Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree

This study is an application of the political theory of Michael Oakeshott aimed at enhancing understanding of the South African state. Oakeshott posits that the modern state is comprised of two separate modes of association, namely societas and universitas. Universitas refers to an association to attain a specific substantive purpose, while societas is an association based on common submission to the recognition of, and adherence to, prescribed formal laws. Each tends towards self‐destruction when the character of a given state is reflected by that mode of association exclusively. The presence of both modes of association in tension with each other produces a stable state. The South African state has been shown to reflect a dominantly universitas character, but, since a monopolar state cannot exist, it follows that the societas understanding of the state must also be present. In this study, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, is assessed to determine whether it reflects a societas understanding of the state. Two formal conditions for a societas are identified in the work of Oakeshott, namely a system of rules and norms, and the recognition of this system as being authoritative. These formal conditions are employed as a benchmark against which to test the character of the South African Constitution.
SIRE-DP-2010-96 Subsidies as Optimal Fiscal Stimuli

In the theoretical macroeconomics literature, fiscal policy is almost uniformly taken to mean taxing and spending by a ‘benevolent government’ that exploits the potential aggregate demand externalities inherent in the imperfectly competitive nature of goods markets. Whilst shown to raise aggregate output and employment, these policies crowd-out private consumption and hence typically reduce welfare. In this paper we consider the use of ‘tax-and-subsidise’ instead of ‘taxand-spend’ policies on account of their widespread use by governments, even in the recent recession, to stimulate economic activity. Within a static general equilibrium macro-model with imperfectly competitive good markets we examine the effect of wage and output subsidies and show that, for a small open economy, positive tax and subsidy rates exist which maximise welfare, rendering no intervention as a suboptimal state. We also show that, within a two-country setting, a Nash non-cooperative symmetric equilibrium with positive tax and subsidy rates exists, and that cooperation between trading partners in setting these rates is more expansionary and leads to an improvement upon the non-cooperative solution.
Does Restoration Enhance Regeneration of Seasonal Deciduous Forests in Pastures in Central Brazil?

The goal of restoration is to accelerate ecosystem recovery, but in ecosystems that naturally regenerate rapidly restoration techniques need to be selected carefully to facilitate rather than impede natural recovery. We compared the effects of five restoration techniques, such as plowing the soil, removing grasses, adding forest litter, seeding, and planting nursery‐growing seedlings, on the regeneration of seasonal deciduous forest trees in four abandoned pastures in central Brazil. We monitored all woody stems immediately prior to treatments and again 14 months after the treatments. We recorded an average of 16,663 tree stems per hectare and a total of 83 species before implementing treatments. Planting strongly increased species richness; adding litter and seeding had weaker positive effects on richness; and plowing and grass removal had no effect. Plowing substantially reduced the density of naturally established stems. Despite the high survival of planted seedlings, stem density in planting treatments did not change because the tractor and digging holes to plant seedlings caused mortality of naturally regenerating seedlings. Tree stems grew more in the grass release plots than in the control plots. Our results suggest that early succession of seasonal deciduous forest in pastures in the region studied does not need to be stimulated once the perturbation is stopped and that intensive restoration efforts may actually slow recovery. We recommend only enrichment planting of seedlings that are not able to resprout.
Accumulation of silver nanoparticles and its effect on the antioxidant capacity in Allium cepa L

Resumen. Hoy en día la nanotecnología es un área de estudio muy importante en el mundo ya que proporciona un control sobre la materia a escala nanométrica. En el área alimenticia y agrícola las aplicaciones de esta tecnología se encuentran en sus etapas iniciales. La cebolla es una de las principales hortalizas cultivadas en el mundo. Es un alimento con escaso aporte calórico y con una gran cantidad de flavonoides. En este trabajo se evaluó la aplicación de nitrato de plata en cebolla. Se desarrolló un cultivo de cebolla en las instalaciones de la UAAAN en Saltillo, México. Se utilizaron dos métodos de aplicación de nitrato de plata con diferentes dosis (solución nutritiva: 0, 20, 40 y 80 mg/L de AgNO3, y nebulización al follaje: 0, 20 y 40 mg/L de AgNO3). Se realizaron muestreos a los 30, 60 y 90 días después del trasplante. Se determinaron la capacidad antioxidante total, acumulación de plata y formación de nanopartículas de plata. Los resultados mostraron que la aplicación de Nitrato de plata tuvo un efecto positivo en la capacidad antioxidante total cuando se aplicó en solución nutritiva. La acumulación de plata en los diferentes tejidos fue dependiente del método de aplicación del nitrato de plata. La formación de nanopartículas de plata fue positiva. Estas nanopartículas se encontraron en mayor medida en muestras en las que se utilizó el método de aplicación de AgNO3 por nebulización al follaje. El tamaño promedio de las nanopartículas de plata fue desde ~300 nm hasta ~1000 nm.
Political Advantage, Disadvantage, and the Demand for Partisan News

