Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Science is Everywhere, but No One Knows It”: Assessing the Cultural Distance to Science of Rural South African Publics

ABSTRACT In science communication, a prerequisite for reaching different parts of a society is to find out how these publics experience and interpret science. Since rural South African publics are perceived to exhibit a large cultural distance to science, the present exploratory study aimed to know in more detail how rural South Africans perceive and understand science in their local and social contexts. Theoretical notions on cultural distance and the methodological approach of segmentation studies were considered. Semi-structured interviews with rural South Africans were carried out in four towns (n = 52) that differ with respect to having a large scientific installation in their vicinity, or not. Sensitively comparing local and social contexts helped identifying three different publics who differed regarding their perceptions of science; however, the large scientific installations only made a difference in perceptions for those publics who were generally less exposed to and less knowledgeable about science.
Training the CSR Sensitive Mind-Set: The Integration of CSR into the Training of Business Administration Professionals

Current corporations are subject to stringent requirements in terms of sustainable development; however, a relevant problem is highlighted on the basis of the studies conducted. On the one hand, corporations experience greater or lesser pressure, while on the other hand, it must be admitted that the problem of demand for professionals, which is presupposed by the insufficient quality of training in higher education institutions, is important. This is somewhat strange given that the issues of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability have attracted increased attention in management education in recent years, and a five-fold increase in the number of stand-alone ethics courses has been noted since 1988. This interaction could contribute to the development of CSR, however a certain dissonance of cooperation between higher education and business exists, as there is a lack of leadership in this area in the study programs of business administration approved by the states, as well as in higher education institutions. Given these facts, the goal of the paper is to analyze the Master of Business Administration programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia to offer direction to the challenge of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into management and training. The method of analysis of professional business and administration training program content in terms of the integration of CSR was used during the survey. Using panel data of 28 full-time MBA programs, our findings show that that the core parts of MBAs under analysis merely—and mostly indirectly—cover CSR issues through one core course on business ethics. However, the leading MBA programs are currently missing an opportunity by ignoring their responsibility to support the training of CSR-minded future business administration professionals. The results of our research may act as a guide to which areas should be modified and/or changed.
Silicon uptake and supply during a Southern Ocean iron fertilization experiment (EIFEX) tracked by Si isotopes

We studied the evolution of the isotopic composition of dissolved Si (δ30SiDSi) and biogenic Si (δ30SiBSi) during a diatom bloom induced by an iron fertilization experiment in a Southern Ocean (SO) eddy. Dissolved Si (DSi) consumption was clearly boosted as a result of iron addition. We estimate an apparent Si isotopic fractionation factor of 21.36% ± 0.11%, not significantly different from estimates based on in vitro incubations under Fe‐replete conditions and in agreement with previous SO studies under Fe‐depleted conditions. The temporal variations of the δ30SiSi are best reconstructed considering the fertilized surface waters as an open system, i.e., DSi is continuously supplied from the winter water. Using vertical diffusivity, we estimate a supply of 6.7 ± 1.2 mmol Si m−2 d−1 representing 30% ± 5% of total DSi demand. We estimate biogenic silica (BSi) production at 22.1 ± 1.8 mmol Si m−2 d−1, similar to BSi production under natural conditions in the SO. The DSi use preceding the start of the fertilization was conservatively estimated at 49% ± 4%, and as a result of the Fe‐fertilization, a further 31% ± 4% of the initial DSi reservoir was consumed. The BSi export was estimated to be 17.4 ± 1.7 mmol Si m−2 d−1. Our results suggest that for this study three main processes were acting significantly on δ30SiSi signatures, biological uptake, Si supply from subsurface, and export of BSi, and that the magnitude of production and export in such a Fe‐fertilized experiment are similar to those for natural diatom blooms occurring in the Southern Ocean.
Mapping phytoplankton iron utilization: Insights into Southern Ocean supply mechanisms

[1] The emerging field of ocean iron biogeochemistry has prompted interest in the identification and quantification of Fe supply mechanisms. However, less attention has been given to estimating biological Fe utilization, and using the magnitude of Fe utilization to enhance our understanding of modes of supply. Here, we combine regionally validated data sets (1997–2007) on remotely sensed net primary production (NPP) with the iron:carbon (Fe:C) molar ratios for resident phytoplankton to produce Southern Ocean maps of Fe utilization. This approach exploits the resolution of remotely sensed data to investigate the spatial patterns, areal extent and interannual variability of Fe utilization, and relates it to published temporal and spatial trends for Fe supply mechanisms. We estimate that Southern Ocean Fe utilization averaged ∼3.3 ± 0.3 × 108 mol Fe a−1. This utilization varied little between years (7.8–9.6 μmol Fe m−2 a−1), was greatest for subpolar waters, particularly in the Atlantic (up to 53.0 μmol Fe m−2 a−1), and was lowest for the polar waters of the Indian sector. Application of maps corresponding to the location and areal extent of Fe supply regions (e.g., dust deposition) revealed that Fe utilization was highest in waters supplied by Patagonian dust, and to a lesser extent, where sediment resuspension (i.e. <500 m depth) probably supplies the majority of the Fe. The Atlantic sector has regions where multiple supply mechanisms are evident, resulting in perennially high productivity. This approach provides a better assessment of the relative importance, realm of influence, and areal extent of different Fe supply mechanisms to Southern Ocean waters.
Prevalence of Helminthes Parasites of Oreochromis niloticus in the Mid Cross River Flood System , Southeastern , Nigeria

