Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical and Near-infrared Radial Velocity Content of M Dwarfs: Testing Models with Barnard’s Star

High-precision radial velocity (RV) measurements have been central in the study of exoplanets during the last two decades, from the early discovery of hot Jupiters, to the recent mass measurements of Earth-sized planets uncovered by transit surveys. While optical RV is now a mature field, there is currently a strong effort to push the technique into the near-infrared domain (chiefly Y, J, H, and K bandpasses) to probe planetary systems around late-type stars. The combined lower mass and luminosity of M dwarfs leads to an increased reflex RV signal for planets in the habitable zone compared to Sun-like stars. The estimates on the detectability of planets rely on various instrumental characteristics but also on a prior knowledge of the stellar spectrum. While the overall properties of M dwarf spectra have been extensively tested against observations, the same is not true for their detailed line profiles, which leads to significant uncertainties when converting a given signal-to-noise ratio to a corresponding RV precision as attainable on a given spectrograph. By combining archival CRIRES and HARPS data with ESPaDOnS data of Barnard’s star, we show that state-of-the-art atmosphere models over-predict the Y- and J-band RV content by more than a factor of ∼2, while under-predicting the H- and K-band content by half.
Environmental Education Research as Profession, as Science, as Art and as Craft: Implications for guidelines in qualitative research

The view taken by any particular educational researcher of the desirability and potential usefulness of guidelines for qualitative research seems likely to depend upon the way in which the activity of 'doing educational research' is itself conceptualised. The implications of a number of possible positions on this question are examined. It is argued that the existence of such a range of positions is likely to continue, but that there may be, nevertheless, a limited role for generally applicable research guidelines if their purpose is appropriately defined.
Mandatory Audit Rotation and Audit Independence: Survey of Southern Nigeria

The quest for mandatory audit rotation has been a concern to academics, investors, practitioners and the public at large. This study is designed to determine the relationship between mandatory audit rotation and audit independence in Southern Nigeria. The data used were collected through the distribution of questionnaires to investors, lecturers, consultants, accountants and auditors in Southern Nigeria. Percentage analysis was used to analyze the data while the specified model was estimated using binary logistic regression technique with the aid of computer software Eviews 7. One hypothesis was stated and tested. The study revealed that mandatory audit rotation has a positive relationship on auditors’ independence. We therefore recommended that though audit rotation will improve auditors’ independence, rotation of external auditors should be made voluntary. Keywords: Mandatory Audit Rotation, Audit independence, Southern Nigeria
Thermodynamics of quantum phase transitions of a Dirac oscillator in a homogenous magnetic field

The Dirac oscillator in a homogeneous magnetic field exhibits a chirality phase transition at a particular (critical) value of the magnetic field. Recently, this system has also been shown to be exactly solvable in the context of noncommutative quantum mechanics featuring the interesting phenomenon of re-entrant phase transitions. In this work we provide a detailed study of the thermodynamics of such quantum phase transitions (both in the standard and in the noncommutative case) within the Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics pointing out that the magnetization has discontinuities at critical values of the magnetic field even at finite temperatures.
Catalytic Cracking Characteristics of Bio-Oil Molecular Distillation Fraction

The catalytic cracking characteristics of a bio-oil molecular distillation fraction using HZSM-5 were investigated. Properties of upgraded products and formation mechanism for gasoline components were discussed. The cracking products included 56.00wt. % upgraded liquid oil, 1.27wt. % coke and 42.73wt. % gas products. The conversion yield for components in bio-oil fraction was influenced by their cracking reactivity and their concentration. The cracking reactivity of phenols was strongly affected by the connected functional groups. Alkyl groups had a positive influence on phenols reactivity, while methoxy groups had a negative influence. Reactivity of typical phenols in bio-oil fraction followed the order: Phenol, 4-methyl-> Phenol, 4-ethyl-2methoxy->Phenol> Phenol, 2-methoxy-. Expected gasoline components including ethylbenzene, p-xylene and benzene, 1-ethyl-3-methyl were detected in the upgraded liquid oil, which indicates liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be produced from bio-oil. A two-step reaction mechanism was proposed which successfully explains the formation routes for gasoline components. In the first step, dehydration and decarbonylation reactions generate H2O, CO and CO2. The cracking reaction produces free radicals including -CH3, -CH2and -H. In the second step, these free radicals form gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons.
Concentration and periods of application of prohexadione calcium in the growth of strawberry seedlings

