Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterosis and combining ability analysis in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Line × Tester effect showed positive significance for all the characters except plant height, siliqua length, days to maturity and test weight. Significant differences were observed for both general combining ability and specific combining ability effects. IC-597919 found to be good general combiner for most of the traits. The cross combinations namely, IC- 597879 × IC-571648 was found to be most significant for yield/plant. On the basis of per se performance and estimates of heterosis, the cross IC-597879 × IC-571648 found to be most promising followed by IC-597919 × IC-335852 and IC-589669 × IC-338586 for seed yield/plant. The above best parents and best crosses can be used in hybridization and heterosis breeding respectively.
Generalized Donaldson-Thomas Invariants via Kirwan Blowups

We develop a virtual cycle approach towards generalized Donaldson-Thomas theory of Calabi-Yau threefolds. Let $\mathcal{M}$ be the moduli stack of Gieseker semistable sheaves of fixed topological type on a Calabi-Yau threefold $W$. We construct an associated Deligne-Mumford stack $\widetilde{\mathcal{M}}$ with an induced semi-perfect obstruction theory of virtual dimension zero and define the generalized Donaldson-Thomas invariant of $W$ via Kirwan blowups to be the degree of the virtual cycle $[\widetilde{\mathcal{M}}]^{\mathrm{vir}}$. We show that it is invariant under deformations of the complex structure of $W$.
GDL construction effects on distribution of reactants and electrical current density in PEMFC

In this article, a two dimensional pore scale model of polymeric fuel cell, which is promising of a clean and renewable energy production, is presented here. Let reactive gases behave as an ideal gas; inhomogeneous anisotropic structure of the gas diffusion layer, is contemplated as a random generated circular porous media. Lattice Boltzmann method is applied to inquire the fluid flow and mass transfer within the cathode microstructure. All parts of the cathode have the same temperature and the electrochemical reaction on the surface of the catalyst layer enters the solution as a boundary condition. Effects of the gas diffusion layer structure (carbon fibers diameters changes) on the flow of reactive gases, molar fraction of various oxygen species, and water vapor within the various parts of the gas diffusion layer as well as the electrical current density are investigated. The results indicate that by increasing the diameter of the carbon fibers in the gas diffusion layer within constant porosity facilitates both the flow of oxygen and the vapor species inside the GDL, while affecting the produced electrical current on the surface of the catalyst layer.
IT IS NOT ABOUT PRODUCTIVITY; WELFARE IT IS ABOUT RIGHTS

We assume that the undernourishment or starvation continued in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) because there the misery persisted. Poverty reduction is the only way to the end hunger in Africa. Also, for an agricultural country in SSA the best way to solve the problem of poverty is through agricultural development. Our analysis is based upon a sample of nine countries in SSA, so called SSA – 9. SSA has around 47,5 percent of rural population in extreme poverty while between 1990 and 2005 when food prices were stable and low, extreme rural poverty in SSA involved around 64.6 percent of population. Thus, we have built up a model trying to answer to the question of how the agricultural gears in SSA – 9 were moving between 1990 and 2005 and assess how the agricultural growth could reduce rural poverty. We used a system of recursive rather than simultaneous equations: a recursive model is a special case of an equation system where the endogenous variables are determined one at a time in sequence. The most important result is that the main tools that had a strong relation with poverty reduction in SSA – 9 were legislation on property rights (PR), access to the credit system, Human capital and infrastructure.
Safety Evaluation of Long—term Intake and Effects on Bone Mineral Density of Corn Syrup Solids Containing Maltobionic Acid （Maltobionic Acid Calcium Salt） in Healthy Japanese Women ―A Randomized Double—blind Placebo—controlled Study―

