Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What have We Learnt from the Convergence Debate

This paper surveys the convergence literature. It begins by laying out different definitions of convergence and by showing the link between the convergence issue and the growth theory debate. The paper then follows the convergence research conducted along four different approaches, namely the cross-section, panel, time-series, and distribution approaches. The paper shows the association of these methodological approaches with various definitions of convergence and highlights the connections among the convergence results. It shows that, despite some impressions to the contrary, there is considerable agreement among the results. Although the convergence research might not have solved the growth debate entirely, it has helped both the neoclassical and the new growth theories to adapt and evolve. The research on convergence has established new stylized facts regarding cross-country growth regularities. It has brought to fore the existence of large technological and institutional differences across countries and has given rise to new methodologies for quantifying and analyzing these differences. This is providing a new information base for analysis of technological and institutional diffusion and for further development of growth theory in general. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2003.
Monetary Policy in a Low Pass-Through Environment

In a dynamic New Keynesian optimizing model, we introduce incomplete exchange rate pass-through on import prices. Three results stand out. First, unlike canonical models with perfect pass-through which emphasize a type of isomorphism, incomplete pass-through renders the analysis of monetary policy of an open economy fundamentally different from the one of a closed economy. Second, productivity-driven deviations from the law of one price assume the interpretation of endogenous cost-push shocks. Third, the optimal commitment policy, relative to discretion, entails a smoothing of the deviations from the law of one price and requires more stable nominal and real exchange rates.
Social preferences under uncertainty

Willingness to take risk depends on whether the risk affects others as well as oneself and on how the risk affects one's position vis-`a-vis others. Taking a bet can improve one's position relative to others or threaten it. We present an experiment that explores individual attitudes to lotteries that involve both oneself and another subject. Individuals consistently and strongly dislike obtaining safe but unfair social outcomes rather than playing fair but risky social lotteries. This effect is apparent whether the unfair safe social outcome benefits them or the other. Subjects are also more risk averse when facing social lotteries than when facing lotteries that involve only themselves. There is a small but consistent and significant tendency to avoid social lotteries that impose a risk on the other. An attempt to reconcile those findings with standard models of social preferences shows that a high weight given to considerations of ex-ante inequality goes some way towards explaining the decisions of our subjects. It remains difficult however to account for the magnitude of their aversion to safe but unequal social outcomes.
EEG changes and neuroimaging abnormalities in relevance to severity of autism

Background: Autism is currently viewed as a genetically determined neurodevelopmental disorder although its defi nite underlying etiology remains to be established. Aim of the Study: Our purpose was to assess autism related morphological neuroimaging changes of the brain and EEG abnormalities in correlation to the degree of disease severity. Patients and Methods: Seventeen cases with classic autism, 13 males and 4 females were included in the study. Severity of the disease was assessed both clinically and by Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). MRI changes and EEG abnormalities were detected in seven patients, mostly severely and moderately affected. Results: Hypoplasia of cerebellar vermian lobules is the most replicated MRI abnormality in our patients (18%). Periventricular white matter dysmyelination is detected in 12% of studied cases. 29% of the cases have EEG abnormalities. Head circumference above 97th centiles is detected in 18% of cases. The increased head circumference, when in combination with EEG abnormalities, positively correlates with the degree of disease severity. Conclusion: Although, no defi nite correlation could be established between the studied parameters and disease severity, most patients in the present study who exhibited MRI abnormality, EEG changes and/or increased head circumference (H.C) manifested severe form of autism. The absence of correlation may be attributed to lack of statistical power, resulting from small sample size. However, the correlation was not solidly excluded therefore, the recommendation of further neuroradiological evaluation as well as the implementation of newer techniques, might help future elucidating the etiology of autism. Keywords: Autism, MRI, EEG, brain development.
Characteristics Of Virgin And Pulled Wool Fibres Used In Tunisian Handmade Carpets

Many factors such as production methods, fibre quality and structural parameters have distinctive influence on the quality and performance of a hand woven carpet. Because the most common fiber used for producing handmade carpet is wool, this experiment was aimed to identify virgin and pulled wool characteristics of Tunisian sheep breeds. A total of 84 sheep and 15 samples of commercial pulled wool were used in this study. Samples of fiber were analyzed using standard objective measurements for staple length (SL), mean fiber diameter (MFD), coefficient of variation of fiber diameter (FDCV), fine fiber contain (FC), Breaking strength and Elongation. Results showed that Tunisian wool can be considered as medium wool. By conducting well-planned sorting, ―Fine Queue of west‖ sheep breed can supply the wool needed for textile industries. The wool of other sheep breeds can be used in handmade carpets. Also, staple strength as one of the important wool characteristic affected significantly by alkali treatment during chemical unhairing process compared with wool collected by shearing process. Great attention must be paid to know the real characteristics of pulled wool before using it in handmade carpet industry.
The need for a new approach in NEBs classification

