Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE X-RAY LINE FEATURE AT 3.5 KeV IN GALAXY CLUSTER SPECTRA

Recent work by Bulbul et al. and Boyarsky et al. has suggested that a line feature at ∼3.5 keV in the X-ray spectra of galaxy clusters and individual galaxies seen with XMM-Newton is due to the decay of sterile neutrinos, a dark matter candidate. This identification has been criticized by Jeltema & Profumo on the grounds that model spectra suggest that atomic transitions in helium-like potassium (K xviii) and chlorine (Cl xvi) are more likely to be the emitters. Here it is pointed out that the K xviii lines have been observed in numerous solar flare spectra at high spectral resolution with the RESIK crystal spectrometer and also appear in Chandra HETG spectra of the coronally active star σ Gem. In addition, the solar flare spectra at least indicate a mean coronal potassium abundance, which is a factor between 9 and 11 higher than the solar photospheric abundance. This fact, together with the low statistical quality of the XMM-Newton spectra, completely account for the ∼3.5 keV feature and there is therefore no need to invoke a sterile neutrino interpretation of the observed line feature at ∼3.5 keV.
Age of Unstable Bedrock Landforms Southwest of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and Implications for Past Ground Motions

We determine minimum exposure ages for unstable outcrops at three sites in Amargosa Desert, southwestern Nevada, including a site at the southern end of Yucca Mountain. Varnish microlamination dating techniques provide minimum exposure ages of 12.5–36 k.y. for the unstable outcrops of welded tuff, including a 24 k.y. age for the south Yucca Mountain site. The youngest exposure age (12.5 k.y.) is found at the site located only 10 km from the Death Valley–Furnace Creek fault, suggesting outcrops may be more frequently modified when close to major active earthquake sources. A simplistic stability assessment of the south Yucca Mountain outcrops suggests peak ground accelerations (PGAs) may not have exceeded about 1 g (uncertainty bounds 0.5–2 g ) in at least 24 k.y. A PGA of 1 g is consistent with the predicted 24 k.y. return period PGAs from the near decade-old Yucca Mountain probabilistic seismic hazard (PSH) model, except for the ninety-fifth percentile and above. We gain confidence in our interpretations by additionally observing: (1) minimal damage to the south Yucca Mountain outcrops from a recent moderate earthquake that is estimated to have produced a PGA of less than 0.1 g there (i.e., motions less than 0.5 g do not significantly damage the outcrops); and (2) severe damage to similar volcanic outcrops associated with PGAs of the order 0.5–1 g near a nuclear blast site from the 1960s. These observations support our suggestion that PGAs greater than 0.5–1 g have not occurred at the south Yucca Mountain site for a time period of at least 24 k.y. Significant seismic events that substantially modify the outcrops and produce associated rubble fields may therefore occur on longer time scales.
T 2 K and Beyond

This paper presents the state of the art of the T2K experiment and the measurements prospects for the incoming years. After a brief description of the experiment, the most recent results will be illustrated.The observation of the electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam and the new high-precision measurements of the mixing angle θ13 by the reactor experiments have led to a reevaluation of the expected sensitivity to the oscillation parameters, relative to what was given in the original T2K proposal. For this reason the new physics potential of T2K for 7.8 × 1021 p.o. t. and for data exposure 3 times larger than that expected to be reachable with accelerator and beam line upgrades in 2026 before the start of operation of the next generation of long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments will also be described in the text. In particular the last challenging scenario opens the door to the possibility of obtaining, under some conditions, a 3σmeasurement excluding sin(δCP) = 0.
The Relationship between Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers’ Metacognitive Science Learning Orientations and Their Use of Constructivist Learning Environment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of pre-service elementary school teachers’ metacognitive science learning orientations in predicting their use of constructivist learning environment. A total of 178 pre-service elementary school teachers participated in this study. Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) and Self-Efficacy and Metacognition Learning Inventory—Science (SEMLI-S) were administered to the participants. In this study the CLES consisted of four dimensions: Uncertainty (U), Critical Voice (CV), Shared Control (SC), and Student Negotiation (SN). The SEMLI-S also includes four dimensions: Constructivist Connectivity (CC), Monitoring, Evaluation and Planning (MEP), Science Learning Self-efficacy (SE), and Learning Risks Awareness (AW). Four separate Multiple Linear Regression analyses were conducted. The results revealed that the SE and the AW were significant predictors for the U; the MEP and AW were significant predictors for the CV; the AW was significant predictor for the SN. None of the predictors contributed to the SC.
Managing flow for geomorphic form : erosion and accretion of river benches

