Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Funding Forms, Market Conditions, and Dynamic Effects of Government R&D Subsidies: Evidence from China

We examine various factors that influence the effects of government-subsidized research and development (R&D) programs on firm productivity. Based on a panel dataset of Chinese firms, we find the effects of the Innovation Fund for Small and Medium Technology Based Firms (Innofund) are dynamic over time and are heterogeneous depending on funding forms and the level of marketization and economic development across regions. In general, Innfound has significant and positive effects on firm productivity in both the short and long run. However, the short-term effects of Innofund are stronger than the long-term ones. Additionally, the positive effects of Innofund are stronger for firms backed by interest-free bank loans than those supported by appropriation. Meanwhile, Innofund has stronger positive effects in provinces that are less market-oriented or less developed economically. Finally, the short-term effects of Innofund stay stronger than the long-term ones even after we control the funding forms and the market conditions across regions. Identification and selection concerns are addressed through the propensity score matching approach and two-stage estimation. (JEL G28 O38 H76)
MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN KIDNEYS OF RATS WITH GENTAMICIN-INDUCED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY AND USE OF MELATONIN

Aminoglycosides are effective antibiotics, but their accumulation in kidney cortex causes nephrotoxic effects in 20-30% of patients, which significantly limits their use. For this reason, search for the new therapies aimed at prevention of gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is highly relevant. Thus, the objective of our research was to study the functional and histopathological changes in kidneys of rats with gentamicin-induced AKI, and estimate the renoprotective potential of pineal hormone melatonin, which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The study was conducted on 24 non-linear male rats. Gentamicin-induced AKI was modeled by daily administration of 4% gentamicin sulphate (80 mg/kg) for 6 days. Melatonin (Sigma Aldrich, USA) was injected daily at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Functional state of kidneys was assessed by diuresis, creatinine clearance, urine protein excretion, fractional excretion of sodium, and plasma potassium level. Documentation of the pathological processes was performed by the computer morphometry of objects in histological preparations. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 17.0 software. Administration of gentamicin resulted in a significant impairment of renal function of experimental animals. A decrease in creatinine clearance by 3.1 times along with a reduction of diuresis by 1.9 times, and an increase in plasma creatinine concentration by 2.6 times was observed. There also was an increase in urine protein level by 5.2 times, an elevation of fractional sodium excretion and a reduction of plasma potassium level. Use of melatonin caused a significant improvement of renal function comparing to model pathology group. Functional disturbances were accompanied with the significant histopathological changes in kidney tissue: necrosis of the 27±5.2% epithelial cells of proximal tubules with the signs of hydropic vacuolization (7±2.1%) or reversible hydropic swelling (76±1.5%) in the rest of cells; swelling or deformation of some glomeruli. In the medulla tubular lumen were dilated and partially filled with hyaline casts, tubular cells had signs of dystrophy. Use of melatonin contributed to the restraint of the histopathological changes, confirmed by the decrease of the prevalence and severity of tubular necrosis (1.2%), dystrophy (64±2.3%), and injury of glomeruli. Obtained results verify the significant nephroprotective effect of pineal hormone melatonin, providing a background for the further in-depth study of its renal effects as well as its prospects as a nephroprotector.
Antiphytopathogenic and Plant Growth Promoting Attributes of Bacillus Strains Isolated from Rhizospheric Soil of Chickpea

In the present study, we aimed to screen indigenous rhizospheric Bacillus strains, capable of producing antiphytopathogenic and plant growth promoting traits. Isolate CTS-B19 and CTS-G24 exhibited quite noticeable antagonistic activity initially against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Rhizoctonia bataticola , and, later, against a panel of phytopathogens. Partial 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the isolate CTS-B19 and CTS-G24 exhibited 99% homology with Paenibacillus polymyxa and Bacillus subtilis and the sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers KF322038 and KF322037, respectively. In vitro detection for fungal wall degrading enzymes revealed that both isolates produced chitinases, �-1,3-glucanases, proteases and cellulases. While siderophores and catalase activities were observed only in Bacillus subtilis (CTS-G24), both strains exhibited a positive result for in vitro ammonia production. Besides, the strain CTS-B19 could also solubilize phosphate. Lytic enzymes and siderophore produced by Bacillus subtilis can be considered as potential antiphytopathogenic traits involved in the inhibition of fungal growth. Both strains exhibited either no or negligible antagonistic activity against other plant growth promoting bacteria. Additional to antagonism, plant growth promoting traits exhibited by these natural biocontrol agents may suppress plant diseases and might be applied in agriculture as an alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Output power excursions in a cascade of EDFAs fed by multichannel burst-mode packet traffic: experimentation and modeling

