Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Development and Survival of African Agri-Food Exports

This paper investigates the link between export survival of agri-food products and financial development. It tests the hypothesis that financial development differentially affects the survival of exports across products based on their need of external finance. The authors test whether exports of products that are relatively more reliant on external capital survive longer when initiated in more financially developed countries. The results suggest that agri-food products that require more external finance indeed sustain longer in foreign markets if the exporting country is more financially developed.
HIRST: USING PECHA KUCHA AS FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT IN TWO UNDERGRADUATE MODULES. (RE) CONCEPTUALIZING ‘THE RIGHT LINES’

The discourses around feedback and assessment within higher education are often proliferated as critical to student learning, and attention to student (dis) satisfaction is often high on the agenda. As academics spend extensive time and effort on the production of summative feedback, this paper draws on the initial findings from a small -scale study of the use of Pecha Kucha as a methodology for formative assessment within two undergraduate modules. The dominant themes suggest some disparity between staff and students regarding the purpose of formative assessment and the paper argues that Pecha Kucha can be used as a platform to develop assessment dialogues, with the subsequent development of a pedagogic literacy around feedback practices. Furthermore, the value of listening to different narratives from research studies, students and tutors supports the reframing of assessment as a supportive mechanism beyond the elicitation of proof of learning.
Behavioral change due to climate change effects accelerate tiger human conflicts: A study on Sundarbans mangrove forests, Bangladesh

The change in climate has been observed over comparable periods of time. Mangrove ecosystem and its biodiversity are threatened due to climate change. Sundarbans mangrove ecoregion situated in Bangladesh (~62%) and India (~38%) is a bioclimatic zone. Sundarbans is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris L) which is the top predator. Therefore, it helps to regulate the number and distribution of prey, which in turn impacts forest structure, composition and regeneration. As climate change affects the flora and fauna in this ecosystem, these may be impaired because of migration of the species. The tigers become stray from forests to human inhabitants and causes tiger human conflicts which often results in retaliatory killings of tiger and human and or livestock. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify the effects of climate change towards the salinity intrusion and biodiversity, modification of floral and faunal composition, habitat loss and behavioral change of wildlife, which ultimately identify the factors for accelerating tiger human conflicts. It reviewed related literature through various websites and the secondary data were quoted with necessary modification. The primary data obtained from the office records of Bangladesh Forest Department and a social surveying was conducted on livelihood profile of the people living surrounding the Sundarbans to identify the relations between tiger attacking and their livelihood and living style. We used ArcGIS 9.3 to visualize the tiger habitat and trigger up the causes of root of conflicts between human and tiger. The results reveal the climate change effects in the Sundarbans Mangrove forest through changing its biodiversity composition in terms of loss of wildlife habitats which is responsible for accelerating tiger human conflicts. It suggests, a social and cultural revolution for sustainable alternative livelihood of forest-dependent population i.e., Alternative Income Generation (AIG), modification of the formal legal system, institutional development and in depth research can minimize these issues towards the sustainability of Sundarbans mangrove forest.
Determinants of Net Interstate Migration, 2000-2004

The present study investigates the impact on net state in-migration over the 2000-2004 period of a variety of economic and non-economic factors. The empirical estimates indicate that the net state in-migration rate was an increasing function of median family income and the previous-period employment growth rate on the one hand and a decreasing function of the cost of living. In addition, net state in-migration was an increasing function of the warmer temperatures, while being a decreasing function of the presence of hazardous waste sites and pollution in the form of toxic chemical releases. Finally, net state in-migration was an increasing function of state plus local government spending per pupil on primary and secondary education and a decreasing function of the state individual income tax burden.
Excessive Soil Water Effects at Various Stages of Development on the Growth and Yield of Corn

ABSTRACT THE response of corn to naturally fluctuating water tables at five different stages of growth was studied for 3 years. Fifty plots of 15 m x 15 m were established in 1984 on Nicollet soil in an area that is not artificially drained. In the center of each plot, an observation well was installed for water-table measurements. Water-table hydrographs were developed for each plot annually to quantify crop stress factors from excessive wetness (SEW30, a summation of days times the height of the water table above 30 cm). The results of these studies indicate that SEW30 values of as low as 40 cm-days in the early part of the growing season can significantly reduce corn yields. Corn yields decreased linearly with the increase in SEW30 values and the Stress Day Index (SDI). Lower corn yields resulted from both decreased plant population and poor crop growth due to excessive wetness.
JAYESH PRAKASH GUPTA EVALUATING TIE STRENGTH FROM TWITTER DATA IN CON- FERENCE SETTING: CASE CMAD