In the last decade there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of channel morphology in the healthy functioning of Australian rivers. However, the relationship between channel morphology and the flow and sediment regime of a river is often poorly understood. As a result, within-channel features such as bars, banks and benches are often considered static. Benches are an actively accreting fine-grained bankattached feature within the river channel which contribute a significant store of suspended-grained sediment and have been identified as ecologically important. As managers design and release environmental flows, they need to know how much these flows will modify benches. Benches are a characteristic feature of Australian rivers, and this paper describes initial findings of a field study of the relationship between flow, sediment transport, and bench morphology in the mostly unregulated Ovens River, and highly regulated River Murray, southeastern Australia. We discuss the impact of regulation and importance of flow regime variability in the formation and destruction of benches.
Subsurface morphology changes due to deuterium bombardment of tungsten

Re-crystallized polycrystalline tungsten was exposed to a deuterium plasma beam with high flux (10 D/ms) and low energy (38 eV/D) to fluences up to 10 D/m. The sample temperature was varied between 320 K and 800 K. The three-dimensional morphology of blister-like structures and the grain orientation were investigated by scanning electron microscopy combined with focused ion beam cutting and electron backscattering diffraction. Cracks with distorted areas (<650 K) and large cavities (100-1000 μm) at grain boundaries (>480 K) were observed beneath the surface. The surface blister-like structures and the defects underneath are correlated along crystallographic orientation of the W grains in accordance to the low-indexed slip system {110}<111>. The defects are mobile and accumulate under deuterium-loading. Samples exposed near room temperature do not form such large cavities by subsequent heating up to 1300 K. Deuterium bombardment above 700 K does not lead to blister-like structures. PACS numbers: 52.40. Hf, 61.72. Qq, 61.80. Jh
From Top to Bottom (and Back to the Top Again): Federal Spending, Sub-national Coalitions, and Protests in Argentina, 2002–2006

Can federal-state relations affect popular protests? Using an extensive dataset measuring local protests in the Argentine provinces (2002–2006), I assess the effects of the president's and governors’ tactical allocations on the persistence of contentious events. I analyze how the delivery of federal resources, to both provincial governments and local social organizations, affects the chances of protests occurrence and the nature of its demands. Results show that federal spending increases the frequency of protests in the Argentine provinces, particularly when provincial governments are not involved in its delivery. In addition, protest demands are sensitive to president's discretional expenditure, suggesting a different dynamics in which protests became a legitimate channel to obtain federal monies.
Experimental studies of self-healing cementitious materials incorporating mineral admixtures

