Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extreme AGN feedback in the MAssive Cluster Survey: a detailed study of X-ray cavities at z>0.3

We present the first statistical study of X-ray cavities in distant clusters of galaxies (z > 0.3). With the aim of providing further insight into how active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback operates at higher redshift, we have analysed the Chandra X-ray observations of the MAssive Cluster Survey (MACS) and searched for surface brightness depressions associated with the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG). The MACS sample consists of the most X-ray luminous clusters within 0.3 ≤z≤ 0.7 (median LX, RASS= 7 × 1044 erg s−1), and out of 76 clusters, we find 13 with ‘clear’ cavities and seven with ‘potential’ cavities (detection rate ∼25 per cent). Most of the clusters in which we find cavities have a short central cooling time below 3–5 Gyr, consistent with the idea that cavities sit predominantly in cool core clusters. We also find no evidence for evolution in any of the cavity properties with redshift, up to z∼ 0.6. The cavities of powerful outbursts are not larger (or smaller) at higher redshift, and are not able to rise to further (or lesser) distances from the nucleus. The energetics of these outbursts also remain the same. This suggests that extreme ‘radio mode’ feedback (Lmech > 1044 erg s−1) starts to operate as early as 7–8 Gyr after the big bang and shows no sign of evolution since then. In other words, AGNs lying at the centre of clusters are able to operate at early times with extreme mechanical powers, and have been operating in such a way for at least the past 5 Gyr.
The Impact of Trade Liberalization on Industrial Productivity

This paper calls into question the currently most influential model of international trade. An empirical finding by Trefler (2004, AER) and others that industrial productivity increases more strongly in liberalized industries than in non-liberalized industries has been widely accepted as evidence for the Melitz (2003, Econometrica) model. We show that a multi-industry version of the Melitz model does not predict this relationship. Instead, it predicts the opposite relationship that industrial productivity increases more strongly in non-liberalized industries than in liberalized industries.
Social Constructivism: Does it Succeed in Reconciling Individual Cognition with Social Teaching and Learning Practices in Mathematics?

This article examines the literature associated with social constructivism. It discusses whether social constructivism succeeds in reconciling individual cognition with social teaching and learning practices. After reviewing the meaning of individual cognition and social constructivism, two views –Piaget and Vygotsky’s- accounting for learning from social constructivist perspectives including the differences and similarities between them are argued. This paper also reviews some research that is conducted from a social constructivist perspective. Keywords: mathematics education, social constructivism, teaching and learning, educational psychology.
Welfare Analysis of Fiscal Reforms: Does the Representation of the Family Decision Process Matter? Evidence for Germany

This paper compares predictions obtained for the analysis of tax reforms with collective and unitary models of household labour supply and consumption behaviour. We simulate real world microdata by means of a collective approach, using a compound procedure of estimation and calibration based on the 1998 wave of the German socioeconomic panel. We estimate a unitary model on this ? collective? data set. Investigating a move from joint to individual taxation on the basis of both models, we obtain important discrepancies between predicted adjustments to labour supply and distortions in the welfare analysis of the reform on the basis of unitary estimates. These results suggest that increased efforts should be devoted to the estimation of collective models with taxation.
PLASMA LEVEL OF ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Oxidative stress arises when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and scavenging capacity of antioxidants, and it can induce and progress many diseases such as breast cancer. The present study was conducted to investigate the status of plasma antioxidative vitamins (E and C) and lipid peroxidation on 50 untreated breast cancer patients and 50 healthy age-matched women. The results revealed that plasma vitamin E and vitamin E adjusted for the sum of cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in patients group (P< 0.05). We could also observe that vitamin E adjusted for lipid was significantly different in various stages of breast cancer. On the other hand, the level of malondialdehyde increased significantly in patients as compared to the controls (P <0.05). There were no significant changes in plasma vitamin C between two groups. According to the findings, attention to the level of plasma antioxidant vitamins and lipid peroxidation is of great importance to promote the level of health in women suffering from breast cancer.
Superb winter fur insulation in the small Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus)

