Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Youth and Science in Italy: between enthusiasm and indifference

The image and perception of science and of scientists is a crucial topic, above all with regards to younger generations, the human capital of the future. For this reason, the National Research Council (CNR), in 2004, asked the IRPPS institute (Istituto di ricerche sulla popolazione e le politiche sociali) to carry out a sample survey of 800 people between the ages of 18 and 29 on the topic. Science and new technology emerged as the topics of most interest, in addition to medicine, history and economics. Scientific content in the mass media is considered to be satisfactory, whereas education in the field of science is considered to be less than satisfactory, above all in relation to the work environment. However, if research in Italy seems weak in the eyes of young people, scientists are not seen the same way but are considered society’s second most important profession after that of the entrepreneur. The problem of trust in science is due, above all, to the politics of research, which do not encourage adequate investment in public and private sectors. A factor analysis technique was applied in order to identify models of attitude towards science of various subgroups within the population.
ON THE STATIONARITY OF DYNAMIC CONDITIONAL CORRELATION MODELS

We provide conditions for the existence and the uniqueness of strictly stationary solutions of the usual Dynamic Conditional Correlation GARCH models (DCC-GARCH). The proof is based on Tweedie’s (1988) criteria, after having rewritten DCC-GARCH models as nonlinear Markov chains. We also study the existence of their moments and discuss the tightness of our sufficient conditions.
Angiogenic Therapy for Critical Lower Limb Ischemia

Background. In several preclinical and clinical studies, VEGF gene therapy has proven successful in the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI). CLI is estimated to develop in 500–1000 individuals/million/year. It is a severe disease associated with a high risk of amputation and mortality. Therapeutic angiogenesis is a novel concept consisting of the use of proangiogenic growth factors to promote collateral artery development in ischemic tissues. To test a potential clinical application of this method, the authors prepared a nonviral expression vector encoding VEGF165 protein. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to construct a functional expression vector encoding isoform VEGF165 which can be used for therapeutic angiogenesis in no-option patients with critical limb ischemia. Material and Methods. Total RNA was extracted from vein and RT-PCR was used to prepare a cDNA sequence for cloning into the plasmid vector. The naked pcDNA3/VEGF165 plasmid was administered alone (group I) or combined with mononuclear cells (group II) directly into the skeletal muscle of the ischemic lower limb. The vector’s ability of expression in mammalian cells, clinical outcome, serum level of VEGF protein, and endothelial cell proliferation in muscle tissue were evaluated. Results. pcDNA3/VEGF165 was expressed in transfected CHOPro5 cells. Due to the gene transfer, 9 of 24 patients did not require amputation. A higher serum VEGF concentration was observed than in healthy controls and the level of cytokine increased on day 14 and decreased on day 90 after plasmid administration. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the muscles derived from amputated limbs revealed the presence of VEGF protein and signs of new blood vessel formation. Conclusions. This therapy is safe, but a single intramuscular gene transfer of VEGF165 is insufficient to promote angiogenesis efficiently. Better results were observed when combined therapy was used (Adv Clin Exp Med 2010, 19, 3, 347–359).
Microwave characterization and modeling of multilayered Cofired Ceramic waveguides

This paper examines, with the aid of an Electromagnetic (EM) Field Solver (High Frequency Structure Simulator, HFSS [1]) the performance of via sidewall rectangular waveguide structures in a cofired ceramic substrate, and compares the modeled results to the modeled performance of a conventional solid conductor waveguide. The comparisons are made on the basis of insertion loss, reflection loss, and waveguide cutoff frequency. In addition, HFSS simulations were done to determine the crosstalk between two adjacent waveguides that share a common metal via fence sidewall, as well as two adjacent waveguides with separate, closely spaced, via sidewalls. In order to facilitate testing, a transition from stripline to cofired ceramic waveguide was developed Finally, we present measured results of a via sidewall rectangular waveguide structure fabricated as a Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) substrate, which shows very good agreement with the modeled performance.
Predicting High School Truancy and Academic Performance Among Students in the Appalachian South

I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Melissa Kathryn Hunt entitled “Predicting High School Truancy and Academic Performance among Students in the Appalachian South. ” I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Psychology.
Quality management of cut carnation 'Tempo' with 1- MCP

