis of occupational withdrawal cognitions, such that the relationship between each of these components and withdrawal cognitions is stronger where commitment on the other component is low.
Evaluation of trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% (Nativo 75 WG) against Exserohilum turcicum causing leaf blight disease of maize

Maize has its significance as a source of a large number of industrial products besides its uses as human food and animal feed. Diversified uses of maize for corn starch industry, corn oil production, baby corns, popcorns, etc., and potential for exports has added to the demand of maize all over world besides other commercial avenues. In India, maize is emerging as third most important cereal crop after rice and wheat. The area cultivated with maize in India is 7.27 million ha with an annual production of 15.86 million tonnes and average yield of 2181 kg ha in 2011-12 (Anon., 2012). Maize can be raised during kharif and rabi in South India and Bihar but only during kharif season in most of the North Indian states (Joshi, et al., 2005, Singh et al., 2012.). Now technology has been developed by Agricultural Universities to take up crop during rabi in North India but duration of crop is very long.
Complement, immunoglobulin and creatine kinase response in black and white males after muscle-damaging exercise

Objectives. To determine the effect of eccentrically biased exercise and ethnic group on circulating levels of complement, immunoglobulin creatine kinase. Seven black and 8 white males (18 - 22 years), active but untrained, participated in the study. Subjects performed a 60-minute downhill run on a treadmill (gradient -13.5%) at a speed eliciting 75% of their VO2 peak on a level grade. Venipunctures were performed before, immediately after and then at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours afterwards. Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, serum complement (C3, C4) and immunoglobulin (total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA) concentrations were compared using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results. There was an interaction (p=0.0055) and ethnic group effect (p<0.0001) for CK activity with consistently higher levels in the black group. CK increased over time after the run, peaking at 12 h for both groups. C3, C4, total IgG, IgG1, IgG3, and IgA were significantly higher (ethnic group effect, p<0.001), and IgG2 significantly lower (ethnic group effect, p<0.001) in the black group. Significantly higher resting concentrations of total IgG (+21%), and IgG1 (+32%) were observed in this group. Conclusions. CK was significantly elevated in the black group although the relative response to exercise in whites was higher, suggesting greater muscle damage. Differences in the concentration of complement proteins and immunoglobulins suggest a heightened immunological / inflammatory milieu in the circulation of the black group. The performance and health implications of this finding warrant further investigation.
Efficiency of silver nanoparticles against bacterial contaminants isolated from surface and ground water in Egypt

The bactericidal efficiency of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) was evaluated against bacteria isolated from surface and ground water samples in Egypt. The AgNP were synthesized by typical one-step synthesis protocol, and were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The bactericidal efficiency of AgNP was evaluated by its application in three concentrations i.e., 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 ppm to water sample, and allowed to interact with bacteria for different duration e.g., 5 min 15 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h. Then, the bactericidal efficiency of AgNPs was determined by comparing the counted bacteria before and after the treatments. Higher mean values of total bacterial count (TBC), total coliform count (TCC), and total streptococcal count (TFS) were detected in surface water than in ground water. Also, the results showed that TBC, TCC and TFS exceeded permissible limits. Application of AgNP at different concentration, the number of bacteria in TBC was significantly reduced in all AgNP-exposed samples as compared to the control group (p
Effectiveness of water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in remediating pollutedwater: The case of Shagashe river in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in remediating a polluted river. Triplicate samples were collected on three different points designated SR1, SR2 and SR3 along the Shagashe River. The course of the river stretching from SR1 to SR3 was covered by over 95% water hyacinth during the period of study. SR1 was located on the upper stream, SR2 centrally and SR3 furthest downstream. Analysis for electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphates, phosphates, total hardness, pH, nitrates, nitrites and total nitrogen on all samples was done. Statistical analysis was done to check if there was a significant reduction of the parameters moving downstream. The results indicate that water hyacinth was remediating the river as noted by the significant reduction of electrical conductivity (25% decrease), total dissolved solids (TDS) (26%), sulphates (45%), phosphates (33%) and total hardness (37%) between the sample points SR1 and SR3. Statistical analysis showed no significant changes for the other parameters.
Stock Investments at Work

Stock market investment decisions of individuals are positively correlated with that of co-workers. Sorting of unobservably similar individuals to the same workplaces is unlikely to explain our results, as evidenced by the investment behavior of individuals that move between plants. Purchases made under stronger co-worker purchase activity are not associated with higher returns. Moreover, social interaction appears to drive the purchase of within-industry stocks; an investment mistake. Overall, our results suggest a strong influence of co-workers on investment choices, but not an influence that improves the quality of investment decisions.
Aid and the Control of Tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea: Is Australia's Assistance Cost-Effective?

