Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A BAYESIAN ESTIMATE OF THE CMB–LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE CROSS-CORRELATION

Evidences for late-time acceleration of the universe are provided by multiple probes, such as Type Ia supernovae, the cosmic microwave background (CMB), and large-scale structure (LSS). In this work, we focus on the integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) effect, i.e., secondary CMB fluctuations generated by evolving gravitational potentials due to the transition between, e.g., the matter and dark energy (DE) dominated phases. Therefore, assuming a flat universe, DE properties can be inferred from ISW detections. We present a Bayesian approach to compute the CMB–LSS cross-correlation signal. The method is based on the estimate of the likelihood for measuring a combined set consisting of a CMB temperature and galaxy contrast maps, provided that we have some information on the statistical properties of the fluctuations affecting these maps. The likelihood is estimated by a sampling algorithm, therefore avoiding the computationally demanding techniques of direct evaluation in either pixel or harmonic space. As local tracers of the matter distribution at large scales, we used the Two Micron All Sky Survey galaxy catalog and, for the CMB temperature fluctuations, the ninth-year data release of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP9). The results show a dominance of cosmic variance over the weak recovered signal, due mainly to the shallowness of the catalog used, with systematics associated with the sampling algorithm playing a secondary role as sources of uncertainty. When combined with other complementary probes, the method presented in this paper is expected to be a useful tool to late-time acceleration studies in cosmology.
odelling and mapping the economic value of supplemental rrigation in a humid climate

Irrigation is an essential component of crop production to meet retailer demands for premium quality when rainfall is insufficient. Under drought conditions, irrigation can be constrained by water resources availability, with consequent impacts on yield, quality and revenue. Whilst most agriculture in Europe is rainfed, greater dependence on supplemental irrigation could become more important in humid environments due to a changing climate with greater rainfall uncertainty and higher frequency of droughts. By combining industry and farm level economic data, with geospatial information on agricultural land use, agroclimate, soils and irrigation practices within a GIS, this paper estimates the total financial benefit of outdoor irrigated production in England and Wales assuming no constraints in resource availability and optimal irrigation practices. The analysis suggests that the total net benefits of irrigation in a ‘design’ dry year are around £665 million, with an average irrigation water productivity in excess of £3.3 per m3 (close to £1.1 per m3 excluding soft fruit). Map outputs highlight significant regional differences in water productivity reflecting the composition of land use and the importance of crop mix in determining economic value. A sensitivity analysis to changes in agroclimate, market conditions (crop prices) and water supply (costs) illustrates how the benefits might change under contrasting scenario. The study highlights the importance of supplemental irrigation, even in a humid climate, and the risks that future droughts and/or constraints in water resource availability might have on agricultural systems, livelihoods and the rural economy. The implications for water resources and drought management are discussed. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
Investigating the Link between Transit Oriented Development and Sustainable Travel Behavior in Brisbane: A Case-Control Study

The purpose of this research is to empirically test the prevailing view that transit oriented development enhances the use of more sustainable modes of transport using Brisbane, Australia as a case. Transit oriented development has been adopted as a new policy tool to reduce car-based travel worldwide. Despite being a billion dollar investment, the impacts of transit oriented development on promoting sustainable travel behavior is not conclusive. The research uses a case-control approach to empirically investigate this relationship based on travel behavior data collected from 88 individuals living in two contrasting neighborhoods in Brisbane: Kelvin Grove Urban Village – a transit oriented development, and Annerley – a traditional suburb (non-transit oriented development). A comparative investigation of travel behavior was subsequently conducted using distance travelled by modes and purposes between the neighborhoods. Results show that the availability of opportunity and services located within the transit oriented development reduces the car use by 5% and increases the use of active transport by 4%. The findings in this research support the implementation of TOD policies in Brisbane.
Active Ageing and Access to Technology : An Evolving Empirical Study