GUPTA, JAYESH PRAKASH: Evaluating tie strength from Twitter data in conference setting: Case CMAD Tampere University of technology Master of Science Thesis, 81 pages, 1 appendix (1 page) August 2016 Master’s Degree Programme in Industrial Engineering & Management Major: International Sales and Sourcing Examiner: Professor Hannu Kärkkäinen
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Recent Work Title

In heavy-ion collisions, J/ψ and Drell-Yan production are expected to be affected by nuclear modifications to the free nucleon structure functions. If these modifications, known as shadowing, are proportional to the local nuclear density, the per nucleon cross sections will depend on centrality. Differences in quark and gluon shadowing will lead to a new source of impact parameter dependence of the J/ψ to Drell-Yan production ratio. We calculate this ratio in the CERN NA50 acceptance with several shadowing parameterizations to explore its centrality dependence. Typeset using REVTEX
Teacher as Unit Leader: Defining and Examining the Effects of Care and Support on Children: A Review of the Research

In this article, we integrate two distinct bodies of research to explore how teacher care and support impact student outcomes: research on relational culture in classrooms from educational scholars and, for the first time, research on positive organizational scholarship. We begin by delineating the essential elements of care and support. We then examine findings on the impact of care and support on initial (e.g., affiliation) and intermediate (e.g., engagement) mediating variables on the pathway to achievement. Since our linkage of POS to teachers and classrooms is new, we also develop a series of cautions that require attention moving forward.
Comparison of body mass index, body fat percentage and neck circumference as tools for evaluation of obesity -

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a Medical College Hospital after obtaining necessary permission from the institute and Ethics Committee. Every subject was informed about the test, the measurements those need to be taken, the aim of the study and signed consent form was taken from every subject. Total of 228 subjects, 136 males and 92 females participated in this study. Their BMI, BFP and NC were recorded and tested for correlation of NC with BMI and with BFP. The statistical analysis was done by Linear regression analysis performed using Graph Pad Prism version 5.00 for Windows, Graph Pad Software, San Diego, California, USA. Results : The correlation between the parameters was found to be significant in all the subjects and also in the male and female subjects taken separately with a p value of < 0.0001. Conclusion : This result suggests that NC can be used as a screening tool for evaluation of obesity instead of BMI & BFP.
Graduates on placement: Perceptions about effectiveness and learned professional skills

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of students' 8 weeks placement in a practicum in all types of libraries as part of their Master degree requirement. The practicum, as a part of curriculum, offers benefits to all stakeholders including students, library schools and hosting libraries. The Department of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan has been offering a practicum since 2000 and lately changed its criteria, and updated knowledge and learning domains. Therefore, it was decided to measure the perceived effectiveness of this program through students’ opinions. The study used questionnaire-based survey method to collect data from the students of three sessions who had completed their practicum from years 2014 to 2016. The findings revealed that respondents perceived their overall practicum experience as ‘effective’. However, they perceived that practicum was more effective in term of learning technical skills (such as acquisition, classification, cataloguing, circulation) than acquiring soft and communication skills (written communication, interpersonal, reference service). The respondents suggested that they should have been provided opportunity to learn and practice both communication and administrative skills in libraries.
The importance of multiple samples in mycobacterial recovery: A 10-year retrospective study

Background: Instead of the three samples previously recommended, the World Health Organization considered that two sputum samples are sufficient for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Our goal is to evaluate the value of multiple samples in the microscopic and cultural examination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Methods: Through a 10-year retrospective study, including 38,887 sputum samples from 11,676 patients, the relative contribution of each sputum specimen for acid-fast bacilli detection and mycobacteria isolation was determined by calculating the yield of the first sample and the incremental yield of the second, third, and more than three samples. Results: With regard to patients with MTBc isolation, we found that 95.2% (435/457) of the cases could be detected in the first and second smear and 97.9% (659/673) in the first and second culture, with a very low increment of the third sample, corresponding to 3.1% (14/457) in smear and 1.3% (9/673) in culture. Among patients with an NTM strain, the percentage of cases detected in the first and second smear and culture was 69% (20/29) and 86.5% (316/365), respectively. In these patients, we found an increment yield of the third sample of 20.7% (6/29) for smear and 10.5% (38/365) for culture. The incremental yield of third and above-third sample for NTM detection was of 31% (9/29) in smear and 13.5% (49 of 365) in culture. Conclusions: We found an added value of multiple samples in NTM recovery. However, our findings suggest that only two samples are required for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Streptococcus mutans requires mature rhamnose‐glucose polysaccharides for proper pathophysiology, morphogenesis and cellular division

