Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing Regional Advantage: Does it matter for Czech regions?

Innovation and competitiveness are two concepts which govern the national and regional policies throughout the world. Innovation is the key driver of global economic competitiveness. Regions are considered a key level where innovation processes are shaped, coordinated and governed through localized capabilities. While until recently competitiveness of economies was developed from comparative or competitive advantages, in the era of knowledge economy the new theory of constructed advantage allows for more attention to the role and impact of the public sector and public-private partnership in the economy, based upon the dimensions related and unrelated variety and differentiated knowledge bases. The key to the constructed advantage is regional innovation systems approach. The introduction to the new theory is explained in the paper in the view of European collaborative research project and the first assessment of how policies for constructing regional advantage can work within the environment of specific regions of the Czech Republic is proposed.
REPRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF THREE-BREEDS CROSSES IN CATTLE*

The reproduction and production performance of three-breeds crosses of Holstein Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and Hariana (H) breeds of cattle (1/2F 1/4J 1/4H) maintained during 1976 to 1996 at Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar was studied. The mean age at first fertile service (AFFS) and age at first calving (AFC) were 772.07±25.12 and 1053.59±24.86 days respectively and both these traits showed significant (P < 0.01) effect of periods of study. The first service period (FSP) averaged to 166.61±11.11 days and showed significant effect of seasons and periods. The first lactation length (FLL) averaged to 317.72±6.87 days and showed significant (P < 0.01) effect of periods. The first dry period (FDP) averaged to 127.98±12.70 days did not show any effect of generations, seasons and periods of study. The first lactation milk yield (FLMY) and first standard lactation milk yield (FSLMY) averaged to 1851.69±114.70 and 1741.78±96.13 kg respectively. The present investigations revealed that parent crosses of Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Hariana breeds had significantly higher first standard lactation milk yield than inter-se crosses of cattle. The cold environment of winter season had significant effect in improving first service period of crossbred cows in three-breeds crosses.
Does Trade Openness Matter for Economic Growth in the CEE Countries?

Abstract This paper sets out to answer the question: Is trade openness important for economic growth in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries? The policyoriented measures of trade openness used in earlier studies have been argued to be subjective, while the simple outcome-oriented measures only capture one aspect of trade openness, namely: countries’ share of trade. Hence, following Squalli and Wilson (2011), the paper constructs a new outcome-oriented measure of trade openness which captures a country’s share of trade, and its interaction and interconnectedness with the rest of the world. Using fixed-effects regressions for 17 CEE countries over the period 1994 - 2014, the paper finds trade openness to be important for growth within the CEE countries. In particular, the results show that increases in trade openness is associated with increases in real GDP per capita growth within these countries. The results appear significantly the same after we dropped Croatia and Estonia - two historically closed economies.
Efficacy of D.B.T. in Life Games with Clinicians In Training

Although the therapeutic benefits of implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy with clients suffering from various psychological conditions has been well documented in the literature, there is very little research about the usefulness and effectiveness of therapeutic games. The purpose of the present study was to further explore coping skill acquisition using Dialectical Behavior Therapy with clinicians and practitioners in training including the implementation of innovative D.B. T. in Life games. A total of 62 student clinicians (19 men and 43 women) who attended either classes at an area university or a 2-day DBT conference learned about various aspects of DBT, learned and practiced the D.B. T. in Life games, and completed a measure of coping abilities, a measure of knowledge about DBT, and a satisfaction survey. Overall, the results suggest that clinicians’ knowledge about DBT can be increased by completing coursework about DBT and that utilizing the D.B. T. in Life games during that coursework could also be beneficial. Participants also reported that the D.B. T. in Life games were interesting, enjoyable to play, and effective tools in learning and practicing DBT skills. Overall, it appears that these games can be used in a classroom or conference setting with clinicians in training in order to increase both the knowledge and skill of the practitioners that will be utilizing DBT in clinical practice. Some limitations of the present research and recommendations for future research are discussed. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/208 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/208 Running Head: EFFICACY OF D.B. T. IN LIFE GAMES EFFICACY OF D.B. T. IN LIFE GAMES WITH CLINICIANS IN TRAINING
High Performance Work Systems, Performance and Innovativeness in Small Firms

The research presented in this paper focuses on the effectiveness of a high performance work system. This system is comprised of practices in the areas of extensiveness of staffing, performance based pay, pay level, job rotation, training and participation. In particular, this study focuses on the effects of such a system on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises. Results of our study, among small and medium size enterprises in the Netherlands, show that firms with such a system have higher labour productivity and are more innovative. However, no relationships are found with workforce turnover. These results suggest that high performance work systems are not only relevant in large corporations, but may also benefit small firms through a positive impact on performance and innovation. A new version of this paper is published on 5 december 2006 as a research report, H200621: 'Is human resource management profitable for small firms? '
Very high stratospheric influence observed in the free troposphere over the northern Alps – just a local phenomenon?