Researchers’ interest in seeing the benefits of Internet in elderly people is now growing. The network helps this group to increase communication, avoid isolation and loneliness and to age actively. Europe decided 2012 to be the Year of Active ageing. This paper presents a descriptive study of time series analysis carried out between 2004 and 2012 with the aim of knowing how the evolution in the level, motives and needs of the use of computers and Internet by elderly people in an environment of university training focused on health and life quality is. To obtain results a question paper is to be handed out to a sample of 419 people aged between 55 and 94 and taking part in the «Inter-university Programs of Experiences» from the University of Burgos. The obtained results match up with previous studies that pointed a noticeable increase in the use of the Internet (in frequency, number of users and resources) caused by elderly people’s desire to keep active, up-to-date and communicated, as well as their need to continue their learning process through tools linked to the network. Here some suggestions focused on the improvement of elderly people’s formation and future research on the perception of the Internet as a tool for social participation. RESUMEN Es creciente el interés de los investigadores por constatar los beneficios para las personas mayores que conlleva el uso de Internet. La Red ayuda a este colectivo a incrementar la comunicación, evitar el aislamiento y la soledad y, en suma, a promover un envejecimiento activo, objetivo al que Europa dedicó el año 2012. Este trabajo presenta un estudio descriptivo de análisis de serie temporal realizado a lo largo de nueve años (2004 a 2012, ambos incluidos) con el objetivo de conocer la evolución en el nivel, motivos y necesidades del uso del ordenador y de Internet por personas mayores en un entorno de formación universitaria. Se aplica un cuestionario de diseño propio a una muestra de 419 personas con edades comprendidas entre los 55 y 94 años, alumnos del Programa Interuniversitario de la Experiencia en la Universidad de Burgos. Los resultados coinciden con estudios previos que apuntan hacia un notable incremento en el uso de Internet (en número de usuarios, frecuencia y recursos utilizados), motivados los mayores por el deseo de estar activos, actualizados y comunicados; así como por la necesidad percibida de seguir aprendiendo mediante herramientas vinculadas a la Red. Se plantean propuestas de mejora centradas en la formación de los mayores e investigaciones futuras sobre su percepción de Internet como herramienta para la participación social.
On the comparison of symmetric and unsymmetric formulations for experimental vibro‐acoustic modal analysis

The classical u‐p formulation for vibro‐acoustic problems is very convenient for experimental vibro‐acoustic modal analysis since the physical variables are directly those which are measured by operators. In this particular context, the objective is to identify from experimental measurements a reduced model which has the same behaviour as the measured one. The complex mode shapes which are identified using this technique must satisfy a properness condition. When they do not verify it, they should be modified to be able to represent the behaviour of a physical system. Some techniques have been proposed in order to develop a strategy to obtain the modified eigenshapes, but this is a quite difficult point because of the unsymmetric topology of the equations. In this paper, a symmetric formulation is used in order to be able to directly apply the classical methodology which has been developed for structural modal analysis to obtain the physical reduced system. The methodology is described and compared with the u‐p formulation, in terms of efficiency and precision, in particular when some absorbing devices are considered. All results are first presented on an ideal numerical test‐case, and applications on experimental data are finally shown.
Learning Outcomes Taught by Three Teaching Styles in College Fundamental Volleyball Classes

The current study examined learning outcomes of three teaching styles in collegiate fundamental volleyball skill classes. Participants were 72 non-physical education major college students who were enrolled in fundamental volleyball skill classes. After an informal skill test the participants were randomly assigned to three groups taught by practice, reciprocal, and inclusion styles. Each group followed the teaching-learning transition patterns of the three teaching strategies as designed by Mosston and Ashworth (19). After eight classes, a validated volleyball skill test battery (1) was utilized to assess skill acquisitions. Scores on passing, setting, and serving constituted a composite score that represented students’ learning outcomes. Results revealed that the mean composite score of the practice group was significantly (p < .01) higher than that of the reciprocal and inclusion groups. No significant difference in the mean composite score was found between the reciprocal and inclusion groups. Furthermore, males scored significantly (p < .01) higher than females in the practice group while females scored significantly (p < .01) higher than males in the inclusion and reciprocal groups. In conclusion, when teaching collegiate fundamental volleyball skills, the three teaching styles toward teaching effectiveness are ranked in descending order as follow: (a) practice, reciprocal, and inclusion styles for males; and (b) inclusion, reciprocal, and practice styles for females.
Bioactivity and Chemical Analysis ofDrepanoalpha: An Anti-Sickle Cell AnemiaPoly-Herbal Formula from Congo-Kinshasa

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease that is becoming a public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries. Phytotherapy seems to be an affordable approach for sickle cell patients in this region. In Democratic Republic of the Congo, a hundred of plants used in the management of SCD were studied through bio-guided assays. Three most active recipes were used for the formulation of an improved traditional drug, called Drepanoalpha, of which scientific evidence concerning the effectiveness and innocuousness is well established. The present study aimed to identify as well as to quantify the phyto-markers of biopharmaceutical relevance for the evaluation of the quality and the standardization of Drepanoalpha; to identify and quantify the nutrients contained in this phytomedicine and to determine its energy value; to assess its antisickling and antibacterial activities in vitro. The obtain results indicated that Drepanoalpha contains total polyphenols (289.3 ± 6.3 mg gallic acid equivalents /g), flavonoids (350.7 ± 1.3 mg equivalent of quercetin/g), anthocyanins (108.0 ± 5.6 mg D-catechin equivalent/g) and tannins (202.5 ± 0.3 mg tannic acid equivalent/g). It also contains glucids (55.3 g/100 g of drug), lipids (5.7 g/100 g of drug), proteins (16.6 g/100 g of drug) and micro-nutriments such as Zn, Mn, Fe (9.0 mg/100 g of dry matters), Mg (1.4 mg/100 g of DM), Ca (4. 8 mg/100 g of DM), K, and P as well as the vitamin C. Its energy value is about 1482 kJ/100 g of drug. The organic extracts displayed in vitro antisickling (rate of normalization >90%) and antibacterial activities (towards S. aureus) (CMI<500 μg/ml). Thus, it is desirable that flavonoids be targeted as sphyto-markers for the evaluation of the quality of Drepanoalpha and its standardization.
The perception of system latency in dynamic binaural synthesis

