Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting metal-poor gas accretion in the star-forming dwarf galaxies UM 461 and Mrk 600

Using VIMOS-IFU observations, we study the interstellar medium (ISM) of two star-forming dwarf galaxies, UM 461 and Mrk 600. Our aim was to search for the existence of metallicity inhomogeneities that might arise from infall of nearly pristine gas feeding ongoing localized star-formation. The IFU data allowed us to study the impact of external gas accretion on the chemical evolution as well as the ionised gas kinematics and morphologies of these galaxies. Both systems show signs of morphological distortions, including cometary-like morphologies. We analysed the spatial variation of 12 + log(O/H) abundances within both galaxies using the direct method (T_e), the widely applied HII-CHI-mistry code, as well as by employing different standard calibrations. For UM 461 our results show that the ISM is fairly well mixed, at large scales, however we find an off-centre and low-metallicity region with 12 + log(O/H) < 7.6 in the SW part of the brightest HII region, using the direct method. This result is consistent with the recent infall of a low mass metal-poor dwarf or HI cloud into the region now exhibiting the lowest metallicity, which also displays localized perturbed neutral and ionized gas kinematics. Mrk 600 in contrast, appears to be chemically homogeneous on both large and small scales. The intrinsic differences in the spatially resolved properties of the ISM in our analysed galaxies are consistent with these systems being at different evolutionary stages.
Developing and validating a measure of the strength of the HRM system: operationalizing the construct and relationships among its dimensions

The four studies in this article introduce a questionnaire to measure Strength of the HRM System (HRMSQ), a multidimensional construct, theoretically developed by Bowen and Ostroff (2004). Strength of the HRM System is a set of process characteristics that lead to effectiveness in conveying signals to employees that allow them to create a shared meaning of desired and appropriate work behaviours. Nine characteristics are suggested, grouped in three features: Distinctiveness, Consistency and Consensus. Study 1 developed and tested a questionnaire in a sample of workers from five different sectors. Study 2 cross-validated the measure in a sample of civil servants in a municipality. These two studies used performance appraisal as the reference HRM practice and led to a short version of the HRMSQ. Study 3 and Study 4 extend the HRMSQ to several common HRM practices. The HRMSQ is tested in two samples, of call center and several private and public organizations? workers (study 3). In study 4 the questionnaire is refined and tested with a sample from a hotel chain and finally cross-validated with two other samples, in the insurance and batteries sectors, leading to a longer version of the HRMSQ. Content analysis of several interviews with human resource managers and the Rasch model (1960, 1961, 1980), were used to define and select the indicators of the questionnaire. Convergent, discriminant and predictive validity of the measure are tested. The results of the four studies highlight the complexity of the relationships between the proposed characteristics and support the validity of a parsimonious measure of Strength of the HRM System. JEL codes:
The anatomy of high growth firms in Scotland

There is a growing volume of scholarly evidence from various countries which points to high growth firms (HGFs) as a key force fuelling economic growth. These businesses are typically highly dynamic enterprises which undertake very rapid growth, generating substantial levels of turnover and employment growth over relatively short periods of time (BERR, 2009; Anyadike-Danes et al, 2009; Mason et al, 2009; Henrekson and Johnannson, 2010).
Global Style Portfolios Based on Country Indices

Factor portfolios created by dynamically weighting country indices generated significant global market adjusted returns over the last thirty years. The comparison between stock and country based factor portfolios suggests that country based value, size and momentum factor portfolios implemented through index futures or country ETFs capture a large part of the return of stock based factor strategies. Given the complex issues and costs involved in implementing stock based factor strategies in practice, country based factor strategies offer a viable alternative. The behavior of the market and factor portfolios is dependent on the risk regime. A regime-dependent dynamic global factor portfolio outperforms the world equity market portfolio. The outperformance, in and out of sample, is robust to transaction costs and alternative portfolio construction methodologies.
Sensitivity study of the global contrails radiative forcing and crystals optical properties due to particle shape