Background/Objectives To evaluate the influence of the long-term ingestion of corn syrup solids containing maltobionic acid（maltobionic acid calcium salt）on the bone mineral density（BMD）and safety of healthy Japanese women. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Thirty-four healthy Japanese women aged 50-69 years who were at least 1 year past the onset of natural menopause were allocated into two groups: one in which participants ingested 8 g of corn syrup solids containing maltobionic acid calcium salt and another in which participants ingested 8 g of placebo（hydrous crystalline maltose and calcium carbonate） group per day for 24 weeks. BMD measurements（dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method）and bone metabolism parameter measurements were evaluated by a peripheral blood test, while safety was evaluated by a physical examination, a peripheral blood test, a urinalysis, subjective symptoms, and a medical questionnaire. Results All 34 subjects completed the study with no adverse events related to the test food. Fifteen subjects were excluded before the efficacy analysis because of conflict with control criteria; the remaining 19 subjects were analyzed. Consumption of corn syrup solids containing maltobionic acid was maintained, and BMD, bone area, and bone mineral content （BMC）were improved. Conclusions These results indicate that corn syrup solids containing maltobionic acid might contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis（. UMIN︱CTR ID：UMIN 000025401）
The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment on Trade: Empirical Evidence from Sri Lanka

Foreign direct investment and foreign trade are vital factors in economic growth and development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long run relationship and short-run dynamics between the two variables in Sri Lankan context. The study applies the ARDL cointegration and bound test for annual time series data covering the period from 1980 to 2016. The empirical test finds a significant positive relationship between FDI and foreign trade in the short run as well as in the long run. The bound test confirms the existence of co-integration relations among the variables. The error term of the ARDL ECM model is statistically significant with expected sign confirming convergence of short-run shocks into the long run equilibrium. All the diagnostic and stability tests confirm the validity of the selected model in policy formulating.
Evaluation of Elementary School Teachers in terms of Professional Values

Bu arastirmada, ilkogretim ogretmenlerinin mesleki degerlere sahip olma duzeylerinin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Arastirma tarama modelinde nicel bir calismadir. Arastirmanin evrenini, 2011-2012 egitim-ogretim yilinda, Turkiye’de resmi ilkogretim okullarinda gorev yapan Fen ve Teknoloji, Sinif, Sosyal Bilgiler, Turkce ve Matematik ogretmenleri olusturmaktadir. Arastirmada orneklem buyuklugunun belirlenmesinde Cohen, Manion ve Morrison’un (2005) “Orneklem Buyuklugu Tablosu”ndan yararlanilmis ve 96.966 kisilik bir hedef kitleyi, %5’lik hata payiyla 384 kisinin temsil edecegi varsayilmistir. 384 kisinin illere ve branslara gore dagilimini belirlemek icin “Tabakali Ornekleme Yontemi” kullanilmistir. Arastirmada veri toplama araci olarak Tunca (2012) tarafindan gelistirilen “Ogretmen Mesleki Degerler Olcegi (OMDO)” kullanilmistir. Arastirmada ogretmenlerin mesleki degerlere sahip olma duzeylerini belirlemek amaciyla betimsel istatistikler kullanilmistir. Arastirmada ikili karsilastirmalarda t-testi, ucten daha fazla boyutu olan karsilastirmada ise Kruskal Wallis H testi yapilmistir. Anlamli cikan degerlerde, farkin kaynagini belirlemek uzere ikili karsilastirmalarda Mann Whitney U Testi kullanilmistir. Arastirma sonucunda o gretmenlerin; mesleki degerlere sahip olma konusunda kendilerini yuksek duzeyde algiladiklari, bununla birlikte kendilerini gorece en yetersiz gordukleri alt boyutun “Şiddete karsi olma”, en yeterli gordukleri alt boyutun ise “Farkliliklara saygi duyma” oldugu tespit edilmistir. Ogretmenlerin mesleki deger duzeyleri cinsiyetlerine gore karsilastirildiginda ise yalnizca “Isbirligine acik olma” alt boyutundan aldiklari puanlara iliskin farkliligin kadinlar lehine anlamli oldugu belirlenmistir. Ogretmenlerin mesleki deger duzeyleri branslarina gore karsilastirildiginda; “Farkliliklara saygi duyma” ve “Şiddete karsi olma” alt boyutlarindan aldiklari puanlarin bransa gore farklilasmadigi, buna karsin “Kisisel ve toplumsal duyarlilik”, “Isbirligine acik olma” alt boyutlarindan ve olcekten aldiklari toplam puanlarin farklilastigi gorulmustur.
Managing negative online accommodation reviews: evidence from the Cook Islands

