Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Chinese Acquisitions of Made in Italy Firms in the Luxury Sector

Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) from emerging economies has begun to increase significantly and has been growing at a faster pace than Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the developed world. This research seeks to assess the impact of Chinese acquisitions and their implications for the “Made in Italy” luxury sector and its firms. This paper presents a cross-case analysis of two Chinese acquisitions in order to provide some in-depth insights into the influences and the motives driving Chinese firms to invest in the luxury Made in Italy sector, the patterns and modes of the Chinese acquisitions as well as the competitive strategies and the distinctive challenges that both investors and acquired firms have to face. From the findings, it emerges that both the investor and the acquired firm need to overcome several key challenges to be mutual benefits from the acquisition.
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOR OF GROWING RABBITS SUBJECTED TO FEED RESTRICTION

The aim of this work was to study the behavior and productive performance of fattening rabbits, subjected to feed restriction during the first 4 weeks of growing period. A total of 180 hybrid rabbits (NZ x C) of both sexes 35 days old, were divided into four groups of 45 animals each, logged in 9 cages (5 rabbits/cage). The four treatments were the control diet ad libitum (C) and three different levels of restriction according to the time of feed access: 5h/d (D5); 10h/d (D10) and access every other day, or skip a day (D24). In the last week, animals had permanent access to feed. The access to feed begins at 9:30 pm. Individual weight and feed intake per cage were controlled weekly. At the end of the first, third and fourth weeks, in order to evaluate the behavior of animals, they were filmed during one minute at different periods of the day (9:30, 12:00 and 19:30h). Data was analyzed and determined the percentage occurrence of each behavior. The access restriction to feed for D5 and D24 resulted, respectively, in decreases of 8% and 11% in the final live weight, 16% and 20% in weight gain and 19% and 27% in feed intake, but the feed efficiency increased 6% and 16%, compared to the control group. For the group D10, only significant differences were found in feed efficiency, which has an overall improvement of 16% compared with the control group. No significant effect was observed in health status of animals. In the behavioral ethogram, these restrictions caused a decrease in the occurrence of normal and an increase of abnormal behaviors. Access to feed 10 h per day seemed to be beneficial to rabbits because it does not impair growth and improve feed efficiency, but some behaviors were affected.
Learning To Solve Circuit-SAT: An Unsupervised Differentiable Approach

Recent efforts to combine Representation Learning with Formal Methods, commonly known as Neuro-Symbolic Methods, have given rise to a new trend of applying rich neural architectures to solve classical combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we propose a neural framework that can learn to solve the Circuit Satisfiability problem. Our framework is built upon two fundamental contributions: a rich embedding architecture that encodes the problem structure, and an end-to-end differentiable training procedure that mimics Reinforcement Learning and trains the model directly toward solving the SAT problem. The experimental results show the superior out-of-sample generalization performance of our framework compared to the recently developed NeuroSAT method.
Measuring distributional effects of fiscal reforms

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how to analyse the distributional e¤ects of scal reforms. Thereby, distributional e¤ects shall be di¤erentiated by four subconcepts, i.e. 1. ) the traditional concept of inequality, 2. ) the rather novel concept of polarisation, 3. ) the concept of progression in taxation, and 4. ) the concepts of income poverty and richness. The concept of inequality and the concept of income poverty are the by far most widely applied concepts in empirical analyses, probably since they appear to be the most transparent ones in their structure as well as the most controversial ones in political a¤airs. However, the concepts of richness, polarisation and progression in taxation shall additionally be subject of this analysis, since they appear to be useful devices on the course of analysing cause and e¤ect of the other two concepts. JEL Codes: D3, H2, J22
Supranucleosomal and Non-Nucleosomal Chromatin Configurations

A significant contribution to the understa nding of chromatin organization was the d iscovery of the nucleosome as a globular repeating unit of the package of DNA (Hewish a nd Burgoyne, 1973; Woodcock, 1973; Kornberg, 1974; Olins a nd Olins, 1974; for review see Oudet et al., 1978 a) . In accord with the original definition a nd in ag reement with most workers in this field o f research we identify a nucleosome as a spheric a lor slightly oblate gr anul ar particle 10-13 nm in diameter, containing about 200 base pairs of DNA a nd two of each of the four his tones H2a, H2b, H3 and H4. It is this structure in which the bulk of the nucle ar chroma tin is organized in most eukaryotic cells, with the exception of the dinofl age llates (Rae and Steele, 1977; dinofl agellate DNA, however, c a n be packed into nucleosoma l structures in vitro by addition of the appropriate amounts of histones;the same reference). Although it seems clear from the work reported that condensed and transcriptiona lly inactive chroma tin is contained in nucleosomes as the principle for first order p acking of DNA there are two important questions onto which we are focusing in the present study: ( i ) What is the higher order of p a cking present in and perhaps typical-of the condensed sta te of chromatin, a nd (ii) what is the specific form of arrangement of transcriptionally a ctive chromatin?
Role of lymphoid organ spheroids in chronic Taura syndrome virus (TSV) infections in Penaeus vannamei

