Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MORPHOLOGY OF JAROSITE-GROUP COMPOUNDS PRECIPITATED FROM BIOLOGICALLY AND CHEMICALLY OXIDIZED Fe IONS

Jarosite-group compounds [ M Fe 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 : argentojarosite ( M + = Ag + ), jarosite ( M + = K + ), ammoniojarosite ( M + = NH 4 + )] were synthesized by supplying Fe 3+ ions in three different ways: biological oxidation of Fe 2+ ions by T. ferrooxidans (biological products), chemical oxidation of Fe 2+ ions by slow addition of H 2 O 2 (chemical products 1), and chemical oxidation by rapid addition of H 2 O 2 (chemical products 2). These were characterized by XRD, FTIR, chemical analysis and SEM; as well, the morphological features were compared with those formed by the hydrothermal method (standard substances). The jarosite-group compounds so synthesized do not contain crystalline by-products, as revealed by XRD, but the order of purity inferred from IR spectra, which is determined by the intensity of specific peaks, was found to be dependent on the method of preparation and is independent of the jarosite species; the order was found to be standard substances > chemical products 2 > chemical products 1 > biological products. Two main factors were found to affect the morphology, the method and rate of supply of Fe 3+ ions to the system and the nature of the monovalent cations, which determine the intrinsic rate of formation under given conditions. Where Fe 3+ ions are present in the system from the beginning, the order of rate of formation is confirmed to be argentojarosite > jarosite > ammoniojarosite at 30°C. Morphological features of jarosite-group phases formed by the biological method were rendered distinguishable by the effect of extracellular substances. Morphological information is useful to distinguish the mode of occurrence of jarosite-group phases in natural samples, since it may be difficult to do so by other analytical techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and chemical analysis.
Demographic Analyses of Resistance of Five Varieties of Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. to Ommatissus lybicus De Bergevin (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae)

Demographic analyses of dubas bug, Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin, (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae), reared on five date palm varieties (Zahdi, Mazafati, Piarom, Khasi, and Shahani) were constructed under laboratory conditions at 27±1oC, 70±5% RH, and a 14:10 hours (L: D) photoperiod. Data were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory to take the variable developmental rate among individuals and both sexes into consideration. Results showed that different varieties of date palm influenced development time and fecundity of dubas bug. The total pre-adult developmental time was the shortest on Zahdi (85.21 days) and the longest on Khasi (88.39 days). The longevities of both male and female adults on different varieties were significantly different. The mean fecundity per female was significantly higher on Zahdi (78.62 eggs) and Mazafati (68 eggs) than on Shahani (43.53 eggs) and Khasi (46.32 eggs). The highest and lowest net reproductive rates were obtained on Zahdi (40.58 offspring per individual) and Shahani (16.88 offspring per individual), respectively. The intrinsic rates of increase were 0.0401, 0.0368, 0.0355, 0.0312 and 0.0301 per day on Zahdi, Piarom, Mazafati, Khasi and Shahani, respectively. The mean generation times ranged from 92.78 days reared on Zahdi to 95.25 days on Mazafati. According to results obtained in this study, Shahani and Khasi were the most resistant varieties while Zahdi was the most susceptible variety to dubas bug among the varieties tested.
Analysis of Vibration and Noise Characteristics of the Power Transformer

The power transformer noise has become increasingly serious. The accurate measurement of transformer noise is more and more important. In this paper, the 220kV power transformer is measured with both the sound potential method and the vibration method. The measurement environment and measurement method are introduced in detail. The frequency spectrum analyses of the transformer noise and the vibration results are carried out. The relationship between the transformer noise and the vibration is studied. The research results can provide data base for noise source identification and noise suppression of the transformer.
Conditions for student-centered teaching and learning in Qatari elementary math and science classrooms: Relationship between classroom processes and achievement of curriculum standards

Qatar K-12 school reform emphasizes student-centered classrooms where students actively engage in enquiry and use their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Classrooms characterized by these elements should emerge as more successful on Qatari standards-based assessments, but little research has been done to examine the relationship between these characteristics and standards attainment. This study investigated the conditions for student-centered teaching and learning through examination of teacher and student perceptions, and student achievement in math and science classrooms in higher and lower achieving elementary schools. Data were collected in 17 schools randomly selected from 46 schools that had implemented the standards for at least 3 years. Findings indicate that the percentage of standards met by schools is very low and the incidence of classroom behaviors associated with student-centered classrooms is also very low across schools. However, schools making more progress meeting standards t.
A general multiplier theorem