ABSTRACT Increasingly, travellers are using online review platforms to post reviews about hotels. The responses to negative reviews need to be managed in a way to recover service failures. The main aim of this study was to examine the strategies used by hotel managers in responding to negative reviews on TripAdvisor. An integrated framework for analysing response strategies is developed. Content analysis of TripAdvisor reviews and interviews with hotel managers show a range of response strategies are used. We uncover two additional dimensions: values and culture. Hotels are aware of the advantages that can be gained from using appropriate responses.
Growth of oxidation-resistive silicene-like thin flakes and Si nanostructures on graphene

We report the growth of Si nanostructures, either as thin films or nanoparticles, on graphene substrates. The Si nanostructures are shown to be single crystalline, air stable and oxidation resistive, as indicated by the observation of a single crystalline Si Raman mode at around 520 cm–1, a STM image of an ordered surface structure under ambient condition, and a Schottky junction with graphite. Ultra-thin silicon regions exhibit silicene-like behavior, including a Raman mode at around 550 cm–1, a triangular lattice structure in STM that has distinctly different lattice spacing from that of either graphene or thicker Si, and metallic conductivity of up to 500 times higher than that of graphite. This work suggests a bottom-up approach to forming a Si nanostructure array on a large-scale patterned graphene substrate that can be used to fabricate nanoscale Si electronic devices.
A Survey of Historic Caddo Sites in Nacogdoches County, Texas

This review was originally prepared for presentation to the East Texas Caddo Research Group held in Nacogdoches, Texas on December 2 and 3, 2006. The primary purpose of this article is to summarize the archaeological resources currently known relating to the Historic Caddo period of Nacogdoches County. No attempt is made here to provide analysis of the data or to draw synthetic conclusions. The author's hope is that this survey will be helpful to workers in this area of inquiry by speeding access to available resources and exposing possible research problems.
Long-term Results of the Open Latarjet Procedure for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability in Patients Older Than 40 Years

Background: Subgroup analyses of the Latarjet procedure have suggested that age over 40 years is a risk factor for dislocation arthropathy. Purpose: To analyze long-term results of the open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation in patients at least 40 years of age. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 39 consecutive patients (40 shoulders) with a mean age of 48 years (range, 40-66 years) at surgery were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 11.0 years (range, 8-16 years). Of these, 15 patients (38%) had undergone previous soft tissue stabilization surgery. Long-term results were assessed clinically and radiographically, including computed tomography scanning at final follow-up. Results: No recurrence of dislocation was noted. Subluxation had occurred in 3 patients (8%), and apprehension persisted in 5 patients (13%). The total Walch-Duplay score averaged 89 points at the final follow-up, and the mean Subjective Shoulder Value (60%-91%) had improved significantly (P < .001). In total, 36 patients rated their result as excellent, 3 as good. Further, 6 patients (15%) underwent joint-preserving reoperation, and 1 patient (3%) had reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for severe dislocation arthropathy. Dislocation arthropathy was severe in 14 patients (37%) and had progressed by at least 2 grades in 17 patients (45%). Patients with severe dislocation arthropathy had already shown degenerative changes preoperatively as opposed to those who ultimately had no or moderate dislocation arthropathy (n = 24) (P < .001). Progression of dislocation arthropathy was associated with lateral (>1 mm) graft positioning (P < .001) and older age at surgery (r = 0.58; P < .001). Conclusion: The open Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability in patients older than 40 years reliably restores stability and leads to high patient satisfaction. This procedure is, however, associated with a substantial rate of advanced but clinically mild symptomatic dislocation arthropathy, which is associated with the degree of preoperative joint degeneration, older age at surgery, and lateral graft placement.
Using Multimedia-Assisted LINCS for Learning English Pronunciation

