Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Neural Network-Based Monoscopic Reconstruction Algorithm for H.E.S.S. II

The H.E. S.S. experiment entered its phase II with the addition of a new, large telescope named CT 5 that was added to the centre of the existing array of four smaller telescopes. The new telescope is able to detect fainter air showers due to its larger mirror area, thereby lowering the energy threshold of the array from a few hundred GeV down to O(50 GeV). Due to the power-law decrease of typical g-ray and cosmic-ray spectra of astrophysical sources a majority of detected air showers are of low energies, thus being detected by CT 5 only, which motivates the need for a reconstruction algorithm based on information from CT 5 alone. By exploiting such monoscopic events the H.E. S.S. experiment in phase II becomes sensitive in an energy range not covered by H.E. S.S. I and in which the Fermi LAT runs out of statistics. Furthermore the chance of detecting transient phenomena like g-ray bursts is increased significantly due to the large effective area of CT 5 at low energies. In this contribution a newly developed reconstruction algorithm for monoscopic events based on neural networks is presented. This algorithm uses multilayer perceptrons to reconstruct the direction and energy of the particle initiating the air shower and also to discriminate between gamma rays and hadrons. The performance of this algorithm is evaluated and compared to other existing reconstruction algorithms. Furthermore results of first applications of the algorithm to measured data are shown.
Neighbourhood characteristics and cumulative biological risk: evidence from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2008: a cross-sectional study

Objective To examine whether neighbourhood characteristics are associated with cumulative biological risk (CBR) and sex differences in CBR in a nationally representative sample in Jamaica, a small island developing country with increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Design Cross-sectional study Setting A population-based cross-sectional survey, the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2008 (JHLS II) recruited persons at their homes over a 4 month period from all 14 parishes and 113 neighbourhoods defined as enumeration districts (EDs). Participants 2544 persons aged 15–74 years old from the 2008 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (JHLS II), who completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and had biomarkers assessed, and whose home addresses could be reliably geocoded. Primary outcome A summary measure CBR was created using seven markers—systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, waist circumference, body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose levels and self-reported asthma. Weighted multilevel models examined clustering, using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), of CBR across neighbourhoods and the impact of neighbourhood characteristics (recreational space availability and neighbourhood disorder) on CBR. Results Women had significantly higher mean CBR scores than men across all age groups. There was significant clustering of CBR by ED, and among women versus men (ICC: F=6.9%, M=0.7%). Women living in more disordered neighbourhoods were 26% more likely to have high CBR as those in less disordered ones (aOR=1.26, 95% CI=1.08 to 1.47; p<0.05). Individuals living in EDs with greater recreational space availability were 25% less likely to have a high CBR (aOR=0.75, 95% CI=0.64 to 0.90; p<0.05). Conclusions Policy-makers in Jamaica should pay greater attention to neighbourhood factors such as recreational space availability and neighbourhood disorder that may contribute to CBR in any effort to curtail the epidemic of NCDs.
Effects of Organomontmorillonite Content on Morphology and Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/Polyamide-66 Nanocomposites

The nanocomposites consisting of polymer matrix and nanofiller have attracted great attention because of the improved physical properties. In this paper, organomontmorillonite (OMMT) was introduced into poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) grafted maleic anhydride (PPO-g-MA) compatibilized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)/polyamide-66 (PPO/PA66) blends by melt extrusion. The morphology of PPO/PA66 nanocomposites with different amounts of OMMT was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The OMMT platelets exhibited an exfoliated structure in the PA66 matrix and an intercalated structure on the surface of PPO domains at low OMMT loading (2 phr). However, the exfoliated platelets in matrix were found to transform into intercalated stacks by adding 6 phr of OMMT. The mechanical properties and thermal stability were significantly improved with the coexistence of exfoliated and intercalated OMMT at low OMMT loading (2–4 phr). The exfoliated OMMT platelets imposed a confinement effect on the macromolecular chains and thereby increased the storage modulus and complex viscosity of nanocomposites.
Trade-off between complexity and BER performance of a polynomial SVD-based broadband MIMO transceiver

In this paper we investigate non-linear precoding solutions for the problem of broadband multiple-input multiple output(MIMO) systems. Based on a polynomial singular value decomposition (PSVD) we can decouple a broadband MIMO channel into independent dispersive spectrally majorised single-input single-output (SISO) subchannels. In this contribution, the focus of our work is to explore the influence of approximations on the PSVD, and the performance degradation that can be expected as a result.
A numerical investigation of the asymmetric wake mode of a squareback Ahmed body – effect of a base cavity