Aviation influences the Earth’s atmosphere trough the emission of gases and particles which in turn affect climate both directly and indirectly. Water vapor and aerosol particles acting as cloud condensation nuclei are of special interest because they support cloud formation and modify cloud properties. Water vapour emitted by aircrafts perturbs the background humidity in the atmosphere and can lead to the formation of contrails (line-shaped contrails) or the “air-trafficinduced cirrus cloud” (Sausen et al., 2005). A climate effect measured by the radiative forcing (RF) of contrail clouds is highly uncertain due to a limited number of observations and difficulties with parameterization of contrails in global climate models (Dietmüller et al., 2008; Ponater et al., 2002). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report “Aviation and Global Atmosphere” (Penner et al. 1999) provided an estimate for the RF of linear contrails in the range of 0.02 W/m 2 for 1992, amounting 40% of the total RF from aviation impact. The IPCC emphasises that the RF due to line-shaped contrails is sufficiently known to be attribute at least a “fair” level of scientific understanding. The TREDEOFF project in 2005 led to updates in the IPCC’s value. The new studies gave 0.01 W/m 2 as the best estimate of mean global contrail RF in 2000 (Sausen et al., 2005). The last IPCC report (2007) maintained 0.01 W/m 2 for the global mean forcing but attributed to it a “low” level of scientific understanding. However, one may expect contrails to have stronger impact on a regional scale than on a global scale.
Determinants of Output and Profitability of Aquaculture Fish Farming in Burutu and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the determinants of output and profitability of aquaculture fish farming in Burutu and Warri South local government areas (LGAs) of Delta State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted for this study. Eight communities were randomly sampled from the two LGAs and twenty aquaculture fish farmers were sampled from each of the selected communities to give 160 respondents that were utilized for analysis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were obtained using structured questionnaire and interview schedules and analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics (mean, percentages and tables) and inferential statistics (Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression Analysis and Farm Budget Analysis). The enterprise proved to be a profitable enterprise from the positive mean gross margin and mean net incomes recorded. Cost of feeds was the most sensitive cost item in aquaculture fish production. Maximum variable profit would be increased by the adoption of measures that would reduce the price of feed. The age of farmers, level of educational attainment, and farming experience as well as farming status were significant variables that affected output of fish. As aquaculture fish farming has been found to be a profitable enterprise, the Delta State government should increase the budgetary provisions to provide more funds through her already existing microcredit programme to accommodate more entrepreneurs interested in aquaculture fish farming. Through this way, more new investors will be attracted into aquaculture business. This will ultimately lead to mopping up of the teaming unemployed youths in the State and making the State the hub of fish production in the country. Keywords: Aquaculture, Determinants, Output, Profitability, Burutu and Warri South
Adipokines, systemic inflammation and exercise Adipokinele, inflamația sistemică și exercițiul fizic

Adipokines are metabolically active molecules involved in the development of insulin resistance, which is closely correlated with obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. All these diseases are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Adipokines are produced by white adipose tissue and may have local or systemic proor anti-inflammatory activities. Inflammation in adipose tissue is considered an important factor that induces peripheral insulin resistance. Exercise may reduce both inflammation and body weight and consequently, insulin resistance and the risk of metabolic diseases and atherosclerosis. We present a short review of the literature underlining the roles of adipokines in inflammation and insulin resistance and the favorable effect of exercise that may reduce inflammation and ameliorate insulin resistance by inducing a favorable antiinflammatory adipokine profile.
Testing of the Positive-Multinational Network Hypothesis: Wealth Effects of International Joint Ventures in Emerging Markets

This article examines announcement effects of 240 international joint ventures undertaken by firms to ascertain their impact on shareholders' wealth. The positive-multinational-network hypothesis suggests that the market reaction should be related to the option value of the venture. To test the positive-multinational-network hypothesis, first the market reaction between ventures into developed and less-developed countries are contrasted. Then, the reaction between ventures that form the basis for initial operations in a country and subsequent operations are contrasted. Results indicate that venture-specific characteristics influence announcement effects and that the positive-multinational-network hypothesis is supported.
Time-causal decomposition of geomagnetic time series into secular variation, solar quiet, and disturbance signals

A theoretical basis and prototype numerical algorithm are provided that decompose regular time series of geomagnetic observations into three components: secular variation; solar quiet, and disturbance. Respectively, these three components correspond roughly to slow changes in the Earth’s internal magnetic field, periodic daily variations caused by quasi-stationary (with respect to the sun) electrical current systems in the Earth’s magnetosphere, and episodic perturbations to the geomagnetic baseline that are typically driven by fluctuations in a solar wind that interacts electromagnetically with the Earth’s magnetosphere. In contrast to similar algorithms applied to geomagnetic data in the past, this one addresses the issue of real time data acquisition directly by applying a time-causal, exponential smoother with “seasonal corrections” to the data as soon as they become available.
Population Structure, Linkage Disequilibrium, and Genetic Diversity in Soft Winter Wheat Enriched for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance

The occurrence of epidemics of Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, in U.S. winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the past two decades led to significant emphasis on development of resistant cultivars. Understanding the genetic diversity, population structure (PS), and linkage disequilibrium (LD) in winter wheat in the eastern United States is important for marker‐assisted breeding and association analysis in this germplasm. Lines selected from collaborative FHB screening nurseries were genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR), sequence tagged site (STS), and Diversity Array Technology (DArT) markers to assess LD, genetic diversity, and PS. The genomewide average of LD decay to r2 < 0.2 was 9.9 cM and moderate levels of LD (r2 > 0.2) were generally constrained to markers less than 5 cM apart. Although the lines evaluated were targeted to distinct production zones of the eastern winter wheat region, cluster and principal component analyses did not detect separation of lines into subpopulations. The short, intense breeding history for scab resistance may have localized effects on LD. Lack of subgroups within our population could be due to intercrossing among common resistant parents and indicate frequent admixture and germplasm exchange among U.S. winter wheat programs focused on development of FHB resistant cultivars.
Constraints on velocity‐depth trends from rock physics models

Estimates of depth, overpressure and amount of exhumation based on sonic data for a sedimentary formation rely on identification of a normal velocity–depth trend for the formation. Such trends describe how sonic velocity increases with depth in relatively homogeneous, brine‐saturated sedimentary formations as porosity is reduced during normal compaction (mechanical and chemical). Compaction is ‘normal’ when the fluid pressure is hydrostatic and the thickness of the overburden has not been reduced by exhumation. We suggest that normal porosity at the surface for a given lithology should be constrained by its critical porosity, i.e. the porosity limit above which a particular sediment exists only as a suspension. Consequently, normal velocity at the surface of unconsolidated sediments saturated with brine approaches the velocity of the sediment in suspension. Furthermore, porosity must approach zero at infinite depth, so the velocity approaches the matrix velocity of the rock and the velocity–depth gradient approaches zero. For sediments with initially good grain contact (when porosity is just below the critical porosity), the velocity gradient decreases with depth. By contrast, initially compliant sediments may have a maximum velocity gradient at some depth if we assume that porosity decreases exponentially with depth. We have used published velocity–porosity–depth relationships to formulate normal velocity–depth trends for consolidated sandstone with varying clay content and for marine shale dominated by smectite/illite. The first relationship is based on a modified Voigt trend (porosity scaled by critical porosity) and the second is based on a modified time‐average equation. Baselines for sandstone and shale in the North Sea agree with the established constraints and the shale trend can be applied to predict overpressure. A normal velocity–depth trend for a formation cannot be expressed from an arbitrary choice of mathematical functions and regression parameters, but should be considered as a physical model linked to the velocity–porosity transforms developed in rock physics.
Impact of Institutional Credit on Agricultural Output: A Case Study of Pakistan

This paper looks at the role of credit to agricultural sector in Pakistan. It begins with an analysis of credit as indirect input to agricultural sector. It helps the farmers to buy modern and expensive inputs such as tractor, tubewel, seeds, fertilizers etc. The study covers the period from 1974 to 2008. The empirical findings show that there is a significant role of credit in agriculture sector.
Diabetes: a pragmatic therapy with a goal to prevent end stage kidney disease and dialysis

The pragmatic therapy of diabetes which is to achieve satisfactory glycemic control emerges from author’s laboratory research. Cell culture studies convincingly demonstrated that high glucose levels above 200 mg/dL (> 11.1 mmol/L) cause damage to vascular endothelial cells. The severity of damage increases with duration of exposure of cultured endothelial cells to high glucose. This glucose-induced endothelial cell damage is mitigated by exposure of the endothelial cells to insulin in the presence of high glucose. There is abundant evidence, including that of author, that insulin treatment prevents diabetes-related microvascular complications including nephropathy and renal failure. Even by taking insulin multiple times, glucose level may reach normal level but only for a short time, because endogenous insulin response is insufficient. Manipulation by oral antidiabetic agents to enhance endogenous insulin release, or increase insulin sensitivity, results in exhaustion of the beta cells, thus changing an easily controllable glycemic state to a pathological uncontrollable glycemic state over the years. Even more troublesome is the lack of established information about the glucose levels that are safe for patients who have diabetes. By the term safe glucose level author means a glucose level which is least toxic to microvascular system and not likely to cause neuropathy, foot ulcer, gangrene, sexual dysfunction, and kidney failure. To achieve that glucose control is a formidable task for the patients as well as the doctors and nurses. Nevertheless, persistence is essential in diabetes management. Thus, on one hand patients must be astute in their care and doctors and nurses must be diligent in implementing and maintaining optimal glucose control in their patients. Both parties must be cohesive to achieve only one goal, which is to keep patients learn to cope with diabetes and thrive. Randomized clinical trials of glycemic control comparing one insulin against another, or insulin against oral hypoglycemic agents is not ethical. Such clinical trials will shed no light in improving diabetes care. On the other hand, it may prove to be detrimental.
The nexus between prices, employment and output growth: a global and national evidence

