Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinematics of the Galactic Bulge from Radial Velocity and Proper Motion Optical Surveys

Abstract Large-scale surveys provide new constraints on the structure and evolution of the Milky Way. The population synthesis approach is a useful tool to interpret such data sets and to test scenarios of evolution of the Galaxy. New constraints on Galactic parameters have been obtained from the Besançon model of population synthesis, in particular in the inner regions, thanks to near-infrared surveys less affected by interstellar extinction than the optical ones. We present here a few preliminary comparisons between observed and simulated distributions of proper motions in the direction of the Galactic bulge. Next we discuss how bulge stars can be observed and separated from other populations with the RAVE and Gaia surveys.
Pricing of Risk, Various Volatility Dynamics and Macroeconomic Exposure of Firm Returns: New Evidence on Age Effect

While investigating the role of age effect in detecting the risks-return tradeoff, various volatility dynamics and macroeconomic exposure of firm returns, this research study employs monthly data from Pakistani stock market for the period from 1998 to 2012. For this purpose, three generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models (GARCH-M) were functioned: GARCH-M for risks-return tradeoff, GARCH (1, 1) for capturing different volatility dynamics and exponential GARCH for asymmetric and leverage effect. This study rests on the following outcomes. Firstly, we unravel that age effect is flag rising in the debate of risks-return tradeoff. Secondly, in the course of exploring whether the firm age matters from the context of asymmetry and leverage effect, we find that it is certainly the case. Thirdly, age effect holds considerable role in determining various volatility dynamics. Finally, we expose that macroeconomic variables affect stock returns differently depending upon firm age, signifying the role of age effect
FRACTURE BEHAVIOUR OF FROST DAMAGED CONCRETE LOM BETONA OŠTEĆENOG MR NJENJEM

The aim of this work is to characterize the toughness of frost damaged normal vibrated concrete. From force-deflection and force-crack opening curves, obtained by means of three-point bending tests performed on notched specimens, toughness parameters are evaluated as a function of freezing-thawing cycle numbers. The results show that the stress intensity factor, KIC, and the flexural tensile strength, ft, decrease while the critical crack mouth opening displacement CMODc, increases. The variation of these parameters is correlated to the degree of concrete damage characterized by the relative variation of flexural strength and an analytical model of crack propagation is used for the interpretation of results. Kljucne reci • dejstvo zamrzavanja • parametri loma • rast prsline Izvod
Helping education undergraduates to use appropriate criteria for evaluating accounts of motivation

The aim of the study was to compare students in a control group with those in a treatment group with respect to evaluative comments on psychological accounts of motivation. The treatment group systematically scrutinized the nature and interpretation of evidence that supported different accounts, and the assumptions, logic, coherence and clarity of accounts. Content analysis of 74 scripts (using three categories) showed that the control group students made more assertions than either evidential or evaluative points, whereas the treatment group used evaluative statements as often as they used assertion. The findings provide support for privileging activities that develop understanding of how knowledge might be contested, and suggest a need for further research on pedagogies to serve this end. The idea is considered that such understanding has a pivotal role in the development of critical thinking.
Water Quality Status of Tono and Vea Reservoirs for Aquaculture Development in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Understanding aquatic ecosystem dynamics is fundamental to sustainable development of aquaculture. This study explores the water quality characteristics over temporal and spatial scale in Tono and Vea Reservoirs in the Upper East Region of Ghana for aquaculture development. Water samples and in-situ measurements were taken for fifteen months, from February 2015 to March 2016. Monthly water quality monitoring were based on stratified sampling from upstream, midstream and downstream zones of these reservoirs. Standard analytical methods for examination of water were employed during sampling and laboratory analysis of reservoir water quality. Phytoplankton analysis was done using light microscopy to obtain phylum abundance. Multivariate statistical methods were used to investigate water quality dataset obtained. Cluster analysis grouped fifteen months of water quality changes into three seasonality regimes (periods) based on temporal variation. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced eighteen water quality variables into five and three factors with total variance of 88.26 % and 79.30% for Tono and Vea reservoirs, respectively. With pH > 7 and alkalinity > 20 but < 100 mg L-1 CaCO3, both reservoirs have alkaline water. Dissolved oxygen was > 5 mg L-1. Three phyla of phytoplankton were identified with dominant (in abundance) phylum as Chlorophyta (72%) occurring in Tono reservoir. To understand the spatial relationship using correspondence analysis (CA), the first axis of CA explained 84.2% and 64.3% of total variation in relative abundance of phytoplankton phyla for Tono and Vea reservoirs, respectively. Thus, Cyanophyta showed strong positive association with conductivity, total hardness, nitrate, sulphate, turbidity, water depth and dissolved oxygen which were responsive to the midstream and upstream zones of Tono reservoir. Whiles in Vea reservoir, Chlorophyta under same water quality variable showed responsiveness to the midstream and downstream zones. Reservoir water quality studied were within acceptable limits for fish culture but changes could be linked to anthropogenic activities on reservoir catchment area and seasonality regime. Results from this provide a baseline to enable information to enable assessment of aquaculture impact in Tono and Vea reservoirs. The use of multivariate analysis could be a reliable statistical method for assessing water quality on a spatio-temporal scale.
Living in Children's Residential Homes

