Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MUSE tells the story of NGC 4371: The dawning of secular evolution

We use data from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), recently commissioned at the Very Large Telescope (VLT), to study the kinematics and stellar population content of NGC 4371, an early-type massive barred galaxy in the core of the Virgo cluster. We integrate this study with a detailed structural analysis using imaging data from the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes, which allows us to perform a thorough investigation of the physical properties of the galaxy. We show that the rotationally supported inner components in NGC 4371, an inner disc and a nuclear ring - which, according to the predominant scenario, are built with stars formed from gas brought to the inner region by the bar - are vastly dominated by stars older than 10 Gyr. Our results thus indicate that the formation of the bar occurred at a redshift of about $z=1.8^{+0.5}_{-0.4}$ (error bars are derived from 100 Monte Carlo realisations). NGC 4371 thus testifies to the robustness of bars. In addition, the mean stellar age of the fraction of the major disc of the galaxy covered by our MUSE data is above 7 Gyr, with a small contribution from younger stars. This suggests that the quenching of star formation in NGC 4371, likely due to environmental effects, was already effective at a redshift of about $z=0.8^{+0.2}_{-0.1}$. Our results point out that bar-driven secular evolution processes may have an extended impact in the evolution of galaxies, and thus on the properties of galaxies as observed today, not necessarily restricted to more recent cosmic epochs.
Adaptability Study of Banana (Musa Paradisiacal var. Sapiertum) Varieties at Jinka, Southern Ethiopia

A field experiment involving eleven improved banana (Musa paradisiacal var. sapiertum) varieties and one local check was carried out at Jinka Agricultural Research Center during the 2006 to 2009 cropping seasons under rain fed conditions to identify the best performing variety to the target areas of South Omo Zone. The banana varieties included in the field experiment were eleven improved (Kampala, Pisang, Lacatan, Poyo, Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish, Butuzua, Grand Naine, Robusta, Williams-1, Williams-2) and a local check. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Phenological and growth parameters, bunch yield and yield components were studied. The result showed that days to flowering were significantly affected by variety while days to maturity were not significantly influenced by variety. Psedostem height was significantly affected by variety; whereas, variety had brought no significant effect on psedostem circumference. All the yield and yield components studied were significantly affected by variety except finger diameter. Bunch yield advantages of 59.11%, 55.87% and 47.55%, were obtained from the improved banana varieties Dwarf Cavandish, Giant Cavandish and Poyo, respectively over the local check. The highest bunch yields of (45.333 t ha-1) and (42.000 t ha-1) were recorded for the varieties Dwarf Cavendish and Giant Cavendish, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that use of the improved banana varieties such as Dwarf Cavendish or Giant Cavendish is advisable and could be appropriate for banana production in the test area even though further testing is required to put the recommendation on a strong basis.
Association of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Components of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract The aim of the current study was to find any possible associations between elements of metabolic syndrome and echocardiographic characteristics (grade of diastolic dysfunction) in normoponderal and overweight patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. A retrospective observational analytical study was performed on 130 patients presenting heart failure with documented ejection fraction over 50%. They were divided into two groups based on their body mass index. The first group included 56 normal weight patients and the second group included 74 overweight patients. Elements of the metabolic syndrome analysed in the current study were arterial hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low HDL-cholesterol and diabetes. None of the components of metabolic syndrome alone had a role in the evolution of diastolic dysfunction in either group. Three or four elements present in obese patients were negatively associated with grade 2 diastolic dysfunction, high values of blood pressure (over 180/110 mmHg) were more often encountered in obese patients with first and second grade of diastolic dysfunction.
DEVELOPMENT OF STARTER CULTURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COCONUT YOGHURT

To our knowledge, there seem to be no report of the use of endogenous isolates from coconut milk as starter culture for the production of coconut yoghurt. This study was therefore designed to select appropriate microorganisms from coconut milk for use as starter culture for reproducible production of coconut yoghurt and to evaluate the quality of the yoghurt produced. Predominant lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneously fermented coconut milk were characterized and tested as potential starter cultures based on their ability to produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum were selected and used singly and as mixed cultures for coconut yoghurt production. Starter culture fermented coconut yoghurt (SFCY) were assessed for pH, viscosity, total solid content, total titratable acidity, proximate composition and were subsequently evaluated for consumer acceptability. The pH of the coconut milk sample decreased with increase in fermentation period ranging from 4.71 to 5.72 after 8 h of fermentation. Total titratable acidity, viscosity and total solid content of SFCY ranged from 0.60 to 1.66 %, 3.00 to 8.50 cp and 14.02 to 15.50 % respectively. Consumer sensory analysis showed varying degrees of acceptability for SFCY samples. Overall sensory analysis showed that coconut milk fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum combined starter culture was most preferred.
A Generalized Model of Cognitive Workload