We compared the morphology and thermal characteristics of winter pelage from two Siberian musk deer Moschus moschiferus (aged 5 and 41 mo.; 5.7 and 9.5 kg) and two Eurasian reindeer Rangifer tarandus tarandus (aged >48 mo.; 73 and 79 kg). The depth of the fur over the back of musk deer was less (approximately 30 mm) than in reindeer (approximately 40 mm). Guard hairs of musk deer were longer (mean = 50.0 mm) and had greater diameter at half-length (mean = 314.4 μm) than those of reindeer (mean = 38.6mm and = 243.9 μm, respectively). The thermal characteristics (thermal conductivity and resistance) of the winter pelage of the two species were nevertheless similar (0.057 W·m -1 ·K -1 and 0.79 K·m 2 ·W -1 ; and 0.037 W·m -1 ·K -1 and 1.00 K·m 2 ·W -1 , respectively) despite a tenfold difference in their body mass.
Prevalence of Alloantibodies and Autoantibodies in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patients

Background: The development of anti-red blood cell alloantibodies remains a major problem in transfusion of blood in thalassemia major patients. Also, Autoantibodies can result in clinical hemolysis and difficulty in crossmatching blood. We studied the frequency of red blood cell alloimmunization and autoimmunization among thalassemia patients who received regular transfusions in Ilam province of Iran. Methods: This study was carried out on 110 multiply transfused patients with thalassemia major. The saline method, Albumin method, direct/indirect coombs’ and Three cell panel test used for detection of red blood cell alloantibody/ autoantibody. Results: 12 patients out of total 110 patients (10.9 ) developed alloantibodies and 2 (1.81 ) developed autoantibodies. Rh and Kell blood group system alloantibodies were most commonly found, with the majority of patients being transfused with blood matched for ABO and D antigens only. Conclusion: This study suggests screening RBC antigens prior to transfusion. Our findings accentuate the necessity of antigen typing of supposed to be transfused red blood cells and screenings tests before the first transfusion, at least for Rh (Rh system) and Kell (Kell system) antigens. © 2016 Iranian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Society. All rights reserved.
GPS TEC, scintillation and cycle slips observed at high latitudes during solar minimum

Abstract. High-latitude irregularities can impair the operation of GPS-based devices by causing fluctuations of GPS signal amplitude and phase, also known as scintillation. Severe scintillation events lead to losses of phase lock, which result in cycle slips. We have used data from the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) to measure amplitude and phase scintillation from L1 GPS signals and total electron content (TEC) from L1 and L2 GPS signals to study the relative role that various high-latitude irregularity generation mechanisms have in producing scintillation. In the first year of operation during the current solar minimum the amplitude scintillation has remained very low but events of strong phase scintillation have been observed. We have found, as expected, that auroral arc and substorm intensifications as well as cusp region dynamics are strong sources of phase scintillation and potential cycle slips. In addition, we have found clear seasonal and universal time dependencies of TEC and phase scintillation over the polar cap region. A comparison with radio instruments from the Canadian GeoSpace Monitoring (CGSM) network strongly suggests that the polar cap scintillation and TEC variations are associated with polar cap patches which we therefore infer to be main contributors to scintillation-causing irregularities in the polar cap.
Mental models in propositional reasoning and working memory's central executive

