Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term variability of AGN at hard X-rays

Aims. Variability at all observed wavelengths is a distinctive pr operty of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Hard X-rays provide us with a view of the innermost regions of AGN, mostly unbiased by absorption along the line of sight. Characterizing the intrinsi c hard X-ray variability of a large AGN sample and comparing it to the results obtained at lower X-ray energies can significantly contr ibute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the high-energy radiation. Methods. Swift/BAT provides us with the unique opportunity to follow, on time scales of days to years and with a regular sampling, the 14‐195 keV emission of the largest AGN sample available up to date for this kind of investigation. As a continuation of an early work on the first 9 months of BAT data, we study the amplitude of the variations, and their dependence on sub-class and on energy, for a sample of 110 radio quiet and radio loud AGN selected from the BAT 58-month survey. Results. About 80% of the AGN in the sample are found to exhibit signific ant variability on months to years time scales, radio loud sources being the most variable, and Seyfert 1.5-2 galaxies being slightly more variable than Seyfert 1, while absorbed and unabsorbed objects show similar timing properties. The amplitude of the variations and their energy dependence are incompatible with variability being driven at hard X-rays by changes of the absorption column density. In general, the variations in the 14‐24 and 35‐100 keV bands are well correlated, suggesting a common origin of the variability across the BAT energy band. However, radio quiet AGN display on average 10% larger variations at 14‐24 keV than at 35‐100 keV, and a softer-when-brighter behavior for most of the Seyfert galaxies with detectable spectral variability on month time scale. I n addition, sources with harder spectra are found to be more variable than softer ones, opposite to what it is observed below 10 keV. These properties are generally consistent with a variable, in fl ux and shape, power law continuum, pivoting at energies& 50 keV, to which a constant reflection component is superpose d. When the same time scales are considered, the timing properties of AGN at hard X-rays are comparable to those at lower energies, with at least some of the differences possibly ascribable to components contributing differently in the two energy domains (e.g., reflection, absorpt ion).
RENEWABLE RESOURCES, POLLUTION AND TRADE IN A SMALL OPEN ECONOMY

Industrial pollution can have damaging effects on resource-based productive sectors. International trade creates opportunities for overexploitation of the open-access renewable resources but also for separating the sectors spatially. The paper shows that, depending on the relative damage inflicted by the two industries on the environment, it is possible that the production externality will persist and that specialization in the dirty good may not be the obvious choice from a welfare perspective. Also, the resource exporter does not necessarily have to lose from trade even when specializing incompletely, due to the partially offsetting external effects.
Evaluation of some Heavy Metals in Soils along a Major Road in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria

Evaluation of the concentration of soils metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and Ni) from selected sites (Odo Oba, Sabo and General Areas) along a major road in Ogbomoso was made in comparison with control site, LAUTECH Campus (LC) based on contamination factor and pollution indices. The metal levels in the sites revealed that: General > Sabo > Odo Oba > LC for the analyzed metals except Fe of which highest value was obtained in the control site. Contamination indices showed that Sabo and general were considerably polluted while Odo Oba was moderately polluted relative to control. The values of pollution level index obtained for these three sites (PLI >1) indicates deterioration of site quality. Significant correlation between some of the metals (Pb, Cr and Ni) studied and average daily traffic volume showed that the contamination could be from automobile emissions. The accumulation of these metals in soil especially in the residential areas may add to the body burden of the residents. Further investigation is highly necessary to study the concentrations and health implications of these metals in residents of the linear settlements along this major road in Ogbomoso. Key words: Heavy metal, Traffic volume, Pollution, Soil, Ogbomoso
Implications of all season Arctic sea-ice anomalies on the stratosphere