Numerous catastrophic accidents have been the result of human operators making poor judgement calls stemming from suboptimal decision making. This suboptimal decision making, in many cases, arises when an operator is either in a high cognitive workload state, overwhelmed with information leading to a greater chance of missing an important detail, or in a low cognitive workload state, distracted and overall not paying attention to the task at hand. If the cognitive workload of an individual can be properly monitored, suboptimal operator conditions can be recognized or prevented, reducing the chance of an accident. While previous research has led to specialized, single subject classifiers of cognitive workload, little work has been done in the way of generalizing the classification model across multiple people, which would reduce the amount of training needed and provide insight into underlying patterns. This thesis explores the effectiveness of a cognitive workload model under conditions in which the test participant is not included in the training dataset. Additionally, two loading tasks are used to evaluate how well a model trained on one task can perform on another task. The results gathered support the idea that a generalized cognitive workload model that can be utilized with individuals and tasks not included in the training dataset is possible. This novel classification model opens up the possibility for future research into the similarities and differences of individuals with regards to cognitive workload. Additionally, if the model can be expanded upon to increase the classification accuracy, a system can be developed that monitors the operator in real time to provide warnings or modulate automation.
Mathematical Modelling with Young Children.

This paper addresses the first year of a three-year, longitudinal study which introduces mathematical modeling to young children and provides professional development for their teachers. Four classes of third-graders (8 years of age) and their teachers participated in the first year of the program, which involved several preliminary modeling experiences followed by two comprehensive modeling problems over a span of 6 months. Regular teacher meetings involving preparatory workshops as well as reflective analyses were conducted. Analyses of children's responses (in group situations) to one of the modeling problems shows the spontaneous ways in which children engaged in sense making, problem posing, hypothesizing, and mathematizing (including representing). It is argued that modeling tasks of the present type are powerful vehicles for developing important mathematical ideas and problem-solving processes in the early school years.
Effects of different dietary energy contents on milk urea concentration in stall-fed dairy sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary energy content on milk urea concentration in mid and late lactating Sarda ewes, kept in metabolic crates. Forty ewes were blocked in 8 homogeneous groups, of 5 animals each, and fed with 8 pelleted diets spanning from low (i.e. fibrous diets: 1.2- 1.4 Mcal of NEL) to high (high-starch diets: 1.7-1.9 Mcal of NEL) energy contents and with fairly similar crude protein (CP) concentration (18.4% DM on average). Based on their main ingredient, diets were denominated: corn meal (CM), wheat middlings (WM), corn flakes (CF), barley meal (BM), corn cobs (CC), beet pulp (BP), alfalfa (AA) and soybean hulls (SH). In both mid- and late-lactating sheep, milk urea concentration was affected by diet with the highest values in AA fed ewes. A negative linear relationship was found between dietary energy (NEL, Mcal/kg DM) and milk urea (MUC, mg/100 ml) concentrations (MUC = 127.86 - 51.46 × NEL; R 2 = 0.88, RMSE = 3.95, P < 0.001). The soluble protein fractions B1 and, to a lesser extent, A were able to contribute in explaining MUC variations. The ratio CP/NEL (g/Mcal) was also strictly related to MUC (MUC = -14.68 + 0.51 × × CP/NEL; R 2 = 0.86, RMSE = 4.29, P < 0.001). This research suggests that dietary energy content can play a key role in modulating the relationship between CP or its fractions and milk urea in dairy sheep.
Entry Regulations and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from the Italian Retail Trade Sector

The paper analyzes the relationship between barriers to entry and employment in the Italian retail trade sector. In Italy the opening of large outlets is regulated at the regional level. By using differences-in-differences estimators I study the effects of the rules implemented in Abruzzo and Marche, two otherwise close and similar Italian regions, that adopted very different policies: the first set tight restrictions on the opening of large stores; the second did not impose substantial entry barriers. The results show that entry barriers have a negative and sizeable impact on employment growth. Some evidence is also found that fiercer competition encourages the development of more efficient small retail trade shops. These findings are robust to a number of checks.
Adverse Information and Mutual Fund Runs

This paper is the first one to document that anticipation of adverse events can trigger runs in mutual funds. Using the event of the 2003 and 2004 litigations filed in the U.S. over market-timing and late-trading practices, we find that runs start as early as six months before litigation announcements. The pre-event runs are about half the size of runs that follow announcements, which is about 1% of total assets per month. In addition, investors who run before litigation announcements earn significantly higher risk- and peer-adjusted returns than those who run after because, as the return data on fund holdings show, the former avoid fire-sale costs. In funds holding illiquid assets or funds incurring large outflows, the cumulative differences in abnormal returns can be as high as 6%. Hence, our analysis suggests that a pro-rata ownership design is not sufficient to prevent runs in mutual funds.
Investigating the Janus hypothesis : an fMRI study of the neural substrates of mental time travel

