Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new method to estimate the ages of globular clusters: the case of NGC 3201

Abstract We devised a new method to estimate globular cluster absolute ages by adopting the knee of the bending of the lower main-sequence (MS) in the Near-Infrared (NIR) J, J - Ks color-magnitude diagram. The color difference between this feature and the Turn-Off point is strongly correlated to the cluster age. This method is marginally affected by distance and reddening uncertainties, and by the possible occurrence of differential reddening. Furthermore, the knee location does not depend on the cluster age and it is a robust theoretical prediction. We adopted accurate J, Ks-band photometry collected with both MAD/VLT and SOFI/NTT for the Galactic globular cluster NGC 3201 to identify the location of the knee at J~19.90 ±0.03 and J-Ks ~0.76±0.02 mag. The comparison with different sets of cluster isochrones, transformed adopting different Color–Temperature–Relations (CTRs), shows that the models are slightly redder than the observations for J > 19 mag. This difference could be due to the presence of a calibration drift or to a problem of the CTRs in this magnitude range.
Giant water bug (Belostoma sp.) predation on a cave fish (Poecilia mexicana): effects of female body size and gestational state

Background: Predation is an important driver of life-history trait evolution. Fish predators may prey selectively on certain prey size classes, or pregnant females, particularly those of livebearing prey species. This selectivity ought to affect the evolutionary trajectory of the prey population. In sulphidic and hypoxic habitats, Atlantic mollies ( Poecilia mexicana ) have to spend considerable time engaging in aquatic surface respiration, exposing themselves to predation by giant water bugs ( Belostoma sp.). Compared with other females, pregnant P. mexicana experience greater oxygen demands leading to more aquatic surface respiration. Questions: Are pregnant P. mexicana females more likely to be captured by Belostoma as a result of more aquatic surface respiration and decreased flight abilities (i.e. slower fast–start responses)? Organisms and location: (1) Atlantic mollies ( P. mexicana : Poeciliidae, Teleostei) inhabiting a sulphidic cave (Cueva del Azufre) in Tabasco, Mexico. (2) A co-existing sit-and-wait predator, the giant water bug Belostoma sp. (Belostomatidae, Hemiptera), which catches surfacing fish at the water’s edge. Methods: Predation experiments inside the Cueva del Azufre. In Experiment 1, one randomly selected cave molly female was placed into a perforated bottle with one individual water bug. In Experiment 2, two size-matched females (one pregnant and one non-pregnant) were placed into a perforated bottle with one individual water bug. Results: Capture rates after 24 h in Experiment 1 were correlated mainly with female body size. But larger females were also more likely to be pregnant, making it difficult to disentangle the effects of size and pregnancy. Experiment 2 isolated the effect of pregnancy, and water bugs clearly preferred pregnant over non-pregnant prey.
Risk in Implementing New Electronic Management Systems at Universities

Rapid development of using information technology in higher education contributes not only into its efficiency but also may cause a variety of risks affecting implementation of some other educational process aspects. Understanding the significance of the risks and their subsequent study and assessment allows for timely adjustments in implementation of certain informational and educational technologies in the educational process. The paper focuses on the issues related to identification of the major risks while introducing and implementing educational innovations, and those related to introduction of the learning management system (LMS) in higher education institutions, their impact assessment and influence on the efficiency throughout the entire educational process. The results of the study have been summarized using risk mapping and sensitivity analysis methods. These methods allowed us to visualize the level of each risk distinguished in the study according to the degree of its influence on the educational process and probability of its occurrence. The study was based on the survey findings and students’ interviews and aimed to identify whether they understand and realize the difficulties and complexities in the procedure of innovative technologies implementation by their university. The authors have developed a list of risks occurring while introducing and implementing innovations in the educational process which in their turn will reflect the peculiarities of the higher education institution using modern learning techniques. Moreover, the paper discusses the risk sensitivity study results. They are presented as an expert appraisal of risks related to their influence on the resultant as integrated assessment, i.e. the Wheel Model of risk management. In the course of the study it has been found that, despite the difficulties of innovation implementation, the innovative programs having been introduced improve the educational process and ensure appropriate quality of human capital, or workforce. Reasonable conclusions from the experience of the state-of the art innovation introduction into university teaching-learning process confirm its practical significance, its ability to encourage university students and increase their participation and independence in learning, thus contributing to development of their skills that meet the requirements of an economist position and in future will help them be successfully engaged into innovation economics. These students’ skills and competencies meet the requirements of innovative processes in the economy, despite the fact that the process involves certain risks. The paper materials may be of practical value to professionals involved in the development and implementation of innovative educational technologies at universities.
Projected cryospheric and hydrological impacts of 21st century climate change in the Ötztal Alps (Austria) simulated using a physically based approach