The cell wall of Gram‐positive bacteria has been shown to mediate environmental stress tolerance, antibiotic susceptibility, host immune evasion and overall virulence. The majority of these traits have been demonstrated for the well‐studied system of wall teichoic acid (WTA) synthesis, a common cell wall polysaccharide among Gram‐positive organisms. Streptococcus mutans, a Gram‐positive odontopathogen that contributes to the enamel‐destructive disease dental caries, lacks the capabilities to generate WTA. Instead, the cell wall of S. mutans is highly decorated with rhamnose‐glucose polysaccharides (RGP), for which functional roles are poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the RGP has a distinct role in protecting S. mutans from a variety of stress conditions pertinent to pathogenic capability. Mutant strains with disrupted RGP synthesis failed to properly localize cell division complexes, suffered from aberrant septum formation and exhibited enhanced cellular autolysis. Surprisingly, mutant strains of S. mutans with impairment in RGP side chain modification grew into elongated chains and also failed to properly localize the presumed cell wall hydrolase, GbpB. Our results indicate that fully mature RGP has distinct protective and morphogenic roles for S. mutans, and these structures are functionally homologous to the WTA of other Gram‐positive bacteria.
The nature of the Cepheid T Antliae

The variable star T Antliae, sometimes suspected to be a type II pulsator, is demonstrated to be a classical Cepheid in the third crossing of the instability strip. It exhibits a positive period change of +0.514 ± 0.016 s yr −1 , consistent with a star on the blue side of the instability strip and evolving through it for the third time. The Cepheid exhibits no random fluctuations in pulsation period, although superimposed upon its evolutionary O-C trend are very subtle variations that may be indicative of orbital motion about an unseen companion. Archival spectroscopic data also indicate that the star sits on the edge of a putative cluster of B-type stars that may be physically associated with the Cepheid. Additional photometric and spectroscopic data for the Cepheid and cluster are needed to strengthen the case. The field reddening of T Ant established from nearby early-type stars is EB−V = 0.30 ± 0.01 (EB−V (B0) = 0.316 ± 0.014).
Detection of reactive nitrogen containing particles in the tropopause region ? Evidence for a tropical nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) belt

The detection of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT, HNO3◊3H2O) particles in the tropical transition layer (TTL) harmonizes our understanding of polar stratospheric cloud formation. Large reactive nitrogen (NOy) containing parti- cles were observed on 8 August 2006 by instruments on- board the high altitude research aircraft M55-Geophysica near and below the tropical tropopause. The particles, most likely NAT, have diameters less than 6µm and concentra- tions below 10 4 cm 3 . The NAT particle layer was repeat- edly detected at altitudes between 15.1 and 17.5 km over ex- tended areas of 9.5 to 17.2 N and 1.5 W to 2.7 E above the African continent. Satellite observations suggest that the NAT particles could have nucleated on ice fed by convec- tive activity. Once nucleated, the NAT particles can slowly grow within the TTL for days, while being transported over long distances. Their in-situ detection combined with global model simulations of the NAT supersaturation near the tropi- cal tropopause indicate the potential for a tropical tropopause NAT particle belt.
Leadership in business-IT alignment: implications of generation gaps

This work has been supported by FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Project Scope UID/CEC/00319/2013. The authors are also grateful to Informa D& B (Dun & Bradstreet) for its support to this research by providing the database with the sample of companies and their top level management contacts.
Management art and science: From 5-S to 6-σ

Abstract The debate on whether Management is an Art or Science has been going on over the last century. Recognised as a management art, 5-S is the first step towards Total Quality Management. Over the last century, the Japanese have formalised the technique and name it as 5-S Practice. The author has improved and defined its terms in English/Chinese and developed the world’s first 5-S Audit Checklist which was used for training in Malaysia under an Asian Development Bank Quality Expert assignment in 1993-94. The technique was then widely promoted in HKSAR and China. On the other hand, the quest for precision derived from the 6- technique has fast become a key to Management Science. In another assignment, the author has trained a group of Motorola managers/engineers at their Penang plant in both 1978 when the 6- started rolling, and1994; then recently at their HK Plant. Moreover, in the wake of the recent outbreak of the SARS and Bird-flu, the applicability of 5-S and 6- on its management and control will also be discussed.
The concentration-mass relation of clusters of galaxies from the OmegaWINGS survey

