Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seedling water stress response of two sandplain Banksia species differing in ability to tolerate drought

Effects of water stress on xylem water potential, stomatal conductance and growth were assessed experimentally on 7month-old seedlings of Banksia menziesii R.Br. (Firewood Banksia) and Banksia littoralis R.Br. (Swamp Banksia) (Proteaceae) grown in 1 m deep tubes filled with course sand and subjected to 140 days of drought. Both are tree species of the sandplains of mediterranean southwestern Australia. B. littoralis is restricted to low-lying, winter damp areas, including the fringe of seasonal and permanent wetlands, whereas B. menziesii inhabits a range of habitats ranging from midupper slopes of deep, sandy dunes to dune crests. It was hypothesised that differences in their water relations and growth responses would reveal drought adaptation attributes that relates to their contrasting habitat preferences. For both species drought caused significant decreases in stomatal conductance and predawn xylem water potential. B. menziesii seedlings had a low stomatal conductance (< 0.1 mol m -2 s -1 ) and exhibited a desiccation avoidance response to drought by maintaining relatively higher water potential. In comparison, B. littoralis seedlings sustained higher stomatal conductance (0.2-0.3 mol m -2 s -1 ), until volumetric soil moisture content decreased to approximately 2%, avoiding drought by means of desiccation tolerance. Drought affected B. littoralis seedlings had lower relative growth rates (based on shoot dry weight) than well-watered controls. For B. menziesii there was no difference in relative growth rates between control and drought affected seedlings. Overall the two Banksia species displayed drought responses consistent with their current habitat preferences.
Monetary Policy and Sunspot Fluctuation in the U.S. and the Euro Area

We estimate a two-country open economy version of the New Keynesian DSGE model for the U.S. and the Euro area, using Bayesian techniques that allow for both determinacy and indeterminacy of the equilibrium. Our empirical analysis shows that the worldwide equilibrium is indeterminate due to a passive monetary policy in the Euro area, even if U.S. policy is aggressive enough. We demonstrate that the impulse responses under indeterminacy exhibit different dynamics than those under determinacy and that sunspot shocks affect the Euro economy to a substantial degree, while the transmission of sunspots to the U.S. is limited.
Price Spillover and Dynamic Correlation in the Shanghai A- and B-Share Stock Markets: Evidence from the B-Share's Opening to Chinese Citizens

This study adopts a bivariate EGARCH model, augmented with correlation index function, to examine the bilateral relationships between the Shanghai A- and B-share stock markets. Daily closing A- and B- share index prices, as well as S&P 500 index prices are used and they span from January 2, 1997 through December 30, 2005, a total of 2170 observations. A mean spillover from the B- to A-share market was found in the post-opening period and not the other way around. In addition, the US market plays an important role of information transmission to the B-share market. Moreover, a change in responsiveness of cross-market correlation to information arrivals was also detected after B-share’s opening to Chinese citizens.
A reliable iterative method for solving the epidemic model and the prey and predator problems

In the present article, we implement the new iterative method proposed by Daftardar-Gejji and Jafari (NIM) [V. Daftardar-Gejji, H. Jafari, An iterative method for solving nonlinear functional equations, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 316 (2006) 753-763] to solve two problems; the flrst one is the problem of spread of a non-fatal disease in a population which is assumed to have constant size over the period of the epidemic, and the other one is the problem of the prey and predator. The results demonstrate that the method has many merits such as being derivative-free, overcome the di‐culty arising in calculating Adomian polynomials to handle the nonlinear terms in Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM), does not require to calculate Lagrange multiplier as in Variational Iteration Method (VIM) and no needs to construct a homotopy as in Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM). The results obtained are compared with the results by existing methods and prove that the presented method is very efiective, simple and does not require any restrictive assumptions for nonlinear terms. The software used for the numerical calculations in this study was MATHEMATICA r 8.0.
Transnational Environmental and Agrarian Movements Influencing National Policies: The Case of Palm Oil Plantation in Indonesia