Abstract. A physically based hydroclimatological model (AMUNDSEN) is used to assess future climate change impacts on the cryosphere and hydrology of the Otztal Alps (Austria) until 2100. The model is run in 100 m spatial and 3 h temporal resolution using in total 31 downscaled, bias-corrected, and temporally disaggregated EURO-CORDEX climate projections for the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 scenarios as forcing data, making this – to date – the most detailed study for this region in terms of process representation and range of considered climate projections. Changes in snow coverage, glacierization, and hydrological regimes are discussed both for a larger area encompassing the Otztal Alps (1850 km 2 , 862–3770 m a.s.l.) as well as for seven catchments in the area with varying size (11–165 km 2 ) and glacierization (24–77 %). Results show generally declining snow amounts with moderate decreases (0–20 % depending on the emission scenario) of mean annual snow water equivalent in high elevations ( > 2500 m a.s.l.) until the end of the century. The largest decreases, amounting to up to 25–80 %, are projected to occur in elevations below 1500 m a.s. l. Glaciers in the region will continue to retreat strongly, leaving only 4–20 % of the initial (as of 2006) ice volume left by 2100. Total and summer (JJA) runoff will change little during the early 21st century (2011–2040) with simulated decreases (compared to 1997–2006) of up to 11 % (total) and 13 % (summer) depending on catchment and scenario, whereas runoff volumes decrease by up to 39 % (total) and 47 % (summer) towards the end of the century (2071–2100), accompanied by a shift in peak flows from July towards June.
3-ACETYL -2,5,7-TRIHYDROXY-1,4-NAPHTALENEDIONE, AN ANTIMICROBIAL METABOLITE FROM THE CULTURE OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGUS COELOMYCETES TCBP4 FROM Tinospora crispa

Abstract Isolation, identification and testing of antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites of endophytic fungal culture TCBP 4 isolated from bratawali (Tinospora crispa) has been performed. The fungus TCBP 4 was cultivated in Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) for 1 month, media and fungi extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was separated and purified by several chromatographic techniques, from which 9 fractions were obtained. Fraction 3e was purified again and was obtained 6 fractions (3e 1 -3e 6 ). Fractions 3e 3 -3e 6 were tested against bacteria isolates Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus subtilis,Eschericia coli and yeast isolate Candida albicans by microdillution method. Antimicrobial activity test result showed that fractions 3e 3 -3e 5 had better antibacterial activity compared to chloramphenicol as commercial antibiotic. It was indicated by MIC value of the fractions was lower (8 ug/ml) compared with the antibiotic chloramphenicol (16 ug/ml). Fraction 3e 3 had better antifungal activity compared to commercial antifungal nystatin and cabisidin against C. albicans. GC-MS analysis showed that the chemical constituent of 3e 5 fraction was identified as 3-acetyl -2, 5 , 7 -trihydroxy-1,4-naphtalenedione . Key words : Tinospora crispa, endophytic fungi, isolation, identification, antimicrobial Abstrak Isolasi, identifikasi dan uji aktivitas antimikrobia terhadap metabolit sekunder dari kultur jamur endofit TCBP 4 yang diisolasi dari tumbuhan bratawali (Tinospora crispa). Jamur endofit TCBP 4 dikultivasi pada media Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) selama 1 bulan, selanjutnya media dan jamur diekstrak dengan pelarut etil asetat. Ekstrak dipisahkan dan dimurnikan dengan beberapa teknik kromatografi sehingga diperoleh 9 fraksi. Fraksi 3e dimurnikan kembali dan diperoleh 6 fraksi (3e 1 -3e 6 ). Fraksi 3e 3 -3e 6 diuji aktivitas antibakterinya terhadap beberapa isolate bakteri Staphylo-coccus aureus Bacillus subtilis, Eschericia coli dan isolate khamir Candida albicans dengan metode mikrodilusi. Hasil uji antimikrobia menunjukkan bahwa fraksi 3e 3 -3e 5 mempunyai aktivitas antibakteri lebih baik bila dibandingkan dengan chloramfenikol, dimana nilai MIC dari fraksi (8 ug/ml) lebih rendah dari antibiotika chloramfenikol (16 ug/ml). Fraksi 3e 3 mempunyai aktivitas antijamur lebih baik bila dibandingkan dengan antijamur komersial nistatin dan kabisidin terhadap C. albicans. Analisis GC-MS menunjukkan bahwa komponen kimia dari fraksi 3e 5 diidentifikasi sebagai 3-acetyl -2, 5 , 7 -trihydroxy-1,4-naphtalenedione . Kata kunci : Tinospora crispa, jamur endofit, isolasi, identifikasi, antimikrobia
Estimating the Impacts of Liberalization in West Africa: The Malian Case