Water relation and chlorophyll content are two important factors on the postharvest quality of cut flowers. 1-MCP (1–methylcyclopropene), as a gaseous inhibitor of ethylene action, significantly delayed the wilting of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). The effects of 1-MCP depends on concentration, time duration and temperature. In this study, the effect of different 1-MCP concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 nl l-1) and time durations (3, 6 and 9 h) on the vaselife, water uptake, loss of fresh weight and chlorophyll index of cut carnation 'Tempo' which is an ethylene-sensitive flower, were evaluated. The effects of 1-MCP concentrations and interaction between 1-MCP concentration and time duration on the vaselife, water uptake, loss of chlorophyll index and loss of fresh weight, were significant at 1% levels of probability. Also the effect of time duration on the loss of chlorophyll index and loss of fresh weight was significant at 5% and on the water uptake was significant at 1% of probability. Treatment with 60 nl l-1 1-MCP for 3 h with 16.47 days vaselife, 2.57 ml g-1 fresh weight, 2.41 ml g-1 water uptake and 2.667 loss of chlorophyll index was better than other treatments.
The Influence of Exports on Technology Progress —— Empirical Study Based on Multinational Panel Data

Using DEA method, the paper measures the 19 economies’ total factor productivity in 1990-2012 including input of energy and mineral resources, and then empirically tests the influence of exports on technology progress based on Prebisch’s “Core and Periphery Theory”. Results indicate that exports of “peripheral” states hinder its technology progress, while “core” states’ exports promote its technology progress. The heterogeneity further reveals value chain division fixed by intra-product trade dominated by multinational corporations, and developing countries have been locked in Production and assembly process, developed countries manage the joint production of international production factors relying on technological superiority. The unfair distribution of value chain cause the economy growth of “peripheral” countries under enormous pressure, and the consumption and output of a large number of low-level production factor reduce the potential of its long-run economic growth.
Carboniferous outcrops at La Herradura Creek, San Juan Province (Western Argentina), revisited: age of the transgressions

At the outcrops of the Tupe Formation in the La Herradura Creek, San Juan Province, two transgressive events are recorded, which range from few meters to tens of meters in thickness. These strata correspond to the stratotype of the faunal Tivertonia jachalensis-Streptorhynchus inaequiornatus Biozone. An evaluation of the timing of the two marine transgressions is made on the basis of palynological assemblages and available radiometric ages. A short-lived transgression is recorded in the latest Bashkirian-early Moscovian, and then a substantial sea level fall took place forming an irregular incision surface. Later, a major high eustatic sea-level occurred during the middle Moscovian resulting in a more important marine ingression. The palynological assemblages associated to the older transgressive event indicate the presence of the Raistrickia densa- Convolutispora muriornata (DM) Biozone (Subzone B). Palynofloras referred to the Subzone C of the DM Biozone characterize the strata of the younger transgression that also bear marine fauna of the Tivertonia jachalensis-Streptorhynchus inaequiornatus Biozone. Correlations with other Pennsylvanian outcrops in the region give support to the stratigraphic scheme here proposed.
Aeroacoustic simulation of bluff body noise using a hybrid statistical method

The prediction of aerodynamic noise generated by bluff bodies is important for a broad range of technologies, such as aircraft landing gear and automotive external mirrors. However, accurate prediction is difficult and time-consuming due to the complicated flow physics that occurs in the near wake. Typically, noise predictions require computationally demanding three-dimensional flow simulations that are usually not practical for engineering use. In this paper, a method is described where two-dimensional flow simulations are used with a statistical model to introduce the effects of flow three-dimensionality into the acoustic source calculation procedure. The result is a noise prediction method that is many times faster than conventional methods. The paper will describe the method, its advantages and disadvantages and use it to simulate the noise (Aeolian tone) from a cylinder placed in a flow where its wake is turbulent (and three-dimensional). The method is shown to accurately capture the spectral broadening about the main tone.
Biological Control of Insect Pests: Southeast Asian Prospects

Biological control programs have been mounted in some region(s) of the world against 13 of the 16 dossier pests and substantial or partial success has been achieved in one or more countries for 8. On the basis of available information there are good to excellent prospects for reducing, in at least some parts of the region, the damage caused by the following: Leucinodes orbonalis , Nezara viridula , Ophiomyia phaseoli and Planococcus citri . There are also good reasons for believing that there will prove to be valuable natural enemies for the following: Agrius convolvuli, Anomis flava , Aphis craccivora , Aphis gossypii , Diaphorina citri , Dysmicoccus brevipes , Hypothenemus hampei , Phyllocnistis citrella and Trichoplusia ni . There seems to be little prospect for classical biological control of Dysdercus cingulatus, too little is known about Deanolis sublimbalis and the prospects for control of Cosmopolites sordidus are unclear, although its lack of pest status in Myanmar is puzzling.
Price rigidity in Europe and the US: A comparative analysis using scanner data

