Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Societal Inclusion in Expert Venues: Participation of Interest Groups and Business in the European Commission Expert Groups

The elaborate system of expert groups that the European Commission organises is a key feature of EU everyday governance and also a potential channel of societal involvement in EU policy making. This article examines the patterns of participation in the expert group system of a broad set of societal actors—NGOs, social partners/unions, consumer organisations, and business/enterprise. The analysis is based on a large-N study of Commission expert groups. Taking on an “executive politics” perspective, we identify main patterns of participation and analyse organisational factors that affect the inclusion of societal actors in the expert group system. We find that such actors are strongly involved in this system. Yet, there is a striking heterogeneity in the extent to which the Commission’s administrative units include societal groups as experts in the policy process. The logics that underpin the inclusion of business organisations are not identical to the logics of inclusion applied to social partners and NGOs. The Commission as the core supranational executive is thus selectively open for societal involvement in its expert groups system, and this bureaucratic openness is patterned, clustered, and conditioned by structural factors that affect how the Commission as a multi-organisation operates.
Response of Freesia refracta ( Jacq ) , Plant to Corms Cold Storage , Gibberellic Acid and their Interactions in North Delta , Egypt

Freesia refracta belongs to the ornamental flowering bulbs (Fam. Iridaceae). It is used as flowering pot plants and cut flowers. The effect of corm storage temperature and duration, and the optimum levels of growth regulators especially gibberellic acid on freesia have not been previously studied under North Delta conditions. So, this work was conducted at Sakha Horticultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, (situated at 31-57°/ N latitude and 30 -57° longitude and an elevation of about 6 m above sea level ) during two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 to study the effect of corms storage treatments and gibberellic acid foliar spray on plants and their interaction on some morphological and physiological traits, aiming to plant it in a large scale, since it became seldom planted in Egypt. Results indicated that plant height; fresh and dry weights of leaves were significantly increased as a result of corm cold storage treatments. Moreover, all cold storage treatments tended to induce a steady and significant increase in flowering precocity, spike length, as well as fresh and dry weights of spike, rachis length, number of florets per spike, vase life, cormels number and fresh and dry weights of the daughter corm by prolonging cold storage period in both seasons as compared to the control plants. The percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and total carbohydrates in the leaves increased as a result of these treatments. Also, all cold storage treatments tended to induce a steady and significant increase in photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b) and carotenoids as well as most of the studied characteristics which were significantly increased due to application of gibberellic acid. Referring to the interaction between the two factors, data showed the superiority of storing corms for 6 weeks at 5°C coupled with spraying plants whith gibberellic acid at 200 ppm, 30 days after planting corms, three times at 3 weeks interval. In brief, for obtaining plants of Freesia refracta with good morphological and physiological traits, it is recommended to store corms for 6 weeks at 5°C coupled with gibberellic acid foliar spray at 200 ppm, 30 days after planting corms, three times at three weeks interval under similar conditions of this investigation.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification ( LAMP ) 2 Method for the Rapid Identification of 3 Dendrobium officinale 4

Background: Dendrobium officinale is not only an ornamental plant, but also a 15 valuable medicinal herb that is both effective and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. 16 However, distinguishing D. officinale from other Dendrobium species is usually a difficult task 17 that need much time and complex technologies due to their very similar external morphologies. 18 The aim of this study is to develop a fast, even on-spot approach to identify D. officinale. 19 Methods: We used DNA barcode-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) 20 method with species-specific LAMP primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 21 region of the rDNA of D. officinale. LAMP reaction time and temperature were optimized and 22 the specificity and sensitivity of LAMP species-specific primers were assessed. Results: This 23 technique showed a high specificity and sensitivity to amplify the genomic DNA of D. officinale 24 and allowed for rapid amplification (within 40 min) of the ITS region under a constant and 25 mild temperature range of 65 °C without using thermocyclers. Besides, by using SYBR® Green 26 I dye as the color developing agent, the color change was easily observed with naked eye. 27 Reaction mixture containing DNA of D. officinale changed from orange to green, while the other 28 Dendrobium species and the negative control retained original orange color. The specificity of 29 this LAMP-based method was confirmed by testing 17 samples of D. officinale and 32 adulterant 30 samples from other Dendrobium species. Conclusions: This LAMP-based rapid identification 31 method does not require expensive equipment or specialized techniques and can be used in 32 field surveys for accurate and fast on site identification. 33
Regularized cosmological power spectrum and correlation function in modified gravity models

