Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photometry of supernovae in an image series: methods and application to the SuperNova Legacy Survey (SNLS)

Aims. We present a technique to measure lightcurves of time-variable point sources on a spatially structured background from imaging data. The technique was developed to measure lightcurves of SNLS supernovae in order to infer their distances. This photometry technique performs simultaneous point spread function (PSF) photometry at the same sky position on an image series. Methods. We describe two implementations of the method: one that resamples images before measuring fluxes, and one which does not. In both instances, we sketch the key algorithms involved and present the validation using semi-artificial sources introduced in real images in order to assess the accuracy of the supernova flux measurements relative to that of surrounding stars. We describe the methods required to anchor these PSF fluxes to calibrated aperture catalogs, in order to derive SN magnitudes. Results. We find a marginally significant bias of 2 mmag of the after-resampling method, and no bias at the mmag accuracy for the non-resampling method. Given surrounding star magnitudes, we determine the systematic uncertainty of SN magnitudes to be less than 1.5 mmag, which represents about one third of the current photometric calibration uncertainty a ecting SN measurements. The SN photometry delivers several by-products: bright star PSF flux measurements which have a repeatability of about 0.6%, as for aperture measurements; we measure relative astrometric positions with a noise floor of 2.4 mas for a single-image bright star measurement; we show that in all bands of the MegaCam instrument, stars exhibit a profile linearly broadening with flux by about 0.5% over the whole brightness range.
Effect of Combining Yam Peels with Cowpea Husk on Nitrogen Metabolism and Serum Biochemical Parameters of West African Dwarf Goats fed Guinea Grass

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of combining yam peels with cowpea husk on nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical parameters of West African dwarf goats fed guinea grass. Twenty four dwarf male goats with means bodyweight of 7.00 + 0.25kg and aged between 7 and 8 months old were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with eight goats per treatment. The compared diets which comprised different proportions of yam peels and cowpea husk respectively were: Diet I (65.00 and 10.00%), Diet II (60.00 and 15.00%) and Diet III (55.00 and 20.00%). Results obtained showed that Diet I was significantly (P 0.05) did not occur in faecal nitrogen output (g/day) and serum creatinine (mg/dl). It is concluded that combination of yam peels and cowpea husk in diet III enhanced nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical indices of dwarf goats. Keywords: Nitrogen, serum biochemistry, yam peels, cowpea husk, goats.
Evaluation of flexible postconsumed polyurethane foams modified by polystyrene grafting as sorbent material for oil spills

This work studies the possibility of reusing flexible postconsumed polyurethane foams modified by grafting with polystyrene as a sorbent material for the mit- igation of oil spills. Different foams were evaluated via crude oil sorption and retention experiments, density, and morphological analyses. The foams with the best perform- ance were chemically modified by grafting with polysty- rene under different conditions (initiator concentration, styrene volume, and reaction time) in a system initiated by oxi-reduction of Ce(IV) from an amoniacal ceric nitrate solution. A three-level factorial design was used to study the influence of the variables. The foams were character- ized via spectroscopy (XPS/ESCA and infrared) and water and oil sorption. Foam modification via grafting with poly- styrene showed to be a viable alternative to increase its oil sorption ability. V
ORTHOSES CONTROL OF FRONTAL AND SAGITTAL PLANE MOTION IN THE INJURED AND UNINJURED LEGS OF SUBJECTS WITH CHRONIC ACHILLES TENDON INJURY DURING RUNNING

This study is part of a larger study examining the effectiveness of orthoses in relieving symptoms of injury. Nine subjects with unilateral chronic Achilles tendon injury ran on a treadmill under three conditions: barefoot, with orthoses and without orthoses. Threedimensional rearfoot and lower leg kinematic data was obtained using eight ProReflex Qualisys MCU240 cameras operating at 200 Hz. An SPSS repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine differences between injured and uninjured legs. Results indicated considerable between SUbject variation even in this carefUlly controlled SUbject group. Orthoses restored the injured leg to a more neutral frontal plane position at heel strike and decreased sagittal plane maximum and ROM angles by more than 2° compared to the no orthoses condition. There was a significant leg'condition interaction effect for Achilles tendon angle at heel strike (p =0.003) illustrating different effects of conditions for both legs.
Asset Prices, Financial Stability and Monetary Policy

Controlling inflation has long been the core objective of most of the central banks to attain other macroeconomic goals and sustainability. However, price stability does not guarantee against financial instability. In the past, large asset price movements resulted into financial crises that led to the collapse of the financial institutions and in turn put the economy in recession and disinflation. Controversy exists as to whether or not monetary policy should respond to (or attempt to influence) asset price “bubbles. ” In this paper we highlight the links between commodity and asset prices and analyze the arguments in favor or against the use of monetary policy to tackle with asset price bubble.
PREDICTING EIGHTH-GRADE ALGEBRA ACHIEVEMENT

