Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Underestimated Swiss STEM potential? Bright light on an international PISA comparison

Abstract So far, no study has used ability profiles to evaluate the “science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM) potential” (i.e. the capacity to engage in STEM professions) of Swiss students at the end of their compulsory education. In the current study, we use the proportion of high achieving students with a math-tilted ability profile as an indicator of STEM potential. Based on data from the Program for International Student Assessment, we assess Swiss students’ STEM potential, nationwide and in each Swiss canton, compared to students in other countries. Our analysis shows that Swiss students, especially Swiss female students, have high STEM potential compared with their peers in other countries. Despite regional differences in the compulsory education system, STEM potential was high across all of the Swiss cantons. Based on our results, we conclude that national as opposed to regional factors are mainly responsible for the high STEM potential of Swiss students.
Structural modifications of flax and sisal lignin during the pulping and bleaching processes

This study has been supported by the Spanish MEC project AGL2005-01748, the EU contracts NMP2-CT-2006-26456 (BIORENEW) and KBBE-2009-244362 (LIGNODECO), and the CSIC project 2010-40E-075. JR thanks the Spanish CSIC for an I3P fellowship, and GM thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education for a FPI fellowship.
Design of Multilevel Sequential Rotation Feeding Networks Used for Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna Arrays

Sequential rotation feeding networks can significantly improve performance of the circularly polarized microstrip antenna array. In this paper, single, double, and multiple series-parallel sequential rotation feeding networks are examined. Compared with conventional parallel feeding structures, these multilevel feeding techniques present reduction of loss, increase of bandwidth, and improvement of radiation pattern and polarization purity. By using corner-truncated square patch as the array element and adopting appropriate level of sequential rotation series-parallel feeding structures as feeding networks, microstrip arrays can generate excellent circular polarization (CP) over a relatively wide frequency band. They can find wide applications in phased array radar and satellite communication systems.
The Impact of Grazing on Plant Natural Regeneration in Northern Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Livestock grazing is considered to be of great ecological importance in terrestrial ecosystems if sustained at acceptable levels. Overgrazing has ecological ramifications which lead to degradation of the ecosystem. This has become a problem in many parts of Tanzania. A study was conducted in Northen Slopes of Mount Kilimajaro in order to examine the impact of grazing on natural regeneration of the grazed vegetation. This paper is guided by the hypothesis that the species richness, species diversity and density of regenerants vary across grazing intensities. The study area was divided into four zones as per grazing intensity namely heavily grazed areas, moderately grazed, least grazed and ungrazed areas. Ten rectangular quadrats of 20 m × 25 m were established in each zone, making a total of 40 quadrats in the entire study area. A stratified random sampling procedure was used in locating quadrats in each zone of grazing intensity whereby two subquadrats of 2 m × 5 m were nested in bigger quadrats. Natural regeneration was assessed in terms of species diversity and density of seedlings, saplings and poles. Results indicate that species regeneration varied among areas with different grazing intensity. The variations of seedlings and saplings density among areas with different grazing intensity were statistically significant. The species diversity of regenerants differed significantly among areas with different grazing intensity. Keeping the grazing intensity at low and moderate levels will stimulate more plant growth and diversity as opposed to heavy grazing which will lead to vegetation retrogression.
Is fisheries production within Large Marine Ecosystems determined by bottom-up or top-down forcing?

Understanding the mechanisms driving fisheries production is essential if we are to accurately predict changes under climate change and exploit fish stocks in a sustainable manner. Traditionally, studies have sought to distinguish between the two most prominent drivers, ‘bottom-up’ (resource driven) and ‘top-down’ (consumer driven); however, this dichotomy is increasingly proving to be artificial as the relative importance of each mechanism has been shown to vary through space and time. Nevertheless, the reason why one predominates over another within a region remains largely unknown. To address this gap in understanding, we identified the dominant driver of commercial landings within 47 ecosystems, encompassing a wide range of biogeochemical conditions and fishing practices to elucidate general patterns. We show that bottom-up and top-down effects vary consistently with past fishing pressure and oceanographic conditions; bottom-up control predominates within productive, overfished regions and top-down in relatively unproductive and under-exploited areas. We attribute these findings to differences in the species composition and oceanographic properties of regions, together with variation in fishing practices and (indicative) management effectiveness. Collectively, our analyses suggest that despite the complexity of ecological systems, it is possible to elucidate a number of generalities. Such knowledge could be used to increase the parsimony of ecosystem models and to move a step forward in predicting how the global ocean, particularly fisheries productivity, will respond to climate change.
Self-grooming, experimental anxiety and paradoxical sleep deprivation in rats

