Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crust and upper mantle velocity structure of the northwestern Indian Peninsular Shield from inter-station phase velocities of Rayleigh and Love waves

We measure the inter-station Rayleigh and Love wave phase velocities across the northwestern Indian Peninsular shield (NW-IP) through cross-correlation and invert these velocities to evaluate the underneath crust and upper mantle velocity structure down to 400 km. We consider a cluster of three stations in the northern tip of the Peninsula and another cluster of eight stations in the south. We measure phase velocities along 28 paths for Rayleigh waves and 17 paths for Love waves joining two stations with one from each cluster and using broadband records of earthquakes which lie nearly on the great circle joining the pair of stations. The phase velocities are in the period range of 10 to 275 s for Rayleigh waves and of 10 to 120 s for Love waves. The isotropic model obtained through inversion of the phase velocities indicates 199.1 km thick lithosphere with 3-layered crust of thickness 36.3 km; the top two layers have nearly same velocities and both constitute the upper crust with thickness of 12.6 km. The upper crust is mafic, whereas the lower crust is felsic. In the mantle lid, velocities increase with depth. The velocities of mantle lid beneath NW-IP is lower than those beneath south Indian Peninsula showing the former is hotter than the later perhaps due to large Phanerozoic impact on NW-IP. The significant upper mantle low velocity zone beneath NW-IP indicates high temperature which could be attributed to the past existence of a broad plume head at the west-central part of the Peninsula.
The Effect of Feeding Coriandrum sativum Fruits Powder on the Plasma Lipids Profile in Cholesterol Fed Rats

3 Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect o f Coriandrum sativum fruits powder on plasma total cholesterol ( TC), low d ensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), high de nsity lipopretein- cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), and t otal lipid l evels in an induced h ypercholesterolemic Wistar albino r ats. Twenty male Wistar albino r ats were used in this study. They were divided into f our groups A, B, C an d D. Group A (control group) received a basal diet, group B received a basal diet with 2% cholesterol so as to induce hypercholesterolemia, group C received a ba sal diet with 2% cholesterol and 4% Coriandrum sativum fruits powder, group D received a basal diet with 2% cholesterol and 8% Coriandrum sativum fruits powder. The res ults showed that, plasma T C, LDL-c, TG and total lipid were increased significantly (P<0.05) in group B, w hile HDL-c le vel wa s d ecreased significantly compared to the control. In g roup C, the plasma l evels of TC, LDL-c, TG and total li pid wer e n on-significantly lower and HDL-c was non-significantly higher compared to group B. The plasma l evels of TC, LDL-c, TG and total lipids in group C were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared t o g roup D. The plasma levels of TC, LDL-c, TG and t otal lipid i n g roup D were decr eased significantly (P<0.05), while H DL-c wa s significantly (P<0.05) increased comp ared t o gr oup B. The levels of TC, LDL-c, HDL-c, TG and t otal lipid in group D were non-significantly different co mpared to the control.
Agricultural Trade Policies and Food Security: Is There a Causal Relationship?

The aim of this paper is to assess the causal impact of trade policy distortions on food security. The added value of this work is twofold: i) its use of a non-parametric matching technique with continuous treatment, namely the Generalised Propensity Score (GPS) to address the self selection bias; ii) its analysis of heterogeneity in treatment (by commodities) as well as in outcome (i.e. different dimensions of food security). The results of our estimates clearly show that trade policy distortions are, overall, significantly correlated with the various dimensions of food security analysed. Both discrimination against agriculture and 'excessive' support lead to poor performances in all dimensions of food security (availability, access, utilisation and stability).
How the IMF By induces a By component in the closed magnetosphere and how it leads to asymmetric currents and convection patterns in the two hemispheres

