Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain Segregation in Ni-Fe-Mg-Smectites

The first stage of lateritic weathering of pyroxenes in the Niquelandia area, Brazil, leads either to Fe-rich products or to a phyllosilicate clay. In relatively unfractured parent rock the phyllosilicate clay contains Ni-rich smectites, the atomic ratio of Ni: octahedral cations ranging from 0.3 to 0.5. These smectites were studied by polarized light microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, and electron microprobe, and infrared, optical absorption, Mössbauer, and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The chemical composition of the smectite is constant on the optical microscope scale even to the smallest analyzed particles (3000 A in diameter and about 75 Å thick). From XRD data the mineral is principally a swelling, trioctahedral smectite; however, some kerolite-pimelite-like layers are present, and a weak 06,33 reflection indicates the presence of a small amount of a dioctahedral phase. Mössbauer results show that all Fe cations are Fe3+ in octahedral sites. The structural formula of the smectite is: (Ca0.01K0.05)(Al0.17Fe0.5Mg0.48Ni1.47Cr0.02)(Si3.92Al0.08)O10(OH)2 The results obtained from all the above methods suggest that in the smectites Ni, and, perhaps, a small amount of Mg are clustered in pimelite-like domains (or layers), whereas Fe and some Al are clustered in nontronite-like domains (or layers). Most selected-area electron diffraction patterns exhibit continuous or punctuated (hk) rings, indicating that particles contain several stacked layers. The patterns of some thin particles, however, suggest dioctahedral layers having trans-octahedral vacancies, such as in the Garfield, Washington, nontronite. Thus, the Ni-Fe-Mg-smectite, which seemingly is homogeneous, actually consists of mixed trioctahedral and dioctahedral layers or domains.
Global Gated Mixture of Second-order Pooling for Improving Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

In most of existing deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for classification, global average (first-order) pooling (GAP) has become a standard module to summarize activations of the last convolution layer as final representation for prediction. Recent researches show integration of higher-order pooling (HOP) methods clearly improves performance of deep CNNs. However, both GAP and existing HOP methods assume unimodal distributions, which cannot fully capture statistics of convolutional activations, limiting representation ability of deep CNNs, especially for samples with complex contents. To overcome the above limitation, this paper proposes a global Gated Mixture of Second-order Pooling (GM-SOP) method to further improve representation ability of deep CNNs. To this end, we introduce a sparsity-constrained gating mechanism and propose a novel parametric SOP as component of mixture model. Given a bank of SOP candidates, our method can adaptively choose Top-K (K > 1) candidates for each input sample through the sparsity-constrained gating module, and performs weighted sum of outputs of K selected candidates as representation of the sample. The proposed GM-SOP can flexibly accommodate a large number of personalized SOP candidates in an efficient way, leading to richer representations. The deep networks with our GM-SOP can be end-to-end trained, having potential to characterize complex, multi-modal distributions. The proposed method is evaluated on two large scale image benchmarks (i.e., downsampled ImageNet-1K and Places365), and experimental results show our GM-SOP is superior to its counterparts and achieves very competitive performance. The source code will be available at http://www.peihuali. org/GM-SOP.
Effect of Listing Age on Corporate Financial Leverage of Oil and Gas Firms in Nigeria

Examination of the effect of listing age on corporate financial leverage of oil and gas firms in Nigeria is the main objective of this study. The study also considers, for sake of robustness, the trend of movement of the variables, the relationships among the variables, as well as the causality of a variable by the other. This made the study a meta-analysis of the time series data. Simple regression was applied to estimate the effect of listing age on financial leverage of the selected firms. Correlation and Granger Causality Tests were applied to ascertain the relationships and causalities among the model variables. The outcome of the analysis is that firm’s Listing Age has a significant but negative effect on Financial Leverage, which implies that, as an oil firm advances in age, the firms’ need for external financing will tend to reduce. Causality test reveals that at a lagged period of one year, there is no causality running from financial leverage to firm age and vice versa. This implies that financial leverage is not caused by listing age of the oil and gas firm or otherwise. When the relationship between firm age and financial leverage was tested, the test reveals that financial leverage has an insignificant negative relationship with firm age in Nigeria Oil and Gas firms. The sustainability of theses outcomes over a long period of time was also tested using the Johansen Cointegration Test which indicates cointegrating equations which implies that short run effects and relationships are very sustainable, all things remaining the same. Therefore, firms are encouraged to borrow less as they advance in age. In conclusion, therefore, at maturity stage of the firm, external borrowing should be discouraged in preference to other sources of investible funds.
The Growth of Appendix Masculina of the Norway Lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) in the Central Aegean Sea (e. Mediterranean)

