Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: measuring structure growth using passive galaxies

We explore the benefits of using a passively evolving population of galaxies to measure the evolution of the rate of structure growth between z = 0.25 and 0.65 by combining data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) I/II and SDSS-III surveys. The large-scale linear bias of a population of dynamically passive galaxies, which we select from both surveys, is easily modelled. Knowing the bias evolution breaks degeneracies inherent to other methodologies, and decreases the uncertainty in measurements of the rate of structure growth and the normalization of the galaxy power spectrum by up to a factor of 2. If we translate our measurements into a constraint on σ8(z = 0) assuming a concordance cosmological model and general relativity (GR), we find that using a bias model improves our uncertainty by a factor of nearly 1.5. Our results are consistent with a flat Λ cold dark matter model and with GR.
Vegetative growth, chemical composition, and flavonoids content of Azadirachta indica plants as affected by application of yeast natural extract

Article history: Received on: 06/02/2016 Revised on: 07/03/2016 Accepted on: 30/03/2016 Available online: 30/04/2016 This experiment was carried out during 2013 and 2104 seasons on Azadirachta indica plants at National Research Centre greenhouse, Egypt. Experiment studied the effect of foliar spraying plants with dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) extract at various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) on growth, pigments, NPK (%), total soluble sugars, indoles, phenols and flavonoids leaves contents. Results showed that spraying neem plants with yeast extract at 15% significantly increased growth parameters (plants height, stem and root fresh and dry weights) and enhanced total chlorophylla, phosphorus, potassium and total soluble sugars content. Using the concentration 5% of dry yeast extract gave the highest values of chlorophyll b, total carotenoids and total chlorophyll content. Nitrogen content was produced at the highest value (3.55%) in plants treated with dry yeast extract at 10%. The foliar application of yeast extract at 10, 15 and 20% resulted the highest values of total soluble phenols (72.48, 72.27 and 73.46 mg/g D.W., respectively). The highest flavonoids leave content (3.23 and 3.14 mg CE/g D.W.) were obtained when the dry yeast extract was used at 15 and 20%, respectively. On the other hand, all treatments had no significant effect on stem diameter, number of leaves /plant and root length.
Capital structure theory : Evidence from European property companies' capital offerings

This study examines the stock price reactions on announcements of both equity and debt offerings by European property companies. The unique setting in which corporate tax rates vary between different countries enables us to test established theories in the field of capital structure. In accordance with theory, we find a negative price reaction on equity offering announcements, which is less severe for low-tax countries and positive price reactions on the announcements of debt offerings. Besides tax arguments, we also test alternative explanations by analyzing variations in stock reactions based on differences in the relative size of the issue, the pre-offer leverage, the underlying property types, and operational performance. The results show that corporate taxation, issue size, and operational performance are significant explanatory factors in the negative price reactions. Copyright 2001 by the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.
Food as ‘Motif’ in the Irish Song Tradition

The above song ‘Bacon and Greens’ was written by Con O’Brien and first appeared in print in September 1930 in the Cork Weekly Examiner. This Irish love affair with pig meat was still evident in Pat Short’s chart topping 2006 song ‘The Jumbo Breakfast Roll’ which describes the Celtic Tiger phenomenon of wrapping the components of the cooked Irish breakfast in a half baguette for consumption by cash-rich, time-poor citizens. These same ingredients (bacon, sausages, black pudding etc.) form part of the popular all-day Irish meal known as a ‘mixed grill’ described so evocatively in the writings John McGahern (Maher 2014). Considering the primacy of food in people’s lives generally throughout history, it is logical that food be reflected in their songs and poetry. This paper will scour close to a thousand years of songs and poetry in both the Irish Language and in English to explore the food ‘motif’ in the Irish song tradition, in order to ascertain what light it might shine on our understanding of Irish culinary history and heritage.
Ecology of Increasing Disease Population growth and environmental degradation

