Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of fruit colour as harvest index for selection of quality seeds in biofuel crops

Quality characters are influenced by many factors and among them the most warranted is the physiological maturation of the seed. In rising any plantation seed serve as the base material, which is characterized for its potentiality only based on its quality, which is spoken in terms of seed germination and seed vigour. Tree crops which are having continuous flowering habit, the maturity levels vary with seeds and collection of fruit for seeds is also mostly depends on ground collection. Hence studies in four important oil yielding tree species viz., Pongamia pinnata, Simarouba glauca, Azardirachta indica and Madhuca longifolia for identification of visual indices for seed maturation based on fruit colour that correlates well with seed quality. The results revealed that seeds of dark brown fruits of P. pinnata (96%), dark pink fruits of S. glauca (95%), yellow fruits of A. indica (100%) and greenish black fruits of M. longifolia (80%) registered maximum germination and seedling vigour in terms of seedling growth characters compared to fruits of various colours in all the species indicating that fruit colour could serve as the symptom of harvest index that could be employed for the selection of quality fruits for obtaining quality seeds.
The politics of climate change in India: narratives of equity and cobenefits

India occupies an intriguing dual position in global climate politics—a poor and developing economy with low levels of historical and per capita emissions, and a large and rapidly growing economy with rising emissions. Indian climate politics has substantially been shaped around the first perspective, and increasingly, under international pressure, is being forced to grapple with the second. This review of Indian climate politics examines the initial crystallization of Indian climate positions and its roots in national climate politics, and then examines the modest ways in which climate politics have been revisited in domestic debates since about 2007. Following elucidation of these themes, the article turns to a discussion of new directions for Indian climate policy and their moorings in domestic climate politics. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:191–201. doi: 10.1002/wcc.210
Does sodium ascorbate improve bond strength after dental bleaching techniques

Objective: To summarize and discuss the available information concerning the effectiveness of sodium ascorbate in improving bond strength after dental bleaching procedures. Methods: Information of original articles or reviews listed in PubMed database using searching terms: (“sodium ascorbate” OR antioxidant) AND (bleaching OR hydrogen peroxide OR carbamide peroxide), were included in the review. Results: Most of studies revealed that sodium ascorbate could restore the altered redox potential of the oxidized bonding substrate, thus reversing the compromised bonding. However, several protocols of this antioxidant have been used in combination with different peroxide concentrations and exposure time to bleaching agents. Conclusion: Studies should be conducted to establish an appropriate application protocol and to evaluate the effect of sodium ascorbate in other dental properties.
Observation of different phases during an ELM crash with the help of nitrogen seeding

A new method was applied to indirectly obtain information about the features of the crash of the H-mode edge transport barrier in consequence of an edge localized mode (ELM). The method is based on a combination of fast measurements, without spatial resolution, and relatively slow measurements, with high spatial resolution. The comparison of two different ELM scenarios in the full metal tokamak ASDEX Upgrade—a standard scenario and one with additional nitrogen seeding—revealed a two-fold nature of the ELM crash. In the case with additional nitrogen only a part of the standard crash is observed. This suggests the standard ELM crash consists of two or more consecutive events instead of a single distinct one. Some of these events are observed to be suppressed with changes in plasma parameters. The effect of the impurity seeding on different plasma parameters is documented in detail and compared to measurements conducted in machines with a carbon wall. The radial extent of the phases observed during the ELM crash differs in the kinetic profiles, with one instability extending inside the pedestal top and the other being confined to the pedestal region. This picture can explain the differences in the loss of stored energy and the change in ELM frequency which are observed for the analysed pair of discharges. It also suggests that the ELM crash starts at the pedestal top and only then affects the steep gradient region.
Concordance between different measures of biodiversity in Indian Ocean macroalgae