Objective: Paradoxical sleep deprivation increases grooming behaviors in rats. Discordant data on the change promoted by such deprivation on the experimentally defined anxiety levels have made difficult to assess if the deprivation induced grooming may be used as an experimental model of repetitive behaviors, observed in different psychiatric disorders, due increased anxiety levels. In such context, the present study aims to report data gathering grooming and anxiety in rats. Methods: The degrees of tidiness displayed by female (n=26) and male (n=27) rats were evaluated after a period of maintenance in home-cages provided with wood shavings that have the property to dye animal’s fur. In the second study, the tidiness degrees were evaluated after 96 h of sleep deprivation in anxious male rats (n=6) and compared to non-anxious controls (n=6). Results: Females, that are believed to be more anxious than males, displayed higher tidiness (0% colored females x 96% colored males) in the first study. All anxious male rats (100%) that displayed wild running in response to intense acoustic stimulation showed better tidiness than their controls at the end of 96 h sleep deprivation. Conclusions: Our data suggest that self-grooming in rats is tightly related to anxiety and allows the interpretation that its increased occurrence in sleep deprivation results from its anxiolytic or tranquilizing property.
Financial Risk Disclosure and Financial Attributes among Publicly Traded Manufacturing Companies: Evidence from Bangladesh

We explore the relationship between the degree of financial risk disclosure and a firm’s financial attributes. Financial risk disclosure indices (FRDIs) are calculated based on a set of 30 disclosure identifiers through content analysis of the annual reports of 48 manufacturing companies over a six-year period (2010–2015) in Bangladesh. We find no common practice among the companies in disclosing financial risk by integrating a customized financial risk disclosure into their financial reporting process. The results indicate that firm size, financial performance, and auditor type are positively and significantly associated with the level of financial risk disclosure.
Financial Development and Economic Growth in the UAE: Empirical Assessment Using ARDL Approach to Co-integration

This paper empirically examines the relationship between financial development and economic growth in a small open economy of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using time series data from 1974 to 2008, the study employs the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to co-integration. The analysis is carried out using two indicators to measure the level of financial development. The first indicator is the financial depth or size of the financial intermediaries sector as measured by the monetization ratio (M2/GDP). The second indicator is the ratio of the credit provided to private sector by commercial banks as a percentage of the GDP (financial intermediation ratio). The results show a negative and statistically significant relationship between financial development, as measured by M2/GDP, and economic growth. The results also suggest a bi-directional causality between the two variables. Over all, the evidence supports neither the demand-following nor the supply-leading hypotheses for UAE.
Forecasting Nigerian Inflation using Model Averaging methods: Modelling Frameworks to Central Banks

As a result of the adverse macroeconomic effect of inflation on welfare, fiscal budgeting, trade performance, international competitiveness and the whole economy, inflation still remains a subject of utmost concern and interest to policy makers. The traditional Philips curve as well as other methodologies have been criticized for their inability to track correctly the pattern of inflation, particularly, these models do not allow for enough variables to be included as part of the regressors, and judgment is often made by a single model. In this work, model averaging techniques via Bayesian and frequentist approach were considered. Specifically, we considered the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) and Frequentist model averaging (FMA) techniques to model and forecast future path of CPI inflation in Nigeria using a wide range of variables. The results indicated that both in-sample and out-of-sample forecasts were highly reliable, judging from the various forecast performance criteria. Various policy scenarios conducted were highly fascinating both from the theoretical perspective and the prevailing economic situation in the country.
Optimization of DNA isolation, ISSR-PCR system and primers screening of genuine species of rhubarb, an important herbal medicine in China

To estimate genetic diversity and to authenticate the three endangered and official genuine species, Rheum officinale, Rheum palmatum and Rheum tanguticum, of herbal medicine of rhubarb, the optimization of DNA isolation methods including modified CTAB and isolation kit, PCR system of inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and primers screening were investigated in the present work. Modified CTAB was a preferable choice compared to isolation kit, ISSR protocol was optimized based on the use of the concentration of MgCl2(1.5 mM), lower concentrations of primer (0.4 μM), dNTPs (0.25 mM), Taq DNA polymerase (1.0 U) and 50 ng of template DNA, resulted optimal amplification. Reproducible amplifiable products were observed in all PCR reactions. According to this PCR system, sixteen out of one hundred primers were chosen for their high clarity and repetition. Thus, the results indicated that the optimized protocol for DNA isolation and PCR system was amenable to three genuine species of rhubarb which is suitable for further work on genetic diversity analysis. Furthermore, here the suitable DNA isolation protocol for ISSR-PCR analysis can be used to study the genetic variation in the future in Rheum grown in China. Key words: Rhubarb, DNA isolation, ISSR-PCR condition, primer screening.
Fun forms of martial arts in diagnosing and reducing aggressiveness – mental effects of a one-day course for Polish animators of sport.

