Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Free Trade between the EU and Russia - Sectoral Effects and Impacts on Northwest Russia

We analyse the implications of free trade between the EU25 and Russia using GTAP, a computable general equilibrium model. We review the sectoral effects by countries and make a tentative assessment of the impact on the regions in Northwest Russia. Free trade on its own would have a negative terms-of-trade effect in Russia and cause a small decline in welfare. If coupled with an increase in productivity, welfare would increase. This emphasises the importance of reforms in the Russian economy. The quantity of production in Russia in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, machine building and metal working, and wood and paper are the principal declining sectors with free trade. Production in capital goods, fuel industry, and services increases. Thus there are some symptoms of Dutch disease. Due to its production structure the northwest would seem to benefit slightly less than Russia on average in terms of the volume of gross regional product. In this respect there are differences between the regions of northwest Russia.
Rotational and Candidate-Eclipsing-Binary Light Curves for Pre-Main-Sequence Stars in the Chamaeleon I Star-Forming Cloud

Abstract We present the results of a photometric survey for variability in ten X-ray-emitting low-mass stars in the Chamaeleon region. Eight of the stars we observed are bona fide pre-main-sequence members of the ∼2 Myr-old Chamaeleon I star-forming cloud. The other two stars are young with high levels of relative X-ray emission, but with discordant proper motions they are probable non-members of the cloud. In six of the stars we monitored, periodic variations on timescales of 2.5–11.5 d were detected, that we ascribe to stellar rotation and the presence of cool starspots. Two other stars, CHXR 20 and CHXR 85, show large amplitude variations at visual and near-infrared wavelengths and are candidate eclipsing binaries. Compared to the rotational properties of low-mass stars in the ≈8 Myr-old η Chamaeleontis cluster, we find that the older η Chamaeleontis stars have several times higher surface specific angular momentum than the younger Chamaeleon I stars. The apparent increase in angular momentum between ∼2 and 8 Myr might be due to changes in stellar internal structure as the stars evolve, or evidence for a different rotational history between members of the two star-forming regions.
Evaluation of Diverse Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Ecotypes for Seed Yield under Normal and Water Stress Condition

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is the second most popular spice in the world and one of the important medicinal plants in Iran. Cumin seed yield is highly affected by water stress, which is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting seed yield. So far, drought tolerance studies in cumin have been done on limited cumin ecotypes. In the present investigation, forty-nine diverse cumin ecotypes were tested under normal and water stress conditions during 2013 and 2014. The experiment was conducted under two different irrigation regimes of normal irrigation and mid/late season water stress i.e., during flowering. Each of experiments was conducted in a simple lattice design with two replications. The combined analysis of variance showed significant differences among all sources of variation. Twelve drought tolerance indices were calculated based on seed yield under drought and irrigated conditions. Yield under stress and non-stress conditions was significantly and positively correlated with Geometric Mean Productivity Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Harmonic Mean (HM), Drought Resistance Index (DI), modified Stress Tolerance Index in normal irrigation (K1STI), modified Stress Tolerance Index in stress irrigation (K2STI), Stress Non-stress Production Index (SNPI) and Stress Tolerance Score (STS). PCA and cluster analysis were followed to reveal the relationship among different indices. To visualize the GE interaction effects on cumin seed yield, the data were subjected to GGE-Biplot analysis. Finding superior ecotypes in each environment was done using GGE-Biplot. Regarding mean yield and drought tolerance indices, ecotypes from Maneh (Northern Khorasan), Shahmirzad (Semnan), and Rafsanjan (Kerman) were identified as the most favorable candidates for further research in cumin breeding programs. GC/MS analyses of elite ecotype Kerman (Rafsanjan) was also done for both conditions, the main components of essential oil were found to be γ-terpinene, β-pinene, m-cymene, and cuminic aldehyde.
The Pivotal Roles of Product Knowledge and Corporate Social Responsibility in Event Sponsorship Effectiveness

The authors apply consumer theories of cognition to event marketing specifically in relation to corporate sponsorships. Upon conducting field surveys with attendees (n = 1636) at an international sporting event with a multinational sponsor, the authors demonstrate the pivotal roles that 1) attendees' knowledge regarding the sponsor's product, and 2) perception of the sponsor's commitment to corporate social responsibility have on successful event sponsorship. Specifically, structural model results show how attendees' knowledge of the event sponsor's products and perceptions of the sponsor as socially responsible enhance attendees' commitment to the sponsor and intentions to purchase the sponsor's products. These results provide scholars and managers with means of improving event marketing communications.
Factor VIII manufactured from plasma—the ups and downs, and the up again: a personal journey—part 1: history of the development of plasma-derived factor VIII therapies

