Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of mergers: a case of specified purpose acquisition companies (SPACs)

This paper establishes major determinants that enable SPACs to successfully execute merger combinations. Using a sample of SPACs, companies that represent a novel invention in capital markets, in the period between August 2003 and January 2010, we test for the most important characteristics of SPACs and their influence on mergers. Obtained results could impact behavior of SPAC investors and SPAC founders. Our major finding is that the size of the SPAC at the Initial Public Offering date has a significant negative effect on the probability of the merger in the future. Additionally, the number of warrants in a unit is a variable negatively related to the probability of a merger. Alternately, if a SPAC is underwritten by the investment bank Early Bird Capital there is an increased probability that a merger will be executed.
First determination of s -process element abundances in pre-main sequence clusters: Y, Zr, La, and Ce in IC 2391, the Argus association, and IC 2602

Context. Several high-resolution spectroscopic studies have provided compelling observational evidence that open clusters display a decreasing trend of their barium abundances as a function of the cluster’s age. Young clusters (ages ≲ 200 Myr) exhibit significant enhancement in the [Ba/Fe] ratios, at variance with solar-age clusters where the Ba content has been found to be [Ba/Fe] ~ 0 dex. Different viable solutions have been suggested in the literature; nevertheless, a conclusive interpretation of such a peculiar trend has not been found. Interestingly, it is debated whether the other species produced with Ba via s -process reactions follow the same trend with age. Aims. Pre-main sequence clusters (≈10−50 Myr) show the most extreme behaviour in this respect: their [Ba/Fe] ratios can reach 0.65 dex, which is higher than the solar value by a factor of four. Crucially, there are no investigations of the other s -process species for these young stellar populations. In this paper we present the first determination of Y, Zr, La, and Ce in clusters IC 2391, IC 2602, and the Argus association. The main objective of our work is to ascertain whether these elements reveal the same enhancement as Ba. Methods. We have exploited high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra in order to derive abundances for Y, Zr, La, and Ce via spectral synthesis calculations. Our sample includes only stars with very similar atmospheric parameters so that internal errors due to star-to-star inhomogeneity are negligible. The chemical analysis was carried out in a strictly differential way, as done in all our previous investigations, to minimise the impact of systematic uncertainties. Results. Our results indicate that, at variance with Ba, all the other s -process species exhibit a solar scaled pattern; these clusters confirm a similar trend discovered in the slightly older local associations (e.g. AB Doradus, Carina-Near), where only Ba exhibit enhanced value with all other s -process species being solar. We have discussed several possible explanations such as chromospheric effects, departures from the LTE approximation, or the activation of a different nucleosynthesis chain. We cannot currently provide the definite answer to this question and future investigations from theoretical and observational perspectives are sorely needed.
Dialectics in Information Systems Research - Potentials and Challenges

A dialectic approach during information systems research has proven to be fruitful. Development work can be interpreted as reactions to contradictions between a thesis and an antithesis. By using a dialectic approach to knowledge creation one would emphasise a view on knowledge as emergent and thus not regard the world in black and white. A dialectic approach can however be performed in different ways and thereby there lie a lot of potentials and challenges in how to cope with such phenomenon. In this paper we will elaborate on two development cases, one concerning a theory development and one concerning a development of an understanding of an emergent organization, in order to find challenges and potentials with dialectics in information systems research.
Reproductive Allometry in the Common Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica

ABSTRACT According to optimal offspring size theory, natural selection pressures balance the egg size/clutch size trade-off at a point where increases in maternal body size result in increases in clutch size but not increases in egg size. However, many turtle species show increasing egg size with increasing maternal body size. The anatomical-constraints hypothesis explains this pattern by hypothesizing that smaller females lay smaller-than-optimal eggs because of morphological constraints; larger eggs simply would not pass through the pelvic aperture and caudal gap of the shell. We examined relationships among female body size (measured as plastron length), clutch size and egg size for a population of common map turtles (Graptemys geographica) at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. Correlation analyses were conducted using log-transformed data in order to address questions of isometry and allometry. Clutch mass increased isometrically with plastron length. Egg size and clutch size were both significantly negatively allometric in their relationship with plastron length. It appears that larger females split the increased reproductive allocation made possible by increased maternal volume devoted to eggs between increasing both clutch size and egg size, consistent with predictions of the anatomical-constraints hypothesis.
Evaluation of the XpertMTB/RIF for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among the Patients Attending DOTS Center Parsa District of Nepal

Tuberculosis diagnosis and monitoring rely in Sputum microscopy of National Tuberculosis Programme, Nepal because of its low cost and easier to perform. Direct sputum microscopy is popular worldwide. Currently, there are 533 microscopy centres catering for sputum microscopy examination throughout the country. Most of the microscopy centres are established within government jurisdiction and remaining are established as non-governmental organization as well as private sectors. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2013 to January 2015. A total of 2091 patients were enrolled in the study who were attending the DOTS Centre in Parsa District of Public Health Office, Nepal. Smears stained with ZN stain methods were examined microscopically followed by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Out of 2091 suspected pulmonary TB patients enrolled for sputum microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF for the confirmation of TB, the 1301(62.21%) were male and 790 (37.78%) were female. The maximum TB cases were from Parsa district (555, 26.5%). The comparative study of different diagnostic tools reveals the sensitivity of MTB/RIF was 95.50% (91.87, 97.82) and significantly higher than smear microscopy performed on the same fluid, which had a sensitivity of 61.97% (55.41, 68.21). Five of 127 smear-negative cases had MTB/RIF-positive un-centrifuged sputum, resulting in a specificity of 81.23% (75.95, 85.78), which was similar to smear microscopy 98.29 % (97.34, 98.97; p=0.121). The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MTB/RIF were 96.85% (93.61, 98.72) and 94.95 % (93.52, 96.14), respectively. HIV co-infection did not impact sensitivity, specificity or liquid culture time to positivity (TTP). When MTB/RIF accuracy was evaluated using composite reference standard culture positivity from sputum, the sensitivity and specificity were similar to those obtained in the primary analysis using either definite TB versus possible and non-TB combined; definite and possible TB combined versus non-TB.
Chemical composition of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars grown in Croatia

Pomegranate is among the oldest cultivated sub-tropical fruit species in the coastal part of Croatia. It has been traditionally grown in central and southern Dalmatia, where leaves, flowers and roots have been used for medical purposes. More recently, its fruits have gained interest for their nutritional values. The edible part of pomegranate fruit contains considerable amounts of vitamins, polysaccharides, polyphenols and minerals. One of the most important quality characteristics of pomegranate fruit are the arils and juice, which are primarily associated with anthocyanin pigments. Fruit samples of seven domestic pomegranate cultivars (Barski slatki, Ciparski rani, Crveni rani, Dividis, Konjski zub, Sladun, and Serbetas) and wild pomegranate were collected from a productive pomegranate orchard in Metkovic (Croatia) (43°01'N 17°65 'E). The results on the main fruit quality traits (total soluble solids, total acidity, total sugar contents, total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, and anthocyanins content) indicated significant statistical differences among cultivars.
Superlinear equations and a uniform anti-maximum principle for the multi-Laplacian operator.

