Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropy of the galaxy cluster X-ray luminosity–temperature relation

We introduce a new test to study the Cosmological Principle with galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters exhibit a tight correlation between the luminosity and temperature of the X-ray-emitting intracluster medium. While the luminosity measurement depends on cosmological parameters through the luminosity distance, the temperature determination is cosmology-independent. We exploit this property to test the isotropy of the luminosity distance over the full extragalactic sky, through the normalization $a$ of the $L_X-T$ scaling relation and the cosmological parameters $\Omega_m$ and $H_0$. We use two almost independent galaxy cluster samples: the ASCA Cluster Catalog (ACC) and the XMM Cluster Survey (XCS-DR1). Interestingly enough, these two samples appear to have the same pattern for $a$ with respect to the Galactic longitude. We also identify one sky region within $l\sim (-15^o,90^o)$ (Group A) that shares very different best-fit values for $a$ for both samples. We find the deviation of Group A to be $2.7\sigma$ for ACC and $3.1\sigma$ for XCS-DR1. This tension is not relieved after excluding possible outliers or after a redshift conversion to the CMB frame is applied. Using also the HIFLUGCS sample, we show that a possible excess of cool-core clusters in this region, cannot explain the obtained deviations. Moreover, we tested for a dependence of the $L_X-T$ relation on supercluster environment. We indeed find a trend for supercluster members to be underluminous compared to field clusters. However, the fraction of supercluster members is similar in the different sky regions. Constraining $\Omega_m$ and $H_0$ via the redshift evolution of $L_X-T$ and the luminosity distance, we obtain approximately the same deviation amplitudes as for $a$. The observed behavior of $\Omega_m$ for the sky regions that coincide with the CMB dipole is similar to what was found with other cosmological probes as well.
Measurement of water temperature and velocity fields by applying thermography on two-phase flow through horizontal rectangular channel

The infrared thermography and optical-flow based method were proposed for the measurement of water temperature and velocity fields in stratified steam-water flow through horizontal channel. Generally, this method is applicable for any turbulent flow with temperature gradient. Spinel polycrystalline (MgAl2O4) material was chosen for infrared optical window, as, besides excellent optical properties, it has exceptional durability in harsh environment. Different mounting types and dimensions were tested in order to investigate Spinel application possibilities and limitations. A significant influence of window specific thermal radiation on measurement results (>20% inaccuracy) was observed during experiments. The best identified configuration ensures good temperature measurement accuracy (<=2%). Graphical analysis was applied to infrared images, and good results of turbulence structure identification were achieved using combined local-global optical flow technique.
Preindustrial nitrous oxide emissions from the land biosphere estimated by using a global biogeochemistry model

Abstract. To accurately assess how increased global nitrous oxide (N2O) emission has affected the climate system requires a robust estimation of the preindustrial N2O emissions since only the difference between current and preindustrial emissions represents net drivers of anthropogenic climate change. However, large uncertainty exists in previous estimates of preindustrial N2O emissions from the land biosphere, while preindustrial N2O emissions on the finer scales, such as regional, biome, or sector scales, have not been well quantified yet. In this study, we applied a process-based Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM) to estimate the magnitude and spatial patterns of preindustrial N2O fluxes at the biome, continental, and global level as driven by multiple environmental factors. Uncertainties associated with key parameters were also evaluated. Our study indicates that the mean of the preindustrial N2O emission was approximately 6.20 Tg N yr−1, with an uncertainty range of 4.76 to 8.13 Tg N yr−1. The estimated N2O emission varied significantly at spatial and biome levels. South America, Africa, and Southern Asia accounted for 34.12, 23.85, and 18.93 %, respectively, together contributing 76.90 % of global total emission. The tropics were identified as the major source of N2O released into the atmosphere, accounting for 64.66 % of the total emission. Our multi-scale estimates provide a robust reference for assessing the climate forcing of anthropogenic N2O emission from the land biosphere
Urban birds in the Sonoran Desert: estimating population density from point counts

We conducted bird surveys in Hermosillo, Sonora using distance sampling to characterize detection functions at point-transects for native and non-native urban birds in a desert environment. From March to August 2013 we sampled 240 plots in the city and its surroundings; each plot was visited three times. Our purpose was to provide information for a rapid assessment of bird density in this region by using point counts. We identified 72 species, including six non-native species. Sixteen species had sufficient detections to accurately estimate the parameters of the detection functions. To illustrate the estimation of density from bird count data using our inferred detection functions, we estimated the density of the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) under two different levels of urbanization: highly urbanized (90-100% of urban impact) and moderately urbanized zones (39-50% of urban impact). Density of S. decaocto in the highly-urbanized and moderately-urbanized zones was 3.97±0.52 and 2.92±0.52 individuals/ha, respectively. By using our detection functions, avian ecologists can efficiently relocate time and effort that is regularly used for the estimation of detection distances, to increase the number of sites surveyed and to collect other relevant ecological information.
Monetary transmission models for bank interest rates