In this article, I argue that the national political environment can meaningfully affect variation in aggregate demand for partisan media. I focus on the relationship between the political context—namely, political advantage and disadvantage derived from elections—and media demand in the form of partisan newspaper circulations. Using a data set that characterizes the partisan slant of local newspapers and their circulation levels between 1932 and 2004, I find that when parties are electorally advantaged in presidential contests, demand for their affiliated newspapers decreases relative to demand for papers affiliated with disadvantaged parties. I uncover evidence of similar patterns in a case study of Florida newspapers, and I also compare the power of presidential versus congressional outcomes in shaping feelings of advantage and disadvantage. Taken together, these results provide evidence of a negative link between political advantage derived from presidential elections and the relative demand for partisan news.
Approximative Network Partitioning for MFDs from Stationary Sensor Data

The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) measures network-level traffic performance of urban road networks. Large-scale networks are normally partitioned into homogeneous regions in relation to road network topology and traffic dynamics. Existing partitioning algorithms rely on unbiased data. Unfortunately, widely available stationary traffic sensors introduce a spatial bias and may fail to identify meaningful regions for MFD estimations. Thus, it is crucial to revisit and develop stationary-sensor-based partitioning algorithm. This paper proposes an alternative two-step partitioning algorithm for MFD estimations based on information collected solely from stationary sensors. In a first step, possible partitioning outcomes are generated in the road networks using random walks. In a second step, the regions’ MFDs are estimated under every possible partitioning outcome. Based on previous work, an indicator is proposed to evaluate the traffic heterogeneity in regions. The proposed partitioning approach is tested with an abstract grid network and empirical data from Zurich. In addition, the results are compared with an algorithm that disregards stationary detectors’ biases. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach performs well for obtaining the quasi-optimal network partitions yielding the lowest heterogeneity among all possible partition outcomes. The presented approach not only complements existing literature, but also offers practice-oriented solutions for transport authorities to estimate the MFDs with their available data.
Growth promotants in feeding pigs and poultry . II . Mode of action of antibiotic growth promotants

The mode of action of antibiotic growth promoters in pigs and poultry production has been the subject of a great number of scientific investigations. This contribution reviews non-systemic and systemic effects. An important feature of this type of growth promoters is their regulating effects on the potentially harmful gut flora, thereby limiting gastro-intestinal infections. Animal performance may be reduced as the immune system is stimulated by, e.g., gastro-intestinal infections or int7ammations. As a consequence, the cytokines may he produced by the organism affecting central nervous and/or the classical endocrine system or specific messenger cytokines may he released. Cytokines may also stimulate the release of catabolic hormones reducing body muscle mass. With respect to the systemic effects, it is tempting to assume that antibiotic growth promoters will alleviate challenges to the immune system through their gut flora regulating effects. (© Elsevier / Inra) growth promotant / antibiotic / pig / poultry / mode of action Résumé Les promoteurs de croissance dans l’alimentation des porcs et des vollailes. II. Modes d’action des antibiotiques. Cette revue décrit Ies modes d’action des antibiotiques utilisés comme promoteurs de croissance dans l’alimentation des porcs et des volailles et les effets variables qu’ils engendrent sur le plan iiiierobiologique et physiologique. Une caractéristique importante de ce type de promoteurs est leur action de régulation sur la flore intestinale potentiellcment pathogène, limitant de ce fait les risques d’infections gastro-intesdnales. Au niveau systémique, lorsque le système immunitaire est activé, les performances animales peuvent être réduites. Cette activation peut se traduire par la production de cytokines qui peuvent soit affecter le système nerveux central et/ou le système endocrine soit agir comme messagers spécifiques. Elles peuvent aussi réduire la masse corporelle des muscles en stimulant la libération d’hormones cataboliques. Au regard des effets systémiques, il est tentant d’affirmer que les antibiotiqucs, agents promoteurs de croissance, pourraient atténuer la réponse immunitaire de l’organisme de par leurs actions spécifiques sur la flore intestinale. (© Elsevier / Inra) promoteur de croissance / antibiotique / porc / volaille / mode d’action * Correspondence and reprints Tel: (46) 18 67 10 00; fax: (46) 18 67 29 95; e-mail: klas.elwinger(c-bhuv.slu. se
Thermoelectric Properties of Ca 1 − x Gd x MnO 3 − δ ( 0 . 00 , 0 . 02 , and 0 . 05 ) Systems

