Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Four winters of photometry with ASTEP South at Dome C, Antarctica

Context. Dome C in Antarctica is a promising site for photometric observations thanks to the continuous night during the Antarctic winter and favorable weather conditions. Aims.We developed instruments to assess the quality of this site for photometry in the visible and to detect and characterize variable objects through the Antarctic Search for Transiting ExoPlanets (ASTEP) project. Methods. Here, we present the full analysis of four winters of data collected with ASTEP South, a 10 cm refractor pointing continuously toward the celestial south pole. We improved the instrument over the years and developed specific data reduction methods. Results. We achieved nearly continuous observations over the winters. We measure an average sky background of 20 mag arcsec−2 in the 579–642 nm bandpass. We built the lightcurves of 6000 stars and developed a model to infer the photometric quality of Dome C from the lightcurves themselves. The weather is photometric 67.1 ± 4.2% of the time and veiled 21.8 ± 2.0% of the time. The remaining time corresponds to poor quality data or winter storms. We analyzed the lightcurves of σ Oct and HD 184465 and find that the amplitude of their main frequency varies by a factor of 3.5 and 6.7 over the four years, respectively. We also identify 34 new variable stars and eight new eclipsing binaries with periods ranging from 0.17 to 81 days. Conclusion. The phase coverage that we achieved with ASTEP South is exceptional for a ground-based instrument and the data quality enables the detection and study of variable objects. These results demonstrate the high quality of Dome C for photometry in the visible and for time series observations in general.
Plant defences against mammalian herbivores: are juvenile Acacia more heavily defended than mature trees?

Juvenile trees are expected to be more heavily defended against browsing mammals than mature plants. Juvenile and mature trees of Acacia tortilis and A. nilotica occurring at Nylsvley, Northern Transvaal, were quantitatively compared in terms of some potential chemical and physical defences. Neither species showed any significant difference between juvenile and mature trees in terms o f total polyphenol content, condensed tannin content, protein precipitating ability or protein content in leaves. Both species showed age-class differences in spinescence. In A. nilotica , thorns on branch tips were longer and more closely spaced and leaves were smaller in juveniles than in adults. Hence juveniles of this species appear to be physically more heavily defended than mature plants. In A. tortilis , curved thorns were longer, but straight thorns were shorter than in mature trees. There was no difference between age classes in overall thorn density, but juveniles had a higher curved to straight thorn ratio. It is not obvious what the effects of these differences might be on mammalian browsers.
DOES A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PORTFOLIO OUTPERFORM A CONVENTIONAL PORTFOLIO? (THE CASE OF THE JANTZI SOCIAL INDEX)

vii List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used.viii Acknowledgments.xi Chapter 1 – Introduction.1 1.1 Socially Responsible Investment.1 1.2 Comparing SR and Conventional Portfolios.5 Chapter 2 – Literature Review.11 Chapter 3 – Methodology.19 3.1 Data.19 3.2 Creating Matched Portfolios.20 3.3 Comparing the Performance of our SR and Matched Portfolios.24 3.3.1 Total Return.25 3.3.2 Total Risk, Sharpe Ratio, and M Measure.26 3.3.3 Downside Risk and Sortino Ratio.29 3.3.4 Market Risk, Treynor Ratio, and T Measure.30 3.3. 5 Abnormal Return.33 3.3. 6 Unsystematic Risk, Information Ratio, and Market Timing.37 iv 3.3. 7 Tobin’s Q and Leverage Ratio.39 3.4 Event Study.41 Chapter 4 – Conclusion.46 4.1 Results.46 4.2 Analyzing the Results.51 4.2. 1 Total Return.51 4.2. 2 Total Risk, Sharpe Ratio, and M Measure.53 4.2. 3 Downside Risk and Sortino Ratio.56 4.2. 4 Market Risk, Treynor Ratio, and T Measure.58 4.2. 5 Abnormal Return.61 4.2. 6 Unsystematic Risk, Information Ratio, and Market Timing.65 4.2. 7 Tobin’s Q and Leverage Ratio.66 4.2. 8 Event Study.69 4.3 Conclusion.73 Bibliography.75 Appendix A – Sample of our SR and Matched Portfolios.78 Appendix B – Python Code.80
A simulation tool for maintenance processes of offshore wind farms