Industrial energy efficiency has been widely recognized as a major contributor for the reduction of green-housegases emissions and the improvement of industrial competitiveness. Nevertheless, a broad set of studies havepointed out the existence of barriers limiting the adoption of promising Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Recently, authors have shown the relevance of the so-called “non-energy benefits” (NEBs) coming from theadoption of EEMs. Still, the existence of such benefits has been pointed out from specific studies and manuals forpractitioners, but an overall framework describing them in terms of savings and benefits, as well as technical andmanagement implications, cannot be found yet. Furthermore, the focus on an industrial decision-makingperspective seems to be lacking. Hence, starting from a thorough literature review of scientific as well aspractitioners studies, the present study aims at sheding the light on NEBs features, implementation issues andmanagement implications coming from the adoption of EEMs. In summary, the study reveals major elements tobe taken into consideration for a novel framework to properly address NEBs (and losses) in the implementationand service phases of an EEM from an industrial decision-making perspective, with consequent implications andsuggestions for the stakeholders involved into an EEM supply chain. Additionally, the study sketches severalopportunities for further researches into the topic for both industrial decision-making as well as policy-makingpurposes.
The Effects of Superabsorbent Polymer on Atriplex lentiformis Growth and Soil Characteristics under Drought Stress (Case Study: Desert Research Station, Semnan, Iran)

As far as Iran is concerned in arid and semi-arid region and amount of water is limited, improvement of water consuming is very important. One of the ways for storing water is to use superabsorbent polymer. So, this research compared normal and deficit irrigation methods by considering the effects of stockosorb (0.1% and 0.3% by volume) and zeolite (10 weight% and 15 weight%) in two sandy soils (70% and 80%) on soil physicochemical characteristics (EC, pH, field capacity, available water, wilting point, bulk density, practical density, porosity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and plant morphological traits (plant height, basal area, large and small diameter of canopy) of Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S.Wats. The research was carried out in the field of desert research centre in Semnan Province in 2013. A split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. The result showed that superabsorbent had a significant effect on plant height, large and small diameter of canopy. Also, superabsorbent had a significant effect on EC, pH, field capacity, available water, bulk density, porosity, K. However, they had no significant effect on wilting point, soil particle density, P and N. Also, the result of economical investigation of stockosorb and zeolite showed that using 10 wt% zeolite, 15 wt% zeolite and 0.1% stockosorb with normal irrigation is economical.
South African Journal of Industrial Engineering May 2010 Vol 21(1): 35-43 AN INTEGRATED PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR A MULTI-BUSINESS COMPANY

A multi-business company is a complex entity. Evaluating corporate performance of such an organisation is even more challenging. Corporate performance is inherently multidimensional in nature, is viewed from various perspectives, and has to satisfy multiple objectives. It is multi-dimensional in the sense of being a function of many variables that drive firm performance; multi-perspectival, from various stakeholders’ standpoints; and multi-objectives are to be optimised. So there is no single corporate performance evaluation tool that can be prescribed as a stand-alone gauge; however, a unified and holistic corporate performance management system can be developed from multiple tools. This paper attempts to bring together a variety of performance management tools that have evolved and developed in theory, and have been tested and applied in practice. In developing this convergence, first a set of criteria that answers the multi-dimensional, multi-perspectival, and multi-objective requirements of a firm’s performance will be identified and weighted. Second, management tools that have been used either singly or in combination by multi-business companies are reviewed and ranked against the chosen criteria. Finally, an integrated model or framework that brings together and unifies the elements of these ranked performance management tools is proposed.
Influence of applied voltage and catalyst layer thickness on SnO 2 hydrogen sensor performance

The new version of sol-gel derived SnO2 thin-film hydrogen sensor operating at about two times lower temperature and, respectively, with lower consumed power have been obtained. Besides, relatively low resistance of the sensors resulting due to determination of the Pt catalyst layer optimal thickness allows reliable operation at low bias voltage which promotes stable operation even at high relative humidity conditions. In the present work we have examined changes of the sol-gel derived thin-film hydrogen sensors characteristics with increasing the Pt catalyst layer thickness up to 30 nm. It is shown that many parameters of gas sensors such as consumed power, long-term stability as well as selectivity are improved.
Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in continuous cropping soils used for pepper production