Residential care for children looked after by local authorities has changed significantly in recent years. The sector has shrunk in size and it now caters mainly for an older troubled and troublesome group. There have long been negative perceptions of residential care in England, linked to its history, as well as concerns over outcomes, residents’ safety, levels of professionalism and costs. Up to date, reliable information is important to inform current debates about the role and future development of residential care.
Genetic diversity of the Sri Lanka Yellow Dwarf coconut form as revealed by microsatellite markers.

Sri Lanka Yellow Dwarf (SLYD) is an important coconut form as a parent in the national coconut breeding programme of Sri Lanka. Though dwarf coconuts are known to be purelines, SLYD displays uncharacteristic morphologies. The current research was conducted to characterize a sample of 15 SLYD individuals using 10 SSR marker loci to determine the genetic diversity within the form. One palm each of Sri Lanka Tall (SLT), Green Dwarf (GD) and Gon Thembili Tall (GT) were used as reference coconut forms. Genomic DNA was extracted and PCR amplification was performed followed by 6% denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to visualize the bands. Genotypic data were analysed using PowerMarker software. All ten marker loci were polymorphic, and among them more informative microsatellite loci for the tested population were identified. A total of 34 alleles were scored in the 15 individuals of SLYD ranging from a minimum of two to a maximum of five and a total of 22 heterozygous loci were identified spreading across the ten marker loci. The results indicated the SLYD to share bands more frequently with tall coconut forms than GD. The dendrogram displayed three clusters of SLYD with one group including comparative form GD and another cluster including both SLT and GT. The observed heterozygosity, and genetic and allelic diversities exceed the levels that can be expected from dwarf coconut forms which are self-breeding purelines. It is recommended to purify SLYD coconut form to ensure genetic purity of SLYD parental palm pool in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 26 (1): 131 – 139 (2014)
Spatial Pricing Efficiency: The Case Of U.S. Long Grain Rice

The spatial rice price relationships for U.S. long grain rough rice are affected by many factors besides the transportation cost between markets, such as milling, processing, cooking and nutritional value as well as physical characteristics. This study applies a time series framework to analyze long run price relationships for Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and California long grain rice. Johansen's test results showed that at least there are two cointegrating price vectors. However, such a finding is not supported by the ECM model in any of the price series.
Finance Perspective versus Accounting Perspective: The Case of Earnings Persistence in Indonesia

This study aims at comparing accounting and finance perspective to predict earnings persistence. Accounting perspective predicts that current earning components affect the future earnings, while finance perspective predicts that current dividends affect the future earnings. The results show that component of earnings more persistence rather than total earning, and persistence of earnings are also showed by changes of dividend. The results of this study that changes in dividend policy have information contents about future earnings. Increase in dividend payment show that firm believe that firm have better prospect in the future thus able to achieve better future performance. This result confirm prospect theory. This research also find manager use dividend policy to convey relevant information to investor. Managers believe that firms have good opportunity in the future and achieve higher performance. In this case, managers pays higher dividend to give signal to investor that firm will achieve better performance. Firms using dividend policy to give signal to investor to convey relevant information. This result confirm dividend signalling theory. The results also confirm agency theory studying the relationship between management (agent) and shareholder (principal) and assuming the more unite the shareholder, the more powerful shareholders’ position rather management’s position. The principal interested to both earnings distribution and increasing in future earnings, whereas management prefer increasing permanent earnings with increasing investment on prospective project rather than dividing dividend. The findings of the study show that increase in current earnings and dividend indicates increase in future earnings and dividends. The results of the study show that accrual-cash flow perspective better indicating quality of earnings than dividend signaling perspective. Keywords: earnings persistence, prospect theory, signalling, dividend, cash flows, return.
The impact of income-contingent provisions on students' loan-taking behaviour