Parasites occurring in fishes require urgent attention, particularly those that infect economically important fishes which in many cases devalue their aesthetic quality and palatability. The prevalence of helminth parasites of Nile Tilapia fish in mid Cross river flood system was studied using standard parasitological procedures. A total number of hundred and twenty (120) samples of Oreochromis niloticus were examined for the prevalence of intestinal helminth between September and October, 2013. Total numbers of twenty four (24) samples were infected with prevalence rate of 20.0%. Two intestinal worms were encountered, Procamallanus laevinochus and Spironoura pisicola. According to size (length based), the length class 16-20 cm TL had the highest prevalence rate 13(10.8%) while the length class 21-25 had the least prevalence rate 4(3.3%). Prevalence rate based on sex showed that 15(12.5%) males were infected while 9(7.5%) were infected. Two species of helminthes were found in the intestine of the samples with 17(14.2%) samples harbouring P. laevinochus and 7(5.8%) samples infected by S. pisicola. It is concluded that there is occurrence of helminth parasites in O. niloticus of the mid Cross river flood system, and thus good culinary practices should be adopted to decimate risks to human health.
Ionization in atmospheric-pressure Helium plasma jets

The optimization of medical applications of helium-based plasma jets depends on our knowledge of the kinetics of electrons and heavy-species in the plasma. This work studies different elementary processes controlling the global discharge behavior and the kinetics of the main charged and neutral species in helium / nitrogen / oxygen plasmas. Numerical simulations of the electron-impact reactions in Helium-based plasmas are performed using the IST-LoKI (LisbOn KInetics) computational tool. The influence of He metastable states and consequent superelastic and stepwise ionization collisions are documented, as well as the influence of the admixture of air gases with different collision cross sections and ionization thresholds. For a relative density of the molecular gas of only 0.1%, the calculated ionization rate coefficient is shown to be higher than in pure He. The addition of the electronegative gas O2 is shown to have an effect in the effective ionization coefficient of the mixture. Particle balance equations have been solved for a pure helium plasma at atmosphericpressure at steady-state for different electron densities using IST-LoKI. This study has allowed to identify species and reactions that should be included or discarded in a reduced kinetic scheme, with emphasis on the charge production and loss mechanisms in the plasma. The temporal evolution of species and reaction rates has been calculated for a reduced He-N2 kinetic scheme, considering the local application of a transitory electric field with 50Td maximum amplitude, using the tool ZDPlasKin. The key role of the N2 admixture in He and of various elementary processes, especially Penning reactions, on the ionization degree of the plasma is pointed out.
Characterizing Scattering Behaviour and Assessing Potential for Classification of Arctic Shore and Near-Shore Land Covers with Fine Quad-Pol RADARSAT-2 Data

Abstract Freeman–Durden and Cloude–Pottier decompositions were applied to polarimetric RADARSAT-2 data to characterize the scattering behaviour of shore and near-shore land cover types for two study areas in the Beaufort Sea, Canada: Richards Island and Tuktoyaktuk Harbour. The impact of incidence angle was evaluated through comparison of Single Look Complex Fine Quad-Pol images acquired at three angles: shallow (45.3°–49.5°), medium (39.3°–41.6°), and steep (20.9°–24.2°), and the potential for accurate classification was assessed using three unsupervised polarimetric SAR classifiers: Wishart-entropy/alpha, Wishart-entropy/anisotropy/alpha, and Freeman-Wishart. Results indicate that overall, medium, and shallow incidence angle images provide more useful information than steep angle images and that these classifiers are capable of distinguishing some general land cover types, including substrates, wetlands, vegetated tundra, and water. Results from this analysis will inform future research related to classification and interpretation of RADARSAT-2 data for shoreline mapping. Résumé. Des décompositions Freeman–Durden et Cloude–Pottier ont été appliquées à des données polarimétriques RADARSAT-2 pour caractériser le comportement de diffusion des différents types de couverture terrestre des milieux littoraux et côtiers pour deux zones d'étude dans la mer de Beaufort, au Canada: l'île Richards et le port de Tuktoyaktuk. L'impact de l'angle d'incidence a été évalué par comparaison des images singulières complexes <<Single Look Complex (SLC)>> quad-pol fines acquises à trois angles; plus rasants (45.3°–49.5°), moyens (39.3°–41.6°) et abrupts (20.9°–24.2°), tandis que le potentiel pour une classification précise a été évalué à l'aide de trois classificateurs RSO polarimétriques non dirigés: Wishart-entropie/alpha, Wishart-entropie/anisotropie/alpha et Freeman–Wishart. Les résultats indiquent que, dans l'ensemble, les images avec des angles d'incidence moyens à rasants fournissent des informations plus utiles que les images aux angles abrupts, et que ces classificateurs sont capables de distinguer certains types généraux de couverture terrestre, y compris: les substrats, les zones humides, la toundra végétalisée et l'eau. Les résultats de cette analyse seront utiles dans les recherches futures liées à la classification et à l'interprétation des données RADARSAT-2 pour la cartographie des rivages.
Printing and Protestants: An Empirical Test of the Role of Printing in the Reformation