Abstract. The atmospheric composition is strongly influenced by a change in atmospheric dynamics, which is potentially related to climate change. A prominent example is the doubling of the stratospheric ozone component at the Zugspitze summit station (2962 m a.s.l., Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany) between the mid-seventies and 2005, roughly from 11 to 23 ppb (43 %). Systematic efforts for identifying and quantifying this influence have been made since the late 1990s. Meanwhile, routine lidar measurements of ozone and water vapour carried out at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (German Alps) since 2007, combined with in situ and radiosonde data and trajectory calculations, have revealed that stratospheric intrusion layers are present on 84 % of the yearly measurement days. At Alpine summit stations the frequency of intrusions exhibits a seasonal cycle with a pronounced summer minimum that is reproduced by the lidar measurements. The summer minimum disappears if one looks at the free troposphere as a whole. The mid- and upper-tropospheric intrusion layers seem to be dominated by very long descent on up to hemispheric scale in an altitude range starting at about 4.5 km a.s. l. Without interfering air flows, these layers remain very dry, typically with RH ≤5 % at the centre of the intrusion. Pronounced ozone maxima observed above Garmisch-Partenkirchen have been mostly related to a stratospheric origin rather than to long-range transport from remote boundary layers. Our findings and results for other latitudes seem to support the idea of a rather high contribution of ozone import from the stratosphere to tropospheric ozone.
Title pH-and thermo-sensitive MTX-loaded magnetic nanocomposites : synthesis , characterization , and in vitro studies on A 549 lung cancer cell and MR imaging Permalink

In the current study, we proposed a facile method for fabrication of multifunctional pHand thermo-sensitive magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) as a theranostic agent for using in targeted drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To this end, we decorated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with N,Ndimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), best known for their pHand thermo-sensitive properties, respectively. We also conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to polymer matrix acting as drug container to enhance the drug encapsulation efficacy. Methotroxate (MTX) as a model drug was successfully loaded in MNCs (M-MNCs) via surface adsorption onto MSNs and electrostatic interaction between drug and carrier. The pHand temperature-triggered release of MTX was concluded through the evaluation of in vitro release at both physiological and simulated tumor tissue conditions. Based on in vitro cytotoxicity assay results, M-MNCs significantly revealed higher antitumor activity compared to free MTX. In vitro MR susceptibility experiment showed that MMNCs relatively possessed high transverse relaxivity (r2) of about 0.15mM ! 1"ms! 1 and a linear relationship between the transverse relaxation rate (R2) and the Fe concentration in the M-MNCs was also demonstrated. Therefore, the designed MNCs can potentially become smart drug carrier, while they also can be promising MRI negative contrast agent. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 29 May 2017 Revised 28 August 2017 Accepted 20 October 2017
WHAT IS THE MOST PROMISING ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTERPART OF A NEUTRON STAR BINARY MERGER?

The final inspiral of double neutron star and neutron-star–black-hole binaries are likely to be detected by advanced networks of ground-based gravitational wave (GW) interferometers. Maximizing the science returns from such a discovery will require the identification of an electromagnetic counterpart. Here we critically evaluate and compare several possible counterparts, including short-duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs), “orphan” optical and radio afterglows, and day-long optical transients powered by the radioactive decay of heavy nuclei synthesized in the merger ejecta (“kilonovae”). We assess the promise of each counterpart in terms of four “Cardinal Virtues”: detectability, high fraction, identifiability, and positional accuracy. Taking into account the search strategy for typical error regions of tens of square degrees, we conclude that SGRBs are the most useful to confirm the cosmic origin of a few GW events, and to test the association with neutron star mergers. However, for the more ambitious goal of localizing and obtaining redshifts for a large sample of GW events, kilonovae are instead preferred. Off-axis optical afterglows are detectable for at most tens of percent of events, while radio afterglows are promising only for energetic relativistic ejecta in a high-density medium. Our main recommendations are: (1) an all-sky gamma-ray satellite is essential for temporal coincidence detections, and for GW searches of gamma-ray-triggered events; (2) the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope should adopt a one-day cadence follow-up strategy, ideally with 0.5 hr per pointing to cover GW error regions; and (3) radio searches should focus on the relativistic case, which requires observations for a few months.
Vision and Audiology Status of Foster Children in New York City

