Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
French Automobiles and the Chinese Boycotts of 2008: Politics Really Does Affect Commerce

Abstract We explore the economic impact of boycotts of French automobiles in China during the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Conditions were favorable for a boycott, enabling Chinese consumers to overcome the collective action problems that can prevent boycott success and other voluntary contributions to public goods. We use brand and model level data in a difference-in-difference specification to investigate the boycotts’ effects on sales. A robust pattern of large impacts emerges: sales of French automobile brands fell 25-33 percent or more. Consumers substituted mostly toward Chinese and other Asian cars. The sales of the French models did not experience similar relative sales declines in countries other than China—triple-difference estimates point toward even larger relative loss of market share in China. Our results provide evidence that commerce can be used as an effective political weapon.
Ecological and life-history basis of wetland bird conservation : phylogenetic and spatial analyses

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The organic logo and claim: Purchase and health stimuli?

Purchasing organic grown and produced food products experienced a remarkable growth, which has still not reached its peak yet in the Netherlands. This remarkable growth indicates that consumers become more stimulated to buy organic products and according to many studies organic products are perceived as healthier. According to previous research organic logos and claims are signs or tools that promote the origin of certified organic products. However, one might suggest that after the many food scandals appeared, especially during 2013, also in the organic sector that consumers experience less trust in products that are labeled organic. Moreover, previous literature has shown inconsistent findings on the impact of organic signs on food packaging material on purchase intention and health perception of both healthy and unhealthy food products. Therefore, this study has tried to find answers to the research question to what extent the European organic logo and an organic claim affect purchase intention and health perception of both healthy and unhealthy food products. To answer this question it was split into two separate parts to ensure a clear structured paper. Hypothetical assumptions were formulated hypotheses based on these inconsistent outcomes, which were tested in an experiment. The experiment was characterized by a 3 x 2 betweensubjects MANOVA, in which the three represented logo conditions (no logo, organic logo, organic claim) and the two embodied product type (healthy, unhealthy). A survey questionnaire consisting of six different versions was dispersed among 196 respondents. Each respondent was asked to judge a product (healthy or unhealthy) with one of the three possible logo conditions on it (either no logo, organic logo or organic claim) to find answers on the impact of both the organic logo and the organic claim on purchase intention and health perception. The results yield a possible decreasing impact of the organic claim on a healthy product on purchase intention when comparing it to the healthy product with an organic logo. Yet, this result is not significant because the post hoc test was impossible to perform. Furthermore, there is no significant difference between the no logo condition and the organic logo condition on both product types for purchase intention. Also the three logo conditions on both product types turned out not to be significant on health perception, meaning that for health perception the logo conditions turned out to be equal.
The modelling of tissue growth in confined geometri es, effect of surface tension

This contribution presents a model for tissue growt h inside confined geometries and gives a brief expl oration of the effect of surface stress on the resultant kinetics. In the model we f ollow the approach of Ambrosi et al, and apply Onsa ger’s principle to derive a thermodynamically consistent model for growth. The model can be solved semi-analytically for simple ge ometries and compares well with experimental results on cell culture expe riments with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells carried out in pores produced using rapid prototyping.
Assignment Name of topic : Developing tissue phantom materials with required electric conductivities

This thesis is the final work for fulfilment of the Master of Science degree at the Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of electronics in Tallinn University of Technology. The overall aim of this research is to develop inexpensive tissue similar phantoms with required electric conductivities and find a reliable measurement technique for said phantoms. The master project includes two main parts: review of the state of art and phantom construction and testing. First part introduces different phantoms used in biomedical fields and potentially suitable materials for mimicking tissues. It also reviews the main concepts of bioimpedance and van der Pauw method for determining conductivity. This section is mainly based on scientific publications analysed to give theoretical basis for assumptions made in the study. Second part includes development process of phantoms and their measurement results with implemented measurement technique. After analysing subject matter literature and considering possibilities, gelatine material is used to make homogeneous phantoms with tissue similar conductivities because other discussed materials were either too expensive or too problematic to prepare. Van der Pauw method is applied for conductivity measurements due the interest to investigate its accuracy and reliability measuring thick biological samples. Biological tissues have different electric conductivities, which means it should be also possible to manipulate with phantom conductivities.
Membrane Transport of Ammonia

It is sometimes suggested that ammonium ions are deprotonated to form ammonia molecules so that the ammonia molecules can cross the non-polar membranes of cells. But given that ammonia in its non-ionised form is still quite polar it could be that ammonia shares membrane portals with ions or it could change into a non-polar configuration. In this experiment ammonia is examined with UV and NMR spectra to see if in non-polar environments, ammonia remains in a polar tetrahedral conformation or if it is transformed into a non-polar planar configuration so that it can easily cross non-polar membranes.
Appraisal of biochemical and genetic diversity of mango cultivars using molecular markers

