Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain Wall Width in Different Ferroelectrics via Perturbation Route

The domains are of fundamental interest for engineering a ferroelectric material. The domain wall and its width control the ferroelectric behavior to a great extent. The stability of polarization in the context of Landau-Ginzburg free energy functional has been worked out in a previous work by a perturbation approach, where two limits of domain wall width were estimated within the stability zone and they were also found to correspond well with the data on lithium niobate and lithium tantalate. In the present work, it is shown that this model is valid for a wide range of ferroelectric materials and also for a given ferroelectric, such as lithium niobate with different levels of impurities, which are known to affect the domain wall width.
DEWORMING PROTOCOLS OF ISLAND SNAKES KEPT IN CAPITIVITY AT THE BUTANTAN INSTITUTE ( Protocolos de vermifugação de serpentes de ilha mantidas em cativeiro no Instituto Butantan )

Bothrops insularis and B. alcatraz are critically endangered species inhabiting two different coastal islands of the state of São Paulo. Although they are closely related species, they show distinct morphological characteristics due to their isolation from the continent. There is a general lack of studies on conservation and captive husbandry of these species, including their parasites. Our aim was to evaluate the deworming protocols used in B. insularis and B. alcatraz in captivity. We evaluated three deworming protocols through fecal examination: (1) adult B. insularis were treated with ivermectin and praziquantel, (2) adult B. alcatraz were treated with ivermectin, and (3) juvenile B. insularis and B. alcatraz were treated with ivermectin. The snakes are kept in the Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution at the Instituto Butantan (São Paulo, Brazil) for conservation purposes. To evaluate the deworming protocols, we performed the Willis-Mollay (1921) technique. After treating with the first protocol, 19% of the animals showed only eggs of a pseudoparasite (Syphacia obvelata). After the second protocol, 75% of the animals showed cestodes (Ophiotaenia sp.). After the third protocol, 32% of the animals showed only the pseudoparasite, S. obvelata. The pseudoparasite was found only in B. insularis individuals that ate adult mice in captivity. However, cestode eggs were found only in those adult snakes of the second protocol that did not receive praziquantel. Based on the negative results for pathogenic parasites, we conclude that the first protocol was effective for adult snakes whereas the third protocol was effective for juveniles.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR IT PROJECTS ?

Critical success factors (CSFs) are criteria that ensure the success of a project for a manager or an organization, and increase the success possibility of a project. CSFs differ from project to project, industry to industry. Another significant factor in project success is project management methodology. In this domain there are some well-known project management frameworks such as PMBOK, PRINCE2 and APMBOK. The aim of this study is to evaluate how Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) addresses the critical success factors (CSFs) for the IT projects and to identify strengths and weaknesses of this project management framework from the perspective of responding CSFs. Firstly, a CSFs set is determined via literature review. Then PMBOK is reviewed to find out at what level it addresses the determined critical success factors for software projects. In addition to general CSFs for IT projects, CSFs for IT projects in some specific areas e.g. agile software projects, ERP implementation projects, data warehouse and business intelligence systems projects, data mining projects, offshore software development projects. PMBOK’s response to such type projects are also reviewed.
International Cartels and Bilateral Trade: An Empirical Investigation

This study evaluates the eect of international cartels on the volume of bilateral trade by relying on the gravity model of trade and the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimator. Using a rich cartel data set that contains information on 170 discovered and prosecuted international cartels as well as the most disaggregated bilateral trade data for all OECD countries for the period from 1988 until 2012, I estimate the eect of each cartel on trade individually and find that the impact of cartels on international trade flows is quite heterogeneous across and within sectors. About 50% of the cartels in my sample exert a statistically significant eect on international trade with approximately half of these eects being positive. In a
After all, what do wasps want? The choice of sexual partner in the paper wasps Polistes

iv Resumo.v Introduction.1 Chapter I Sexually selected visual signals in male Polistes simillimus paper wasps.3 II A role for male sexually selected visual signals in leks of Polistes dominula paper wasps.21 III Intersexual nestmate recognition in Polistes versicolor paper wasps wasps.34 Conclusions.42 References.43
The effect of structure and star formation on the gas content of nearby galaxies

We revisit the main HI-to-stellar mass ratio (gas fraction) scaling relations, taking advantage of the HI spectral stacking technique to understand the dependence of gas content on the structural and star formation properties of nearby galaxies. This work uses a volume-limited, multi-wavelength sample of ~25,000 galaxies, selected according to stellar mass (10^9 M_sol < M_* < 10^11.5 M_sol) and redshift (0.02 < z < 0.05) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and with HI data from the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA survey. We bin according to multiple parameters of galaxies spanning the full gas-poor to -rich regime in order to disentangle the dominance of different components and processes in influencing gas content. For the first time, we show that the scaling relations of gas fraction with stellar mass and stellar surface density are primarily driven by a combination of the underlying galaxy bimodality in specific star formation rate and the integrated Kennicutt-Schmidt law. Finally, we produce tentative evidence that the timescales of HI depletion are dependent upon galaxy mass and structure, at fixed specific star formation rate.
Internal Consistency of Persian Version of Falls Efficacy Scale and Activity-Specific Balance Scale

