Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accretion in a Dynamical Spacetime and the Spinning Up of the Black Hole in the Gamma-Ray Burst Central Engine

We compute the evolution of a quasi-spherical, slowly rotating accretion flow around a black hole, whose mass and spin evolve adequately to transfer of mass and energy through the horizon. Our model is relevant for a central engine driving a long gamma-ray burst (GRB) that originates from the collapse of a massive star. The computations of a GRB engine in a dynamically evolving spacetime metric are important specifically due to the transient nature of the event, in which a huge amount of mass is accreted and changes the fundamental black hole parameters—its mass and spin—during the process. We discuss the results in the context of the angular momentum magnitude of the collapsing star. We also study the possible formation and evolution of shocks in the envelope, which may temporarily affect accretion. Our results are important for the limitations on the mass and spin range of black holes detected independently by electromagnetic observations of GRBs and gravitational waves. We speculate on the possible constraints for the final masses and spins of these astrophysical black holes. It is shown that the most massive black holes are not formed in a powerful GRB explosion if the cores of their progenitors were only weakly rotating.
Utilization of Assisted Hatching Techniques to Enhance Embryo Implantation

Gestation is the main goal for in vitro fertilization. The embryo that has been developed outside the body will be transferred directly into uterus leading to the process of hatching, implantation, and pregnancy. However, approximately 85% of embryos that have been transferred were failed to implant and it might be caused by hatching failure. Hatching is the process of releasing embryo from zona pellucida. If this process does not occur, it will cause pregnancy failure. Assisted hatching is a mechanism that dealing with thinning, slicing or artificially making holes in the zona pellucida to improve hatching. The process can be applied both in fresh or frozen embryos. This review describes various methods in assisted hatching such as enzymatic, chemical, mechanical, and laser beam as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Generally, some researches show that the technology of assisted hatching can improve the percentage of hatching and implantation of the embryo. However, in spite of the benefits, there are such weaknesses find in the zona pellucida of the embryo that has been manipulated such as toxic hazard medium, the risk of damage to the blastomeres or monozygotic twinning. Therefore, it is advisable to perform assisted hatching in certain cases that tends to face obstacles during the process of hatching such factors as age, embryo quality, the thickness of the zona pellucida and the number of failures in the in vitro fertilization program.
Seasonal Variation of Aerosol Optical Properties in an Urban Site of the Yangtze Delta Region of China

ABSTRACTThe characteristics of aerosol optical properties during 2012 at Hangzhou (30°14′N, 120°10′E), an urban site in the Yangtze Delta Region of China, were analyzed, including aerosol scattering and absorption coefficients, aerosol optical depth (AOD), Angstrom exponent (α), single scattering albedo (SSA), and aerosol size distribution. Both aerosol absorption and scattering coefficients were lowest in summer; the highest absorption coefficient was observed in autumn; while the scattering was highest in winter. There were no significant differences in the seasonal average of AOD, with values of approximately 1.0 in spring, autumn and winter, and 0.72 in summer. The averaged Angstrom exponent was found to be relatively high throughout the year, with a minimum value of 1.14 in spring and a maximum of 1.35 in autumn. The fine modes of the aerosol volume size distributions showed the highest peak around radius 0.15 µm in spring, autumn and winter, and radius 0.25 µm in summer, while the coarse modes showed maximum peaks at radius 2.9 µm in all seasons. The volume concentrations of coarse mode aerosols over Hangzhou were highest in spring compared with other seasons. The mean total SSA values were 0.89, 0.93, 0.89 and 0.88 at 440 nm for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, indicating that the aerosols were mainly composed of scattering particles in Hangzhou. Furthermore, it was found continuous pollution events appeared in East China as a result of biomass burning during June 10–13 in 2012. The main causes of extremely severe air pollution and poor visibility in Hangzhou were related to the long-distance transport of pollutants, local pollution emission and stagnant weather conditions. Aerosol optical properties exhibited high value in absorption AOD and high aerosol volumes, low SSA in coarse mode after biomass burning.
Do Newly Public Acquirers Benefit or Suffer from Their Pre-IPO Affiliations with Underwriters and VCS?