This paper provides an overview over the technical development of a software suite, designed to visualize, connect and simulate relevant processes of the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms and combine them with other relevant factors, such as for example stochastic weather generators and other wind farm proprietary aspects important to the smooth running of offshore wind farms. The complexity of relevant factors for the assessment of the quality of offshore wind farms operation only allows for an overview on how to model and assess that quality as a whole. In that regard, this paper will mainly focus on the technical development and the different stages of depicting and analyzing, from the understanding of relevant players, to the interaction between those, the modeling of complex interactions to the visualization in a software and simulation of business processes. In addition, the choices made for different methodologies, such as the business process notation BPMN 2.0, or simulation relevant techniques will be presented, including the given reasons for the choices made.
The 3–4-Week MJO Prediction Skill in a GFDL Coupled Model

AbstractBased on a new version of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) coupled model, the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) prediction skill in boreal wintertime (November–April) is evaluated by analyzing 11 years (2003–13) of hindcast experiments. The initial conditions are obtained by applying a simple nudging technique toward observations. Using the real-time multivariate MJO (RMM) index as a predictand, it is demonstrated that the MJO prediction skill can reach out to 27 days before the anomaly correlation coefficient (ACC) decreases to 0.5. The MJO forecast skill also shows relatively larger contrasts between target strong and weak cases (32 versus 7 days) than between initially strong and weak cases (29 versus 24 days). Meanwhile, a strong dependence on target phases is found, as opposed to relative skill independence from different initial phases. The MJO prediction skill is also shown to be about 29 days during the Dynamics of the MJO/Cooperative Indian Ocean Experiment on Intraseasonal .
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EFFICACY AND SELF-CONCEPTS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The purpose of this investigation was focused on the relationship between self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997), regarding the beliefs to be able to recognize the needs and beliefs of the others (emphatic self-efficacy) and to establish good relationships (social self-efficacy), and Self-concepts (Actual and Social Self), analyzed evoking the Self-Discrepancy Theory (Higgins, 1987). We used empathic and social self-efficacy measures and semantic differential technique to explore Actual and Social Self in a sample of 76 psychology Italian students at University of Catania. Results showed that psychology students reached on average levels in emphatic and social self-efficacy and expressed a very similar representation of Self-concepts, in terms of Self-Discrepancy Theory. In addition, the more the psychology students perceived themselves efficient at understanding the feelings and emotions of the others and cultivating good relations, the more they expressed a positive representation of Actual and Social Self; further, students with on and above average levels of emphatic and social self-efficacy showed a more positive representation of Actual and Social Self than those with under average. Future implications on the important role played by Self-concepts on other psychological dimensions were discussed.
Parallel real-time fMRI with two connected high-field scanners (3T, 7T)

Introduction Compared to typical fMRI experiments where data acquisition and data analysis are separated, real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) provides new and unique experimental setups. Most important is the feedback of the own activation to the volunteers which enables training of the tasks, and therefore developing and optimizing own strategies to increase the BOLD response [1, 2]. Another exciting setup is the real-time interaction with the presented environment, which may change depending on localization and strength of the activation. However, many real world actions involve communication between several partners (such as in economics), where highly non-linear interactions can usually not been foreseen, and therefore not be planed in advance in static environments. We therefore developed a new software-system that connects two (or more) MR scanners in real-time, feeds back the activation of both volunteers to each of them while additionally providing the capability to change virtual reality paradigms depending on the activation patterns of both volunteers. We tested the setup with a competition paradigm thereby connecting a 3T and a 7T scanner. This new setup will enable completely new applications involving mutually depending activation patterns and behaviour strategies. Compared to other approaches such as NEMO [3] our system integrates the control of the scanners as well as the presentation and data analysis, enabling to adapt the paradigm according to the activation patterns e.g. to increase attention or to modify a virtual reality environment.
Gutenberg-Richter Law Parameters Analysis Using the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network Data Through FastBee Technique

