Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The announcement effect : the impact of early warnings of future thresholds under different framing and risk contexts

The effect of announcing future institutional change is investigated in three different contexts: a gains frame, a loss frame, and a loss frame with risk. The institutional change is the transition from a normal public goods game into a threshold public goods game. Announcements may change subject behaviour, through influencing their expectations, before the implementation of the new institution (adjustment effect) and/or after the implementation (adaptation effect). We find that announcements in the gains frame cause zero adjustment effects and negative adaptation effects; while announcements in the loss frame cause positive adjustment and adaptation effects. However, including risk into the threshold phase of the loss frame causes the announcements to have zero effects. These results have important implications for the climate change debate. (JEL classification: C9; H41; H30; Q54)
On the Choice and Success of Competitive Strategies

It is a central claim of the national competitiveness literature that firms exploit the comparative advantages of their environment by choosing to pursue that product market strategy which is facilitated by national financial and labour market institutions. Otherwise, so the further argument of the literature goes, firms are punished in that institutionally unsupported strategies are less successful and therefore not sustainable in the long run. My analyses of pharmaceutical firms in Germany, Italy and the UK challenge these arguments on the choice and success of competitive strategies. Given that different measures of strategy success do not indicate that the latter is in line with national institutional advantages, I develop an alternative explanation for the strategy choices of firms. Based on qualitative interviews with managers, I argue that technological opportunities to transform inventions or imitations into marketable products are of major concern when entrepreneurs choose their firms' strategy.
Determinants of Vulnerability to Poverty in Female Headed Households in Rural Ethiopia

The purpose of the study is to examine the vulnerability to poverty of female headed households by way of making comparisons with their male counterparts in rural Ethiopia. It further looks through the determinants of vulnerability to poverty in female headed households. It is based on the Ethiopian Rural Household Survey from 1999- 200. On average 38 percent of households out of the total sampled households are highly vulnerable to poverty and 16.38 percent of the non poor are highly vulnerable to poverty. But based on the recent data used for this study only 35.26 percent of households in rural Ethiopia are poor. This shows that expected poverty is much higher than the point in time estimates of poverty, which connotes the importance of forward looking poverty analysis. The mean vulnerability for all households is also high. This means the households have a higher probability to be poor or remain poor. The mean vulnerability for Female Headed Households is higher than that of Male Headed Households. This shows that Female Headed Households are more vulnerable to poverty than Male Headed Households. Hence, gender-sensitive poverty alleviation policies that enhance endowments such as those that increase livestock ownership, land productivity, education level, and ability to control fertility should be the key ingredients of a poverty reduction strategy in rural Ethiopia.
Effect of FYM and fermented liquid manures on yield and quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad on a Vertisol to study the effect of FYM and fermented liquid manures on yield and quality of chilli during kharif 2007. The experiment consisted of 12 treatment combinations with two factors; factor one consisting of manures (FYM equivalent to RDN (M1), RDF (M2) and FYM equivalent to RDN+RDFYM (M3)) and the factor two liquid manures (Beejamrut + Jeevamrut (L1), Panchagavya (L2), Beejamrut + Jeevamrut + Panchagavya (L3) and Control (L4). The treatments were replicated thrice and experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. Application of manures and liquid manures recorded significantly higher growth, yield and quality parameters of chilli. Treatment M2 recorded significantly higher dry chilli yield (8.33 q/ha) over rest of the manures. Among liquid manures, treatments L3 and L2 recorded significantly higher dry chilli yield (8.52 and 8.01 q/ha, respectively) over control (6.40 q/ha), the values for growth and other yield components were also significantly higher in these treatments. Treatments M3 and M1 recorded higher quality parameters Viz., ascorbic acid content, oleoresin and colour value by 14.43: 9.19, 8.40: 5.33 and 14.18: 11.77 per cent, respectively over M2. Among liquid manures, L3 and L2 recorded higher ascorbic acid, oleoresin and colour value by 8.02: 6.74, 7.89: 7.00 and 8.25: 7.17 per cent, respectively over control (121.89 mg/100g, 203.01 ASTA units and 301.71 ASTA units, respectively). A significantly higher dehydrogenase activity, available macro (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were recorded with M3 and M1. Dehydrogenase activity was also found to be significantly greater with liquid manures. Greater uptake of nutrients was recorded with M2. However, M2 and L3 recorded significantly higher yield, net returns and B: C ratio.
THE USE OF TREE-MOUNTED ARTIFICIAL SHELTERS TO INVESTIGATE ARBOREAL SPIDER COMMUNITIES IN NEW ZEALAND NATURE RESERVES