Polycrystalline samples of Ca1−xGdxMnO3−δ (x = 0.00, 0.02, and 0.05) have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity (ρ), thermoelectric power (S), and thermal conductivity (κ). All the samples were single phase with an orthorhombic structure. The Seebeck coefficient of all the samples was negative, indicating that the predominant carriers are electrons over the entire temperature range. The iodometric titration measurements indicate that the electrical resistivity of Ca1−xGdxMnO3−δ correlated well with the average valence of Mn and oxygen deficiency. Among the doped samples, Ca0.98Gd0.02MnO3−δ had the highest dimensionless figure of merit 0.018 at 300 K, representing an improvement of about 125% with respect to the undoped GaMnO3−δ sample at the same temperature.
Panax ginseng roots at different growth stages

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis relies on normalization against a consistently expressed reference gene. However, it has been reported that reference gene expression levels often vary markedly between samples as they are usually selected based solely on convention. The advent of RNA sequencing technology offers the opportunity to select reference genes with the least variability in steady-state transcript levels. To identify the most consistently stable genes, which are a prerequisite for obtaining reliable gene expression data, the present study analyzed transcriptomes from six Panax ginseng transcriptome data sets, representing six growth stages, and selected 21 candidate reference genes for screening using RT-qPCR. Of the 21 candidate genes, 13 had not been reported previously. The geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper programs were used to analyze the stability of the 21 candidate reference genes. The results showed that UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine transporter and nuclear transport factor 2 were likely to be the optimal combination of reference genes for use in investigations of ginseng. The novel reference genes were validated by correlating the gene expression profiles of four pathogenesis‐related protein genes generated from RT-qPCR, with their expression levels calculated from the RNA sequencing data. The expression levels were well correlated, which demonstrated their value in performing RT-qPCR analyses in ginseng.
Real exchange rate misalignment and economic performance in Sudan

This article investigates the behavior of equilibrium exchange rate and real exchange rate misalignment in Sudan over the period 1979– 2009. In addition, the impact of real exchange rate misalignment on economic performance is examined. The empirical results show that the equilibrium exchange rate is significantly influenced by economic policy variables such as trade openness, government expenditure and taxes. The results also reveal that the Sudanese economy has exhibited an exchange rate overvaluation over the period under consideration. Consistent with our expectations for the period that related to oil exploitation, the real exchange rate has shown a low volatility owing to huge inflows of foreign exchange. Moreover, the results demonstrate that exchange rate misalignment has a deleterious impact on Sudanese export performance. Keywords: Cointegration, economic performance, error correction model, exchange rate misalignment, Sudan
Charged magneto-exciton states in semiconductor quantum dots

By embedding a layer of self-assembled quantum dots into a field-effect structure, we are able to control the exciton charge in a single dot. We present the results of photoluminescence experiments as a function of both charge and magnetic field. The results demonstrate a hierarchy of energy scales determined by quantization, the direct Coulomb interaction, the electron–electron exchange interaction, and the electron–hole exchange interaction. For excitons up to the triply charged exciton, the behavior can be understood from a model assuming discrete levels within the quantum dot. For the triply charged exciton, this is no longer the case. In a magnetic field, we discover a coherent interaction with the continuum states, the Landau levels associated with the wetting layer. r 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 73.21. La; 75.75. +a; 78.67. Hc
Effects of Zn and Mg in Cu sites of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ single crystals on the resistive transition, fluctuation conductivity, and magnetic irreversibilities

We report on the resistive transition and fluctuation conductivity of an ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2.97}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.03}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ single crystal and on the magnetic irreversibilities of this compound in two different oxygen states and another ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ single crystal in which (1 at. %) of Cu was substituted by Mg. Our measurements show a very drastic decrease of the superconducting transition temperature and the growth of granularity effects already in this low dopand concentration. In the temperature region immediately above ${T}_{c}$ our results of fluctuation conductivity reveal the occurrence of critical and Gaussian regimes. The resistive transition of the ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2.97}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.03}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ single crystal occurs in two steps. First superconductivity sets in within the grains and at somewhat lower temperature long-range superconducting order takes place over the whole sample. Between the zero resistance temperature ${T}_{c0}(H)$ and the pairing transition temperature ${T}_{c}(H)$ lays the magnetic irreversibility line ${T}_{\mathrm{irr}}(H),$ which follows the power law predicted by the flux creep theories in most of the high field range. However, in a low field region, dominated by Josephson flux dynamics, the irreversibility line exhibits two different regimes dominated by disorder and frustration and characterized by AT (de Almeida-Thouless) and GT (Gabay-Toulouse) power law behaviors. This Josephson flux dynamics is squeezed into a considerably smaller field region than in other granular ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ systems. We attribute the origin of the observed stepwise resistive transition and low field magnetic irreversibility regimes mainly to the granularity of the superconducting state, which is induced by the impurities at the Cu sites and increased by shortage of oxygen.
Surface distribution of dissolved trace metals in the oligotrophic ocean and their influence on phytoplankton biomass and productivity