In order to limit the release of CO2 produced in cement manufacturing, clinker (the major cement component) is often partially replaced by mineral admixtures like blastfurnace slag. The use of mineral admixtures presents different advantages such as the recy cling of industrial waste and the improvement of different material properties (workability, sulfate resistance, compressive strength at long term…). Nevertheless, several civil engineering constructions made with blast-furnace slag cement presented cracking at early age due to restrained shrinkage (autogeneous, thermal and drying shrinkage) that affects significantly the material transfer properties and their durability in aggressive environments (chloride, CO2). Under certain conditions however, it is known that cementitious materials present a self-healing capacity. The purpose of this research work is to study the beneficial influence of the natural selfhealing capacity of mortars with blast-furnace slag cement on the lifetime of civil engine ering constructions. A new experimental device has been designed in order to understand the selfhealing capacity of mortars at early age. The novel apparatus allows developing micro- cracks in a mortar ring specimen by restrained shrinkage and monitoring the evolution of self-healing by gas permeability and effective diffusivity measurements. The effects of different slag contents (0%, 50%) and curing conditions (air conditio ned room at 25±1°C and 45±5% R.H., in tap water) on the self-healing kinetics are studied. Optical measurements in 2D (optical microscope, SEM) and 3D (tomography), chemical analyses of the self-healing products and quantification of the properties of cement with blast-furnace slag (compression and tensile strength, autogenous and drying shrinkage, heat release) complete the study.
Agricultural Information Needs of Small Holder Farmers in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State

T his study was conducted in the Central agricultural zone of Nasarawa State to investigate the level of farmers’ access and use of agricultural information. Data for the study were collected from 120 respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean scores) for objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. Objective 5 was achieved using a multiple regression model. Most (41%) of the respondents were aged between 41 – 50 years and their mean age was 40 years. A greater proportion (39%) of the respondents had primary education and 15% were illiterates. Most (77%) of the respondents were married. Majority (86%) of them were full time farmers with average farm size of 4.5ha and mean household size of 8 persons. Majority (94%) of respondents belonged to one or two social organizations. The mean years of farming experience was 25 years. Only 37% obtained farm credit of various amounts. The respondents’ information needs were numerous and diverse which included information on pests and disease control (61.7%), sources of improved seeds/seedlings (43.3%), crop and animal husbandry (42.5%), sources of farm credit (39.2%) and marketing information among others. Respondents’ most preferred sources of information included produce buyers, input dealers and extension agents. The major constraints to use of various information sources were poor marketing facilities, lack of credit, poor infrastructures as well as poor extension services. It was recommended that governments at all levels should introduce measures that would ensure easy access to credit, agricultural information and market as well as rural infrastructures in line with the transformation agenda.
Aerobic vs. Resistance Training in Older African Americans with Prediabetes: A Pilot Feasibility

Background: Pre-diabetes has deleterious effects on cognitive and physical health, yet responds favorably to exercise. Little is known about how exercise affects health in African Americans, a group disproportionately affected by pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic training (AT) versus resistance training (RT) program on cognitive function and biomarkers of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in African American elders with pre-diabetes. Methods: Fifteen African Americans aged 50 years and older with pre-diabetes were randomly assigned to a 6-month AT or RT protocol. Pre- and post-intervention, participants were administered cognitive tests. Blood biomarkers of T2D and AD were also examined. Results: Group differences in cognitive test performance or biomarkers failed to reach statistical significance (all p-values>0.05). Exploratory within group analyses to examine change over time indicated an improvement in verbal memory in the AT group (p=0.03), and an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels (p=0.01) and a trend decrease in plasma levels of Aβ42 (p=0.10) in the RT group. Conclusion: Although there were no overall group differences in cognitive or biomarker outcomes in this small pilot study, within group differences point to a potential benefit of AT on verbal memory and RT on lipid profiles in older African Americans with pre-diabetes. Larger exercise trials in African Americans are needed to advance our understanding of how different exercise modalities affect cognitive and cardiovascular health in older African Americans, a group at high risk for cognitive decline.
A Numerical-Taxonomic classification of Vitis spp and Cultivars Based on Leaf Characteristics

Grapevine leaves collected from three positions on the shoot during veraison were investigated for taxonomic characteristics. Numerical analyses were employed on 13 ampelographical and 13 morphological characteristics. Characteristics contributing to the variation between taxa were mainly quantitative. Although not clearly perceptible specimens tended to cluster in American (Vi tis spp and hybrids) and European (Vi tis vinifera) groups. Using the ampelographical characteristics hybrids tended to cluster with at least one of their parents.
On Recursive Estimation in Incomplete Data Models