Mango ( Mangifera indica L.) is one of the oldest fruit crops and is broadly cultivated worldwide. To determine the level of genetic diversity, a total of 13 mango genotypes have been collected from different farms of Fayoum oasis in Egypt and were analyzed using molecular (DNA) and biochemical (SDS-PAGE) markers along with the quantification of soluble carbohydrates, chlorophyll and carotenoids. These profiles were evaluated as characters to identify the taxonomic relationships of these genotypes. A total of 433 protein bands (ranged from 8 to 180 KDa) from all genotypes, were detected in SDS-PAGE. A total of 306 RAPD fragments were produced by 19 primers and among them 123 (40.2%) were polymorphic. The similarities between different taxa were estimated by Jaccard’s similarity index and clustered in neighbour joining clustering tree. Among the 13 tested mango samples, the total carbohydrate contents ranged between 31.9 and 40.8 µg/100 mg fresh weights, which represents Taymour cultivar and accession No. 7, respectively. Of the 13 mango cultivars and accessions studied, the highest chlorophyll content (386.9 µg/g) was found in accession No. 10; whereas, the lowest value was observed with accession No. 12 (202.5 µg/g). The amounts of carotenoids were wide-ranging and reached a maximum value of 106.2 µg/g with accession No. 9, however, accession No. 8 recorded the lowest concentration (19.9 µg/g). In conclusion, RAPD-PCR and SDS-PAGE were proved to be an efficient tool in assessing the genetic diversity of mango genotypes. It will also provide an important input to breeders for mango improvement program. Keywords: Mango, genetic diversity, chlorophyll, SDS-PAGE, RAPD. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol 13(28) 2796-2806
Corporate Rating. Multidimensional Perspective in the Context of the Differentiation in Terms of Localization Criteria. Empirical Perspective on Developed versus Emerging Countries

This paper focuses on corporate rating delivery process in terms of localization criteria differentiation. Corporate rating is conceived as a default predictor. We conduct a comprehensive study of the existing literature on the corporate default models, outlining the weak and the strong points, especially from the point of view of the methodology by which default threshold is identified. Both classical and modern theories are analyzed; the empirical perspective based on a case study on IT commercial companies is elaborated mainly in order to build up a practical approach on the corporate rating delivery process. Localization criteria is a key-element. There will be followed up a potential differentiation of the corporate rating rationale in terms of financial indicators contribution in accordance with the localization criteria. Corporate rating will be elaborated under the form of a score function using Multiliniar Discriminant Analysis. The main preoccupation consists of revealing out potential differences of the corporate rating delivery process according to the localization criteria-emerging versus developed countries.
Home range and movements of male feral cats (Felis catus) in a semiarid woodland environment in central Australia

There is a paucity of data on the movement patterns of feral cats in Australia. Such data can be used to refine control strategies and improve track-based methods of monitoring populations of feral cats. In this study the home ranges and movements of male feral cats were examined over 3.5 years in a semiarid woodland environment in central Australia. Two home range estimators were used in the examination: (i) minimum convex polygon (MCP); and (ii) fixed kernel. The most widely used method of estimating home range in feral cats is MCP, while the fixed kernel method can be used to identify core areas within a home range. On the basis of the MCP method, the long-term home ranges of feral cats in central Australia were much larger than those recorded elsewhere (mean, 2210.5 ha). Twenty-four hour home ranges were much smaller (mean, 249.7 ha) and feral cats periodically shifted their 24 h ranges within the bounds of their long-term home ranges. Core area analysis indicated marked heterogeneity of space use by male feral cats. Several instances where feral cats moved large distances (up to 34 km) were recorded. These long distance movements may have been caused by nutritional stress. Using data from the literature, it is shown that prey availability is a primary determinant of long-term home range size in feral cats. The relevance of the results to the design of management strategies for feral cats in central Australia is also discussed.
N ov 2 01 7 ON THE STATE CONSTRAINED OPTIMAL CONTROL OF THE STEFAN TYPE FREE BOUNDARY PROBLEMS

We analyze the state constrained inverse Stefan type parabolic free boundary problem as an optimal control problem in the Sobolev-Besov spaces framework. Boundary heat flux, density of heat sources, and free boundary are components of the control vector. Cost functional is the sum of the L2-norm declinations of the temperature measurement at the final moment, the phase transition temperature, the final position of the free boundary, and the penalty term, taking into account the state constraint on the temperature. We prove the existence of optimal control, Frechet differentiability, and optimality condition in the Besov spaces under minimal regularity assumptions on the data. We pursue space-time discretization through finite differences and prove that the sequence of discrete optimal control problems converges to the original problem both with respect to functional and control. 1. Description of Main Results 1.
Popular Culture and Academic Literacies Situated in a Pedagogical Third Space