In an interactive virtual acoustic environment the total system latency (TSL) plays an important role for the authenticity of simulations, be it a purely acoustic [1] or an audiovisual simulation [2]. Knowledge about thresholds of just detectable latency will allow for adequate adjustment of the rendering effort. Moreover, headroom available for additional audio processing will be determined. Most former studies examined latency by means of auralization based on anechoic head related transfer functions (HRTFs). Thus, as no reliable thresholds exist for the binaural simulation of reverberant acoustic environments this study was conducted for different acoustic environments, and using different stimuli in a criterion free adaptive psychoacoustic procedure.
Adrenal Oligometastases Secondary to Non-small Cell Lung Cancer—What is the Optimal Treatment Approach?

Background: Five-year overall survival (OS) for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a dismal 1%. However, approximately 7% have limited or solitary metastases, including to the adrenal gland. Radical treatment of these oligometastases (OM) could increase local control and improve OS. Our objective was to critically analyze data describing aggressive treatment of adrenal OM secondary to NSCLC. Methods: A literature search examining English publications describing surgery or radiotherapy (RT) was performed, supplemented by searching reference lists. Case reports of three or fewer patients, and articles from which NSCLCor adrenal-specific clinical outcomes could not be abstracted, were excluded. Results: Twenty-nine studies met eligibility criteria (521 patients), 26 retrospective. No publications directly compare modalities. Four surgery studies described contemporaneous patients treated with palliative chemotherapy (CH) alone. Reported median OS ranged from 9.5–64 months after adrenalectomy, 8–23 months after RT, and 6–8.5 months after CH. Local failure after surgery was 14%, with response rates after RT 57–75%. Both appear well-tolerated. Conclusions: In patients with an adrenal OM secondary to NSCLC, aggressive treatment should be considered. However, due to the paucity of high quality evidence, it is unclear at present whether this approach alters the natural history of the disease.
Separating the efflux and influx components of net nitrate uptake by Synechococcus R2 under steady-state conditions

N isotopic discrimination was used to determine the ratio of influx to efflux in experiments in which NO3 reduction was decreased (and also net NO- 3 uptake, since under steady-state conditions, net NO- 3 uptake is equal to the rate of reduction) by tungstate. Exponential growth rate constants for the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. R2 grown in media containing 0.18 μM-molybdate decreased linearly (0.040 to 0.013 h-1) with increasing tungstate concentration (0 to 0.2 mM). Values of the overall, observed N isotope effect (βobs, the ratio of the rate of reaction of 14N- to 15N-bearing molecules, normalized to adjust for unequal concentrations) varied inversely and were linear with exponential growth rate. At high tungstate concentration, when the exponential growth rate approached zero (as a result of negligible NO- 3 reduction), βobs approached 1.0197. In the absence of tungstate, βobs was equal to 1.0037. From this value, we calculated the ratio of efflux to influx to be about 0.19. That is, in the absence of tungstate, more than 80% of the NO- 3 entering the cell underwent reduction with less than 20% released to the medium from the cell. This approach can be used to distinguish changes in influx from changes in metabolic steps in response to factors which affect net uptake rate.
Ground Slotted Monopole Antenna Design for Microwave Breast Cancer Detection Based on Time Reversal MUSIC

In this manuscript, a reduced size, ground slotted monopole antenna, operating in the range of 3.1–10.6 GHz is designed and implemented for breast cancer detection using time reversal MUSIC. A homemade breast mimicking phantom has been experimentally designed to facilitate the detection implementation. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement. The slots and blending edges of the ground, along with the feed step are some techniques applied to the designed antenna in order to achieve a broad bandwidth and reduce considerably the reflection coefficient. The resulting dielectric constant from the breast phantom is relatively close to the real normal breast tissues. After the design has been completed, some techniques of time reversal MUSIC were employed to mimic the breast cancer detection. The experimental results show that both temporal and spatial images of the cancer (tumor) are well represented here.
High pressure compressibilities of pyrite and cattierite