Based on the multipoint propagator expansion, we present resummed perturbative calculations for cosmological power spectra and correlation functions in the context of modified gravity. In a wide class of modified gravity models that have a screening mechanism to recover general relativity (GR) on small scales, we apply the eikonal approximation to derive the governing equation for resummed propagator that partly includes the nonperturbative effect in the high-k limit. The resultant propagator in the high-k limit contains the new corrections arising from the screening mechanism as well as the standard exponential damping. We explicitly derive the expression for new high-k contributions in specific modified gravity models, and find that in the case of f(R) gravity for a currently constrained model parameter, the corrections are basically of the subleading order and can be neglected. Thus, in f(R) gravity, similarly to the GR case, we can analytically construct the regularized propagator that reproduces both the resummed high-k behavior and the low-k results computed with standard perturbation theory, consistently taking account of the nonlinear modification of gravity valid at large scales. With the regularized multipoint propagators, we give predictions for power spectrum and correlation function at one-loop order, and compare those with N -body simulations in f(R) gravity model. As an important application, we also discuss the redshift-space distortions and compute the anisotropic power spectra and correlation functions.
Performing a stellar autopsy using the radio-bright remnant of SN 1996cr

We present newly reduced archival radio observations of SN 1996cr in the Circinus Galaxy from the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope, and attempt to model its radio light curves using recent hydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between the supernova (SN) ejecta and the circumstellar material (CSM) at X-ray wavelengths. The radio data within the first 1000 d show clear signs of free–free absorption (FFA), which decreases gradually and is minimal above 1.4 GHz after day ∼3000. Constraints on the FFA optical depth provide estimates of the CSM free electron density, which allows insight into the ionization of SN 1996cr's CSM and offers a test on the density distribution adopted by the hydrodynamical simulation. The intrinsic spectral index of the radiation shows evidence for spectral flattening, which is characterized by α = 0.852 ± 0.002 at day 3000 and a decay rate of Δα = −0.014 ± 0.001 yr−1. The striking similarity in the spectral flattening of SN 1987A, SN 1993J and SN 1996cr suggests this may be a relatively common feature of SNe/CSM shocks. We adopt this spectral index variation to model the synchrotron radio emission of the shock, and consider several scalings that relate the parameters of the hydrodynamical simulation to the magnetic field and electron distribution. The simulated light curves match the large-scale features of the observed light curves, but fail to match certain tightly constraining sections. This suggests that simple energy density scalings may not be able to account for the complexities of the true physical processes at work, or alternatively, that the parameters of the simulation require modification in order to accurately represent the surroundings of SN 1996cr.
Indirect contributions of forests to dietary diversity in Southern Ethiopia

We assess whether forests contribute indirectly to the dietary diversity of rural households by supporting diverse agricultural production systems. We applied our study in a landscape mosaic in Southern Ethiopia that was divided into three zones of increasing distance to Munesa Forest—“near,” “intermediate,” and “distant. ” A variety of research tools and methods, including remote sensing, participatory methods, farm survey, and yield assessment, were employed. Diets of households were more diverse in the near zone than in the other two zones (6.58 ± 1.21, 5.38 ± 1.02, and 4.41 ± 0.77 food groups consumed daily in the near, intermediate, and distant zones, respectively). This difference was not explained by food items collected from Munesa Forest but by biomass flows from the forest to farmlands. Munesa Forest contributed an average of 6.13 ± 2.90 tons of biomass per farm and per year to the farms in the near zone, in the form of feed and fuelwood. Feed from the forest allowed for larger livestock herds in the near zone compared with the other two zones, and fuelwood from the forest reduced the need to use cattle dung as fuel in the near zone compared with the two other zones. These two biomass flows contributed to the availability of more manure to farmers closer to the forest (908 ± 853 kg farm -1 , 771 ± 717 kg farm -1 , and 261 ± 487 kg farm -1 in the near, intermediate, and distant zones, respectively). In turn, increased manure enabled a larger percentage of farms to cultivate a diversified homegarden (87, 64, and 39% of farms in the near, intermediate, and distant zones, respectively). Homegardens and livestock products provided the greater contribution to household dietary diversity closer to the forest.
Status of amphistomiasis in cattle at Joypurhat district of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, livestock are affected by different types of helminth parasites of which amphistomiasis in cattle is known to be widespread and death may occur in some cases. An experiment was conducted to investigate the status of amphistomiasis in cattle, 64 visceral and 360 faecal samples were collected from different areas of Joypurhat district during May 2009 to April 2010. Faecal and visceral sample examinations showed 70.8% and 90.6% infection with amphistomiasis, respectively. It was observed that age had a significant influence on the prevalence of amphistomiasis. In faecal samples, higher prevalence was observed in adult cattle (84.9%) followed by the young (77.3%) and lowest in calf (16.7%). On the basis of examination of visceral sample, females (93.8%) were found to be significantly more infected than male (89.9%) with the amphistome. The prevalence of amphistomiasis in crossbred cattle (90.9% in faeces and 93.9% in viscera) was significantly higher than indigenous cattle (62.2% in faeces and 89.8% in viscera). The calculated odds ratio implied that the crossbred cattle were 1.6 times (viscera) and 4.2 times (faeces) more affected than indigenous cattle. Prevalence rate was higher in rainy season (79.2% in faeces and 95.5% in viscera) followed by winter (68.3% in faeces and 90% in viscera) and summer (65% in faeces and 86.4% in viscera) season, but with no significant effect on the prevalence of amphistomiasis. Feeding habit had significant effect on the prevalence of amphistomiasis. Pasture grazing cattle (82.5%) were more (2.9 times) affected than stall feeding cattle (59%). DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjas.v40i1-2.10788 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2011. 40 (1-2): 34-39
Embedded Video and Computer Based Instruction to Improve Social Skills for Students with Autism

