Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE GENE NETWORK CONTROLLING HOMEOSTASIS OF INTRACELLULAR CHOLESTEROL

*SUMMARY Motivation: Study of the possible modes of the gene network controlling homeostasis of intracellular cholesterol requires the development of appropriate mathematical models. Results: Here we present mathematical models of 11 subsystems of the gene network controlling intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. A database was created that contains quantitative data about components of this gene network. Availability: Models are available on request.
The near field of coaxial jets: A numerical study

The near-field behavior of coaxial jets is studied through direct numerical simulation (DNS) with a particular focus on the influence of the inner shear layer steepness characterized by its momentum thickness θ01 thus mimicking the variation in the lip thickness of a real jet nozzle. We investigate the two distinct jet regimes ru>ruc for which a recirculation bubble is present near the jet inlet and ru<ruc without any recirculation bubble, ru being the velocity ratio between the outer jet and inner jet velocities. It is shown that small values of θ01 lead to a fast transition to turbulence. The various mechanisms leading to this transition are investigated in detail: the three-dimensionality growth, the appearance of secondary vortices superimposed on the main ring vortices, and the subsequent longitudinal stretching of streamwise vortices. This stretching mechanism is shown to play a dominant role in the transition processes towards a fully developed turbulent state. For high enough values of ru, a pinch.
Professional Learning Opportunities in the Classroom: Implications for Scaling Up System- Level Professional Development in Mathematics

The New Zealand Numeracy Development Project is an example of a professional learning and development initiative that has been progressively scaled up across a system to improve teacher knowledge and practice and student outcomes in mathematics. This paper examines two elements of the project’s design that have been pivotal in enabling teachers to adopt ambitious pedagogical practices in mathematics: classroom-focused opportunities to learn and access to external expertise. Four aspects of facilitator practice that impact on teachers’ practice are identified: a focus on students’ mathematical thinking; the use of pedagogical tools to structure teaching tasks; modelling and the provision of commentary; and observation and the provision of feedback. The question of sufficiency of professional learning and development opportunities is raised, particularly in enabling all teachers to respond to the challenge of providing equitable opportunities to learn for a diverse student population. The challenge of how systems can build the capability of facilitators so that they can engage teachers in substantive new learning and practice is highlighted as an important area for further investigation.
Ventilation of the equatorial Atlantic by the equatorial deep jets

Equatorial deep jets (EDJs) are a prominent flow feature of the equatorial Atlantic below the Equatorial Undercurrent down to about 3000 m. Here we analyze long-term moored velocity and oxygen observations, as well as shipboard hydrographic and current sections acquired along 23{degree sign}W and covering the depth range of the oxygen minimum zones of the eastern tropical North and South Atlantic. The moored zonal velocity data show high-baroclinic mode EDJ oscillations at a period of about 4.5 years. Equatorial oxygen observations which do not resolve or cover a full 4.5-yr EDJ cycle nevertheless reveal large variability, with oxygen concentrations locally spanning a range of more than 60 μmol kg−1. We study the effect of EDJs on the equatorial oxygen concentration by forcing an advection-diffusion model with the velocity field of the gravest equatorial basin mode corresponding to the observed EDJ cycle. The advection-diffusion model includes an oxygen source at the western boundary and oxygen consumption elsewhere. The model produces a 4.5-yr cycle of the oxygen concentration and a temporal phase difference between oxygen concentration and eastward velocity that is less than quadrature, implying a net eastward oxygen flux. The comparison of available observations and basin-mode simulations indicates that a substantial part of the observed oxygen variability at the equator can be explained by EDJ oscillations. The respective role of mean advection, EDJs, and other possible processes in shaping the mean oxygen distribution of the equatorial Atlantic at intermediate depth is discussed. Key Points: - Equatorial Deep Jets strongly affect oxygen distribution/variability - Mean oxygen ditribution in the equatorial Atlantic at intermediate depth - Gravest equatorial basin mode forces an advection-diffusion model
BODY CONDITION AND MATE CHOICE IN TETRAGNATHA ELONGATA (ARANEAE, TETRAGNATHIDAE)

Abstract The mate preference characteristics of adult Tetragnatha elongata were assessed with respect to measures of female mass, linear size (length), and condition (mass scaled by length: body condition). Males preferred longer, heavier females and females with higher body condition indices. When mass is partially controlled, males still preferred females of higher body condition, but reversed their preference for length and chose smaller females. We present evidence that female body condition and mass are associated with the volume of her egg load and the proximity of oviposition, whereas female body length is not associated with either. Females displayed no clear preference among males for mass or linear size, but were reluctant to mate in female-choice trials. The small sample size obtained may have obscured the detection of female mate preferences if they exist. This may be the first evidence that mate choice is influenced by body condition rather than mass or linear size among spiders.
Transit Mobility, Jobs Access and Low-income Labour Participation in US Metropolitan Areas