We examine relationships between species richness (S), rarity (R) and average taxonomic distinctness (Delta(+)) from analysis of a comprehensive dataset for benthic marine algae (including Cyanophyta). This comprises 2894 species from 66 sites across the Indian Ocean. Ranked values for the sites, determined according to the 3 metrics, show significant positive correlation (p <= 0.01); Mauritius, India and Aldabra emerge as biodiversity 'hotspots', while Indonesia (Nias Island), Maldives (Male Atoll) and the Gulf of Aden are 'coldspots'. Concordance between metrics was unexpected, given their disparity in robustness to sampling rigour and particularly since Delta(+) is conceptually unrelated to S and R. Lack of significant latitudinal correlations was also evident except for Delta(+), which increased towards temperate waters in the southern hemisphere. This contrasts with the variable patterns observed with longitude, for which significant correlations (negative, i.e. towards the west) were prevalent only for S (algae overall and separate categories except Phaeophyta), evident for R (Cyanophyta only) and absent for Delta(+). Hence, use of one floral category as a surrogate for biodiversity in another is not guaranteed. Aquatic biodiversity patterns are complex, in accordance with recent findings derived mainly from faunal datasets. Relationships between different metrics can depend on both the group(s) selected and the environmental or geographical factor(s) examined. Our study is based on analysis of extensive but low resolution (presence/absence) data (Silva et al. 1996) collected from sites of variable size that were not sampled evenly. We address these constraints, but acknowledge the possibility that some patterns may prove to be artefacts, pending analysis of data from recent and ongoing studies. However, we do not expect this to significantly affect our overall conclusions.
Brief communication: Extended chronology of the Cordón Caulle volcanic eruption beyond 2011 reveals toxic impacts

Abstract. Aside of immediate impacts, the 2011 Puyehue–Cordon Caulle volcano (PCC) eruption also caused persisting chemical impacts. By 2012, toxicity resulted in overt dental fluorosis in deer, with bone fluoride increasing > 38-fold to 5175 ppm. Sheep, horses and cattle also succumbed to fluorosis. Due to eolian redeposition of tephra, exposure of ruminants continued, bone fluoride reached 10 396 ppm, and by 2014 skeletal fluorosis was found. Nonskeletal fluorosis resulted in reduced wool growth and major losses among periparturient cattle. Peculiarities of digestive processes make ruminants susceptible to fluoride-containing tephra, which averaged 548 ppm from PCC. Moreover, recent volcanic eruptions causing fluorosis could be aggravated by local iodine deficiency, which increases the incidence and harshness of fluorosis, and deficiency of selenium, which, among other things, also results in secondary deficiency of iodine. Notwithstanding, several measures are available to livestock producers to minimize chemical impacts of fluoride.
Comparison Between Supervised and Unsupervised Classifications for Mapping Land Use/Cover in Ajloun Area

This research was undertaken in Ajloun area, located north west of Jordan, to assess the accuracy of Land Use/Cover maps derived from supervised and unsupervised classification techniques of Landsat TM imagery. Digital image processing techniques included geometric correction, resampling, registration, subset of study area, application of unsupervised classification with ISODATA algorithm and identification and merging of the output classified image into four major classes. Output from the previous stage was used to identify the number of training areas and to collect ground data to implement supervised classification for the same image. Accuracy assessment was made for both classifications with confusion matrices based on ground visits. Results of digital classification showed that unsupervised classification was more accurate than supervised classification with high classification accuracy for forested area, with variations in accuracy among classes and between the two classifications. These variations were mainly attributed to the complex and fragmented patterns of cultivation and the scattered pattern of urban area. Therefore, the study recommends the use of higher spatial and spectral resolution data to increase the obtained level of accuracy.
Summation over Feynman Histories in Polar Coordinates

Use of polar coordinates is examined in performing summation over all Feynman histories. Several relationships for the Lagrangian path integral and the Hamiltonian path integral are derived in the central‐force problem. Applications are made for a harmonic oscillator, a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field, a particle in an inverse‐square potential, and a rigid rotator. Transformations from Cartesian to polar coordinates in path integrals are rather different from those in ordinary calculus and this complicates evaluation of path integrals in polars. However, it is observed that for systems of central symmetry use of polars is often advantageous over Cartesians.
Empirical‐likelihood‐based criteria for model selection on marginal analysis of longitudinal data with dropout missingness

Longitudinal data are common in clinical trials and observational studies, where missing outcomes due to dropouts are always encountered. Under such context with the assumption of missing at random, the weighted generalized estimating equation (WGEE) approach is widely adopted for marginal analysis. Model selection on marginal mean regression is a crucial aspect of data analysis, and identifying an appropriate correlation structure for model fitting may also be of interest and importance. However, the existing information criteria for model selection in WGEE have limitations, such as separate criteria for the selection of marginal mean and correlation structures, unsatisfactory selection performance in small‐sample setups, and so forth. In particular, there are few studies to develop joint information criteria for selection of both marginal mean and correlation structures. In this work, by embedding empirical likelihood into the WGEE framework, we propose two innovative information criteria named a joint empirical Akaike information criterion and a joint empirical Bayesian information criterion, which can simultaneously select the variables for marginal mean regression and also correlation structure. Through extensive simulation studies, these empirical‐likelihood‐based criteria exhibit robustness, flexibility, and outperformance compared to the other criteria including the weighted quasi‐likelihood under the independence model criterion, the missing longitudinal information criterion, and the joint longitudinal information criterion. In addition, we provide a theoretical justification of our proposed criteria, and present two real data examples in practice for further illustration.
Lyman Alpha Emitting Galaxies in the Nearby Universe