In the first part of this paper, we study a nonlinear equation with the multi-Laplacian operator, where the nonlinearity intersects all but the first eigenvalue. It is proved that under certain conditions, involving in particular a relation between the spatial dimension and the order of the problem, this equation is solvable for arbitrary forcing terms. The proof uses a generalized Mountain Pass theorem. In the second part, we analyze the relationship be- tween the validity of the above result, the first nontrivial curve of the Fuc´ik spectrum, and a uniform anti-maximum principle for the considered operator.
Virulence Spectrum of Puccinia hordei of Barley in Western and Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Virulence surveys of Puccinia hordei of barley were conducted in the main and off crop seasons of 2010/11 and 2011/12 in West Shewa, Wellega (western part of the country) and Arsi (central part of the country) zones of Oromiya region, Ethiopia to determine the virulence spectrum of the pathogen, and identify the effective resistance genes to the pathotypes. In the two crop seasons, 56 leaf (brown) rust samples in the main and 32 in the offseason were collected. From each barley field, single pustule descent spores were multiplied and inoculated onto the seedlings of 12 leaf rust differentials carrying Rph1 - Rph12 genes to designate the pathotypes. A total of 88 leaf rust isolates were processed and based on infection phenotype on the resistance genes, 7 pathotypes (ETPh6631, ETPh6611, ETPh6671, ETPh7671, ETPh7631, ETPh7611 and ETPh7651) were identified. The most frequently isolated pathotype was ETPh6631 with 43.2% followed by ETPh6611 with 19%. Moreover, virulence spectrum of P. hordei pathotypes identified in this study was diverse. Resistance genes with Rph1 (Sudan), Rph4 (Gold), Rph8 (Egypt4), Rph9 (Hor 2596), Rph11 (Clipper BC68) and Rph12 (Triumph) were non-effective to all pathotypes identified whereas genes Rph5 (Magnif), Rph6 (Bolivia) and Rph10 (Clipper BC 8) were effective to 26.1, 73.9 and 78.4% of the isolates, respectively. Virulence against Rph2 (Peruvian), Rph3 (Estate) and Rph7 (Cebada Capa) was absent. Therefore, the effective major genes to the existing leaf rust populations could be utilized as sources of resistance in the barley breeding program.
The fate of introduced streptomycetes, plasmid and phage populations in a dynamic soil system.

Summary: Populations of Streptomyces lividans and S. violaceolatus were monitored in natural soil amended with nutrients. The fates of a multicopy plasmid pIJ673, and an actinophage, KC301, were determined and the extent of gene transfer was estimated. The soil was incubated for 60 d during which time ‘spent’ soil was periodically removed followed by addition of fresh, uninoculated soil. Maximum numbers of bacteria and phage inoculants occurred at 15 d; this correlated with a peak in the amount of plasmid DNA detected and total numbers of transconjugants recovered. A KC301 lysogen of S. lividans was also recovered at this time. Plasmid DNA was monitored by two methods, bead-beating and SDS/heat lysis; the latter was specific for mycelium while the former released DNA from spores and mycelium. Southern blots of soil DNA only showed the presence of plasmid DNA in SDS/heat lysis extracts from 15 d and 17 d samples, whereas positive signals were obtained throughout the experiment from bead-beaten extracts. The results confirmed that a well-developed mycelium was necessary for conjugation, phage infection, multiplication and lysogeny in soil.
Evolution of polyphenism: the role of density and relative body size in morph determination

Questions: Why and how do relative body size and density influence the expression of polyphenism? Background: Facultative paedomorphosis in salamanders is a polyphenism. There are two alternative adult phenotypes: paedomorph (remains in the aquatic environment and matures within the larval form) and metamorph (transforms and matures in the terrestrial environment). Mathematical methods: Evolutionary game model; evolutionary stability and convergence stability analysis justified by population genetics. Key assumptions: The fitness of each morph is determined by density, relative body size, and the frequencies of phenotypes. Individual body size is environmentally determined. Each strategy is given by the probability of becoming paedomorphic as a function of body size. Conclusions: Large animals become paedomorphic when density is low, small animals become paedomorphic when density is high, and the frequency of paedomorphosis is minimized when density is intermediate. These results are consistent with current empirical studies, and make testable predictions for future research on this and other polyphenisms.
Morphological and molecular diversity among cassava genotypes