Abstract Spiders have been advocated as valuable bio-indicators of forest ecosystem “health. ” However, the numbers and types of spiders that are recorded at a site will usually be highly dependent on the sampling method employed. The use of lethal, indiscriminate invertebrate sampling techniques is undesirable when investigating rare species, or sampling within areas of high conservation status. Therefore we used non-lethal artificial tree-mounted shelters to monitor arboreal spiders in nature reserves near Christchurch, New Zealand. After three months, over 60% of the shelters had been used by spiders, increasing to 91% after twelve months. There were significant differences in the numbers of spiders found in the shelters at the different sites. However, factors such as the species of tree the shelter was attached to, ground vegetation, and levels of incident light did not affect the likelihood of a shelter being occupied. The species composition of the spider faunas in those sites regarded as high quality forest remnants was dissimilar to the faunas found in the low quality reserves. However, although spiders were more abundant in the high quality sites compared with the poorest stands of woodland, they were not more species rich. The shelters are inexpensive and easy to manufacture and are useful for long-term non-lethal monitoring of spider communities. They also have good potential as a tool for studying spider phenology, population dynamics, behavior, and as a collection/carriage device for live specimens used in conservation translocations.
Supplier Development Activities and Buying Firm’s Performance: An Empirical Investigation of Iranian SMEs

This study attempts to investigate the major antecedent factors that influence manufacturing SMEs intentions toward the implementation of supplier development activities in Iranian SMEs. In order to achieve this objective, the research constructs were developed. The conceptual framework underlying this study was based on the theories of supplier development activities and social capital. These theories were merged and developed by adding some main variables after analyzing various key antecedents that were thought to be the influential factors that determined the intention of the manufacturing firms to adopt supplier development activities. A cross sectional method was used to gather data collected from 280 Iranian manufacturing SMEs. The measures and hypotheses were analyzed with the help of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The research supported the idea that information sharing within firms, communication methods, top management support and trust between trading partners have positive influence on information sharing between firms. Furthermore, the research showed the positive effects of information sharing between firms on inventory management and product quality on buying firms.
Initial Fertilization Impact on Norway Spruce Nutrition and Growth in the Krušné Hory Mts.

PECHÁČEK JAN, JANOUŠEK JOSEF, DUNDEK PETER, VAVŘÍČEK DUŠAN. 2017. Initial Fertilization Impact on Norway Spruce Nutrition and Growth in the Krušné Hory Mts. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 65(3): 907–917. The aim of this study consisted in verifying the hypothesis whether the application of tableted fertilizers Silvamix® Forte, Silvamix® R, Stromfolixyl® and calcareous dolomite affected significantly the nutrition and growth of Norway spruce. In order to carry out research investigation, the experimental Suchdol locality has been selected as it represents large‐scale reclaimed sites in the Krušné hory Mts. Ameliorating agents were applied using the initial spot fertilization of Norway spruce plantations. In the course of two years, activities as follows were carried out annually: (1) top shoots measurement, (2) sampling the latest needle year‐class. The applied fertilizers impact on the concentrations of nutrients in needle dry matter was not significant with minor exception. Fertilizers Silvamix® Forte and Silvamix® R can be recommended to support seedlings growth in the area of interest since there had been positive effect on annual height increment found out. Calcareous dolomite showed the most favourable effect on the shoot biomass growth. Stromfolixyl® fertilizer had no effect on the annual increment; its impact on the nutrition can be characterized as insignificant since fertilized individuals showed lower phosphorus concentration in needle dry matter.
Using Bioretention Retrofits to Achieve the Goals of Virginia's New Stormwater Management Regulations

Virginia’s new stormwater regulations involve the use of the Runoff Reduction Method (RRM), which requires the product of the peak flow rate and runoff volume (Q*RV) from the one-year storm event in the post-development condition to be reduced to eighty percent of the predevelopment Q*RV to protect against channel erosion. This study models different bioretention cell sizes in a developed watershed in Blacksburg, Virginia to determine the “performance” at both the sub-watershed and watershed levels. In addition, models of “optimal” bioretention cells sized to meet the RRM for each sub-watershed are evaluated. A direct relationship is determined between the size of the cell required to meet the RRM and the sub-watershed’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) curve number. However, the required size for some of the cells is much larger than those typically seen. With the RRM applied for all of the subwatersheds, the resulting hydrograph at the watershed outlet has a lower peak than the predevelopment condition.
Effects of Heparin on Early Patency of Arteriovenous Fistula in Angioaccess Surgery of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is now the optimal method of obtaining vascular access for dialysis. Measures such as systemic anticoagulation have been proposed as means of increasing patency rates but enough evidence does not exist to support their application. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative heparin injection on patency of AVF during the first 24 hours after surgery and to determine whether such measure can be used to prevent early thrombosis of the vascular access. Methods: The study was carried out on 150 patients admitted to Shohada-e-Tajrish hospital for permanent vascular access placement during 2011-2012. 75 patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 units/kg of heparin intraoperatively and at 24 hours post-surgery AVF patency rate was assessed and compared to the control group. Results: All the 75 patients who had received heparin intraoperatively had a patent arteriovenous fistula 24 hours post-surgery which showed a statistically significant difference compared to the control group among which only 69 (92%) patients had a functioning AV fistula (p-value= 0.028). Conclusions: Our results show that systemic anticoagulation with heparin can be considered as an effective option in preventing vascular access failure. However, considering the contradictory data on the usefulness of heparin injection, larger trials are needed to evaluate efficacy and adverse effects of systemic intraoperative anticoagulation in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients before qualifying it as a method of increasing AVF patency in these patients
KNOWLEDGE, BEHAVIORS AND HEALTH HAZARD PERCEPTION AMONG TURKISH NARGHILE (WATERPIPE)-SMOKERS RELATED TO NARGHILE SMOKING

