Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of priming with potassium nitrate and dehusking on seed germination of gladiolus (Gladiolus alatus).

Gladiolus (Gladiolus alatus), belonging to the family Iridaceae is rated as the most popular flower in the world at commercial scale. The effect of different concentrations of KNO3 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 0 %) on seed germination percentage, time required for 50% germination and on mean germination time (MGT) was studied under controlled conditions. Best germination rate of 92% was achieved in T6 (distilled water) followed by 80% in T1 (1% KNO3) and 70% in T2 (2% KNO3). Minimum time required for 50% germination i.e., 8 days was obtained with T6 (distilled water) and in the same way shortest mean germination time required by seeds was 15 days in T6. Bulb gained maximum weight (0.6467 g) and diameter (9.49 mm) in T3 (3% KNO3). Likewise, this treatment also resulted in an acquisition of 14 cm seedling length and a positive correlation was found between seedling length and growth parameters of bulb i.e., weight and diameter. In another experiment, effect of dehusking on seed germination was tested. Seed without husk gave the promising outcome of 74% germination while seeds with husk merely acquired 63% germination after 30 days.
Occurrence of parasitic barnacles Sacculinidae (Rhizocephala) infection on mud crab Scylla olivacea in Sabah, Malaysia

The present study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of parasitic barnacle sacculinid infection on mud crabs Scylla spp. in Marudu Bay from October 2012 to September 2013. Three species of mud crabs were found; Scylla tranquebarica, S. paramamosain and S. olivacea. However sacculinid infection was only found in S. olivacea. Approximately 51.5% (85 out of 165 individuals) of the S. olivacea caught were infected. On average, the infection in male and female of S. olivacea was almost similar, 48.4% male and 59.6% female (p> 0.05). The infected male can be found every month while infected female was found high towards the end of Northeast monsoon (wet season) from February onwards until end of the Southwest monsoon in September (dry season). The present study showed the sacculinid infection exhibited no clear specificity on neither sex nor seasonal as infection can be found throughout the year.
Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) and Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) on the Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Ileal Micro-biota of Broilers

The effect of increasing dietary levels of rosemary and yarrow herb powders on the growth performance, carcass traits and ileal microbiota of broilers was studied. Three hundred and thirty-six one-day-old Ross 308 male chickens were allocated to one of the following treatments (six replicates of 8 birds per treatment): control (basal diet with no rosemary or yarrow herbs added), and basal diet with the addition of either 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% of rosemary herb, or 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% of yarrow herb. Significant differences were observed (P<0.05) between treatments in the starting (d 1-21) and growing (d 22-42) periods, and in the average feed intake in the starting period. When the whole experimental period was considered, the best-feed conversion rates (P<0.05) were achieved for the highest rosemary and yarrow supplementation levels. Yarrow supplementation resulted in better-feed conversion rates (P<0.05) than the control treatment, for all the periods. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in the final body weight or in most of the carcass traits. The gastrointestinal tract weight, relative to body weight, increased (P<0.05) due to rosemary and yarrow supplementation, compared with the control treatment. At 42 days of age, the rosemary supplementation increased the Lactobacilli counts and decreased the Escherichia coli counts more than the control and yarrow supplemented treatments. In conclusion, under the conditions of the present work, yarrow supplementation mainly improved growth performance, while rosemary supplementation showed the best effects on ileal microbiota, both compared with the control treatment.
The value of proactive environmental strategy: An empirical evaluation of the contingent approach to dynamic capabilities

The authors propose andtest an explicative model for organizational environmental competitiveness. Indoing this, they integrate insights from the dynamic capabilities perspective,contingency theory, and the natural resource-based view of the firm. The studyevaluates whether perceived uncertainty in the business environment moderatesthe relationship between a dynamic capability of proactive environmentalstrategy and competitive advantage, drawing from survey data from 129 firms inBogota, Colombia, and using a partially constrained approach to structuralequation models of latent interaction. Results suggest that both, perceiveduncertainty on customer preferences and changes in the environmental strategyof competitors, and perceived uncertainty on environmental resources andservices, moderate the relationship between process and product-relatedenvironmental practices and cost advantage.
System mass constraints for the accreting millisecond pulsar XTE J1814-338 using Bowen fluorescence

