Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Promising Mungbean Genotypes at Central Terai of Nepal

: In order to select the superior genotypes for Nepal's central terai, sixteen mungbean varieties from the Grain Legume Research Program, Khajura, Banke, were tested at the Directorate of Agriculture Research, Parwanipur, Bara. In the years 2021 and 2022, an experiment with alpha lattice design and two replications were conducted on these genotypes. Plant height, number of pods per plant, seed per pod, 100 seed weight, flowering and maturity days from sowing, and yield ton per hectare (t/ha) were the parameters compared. Early maturation was observed in VC 1973A, VC 3890A, and VC 6148 during the two years of observation. In 2021, KPS # 1 produced the highest mean grain yield (0.50 t/ha), followed by CN 95 (0.42 t/ha), VC 3890A (0.41 t/ha), and Pant Mung 2 (0.40 t/ha). In contrast, in 2022, these genotypes' yields were 1.82 t/ha in KPS # 1, 1.79 t/ha in VC 3890A, 1.75 t/ha in Pant Mung 2, and 1.67 t/ha in CN 95. Due to the water-logged conditions brought on by heavy rainfall during the flowering to maturity period in 2021, the yield of test genotypes was low. The better genotypes may provide future varieties or serve as valuable genetic resources for breeding programs aimed at develop new varieties appropriate for Nepal's central terai.
Cultural Values, CEO Risk Aversion and Corporate Takeover Decisions

In this paper, we examine the role of culture in corporate takeover decisions. In particular, we argue that managerial risk aversion, at the national level, is a cultural trait and affects the required net synergies. First, we propose a model that links CEO risk aversion to the required net synergies. Second, we empirically show that CEOs of firms located in countries with higher levels of risk aversion, measured by Hofstede’s (2001) uncertainty avoidance score, show less takeover activity, engage more in diversifying takeovers and require higher premiums on takeovers. Third, we show that risk aversion plays a greater role in relatively large takeovers. Our results are robust to the inclusion of many other possible explanatory variables, such as legal structures, method of payment, etc.
Variable-Mass Dynamics Implementation in Multi-Physics Environment for Reusable Launcher Simulations

One of the driving challenges in launcher Guidance and Control (G&C) design is the strong coupling between different disciplines such as propulsion, aerodynamics, actuators, and structures, which all have a multi-physics nature. Enabling a more efficient and accurate modeling of these multi-disciplinary interactions through the use of a multi-physics modeling approach is believed to be beneficial in expediting the design process, reducing the conservatism in the assumptions used by G&C design and thereby improving the launcher performance. In particular, the accurate modeling of time-varying propellant mass dynamics is an essential component during preliminary design studies since it might have an impact on the dynamical simulations that in turn influence the assessment and evaluation of the launcher performance and trade-off designs across disciplines. This paper presents the implementation of variable-mass dynamics towards the preliminary design and development of a dedicated multi-physics simulator, termed R2M2 ( Rapid Reusable Launcher Simulation via Multi-physics Modelling ), for multi-actuated vertical take-off vertical landing (VTVL) launch vehicles. The paper first recapitulates previous investigations on variable mass dynamics from relevant literature, including specific descriptions of the dynamical effects during translational and rotational motion. It further addresses the implementation of these dynamical effects within a multi-physics modeling environment and shows the impact of variable-mass dynamical effects on the rotational motion. The model implementation and analysis of results is performed using simple yet representative models of different burn types of propellants or engines which are commonly found in launch vehicle configurations.
Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This paper explores the impact of sentiment on return spillovers among seven major Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Using daily sentiment data from Thomson Reuters MarketPysch Indices and controlling for uncertainty factors and NFT sales, we examine the relationship between media sentiment and NFTs return spillovers using a TVP-VAR model. Our findings show that individual NFTs sentiment is important for spillover dynamics and the effect of sentiment changes based on market uncertainty. The study highlights the need for NFTs investors to focus on market sentiment themes rather than overall sentiment.
in-Supplementation of sodium butyrate to postweaned heifer diets: Effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and health