Background: Falls is worldwide health problem among older adults. Different scales have been introduced related to falls, including Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and Activity-Specific Balance Scale (ABCS). Persian version of these scale needs to be assessed for internal consistency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency of Persian version of FES and ABCS. Methods: In this pilot descriptive cross-sectional study, subjects (n=20) were selected by convenient sampling from elderly community dwellers. Prior to assessing the internal consistency, the original scales were first translated and culturally adapted from English into Persian according to a standardized procedure. Moreover the Cronbach’s alpha of the scales was calculated by SPSS software version 21. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha of the FES and ABCS were calculated as 0.895 and 0.894, respectively. The inter-item correlation matrix of FES with 10 item and ABCS with 16 items, were positive and acceptable in both scales. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted for all items in ABCS were lower than 0.894 and in FES were below 0.895. It suggests that if each item deleted in both scales, the consistency of the test would decline. Therefor all items were necessary for the scales. Conclusions: The unity of the scales and internal consistency of the 16-item ABCS and 10-item of FES were good and comparable to what has been reported for previous versions of the scales in other cultures. FES and ABCS are two scales which can be used in Persian language for further studies on falls among older adults.
Cortico-Subcortical Metabolic Changes in Aging Brain: A 18F FDG PET/CT Study

Aim: to investigate the effects of aging on brain glucose consumption on a population of healthy subjects. Materials and methods: 102 chemotherapy-naïve subjects (56 men, 46 women; mean age 57±16 years old; age range 20-89 years) undergoing a whole body 18 F FDG PET/CT and found to be completely negative for various diseases in both PET/CT and contrast enhanced CT (performed contextually to PET/CT scan) were enrolled in the study. Agerelated changes in brain 18 F-FDG uptake were analysed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM8). Results: aging is related to a reduction of brain glucose consumption in right medial frontal gyrus (BA9) and anterior cingulate cortex (BA32) and to an increased 18 F-FDG uptake in right sub-cortical structures (lentiform nucleus, claustrum) and in cerebellum bilaterally. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that a reduced functioning of ACC and medial PFC occur in the elderly. An increased activation of the cerebellum, lentiform nucleus and claustrummay represent a compensatory mechanism, possibly involved in cognitive decline.
Osmotic drying kinetics of pineapple and papaya 1

Two osmotic dehydration processes were studied for pineapple and papaya: immersion in sucrose 70° Brix syrup; and in sucrose 70° Brix with 1000 p/m potassium sórbate ana 150 p/m sodium meta bisulfite syrup. The additives acted not only as preservatives but also in some way helped increase the driving force of the osmotic solutions, lowered the water activity of the final fruit products, and raised the final pH of the solutions, but did not affect that of the fruits. Pineapple had a greater tendency for absorbing sugar than papaya, and papaya induced fewer chemical changes in the osmotic solution than pineapple. Therefore, the immersing solutions can be recycled more times with papaya than with pineapple.
Reconstructing marine life-history strategies of wild Atlantic salmon from the stable isotope composition of otoliths

Long-term declines in abundance of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, L. have been linked to reductions in marine survivorship, and recent reductions in growth condition (a measure of fish quality) have been correlated to increased mid-winter sea-surface temperature anomalies in the eastern North Atlantic. Establishing a causal link between marine climate and salmon somatic condition is difficult without at-sea measurements of environmental and biological parameters, but electronically tagging these animals to obtain this information is also difficult and costly. The stable isotope composition of oxygen and carbon in the sequential layers of salmon otoliths can provide a basis for retrospective studies of the thermal, metabolic and dietary histories of individual fish. We used high resolution δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C profiles obtained using secondary ion mass spectrometry to compare the marine thermal and metabolic behaviour of 1 sea-winter return-migrant adult salmon. Seasonal and ontogenetic patterns in δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values dominated isotope variation, although there were marked differences between individual profiles, indicating the potential for large differences in individual migration routes. There was no significant relationship between isotope variation and adult condition. Constructed thermal profiles provided plausible data, but the present uncertainty in otolith thermometry parameters for an open-ocean fish such as Atlantic salmon preclude firm conclusions based on these estimates. Marine life-history variation in otolith δ¹³C is likely driven by ontogenetic changes, both in diet and metabolism with size. A marked and rapid decrease in the δ¹³C values of some fish in the last month(s) of the marine migration could be an indicator of physiological changes occurring during the homing migration.
Changes in interspecies association patterns of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, and Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis, after demographic changes related to environmental disturbance

