Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environment and Galaxy Evolution at Intermediate Redshift in the CNOC2 Survey

The systematic variation of galaxy colors and types with clustering environment could either be the result of local conditions at formation or subsequent environmental effects as larger scale structures draw together galaxies whose stellar mass is largely in place. Below redshift 0.7 galaxy luminosities (k-corrected and evolution compensated) are relatively invariant, whereas galaxy star formation rates, as reflected in their colors, are a "transient" property that have a wide range for a given luminosity. The relations between these galaxy properties and the clustering properties are key statistics for understanding the forces driving late-time galaxy evolution. At z ~ 0.4 the comoving galaxy correlation length, r0, measured in the CNOC2 sample is strongly color dependent, rising from 2 h-1 Mpc to nearly 10 h-1 Mpc as the volume-limited subsamples range from blue to red. The luminosity dependence of r0 at z ~ 0.4 is weak below L* in the R band, although there is an upturn at high luminosity, where its interpretation depends on separating it from the r0-color relation. In the B band there is a slow, smooth increase of r0 with luminosity, at least partially related to the color dependence. Study of the evolution of galaxies within groups, which create much of the strongly nonlinear correlation signal, allows a physical investigation of the source of these relations. The dominant effect of the group environment on star formation is seen in the radial gradient of the mean galaxy colors, which on the average become redder than the field toward the group centers. The color differentiation begins around the dynamical radius of virialization of the groups. The redder-than-field trend applies to groups with a line-of-sight velocity dispersion, σ1 > 150 km s-1. There is an indication, somewhat statistically insecure, that the high-luminosity galaxies in groups with σ1 < 125 km s-1 become bluer toward the group center. Monte Carlo orbit integrations initiated at the measured positions and velocities show that the rate of galaxy merging in the σ1 > 150 km s-1 groups is very low, whereas for σ1 < 150 km s-1 about 25% of the galaxies will merge in 0.5 Gyr. We conclude that the higher velocity dispersion groups largely act to suppress star formation relative to the less clustered field, leading to "embalmed" galaxies. On the other hand, the low velocity dispersion groups are prime sites of both strong merging and enhanced star formation that leads to the formation of some new massive galaxies at intermediate redshifts. The tidal fields within the groups appear to be a strong candidate for the physical source of the reduction of star formation in group galaxies relative to field. Tides operate effectively at all velocity dispersions to remove gas-rich companions and low-density gas in galactic halos. We find a close resemblance of the color-dependent galaxy luminosity function evolution in the field and groups, suggesting that the clustering-dependent star formation reduction mechanism is important for the evolution of field galaxies as a whole.
Poverty Identity and Competitiveness

One’s personal identity can play an important role in decision making. We propose that a key identity that shapes behavior among poor populations is conceptualizing oneself as financially insecure, which we term “poverty identity. ” Two experiments suggest that this identity can influence ones propensity to compete, a personal characteristic that considerably impacts labor market success and life outcomes. We first demonstrate in a lab experiment with students that making one’s financial insecurity salient can lead individuals to select less competitive labor tasks. We suggest that poverty identity is perpetually salient among truly impoverished individuals, regularly impacting decisions. Thus, small salience perturbations will have a negligible differential impact on behavior. A lab-in-field experiment conducted in Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, India, confirms this prediction and evaluates an intervention strategy for promoting competitive behavior. Our results indicate that a verbal self-affirmation intervention, a tool designed to specifically counteract negative effects of identity salience, can encourage low-income individuals to select more competitive labor tasks. These findings have important implications for economic models of identity, policy design aimed at improving wellbeing for disadvantaged populations, and debates around persistent inequality.
Nutraceutical modulation of the aging process and age-related diseases – What the worm has taught us

1. Abstract. Increased subsets of elderly persons in the total populations of many countries have suffered from age-related diseases in the past few decades. Diseases that at one point in time seemed rare are amplified in aged individuals. Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diet choices have also exacerbated these conditions. It is well known that a healthy diet and moderate exercise improves the overall quality of our physical being and improves mental functions. Recent reports have associated instances of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among obese individuals, and suggest that abnormalities in insulin signaling in the brain maybe the underlying cause. The link between insulin signaling and aging has been illustrated in the invertebrate models Drosophila melanogaster and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In C. elegans, there are several mutations involving the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway that will either accelerate or delay the aging process. There are also several models that express the human amyloid beta peptide, one of the pathohistological hallmarks associated with AD. These models have been indispensable for nutraceutical studies. Studies in our laboratory have revealed that in C.elegans, nutraceuticals such as
AMELIORATION OF FLUORIDE TOXICITY IN SOME ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE GLANDS AND SPERMATOZOA OF RAT

