Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Faune ichtyologique des eaux douces d'Afrique de l'Ouest

Durant ces 15 dernières années, la région d'Afrique de l'Ouest qui s'étend au sud du Sahara, du bassin du Sénégal au nord-ouest au bassin tchadien au nord-est et à la rivière Cross (Cameroun-Nigéria) au sud-est, a fait l'objet de nombreux programmes de recherche. L'effort consenti permet aujourd'hui de dresser un bilan assez complet de l'ichtyofaune qu'on y rencontre, ce qui place la région parmi l'une des mieux connues d'Afrique. Cinquante familles de poissons d'eau douce (61 en y comptant les espèces euryhalines), comptant 163 genres (180) distribués en 528 espèces (558) y sont actuellement répertoriées.
Abundant migration of midazolam and 1’-hydroxymidazolam into the fetal brain following midazolam administration to pregnant mice in the second trimester

Midazolam is used in pregnancy post the second trimester for the treatment of convulsive seizures or as an anesthetic during cesarean section. However, its safety has not been validated. If the migration and accumulation of midazolam into the fetal brain can be clarified, the extent of damage to the fetal brain can be predicted. Therefore, we investigated the migration of midazolam and its active metabolite 1′-hydroxymidazolam into the fetal brain. Midazolam was administered intravenously to pregnant mice in the second trimester (E14.5), and the migration of midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam to the maternal brain and plasma as well as the fetal brain were analyzed over time. Fetal brain levels of midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam were high at 44.7% and 44.5% of that in the maternal brain. Furthermore, both mothers and fetuses expressed 1:1 brain ratios of midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam. In both mothers and fetuses, migration of midazolam into the brain was higher than the migration of 1′-hydroxymidazolam. In this study, approximately half of midazolam and 1′-hydroxymidazolam in the maternal brain was transferred to the fetal brain. During the second trimester, neural stem cells in the fetal brain differentiate into neurons and glial cells and higher brain functions are developed. In the present study, we observed increased migration of midazolam and 1'-hydroxymidazolam into the fetal brain during this period. Therefore, damage to neuronal development may still be observed in the fetus even with post-second trimester midazolam use.
Retention of Feminine and Masculine Words by Iranian EFL Learners

The main concern of the present study was to probe the probable differences between Iranian male and female EFL learners in learning and retention of feminine and masculine words. It was an attempt to investigate whether males and females EFL learners differ significantly in learning and recalling feminine and masculine words. To carry out this study, a total of 32 male and female subjects of Iran language institute in Arak were randomly selected from among two groups of males and females. A vocabulary test and a background questionnaire were administrated to both groups. According to statistical analyses: No significant difference was observed between males and females in masculine and feminine words retention.
Energetic particle induced intra-seasonal variability of ozone inside the Antarctic polar vortex observed in satellite data

Abstract. Measurements from 2002 to 2011 by three independent satellite instruments, namely MIPAS, SABER, and SMR on board the ENVISAT, TIMED, and Odin satellites are used to investigate the intra-seasonal variability of stratospheric and mesospheric O3 volume mixing ratio (vmr) inside the Antarctic polar vortex due to solar and geomagnetic activity. In this study, we individually analysed the relative O3 vmr variations between maximum and minimum conditions of a number of solar and geomagnetic indices (F10.7 cm solar radio flux, Ap index, ≥ 2 MeV electron flux). The indices are 26-day averages centred at 1 April, 1 May, and 1 June while O3 is based on 26-day running means from 1 April to 1 November at altitudes from 20 to 70 km. During solar quiet time from 2005 to 2010, the composite of all three instruments reveals an apparent negative O3 signal associated to the geomagnetic activity (Ap index) around 1 April, on average reaching amplitudes between −5 and −10% of the respective O3 background. The O3 response exceeds the significance level of 95% and propagates downwards throughout the polar winter from the stratopause down to ~ 25 km. These observed results are in good qualitative agreement with the O3 vmr pattern simulated with a three-dimensional chemistry-transport model, which includes particle impact ionisation.
Neoliberalism, Globalization, and the American Universities in Eastern Europe: Tensions and Possibilities in ‘Exported’ Higher Education