A serious problem facing wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) networks with fiber amplifier cascades is transient cross-gain saturation or gain dynamics of fiber amplifiers. Attention has been focused primarily on circuit-switched scenarios. When the number of WDM channels transmitted through a circuit-switching network varies, channel addition/removal will tend to perturb signals at the surviving channels that share all or part of the route. Even more serious bit error rate deterioration can arise in WDM packet switched burst mode networks. In this paper, we present experimental and theoretical results demonstrating the effect of fast power transients in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) on packetized traffic transmitted through a chain of five EDFAs. Traffic of a local-area network has been transmitted over three channels. The effect of EDFA cross-gain saturation due to the burstiness of the traffic has been observed in a continuous-wave monitoring channel. The stabilizing effect of gain clamping of the first EDFA in the cascade has been investigated. The experimental results are extended to eight-channel WDM system using a large signal numerical analysis.
Lattice vibrations of the charge-transfer salt kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3 : Comprehensive explanation of the electrodynamic response in a spin liquid compound

The dimer Mott insulator $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$ exhibits unusual electrodynamic properties. Numerical investigations of the electronic ground state and the molecular and lattice vibrations reveal the importance of the Cu$_2$(CN)$_3^-$ anion network coupled to the BEDT-TTF molecules: The threefold cyanide coordination of copper and linkage isomerism in the anion structure cause a loss of symmetry, frustration, disorder, and domain formation. Our findings consistently explain the temperature and po\-lar\-i\-zation-dependent THz and infrared measurements, reinforce the understanding of dielectric properties and have important implications for the quantum spin-liquid state, which should be treated beyond two-dimensional, purely electronic models.
HIGH-PURITY GLASSES BASED ON ARSENIC CHALCOGENIDES

Low impurity content is the essential requirement to many applications of vitreous arsenic chalcogenides as a material for optoelectronics. Investigations carried out in last ten years increased the knowledge volume about the nature and origin of impurities in chalcogenide glasses, their effect on glass properties, especially on the transmittance in middle IR region and on radiation strength. These properties are most sensitive to impurity presence. The minimum calculated content of impurities, leading to observation of impurity contribution to the property value, is 0.1 - 100 ppb at. for different impurity groups. The effective methods of preparations and analysis of high - purity glasses are developed. The best glass samples contain the impurities of widespread metals and silicon on the level of 0.1 ppm wt. , optically active hydrogen - 0.2 -0.05 ppm at. , oxygen and carbon - 0.5 - 1 ppm wt. , submicron size heterogeneous inclusions - 10 4 - 5*10 6 cm -3 . Impurity content in the glasses of ordinary quality is 10 - 100 times higher. The presence of impurities should be taken into account while investigating both well-known and developed properties and applications of glasses.
Job security satisfaction in Australia: Do migrant characteristics and gender matter?

This paper utilises the HILDA Survey to examine the job security satisfaction of migrant workers. Using fixed effects models, stratified by migrant status and gender, we uncover native-migrant differences in the factors influencing workers’ job security satisfaction. The adverse effects of non-permanent contracts on job security satisfaction are greater for male migrants than their native counterparts. However, the job security satisfaction of male migrant workers is boosted by union membership and wage increases. Among female migrant workers, education is positively correlated with job security satisfaction. We investigate the influences of assimilation and English-speaking background on migrants’ job security satisfaction and find that the negative impacts of non-permanent contracts on job security satisfaction levels are augmented among female workers who are well-assimilated or who possess an English-speaking background. Variances in expectations between assimilated and non-assimilated workers and English-proficient versus non-English-proficient workers may explain these divergent outcomes within female migrant worker groups.
Are commodity futures markets short-term efficient? An empirical investigation

This study examines individual commodity futures price reaction to large one day price changes, or "shocks". The mean-adjusted abnormal return model suggests that investors in 6 of the 18 commodity futures, examined in this study, either underreact or overreact to positive surprises. It also detects underreaction patterns in 8 commodity future prices following negative surprises. However, after conducting appropriate systematic risk and conditional heteroskedasticity adjustments, we show that almost all commodity futures react efficiently to shocks.
Statistical Scale Space Methods

The goal of statistical scale space analysis is to extract scale‐dependent features from noisy data. The data could be for example an observed time series or digital image in which case features in either different temporal or spatial scales would be sought. Since the 1990s, a number of statistical approaches to scale space analysis have been developed, most of them using smoothing to capture scales in the data, but other interpretations of scale have also been proposed. We review the various statistical scale space methods proposed and mention some of their applications.
Women Judges and Women’s Rights in Pakistan