Abstract The Lyman alpha emission line (Lyα) of neutral hydrogen (Hi) is intrinsically the brightest emission feature in the spectrum of astrophysical nebulae, making it a very attractive observational feature with which to survey galaxies. Moreover as an ultraviolet resonance line, Lyα possesses several unique characteristics that make it useful to study the properties of the interstellar medium and ionising stellar population at all cosmic epochs. In this review, I present a summary of Lyα observations of galaxies in the nearby universe. By ultraviolet continuum selection, at the magnitudes reachable with current facilities, only ≈ 5% of the local galaxy population shows a Lyα equivalent width (WLyα) that exceeds 20 Å. This fraction increases dramatically at higher redshifts, but only in the local universe can we study galaxies in detail and assemble unprecedented multi-wavelength datasets. I discuss many local Lyα observations, showing that when galaxies show net Lyα emission, they ubiquitously also produce large-scale halos of scattered Lyα, that dominate the integrated luminosity. Concerning global measurements, we discuss how WLyα and the Lyα escape fraction (fLyαesc) are higher (WLyα ≳ 20 Å and fLyαesc ≳ 10%) in galaxies that represent the less massive and younger end of the distribution for local objects. This is connected with various properties, such that Lyα-emitting galaxies have lower metal abundances (median value of 12 + log(O/H) ~ 8.1) and dust reddening. However, the presence of galactic outflows/winds is also vital to Doppler shift the Lyα line out of resonance with the atomic gas, and high WLyα is found only among galaxies with winds faster than ~ 50 km s−1. The empirical evidence is then assembled into a coherent picture, and the requirement for star-formation-driven feedback is discussed in the context of an evolutionary sequence where the interstellar medium is accelerated and/or subject to hydrodynamical instabilities, which reduce the scattering of Lyα. Concluding remarks take the form of perspectives upon future developments, and the most pressing questions that can be answered by observation.
Guar gum as an edible coating for enhancing shelf-life and improving postharvest quality of roma tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

There exists an increasing interest from consumers and scientific community in developing edible-natural-biodegradable coatings to replace commercial wax-based coatings for maintaining postharvest quality of vegetables. In this work, the effectiveness of guar gum coating on various quality characteristics of Roma tomato at °C over a 20 d storage period was investigated. Tomatoes were covered with a 1.5% guar gum coating plasticized with glycerol at 30% and stored at °C and 40% RH for 20-d. Tomatoes covered with edible coating significantly enhanced firmness and reduced weight loss, delayed changes on soluble-solids-content, retarded loss of total acidity, and decreased respiration rate compared with uncoated-control fruit. Sensory analysis by trained panelists revealed that the use of the edible coating influenced the acceptability of tomatoes. There were significant differences on the scores given by panelists when comparing the coated and uncoated tomatoes. It was concluded that guar gum affected favorably the physicochemical, microbial, and sensorial quality properties of Roma tomato and therefore could be beneficial in delaying the ripening process at °C.
Microarcsecond VLBI Pulsar Astrometry with PSRπ II. Parallax Distances for 57 Pulsars

We present the results of PSRπ, a large astrometric project targeting radio pulsars using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). From our astrometric database of 60 pulsars, we have obtained parallax-based distance measurements for all but 3, with a parallax precision that is typically ∼45 μas and approaches 10 μas in the best cases. Our full sample doubles the number of radio pulsars with a reliable (≳5σ) model-independent distance constraint. Importantly, many of the newly measured pulsars are well outside the solar neighborhood, and so PSRπ brings a near-tenfold increase in the number of pulsars with a reliable model-independent distance at d > 2 kpc. Our results show that both widely used Galactic electron density distribution models contain significant shortcomings, particularly at high Galactic latitudes. When comparing our results to pulsar timing, two of the four millisecond pulsars in our sample exhibit significant discrepancies in their proper motion estimates. With additional VLBI observations that extend our sample and improve the absolute positional accuracy of our reference sources, we will be able to additionally compare pulsar absolute reference positions between VLBI and timing, which will provide a much more sensitive test of the correctness of the solar system ephemerides used for pulsar timing. Finally, we use our large sample to estimate the typical accuracy attainable for differential VLBA astrometry of pulsars, showing that for sufficiently bright targets observed eight times over 18 months, a parallax uncertainty of 4 μas per arcminute of separation between the pulsar and calibrator can be expected.
Are Generalists Beneficial to Corporate Shareholders? Evidence from Exogenous Executive Turnovers