We examine whether pre-IPO affiliations affect post-IPO corporate events, namely acquisitions. On the one hand, newly public acquirers may benefit from their pre-IPO affiliations through residual signaling value or/and resource-related benefits. On the other hand, newly-public acquirers may suffer from those affiliations when conflicts of interests arise during the post-IPO period. Equity underwriters may have incentive to promote non-value-creating acquisitions (Type II error), and venture capitalists (VCs) may have incentive to forgo strategically important acquisitions (Type I error). Drawing on a sample of 4,029 acquisitions made by 717 newly public firms, we find that the announcement of an acquisition by a newly public acquirer elicits a positive response from investors on average. The market views with more favor the acquisitions announced by newly-public acquirers associated with prestigious equity underwriters, but this reaction becomes negative when the lead underwriter is retained as the acquisition advisor. The market reacts more favorably to acquisitions announced by VC-backed newly-public acquirers, but only when those VCs are committed to a longer lockup period. The effects of pre-IPO affiliations on expected returns are stronger for newly public acquirers with a high intangible resource base and persist throughout the three-year post-IPO period (across each subsequent acquisition announcement).
A new approach to chemical modification protocols of Aspergillus niger and sorption of lead ion by fungal species

Biomasses of five fungi species ( Aspergillus niger , Penicillium austurianum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mucor arcindloides and Trichoderma reesi were evaluated for their uptake of lead ion from aqueous solution using batch systems. Both dead and live fungal biomasses were comparatively studied for their adsorption efficiencies. The effect of pH as one of the primary factors that influences sorption efficiency of metal ions in solution was also studied. Modification of the fungal biomass with the least sorption capacity was carried out using a four-step procedure. Three different modifying agents under the optimised experimental conditions were used. The percentage uptake of lead ion by fungi species ranged from: Aspergillus niger : 6.71-64.95% and 66.91-95.27%; Penicillium austurianum : 44.47-98.85% and 75.57-94.21%; Saccharomyces cerevisiae : 52.61-88.68% and 61.20-89.95%; Mucor arcindloides : 83.78-93.13% and 62.91-97.65% and Trichoderma reesi : 52.52-80.70% and 35.31-88.13% for dead and live biomass respectively. The influence of pH on metal uptake was evaluated at pH of 2, 4, 6 and 7. A regular pattern of sorption efficiency among the dead fungi species with respect to pH was observed and the % adsorption decreased in the order pH 7 > 2 > 6 > 4 with the exception of Mucor (pH 7 > 2 > 4 > 6). Modified biomass of Aspergillus niger with oxalic acid, malic acid and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) recorded 92.84%, 48.11% and 39.83% uptake of Pb respectively which correspond to 69.65%, 41.23% and 29.25% increase when compared to 28.18% of the unmodified biomass. These quantitative adsorptions demonstrate the potential application of modified biomass for the removal of Pb ion from aqueous solution.
Assessment of the Connection of Antisocial-Criminal Behavior, Corruption and Depression in College Students

Youth is exposed to several risks that make them prone to antisocial and criminal behavior. Depression is present in a significant percentage of young adults, and since depression features a lack of emotional self-regulation, there is a possibility to establish some connections between depressive levels, criminal behavior and corruption. In this study, those connections were assessed in 73 psychology students, oscillating from 19 to 22 years old. When applied, the Antisocial-criminal AC Behavior Test, the Zung Depression Test and the Corruption Questionnaire revealed that that subjects experiencing depression show greater scores in antisocial behavior. Furthermore, the depression variable scores were significantly correlated only with antisocial behaviorand criminal as well as in corruption. Nevertheless, significant differences in both groups were only found in antisocial behavior. The relationship suggests that the link between them can be explained by similar functioning of the regulating mechanisms leading to the lack of inhibitory behavior.
Practical DNA markers to Estimate Apple (MalusÃÂ x domestica Borkh.) Skin Color, Ethylene Production and Pathogen Resistance

