Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Maastricht Criteria and Optimal Monetary and Fiscal Policy Mix for the EMU Accession Countries

The Maastricht convergence criteria set constraints on both monetary and fiscal policies in the EMU Accession Countries. This paper uses a DSGE model of a two sector small open economy with distortionary taxes to address the following question: How do the Maastricht convergence criteria modify an optimal monetary and fiscal policy mix in an economy facing domestic and external shocks? We find that targets of the unconstrained optimal monetary and fiscal policy are similar to those of the optimal monetary policy alone. The constrained policy is characterised by additional elements that penalize fluctuations of monetary and fiscal variables around the new targets which are different from the steady state of the unconstrained optimal monetary policy. Under the chosen parameterization (which aims to reflect the Czech Republic economy) the optimal monetary and fiscal policy violates three Maastricht criteria: on the CPI inflation rate, the nominal interest rate and deficit to GDP ratio. Both the stabilization component and deterministic component of the con- strained policy are different from the unconstrained optimal policy. Since monetary criteria play a dominant role in affecting the stabilization process of the constrained policy, CPI inflation and the nominal interest are characterised by a smaller variability (than under the unconstrained policy) at the expense of a higher variability of deficit to GDP ratio. The constrained policy is characterised by a deflationary bias which results in targeting the CPI inflation rate and the nominal interest rate that are lower by 1.3% (in annual terms) than the CPI inflation rate and the nominal interest rate in the countries taken as a reference. The constrained policy is also characterised by targeting surplus to GDP ratio at around 3.7%. As a result the policy constrained by the Maastricht convergence criteria induces additional welfare costs that amount to 60% of the initial deadweight loss associated with the optimal policy.
Chemical quality indicators of an entisol under different tillage practices in Maiduguri, Nigeria

The impact of tillage on soil quality indicators is useful in the assessment of dynamic soil properties and processes that are useful for evaluating the sustainability of soil and crop management practices. The influence of three tillage systems: no-tillage (NT), reduce tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) on chemical quality indicators after about 12 years of management was evaluated on an Entisol in Maiduguri, north eastern Nigeria. Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (OC), total N, available P and exchangeable Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined on soil samples collected at depth of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. An accumulation of soil OC occurred primarily in the top (0-15 cm) soil layer with values of 0.296, 0.262 and 0.196 % for NT, RT and CT treatments respectively. Total N, C:N ratio, Mg, K, CEC, and ESP were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by tillage practices particularly at surface (0-15 cm) soil layer. The NT treatment recorded highest values of most chemical parameters (including OC, CEC, TN, Mg and K) followed by the RT treatment, while the CT treatment recorded the least. Soil salinity (EC) and sodicity (SAR) attributes, soil pH and other chemical properties of the soil (including Ca, Na, EXA and BS) were not affected by tillage methods. From the study it could be concluded that, adoption of conservation tillage systems (NT and RT) promotes agricultural sustainability and environmental quality for the soil studied compared to the conventional system (CT).
Using accumulated knowledge to calibrate theoretical propositions

In organizational psychology research, most theories put forth directional predictions, such as stating that an increase in one construct will result in an increase or decrease in another construct. Such predictions are imprecise, given that they can be confirmed by a wide range of values, and theories that rely on such predictions bear little risk of falsification. In this article, we present an approach for increasing theoretical precision by using results from meta-analyses to calibrate the predictions embedded in a theory. Our approach provides point values for theoretical predictions along with credibility intervals that capture the likely range of the predicted effects. We illustrate this approach by drawing from research on work engagement and calibrate the predictions represented by two conceptual models. Contributions and limitations of the proposed approach are discussed.
Assessment of Cyanobactrial Blooms Associated with Water Quality Status of Lake Chamo, South Ethiopia