Between January, 1998, and July, 1999, 351 children in foster care placements in New York City received comprehensive vision examinations. One hundred and five of these children also received a hearing evaluation. The children from one of the sites (St.Christopher-Otillie,Brooklyn)were also examined in the audiology department of Brooklyn Hospital. The children were the charge of three different agencies at four sites. The aim of the study was to investigate the visual status of children in foster care placements and whether or not those children with significant visual problems were being identified and followed. Visual acuity, ocular motor function, refractive error, ocular health status, eye vergence skills and stereopsis were evaluated in the vision examinations. Anomalies were rated mild, moderate and severe, newly or previously identified and whether they were likely or not likely to have been present one year earlier (the time of their last physical). In all areas tested, children in foster care had higher prevalences of visual and audiological anomalies, than their “normal” counterparts. The results indicate that the vision and audiological screenings now being provided to these children at their mandated annual physical examination, are not sufficiently identifying children with moderate or severe vision and audiological dysfunctions.
Sahelian re-greening - merging a view from above with one from below

In the early 2000’s scientists noticed an increase in biomass production in the Sahel for the period 1982-2002 (a process which is referred to as ‘greening’). The goal of this thesis was to investigate the greening phenomenon at the local scale in 4 villages in south-central Niger and compare results of the investigation with the already available regional scale studies. Theoretical starting points for this study were: the micro-macro scale paradox in the Sahelian studies and the critical research about ‘received wisdoms’ and environmental narratives of African landscapes. Methods for this study were: visual interpretation of remote sensing data (aerial photographs and satellite images) and collection of farmers’ knowledge during a fieldtrip (PRA and personal interviews). This study identified that greening was not a uniform or strong process in four villages. Greening primarily concerned appearance of new trees, whereas big old trees continued to disappear. Not only rainfall was a reason behind greening, but also human factor played a substantial role. The greening phenomenon should be investigated critically, as far as its meaning for the affected land users is not clear.
Seed Health Evaluation of Various Pulses by Incubation Methods

Pulses may be defined as the dried edible seeds of cultivated legumes. They belong to the family Fabiaceae. Pulses for being environment friendly, major source of protein and complementing cereals both in production and consumption will have a vital role to play under the present circumstances. Seed is dormant phase of future crop and reviewing constant global attention due to the demand for high yields and increasing agricultural cooperations. Good and healthy seeds are not only essential requirement but also an important component for any successful production programme. Seeds are regarded as means of transporting plant pathogen (Agarwal and Sinclair, 1996). Seed born pathogen may cause seed abortion, seed rot/ necrosis, reduction or elimination of germination capacity as well as seedling damage (Khanzada et al., 2002). Leguminous crops commonly carry seed born mycoflora is a major factor affecting seed health (Neergaard, 1977).
The Legal International Wildlife Trade Favours Invasive Species Establishment: The Monk and Ring-Necked Parakeets in Spain

Summary. The international wildlife trade is a lucrative business. Although a huge variety of animal groups are trafficked, the Psittaciformes (parrots) are amongst the most traded avian groups. Deliberate or accidental releases of imported parrots have led to the establishment of feral populations in many countries. Far from their native habitats, parrots may cause economic and ecological damage, and may even favour the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Despite this, the links between numbers of imported individuals and the establishment of non-native populations is not well known. In this study, we analysed data on imports of two well-known invasive parrots, the Monk Parakeet Myiopsita monachus and the Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri, in Spain. We contrasted this information with the growth of known naturalised populations of these species from 1975 to 2015 and compared the success of these two species with other Psittaciformes imported in similar numbers into the country. We show that more than 190,000 Monk Parakeets were imported from Uruguay and Argentina, and almost 63,000 Ring-necked Parakeets were legally brought into the country from Pakistan and Senegal. For both species, wild populations grew exponentially following peak importation periods in 2015 (18,980–21,455 Monk Parakeets and 3,005–3,115 Ring-necked Parakeets). Even though imports of the two species were banned in Spain in 2005, wild populations are now self-sustaining. We argue that these parrot populations started from accidental and deliberate bird escapes, especially from birds originally captured in the wild. Although lack of more precise data makes it difficult for us to propose clear statistical associations between imports and established bird populations, we nonetheless suggest that the international trade is with some certainty the main cause for the origin of naturalised populations of invasive species in Spain. Our conclusions are useful to help manage similar animal groups that are numerous in the wildlife trade, especially for wild-caught social species. —Lucrecia Souviron-Priego, Antonio Román Muñoz, Jesús Olivero, J. Mario Vargas & John E. Fa. (2018). The legal international wildlife trade favours invasive species establishment: the Monk and Ring-neked Parakeets in Spain. Ardeola, 65: 233–246.
Serum Levels of micronutrients and antioxidants during malaria in pregnant women In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The comparative effects of malaria on serum micronutrients and antioxidants were studied in two hundred and ninety five (295) pregnant women aged 20–43 years. The malaria cases were 195 while 100 served as controls. Serum levels of copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin A, folic acid, cobala-mine and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, carotenes, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were measured. Results indicate that malaria was associated with lower levels of both micronutrients and antioxidants in pregnant women. It may be concluded that malaria has a severe damageable effect on the micronutrients and antioxidants of pregnant Nigerian women with malaria. Key words: Micronutrients, antioxidants, pregnant, superoxide dismutase, malaria.
Food selection and consumption of the shrimp Crangon crangon in some shallow marine areas in western Sweden