‘Mental time travel’ (MTT) refers to the general neurocognitive capability to re-experience past events (past MTT) and imagine future ones (future MTT). In recent years, several studies have indicated that past and future MTT are closely linked in brain and mind, a claim referred to as the ‘Janus hypothesis’. Questions pertaining to the nature of this link and its neurocognitive basis have been raised. The present study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to delineate the neurocognitive processes involved in past and future MTT. Participants were scanned as they performed tasks requiring them to remember past events and imagine future ones. Whole-brain contrast analyses revealed that there were no differences in brain activity during the past and future tasks. Relative to a control task, these tasks activated regions in medial frontal, medial temporal, medial parietal (including posterior cingulate) and lateral temporoparietal areas. Analyses of functional connectivity identified four functional brain networks active during both the past and future tasks. These networks were equally modulated by both tasks, and largely replicated the regions identified in the whole-brain contrast analyses. The networks can tentatively be ascribed to processes related to the retrieval and integration of information from episodic memory. The author suggests that the observed link between past and future MTT reflect the simple fact that when imagining future events, one must draw upon past experiences. Therefore, future MTT involves the same set of processes traditionally reserved for episodic memory retrieval.
Energy Storage Design Using Physics-Based Models In Standalone PV-Battery Hybrid Systems

Renewable energy resources (RER) have the potential to satisfy the continuously growing energy demand of the world and provide energy to un-electrified remote locations. The hybrid energy system using more than one power source can successfully overcome the limitations of RER. However, proper sizing of RERs and battery energy storage (BES) is required to make the hybrid system viable both economically and technically. Generally, empirical relations or equivalent circuit models are implemented to find out BES capacity, which results in overdesign of the system. In this work, a physics-based battery model is used to design the required BES capacity for the minimum RER area. The proposed methodology accounts for the internal state variables of the battery to calculate the state of charge and battery storage capacity. The minimum RER area and its extreme limits are calculated with a specified system reliability level using the concept of Power Pinch Analysis and chance constrained programming. Physics based battery model allows designing a BES system more accurately. The proposed approach reduced the designed BES capacity by 6-13% as compared to the results available in the literature thereby reducing the cost of the BES systems.
The predictability of financial, accounting‐based, and industrial factors on the success of newly incorporated Spanish firms

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the impacts and predictability of financial, accountingbased, and industrial factors (as well as corporate venturing) on survival‐based success of newly incorporated firms in Spain. Design/methodology/approach: Logistic regression is used for comparing the differences of factors in the prediction of future success after different time periods since the studying years (age 1, age 2, and age 3 respectively) in manufacturing and distributive sectors. Findings: Differences in predictability are observed between manufacturing and distributive sectors: it is obvious in distributive sector (rather than manufacturing sector) that liquidity, bank credit, trade credit, and concentration are positively related to success while entry rate is negatively related to success. In spite of that, some factors still show strong predictability in both two sectors. Firm size and profitability are the strongest positive factors, which are followed by corporate venturing and the growth of industrial operating revenues with positive and generally negative relationships to success separately. Besides, for some factors and variables frequently showing statistical significance, their impacts in the same age tend to be relatively stable. Practical implications: The findings of this paper can help to identify the predictability of different factors on the success of newly incorporated firms and catch the differences between manufacturing and distributive sectors. Originality/value: This paper enriches the empirical study of new firm success in Spain in depression and stagnant environment (because the observed years here are from 2009 to 2014); besides, the findings also contribute to the specific prediction study of manufacturing and distributive sectors.
Genetic diversity and germplasm resource research on tung tree ( Vernicia fordii ) cultivars, investigated by inter-simple sequence repeats

Tung tree is an important woody oil-rich plant in the world. In order to determine the genetic diversity, germplasm resource and breeding method on tung tree, inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) was used to investigate the cultivars in China. Among the total 110 bands amplified with 12 primers, 90 were polymorphic. The mean genetic similarity coefficient (Gs), the mean Nei’s gene diversity (h), and the mean Shannon’s information index (I) of tung cultivars were 0.8273, 0.1770 and 0.2453, respectively. Both UPGMA cluster and PCA showed clear genetic relationship among the 64 tung cultivars. The multilocus marker system also yielded useful strategies for germplasm collection and conservation of tung.
The Impact of IFRS Adoption on Canadian Firms’ Disclosure Levels

This study examines a random sample of Canadian firms listed on the S&P/TSX Composite Index to find out whether disclosures in IFRS financial statements increased compared to disclosures based on the former Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Results show that IFRS adoption has had a positive impact on the amount of information disclosed in financial statements. We conclude that disclosure levels in financial statements based on IFRS are much higher than formerly under Canadian GAAP.
Granule Integrity and Starch Solubility During Slow, Extended Pasting of Maize Starch - the Second Viscosity Peak