The objective of the present research is to study the seasonal morphometric variations of the secondary sexual characters of Nephrops norvegicus males. Samples were collected from March 2014 to September 2014, except the summer months, using a commercial bottom trawl in a depth range of 446-728 m in the Central Aegean Sea (Mediterranean Sea). This is the first attempt to resolve the morphometry of the appendix masculina in the Mediterranean basin of this species. Carapace length, surface and perimeter of appendix masculina were measured and the relationships among them. Α positive allometric growth among these structures is observed. The possible role of this appendix in copulation of Norway lobster is suggested
Infectious and Noninfectious Acute Pericarditis in Children: An 11-Year Experience

Objective The study was undertaken to determine the etiology, review management, and outcome in children diagnosed with acute pericarditis during 11 years at tertiary pediatric institution. Methods Retrospective chart review of children diagnosed between 2004 and 2014. Patients with postsurgical pericardial effusions were excluded. Results Thirty-two children were identified (median age 10yr/11mo). Pericardiocentesis was performed in 24/32 (75%) patients. The most common cause of pericarditis was infection in 11/32 (34%), followed by inflammatory disorders in 9 (28%). Purulent pericarditis occurred in 5 children including 4 due to Staphylococcus aureus: 2 were methicillin resistant (MRSA). All patients with purulent pericarditis had concomitant infection including soft tissue, bone, or lung infection; all had pericardial drain placement and 2 required pericardiotomy and mediastinal exploration. Other infections were due to Histoplasma capsulatum (2), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (2), Influenza A (1), and Enterovirus (1). Pericarditis/pericardial effusion was the initial presentation in 4 children with systemic lupus erythematosus including one who presented with tamponade and in 2 children who were diagnosed with systemic onset juvenile inflammatory arthritis. Tumors were diagnosed in 2 patients. Five children had recurrent pericarditis. Systemic antibiotics were used in 21/32 (66%) and prednisone was used in 11/32 (34%) patients. Conclusion Infections remain an important cause of pericarditis in children. Purulent pericarditis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and is associated with significant morbidity, need of surgical intervention, and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Echocardiography-guided thoracocentesis remains the preferred diagnostic and therapeutic approach. However, pericardiotomy and drainage are needed when appropriate clinical response is not achieved with percutaneous drainage.
Promoting Learner Autonomy Through Teacher-Student Partnership Assessment in an American High School: A Cycle of Action Research

En este articulo presento hallazgos de una investigacion-accion cuyo objetivo era averiguar en que medida una forma alternativa de evaluacion negociada promoveria la autonomia de los estudiantes. El estudio se realizo en una escuela secundaria norteamericana. Las principales estrategias de accion fueron el uso de simbolos en la retroalimentacion y la inclusion de criterios negociados con los estudiantes en el diseno de una rubrica que se utilizo como instrumento de evaluacion y calificacion. Los resultados mostraron que los estudiantes desarrollaron su autonomia en tres dimensiones: apropiacion de su proceso de aprendizaje, metacognicion y pensamiento critico, lo que influencio positivamente el desarrollo de sus habilidades de escritura tanto en ingles como en espanol. Asimismo se encontro que el papel del profesor es de vital importancia para establecer condiciones propicias en el desarrollo de la autonomia de los estudiantes.
Anglicism: An active word-formation mechanism in Spanish

The adoption of the American neoliberal paradigm has resulted in significant social changes worldwide. Its effects are evident in different fields including language use. Thus, the influence of the English language and American culture on other languages is of interest for linguists, translators, and SL teachers, particularly within the socioconstructivist approach. This study aimed at identifying the presence of Anglicisms in the press in order to describe them, determine their frequency and patterns of use, and infer the causes of their incorporation in Spanish as well as its implications for SL teaching. Anglicisms were collected manually and semi-automatically for seven years and then analyzed according to formal characteristics and contextual domains. Results showed that Anglicisms have a strong presence in today’s press (in economics, computer science, sports, and culture), and that speakers adopt rather than adapt them. Four factors may explain the introduction of Anglicisms to Spanish: lexical gaps, social prestige, linguistic economy, and user preference. It was concluded that the English language and American culture have a significant presence in the press through Anglicisms, which needs to be taken into account in the SL socioconstructivist classroom.
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis Analysis of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts in Traditional Mongolian Fermented Milk