Learning pronunciation can be enhanced by several strategies. LINCS (List, Identify, Note, Create, Self-test) is one of these strategies that can be used to help language learners learn and remember new words effectively. LINCS is an acronym of the following steps: List the words, identify a reminding word, note a LINCing story, create a LINCing picture, and self-test. LINCS can be implemented either traditionally (i.e. pen-and-paper) or with the help of multimedia. Previous studies examined the effect of traditional LINCS on learning pronunciation. However, no single study has examined the effect of LINCS enhanced by multimedia on pronunciation learning. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effect of LINCS enhanced by multimedia on learning English pronunciation. Data were collected through pronunciation tests from 45 Arab university learners of English as a foreign language. They were randomly assigned into three groups: Multimedia-assisted LINCS, Traditional LINCS, and a control group (No LINCS). The study is an experimental one in which pre- and a post-tests were administered to these groups. The results indicated that LINCS (either multimedia-assisted LINCS or traditional LINCS) is an effective way of improving learners’ FL pronunciation. The participants in both experimental groups performed better than the participants in the control group.
Variations in Ocean Deoxygenation Across Earth System Models: Isolating the Role of Parameterized Lateral Mixing

Modern Earth system models (ESMs) disagree on the impacts of anthropogenic global warming on the distribution of oxygen and associated low‐oxygen waters. A sensitivity study using the GFDL CM2Mc model points to the representation of lateral mesoscale eddy transport as a potentially important factor in such disagreement. Because mesoscale eddies are smaller than the spatial scale of ESM ocean grids, their impact must be parameterized using a lateral mixing coefficient AREDI. The value of AREDI varies across modern ESMs and nonlinearly impacts oxygen distributions. This study shows that an increase in atmospheric CO2 results in a decline in productivity and a decrease in ventilation age in the tropics, increasing oxygen concentrations in the upper thermocline. In high latitudes global warming causes shallowing of deep convection, reducing the supply of oxygen to the deep. The net impact of these processes depends on AREDI, with an increase in hypoxic volume yet smaller total deoxygenation in the low‐mixing models, but a decrease in hypoxic volume yet larger total deoxygenation in the high‐mixing models. All models show decreases in suboxic volume, which are largest in the low‐mixing models. A subset of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models exhibits a similar range of responses to global warming and similar decoupling between total deoxygenation and change in hypoxic volume. Uncertainty in lateral mixing remains an important contributor to uncertainty in projecting ocean deoxygenation.
Detarium microcarpum, Guiera senegalensis, and Cassia siamea Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibit Metastasis on MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

Despite the availability of anticancer drugs, breast cancer remains the most death-causing tumor-related disease in women. Hence, there is a need for discovery and development of efficient alternative drugs, and sources such as plants need to be explored. In this study, antioxidant capacities and inhibitory effects against MCF7 cells of the extracts of stem bark of three Nigerian medicinal plants (Detarium microcarpum, Guiera senegalensis, and Cassia siamea) were investigated. The D. microcarpum extracts had the highest antioxidant and antiproliferative effects, followed by that of G. senegalensis, and the C. siamea extracts had minimal effects. The IC50 values of the methanol and aqueous extracts from the three plants that inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 cells ranged from 78–> 500 μg/ml. Moreover, all the plant extracts but the aqueous extract of Cassia siamea exhibited antimetastatic action and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MCF7 cells. Liquid chromatography/time-of-flight/mass spectrometry profiling revealed that the five potent extracts contain many phenols and omega-6 fatty acids, and some of the identified compounds (isorhamnetin, eupatorin, alpinumisoflavone, procyanidin B3, syringin, and gallic acid) have been reported to have antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. Hence, the stem bark of these plants could be potential sources of antibreast cancer agents.
Ant-pollinator interactions in Turnera velutina: ecological costs and evolutionary consequences for the ant-plant pollination