Maize starch granule integrity and starch solubilisation at specific intervals during a relatively long pasting profile-which is known to exhibit biphasic peak viscosity character-was studied by microscopy and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, respectively. Maize starch granules, although swelling and leaching components, remained mainly intact until the second viscosity peak when they lost integrity and formed a relatively homogenous paste. The second viscosity peak coincided with a decrease in starch content in solution and amylose going out of solution was mainly responsible for this decrease. It is suggested that the loss of granule integrity during the second viscosity peak increases the potential for amylose to form complexes with lipids at this stage. It is further suggested that the second viscosity peak is due to the formation and breakdown of superstructures of amylose-lipid complexes.
Efficacy of Neem Oil on Cardamom Thrips, Sciothrips cardamomi Ramk., and Organoleptic Studies

The neem tree contains promising pest control substances which are effective against many pests. Oil extracted from neem seeds was used against cardamom thrips, Sciothrips cardamomi, a severe and economic pest of cardamom. Neem oil formulations, namely, Tamil Nadu Agricultural univeristy neem oil (TNAU NO) (acetic acid & citric acid), were found effective against the pest with a overall damage reduction of 30% after 14 days of treatment. The percent damage reduction in capsules over control after three consecutive sprays of TNAU NO(C) 2% and TNAU NO(A) 2% was 78.3 and 75.2 percent, respectively. The newly extracted and unformulated neem oil, though found inferior to the formulated one, still found to cause 50% and 70% reduction in damage caused by thrips at two and three rounds of sprays, making it useful in pest management. Organoleptic tests conducted on cardamom capsules sprayed with neem oil revealed no significant difference in taste, aroma, and overall acceptability of cow milk boiled with cardamom. Thus, TNAU NO (A and C) 2% was found effective against cardamom thrips with no adverse organoleptic properties and can be recommended.
Genetic variation of Norway spruce clones regarding their natural durability, physical and chemical properties

Genetic variation of ten Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) clones regarding their decay resistance against brown rot fungi, as well as physical and chemical properties of clones were investigated. 31- year-old spruce clones: 26, 31, A10, A15, A7, B10, B15, B6, V7, V9 were selected across Latvia. The stem diameters of spruce clones varied between 13.0 and 20.9 cm. The wood density of clones ranged from 361 to 443 kg/m3. Klason lignin content, depending on the clone, was between 27.0%-28.9%. Cellular UV microspectrophotometry of the non-infected tracheids displayed the typical lignin distribution with highest absorbance values in the cell corners (abs280 nm 0.80) and compound middle lamellae (abs280 nm 0.48), while secondary wall showed lower lignin absorbance values (abs280 nm0.29 - 0.35). The deposition of phenolic extractives in ray parenchyma and epithelial cells of resin canals were emphasized by a significantly higher UV-absorbance (abs280 nm 0.68 to 0.78) when compared to the cell wall associated lignin. The content of acetone-soluble extractives of spruce clones varied between 1.1% - 1.8%. The x-value (natural durability) for all spruce clones after exposure to C. puteana and P. placentawas >0.90 (durability class 5, not durable). Most of clones after degradation by G. trabeum had x-value > 0.90 with exception of clones B15 and V9 that showed x-value ≤ 0.90 (durability class 4, slightly durable). Natural durability of spruce clones did not correlate with stem diameter, density, content of lignin and extractives.
EVALUATION OF MORPHO -PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF WHEAT GENOTYPES AGAINST DROUGHT STRESS IN PRESENCE OF A LEONARDITE DERIVED HUMIC FERTILIZER UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITION

The present study was carried out for evaluation response of 12 bread wheat genotypes to a liquid humic fertilizer based on Leonardite against terminal drought stress. Analysis of variance of data showed that there was considerable variability among genotypes in all of the studied traits except of maximum total fluorescence value (Fm), which demonstrate the presence of genetic diversit yamong wheat genotypes.Irrigationmean squares were also significant for all the studied traits except of Fv/Fm, total tillers, fertile tillers, plant height and spike length showing that the water stress has significant effect on traits.andLeonardite interaction was significant for Fv/Fm, Fm, fertile tillers and plant height, non-significantirrigationand leonardite interaction for another traits itcouldbeindicated that used potassium humate inthis study has no effect on these traits in normal and drought stress conditions. As result, it concluded that in our experimental conditions, grain yield of wheat genotypes was reduced under drought stress condition. But fluorescence parameter increased in drought stress condition and humic fertil izerdidnt affect genotypes. GenotypeMV17/zrn produced the highest biological yield, spike weight, spike length, number of grain per spike and grain yield. Therefore, GenotypeMV17/zrn performed better than others.