We prove a "multiplier" result for functions of the infinitesimal gen- erator J? of a symmetric semigroup, which generalizes some previous results by E. M. Stein and M. G. Cowling. As an application, we develop a func- tional calculus for Jr? in the case when the ? /-operator norm of S? m has polynomial growth at infinity. In particular, we prove a "multiplier" result of Marcinkiewicz type for functions of 3*. Let & be a positive, possibly unbounded operator (but with dense domain) on L (M), where M is a measure space. Let {PJ be the spectral resolution of the identity for which /»OO
The molecular circumnuclear disk (CND) in Centaurus A : A multi-transition CO and [CI] survey with Herschel, APEX, JCMT, and SEST

This paper presents emission line intensities of CO and C° from the compact circumnuclear disk in the center of NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory in the 400-1000 GHz range as well as previously unpublished measurements obtained with the ground-based observatories SEST, JCMT and APEX in the 90-800 GHz range. The results show that the Cen A center has an emission ladder of CO transitions quite different from those of either star-burst galaxies or (Seyfert) AGNs. In addition, the neutral carbon ([CI]) emission lines from the Cen A center are much stronger relative to the adjacent CO lines than in any other galaxy. The CO surface brightness of the compact circumnuclear disk (CND) is significantly higher than that of the much more extended thin disk (ETD) in the same line of sight. LVG analysis of the CO line profiles decomposed into the constituent contributions show that the ETD is relatively cool and of low excitation, wheres the brighter CND is hotter and more highly excited. Our PDR/XDR models suggest that most of the CND gas is relatively cool (temperatures 25 K-80 K) and not very dense (≈300 cm-3) if it is primarily heated by UV photons. A small fraction of the gas in both the CND and the ETD has a much higher density (typically 30 000 cm-3). A more highly excited, high-density phase is present in the CND, either in the form of an extreme PDR or more likely in the form of an XDR. Such a phase does not occur in the part of the ETD sampled. We have determined, for the first time, the molecular mass parameters of the CND. The total gas mass of the CND is MCND = 8.4 × 107 M⊙, uncertain by a factor of two. The CO-H2 conversion factor (XCND) is 4 × 1020 (K km s-1)-1 also within a factor of two.
Nanoparticle-Mediated Dual Delivery of an Antioxidant and a Peptide against the L-type Ca 2 + Channel Enables Reduction of Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and elevated intracellular Ca following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury are key mediators of cell death and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The L-type Ca channel is the main route for calcium influx in cardiac myocytes. Activation of the L-type Cachannel leads to a further increase in mitochondrial ROS production and metabolism. We have previously shown that the application of a peptide derived against the alpha-interacting domain of the L-type Ca channel (AID) decreases myocardial injury post reperfusion. Herein, we examine the efficacy of simultaneous delivery of the AID peptide in combination with the potent antioxidants curcumin and resveratrol using multifunctional poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) nanoparticles. We highlight that drug loading and dissolution are important parameters that have to be taken into account when designing novel combinatorial therapies following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the case of resveratrol low loading capacity and fast release rates hinders its applicability as an effective candidate for simultaneous therapy. However in the case of curcumin, high loading capacity and sustained release rates enables its effective simultaneous delivery in combination with the AID peptide. Simultaneous delivery of both compounds allowed for effective attenuation of L-type Ca channelactivated increases in superoxide (assessed as changes in DHE fluorescence; Empty NP = 53.1±7.6%; NP-C-AID = 7.32±3.57%) and mitochondrial membrane potential (assessed as changes in JC-1 fluoresence; Empty NP = 19.8±2.8%; NP-C-AID=13.05±1.78%). We demonstrate in isolated rat hearts exposed to ischemia followed by reperfusion, that curcumin and the AID peptide in combination effectively reduce muscle damage, decrease oxidative stress and superoxide production in cardiac myocytes.
Quantum channel identification problem

This paper explores an entirely new application of the quantum entanglement. The problem treated here is the quantum channel identification problem: given a parametric family {Γθ}θ of quantum channels, find the best strategy of estimating the true value of the parameter θ. As a simple example, we study the estimation problem of the isotropic depolarization parameter θ for a two level quantum system H ≅ C. In the framework of noncommutative statistics, it is shown that the optimal input state on H ⊗H to the channel exhibits a transition-like behavior according to the value of the parameter θ. PACS number: 03.67. Hk, 03.65. Bz, 89.70. +c
An island archaeology of the early Cyclades

Prologue: islands of 'prehistory' 1. Whither island archaeology? 2. Cycladic approaches 3. Islands, people and seafaring 4. The dawn treaders 5. Cultures of colonisation 6. Small worlds 7. Which islands in the stream? 8. Paint, paddles and the politics of value 9. Ulysses without sails 10. An altered archipelago 11. The emergence of Minoan dominance 12. Cycladic archaeology as island archaeology.
The Effects of Qmatrıx Misspecification on Item and Model Fit