We present phase-resolved spectroscopy of the millisecond X-ray pulsar XTE J1814-338 obtained during its 2003 outburst. The spectra are dominated by high-excitation emission lines of He II λ4686, Hβ, and the Bowen blend C III/N III 4630–50 A. We exploit the proven Bowen fluorescence technique to establish a complete set of dynamical system parameter constraints using bootstrap Doppler tomography, a first for an accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar binary. The reconstructed Doppler map of the N III λ4640 Bowen transition exhibits a statistically significant (>4σ) spot feature at the expected position of the companion star. If this feature is driven by irradiation of the surface of the Roche lobe filling companion, we derive a strict lower limit to the true radial velocity semi-amplitude K2. Combining our donor constraint with the well-constrained orbit of the neutron star leads to a determination of the binary mass ratio: q = 0.123+0.012−0.010 . The component masses are not tightly constrained given our lack of knowledge of the binary inclination. We cannot rule out a canonical neutron star mass of 1.4 M⊙ (1.1 M⊙ < M1 < 3.1 M⊙; 95 per cent). The 68/95 per cent confidence limits of M2 are consistent with the companion being a significantly bloated, M-type main-sequence star. Our findings, combined with results from studies of the quiescent optical counterpart of XTE J1814-338, suggest the presence of a rotation-powered millisecond pulsar in XTE J1814-338 during an X-ray quiescent state. The companion mass is typical of the so-called redback pulsar binary systems (M2 ∼ 0.2 M⊙).
Student Self Efficacy in Intermediate Accounting:A Tool to Improve Performance and Address Accounting Change

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent student self efficacy acts as a determinant of performance and how information gained about this link can be used to guide accounting education reform. To do so, we assess the predictive power of self efficacy on performance in Intermediate I in the presence of other demographic and environmental variables. We examine two measures of self efficacy: 1) a student’s perception about his/her skills relative to the accounting cycle; and 2) a student’s expectation about his/her grade in Intermediate I. Results indicate after controlling for demographic and environmental variables, a student’s perception about his/her skills does not impact first exam performance. In contrast, a student’s perception of grade is significantly associated with test performance. These confounding results indicate student perceptions of ability are not always accurate but motivations about grades play a significant role in performance. These results lead us to infer that effective accounting reform requires more information be gathered about students. We suggest one way to do so would be to involve faculty in more counseling and advising activities.
Legitimacy of Increasing Marginal Utility in Social Services – The Case of University Examinations

The concept of utility became rightfully recognised in economic theory with the introduction of decreasing marginal utility. However a question that arises is: does an increasing consumption of goods always and without exception lead to diminishing marginal utility? It is quite possible that in some cases marginal utility of goods and services actually increases. If this fact is true, it might additionally strengthen the utility theory and make it applicable in numerous cases of economic and social reality. This paper uses the example of the utility of studying at university (i.e. the utility of university examinations), and tries to add a few arguments in favour of the statement that the law of increasing utility exists.
Assessing the Dissimilarity Profiles Test for Significant Clustering: Is It Suitable for Strategic Groups Research?

A basic insight from economics is that the nature of competition among rival firms depends on the number of firms involved. Simply stated, in an industry with many homogeneous firms, the interactions would presumably lean toward perfect competition. The notion of strategic groups is intriguing in that the industry is divided into groups such that strategies are homogeneous within each group and heterogeneous across groups (McGee and Thomas, 1986; Porter, 1979). Highly similar firms would be predisposed to targeting similar suppliers to attain the resources needed to fuel their common strategy; they would also be predisposed to targeting similar buyers for their products and services. Thus, firms within a strategic group would be more likely to influence each other’s performance than firms belonging to different groups. Group members are likely to interact with each other using a mixture of cooperative and competitive behaviors in an effort to manage their interdependence (Brandenburger and Nalebuff, 1996), and the intensity of those interactions should be stronger within groups than between groups. Hence, it is possible that rivalry within the industry could resemble pockets of oligopolistic competition rather than industry wide perfect competition. That is, strategic groups could reflect the structure of rivalry within the industry (Tang and Thomas, 1992). Abstract
Two elementary statistical coverage problems

Suppose a researcher draws a sample X1, X2, . , Xn , from some population, and computes the corresponding sample mean. Assume that the population has a Gaussian probability distribution. A second researcher draws, independently, a sample Y1, Y2, . , Yn from the same population. Then what is the probability that the 95% confidence interval for the population mean, generated by Y1, Y2, . , Yn , covers the mean of X1, X2, . , Xn? Below this probability will be denoted by Pn . As a second coverage problem, what is the probability that the 95% confidence interval generated by the X1, X2, . , Xn and that by the Y1, Y2, . , Yn are disjoint? Below this probability will be denoted by Qn . The aim of this paper is to get an expression for the values that can be taken on by Pn and Qn . The sample means of X1, X2, . , Xn and Y1, Y2, . , Yn will be denoted by X̄ and Ȳ , respectively. The sample variances will be denoted as SX and S 2 Y . The Greek capital will stand for the cumulative distribution function of a standard Gaussian distribution, that is to say, a Gaussian distribution with mean 0 and standard deviation 1.
LOADED MICROSTRIP DISK RESONATOR EXHIBITS ULTRA-LOW FREQUENCY RESONANCE