Cyanobacterial blooms are group of phytoplankton called blue green algal blooms which are occurred commonly and naturally in many aquatic systems. In this paper, assessment of groups of different phytoplankton community and physicochemical water quality properties (pH, DO, TDS, temperature, total hardness, chloride, Chlorophyll a, nutrient level of PO4 3--P, NO3-N, NO2 --N, TP, TN) were analyzed and discussed using both original and literature data from the lake Chamo-known by its fish potential and fresh water in Ethiopia. Samples of water were taken from three different sites within the lake (from Inlet, Center and out let sites) during the dry season of 2014/15. Average Physicochemical properties of lake water were determined for each of the sites and cyanobacterial algae bloom was assessed by taking the composite sample of water biologically. The overall water quality parameters and phytoplankton biomass results have been observed as Turbidity (7.10-20.42 NTU), a maximum pH 9.02, TDS (622-651 mg/l), electric conductivity (720- 782 μS/cm), DO (10.26-17.61 mg/l), nitrate-nitrogen (3.12-5.35 mg/l), nitrite-nitrogen (0.03-0.11 mg/l), Total nitrogen (3.18-5.39 mg/l), phosphate (1.08-1.47 mg/l), Total phosphorus (0.43-0.55 mg/l), Chlorophyll a (23.85-28.87 μg/l) and total of 54 species from 9 classes of phytoplankton, dominated by large colonial forms of Microcystis and Anabaena species. The values of the whole analyzed parameters have shown significant variation in site (P<0.05). Finally, these results were compared with previous studies and concluded that the lake is getting worse and worst time to time and needs better follow up to protect and make it suitable for multiple purposes.
Exploring the Importance of Saproxylic Beetles (Coleoptera) as Indicators of Forest Biodiversity and Available Resources in Kitchener, Ontario

iii Acknowledgements . iv List of Figures . vi List of Tables . vii Chapter 1.0 . 1 Thesis Overview . 1 Saproxylic Organisms at a Glance . 3 Ecological Requirements: The Importance of Deadwood . 5 Comparing Diversity Between Old Growth Forests and Tree Plantations . 7 Managing for Sustainable Ecosystems via Saproxylic Communities . 7 Invasive Species and Resource Pulses . 11 Using Saproxylic Beetles as Indicators of Ecological Integrity . 13 The Importance of Monitoring Insect Populations . 15 Chapter 2.0 . 17 Methodology . 17 Study Sites . 17 Insect Sampling . 25 Statistical Analyses . 27 Results . 32 Chapter 3.0 . 44 Insight Into Saproxylic Beetle Communities in Kitchener, ON . 44 Comparing Biodiversity between Study Sites . 44 Families of Interest Due to Ecological Importance and Indicators of Forest Integrity . 46 Functional Groups . 50 Recommendations and Conclusions . 51 References . 58 Appendix . 70
New Information Content Glossary Relatedness (ICGR) Approach for Short Text Similarity (STS) Tasks

The measurement of the relatedness of word semantics based on complementary Wikipedia and WordNet-based methods takes two forms, combined and integrative, which are aimed at increasing the semantic space between related words. However, each form has its own set of issues regarding its components and the strategy that is used to combine and integrate corpus-based and knowledge-based methods. In the integrative strategy, a large corpus, such as Wikipedia, is used to extract a set of related words for a particular concept as a basis for searching the WordNet space. The drawback to this strategy is in its use of a fixed scaling parameter, which only fits an implemented dataset that is near to a human score. Other corpus-based methods use a cut-off threshold that is determined experimentally to reduce the semantic space and to increase the search for a more accurate semantic space. Such methods merely take into account the frequency of bigrams, while ignoring the frequency of individual terms. Knowledge-based methods using a gloss overlap have a similar limitation to the corpus-based methods, where they lead to the loss of many valuable relatedness features that determine a more accurate measurement. Thus, in this paper, a new Information Content Glossary Relatedness (ICGR) approach was proposed in two steps, namely, an Extended-PMI based on a cut-off density threshold was proposed to extract a Robust Relatedness Vector set (RVS) of a large Wikipedia dataset. Then, a Semantic Structural Information (SSI) method was presented to use the RVS as a fulcrum to define the most relatedness gloss in the WordNet of each gloss and to select the top 5 glosses related to each RVS. The results showed that the proposed approach outperformed the state-of-the-art set, where the Extended-PMI achieved a Spearman’s correlation of 0.89 to the human score and the ICGR approach achieved a Spearman’s correlation of 0.8 to the human score.
Features of auroral breakup obtained using data of ground-based television observations: Case study