The objective of this work was to characterize morphologically and molecularly the genetic diversity of cassava accessions, collected from different regions in Brazil. A descriptive analysis was made for 12 morphological traits in 419 accessions. Data was transformed into binary data for cluster analysis and analysis of molecular variance. A higher proportion of white or cream (71%) root cortex color was found, while flesh colors were predominantly white (49%) and cream (42%). Four accession groups were classified by the cluster analysis, but they were not grouped according to their origin, which indicates that diversity is not structured in space. The variation was greater within regions (95.6%). Sixty genotypes were also evaluated using 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Molecular results corroborated the morphological ones, showing the same random distribution of genotypes, with no grouping according to origin. Diversity indices were high for each region, and a greater diversity was found within regions, with: a mean number of alleles per locus of 3.530; observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.499 and 0.642, respectively; and Shannon index of 1.03. The absence of spatial structure among cassava genotypes according to their origins shows the anthropic influence in the distribution and movement of germplasm, both within and among regions.
Local earthquake tomography of shallow subduction in north Chile: A combined onshore and offshore study

Selected travel time data from the aftershock series of the great Antofagasta earthquake (M w =8.0) have been inverted simultaneously for both hypocenter locations and three-dimensional V P and V P / V S struc- ture. The data were collected with a dense 44-station seismic network including ocean bottom hydrophones. We performed a series of inversions with increasing complexity: 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D. This approach was cho- sen to account for the heterogeneous seismicity distribution and to obtain a smooth regional model in areas of low resolution. Special efforts were made to assess the solution quality including standard resolution esti- mates and tests with synthetic travel times. The subducted plate is imaged between 20 and 50 km in depth as an eastward dipping high- V P feature. High V P / V S ratios within the oceanic crust possibly indicate elevated fluid content. Underplating of material eroded close to the trench is found beneath the Mejillones Peninsula. The lower crust of the overlying plate is characterized by an average V P of 6.8-6.9 km/s and an average to low V P / V S ratio. Large areas of anomalously high V P are found in the lower crust south of the city of Antofagasta; they are interpreted as remants of magmatic intrusions. A zone of high V P / V S ratios is found within the rup- ture area of the Antofagasta main shock, just above the subducted slab. Its location within the region of high- est stress release from the main shock suggests that the main shock rupture causes the high V P / V S ratio. The high V P / V S ratio could indicate postseismic fluid migration from the subducted oceanic crust into the overly- ing lower crust.
WEAK AND STRONG CONVERGENCE THEOREMS FOR AN ASYMPTOTICALLY k-STRICT PSEUDO-CONTRACTION AND A MIXED EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEM

We introduce two iterative algorithms for finding a common element of the set of fixed points of an asymptotically k-strict pseudo- contraction and the set of solutions of a mixed equilibrium problem in a Hilbert space. We obtain some weak and strong convergence theorems by using the proposed iterative algorithms. Our results extend and improve the corresponding results of Tada and Takahashi (16) and Kim and Xu (8, 9).
Effect of mesoscale topography over the Tibetan Plateau on summer precipitation in China: A regional model study

The effect of mesoscale topography over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) on downstream summer precipitation in China was studied using a regional atmospheric model. Two ensemble simulations with 30 km model resolution were conducted for the 1998 summer monsoon season in China. The control simulation used the uniform resolution for both model atmosphere and topography. In the sensitivity simulation, the mesoscale feature in topography over the TP was smoothed out with the use of the 120 km resolution topography over the TP. The results show that the control simulation reproduced reasonably well but the sensitivity simulation considerably underestimated the observed precipitation in the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). It is found that the mesoscale feature in topography plays an important role in generating and enhancing mesoscale disturbances over the TP. These disturbances enhance the surface sensible heat flux over the TP and propagate eastward to enhance convection and precipitation in the YRV in China.
Association of transforming growth factor-ß 3 gene polymorphism with growth and body composition traits in Iranian commercial broiler lines