All populations of organisms, including humans, are limited partially or completely by diseases in their ecosystems (Real 1996). Disease prevalence in populations and ecosystems is influenced by numerous environmental factors, including infectious organisms such as fungi and viruses, pollutants such as chemical and biological wastes, and shortages of food and nutrients (Dubos 1965). This complex of factors and their interactions makes
Longwave emission trends over Africa and implications for Atlantic hurricanes

The latitudinal gradient of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) over Africa is a skillful and physically based predictor of seasonal Atlantic hurricane activity. The African OLR gradient is observed to have strengthened during the satellite era, as predicted by state‐of‐the‐art global climate models (GCMs) in response to greenhouse gas forcing. Prior to the satellite era and the U.S. and European clean air acts, the African OLR gradient weakened due to aerosol forcing of the opposite sign. GCMs predict a continuation of the increasing OLR gradient in response to greenhouse gas forcing. Assuming a steady linear relationship between African easterly waves and tropical cyclogenesis, this result suggests a future increase in Atlantic tropical cyclone frequency by 10% (20%) at the end of the 21st century under the RCP 4.5 (8.5) forcing scenario.
Evaluation expression icaABCD biofilm formation genes in Staphylococcus aureus by Real-time PCR

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most significant pathogens that cause several nosocomial and community infections. Adhesion to surfaces and biofilm formation is considered the main step in staphylococcal infection. This study aimed to investigate the expression of ica(intercellular adhesion) genes in clinical isolates of S.aureus. Material and Method: A total of 93 clinical S. aureus isolates were collected from hospitals in Tehran. Quantitative biofilm formation was determined by using Congo red agar (CRA). Out of 93 isolates, only 18 (19.35%) isolates had positive biofilm formation, and they were examined for expression the icaABCD genes by Real-time PCR method. Results: The Congo red agar assay results showed that attachment abilities in 4 (4.3%) strains were strong and in 14 (15.05%) strains were moderate. All isolates were positive for icaABCD genes expression. The average gene expression for 18 strains was as follows for icaA (9.332), icaB (1.485), icaC (17.612) and icaD (3.390), respectively. Discussion: The data obtained suggest that clinical S. aureus isolated from the evaluated patients has a potential for biofilm formation. S. aureus clinical strains have different capacity to produce biofilm. This may be caused by a difference in the expression of biofilm genes and heterogeneity in genetic origins.
Erosion thresholds and suspended sediment yields, Waipaoa River Basin, New Zealand

Characteristics of the suspended sediment load in the Waipaoa River, New Zealand, and in two of its tributaries (Mangatu and Te Arai Rivers) are examined for evidence of different dominant erosion processes in the basins upstream. Different shapes of the suspended sediment concentration‐water discharge relations lead to differences in long‐term average yield, event‐yield magnitude‐frequency relations, and relative importance of large flows and rare events. In the Mangatu River, frequent runoff events are relatively more important to the long‐term yield (11,540 t km−2 yr−1), half of the long‐term average load is transported by events with return periods less than ∼1 year, and there is little evidence of an erosion threshold limitation on sediment supply. This is consistent with the predominance in the Mangatu basin of hillslope erosion processes that involve scour by surface and channelized runoff, particularly gully erosion. This contrasts with the Te Arai River where sediment concentration tends to be much lower at low and moderate flows, frequent runoff events transport less of the long‐term yield (4600 t km−2 yr−1) than do rarer, large‐magnitude flood events, event sediment yields are an order of magnitude lower during events with subannual return periods, and half of the long‐term average load is transported during events with a return period of >2 years. Some of these characteristics appear to result in part from two populations of runoff events in the Te Arai basin; nonetheless, they are consistent with field evidence that most of the sediment supplied to the Te Arai stream network is generated by shallow landslides which are activated once a rainfall threshold is exceeded.
Damage and fracture of brittle materials subjected to tri-axial compression