Numerical simulations of the turbulent flow over the flat backed Ahmed model at Reynolds number $Re\simeq 4\times 10^{5}$ are conducted using a lattice Boltzmann solver to clarify the mean topology of the static symmetry-breaking mode of the wake. It is shown that the recirculation region is occupied by a skewed low pressure torus, whose part closest to the body is responsible for an extra low pressure imprint on the base. Shedding of one-sided vortex loops is also reported, indicating global quasi-periodic dynamics in conformity with the seminal work of Grandemange et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 722, 2013, pp. 51–84). Despite the limited low frequency resolution of the simulation, power spectra of the lateral velocity fluctuations at different locations corroborate the presence of this quasi-periodic mode at a Strouhal number of $St=0.16\pm 0.03$ . A shallow base cavity of $5\,\%$ of the body height reduces the drag coefficient by $3\,\%$ but keeps the recirculating torus and its interaction with the base mostly unchanged. The drag reduction lies in a global constant positive shift of the base pressure distribution. For a deep base cavity of $33\,\%$ of the body height, a drag reduction of $9.5\,\%$ is obtained. It is accompanied by a large elongation of the recirculation inside the cavity that considerably attenuates the low pressure sources therein together with a symmetrization of the low pressure torus. The global quasi-periodic mode is found to be inhibited by the cavity.
Synthesis of Nanoparticles of Mixed Oxides Containing Titanium Cerium Silver and Silicon: Phase Transformation

Problem statement: Titanium dioxide is a well known material using wi th self-cleaning application. This is due to its properties after ex posed to UV light: Superhydrophilicity and photocatalysis. The addition of other oxides could prolong these properties without continuing exposed to UV. However, titanium dioxide phase is essential . In order to obtain these properties, titanium dioxide needs to be in anatase phase. Approach: In this Research, phase transformation temperature s of mixed oxide of titanium dioxide and other oxides were determined. Samples of different mixed oxides were prepared by sol gel method. The first sample contained 30%TiO 2 and 70%SiO 2. The second sample contained 30%TiO 2, 15%CeO 2 and 55%SiO 2. The last sample contained 30%TiO 2, 15%CeO 2 and 55%SiO 2. Each sample was separately calcined at various t emperatures from 350- 850 °C stepping by 50 °C and followed by grinding and sieving to obtain in the form of powders. Then, each powder was characterized for its microstructur e and phases of titanium dioxide, crystallite size by X-Ray diffraction. Results: The results from XRD showed that for a 30%TiO 2/SiO 2, an increase in calcined temperatures from 350-850°C (increasing by 50°C) increased average crystallite sizes of titanium dioxide (from 5.1-11.8 nm). Also, titanium dioxide phase found in the samples was only anatase. For a 30%TiO 2/15%CeO 2/SiO 2, an increase in calcined temperatures was not affe ct to the structure of the samples and XRD patterns seemed to be in an amorphous structure. Finally, for a 30%TiO 2/15%AgO/SiO 2, titanium dioxide was found in an anatase phase at 350°C until 650°C. Then, at calcined temperatures greater than 700°C, rutile phase started appearing in the structure while anatase phase peaks slowly declined with an increas ing in calcined temperatures. This result showed that using these mixed oxides to coat over glass sl ides or mirrors for self-cleaning purposes, the fil ms should be treated at certain temperatures to obtain an anatase phase. Conclusion: Phase transformation of titanium dioxide depends on calcined temperature s. The addition of other oxides such as silica, cerium or silver can effectively suppress the anata se-rutile phase transformation and resulted in an increase of anatase-rutile phase transformation tem peratures.
Nigella sativa Extract Increases Antibacterial Activity by Up-Regulating T-reg and Th2 Levels in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars Typhimurium-Exposed Balb/c Mice

Nigella sativa extract (NSE) is known to be an effective antibacterial and immuno-modulating agent. This study aimed to demonstrate that treatment of Salmonella eterica subsp. eterica serovars typhimurium- infected mice with NSE would cause an increase in T-regulatory (T-reg) and Th2 cells and a decrease in the number of spleen bacterial colonies. Mice were randomly divided into five groups [control (T0), mice infected with S. typhimurium only (T1), and mice infected with S. typhimur ium and then treated with NSE 0.52, 5.2, or 52 mg/kg body weight NSE (N1, N2, and N3, respectively)]. Levels of T-reg and Th2 cells were determined via flow cytometry and the number of spleen bacterial colonies was determined by observation. The results showed that treatment with NSE 0.52, 5.2, and 52 mg/kg significantly increased the number of T-reg and Th2 cells (p<0.05) relative to T0. Administration of NSE 5.2 mg/kg increased the number of T-reg cells, while administration of NSE 52 mg/kg caused the greatest increase in the number of Th2 cells in the spleens of S. typhimurium- infected mice. Moreover, no S. typhimurium colonies were found in the spleens of any NSE-treated mice. Our results suggest that NSE has therapeutic potential to ameliorate S. typhimurium infection.
The Impact of Uncertainty Shocks under Measurement Error: A Proxy SVAR Approach