We examine the role of working memory's central executive in the mental model explanation of propositional reasoning by using two working memory measures: the classical “reading span” test by Daneman and Carpenter (1980) and a new measure. This new “reasoning span” measure requires individuals to solve very simple anaphora problems, and store and remember the word solution in a growing series of inferential problems. We present one experiment in which we check the involvement of the central executive in conditional and disjunctive inference tasks and compare predictions of the new reasoning span test with those of the classical reading span test. The results of the experiment confirm that reasoning responses, which according to mental model theory require high cognitive work, are predicted by working memory measures. Results also show that some reasoning responses are probably obtained by means of superficial biases or strategies that do not load working memory. The reasoning span test, which involves the central executive to a greater degree, predicts reasoning performance better than the reading span test. The significance and possibilities of the new measure in studying reasoning are discussed.
Reproductive phenology of three species of Gelidiales (Rhodophyta) in two macroalgal communities from Tenerife (Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands, Spain)

The reproductive phenology of three species of Gelidiales, Gelidium canariense, Gelidium arbuscula and Pterocladiella capillacea , was analysed seasonally for a period of one year in two localities on the West coast of Tenerife (Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands, Spain). Considerations are provided on sex ratio , maximum length and branch order of uprights and on the length of the thalli for each sexual and asexual phase of the Canary Islands populations. The three species were characterized by a high percentage of tetrasporophytes, while female and male gametophytes have been observed only in little proportion. Only G. canariense showed gametophytes in all seasons while the occurrence of gametophytes in G. arbuscula and Pterocladiella capillacea demonstrated a clear seasonality.
Transport characterization in nanowires using an electrical nanoprobe

Electrical transport in semiconductor nanowires is commonly measured in a field effect transistor configuration, with lithographically defined source, drain and in some cases, top gate electrodes. This approach is labor intensive, requires high-end fabrication equipment, exposes the nanowires to extensive processing chemistry and places practical limitations on minimum nanowire length. Here we describe an alternative, simple method for characterizing electrical transport in nanowires directly on the growth substrate, without any need for post growth processing. Our technique is based on contacting nanowires using a nano-manipulator probe retrofitted inside of a scanning electron microscope. Using this approach, we characterize electrical transport in GaN nanowires grown by catalyst-free selective epitaxy, as well as InAs and Ge nanowires grown by a Au-catalyzed vapor solid liquid technique. We find that in situations where contacts are not limiting carrier injection (GaN and InAs nanowires), electrical transport transitions from Ohmic conduction at low bias to space-charge-limited conduction at higher bias. Using this transition and a theory of space-charge-limited transport which accounts for the high aspect ratio nanowires, we extract the mobility and the free carrier concentration. For Ge nanowires, we find that the Au catalyst forms a Schottky contact resulting in rectifying current–voltage characteristics, which are strongly dependent on the nanowire diameter. This dependence arises due to an increase in depletion width at decreased nanowire diameter and carrier recombination at the nanowire surface.
Carapace bone histology in the giant pleurodiran turtle Stupendemys geographicus: Phylogeny and function

Stupendemys geographicus (Pleurodira: Pelomedusoides: Podocnemidae) is a giant turtle from the Miocene of Vene− zuela and Brazil. The bone histology of the carapace of two adult specimens from the Urumaco Formation is described herein, one of which is the largest of this species ever found. In order to determine phylogenetic versus scaling factors influencing bone histology, S. geographicus is compared with related podocnemid Podocnemis erythrocephala, and with fossil and Recent pelomedusoides taxa Bothremys barberi, Taphrosphys sulcatus, “Foxemys cf. F. mechinorum”, and Pelomedusa subrufa. Potential scaling effects on bone histology were further investigated by comparison to the Pleistocene giant tortoise Hesperotestudo (Caudochelys) crassiscutata and the Late Cretaceous marine protostegid turtle Archelon ischyros. A diploe structure of the shell with well developed external and internal cortices framing inte− rior cancellous bone is plesiomorphic for all sampled taxa. Similarly, the occurrence of growth marks in the shell ele− ments is interpreted as plesiomorphic, with the sampled neural elements providing the most extensive record of growth marks. The assignment of S. geographicus to the Podocnemidae was neither strengthened nor refuted by the bone his− tology. A reduced thickness of the internal cortex of the shell elements constitutes a potential synapomorphy of the Bothremydidae. S. geographicus and H. crassiscutata both express extensive weight−reduction through lightweight− construction while retaining form stability of the shell. The bone histology of A. ischyros presents features likely re− lated to an open marine lifestyle.
Capital structure and firm performance in emerging economies: an empirical analysis of Sri Lankan firms