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play vital roles in plant productivity in agroecosystems. The objective of this paper was to study the diversity of AMF in root zone soils of pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.). Spores of AMF, pH value, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and organic matter contents were analyzed for soil samples from greenhouses in Shandong Province with 5, 10, and 15 years of continuous pepper cultivation. The soil from wheat growing field nearby was used as control. Our results showed that Glomus was the dominant genera in the 15 years of pepper continuous cropping (PCC15) soils; however, there was no dominance by a specific species. Glomus and Acaulospora were the dominant genera and Scutellospora was common in soils continuously cropped with pepper for 5 and 10 years compared to the control. Glomus aggregatum was the dominant species in the 5 years soil, while Glomus mosseae and Glomus constrictum were the dominant species in the control. Species richness and Shannon-Wiener indices for AMF in the 5 and 10 years pepper soil were similar to the control, but significantly different in the PCC15 soil. Analysis of soil nutrients on diversity of AMF showed that heavy fertilization may inhibit the growth of AMF, while appropriate fertilizer application could promote their abundance.
Optimization of Propylene—Propane Distillation Process*

Optimization of distillation process, based on the real operating data taken from the factory, was carried out using Aspen Plus simulation engine. A need for the optimization came from the fact that the feed stream quality had been significantly changed recently, together with some of the process parameters. The right combination of pressure and reflux rate was to be found in order to minimize the energy consumption in the reboiler and to obtain the required product purity. The real column efficiency was found and the possibility of column capacity enlargement was tested.
Susceptibility of Maize Genotypes to Maize Weevil Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

One possibility to protect the maize from storage pests is by developing genotypes that resistant to maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch). The research was aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of several maize genotypes including local variety to the maize weevil. Six genotypes i.e. SJA, G10-12-20, G10-1-3, G10-1-7, G10-1-20 and G10-1-17 and Tosari as local variety were used. No-choice assay under laboratory condition with observed variables was laid an egg and F1 progeny number, the median time of development and weight loss of infested kernel. The susceptibility index was assessed using Dobie’s susceptibility index. Results showed that the number of eggs laid by five females and infested samples weight loss were not significantly different between six maize genotypes as well as local variety. In contrast, the number of F1 progeny emerged was significantly different. Based on the susceptibility index, the maize genotype of G10-1-3 and G10-1-17 were resistant to the weevil. While other maize genotypes and local variety were considered as moderate resistant. Based on analysis of chemical and physical characteristic revealed that maize genotypes with higher of the total phenolic compound and physical hardness tend to resist from weevil damaged.
Protein biomarkers as indicator for water pollution in some lagoons of Sardinia (Italy)

1 - Studying the expressed proteome in mussel tissues is important to understand many different biological, physiological and ecological aspects that may be of advantage in shellfish rearing, encompassing growth cycle, food safety and traceability as well as understanding the biological effects of environmental pollution and climate change. 2 - The present work attempted to accomplish a systematic characterization of the foot muscle proteome of M. galloprovincialis, to gather data about its variability in physiological conditions occurring in different environments of mussel rearing and to identify a putative set of protein biomarkers that may be significantly correlated to environmental factors. 3 - A total of 360 mussels were sampled from three different lagoons of Sardinia, each one characterized by its different environmental and ecological system. According to a double latin square design, a smaller subgroup of 54 mussels that was representative of the original population was submitted to proteomics analysis and trace metals quantification. Classical and multivariate statistics was performed to correlate protein expression data to trace metal content and to environmental parameters recorded in situ. 4 - A protein expression pattern of 79 protein was identified as related to the response to environmental stressors like dissolved oxygen, water acidity, temperature and trace metals. 5 - The identified proteins are cytoskeletal proteins (α-tubulin, β-tubulin, myosin light chains and tropomyosin) or are involved in metabolic pathways (fructose bisphosphate aldolase), in energy pathways (cytosolic malate dehydrogenase and arginine kinase), in antioxidant defense (protein disulfide isomerase) and in protein turnover (different isoforms of the heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsc71); also the histone protein H2B is reported. 6 - Our preliminary results show that there is correlation between the expressed protein pattern and the environmental conditions, confirming the findings of other proteomics works carried out on different mussel tissues and other marine invertebrates. Further validation procedures of the identified correlations must be accomplished in order to regard the identified proteins as biomarkers for environmental pollution and climate change
Electromagnetic Radiation Efficiency of Body-Implanted Devices