This study finds a positive, economically meaningful impact of generalist chief executive officers (CEOs) on shareholder value using 164 sudden deaths and 345 non-sudden exogenous turnovers. The higher a departing CEO’s general ability index (GAI), independently and relative to her successor, the lower is the abnormal stock return to turnover announcements. Returns reflect post-turnover changes in operating performance. Further, CEOs’ and successors’ GAIs are significantly positively related, but only for non-sudden turnovers. Consistently, for sudden deaths, we find positive stock returns to appointments of generalist successors. The results provide a market-based explanation for the generalist pay premium.
The relationship between a market orientation and financial performance in South African organisations

Organisations are in constant flux and with powerful universal trends such as globalisation, technological discontinuity. deregulation and new competencies within a continuously changing environment. both business leaders and academics an; searching for new insights into organisational dynamics. In recent years more and more academics have suggested that a market orientation should be considered as a business philosophy and/or business behaviour that will lead to better business performance. However, not much research has been done on this organisational phenomenon and it is not well understood. Market orientation has been defined in this study as the business culture that is focused on creating mutually rewarding relationships between customers and the organisation based on a foundation where (I) the interests of all stakeholders are acti\t:ly pursued; (2) competitive advantage is based on the organisation's ability to learn from the market itself. and to mobilise core competencies in response; (3) a set of beliefs exists that puts the customer's interests first and (4) processes exist that support this belief. This study dilfcrs from previous empirical research on market orientation in that it takes a systemic view of market orientation. rather than a cause-eiTect view. It considered 449 unlisted and 51 listed organisations. and found that a market orientation leads to better financial results. Also. market orientation is a necessary. but maybe not sui'licient. condition for business excellence. and further n:search needs to be done in thi-; n:g.ard.
Shape variation of cattle metapodials: age, sex or breed? Some examples from mediaeval and postmediaeval sites

Cattle metapodials are apparently among the bones which have been most investigated by zooarchaeologists. Nevertheless the effect of different variables on size and shape of these bones is still only poorly understood. Here the effect of age, sex, pathology and genetic change on the shape of mediaeval and postmediaeval cattle metapodials at Launceston Castle (England) is considered. It is suggested that a change is due to the presence in the later period of a genetically different type of cattle. This explanation is supported by the contemporary occurrence of a size change and by the different frequency of a non-metrical trait between the two periods. Comparison with other sites and with data from modern animals shows the very large extent to which the shape of metapodials may vary in different regional types, and how this can obscure the difference between sexes.
Discovering value for health with grocery shopping data

Food retailers are taking more active role in the customer value creation process and shifting their attention from the sale of goods to support customer's value-creation to discover more innovative service-based business models. From customer data consumers may develop more responsible consumption behaviour, make more economical choices, and raise awareness on food healthiness. This exploratory study sets out to answer the question what value if any does the use of grocery shopping data bring to the customers. Using design science research, the thesis makes use of grocery purchase data available to S-Group customers and presents ways of applying the data while making it meaningful for them. The aim was to construct visualization application prototypes for seeking value and benefits of purchase data experienced by the customers. To evaluate the application design, a study group of eight customers were invited to provide purchase data and feedback on the data visualizations. The focus was on building designs of the grocery consumption patterns based on customer interviews and then evaluating the impact on the study group via interviews and usage data. The visualization prototypes allowed the participants to discover something new of their shopping and food consumption behaviour, not known to them before the study and not visible from the mere purchase data. Interviews suggested that the visualizations of health data encourage reflection of consuming habits, and thus may be used as a tool for increasing awareness of one’s shopping behaviour. A number of limitations in the data utilization were met hindering inference-making and reflecting on the data. Lastly, the prototypes led the participants to envision new digital health services, some of which might have commercial value.