This paper offers an empirical analysis of the impact of capital structure on firm performance in the context of an emerging market—Sri Lanka. The study applies both pooled and panel data regression models for a sample of 155 Sri Lankan-listed firms. The results demonstrate that most of the Sri Lankan firms finance their operations with short-term debt capital as against the long-term debt capital and provide strong evidence that the firm performance is negatively affected by the use of debt capital. The study also finds a significant negative relationship between tangibility and performance indicating inefficient utilization of non-current assets. The negative performance implications associated with over-utilization of short-term debts and the under-utilization non-current assets provide corporate managers with useful policy directions.
Experimental investigation of the electrical characteristics and initiation dynamics of pulsed high-voltage glow discharge

Pulsed high-voltage glow discharge, a process that falls between conventional plasma ion implantation and plasma nitriding, is a potentially effective surface treatment technique. The electrical characteristics and initiation dynamics of the process are experimentally investigated in this work. The discharge behaviour is found to depend on the applied voltage, gas pressure, pulse duration, and pulsing frequency. The voltage-current characteristics basically obey the collisionless Child-Langmuir relationship, and the discharge current varies substantially with the applied voltage and gas pressure in the high-voltage, high-pressure domain. The seed plasma before each glow discharge pulse affects the initiation mechanism regardless of whether it is sustained by an external plasma source or it is simply the residual plasma of the afterglow after the voltage pulse has been turned off. Our results also disclose that the presence of an initial plasma before the glow discharge is ignited has a large impact on the initiation time of the glow discharge but has only a slight effect on the steady-state current.
Processing tense/aspect-agreement violations on-line in the second language: A self-paced reading study with French and German L2 learners of English

In this article, we report the results of a self-paced reading experiment designed to investigate the question of whether or not advanced French and German learners of English as a second language (L2) are sensitive to tense/aspect mismatches between a fronted temporal adverbial and the inflected verb that follows (e.g. *Last week, James has gone swimming every day) in their on-line comprehension. The L2 learners were equally able to distinguish correctly the past simple from the present perfect as measured by a traditional cloze test production task. They were also both able to assess the mismatch items as less acceptable than the match items in an off-line judgment task. Using a self-paced reading task, we investigated whether they could access this knowledge during real-time processing. Despite performing similarly in the explicit tasks, the two learner groups processed the experimental items differently from each other in real time. On-line, only the French L2 learners were sensitive to the mismatch conditions in both the past simple and the present perfect contexts, whereas the German L2 learners did not show a processing cost at all for either mismatch type. We suggest that the performance differences between the L2 groups can be explained by influences from the learners’ first language (L1): namely, only those whose L1 has grammaticized aspect (French) were sensitive to the tense/aspect violations on-line, and thus could be argued to have implicit knowledge of English tense/aspect distinctions.
Metamictization and recrystallization of titanite: An infrared spectroscopic study

Abstract Radiation damage and the recrystallization of natural titanite (CaTiSiO5) were studied using infrared spectroscopy in the spectral range from 50 to 7500 cm-1. The results show that radiation damage leads to systematic changes in spectral features: decreasing absorption and reflectivity, line broadening, and loss of orientational dependence. Strongly damaged titanite shows hydroxylate bands between 2200 and 3500 cm-1. The band most affected by radiation damage is the Ti-O stretching band near 670 cm-1. It shifts to 710 cm-1 in the most damaged samples, possibly indicating the presence of TiO5 complexes in metamict titanite. Titanite glasses (quenched melts of CaTiSiO5) show spectral features different from those of radiation-damaged titanite, especially in the Ti-O and Si-O stretching regions. Annealing radiation-damaged titanites at high temperatures results in the recovery of damaged crystalline regions. Recrystallization near 900 K is characterized by an increase in reflectivity, integrated absorbance, and line sharpening. Different infrared bands show recovery at different temperatures. The restoration of the Ti-O stretching band near 670 cm-1 and an infrared band near 285 cm-1 took place at temperatures of 1200-1400 K. Temperature-induced changes of the OH-absorption bands could be responsible for the previously reported differences in the temperature evolution of infrared spectra of OH species between in situ and quench experiments
Do Land Market Restrictions Hinder Structural Change in a Rural Economy? Evidence from Sri Lanka