The history of the treatment of haemophilia is a success story. Despite the setbacks posed by the viral transmission epidemics, by the mid-1980s the safety of products from blood-borne pathogens was all but assured. Scientific understanding of the way in which factor VIII (FVIII) behaves in different separation processes led to the development of increasingly pure and potent preparations from plasma. In the late 1980s, the first products from recombinant technology unleashed a 13-year-old flood of technological innovation leading to the current generation of molecularly modified improved products. The capacity to produce FVIII independently from the blood and plasma donation system has also led to the potential of unlimited supply and the attainment of treatment for all the global population of people with haemophilia. Despite these developments, FVIII concentrates derived from human plasma continue to represent an important sector of the market, with a relatively strong presence in the emerging economies. Recent studies indicate that some plasma-derived FVIII (pd-FVIII), at least those containing von Willebrand factor, may offer some therapeutic advantages relative to recombinant products, particularly in the area of FVIII inhibitors. In this, first part, of my personal journey in FVIII, I will review the history of this product.
An Evaluation of the Revised Test of English at Matriculation at the University of Edinburgh.

This paper reports a second-cycle validation study of the test of English at Matriculation (TEAM) following revisions made to the test in 1993. Candidates' scores from four academic sessions (1993-1997) were used to assess the relationship between the performance at the beginning of their degree course and their eventual academic outcome. Results suggest that: (1) the predictive capacity of the revised test is similar to that of the other tests of English for academic purposes;. and (2) performance in the listening section remains the strongest single linguistic predictor of candidates' success in Master's degrees (even though it might have been expected that writing skills would have been a better predictor considering that most measures of student achievement in higher education is in written form). The overall correlation is slightly lower than for the first version of TEAM. It is concluded that the test as presently constructed is adequate for the purposes for which it is intended. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/KFT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. 0 4-) AN EVALUATION OF THE REVISED TEST OF ENGLISH AT MATRICULATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
SMR Geomechanics Classification:Application, Experience And Validation

The SMR geomechanics classification system (adaptation of RMR for slopes) is reviewed with data from 87 actual slopes in Valencia. In a research project, SMR has been applied by a GIS system, as a method to forecast stability problems in future road construction. As a result of this work a methodology for GIS application has been developed. On revient sur la classification geomechanique SMR ( une adaptation du RMR pour talus et pentes) avec les dates de 87 talus existant autour de Valencia. Dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche SMR a ete appliquee, avec un systeme GIS, comme methode de prevision de stabilite problemes dans la construction de futures routes. Une methodologie pour l’application du GIS a ete developpe. Das Geomechanische Einteilungssystem SMR (eine Anpassung des RMR an Boschungen) wird an Hand der Daten von 87 Boschungen im Gebiet von Valencia uberdacht. In einem Forschungsprojekt wurde das SMR in einem Geographischen Informationssystem (GIS) als Methode zur Vorhersage von Stabilitatsproblemen bei zukunftigen Strasenbauprojekten eingesetzt. Das Ergebnis dieser Arbeit ist die Entwicklung einer Methodologie fur die GISAnwendung
Does Exchange Rate Devaluation Affect Agricultural Output? Evidence from Nigeria

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of exchange rate devaluation on agricultural output in Nigeria. This investigation used the available time series data of 30 years (1986-2016) from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and the National Bureau of Statistics. Moreover, the real effective exchange rate was used as the proxy for currency devaluation and Consumer Price Index (CPI) was used as a proxy for inflation. Other variables were Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP), Price of Export (PEXP), and Real Agricultural Exports (RAEXP). The research through the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philip Perron’s unit root tests find that the variables used in the model are integrated in the same order. Using the Johansen’s cointegration test results show that the variables are cointegrated. The results of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) indicates that a percent increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER), a proxy for devaluation. It will lead to a decrease in gross agricultural output. This implies that total agricultural output responds negatively to exchange rate devaluation. The result of the causality test by Toda and Yamamoto reveals that a unidirectional causality exists between real effective exchange rate and price of exports. This shows that a significant relationship exists between exchange rate devaluation and gross exports earnings. It reveals that the past values of the price of exports can be used to predict the current values of agricultural output.
Debunking the Trochaic Bias Myth: Evidence from Phonological Development