The aim of the paper is to present the experimental and theoretical study of fracture of brittle materials. To this end, new and more complete experimental data on deformability and fracture of brick and mortar subjected to tri-axial state of stress were discussed. Such experimental data are necessary to formulate the theoretical models capable of describing the mechanical behaviour of concrete, cementitious composites, ceramics and rocks. The second objective of this study is to present the potentialities of our own phenomenological model, based on continuum damage mechanics and on the theory of tensor function representation. Comparison of the experimental results obtained for tri-axial compression of brick and mortar with respective theoretical predictions showed satisfactory agreement.
TransCom N 2 O model inter-comparison – Part 1 : Assessing the influence of transport and surface fluxes on tropospheric N 2 O variability

We present a comparison of chemistry-transport models (TransCom-N 2O) to examine the importance of atmospheric transport and surface fluxes on the variability of N2O mixing ratios in the troposphere. Six different models and two model variants participated in the inter-comparison and simulations were made for the period 2006 to 2009. In addition to N2O, simulations of CFC-12 and SF 6 were made by a subset of four of the models to provide information on the models’ proficiency in stratosphere–troposphere exchange (STE) and meridional transport, respectively. The same prior emissions were used by all models to restrict differences among models to transport and chemistry alone. Four different N2O flux scenarios totalling between 14 and 17 TgN yr−1 (for 2005) globally were also compared. The modelled N2O mixing ratios were assessed against observations from in situ stations, discrete air sampling networks and aircraft. All models adequately captured the large-scale patterns of N2O and the vertical gradient from the troposphere to the stratosphere and most models also adequately captured the N2O tropospheric growth rate. However, all models underestimated the inter-hemispheric N 2O gradient by at least 0.33 parts per billion (ppb), equivalent to 1.5 TgN, which, even after accounting for an overestimate of emissions in the Southern Ocean of circa 1.0 TgN, points to a likely underestimate of the Northern Hemisphere source by up to 0.5 TgN and/or an overestimate of STE in the Northern Hemisphere. Comparison with aircraft data reveal that the models overestimate the amplitude of the N 2O seasonal cycle at Hawaii (21 N, 158 W) below circa 6000 m, suggesting an overestimate of the importance of stratosphere to troposphere transport in the lower troposphere at this latitude. In the Northern Hemisphere, most of the models that provided CFC-12 simulations captured the phase of the CFC-12, seasonal cycle, indicating a reasonable representation of the timing of Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 4350 R. L. Thompson et al.: TransCom N2O model inter-comparison – Part 1 STE. However, for N2O all models simulated a too early minimum by 2 to 3 months owing to errors in the seasonal cycle in the prior soil emissions, which was not adequately represented by the terrestrial biosphere model. In the Southern Hemisphere, most models failed to capture the N 2O and CFC-12 seasonality at Cape Grim, Tasmania, and all failed at the South Pole, whereas for SF 6, all models could capture the seasonality at all sites, suggesting that there are large errors in modelled vertical transport in high southern latitudes.
Robust Adaptive H∞ Controller Based on Hybrid Genetic Wavelet Kernel Principal Component for Nonlinear Uncertain Systems

In this paper, two adaptive H∞ control schemes based on a genetic wavelet kernel support vector machine (SVM) and a hybrid genetic wavelet kernel SVM is presented for nonlinear uncertain systems. In these methods, wavelet kernel SVM is employed to establish the adaptive controller and an on-line learning rule for the weighting vector and bias is derived. The H∞ control technique is combined with adaptive control algorithm and wavelet support vector machine to achieve the desired attenuation on the tracking error caused by wavelet-SVM approximation error and external disturbances. The most important feature of the proposed control strategy is its inherent robustness and its ability to handle the nonlinear behaviour of the system. The results of simulation show this SVM online algorithm controller is very effective and the SVM controller can achieve a satisfactory performance
EFFICIENT SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION OF MAN-MADE SCENES USING FULLY-CONNECTED CONDITIONAL RANDOM FIELD