This article explores the presence of US institutions of higher education in Eastern Europe as one facet of the neoliberal global environment. It draws on policy documents, institutional statistics, materials produced by interest groups and NGOs, official mission statements, press releases and media coverage, and personal narratives. The American University in Bulgaria is examined as a case of this wider phenomenon. Exclusively structuralist, critical analyses of such institutions can easily lead to conclusions of homogenization and dominance through the hegemony of ‘exporter’ education institutions and programs. Post-structural analysis—attuned to multiplicities of meanings, nuances of context, and complex interplays of power and knowledge claims—allow for more attention to the local dynamics, while human interpretation and agency may point the way to more hopeful roles for US institutions of higher education abroad. In turn, these roles may challenge the one-way deterministic flow of influence suggested by structuralist analyses. Este artículo indaga la presencia de las instituciones de E.E.U.U. de educación superior en Europa oriental, como una faceta del medioambiente neoliberal global. Se sirve de documentos de política, estadística institucional, materiales producidos bajo grupos de interés y ONGs, declaraciones de emisiones oficiales sobre los objetivos, comunicados de prensa y cobertura de los medios y testimonios personales. Se ha examinado a la Universidad Americana en Bulgaria como un caso de este amplio fenómeno. Los análisis críticos de tales instituciones exclusivamente estructuralistas, pueden conducir fácilmente a unas conclusiones de homogenización y dominio a través de la hegemonía de instituciones de educación y programas ‘exportados’. Un análisis estructural a posteriori—adaptado a una multiplicidad de significados y matices de contexto, y las interacciones complejas de afirmaciones de poder y conocimiento—permite mayor atención a la dinámica local, mientras que la interpretación y la actividad humana pueden señalar el camino para que las instituciones de educación superior de los E.E.U.U. , logren papeles más esperanzadores en el extranjero. A su vez, estos papeles pueden desafiar la corriente determinista de influencia de una sola vía, como lo sugiere el análisis estructural. 本文探讨了美国高等教育机构作为全球新自由主义环境的一个侧面在东欧的存在。 本文根据政策文件、机构统计数据、利益团体和非政府组织提供的资料、正式使命声明、新闻稿和媒体报道，以及个人记述写成，以位于保加利亚的美利坚大学作为这一更广泛现象的个案进行了考察。 作为一种完全的结构主义，对这些机构的批判性分析很容易得出通过“出口”教育机构和各种项目的霸权实现同质化、获取支配力的结论。 后结构主义分析——切合多重意义，语境的微妙变化，以及权力与知识的宣称之间复杂的相互作用——使人们更多地关注当地的动力学，而人的解释及动因可能为海外美国高等教育机构发挥更加充满希望的作用指明方向。 反过来，这些角色可能挑战结构主义分析所提出的影响流的单向决定性。
Large sample properties of an optimization-based matching

This paper mainly concerns the the asymptotic properties of the BLOP matching estimator introduced by Dı́az, Rau & Rivera (Forthcoming), showing that this estimator of the ATE attains the standard limit properties, and that its conditional bias is Op(N −2/k), with k the dimension of continuous covariates. Even though this estimator is not √ N -consistent in general, when the order of magnitude of the numbers of control units is bigger than the one of treated units, we show that the BLOP matching estimator of ATT is √ N -consistent. Finally, for a general nonparametric setting, the conditional bias of matching estimators that use a constant number of matches to perform the potential outcomes cannot attain the aforementioned stochastic orders, regardless of the weighting schemes used to perform the potential outcomes. The proof of these results uses novel contributions in the field of geometric probability theory we provide in this work. Our results improve the obtained by Abadie & Imbens (2006) when studying the limit properties of the well known NN -matching estimator.
Individual Productivity Differences in Public Research : How important are non-individual determinants? An Econometric Study of French Physicists' publications and citations (1986-1997)*