0. Introduction Since the advent of the theory of Generative Grammar (e.g. Chomsky 1957), a large number of researchers have been on a quest to uncover language universals, which are believed by many to be psychologically real, either because they represent basic language storage or processing mechanisms, or because they emerge as artifacts of our perception or production systems. In many different ways, this quest has offered positive, useful results. Typological studies have yielded generalizations that suggest the presence of basic structures or mechanisms underlying the functioning of human languages. Similar generalizations were obtained from studies of language acquisition. However, an undesirable effect of this quest has been, at times, somewhat hasty speculations that purported language universals should manifest themselves in language acquisition. Indeed, it is often the case that claimed universals end up representing cross-linguistic tendencies which themselves do not make any useful predictions in language acquisition. For example, while coronal consonants enjoy a special status in the phonological systems of a large number of the world’s languages (e.g. Paradis & Prunet 1991; Hall 1997), they display various behaviors in first language acquisition data that contradict the view that they should be universally unmarked or special in any way (e.g. Rose 2000). In this paper, we argue that one such purported universal, often referred to as the trochaic bias, should be abandoned from the theory on a number of grounds. First, the cross-linguistic facts supporting this construct are far from conclusive. Second, babbling and early acquisition data do not provide any independent evidence for such a bias in phonological development. Finally, even in contexts where everything is in place to favor the manifestation of a bias towards trochaic footing, no convincing evidence can be found. The paper is organized as follows. In section 1, we provide an overview of the predictions entailed by the trochaic bias as well as a brief survey of the literature on the topic in the context of child language phonology. As we will see, an overwhelming majority of the empirical evidence available fails to independently
Performance of four sentence aligners on English Polish bitexts

Collections of mutual translations gain in their value if aligned at the sentence level. As such they can be used e.g. in Statistical Machine Translation, Translation Studies and Lexicography. In this study, four leading systems of automatic sentence alignment are tested on four English-Polish translationally equivalent documents. Their performance is evaluated in terms of precision, recall and F-measure as well as in terms of their coverage of the source and target text. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of these methods with respect to different applications are discussed.
Loan Policy and Bank Performance: Evidences from Taiwan

This study aims to investigate the effect of IT loan on performance of banks. The empirical analysis is grounded on the panel data from 1998 to 2002. The results find that there is negative significant influence as banks increase their loan ratios to the IT industry. Meaningfully, during the macroeconomic downturn, banks will suffer loss if abruptly offering loans to IT industry and not operate properly. Besides, the study finds that there is a positive correlation between consumptive loan ratio and the bank performance, suggesting that it is beneficial for banks to exploit the consumptive loan market. Conversely, we find that the changes of political and economic environment have a negative effect on the performance of banks during the middle year of 2000.
Transfer Entropy between South Atlantic Anomaly and Global Sea Level for the last 300 years

Abstract. An innovative information-theoretic tool, transfer entropy, has been applied to measure the possible information flow and sense between two real time series: the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) area extent at the Earth's surface and the Global Sea Level (GSL) rise anomalies for the last 300 years. This connection was previously suggested considering only the long term trend. Now we study the possibility of that this relation also happens in shorter scales. The new results seem to support again this hypothesis, with more information transferred from the SAA to the GSL anomalies, with about 90 % of confidence level. This could provide a new clue on the existence of a link between the geomagnetic field and the Earth's climate in the past.
Certification as a Viable Quality Assurance Mechanism: Theory and Suggestive Evidence

In this paper we address an asymmetric information problem in the fundraising industry, the fundraising problem. The problem arises from donors’ lack of information about the quality of charities that solicit donations. We focus on one particular solution of this problem, certification, where an independent agency provides a costly signal, a certificate, to charities that can use it to signal their ‘high’ quality. Our model is a signaling game involving three types of player: donors, charities and a certifier. We compare the decisions and impact of two types of certifier: one profit maximizing and one nonprofit. The assumptions of our model are derived from stylized facts that we distilled from certification systems currently existing in the fundraising industries of some European countries. While the current manuscript is meant to inform the real-world design and implementation of such a system in the Czech Republic and other transition economies, our work complements the literature on certification and provides results that are different from those reported up to now.
Audit Committee Characteristics and Low-balling of Audit Fees