Australia supports the control of tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea for reasons of aid effectiveness and a desire to decrease the chance of importing tuberculosis to Australia. This paper analyses the case for this support using both cost-utility and cost-benefit analysis. We reach three conclusions. First, Australia directly benefits from its investment in controlling tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea, with a cost of $US 13 million (in 2012 prices) over 10 years earning a net present value of $US 22 million. Second, the longer and more extensive the basic directly observed short course therapy, or basic DOTS, to control tuberculosis, the higher are the returns for Australia. Finally, in addition to surpassing all commonly used benchmarks for being a cost-effective investment for Australia, a basic DOTS expansion also generates a health benefit for Papua New Guinea that compares well as one of the ‘ten best health buys’ in developing countries.
Incidence of bone tumors and tumor like lesions at a tertiary centre - a study of 64 cases

Background: Primary bone tumors are uncommon lesions constituting less than 1% of all cancers. Although open biopsy has high accuracy, it increases risk of tumor dissemination in patients with highly malignant tumors. FNAC eliminates the complications that may occur in surgical procedures and also gives quick results. This study was conducted to determine the spectrum and demographic characteristics of bone tumors and tumor like lesions at a tertiary care centre in western Uttar Pradesh and also to assess the role of FNAC in their diagnosis. Methods: This is a three-year, retrospective as well as a prospective study done on a total of 64 cases. All the cases were subjected to detailed history, physical examination and radiological investigations. FNAC smears were stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain. H and E staining was done for histopathology. Results: Mean age affected was 26 years. Male-female ratio was 2.8:1. Out of total 64 cases of bone tumors and tumor like lesions, maximum was chondrogenic tumors (17; 26.56%), followed by osteogenic tumors (15; 23.44%). Osteochondroma (08; 47.06%), Osteosarcoma (07; 46.66%) and Aneurysmal bone cyst (04; 50.0%) were the most common chondrogenic tumor, osteogenic tumor and tumor like lesion respectively. The most common bone affected was tibia (16; 25.0%), followed by femur (15; 23.4%). Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC as a diagnostic modality were 90.0% and 91.67% respectively. Conclusions: A good correlation is observed between cytological and histological diagnoses which implies that FNAC can be used as a preliminary diagnostic approach to bone tumors, although histopathology remains the gold standard.
A comparison of six methods for measuring soil‐surface carbon dioxide fluxes

Measurements of soil-surface CO2 fluxes are important for characterizing the carbon budget of boreal forests because these fluxes can be the second largest component of the budget. Several methods for measuring soil-surface CO2 fluxes are available: (1) closed-dynamic-chamber systems, (2) closed-static-chamber systems, (3) open-chamber systems, and (4) eddy covariance systems. This paper presents a field comparison of six individual systems for measuring soil-surface CO2 fluxes with each of the four basic system types represented. A single system is used as a reference and compared to each of the other systems individually in black spruce (Picea mariana), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), or aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests. Fluxes vary from 1 to 10 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Adjustment factors to bring all of the systems into agreement vary from 0.93 to 1.45 with an uncertainty of about 10–15%.
BANK OF GREECE WORKING PAPERS

Trade is spatial in nature. However, when specifying trade regressions, spatial issues are typically not accounted for in a satisfactory way. We specify a trade model which relates to the effects that the introduction of the euro had on exports for the euro countries. Our model contains country pair fixed effects and error terms which are spatially and time autocorrelated, as well as heteroskedastic. Our spatial weighting matrix has unique characteristics. Our model also allows for endogenous regressors, and so we estimate it by an instrumental variable procedure. We find that the results of estimation are substantially affected when one accounts for statistical complications. Specifically, euro effects on exports are significantly reduced and are only "borderline" significant. Also, dummy variables measuring the effects of EU-membership on exports become insignificant. The results relating to other variables do not seem to be substantially affected. All of this suggests that, perhaps, the effects of currency unions on trade as described in the previous literature has been severely overstated.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) What we want and what we see : Preferences , perceptions and judgments about inequality and