The distribution of bioactive trace metals has the potential to enhance or limit primary productivity and carbon export in some regions of the world ocean. To study these connections, the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V were determined for 110 surface water samples collected during the Malaspina 2010 Circumnavigation Expedition (MCE). Total dissolved Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V concentrations averaged 19.0 ± 5.4 pM, 21.4 ± 12 pM, 0.91 ± 0.4 nM, 0.66 ± 0.3 nM, 88.8 ± 12 nM, 1.72 ± 0.4 nM, and 23.4 ± 4.4 nM, respectively, with the lowest values detected in the Central Pacific and increased values at the extremes of all transects near coastal zones. Trace metal concentrations measured in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the MCE were compared to previously published data for the same region. The comparison revealed little temporal changes in the distribution of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni over the last 30 years. We utilized a multivariable linear regression model to describe potential relationships between primary productivity and the hydrological, biological, trace nutrient and macronutrient data collected during the MCE. Our statistical analysis shows that primary productivity in the Indian Ocean is best described by chlorophyll a, NO3, Ni, temperature, SiO4, and Cd. In the Atlantic Ocean, primary productivity is correlated with chlorophyll a, NO3, PO4, mixed layer depth, Co, Fe, Cd, Cu, V, and Mo. The variables salinity, temperature, SiO4, NO3, PO4, Fe, Cd, and V were found to best predict primary productivity in the Pacific Ocean. These results suggest that some of the lesser studied trace elements (e.g., Ni, V, Mo, and Cd) may play a more important role in regulating oceanic primary productivity than previously thought and point to the need for future experiments to verify their potential biological functions.
Comparison between rocking analysis and kinematic analysis for the dynamic out‐of‐plane behavior of masonry walls

This paper provides a contribution to the rocking analysis of masonry walls by making a comparison with the kinematic analysis suggested by the Italian code. It is shown that the latter approach is generally over‐conservative and therefore potentially inappropriate for historic buildings, where rehabilitation can be expensive and can affect their cultural value. The equation of motion given by the Housner formulation, corresponding to the movement of a rigid block, is here modified to account for different boundary conditions at different heights of the wall. These boundary conditions or horizontal restraints can represent vaults, transverse walls, or retrofitting devices such as steel tie‐rods. A systemic analysis of walls having different dimensions and slenderness is performed, and the results from the Italian code and rocking analysis are compared. Finally, the improvement in the response offered by retrofitting devices is discussed in terms of reduction of amplitude ratio. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetic Order in the Pyrochlore Iridates A2Ir2O7 (A = Y, Yb)

We present results from muon spin relaxation/rotation, magnetization, neutron scattering and transport measurements on polycrystalline samples of the pyrochlore iridates Y2Ir2O7 (Y-227) and Yb2Ir2O7 (Yb-227). Well-defined spontaneous oscillations of the muon asymmetry are observed together with hysteretic behavior in magnetization below 130 K in Yb-227, indicative of commensurate long-range magnetic order. Similar oscillations are observed in Y-227 below 150 K; however the onset of hysteretic magnetization at T = 190 K indicates a transition to an intermediate state lacking long-range order as observed in Nd-227. Our results also show that insulating members of the iridate family have nearly identical magnetic ground states, and that the presence of magnetic A-site species does not play any significant role in altering the ground state properties.
Evaluating of phosphorus quantity/intensity parameters in soil with different systems of organic fertilising

One of the refinement methods for estimating the parameters of phosphorus dynamics in soil is the construction of sorption isotherms in dependence on changes of exchangeable sorbed phosphorus in soil (∆Q) and changes of phosphorus amount in soil solution (∆I). Regression analysis allows to calculate equilibrium concentration (c equ ) and phosphorus buffering capacity (BC). The mentioned analyses were realised on soils from the long-term field ex periments of the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) in Prague and Crop Research Institute (CRI) in Ruzyně, Czech Republic. The influence of different organic fertilisers compared to the control (not amended) treatment was tested. For the evaluating of parameters, the root and logarithmic functions were used. The lowest c equ of the logarithmic function was always found on not amended treatment. Low amounts were found in the treatments amended with barley straw as well. The highest amounts were found in soil after potatoes cropping fertilised with farmyard manure (FYM). In the FYM variant fertilised with 70 kg P/ha, the c equ value reached 0.45 mg P/l. Both treatments fertilised with sewage sludge (720 kg P/ha and 240 kg P/ha) showed similar values of about 0.25 mg P/l. A different trend was found for the phosphorus buffering capacity (BC); this was the highest at the control treatment and at the treatment fertilised with straw. The lowest BC was observed in both soils after potatoes fertilised with FYM, where it reached 61 mg P/kg and 65 mg P/kg, respectively. Similar trends were found when evaluating root function.