Cotton has been a success story in West Africa since independence swept the region in the early 1960's. Today, however, 'white gold' is struggling to maintain its allure. Recent declines in world cotton markets have created a crisis in the region's cotton sectors. Cotton is still being produced within an institutional structure that dates back to the independence era of the early 1960's. The new era of volatile cotton markets, new technological frontiers, and global challenges are placing demands on institutional change. This paper uses an economic model of the agricultural sector to predict the impacts of cotton liberalization. Shifting control from the state into the hands of the private sector would provide significant benefits to society. Farmers in particular, hard hit by the cotton crisis, would receive long-needed relief from prior policies that kept cotton incomes artificially below world price levels.
Microcavity Silicon Photodetectors at 1.55 μm

The design, the realization, and the characterization of silicon resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) photodetectors, working at 1.55 μm, are reported. The photodetectors are constituted by a Fabry-Perot microcavity incorporating a Schottky diode. The working principle is based on the internal photoemission effect. We investigated two types of structures: top and back-illuminated. Concerning the top-illuminated photodetectors, a theoretical and numerical analysis has been provided and the device quantum efficiency has been calculated. Moreover, a comparison among three different photodetectors, having as Schottky metal: gold, silver, or copper, was proposed. Concerning the back-illuminated devices, two kinds of Cu/p-Si RCE photodetectors, having various bottom-mirror reflectivities, were realized and characterized. Device performances in terms of responsivity, free spectral range, and finesse were theoretically and experimentally calculated in order to prove an enhancement in efficiency due to the cavity effect. The back-illuminated device fabrication process is completely compatible with the standard silicon technology.
Comparison between Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in 7-11 year old Swedish children

Background and aim: Pre-obesity and obesity in children and adolescents is a severe public health problem, and is now considered a worldwide epidemic by the World Health Organization. This is of great concern since childhood obesity seems to pass through to adulthood resulting in an onset of obesity-related chronic disease in adult life, increasing morbidity and mortality. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to assess overweight and obesity. However, as it does not distinguish between body weight associated with muscle and body weight associated with fat it may lead to some error in classifying obesity and overweight. Waist Circumference (WC) is an alternate measure of abdominal adiposity and it is related to be a strong predictor of abdominal fat, being oftentimes used as an indirect screening marker for abdominal obesity applied in epidemiological studies along with the BMI. Methods: As part of the second phase of the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Iniciative study (COSI II Sweden), 1097 children aged 7-11 were evaluated with regards to anthropometric variables of weight and height, as well as WC. Nutritional status was assessed by calculating the BMI. Results: The prevalence rates for overweight (pre-obese and obese) using the WHO cut-off values for the BMI ranged from 22.9% in boys to 17.8% in girls. 77.1% of boys were classified as having normal weight while 17.3% were preand 5.6% obese. As for the girls 82.2% were classified as normal weight,14.2% pre-obese and 3.6% obese. Using the WC cut-offs 94.1% of boys were classified with a normal WC, while 5.4% were classified as pre-obese and 0.5% obese. A similar tendency was verified in girls with 92.2% classified with a normal WC while 5.9% were pre-obese and 1.2% obese. Conclusion: Overweight prevalence was lower when using the WC rather than BMI. Further research is needed to assess the veracity of these results. There is a need to create adequate age and gender-specific cut-off points in order to produce specific WC percentiles for swedish children.
EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN ADMINISTRATION ON MILK PRODUCTION, COMPOSITION AND SOME HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF LACTATING GOATS

SUMMARY The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on milk production, and composition and some hematobiochemical characteristics in Damascus goats. Fifteen Damascus lactating goats in their third to fourth lactation season and at 30-40 days postpartum were divided into three equal groups. The first group was served as control, while the second and the third groups were subcutaneously and biweekly injected for 8 weeks, with low (50 mg/doe) or high (100 mg/doe) doses of rbST, respectively. Administration with rbST resulted in a significant (P 0.05) increase in the levels of total solids, milk protein and fat compared with control, while lactose was significantly (P<0.05) increased. On the other hand, ash, hematological parameters, plasma proteins and the activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), alkaline phosphatase (AlP), acid phosphatase (AcP), and the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), creatinine and cholesterol were not significantly affected by the treatments. Administration of rbST significantly (P<0.05) increased the concentrations of plasma glucose and decreased those of urea and total bilirubin. The results of the present study suggest that rbST is efficacious in increasing milk yield and kid growth up to 50 mg/14 d without adverse effects on lactating goats.
Transient response of 50 KiloAmp Y-Ba-Cu-O rings and ring pairs to pulsed magnetic fields