SUMMARY: Sodium fluoride (NaF) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to male rats (Rattus notvegicus) daily for 30 and 50 days to evaluate the effect on the physiology of some sex accessory glands and sperm functions. The effects of withdrawal upon cessation of NaF ingestion, and of administering ascorbic acid (AA) and/or calcium (Ca") along with NaF, were also investigated. The results revealed that the NaF treatment caused a significant elevation in serum fluoride levels with a simultaneous rise in Ca" levels. This could be attributed to the formation of a calcium fluoride complex leading to calcium accumulation. The treatment resulted in structural and metabolic alterations in sperm, leading to low sperm motility, a low sperm mitochondria! activity index (SMAI), reduced viability (live:dead ratio), and changes in sperm membrane phospholipids (particularly phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which would affect hormone receptor interaction and their functions). A significant reduction in electrolyte levels of sperm also occurred which would also affect their viability. The protein levels in cauda epididymal sperm suspension, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate were significantly decreased after NaF administration, which may be due to altered protein metabolism by interference of fluoride ions. The changes in epididymal protein profile, with absence of some proteins and induction of some new ones, were probably a result of the "stress proteins" in NaF-treated rats affecting the structural and functional integrity of sperm. Glycogen accumulation in vas deferens and a decrease in fructose in seminal vesicles and vas deferens indicated disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism in these organs. However, withdrawal of treatment resulted in partial recovery. A significant recovery from NaF-induced toxic effects occurred following administration of ascorbic acid and/or calcium, while combined treatment (AA + Ca") for 70 days manifested a synergistic effect. The transient fluoride-induced effects were reversible. The results, corroborated by earlier data from our laboratory, show that fluoride has a definite effect on male reproduction and fertility. Ascorbic acid and calcium are proposed as therapeutic agents in endemic populations for amelioration of effects of fluoride.
The Effect of Physicochemical Surface Treatment Methods on Bond Strength of Zirconia to Resin Cement: A Review of the Literature

Objective: Zirconium oxide has gained the spotlight during the recent years as a high strength ceramic material. However, despite its mechanical superiorities, it forms a weak bond with different synthetic substrates and tissues due to its neutral nature and resistance against chemical agents. Therefore, it is important to improve the bonding technique in order to prevent microleakage and increase retention and fracture resistance of the restoration. Literature Review: Since the discovery of zirconium oxide, several surface treatment methods have been evaluated to increase its bond strength to resin cement such as surface grinding with micro- abrasion, burs or abrasive papers, tribochemical silica coating, silicoating, glass micropearls, glaze- on technique, selective infiltration etching, hot etching and use of phosphate ester monomers. The mentioned techniques and related articles are reviewed and discussed in the present study. Conclusion: Despite extensive studies, no consensus has been reached about a specific treatment as the standard protocol for improving the bond strength of zirconia restorations.
The herpetofauna ( Amphibia , Crocodylia , Squamata , Testudines ) of the Isalo Massif , Southwest Madagascar : combining morphological , molecular and museum data

This study summarizes the data of multiple surveys carried out at the Isalo Massif (southwestern Madagascar), both within and outside the National Park limits between 2004 and 2014, providing an updated list of the amphibians and non-avian reptiles present within the area. We used an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and molecular data sets to identify collected samples as either described species, or as undescribed candidate species. We here report on one new amphibian candidate species (Mantidactylus sp. aff. multiplicatus Ca65 “Isalo”), and two new amphibian distribution records (Mantella sp. aff. expectata “South”, Scaphiophryne sp. aff. calcarata Ca02) compared to the former inventories of the area. Additionally, we provide molecular reference sequences for 23 of the 24 amphibian taxa and for 40 of the 47 reptile taxa known to occur in the area, combining all available sources. With this study, we validate Isalo as an important centre of biodiversity and micro-endemism within Madagascar, with four described endemic amphibian (Gephyromantis azzurrae, Mantella expectata, Mantidactylus nora lottae, and Scaphiophryne gottlebei) and one reptile species (Trachylepis nancycoutu­ ae). Of the taxa here listed for Isalo, seven amphibians and six reptiles are new candidate species, and among them at least one amphibian (Mantidactylus sp. aff. multi plicatus Ca65 “Isalo”) and three reptiles (Lygodactylus sp. aff. tuberosus Ca02 “Isalo”, Paroedura sp. aff. bastardi Ca02 “Isalo” and P. sp. aff. bastardi Ca03 “Ilakaka”) are currently known only from Isalo. The unique biodiversity of the Isalo Massif was likely favoured by the confluence of different biomes in the area and/or its role as a refugium during palaeoclimatic oscillations. Our study highlights the crucial importance of applying molecular taxonomic identification in updating the species lists even of previously well surveyed areas, and of maintaining and increasing museum voucher collections as a permanent and accessible testimony of the biodiversity inventory.
NETWORK DETECTION IN RASTER DATA USING MARKED POINT PROCESSES