This chapter examines whether and how income inequality is associated with individual corruption perceptions. We argue that this relationship is important, because corruption perceptions are an important violation of the meritocratic legitimation of inequalities. Drawing from existing literature on inequality and corruption, we hypothesize that inequality increases corruption perceptions. Additionally, we develop two rival hypotheses on the effect of inequality on stratification of corruption perceptions, Empirically, we examine the association between income inequality and corruption perceptions in two ways. First, we analyze the short-term dynamic over-time association between inequality and individual corruption perceptions, using cross-sectional survey-data from the Eurobarometer between 2007 and 2011. Second, we assess how inequality affects stratification in corruption perceptions, using Eurobarometer and ISSP-data. Our results suggest that increases in inequality are accompanied with increases in perceived corruption. Furthermore, inequality lessens the gap in perceived corruption between people of different socio-economic status. In more unequal countries, people of higher status perceive more corruption than in more equal countries. CHAPTEr FOur FAiliNg MEriTOCrACy? iNEquAliTy AND COrruPTiON PErCEPTiONS. * * This chapter is the result of a collaboration with H.G. van de Werfhorst. CHAPTEr FOur – Failing meritocracy? 95
African Journal of Biotechnology Vol

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is one of the major viral respiratory diseases of chickens. Better understanding of the molecular mechanism of viral pathogenesis may contribute significantly to the development of prophylactic, therapeutic and diagnostic reagents as well as help in infection control. Avian IBV belongs to the Coronaviridaes and is similar to the other known coronaviruses. Previous studies have indicated that protein–protein interactions between nucleocapsid (N) and the membrane (M) proteins in coronavirus are related to coronavirus viral assembly. However, cases of IBV are seldom reported. In this study, yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation techniques were applied to investigate possible interactions between IBV N and M proteins. We found that interaction of the N and M proteins took place in vivo and the residues 168 – 225 of the M protein and the residues 150 210 of the N protein were determined to be involved in their interaction. These results may provide some useful information on the molecular mechanism of IBV’s N and M proteins, which will facilitate therapeutic strategies aiming at the disruption of the association between membrane and nucleocapsid proteins and indicate a new drug target for IBV.
The effect of supplemental vitamin E and dietary rape seed oil level on broiler performance, meat and fat quality

The effect of increasing dietary vitamin E levels in diets containing animal fat and rape seed oil on the performance, α-tocopherol content of tissues, meat and fat quality, and health of broiler chickens was investigated. A total of 360 Ross broiler chickens were fed diets with the addition of different levels of vitamin E (5, 20 and 50 mg · kg-1) during the starter (0-17 days of age) and grower (18-42 days of age) periods. Grower diets were supplemented with animal fat with or without 10 or 20% rape seed oil. 10% rape seed oil supplemented to blended fat increased the weight gains of chickens (P≤0.05). With increasing dietary vitamin E supplementation, the level of α-tocopherol in the liver, blood serum and breast muscle increased (P≤0.01). The level of vitamin E and the source of dietary fat affected the oxidative stability of abdominal fat, but not the organoleptic properties of broiler meat. The increasing proportion of rape seed oil in the feed was accompanied by a decreasing proportion of SFA, and an increasing proportion of PUFA, n-3 PUFA and linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) in abdominal fat.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Systematic meta-review of supported selfmanagement for asthma

Background: Supported self-management has been recommended by asthma guidelines for three decades; improving current suboptimal implementation will require commitment from professionals, patients and healthcare organisations. The Practical Systematic Review of Self-Management Support (PRISMS) meta-review and Reducing Care Utilisation through Self-management Interventions (RECURSIVE) health economic review were commissioned to provide a systematic overview of supported self-management to inform implementation. We sought to investigate if supported asthma self-management reduces use of healthcare resources and improves asthma control; for which target groups it works; and which components and contextual factors contribute to effectiveness. Finally, we investigated the costs to healthcare services of providing supported self-management. Methods: We undertook a meta-review (systematic overview) of systematic reviews updated with randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published since the review search dates, and health economic meta-analysis of RCTs. Twelve electronic databases were searched in 2012 (updated in 2015; pre-publication update January 2017) for systematic reviews reporting RCTs (and update RCTs) evaluating supported asthma self-management. We assessed the quality of included studies and undertook a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis. Results: A total of 27 systematic reviews ( n = 244 RCTs) and 13 update RCTs revealed that supported self-management can reduce hospitalisations, accident and emergency attendances and unscheduled consultations, and improve markers of control and quality of life for people with asthma across a range of cultural, demographic and healthcare settings. Core components are patient education, provision of an action plan and regular professional review. Selfmanagement is most effective when delivered in the context of proactive long-term condition management. The total cost ( n = 24 RCTs) of providing self-management support is offset by a reduction in hospitalisations and accident and emergency visits (standard mean difference 0.13, 95% confidence interval − 0.09 to