Abstract. In this study the impact of a substantially reduced Arctic sea-ice cover on the lower and middle stratosphere is investigated. For this purpose two simulations with fixed boundary conditions (the so-called time-slice mode) were performed with a Chemistry-Climate Model. A reference time-slice with boundary conditions representing the year 2000 is compared to a second sensitivity simulation in which the boundary conditions are identical apart from the polar sea-ice cover, which is set to represent the years 2089–2099. Three features of Arctic air temperature response have been identified which are discussed in detail. Firstly, tropospheric mean polar temperatures increase up to 7 K during winter. This warming is primarily driven by changes in outgoing long-wave radiation. The tropospheric response (e.g. geopotential height anomaly) is in reasonable agreement with similar studies dealing with Arctic sea-ice decrease and the consequences on the troposphere. Secondly, temperatures decrease significantly in the summer stratosphere caused by a decline in outgoing short-wave radiation, accompanied by a slight increase of ozone mixing ratios. Thirdly, there are short periods of statistical significant temperature anomalies in the winter stratosphere probably driven by modified planetary wave activity, but generally there is no clear stratospheric response. The Arctic Oscillation (AO)-index, which is related to the troposphere–stratosphere coupling favours a more neutral state during winter. The only clear stratospheric response can be shown during November. Significant changes in Arctic temperature, meridional eddy heat fluxes and the Arctic Oscillation (AO)-index are detected. In this study the overall stratospheric response to the prescribed sea-ice anomaly is small compared to the tropospheric changes.
Influence of the Laurentian Great Lakes on Regional Climate

AbstractThe influence of the Laurentian Great Lakes on climate is assessed by comparing two decade-long simulations, with the lakes either included or excluded, using the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Regional Climate Model, version 4. The Great Lakes dampen the variability in near-surface air temperature across the surrounding region while reducing the amplitude of the diurnal cycle and annual cycle of air temperature. The impacts of the Great Lakes on the regional surface energy budget include an increase (decrease) in turbulent fluxes during the cold (warm) season and an increase in surface downward shortwave radiation flux during summer due to diminished atmospheric moisture and convective cloud amount. Changes in the hydrologic budget due to the presence of the Great Lakes include increases in evaporation and precipitation during October–March and decreases during May–August, along with springtime reductions in snowmelt-related runoff. Circulation responses consist of a reg.
Habitat type as a determinant of species range sizes: the example of lotic–lentic differences in aquatic Coleoptera

Species differ in the size of their geographical ranges, but it is unclear how this is affected by the intrinsic properties of various habitat types. Using data on range sizes for 490 species of aquatic Coleoptera from the Iberian Peninsula we show that running-water (lotic) species have much smaller distributional ranges than those occurring in standing water (lentic). This robust association of habitat type and range size has independently arisen in at least four monophyletic coleopteran lineages, in Hydradephaga, Hydrophiloidea, Hydraenidae and Byrrhoidea, and several more times within these main groups. We propose that this pattern is due to different evolutionary dynamics of both habitat types: stagnant water bodies are more likely to completely disappear, requiring frequent migration of resident populations. Rivers and streams, on the contrary, have more temporal and spatial continuity, and therefore permit the long-term persistence of local populations. In less permanent habitats species will require a greater geographical mobility, which indirectly results in a larger size range. The less dispersive populations of running water should also have reduced gene flow, increasing the probability of allopatric speciation, and thus reducing the average range of more widespread ancestral species. These differences in population parameters, and the frequency of transitions between the two habitat types, may have strong macroevolutionary consequences, in particular regarding speciation rates and possible morphological specializations.
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL-HYDRIC CHARACTERISATION OF A RED LATOSOL AFTER FIVE YEARS OF MANAGEMENT DURING THE SUMMER BETWEEN-CROP SEASON