The rapid expansion of palm oil plantation has provoked reactions from environmental and agrarian movements, domestically and trans-nationally. This research attempts to compare four different Transnational Environmental and Agrarian Movements (TEAMs) in the case of palm oil activism in Indonesia. TEAMs are heterogeneous, ranging from the spectrum of environmental justice movements, peasants movements, radical environmentalists, and a Non- Government Organization applying the market-based approach. They have a different approach to perceive the problem, which resulted in different demands and action. Hence, they invoke different kind of change in the policy formulation related to the transformation of palm oil plantation. Relevance to Development Studies Environmental pressure is getting more influential in the decision making process of development practice. But, little has been known about the type of influence the “environment” can bring to national government, because environment cannot speak for itself. The concern of environment is being understood, mediated and communicated by environmental movement. With this regard, what kind of process is going on internally in the TEAMs, and how exactly does different approach of environmental problem translated differently in shaping the kind of development practice to be pursued, is still understudied. This study will try to discuss how different approach to see the environmental problem would colour the national regulation about how development practice could be improved or changed in terms of reducing environmental harm.
Rosacea: an update on therapeutic options

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting the face usually in middle-aged individuals. The disorder is associated with a lot of psychological impact on the quality of life of the affected patient. Treatment options for this skin disease range from topical treatment options to systemic agents and even lasers. This paper will review the current and some of the upcoming treatment options for this chronic skin disease.
Star formation history of early-type galaxies in low density environments - II. Kinematics

The present paper is a companion of two others dedicated one to the measurement of the line–strength indices (Longhetti et al. 1997a) and the second to trace back the star formation history of a sample of early–type galaxies by comparing observed indices to the predictions of new spectro–photometric models (Longhetti et al. 1997b). The sample of 51 early-type galaxies in low density environments is composed of two sub-sets of galaxies: 21 shell galaxies from the Malin & Carter (1983) catalogue (one of which shows double nucleous and has been considered as two separate objects) and 30 members of isolated interacting pairs from the Reduzzi & Rampazzo (1995) catalogue. Most of the objects show fine structures. The paper collects nuclear kinematic data together with the velocity and velocity dispersion curves of the stellar and gaseous components as a function of the distance from the galaxies centres. The galaxies heliocentric systemic velocity compares within km s-1 with RC3 data, while their central velocity dispersion compares within km s-1 , km s-1 and km s-1 with Gonzalez (1993), Davies et al. (1987) and Carter et al. (1988) respectively. The detailed comparison between our velocity and velocity dispersion curves and those from several authors is discussed. 9 out of 22 shell galaxies nuclei show emission lines, 4 of which, using data in the literature, have line ratios characteristic of LINERs. 10 members of pairs out of 30 show emission lines. RR 331a has a Seyfert like nucleus, while for the remaining galaxies the ([O III] λ 5007)/Hβ ratio is characteristic of low ionization regions. In a small fraction of the objects the emission component is detectable outside the central value. None of the objects in the sample shows counter-rotation of the gaseous versus the stellar component. The two components appear associated, although, in two cases there is evidence that gas and stars lie on different planes. This latter phenomenon could be associated to accretion events. Emission lines in the central part of the RR 331a show a secondary component in the emission lines profile. E 2400100 has two nuclei embedded in the main body of the galaxy. The U-shape profile of the stellar velocity profile shows the ongoing interaction of the two nuclei. profile of shell galaxies is, finally, discussed in relation to the hypothesis of the accretion/merging origin of these galaxies.
The Competitive Effects of a New Product Introduction: A Case Study

This paper analyzes the competitive effect of a new product introduction. We break the overall competitive effect into two parts: the effect on the prices of existing products due to increased competition, and the effect of having additional product variety. Using data from both before and after the introduction, we directly estimate the price effects and the additional variety effect. Then, using only the estimated post-introduction demand structure, along with an assumed model of competition, we estimate the price effects indirectly. By comparing the "indirect" and "direct" estimates, we assess the validity of alternative models of competition for the industry. Copyright 2002 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
The Relationship between Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction in National Oil Corporation of Libya

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction in National Oil Corporation of Libya. This research was carried out by measuring the data gathered from the five point likert scale. The Three Components Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (TCOCQ) was used to measure the three dimensions of organizational commitment such as affective, continuance and normative commitment, while (JSS) was used to measure job satisfaction. Quantitative survey method was applied and a sample of 227 employees of National Oil Corporation of Libya was selected to answer the instrument. SPSS software was used to analyze the data collected based on descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, percentage, Correlation and Regression). The empirical results indicate that the relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction in National Oil Corporation of Libya is positive significant relationship, while the dominant commitment in NOC of Libya is affective commitment.
An Exploratory Study of Thriving in Latina/o Undergraduate Students in the U.S.

