Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re-Evaluating the Economic Costs of Conflicts

This paper studies the economic costs of conflicts at the country and ethnic group settlement level with light output data as measured by orbital satellites and conflict data spatially mapped to latitude and longitude coordinates. Using a worldwide dataset of 7,704 individual ethnic group settlements of 862 ethnic groups in 177 countries, we find that conflicts strongly reduce light output in settlements directly affected by fighting over the period 1992-2008. In addition, conflicts have large negative spillovers both across and within countries: light output in settlements not directly exposed to fighting declines significantly once a conflict begins; neighboring countries also experience large negative effects. The negative effects of conflicts are particularly pronounced in Eastern Europe, but also observable in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South and South-East Asia. In contrast, conflicts have, on average, no negative effects on light output in the Middle East and in the West. We contrast these results with cross-country regressions with GDP data, which suggest much smaller negative effects of conflicts.
Further comparison of decisions concerning uniformity of rye varieties based on COYU approach and on Bennett’s test

Uniformity of new varieties are usually checked using COYU approach after collecting results of three years of trials. There are some other possibilities of testing uniformity as indicated in a papers by Zawieja and Pilarczyk (2005, 2006). In this paper the discrepancies between the decisions concerning uniformity of rye varieties taken with the support of two methods (COYU and Bennett’s test) are compared. The influence of degree of correlation between levels of expression of characteristics (mean values) and transformed standard deviations on the decisions concerning uniformity is investigated.
An Efficient Approach for Real-Time Prediction of Rate of Penetration in Offshore Drilling

Predicting the rate of penetration (ROP) is critical for drilling optimization because maximization of ROP can greatly reduce expensive drilling costs. In this work, the typical extreme learning machine (ELM) and an efficient learning model, upper-layer-solution-aware (USA), have been used in ROP prediction. Because formation type, rock mechanical properties, hydraulics, bit type and properties (weight on the bit and rotary speed), and mud properties are the most important parameters that affect ROP, they have been considered to be the input parameters to predict ROP. The prediction model has been constructed using industrial reservoir data sets that are collected from an oil reservoir at the Bohai Bay, China. The prediction accuracy of the model has been evaluated and compared with the commonly used conventional artificial neural network (ANN). The results indicate that ANN, ELM, and USA models are all competent for ROP prediction, while both of the ELM and USA models have the advantage of faster learning speed and better generalization performance. The simulation results have shown a promising prospect for ELM and USA in the field of ROP prediction in new oil and gas exploration in general, as they outperform the ANN model. Meanwhile, this work provides drilling engineers with more choices for ROP prediction according to their computation and accuracy demand.
Comparison of the Minutiae Quadruplets and Minutiae Triplets Techniques

Identifying distorted ngerprint images is a major problem in ngerprint recog-nition systems. Several techniques, such as the minutiae triplets technique, have been proposed for minutiae matching and indexing. The minutiae triplets technique however is largely aected by minutiae distortions and occlusions and hence can rarely produce a stable feature set. In this paper, the characteristics of the minutiae quadruplets and the minutiae triplets structures are compared. The minutiae quadruplet technique is proposed as a better technique because the features are robust to minutiae distortions and occlusions and it eliminates the known drawbacks of the minutiae triplet technique.
Structural evolution of the Turňa Unit constrained by fold and cleavage analyses and its consequences for the regional tectonic models of the Western Carpathians

Abstract The Turňa Unit (Turnaicum, Tornaicum) is one of the three nappe systems involved in the geological structure of the inner zones of the Western Carpathians. The unit is formed by a system of partial nappes and duplexes, which overlie the Meliata Unit s.l. and are overridden by the Silica Nappe. The Slovenská skala partial nappe in the investigated area includes clastic sediments of the mid-Carboniferous, Permian and Early Triassic age, followed by mostly deep-water Middle-Upper Triassic succession predominantly composed of carbonates. Structural analysis of cleavage planes and folds was carried out predominantly in the Lower Triassic Werfen Formation. The measured deformational structures are polygenetic and were principally formed in three successive deformation stages. The first deformation stage is represented by bedding-parallel, very low-grade metamorphic foliation that was related to nappe stacking and formation of the Mesozoic accretionary wedge during the latest Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous. The second deformation stage is represented by systems of open to closed, partly asymmetric folds with SW-NE oriented, steeply NW- or SE-dipping axial-plane cleavage. Regionally, the folded bedding planes are usually moderately SE-ward dipping, the NW-ward and subvertical dips are less common. The mesoscopic fold structures predominantly occur in the SW-NE trending anticlinal and synclinal hinge zones of large-scale folds. These structures evolved in a compressional tectonic regime with the NW-SE to N-S orientation of the maximum compressional axis. The third observed deformation stage was activated during ENE-WSW oriented shortening. This stage is chiefly represented by open, kink-type folds. Some inferences for regional structures and tectonic evolution of the area are discussed as well.
Gel Electrophoresis and Fluorescamine Methods for the Detection of Proteolysis of Milk Heated at High Temperatures