Abstract. The knowledge about the relative timing of events during the substorm expansion phase onset is very important for understanding the physics of substorms. In this work ground-based television (TV) imaging technique was used for observations of the first auroral arc brightening near zenith of TV chamber for the case of an isolated substorm. The method of the TV image filtration was used giving the possibility to analyze motion of sub visual auroral arcs. The analysis of the connection between the first auroral arc brightening and the beginning of magnetic disturbance was carried out. It was shown that luminosity disturbance is absent to the pole of breakup arc before the breakup and there exist a delay time between the brightening and start of intense magnetic fluctuations in the Pi1–Pi2 frequency ranges. The results obtained have been compared with predictions of theories of auroral breakup.
Protective effect of turnip root ethanolic extract on early diabetic nephropathy in the rats

همدقم عون تبايد 2 هب مـه يناهج تشادهب هلئسم كي ناونع شيازـفا هـب ور ناـنچ عياش و هدوب هب ناهج رد تبايد عون نيرت يم رامش دور . 1 تـبايد زنژوتاپ هچرگا عون 2 ار يبرچ و زكولگ مسيلوباتم رد للاتخا نكل ،تسا هدشن صخشم ًاقيقد يم ليخد رما نيا رد دنناد . 2 تسا تسد رد يدايز دهاوش هك شـقن زا تـياكح لاـكيدار دـيلوت نآ لابند هب و ويتاديسكا سرتسا و يتباـيد ناراـميب رد دازآ ياـه د زنژوتاــ پ رد لــ ماوع نــ يا تــ لاخد دــ نراد تــ باي . 3 هــ ك تــ سا هدــ ش صخــ شم هنوگ ديلوت شيازفا اب يمسيلگرپيه نژيـسكا لاعف ياه ) Reactive Oxygen
Body measurements and slaughter parameters in four close bred stocks of japanese quail reared under different levels of dietary lysine

The aim of study was to evaluate body measurements and slaughter parameters in four close bred stock (CBS) of Japanese quail (named as Major (M), Kaleem (K), Saadat (S) and Zahid (Z)) reared under different levels of dietary lysine at Avian Research and Training (ART) Centre, UVAS Lahore, Pakistan. For this purpose 1440 broiler quail chick were procured form ART Centre hatchery, birds were reared at different levels of dietary lysine i.e. 1.3% lysine for 28 days (Phase-I), 1.4% lysine for 1 st 14 days and 1.2% lysine for last 14 o (Phase-II), 1.5% lysine for 9 days, 1.3% lysine for next 10 days and 1.1% lysine for last 9 days (Phase-III). A total of 108 birds {4(CBS)×3(Phases)×9 birds}, were slaughtered at the age of 27 weeks and their body measurements and slaughter parameters were recorded. The data thus obtained were statistically analyzed through Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The means were separated out through Duncan’s Multiple Range test using SAS 9.1 for windows. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) among different CBS and Phases. In body measurements body, shank and drumstick length and drumstick circumference showed significant difference (P<0.05) while wing spread, keel length and shank circumferences showed non-significant difference. In slaughter parameters carcass, heart and gizzard weight, and intestinal length showed significant differences (P<0.05) whereas body, liver and intestinal weight showed non-significant differences.
Growth and distributional correlates of behavior in three co-occurring juvenile flatfishes