Agricultural production systems that include the production of mulch for no-tillage farming and structural improvement of the soil can be considered key measures for agricultural activity in the Cerrado region without causing environmental degradation. In this respect, our work aimed to evaluate the chemical and physical-hydric properties of a dystrophic Red Latosol (Oxisol) in the municipality of Rio Verde, Goias, Brazil, under different soil management systems in the between-crop season of soybean cultivation five years after first planting. The following conditions were evaluated: Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu as a cover crop during the between-crop season; Second crop of maize intercropped with Brachiaria ruziziensis; Second crop of grain alone in a no-tillage system; Fallow soil after the soybean harvest; and Forest (natural vegetation) located in an adjacent area. Soil samples up to a depth of 40 cm were taken and used in the assessment of chemical properties and soil structure diagnostics. The results demonstrated that the conversion of native vegetation areas into agricultural fields altered the chemical and physical-hydric properties of the soil at all the depths evaluated, especially up to 10 cm, due to the activity of root systems in the soil structure. Cultivation of B. brizantha as a cover crop during the summer between-crop season increased soil water availability, which is important for agricultural activities in the region under study.
Acid Adaptation and Alliin Resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium Isolated from Acid Pasteurized Garlic Paste Asitle Pastörize Edilmiş Sarimsak Macunundan İzole Edilen Salmonella Typhimurium'un Asit Adaptasyonu ve Alliin Direnci

ABSTRACT G arlic is often marketed fresh and without processing but, paste is a potential alternative that would retain the delicate and fresh odor of garlic. Allicin is one of the major antibacterial components of garlic. Salmonella was isolated from commercial type garlic paste using ISO 6579 method and identified by serotyping using Kauffman-White Scheme and antibiotic resistance patterns were evaluated using disk diffusion method. The strain was identified as Salmonella Typhimurium . Acid adaptation in citric and acetic acids, survival at pH 3 and Alliin resistance of the strain were evaluated. The strain was significantly resistant to lower pH and an increase in numbers of the strain was recorded. The strain was also resistant to Alliin, which may show that this strain would be the survivor of acid pasteurized garlic paste. This study aims to report an extreme Salmonella Typhimurium strain which adopts to acid and have Alliin resistance. The study underlines the resistance to natural antimicrobials that may cause a risk in public health.
Investigation of unsteady surface pressures over a two-wheeled landing-gear model

Unsteady flow around deployed landing gears is a significant contributor to aircraft noise on approach. The far-field sound is largely determined by the fluctuating pressures on the gear surface, quantities that have yet to be fully characterized even for simplified representations. The current work reports axle- and wheel-surface data from a comprehensive set of measurements on a generic, two-wheel, landing-gear model. The results show the expected high levels of unsteadiness on areas exposed to large-scale separated flow, of which some (wheel rear surfaces and forward edges) can be identified from steady data, but others (wheel faces adjacent to axle wakes, flow impingements on sidewalls) cannot. The forward-edge values for the current, untripped configuration are markedly greater than previously reported measurements with artificial transition fixing. Spectral analysis highlights a further category of potentially important contributions that are not easily detected in overall rms values: high-frequency.
Versa: Versatile and Efficient Few-shot Learning

Despite recent advances in few-shot learning, notably in meta-learning based approaches [Ravi and Larochelle, 2017, Vinyals et al., 2016, Edwards and Storkey, 2017, Finn et al., 2017, Lacoste et al., 2018], there remains a lack of general purpose methods for flexible, data-efficient learning. This paper introduces VERSA, a system for data efficient and versatile meta-learning. It employs a flexible and versatile amortization network that takes few-shot learning datasets as inputs, with arbitrary numbers of shots, and outputs a distribution over task-specific parameters in a single forward pass. VERSA substitutes optimization at test time with forward passes through inference networks, amortizing the cost of inference and relieving the need for second derivatives during training. We evaluate VERSA on benchmark datasets where the method achieves state-of-the-art results, handles arbitrary numbers of shots, and for classification, arbitrary numbers of classes at train and test time. The power of the approach is then demonstrated through a challenging few-shot ShapeNet view reconstruction task.
Dependence of Evapotranspiration on the Precipitation Amount and Leaf area Index for Various Vegetated surfaces