Autonomous wireless body-implanted devices for biotelemetry, telemedicine, and neural interfacing constitute an emerging technology providing powerful capabilities for medicine and clinical research. We study the through-tissue electromagnetic propagation mechanisms, derive the optimal frequency range, and obtain the maximum achievable efficiency for radiative energy transfer from inside a body to free space. We analyze how polarization affects the efficiency by exciting TM and TE modes using a magnetic dipole and a magnetic current source, respectively. Four problem formulations are considered with increasing complexity and realism of anatomy. The results indicate that the optimal operating frequency f for deep implantation (with a depth d greater than or similar to 3 cm) lies in the (10(8)-10(9))-Hz range and can be approximated as f = 2.2 x 10(7)/d. For a subcutaneous case (d less than or similar to 3 cm), the surface-wave-induced interference is significant: within the range of peak radiation efficiency (about 2 x 10(8) to 3 x 10(9) Hz), the max-to-min ratio can reach a value of 6.5. For the studied frequency range, 80%-99% of radiation efficiency is lost due to the tissue-air wave-impedance mismatch. Parallel polarization reduces the losses by a few percent; this effect is inversely proportional to the frequency and depth. Considering the implantation depth, the operating frequency, the polarization, and the directivity, we show that about an order-of-magnitude efficiency improvement is achievable compared to existing devices.
Virus-induced gene silencing in Prunus fruit and nut tree species by Apple latent spherical virus vector

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has been used as a rapid and effective tool for functional analysis of genes in various plants, including woody fruit tree species. In this study, we attempted to develop a VIGS-based gene evaluation system for seven Prunus species, including apricot (P. armeniaca L.), sweet cherry (P. avium L.), almond [P. dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb. ], peach (P. persica Batsch), Japanese apricot (P. mume Siebold & Zucc.), Japanese plum (P. salicina Lindl.), and European plum (P. domestica L.), with the Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) vectors. ALSV vectors carrying part of the apricot PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) gene sequence were amplified in Nicotiana benthamiana, and inoculated into the cotyledons of Prunus seedlings by particle bombardment. Typical PDSs i lenced phenotypes , character ized by uniform discoloration of the upper leaves, were observed in sweet cherry and some cultivars of apricot and almond several weeks after inoculation. In contrast, attempted ALSV infections of Japanese apricot, Japanese plum, European plum, and the other cultivars of apricot and almond were unsuccessful. Furthermore, although the infection rate of ALSV in peach was high, severe viral infection symptoms were observed in the infected leaves. These results collectively suggested that the efficiency of ALSV infection and VIGS could vary depending on species and/or cultivar in Prunus. The possible use of the ALSV-mediated VIGS system for functional analysis of genes in Prunus is discussed.
The Environmental Impacts of Subsidized Crop Insurance

A partial equilibrium model of stochastic crop production is used to analyze the environmental impacts of popular subsidized crop insurance programs. Land use is unchanged only when an actuarially fair, perfectly separating insurance contract is offered. For the more typical pooling equilibrium contracts, however, land with a minimum quality that is stricly lower than the minimum quality without insurance will be added to production. In such cases, the environment will be adversely effected. If economically marginal land is also environmentally marginal, pooling crop insurance policies disproportionately contribute to the degradation of the environment. Popular subsidies merely exacerbate the problem.
The physiological state of Lactoccocus lactis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii strains in co-cultures induced by low temperature and osmotic stress

®BacLight™ staining, and culture viability and bacterial interactions studies were performed with the use of the plate count technique. The profiles of volatile organic compounds were assessed by static headspace-gas chromatography. During the stationary growth phase, the number of LIVE cells with intact membranes was reduced in the presence of NaCl in comparison with control conditions, and a longer adaptation phase was observed at 10°C. The viability of starter cultures was high at ~10 8 to 10 9 CFU/ml at the end of the experiment in all tested conditions. Our results point to the possibility of commensalisms interactions between lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria. Prolonged culture incubation contributed to the accumulation of acetoin, and it enhanced acetic acid and propionic acid synthesis during the stationary growth phase of propionic acid bacteria.
DEFECT MIGRATION IN CRYSTALLINE SILICON

A number of vacancy and interstitial defect migration mechanisms are characterized for crystalline silicon using supercells containing 64 and 216 atoms and a tight-binding approach. We investigate various defect configurations corresponding to minima and the pathways that connect them. A modified eigenvectorfollowing approach is used to locate true transition states. We exploit the fact that only one Hessian eigenvector is needed to define the uphill search direction and use conjugate gradient minimization in the tangent space to produce a hybrid algorithm. Two implementations of this approach are considered, the first where second derivatives are available but full diagonalization of the Hessian would be the most time-consuming step, and the second where only first derivatives of the energy are known. @S0163-1829~99! 02906-9#