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the determinants of taking out government-funded student loans for university study in Australia. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses an ordered probit model to quantify the influence of the various factors which affect students' decisions on funding their tertiary study using student loans or through other means. Findings - The study finds that the probability of taking out student loans for the full cost of university is largely influenced by students' socioeconomic status. Other major influences on this decision include students' demographic and university enrolment characteristics. Research limitations/implications - A limitation of the work is that only a neighbourhood (rather than an individual-level) measure of socioeconomic status was available, and future research should seek to address this. Practical implications - The research shows that the parameters of loan schemes do not seem to be able to over-ride the influence that family background has on loan taking behaviour. That is, poor students use loans regardless of the parameters of the loans scheme in order to overcome short-term credit constraints. In other words, these student loan schemes channel funds to those without other means of funding their higher education. Originality/value - By showing the impact that income contingent provisions have on loan taking behaviour, the paper informs policy makers of potential impacts from modifying loans schemes to reflect this characteristic.
Processing and Quality Control of Flux Data at Gwangneung Forest

In order to ensure a standardized data analysis of the eddy covariance measurements, Hong and Kim’s quality control program has been updated and used to process eddy covariance data measured at two levels on the main flux tower at Gwangneung site from January to May in 2005. The updated program was allowed to remove outliers automatically for CO2 and latent heat fluxes. The flag system consists of four quality groups (G, D, B and M). During the study period, the missing data were about 25% of the total records. About 60% of the good quality data were obtained after the quality control. The number of record in G group was larger at 40m than at 20m. It is due that the level of 20m was within the roughness sublayer where the presence of the canopy influences directly on the character of the turbulence. About 60% of the bad data were due to low wind speed. Energy balance closure at this site was about 40% during the study period. Large imbalance is attributed partly to the combined effects of the neglected heat storage terms, inaccuracy of ground heat flux and advection due to local wind system near the surface. The analysis of wind direction indicates that the frequent occurrence of positive momentum flux was closely associated with mountain valley wind system at this site. The negative CO2 flux at night was examined in terms of averaging time. The results show that when averaging time is larger than 10min, the magnitude of calculated CO2 fluxes increases rapidly, suggesting that the 30min CO2 flux is influenced severely by the mesoscale motion or nonstationarity. A proper choice of averaging time needs to be considered to get accurate turbulent fluxes during nighttime.
IMPACT OF PRE-TREATMENTS ON THE ACRYLAMIDE FORMATION AND ORGANOLEPTIC EVOLUTION OF FRIED POTATO CHIPS

The main objective of this investigation was to study the effect of different pre-frying treatments on reduction of acrylamide formation of fried potato Moreover; the impact of different phenol compounds and leaves on acrylamide formation was evaluated. In addition, the effects of these treatments on the sensorial quality of fried potato chips were studied. Results showed that blanching process caused significant decreases in acrylamide content of fried potato. The highest decrease was observed for those samples blanched in MgCl2 (0.1 M), L-cysteine (0.05 M) and 0.01 M of citric acid solutions, 97.97, 97.17 and 93.43%, respectively. Soaking of potato slices in water or different solutions significantly reduced the formation of acrylamide. The decreases in acrylamide content ranged from 61.61 to 97.47%. Soaking in crude, semi-purified asparaginase solutions, blanching in hot water plus immersing in the enzyme solutions and soaking in phenolic acid solutions caused significant reduction in the formation of acrylamide of potato chips. Addition of fresh leaves into frying oil significantly influenced acrylamide formation. Oregano, rosemary, bamboo, guava and olive leaves caused the greatest reductions. Potato slices blanched in distilled water at 65°C, NaCl, Mg Cl2 and 0.1 M glutamine had significantly the highest scores of overall acceptability.
Problem of evaporation-condensation for a two component gas in the slab

This paper studies the non linear Boltzmann equation for a two component gas in the situation of hard spheres. A Hilbert expansion of the solution is performed. The first order of the fluid equations shows the ghost effect. The fluid system is solved when the boundary conditions are close to each other. The boundary conditions for the kinetic system are satisfied by adding for the first and the second order Knudsen layers. In a last part the rest term is rigorously controled by using a decomposition into a low part velocity and a high part velocity. This constitutes a generalization to the case of a two component gas of the results presented in [15,16].
Experimental Aerodynamic Simulation of Glaze Ice Accretion on a Swept Wing