Animal populations can be affected by environmental disturbances in many ways including demographic and behavioral changes. This can affect interspecies associations for regularly interacting sympatric species, like bottlenose and spotted dolphins in the Bahamas (observed since 1985 and interspecies associations analyzed since 1993). After two hurricanes in 2004 each species lost roughly 30% of their respective communities resulting in differing social structure and behavioral changes. During mixed species encounters (MSE) group sizes for spotted dolphins ( = 14.1 ± 9.2) were significantly larger than bottlenose dolphins ( = 6.0 ± 7.3; F = 11.74, df = 1, P < 0.001), however, t-tests revealed no differences between aggressive vs. affiliative encounters. Sexual/aggressive behavior regularly seen previously was not observed posthurricanes and aggressive encounters were greatly reduced. Generally results were similar to prehurricane data including high resightings of spotted dolphins with male alliances prevalent (including new juvenile alliances seen only posthurricane), and individualized bottlenose participation with few male alliances. However temporal associations varied compared to prehurricane. Interspecies association and behavior patterns were altered and likely affected by the changes in intraspecies association patterns following the hurricanes. However both species still participated in MSE, suggesting this is an important component of their ability to coexist as sympatric species.
SCREENING FOR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING RHIZOBIUM LEGUMINOSARUM

Rhizobium leguminosarum are well known for their ability to fix nitrogen (N). In addition, their capacity to solubilize phosphate has been receiving attention in recent years. The work presented in this thesis examined two aspects of screening and evaluating dicalcium phosphate (Pi) (CaHPO4) solubilizing R. leguminosarum. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify a medium that is sensitive and effective as a screening tool for phospahte solubilizing R. leguminosarum ; 2) determine the effect of N and carbon (C) on growth and P solubilization of R. leguminosarum isolates; 3) determine the relationship between the ability to solubilize CaHPO4 by R. leguminosarum isolates on solid medium and in liquid broth of same composition; and 4) assess and compare the ability of R. leguminosarum isolates to solubilize different P sources in soil under growth chamber conditions. In this study, 30 R. leguminosarum isolates were evaluated for phosphate solubilization in broth and solid formulations of three different media, Yeast Mannitol Extract (YEM), Botanical Research Institute Phosphate Nutrient medium (MNBRI) and Pikovskaya Phosphate medium (PVK). All media contain CaHPO4 as the only phosphorus (P) source. The R. leguminosarum isolates were selected on the basis of their different plasmid profiles, indicative of genetically distinct isolates. All 30 isolates increased the Pi concentration in solution to varying degrees in liquid cultures but performance varied from one medium to another. The highest average solution Pi concentration achieved by the 30 R. leguminosarum isolates was obtained from PVK cultured broth. CaHPO4 solubilization by R. leguminosarum isolates in liquid was associated with a decrease in pH. Among the three tested media, the lowest pH by the thirty R. leguminosarum isolates was obtained in PVK. Ability of the isolates to solubilize CaHPO4 on the solid media was not comparable to the performance of the isolates grown in liquid because only fewer R. leguminosarum isolates showed visible P solubilization on the solid media. The composition and formulation of medium influence the ability of the R. leguminosarum isolates to solubilize CaHPO4. Effects of N and C concentrations on the
Population dynamics of defoliator pests and two spotted spider mite of ash gourd

In present study, field experiment on population dynamics of insect pests of ash gourd was conducted in farmer’s holdings in Tamil Nadu during 2015-2016. Result revealed that that the major defoliator pests such as pumpkin caterpillar, red pumpkin beetle, leaf miner and two spotted spider mite. Peak population of Diaphania indica (7.5 larvae / plant) was recorded in third week of February and first week of March. The maximum population of red pumpkin beetle, Raphidopalpa foveicollis was recorded in second week of December (2.20 / plant). The leaf damage by Liriomyza trifolii was recorded to be highest (23.7 per cent) during third week of March. Number of Tetranychus urticae was recorded to be the highest during fourth week of March (18.20 / cm2 leaf area). Correlation analysis between weather parameters and abundance of insect pests of ash gourd revealed that temperature and relative humidity played a major role with significant positive influence on the population build-up of defoliator pests and two spotted mite.
Mevastatin-induced inhibition of cell growth in avocado suspension cultures and reversal by isoprenoid compounds