We consider a new recursive algorithm for parameter estimation from an independent incomplete data sequence. The algorithm can be viewed as a recursive version of the well-known EM algorithm, augmented with a Monte-Carlo step which restores the missing data. Based on recent results on stochastic algorithms, we give conditions for the a.s. convergence of the algorithm. Moreover, asymptotical variance of this estimator is reduced by a simple averaging. Application to finite mixtures is given with a simulation experiment.
Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria

Trends and Causes of Congenital Anomalies in the Pleven Region, Bulgaria We describe the secular trend, pattern and causes of congenital anomalies (CAs) in the Pleven region, Bulgaria. The source of the data was the regional population-based registry of CAs using criteria according to EUROCAT recommendations. During the period 1988-2006, 47,622 births were surveyed. A total of 1,225 cases of CAs were ascertained, giving a total prevalence of 25.72 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 24.3 to 27.15 per 1,000 births. There was a significant increase in total prevalence from 17.76 per 1,000 births in 1988 to 29.40 in 2006 (χ2 test for trend = 5.03; p = 0.025). Congenital heart disease (4.3 per 1,000 registered births), nervous system anomalies (3.3 per 1,000 births), limb defects (2.5 per 1,000 births) and neural tube defects (2.0 per 1,000 births) demonstrated the highest prevalence. There was a significant upward trend in the prevalence of some specific anomalies: digestive system, tumors, gastroschisis and non syndromal dysmorphologic conditions. Genetic causes were identified in approximately 62% of all cases with CAs (chromosomal 8%, single gene defects 14%, multifactorial 40%). The secular trend and particular pattern of CAs in the Pleven region require some potential underlying contributing factors to be considered: case ascertainment and diagnostic methods, and some environmental factors. These data draw attention to the need of further regional epidemiological studies. The high proportion of genetic causes emphasize the role of genetic services as an integral part of preventive medical care.
Incorporating Problem-Based Learning Strategies to Develop Learner Autonomy and Employability Skills in Sports Science Undergraduates

This study investigated the impact of a 12-week problem-based learning (PBL) intervention on three psychological constructs (motivation, locus of control and self-esteem) linked to learner autonomy. Results indicated that there was a significant increase in the students’ intrinsic motivation (P<0.05) and a non-significant shift towards an internal locus of control after the intervention period. Students perceived the benefits of PBL to be the opportunity to work in teams and to consider a wider knowledge base. A short course of PBL was successful in developing learner autonomy and other key employability skills alongside the application of content knowledge.
High-frequency dynamics in the near-surface region studied by inelastic x-ray scattering: the case of liquid indium

Inelastic x-ray scattering in grazing angle geometry provides a novel tool for studying the surface and bulk lattice dynamics in a single experiment by varying the incidence angle around the critical angle of total reflection. At very small incidence angles (below the critical angle), it is possible to study the collective dynamics in a subsurface region of a few nanometres at interatomic length and time scales. An experimental study on liquid indium in the near-surface region is presented here and the results are analysed within a theoretical framework, based on classical hydrodynamics for the height–height fluctuations (capillary waves and non-propagating fluctuations) and generalized hydrodynamics for the bulk density fluctuations. The investigation reveals the presence of capillary waves in the inelastic x-ray spectra as an additional contribution at zero-energy transfer and a modification of the bulk density fluctuation contribution. A longer structural relaxation time and a larger longitudinal viscosity with respect to bulk indium are observed, similarly to related studies in confined liquids.
Behavioural characteristics of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies containing mix of workers of divergent behavioural traits.