Determination of agronomically important traits with DNA markers in genetically segregating populations is a key to high-throughput breeding of apple trees. In the present report, we first estimated usefulness of four PCR-based DNA markers of apple in a set of 22 apple cultivars, which include popular cultivars in Japan such as ‘Fuji’, ‘Orin’, and ‘Shinano Gold’. The four DNA markers are reported to determine fruit storage life (ethylene production), fruit skin color, Alternaria resistance, and scab resistance. The target genes/locus of these DNA markers are MdACS1 gene, MdMYB1 gene, MdAlt locus, and MfVf gene. The types of these DNA markers are SSLP, dCAPS, allele-specific, and gene-specific, thus the markers were designated MdACS1-SSLP, MdMYB1-dCAPS(BstEII), MdAlt-AS, and MfVf-GS, respectively. DNA band patterns after gel electrophoresis were reasonable and consistent with previous reports for MdACS1-SSLP and MfVf-GS markers. On the contrary, band patterns of the MdAlt-AS marker were not necessarily consistent with Alternaria tolerance of the apple cultivars. It was also quite difficult to determine genotypes from the band patterns of the BstEII-based dCAPS marker MdMYB1-dCAPS(BstEII). Attachment of DS6 adaptor sequence to the forward primer improved genotype determinations, by making clear difference between the sizes of allelic DNA bands. Further improvement of this DNA marker was also achieved by the MdMYB1-CAPS(PmlI) marker, which is a PmlI-based CAPS marker. MdMYB1 genotypes determined by the MdMYB1-CAPS(PmlI) marker was consistent with apple skin colors and their genetic segregations.
Residues of imazethapyr in field soil and plant samples following an application to soybean

Imazethapyr is widely used in pulses and leguminous crops including soybean for control of a broad spectrum of weed species. This has often resulted in carryover effects on several sensitive rotational crops. Therefore field studies were conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate residues of imazethapyr in the soil and the soybean crop produce. Imazethapyr was applied at 100 and 200 g/ha as post-emergence herbicide in soybean field. Residues of imazethapyr were found in the range of 0.011 to 0.063 μg/g in the straw following an application in soybean field at 100 to 200 g/ha in both the years. However in the soil and soybean oil, residues were found below 0.01 μg/g in both the years at two levels of application of imazethapyr. The overall residues were less in the soil as compared to the plant samples. Terminal residues of imazethapyr in soybean plant and soil were found below maximum residue level (MRL) limits. This study demonstrated enrichment of imazethapyr residues in soybean plants after repeated application. Based on this study a pre-harvest interval of 80–90 days for soybean crop after imazethapyr application is suggested.
Empowering and engaging students in learning research methods

The capacity to conduct research is essential for university graduates to survive and thrive in their future career. However, research methods courses have often been considered by students as “abstract”, “uninteresting”, and “hard”. Thus, motivating students to engage in the process of learning research methods has become a crucial challenge for lecturers. This paper reports a study which incorporates students’ prior (international) experiences into learning academic research in order to enhance relatedness, engagement, and a sense of empowerment. The findings indicate that student attitudes to learning research methods are closely related to the level of their engagement in the learning process. While intrinsic motivation appears to be a powerful driver for learning, this study argues that intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are positively correlated, rather than orthogonal as proposed in some previous research. Outcomes of this study have implications for improving teaching and learning in research methods courses.
Alternate stable states and threshold effects in semi-arid grazing systems.