In this study it was aimed to evaluate the effects of various factors such as sample sizes, percentage of misfit items in the test and item quality (item discrimination) on item and model fit in case of misspecification of Q matrix. Data were generated in accordance with DINA model. Q matrix was specified for 4 attributes and 15 items. While data were generated, sample sizes as 1000, 2000, 4000, s and g parameters as low and high discrimination index were manipulated. Three different misspecified Q matrix (overspecified, underspecified and mixed) was developed considering the percentage of misfit items (%20 and %40). In the study, S-X2 was used as item fit statistics. Furthermore absolute (abs(fcor), max(X2)) and relative (-2 log-likelihood, Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC)) model fit statistics were used. Investigating the results obtained from this simulation study, it was concluded that S-X2 was sufficient to detect misfit items. When the percentage of misfit items in the test was much or Q matrix was both underspecified and overspecified, the correct detection of both abs(fcor) and max(X2) statistics was approximately 1 or 1. In addition, the correct detection rates of both statistics was high under other conditions, too. AIC and BIC were successful to detect model misfit in the cases where the Q matrix underspecified, whereas, they were failed detect model misfit for other cases. It can be said that the performance of BIC was mostly better than other relative model fit statistics to detect model misfit.
The space of incompressible surfaces in a 2-bridge link complement

Projective lamination spaces for 2-bridge link complements are computed explicitly. In this paper we construct a polyhedron P£(S3-Lp/q) whose rational points correspond bijectively, in a natural way, with the projective isotopy classes of incompressible surfaces in the exterior of a 2-bridge link Lp/q c S3. Here "projective" means that we factor out by scalar multiplication taking any number of parallel copies of a surface. (Surfaces are not assumed to be connected.) We expect that P£(S3 Lp/q) will turn out to be the "projective lamination space of S3 Lp/q33 as defined and studied for general compact irreducible 3-manifolds in [5 and 12]. An unexpected complication not present in Thurston's theory of projective lamination spaces for surfaces is the fact that P£(S3 Lp/q) is frequently noncompact, for example for the Whitehead link L3/8 (see Figure 5.4, upper left-hand corner). However, as in the general theory, P£(S3 Lp/q) has a natural compactification P7(53-Lp/q) which is a finite polyhedron. To construct P£(S3-Lp/q)3 we first find a fairly natural finite collection of branched surfaces Bi C S3-Lp/q which carry all the incompressible surfaces in S3Lp/q. To each Bi is associated a convex cell ci whose rational points parametrize the projective classes of surfaces carried by Bi. DiSerent rational points of Ci can determine isotopic surfaces, however, due to the possibility of pushing parts of surfaces across product regions in the complement of Bi (the analogue of "digon" regions in the complement of a train track on a surface). This leads to a linear projection Pi: Ci Ci °f Ci onto another convex polyhedral cell ci, such that over the interior of ci, projective isotopy classes of surfaces coincide with fibers of Pi. However, these isotopy relations may not persist over the boundary of ci. Namely, passing to a face of Ci corresponds to passing to a branched subsurface of Bi, and a nonproduct complementary region of this branched subsurface may be decomposed by Bi into product complementary regions of Bi. In this case, rational points of this face of Ci correspond not to (projective) isotopy classes of incompressible surfaces, but to incompressible surfaces with these limiting "phantom" isotopy relations. The space P7(53 Lp/q) is foed from the cells Ci by identifying their faces in the most natural way, distinguishing different "phantom" isotopies between the same sets of surfaces. PZ (S3-Lp/q) consists of the open cells of PS (S3 Lp/q) for which the "phantom" isotopies are actual isotopies. Received by the editors April 12, 1986. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revtaion). Primary 57M25.
Knowledge, Technology and Innovations for a Bio-based Economy: Lessons from the Past, Challenges for the Future

The paper presents an evolutionary perspective on how Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) have adapted over time to new challenges and technological paradigm and trajectories. Starting from a conventional science-based approach and the robust empirical evidence supporting it, the analysis highlights the emergence of some system failures and the need for new conceptualization and design of the AKIS. Particularly concentrating on developed countries’ agenda, we then discuss how, along this evolutionary pattern, bioeconomy emerges as the convergence of traditional sectors as a result of these new technological trajectories. Finally, some implications for the EU policies are drawn.
An Exploratory Study about Obese People’s Flight Experience

This qualitative study explores the flight experiences of obese people. The in-depth semistructured interviews (n = 24) with self-identified obese people revealed that they confront difficulties and barriers that arise from their interaction with the physical environment. While these entail some inconvenience, it is mostly the interaction with the social environment that results in a sense of embarrassment and humiliation. The aforementioned have an adverse effect on the flight experience. The flight is perceived as a three-part experience—boarding, flight, and deplaning—affected by mediating factors such as the staff approach, participants’ appearance, and the flight attributes (e.g., short/long, direct/indirect). An important finding is that people’s body, and specifically their self-perception of it as stigmatized, play an important role in the contextualization of the travel experience. The article concludes with managerial implications and suggestions for future research.
The Laffer Curve in an Incomplete-Market Economy

