Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proxy agents, auxiliary forces, and sovereign defection: assessing the outcomes of using non-state actors in civil conflicts

Abstract This article interrogates the role of non-state armed actors in the Ukrainian civil conflict. The aim of this article is twofold. First, it seeks to identify the differences between the patterns of military intervention in Crimea (direct, covert intervention), and those in the South-East (mixed direct and indirect – proxy – intervention). It does so by assessing the extent of Russian troop involvement and that of external sponsorship to non-state actors. Second, it puts forward a tentative theoretical framework that allows distinguishing between the different outcomes the two patterns of intervention generate. Here, the focus is on the role of non-state actors in the two interventionist scenarios. The core argument is that the use of non-state actors is aimed at sovereign defection. The article introduces the concept of sovereign defection and defines it as a break-away from an existing state. To capture the differences between the outcomes of the interventions in Crimea and South-East, sovereign defection is classified into two categories: inward and outward. Outward sovereign defection is equated to the territorial seizure of the Crimean Peninsula by Russian Special Forces, aided by existing criminal gangs acting in an auxiliary capacity. Inward sovereign defection refers to the external sponsorship of the secessionist rebels in South-East Ukraine and their use as proxy forces with the purpose of creating a political buffer-zone in the shape of a frozen conflict. To demonstrate these claims, the article analyses the configuration of the dynamics of violence in both regions. It effectively argues that, in pursuing sovereign defection, the auxiliary and proxy forces operate under two competing dynamics of violence, delegative and non-delegative, with distinct implications to the course and future of the conflict.
Molecular Subtypes of Melanoma. Biological and Clinical Significance.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is the most lethal form of skin cancer and its incidence has increased faster than that of any other cancer, rendering it a major public health problem worldwide. High-throughput screenings have opened the door to a new scientific world, which enables molecular-based characterization of large cancer cohort collections. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to explore the molecular landscapes of melanoma tumors on a genomic and transcriptomic level and subsequently correlate certain molecular features with patient survival, treatment response and tumor evolutionary patterns. In Paper I, it was concluded that metastatic melanoma could be divided into transcriptomic subtypes (gene expression (GEX) phenotypes) possessing diverse biological and clinical features. Patients harboring melanomas infiltrated by immune cells, i.e. the high-immune subtype, showed a superior survival, whereas highly proliferative melanomas, i.e. the proliferative subtype, was correlated to a poor survival outcome and resistance to targeted therapies. Moreover, it was also shown that, irrespectively of the GEX phenotypes, melanomas could be divided into genomic subtypes based on genetic aberrations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. In Paper II, it was found that mutations in the tumor suppressor gene neurofibromin 1 (NF1), was linked to inferior survival. Today, it is well accepted that most tumors possess some level of intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), i.e. subclonality, influencing disease progression. In Papers III and IV, the evolutionary aspects of melanoma were considered by analyzing ITH, as well as disease progression on a molecular basis. When analyzing multiple metastatic lesions from individual patients, we found that most tumors were genetically different, with a common stem of genetic aberrations and the addition of new “private” ones, thus pointing to continued evolution during progression. Moreover, the GEX proliferative phenotype appeared to be correlated to a later disease course. From multiregional biopsies from single tumors, it was found that mutations in the MAPK signaling pathway appeared to be early events in tumorigenesis. Heterogeneous somatic mutations were found in the range of 3-38%, thus highlighting different levels of subclonality in melanoma. A high degree of mutational heterogeneity was associated with a more aggressive disease progression. In conclusion, melanoma is a complex molecular disease that can be characterized by genomic and transcriptomic signatures with clinical implications. However, a single biopsy might not reflect the true tumor complexity, and subclonality may be one reason behind resistance development.
ADOPTION OF IPADS : AN EMPIRICAL STUDY USING AN EXTENDED TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL

The adoption of iPads in the university sector has been widespread, with attention predominantly being directed to students’ adoption and use of iPads. However, there is a lack of empirical research which has critically examined the key factors influencing university staff adoption of iPads. The main objective of this research is to empirically examine key factors influencing adoption of iPads by university staff. An online survey was used to collect quantitative data to validate the measurement model and test hypothesised relationships in an extended TAM. The findings from the results of the data analyses show that university staff consider iPads to be easy to use and useful, with a high level of compatibility with their work. Social status had no influence on the attitude of university staff to using an iPad in their workplace. However, older university staff and/or university staff with no previous experience in using a similar technology such as an iPhone or smartphone found iPads less easy to use. Furthermore, a lack of formal university ICT support for end-users impacted negatively on the use of iPads by university staff. This research contributes to theory by validating and establishing support for an extended TAM which is contextualized for iPad adoption by university staff. This model has practical application because it is generalisable for a range of mobile computing devices and can be used to evaluate the adoption and use of mobile computing devices in a range of industries beyond the university sector.
Profile of refractive error in Ekiti, south western Nigeria