Thriving, the phenomenon of going through an adversity and emerging “better off,” has been relatively understudied in the field of psychology. The current study investigated thriving in Latino/a undergraduate students. Analysis of qualitative interviews through Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR; Hill, Thompson & Williams, 1997) revealed adversities experienced (e.g., family discord and cultural difficulties), methods of thriving (e.g., cognitive coping, cultural values, faith, resources, social support and perseverance), and gains from the experience (e.g., improved self-concept, improved relationships, and increased knowledge base). Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Community contribution award -- Measuring and mitigating web performance bottlenecks in broadband access networks

We measure Web performance bottlenecks in home broadband access networks and evaluate ways to mitigate these bottlenecks with caching within home networks. We first measure Web performance bottlenecks to nine popular Web sites from more than 5,000 broadband access networks and demonstrate that when the downstream throughput of the access link exceeds about 16 Mbits/s, latency is the main bottleneck for Web page load time. Next, we use a router-based Web measurement tool, Mirage, to deconstruct Web page load time into its constituent components (DNS lookup, TCP connection setup, object download) and show that simple latency optimizations can yield significant improvements in overall page load times. We then present a case for placing a cache in the home network and deploy three common optimizations: DNS caching, TCP connection caching, and content caching. We show that caching only DNS and TCP connections yields significant improvements in page load time, even when the user's browser is already performing similar independent optimizations. Finally, we use traces from real homes to demonstrate how prefetching DNS and TCP connections for popular sites in a home-router cache can achieve faster page load times.
An Attempt to Understand E-Marketing: An Information Technology Prospective

This paper aims to identify the possible main factors that might have an impact on the adoption of E-Marketing by small business enterprises. It starts by reviewing the different theories of new technology adoption in the related literature such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour model (DTPB) to develop a better understanding of their influence and potential for marketing activities (namely, E-Marketing adoption) in SBEs. The overall aim is to identify the variables that might influence the adoption of Electronic Marketing by SBEs. 1. Adoption of New Technology
Do Smaller Governments Raise the Level or Growth of Output? A Review of Recent Evidence

Abstract Theoretical developments, improved methodologies and more extensive data have helped generate a dramatic increase in the literature testing for the impact of government size and fiscal policy on economic growth in recent years. We review a range of the more recent evidence and examine (1) the consistency or robustness of the results; (2) how these results differ from the earlier literature and (3) their usefulness as a guide to policy reform in practice. We find that the last decade has produced more robust evidence and more plausible orders of magnitude on the impact of fiscal policy on growth. However, the value of this evidence remains limited as a basis for quantifying macro-economic responses to fiscal policy reform in practice.
The evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Romanian hops

The evaluation of antioxidant capacity of raw material, wort and beer is important from brewing point of view to avoid oxidative processes that alter the beer sensorial profile and functionality related to consumer’s body, also. The total antioxidant activity was evaluated by indirect spectrophotometric method, which utilized 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as generated system for free radical DPPH•. The
Impact of work engagement on turnover intention: moderation by psychological capital in India

With increased number of employment opportunities in India, employers are increasingly finding it difficult to control employee turnover. Nonetheless, positive psychologists argue that one of the ways to face this challenge is by understanding the positive factors such as, work engagement and personal resources that negatively affect employees’ turnover intention. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the moderating role of psychological capital in the work engagement – employee turnover intention relationship. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze a sample of 228 employees working in diverse industries. The findings indicate that psychological capital moderates the relationship between work engagement and intention to turnover. The findings augment the theory of self and role by identifying moderating role of personal resources in strengthening the negative relationship between work engagement and turnover intention. Managers may take steps to enhance the employee­co­worker and employee­supervisor relationship either by promoting team related activities or by enabling their employees to work inde­ pendently. Also, in order to save the cost of hiring a new candidate and losing an experienced employee, managers may create mechanisms for measuring work engagement of at least their key employees or a regular basis. This paper fulfils an identified need to study how psychological capital plays a key role in affecting the work engagement–employee turnover intention rela­ tionship in Indian context.
Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)Confirmed with Leucism from East Coast of India