Abstract. In this paper we explore semantic segmentation of man-made scenes using fully connected conditional random field (CRF). Images of man-made scenes display strong contextual dependencies in the spatial structures. Fully connected CRFs can model long-range connections within the image of man-made scenes and make use of contextual information of scene structures. The pairwise edge potentials of fully connected CRF models are defined by a linear combination of Gaussian kernels. Using filter-based mean field algorithm, the inference is very efficient. Our experimental results demonstrate that fully connected CRF performs better than previous state-of-the-art approaches on both eTRIMS dataset and LabelMeFacade dataset.
Adana İli Tufanbeyli İlçesi Meralarının Vejetasyon Yapısı Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Bu arastirma, Adana Ili Tufanbeyli ilcesinin 5 farkli koyunde bulunan meralarda, vejetasyon yapisinin belirlenmesi amaciyla 2010 yilinda yurutulmustur. Vejetasyon etudlerinde lup metodu kullanilarak meralardaki bitkilerin turleri, meralarin bitki ile kapli alan oranlari, azalici, cogalici ve istilaci turlerin oranlari, mera kalite dereceleri ve mera durumlari belirlenmistir. Meralarda bitki ile kapli alanda bugdaygiller orani ortalamasi % 36.9, baklagiller orani ortalamasi % 22.0 ve diger familya bitkileri orani ortalamasi % 41.1, azalici turlerin orani ortalama, % 20.9, cogalici turlerin orani % 11.9, istilaci turlerin orani ise % 67.2, mera kalite derecelerinin 2.40-3.92 arasinda degistigi ve meralarin durum sinifinin zayif oldugu tespit edilmistir. Arastirma sonuclarina gore, incelenen meralar ve benzer ekolojik kosullardaki meralarda otlatmanin kontrol altina alinmasi ve toprak ve topografik kosullarina bagli olarak ustten tohumlama, mibzerle ekim veya dogal tohumlama yontemlerinin tek baslarina veya diger islah yontemleri ile kombine edilerek islah edilebilmesi icin uygun islah yontemlerinin belirlenmesine yonelik yeni arastirmalarin yapilmasi gerektigi sonucuna varilmistir.
Effect of grazing intensities and seed furrow openers on corn development and yield in a crop-livestock system

Grazing intensity determines both agricultural and livestock production and may shift the crop-livestock system either in a positive or negative direction. High grazing intensity may affect soil physical-chemical and biological traits, affecting a no-tillage system and as a result, reduce crop yields. These effects can be mitigated by the use of a no-till seed planter equipped with different furrow openers that can interact to optimize crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate grazing intensities and seed furrow openers on corn crop development and yield in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was laid out as random block design in a split-plot arrangement with four replications. Black oat + ryegrass grazing intensities were characterized by different pasture sward management, with the entrance of grazing animal at pasture heights of 25, 30, and 35 cm and exit at heights of 5, 10, and 15 cm, respectively. Grazing was a rotational basis with a treatment without grazing as a control. After the grazing period, corn was established using two seed furrow openers (double disc and shank) in the sub-plot level. Soil bulk density was evaluated before and after the grazing period as well as the depth of seed deposition, corn plant development, corn yield components and yield. Soil bulk density increased as grazing intensity increased. Corn yield dynamics were affected by grazing intensity and the type of seed furrow opener.
Global existence and blow-up for nonautonomous systems with non-local symmetric generators and Dirichlet conditions

We study a semilinear system of the form ∂ui(t,x) ∂ t = ki(t)Aiui(t,x)+u βi i′ (t,x), t > 0, x ∈ D, ui(0,x) = fi(x), x ∈ D, ui|Dc ≡ 0, where D ⊂ Rd is a bounded open domain, ki : [0,∞) → [0,∞) is continuous, Ai is the infinitesimal generator of a symmetric jump-type process Zi ≡ {Zi(t)}t 0 , βi > 1 , i ∈ {1,2} and i′ = 3− i . Under some assumptions on the infinitesimal generator A D i of the subprocess Zi killed upon leaving D , i = 1,2 , we give sufficient conditions for global existence or finite-time blow-up of the positive mild solutions of our system. This paper can be considered as a continuation of the article [16]. Mathematics subject classification (2010): 60J75, 60G52, 35B35, 35K57.
Understanding Learner-centredness: Does it consider the diverse needs of individuals?