We used the Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry global magnetohydrodynamics model to study the effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component on the coupling between the solar wind and magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. When the IMF reconnects with the terrestrial magnetic field with IMF By≠0, flux transport is asymmetrically distributed between the two hemispheres. We describe how By is induced in the closed magnetosphere on both the dayside and nightside and present the governing equations. The magnetosphere imposes asymmetric forces on the ionosphere, and the effects on the ionospheric flow are characterized by distorted convection cell patterns, often referred to as “banana” and “orange” cell patterns. The flux asymmetrically added to the lobes results in a nonuniform induced By in the closed magnetosphere. By including the dynamics of the system, we introduce a mechanism that predicts asymmetric Birkeland currents at conjugate foot points. Asymmetric Birkeland currents are created as a consequence of y directed tension contained in the return flow. Associated with these currents, we expect fast localized ionospheric azimuthal flows present in one hemisphere but not necessarily in the other. We also present current density measurements from Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment that are consistent with this picture. We argue that the induced By produces asymmetrical Birkeland currents as a consequence of asymmetric stress balance between the hemispheres. Such an asymmetry will also lead to asymmetrical foot points and asymmetries in the azimuthal flow in the ionosphere. These phenomena should therefore be treated in a unified way.
Antitrust Analysis of Supermarkets: Global Concerns Playing Out in Local Markets

This paper reviews the basic components of antitrust analysis for the supermarket industry, including definition of product and geographic markets and the measurement of market power. The analysis of prices and profits in a market structure context remains important, especially in countries such as Australia with very high supermarket concentration. Firm and brand level New Empirical Industrial Organisation models of demand and oligopoly pricing also provide insights for evaluating antitrust claims. Recent research on vertical pricing games and price transmission expand the analysis to market channel pricing issues, including coalescing power by supermarkets and food manufacturers. The issues and approaches explained in this paper are relevant for policy-orientated research on supermarkets worldwide, including Australia.
Measurement of Initial Conditions of a Kerosene Spray from a Generic Aeroengine Injector at Elevated Pressure

Ab initio prediction of aeroengine sprays at realistic conditions is currently not feasible and will remain so for a significant time to come. As a partial solution to the problem, experimental data are generated to validate ad-vanced combustion codes. For that purpose a generic injector was built and operated in an optical single sector combustor. Phase Doppler Anemometry and Mie Scattering were used. The in house algorithm that performs the on line measurement of the measuring volume was modified to suit the experimental setup. Measurements were performed at 4bar and 10bar. Good mass flux density profiles can be obtained within the lift-off distance of the flame.
Progress in Wear Resistant Materials for Total Hip Arthroplasty

Current trends in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are to develop novel artificial hip joints with high wear resistance and mechanical reliability with a potential to last for at least 25–30 years for both young and old active patients. Currently used artificial hip joints are mainly composed of femoral head of monolithic alumina or alumina-zirconia composites articulating against cross-linked polyethylene liner of acetabular cup or Co-Cr alloy in a self-mated configuration. However, the possibility of fracture of ceramics or its composites, PE wear debris-induced osteolysis, and hypersensitivity issue due to metal ion release cannot be eliminated. In some cases, thin ultra-hard diamond-based, TiN coatings on Ti-6A-4V or thin zirconia layer on the Zr-Nb alloy have been fabricated to develop high wear resistant bearing surfaces. However, these coatings showed poor adhesion in tribological testing. To provide high wear resistance and mechanical reliability to femoral head, a new kind of ceramic/metal artificial hip joint hybrid was recently proposed in which 10–15 μm thick dense layer of pure α-alumina was formed onto Ti-6Al-4V alloy by deposition of Al metal layer by cold spraying or cold metal transfer methods with 1–2 μm thick Al3Ti reaction layer formed at their interface to improve adhesion. An optimal micro-arc oxidation treatment transformed Al to dense α-alumina layer, which showed high Vickers hardness 1900 HV and good adhesion to the substrate. Further tribological and cytotoxicity analyses of these hybrids will determine their efficacy for potential use in THA.
The Role of Trade in Amplifying Crime