We explored whether anti-predator behavior and intrinsic growth are co-evolved traits in 3 co-occurring juvenile flatfish species: English sole Pleuronectes vetulus, Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis and northern rock sole Lepidopsetta polyxystra. English sole are risk prone, adopting behavior that renders them more vulnerable to predation, while northern rock sole are more risk averse. Pacific halibut are risk sensitive and modulate behavior to match per- ceived threats. We hypothesized that risk-taking behavior and intrinsic growth rate would be pos- itively correlated in these species. We examined the willingness of each species to feed, both in the presence and absence of risk, and in separate experiments we measured their intrinsic growth rates under a range of temperatures. As predicted, risky behavior in English sole was accompa- nied by high intrinsic growth, while risk aversion in rock sole was accompanied by low growth. Pacific halibut confounded predictions, combining moderate risk-taking behavior with high growth. Lastly, we examined the depth distribution of each species. We expected English sole would be restricted to the shallows (<5 m), where predators are less common, while rock sole would have a deeper distribution, being better able to co-exist with predators. Halibut were expected to present an intermediate depth distribution. Again, English sole and rock sole con- formed to predictions, while Pacific halibut confounded them by having a deeper depth distribu- tion, comparable to that of rock sole. We suspect that the behavioral plasticity of Pacific halibut, combined with refuging behavior and well-developed escape capabilities, may allow them to have both high intrinsic growth as well as the ability to coexist with the predators. Thus, our results provide only partial support for our hypothesis that behavior and growth are co-evolved traits that together control the distribution of juvenile flatfishes across predation gradients.
Objective and subjective effects of surgical treatment of nasal obstructions in patients with asthma

There is a lot of evidence indicating an association between upper and lower airway diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the objective and subjective effects of surgical treatment of pathologies causing nasal obstruction in relation with asthma. Materials and methods: In this study, 17 patients with asthma were divided into 2 groups. Nine patients with septal and/or disorders of turbinate constituted group 1, and 8 patients with nasal polyposis or concomitant septal deviation constituted group 2. Nasal endoscopic examination was performed and paranasal sinus computed tomography was obtained for each patient. Subjects with nasal polyposis, refractory to systemic steroid treatment, were included in the study. Nasal obstruction was treated surgically in all patients. Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively patients were evaluated in terms of sinonasal symptoms, severity of asthma, and pulmonary function tests. Results: The mean FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second) and FEF25-75 (forced midexpiratory flow rate) rates were improved in both groups postoperatively, but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Severity of asthma and dosage of asthma medications were reduced in all patients and in half of the patients, respectively. Nasal obstruction, headache, and postnasal drip were the most frequent symptoms in both groups. These symptoms improved markedly after the surgery. Conclusion: Sinonasal symptoms and severity of asthma reduce with the surgical treatment of nasal obstructions, which increase the quality of life of patients significantly.
The sustainability of an organic sector under transition: an empirical evaluation for Italy.

The Italian organic sector since its origin has been going through a deep process of transformation. Many organic farms experienced an increase in size, an industrialization of production processes, a gradual integration within the traditional food system – such as the use of large scale retail channels and brands, coming along with a weaker defense of the original values stated by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. This resulted in the so called conventionalization of organic farming that led to increasing doubts about the environmental and social sustainability of conventionalized organic farms. The aim of this work is to contribute to this debate by comparing the sustainability of organic and conventional Italian farms. In the first part of the work we analyze the evolution of the Italian organic sector from its origins. In the second part of the work a short description, based on the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data, of the organic agricultural sector in Italy will be presented. In the last part of the work we propose a methodology to evaluate the environmental, social and economic sustainability of organic farms and apply it to the FADN data. Simple indicators for each of the three levels of sustainability –social, environmental and economicare first calculated. They are then aggregated in a synthetic measure of sustainability. The calculated indicators can be used to compare the sustainability of organic and conventional farms, in addition they can also be used to visualise farm heterogeneity within the organic sector and to monitor the trajectory toward conventionalization. The first results show that Italian organic farms are on average more sustainable than conventional farms.
Failure of Nickel-based super alloy (ME3) in aerospace gas turbine engines