We express grateful thanks to Michele Crance and Serge Bauin of the Unite des Indicateurs de la Politique Scientifique (UNIPS, CNRS), for allowing us access to the data, for their help in compiling the data base and their advices. We thank as well Bronwyn Hall, Richard Blundell, Paul David, Emmanuel Duguet and Frank Windmeijer for their profitable comments and suggestions. We thank Emmanuel Duguet, Bronwyn Hall and Frank Windmeijer for allowing us to use their programs, respectively for the Zero-Inflated Poisson, the Poisson and log-linear estimation on panel data and the non-linear GMM estimation of exponential models. This paper also benefited from discussions at the 10 International Conference on Panel Data in Berlin 2002, at the SPRU Conference “Rethinking Science Policy” and at the Paris Conference in honor of Zvi Griliches 2003. Any remaining error is ours.
Evaluating social media frameworks for small and large organisation

The nature of the business today is very competitive for small businesses (SMEs) since they have limited resources comparing to large organisations. ITs have helped businesses to look for new competing ways in persuading their customers. Social media (SM) are considered one of these technologies and there have been successful existing practical examples in the literature about its effectiveness in business. SM have given SMEs an opportunity to create a global customer base in a cost effective manner which was not possible in other business model. The main aim of this research was to investigate how SMEs can benefit from SM. Although there are many IT adoption models but there are very few which focuses on SM alone. According to our knowledge there is none which focuses on SM adoption by SMEs until the Before, Process and After (BPA) framework has been proposed (Abeysinghe & Alsobhi 2013). This research also aimed to critically review of existing frameworks.
Impact of Organizational Commitment and Employee Performance on the Employee Satisfaction

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Organizational Commitment and Employee Performance on Employee Satisfaction. Author used statistical population of Banking Sector which covers 110 employees of 10 banks and data was collected through a self administrative questionnaire. Correlation coefficient, Regression analysis and "ANOVA were tested for the data analysis. There are two independent variables 1) Organizational commitment 2) Employee performance whereas Employee satisfaction is taken as dependent variable. Results showed Positive relationship between Organizational commitment and employee satisfaction and similarly Employee Performance has Positive relationship with employee satisfaction.
Two-element acoustic array gives insight into ice-ocean interactions in Hornsund Fjord, Spitsbergen

Glacierized fjords are dynamic regions, with variable oceanographic conditions and complex ice-ocean interactions, which are still poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that passive underwater acoustics offers new promising tools in this branch of polar research. Here, we present results from two field campaigns, conducted in summer 2013 and spring 2014. Several recordings with a bespoke two-hydrophone acoustic buoy were made in different parts of Hornsund Fjord, Spitsbergen in the vicinity of tidewater glaciers to study the directionality of underwater ambient noise. Representative segments of the data are used to illustrate the analyses, and determine the directions of sound sources by using the time differences of arrivals between two horizontally aligned, broadband hydrophones. The results reveal that low frequency noise ( 3 kHz) noise directionality strongly depends on the distribution of floating glacial ice throughout the fjord. Changing rates of iceberg production as seen for example in field photographs and logs are, in turn, most likely linked to signal amplitudes for relevant directions. These findings demonstrate the potential offered by passive acoustics to study the dynamics of individual tidewater glaciers.
Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Studies on the Skarn-Type Ores at the Tengumori Copper Deposit of the Kamaishi Mine, Northeastern Japan