The variance in crime rates across countries is much larger than the variance in income or inequality. This paper is the first to provide an explanation for this magnitude of variance. We add a “crime” sector to a standard Heckscher-Ohlin model, to understand the impact of trade flows on crime rates. Under autarky, all countries have the same crime rate. But trade is found to increase crime in the resource-rich country and to reduce crime in the labor-rich country by an equal amount. The negative externality from increased crime can even be strong enough to cancel out the gains from trade for a resource-rich country. This model can explain the rise in crime in middle-income countries such as Latin America as lower-income countries lower trade barriers. The model also shows that foreign aid and highly mobile export-oriented industries can have unexpectedly negative consequences. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: F11, F13, O17
Equatorial Upwelling in the Central Pacific Estimated from Moored Velocity Profilers

Abstract Horizontal divergence and vertical velocity (w) are estimated at 0°, 140°W using an array of five subsurface moored acoustic Doppler current profilers deployed from May 1990 to June 1991 during the Tropical Instability Wave Experiment. The record-length mean flow is divergent within the near-surface region and convergent within the thermocline, with maximum convergence located at the high speed core of the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). This pattern of divergence results in upwelling at and above the EUC core (with maximum value of 2.3 × 10−5 m s−1 located at 60-m depth) and downwelling below the core. The relative slopes in the zonal plane between the mean velocity vectors and the isotherms suggest a net diffusive heat flux. Assuming that this occurs vertically, an entrainment velocity parameterization provides an estimate of the “diapycnal vertical velocity” profile that reverses sign at the EUC core depth. Several kinematical and dynamical consistency checks are developed on both the time-depe.
On counterexamples to local-global divisibility in commutative algebraic groups

Let k be a number field, let A be a commutative algebraic group defined over k and let n be a positive integer. We will prove that for almost all primes p ∈ k, the existence of a counterexample to the localglobal divisibility by p in A assures the existence of a counterexample to the local-global divisibility by p in A, for all positive integers s. In particular, we will prove the existence of counterexamples to the localglobal divisibility by 2 and 3, for every n ≥ 2, in the case when k = Q and A is an elliptic curve. Furthermore, we will show a method to find numerical examples. We will use this method to produce numerical counterexamples to the local-global divisibility by 2, for every n ≥ 2, in elliptic curves defined over Q.
What Benefits can be Derived from Teaching Knowledge about Language to Preservice Teachers

This paper evaluates the validity of teaching English grammar to preservice teachers in a teacher education course at a regional university. The course was delivered in blended mode using the grammar component of My Writing Lab Global (MWLG) and face-to-face instruction. The aim of this study was to establish if there are benefits to derive from teaching knowledge about language (KAL) to preservice teachers. Our quasi-experimental study found MWLG was well-received by participants who believed it had improved their KAL; this improvement was confirmed by 10% improvement on a pre and post KAL test (p < .001). MWLG scores and the KAL test also reliably predicted other academic competencies: the students’ accumulated GPA and their final written assessment scores for the course (r= .4 to .54; p <.01). Collectively, these findings suggest that explicit KAL is valued and valid knowledge and should be included in teacher education programs. ; ;
Application of the wetland fish index to the Kalman Preserve, Emmet County, Michigan

The Great Lakes coastal wetlands are important land-water interfaces that serve a variety of functions important to plants and wildlife as well as humans. Human activities such as road building, shoreline development, dredging, draining and land filling contribute to the degradation of these valuable areas. Biological indicators can be used to assess degradation and link potential sources of disturbance. The Wetland fish Index (WFI)(Seilheimer & ChowFraser 2006&20078) is a biological index based on fish species composition. Assessing fish species can be cheaper and less time consuming than looking at different parameters of water quality. The index is also able to say more about the long term affects of human disturbances on wetlands as opposed to short term fluxes. We applied the WFI to the Kalman Preserve wetland located on the Little Traverse Bay in Emmet County MI. We found seven different species of fish, a variety of habitats and vegetation, and several groups of macroinvertebrates. The WFI based on fish we caught at the preserve suggested a wetland that is only moderately degraded. These results are in agreement with the past Floristic Quality Assessment conducted in 2006.
The effects of head movements and fluids with increasing viscosity on swallowing sounds