Monetary policies, either actual or perceived, cause changes in monetary interest rates. These changes impact the economy through financial institutions, which react to changes in the monetary rates with changes in their administered rates, on both deposits and lendings. The dynamics of administered bank interest rates in response to changes in money market rates is essential to examine the impact of monetary policies on the economy. Chong et al. (2006) proposed an error correction model to study such impact, using data previous to the recent financial crisis. In this paper we examine the validity of the model in the recent time period, characterised by very low monetary rates. The current state of close-to-zero interest rates is of particular relevance, as it has never been studied before. Our main contribution is a novel, more parsimonious, model and a predictive performance assessment methodology, which allows to compare it with the error correction model. We also contribute to the literature on interest rate risk modelling proposing a forward looking method to allocate on-demand deposits to non-zero time maturity bands, according to the predicted bank rates.
Short pineapple‐leaf‐fiber‐reinforced low‐density polyethylene composites

Short pineapple-leaf-fiber- (PALF)-reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were prepared by melt-mixing and solution-mixing methods. In the melt-mixing technique, a mixing time of 6 min, rotor speed of 60 rpm, and mixing temperature of 130°C were found to be the optimum conditions. Tensile properties of melt-mixed and solution-mixed composites were compared. Solution-mixed composites showed better properties than melt-mixed composites. The influence of fiber length, fiber loading, and orientation on the mechanical properties has also been evaluated. Fiber breakage and damage during processing were analyzed from fiber distribution curve and optical and scanning electron micrographs. Considering the overall mechanical properties and processability characteristics, fiber length of 6 mm was found to be the optimum length of pineapple leaf fiber for the reinforcement in LDPE. The mechanical properties were found to be enhanced and elongation at break reduced with increasing fiber loading. Longitudinally oriented composites showed better properties than randomly and transversely oriented composites. Recyclability of the composite was found to be very good. A comparison of the properties of the PALF-reinforced LDPE composites with those of other cellulose-fiber-reinforced LDPE systems indicated superior performance of the PALF-LDPE composites. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An Open-Access Fishery with Rational Expectations

How potential entrants to an open-access fishery form their expectations determines the fishery's adjustment path to a steady state but not the steady state values themselves. It is well known that, in the standard model with myopic expectations (those based on current values), boats enter the fishery only when the fish stock is greater than its steady state stock. We show that, with rational expectations (perfect foresight), however, boats may enter when the fish stock is much lower than its steady state value if the boat fleet is sufficiently small. This paper contrasts myopic and rational expectations within a general dynamic model of an open-access fishery.
Spatiotemporal analysis of urban land cover changes in Kigali, Rwanda using multitemporal landsat data and landscape metrics

Abstract. Mapping urbanization and ensuing environmental impacts using satellite data combined with landscape metrics has become a hot research topic. The objectives of the study are to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of urbanization patterns of Kigali, Rwanda over the last three decades (from 1984 to 2015) using multitemporal Landsat data and to assess the associated environmental impact using landscape metrics. Landsat images, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) variance texture and digital elevation model (DEM) data were classified using a support vector machine (SVM). Eight landscape indices were derived from classified images for urbanization environment impact assessment. Seven land cover classes were derived with an overall accuracy exceeding 88 % with Kappa Coefficients around 0.8. As most prominent changes, cropland was reduced considerably in favour of built-up areas that increased from 2,349 ha to 11,579 ha between 1984 and 2015. During those 31 years, the increased number of patches in most land cover classes illustrated landscape fragmentation, especially for forest. The landscape configuration indices demonstrate that in general the land cover pattern remained stable for cropland but it was highly changed in built-up areas. Satellite-based analysis and quantification of urbanization and its effects using landscape metrics are found to be interesting for grassroots and provide a cost-effective method for urban information production. This information can be used for e.g. potential design and implementation of early warning systems that cater for urbanization effects.
λ-Red-Recombineering Live Attenuated ΔipaD Shigella dysenteriae from Iranian Isolates as A Candidate of Vaccine

Shigella species (spp.) are gram-negative bacteria that are responsible for shigellosis. Although it can be controlled via antibiotics, increasing number of antibiotic resistant isolates of Shigella have been reported. Therefore, other strategies such as production of specific vaccine against this organism could be a suitable therapeutic approach. Attenuated live vaccines produced by gene deletion are advised candidates of vaccine against shigella. The ipaD gene is responsible for Shigella invasion which act as a chaperone for some other invasion proteins such as IpaB and IpaC. We used λ-red recombination system to delete the ipaD gene in shigella that end to production of a live attenuated form of Shigella dysenteriae. This strain has a high prevalence in Iran that make it suitable target for vaccine production. Our results showed that live attenuated ΔipaD Shigella was produced via λ-red recombination system. We suggest that application of λred recombination could be a simple and useful technique for production of live attenuated ΔipaD Shigella as a candidate of vaccine against shigellosis.
The embedded carbon footprint of urban households in China and its evolution