The Tengumori deposit of the Kamaishi mine, Northeastern Japan, is a skarn-type copper ore deposit that devel ops near granitic intrusive rocks of Cretaceous age. Hydrothermal activity at the Tengumori deposit is divisible into three stages: 1) calc-silicate (divisible into clinopyroxene and garnet phases), 2) ore mineralization (chalcopyrite+pyrrhotite+ quartz), and 3) calcite. The ƒÂ18O (SMOW) values were determined to be: +6.6to +7.8•ñ for clinopyroxene (calc-silicate stage, 7 samples), +4.2 to +7.0•ñ for garnet (calc-silicate stage, 14 samples), +12.0 to +13.7•ñ for quartz (ore mineraliza tion stage, 13 samples), and +10.6 to +12.8•ñ for calcite (calcite stage, 19 samples). The oxygen isotopic temperatures calculated from the coexisting (but not contemporaneous) mineral pairs give consistent values of •`330-460•Ž. However, they are higher than both of the pressure-corrected homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions (•`180-330•Ž) and the uppermost temperature of stability of chalcopyrite and hexagonal pyrrhotite (325•Ž). This temperature discrepancy is the result of changing ƒÂ18OH2O value from •`+7 to +9•ñ in the cal-silicate stage, •`+2 to +7•ñ in the ore mineralization stage, and +1 to +5•ñ in the calcite stage. The ƒÂ18O values of the calc-silicate stage solution can be interpreted as the unexchanged magmatic water or water in equilibrium with the host rocks. The hydrothermal solution of the ore mineralization stage is either magmatic water partially reequilibrated with the cooling pluton, water in equilibrium with the country rocks, or mixed solution with externally-derived water, e.g., local meteoric water. The ƒÂ13C (PDB) values of calcite crystals (calcite stage) range from -5.44 to -0.37•ñ. The calculated ƒÂ13CH2CO3 values of the hydrothermal solution range from -5.8 to +1.4•ñ and suggest that carbon was derived from both the granitic magma and the host limestone. Contributions of magmatic fluids to the calcite stage solution were recognized from the high salinity values (up to 23 wt. % equivalent NaCl) and the ƒÂ13C values of the calcite crystals.
Breakfast eating among Brazilian adolescents: Analysis of the National Dietary Survey 2008-2009

Objetivo: Caracterizar o desjejum dos adolescentes brasileiros. Metodos: O consumo alimentar foi estimado com base em um dia de registro alimentar de adolescentes entre 10 e 19 anos de idade do primeiro Inquerito Nacional de Alimentacao (2008-2009). Considerou-se como desjejum a primeira ocasiao de consumo alimentar entre 4 e 11 horas da manha. Resultados: Noventa e tres porcento dos adolescentes realizaram desjejum. Essa refeicao contribuiu com 17,7% da ingestao diaria de energia. Os grupos de alimentos mais consumidos foram: cafe e cha, paes, manteiga/margarina, leite, bolos e biscoitos, salgadinhos e chips, preparacoes a base de milho, queijo, carnes processadas e suco da fruta. Na regiao Norte observou-se frequencia mais elevada de consumo de cafe e cha e de raizes e tuberculos e menor relato para leite do que nas demais regioes. Na regiao Nordeste, destaca-se o consumo de milho e de ovos e na regiao Sul, o de carnes processadas e frutas. Adolescentes de familias do primeiro quartil de renda relataram frequencia mais elevada de consumo de cafe e cha, salgadinhos e chips, milho e raizes e tuberculos e menor relato para o grupo do leite. Os adolescentes de familias do quartil mais elevado de renda referiram consumo mais expressivo de leite, suco de fruta, queijo e bebidas com adicao de acucar. Conclusao: No Brasil, o desjejum dos adolescentes tem baixa contribuicao para o consumo diario de energia. A qualidade nutricional do desjejum melhora com o incremento da renda. Os tres principais itens consumidos foram cafe/cha, paes e manteiga/margarina.
Threshold Effect and Financial Intermediation in Economic Development