Cervical auscultation (CA) is an affordable, non-invasive technique for diagnosis of dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). CA involves swallowing characterization either via accelerometers or microphones. Though characteristics of the swallowing sound are well known, there is also need for a complete understanding of the baseline characteristics of the device, as well as any in influence of the head motion, age and gender. Also, the effects of fluid viscosity on swallowing accelerometry signals is well understood, there are still open questions about these effects on swallowing sounds. In order to examine these parameters, data was collected from 56 healthy participants. At first, they performed six different tasks with absence of swallowing, than they would complete five water swallows, five swallows of nectar-thick apple juice, and five swallows of honey-thick apple juice. These swallows were completed in neutral head and chin-tuck head positions. After pre-processing of collected signals, a number of features in time, frequency and time-frequency domains were extracted. Statistical test for baseline characteristic of swallowing sound showed that only the skewness and peak frequency did not possess statistical difference for all tasks. This results of the peak frequency indicates that head movement does not significantly affect the swallowing sound, and there is no need for removing those components. However, there is no observed gender, but age dependence was found in the swallowing sound. Nevertheless, participant's age should be considered in the future studies about swallowing sound. The same test was used for investigating influence dependence, and it demonstrated that significant influence of viscosity was found in most of the features. In general, features extracted from swallows in the neutral head position were affected more than swallows from the chin-tuck position. Furthermore, most of differences were found between water and fluids with higher viscosity. Almost no significant difference were found between swallows involving nectar-thick and honey-thick apple juices. Our results also showed that thicker fluids had higher regularity and predictability as demonstrated by the information theoretic features, and a lower frequency content as demonstrated by features in the frequency domain. Therefore, viscosity of fluids should be considered in future investigations involving swallowing sounds.
Reactions of VAM and Azospirillum Species on Wheat Growth

Axenic rhino base inocula of indigenous Glomus macrocarpum and Azospirillum brasilense were prepared to study the effect of their separate and combined inoculations on wheat growth. Inoculations either separate or in combined form of the inocula at 10, 20, 40 g/200 g in wheat vars. Blue Silver variety showed a significant increase (p<0.0011 in VAM infection (%), fresh weight, thousand grains weight (TGW) and dry weight (p<0.05) at the third dose (40 g/200 g soil) whereas the increase in plant height and grains number/head found non significant at the same dose as compared to the control treatments (00 g/200 g soil). The above inoculations in any form never showed adverse effect on wheat growth. In separate inoculations, the response of G. macrocarpum was found to be dominated over the A. brasilense. The combined form of the inocula always found highly effective for the aforesaid parameters in respect of the control treatment indicating a mutual beneficial interaction between them. Such reactions of the inocula on wheat growth are being reported for the first time from Sindh, Pakistan.
Raccoons Use Habitat Edges in Northern Illinois

ABSTRACT Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been implicated as important predators impacting nesting birds in the Midwest. Raccoon populations have increased dramatically in Illinois during the past 20 y prompting suggestions that lethal control programs may be warranted. Non-lethal approaches that separate avian nesting habitat from raccoon travel corridors may provide an acceptable alternative, but little is known about foraging patterns by raccoons in agricultural landscapes. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate home range size and movements of raccoons during the avian nesting season, (2) describe patterns of habitat selection at multiple spatial scales and (3) suggest management strategies to reduce the impact of raccoons on nesting birds. Twenty-one raccoons were radio-tracked at the Richardson Wildlife Foundation in northern Illinois from May through Aug. of 2002 and 2003. The mean 95% kernel home range was 60.5 ha and the mean 50% core area was 8.1 ha. Males moved faster than females at night, averaging 355.5 m/h vs. 192.3 m/h, respectively. Raccoons tended to follow linear landscape features such as fencerows, forest edges and mowed trails as they foraged at night. Home ranges contained more forest edge and less cropland than expected, and within their home ranges, raccoons foraged selectively along forest edges and wetlands, but generally avoided grasslands and crop fields.
Rural Community Coping Strategies with Drought- Driven Food Insecurity in Kwale County, Kenya