This paper explores the embedded carbon footprint (ECF) that is associated with various activities of urban households in China. An input-output model for carbon emissions is constructed. Based on urban household data for the period of 2003-2009, we calculate individual ECF and analyze its structural evolution. The results of this analysis show that the total ECF emission intensity increases when an individual's consumption is higher than 10000 yuan (which is the turning point). This implies that emission intensity increases with a luxury lifestyle whereas it is lower for lower-income households. As income continues to increase, China will continue to remain on a high carbon track. We hence suggest that, with increasing urban wealth there is a need for better policies, management and behavioural change in order to reduce the carbon emissions of households. This study provides some policy suggestions about establishing a carbon quota system to guide individual consumption.
Finite-Time Stabilization for a Class of Nonlinear Differential-Algebraic Systems Subject to Disturbance

In this paper, finite-time stabilization problem for a class of nonlinear differential-algebraic systems (NDASs) subject to external disturbance is investigated via a composite control manner. A composite finite-time controller (CFTC) is proposed with a three-stage design procedure. Firstly, based on the adding a power integrator technique, a finite-time control (FTC) law is explicitly designed for the nominal NDAS by only using differential variables. Then, by using homogeneous system theory, a continuous finite-time disturbance observer (CFTDO) is constructed to estimate the disturbance generated by an exogenous system. Finally, a composite controller which consists of a feedforward compensation part based on CFTDO and the obtained FTC law is proposed. Rigorous analysis demonstrates that not only the proposed composite controller can stabilize the NDAS in finite time, but also the proposed control scheme exhibits nominal performance recovery property. Simulation examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Vitamin E Derivative Alpha-Tocotrienol Failed to Show Neuroprotective Effects after Embolic Stroke in Rats

Objective(s) Previous studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with alpha-tocotrienol (α-TCT) can reduce ischemic damage in mice following middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. It is also reported to decrease strokedependent brain tissue damage in 12-Lox-deficient mice and spontaneously hypertensive rats. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of α-TCT and rosiglitazone (RGZ) at 3 hr after cerebral ischemia were investigated. Materials and Methods Stroke was induced by embolizing a preformed clot into the MCA. Rats were assigned to vehicle, α-TCT (1 or 10 mg/kg), RGZ and sham-operation. Results Compared to the control group, only RGZ decreased infarct volume (P<0.05), neurological deficits (P<0.05) and sensory impairments (P<0.01) but low and high doses of α-TCT did not show any significant neuroprotective effect. Conclusion Our data showed that α-TCT was not neuroprotective at 3 hr after the embolic model of stroke. Further studies should be undertaken to clarify the neuroprotective effects of α-TCT after stroke.
Cosmology with AGN dust time lags–simulating the new VEILS survey

SFH acknowledges support for this work from the UK Science & Technology Funding Council (STFC) under grant ST/N000870/1. MK acknowledges support from JSPS under grant number 16H05731. PG acknowledges support from STFC under grant ST/J003697/2. KH acknowledges support from STFC under grant ST/M001296/1.
MONITORING AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN KANDY USING PASSIVE AND ACTIVE GAS SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

The technique of passive gas sampling was employed to monitor air pollution in Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka. This technique was developed to analyze sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone in the ambient air at two locations within the city with a heavy concentration of traffic. Exposure of samplers in the field for 4-6 days and subsequent development were found to be satisfactory. In addition, active sampling was carried out using air samplers to determine the hourly variation of the pollutant levels. The analytical method was validated by comparing results obtained with those' from a fixed monitoring station using automatic samplers. Results show that the air pollution standards in ambient air was exceeded on about 44% occasions.
A TV Interativa como veículo para infoinclusão dos seniores: um plano de execução de projeto

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as the name indicates, is a spectrum disorder, which means that there is a wide degree of variation in the way it affects people. It is known that, even though it has a huge spectrum, the characterization of the speech of autistic children has been consensual in the literature as devoid of wealth prosodic parameters manifested by healthy children, such as the emotional aspects that are reflected in communicative interaction. The use of technology as a teaching tool has been growing and the presentation of educational exercises through electronic devices reveals itself as more attractive and captivating for children when compared with traditional methods. In this project, we developed prosodic exercises for intonation assessment in an imitation task, where the main focus is the development and enrichment of prosodic abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders, as a complement to therapy sessions. We evaluated the intonation assessment method, achieving accuracy values between 70% and 83.3%, depending on the feature set adapted (pitch, energy, Mel-Frequency Cepstral features, and pseudo-syllable information), and also by making a fusion of all features. Although the original intention was to integrate these exercises in an existing platform for children diagnosed with ASD, the current implementation is a stand-alone mobile application.
Trust and Collaboration in "Zero-History" Administrative Teams.