The mapping of the minimum completeness magnitude Mc and parameters (a- and b-value) of the Guttenberg-Richter (G-R) law was studied for Greece territory and adjacent areas by using the new earthquakes catalog produced by the Hellenic Unified Seismological Network (HUSN). For the calculation of the parameters a- and b-values the visual method of the completeness magnitude (Mc) definition was used by means of FastBee technique. The results show that with the commissioning of the new network HUSN, the Mc have significantly decreased and have achieved the value M=1.5 in the central part of Greece and practically up to M=2.0 for the entire territory. Despite the short time of observation (11.2011-05.2014) the statistical reliable pattern of the spatial distribution of the G-R law parameters for territory of Greece was derived. In generally the spatial distributions of a- and b-value reflect the known seismotectonic structures of Greece. The distribution of the relatively low b-value coincides with the tectonic compression field which acts along the Hellenic Trench. The relatively low b-value is also observed on the northern-eastern part of Greece. The relatively high values of b-value meet mainly in the central Greece, where the extensional stress field dominates. The spatial pattern of the parameter a-value is reflecting the seismic activity of the under study region. The results of detailed analysis of b-value distribution with depth in the Corinthian Gulf area show that its values significantly decreased (from 1.6 to 0.76) in depth interval from 1 up to 17 km and then gradually increased up to 30 km. The pattern of b-value in depth distribution in this region was interpreted in the frame of hypothesis about the brittle-ductile transition zone existence. On the basis of this result, it is supposed that detailed study of the b-value distribution versus depth can be used for assessment of the focal depths of the impending strong earthquake. The present results show the applicability and the efficiency of the FastBEE technique for three dimension mapping of Mc and the G-R parameters.
Water Supply and Stormwater Management Benefits of Residential Rainwater Harvesting in U.S. Cities

This article presents an analysis of the projected performance of urban residential rainwater harvesting systems in the United States (U.S.). The objectives are to quantify for 23 cities in seven climatic regions (1) water supply provided from rainwater harvested at a residential parcel and (2) stormwater runoff reduction from a residential drainage catchment. Water‐saving efficiency is determined using a water‐balance approach applied at a daily time step for a range of rainwater cistern sizes. The results show that performance is a function of cistern size and climatic pattern. A single rain barrel (190 l [50 gal]) installed at a residential parcel is able to provide approximately 50% water‐saving efficiency for the nonpotable indoor water demand scenario in cities of the East Coast, Southeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, but <30% water‐saving efficiency in cities of the Mountain West, Southwest, and most of California. Stormwater management benefits are quantified using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model. The results indicate that rainwater harvesting can reduce stormwater runoff volume up to 20% in semiarid regions, and less in regions receiving greater rainfall amounts for a long‐term simulation. Overall, the results suggest that U.S. cities and individual residents can benefit from implementing rainwater harvesting as a stormwater control measure and as an alternative source of water.
A study of value creation criteria: An Iranian scenario

Measuring shareholder value creation has been the subject of discussion all around the world. It has become crucial since companies are increasingly committed to creating shareholders’ value. The aim of this study is to induce voluble measures to users and increase their understanding. In this study, these measures are obtained by using informative contexts comprising accounting and economic measures for this purpose. The main hypothesis and the sub-hypotheses are tested and 92 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange are selected in the four year period (2005 to 2009). The results of the study reveal that according to the findings, there is meaningful relationship between economic measures and value creation. Key words: Value creation, performance analyzes, economic measures, accounting measures.
Evaluation of the Knowledge and Practice about Diabetes Mellitus of Adult Population in Porto Novo (Benin)