While policy-makers assert that increased public transit mobility can positively affect employment status for low-income persons, there is little empirical evidence to support this theory. It is generally assumed that public transit can effectively link unemployed, car-less, persons with appropriate job locations—hence the call for more public transit services to assist moving welfare recipients to gainful employment. Thus far, the available evidence is anecdotal, while general patterns of transit access in relationship to labour participation remain relatively unexplored. This analysis examines whether increased transit access is associated with the case status (employment status) of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients in the Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas. Individual TANF recipient location data, transit route/stop data and employment location data were used in limited dependent variable regression analyses to predict the employment status of TANF recipients. The results of this analysis indicate that access to fixed-route transit and employment concentrations had virtually no association with the employment outcomes of TANF recipients in the six selected metropolitan areas.
ACC Deaminase Containing Rhizobacteria Enhance Nodulation and Plant Growth in Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

Nodulation on clus terbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub.) is usually poor leading to low productivity of this co mmercially important crop. Recently, A CC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carbo xylate) utilizing rhizobacteria have been found to lower the level of nodulation inhibitor ethylene leading to improved nodulation and plant growth of legumes. In this study, Pseudomonas isolates obtained from the rh izosphere of clusterbean were screened for uti lizati on of A CC. On ly 38.9% Pseudomonas isolates showed growth on ACC supplemented plates. Inoculation of clusterbean with ACC + Bradyrhizobium isolate GSA11 or Rhizobium isolate GSA 6 formed 45 and 40 nodules, respectively at 60 days of growth under sterilized chillu m jar condit ions. The coinoculation of ACC + Pseudomonas isolate CPA123 with ACC + Bradyrhizobium isolate GSA11 caused 220.7% increase in plant dry weight in co mparison to control uninoculated plants at 60 days of gro wth. In co mparison to coinoculation with A CC - Pseudomonas isolate CPA 152, the co inoculation of Pseudomonas isolate CPA123 showed more enhancements in symbiotic parameters of clusterbean. Thus, ACC + rhizobacterial cultures could act as better inoculants for enhancing nodulation and plant growth of clusterbean under field conditions.
Store Image and Marketing Performance of Supermarkets in South-East Region of Nigeria

This paper empirically examined store image and marketing performance of supermarkets in South-East region of Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent store image enhance marketing performance of supermarkets in South-East region of Nigeria in order to meet customer needs and wants at profit. The paper adopts the documentary and survey methods. The statistical tool adopted for this paper is the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient with the aid of statistical package for social sciences. The findings of the study show that store image is strongly related to marketing performance of supermarkets. The paper recommends among others that supermarket operators: to embrace modern marketing concept activities; customer relation/services should be stepped up to measure up to those offered by competitors; and that regular publicity and adverts should be organized to promote the image of supermarkets. Keywords: Store Image, Marketing Performance, Supermarkets, Profit Margin, Customer Service
Interactive comment on “Observed and model simulated 20th century Arctic temperature variability: Canadian Earth System Model CanESM2” by P. Chylek et al

This is a concise, well constructed, and well-reported comparison of several Canadian climate models’ performance in reproducing the arctic temperature record of the last century. The interesting aspect is that models used for the last IPCC report are compared to more modern and improved models that better handle aerosols, land surface changes, ocean circulations, and known multi-decadal climate modes. The tempera-
Simulation and Experimental Study of Photogeneration and Recombination in Amorphous-Like Silicon Thin Films Deposited by 27.12 MHz Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

Amorphous-like silicon (a-Si:H-like) thin films are prepared by 27.12 MHz plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique. The films are applied to p-i-n single junction thin film solar cells with varying i-layer thickness to observe the effects on the short-circuit current density, as well as the open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and conversion efficiency. The most significant experimental result is that has two different behaviors with increasing the i-layer thickness, which can be related to carrier collection efficiency in the long wavelength region. Furthermore, technology computer-aided design simulation software is used to gain better insight into carrier generation and recombination of the solar cells, showing that for the i-layer thickness of 200 to 300 nm the generation dominates the carrier density and thus , whereas for the i-layer thickness of 300 to 400 nm the recombination becomes the leading factor. The simulation results of cell performances are in good agreement with experimental data, indicating that our simulation has great reliability. In addition, the a-Si:H-like solar cells have low light-induced degradation, which in turn can have a great potential to be used for stable and high-efficiency solar cells.
Land ownership and women’s empowerment – combining survey and experiments in Peruvian rural households.