Objective: Characteristics of narghile-smokers in Turkey have been under-investigated. In this study it was aimed to examine the knowledge, smoking patterns, and the perceptions of narghile-(Waterpipe) smokers in Turkey. Methodology: In this descriptive survey, the data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The questions focused on smoking patterns of narghile smokers who were the clients (n=460) of narghile cafes. The perceptions of participants were identified using a 10 point visual scale. Results: In all, 76.7% was male and 9.6% was younger than 18 years, and the mean duration of narghile smoking was 27.1 months. Peer influence (38.4%), and curiosity (18.4%) were the two most common reasons for starting narghile smoking. Aromatic narghile tobacco was preferred (86.3%) mostly, and 50.1% of them did not believe the addictive pattern of narghile smoking. One third of narghile smokers rated the negative health consequences of narghile smoking between 8.1 and 10 point on the visual scale versus 74.9% for cigarette. Conclusions: Interventions are needed to inform people in Turkey about the health hazards of narghile (Waterpipe) smoking.
Deterioration of mechanically ventilated patients in the presence of intra-abdominal hypertension

Background and objective: Elevated pressure within the cavity of the abdomen is a serious complication that can threat the life of critically ill patients. Thus, there is an intense need to highlight the outcomes of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) that can face critical care nurses. This work aimed to explore the deterioration of mechanical ventilated patients in the presence of IAH. Methods: Design: A non-randomized prospective study. Procedures: This trial was implemented in trauma and general intensive care in the period between December 2015 and August 2016. The pressure within the abdomen was measured for each patient, three times with 8-hr interval, at the third day of mechanical ventilator (MV). Sepsis-related organ failure assessment score was measured for all patients at first day of admission. All patients who had normal intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) or developed IAH were observed, monitored and evaluated for the clinical outcomes until discharged. Results: Of the 60 MV patients, 83.3% developed IAH. Higher mean of MV and stay period among patients with increased pressure within the abdomen (14.04 ± 10.30 and 16.30 ± 9.36) than normotensive patients (6.90 ± 2.80 and 11.000 ± 3.77) with significant difference ( p = .001). Non-survivor had a significantly higher mean IAP than survivor (23.266 ± 2.37 vs. 7.91 ± 3.17) ( p value < .001). Conclusions: The occurrence of IAH complicated 83.3% of mechanical ventilated clients in the study period: like longer stay and use of ventilator, and high mortality rate.
Innovative adaptation and operational efficiency on sustainable competitive advantage of food and beverage firms in Kenya

The idea that an organization’s members are the real source of its competitive advantage has long been acknowledged. The significance of human capital as a determinant of firm performance is gaining recognition in the strategic management literature, and the need for relating employee talent to a firm’s competitive advantage is continuing to develop in the human resource management arena hence the drive to establish superior human capital to generate competitive advantage Many firms have explicitly embraced competitive strategies to gain and maintain a lead in their industries. In all the competitive strategies firms have engaged in, human capital has been the driver of competition. This study endeavoured to empirically test the effects of human capital and especially in innovation and operational efficiency in according food and beverage firms the requisite competitive advantage in the very dynamic industry. the study sought to answer the following research question: What are the effects of human capital (in innovative adaptation and dynamic operational efficiency) on firms’ ability to attain sustainable competitive advantage within the F & B companies in Kenya? This research entailed a descriptive study design. This study sought to do that among the F & B firms in Kenya. The study was concerned with describing the characteristics of a unique group of food and beverage firms and their competitiveness. From the study, 87 percent of respondents indicated concurrence on usefulness of human resources for SCA. Kenyan firms in the food and beverage industry therefore highly regard human capital as a major contributor to sustainable competitive advantage. The study established that internal processes largely rely on how capabilities are harnessed for competitive advantage.
Serological diagnosis and molecular characterization of Leptospira spp. in the blood and urine of bovine females from refrigerated slaughterhouses