The relation between a cosmological halo concentration and its mass (cMr) is a powerful tool to constrain cosmological models of halo formation and evolution. On the scale of galaxy clusters the cMr has so far been determined mostly with X-ray and gravitational lensing data. The use of independent techniques is helpful in assessing possible systematics. Here we provide one of the few determinations of the cMr by the dynamical analysis of the projected-phase-space distribution of cluster members. Based on the WINGS and OmegaWINGS data sets, we used the Jeans analysis with the MAMPOSSt technique to determine masses and concentrations for 49 nearby clusters, each of which has ~60 spectroscopic members or more within the virial region, after removal of substructures. Our cMr is in statistical agreement with theoretical predictions based on LambdaCDM cosmological simulations. Our cMr is different from most previous observational determinations because of its flatter slope and lower normalization. It is however in agreement with two recent cMr obtained using the lensing technique on the CLASH and LoCuSS cluster data sets. In the future we will extend our analysis to galaxy systems of lower mass and at higher redshifts.
The molecular markers of cancer stem cells in head and neck tumors

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the six most common malignancy worldwide leading to more than 350,000 deaths annually. Despite recent advances in treatment modalities for these patients, there has been only a slight improvement of prognosis. As cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in tumor cell survival, progression, and response to therapy, the identification of this tumor subpopulation would have important therapeutic and prognostic implications. In this structured appraisal of the literature, Embase, PubMed, and Ovid were searched for publications that investigated CSC markers of HNC in humans. The search was conducted under the PRISMA guidelines with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for articles published in the last two decades. The review process resulted in the identification of some key CSC‐associated molecules such as CD44, ALDH1, CD133, Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2, although a single common CSC sorting marker could not be found. These biomarkers were identified in a range of HNCs but the most common one was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), predominantly oral SCC. Patient cohorts were of variable size (3–195 individuals) and the most common technique used for detection was immunohistochemistry. Some of the molecules were associated with poor prognosis and may be able to inform the choice of appropriate treatment for these patients.
Lactic acid bacterial inoculant effects on the vitamin content of alfalfa and Chinese leymus silage

Objective Information regarding the vitamin content of silage is limited. This study investigated the changes in the vitamin content of alfalfa and Chinese leymus silages with or without a lactic acid bacterial inoculant. Methods Alfalfa at the early flowering stage and Chinese leymus at the full-bloom stage were harvested. The treatments for each forage type were control (deionized water only) and 1×106 colony-forming units Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)/g fresh matter. After 45 days of ensiling, all silages were sampled for evaluating the vitamin content, fermentation quality and chemical composition. Results The LP inoculant decreased the pH value and ammonia nitrogen content of the alfalfa and Chinese leymus silages and significantly (p<0.05) increased the lactic acid, acetic acid concentrations and Flieg’s points. Prior to ensiling, the levels of five B-group vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine) and α-tocopherol in alfalfa were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those in Chinese leymus. Ensiling decreased the levels of the five B-group vitamins in both alfalfa and Chinese leymus while increasing the α-tocopherol content of Chinese leymus. The thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid levels in the LP-treated silage were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those in the untreated silage for the alfalfa and Chinese leymus. The α-tocopherol content in the LP-treated alfalfa silage was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in the untreated alfalfa silage. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in pyridoxine content between the untreated and LP-treated silages for both forages. Conclusion With or without LP inoculation, the levels of the five B-group vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine) in alfalfa and Chinese leymus decreased after 45 days of ensiling, while the α-tocopherol content of Chinese leymus increased. The LP inoculant improved the fermentation quality of both the alfalfa and Chinese leymus silages but increased the thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid loss in the two forages after fermentation.
Safety Evaluation of Tadalafil Treatment for Fetuses with Early-Onset Growth Restriction (TADAFER): Results from the Phase II Trial

Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor with a long half-life, high selectivity, and rapid onset of action. Because the safety of using PDE5 inhibitors as therapeutic agents for fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been a problem worldwide, this paper primarily focuses on the safety assessments performed in the Tadalafil Treatment for Fetuses with Early-Onset Growth Restriction (TADAFER) II population. Neonatal and maternal adverse events were analyzed, in addition to fetal, neonatal, and infant death cases, six months after stopping the trial. Eighty-nine pregnant women with FGR were studied between September 2016 and March 2018 (45 and 44 in the tadalafil and conventional treatment groups, respectively). Seven (16%) deaths (four fetal, one neonatal, and two infant) in the control group, whereas only one neonatal death occurred in the tadalafil group. Although headache, facial flushing, and nasal hemorrhage occurred more frequently in the tadalafil group, these symptoms were Grade 1 and transient. In conclusion, this trial showed that tadalafil decreased the fetal and infant deaths associated with FGR. This is thought to be primarily due to pregnancy prolongation. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of tadalafil in treating early-onset FGR.