Crangon crangon L. is the dominant mobile epibenthic species in shallow waters of western Sweden. We report on seasonal food selection, die1 food intake, and quantify consumption of C. crangon in 4 different areas with different substrate and exposure. The main food item for smallsized C. crangon were rneiofauna, mainly ostracods and harpacticoids. Mid-sized and large shrimp preferred macrofauna such as Mya arenaria, Cardium edule, Nereis spp. and Corophium volutator. In some years also mobile epibenthos such as Carcinus maenas, C. crangon and mysides were eaten. Main feeding was during darkness with peaks around dawn and dusk. In summer a n additional midday peak was found. Evacuation rate had a negative linear relationship with time; on average the food left the stomach within 2 h. Mean diel food intake in June and September was estimated to be 12.1 % of body wet weight. Total consumption during the ice-free period (April-December) was estimated to range between 3.7 and 14.8 g ash-free dry weight m-' in the 4 areas, giving a mean food conversion (P/C) of about 19 %. In one area, C. crangon annually consumed 10 to 121 % of the product~on of Nereis spp. , 25 to 97 % of that of C. volutator, and 2 to 68 % of the combined production of the bivalves M. arenaria and C. edule. It can thus be concluded that C. crangon is one of the major benthos carnivores in these shallow areas and exerts a major impact on the infaunal comnlunity.
Does the Internet Use Improve People’s Sense of Social Equity?

The Internet has reconstructed our understanding of the world. As one of the most important indicators to measure the society, people’s sense of social equity is also affected by their use of Internet. In consideration of the incongruity between the dramatic growth of China’s Internet and the online mass incidents happening more often, this paper supposes that the Internet use has a negative effect on people’s sense of social equity in China. Data from the Chinese General Social Survey (2013) confirms this assumption, and the reason behind that can be summarized as follows: (1) the Internet helps people recognize the social realities which may be covered by traditional media sometimes; (2) the non-institutionalized participation in the network space let people know that there are plenty of scope for improvement. Furthermore, this paper analyses the moderating effect of the education and residence on the relationship between Internet use and people’s sense of social equity. And the significant moderating effect suggests that the relationship is relatively flat for higher educated and urban people, but steep for less educated and rural people.
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHLOROFORM CONCENTRATIONS ON BIOPHYSICS SKIN PARAMETERS

Our studies were focused on chloroform effect on skin properties. Three concentrations have been tested 100, 200 and 300 µg/L. These levels of concentrations can be found in swimming pools, where this compound results after the water chlorination. An original contact method was used, combined with biophysics measurement of several skin parameters: skin hydration (H), transepidermal water loss (TELW) and sebum secretion (S). Twenty volunteers without clinical signs of dermatological diseases have been monitored, before and 15 minutes after the contact of the product with the skin. The recovery was seen after 50 minutes from the beginning. During the contact, skin hydration increased proportionally with the tested concentrations, while the sebum parameter decreased rapidly. The most important change of TEWL was observed for 100 µg/L, and paradoxically, the return to baseline was higher for 300 µg/L. After 50 minutes, only the sebum parameter didn’t return to the initial values. The exposures of such environmental concentrations determine the skin drying by sebum loss, more pronounced if the initial value of the sebum secretion is low.