This study describes the effect of high temperature processing of milk and its susceptibility to proteolysis during storage. Raw milk was subjected to various Temperature-time combinations (110, 120, 130 and 142 ˚C for 2s) to assess its susceptibility to proteolysis by native enzymes during storage at 37 ˚C for 28 days. Raw milk and processed milk at low temperature (85/15 s) were also used as benchmarks for the native state and mild heat treatment. Gel electrophoresis (for qualitative analysis) and fluorescamine (for quantitative analysis) methods were used to detect proteolysis in high temperature heated milk caused by native enzymes. For the fluorescamine method, clarification was achieved by isoelectric precipitation and precipitation with acid to obtain pH 4.6 and 6% TCA soluble extracts respectively. Non-clarified samples were used for gel electrophoresis. Both methods confirmed that raw milk and milk processed at 85/15s were the most proteolysed, indicating that the high temperatures (110, 120, 130 and 142 ˚C for 2s) lowered proteolysis through inactivation of heat resistant native enzymes possibly plasmin and hence decreased milk’s susceptibility to spoilage. Key words: proteolysis, fluorescamine, gel electrophoresis, plasmin, isoelectric precipitation
Experimental Realization of Decoy State Polarization Encoding Measurement-device-independent Quantum Key Distribution

Experimental Realization of Decoy State Polarization Encoding Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution Zhongfa Liao Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2013 Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote parties to generate secret keys for cryptographic purposes. Its security has been proven with some assumptions. However, practical realizations may not comply with all the assumptions, leading to various attacks. Founded on the observation that almost all attacks are on the detection part, measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD) was proposed to remove all such attacks. This thesis presents an implementation of the protocol. In our implementation, key bit information was encoded in the polarization states of weak coherent pulses at 1542 nm wavelength in optical fibers, and decoy state techniques were employed. We ensured stable polarization preparation and alignment and developed a QKD system over 10 km of standard Telecom fibers at 500 KHz repetition rate. Our work demonstrates the practicality of MDI-QKD protocol of removing all attacks, existing and yet to be discovered, on the detection part of a QKD system.
COMPROMISE EFFECT ON CONSUMERS’ BEHAVIOR

The way consumers think about the products they will buy determines their buying behavior. The decision to buy a particular product is obviously in accordance with the buyer’s attitude. The buyers will also feel more comfortable if their behavior meets with the approval and expectations of the people close to them. While the development of a certain attitude has no effect on subjective judgment, the effect of compromise is likely to make a contribution to its development. Since it is still unclear, this study’s main purposed is to clarify this. In addition, while an attitude is theorized as being a predictor of behavior, through behavioral intention, the study’s secondary purpose is to boost the earlier findings. Likewise, in accordance with the theory of planned behavior, the study will also examine the other predictors of behavioral intention, in relation to the behavioral intention itself. A sample consisting of a 100 respondents was compiled by using the convenience and judgment technique. The data were analyzed using Amos 16.0 and SPSS 16.0. As expected, the compromise effect had a significant influence on whether the customers’ attitude or the subjective norm was the main determinant. Likewise, the customers’ attitude, the subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were confirmed as good predictors of customers’ behavioral intentions.
The Effect of Head of Region Characteristics on Local Government Financial Performance: The Case of Indonesia

This study investigated the effect of head of region characteristics on local government financial performance. The head of region characteristics consists of age, tenure, education level, gender and affiliation of political parties. The sample of the study consists of 1,100 Local Government Financial Report which has been audited by Supreme Audit Board during of 2011 – 2015 period. Financial performance was measured by using budget absorption and the ratio of regional autonomy. The results of the study found that age of the head of the region has a positive effect on the financial performance of local government, tenure of the regional head has a negative effect, education level of the regional head has no effect, female head of the region has a negative effect, and affiliation of local political parties has a negative effect on the financial performance of local government. Type of paper: Empirical
Gas-phase chemistry in the online multiscale NMMB/BSC Chemical Transport Model: Description and evaluation at global scale