Although the first appointment of women judges in Pakistan dates back to 1974, the massive appointment of “lady judges” in the past decade has caused a jump in female representation in the judiciary to more than one third – a quiet move that sends a message of adherence to the principle of gender equality as per the international treaties to which Pakistan is signatory. By investigating the everyday interactions and preoccupations of women-judges in their daily management of justice, this paper explores the socio-legal reception of the human rights discourse from the perspective of the female judges. The challenge in this scenario lies, on the one hand, in whether this change will be only formal or will also lead to substantial and accountable justice and, on the other hand, how the global agenda impacts local expectations and conceptualizations of rights within and beyond the state. A pesar de que la designacion de juezas en Pakistan se remonta a 1974, la significativa designacion de "senoras juezas" en la pasada decada ha provocado que la representacion de las mujeres en la judicatura haya pasado a mas de un tercio en juzgados de familia -un cambio silencioso que envia un mensaje de adhesion al principio de igualdad de sexos consagrado por los tratados internacionales de los que Pakistan es firmante. Mediante la investigacion de las interacciones y preocupaciones cotidianas de las juezas en su gestion habitual de la justicia, este articulo analiza la recepcion sociojuridica del discurso de los derechos humanos desde la perspectiva de las mujeres que ejercen la judicatura. En tal estado de cosas, cabe preguntarse si este cambio se limitara a las formas o si, por el contrario, alcanzara a la justicia sustancial y comprobable. Los hallazgos permiten tambien elucidar la forma en que la agenda global afecta las expectativas y conceptos locales sobre los derechos, dentro y fuera del estado. DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3034280
Does Liberalism Need Multiculturalism? A Critique of Liberal Multiculturalism

In this paper I will argue that liberal multiculturalism is neither a necessary nor a convincing extension of liberalism. In evaluating the two main strands of liberal multiculturalism, I will first analyse the approaches of Charles Taylor and Bhikhu Parekh as the main proponents of the version that focuses on the cultures themselves and raises the issue of the value of cultures in connection with public discourse. I will then turn to Amy Gutmann and Will Kymlicka as liberal multiculturalists who use the liberal norm of individual equality as a starting point. I will show that the arguments adduced in favour of liberal multiculturalism fail, due to the following shortcomings. Taylor’s approach is underspecified with respect to the relationship between the process of evaluating cultures and its outcome. Gutmann’s theory fails to bridge the gaps between the individual, cultural belonging and positive duties of the state. Parekh’s and Kymlicka’s theories lead back to liberalism. I conclude that the idea of cultural difference has little of substance to add to the liberal view of social justice.
On Modeling of Interviewee Motivation Mental States for an Intelligent Coaching Agent

This paper is on agent based model of interview motivation to be integrated in a mental constructs model which serves as a basic mechanics for an intelligent virtual agent coaching for job interview. It has been hypothesized that interview motivation combines with self-efficacy and anxiety to define the mental state of a job interviewee. The concepts were modeled based on psychological theories defining human mental state in a time bounded tasking situation like job interview. The proposed model was formalized and simulated to according to its temporal behaviours. The results of the simulation conform to patterns of a number of relations and casual effects on motivation identified in literature. Additionally, the formal model has been automatically verified using Temporal Trace Language (TTL) to find out which stable situations exist. Consequently, this model can serve as a platform for designing an intelligent agent that can understand the metal state of the user during job interview coaching session.
Usefulness of Structural and Condition Indices in Management of High-Mountain Stream Salmonid Populations

Abstract We assessed the utility of relative weight (Wr ), young-to-adult ratio (YAR), and a stock density index (SDI) calculated in a manner similar to the proportional stock density index as management tools for populations of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in six high-elevation streams. On each stream, estimates were made for production, biomass, production: biomass ratio, and brook trout density, as well as 14 environmental variables. The SDI varied substantially among streams and was significantly related to mean depth and conductivity, but not to any other environmental variables or to any of the population parameters. Values of Wr varied substantially over the growing season and were inversely related to mean depth for fish 100–150 mm and more than 150 mm total length, and directly (but marginally) related to production: biomass ratio for medium (>150-mm) and large (>200-mm) fish. Estimates of YAR were related only to the production biomass ratio. Structural indices, in general, were correlated .
Effect of integrated nutrient management on nutrient uptake and sustainable grain yield in transplanted aman rice

A field experiment was carried out at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) Farm during July to November 2011 to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on T. Aman rice (cv. BRRI dhan40). The field belongs to Red Brown Terrace soil under Tejgoan series having silt loam texture and 6.0 pH. Application of 70 % NPKS fertilizers + 4 t ha -1 dhaincha ( Sesbania rostrata ) (T 1 ) produced the highest grain yield (5.90 t ha -1 ), the second highest yield (5.85 t ha -1 ) was obtained from 80% NPKS + 2 t ha -1 dhaincha (T 2 ) treatment. The grain yield increased by 31.2 to 86.3% over control depending on the treatments. Treatments T 1 and T 2 resulted in higher N, P, K and S uptake by rice. The N, P, K and S concentrations of rice grain was higher for the treatments where Sesbania and cow dung were together applied in combination with NPKS fertilizers. The combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic manure increased organic carbon (OC), total N, available P, K and S contents in post-harvest soil. The overall results indicate that the integrated use of chemical fertilizer and organic manure can help increase grain yield of rice without deteriorating soil fertility. SAARC J. Agri. , 15(1): 43-53 (2017)
Can biological products control Neonectria ditissima picking wound and leaf scar infections in apples