The relative importance of a group of cognitive variables in explaining the algebra achievement of high-ability eighth graders was investigated. Stepwise multiple regression analyses identified algebra prognosis test scores and performance in seventh-grade mathematics as the most influential predictors of algebra grades, whereas mathematics problem solving, the prognosis test, and IQ were shown to best predict achievement on a standardized algebra test. A discriminant analysis demonstrated the importance of the prognosis test in discriminating between students who successfully completed first-year algebra and those who dropped out of or failed the course. Although the study showed no sex difference in algebra achievement test scores, girls in the sample attained higher percentage grades for the course. In many schools, superior mathematics students are given the opportunity to study first-year algebra in the eighth grade as the first course of an accelerated mathematics program that culminates with Advanced Placement Calculus in the senior year. Unfortunately, first-year algebra proves to be a stumbling block for some of the students who enroll in the accelerated program. Unsuccessful students either drop the algebra course and revert back to regular eighth-grade mathematics or complete the course only to have to repeat it in the ninth grade. In either case, intelligent, previously highachieving students experience the trauma of failure. An important first step in
Increase of Mean Individual Biomass [MIB] of Carabidae [Coleoptera] in relation to succession in forest habitats

The applicability of Mean Individual Biomass (MIB) of Carabidae as an indi- cator of succession stage was tested on 35 forest stands in western Poland. The differences in MIB values as well as similarity indices (Jaccard index, Wainstein index) were calculated between two inventories at the study sites separated by a time span of 13 years. The hypoth- eses were set that (1) MIB values increase with time on the study areas and (2) the differ- ences in MIB values are negatively correlated with the corresponding similarity indices. The results show an increase in numbers of species and individuals of big sized carabids in the total samples. MIB values increase at the vast majority (85.7%) of the individual study sites between the two inventories. The increase in MIB shows a significant negative correlation with both similarity indices. The correlation is more pronounced when using the Wainstein index. The results verify the applicability of MIB of Carabidae as an indicator of stage of succession. Based on the results we suggest MIB as a useful tool in forest research and for- est management.
Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Musa acuminate cv. Berangan at different ripening stages

The physicochemical properties of Musa Acuminata cv. Berangan at different ripening stages (1, 2 and 3) were evaluated in the study. A visual attribute such as colour usually leads to misclassification as it can be subjected to different individual interpretation. Therefore, various measurements were conducted to determine the relationship between ripening stages and physicochemical properties of the fruit such as colour, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS) and firmness. Results showed that there were significant changes in physicochemical properties as ripening stages increased. Results also indicated that the correlations between ripening stages and firmness and pH values were statistically significant compared to other parameters. These relationships can be used to predict the related quality attributes of Berangan bananas.
Response of high yield variety of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) after fertigation with distillery effluent in two seasons

A pot experiment was conducted to study the response of high yield variety of Vigna radiata (Mung bean; Var. Pusa-105), after fertigation with distillery effluent (DE) in two seasons, that is, rainy and summer season. The DE irrigation produced significant (P 0.05) changes were observed in water holding capacity (WHC) and bulk density (BD) of the soil in both seasons. The agronomical performance of V. radiata was gradually increased from 5 to 50% concentrations of DE in the rainy season and 5 to 25% concentration of DE in the summer season, while it was decreased at higher concentration, that is, from 75 to 100% concentrations of DE in the rainy season and 50 to 100% concentrations of DE in the summer season in comparison to the control. The maximum growth of V. radiata at maturity stage was observed at 50% concentration of DE in the rainy season and at 25% in the summer season. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals were in order of Mn>Cd>Cr>Cu>Zn for soil and Cr>Cu>Zn>Cd>Mn for V. radiata in both seasons after irrigation with DE.
The opportunities and challenges to introduce pharmaceutical care in Cuba

As with many countries across the globe, professional pharmacy is moving from a product orientation (dispensing medications) to a focus on patient care in Cuba. Such transformations are very difficult, especially for developing nation. To alter the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists, Cuba is beginning to enhance existing practice settings, first with revamping educational programs. The main change is the introduction of pharmaceutical care as the professional practice mode. Pharmacy curriculum now has experiential training to provide students with the new knowledge, skills, and abilities required for pharmaceutical care. The Cuban health successes in raising the overall health status of the population have led it to become a model for other developing nations. Using national data and the most recent figures from the Cuban National Institute of Statistics, this assessment of Cuban health care and its new pharmacy practice model notes the transformations being carried out in the pharmacy services, along with improvements in pharmacy education. An analysis of barriers in the context of the Cuban health system is provided.
Determing the fate of selected antibiotics during nitrogen recovery via urea-formaldehdye synthesis

Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Environmental engineering LACKSON KASHOBWE: Determining fate of the selected antibiotic during nitrogen recovery via Urea Formaldehyde synthesis Bachelor's thesis pages 48, appendices 2 pages 47, 48 March 2016 The work presented here focused on the determination of fate of four selected antibiotics: enrofloaxicin, oxytetracyline, sulfamethoxazole and tylosin during nitrogen recovery from source separated urine via urea formaldehyde synthesis. The experimental pH was at 2 and temperature at 25°C throughout the chemical reaction, preventing urea hydrolysis. Five main chemical reactions: aqueous + antibiotics, Urine + formaldehyde + antibiotics (UF synthesis experiment), urea-formaldehyde polymer + antibiotics (adsorption experiment), formaldehyde + antibiotics and dried Urea formaldehyde polymer dissolved in the nitric acid + antibiotics (absorption experiment) were sat up. The spiked antibiotics concentrations were analyzed for each reaction. Solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid chromatography and mass spectrometer (LC/MS) were used to extract and measure the antibiotics. According to the data obtained, enrofloxacin was not hydrolyzed, thus its degradation behavior was not analyzed in details. Oxytetracyline’s concentration fluctuated and indicated that at some point chemical reaction occurred with presences of alpha and beta epimers. The results for sulfamethoxazole showed that the antibiotic was very stable and did not under go any chemical reaction except during UF synthesis and adsorption experiment. Tylosin in all experimental chemical reactions showed vulnerability to hydrolysis due to its instability at pH 2 and it was completely degraded in each experiment. In addition two more chemical reactions: urine + antibiotics and selected urine (no Cl and Ca) + antibiotics were set up in order to determine the role of inorganic and organic compounds during the reaction and their effect on the fate of the antibiotics. The results showed that inorganic ion, absence or presence of Cl and Ca and organic compounds had no effect on the concentration decrease and the fate of the antibiotics. The results helped to validate and support the five main chemical reactions analysis.
Comportamento de almofadas de argamassa modificada na transferência de tensões de compressão

This research aims to analyze the compressive stress transfer between precast concrete elements using cement mortar pads modified with polypropylene fibers, styrene-butadiene latex and heat-expanded vermiculite. The stress transfer analyses are performed interleaving a cementbearing pad between two concrete blocks, subjecting the entire specimen to different compressive load tests. The parameters analyzed in the tests are: surface roughness (using bosses on the bonded phase of different thicknesses), compressive strength with monotonic and cyclic loadings. The main results obtained in this study are: a) the presence of pad increased the strength in 24% for thicknesses of imperfections of 0.5 mm and approximately 12% for smooth faces blocks; b) gain of effectiveness of the bearing pad when the concrete strength was reduced; c) for cyclic loading, the bearing pad increased in 48% the connections strength.
Human Capital and Regional Growth in Switzerland

This paper develops a regional production function model for Swiss cantons that incorporates human capital together with spatial effects. Within a spatial panel framework we find that controlling for time effects the spatial spillover effect becomes insignificant. Our results are sensitive with respect to the human capital proxy. We find that the share of academics in the workforce is the main component of human capital driving productivity growth in Swiss cantons. This is in line with findings of previous studies suggesting that mostly highly skilled workers matter for productivity growth in technologically advanced economies.
Organized Hypocrisy in EFL Teacher Training Programs.

Embracing the reasons for the failure of donor-sponsored English-teacher training programs is very critical since it precedes the revisions, improvements and quality assurance for the futuristic training programs. Ideating such philosophy, the current study concerns the blatant penetration with regard to the donor-aided training programs in Bangladesh. Conceptualizing the Organized Hypocrisy (OH) theory, the current study, particularly, explored to seek the answer as to how OH is trivializing the donor-funded English teacher training programs in Bangladesh. A systematic review process has been adopted concerning the donor-aided English teacher training programs, mobile learning theories and teacher development theories. The review yielded critical insights to apprehend the phenomena affecting the donor-sponsored training programs in the respective context. The study revealed that outright violation of donor’s mandates and policies, and mainstreaming gaps resulted in the failure of the donor-sponsored training programs. Disputing the commitments from donor’s part is identified ubiquitous in the training programs.
Climate of the Past Contribution of oceanic and vegetation feedbacks to Holocene climate change in monsoonal Asia

