Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality changes of blackcurrant nectar under different storage conditions

Blackcurrant nectars were stored for 12 months: in cooling conditions (6-8°C); in ambient conditions (18-22°C); in thermostatic chamber (25-31°C); in thermostatic chamber (39-40°C). Time and storage conditions had no effect on dry matter content, total solids, ash and total acidity. During 6 months of storage total phenols content decreased by 0-13% and then increased by 12-26%. After 12 months of storage level of vitamin C in blackcurrant nectars fell by 70% in the nectar stored in cooling conditions and by 75-87% in the remaining beverages. A continuous decline in antioxidant activity (against ABTS and DPPH) was observed throughout the storage period; the changes observed did not depend on storage conditions. An increase in colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, c*, h*) has been observed. Changes in the quality of nectar stored for 3 months in thermostatic chamber were greater than those noted in nectar stored for 12 months in cooling conditions.
Higher Moments and Beta Asymmetry: Evidence from Australia

type="main" xml:id="acfi12022-abs-0001" xml:lang="en"> We examine whether systematic higher moments capture beta asymmetry in an asset pricing model whereby the conditional beta of a risky asset increases (decreases) during a bear (bull) market state. We first provide a simple conceptual outline from the microeconomic literature to show that beta asymmetry is driven by time-varying higher-order risk preferences (prudence and temperance) across different market states. We then empirically relate these higher-order risk preferences to systematic skewness and systematic kurtosis. We find that beta asymmetry in Australian stock returns cannot be explained by Carhart (1997) 4-factor model but is subsumed by systematic higher moments.
Using volatility to enhance momentum strategies

The momentum effect, originally described by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993), is characterised by a short-term return continuation of up to 12 months, whereby stocks that have had high returns in the recent past continue to have high returns in the near future and, similarly, stocks with low returns in the recent past repeat this performance in the near future. Classified as a major unresolved puzzle of capital markets, the momentum effect has sustained almost two decades of research. Although various risk-based and behavioural-based explanations for momentum have been offered, no explanation has achieved broad acceptance (Chan et al. 1996). Previous momentum research has often considered other variables such as size, bookto-market, earnings and trading volume. In this paper, we consider whether volatility considerations can be used to improve on the profitability of the standard momentum approach. Momentum strategies buy securities with large returns in the recent past (‘winners’) and short securities with poor returns in the recent past (‘losers’). Our approach is driven by two insights. First, average returns and volatilities are positively correlated at the level of international market indices. This means that indices with high volatility may be an advantage to the long side of the momentum strategy but may be a disadvantage to the short side of the momentum strategy. Thus, instead of simply buying winners and shorting losers, a better strategy may be to buy high–volatility winners and to short low–volatility losers. This is the strategy that we call the momentum/volatility strategy. The second insight comes from an expression used by some stock market commentators and professionals at certain times that ‘the market has climbed a wall of worry’. The expression means that the market has climbed over a period of time despite some intervening bad news. An implication is that the user regards such a market movement as having more than the usual strength. Perhaps indices that have ‘climbed a wall of worry’ will have stronger than usual momentum. We hypothesise that an index that has recently ‘climbed a wall of worry’ will have relatively high recent volatility, because it seems likely that any intervening bad news that was overcome will have at least produced extra volatility. Thus this insight also predicts that high-volatility winners will tend to have stronger momentum than winners in general.
The Impact of Monetary and Tax Policy on Income Inequality in Japan

This paper assesses the effects of the most recent monetary policy behavior of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) (in particular, zero interest rate policy and negative interest rate policy) and Japanese tax policy on income inequality in this country during the period of 2002Q1 to 2017Q3. The vector error correction model that develops in this research, shows that increase in money stock (m1) through quantitative easing (QE) and quantitative and qualitative easing (QQE) policies of the BOJ significantly increases the income inequality. On the contrary, Japanese tax policy was effective in reducing the income inequality. Variance decomposition results show after ten periods almost 87.15% of the forecast error variance of the inequality is accounted for by its own innovations and 3.76% of the forecast error variance can be explained by exogenous shocks to monetary policy shockâ€”the money stock (M1). The short-term interest rate also accounts for the increase in inequality by 0.47%. On the other hand, the total tax and real gross domestic product contributed in reducing the inequality measure, respectively, by 6.65% and 1.96% after 10 periods.
Observations on the Overwintering Potential of the Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Southern Minnesota