A growing literature considers the impact of uncertainty using SVAR models that include proxies for uncertainty shocks as endogenous variables. In this paper, we consider the impact of measurement error in these proxies on the estimated impulse responses. We show via a Monte Carlo experiment that measurement error can result in attenuation bias in impulse responses. In contrast, the proxy SVAR that uses the uncertainty shock proxy as an instrument does not suffer from this bias. Applying this latter method to the Bloom (2009) data set results in impulse responses to uncertainty shocks that are larger in magnitude and more persistent than those obtained from a recursive SVAR.
Simulating Inflammation in a Wound Microenvironment Using a Dermal Wound‐on‐a‐Chip Model

Considerable progress has been made in the field of microfluidics to develop complex systems for modeling human skin and dermal wound healing processes. While microfluidic models have attempted to integrate multiple cell types and/or 3D culture systems, to date they have lacked some elements needed to fully represent dermal wound healing. This paper describes a cost‐effective, multicellular microfluidic system that mimics the paracrine component of early inflammation close to normal wound healing. Collagen and Matrigel are tested as materials for coating and adhesion of dermal fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The wound‐on‐chip model consists of three interconnecting channels and is able to simulate wound inflammation by adding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) or by triculturing with macrophages. Both the approaches significantly increase IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 in the supernatant (p < 0.05), and increases in cytokine levels are attenuated by cotreatment with an anti‐inflammatory agent, Dexamethasone. Incorporation of M1 and M2 macrophages cocultured with fibroblasts and HUVECs leads to a stimulation of cytokine production as well as vascular structure formation, particularly with M2 macrophages. In summary, this wound‐on‐chip system can be used to model the paracrine component of the early inflammatory phase of wound healing and has the potential for the screening of anti‐inflammatory compounds.
Turn on the Lights : Macroeconomic Factors Affecting Renewable in Pakistan

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between macroeconomic factors (i.e., population growth; urbanization, industrialization, exchange rate, price level, food production index and live stock production index) and renewable energy in Pakistan over a period of 1975-2012. In addition, this study uses oil rent as an intervening variable to overcome the biasness of the single equation model. The results indicate that macroeconomic factors positively contributed to renewable energy consumption in Pakistan. The causality test indicate that there is a unidirectional causality running towards macroeconomic factors to renewable energy in Pakistan, however, renewable energy Granger cause oil rent but not via other route. In addition, there is bidirectional causality between exchange rate and live stock production in Pakistan. Variance decomposition analysis shows that economic growth has a major contribution to increase renewable energy in Pakistan.
Effect of surface sizing on the surface chemistry of paper containing eucalyptus pulp

Abstract The effect of different surface sizing formulations on the chemical features of surfaces of the papers produced from Eucalyptus kraft pulp was studied. The surface analysis techniques, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were applied. An uncoated base paper, the reference material, was sized with blends of cationic starch with either co-acrylonitrile-acrylate or co-styrene-acrylate. The results of both techniques are in good agreement and complete each other. It was possible not only to detect the presence of the surface sizing agents on the paper surface but also to distinguish them and evaluate their distribution and relative concentration. In addition, it was found that application of higher amounts of the sizing formulations, at a constant ratio of 20% copolymer to starch, did not significantly change the chemical properties of the paper surfaces.
Correlations between SmCPS1 promoter polymorphism and tanshinone contents in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Copalyl diphosphate synthase 1 (SmCPS1) is the first committed enzyme in tanshinone biosynthesis. The promoter region plays an important role in the transcriptional regulation of genes. Mutations in the promoter region may affect gene expression, resulting in changes in the amount of metabolites. In this study, we investigated the SmCPS1 gene promoter region together with the 388 bp downstream from the translation start site and the content of tanshinones of 12 different genotypes of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The cis-elements of SmCPS1 promoter were predicted and analysed by the Plant Transcriptional Regulatory Map database. We found (1) a different correlation between the polymorphism in the promoter region and the contents of tanshinones; (2) functional polymorphic loci – four tandem repeat variations, three indels and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five cis-elements, three SNPs in exons and two SNPs in introns; (3) the correlation coefficient was higher when only functional (informative) polymorphic loci were considered. These findings have laid the foundation for further exploring the interspecific variation of S. miltiorrhiza and its relationship with the contents of tanshinones.
The Long-Run Relationship between House Prices and Rents