Effects of combining video and computer based instruction to teach social skills to four students with autism were evaluated with a multiple probe design across behaviors. The teacher designed a computer based program with embedded video clips of peers without disabilities displaying examples and non-examples of the targeted social skills: sharing, following teacher directions, and social greetings. Students were required to discriminate the examples from non-examples displayed in the video clips. Following computer based training, students participated in group activities with peers without disabilities. This allowed for evaluation of social skill acquisition. All students showed rapid improvements in targeted social skills in the natural environment.
Customer Satisfaction and Brand Equity

The study here examines the interaction between shareholder value and customer satisfaction, as well as the impact on a firm's brand equity. Customer satisfaction may have a positive effect on brand equity, except when managers show excessive customer orientation, in which case the effect is negative because of reductions in shareholder value. The empirical analysis uses incomplete panel data pertaining to 69 firms from 11 nations during the period 2002-2005 and supports the theoretical contentions. This result warns of the perverse effect on brand equity of implementing policies focused exclusively on satisfying customers at the expense of shareholders' interests.
CASSAVA Processing Industries: How to Succeed? Case in Bondowoso-Indonesia

SMEs sector showed a dominant contribution to the gross domestic product. SMEs have been able to demonstrate the contribution and the identity as the main pillar to supporting the national economy to help drive the economic recovery process in Indonesia. By improving and enhancing business performance of SMEs, it is expected that the economy would be able to run faster, more advanced, and drive economic growth better in the future. Several factors affect the business performance of SMEs is sustainable competitiveness, organizational learning, and entrepreneurial orientation. The study examines the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on organizational learning and sustainable competitiveness against changes in business performance. Population in this study is SMEs which processing of cassava into tapein Bondowoso Region, Indonesia. The data collected consists of primary data (based on field surveys). Respondents are firm leaders (the owner or manager). Each SME will be represented by one respondent. The analysis technique used structural equation model to test the hypotheses. The study found an entrepreneurial orientation influence organizational learning; entrepreneurial orientation and organizational learning have an effect and a significant positive relationship to sustainable competitiveness, and sustainable competitiveness influence business performance of tape SMEs.
The Use of Bipolar Electrocautery Tonsillectomy in Patients with Pediatric Respiratory Tract Obstruction

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.1915 Received: 20.07. 2013 Accepted: 29.07. 2013 Printed: 01.09. 2013 J Clin Anal Med 2013;4(suppl 1): 36-9 Corresponding Author: Olcay Murat Disli, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, 44280, Malatya, Turkey. T. : +90 4223410660/3905 F. : +90 4223410036 E-Mail: olcay.disli@inonu.edu. tr Ozet Bu yazida, primer travmatik inferior omuz cikigini takiben olusan aksiller arter yaralanmasi olgusu sunulmaktadir. Ekstremiteyi tehdit eden bu yaralanmanin klinik muayene esnasindaki patognomonik triad temelinde olusan bulgularla saptanmasina yonelik supheyi artirmak ve bunu izleyen tedavi ve sonuclarla ilgili guncel dusunceyi pekistirmek amaclandi. Bildigimiz kadariyla, Ingilizce literaturde genc erkek bir hastada primer travmatik inferior omuz cikiginda vaskuler yaralanmayi tarif eden tek yayindir.
Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form Among Divorced Adults

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Portuguese version of the Short Form of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-SF). Using an online convenience sample of Portuguese divorced adults (N = 482), we confirmed the oblique five-factor structure of the PTGI-SF by confirmatory factor analysis. The results demonstrated the measurement invariance across divorce initiator status groups. Total score and factors of PTGI-SF showed good internal consistency, with the exception of the New Possibilities factor, which revealed an acceptable reliability. The Portuguese PTGI-SF showed a satisfactory convergent validity. In terms of discriminant validity, posttraumatic growth assessed by the Portuguese PTGI-SF was a distinct factor from posttraumatic psychological adjustment. These preliminary findings suggest the cultural adaptation and also psychometric properties of the present Portuguese PTGI-SF to measure posttraumatic growth after personal crisis.
On Pairwise Granger causality Modelling and Econometric Analysis of Selected Economic Indicators