Gender equality has become an integral part of policies in poor developing countries. The perspective of womens rights as a human right not to be refuted by culture or political majority decision-making is rather new. In addition to being an aim in itself gender equality seems to increase economic productivity through changing household resource allocation. A growing empirical literature shows more development and improved wellbeing in households with influential women (Godoy et al. 2006). National and international policies in developing countries have hence started to explicitly favor women at the cost of men e.g. family support cash transfer programs that are paid only to women additional investments in female schooling and explicit priority of women in public policies and laws.
The future of information systems-using social systems to create protocols for the virtual environment (systems analysis through social analysis)

Information is the medium for communication, power-play, politics, and the building block for knowledge systems. It is associated with social interaction, and can be mediated by technology use. The paper argues that the key to understanding the impact of future technologies lies in the interaction between the social and technical environment. It suggests that future technologies such as virtual reality make necessary a move away from traditional methods of systems analysis and design. The interactive nature of such technology requires a validation in the social environment. The paper proposes the creation of protocols (a set of universally applicable standards) for the virtual environment. It suggests that information systems are split into three protocols: physical, learning, and cultural protocols. Finally it illustrates that their influence over each other can be understood by applying structuration theory.
Dry Matter Intake, Digestibility and Milk Yield by Friesian Cows Fed Two Napier Grass Varieties

The objective of this study was to compare two varieties of Napier grass (Bana Napier grass vs French Cameroon Napier grass) and to determine whether feed intake, digestibility, average daily gain (ADG) and milk yield of lactating Friesian cows from fresh cut Bana Napier grass was greater than from French Cameroon Napier grass, using a completely randomized design. Results show that Bana Napier grass had similar percent dry matter (DM), ash and gross energy (GE) to French Cameroon. Bana grass had higher percent crude protein (CP) and lower fiber fractions, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and lignin compared to French Cameroon. Overall the forage quality was marginally higher in Bana Napier grass compared to French Cameroon. The DM and NDF intake expressed as a percentage of body weight (BW) were similar in both Napier grass types. Both grasses had similar digestible DM and energy. Bana had higher digestible CP but lower digestible ADF and NDF than French Cameroon. Bana Napier was not different from French Cameroon when fed as a sole diet to lactating cows in terms of low DM intake, milk yield and a loss of BW and condition. To improve the efficient utilization of both Napier grass varieties, a supplement capable of supplying 1085-1227 g CP/d and 17.0-18.0 Mcal ME/d is required for cows to support moderate gains 0.22 kg/d and 15 kg 4% fat corrected milk/d.
DESIGN OF COMPACT VIVALDI ANTENNA ARRAYS FOR UWB SEE THROUGH WALL APPLICATIONS

Two different types of Vivaldi antenna arrays have been designed for UWB see through wall applications. The first is a 16 × 1 antipodal Vivaldi antenna covering 8-12 GHz, and the second is an 8×1 tapered slot antenna for 2-4 GHz frequency range. The array elements are optimized to have a compact size and almost constant gain with frequency. Wilkinson power dividers were designed and fabricated to compose the feed network for the Vivaldi antenna arrays. Measured results of the manufactured antipodal and tapered slot Vivaldi antenna arrays are in excellent agreement with the simulated ones, with a gain of more than 13dBi and 12 dBi respectively within their respective operating band. The first array is geared towards see through dry wall with high resolution, while the second is designed at lower frequencies to allow see through concrete wall applications. Full arrays were manufactured and connected to multi-throw switches and have been utilized as part of synthetic aperture radar.
A fresh look at business cycle synchronisation in the euro area

This paper revisits the issue of business cycle synchronisation in the euro area looking back on more than eight years of EMU experience. The dispersion of output gaps across Member States has reached historically low levels since around 2002. Yet, this observation seems to reflect a general decrease in the amplitude of cyclical fluctuations rather than a continued increase in business cycle synchronisation. Using cross-country correlations, the mean level of synchronisation of national cycles within the currency union since 1999 is found to be overall high, though not higher than in the first half of the nineties. Around 2003, the level of cross-country synchronisation experienced a quite abrupt decrease. This picture is shared between several measures of the business cycle. A rebound and partial recovery of cross-country synchronisation is indicated from around 2004 onwards. The observed dip in synchronisation thus appears to be a transitory phenomenon, partly rooted in a recurrent pattern of falling business cycle synchronisation in early recovery phases.
Isolation and identification of fungi associated with chronic respiratory infections in human and bovine