Lesion development was documented in Penaeus vanndmej luveniles with experimentally induced chronic phase Taura syndrome virus (TSV) infections by both routine histology and In situ hybridization durlng a 48 wk time course study H~stologically the defining charactenstics of TSV chronicity in P vannan~ej include the absence of acute phase histological leslons a low prevalence of ectoplc spheroid development and rapid successive lymphold organ spheroid (LOS) fornlation and morphogenesis Three dist~nct LOS morphotypes (Types A B and C) were identified by light nlicroscopy The earliest detectable LOS Type A appeared to evolve from activated L 0 tubule phagocytes that had sequestered TSV The succeeding LOS Type B, contained necrotic cells that were cons~stently TSV-positive by In s ~ t u hybr~dizat~on for up to 32 wk following an acute phase lnfect~on These persistent long-term lnfectlons suggested that TSV replication occurred within Type B LOS, and this satisfied the def~nition of a chronic Infection The termlndl Type C LOS wele cons~stently found to be TSV-negative and characterized by cells with condensed basophilic nuclei a reduction in overall cell size and progressive atrophy leading to degradation without an inflammatory response These cellular changes are characteristic of apoptotic cells, suggesting that TSV-lnfected LOS cells self-destruct, resulting in TSV elimination TSV mfections appeal to have 3 potential outcomes (1) the v ~ r u s may continue to replicate within LOS cells unchecked, (2 ) ~t may be ehminated b\ LOS cells, or (3) viral replication and elimination may occur concurrently resulting in persistent ~nfections Ectopic spheroids were TSV-induced and observed in sltes normally occupled by tegmental glands wlthln appendages, suggesting that they developed trom either hemolynlph-borne phagocytes or futed phagocytes assoclated with the gland We suggest that these cellular masses arise from migrating and/or resident phagocytes transfo~med In response to chronic viral infections or non-self substances too small for hemocyte encapsulation The possibility that spheroid development represents dn unexplored and significant branch of the cell-mediated Immune response of penaeid s h r ~ m p is discussed
icotiana tabacum actin-depolymerizing factor 2 is involved in actin-driven , uxin-dependent patterning

Polar transport of auxin has been identified as a central element of pattern formation. To address the underlying cellular mechanisms, we use the tobacco cell line (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2; BY-2) as model. We showed previously that cell divisions within a cell file are synchronized by polar auxin flow, linked to the organization of actin filaments (AF) which, in turn, is modified via actin-binding proteins (ABPs). From a preparatory study for disturbed division synchrony in cell lines overexpressing
Interfacial mass transport in steady three-dimensional flows in microchannels

Rates of interfacial mass and heat transfer from uniaxial laminar flows through ducts at low Reynolds number follow the behaviour elucidated by Grætz: the local Sherwood (or Nusselt) number falls to an asymptotic value that is defined by the geometry and is independent of the Péclet number. In a previous study, we showed that analogous but distinct behaviour occurs in duct flows that exhibit Lagrangian chaos in the cross section due to spatially varying secondary flows: the Sherwood number follows the identical decay in the entrance region before passing to a Péclet-dependent value at larger axial distances; we called this behaviour, ‘modified Grætz'. Here, we investigate the generality of this behaviour in chaotic and non-chaotic flows for transfer to moving interfaces and across internal interfaces between convectively disconnected sets in the flow. We present theoretical predictions of the transfer rates for these cases and verify the accuracy of these predictions with a tracer-based, numerical simulation. We also present a theoretical criterion for the modified Grætz behaviour in terms of the axial length associated with mixing and the axial length associated with the return of depleted fluid to the reactive interface; we exploit simulation to verify this criterion.
Effects of Natural Gas Compositions on CNG Fast Filling Process for Buffer Storage System