Background and Study Aim. During a fight, various aspects of human nature become apparent – anxiety, aggression, pride, vanity, skills, physical dispositions, knowledge and interdependence between these characteristics [1]. Only in few countries martial arts are part of universal education: in Japan school youth practice judo, kendo and sumo as part of the budo module [2]; in South Korea taekwondo [3]. In Poland these are covered only as original curricula, for example. hapkido [4] or as fun forms of martial arts [5,6]. The purpose of the research is the knowledge of mental effects (associated with the perception of the phenomena of violence and aggression and a possibility to diagnose and modify human violent behaviours) for sport animators participating in one-day specialist courses. • Detailed research questions: • does training change the perception of the phenomena of “aggression”, “aggressiveness” and “violence” (courses I and II)? • is aggressiveness desirable in sport (course II)? • is a one-day course enough to convince the most creative participants to take effort to specialize in diagnosing and therapy of aggressiveness based on cognitive-behavioural methods, including fun forms of martial arts (courses I and II)? Materials and Methods. Total 1,076 and 618 sports animators, recruited mainly from among Physical Education teachers and sport coaches, participated in two one-day courses (in 2014 and 2015, respectively), 237 of them (38%) also participated in course I. Women accounted for (23% and 13%), men (77% and 87%). Persons with work experience of over 10 years dominated (67% and 70%). Results and Discussion. Prior to training (course I) it was obvious only for 50% of the teachers that the notions of “aggression”, “aggressiveness”, “violence” mean various phenomena related to each other in substance, but for almost half (48%) these terms were synonyms of the same phenomenon (Figure 1), which is a clear lack of understanding of the essence. After the training these proportions already diversified: 56% and 37%, respectively. However, this seemingly positive trend was a result of three-fold increase (from 2% to 6%) in the declaration of those who believed that these concepts were unrelated, which is another proof of the lack of understanding of the essence of the differences, but also of the substantive ties between the phenomena thus named. This is an indirect evidence that the issue of aggression (with which the key concepts of “aggressiveness” and “violence” are related and are often distorted in the media) is not easy. Hence a valid directive for future trainings – to pay more attention to the semantic aspect of the taught content. Figure 1. Changes in teachers’ perception of the relationship between the concepts of “aggression”, “aggressiveness”, and “violence” (course I) before the training, blue colour (n = 1046) and after the training, maroon colour (n = 842).
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Single Phase Flow in a micro T-junction

In this work the fluid-dynamic behaviour of a micro T-junction has been investigated both numerically and experimentally for low Reynolds numbers (Re<14) with water as working fluid. The velocity profiles within the T-junction has been experimentally determined by using the micro Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV). The experimental data have been compared with the numerical results obtained by means of a 3D model implemented in Comsol Multiphysics® environment for incompressible, isothermal, laminar flows with constant properties. The comparison between the experimental and the numerical data puts in evidence a perfect agreement among the results. In the central region of the T-junction where the velocity profiles of the inlet branches interact, the maximum difference is less than 5.8% for different flow rates imposed at the inlet (with the ratio 1:2) and less than 4.4% in the case of the same flow rate at the inlets (1:1). Since the estimated uncertainty of the experimental velocity is about 3%, the obtained result can be considered very good and it demonstrates that no significant scaling effects influences the liquid mixing for low Reynolds numbers (Re<14) and the behaviour of the micro T-junction can be considered as conventional. The detailed analysis of the velocity profile evolution within the central region of the mixer has allowed to determine where the fully developed laminar profile is reached (for instance 260 μm far from the centre of the T-junction when a maximum water flow rate of 8 ml/h is considered).
Going West: The Internationalization Process of Asian Information Technology Multinational Companies. A qualitative case study overview on patterns and strategic approaches.

In the last decades, Asian innovative IT companies such as Alibaba, Tencent and Softbank are experiencing a fast boom led by the tech hype they generated among both Eastern and Western markets. These Asian companies started to be more important players in the global tech landscape, becoming real innovative rivals for Western companies. Gradually, the Asian tech giants are developing an important strategic key role for the next years. This research made an attempt to investigate how these companies firstly developed, and later on evolved their internationalization process towards Western countries. The data collection process and the analysis were guided by the conceptual model, which was created through theoretical research. Most of the theory is confirmed by the significant findings. The evidence of the absence of a clear path for the overall internationalization process corresponds with the theoretical propositions about the internationalization process of Multinational companies originated by the Asian region, which share characteristic of the IT sector.
Asset Prices, Monetary Policy and Determinacy

We study whether central banks should respond to asset prices in their policy rules. Using Bernanke, Gertler and Gilchrist’s (1999) framework–a standard dynamic stochastic general equilibrium New Keynesian model with a financial accelerator–we explore how equilibrium determinacy is impacted when the policymaker reacts to asset prices. Our results indicate that, depending on the magnitude of the financial accelerator effect, by reacting to asset price movements a central bank can potentially reduce macroeconomic volatility bymaking determinacy of the rational expectations equilibrium more likely relative to a standard policy rule where the central bank does not react to asset prices. Contrary to other findings in the related literature, these results suggest that by incorporating asset prices in the monetary policy rule, central banks will not induce indeterminacy and could even induce macroeconomic stability.
The effect of wheat phosphorus content and supplemental enzymes on digestibility and growth performance of weaner pigs