Ant-plants recruit ants to defend them against herbivores, but most of them also require pollinator for successful seed set. Interactions between patrolling ants and pollinators on ant-plants have received relatively little attention. Negative antpollinator interactions are expected for several reasons. First, ants and pollinators benefit from plant investment in different functions (defence and reproduction, respectively) which can lead to plant trade-offs. Second, although more aggressive ants are likely to be better defenders, they may also deter pollinators, affecting plant fitness. However, ant-plants may have mechanisms to manage ant-pollinator interactions, maximising the benefits from their services whilst minimising the costs. I used field experiments to investigate the ecological costs and evolutionary consequences of ant patrolling for the pollination biology of a facultative ant-plant, the Mexican endemic Turnera velutina (Passifloraceae), addressing the following questions: a) Which are the most aggressive and best ant defenders of T. velutina? b) Is there direct (pollinator deterrence) or indirect (nectar trade-offs) antpollinator conflict? c) What are the ecological costs and evolutionary consequences of myrmecophily for the host plant pollination and mating system? d) Do ant-plants have adaptations to cope with both mutualists, avoiding conflict? Answers: a) Cephalotes sp. ants was detected as parasitic non-defenders, and the remaining ant species were ranked as: Capmponotus planatus < Crematogaster sp. < Paratrechina longicornis < Brachymyrmex sp. < Dorymyrmex bicolor. b) I found evidence for direct but not for indirect conflict. c) Ant patrolling affected pollinator visit duration, pollen loads, outcrossing rates, and male fitness, leading to negative effects on pollinator foraging efficiency, but such changes had positive effects for plant fitness increasing outcrossing and male fitness. d) Extrafloral nectar also serves to bribe ants away from reproductive structures during the crucial pollination period, reducing the probability of ant-occupation of flowers, reducing ant-pollinator conflict, and increasing plant reproductive success.
Transcriptional bursts explain autosomal random monoallelic expression and affect allelic imbalance

Transcriptional bursts render substantial biological noise in cellular transcriptomes. Here, we investigated the theoretical extent of monoallelic expression resulting from transcriptional bursting and how it compared to the amounts of monoallelic expression of autosomal genes observed in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. We found that transcriptional bursting can explain frequent observations of autosomal monoallelic gene expression in cells. Importantly, the burst frequency largely determined the fraction of cells with monoallelic expression, whereas both burst frequency and size contributed to allelic imbalance. Allelic observations deviate from the expected when analysed across heterogeneous groups of cells, suggesting that allelic modelling can provide an unbiased assessment of heterogeneity within cells. Finally, large numbers of cells are required for analyses of allelic imbalance to avoid confounding observations from transcriptional bursting. Altogether, our results shed light on the implications of transcriptional burst kinetics on allelic expression patterns and phenotypic variation between cells.
The Pricing of Market and Idiosyncratic Jump and Volatility Risks

This paper analyzes the risk-return relation of different variance components in the cross-section of option and stock returns. Using option portfolios that have a constant exposure to either jump or diffusive risk, I decompose variance risk into four components: market volatility risk, idiosyncratic volatility risk, market jump risk, and idiosyncratic jump risk. The lion’s share of stocks' variance risk is paid for the idiosyncratic components, with Sharpe Ratios of -3.44 for idiosyncratic jump risk and 2.15 for idiosyncratic volatility risk. While all four components are at play when stocks earn negative returns, idiosyncratic jump and volatility risks are most important to explain positive returns. In addition, stocks that have higher idiosyncratic jump risk premiums earn higher future returns.
Exploring the environmental influence on BIM adoption for refurbishment project using structural equation modelling

ABSTRACT Building information modelling is perceived as a remarkable innovation in the built environment sector with a handful of expectations towards refurbishment of existing buildings. Despite the motivations and acceptance of BIM within Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), this promise seems to be hampered by less consideration of environmental factors which might also impact BIM adoption for refurbishment projects. The aim of this study is to empirically examine the potential environmental factors that influence refurbishment stakeholders’ attitude or decision to adopt BIM by conducting structural equation modelling. This study describes an empirical testing of a structural model of environmental factors that influence decisions to adopt BIM for refurbishment of complex building. The study is based on response of 105 New Zealand construction professional who have participated in refurbishment project and have BIM experience. Several factors were identified and developed, and a final path model was determined that fit the data best. Overall, we find strong support for policies predicting the attitude towards BIM adoption, including having impact on information sharing, retrofit tools, culture of organisation and client expectations. The model provides empirical insights into how environmental factors can positively or negatively impact refurbishment project stakeholders to adopt BIM in the context of New Zealand construction industry.