We analyzed lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast populations in samples of airag, undaa, and hoormog, which are varieties of traditional fermented milk produced in Mongolia. To effectively detect lactobacilli, lactococci/streptococci/enterococci, and leuconostocs for complete analysis of the complex LAB population in airag, we developed two new primer sets and examined these primer sets in three different combinations using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DGGE analysis revealed the diversity of the LAB and yeast populations in these traditional fermented milk samples; six to 11 LAB and yeast species were detected. The species common to all samples include Lactobacillus helveticus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. Lc. raffinolactis, Enterococcus faecium/ hirae/durans/villorum/ratti, Streptococcus thermophilus, L. kefiranofaciens, L. kefiri/buchneri, Leu. citreum, and Leu. lactis were detected in multiple samples, while lactose non-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae was only detected in one sample of hoormog.
Identifying the progenitors of present-day early-type galaxies in observational surveys: Correcting 'progenitor bias' using the Horizon-AGN simulation

As endpoints of the hierarchical mass-assembly process, the stellar populations of local earlytype galaxies encode the assembly history of galaxies over cosmic time. We useHorizon-AGN, a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation, to study the merger histories of local early-type galaxies and track how the morphological mix of their progenitors evolves over time. We provide a framework for alleviating 'progenitor bias' - the bias that occurs if one uses only early-type galaxies to study the progenitor population. Early types attain their final morphology at relatively early epochs - by z ~ 1, around 60 per cent of today's early types have had their last significant merger. At all redshifts, the majority of mergers have one late-type progenitor, with late-late mergers dominating at z > 1.5 and early-early mergers becoming significant only at z < 0.5. Progenitor bias is severe at all but the lowest redshifts - e.g. at z~0.6, less than 50 per cent of the stellar mass in today's early types is actually in progenitors with early-type morphology, while, at z~ 2, studying only early types misses almost all (80 per cent) of the stellar mass that eventually ends up in local early-type systems. At high redshift, almost all massive late-type galaxies, regardless of their local environment or star formation rate, are progenitors of local early-type galaxies, as are lowermass (M* < 10 10.5 M ⊙ ) late-types as long as they reside in high-density environments. In this new era of large observational surveys (e.g. LSST, JWST), this study provides a framework for studying how today's early-type galaxies have been built up over cosmic time.
Imaging a near-surface feature using cross-correlation analysis of multi-channel surface wave data

In this study, we demonstrate that cross-correlation gathers of multi-channel and multi-shot configurations provide accurate estimations of shear-wave velocity (Vs) perturbations from Rayleigh wave data for the reconstruction of two-dimensional (2D), high-resolution velocity distributions without requiring the systematic calculation of surface wave dispersion, as in the spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW). Data acquisition for cross-correlation analysis is similar to that for a 2D seismic common midpoint reflection survey. The data processing involved is similar to the coda wave interferometry used for seismological data but differs in the sense that the cross-correlation of the original waveform is calculated for active source seismic data. Data processing in cross-correlation analysis consists in the following three steps: first, cross-correlations are calculated for every trace in each shot gather with the same offset trace of a reference shot to flatten the linearly sloping events of surface waves. A common receiver location stack section can then be obtained, which allows for the assessment of lateral variations in the elastic properties of the medium. Second, the maxima of the time-shifted cross-correlation gathers and the maxima of the shot gathers’ envelope traces are picked for different frequencies and trace values having the same receiver location are averaged to calculate Vs perturbations, as described in the theory of coda wave interferometry. Finally, a 2D Vs profile is reconstructed by applying the lateral Vs perturbation to a homogeneous Vs velocity profile obtained by inversion of the surface wave dispersion of the reference shot gather. Analyses of waveform data from numerical modelling and field observations indicate that this new method is valid and greatly improves the accuracy and resolution of near-surface imagery using surface waves and reconstructed subsurface velocity distributions compared with a conventional SASW or multi-channel application.
Effect of Garcinia kola Seed Ethanolic Extract on Renal Function Indices in Male Wistar Rats

This study seeks to evaluate the effect of Garcinia kola seed ethanolic extract on renal function parameters of male Wistar rats. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing 150.42 ± 3.98 g were divided into three groups (I, II and III) comprising ten animals each. Animals in group I (control) received 0.5 ml of distilled water while those in groups II and III were administered 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively once daily for 21 days. After 21 days of extract administration, 5 rats from each group were sacrificed. Same was done after 42 days. The lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was found to be safe up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. After 21 and 42 days, administration of the extract at both doses (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) significantly (P 0.05) affect the concentration of serum Cl after 21 and 42 days respectively. After 21 days, the extract at both doses significantly (P 0.05) affect serum K + level. While the low dose of extract did not affect serum HCO3 - concentration after 21 and 42 days respectively, it significantly (P 0.05) affect the concentration of urea in the serum of the animals when compared with the control. The non-significant effect displayed by the extract at some doses suggest an improvement and a protective activity on the renal function hence the recommendation of Garcinia kola for a reduced or declining renal function. However, the alterations in biomolecules are indication of impaired renal function suggesting that the extract may not be completely ‘safe’ as oral remedy at the doses investigated in this study.
End-to-End Multi-Level Dialog Act Recognition