Background: Refractive error is one of the eye disorders with the capability of causing visual impairment. We needed to know the various types and proportion of refractive errors seen in patients attending an eye clinic at the tertiary health centre.Aim: An observational study was carried out to determine the profile of refractive error in a southwestern Nigeria hospital.Methods: All new cases with the diagnosis of refractive error between January 2015 and December 2016 had autorefraction and subjective refraction to determine the types and values of refractive error. Data were analysed with SPSS 20. Statistical significance was inferred at p < 0.05. Results: Refractive error constituted 618 (21.4%) of the total new cases. The mean age was 39.3 ± 22.96 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.8. Children constituted 25.7% of all the cases. The most common refractive error was myopia in 64.3%. A total of 312 (50.5%) patients had other co-existing ocular disorders with allergic conjunctivitis on the top of the list. The number of visually impaired reduced to 70 (5.64%) after the correction of existing refractive error with about 94.1% having their visual acuity restored to normal.Conclusion: Refractive error was a common eye disorder among our patients with the proportion of children about a quarter of all patients. We recommend that childhood refractive errors should be given prioritised attention in eye outreach programmes.
International Cantorian Set Theory and Teaching Prospective Teachers

Infinity has contradictions arising from its nature. Since mind is actually adapted to finite realities attained by behaviors in space and time, when one starts to deal with real infinity, contradictions will arise. In particular, Cantorian Set Theory for it involves the notion of “equivalence of a set to one of its proper subsets,” causes perceptual issues. Prospective mathematics teachers usually learn this concept via traditional lecture methods and experience possible problems later. Since Cantorian Set Theory is used in courses like Topology, Algebra, etc. and prospective teachers will teach it to students using appropriate methods, it is important that they comprehend it well. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of teaching Cantorian Set Theory via an Active Learning Based Course on prospective students’ achievement. The results indicate that prospective teachers who were in experimental group (taught by active learning based methods) were more successful than those who studied the traditional lecture method and the difference between the groups was significant (p = 0.02).
Planck’s dusty GEMS - III. A massive lensing galaxy with a bottom-heavy stellar initial mass function at z = 1.5

We study the properties of the foreground galaxy of the Ruby, the brightest gravitationally lensed high-redshift galaxy on the sub-millimeter sky as probed by the Planck satellite, and part of our sample of Planck's dusty GEMS. The Ruby consists of an Einstein ring of 1.4? diameter at z = 3.005 observed with ALMA at 0.1? resolution, centered on a faint, red, massive lensing galaxy seen with HST/WFC3, which itself has an exceptionally high redshift, z = 1.525 ± 0.001, as confirmed with VLT/X-shooter spectroscopy. Here we focus on the properties of the lens and the lensing model obtained with LENSTOOL. The rest-frame optical morphology of this system is strongly dominated by the lens, while the Ruby itself is highly obscured, and contributes less than 10% to the photometry out to the K band. The foreground galaxy has a lensing mass of (3.70 ± 0.35) × 1011 M. Magnification factors are between 7 and 38 for individual clumps forming two image families along the Einstein ring. We present a decomposition of the foreground and background sources in the WFC3 images, and stellar population synthesis modeling with a range of star-formation histories for Chabrier and Salpeter initial mass functions (IMFs). Only the stellar mass range obtained with the latter agrees well with the lensing mass. This is consistent with the bottom-heavy IMFs of massive high-redshift galaxies expected from detailed studies of the stellar masses and mass profiles of their low-redshift descendants, and from models of turbulent gas fragmentation. This may be the first direct constraint on the IMF in a lens at z = 1.5, which is not a cluster central galaxy.
Chronic venous leg ulcers – role of topical zinc

: Topical zinc has been used in the treatment of wounds for over 3,000 years, and is reported to have antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties. Fourteen studies were identified and reviewed, to assess the efficacy of this treatment modality as either a bandage or skin protectant in the treatment of venous ulcers. The authors of three studies reported improved healing time or success rate in wounds treated with zinc-based products. However, the authors of one study attributed the faster healing rate mainly to the extra compression (that improved venous blood return), delivered by the non-elastic paste bandage, and not by the zinc oxide alone. The quality of evidence is fair, as 50% of the studies were conducted prior to 2000 and 50% of the studies utilized fewer than 45 patients randomized to two or more groups. Other treatments have been reported to be more cost-effective than zinc, including hydrocolloids, four-layer compression systems, and CircAid Thera-boots. Finally, zinc was reported to be less comfortable, less easy to use, and caused increased pain, in comparison to other products on the market. This literature review, therefore, demonstrated that current evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of zinc-based products in the treatment of venous wounds. Future research is needed focusing on larger, high-quality trials with an emphasis on quality of life issues and cost-effectiveness of treatment.
Humor – An Aid to Learning and Instruction