Cell suspension cultures were established using soft, friable callus derived from nucellar tissue of ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seed from fruit harvested 190 days after full bloom. Cell cultures were maintained in liquid medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), isopentenyl adenine (iP) and sucrose and sub-cultured at 14 day intervals. Growth was typically sigmoidal with a lag phase of 7 days followed by an exponential phase of approximately 14 days. Mevastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR, EC 1.1.1.34) was used to probe the contribution of metabolites of the isoprenoid pathway for avocado cell growth. Treatment with mevastatin inhibited cell growth and caused loss of cell viability. Inhibition of cell growth was transient and at all concentrations of mevastatin tested, recovery was evident within 17 days. The arrest of cell growth by 1 and 40 µmol/L mevastatin was negated when this inhibitor of HMGR was supplied in the presence of either mevalonolactone (MVL) or farnesyl diphosphate (FDP). By comparison, co-treatment of cells supplied 1 µmol/L mevastatin with stigmasterol showed little or no response whereas at 40 µmol/L mevastatin, stigmasterol induced partial recovery of cell growth. The results indicate a requirement for mevalonic acid (MVA) and cytosolic isoprenoid biosynthesis, in particular FDP, for avocado cell growth and support the hypothesis that appearance of the small-fruit phenotype in ‘Hass’ is inextricably linked to activity of HMGR.
A general approach for deriving the properties of cirrus and stratiform ice cloud particles

A new approach is described for calculating the mass (m) and terminal velocity (Vt) of ice particles from airborne and balloon-borne imaging probe data as well as its applications for remote sensing and modeling studies. Unlike past studies that derived these parameters from the maximum (projected) dimension (D) and habit alone, the ‘‘two-parameter approach’’ uses D and the particle’s projected cross-sectional area ( A). Expressions were developed that relate the area ratio ( Ar; the projected area of an ice particle normalized by the area of a circle with diameter D) to its effective density ( re) and to Vt. Habit-dependent, power-law relationships between re and Ar were developed using analytic representations of the geometry of various types of planar and spatial ice crystals. Relationships were also derived from new or reanalyzed data for single ice particles and aggregates observed in clouds and at the ground. The mass relationships were evaluated by comparing calculations to direct measurements of ice water content (IWC). The calculations were from Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) 2D-C and 2D-P probes of particle size distributions in ice cloud layers on 3 days during an Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) field campaign in Oklahoma; the direct measurements were from counterflow virtual impactor (CVI) observations in ice cloud layers during the field campaign. Agreement was generally to within 20%, whereas using previous mass‐ dimension relationship approaches usually produced larger differences. Comparison of ground-based measurements of radar reflectivity with calculations from collocated balloon-borne ice crystal measurements also showed that the new method accurately captured the vertical reflectivity structure. Improvements in the accuracy of the estimates from the earlier mass‐dimension relationships were achieved by converting them to the new form. A new, more accurate mass‐dimension relationship for spatial, cirrus-type crystals was deduced from the comparison. The relationship between Vt and Ar was derived from a combination of theory and observations. A new expression accounting for the drag coefficients of large aggregates was developed from observational data. Explicit relationships for calculating Vt as a function of D for aggregates with a variety of component crystals were developed.
Measurement of $\gamma$ from $B \rightarrow DK$ decays at LHCb

We report results from the first measurements of the CKM angle $\gamma$ using $B\rightarrow DK$ decays with the LHCb experiment. Three well established methods are used to extract the CP observables. The updated measurement of $\gamma$ in the three-body $D^0$ Dalitz space results in $\gamma = (57\pm 16)^\circ$. When combining the observables from all \bdk studies, the best fit value for $\gamma \in [0,180]^\circ$ is $\gamma = 67.2^\circ$ with $\gamma \in [55.1,79.1]^\circ$ at 68%CL and $\gamma \in [43.9, 89.5]^\circ$ at 95%CL. This represents the most precise $\gamma$ values directly measured by a single experiment. Furthermore, a new time-dependent approach using $B_s \rightarrow D_s K$ decays is used for the first time to measure CP observables and future prospects for $\gamma$ at LHCb are given.
Age, geographical distribution and taphonomy of an unusual occurrence of mummified crabeater seals on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract An unusually dense collection of some 150 dead crabeater seals (Family Phocidae), in various stages of decay, occurs in the Brandy Bay hinterland, north-western James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout the past 100 years, the presence of shelf ice (no longer present today) and sea ice in Prince Gustav Channel, between James Ross Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, has prevented seals from readily accessing the western side of James Ross Island. However, open water pools, some over one kilometre in diameter, remain accessible throughout the winter months, allowing seals to haul out onto the ice. It is likely that some of these seals may become disorientated as they wander away from the pools and instead head toward Brandy Bay and onto low-lying and snow-covered Abernethy Flats, easily mistaken for sea ice in early winter, where they perish. The large number of variably-decayed animals present suggests that this has probably happened on numerous occasions. However, some of the dead seals also probably perished during a documented mass dying event of crabeater seals in Prince Gustav Channel caused by an unidentified epidemic, possibly phocine distemper virus (PDV), during the spring of 1955.