For strawberry cultivation in Brazil, producers are dependent on imported seedlings. An alternative strategy to reduce this dependence is the use of seedlings obtained from nursery plants grown in a protected environment. However, as these seedlings are produced in the summer and planted at the end of this season or the spring of the following year, it is necessary to control growth to reduce the energy costs of the plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations and periods of application of proexadione calcium (ProCa) on growth control of strawberry seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with seedlings of the cultivars ‘Aromas’ and ‘Camarosa’, produced by rooting stolons and kept in polystyrene trays of 72 cells in a substrate of carbonized rice husk. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme (4 concentrations of ProCa: 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg L-1 × 2 periods of application: at 20 and 30 days after the planting period of rooting stolon). Plant survival, crown diameter, petiole length, total leaf area, specific leaf area, chlorophyll concentration, and dry mass of the crown and shoot were evaluated. The application of ProCa at 20 days after the planting period of the rooting stolon at the concentrations of 200 and 400 mg L-1 favored the reduction of petiole length in plants of ‘Aromas’ strawberry and total leaf aerial in ‘Camarosa’ strawberry. The application of ProCa from the concentration of 100 mg L-1 reduced the vegetative growth of ‘Aromas’ and ‘Camarosa’ strawberry seedlings cultivated in substrate.
Perceived multifunctionality of agroforestry trees in Northern Ethiopia

This case study explored perceptions on the beneficial and detrimental functions obtained from agroforestry trees in two sites in Northern Ethiopia. These perceived functions were contextualized and their contribution to a multifunctionality in agriculture discussed. 55 farming household heads and five informants in two study sites, Abreha we Atsbah and Mayberazio, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in March 2016. Using a Means-End Chain framework, cognitive structures around the perceived functions were revealed. It was investigated which attributes are seen as provoking certain functions and how the functions contribute towards the achievement of personal values. The most mentioned beneficial functions of agroforestry trees were wood for construction (98% of households), fuel (95%), sale (84%), fodder (82%), land improvement (69%), and fencing material (47%). The most mentioned drawbacks of agroforestry trees were detrimental shade (78% of households), resource depletion (16%), and barrier for cultivation (13%). Farming households were found to carefully design their agroforestry system in order to obtain the requested functions. The results of the study show that functions can contribute to three spheres: (i) to support the household’s livelihood, (ii) to serve as business incentive, or (iii) to the personal satisfaction of the household members. A comparison of the personal values related to function indicate that agroforestry trees are perceived as particularly beneficial if they contribute to more than one of these spheres. Thus, participants of this study were found to be interested in a multifunctional portfolio of agroforestry tree functions which is aligned with their household farming goals.
EVOLUTION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF FRANKFURTER SAUSAGE MODEL SYSTEMS WITH ADDED CHERRY EXTRACT ( Prunus avium L.) DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE

The aim of this work was to establish the antioxidant capacity evolution in a model system of Frankfurter type sausages with added cherry extract through the Folin Ciocalteu, pH differential, FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH methods. Therefore, the total phenol and total anthocyanin contents, the reducing power, and the radical scavenger activity were monitored during a two-month period of storage time in refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1°C). A factorial experimental design was applied with two factors (cherry extract and storage time), and comparative evaluations were made with respect to a product similarly formulated and elaborated without cherry extract but with added sodium ascorbate (0.05%). Results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) with respect to the total anthocyanin content for any sausage with added cherry extract; while total phenols, reducing capacity and radical captive activity were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in sausages with cherry extract (for the three doses) than in the case of the sausages with no added cherry extract. Moreover, storage time was significant for all cases, because there was a decrease in all the studied variables related to it.
Noise as a diagnostic tool for quality and reliability of electronic devices

Experimental facts about noise are presented which help us to understand the correlation between noise in a device and its reliability. The main advantages of noise measurements are that the tests are less destructive, faster and more sensitive than DC measurements after accelerated life tests. The following topics are addressed: 1) the kind of noise spectra in view of reliability diagnostics such as thermal noise, shot noise, the typical poor-device indicators like burst noise and generation-recombination noise and the 1/f/sup 2/ and 1/f noise; 2) why conduction noise is a quality indicator; 3) the quality of electrical contacts and vias; 4) electromigration damage; 5) the reliability in diode type devices like solar cells, laser diodes, and bipolar transistors; and 6) the series resistance in modern short channel MESFET, MODFET, and MOST devices. >
Effect of Glycine, Methionine and Tryptophan on the Vegetative Growth, Flowering and Corms Production of Gladiolus Plant