Audit Committee Characteristics and Low-balling of Audit Fees Bo Gyu Choi College of Business Administration The Graduate School of Seoul National University This paper aims to investigate whether audit commit tees with certain characteristics effectively avoid initial year audit fee discounts or so called ‘low-balling. ’ Effective audit committees may not be attracted with auditor’s fee cutting in the initial engagement year to maintain high quality of audit. We classify audit c ommittee based on four aspects that signify the quality of the committee: independence, financial expertise, meeting frequency, and tenure. Consistent with prior research, we find low-balling of audit fees exist in Korean audit market and audit committee independenc e and meeting frequency are positively associated with audit fees. In particula r, udit committees with frequent meetings prevent audit fee discounts in the first e ngagement year, suggesting that diligent audit committee plays an important role to maintain high audit quality. Finally, we find that the audit committees which satisfy at least on e f good governance criteria are effective in preventing initial year audit fee disc ounts. Sensitivity analyses also reveal that audit committee expertise is also weakly related to higher audit fees.
Impact of natural weed infestation on the performance of selected sugarcane varieties in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of some sugarcane varieties against natural weed infestation. The trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement and three replications. The sugarcane varieties were the main plots while the sub-plots consisted of weeding regimes. Recommended cultural and agronomic practices were followed to raise the crops. Data were collected on weed density, weed biomass, sugarcane tiller count and cane yield. Our results revealed that Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton, Panicum maximum Jacq, Imperata cylindrica L. , Panicum repens L. , Cynodon dactylon L. and Cyperus rotundus L. were the major weed problems of sugarcane in Ilorin. The monthly hoe weeded treatment had significantly higher tiller count which translated to higher cane yield (22.61 to 72.54 t/ha) than other weed control treatments. The reduction in cane yield was between 80.51 and 97.55% depending on duration of weed infestation. Association of weed parameters with cane yield was negative and significant showed that a decrease in weed infestations will result in simultaneous increase in sugarcane yield. Therefore, in selecting sugarcane variety(s) for breeding programmes, emphasis should be placed on sugarcane growth parameters that negatively and significantly correlated with weed infestation. Key Words : Weeds, sugarcane, plant crop, ratoon, cane yield, tiller count
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Rosmarinus officinalis and Its Effect on Tomato and Wheat Plants

Biological green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver salts is a growing advanced approach to avoid the requirement of costly instruments and involvement of hazardous chemicals as well. However, increasing use of AgNPs raises potential toxicity level in the environment. In this investigation, leaf extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for biosynthesis of AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs were authorized by UV-vis spectrophotometer and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The shape and size of the biosynthesized AgNPs were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM). The toxicity of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on wheat and tomato plants was studied by soaking wheat grains and tomato seeds in 100 mg/L AgNPs and follow its effect on seedling growth of wheat (at 10 days) and on vegetative growth of tomato and wheat plants (at 35 days). Some physiological parameters as germination percentage of wheat seedling, length of seedling, dry weight, pigment fractions (chl.a, chl.b and caroteinoids), soluble proteins, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) of two plants were measured. AgNPs has a non-significant inhibitory effect on germination percentage of wheat, dry weight and pigment fractions. The biosynthesized AgNPs has a noticeable stress effect on tomato plant as reduced chlorophyll a and dry weight. Generally, AgNPs stimulate MDA accumulation in tomato and wheat plants. There was a noticeable different effect of AgNPs on soluble proteins and antioxidant enzymes as catalase and peroxidase among tomato and wheat plants.
Effect of mesh coverings on retention and growth of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat during early nursery culture

Hatchery produced pearl oyster spat are generally transferred to the ocean on spat collectors which may, or may not, be covered with fine mesh to prevent spat loss. This study examined the effectiveness of mesh bag covers on culture units for spat of the blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera. It assessed spat retention and growth in culture units without mesh bags (REMOVE) and in those where mesh bags were replaced weekly (REPLACE), washed weekly (WASH) or left unwashed (NO WASH) for the duration of the six-week experiment. Culture units in the REPLACE treatment had the greatest number of spat at the end of the experiment and 41% more spat than in the REMOVE treatment. Grading of the spat from each treatment at the end of the experiment showed that the REPLACE treatment had the highest number of spat in large and medium size classes with mean (± SE) dorso-ventral height of 23.9 ± 0.5 mm and 17.4 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. Mean wet weight of the mesh bags at the end of the experiment differed between treatments with bags from the WASH and NO WASH treatments having significantly greater mean wet weights than those from the REPLACE treatment. The results show that the presence of a mesh bag around spat culture units may improve retention of spat by between 18-41%. However, protective mesh bags may foul quickly and, to maximise retention and spat growth, weekly replacement of mesh bags should be undertaken.