Traditions of shared governance and the complexity of problems faced by colleges and universities suggest the need for effective collective action. This study examined leadership teams in two sites: a new 2-year public institution formed by merger and a new 4-year private institution. Research hypotheses were developed from the perspective of structuration theory. Structuration theory attempts to explain how structures emerge through group interaction. Findings suggest that higher education leaders can take several steps to improve prospects for the development of trust and collaboration in their administrative teams: (1) articulate behavioral norms that endorse systemic thinking; (2) develop and support cross-functional planning groups; (3) make clear that team behaviors are supposed to further institutional goals, not advocate for departmentalor self-interest; and (4) provide frequent opportunities for interpersonal interaction among team members, especially during early stages of team development. (Contains 32 references.) (Author/SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Trust and Collaboration in "Zero-History" Administrative Teams PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Strategic Decision-Making: Research Mapping from Exploratory Factor Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling

To understand the connection between authors, concepts and theories that address strategic decision-making, in this article the citations and co-citations of works published up to 2014 were analyzed. The sample consists of 489 articles published in international periodicals included in the Web of Science-ISI Web of Knowledge database. The search was conducted using key words that enabled the identification of the highest possible number of articles on the subject in question. Through Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), the conceptual and theoretical relationships involved in these studies were identified. The results show that from 1980 to 2014 three different factors are highlighted: the first has to do with studies on conflict; the second factor is the Top Management Team (TMT) and decision-making; and the third is related to processes. More recently (2013-2014), studies on strategic decision-making are converging towards analysis of conflict and process, composition and control, with Upper Echelon Theory being maintained as the central theory in these studies. This finding is the main contribution of this article.
The Gaia-ESO Survey: CNO abundances in the open clusters Trumpler 20, NGC 4815, and NGC 6705

Context. The Gaia-ESO Public Spectroscopic Survey will observe a large sample of clusters and cluster stars, covering a wide age-distance-metallicity-position-density parameter space. Aims. We aim to determine C, N, and O abundances in stars of Galactic open clusters of the Gaia-ESO survey and to compare the observed abundances with those predicted by current stellar and Galactic evolution models. In this pilot paper, we investigate the first three intermediate-age open clusters. Methods. High-resolution spectra, observed with the FLAMES-UVES spectrograph on the ESO VLT, were analysed using a differential model atmosphere method. Abundances of carbon were derived using the C-2 band heads at 5135 and 5635.5 angstrom. The wavelength interval 6470-6490 angstrom, with CN features, was analysed to determine nitrogen abundances. Oxygen abundances were determined from the [O I] line at 6300 angstrom. Results. The mean values of the elemental abundances in Trumpler 20 as determined from 42 stars are: [Fe/H] = 0.10 +/- 0.08 (s.d.), [C/H] = -0.10 +/- 0.07, [N/H] = 0.50 +/- 0.07, and consequently C = N = 0.98 +/- 0.12. We measure from five giants in NGC4815: [Fe/H] = 0.01 +/- 0.04, [C/H] = -0.17 +/- 0.08, [N/H] = 0.53 +/- 0.07, [O/H] = 0.12 +/- 0.09, and C/N = 0.79 +/- 0.08. We obtain from 27 giants in NGC6705: [Fe/H] = 0.0 +/- 0.05, [C/H] = 0.08 +/- 0.06, [N/H] = 0.61 +/- 0.07, [O/H] = 0.13 +/- 0.05, and C/N = 0.83 +/- 0.19. The C/N ratios of stars in the investigated open clusters were compared with the ratios predicted by stellar evolutionary models. For the corresponding stellar turn-off masses from 1.9 to 3.3 M-circle dot, the observed C/N ratio values are very close to the predictions of standard first dredge-up models as well as to models of thermohaline extra-mixing. They are not decreased as much as predicted by the recent model in which the thermohaline-and rotation-induced extra-mixing act together. The average [O/H] abundance ratios of NGC4815 and NGC6705 are compared with the predictions of two Galactic chemical evolution models. The data are consistent with the evolution at the solar radius within the errors. Conclusions. The first results of CNO determinations in open clusters show the potential of the Gaia-ESO Survey to judge stellar and Galactic chemical evolution models and the validity of their physical assumptions through a homogeneous and detailed spectral analysis. (Less)