Shielding current limits and magnetic diffusion characteristics have been measured at 77 K in large-grain YBCO rings with oriented microstructures. The samples are surrounded by a drive coil that can achieve magnetic fields in excess of 1 Tesla and induce currents in excess of 50 kA when driven by a current pulse of a few msec duration. Simultaneous magnetic measurements with a Rogowski coil and a Hall probe allow determination of the induced current in the sample and the field in the center of the sample. These measurements show that field penetration occurs in a complex way that includes delays and transient effects caused by magnetic diffusion and sample heating. Dramatic threshold effects are observed that are probably related to a creep-flow transition coupled with local heating effects. Geometric effects are investigated using a single drive coil and a pair of YBCO rings with various spacings. A test geometry equivalent to a simple penetration-type inductive fault current limiter is used; the experimental results are therefore of interest for design and characterization of these devices.
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN PROCESS CHANGE AND THE IMPACT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: A STUDY OF SLOVENIAN TRANSPORT FIRMS

Although the impact of IT-enabled information on firm performance has been well documented in the business value of IT literature, our understanding of how adopting GPS can transform operational decision-making and foster differential firm performance is limited. Moreover, price and service quality have been highlighted as key determinants of industrial customer satisfaction, yet there is little understanding of how IT-enabled information utilisation influences these relationships. In response, I employ two-phase research. In the first phase, I conduct an exploratory comparative case study of three transport firms that have implemented GPS in their operations. The results show that increased use of GPS-enabled information enhances information quality and makes operational decision-making more fact-based and collaborative. I also find that such transformations in operational decision-making can have differential performance impacts. However, I warn scholars and practitioners that a firm’s information management capability and organisational factors can facilitate the effective use of GPS-enabled information in operational decision-making and, thus, moderate the differential performance benefits of adopting GPS. In the second phase, I carry out a quantitative study with transport firms’ customers. The findings make two contributions. First, I find that the more an industrial firm utilises IT-enabled information in the service process, the less emphasis its customers place on prices when it comes to determining their satisfaction. Drawing on equity theory, I theorise that information utilisation in the service process may mobilise perceptions of fairness and transparency, thereby suppressing the relative impact of price on the formation of industrial customer satisfaction. Second, I find that industrial customers view the utilisation of IT-enabled information in the service process as a value-adding capability that boosts their service quality perceptions. Interestingly, although I had expected that the utilisation of IT-enabled information would also increase the importance of service quality in forming customer satisfaction, the results suggested that this was not the case.
Multistep Scheduling Algorithm for Parallel and Distributed Processing in Heterogeneous Systems with Communication Costs

We discuss a task scheduling problem in heterogeneous systems and propose a multistep scheduling algorithm to solve it. Existing scheduling algorithms formulated as 0-1 integer linear programming can be used to consider the optimality of task scheduling. However, they cannot address complicated relations among tasks or communication costs among processors. Therefore, we propose a scheduling algorithm that formulates communication costs as 0-1 integer linear programming. On the other hand, 0-1 integer linear programming takes a long time to calculate the scheduling results because it is NP-complete. Thus, scheduling time also needs to be decreased. A solution for decreasing scheduling time is a graph clustering which decomposes a large task graph into smaller subtask graphs (clusters). Also, it is important for parallel and distributed processing to find task parallelism in a task graph. Then, we also propose a clustering algorithm based on SCAN. SCAN is an algorithm for finding clusters in a network. The clustering algorithm based on SCAN can find task parallelism in a task graph. In numerical examples, we argue the following two points. First, our multistep scheduling algorithm resolves the scheduling problem in heterogeneous systems. Second, it is superior to the existing scheduling algorithms in terms of calculation time.
Performance of Meshed Tree Protocols for Loop Avoidance in Switched Networks

Loop free frame forwarding in layer 2 switched networks that use meshed topologies to provision for link and path redundancy is a continuing challenge. The challenge is addressed through special protocols at layer 2 that build logical trees over the physically meshed topologies, along which frames can be forwarded. The first such protocol was based on the spanning tree. The spanning tree protocol (STP) had high convergence times subsequent to topology changes. Rapid STP and IETF RFC 5556 Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) on Router Bridges (RBridges) were then developed to reduce the convergence times. RSTP continued to use the spanning tree while TRILL adopted link state routing to support a tree from every switch. TRILL introduces high processing complexity into layer 2 networks. In this article a new meshed tree algorithm (MTA) and a loop avoidance protocol based on the MTA, namely the meshed tree protocol (MTP) are discussed. The MTA allows constructing several overlapping trees from a single root switch. This speeds up convergence to link failures. The MTP proposes a simple numbering scheme to implement meshed trees – thus, the processing complexity is low. The specification for the MTP is currently an ongoing IEEE standard Project 1910.1. In this article the operational details of MTP are presented and its performance evaluated and compared with RSTP. KeywordsLoop Avoidance, Switched Networks, Meshed Trees Protocol, Link Failure and Recovery