I show that when house prices are high relative to rents (that is, when the rent-price ratio is low) changes in real rents tend to be larger than usual and changes in real prices tend to be smaller than usual. Standard error-correction models provide inconclusive results about the predictive power of the rent-price ratio at a quarterly frequency. I use a long-horizon regression approach to show that the rent-price ratio helps predict changes in real rents and real prices over three-year periods. This result withstands the inclusion of a measure of the user cost of capital. I show that a long- horizon regression approach can yield biased estimates of the degree of error correction if prices have a unit root but do not follow a random walk. I construct bootstrap distributions to conduct appropriate inference in the presence of this bias. The results lend empirical support to the view that the rent-price ratio is an indicator of valuation in the housing market.
Pressure field in measurement section of wind tunnel

The University of Defence in Brno has a new low-speed wind tunnel. In order to confirm the quality of the wind inside of the measurement section, several measurements of the dynamic pressure have been performed with the Pitot-static tube. The pressure fields are then analysed and quality of the field is evaluated. Measurement of a pressure drop on the body of a standing helicopter was conducted.
Measuring and making impact through research into professional learning

In pondering how best to approach the task of writing this editorial, I took the opportunity to peruse some of the very earliest editorials written for the journal in the mid to late 1970s, when it was called the British Journal of In-Service Education. What struck me was that while some of the terminology has changed and the context and reach of the journal have undoubtedly widened, the issues being raised by the then editors bear striking similarity to issues concerning us now, in early 2013.
Farming for Conservation of the Upland Landscape and Biodiversity in the Burren

The Burren landscape which stands out as one of the most magnificent managed landscapes in all of Europe has recently come under threat due to a shift in farm management practices. As a result of evolving market trends and social structures, traditional farming methods are being replaced by more conventional/commercial practices and in some cases a gradual abandonment of the lands for off farm income sources is occurring. Agri-environmental schemes such as the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) with its generic farm management prescriptions have not proved to be effective in conserving this landscape along with its natural and cultural values. The BurrenLIFE initiative which has been experimenting on 20 farms over the last five years have targeted their efforts specifically on the Burren region to find the best scientific practices required for farming for conservation. In this study we investigate whether the farming practices recommended by BurrenLIFE project (BLP) are economically viable in providing a desirable public good. This work employs a survey based valuation technique (Choice Experiments) as well as a relatively new valuation approach (using a prediction technique) to estimate the value of some of the positive externalities generated by the BurrenLIFE management practices. Along with the positive externalities, the multiplier effect related to tourism is estimated and incorporated into a Land Portfolio Allocation (LPA) model to examine the effect of various policies and subsidies on the farming practices of the 20 BurrenLIFE farms (‘Burren 20 farms’). Our results indicate that even with the most conservative reported willingness to pay from survey data, the rate of return on government support for these systems is no less than 235%. However, we also find that these farming practices are sensitive to the various government and BurrenLIFE subsidies to the farms; thus highlighting the importance of these payments in encouraging farmers to farm for conservation.
Photoionization instability of the Fe K absorbing plasma in the neutron star transient AX J1745.6-2901

AX J1745.6-2901 is a low-mass X-ray binary with an accreting neutron star, showing clear evidence for highly ionized absorption. Strong ionized Fe Kα and Kβ absorption lines are always observed during the soft state, whereas they disappear during the hard state. We computed photoionization stability curves for the hard and the soft states, under different assumptions on the adopted spectral energy distributions and the physical parameters of the plasma. We observe that the ionized absorber always lies on a stable branch of the photoionization stability curve during the soft state, while it becomes unstable during the hard state. This suggests that photoionization instability plays a key role in defining the observable properties of the ionized absorber. The same process might explain the disappearance of the high ionization absorber/wind during the hard state in other accreting neutron stars and black holes.
2D and 3D landscape metrics in high mountains - a case study from the Polish Tatra Mountains

Traditionally, landscape metrics are computed in 2D – using projection of the spatial units on the reference plain. In recent years, the 3D approach, which uses true surface geometries, is developed. The aim of the paper is to compare values of 2D and 3D landscape metrics in high mountains, on the example of Morskie Oko catchment in the Polish Tatra Mountains. The calculations show that the metrics may differ significantly and that there is a strong correlation between size of the discrepancy and the surface slope.
Analizando el impacto sobre la pobreza de la Iniciativa HIPC en Bolivia Analyzing the Poverty Impact of the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in Bolivia

The purpose of this article is to analyse the impact of debt relief programs on poverty reduction in Bolivia by focusing on the enhanced HIPC initiative. As this initiative tries to reduce poverty in a decentralized way, I concentrate my analysis on the link between poverty reduction and the enhanced HIPC initiative resources at the municipal level. In order to do that, I study the specific impact of debt relief on the evolution of two poverty indicators (the schooling and achievement rates) over the 2001-2005 period. I conclude that the released resources under the enhanced HIPC initiative did not affect the evolution of these poverty indicators over the period.