The three-level dialog act annotation scheme of the DIHANA corpus poses a multi-level classiﬁcation problem in which the bottom levels allow multiple or no labels for a single segment. We approach automatic dialog act recognition on the three levels using an end-to-end approach, in order to implicitly capture relations between them. Our deep neural network classiﬁer uses a combination of word-and character-based segment representation approaches, together with a summary of the dialog history and information concerning speaker changes. We show that it is important to specialize the generic segment representation in order to capture the most relevant information for each level. On the other hand, the summary of the dialog history should combine information from the three levels to capture dependencies between them. Furthermore, the labels generated for each level help in the prediction of those of the lower levels. Overall, we achieve results which surpass those of our previous approach using the hierarchical combination of three independent per-level classiﬁers. Furthermore, the results even surpass the results achieved on the simpliﬁed version of the problem approached by previous studies, which neglected the multi-label nature of the bottom levels and only considered the label combinations present in the corpus.
Variations in Nutrients Composition of Most Commonly Consumed Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Mixed Dishes in South-Eastern Nigeria

Variations in nutrient composition of most commonly consumed cassava (Manihot esculenta) mixed dishes in South-eastern Nigeria were determined. Four communities were randomly selected from each of the five states in the South-east. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in each of the communities to determine commonly consumed foods and variations in recipes. 24-Hour dietary recall was conducted using 50 randomly selected households in those communities. Recipes collected during the FGD were standardized, prepared, and chemically analysed using standard methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Cassava-based dishes were the most commonly consumed in South-eastern Nigeria. Ninety-two percent of the study population ate cassava either in form of “fufu” (fermented cassava meal)/garri (fermented and roasted cassava meal) with soup or as “abacha” (tapioca salad). Commonly consumed soups were melon (Citrullus vulgaris) seeds, “ora” (Pterocarpus soyauxii), and vegetable soups. Seven melon seed, six “ora,” and four vegetable soups and five “abacha” variations were identified. Except for vegetable soup, coefficient of variation for moisture was <10%, while large variations (19–71%) were observed for energy and nutrients. These variations in cassava-based dishes need to be reflected in the country-specific food composition database to enable nutrient intake assessment or provision of dietary guidance using such food composition database as a reference material to be more effective.
Nitrogen Adsorption by Thermoexfoliated Graphite

Adsorption by thermochemically exfoliated graphite (TEG) is studied and compared with that by other carbon structures under the same conditions. In BET determination of the specific surface area (SBET) for the TEG samples it was found that good approximation could be observed in two different pressure ranges. Such ranges of BET approximation are also visible in the isotherms of aquadag and milled graphite. The experimental results are discussed and their interpretation proposed.
Changes in taxation and their impact on economic growth in the European Union

The aim of the paper is to analyze changes in taxation and their impact on economic growth in the European Union. The analysis is performed on adjusted annual panel data of 24 European Union countries in a period 1995–2008. Panel regression with fixed effects is used as a basic method of research. The panel regression is based on analysis the effect of total tax quota changes on GDP growth in model 1, of changes in its components (social contribution, direct and indirect tax quotas) in model 2 and of personal and corporate income tax quota changes in model 3. Results of empirical tests verify statistically significant negative effect of tax burden on GDP growth. Total tax quota increased by 1% decreases the GDP growth rate by 0.29% in the same year. Estimations confirm a statistically significant negative effect of direct taxes on GDP growth as well. A cut in the direct tax quota by 1% raises the GDP growth rate by 0.43%. The model also presents a high negative impact of an increase in the corporate income tax quota on GDP growth (a value of the regression coefficient is minus 1.28%) expresses the high negative. The effect of social contribution quota on GDP growth is not statistically significant in any estimation.
Semiphysical Modelling of the Nonlinear Dynamics of a Surface Craft with LS-SVM

One of the most important problems in many research fields is the development of reliable mathematical models with good predictive ability to simulate experimental systems accurately. Moreover, in some of these fields, as marine systems, these models play a key role due to the changing environmental conditions and the complexity and high cost of the infrastructure needed to carry out experimental tests. In this paper, a semiphysical modelling technique based on least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) is proposed to determine a nonlinear mathematical model of a surface craft. The speed and steering equations of the nonlinear model of Blanke are determined analysing the rudder angle, surge and sway speeds, and yaw rate from real experimental data measured from a zig-zag manoeuvre made by a scale ship. The predictive ability of the model is tested with different manoeuvring experimental tests to show the good performance and prediction ability of the model computed.