Abstract The causes of the Protestant Reformation have long been debated. This paper seeks to revive and econometrically test the theory that the spread of the Reformation is linked to the spread of the printing press. I test this theory by analyzing data on the spread of the press and the Reformation at the city level. An econometric analysis that instruments for omitted variable bias with a city's distance from Mainz, the birthplace of printing, suggests that cities with at least one printing press by 1500 were at minimum 29 percentage points more likely to be Protestant by 1600.
Does Corporate Governance Affect Sustainability Disclosure? A Mixed Methods Study

This research paper aims to understand the impact of corporate governance (CG) on economic, social, and environmental sustainability disclosures. This paper adopted an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. The data regarding corporate governance and sustainability disclosure were collected from top 100 companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) for the period ranging from 2012 to 2015. In addition to the quantitative data, we collected qualitative data through interviews with five board members of different companies. Overall, our results indicate that CG elements enhance sustainability disclosures. This study concludes that a large board size consisting of a female director and a CSR committee (CSRC) is better able to check and control management decisions regarding sustainability issues (be they economic, environment, or social) and resulted in better sustainability disclosure. This paper, through quantitative and qualitative analysis, provides a methodological and empirical contribution to the literature on corporate governance and sustainability reporting in emerging and developing countries.
iPAT Applications in Clinical Routine and Beyond: Imaging from Head to Toe

With the release of Numaris 4 version MR2002B an important new feature has become available for routine examination: integrated Parallel Acquisition Techniques (iPAT). The general idea behind iPAT is to acquire image data simultaneously by two or more receiver coils with different spatial sensitivities. Initially, this technique was motivated by the wish to accelerate image acquisition without reducing the spatial resolution of the image. However, it turned out that iPAT provides several other advantages depending on the application.
Estimating the Out-of-Sample Predictive Ability of Technical Trading Rules: A Robust Bootstrap Approach

In this paper, we provide a novel way to estimate the out-of-sample predictive ability of a trading rule. Usually, this ability is estimated using a sample-splitting scheme, true out-of-sample data being rarely available. We argue that this method makes poor use of the available data and creates data-mining possibilities. Instead, we introduce an alternative . 632 bootstrap approach. This method enables building in-sample and out-of-sample bootstrap datasets that do not overlap but exhibit the same time dependencies. We show in a simulation study that this technique drastically reduces the mean squared error of the estimated predictive ability. We illustrate our methodology on IBM, MSFT and DJIA stock prices, where we compare 11 trading rules specifications. For the considered datasets, two different filter rule specifications have the highest out-of-sample mean excess returns. However, all tested rules cannot beat a simple buy-and-hold strategy when trading at a daily frequency.
A Comparison of Tobacco Policy in the UK and Japan: If the Scientific Evidence is Identical, Why is There a Major Difference in Policy?

Abstract Tobacco policy in the UK and Japan has diverged markedly. In the 1980s, both countries oversaw regimes with minimal economic and regulatory policies. Now the UK has become one of the most, and Japan one of the least, controlled (advanced industrial) states. These developments are puzzling to public health scholars who give primary explanatory weight to scientific evidence and a vague notion of “political will”, because policy makers possessed the same evidence on the harms of tobacco, and made the same international commitment to comprehensive tobacco control. Instead, we identify the role of a mutually reinforcing dynamic in policy environments, facilitating policy change in the UK but not Japan: policy makers accepted the scientific evidence, framed tobacco as a public health epidemic, placed health departments at the heart of policy, formed networks with public health groups and excluded tobacco companies, and accentuated socio-economic conditions supportive of tobacco control. This dynamic helps explain why the UK became more likely to select each tobacco policy control instrument during a series of “windows of opportunity”. Such analysis, generated by policy theory, is crucial to contemporary science/practitioner debates on the politics of “evidence-based policy making”: the evidence does not speak for itself, and practitioners need to know how to use it effectively in policy environments.
Component masses of young, wide, non-magnetic white dwarf binaries in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7