各地の森林,草地,水田における蒸発散の観測資料を解析した. 蒸発散量は気象条件(放射量・気温・水蒸気量・風速),地表面条件(植生種・葉面積指数),及び降水量に依存する. 気象条件はポテンシャル蒸発量(近藤・徐,1997)で表すことができる. 蒸発散量Eをポテンシャル蒸発量Epで無次元化し,降水量および葉面積指数との関係を求めた. 無次元量E/Epの季節変化の幅は,常緑樹が混在する日本の多くの森林では小さいが,落葉樹林と草地では大きい. 数ヶ月以上の長期間平均のE/Epについては,森林・草地とも降水量とともに増加する. 晴天日におけるE/Epの葉面積指数LAIへの依存性については,森林では強いが,草地では弱く,水田ではほとんど見いだせない. すなわち,森林ではLAI=0付近でE/Ep=0.1～0.2, LAI>5でE/Ep=0.7～0. 8となる. 草地ではLAI=0付近でE/Ep=0.3～0.6, LAI>2でE/Ep=0. 8程度となる. 水田ではE/Ep=0. 8程度である. したがって,植生が繁茂する夏期には,森林,草地,水田におけるE/Epは0. 8前後で,植生種による違いはほとんど見いだせない.
Interactive comment on “Turbulent Length Scales in a Fast-flowing, Weakly Stratified, Strait: Cook Strait, New Zealand” by Craig L. Stevens

The central issue of this manuscripts and its main message is about the comparison between the Thorpe and Ozmidov scales. Unfortunately, the discussion itself is rather short and poorly documented (three references). More efforts should be put in the analysis around figures 12, 13 and 14. The manuscript will be greatly improved by a better focus on this scientific issue. In particular, can the data shed new light on the claim (Mater, 2013) that LT ≈ LO with Nk ≈ ? The measurements themselves are presented with (too) many figures, but basic information is missing. Little is said, for instance, on the timing of the collected 34 profiles C1
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLYMERIC NANOSUSPENSION OF NARINGENIN

Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate the poorly soluble drug, naringenin (NAR) into nanosuspension to increase the solubility and enhance the dissolution rate and then improve its bioavailability. Methods: Nanosuspenion of naringenin (NARNS) was prepared using high-pressure homogenization method using Soya lecithin, Polaxamer-407, Polaxamer-188, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and Tween-80. Ten formulations were prepared to show the effect of stabilizer and its ratio. D-α-Tocopheryl polyethene glycol succinate 1000 (TPGS) was added as a co-stabilizer. All these formulations were evaluated for their particle size, PDI, zeta potential, FT-IR study, drug content, saturation solubility studies, entrapment efficiency, in vitro permeability and in vitro drug release. The formulation was further evaluated for scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) and hemocompatibility assessment. Results: All the prepared formulations were in the nano size. The optimum concentration of the stabilizer was in the formulation was found 1:1.5:1 (drug: stabilizer: co-stabilizer ratio). Dramatic effect of the particle size reduction was found by the addition of the co-stabilizer (TPGS) in formulation N2 that has P. S 80.52±0.13 nm. The solubility and dissolution of NAR in the form of NARNS were significantly higher than those of pure NAR. SEM report shows that naringenin nanosuspension revealed a smooth texture. P-XRD crystallography diffraction and DSC studies indicated that the crystalline state of NAR was converted into amorphous nature. The safety evaluation showed that NARNS provided a lower rate of erythrocyte hemolysis. Conclusion: In this study, (NARNS) was successfully carried out by high-pressure homogenization technique and characterized. The physio-chemical characterization shown that crystalline naringenin was converted to a polymorphic form (DSC and P-XRD Study) which evidenced by enhanced dissolution rate in comparisons of the formulation with (NAR) pure drug. The NARNS has shown 7.5±0.4 fold increased relative bioavailability when compared to the NAR. The increased drug dissolution rate may have a significant impact in absorption which in turn the improved oral bioavailability of naringenin. Thus, this delivery system may prefer to improve the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs like NAR and thus enhanced oral bioavailability. The safety evaluation showed that nanoformulation (NF2) shows a lower rate of erythrocyte hemolysis. These findings suggest that the selected formulation may represent a promising new drug formulation for intravenous administration in the treatment of certain cancers.
Expanding Opportunities for Kidney Transplantation