The significant goal of this study is to develop a system to determine the margin of safety for ME3 super alloy in aerospace gas turbine engines. This margin of safety can be defined as critical temperature, force stress, exposure time, and cycles. In this research, by applying analytical solutions and using experimental data, equations are obtained to predict the life of a nickel-base super alloy in aerospace gas turbine engines. The experimental data that are applied to obtain the equations are achieved by gas turbine environment simulation experiments. This environment is contained with mechanical cycles at high temperature. The results that are achieved by these solutions are compared with the data from an experiment on a composite material. This comparison has proved that the results of this study seem logical. Ultimately, by employing of convex, concave, and linear equations, many results to predict the life of ME3 are obtained. Main reasons in ME3 failure at gas turbine engine environment is determined by this method. Based on the results of this research, the most important cause of ME3 failure is due to maximum mechanical force at high temperatures close to 763°C. Key words: Failure, nickel-base super alloy, gas turbine engines, mechanical fatigue, high temperature.
The Orbit of the Gamma-Ray Binary 1FGL J1018.6−5856

Gamma-ray binaries are a small subclass of the high mass X-ray binary population that exhibit emission across the whole electromagnetic spectrum. We present the radial velocities of 1FGL J1018.6−5856 based on the observations obtained with the Southern African Large Telescope. We combine our measurements with those published in the literature to get a broad phase coverage. The mass function obtained supports a neutron star compact object, although a black hole mass is possible for the very low inclination angles. The improved phase coverage allows constraints to be placed on the orbital eccentricity (e = 0.31 ± 0.16), which agrees with the estimates from the high-energy data.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EFL LEARNERS' LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGY USE, WILLINGNESS TO COMMUNICATE, AND L2 ACHİEVEMENT

This study aimed to explore the interactions between EFL learners’ language learning strategy use, willingness to communicate (WTC), and L2 achievement. To do so, a quantitative study was conducted with 79 tertiary level EFL learners. These participants were prep-class students from two different state universities, and they were having intensive language courses during that one-year education. Data was collected using a 70-item composite instrument. To measure language learning strategy use of the participants, Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learners (SILL) was used, and L2 WTC levels of the learners were determined via McCroskey’s (1992) WTC scale. L2 achievement scores were calculated using their first term quiz and midterm results. To analyze the available data, SPSS Statistics 22.0 software was used. The results indicated that metacognitive and social strategies are the most commonly favored strategy types by both genders. In addition, learners with higher WTC in L2 use language learning strategies more frequently, and affective and memory-related strategies are the best predictors of L2 WTC. Finally, findings displayed that although WTC and language learning strategies are two important constructs influencing each other, they do not lead to increased L2 achievement. To conclude, this study clearly showed that WTC levels of the learners can be increased by providing the learners with strategy training and guiding them to use more strategies, so that, they can feel comfortable to use L2 in communication. Especially, affective and memory-related strategies need to be emphasized because of their greater predictive ability on L2 WTC.
Reproductive cycle of the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, off southern Australia

The proportion of berried (externally egg-bearing) females, fecundity, gonadosomatic index, and egg size of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus off southern Australia were examined by analysing data from samples of commercial catches using generalized linear models. Ovarian development was studied morphologically and histologically. Female blue swimmer crabs spawn from October to January and can spawn more than once per season. The fecundity of female blue swimmer crabs initially increased with carapace width, maximized at a carapace width of 134 mm, and decreased thereafter. Thus, fecundity increased 83.9% with an increase of carapace width from 105 to 125 mm, implying a single large female can produce as many eggs as two or more small females. The gonadosomatic index of female crabs from Spencer Gulf increased 2.4% from October 1998 to November 1998, increased an additional 15.9% by December 1998, and then decreased 62.3% to its minimum in January 1999. Gonadosomatic index also increased with 1/3 power of their body weight. Thus, the commonly used gonadosomatic index is overly simplistic for blue swimmer crabs. Unlike tropical or subtropical female blue swimmer crabs which often continually spawn, those off southern Australia spawn only in certain times of the year. The implications of this work lead to suggestions for three management measures for the commercial fishery: maintaining the prohibition of catching berried females, extending the seasonal closure from October to January, and maintaining the current legal minimum carapace width of 110 mm.