The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an important pest of cucurbit crops. However, the overwintering capacity of this pest in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, the in-field survival of A. vittatum was examined during three consecutive winters. In addition, the supercooling points of A. vittatum were determined as an index of cold hardiness for adults. During each winter, the survival of adults decreased significantly through time, with no individuals surviving until spring. By comparing the supercooling points and in-field survival of adults to soil temperatures, it appears that winter temperatures in Minnesota are cold enough to induce freezing of the beetles. Moreover, a considerable amount of mortality occurred before minimum monthly soil temperatures dropped below the supercooling point of overwintering individuals, suggesting the occurrence of prefreeze mortality. An improved understanding of the response of A. vittatum to winter temperatures in temperate regions may aid in early season management of this pest. ____________________
Foreign Aid and its Impact on Income Inequality

The efficacy of foreign aid is questioned frequently. Foreign aid is alleged to have “ulterior motives” of promoting donors’ interests and perpetuating poverty. It is also accused of aggravating income inequality in recipient countries. We present the theoretical perspectives of foreign aid's impact on income distribution and look for empirical evidence of such an alleged relationship in a panel of 94 countries over 20 years. The data, however, show evidence to the contrary that aid causes small reductions in inequality. The findings are similar to those in recent studies on the topic. We have also found that trade and the share of population under the age of 15 worsen inequality.
IMPACT OF SHEEP BEDDING ON SOIL NUTRIENT DYNAMICS IN THE CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA AND IDAHO

Sheep and lamb production is an important industry in Idaho, with summer sheep grazing in the mountains a common practice. Sheep are concentrated in bedding areas at night leading to concentrated grazing and manure and urine accumulation in these areas. To address the effects of bedding on soil nutrient status, we monitored 16 bedding areas in the Centennial Mountains, with a general survey performed in 2004 followed by more intense monitoring of six sites from 2005 to 2006. In 2004, soils were analyzed for total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), organic C, total P, Olsen P, water-soluble phosphorus (WSP), soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. Over the period 2005-2006, soils were analyzed for soluble nutrients including Olsen P, WSP, soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. The 16 sites evaluated in 2004 had significantly greater total N, C, and organic C concentrations in the nonbedded areas, whereas Olsen P, WSP, and ammonium concentrations were greater in the bedding areas. When six sites were monitored over time, there was no significant effect of bedding on soluble P concentrations over time or between bedding and control areas, whereas there was a significant effect of time on soluble N concentrations but no significant differences between bedding and control areas. Although these results are preliminary, it seems as if sheep bedding can alter the nutrient content of soils increasing some measures of soil nutrients, while decreasing others, which ultimately can affect the productivity and plant species diversity in these areas.
Drug therapy of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disabling condition in the community. It is characterised by abdominal pain and disordered bowel habit, but the pathophysiology of the condition is unclear. Multiple factors including diet, gastrointestinal infection, disordered gut motility and emotional stress have all been implicated as potential triggers. Recent advances in our understanding of gastrointestinal physiology suggest that visceral hypersensitivity may underlie at least some of the clinical features. The key role of serotonin in gastrointestinal neural function has led to the development of new drugs that show therapeutic promise in management of irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment currently remains symptomatic with disorders of defaecation responding more readily than abdominal pain.
Firms ’ Exchange Rate Exposure and Hedging : The Case of Romania

This paper analyzes exchange rate exposures of 142,626 small, medium and large Romanian firms based on cash flows for the period 2004 – 2013 using panel data regression. The exchange rate exposure in terms of transaction risk, translation risk and economic risk is also discussed. Domestic currency invoicing allows for internationally active firms to reduce their exchange rate exposure. However, the Romanian leu is not preferred as a settlement currency by business partners and thus, the Romanian firms are often significantly exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. Currency invoicing strategies and hedging with exchange rate derivatives allow for significant reduction of transaction and translation risk and their optimal use is discussed in the paper. The results indicate that the exposure estimates are economically meaningful, despite the fact that individual time-series results are noisy and many exposures are not statistically significant. Management techniques for exchange rate exposure are complemented with an analysis of their actual use.
The implications of school improvement and school effectiveness research for primary school principals in Ethiopia

In the last 20 years the Ethiopian education system has rapidly expanded, leading to a 500% increase in primary school enrolment. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has sought to address a perceived decline in educational quality through nationally-mandated programmes for school improvement and teachers’ professional development. Such programmes – imported on the advice of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DfID) and other development partners – are implemented “mechanistically”, without adaptation for societal or organisational cultural contexts. This article reviews empirical research from the last decade, including “grey” literature, in the school improvement (SI) and school effectiveness research (SER) traditions to draw implications for primary school principals in Ethiopia.
Cluster sample inference using sensitivity analysis: the case with few groups