A 2 × 4 factorial experiment was conducted with the respective factors being wheat phosphorus (P) content (low-P variety: 2.52 g/kg DM, and high-P variety: 3.76 g/kg DM) and enzyme supplementation (no enzyme, xylanase, phytase, and xylanase plus phytase). The enzymes were xylanase (Porzyme® 9300, minimum activity 4000 U/g endo-1,4-xylanase) and phytase (Phyzyme TM XP, activity 4100 U/g phytase). Eighty male weaner pigs (Landrace × Large White, 5.4± 0.07 kg) were fed an identical pre-trial diet for 1 week and then received their respective experimental diet for 3 weeks. All diets contained 610 g wheat/kg and similar concentrations of calculated digestible energy (14.2 MJ/kg), available lysine (0.78 g/MJ DE), available P (3.2 g/kg) and Ca:P (1.46:1). Collection of faeces was made for three consecutive days from day 14 for determination of digestibility, using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. The main effect of wheat P content on the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of DM, CP, energy, P and Ca was not significant ( P> 0.05). Enzyme supplementation, as a main effect, influenced the CTTAD of DM ( P< 0.01) and energy (P< 0.01), such that xylanase plus phytase decreased their CTTAD. Xylanase plus phytase improved the CTTAD of P and Ca in the high-P wheat variety diet but not in the low-P wheat variety diet (interactionP< 0.001 andP< 0.05, respectively). For performance, significant improvements ( P< 0.05) were only seen in week 1 of the feeding trial. In summary, the wheats used in this study responded ∗ Corresponding author. Tel. : +61 89 36
The effect of acid hydrolysis on the technological functional properties of pinhão (Araucaria brasiliensis) starch

Technological functional properties of native and acid-thinned pinhao (seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, Brazilian pine) starches were evaluated and compared to those of native and acid-thinned corn starches. The starches were hydrolyzed (3.2 mol.L-1 HCl, 44 oC, 6 hours) and evaluated before and after the hydrolysis reaction in terms of formation, melting point and thermo-reversibility of gel starches, retrogradation (in a 30-day period and measurements every three days), paste freezing and thawing stability (after six freezing and thawing cycles), swelling power, and solubility. The results of light transmittance (%) of pastes of native and acid-thinned pinhao starches was higher (lower tendency to retrogradation) than that obtained for corn starches after similar storage period. Native pinhao starch (NPS) presented lower syneresis than native corn starch (NCS) when submitted to freeze-thaw cycles. The acid hydrolysis increased the syneresis of the two native varieties under storage at 5 oC and after freezing and thawing cycles. The solubility of NPS was lower than that of native corn starch at 25, 50, and 70 oC. However, for the acid-thinned pinhao starch (APS), this property was significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared to that of acid-thinned corn starch (ACS). From the results obtained, it can be said that the acid treatment was efficient in producing a potential fat substitute from pinhao starch variety, but this ability must be further investigated.
The Relationship between Psychosocial Effects and Life Satisfaction of the Korean Elderly: Moderating and Mediating Effects of Leisure Activity

The purpose of this present study first suggest a conceptual framework for life satisfaction of the elderly and examined the relationship among leisure activities, self-efficacy, social support and life satisfaction in terms of moderating and mediating effects with a sample of the elderly in the Korean context by characterizing the causal structure. Specially, this study not only describes the relationship between life satisfaction and leisure activities, self-efficacy and social support, but also provides direct and indirect relationships between life satisfaction and each subscale in the measured variables. Results show that leisure activities positively influence self-efficacy, social support, and life satisfaction. In addition, results show that perceived self-efficacy and social support positively mediate the relationships between leisure activities and life satisfaction in the elderly. Therefore, the current study suggests that helping the elderly to maintain participation in formal and/or informal leisure pursuits has important implications for promoting well-being in later life. Furthermore, designing the appropriate leisure activities for elders could be very helpful in enhancing life satisfaction.
Impatience and Credit Behavior: Using Choice Experiments to Explain Borrowing and Defaulting

This paper tests whether heterogeneity of time preferences can explain individual credit behavior. In a field study targeting individuals from low-to-moderate income households, we elicit individual time preferences through incentivized choice experiments, and then match resulting time preference measures to individual credit reports and annual tax returns. The paper finds that, controlling for disposable income and other individual characteristics, individuals with present biased time preferences have higher debt levels on revolving accounts such as credit cards. While borrowing is related to present bias, we find that default is, to a large degree, determined by overall impatience as measured by individual discount factors. (102 words)