“If you can make people laugh, you can make them think, make them like and believe you. ” Humor represents perhaps one of the most genuine and universal speech acts within human discourse. As a natural consequence then, the employment of humor within the context of second language pedagogy offers significant advantage to both the language teacher and learner. Indeed, humor serves as an effective means of reducing affective barriers to language acquisition. This effectiveness is particularly relevant to the communicative classroom, as humor has been shown to lower the affective filter and stimulate the pro-social behaviors that are so necessary for success within a communicative context. In order to investigate these and other perceived benefits of humor within the language classroom, the researcher of the present study surveyed a diverse collection of language students and teachers and asked them to evaluate the use of humor in their classrooms. Results from this pilot-study strongly confirm a perceived effectiveness for humor as an aid to learning and instruction.
Agency Problems and Audit Fees: Further Tests of the Free Cash Flow Hypothesis

This study finds that the agency problems of companies with high free cash flow (FCF) and low growth opportunities induce auditors of companies in the US to raise audit fees to compensate for the additional effort. We also find that high FCF companies with high growth prospects have higher audit fees. In both cases, higher debt levels moderate the increased fees, consistent with the role of debt as a monitoring mechanism. Other mechanisms to mitigate the agency costs of FCF such as dividend payout and share repurchase (not studied earlier) do not moderate the higher audit fees.
The stability of bankruptcy predictors in the construction and manufacturing industries at various times before bankruptcy

THE STABILITY OF BANKRUPTCY PREDICTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AT VARIOUS TIMES BEFORE BANKRUPTCY Michal Karas, Mária Režňáková This article focuses on the design of bankruptcy models, specifi cally the selection of suitable predictors. Previous research has drawn mainly on data concerning manufacturing companies one year before bankruptcy. Our research examines fi nancial ratios that are suitable bankruptcy indicators in two different industries (the construction and manufacturing industries) over a period of fi ve years prior to bankruptcy. Our main objective is to verify whether bankruptcy predictors are industry-specifi c. Another objective was to determine which indicators can detect signs of bankruptcy earlier than one period before bankruptcy. We presume that the application of industryspecifi c indicators can help increase the predictive accuracy of bankruptcy models when applied to a particular industry. Per analogiam, we assume that the inclusion of indicators capable of detecting signs of bankruptcy more than a year before its occurrence will increase their predictive capacity. Signifi cant predictors were fi rst identifi ed on a linear basis using the parametric t-test or F-test; for the sake of comparison, a non-linear non-parametric Boosted Trees method was also applied. Data for a total of 34,229 active companies and 304 companies that went bankrupt during the relevant period was analyzed. The research confi rmed our presumption that bankruptcy predictors are both industry and time specifi c. Four years before bankruptcy, the indicators return on assets, inventory turnover and asset structure are important predictors in both the manufacturing and construction industries. The net working capital to total assets ratio is a specifi c predictor for manufacturing companies in the third year before bankruptcy, as is the short-term indebtedness indicator. In the construction industry, specifi c predictors are the net working capital to sales ratio in the third and fi rst years before bankruptcy, and the interest coverage indicator in all four years preceding bankruptcy. Were these indicators to be included in a model for an alternative industry, they would be likely to reduce its accuracy.
Reservation Wages: Explaining Some Puzzling Regional Patterns

We use the Italian Labour Force Survey and the European Household Panel Survey to analyse the distribution of the reservation wages reported by jobseekers. In Italy, reservation wages appear to be higher in the South - the low income and high unemployment area of the country - than in the North and Centre. A similar, rather counterintuitive, pattern, however, can also be found in Finland, France and Spain. First, we show that the way in which these data are commonly collected generates double selection bias. Second, we show that this bias has a strong effect on the estimation of the geographical pattern of reservation wages in many countries. The size of this bias is substantial in Italy. When controlling for it, reservation wages are 10 per cent higher in the North and Centre than in the South.
Assessing organisational justice as a predictor of job satisfaction and employee engagement in Windhoek