This paper re-examines inference for cluster samples. Sensitivity analysis is proposed as a new method to perform inference when the number of groups is small. Based on estimations using disaggregated data, the sensitivity of the standard errors with respect to the variance of the cluster effects can be examined in order to distinguish a causal effect from random shocks. The method even handles just-identified models. One important example of a just-identified model is the two groups and two time periods difference-in-differences setting. The method allows for different types of correlation over time and between groups in the cluster effects.
Intra- and interspecific nest parasitism of Common Moorhen (review of cases and new data)

Abstract Based on data available so far, it seems that Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) rarely, but regularly lay one or more eggs in the nests of Common Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus). Three such incidents from Hungary are hereby added to the cases known to date. However, Common Moorhens do not only lay eggs in other species’ nests, but also in the nests of conspecifics, while other species may also parasitise the nest of Common Moorhens. The present study summarises these aspects.
Three-integral multicomponent dynamical models and simulations of the nuclear star cluster in NGC 4244

Adaptive optics observations of the flattened nuclear star cluster in the nearby edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4244 using the Gemini near-infrared integral field spectrograph (NIFS) have revealed clear rotation. Using these kinematics plus 2MASS photometry, we construct a series of axisymmetric two-component particle dynamical models with our improved version of NMAGIC, a flexible χ2-made-to-measure code. The models consist of a nuclear cluster disc embedded within a spheroidal particle population. We find a mass for the nuclear star cluster of M = 1.6+0.5 −0.2 × 107M� within ∼42.4 pc (2 arcsec). We also explore the presence of an intermediate-mass black hole and show that models with a black hole as massive as M• = 5.0 × 105M� are consistent with the available data. Regardless of whether a black hole is present or not, the nuclear cluster is vertically anisotropic (βz < 0), as was found with earlier anisotropic Jeans models. We then use the models as initial conditions for Nbody simulations. These simulations show that the nuclear star cluster is stable against nonaxisymmetric perturbations. We also explore the effect of the nuclear cluster accreting star clusters at various inclinations. Accretion of a star cluster with mass 13 per cent that of the nuclear cluster is already enough to destroy the vertical anisotropy, regardless of orbital inclination.
BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS OF BAR GAPS IN WELDED YT-JOINTS FOR ROLLED-STEEL CIRCULAR HOLLOW SECTIONS

We present a parametric analysis of gap variation between the lap brace and through brace of YT welded joints for rolled-steel circular hollow sections on plane steel structures. Our aim is to investigate the collapse behavior of YT-joints under lap brace axial compression. In particular, we focus on e/d0 ratios above 0.25 so bending moments can be taken into account during the design. We find that joint failure is primarily due to chord wall plastification (Mode A) and cross-sectional chord buckling (Mode F) in the region underneath the lap brace. Our joint design followed the Limit States Method, and our results were based on a comparative analysis of three different methods: an analytical solution derived from a set of international technical norms, an experimental analysis, and numerical modeling using Ansys as calibrated by our experimental results.
FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH OF MORTGAGE INDUSTRIES IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL HOUSING CORPORATION

The overall demand for housing in Kenya according to a UN Habitat survey is 150,000 housing units compared to 35,000 housing units being delivered in the market per year. These include those by the mortgage industry. The survey argued that housing problem can’t be solved starting at the bottom because the poor will still be overshadowed. Houses meant for the lower end could still be snapped up by individuals in the higher income class thereby distorting prices and displacing the target market. Mortgage industry in Kenya is still underdeveloped despite the high demand for houses. Therefore, the general objective for this study was to establish the factors affecting growth of mortgage industry in Kenya. The study applied descriptive research design and adopted stratified random sampling technique. The study found out that the factor that affect growth of mortgage industry in Kenya were; interest rate volatility and mortgage loans accessibility to low income earners which affected to great extent compared to credit risk which was found to have lesser effect. It also found out that the Kenya government had not put up sufficient incentives & regulations that could encourage greater uptake of the mortgage. The study recommends that to improve on mortgage industry growth government should put up in place rules & regulations to prevent the customers from being exploited through high interest rates and other charges. Also it should review property registration system work towards a one stop shop with unified data base. It further recommends that players in mortgage industry to work towards product range diversity. This will in turn capture the needs of low income earners.
Thermal tides and stationary waves on Mars as revealed by Mars Global Surveyor thermal emission spectrometer