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying levels of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation in feed on the growth, digestibility, and health of postweaned heifers. Forty Holstein dairy heifers with a mean age of 84 d and average body weight (BW) of 100.9 ± 11.2 kg were housed in a naturally ventilated freestall barn. Heifers were blocked by birth date and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely randomized block design: (1) 100 g of soybean meal carrier (control), (2) 0.25 g of SB/kg of BW plus carrier, (3) 0.50 g of SB/kg of BW plus carrier, and (4) 0.75 g of SB/kg of BW plus carrier. Carrier with or without SB was top-dressed and hand-mixed into a total mixed ration once daily. Heifers were fed to provide 10% orts. Initial BW, hip and withers heights, heart girth, and body length were measured before the start of the study and every week thereafter until the 14-wk trial was over. Blood samples were obtained and plasma urea nitrogen, plasma glucose, and whole-blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were determined before the start of treatment and weekly thereafter until the conclusion of the study. Fecal samples were taken before treatment and every other week from each heifer for coccidia counts. Apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility was determined using acid detergent insoluble ash as an internal marker. Each heifer underwent this phase from d 47 until d 54 of the study. Sodium butyrate had a positive effect on average BW and overall BW gain. Feed efficiency tended to improve as SB supplementation increased. Coccidia counts were lowest in the treatment with 0.25 g of SB/kg of BW plus carrier. Sodium butyrate had no effects on skeletal growth or plasma urea nitrogen concentration. Blood glucose concentration decreased linearly and β-hydroxybutyrate increased linearly with increasing levels of SB supplementation. Sodium butyrate supplementation did not affect apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Sodium butyrate supplementation offers positive results in the growth performance and feed efficiency of postweaned heifers.
Co-learning in Marine Protected Area Management

Natural resource management learning depends not only on effective participation of stakeholders, but also factors such as availability of quality knowledge, the processes and methods of sharing knowledge, and facilitation to create a co-learning environment. Using the case of the Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP), south east Queensland, Australia, this study explored how management and stakeholders interact in Marine Park Area (MPA) management planning, what meaning they give to their actions, and what issues concern them. Based on a qualitative thematic analysis of the zoning plan and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 stakeholders, it was evident that little co-learning practice occurred in the management and planning process for the MBMP. The plan and onsite management had little success in incorporating the diverse knowledge of local stakeholders because of poor information sharing and communication mechanisms. In addition, many other factors, such as lack of monitoring, mistrust among stakeholders, political interference and a lack of legislative requirement for comprehensive consultation significantly influenced the overall learning environment. Like many other MPAs, MBMP planning and management also suffers from data scarcity. Collaborative and participative approaches, which engender co-learning, could play a vital role in overcoming the issue of inadequate data. Active contribution could be stimulated through encouraging submissions from stakeholders or by involving them as a reference group or an expert panel. A strong monitoring and evaluation program, which involves the community/industry, would also ensure that stakeholders learn simultaneously from good outcomes and mistakes. Most importantly, stakeholders need to reflect on their lessons regarding how to go about a rezoning process and how they could engender co-learning throughout the process in any such future endeavour. ; Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2014.
Effects of excessive sedimentation on the growth and stress response of whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura) juveniles

This study investigates the effects of increased suspended sediment concentration (SSC = 0, 25, 50, 100, and 500 mg/L) on the growth and physiological stress of Cyprinella galactura. Correlation analyses show a significant negative relationship between mean daily growth rate of C. galactura and suspended sediment concentration, and a significant positive relationship between SSC and stress, measured as whole-body cortisol concentration. Mean daily growth rates and mean cortisol levels of juvenile C. galactura differ significantly among SSC treatments. Growth rates were significantly higher and cortisol levels were significantly lower at the 500 mg/L treatment level.
Socio Economic Variables of Cashew Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

: The study assessed the socio economic variables of cashew farmers in Oyo State. Two towns within Ibarapa East Local Government Area (Temidire and Eruwa) were purposively sampled. These areas are known for the cultivation, production and marketing of this crop. A total sampling frame of fifty-six respondents was used. Structured interview schedules were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages). Age, educational level, farm size, household size, gender, membership of association, and payment of tax constituted major socio economic variables influencing cashew farming in the study area. Adult literacy programme should be encouraged and introduced to the study area to increase the educational level of farmers. In addition, farmers should be given incentives to increase their farm holdings for higher productivity. Farmers that are members of association should be encouraged to participate more as this will go a long way in price determination for increased profit and access to trainings on improved production packages.
UVM ScholarWorks UVM ScholarWorks