We propose a new approach for the automatic detection of network structures in raster data. The model for the network structure is represented by a graph whose nodes and edges correspond to junction-points and to connecting line segments, respectively; nodes and edges are further described by certain parameters. We embed this model in the probabilistic framework of marked point processes and determine the most probable configuration of objects by stochastic sampling. That is, different graph configurations are constructed randomly by modifying the graph entity parameters, by adding and removing nodes and edges to/ from the current graph configuration. Each configuration is then evaluated based on the probabilities of the changes and an energy function describing the conformity with a predefined model. By using the Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler, a global optimum of the energy function is determined. We apply our method to the detection of river and tidal channel networks in digital terrain models. In comparison to our previous work, we introduce constraints concerning the flow direction of water into the energy function. Our goal is to analyse the influence of different parameter settings on the results of network detection in both, synthetic and real data. Our results show the general potential of our method for the detection of river networks in different types of terrain.
Parallel Bayesian Search with No Coordination

Coordinating the actions of agents (e.g., volunteers analyzing radio signals in SETI@home) yields efficient search algorithms. However, such an efficiency is often at the cost of implementing complex coordination mechanisms which may be expensive in terms of communication and/or computation overheads. Instead, non-coordinating algorithms, in which each agent operates independently from the others, are typically very simple, and easy to implement. They are also inherently robust to slight misbehaviors, or even crashes of agents. In this article, we investigate the “price of non-coordinating,” in terms of search performance, and we show that this price is actually quite small. Specifically, we consider a parallel version of a classical Bayesian search problem, where set of k≥1 searchers are looking for a treasure placed in one of the boxes indexed by positive integers, according to some distribution p. Each searcher can open a random box at each step, and the objective is to find the treasure in a minimum number of steps. We show that there is a very simple non-coordinating algorithm which has expected running time at most 4(1−1/k+1)2 OPT+10, where OPT is the expected running time of the best fully coordinated algorithm. Our algorithm does not even use the precise description of the distribution p, but only the relative likelihood of the boxes. We prove that, under this restriction, our algorithm has the best possible competitive ratio with respect to OPT. For the case where a complete description of the distribution p is given to the search algorithm, we describe an optimal non-coordinating algorithm for Bayesian search. This latter algorithm can be twice as fast as our former algorithm in practical scenarios such as uniform distributions. All these results provide a complete characterization of non-coordinating Bayesian search. The take-away message is that, for their simplicity and robustness, non-coordinating algorithms are viable alternatives to complex coordinating mechanisms subject to significant overheads. Most of these results apply as well to linear search, in which the indices of the boxes reflect their relative importance, and where important boxes must be visited first.
Atmospheric methanol budget and ocean implication

Methanol is a biogeochemically active compound and a significant component of the volatile organic carbon in the atmosphere. It influences background tropospheric photochemistry and may serve as a tracer for biogenic emissions. The mass of methanol in the atmospheric reservoir, the annual mass flux of methanol from sources to sinks, and the estimated atmospheric lifetime of methanol in the free troposphere, marine boundary layer, continental boundary layer, and in‐cloud, are evaluated. The atmosphere contains approximately 4 Tg (terragrams, 1012 g) of methanol. Estimates of global methanol sources and sinks total 340 and 270 Tg methanol yr−1, respectively, and are in balance given their estimated precision. Sink terms were evaluated using observed methanol distributions; the total loss is approximately a factor of 5 larger than prior estimates. The adopted source is a factor of 3 larger than its prior estimate. Recent net flux observations and the magnitude of the estimated sink suggest biogenic methanol emissions to be near their current estimated upper limit, >280 Tg methanol yr−1, and this value was adopted. The methanol source will be larger with the inclusion of an argued for oceanic gross emission of 30 Tg methanol yr−1, but a major uncertainty concerns whether the oceans are a major net sink or source of methanol, an issue which will not be resolved without new measurements. Other large uncertainties are the estimates of primary biogenic emissions and gas surface deposition. The first loss estimates of methanol by in‐cloud chemistry and precipitation are presented. They are approximately equal at 10 Tg methanol yr−1, each. These are small in comparison to the surface loss and gas phase photochemical loss estimated here but would be significant additional losses in earlier budgets. Surface exchange processes dominate the atmospheric budget of methanol and its distribution. The atmospheric deposition of methanol and the argued for methanol produced in the upper ocean are ubiquitous sources of C1 substrate capable of sustaining methylotrophic organisms throughout the surface ocean.
Enhancing Willingness to Communicate through Team Building: A Marriage of Theory and Practice