Atmospheric temperature retrievals from thermal emission spectrometer (TES) observed radiances make possible the most complete separation of the constituent wave modes evident in Mars atmosphere to date. We use all of the data from the first aerobraking period as well as the science phasing orbits, which affords good sampling of the diurnal tides and stationary waves. TES retrievals of atmospheric temperature on a grid of pressure levels are the fundamental data set in this study. We then fit this data to selected Fourier modes in longitude and time for altitude, latitude, and Ls bins. From this we have identified the amplitudes and phases of the diurnal and semidiurnal tides, the first few (gravest) stationary waves, and a few modes which arise because of couplings between sun-fixed tides and topography. We also retrieve estimates of the zonal and time of day mean temperature meridional cross sections and their rates of change. The zonal and time of day mean temperature meridional cross sections agree with those of Conrath et al. [this issue] to within 1 K where we can reliably retrieve this mode (90°S to ∼20°S). Heating rates of up to 2.4 K/sol were observed around three scale heights above 60°S-90°S during the Ls = 310°–320° dust storm. Diurnal tide amplitudes of greater than 8 K were observed during the Noachis and Ls = 310°–320° dust storms. From Ls = 255°–285° an unexplained phase reversal at two scale heights was observed in the diurnal tide from 60°S-80°S. Convective penetration above the unstable boundary layer may explain anomalous (180° out of phase with the sun) diurnal tide phases between 0.5 and one scale height above the subsolar point. Semidiurnal tides are of order 2 K throughout the southern extratropics. A stationary mode of wavenumber one was observed with amplitude 1–4 K in the southern extratropics. Topographically coupled tidal modes were also quantified.
Academics Attraction and Retention Trends at a South African University

Abstract This discussion explores the attraction and retention of academics at a formerly disadvantaged South African university. Data for this predominantly quantitative study was gathered through a questionnaire that was sent to the entire university staff and was responded to by 206 respondents. Chi-square and correlation analysis was done for the gathered data. The global challenge posed by failed attraction and retention came to the fore. This study established that professional support, promotion by teaching, remuneration and teaching load are the four top ranked factors that attract and retain academics. It further emerges that the university under study was not doing enough to attract and retain its academics. The need for university management to be proactive in managing attraction and retention matters came to the fore.
Trait emotional intelligence and translation: a study of professional translators

A study of 155 professional translators was carried out to examine the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and literary translation, job satisfaction and career success. Participants were surveyed and their answers were correlated with scores from an emotional intelligence measure, the TEIQue. The analysis revealed that literary and non-literary translators have different trait EI profiles. Some significant correlations were found between trait EI and the variables of job satisfaction, career success, and literary translation experience. This is the first study to examine the effect of EI on translator working practices. Findings illustrate that trait EI may be predictive of some aspects of translator behaviour and highlight the relevance of exploring the emotional intelligence of professional translators.
Optimization of Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation Switching Algorithms for Two-Level Inverters Regarding Different Objective Functions

Inverters are able to produce single or three phase AC voltages from a constant or variable DC voltage. There are several algorithms to control output voltage. In addition to the desired output harmonic, each algorithm produces unwanted harmonics at Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) output voltage. In case of reducing low order harmonics, Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) is more effective than other PWM algorithms such as trapezoidal, sinusoidal, harmonic injected, delta and phase shifted PWM. One may use different strategies to implement SVPWM algorithm in case of sector utilization in each switching period. Different strategies may be of relative advantages and disadvantages with respect to each other. In this paper, we propose five different strategies to synthesize the same output voltage using SVPWM. Then, we will introduce the best algorithm, with respect to different indices such as Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), Distortion Factor (DF), conduction loss, switching loss and the ratio of the main harmonic to other harmonic components. It is also shown that by selecting an optimized and appropriate Switching State (SS) for SVPWM, the harmonic orders, which are the multiples of the frequency index (FI), are eliminated. Then, to investigate the impact of variations of the capacitor’s voltage and switching frequency on power quality criteria, the most appropriate and optimized SS is applied to a 3P three-level (3L) Neutral-Point-Clamped (NPC) VSI to supply a 3P load. At the end, we will show experimental results of the implemented laboratory prototype on a three phase load to demonstrate validity of our simulations and control algorithm.
Government Spending and Consumption-Hours Preferences

In this paper we present two extensions that have been largely omitted in the recent literature on Bayesian estimation of DSGE models. First, we pay special attention to different forms of complementarity between consumption and hours affecting the households preferences. Second, we allow for the presence of a fraction of non-Ricardian households - i.e. that have limited access to financial markets. We show that exogenous changes in government transfers are crucial to distinguish between the two sources of comovements of consumption and hours in response to government spending shocks. The main conclusion from the estimated models is that private consumption increases after a government spending shock, when either nonseparability, non-Ricardian behavior, or both, are introduced in the model. In addition, allowing for consumption-hours complementarity leads to a small, and stable over time, estimated fraction of non-Ricardian households.