In this paper a novel method of generation of ultra- low resonance in a microstrip disk resonator is presented. The disk resonator is loaded with series L-C circuit across a selective location in the disk via a thin shorting pin. It is shown that in loaded disk resonator, the lowest resonance observed is in VHF range whereas the unloaded disk had a fundamental resonance at 1.76 GHz. This resonance is slightly offset from the series resonant frequency of L- C circuit. and it depends on the disk radius as well. Using IE3D, a commercial MoM solver, the said structure is simulated. The experimental results agree well with the simulated results. A closed form expression for computing the resonant frequency is given.
Discretized time and conditional duration modelling for stock transaction data

This article considers conditional duration models in which durations are in continuous time, but measured in grouped or discretized form. This feature of recorded durations in combination with a frequently traded stock is expected to negatively influence the performance of conventional estimators for intra-day duration models. A few estimators that account for the discreteness are discussed and compared in a Monte Carlo experiment. An EM-algorithm accounting for the discrete data performs better than those that do not. Empirical results are reported for trading durations in Ericsson B at Stockholmsbörsen for a 3-week period of July 2002. The incorporation of level variables for past trading is rejected in favour of change variables. This enables an interpretation in terms of news effects. No evidence of asymmetric responses to news about prices and spreads is found.
Effect of working capital management on firms profitability evidence from manufacturing companies in eastern, Ethiopia

Working capital management plays an important role in success and failure of firm in business because of its effect on firm’s profitability as well as on liquidity. Profitability and working capital relationship is frequently emphasized for deciding on the level of investment in working capital. All manufacturing firms need to understand the association between these two variables to arrive at optimal financial decisions. Though theories exist on the topic, empirical methods are inadequately focused in arriving at conclusions. Use of statistical methods in understanding the relationship is systematic and scientific, which may provide better insight for decision making. This paper is an endeavor to understand the relationship between working capital and profitability in a detailed manner. The results show that longer accounts receivable and inventory holding periods are associated with lower profitability. Thus, managers can create value by reducing their firm’s number of days accounts receivable and inventories. Equally, shortening the cash conversion cycle also improves the firm’s profitability.
HIV/AIDS serostatus disclosure and stigma in Asian and Pacific I slander women : a call for intersectionality in the treatment of depression

In the United States the prevalence and incidence rates of Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) women with HIV/AIDS is increasing. As many as 1 in 3 may not know they are HIV positive. Existing literature using stigma theory revealed that A&PI HIV positive women can experience both positive and negative mental health effects from HIV serostatus disclosure. These findings are an important mental health issue as HIV serostatus disclosure has traditionally been encouraged for the benefit of those diagnosed and their kinship networks. The present study seeks to examine the correlation found in previous research between disclosure or nondisclosure of HIV serostatus and depression in A&PI women. Due to the paucity of information available, more research is clearly needed. Understanding this impact in Asian and Pacific Islander women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS can assist clinical social workers to provide culturally relevant care, guiding them through appropriate HIV status disclosure while reducing or minimizing their risk for negative consequences including depression. The present paper demonstrates how an intersectional framework to both empirical research and clinical practice builds upon existing information regarding HIV stigma, and offers social workers a culturally responsive approach to the care of A&PI HIV positive women. HIV/AIDS serostatus disclosure and stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander women: A call for intersectionality in the treatment of depression
The effects of content, formal, and linguistic schema building activity types on EFL reading and listening comprehension

The main concern of the present study was to investigate the effects of content, formal, and linguistic schema-building activity types on EFL learners’ listening and reading comprehension. To this end, 60 Elementary learners in four groups of 15 members each participated in this study. Three groups acted as experimental groups and received content, formal, and linguistic schema-building activities, and one group acted as control group, receiving no schemabuilding treatment. Two separate one-way ANOVA procedures were used to analyze the participants’ scores on the listening and reading comprehension posttests. The result revealed that although there were no significant differences among the effects of schema-building activity types on both listening and reading, the experimental groups outperformed the control group participants. The findings may have implications for EFL learners and teachers. Corresponding author at Imam Khomeini International University Email: aazarei@ikiu.ac. ir
Motivational and Legal Barriers of Entrepreneurship Development