The impact of vegetation-atmosphere and ocean-atmosphere interactions on the midto late Holocene climate change as well as their synergy is studied for different parts of the Asian monsoon region, giving consideration to the large climatic and topographical heterogeneity in that area. We concentrate on temperature and precipitation changes as the main parameters describing monsoonal influenced climates. For our purpose, we analyse a set of coupled numerical experiments, performed with the comprehensive Earth system model ECHAM5/JSBACH-MPIOM under present-day and mid-Holocene (6 k) orbital configurations (Otto et al., 2009b). The temperature change caused by the insolation forcing reveals an enhanced seasonal cycle, with a pronounced warming in summer (0.58 K) and autumn (1.29 K) and a cooling in the other seasons (spring: −1.32 K; winter: −0.97 K). Most of this change can be attributed to the direct response of the atmosphere, but the ocean, whose reaction has a lagged seasonal cycle (warming in autumn and winter, cooling in the other seasons), strongly modifies the signal. The simulated contribution of dynamic vegetation is small and most effective in winter, where it slightly warms the near-surface atmosphere (approx. 0.03 K). The temperature difference attributed to the synergy is on average positive, but also small. Concerning the precipitation, the most remarkable change is the postponement and enhancement of the Asian monsoon (0.46 mm/day in summer, 0.53 mm/day in autumn), mainly related to the direct atmospheric response. On regional average, the interactive ocean (ca. 0.18 mm/day) amplifies Correspondence to: A. Dallmeyer (anne.dallmeyer@zmaw.de) the direct effect, but tends to weaken the East Asian summer monsoon and strongly increases the Indian summer monsoon rainfall rate (0.68 mm/day). The influence of dynamic vegetation on precipitation is comparatively small (<0.04 mm/day). The synergy effect has no influence, on average.
Access to Credit by Vegetable Farmers in Nigeria: A Case Study of Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria

This study examined the access to credit by vegetable farmers in Nigeria with Owerri agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria as a case study. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 vegetable farmers. Descriptive and inferential statistics, logit model and factor analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed that the respondents had the following mean scores: Age 43.7 years, household size 6.2, average farming experience 9.9 years and farm size 1.32 ha. About 74.5% of these respondents accessed credit from informal sources while only 25.5% had access through formal sources. Logit model result showed that education and land tenure had significant (p<0.05) relationship with access to informal credit, while education, household size, off-farm income and farming experience had significant (p<0.10) relationship with farmers’ access to formal credit. Factor analysis result showed that the constraints against vegetable farmers in obtaining formal credit in the study area were untimely delivery of credit, bureaucratic processes, high administrative charges, high interest rates, high transaction costs, unreliability and hidden charges. It is evident from this study that vegetable farmers in the study area did not have access to credit especially formal credit and therefore necessary agricultural credit schemes were recommended.
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF ROAD SAFETY RISK ANALYSIS

In order to address the safety and efficiency issues out on the transport network, traffic and road safety engineers often come up with innovative design solutions. The safety of such schemes can be difficult to assess given that most of the safety research has been developed for standard intersections. For example in the Economic Evaluation Manual: Appendix A6 crash prediction models and crash reduction factors are provided for standard intersections and road links and common treatment types. There are also limited models around that can assess the risk of serious and fatal crashes. This paper discusses three studies that have considered non-standard intersection and rural road upgrades/treatments in the Bay of Plenty. The first two include a signalised roundabout at the Takitimu/Elizabeth Street and Te Maunga (SH29)/Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) intersections and also a displaced right turn signalised T-junction at the latter intersection. Crash prediction models and overseas research have been used to assess the relative safety of these alternative intersection designs. These have also been compared with standard intersection configurations. For intersections the risk of serious and fatal crashes is assessed using various research on severity including factors provided in the High Risk Intersection Guide. Specific research on crash rates and crash severity were also used to look at combination of clear-zones and barriers on the shoulder of the TEL and the effect on the risk of serious and fatal crashes.
Tariff liberatization and the growth of word trade: A comparative historiocal analysis to evaluate the multilateral trading system

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between tariff barriers and world trade growth from a comparative and historical perspective, and –to derive some useful indications for evaluating the effectiveness of the current multilateral trading system for promoting world trade. The novelty of this work is the complex reconstruction of a historical tariffs and trade series for the period 1870-2000, for 23 countries; this constitutes a good proxy for world trade (accounting for over 60%) in this period. The effect of tariff liberalization on trade growth is analysed empirically using panel data and time series. The empirical results, whilst confirming the existence of a world level long-term relationship between tariff reductions and trade growth, demonstrate how this substantial and significant relationship pre World War II gradually diminished in importance and significance after 1950. This result does not conflict with the key role of the GATT/WTO system in the trade liberalization process; however, it underlines the importance of a formalized multilateral trading system, not so much for tariff liberalization, but for building a virtuous process of international coordination of trade policies and ensuring fuller participation in world trade.