Neonectria ditissima is the causal agent of European canker in apple, and conidia infect wounds in apple trees. Several commercially available chemical fungicides and biological products (BPs) were tested for wound protection activity in three field experiments (2014—17). Freshly made wounds (rasp, picking, leaf and/or bud scar) were sprayed with the products at label rates. Wounds were challenge-inoculated with N. ditissima conidia after 24 hours and monitored monthly for lesion development. Only captan and copper oxide consistently protected wounds from infection and disease development in each experiment. The BPs tested in this study did not provide adequate wound protection when challenge-inoculated with N. ditissima at high concentration (>1000 spores/wound) so are not recommended for wound protection during harvest and leaf fall when disease pressure is high.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF POLYENES IN THE SHELL OF ARCTICA ISLANDICA FROM NORTH ATLANTIC LOCALITIES: A CONFOCAL RAMAN MICROSCOPY STUDY

Many of the pigments that are widely found in coloured parts of mollusc shells are polyenes, i.e. molecules with a central polyenic chain (carbon-carbon single and double bonds). Due to a resonant coupling of these molecules at wavelengths typically used in Raman spectroscopy, this method is well suited to investigate their occurrence in biogenic materials. Here we use confocal Raman microscopy to map the spatial distribution of polyenes within the shell of the bivalve Arctica islandica and to determine their chemical characteristics (chain length). Polyene chain length does not differ between shells from different localities (off Iceland, Baltic Sea and North Sea). We also show that the pigment polyenes are not only located at the outside of the shell, but also within the shell, developing the same layered pattern typical for growth bands. This finding raises the question as to whether polyenes may play a role in the biomineralization process itself.
DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF PLANE CHANNEL FLOW OVER A 3D CARTESIAN GRID OF CUBES

Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) have been performed of both laminar and turbulent flow in a plane channel with a solid top wall and a lower porous wall that consists of a 3D Cartesian grid of cubes. The simulations enable the direct evaluation of closures for the drag and the dispersion stress that are required to solve the Volume-Averaged Navier-Stokes (VANS) equations for flow in porous media. This paper presents a flavour of the DNS results for laminar channel flow. The drag closure proposed by Irmay (1) appears to be successful for flow through a grid of cubes with a porosity of 0.875. A variable-permeability model based on this closure does not perform well for the laminar channel flow over the grid of cubes. The analytical solution of Ochoa-Tapia and Whitaker (2) for the velocity profile, based on a momentum-transfer model for the interface region, gives a good agreement with the DNS results. NOMENCLATURE A area (m 2 ) d diameter (m) D drag force (N) f friction factor F Forchheimer tensor K permeability tensor (m 2 ) l length (m) m weighting function (m -3 )
RESIDUAL STRESSES AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF AN Al 2 O 3 / Al 2 O 3 + ZrO 2 LAYERED CERAMICS

Different methods (the analytical model, finite element calculation, and experimental method) have been used for the residual stress evaluation in the individual layers of a layered Al2O3 / Al2O3 + ZrO2 composite. The microstructure characteristics and indentation fracture toughness of the individual layers have been investigated. Influence of the residual stresses on the fracture toughness anisotropy and crack propagation in the individual layers have been studied. Based on the calculated residual stress level in the individual layers the apparent R-curve behaviour was calculated.
Different Limb Kinematic Patterns during Pitching Movement between Amateur and Professional Baseball Players

Recent studies focused on the biomechanics of the pitching have exclusively studied professionals, whereas there is little information on amateur pitchers. Notably, amateur pitchers with improper techniques may result in suboptimal performance and can potentially lead to injury. The present study was aimed to compare the kinematics of the upper extremity during the action of baseball pitching between amateur and professional players. Eighteen subjects (including 8 amateur with 0.9 years mean pitching period, and 10 professional pitchers with 6.7 years mean pitching period) were recruited. Ten kinematic parameters for different instances and phases of pitching cycle were calculated to examine differences between professionals and amateurs. Our results showed four of the ten kinematic parameters with significant difference between these two groups. The parameters included elbow flexion and stride length at foot contact phase, maximum shoulder external rotation at arm cocking phase and knee flexion at ball release phase. The findings suggest that correct pitching movement may assist in increasing ball velocity and potentially prevent injury.