We present a spectroscopic component analysis of 18 candidate young, wide, non-magnetic, double-degenerate binaries identified from a search of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (DR7). All but two pairings are likely to be physical systems. We show SDSS J084952.47+471247.7 + SDSS J084952.87+471249.4 to be a wide DA + DB binary, only the second identified to date. Combining our measurements for the components of 16 new binaries with results for three similar, previously known systems within the DR7, we have constructed a mass distribution for the largest sample to date (38) of white dwarfs in young, wide, non-magnetic, double-degenerate pairings. This is broadly similar in form to that of the isolated field population with a substantial peak around M ∼ 0.6M� . We identify an excess of ultramassive white dwarfs and attribute this to the primordial separation distribution of their progenitor systems peaking at relatively larger values and the greater expansion of their binary orbits during the final stages of stellar evolution. We exploit this mass distribution to probe the origins of unusual types of degenerates, confirming a mild preference for the progenitor systems of high-field-magnetic white dwarfs, at least within these binaries, to be associated with early-type stars. Additionally, we consider the 19 systems in the context of the stellar initial mass–final mass relation. None appear to be strongly discordant with current understanding of this relationship.
Implications of extreme waves and water levels in the southern Baltic Sea

Several coastal areas in the south of Sweden are subjected to flooding and erosion. Such events depend on the magnitude and frequency of water levels and wave heights as well as their joint occurrence. Long time series of climate data from the south coast of Sweden were employed to investigate the statistical properties of extreme events in terms of the waves and water level changes. Through the combined analyses of waves and water levels the probability of extreme events occurring in the southern Baltic Sea was assessed. The study also established relevant probability distributions to characterize such extreme events as a basis of various risk assessments related to the impact on the coastal areas of large storms. Furthermore, an attemptwas made to estimate the conditions after climate change. Based on available forecasts and scenarios of future climate change the corresponding probability distributions were determined. The study suggests that a run-up level, with a 100-year return period from today, in the year 2100 may occur up to thirteen times more frequently.
On the harmonic analysis of cup anemometer rotation speed:A principle to monitor performance and maintenance statusof rotating meteorological sensors

The calibration results of one anemometer equipped with several rotors, varying their size, were analyzed. In each case, the 30-pulses pert turn output signal of the anemometer was studied using Fourier series decomposition and correlated with the anemometer factor (i.e., the anemometer transfer function). Also, a 3-cup analytical model was correlated to the data resulting from the wind tunnel measurements. Results indicate good correlation between the post-processed output signal and the working condition of the cup anemometer. This correlation was also reflected in the results from the proposed analytical model. With the present work the possibility of remotely checking cup anemometer status, indicating the presence of anomalies and, therefore, a decrease on the wind sensor reliability is revealed.
Iron‐light interactions differ in Southern Ocean phytoplankton

In laboratory experiments we examined the interplay of light and iron availability on the intracellular iron concentrations, specific growth rates, and photosynthetic physiology of Southern (S.) Ocean diatoms (Eucampia antarctica and Proboscia inermis) and the haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica. Intracellular iron concentrations and iron : carbon (Fe : C) molar ratios increased with decreasing irradiance in temperate coastal (Thalassiosira weissflogii) and oceanic (Thalassiosira oceanica) diatoms, in support of the well‐established antagonistic iron‐light relationship. In contrast, S. Ocean species required lower cellular iron concentrations and Fe : C ratios than temperate diatoms to grow at comparable rates, and their iron requirements decreased or remained relatively constant with decreasing light. These results suggest that the current paradigm that low light increases algal cellular iron requirements (supplied through “biodilution”) is not applicable to S. Ocean phytoplankton. Although iron use efficiencies decreased at sub‐saturating light in all species, these reductions were due primarily to lower growth rates, but not higher intracellular Fe : C ratios, in S. Ocean species. We propose that S. Ocean species have overcome the antagonistic iron‐light relationship by increasing the size, rather than the number, of photosynthetic units under low irradiances, resulting in an acclimation strategy that does not increase their cellular iron requirements.
Color Image Reconstruction by Discrete Orthogonal Moment

Image reconstruction can help to determine how well an image may be characterized by a small finite set of its moments. Also, we can identify the number of descriptors needed to describe an image. In this work, we present a comparative analysis using different set of discrete orthogonal moments in terms of normalized image reconstruction error (NIRE). Color image reconstruction is performed with different color channels and various orders of different discrete orthogonal moments. Finally the results obtained by the reconstruction of three color images with different families of orthogonal moments and an error analysis to compare their capacity of description are presented, also the conclusions obtained from this work are presented.