Nowadays, entrepreneurship is considered as an effective strategy and a milestone in multi-lateral development of countries. Preparing backgrounds for developing entrepreneurship requires presenting entrepreneurial teachings and skills on one hand and necessitates understanding and removing its obstacles and challenges as well as establishing appropriate backgrounds for developing entrepreneurial trade on the other hand. In this paper, the viewpoints of those researchers who had participated in National Conference on Entrepreneurship Management and Regional Development (Ilam University, 2009) had been analyzed and interpreted in comparison with legal and motivational obstacles and barriers effective on the development of entrepreneurship by making use of survey method and questionnaire as well. The results show that according to the researchers’ viewpoint, the legal and motivational factors had terminated the development of entrepreneurship in Iran. Moreover, financial risk factor and the fear aroused from inability in management of the business were the first and last factors among motivational factors. In addition, the bank regulations and laws factor (banking interest rate, the required documents and conditions for receiving banking facilities) and the environmental rules and regulations were the first and last legal factors effective and influential in the failure of entrepreneurship development in Iran. Generally, entrepreneurship researchers are of opinion that the motivational factors are more important than legal factors in the failure of entrepreneurship development in Iran.
Adaptation of Green Proteorhodopsin to Changes in Membrane Lipid Composition

ADAPTATION OF GREEN PROTEORHODOPSIN TO CHANGES IN MEMBRANE LIPID COMPOSITION Rachel E. Brown Advisors: Dr. V. Ladizhansky University of Guelph, 2018 Dr. L. Brown The protein studied in this thesis is Proteorhodopsin (PR), which is linked to starvation states in marine bacteria. This work examines PR membrane system stability using FTIR. The stable membrane systems, found using FTIR, are further examined using multiple methodologies. The findings show lipid loss over time for PR membrane systems that contained only PC lipids or a DOPC/DOPS mixture. Lipid systems containing DOPE/DOPG were found to be stable and were compared to systems containing DMPC/DMPA in further experiments. These systems mimic the changes involved in the transition from non-starvation to starvation state, suggesting DMPC/ DMPA as a suitable native membrane model for structural study of PR. Photocycle and titration experiments provide evidence of a shift in the pKa of D97 (DMPC/DMPA PR 6.6, DOPE/DOPG PR 7.5). CANCO experiments showed minimal changes in observable residues, however further NMR studies are required for full evaluation. Acknowledgements To my Labmates. I can never repay you all enough for the warmth I have felt being part of this lab-group. To Leonid Brown who believed in my ideas and helped to put me on the path to proving them. To Vladimir Ladizhansky, for your patience in guiding me through the process of learning NMR. I also want to thank Denis Nikitenko, who took the brunt of my stress, and I will be spending quite a while making it up to him.
Retrospective analysis of long-term preparation of outstanding athletes for earlier identification of athletic talent

Athletic talent as biological, social and methodological phenomenon is one of the most scientifically complicated and practically important problems of contemporary sport. The earlier discovery of athletic talent permits more rational management of gifted young prospects’ preparation increasing their chances for the most successful athletic carrier. With this position, the thorough investigation of the long‐term preparation of outstanding athletes allows to find earlier indications of athletic talent that can be utilized for recognition of extra‐ordinary abilities in young athletic candidates. Correspondingly, this study is aimed to investigate long‐term preparation of several Olympic champions, focusing on their training time expenses and earlier indications of athletic talent for possible evaluation of young athletic prospects. The personal data of nine Olympic Champions were collected by means of specially organized interviewing, where retrospective data were collected for characterization of time expenses for training until achievement of the first big success, earlier recognition of giftedness, and availability of parental support during initial part of athletic carrier. The unique data of nine Olympic champions evidenced that they attained their first big success after 4‐6 years of their purposeful preparation when total amount of accumulated time expenses for training varied between 1840‐5000 hours. Available findings allow indicate three general factors affecting discovery and development of extraordinary athletic talent: high internal motivation (1), creative and intelligent coaching (2), high rate of learn‐ and trainability (3). Comparison of annual time expenses of respondents with junior standards gives firm evidence that studied outstanding athletes executed much larger training workloads even on the earlier stages of their multi‐year preparation. The study outcomes contradict to popular theory of deliberate practice (Eriksson et al., 1993) that postulates 10‐years rule and accumulation of 10 000 hours training for attainment of high‐level expert performance. Importantly, that majority of respondents were early recognized as potentially talented individuals and received appropriate family support. keywords: athletic talent, long‐term preparation, identification of gifted youngsters.