This paper uses scanner data from two large retailers to offer new insights into the extent of price rigidity in Europe and the US. Recent empirical research in this field has made extensive use of monthly data to study price stickiness and to control for the impact of temporary sales. We show that the use of monthly data is potentially highly misleading. We employ scanner data in (bi)weekly frequency and highlight the importance of high frequency data in studying price rigidity. Regular prices show roughly the same degree of flexibility in Europe and the US, in line with recent empirical research, when we study monthly price series derived from our high frequency scanner data. This finding collapses, however, when the original scanner datasets in higher base frequency are examined. Regular prices are then far more flexible in the US than in Europe. This result is robust to the type of sales filter that we apply and the statistic used to capture price rigidity.
The distributional impact of public spending in the UK

Public spending in the UK in 2008/9 amounted to over £10,000 per person or about 43% of national income (Crawford, Emmerson and Tetlow 2009) while net receipts from tax and social security contributions exceeded £8,000 per person or about 35% of national income. These transfers of resources between individuals and the state, either as cash payments or as supply of goods, affect individual standards of living and do so in ways that differ markedly between different households. Assessing the impact of government activity on the distribution of household living standards is essential to the evaluation of public service provision but raises challenging conceptual issues that we discuss in this report.
Thermal inactivation kinetics and thermodynamic analysis of the first isoform of polyphenoloxidase Purified from edible yam Dioscorea cayenensis- rotundata cv Kponan

-1 . The results of the thermodynamic investigations indicated that the oxidation reactions were: not spontaneous (ΔG > 0), slightly endothermic (ΔH > 0) and reversible (ΔS < 0). These kinetic data can be used to predict prevention of browning in the tuber yam by thermal inactivation of enzyme.
A confusing duo: Calocybe cerina and Callistosporium pinicola (Agaricales)

The name Calocybe cerina has recently been applied for two different species of agarics. After studying collections from different European countries it is concluded that the true Calocybe cerina is very close to C. chrysenteron and best regarded as a variety. The new combination Calocybe chrysenteron var. cerina is proposed and a full description of that taxon is given. The majority of collections, identified as C. cerina , appear to belong to a fungus, provisionally described by Bon as Callistosporium luteoolivaceum fo. minor . It is described here as a new species: Callistosporium pinicola. Calocybe juncicola is another species that might be confused with the two species mentioned before and therefore a full description is provided. The status of the genera Rugosomyces and Calocybe is discussed. The new combinations Calocybe obscurata and Calocybe pudica are made.
Compact development minimizes the impacts of urban growth on native mammals

Summary Unprecedented global human population growth and rapid urbanization of rural and natural lands highlight the urgent need to integrate biodiversity conservation into planning for urban growth. A challenging question for applied ecologists to answer is: What pattern of urban growth meets future housing demand whilst minimizing impacts on biodiversity? We quantified the consequences for mammals of meeting future housing demand under different patterns of compact and dispersed urban growth in an urbanizing forested landscape in south-eastern Australia. Using empirical data, we predicted impacts on mammals of urban growth scenarios that varied in housing density (compact versus dispersed) and location of development for four target numbers of new dwellings. We predicted that compact developments (i.e. high-density housing) reduced up to 6% of the area of occupancy or abundance of five of the six mammal species examined. In contrast, dispersed developments (i.e. low-density housing) led to increased mammal abundance overall, although results varied between species: as dwellings increased, the abundance or occurrence of two species increased (up to ∼100%), one species showed no change, and three species declined (up to ∼39%). Two ground-dwelling mammal species (Antechinus stuartii and Rattus fuscipes) and a tree-dwelling species (Petaurus australis) were predicted to decline considerably under dispersed rather than compact development. The strongest negative effect of dispersed development was for Petaurus australis (a species more abundant in forested interiors) which exhibited up to a 39% reduction in abundance due to forest loss and an extended negative edge effect from urban settlements into adjacent forests. Synthesis and applications. Our findings demonstrate that, when aiming to meet demand for housing, any form of compact development (i.e. high-density housing) has fewer detrimental impacts on forest-dwelling mammals than dispersed development (i.e. low-density housing). This is because compact development concentrates the negative effects of housing into a small area whilst at the same time preserving large expanses of forests and the fauna they sustain. Landscape planning and urban growth policies must consider the trade-off between the intensity of the threat and area of sprawl when aiming to reduce urbanization impacts.
Natural regeneration stratum as an indicator of... NATURAL REGENERATION STRATUM AS AN INDICATOR OF RESTORATION IN AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPENSATION FOR MINING LIMESTONE, MUNICIPALITY OF BARROSO, MG, BRAZIL1