1 Department of Animal Biotechnology, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran. 2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran. 3 Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. 4 Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran, Iran. 5 Department of Animal Breeding and genetics,Animal Science Research Institute of Iran,Karaj, Iran.
Variation in Corruption between Mexican States: Elaborating the Gender Perspective

Dollar et al., (2001) sparked off research on gender and corruption. They showed, in a cross-country comparative study, that a high number of women in elected office is related to a low level of corruption. Whether there is causal relationship is, however, disputed. Sung (2003) has argued that modern liberal democracy is the driving force behind a high number of women elected, as well as government accountability. This paper focuses on subnational variation in Mexico. Data from Transparency International indicate that corruption is ten times more likely to occur in requesting or receiving public services in the state most hit by corruption than in the state least affected. There is also considerable variation in the numbers of women elected, and the subnational analysis confirms previous cross-country findings: states with a high number of women elected tend to display lower levels of corruption than states with a low number of women elected. The Mexican case strengthens the idea that there are important links between gender and corruption. This paper launches a "rationality perspective," arguing that when calculating costs and benefits, women more often than men choose to abstain from corrupt behavior.
Increased stability for the Schr¨odinger potential from the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map

We derive some bounds which can be viewed as an evidence of increasing stability in the problem of recovery of the potential coeﬃcient in the Schr¨odinger equation from the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map, when frequency(energy level) is growing. These bounds hold under certain a-priori bounds on the unknown coeﬃcient. Proofs use complex-and real-valued geometrical optics solutions. We outline open problems and possible future developments.
Deranged Mental Homeostasis in Medical Students: Evaluation of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Home and Hostel Students

Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare psychological depression, anxiety and stress among the medical students living with family and those living in dormitory to find out whether psychological state of mind of a student was affected by their residential conditions. Method: A comparative cross sectional study was done on 211 students from 3 medical colleges of Pakistan following curriculum of Dow University of Health Sciences. Students were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire developed on DASS-42 scale. Prevalence rate, risk estimation and two tailed significance of levels of depression, anxiety and stress was calculated using SPSS 20.0. 1. Result: A total of 211 medical students participated in the study. Students living with family were 122 (57.81%) and those living in hostels were 89 (42.18%). Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress calculated for home students was 34.42%; 45.08% & 36.06% respectively and for dormitory students it was 40.4%; 43.82% and 30.33% respectively. The two tail significance for all three variables was >0.05 indicating an equivocal trend in both study groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was uniformly high in both home and hostel medical students, yet still, correlation with residential conditions was not established. Depression was more prevalent in dormitory students while anxiety and stress were elevated in home students based on risk estimation. Our study provides an insight regarding a very serious health issue which demands further exploration for development of effective health programs with a more targeted approach for the benefit of young physicians of Pakistan.
Effect of FYM and mineral nutrients on yield, content and uptake of nutrients in mustard

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm of S.K. N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) during the rabi season of 2005-06 using randomized block design with three replication to study the effect of FYM and mineral nutrients on seed and stover yield, content and uptake of nutrients in mustard. The experiment consisted of three levels of FYM viz., control, 5 t/ha & 10 t/ha and five levels of mineral nutrients viz., no mineral nutrients, 40 kg S/ha, 40 kg S/ha+ 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha, 40 kg S/ha + 50 kg FeSO4 /ha and 40 kg S/ha + 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha+ 50 kg FeSO4 /ha. The results revealed that each successive increasing levels of FYM and mineral nutrients individually and in combination significantly increased the seed and stover yield, content and uptake of nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in seed and stover as compared to control. The combined application of FYM and mineral nutrients was found to increase Zn uptake in seed and Fe uptake in stover as compared to their individual application. The highest Zn uptake in seed (87.4 g/ha) and Fe uptake in stover (868.5 g/ha) was obtained under 10 t FYM/ha and 40 kg S/ha+ 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha+ 50 kg FeSO4 /ha (F2 M4 ) treatment.