Closely related to the well-researched areas of motivation and language-learning anxiety is the area of w illingness t o c ommunicate (i.e., WTC). Many researchers (e.g., Clement, Dornyei, & Noels, 1998; Liu & Jackson, 2008; MacIntyre & Doucette, 2009) have conducted studies concerning the factors surrounding learners’ willingness or unwillingness to communicate in a second language. The emphasis of such research has been on causes and not on solutions. This paper, through a study of the existing literature, examines the causes of a lack of WTC. It then argues that some well-known techniques and methodologies, by promoting team building, are well suited to enhance WTC. The paper concludes that the traditional warmup activity, the case-study method, cooperative learning techniques, and task-based learning techniques, when implemented with team building in mind, may aid in increasing WTC.
A Panel Data Econometric Study of Corporate Tax Revenue in European Union : Structural , Cyclical Business and Institutional FEP WORKING PAPERS Research Work in Progress FEP WORKING PAPERS n . 437 Nov . 2011 Determinants

This paper studies the economic determinants of cor porate tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) across European Union members over th e period 1998-2009. The Feasible Generalized Least Squares ( FGLS) regression results suggest that structural, cyclical, international and institutional factors s uch as GDP, Government Deficit, Industry Turnover, Unemployment, Number of Enterprises, Trad e Openness, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Corruption affect revenue perf ormance of an economy. Thus, the findings show that Unemployment Rate and Corruption have an adverse effect on tax collection, while the other analysed factors contri bute to a better performance concerning tax collection. In the present paper we also consider as explanator y factors the tax variables Effective Average Tax Rate (EATR) and Effective Marginal Tax Rate (EMTR). In fact, empirical results indicate a parabolic relationship between E MTR and corporate tax revenues, reinforcing the hypothesis of the existence of a La ffer curve. Our findings also suggest that the last two years o f European Union enlargement are likely not to have had effect in corporate tax revenue to GDP. In addition, specific factors of some countries (Greece, Portugal and Spain) seem to posi tively affect corporate revenues.
Photonic nanoarchitectures in butterflies and beetles: valuable sources for bioinspiration

Nature began developing photonic nanoarchitectures millions of years before humankind. Often, in the living world, color is a communication channel that may influence the chance of the individual surviving as well as the chance to reproduce. Therefore, natural color‐generating structures are highly optimized by many millennia of evolution. In this review, a survey is presented of the development of natural photonic crystal‐type nanoarchitectures occurring in butterflies and beetles from the standpoint of physics and materials science, covering the past ten years. One‐, two‐, and three‐dimensional structures are reviewed, emphasizing the role that disorder, or irregularity, may play in natural nanoarchitectures to achieve certain visual effects. The characterization, modeling methods, and rapidly growing number of bioinspired or biomimetic applications are discussed.
IN-N-OUT: THE GAS CYCLE FROM DWARFS TO SPIRAL GALAXIES

We examine the scalings of galactic outflows with halo mass across a suite of 20 high-resolution cosmological zoom galaxy simulations covering halo masses in the range . These simulations self-consistently generate outflows from the available supernova energy in a manner that successfully reproduces key galaxy observables, including the stellar mass–halo mass, Tully–Fisher, and mass–metallicity relations. We quantify the importance of ejective feedback to setting the stellar mass relative to the efficiency of gas accretion and star formation. Ejective feedback is increasingly important as galaxy mass decreases; we find an effective mass loading factor that scales as , with an amplitude and shape that are invariant with redshift. These scalings are consistent with analytic models for energy-driven wind, based solely on the halo potential. Recycling is common: about half of the outflow mass across all galaxy masses is later reaccreted. The recycling timescale is typically ∼1 Gyr, virtually independent of halo mass. Recycled material is reaccreted farther out in the disk and with typically ∼2–3 times more angular momentum. These results elucidate and quantify how the baryon cycle plausibly regulates star formation and alters the angular momentum distribution of disk material across the halo mass range where most cosmic star formation occurs.