Models that explain the discontinuous behaviour of semi-arid grazing systems usually emphasize herbivore feeding characteristics or plant competition as possible mechanisms. Field studies indicate, however, that plant-soil relations could be more important. We show by means of a graphical model that the interactions between water infiltration or nutrient retention and plant density potentially give rise to the existence of alternate stable vegetation states and threshold effects in semi-arid grazing systems, even without the effect of a non-linear herbivore functional response or plant competition. These interactions may trigger a positive feedback between reduced plant density and reduced resource availability, and lead to a collapse of the system. The model results are in line with well-documented observations of spatial and temporal patterns such as two-phase mosaics and stably degraded grasslands.
Application of Underwater Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Detection with TSS FDTD Method

Based on the conventional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, a novel total- field scattered-field source FDTD method with a dual-meshed technique is presented to deal with the underwater detection problems in low frequency electromagnetic wave. A transformation surface connecting the coarse cell with the fine cell is implemented by applying a total-field scattered-field source (TSS) technique, which is carried out by two-step FDTD simulation. The ratio of a coarse cell size to a fine cell size can be set as an arbitrary integer, such as N = 10. Moreover, an analysis of numerical error illustrates that non-physical reflection fields from the TSS surface are avoided by introducing the TSS surface. We have derived, in detail, the update equations of fields on grids of the TSS surface. Three cases of dealing with different underwater electromagnetic problems are discussed. Numerical results show that by analyzing the magnitude and phase of scattered fields from obstacles underwater we can distinguish the category of the obstacles which belong to either a high resistivity body or a low resistivity body. Therefore, the proposed method provides us an effective tool for analyzing the electromagnetic response of materials underwater.
SHORT TERM LOAD FORECASTING USING NEURAL NETWORKS

Most forecasting problems involve the use of time series data [15], which are amongst the oldest methods applied in load forecasting [7, p.904]. An electric load pattern is principally a time series [1, p.2]. A time series can be described as a sequential set of hourly, daily, or weekly data measured at regular intervals. A time series forecasting takes an existing series of data x . , x , x t-n t-3 t-
Relationships of Serum Leptin With Nutrition Status and Insulin Resistance in Non-Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Leptin is known as an adipose-derived peptide hormone that has various physiological effects on energy intake and expenditure, glucose homeostasis, the reproductive and circulatory systems, and weight balance. The first goal of this study was to reveal the difference in the blood leptin depending on obesity. The second goal was to uncover the relationship between leptin and inflammatory markers such as homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). The third goal was to demonstrate the relationship of leptin with a non-diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patient’s nutritional status and insulin resistance. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 44 patients with end-stage renal failure on HD for more than 6 months who had not been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment method of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The serum leptin levels were measured using radioimmunometric assay. The serum pre-albumin, albumin insulin, glucose, and CRP were checked by various methods. Results: Serum leptin has a correlation with factors related to the nutritional status, insulin resistance and inflammation. The bivariate analysis showed that the body mass index (BMI), nPCR, total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, pre-albumin and HOMA-IR were positively correlated with the serum leptin levels, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and tCO 2 were negatively correlated with the serum leptin concentrations. The linear regression analysis also showed that the BMI, nPCR, total protein, pre-albumin and HOMA-IR were positively correlated, and tCO 2 was negatively correlated with the serum leptin level. Conclusions: This study showed that obese non-diabetic HD patients have higher serum leptin. It also revealed that patients with a high serum leptin level have increased insulin resistance. Therefore, it could be expected that patients who have an elevated serum lepin level have an elevated cardiovascular risk. In addition, further study is needed for the relationship between inflammation markers and serum leptin level. World J Nephrol Urol. 2015;4(2):201-206 doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.14740/wjnu217w
Effects of 2010 Hurricane Earl amidst geologic evidence for greater overwash at Anegada, British Virgin Islands