In light of the significant changes happening in all sectors of our society, we in the education sector and in particular in the universities, have adopted a number of innovative ideas for delivering education. Many of these innovations deal with procedural aspects related to learning and consequently little concern has been shown to individuals' beliefs about knowledge and dispositions for learning. Beliefs and dispositions are powerful tools to effect a more meaningful and sustainable change to how individuals engage in learning. This paper discusses some recent findings from research into university students' beliefs about the nature of knowledge and their conceptions of learning, and identifies the implications for a learner-centred university education. Learners' beliefs both informal and formal may influence the way they approach learning. Do they learn to apply, or learn to understand? The effort they make to learn depends on their perception of how the learning will reward them. The paper also explores the cross-cultural beliefs about knowledge and conceptions of learning.
Fagaricine, a new immunorestorative phytomedicine from Zanthoxylum heitzii: Preclinical and multicenter cohort clinical studies based on HIV-infected patients in six countries

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of Fagaricine, an aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum heitzii by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subchronic oral administration in rodents, and his clinical benefits on HIV-infected patients. For the acute study, Fagaricine was administered to mice in orally single doses of 0-10 g/kg. General behaviour adverse effects and mortality were determined for 7 days. In the subchronic dose study, the extract was administered at doses of 01275 mg/kg daily for 35 days. Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined at the end of 35 days of daily administration. For the clinical benefits of Fagaricine, multicentre cohort observations were realised in six countries, on 75 patients. All patients received two tablets of the fixed-dose containing 100 mg of Fagaricine twice daily for 24 weeks. Clinical benefits were evaluated over active control on CD4 counts. In the In the acute study in mice, no adverse effects and mortality was observed. In the subchronic study, variations were observed with biological, heamatologic
The power of delegation: Allowing workers to choose their wage

This paper analyzes the effect of delegation on the employees’ performance in an experimental gift exchange game where employers may allow workers to choose their own wage. Our results show that workers reciprocate positively towards companies that delegate the decision of the wage, obtaining that higher effort levels are displayed when workers are free to choose their wage, even when wages chosen by employees are similar to those assigned by employers. In addition, we find that this enhancement in workers’ behavior is mainly due to the positive effect of delegation per se rather than to the “responsibility-alleviation”.
Social Support and Coping Strategies among Swedish and Sudanese Older Persons

Sweden and Sudan represent different forms of family and societal structures. Nevertheless, older persons in either country have to develop coping strategies in order to be able to handle their life. Their coping patterns interact with the family and other close persons. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of social support and coping strategies among older persons in Sweden and Sudan. A cross-cultural and semi-structured interview study was performed with 85 older persons (26% men) aged 68– 102 years, living in their own homes, receiving some home services in Stockholm, Sweden. Interviews were also conducted with 42 older persons (24% men) aged 60-85 years living in extended families in an outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan. The subjects were asked to answer a standard social support questionnaire including availability of attachment (AVAT) and social interaction (AVSI). Their situation was also explored by means of the “coping wheel”. This was used in three forms (participant activities in the past, present, and in the future). Scores for perceived “control” and “emotion” were calculated on the basis of all the individual activities reported in the "wheel. " To test the difference between the two groups with regard to coping strategies, descriptive statistics and Chisquare tests were applied. Multivariate one-way analysis of variance was used to test the differences between Swedish and Sudanese older persons in AVSI, and AVAT, adjusting for age and gender. A content analysis was performed for the coping activities in the past, at present and in the future. As content analysis has no single form or stage, the answers were processed and analyzed without pre-conceptions. The “control” score both in the past and in the future was significantly higher in the Sudanese sample while the present “emotion” score was significantly higher (more positive) in the Swedish sample. Our results suggest that traditional norms and culture have an effect on social support as well as coping strategies for older persons. The family plays a very important role in enhancing psychosocial wellbeing. It seems that Swedish older persons use much of their time for hobbies and leisure activities, whereas the Sudanese older persons seem to be struggling for survival.