This paper presents a comprehensive description and benchmark evaluation of the tropospheric gas-phase chemistry component of the NMMB/BSC Chemical Transport Model (NMMB/BSC-CTM), an online chemical weather prediction system conceived for both the regional and the global scale. We provide an extensive evaluation of a global annual cycle simulation using a variety of background surface stations (EMEP, WDCGG and CASTNET), ozonesondes (WOUDC, CMD and SHADOZ), aircraft data (MOZAIC and several campaigns), and satellite observations (SCIAMACHY and MOPITT). We also include an extensive discussion of our results in comparison to other state-of-the-art models. The model shows a realistic oxidative capacity across the globe. The seasonal cycle for CO is fairly well represented at different locations (correlations around 0.3–0.7 in surface concentrations), although concentrations are underestimated in spring and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and are overestimated throughout the year at 800 and 500 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere. Nitrogen species are well represented in almost all locations, particularly NO2 in Europe (RMSE below 9 μg m−3). The modeled vertical distribution of NOx and HNO3 are in excellent agreement with the observed values and the spatial and seasonal trends of tropospheric NO2 columns correspond well to observations from SCIAMACHY, capturing the highly polluted areas and the biomass burning cycle throughout the year. Over Asia, the model underestimates NOx from March to August probably due to an underestimation of NOx emissions in the region. Overall, the comparison of the modelled CO and NO2 with MOPITT and SCIAMACHY observations emphasizes the need for more accurate emission rates from anthropogenic and biomass burning sources (i.e., specification of temporal variability). The resulting ozone (O3) burden (348 Tg) lies within the range of other state-of-the-art global atmospheric chemistry models. The model generally captures the spatial and seasonal trends of background surface O3 and its vertical distribution. However, the model tends to overestimate O3 throughout the troposphere in several stations. This is attributed to an overestimation of CO concentration over the southern hemisphere leading to an excessive production of O3. Overall, O3 correlations range between 0.6 to 0.8 for daily mean values. The overall performance of the NMMB/BSC-CTM is comparable to that of other state-of-the-art global chemical transport models.
The BGR contingency model for leading change

The continuing failure rates of change initiatives, combined with an increasingly complex business environment, have created significant challenges for the practice of change management. High failure rates suggest that existing change models are not working, or are being incorrectly used. A different mindset to change is required. The BGR Contingency Model (named after the authors' surnames) for leading change facilitates the required mindset, and addresses the issue of leadership decision-making as one of the major contributors to high change initiative failure rates. Drawing on four propositions offered, the conceptual model is based on the interdependency of ethics and logic in leadership decision-making in change initiatives. The model has specific, formal checkpoints of this interdependency. Its basic design is a series of progressions, or groups of tasks, which start with the strategic and continue through the operational to the tactical levels of the organisation, in an iterative fashion.
Up or out? Archetypes and person-organization fit in Dutch law firms

This study investigates the conditions and mechanisms of fit between lawyers’ values and ambitions, on the one hand, and law firms’ values and other characteristics on the other hand. The big law firms in The Netherlands are distinguished according to their configuration as a professional partnership or managed professional business. The relationship between these configurations and different HRM practices - especially career and reward systems - is analyzed. Fit between lawyer and law firm is an important factor in promoting commitment, retention and wellbeing of the lawyers as well as the performance of the firm.
Dimensions of State Fragility: A Review of the Social Science Literature

Failing, fragile or failed states have become part of the international relations and development lexicon since the early1990s. These states are often associated with poor or unstable governance, persistent extreme poverty, and potential international security threats. Yet insufficient research has been done to understand and clarify the dimensions of state fragility and their implications. This paper reviews the extensive literature that has surrounded this topic. The authors first draw attention to a host of definitional issues associated with the terminology of “fragile states” and “failed states. ” They emphasize the limitations inherent in the use of each term, and the differential implications for international peace and security. The paper then analyzes fragile states in terms of their economically destabilizing effects and real or perceived threats to security. The authors conclude that economic breakdown and political instability are far more serious consequences arising from state fragility than the security dangers posed to neighbouring countries and the broader international community. The forces leading to the emergence of fragile states are seen as numerous and diverse. They encompass economic causes, intra-state conflict and international factors, among others. For this reason, the authors argue, simplistic responses to fragility almost never work. They conclude that changes in the regional geopolitical situation surrounding fragile states, and more equitable global trade and immigration policies, are likely to be more effective in reversing state fragility over the long run than approaches that emphasize aid, military intervention or “creative destruction. ”
Financial Crises, Poverty, and Income Distribution

Developing and transition economies are prone to financial crises, including balance of payments and banking crises. These crises affect poverty and the distribution of income through a variety of channels: slowdowns in economic activity, relative price changes, and fiscal retrenchment, among others. This paper deals with the impact of financial crises on the incidence of poverty and income distribution, and discusses policy options that can be considered by governments in the aftermath of crises. Empirical evidence, based on both macro- and microlevel data, shows that financial crises are associated with an increase in poverty and, in some cases, income inequality. The provison of targeted safety nets and the protection of specific social programs from fiscal retrenchment remain the main short-term propoor policy responses to financial crises.
Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats

Abstract Diet selection by juvenile and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating goats and the diets of adult non-productive goats with low (≤ 1.5; grading scale 0–5) and moderate (≥ 2.5) body condition score (BCS) are described by microhistological analysis of fecal samples for a Chihuahuan desert vegetation in northern Mexico. In the rainy season, adult goats utilized more (P < 0.10) shrubs than juvenile goats (70.4 vs 58.6%), but, in the dry season, the diet of both groups contained equal amounts of shrubs. The proportion of forbs and grasses in the goats' diet also tended to vary (P < 0.10) between age groups in the rainy season. Juvenile goats generally had lower consumption of plants with spines than adult goats. Goats with low BCS selected more (P < 0.10) shrubs than goats with moderate BCS in the rainy season. Forbs were eaten in larger amounts by does with moderate BCS (38% of the diet) during the rainy season compared to goats with low BCS (30.9%). Regardless of age and body reserves, grasses formed less than 5% of goat diets in both seasons. Mean similarity index for juvenile and adult goats was 75, while mean similarity index for goats with low and moderate BCS was 78. For all classes of goats, Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov. , the dominating species in the plant community, was the only plant selected at proportions below those found in ground cover in the rainy season. These data indicate that, during the rainy season, juvenile goats mixed their diets to achieve more even use of forages than adult goats. These results also indicate that high utilization of shrubs, including resinous and fibrous forages, appeared to be an adaptive foraging strategy of goats with low fat reserves, when forage was readily available.
Effects of human impacts on diversity and distribution of chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) in prealpine springs

Diversity and distribution of chironomid fauna (Diptera: Chironomidae) in 36 springs in the Italian Prealps (Veneto and Trentino NE-Italy, 46°N, 10-11°E) was studied in relation to altitude, spring type and grade of disturbance. The springs were located between 62 and 1710 m asl of altitude, in three calcareous mountain areas (Mt. Baldo, Mts. Lessini and Mt. Pasubio). They differed in conservation status (natural, moderately and highly disturbed) and belonged to five hydromorphological types (rheocrene, limnocrene, rheohelocrene, rheolimnocrene, rheohygropetric). Each spring was surveyed once, between early summer and autumn, within 50 m of the spring’s source (eucrenal). A total of 4198 chironomid larvae and pupae were sorted from 111 macroinvertebrate samples collected, belonging to five subfamilies (Tanypodinae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae, Orthocladiinae and Chironominae), 41 genera and 60 species/groups of species, and three juveniles taxa. As expected, Orthocladiinae accounted for a large part of specimens (88%) and species (74%), with Tvetenia calvescens/bavarica as the most frequent and abundant taxon, shared by pristine and disturbed springs and by all spring types. Most taxa were found in few sites, and frequencies declined gradually for most wider distributed species. A high number (74%) of rare (= present in less than 10% of sites) taxa were found and from one to 23 taxa were identified per spring. Maximum richness occurred in moderately disturbed (Shannon-H = 1.29±0.60) springs, located at medium-high altitude (385-1266 m asl), according to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Even the evenness (Equitability-J) was higher as average in these springs. A Cluster Analysis run on Bray-Curtis similarity index highlighted a high similarity i) between the chironomid assemblages of moderately disturbed and natural springs (44 species in each spring group, with 29 species in common), and ii) between rheocrene and rheohelocrene types, thus the springs with the highest microhabitat heterogeneity. High individuality of springs was revealed, and new information about non-biting midges autecology provided. The utility of chironomids as bioindicators of water quality and ecological state of springs was confirmed, with some species e associated with high disturbance level (e.g., Polypedilum nubeculosum gr. to water intake works) and others with pristine conditions (e.g., Pseudodiamesa branickii ).
New Protein Hydrolysate from Spirulina platensis used as Peptone in Microbiological Culture Media

Spirulina platensis algae has been used worldwide as an additive in foods and as nutraceutical for different deficiencies and illness due to its high protein content. The main goal of this study was to obtain a peptone from S. platensis appropriate for the growth promotion of bacteria and yeast in culture media. The hydrolysis process of S. platensis by papain was optimal at 70 °C, pH 5, with an enzyme to substrate ratio of 20 % (papain with 3000 Umg -1 ). S. platensis papainic peptone (SPPP) showed high amino-acid content (67.09 g/100 g), satisfactory level of Nam/Nt ratio (32.5 %), and low loss on drying (3.8 %). Furthermore, we evaluated the microbiological performance of SPPP in general and differential media for eight different microorganism strains. The results indicate that SPPP can be considered an efficient nitrogen source in solid and liquid microbiological culture media for gramnegative, and grampositive bacteria, and yeast. This new peptone is safe for microbial growth and is suitable for microbiological diagnostic, supporting the value of a non-animal protein source in the pharmaceutical industry.