This paper investigates the effects of land market restrictions on structural change from agriculture to non-agriculture in a rural economy. A model with higher migration costs due to land restrictions identifies the possibility of a reverse structural change where the share of non-agricultural employment declines. For identification, this paper exploits a natural experiment in Sri Lanka, where historical malaria played a unique role in land policy. The evidence indicates significant adverse effects of land restrictions on manufacturing and services employment. Land restrictions increase wage employment in agriculture but reduce it in manufacturing and services, with no effects on self-employment in non-agriculture.
SALIVARY 8-HIDROXY-2-DEOXY GUANOSINE AS OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Many studies that have been conducted highlight the existence of a correlation between markers of oxidative stress and various diseases, among which periodontitis. The group of patients studied consisted of 85 patients with periodontitis and 49 healthy subjects selected according to their oro-dental status. The evaluation of the salivary level of oxidative stress was performed by assessing the salivary 8-hidroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8OHdG) by an ELISA competitive method. The level of 8-OHdG in healthy oro-dental patients was between 1.85-1.20ng/mL; in patients with periodontitis the values before the treatment were 7.50-3ng/mL, and 4.50-1.80ng/mL after the treatment. The study demonstrates the existence of a correlation between the values of this biomarker and the status of periodontal tissue, allowing us to appreciate, in conclusion, that the level of 8-OHdG may be used for the diagnosis and treatment of the periodontal disease.
The Association of Troponin I Levels with Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background: As a result of repeated nocturnal hypoxemia, pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction, acute right ventricular dilatation and hypokinesia and myocardial injury may occur in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). As it is known, Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is an important marker of myocardial injury. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the degree of myocardial injury which is created with nocturnal hypoxemia by measuring cTnI levels in patients with OSAS and to evaluate the association between cTnI levels and severity of OSAS. Methods: Seventy-six subjects who had OSAS symptoms were examined with standard polysomnography (PSG) and classified according to their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Forty-seven patients with AHI ≥ 5 were considered as OSAS and 29 subjects with AHI 30) OSAS (n:20). Serum cTnI levels were measured twice in all subjects after the PSG. Results: When the levels of cTnI were compared, there was no significant difference between patients and controls (OSAS=3.6 ± 2.7 ng/ml and controls=3.1 ± 1.8 ng/ml, p=0.3). Also no significant difference was detected between mild-moderate OSAS (2.93 ± 1.67 ng/ml), severe OSAS (4.57 ± 3.47 ng/ml) and controls comparing with their cTnI levels (p=0.053). But cTnI levels in severe OSAS patients were significantly higher than controls (p=0.01). According to the logarithmic transformation, log-cTnI was 0.49 ± 0.21 ng/ml and 0.47 ± 0.21 ng/ml in OSAS subjects and controls, respectively (p=0.74). Severe OSAS patients had higher log-cTnI levels (0.59 ± 0.22 ng/ml) than mildmoderate OSAS subjects and controls (p=0.018, f=4.26). There was a positive correlation between AHI and cTnI levels in patients with OSAS (r=0.276, p=0.019, R2=0.076). Conclusion: Cardiac troponin I measurements may be useful to show the degree of myocardial injury in severe OSAS.