This critical participatory action research study sought to understand what happens when students’ interest and experiences with popular culture are integrated into a standards-based sixth grade English language arts curriculum. Multiple data sources were analyzed using the theoretical concept of third space. Findings showed that (a) a democratic, collaborative learning zone was established for all members of the classroom community, (b) students were successful in a curriculum that was situated in academic literacies and their popular culture interests and literacies, and (c) this experience resulted in a transformation of teacher practice. Given the current educational climate, these findings suggest the importance of fostering spaces where academic literacies and popular culture are not positioned as binary opposites; rather they are viewed as two interrelated and relevant components of a child’s education. Furthermore, the findings call for an emphasis on pedagogy to produce powerful learning experiences, drawing upon popular culture funds of knowledge as assets for learning.
The role of fear appeals in improving driver safety: A review of the effectiveness of fear-arousing (threat) appeals in road safety advertising.

This paper reviews theoretical and empirical evidence relating to the effectiveness of fear (threat) appeals in improving driver safety. The results of the review highlight the mixed and inconsistent findings that have been reported in the literature. While fear arousal appears important for attracting attention, its contribution to behaviour change appears less critical than other factors, such as perceptions of vulnerability and effective coping strategies. Furthermore, threatening appeals targeting young males (a high-risk group of concern) have traditionally relied on the portrayal of physical harm. However, the available evidence questions the relevance, and hence effectiveness, of strong physical threats with this group. Consequently, further research is required to determine the optimum way to utilise fear in road safety advertising, as well as the type of threat(s) most effective with different road users.
Annihilation in low-energy positron - helium scattering

Elaborate wavefunctions representing low-energy positron - helium elastic scattering, which were obtained in the course of calculating accurate values of the scattering phase shifts, are used to determine the electron - positron annihilation rate and the Doppler-broadened annihilation -ray spectrum. This spectrum is also measured using room-temperature positrons in a Penning trap and a non-Gaussian lineshape is observed for the first time. Excellent agreement is obtained between the theoretical spectrum and the present results.
Assemblage of Bacterial Saccharic Microfibrils in Sheath Skeleton Formedby Cultured Leptothrix sp. Strain OUMS1

Leptothrix spp. , a type of Fe- and Mn-oxidizing bacteria, is characterized by the formation of extracellular Fe- or Mn-encrusted microtubular sheaths in aquatic environments. The sheath matrix is known to be a hybrid of bacterial polymers and aquatic metals and minerals. This study describes the initial phase of assemblage of saccharic microfibrils in the sheath skeleton formed by Leptothrix sp. strain OUMS1 in 1–3 day culture investigated using various light and electron microscopic techniques. The negative staining of OUMS1 cells demonstrated a monotrichous polar flagellum and fibrous materials being secreted from the entire cell surface. Specific staining at light microscopic level revealed that viable bacterial cells were involved in the initial development phase of the immature sheath that contained saccharic polymers comprising various sugars. Transmission electron microscopy proved that secretion occurred from the entire cell surface to form membrane-unbound globules within 1 day of culture. After being released from the cell surface, these globules assembled to form the immature fibrous sheath layer away from the cell, resulting in the intervening space between the cell and the layer. It seems likely that secreted globules continuously moved toward the initial immature sheath layer through the intervening space and contributed to thickening of the layer. Alkaline bismuth staining revealed that the globules and the immature sheath materials contain saccharic polymers. By the second day of culture, electron-dense materials containing metals began depositing on fibrous components of the immature sheath layer. Results led us to conclude that the assembly of bacterial saccharic polymers to form the fibrous layer and the subsequent deposition of aquatic metals on the layer constructed the initial frame of the sheath. This new knowledge of the successive steps of sheath development provides deeper insights into the significance of bacterial saccharic polymers in the initial phase of sheath skeleton assembly.
Moderate Human Disturbance of Rain Forest Alters Composition of Fruiting Plant and Bird Communities