The goal of most empirical studies in econometrics and other social sciences is to determine whether a change in one variable causes a change in or helps to predict another variable. Granger causality modeling approach is quite popular in experimental and nonexperimental fields which involve some dynamic econometric time series methodologies. In this paper, Granger causality and co-integration tests were employed in the empirical modelling of seven economic indicators in Nigeria. The results alternated between bidirectional, uni-directional and no causality among the economic indicators considered. Prior to the Granger causality tests, we tested for stationarity in the variables using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) procedure. The variables proved to be integrated of either I(1) or I(2). Johansen co-integration test reveals that at 5% level of significance, we have at least four co-integrating pairs among the variables. This verifies the fact that when two or more time series are co-integrated, there must be either bi-directional or unidirectional Granger causality between them. Our findings reveal that Government Investment, Real Money Supply and Government Expenditure Granger causes output growth in Nigeria. We finally relate these results with popular postulations in economic theory.
Effect of aggressive beverage on the color stability of different nano-hybrid resin based composite

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of different types of nano-hybrid resin based composite restorative materials upon exposure to aggressive staining solutions (coffee and tea) over time. The color of all specimens before and after storage in the solutions were measured by a spectrophotometer based on CIE Lab system that is recommended by the American Dental Association and the color differences thereby is calculated. Materials and Methods: The color differences of three nano-hybrid composites after immersion for 30 days in tea and coffee as aggressive beverage solutions. Results: Within the limitations of the study, Venus Diamond was found the most color stable in tea, while Ceram X was shown the most color stable in coffee. There were statistically significant differences between Filtek 350 XT in tea and coffee storage (P < 0.005), but there weren′t statistically significant in tea and coffee in both Ceram X, and in Venus Diamond (P > 0.005). Conclusion: Staining solutions are significant factors that affect color stability of composite resins.
On the price of recreation goods as a determinant of male labor supply

This paper examines whether and how changes in the price of goods consumed in conjunction with leisure time influence the life-cycle allocation of work effort by part of prime-age males. For the U.S., individual-level data is combined with Metropolitan Area-level price indices of recreation goods to estimate the male elasticity of intertemporal substitution of market time with respect to the price of recreation goods, which is found to be centered at 0.18 and statistically different from zero. The allocation of work effort over the life-cycle in response to changes in the price of recreation goods creates movements in the output of an economy that could be important for understanding economic fluctuations.
Effect of Calcium Sulphate on the Geotechnical Properties of Stabilized Clayey Soils

An experimental investigation was undertaken to study the effect of calcium sulphate (CaSO 4 .2H 2 O) on the behaviour of the grey clay (GS) and red clay (RS) soils stabilized with lime (L), natural pozzolana (NP) and their combination (L-NP). In this study, the geotechnical properties investigated are respectively, the Atterberg limits on samples cured for 1 to 30 days to assess the diffusion time effect of CaSO 4 . 2H 2 O (DTC) in the soil paste and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) on samples cured for 7 to 120 days. The results show that both GS and RS samples can be successfully stabilized with L alone or with L-NP which substantially reduce their plasticity index (PI) and increase their UCS. On the other hand, a negligible effect was reported when the NP is used alone. However, when combining a fraction of CaSO 4 . 2H 2 O to samples containing L or L-NP, a further decrease in the PI is observed. In addition, higher UCS values are recorded.
Attentional Complements

I study how attentional constraints affect elasticity and substitution patterns in demand. I identify “attentional complementarity”, whereby goods that are substitutes in utility appear as complements in behavior due to limits on attention. Adopting the framework of rational inattention, I identify the channels through which attention influences observed substitution patterns. The in-sample fit of these models can be similar to that of standard discrete choice models, yet counterfactual predictions differ substantially when attentional frictions are accounted for. I provide conditions for identification of the general rational inattention model in standard stochastic choice data. A key obstacle in estimation is the genericity of corner solutions which endogenously gives rise to consideration sets. The estimation strategy I employ is robust to this feature. In an empirical application, I show that elasticities are underestimated by models not accounting for attentional frictions. I conduct an experiment allowing for the detailed analysis of attention strategies and find that subjects allocate their attention in line with the theory. JEL classification: C51, D83, D90 I am grateful to Andrew Caplin for his advising and support throughout this project and I thank Timothy Christensen and Andrew Schotter for continued discussions and suggestions. Furthermore, I benefited greatly from conversations with Miguel Angel Ballester, Tommaso Bondi, Guillaume Fréchette, Evan K. Friedman, Alfred Galichon, Jacopo Perego, Daniel Stackman, and Bálint Szőke, as well as participants of seminars at NYU, and at the Young Economists Symposium (NYU) and the Student Workshop in Experimental Economics Techniques (Columbia) conference. I thank Oded Nov and Theodore Kim for software assistance. Economics Department, New York University. Email: daniel.csaba@nyu.edu.