Abstract. A post-hurricane survey of a Caribbean island affords comparisons with geologic evidence for greater overwash at the same place. This comparison, though of limited application to other places, helps calibrate coastal geology for assessment of earthquake and tsunami potential along the Antilles Subduction Zone. The surveyed island, Anegada, is 120 km south of the Puerto Rico Trench and is near the paths of hurricanes Donna (1960) and Earl (2010), which were at or near category 4 when at closest approach. The survey focused on Earl's geologic effects, related them to the surge from Hurricane Donna, and compared them further with erosional and depositional signs of southward overwash from the Atlantic Ocean that dates to 1200–1450 AD and to 1650–1800 AD. The main finding is that the geologic effects of these earlier events dwarf those of the recent hurricanes. Hurricane Earl's geologic effects at Anegada, observed mainly in 2011, were limited to wrack deposition along many of the island's shores and salt ponds, accretion of small washover (spillover) fans on the south shore, and the suspension and deposition of microbial material from interior salt ponds. Earl's most widespread deposit at Anegada, the microbial detritus, was abundantly juxtaposed with evidence for catastrophic overwash in prior centuries. The microbial detritus formed an extensive coating up to 2 cm thick that extended into breaches in beach-ridge plains of the island's north shore, onto playas that are underlain by a sand-and-shell sheet that extends as much as 1.5 km southward from the north shore, and among southward-strewn limestone boulders pendant to outcrops as much as 1 km inland. Earl's spillover fans also contrast with a sand-and-shell sheet, which was dated previously to 1650–1800, by being limited to the island's south shore and by extending inland a few tens of meters at most. These findings complement those reported in this issue by Michaela Spiske and Robert Halley (Spiske and Halley, 2014), who studied a coral-rubble ridge that lines part of Anegada's north shore. Spiske and Halley attribute the ridge to storms that were larger than Earl. But they contrast the ridge with coral boulders that were scattered hundreds of meters inland by overwash in 1200–1450.
Optical spectroscopy of Be/gamma-ray binaries

We report optical spectroscopic observations of the Be/gamma-ray binaries LSI+61303, MWC 148 and MWC 656. The peak separation and equivalent widths of prominent emission lines (H-alpha, H-beta, H-gamma, HeI, and FeII) are measured. We estimated the circumstellar disc size, compared it with separation between the components, and discussed the disc truncation. We find that in LSI+61303 the compact object comes into contact with the outer parts of the circumstellar disc at periastron, in MWC 148 the compact object goes deeply into the disc during the periastron passage, and in MWC 656 the black hole is accreting from the outer parts of the circumstellar disc along the entire orbit. The interstellar extinction was estimated using interstellar lines. The rotation of the mass donors appears to be similar to the rotation of the mass donors in Be/X-ray binaries. We suggest that X-ray/optical periodicity of about 1 day deserves to be searched for.
Maximizing information in systematic revisions: a combined molecular and morphological analysis of a cryptic green pitviper complex (Trimeresurus stejnegeri)

Although the integration of DNA information in taxonomy has been invaluable, logistical problems relating to sampling can seriously limit its applicability. Here we describe the analysis of a morphologically cryptic species complex, in which we maximize the information present by using both a DNA phylogeny and a multivariate morphometric approach. The green pitviper Trimeresurus stejnegeri s.l. is widespread in Asia, with a number of described subspecies (some of which are considered full species by some workers) and two new species that have recently been described from Thailand. The phylogeny indicates three clades, which can also be discerned in the principal component analyses of morphological variation. Combining molecular and morphological information permits evaluation of the taxonomic position of populations not represented in the phylogeny − in particular, the subspecies T. s. chenbihui and T. s. yunnanensis. We discuss nomenclatural issues raised by this analysis, although these cannot be fully resolved until the holotypes of these subspecies can be examined. Finally, we apply a molecular clock calibrated in New World pitvipers, and discuss some of the palaeoclimatic changes that might have impacted upon diversification in this group. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 82, 219–235.
Roadmapping in Polish Foresight Initiatives - Best Practices

The aim of the article is to present the best practices of technology roadmapping application to the Polish foresight initiatives. The first part of the article is devoted to presentation of the conceptualisation of the best practices for the context of foresight studies and serves as the proposal of the possible criteria of technology roadmapping method benchmarking. In the second part of the article, there have been presented the results of technology roadmapping evaluation in the context of Polish foresight initiatives with the special emphasis on the best practices. The final part of the article offers recommendations for technology roadmapping application to foresight studies. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2016. 73