Despite a robust literature base that has explored links between household crop diversity and children’s dietary diversity, evidence continues to yield mixed results regarding the significance and efficacy of crop diversity to improve childhood dietary outcomes. Given wide variance in the association between agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity across contexts, identifying factors that influence the direction and significance of the relationship can help inform targeted and appropriate development policies and interventions to maximize beneficial impact on livelihoods. Household characteristics such as wealth and distance to markets may provide important insight into the linkages between crop diversity and dietary diversity, given that low-resource households are often more reliant on localized production (including their own) for nutritional needs as compared to wealthier households with the resources to purchase more diverse foods from markets. This study examines the associations between crop diversity and dietary diversity among farm households at different levels of wealth in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. Drawing on the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)-Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) system, we show that the significance and direction of the association between crop diver sity (as proxied by the Simpsons Diversity Index (SDI)) and children’s dietary diversity (as measured by the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS)) varies by wealth quintile across all study countries. We find that the significance and direction of the relationship between crop diversity and dietary diversity depends on the socioeconomic status of a household: in richer households, crop diversity has a negative effect on dietary diversity and in poorer households, there is no significant effect. Further, findings demonstrate the importance of considering contextual factors, such as wealth and distance to markets, in assessing how the presence of crop diversity may improve nutritional outcomes. This study indicates the need to better understand the factors that impact the relationship between agricultural diversity and dietary diversity in order to inform agricultural development strategies.
Testing the regional convergence in China

This paper tests the regional convergence of GDP per capita across 27 Chinese provinces during the period 1961-2018 with considering the spatial interactions. First, this study only finds a slight divergence over the entire period. Furthermore, the flowing research of this paper divides the overall time span into three sub-period based on two major economic policies, namely the “Open Door Policy” and the “Western Development Strategy”. During the period 1961-1977, which is regarded as a phase of planned economy, this paper finds the evidence of regional convergence. Moreover, the results indicate a slight divergence in GDP per capita during the period 1978-1999, proving that the “Open Door Policy” intensifies regional gaps of China. Finally, this study verifies the role of the “Western Development Strategy” in reducing regional differences since a convergence is found during the last period 2000-2018. The outcomes of this research reveal a strong relationship between economic policies and regional convergence, and thus the transition of policies should be considered when investigating the economic convergence. Furthermore, this research also verifies the importance of spatial effects in the process of convergence or divergence. The results are likely to be biased if the spatial dependence is neglected.
Arrayed Waveguide Grating with Reusable 1 Delay Lines (RDL-AWG) for High Resolving 2 Power, Highly Compact, Photonic 3 Spectrographs

: An innovative arrayed waveguide grating with reusable delay lines (RDL-AWG) 12 was designed and experimentally demonstrated as a high resolving power integrated photonic 13 spectrometer. An array of directional couplers is optimized to distribute the input signal from 14 the delay lines into the free propagation region. This design is >100 times more compact than 15 the traditional AWGs. By making the AWGs more compact, it significantly reduces the impact 16 of fabrication imperfections and uniformity issues which prevent traditional AWGs from 17 achieving ultra-high resolving powers. A resolving power of 95,000 was recently measured in 18 an RDL-AWG with a footprint of 4.2 x 2.9 mm 2 and no phase compensation. © 2022 Optica 19 Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Publishing Group Open Access Publishing 20 Agreement 21
Information research: South African journal of library and information science (2005-2015): A bibliometric study

This paper deals with the analysis of the 179 contributions of the journal entitled “South African Journal of Library and Information Science” published during 2005-2015. It examines year wise, authorship pattern, citation analysis, length of the contributions etc. The study shows that most of the contributions of this journal are contributed by double author 80(44.69%) and geographical distribution shows that most of the contributions are contributed from South Africa Citation analysis of 6274 citations, types of publications cited and preparing of ranked list of cited journals in contributions of this journal. The study reveals that Books are the most cited publication amongst the library and information scientists and the source journal i.e.
Smith ScholarWorks Smith ScholarWorks

Critical consciousness has been linked to a range of positive outcomes, particularly among marginalized youth; yet, evidence on its developmental antecedents remains limited. The current study examines whether arts participation is associated with positive change in critical consciousness, and whether these associations differ by youth’s social group status. The sample consisted of high school youth (N=2537; 10% Latinx, 7% Multiracial; 4% Black; 5% Asian; 72% White; 2% Other; 53% Female; Mage=15.69; age range=10–20). The results showed that youth with higher arts participation demonstrate higher growth in critical reflection and action, adjusting for baseline critical consciousness, other types of extracurricular participation, and demographic characteristics. The association between arts participation and critical action was significantly stronger for youth of color than for white youth, and the association between arts participation and critical reflection was marginally significantly stronger for white youth than for youth of color. These findings suggest that it is crucial to extend opportunities for arts involvement to all students, and to expand the ways in which arts involvement can promote critical consciousness for youth of varying dimensions of oppression and privilege
Generation of secondary waves arising from nonlinear interaction between the quasi 2 day wave and the migrating diurnal tide