Aerodynamic assessment of icing effects on swept wings is an important component of a larger effort to improve three-dimensional icing simulation capabilities. An understanding of ice-shape geometric fidelity and Reynolds and Mach number effects on icedwing aerodynamics is needed to guide the development and validation of ice-accretion simulation tools. To this end, wind-tunnel testing was carried out for 8.9% and 13.3% scale semispan wing models based upon the Common Research Model airplane configuration. Various levels of geometric fidelity of an artificial ice shape representing a realistic glaze-ice accretion on a swept wing were investigated. The highest fidelity artificial ice shape reproduced all of the three-dimensional features associated with the glaze ice accretion. The lowest fidelity artificial ice shapes were simple, spanwise-varying horn ice geometries intended to represent the maximum ice thickness on the wing upper surface. The results presented in this paper show that changes in Reynolds and Mach number have only a small effect on the iced-wing aerodynamics relative to the clean-wing configuration. Furthermore, the addition of grit roughness to some lower-fidelity artificial ice shapes resulted in favorable lift and pitching moment comparisons to the wing with the highest fidelity artificial ice shape. For the wing with simple horn ice shapes, the dependence of maximum lift coefficient on horn height and angle are generally consistent with the trends observed for similar experiments conducted on iced airfoils in past research. In terms of usable lift however, the horn height did have a significant effect even for lower horn angles. This could be an important finding since usable lift may be more indicative of the impending iced-swept wing stall and need for additional pitch control than maximum lift coefficient.
Modeling and Optimization of Quality Variability for Decision Support Systems in Biofuel Production

Biofuels are a promising alternative to fossil fuel depletion, due to their sustainable production from living or recently living organic matter (i.e., biomass). Biofuel production offers benefits that are not present in non-sustainable resources, like the reduction of air pollution. According to government agencies, biofuel production is expected to increase in the U.S. within the next few years because of government initiatives. In order to become a feasible alternative to satisfy market demand, biofuels require strategic improvements in areas such as supply chain management to deal with the variability within the biomass. Advanced analysis tools might be utilized to integrate biomass physical and chemical properties into the decision processes. This chapter introduces a principal component analysis (PCA) to determine significant factors that affect the operations within the supply chain and, later on, incorporates those factors in an optimization model for the decision analysis. The results show that incorporating quality-related properties has a significant impact in the solution of the optimization program.
VOCABULARY DISTANCE MATRIX ANALYSIS-BASED REFERENCE TEMPLATE UPDATE TECHNIQUE

Intra-reference and inter-reference distances can be used for evaluation and comparison of reference templates in template based speech recognition. Hence decision on quality of reference template can be done and the reference set can be updated if necessary. In this paper a new reference set update technique based on analysis of vocabulary distance matrix is proposed. Reference templates with small intra-reference and inter-reference distance values are substituted with candidate patterns giving bigger distance values. The substitution can be performed in supervised or unsupervised manner. The technique was tested for Dynamic time warping based isolated word recognizer. The reference substitution using proposed technique increased the intra-reference and inter-reference distances by 6.8 % and 13.6 % respectively.
Goal setting and planning for Norwegian students with and without intellectual disabilities: Wishing upon a star?

Abstract Being able to set personal high-quality goals and having the skills to make plans for goal attainment are associated with higher performance, increased student involvement at school, and higher levels of self-determination. This study examines self-reported goals of 83 Norwegian elementary and lower secondary school students with and without intellectual disabilities. The study also looks into whether students feel that they learn goal setting and planning skills at school. Findings suggest that students are able to identify process and product goals for themselves. Most students set academic goals for themselves, followed by career goals and sports-related leisure time goals. No significant differences were found between typically developing students and students with intellectual disabilities. While roughly two-thirds of all students reported that they feel encouraged to set goals for themselves at school, almost 60% of all students expressed that they did not learn planning skills at school. This finding indicates the need to assist teachers with instructional materials for how to teach students these important skills for self-determination.
An Implementation of Software Routing for Building a Private Cloud

The demand on cloud computing is increasing, more organizations tend to use it to store and process their data. In this article, we address some challenges starting by building a private cloud from our own company’s old devices, and then implementing some functionalities that a private cloud can offer to its users. Since cloud computing is a paradigm which is based mainly on a virtualized environment, therefore we used Proxmox Virtual Environment which is an open source free server virtualization technology for this purpose. Then we deployed software routers on the virtual routers through Quagga software to perform the routing functionality among the virtual machines. Finally, and in order to show the real use of our private cloud, an open source Nextcloud service is installed which is a free file sharing software that is used to show Software as a Service (SaaS) usage of our private cloud. We tested our implementation of private cloud computing through two case studies that showed a successful access of a user to the Nextcloud service. In the same time, we tested the routing functionality of the private cloud through the use of Quagga software router without using a physical router. As a result, our private cloud is fully oriented open source, cost effective and reliable.