This paper investigates how output growth, employment growth and inflation influence each other in the short/long run. It builds on Phillips (1962) and Blanchard Fischer (1989) assessment that empirical links between output, employment and prices are central issue in modern macroeconomics. This paper brings a global perspective on short and long term links between employment growth, inflation and output growth using panel cointegration framework with non-stationary heterogeneous panel (119 countries over 1970-2010). The empirical results (on global and national level) strongly support the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between output growth, employment growth and inflation. A central finding is that possible trade-off effects between growth, employment and prices varies significantly among economies. Therefore, universal answers to questions Is inflation good for growth or Is there a trade-off between employment and growth are not straightforward for general macroeconomic theory. Each country must design own economic policy (targeting) taking into account the quantitative relationships between growth, employment and prices. This has important policy implications also for price setting policies, cost management, market strategy and risk management through productivity-demand disturbances effects on the business environment.
Effect of man-made electromagnetic fields on common Brassicaceae Lepidium sativum (cress d’Alinois) seed germination: a preliminary replication study

Under high levels of radiation (70-100 µW/m2 =175mV/m), seeds of Brassicaceae Lepidium sativum (cress d’Alinois) never germinated. In fact, the first step of seeds’ germination ‒ e.g. imbibitions of germinal cells ‒ could not occur under radiation, while inside the humid compost such imbibitions occurred and roots slightly developed. When removed from the electromagnetic field, seeds germinated normally. The radiation was, thus, most likely the cause of the non-occurrence of the seeds’ imbibitions and germination.
Phylogeny and historical demography of economically-important rodents of the genus Arvicanthis (Mammalia: Muridae) from the Nile Valley: of mice and men

The present study clarified the taxonomy, phylogeny and historical demography of semicommensal Nile rats (Arvicanthis) from the Nile Valley in Sudan. Nile rats are important crop pests and zoonotic disease reservoirs and are closely associated with agricultural settlements in the Nile Valley. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) of 23 individuals from six localities in Sudan (from two previously recognized species, Arvicanthis niloticus and Arvicanthis testicularis), supported the existence of only a single species, A. niloticus, from the Nile Valley. Historical demography of the Sudanese Nile Valley population inferred from mismatch coefficients indicated that an exponential population expansion event occurred approximately 144 000-288 000 years ago, corresponding in time with early human expansion and colonization from Africa to the Middle East, Europe, and the world. The inferred high level of gene flow and large size of Sudanese Nile populations of A. niloticus is consistent with historically recent (300 years ago) exponential human population growth and intense agricultural activity inferred from archaeological and historical evidence. Two African Arvicanthis clades were well supported by the broader phylogenetic analysis: (1) A. niloticus, Arvicanthis abyssinicus and Arvicanthis neumanni and (2) Arvicanthis rufinus and Arvicanthis ansorgei from western Africa. Within the first clade, divergence between lineages of A. niloticus s.s. from west and north-east Africa (8.9%) suggests specific recognition, but sampling of geographically intermediate localities is required. Based on hypothesized palaeodrainage and palaeoclimatic patterns, we propose a simple model for speciation of Arvicanthis in Africa.
Changes in Income Inequality from a Global Perspective: An Overview

Rising income inequality has recently moved into the centre of political and economic debates in line with increasing claims that a global rise in income inequality might have been a root cause of the subprime crisis. This paper provides an extensive overview of world scale developments in relative (i.e. proportional) income inequality to determine if the claims that the latter was high prior to the crisis are substantiated. The results of this study indicate that (i) non-population adjusted inequality between countries (inter-country inequality) increased between 1820 and the late 1990s but then decreased thereafter, while there was a steady decrease after the 1950s when population weights are taken into account; (ii) income inequality between ‘global citizens’ (global inequality) increased significantly between 1820 and 1950, while there was no clear trend thereafter; (iii) contemporary relative income inequality within countries (intra-country inequality) registered a clear upward trend on a global level since the 1980s.
Connecting Environmental Humanities: Developing Interdisciplinary Collaborative Method

There is now a consensus that the potential contribution of the humanities to wider environmental debate is significant, although how to develop it effectively is still unclear. This paper therefore focusses on realizing the potential of the environmental humanities through building interdisciplinary collaboration. A four-stage research model is outlined for areas where there is limited humanities scholarship, based on ongoing experience of the humanities in action in the Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Network in the Arts and Humanities, Connecting with a low-carbon Scotland. The model has two key objectives: (1) to enable humanities disciplines to articulate their own contributions to pre-identified environmental research issues; and (2) to develop interdisciplinary humanities collaboration on these issues. It can be adapted to develop understanding in local, national and international contexts, depending on the number of scholars involved and the available resources. The knowledge which emerges can facilitate further interdisciplinary working between the humanities, STEM subjects and social sciences, and be of value to environmental policy-makers.