Orientation: Working in the service industry with similar products and services requires organisations to be proactive and efficient. Enhancing employees’ levels of organisational justice is likely to influence job satisfaction and employee engagement.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensions of organisational justice that best predict job satisfaction and employee engagement among employees in Windhoek, Namibia.Motivation for the study: Poor service delivery is a concern within the service industry and this includes the banks and universities that operate in Windhoek. Having engaged employees is most likely going to improve the quality of service and customer satisfaction.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used, employing a questionnaire to collect data on the biographical details, organisational justice, job satisfaction and employee engagement of employees at a bank and university in Windhoek. The sample consisted of employees from a bank, Bank A (n = 106), and administrative staff at a university (n = 97). Main findings: Significant predictors of employee engagement (work energy) were interpersonal organisational justice and intrinsic job satisfaction. Regarding employee engagement (work focus), intrinsic job satisfaction and extrinsic job satisfaction were the significant predictors.Practical/managerial implications: Managers and supervisors need to regularly assess, monitor and enhance employees’ perception of organisational justice, job satisfaction and employee engagement. Improving organisational justice within the workplace is likely to result in an increase in job satisfaction and employee engagement, resulting in increased productivity and customer satisfaction.Contribution/value-add: The novelty of this study in Namibia will add to already existing knowledge within industrial and organisational psychology, pave the way for future research and guide the development of interventions aimed at keeping employees satisfied and engaged in their work.
Genetic Variation in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Endemic and Endangered Conifer Cupressus gigantea, Detected Using RAPD and ISSR Markers

Abstract Assessing the level and distribution of genetic diversity of rare tree species is essential for their management and the development of effective conservation strategies. Cupressus gigantea is a long-lived endemic cypress of the west Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the tallest tree in its genus. The current populations of this species are fragmented and highly disturbed. We used RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat amplification) markers to assess the genetic variation and population structure of this endangered cypress. The 15 RAPD primers used in this study amplified 108 reproducible bands, 49 (45.4%) of which were polymorphic, while the 12 ISSR primers amplified 94 bands, 65 (69.2%) of which were polymorphic. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that 49.7% and 38.3% of the variation was attributable to differences between populations for the RAPD and ISSR markers, respectively; relatively high compared to values reported for other conifer species. These estimates were also similar to Gst values obtained from Nei’s gene diversity analyses (RAPD = 0.41 and ISSR = 0.36), and suggest that there is a high degree of population differentiation in this narrowly-distributed conifer. The genetic structure of this species has probably been shaped by its long life cycle and climatic changes during the Quaternary. The high degree of population differentiation in this species highlights the need for additional conservation measures, including measures to protect of all of the remaining populations. The substantial similarities between the results of the RAPD and ISSR analyses of samples from the same individuals indicate that they can be interpreted with high levels of confidence.
Equatorial 150 km echoes and daytime F region vertical plasma drifts in the Brazilian longitude sector

Abstract. Previous studies showed that conventional coherent backscatter radar measurements of the Doppler velocity of the so-called 150 km echoes can provide an alternative way of estimating ionospheric vertical plasma drifts during daytime hours (Kudeki and Fawcett, 1993; Chau and Woodman, 2004). Using observations made by a small, low-power 30 MHz coherent backscatter radar located in the equatorial site of Sao Luis (2.59° S, 44.21° W; −2.35° dip lat), we were able to detect and monitor the occurrence of 150 km echoes in the Brazilian sector. Using these measurements we estimated the local time variation of daytime vertical ionospheric drifts in the eastern American sector. Here, we present a few interesting cases of 150 km-echoes observations made by the Sao Luis radar and estimates of the diurnal variation of vertical drifts. These cases exemplify the variability of the vertical drifts in the Brazilian sector. Using same-day 150 km-echoes measurements made at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory in Peru, we also demonstrate the variability of the equatorial vertical drifts across the American sector. In addition to first estimates of the absolute vertical plasma drifts in the eastern American (Brazilian) sector, we also present observations of abnormal drifts detected by the Sao Luis radar associated with the 2009 major sudden stratospheric warming event.
RESPONSE OF RED CHILLI VARIETIES UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Red chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is the vegetable commodity that is widely cultivated in Indonesia. Growth and yields of the plants may be hampered by drought stress. The research to evaluate the effect of drought stress to agronomical and physiological characteristics of red chilli was done from October 2015 to April 2016 in a screen house of the Horticulture Seed Centre, Jambi Province, Indonesia. The Split Plot Design was used in this research with drought stress as main plot (100%, 75%, 50% of field capacity, FC) and chilli varieties as sub plot (Lado, Kastilo, BCA, Tanamo, Laris, Romario, Ferosa, Azimuth). The maximum decrease of growth and yield was recorded under the high level of water stress (50% FC) compared to optimum water supply (100% FC). The tolerance chilli varieties will increase the proline content and maintain the total sugar and chlorophyll content. Tanamo, Lado, Kastilo and BCA are varieties that can survive under drought stress and still provide the higher yield.