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world. The aim of our study was to assess the level of knowledge of the adult population of Porto-Novo on clinical manifestations and complications of diabetes mellitus. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted under STEP wise approach. It took place from June 1 to July 28, 2014. Results: A total of 240 subjects were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 46.07 years ± 12.63 years, ranging from 25 to 80 years. Subjects age between 35 - 45 years are the most represented. Women were mostly represented 162 against 78 men respectively 67.5% against 32.5% with sex ratio of 0.48. The majority of the subjects were scholar (73.3%). For clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus, 64.2% of subjects had quoted polyuria, asthenia 57.5%, 56.7% weight loss. Polydipsia and polyphagia were less familiar with, respectively, 27.5% and 23.3%. Regarding the complications of diabetes, diabetic foot and coma were the best known, respectively, 78.8% and 58.8%. Nephropathy (45.0%), 39.6% retinopathy and neuropathy (21.7%) were the least known. The prevalence of physical inactivity in this study population was 95.0%. It was 98.1% in women versus 88.5% for men. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, whose prevalence is steadily increasing, is not yet well known in our population.
Force Schemes in Simulations of Granular Materials

In computer simulations of granular flow, one widely used technique is classical soft-sphere Molecular Dynamics, where the equations of motion of the particles are numerically integrated. This requires specification of the forces acting between grains. In this paper, we systematically study the properties of the force laws most commonly used and compare them with recent experiments on the impact of spheres. We point out possible problems and give criteria for the right choice of parameters. Finally, two generic problems of soft-sphere simulations are discussed.
Access Control and Revocation for Digital Assets on Cloud with Consideration for Sharing

In cloud computing applications, users’ data and applications are hosted by cloud providers. With internet and cloud availability increasing numbers of people are storing their content on cloud. Also with presence of social networking, contents stored on cloud are also shared. This requires more security for the contents on cloud. Traditional security solution address only encryption, decryption of data on cloud and its access control , but with this new trend of sharing, the scope of security becomes even higher. In this paper we propose a solution of integrated access control for contents shared on cloud and its efficient revocation.
Effects of Chitosan and Lotus Extracts as Growth Promoter in Dendrobium Orchid

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of chitosan and lotus extracts to stimulate growth of orchid plantlets in greenhouse conditions. Chitosan was extracted from prawn shells (Penaeus monodon) with 90% deacetylation (DD) and 85- 89% purity. The lotus extracts from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera 'Roseum Plenum' were used as the sources of antimicrobial agents. The Dendrobium orchid 'Sureepeach' plantlets were treated with 10,30,50 and 100 mg L -1 chitosan and 1,3 and 5 g L -1 lotus extracts at 7 day intervals. The combination of 100 mg L -1 chitosan and 5 g L -1 lotus extracts gave the maximum number of leaves and shoots of the plantlets after 10 weeks of transplanting.
Community Participation in Ecotourism Benefits: The Link to Conservation Practices and Perspectives

Conservationists have increasingly turned to ecotourism to provide local economic benefits while maintaining ecosystem integrity. Research conducted in Costa Rica to examine models linking conservation and development indicates ecotourism's effectiveness as a conservation strategy has been mixed. Where ecotourism offers a viable economic alternative, tourism opportunities have induced people to abandon cultivated land, allowing forests to regenerate. Employmente in tourism, however, reveals minimal influence on conservation perspectives. Other factors, including indirect tourism benefits and education levels, show stronger associations with conservation behaviors and perspectives. Results also indicate ecotourism might be most effective as a component of a broader conservation strategy.
Barriers and Constraints Effecting Managerial Efficiency: An Analysis of Corporate Sector in Pakistan