This paper reformulates the finance-growth nexus in the case of developing countries. Using the Neoclassical growth framework, our contribution is threefold. First, we show that entrepreneurship is a growth-enhancing factor in both financial intermediary equilibrium and financial market equilibrium. Second, we show that agent's saving is one of the determinants of the optimal proportion of long-term investment and hence, we characterize the role of bank as financial intermediary. Third, our model is characterized by the existence of multiple steady states equilibrium with threshold effect that impedes the economy to reach a long-run higher steady state equilibrium. Furthermore, we show that financial intermediary is better than financial market, in order to reduce threshold effect and to ensure the long-run steady state equilibrium of capital stock.
Underlying factors of management practices in Czech companies

The main purpose of the present paper is to identify the factor structure of managerial approaches. Based on a survey performed in 241 Czech companies from various sectors (e.g. mechanical engineering, construction and consumer industry) we identify six factors underlying managerial practices in these companies: Strategic management, Leadership, Partners and customers, Human resources, Process management, and Knowledge and innovation. Therefore, the empirical factor structure is partially different from the theoretical five-dimensional structure assumed in the widespread EFQM model. The present paper thus improves our understanding of the interrelations among various aspects of management in Czech companies. This better understanding can in turn lead to more informed implementation of total quality management in the firms. Understanding the structure of managerial approaches typical for Czech companies can also contribute to smoother transitions when foreign managers are appointed to run Czech firms (because the structure of managerial approaches is culture-dependent, as has been shown by former research).
Environmental degradation of claystones

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive experimental programme carried out to study the effects of relative humidity cycling on the degradation of argillaceous rocks. Lilla claystone, a low-porosity Tertiary rock, was used for this purpose. Four aspects were analysed: (a) the influence of the number of relative humidity cycles; (b) the amplitude of relative humidity cycles; (c) the stress level; and (d) the effects of using liquid water or vapour during wetting paths. The application of relative humidity cycles induced a progressive degradation of the rock in terms of accumulative irreversible volumetric swelling, irreversible reduction in rock stiffness, and tensile strength. The irreversible expansion increased with the amplitude of the relative humidity change. However, it reduced with increase of the confining pressure. This irreversible behaviour accelerated when liquid water was used during the wetting paths. Microstructural analysis has shown that the degradation pattern of Lilla clayston.
Physico-chemical properties and nutrient content of some slow pyrolysis biochars produced from different feedstocks

Six slow pyrolysis biochars viz. farmyard manure (FM), water hyacinth (WH), domestic organic waste (DW), quick compost (QC), corn cob (CC) and rice straw (RS) were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. Biochar yielding capacity varied from 34 to 51%, depending on the used feedstock. Water hyacinth biochar exhibited the highest water holding capacity (495%), whereas corn cob biochar had the lowest (146%) regardless of its highest pore volume. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area was found maximum among the plant derived biochars except corn cob. Rice straw biochar exhibited the least mean pore diameter while highest in domestic organic waste. All biochars possessed pH values more than 9. CEC of water hyacinth (WH) was highest, while lowest was in quick compost (QC) biochar. Smallest average particle size (0.54 μm 2 ) was exhibited by water hyacinth biochar. Organic carbon content ranged from 33 to 49%. Nutrient (N, P, K and S) status of biochar produced from domestic organic waste (DW) was found the maximum compared to the rest and corn cob (CC) biochar showed the lowest nutritional value. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 111-122, December-2016
Numerical modelling of heterogeneous sediment transport: new insights for particulate radionuclide transport and deposition

A sediment transport module which solves simultaneously bedload and suspended load is developed, in a context of multiclass sediment transport. Different approaches are used to simulate each transport mode: (i) bedload transport results from divergence of transport capacity and (ii) suspension transport is solved using erosion and settling fluxes associated with advection/diffusion equation. A focus is made on the significance of hiding and exposure processes in case of heterogeneous sediment bed. Their influence is strong on bedload sediment transport, and induces specific trends of sediment sorting in sand dunes. The application to heterogeneous sediment dynamics in the macrotidal area of the Normand Breton Gulf (English Channel), show that hiding and exposure processes enhance the trapping of fine sediments (p articles 64 μm, on which radionuclides are likely to adsorb) in locations where coarsest sediments are dominant.