Leptospirosis is an important socioeconomic disease in humans, as well as in domestic and wild animals, being caused by Leptospira spp. Bovine animals are considered reservoirs of this disease, because they intermittently disseminate the bacteria into the environment through their urine. In this way, the cattle an important source of Leptospira infection. The objective of this study was to detect Leptospira spp. antibodies and DNA in bovine females from two refrigerated slaughterhouses in the microregion of Umuarama, Parana, Brazil. In particular, blood and urine samples from 52 crossbred bovine females older than 36 months from the two slaughterhouses were used. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to detect leptospiral antibodies, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent sequencing were used to detect Leptospira DNA. The MAT yielded 22 (42.3%) serum samples considered reagent, while the nested PCR test resulted in one amplified sample (1.9%) of 289 bp. This single sample was then amplified again using primers for the SecY gene (549 bp). Sequencing of this gene characterized the bacteria as L. borgpetersenii that were similar to the serovar Hardjo of the genotype Hardjobovis. This is the first molecular confirmation of Hardjobovis-like L. borgpetersenii in the urine of crossbred bovine females older than 36 months from slaughterhouses in the microregion of Umuarama. This study’s results show that it is important to combine serological and molecular diagnosis in the detection of Leptospira spp. Therefore, both methods were used to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease in bovine animals from the microregion of Umuarama. In addition, the analysis informed the subsequent adoption of preventive measures and educational One Health actions to prevent economic losses related to the herd, as well as social losses related to workers and the environment.
Comparison between refinement results of apatites from Celia mine (Murcia, Spain) using X-ray diffraction powder and single-crystal data

The results of crystal structure refinement of apatites, Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl), found in Celia mine (Murcia, Spain) using X-ray powder diffraction single crystal data are compared. According chemical and X-ray results these apatites are fluorapatites. Finally this study shows that the X-ray powder diffraction technique can be successfully applied in mineralogy to crystal structure studies with a precision probably sufficient for most purposes.
Nonlinear Trend Stationarity in Real Exchange Rates: Evidence from Nonlinear ADF tests

In this article we test for unit root in real exchange rates during the recent floating exchange rate period. In doing so, we use the unit root tests proposed by Bierens (1997a) and Bierens (1997b) that have drift hypothesis against a very general trend stationarity hypothesis, namely the alternative that the time series is stationarity about an almost arbitrary deterministic function of time. Bierens approach employs the fact that any function of time can be approximately arbitrary close by a linear function of Chebishev polynomials. The application of the tests to real exchange rate series indicate that these series are nonlinear trend stationary, and therefore, we conclude that the real exchange rate behavior may not be so different after all but simply perceived to be so because of the use of previously different unit root tests.
Identity of Low-Molecular-Weight Species Formed in End-To-End Cyclization Reactions Performed in THF

Cyclic polymers were produced by end-to-end coupling of telechelic linear polymers under dilute conditions in THF, using intramolecular atom transfer radical coupling or click chemistry. In addition to the expected shift to longer elution times on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) indicative of the formation of cyclic product, lower molecular weight species were consistently observed upon analysis of the unpurified cyclization reaction mixture. By systematically removing or altering single reaction components in the highly dilute cyclization reaction, it was found that THF itself was responsible for the low-molecular-weight material, forming oligomeric chains of poly(THF) regardless of the other reaction components. When the reactions were performed at higher concentrations and for shorter time intervals, conducive to intermolecular chain-end-joining reactions, the low-molecular-weight peaks were absent. Isolation of the material and analysis by 1H NMR confirmed that poly(THF) was being formed in the highly dilute conditions required for cyclization by end-to-end coupling. When a series of mock cyclization reactions were performed with molar ratios of the reactants held constant, but concentrations changed, it was found that lower concentrations of reactants led to higher amounts of poly(THF) side product.
Biogeography of the areas and Canthonini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of dry tropical forests in Mesoamerica and Colombia

This biogeographical analysis examines the historical, geological, climatic and ecological processes that have influenced the formation of the dry tropical forests (DTF) of Mesoamerica and Colombia, areas that are the setting for multiple biogeographical stories that in this case are illustrated by the patterns and evolutionary processes of Canthonini. In this study we test the hypothesis that the Canthonini fauna of dry tropical forests has a South American affinity. To this end, we compare extant species from a tract of dry tropical forest in Mexico, a second enclave in Costa Rica, four from the Caribbean region of Colombia and finally one from the north of Tolima in the Upper Magdalena River Valley, Colombia. The geomorphological characteristics of the enclaves of DTF are also compared, as are the geographical distribution and