This paper investigates the characteristics of the Laffer curve in a neoclassical growth model of the US economy with incomplete markets and heterogeneous agents. The shape of the Laffer curve changes depending on which of transfers or government debt are varied to balance the government budget constraint. While the Laffer curve has the traditional shape when transfers vary, it looks like a horizontal S when debt varies. In this case, fiscal revenues can be associated with up to three different levels of taxation. This finding occurs because the tax rates change non-monotonically with public debt when markets are incomplete.
Exploring the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in postal financial services

Service quality and customer satisfaction are related and are important factors for the success of service providers be it in the public or the private sector. This study aims to examine the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in the Malawian public postal service, specifically its banking division. A cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study was undertaken and data was collected from 400 customers using the SERVPERF model. A non-probability sampling approach was adopted and respondents were selected using convenience sampling. Reliability of the study was tested using Cronbach alpha. Correlation tests were conducted using Spearman’s rho. The results show that all the five service quality dimensions, viz. tangibles, reliability, empathy, assurance and responsiveness, are significantly and positively correlated. There was also a significant correlation between the service quality dimensions and overall service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Working Paper Series Securitization and credit quality

Banks are usually better informed on the loans they originate than other financial intermediaries. As a result, securitized loans might be of lower credit quality than otherwise similar nonsecuritized loans. We assess the effect of securitization activity on loans’ relative credit quality employing a uniquely detailed dataset from the euro-denominated syndicated loan market. We find that, at issuance, banks do not seem to select and securitize loans of lower credit quality. Following securitization, however, the credit quality of borrowers whose loans are securitized deteriorates by more than those in the control group. We find tentative evidence suggesting that poorer performance by securitized loans might be linked to banks’ reduced monitoring incentives. From our findings it follows that current iniciatives on risk retention by the originator, and more detailed loan-by-loan information on loan credit quality would be useful to reap out the benefits of securitization. JEL Classification Numbers: G21; G28
The Use of Patterns as an Urban Design Approach

Urban design is a complex problem-solving activity that commonly requires the aid of a variety of methods to support the process and enhance the quality of the outcomes. How to help designers with suitable methods to deal with ill-defined urban problems constitutes a major challenge in the urban design domain. In this regard, the use of urban design patterns is considered as a method that can contribute to urban design problem-solving. However, this tool was never investigated to understand its role in the task-related activities that take place during the design process by designers working in a team, and its influence on the creativity of the final design outcome as perceived by urban designers and students. Therefore, an empirical research based on a controlled experiment was carried out to explore the aid provided by design patterns during the conceptual stages of the process. Sixty-three master students working in teams of three were assigned a set of patterns to solve an urban design task. They were requested to use this material to produce as many creative conceptual solutions as possible. At the end of the sessions, they evaluated the creativity of their outcomes, and they completed a questionnaire about the aid afforded by the patterns. The solutions were also assessed by two independent urban designers. The study contributed to gain a better insight into the main design activities derived from the use of patterns as problem-solving tools and to unveil their contribution to urban design. The aid provided by the urban patterns was mainly concerned with task-related activities, and thereafter with team interactions. Overall, the use of patterns was seen to enhance the functionality of the design. Implications for design practice and design education are discussed.
CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKEN STRAINS FED DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FEED RESTRICTION DURING ELEVEN TO SEVENTEEN DAYS OF AGE

The effect of short-term feed restriction during starter phase on the carcass characteristics of Anak Titan and Arbor Acre broiler chickens were studied during a 49d production period. Ninety day-old broiler (45 chicks each of Arbor Acre and Anak Titan) chicks were purchased from local hatcheries and were reared in groups on strain basis for 10 days to acclimatize. At 11 th day, all the chicks on strain basis were randomly distributed into nine experimental units under three treatments having five chicks each. Analyzed data showed that both strains had similar mean values in live weight and other carcass yields regardless of the treatment applied. Neither of the strains recorded mortality during the experiment meaning that the two strains demonstrated some level of tolerance to feed restriction on a short-term. However, there was significant effect of strain on abdominal fat with Anak Titan broilers having more fat pad than Arbor Acre when exposed to similar feed restriction treatment. With regards to the three levels of feeding regimens applied, full-feeding and 85% full-feeding recorded similar mean values, but, higher and superior to 75% full-feeding regimen. That is, birds placed on 85% feed restriction gained as much weight as their fully fed mates following refeeding. Strain x treatment interaction significantly affected live weight at maturity and all the carcass yields measured. It is suggested that for maximization of feed utilization and profitable broiler meat production in the humid tropics, Arbor Acre and 85% ad libitum for short-term during starter phase could be considered.