Theory and past observations have provided evidence that atmospheric tides and other global‐scale waves interact nonlinearly to produce additional secondary waves throughout the space‐atmosphere interaction region. However, few studies have investigated the generation region of nonlinearly generated secondary waves, and as a result, the manifestation and impacts of these waves are still poorly understood. This study focuses on the nonlinear interaction between the quasi 2 day wave (2dayW3) and the migrating diurnal tide (DW1), two of the largest global‐scale waves in the atmosphere. The fundamental goals of this effort are to characterize the forcing region of the secondary waves and to understand how it relates to their manifestation on a global scale. First, the Fast Fourier Synoptic Mapping method is applied to Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics‐Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry satellite observations to provide new evidence of secondary waves. These results show that secondary waves are only significant above 80 km. The nonlinear forcing for each secondary wave is then computed by extracting short‐term primary wave information from a reanalysis model. The estimated nonlinear forcing quantities are used to force a linearized tidal model in order to calculate numerical secondary wave responses. Model results show that the secondary waves are significant from the upper mesosphere to the middle thermosphere, highlighting the implications for the atmosphere‐space weather coupling. The study also concludes that the secondary wave response is most sensitive to the nonlinear forcing occurring in the lower and middle mesosphere and not coincident with the regions of strongest nonlinear forcing.
Traditions of the Separate: Creation of Wetland Deposition Knowledge-scapes

Our interpretations of British prehistoric deposition practices have been greatly influenced by classical sources and inherited wisdom. However, with the expansion of artefact databases, reanalysis is required to reconsider what is known about wetland deposition in relation to British Iron Age activity. To do so, we must understand how archived physical evidence has been interpreted
study of the scientific production on music education in Spain (1978–2022) Estudio bibliométrico de la producción científica de educación musical en España (1978-2022)

: This work aims to identify the principal journals with the most scientific production on music education by Spanish authors, to establish a ranking of the most cited articles and Spanish authors with the most scientific contributions, and to determine the most researched trends in music education over time in Spain. The sample comprises all articles by Spanish authors listed in the WoS and Scopus databases (peer-reviewed) from 1978 to 2022. The final sample comprises 1001 articles, 1372 authors, and 293 journals. The analysis of the information is based on productivity and dispersion indicators (Price’s, Bradford’s, and Lotka’s bibliometric laws), impact indicators (JIF, H index) and collaboration, scientific mapping, and multivariate multiple correspondence factor analysis. The results show an annual rate of increase of music research by Spanish authors of 11.96%, with growth increasing from 2000 and becoming exponential since 2010. Asymmetrical productivity was found in journals and authors, with many articles being concentrated in a small group of journals and authors. It was also observed that the most relevant research trends in music education up to 2022 related to methodology
Embodied Conversational Agents with Situation Awareness for Training in Virtual Reality

Embodied conversational agents have a great potential in virtual reality training applications. This paper investigates the impact of conversational agents on users in a first responder training scenario. We integrated methods for automatic speech recognition and speech synthesis with natural language processing into a VR training application in the Unity game engine. Additionally, we present a method for enabling situation awareness for agents in a virtual environment. Finally, we conducted a between-subject lab experiment with 24 participants which investigated differences between conversational agents and agents with pre-scripted audio. Several metrics were measured in the experiment including presence, subjective task performance, learning outcome, interaction quality, quality of information presentation, perceived realism, co-presence, and training task duration. Our results suggest that users trying our conversational agents condition experienced significantly higher level of co-presence than users with pre-scripted audio. Additionally, significant differences in subjective task performance and training duration were discovered between genders. Based on the results of our qualitative analysis, we provide guidelines that can facilitate future design of VR training applications and research studies with embodied conversational agents.
Is Empathy Immoral?

The purpose of this article is to (1) critique the primary arguments given by Paul Bloom and Jesse Prinz against empathy, and (2) to argue instead that empathy is best understood as a virtue that plays an important but complicated role in the moral life. That it is a virtue does not mean that it always functions well, and empathy sometimes contributes to behavior that is partial and unfair. In some of their writings, both Bloom and Prinz endorse the view that empathy is a ﬁxed trait, but there is little reason to think this, and the studies that they cite do not support this view. Further, a number of recent studies suggest the opposite: our empathic reactions are malleable and subject to environmental effects and learning. Although our capacities for cognitive and emotional empathy are clearly not sufﬁcient for being moral, I argue that they are functionally necessary traits that, like other virtues, must be cultivated correctly.