Compressibilities of pyrite and cattierite have been examined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method up to 42 kbar and 36 kbar, respectively. Both S-S and M-S (M: Fe, Co) bonds in both of the minerals are contracted linearly with pressure within the experimental pressure ranges. However, contraction of the S-S bond in cattierite is much smaller than that in pyrite, whereas the CooSbond shows a larger contraction than Fe-S. Bonding strength (or hardness) of the S-S bond is estimated to be about 60% of that for Fe-S in pyrite.
Correlation of gas dynamics and dust in the evolved filament G82.65-02.00

Context. The combination of line and continuum observations can provide vital insight into the formation and fragmentation of filaments and the initial conditions for star formation. We have carried out line observations to map the kinematics of an evolved, actively star forming filament G82.65-2.00. The filament was first identified from the Planck data as a region of particularly cold dust emission and was mapped at 100–500 μ m as a part of the Herschel key program Galactic Cold Cores. The Herschel observations cover the central part of the filament, corresponding to a filament length of ~ 12 pc at the assumed distance of 620 pc. Aims. CO observations show that the filament has an intriguing velocity field with several velocity components around the filament. In this paper, we study the velocity structure in detail, to quantify possible mass accretion rate onto the filament, and study the masses of the cold cores located in the filament. Methods. We have carried out line observations of several molecules, including CO isotopologues, HCO + , HCN, and CS with the Osaka 1.85 m telescope and the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. The spectral line data are used to derive velocity and column density information. Results. The observations reveal several velocity components in the field, with strongest line emission concentrated to velocity range ~[3,5] km s -1 . The column density of molecular hydrogen along the filament varies from 1.0 to 2.3 × 10 22 cm 2 . We have examined six cold clumps from the central part of the filament. The clumps have masses in the range 10−20 M ⊙ (~ 70 M ⊙ in total) and are close to or above the virial mass. Furthermore, the main filament is heavily fragmented and most of the substructures have a mass lower than or close to the virial mass, suggesting that the filament is dispersing as a whole. Position-velocity maps of 12 CO and 13 CO lines indicate that at least one of the striations is kinematically connected to two of the clumps, potentially indicating mass accretion from the striation onto the main filament. We tentatively estimate the accretion rate to be Ṁ = 2.23 × 10 -6 M ⊙ / yr. Conclusions. Our line observations have revealed two or possibly three velocity components connected to the filament G82.65-2.00 and putative signs of mass accretion onto the filament. The line observations combined with Herschel and WISE maps suggest a possible collision between two cloud components.
Biochemical and Molecular Analysis of Laccase Enzyme in Saprobic Fungus; Sordaria fimicola

Saprobic fungi play an important role in decomposition and thus contributing to the global carbon cycle. Sordaria fimicola strains collected from diverse environment were evaluated for their laccase enzyme activity, while Aspergillus niger was used as control fungus. In laccase assay, S. fimicola strain N6 collected from the station 6 located at the Northern Facing Slope (NFS) of the Evolution Canyon 1 (EC 1), showed the maximum laccase enzyme activity (1.1 ∆A/min). In the next step, complete laccase gene (1.917 Kb) was amplified and sequenced from the biochemically efficient isolates of S. fimicola viz. S1, S2, SF13, N6 and N7 and on comparison with reported sequence of Neurospora crassa (Accession no. M18334.1) 245 point mutations, 65 amino acid and post-translational modifications (PTMs) changes were detected in the in silico translation proteins. In phylogenetic analysis, S1, S2, SF13, N6 and N7 strains of S. fimicola were found in clade-I alone, while reference sequence of N. crassa (Accession no. M18334.1) was present in clade-II. The laccase gene sequences were submitted to NCBI data base under accession numbers KM282173, KM282174, KM282172, KM282175 and KM282176 for S. fimicola strains S1, S2, SF13, N6 and N7, respectively. The biochemical as well as molecular data of the study depicted that environmental stresses affected the specific genes by bringing in mutations, which may result in genomic diversity among the organisms and their frontier molecules such as proteins. The observed laccase enzyme activity of S. fimicola-a non-pathogenic fungus, was found even better and comparable to A. niger, a pathogenic fungus. Therefore, being a saprophytic with short life cycle S. fimicola can become a fungus of choice to produce laccase enzyme at large scale. © 2017 Friends Science Publishers
Language Teachers' Conceptions of Intelligence and their Roles in Teacher Care and Teacher Feedback

The purpose of this study was to find the relationships among teachers’ conceptions of intelligence, teacher care, and teacher feedback in the realm of English Language Teaching (ELT). To this aim, three scales were developed to measure the aforementioned constructs. The participants consisted of 81 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and their 426 students who were learning English in private language institutes. The scales were validated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the correlations among their subscales were investigated. The findings suggested that modularity, increasability, and applied ELT are associated with the nature and amount of teacher feedback and care as perceived by the students. Moreover, the results revealed that teachers’ conceptions of intelligence significantly affect how they evaluate their students (p < .05). In the end, implications were provided in the context of teaching.