Defence behaviour (sting test), hygienic behaviour (needle test) and syrup foraging rate were studied in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies artificially made up of defensive and gentle bees (1:1), and were compared with homogenous colonies made up only of either defensive or gentle bees. The defensive bees turned out to be high-hygienic whereas the gentle bees were low-hygienic. The mixed colonies were defensive in terms of time to the first sting, but gentle or intermediate in terms of the number of stings. Colonies of mixed high-hygienic (defensive) and low-hygienic (gentle) bees were found to be intermediate or high-hygienic when they were monitored after a period of 12 or 24 h, respectively. Foraging rate was also markedly differentiated in homogenous colonies. The colonies with a mixture of good and poor foragers exhibited a poor foraging rate. Repeatability of the monitored traits was higher in the 100% defensive/high-hygienic colonies (higher genetic effect) than in 100% gentle/low-hygienic colonies. Efficient workers performed tasks by themselves and did not solicit help from non-efficient workers. Results of combining of different bee types occurred different. Interworker interactions were mostly non-additive for foraging and defensive behaviour, but additive for hygienic behaviour.
Cointegration-based pairs trading framework with application to the Cryptocurrency market

This research examines the possibilities of pairs trading in the newest, unexplored financial market: the cryptocurrency market. By applying the Engle-Granger 2-Step Method, cointegrated cryptocurrency pairs are identified. Next, profitability of four arbitrarily selected pairs is tested by using pairs trading with a set of trading criteria. In a 60-day trading period all four pairs show profitability, arising from arbitrage opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. Therefore, this research concludes that the Efficient Market Hypothesis does not hold for the cryptocurrency market.
Reproductive readiness of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei grown in a brackish water system

The reproductive readiness of the marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (formerly Penaeus vannamei) cultured in brackish water was characterized by applying morphological, physiological, and molecular tools. The shrimp were cultured on two commercial shrimp farms in brackish water that was pumped from artesian wells that tap into a geothermal aquifer. The shrimp populations exhibited a bimodal growth curve with the females being significantly bigger than the males at the end of the growout period. Some male shrimp started to develop spermatophores about 6 months after the first post-larval (PL0) stage, and some with developed, normal-looking, white spermatophores were observed 8 months after PL0. The sperm count in these males was 10.1 10F 5.8 10 cells per compound spermatophore, and 81.6F 19.8% of the cells were spiked. Melanization of the males, which eventually affected about a third of the male population, first became evident before the appearance of white spermatophores. Female ovaries were transparent and appeared to be arrested in a previtellogenic stage. However, beyond a weight/age threshold of 20 g/8 months, some of the ovaries had become opaque and the vitellogenin gene was found to be expressed in the ovary—but not in the hepatopancreas—of 7 out of 10 females. A unique case of a 46.8 g female with a fully developed ovary that was found in the brackish-water-held broodstock is reported. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Epigean and hypogean Palaemonetes sp. (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Edwards Aquifer: An examination of trophic structure and metabolism

This study addresses the causes of the metabolic depression observed when examining the metabolism of hypogean versus epigean organisms. We examined the two current hypotheses regarding the cause of metabolic cave adaptation, a paucity of food and low oxygen availability, both necessary for ATP production, by first determining if the hypogean environment examined, Edwards Aquifer, was resource limited. Sta ble isotope analyses indicate that there is extensive microbial chemolithoautotrophic production providing resources for the hypogean organisms. δ 13 C values ( ≤30‰ ) were well below that of terrestrial biome indicating that C in the aquifer originates from chemolithoautotrophic inorganic carbon fixation, not photosynthetically derived material resulting from terrigenous sources. Data suggest the artesian system is a complex geochemical ecosystem providing inorganic energy sources from both methane and sulfates. Metabolism, examined via key aerobic and anaerobic proxies, and organismal proximate composition indicated there was no difference between metabolic rates and energy storage of Palaemonetes antrorum (stygobitic) and Palaemonetes kadiakensis (epigean). This indicates that resources within the oxic aquifer are not limited. We demonstrate that it is necessary for one, or both, of these selective pressures to be present for metabolic cave adaptation to occur.