In order to determine the fungi that association with respiratory infections in human and bovine, sixty human sputum samples were collected from AlYarmook educational hospital, and fifty samples were collected from bovine which showed clinical signs of chronic respiratory disease from alkarhk slaughterhouse in Baghdad city during a period from January to April 2012. The isolation results in human showed that 34 out of 60 (56.66%) sputum were positive for fungal isolation. The highest percentage of infection was seen in January (66.66%), While the lowest percentage seen in March (42.85%). The main fungal species that isolated included Candida albicans 12 out of 34 (35.29%), followed by C,tropicalis 5 out of 34 (14.7%), Aspergillus niger and A.fumigatus 3out of 34(8.82%) for each one, A. flavus, Rhizopus spp, Mucor spp, Penicillium spp and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2 out of 34 (5.88%) for each one as well as the lower percentage of Alterneria alternate 1 out of 34 (2.94%). The results also revealed 26 out of 50 (52%) bovine lung samples were positive for fungal isolatation, February expressed high fungal isolation (58.82%), while April showed low percentage of fungal isolation (40%), the main fungal isolates from bovine lungs included Candida spp in high percentage (38.46%) especially C.albicans (23.07%) followed by C.tropicalis and C.stellatoidea (7.69%) for each one, Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus spp 3 out 26 (11.53%) for each one, Mucor spp and Penicillium spp 2 out of 26 (7.69%) for each one, as well as the lower percentage of Aspergillus niger, Botrytis aclada, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium spp, Cryptococcus neoformans and Alterneria alternate 1 out of 26 (3.84%).
Color Local Binary Patterns for Image Indexing and Retrieval

A new algorithm meant for content based image retrieval (CBIR) is presented in this paper. First the RGB (red, green, and blue) image is converted into HSV (hue, saturation, and value) image, then the H and S images are used for histogram calculation by quantizing into Q levels and the local region of V (value) image is represented by local binary patterns (LBP), which are evaluated by taking into consideration of local difference between the center pixel and its neighbors. LBP extracts the information based on distribution of edges in an image. Two experiments have been carried out for proving the worth of our algorithm. It is further mentioned that the database considered for experiments are Corel 1000 database (DB1), and MIT VisTex database (DB2). The results after being investigated show a significant improvement in terms of their evaluation measures as compared to LBP on RGB spaces separately and other existing techniques.
The Financial and Macroeconomic Effects of OMT Announcements

This study evaluates the macroeconomic effects of Outright Monetary Transaction (OMT) announcements by the European Central Bank (ECB). Using high-frequency data, we find that OMT announcements decreased the Italian and Spanish 2-year government bond yields by about 2 percentage points, while leaving unchanged the bond yields of the same maturity in Germany and France. These results are used to calibrate a scenario in a multi-country model describing the macrofinancial linkages in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The scenario analysis suggests that the reduction in bond yields due to OMT announcements is associated with a significant increase in real activity, credit, and prices in Italy and Spain with relatively muted spillovers in France and Germany.
Marking Great Tit Parus major nestlings: identifying sources of paint loss and assessing an effective marking effort

The aim of this study was (i) to evaluate which variables determine the disappearance of paint marks on chicks of the Great Tit Parus major, (ii) to provide a predictive tool for designing marking experiments and (iii) to assess the negative consequences of such techniques on the nestlings of similar-size passerines. We marked the toenails, tarsi and wings of Great Tit nestlings with a new type of paint. We first evaluated which part of the body (toenail, tarsus or wing) retained most paint and then which other factors were correlated to paint loss. To assess the invasiveness of the marking method, we analyzed the differences in weight and in the proportion of fledglings between marked and unmarked chicks from the same nests, and between manipulated and control nests. Results showed that the best place to mark nestlings was the toenails, followed by wings and the tarsi. For toenails, only nestling age and time elapsed since the last marking affected paint permanence. Although nine- or 16-day-old nestlings retain markings for over a week, two-day-old nestlings should be re-marked within two days. We found no deleterious effects of paint on body weight or brood survival. In order to improve useful marking effort, studies in which nestlings have to be marked should therefore take into account the differences in marking permanence between different body parts and variation due to nestling age.
Bulk and surface electron dynamics in a p-type topological insulator SnSb 2 Te

D. Niesner,1 S. Otto,1 V. Hermann,1 Th. Fauster,1 T. V. Menshchikova,2 S. V. Eremeev,2,3 Z. S. Aliev,4 I. R. Amiraslanov,4,5 M. B. Babanly,4 P. M. Echenique,6 and E. V. Chulkov6,2 1Lehrstuhl für Festkörperphysik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany 2Tomsk State University, pr. Lenina 36, 634050 Tomsk, Russia 3Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science SB RAS, pr. Academicheskiy 2/4, 634021 Tomsk, Russia 4Baku State University, General and Inorganic Chemistry Department, Baku, Azerbaijan 5Institute of Physics, Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, Baku, Azerbaijan 6Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Departamento de Fı́sica de Materiales and CFM-MPC UPV/EHU, 20080 San Sebastián, Spain (Received 11 September 2013; revised manuscript received 16 January 2014; published 14 February 2014)