A single abnormally pigmented leucistic fish was collected from commercial fish catch from off Bay of Bengal, east coast of India. Using morphometric and DNA barcoding analysis, the fish species was identified as narrow barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). The standard length of the fish was 130 cm and weight was 1600 g. Mitochondrial COI gene sequence search of the leucistic fish specimen showed more similarity towards the species Scomberomorus commerson in the scombroid fish group. This is the first report confirm the species narrow barred Spanish mackerel with leucism from the region and is probably caused by random genetic alterations.
The Changes of Moisture Absorption Properties during the Service Life of External Thermal Insulation Composite System

This paper provides initial results from experimental work on the durability of external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS). In order to predict service life of ETICS, the accelerated climatic cycle was composed on the basis of earlier scientific research and the statistic data of the Lithuanian climate. The research aims to assess the durability and service life of finishing coat by calculating the amount of moisture while measuring the 24 h water absorption of the samples during water absorption and drying testing either by measuring the changes of bond strength. The offered accelerated weathering cycle could be useful for ETICS manufacturers and it could be used for testing and proof of highly frost-resistant products. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.1. 3834
Lobbying, Corruption and Political Influence in Transition Countries

Conventional wisdom is that lobbying is the preferred mean for exerting political influence in rich countries and corruption the preferred one in poor countries. Analyses of their joint effects are understandably rare. This paper provides econometric evidence on lobbying, corruption and influence using data for almost 4000 firms in 25 transition countries. Our results show that (a) lobbying and corruption are substitutes; (b) firm size, age and ownership as well as political stability are important determinants of lobby membership; and (c) lobbying is a much more effective instrument for political influence than corruption, even in less developed countries.
The Fundamental Agency Problem: Ownership, Monitoring, and Voluntary Disclosure

Combining databases with unique strengths I show that stray firms, i.e. those lacking a controlling owner, have lower disclosure in financial reports. This finding illustrates managers’ preference to withhold information (“the fundamental agency problem”). I contribute to the literature by showing that, while monitoring by blockholders initially increases disclosure, disclosure decreases at high levels of block ownership. At high levels blockholders appear to lose interest in public disclosure as their access to information is virtually guaranteed. Moreover, I report findings on the impact of institutional, foreign, under-diversified, and controlling minority-owners, concluding that ownership structure has major implications for voluntary disclosure.
Eutrophication, water management, and the functioning of Dutch estuaries and coastal lagoons

A number of major European rivers (especially the Rhine) have a prevailing influence on the nutrient cycling of most Dutch estuaries. Owing to the increased loading of the estuaries with nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, effects of eutrophication on the biological communities are most evident in the tidal Western Wadden Sea and in a nontidal brackish lagoon, Veerse Meer. Whether the relation between changed nutrient loadings and changed biomass and production of primary and secondary producers in the turbid tidal Dutch ecosystems should be considered as a causal relation is questionable. The very widespread practice of lagoon modification confuses the effects of nutrient loading.
Production performance of pigs reared in different systems and fed increased energy content diets with or without green alfalfa

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various feeding and housing systems on fattening performance, slaughter value and biochemical serum parameters in growing-finishing pigs. The experimental material comprised 90 growing-finishing pigs, divided into six groups of 15 animals that were diverse in terms of rearing (with or without free access to outdoor runs) and feeding systems (fed increased metabolizable energy (ME) content diets with or without green alfalfa). Different feeding regimes and rearing systems had no significant effects on most fattening results and the carcass traits of the pigs except for daily water and diet intake and feed/gain ratio. Daily water intake was lower in pigs fed complete diets plus green alfalfa forage. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were statistically lower in the blood serum of Groups 3 and 6 than in Groups 2 and 4. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the serum of Group 6, compared with other groups. Group 3 had significantly higher triglycerides levels compared with Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Taking into consideration all these dependencies, it could be assumed that feeding regime and rearing with access to outdoor runs might improve not only blood lipid profile, but also the dietetic value of pork. It seems that feeding a complete diet with increased ME, plus green alfalfa forage and rearing indoors with free access to outdoor runs, gave the best results. Keywords: Carcass quality, finishing system, lipids, pig nutrition, production system