Forests worldwide are experiencing rapid environmental change due to human activity. We aimed to increase understanding of anthropogenic impacts on community composition and species interactions. In a natural experiment, we asked whether subsistence human land use has altered the community composition of a Neotropical rain forest on the island of Tobago, in the West Indies. We surveyed fruiting plants and birds in three adjacent habitat types that varied in level of disturbance, and used multivariate analyses to determine whether changes in the plant community were associated with differences in avifauna composition. The three forest habitats had similar plant and bird diversities, yet markedly different species compositions and abundances. Primary forest had the most diverse plant community, while disturbed habitats had a more homogeneous plant composition. Primary and disturbed forest had distinct community compositions, with canopy cover and the relative abundance of plant types explaining 83 percent of the variation in bird species assemblages. Seemingly moderate human disturbance has led to substantial changes in the plant and bird assemblages of Tobago's rain forest, outside of a protected reserve. Our study highlights the direct links between human disturbance and the structure of rain forests, underscoring the impact of even moderate activity on community composition.
Application of near infrared spectroscopy to estimate selected free amino acids and soluble nitrogen during cheese ripening

This paper deals with the estimation of tyrosine, tryptophan and soluble nitrogen in 288 samples of the Edam cheese using the Near Infrared Spectroscopy. For analyses, the apparatus NIR Nicolet Antaris was used working in the regime of reflectance (i.e. using an integrating sphere) in combination with fibre optics (i.e. using a probe). For calibration, reference data from the UV spectrophotometer was used. Calibration models were developed using a PLS algorithm (least square method) and tested by means of cross-validation. Correlation coefficients: R = 0.911, R = 0.929 and R = 0.959 for soluble nitrogen, tryptophan and tyrosine, respectively, were achieved during measuring in the integrating sphere; R = 0.807, R = 0.945, R = 0.928 were achieved for soluble nitrogen, tryptophan and tyrosine, respectively, during measuring by probe. The results of the study show that NIR technology is suitable for fast and approximate determination of the level of cheese ripening. This can be used for the evaluation of the material for the processed cheese production, or cheese sale in optimal level of ripening.
Contemporary Understanding Of Vibrio Cholerae And Cholera Outbreaks.

Background: Cholera is an infectious disease caused by Vibrio cholera and transmitted by the fecal-oral route. The major source of V. cholerae outbreaks infection in human is infected water and food which is the most common vehicle and cholera toxin has been incriminated in the virulence. Objectives: This review is to give previous and recent knowledge V. cholerae and cholera outbreaks. Material and Method: Searching engines, electronic databases and web sites (Google, Bing, PubMed, ASM etc.) were searched randomly for epidemiology, symptoms, transmission, laboratory diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of cholera. Results: This review relates both the existing and current knowledge of V. cholerae and cholera outbreaks. Cholera is a rare disease in developed countries; but, still exists in countries in Sub Saharan Africa, Indian subcontinent, Latin and Central American countries (like Haiti). Sign and symptoms starts with an acute onset of painless rice watery diarrhea which can rapidly become voluminous. Several methods of laboratory investigation such as microscopy, culture, biochemical test, molecular testing and cholera toxins can assist in knowing epidemiology, identification of cholera strains, monitoring treatment among others. An antibiotic regimen is also recommended. In addition, adequate hydration is essential. Health education and education in environmental control are critical for the prevention of cholera. We found many papers that discussed about cholera, but we screened out mainly those that discussed about epidemiology, symptoms and transmission, laboratory diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of cholera. Conclusions: Adequate case search, laboratory diagnosis with sufficient safe water supply, sanitation, hygiene, community engagement, leadership commitment and oral cholera vaccine are the most important mechanism for the control and prevention of cholera disease.
New Zealand falcon prey selection may not be driven by preference based on prey nutritional content

: Little is known about how diurnal raptors, as apex predators, select their prey. It has been hypothesised that they are opportunistic, taking prey according to availability, and that they select prey based on prey size. The threatened New Zealand falcon or kārearea ( Falco novaeseelandiae ) is New Zealand’s only remaining endemic bird of prey. A previous study on prey caught by kārearea during the breeding season suggested that introduced avian prey were taken more often than expected, and endemic avian prey taken less often than expected, based on their abundance. There is a growing interest in the role that nutrients play in prey selection by predators. We used the nutritional geometry framework in a field study to determine the role that nutritional composition plays in prey choice. We built on an existing dataset to assess whether prey selection by kārearea can be explained based on prey body-mass, abundance, or nutritional characteristics. We determined the protein-to-lipid ratio and ash content of individuals across 16 species of prey and potential prey, including both endemic and introduced species, and modelled these against known prey consumption based on our earlier work. We found limited evidence for selective predation based on nutrient balancing. Instead, the relative abundance of each species in the surrounding habitat and the endemicity of each species were the most important predictors, with species body-mass playing only a minor role in prey choice. To investigate the apparent selection for introduced over endemic prey, future research could compare the behavioural adaptations of endemic birds against their natural predator with behaviours of introduced birds.