The present study was carried out during the year of 2015 at two different locations i.e. nurseries. The first location was at The Department of Floriculture, Ornamental Horticulture and Garden Design, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Alexandria at Shatby and the second location was at Montazah Research Branch, Horticulture Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Alexandria Egypt, to investigate the effects of different concentrations of glycine (zero, 75, 225 and 450 ppm), methionine (zero, 150, 300 and 600 ppm) and tryptophan (zero, 300 , 600 and 900 ppm) with two application methods (pre-soaking the corms for 24 h before planting, or foliar spraying three times at stages of formation of 2,4, and 6 leaves) on the vegetative growth, flowering characteristics ,corms production and some chemical analysis of Gladiolus grandiflours cv. "Rose Supreme " plants. The corms of the used cultivars were planted on January 27, 2015 in 30 cm plastic pots filled with a mixture of sand and peat moss at the ratio of 4:1 by volume, respectively. All the normal culture practices of growing Gladiolus corms were applied as usual manner. The experiment layout was designed to provide complete randomized blocks containing four replicates, each replicate had 24 treatments and three corms were used for each treatment in each replicate (plot). Results revealed that using the lowest concentration from any of the used amino acids (glycine at 75 ppm or methionine at 150 ppm or tryptophan at 300 ppm) regardless of the used application method (presoaking or foliar spraying) gave the highest significant increase in most of the studied parameters of gladiolus plant (vegetative growth, flower characteristics, corms and cormels production and some of the chemical analysis) compared with the control treatment. While, leaves number per plant and the time taken by flower buds to show their color did not significantly affect with the used amino acids concentrations and their application methods, compared with the control treatment. Besides, using the highest concentration from any of the used amino acids (glycine at 450 ppm, or methionine at 600 ppm, or tryptophan at 900 ppm) gave the tallest spikes, compared with the other concentrations. The largest corms fresh weight was obtained by using glycine at 75 ppm, compared with the other treatments. Using methionine at 150 ppm or 300 ppm, regardless of the used application method, gave the highest content of nitrogen and total carbohydrates content of the produced corms, respectively, compared with the other treatments. From the previous results, it can be generally recommended treating Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. "Rose Supreme" with presoaking the corms for 24 h before planting in tryptophan solution at 300 ppm or with 100 ppm three times as foliar spraying at formation of two, four, and six leaves to obtain the maximum improvement of the vegetative growth, flowering characteristics, corms and cormels production.
Exploring personal characteristics associated with selfie-liking

Although taking selfies has become a popular trend among teenagers in many countries, concerns have been raised about the negative personality traits associated with it. However, empirical research that explores the selfie-associated personal characteristics of individuals is still scant. In the present study, the author aims to investigate four personal characteristics that might explain why some individuals like to take selfies more than others. They include the following: (1) narcissism, (2) attention-seeking behavior, (3) self-centered behavior, and (4) loneliness. Questionnaire data were collected from a sample of 300 students from a public university in Thailand; the majority of students were ages between 21 to 24 years old. The results from partial least square regression showed that the degree of selfie-liking that the respondents reported was positively associated with all of these characteristics. The overall findings imply that, although selfies provide the opportunity for individuals to enhance self-disclosure, they can reflect some unhealthy behavior on their part.
The Exponentiated Generalized Standardized Half-logistic Distribution

We study a new two-parameter lifetime model called the exponentiated generalized standardized half-logistic distribution, which extends the half-logistic pioneered by Balakrishnan in the eighties. We provide explicit expressions for the moments, generating and quantile functions, mean deviations, Bonferroni and Lorenz curves, and order statistics. The model parameters are estimated by the maximum likelihood method. A simulation study reveals that the estimators have desirable properties such as small biases and variances even in moderate sample sizes. We prove empirically that the new distribution provides a better fit to a real data set than other competitive models.
Detection of highly-ionized diffuse gas in the Galactic plane

We obtained maps of the central $40\arcmin \times 20\arcmin$ region of the Carina nebula, an active star forming region in the southern Milky Way, in various emission lines in the spectral range 43–197 μ m with the LWS on board the ISO. This paper reports on the results of [$\ion{O}{iii}$] 52, 88 μ m, [$\ion{N}{iii}$] 57 μ m, and [$\ion{N}{ii}$] 122 μ m lines. These ionized lines have been detected in the entire observed area, not only in the optically bright $\ion{H}{ii}$ region, but also in the molecular cloud direction and the region surrounding the Carina nebula. The electron density was derived from the [$\ion{O}{iii}$] lines and two distinct components were seen in the electron density map. One is a component with a density of 100–350 cm -3 , which encloses two $\ion{H}{ii}$ regions, Car I and Car II. The other is an extended diffuse component, in which the ratio of the [$\ion{O}{iii}$] lines is nearly at the low electron density limit ($n_{\rm e} -3 ). The observed [$\ion{N}{iii}$]/[$\ion{O}{iii}$] line intensity ratio also supports low electron density of the extended gas component. The diffuse component was detected in the entire observed region, which corresponds to ~30 pc at the distance of the Carina nebula. The present LWS observations of the ionic lines indicate the existence of highly-ionized diffuse gas of low electron density extending around the Carina nebula.
Worker-Job Matches, Job Mobility and Real Wage Cyclicality