The focus of this study will be to investigate the hindrances and barriers to increase the managerial efficiency of the corporate sector in Pakistan, not only for the better results of the corporate but also for the whole economy. As, the real problem is that the true owners of a corporate want to implement the remedial measures after declaration of bankruptcy, while corporate governance must be implemented at the commencement of the business. The purpose of the study will be to investigate the barriers and hindrances for implementation of effective corporate governance so that managerial efficiency of corporate can be increased which ultimately will be beneficial for the economy. The study will provide the answers regarding the questions of to what extent implementation and compliance of rules and regulations, ownership concentration, and access of information to all shareholders will help to increase the managerial efficiency of the corporate sector of Pakistan. It will be a contribution to literature regarding the implementation of healthy corporate governance in corporate and will suggest the constraints and barriers to avoid default period of the corporate. Furthermore it will help us to trace the major key factors regarding the implementation of healthy corporate governance to increase managerial efficiency of the corporate because it is not the Government that will help the corporate to implement corporate governance effectively but corporate itself can do it effectively. The data will be collected by using the survey method and template analysis will be used to analyze the data by providing codes to the data and then will be interpreted according to the themes provided by the data collected.
Government Formation in Parliamentary Democracies

ment of an empirical tradition that allows scholars to evaluate the relative importance of competing theories. We resolve this problem by applying an empirical framework that is appropriate for modeling coalition choice to evaluate several leading explanations of government formation. Our approach allows us to make conclusions about the relative importance of traditional variables relating to size and ideology and to assess the impact of recent new-institutional-
Early Consequences of Seed Dispersal for a Neotropical Tree (Virola surinamensis)

We examined the effects of distance from a fruiting conspecific, light environment, and initial seed size on survivorship using Virola surinamensis seeds and seedlings placed in concentric rings around fruiting Virola trees. Insects and mammals killed 99.2% of seeds and seedlings between fruit drop and exhaustion of parental endosperm at 12 wk after germination. During this time, survival was not influenced by either seed size or light environment, but up to a 44-fold advantage accrued to seeds dropped 45 m from a fruiting tree as compared with those underneath Virola crowns. Seeds that germinated under and near fruiting Virola trees suffered disproportionate attack from a curculionid weevil {Conotrachelus sp. nov.). Both large initial seed size and favorable light environments (assessed by canopy photographs) enhanced seedling vigor at 18 wk of age. Among those seedlings that escaped predation beyond the exhaustion of parental seed stores, a difference of as little as 1% in the amount of canopy open overhead distinguished seedlings with three leaves (3.5% open) from those with two leaves (2.3% open). Our results demonstrate clear advantages to local seed dispersal for a tree ofthe rainforest canopy. They further suggest that dispersal of seeds > 20 m by large birds, such as guans {Penelope purpurascens) and toucans {Ramphastos sulfuratus and R. swainsonii), is more favorable for seedling survival than that of the smaller trogons (Trogon massena) and motmots {Baryphthengus martii), which regurgitate seeds under or near the tree crown.
Successful Dieting in Tempting Environments: Mission Impossible?

One of the areas in which temptations often interfere with people’s self-control is the domain of eating and dieting behavior. In the present article, we review research on the psychological processes underlying the failures and successes of chronic dieters in resisting food temptations. A goal conflict model of eating as well as research testing this model is presented to understand the difficulties that dieters face in our Western food-rich environment. In addition, we discuss how we may boost self-control to prevent dieters from giving in to temptation.
SVC placement using critical modes of voltage instability

The location of SVC (static VAR compensators) and other types of shunt compensation devices for voltage support is an important practical question. This paper considers a tool based on the determination of critical modes. Critical modes are computed by studying the system modes in the vicinity of the point of collapse. System participation factors for the critical mode are used to determine the most suitable sites for system reinforcement. Because the method does not rely on base case linearizations, the method is able to properly consider all system limits and nonlinear effects. The paper tests the proposed method by performing an assessment of the impact of the addition of static VAR compensators to a 1380 bus model of the BC Hydro system. <<ETX>>