Despite the increased use of living donors and marginal donor kidneys, there still exists a significant discrepancy between the organ supply and demand in renal transplantation [1]. This has led to excessive waiting times affecting patient survival. More than half of all patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) over the age of 60 die before receiving a kidney transplant [2]. These patients face a mortality rate of 6% per year while awaiting an acceptable donor. Thus, transplant surgeons and physicians have turned to other potential sources of allografts to meet the ever growing demand. Potential resources include maximizing the utilization of pediatric donors, increasing use of marginal donors, and transplanting hepatitis C (HCV) positive donor kidneys into HCV positive recipients. Finally, the advent of kidney paired donation has significantly improved and maximized the use of living donor renal transplants.
Relationship between Religious Attitudes and Coping Strategies for Stressful Conditions in Mothers with Epileptic Children

Introduction pilepsy is one of the non-communicable and disabling diseases. Epilepsy is the most common chronic disorder of the nervous system, which occurs due to abnormal electrical discharge in a group of brain neurons, and causes frequent seizures (1, 2). The annual incidence of epilepsy is estimated to be 2-4 per 100,000 population in adults and 17-23 per 100,000 population in children (3). Epilepsy may occur at any age, but about 75% of cases occur before the age of 20 years (4). Typically, the onset of a disease, especially chronic disease, in children, causes a family crisis, because in this situation, the child's parents are often responsible for his/her illness and feel anxious, guilty, helpless, and ineffective, and as a result, their function and ultimately the function of the whole family is affected (5). In this regard, mothers are more and more deeply affected by the crisis, but fathers are comparatively more stable and gradually recover (6). Psychological disorders, especially stress and anxiety, are some of the problems that parents of children with epilepsy deal with. Therefore, the family members, as with the patient, may need to adapt to stressors in order to maintain their internal balance (7). The concept of coping refers to the application of various types of approaches including adaptive or maladaptive (ineffective) strategies to adapt to a threat to create a psychological balance (8). According to Lazarus and Falkman, two main strategies of coping include problem-focused coping and emotion-focused E Abstract
Impact of Marketing Communications on Consumer Attitudes towards Internet Banking Adoption by University Students in Zimbabwe - Case of Harare Institute of Technology (HIT)

This study focussed on impact of marketing communications on consumer attitudes towards internet banking adoption. Internet banking is a fairly new concept in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. Its usage is still at infancy levels although it brings a multitude of benefits among them is privacy and convenience. The traditional branch based retail banking system is still a predominant method of conducting banking transactions. Online surveys and interviews were used to collect data for this study. A sample of 120 students from HIT and 10 respondents from 5 commercial banks was used. Use of internet banking among students is very low. Most students use mobile money and cash. Marketing communications have been found to have a positive influence on internet banking. However direct marketing and personal selling are very crucial in engaging potential customers. Banks need to capitalise on these tools as they are interactive and more influential in consumer adoption of internet banking.
Influence of Social Media Based Brand Communities on Brand Trust

The advantages of social media as a highly efficient communication and distribution channel is motivating brand managers to participate in social media they try to bring together different or likeminded people in virtual brand communities. A brand community based on social media provides benefits to its members, to facilitate information sharing and to enhance customers’ bonds to each other; it cements the customers’ relationships with the brand, the product, the company and other customers (Laroche, Habibi and Richard, 2013). These enhanced relationships result in enhanced brand loyalty, and brand trust as an antecedent of loyalty has a key role in this process. Our findings explain that social media based brand communities have positive effects on the customer/product relationship; the customer/brand relationship; the customer/company relationship; and the customer/other customer’s relationships and also all these relationships have a positive effect on brand trust. Keywords: Social Media Based Brand Communities, Brand Trust, Social Media
Essential Spectrum and Fredholm Properties for Operators on Locally Compact Groups

We study the essential spectrum and Fredholm properties of integral and pseudodiferential operators associated to (maybe non-commutative) locally compact groups G. The techniques involve crossed product C*-algebras. We extend previous results on the structure of the essential spectrum to operators belonging (or affiliated) to the Schr\"odinger representation of certain crossed products. When the group G is unimodular and type I, we cover a new class of pseudo-differential differential operators with operator-valued symbols involving the unitary dual of G. We use recent results on the role of families of representations in spectral theory and the notion of quasi-regular dynamical system.