Using the British New Earnings Survey Panel Data from 1980 to 2001, this paper examines male and female real wage cyclicality. Estimation is undertaken separately for job stayers and job movers. A unique data advantage compared to earlier studies is that movers are defined by job changes both within and between companies. Core estimates concern real hourly standard wage rates. Special features include (a) differentiating between white- and blue-collar workers, (b) delineating job stayers by length of job tenure, (c) examining the cyclicality of the average overtime premium, (d) distinguishing between hourly wage earnings and hourly wage rates. Wage cyclicality in Britain is found to be significantly greater than comparable United States estimates.
The Mediating Role of Workplace Happiness on Teachers’ Innovative Behavior and Affective Commitment for Malaysian Secondary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating effects of workplace happiness on the relationship between school culture, affective commitment, and teachers’ innovative behavior. The study also examines the correlation between all the variables. The study sample consists of 835 teachers from 167 secondary schools in Northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the results of the data analysis, it can be concluded that all the variables are inter-correlate positively. Meanwhile, workplace happiness has found a full mediation effect on school culture and innovative behavior. On the other hand, workplace happiness also act as a partial mediator in the relationship between school culture and affective commitment. Findings suggest that the education organizations should pay more attention on teachers’ psychological aspect such as happiness in the workplace in order to generate better quality of teachers’ innovative behavior and sustain the teachers’ commitment especially in human capital formation work.
The Response of Ice Sheets to Climate Variability

West Antarctic Ice Sheet loss is a significant contributor to sea level rise. While the ice loss is thought to be triggered by fluctuations in oceanic heat at the ice shelf bases, ice sheet response to ocean variability remains poorly understood. Using a synchronously coupled ice‐ocean model permitting grounding line migration, this study evaluates the response of an ice sheet to periodic variations in ocean forcing. Resulting oscillations in grounded ice volume amplitude is shown to grow as a nonlinear function of ocean forcing period. This implies that slower oscillations in climatic forcing are disproportionately important to ice sheets. The ice shelf residence time offers a critical time scale, above which the ice response amplitude is a linear function of ocean forcing period and below which it is quadratic. These results highlight the sensitivity of West Antarctic ice streams to perturbations in heat fluxes occurring at decadal time scales.
Gender Differences in Occupational Career Assessments and Professional Identities of Nurses

There has been a consistent increase in the number of male nurses in Japan. Male nurses who work with many female nurses have gender-specific distress. We examined the differences in occupational career assessments and professional identities of male and female nurses according to demographic factors. Our study was focused on the proportion of males to females in the occupational environment. A total of 229 male and female nurses completed the questionnaire used in the analysis. We evaluated demographic factors by t-tests and chi-squared tests, and applied Tukey’s multiple comparisons to professional identity scores and career assessment scores. Two-way ANOVA was used in evaluating the impact of the proportion of men to women in occupational environments to occupational career assessments and professional identities according to gender. The mean age of the nurse participants was about 36 years old. Fifty percent were female nurses. Occupational career assessments were higher for male nurses. Male nurses seem to prefer their nursing job as a career. Professional identity was higher for female nurses: nursing could be considered a subjective sense of awareness of “myself as a nurse” for them. There were no significant main or interaction effects of gender and the proportion of nurses in one’s own department to occupational career assessment and professional identity for nurses. As has been reported, professional identity may be highly relevant to female nurses, and occupational career assessment may be highly relevant to male nurses.
Association of Tobacco ringspot virus , Tomato ringspot virus and Xiphinema americanum with a decline of highbush blueberry in New York

Abstract Plantings of highbush blueberry cultivars ‘Patriot’ and ‘Bluecrop’ showing virus-like symptoms and decline in vigor in New York were surveyed for the occurrence of viruses. Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) and Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) from the genus Nepovirus>/i> in the family Comoviridae were identified in leaf samples by DAS-ELISA. Their presence was confirmed by RT-PCR with amplification of 320-bp and 585-bp fragments of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes, respectively. Comparative sequence analysis of viral amplicons of New York isolates indicated moderate (80.7-99.7 %) to high (90.8-99.7 %) nucleotide sequence identities with other ToRSV and TRSV strains, respectively. Soil samples from the root zone of blueberry bushes contained dagger nematodes and cucumber bait plants potted in soil samples with identified X. americanum became infected with ToRSV or TRSV. Altogether, ToRSV, TRSV, and their vector X. americanum sensu lato are associated with the decline of highbush blueberry in New York. Keywords: Vaccinium corymbosum L. , dieback, DAS-ELISA, RT-PCR, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene
Inhibition of quorum sensing virulente factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 by Ferulago macedonica and Echinophora sibthorpiana extracts and essential oils

1Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 2Dep. of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade, Bul. Despota Stefana, 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 3Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University “S. Kiril and Metodij”, Gazi Baba, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia 4Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Bul. Krste Misirkov, 2, P.O. Box 428, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia *Corresponding author: ksenija.mileski@bio.bg. ac.rs