This paper discusses how households in Kwale in Kenya cope with drought-driven food insecurity and also provides suggestions to inform sustainable mitigation planning. This area was purposively selected because it suffers the most severe food insecurity levels in Kwale County. The main respondents were 120 households selected using stratified random sampling and 20 key informants selected purposively. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions and environmental observation checklists. Since the goal was to determine general trends, data analysis focused on descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that major droughts tend to occur every 10-15 years while minor ones after every 3-4 years. Failure of staple food crops and livestock losses elicits severe negative impacts on the community’s well-being. Further, technical mitigation measures perceived as effective were not necessarily the most popular with the community. For instance growing drought resistant crops was ranked first by 90% of the respondents, perception on its effectiveness placed it 4th rank in favour of water reservoirs, whose priority ranking was 7th by 25% of respondents. Similarly, diversification of income was prioritized by 71% of respondents, yet placed as second in effectiveness in favour of engaging in waged labour, whose priority ranking was 3rd by 58% of respondents. By implication, decision-making for lasting mitigation measures requires the input of farmers. In conclusion, short to medium term drought coping mechanisms should focus on diversifying food and income opportunities for households. As such farmers need to be empowered to access financial credit for investment. At the county level, investing in water resources development for irrigation agriculture and improvements in livestock management remain key long-term mitigation measures. The requisite community capacity building calls for coordinated public-private-civil society partnerships.
Production of Fucoxanthin-Rich Powder from Cladosiphon okamuranus

Fucoxanthin, a major carotenoid of Cladosiphon okamuranus and other brown seaweed, exhibits anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory activities. Despite these desirable activities, the utilization of fucoxanthin of a high purity in functional food preparations has been restricted because the instability of fucoxanthin makes its production difficult. In order to expand the industrial-scale use of C. okamuranus, the possibility of producing a fucoxanthin-rich product of a high purity was explored by using C. okamuranus as the source material. Several drying methods (hot-wind, vacuum, and freezing), drying temperatures (40-80oC), and pulverization methods (particle size: 50, 200, and 1000 :m) were employed and the outcomes were compared; the conditions were optimized to minimize the decomposition of fucoxanthin. The 50-:m freeze-dried powder was found to be the best. In addition, the algal extract showed a strong DPPH radical scavenging activity.
Jugo de frutas tropicales deshidratado por "Spray drying"

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la influencia de la concentracion de maltodextrina (MD) y temperatura de salida (TS) sobre el rendimiento y caracteristicas fisicoquimicas (humedad, densidades aparente y real del producto, porosidad del lecho, mojabilidad y solubilidad) de los jugos de pina y maracuya en polvo. Fueron utilizados planeamientos factoriales completos y rotacionales de segundo orden para evaluar las variables mas significativas sobre las propiedades. El modelo rotacional de segundo orden se ajusto bien para describir el rendimiento y densidad aparente de los jugos de pina y maracuya en polvo. El rendimiento del jugo de pina en polvo es aumentado por la elevacion de la concentracion de la maltodextrina, alcanzando un valor maximo a la temperatura de salida de 90oC. La densidad aparente de ambos jugos en polvo fue aumentada en mayores concentraciones de maltodextrina; el efecto de la temperatura de salida es variable, alcanzando un valor maximo para el jugo de pina en polvo a la temperatura de 90oC y para el jugo de maracuya en polvo a 83oC.