1 Received on 11.09. 2013 accepted for publication on 27.11. 2015. 2 Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Florestal, Viçosa, MG Brasil. E-mail: <wanuzacampos@yahoo.com. br>. 3 Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Viçosa, MG Brasil. E-mail: <venancio@ufv.br>. *Corresponding author.
Logistics outsourcing by manufacturers in South Africa

As organisations find themselves in an increasingly dynamic and competitive world they are seeking new strategies to ensure their competitive advantage and profitability. Logistics presents an area in which these organisations can improve customer service and reduce costs, and strategies in support thereof such as the outsourcing of logistics activities, should be considered. However, it is critical that logistics outsourcing is done diligently to avoid potential problems for the organisation and to achieve the best possible benefits. In South Africa little research has been done regarding current outsourcing practices of local manufacturers. In this article literature on international logistics outsourcing as well as research on some of the logistics outsourcing practices of South African manufacturers is discussed. The findings of a questionnaire survey of South African manufacturers provided information on their logistics outsourcing practices and problems. Prominent issues seem to include inadequate managerial involvement in the logistics outsourcing process, as well as insufficient time spent on many of the important aspects of the outsourcing agreement, the transitioning of resources and ongoing management of the outsourced relationship. It is concluded that a thorough outsourcing process should be followed in order to achieve the benefits of logistics outsourcing.
Spatial Spillovers of Land Use Regulation in the United States

Evidence of spatial dependence in land use regulatory levels was first found in Brueckner (1998) for California cities. Recent research has not incorporated this consideration despite the considerable consequences of the relationship. We seek to expand the empirical find ings to a current, larger and more diverse data-set for municipalities across the USA. Analyzing regulatory levels and their determinants from over 2000 municipalities, we find strong evidence of spatial dependence at the local level even after controlling for geographic and political influences. This suggests that political competition, rather than welfare maximization exclusively, may be influencing the level of regulations adopted.
Corruption and Tax Evasion

Yolsuzluk ve vergi kacakciligi sorunlari literaturde daha once ayri ayri incelendi. Vergi kacakciligi da bir yolsuzluk olsa da, bu makalede yolsuzluk devlet memurunun rusvet almasi ve vergi kacakciligi da mukellefin yasalara aykiri davranarak odemesi gereken vergiyi odememesi olarak tanimlanmistir. Bu makalede yolsuzlugun vergi kacakciligini ozendirip ozendirmeyecegi teorik olarak arastirilmaktadir. Teorik model, istenen rusvetin yuksek olmasi durumunda vergi mukellefinin vergi kacirmayacagini matematiksel olarak gostermektedir.
The Relationship between Masculinities , Sexualities and Child Sexual Abuse

Empirical evidence shows that child sexual abuse is overwhelmingly a male activity in that the majority of child sex offenders are male irrespective of the sex of the children they abuse. This sex specificity raises both a sex and gender question, as well as the epistemological question of how to characterise the relationship between male offenders and this particular crime. In attempting to answer these questions, this paper considers the usefulness of two different theoretical approaches for understanding the link between men and crime. First, the relationship between masculinities, sexualities and child sexual abuse is analysed to explain the predominantly male problem of child sex offending. This paper argues that in order to understand child sex offending as a gender specific practice, it is necessary to examine the role that sexual behaviour with children plays in offenders' lives as men. Secondly, this paper considers the 'sexed bodies' approach to explain the 'maleness' of child sex offending behaviour (that is, the relationship between the (actively) sexed, male body and sexual behaviour with children) in light of criticisms that have been made of the usefulness of the concept of masculinity in explaining the relationship between men and crime. Finally, this paper examines the relationship between the concepts of masculinity and 'sexed bodies' in the context of child sexual abuse.
Radiocarbon Dates from Iron Age Strata at Tel Beth Shean and Tel Rehov

We discuss the significance of 32 radiocarbon dates from the archaeological sites of Tel Beth Shean and Tel Rehov in northern Israel. All dates are from Iron Age I and II archaeological contexts (12th–8th centuries BCE). Most of the dates were done on short-lived samples (seeds and olive pits), while some are on charred timber. The samples are organized in several homogeneous clusters according to their context. This series is one of the largest groups of 14C dates from the Iron Age in the Levant. The paper discusses the correlation between the 14C dates and the traditional archaeological dates of the same context. Results from two laboratories and two calibration curves are compared, showing some significant differences in one case. We conclude with an evaluation of the relevance of 14C dating for the current debate about the chronology of the Iron Age in Israel, and in historical periods in general.