The accurate modeling of the fast-fill process occurring in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled vehicle storage cylinders is a complex process and should be thoroughly studied. Final in-cylinder conditions should meet appropriate cylinder safety standards. The composition of natural gas plays an important role on its thermodynamic properties and consequently, on the fast-fill process and the final conditions. Here, a theoretical analysis has been developed to study the effects of the natural gas composition on the filling process of an onboard Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) cylinder. The cylinder is assumed as a lumped system. The analysis is based on laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. Based on AGA8 Equation of State (EOS) and thermodynamics relationships, the required properties of natural gas mixtures have been calculated. The results are presented for an adiabatic system. The results show that the compositions of natural gas have great effects on the filling process and final in-cylinder conditions. Furthermore, the gas with less methane percentage in its composition is more suitable for the filling process.
Middle Eocene to Pleistocene Diatom Biostratigraphy of Southern Ocean Sediments from the Kerguelen Plateau, Leg 120

The biostratigraphic distribution and abundance of lower Oligocene to Pleistocene diatoms is documented from Holes 747A, 747B, 748B, 749B, and 751A drilled during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 120 on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southeast Indian Ocean. The occurrence of middle and upper Eocene diatoms is also documented, but these are rare and occur in discrete intervals. The recovery of several Oligocene to Pleistocene sections with minimal coring gaps, relatively good magnetostratigraphic signatures, and mixed assemblages of both calcareous and siliceous microfossils makes the above four Leg 120 sites important biostratigraphic reference sections for the Southern Ocean and Antarctic continent. A high-resolution diatom zonation divides the last 36 m.y. into 45 zones and subzones. This zonation is built upon an existing biostratigraphic framework developed over the past 20 yr of Southern Ocean/Antarctic deep-sea coring and drilling. After the recent advances from diatom biostratigraphic studies on sediments from Legs 113, 114, 119, and 120, a zonal framework for the Southern Ocean is beginning to stabilize. The potential age resolution afforded by the high-diversity diatom assemblages in this region ranks among the highest of all fossil groups. In addition to the 46 datum levels that define the diatom zones and subzones, the approximate stratigraphic level, age, and magnetic anomaly correlative of more than 150 other diatom datums are determined or estimated. These total 73 datum levels for the Pliocene-Pleistocene, 67 for the Miocene, and 45 for the Oligocene. Greater stratigraphic resolution is possible as the less common and poorly documented species become better known. This high-resolution diatom stratigraphy, combined with good to moderately good magnetostratigraphic control, led to the recognition of more than 10 intervals where hiatuses dissect the Oligocene-Pleistocene section on the Kerguelen Plateau. We propose 12 new diatom taxa and 6 new combinations in this paper; an additional 41 unknown or poorly documented diatoms are treated with informal nomenclature.
Speckle spectro-polarimetry of solar magnetic structures

We present speckle observations of small-scale magnetic structures on the Sun. They were obtained with the "Gottingen"Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) in the Vacuum Tower Telescope at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, from quiet and active regions close to disc center. A Stokes V polarimeter was added to the FPI to measure V profiles in the Fe I 6302.5 Aline. The setup allows image reconstruction with speckle methods. The achieved spatial resolution in the magnetograms is $0\farcs4$-$0\farcs5$. We describe the observational technique and the data reduction. The results from small-scale magnetic flux elements in a very quiet region, in an active region with pores and abnormal granulation, and in a sunspot with its surroundings are discussed. In the quiet Sun, granular dynamics dominate the time evolution of the magnetic elements. Flux occurs in both bright intergranular points and in dark intergranular spaces. Likewise, with the present spatial resolution, no preference of magnetic flux in abnormal granulation in an active region can be found. Flux occurs in both bright (abnormal) small-scale granules and in the darker spaces in between them. The small sunspot studied has very little magnetic flux in its ambient quiet regions, especially no strong, conspicuous concentrations of returned flux, i.e. of flux with polarity opposite to that in the sunspot.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of severe alcoholic hepatitis in a cohort of 258 Chinese patients

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) has been scarcely studied. We aimed to examine the clinical characteristics and analyze the prognostic factors of SAH in China and retrospectively collected data on patients diagnosed as SAH in Beijing 302 Hospital from December 2003 to February 2014. Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were included. Median in-hospital time was 18 days. Of these patients, 254 (98.4%) were male. The in-hospital mortality of the whole cohort arrived at 25.19%. In the established model for predicting in-hospital death, three variables were finally selected out, including cholinesterase (P=0.012), creatinine (P=0.025) and the presence of acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (P=0.008). Eventually, this model had a sensitivity of 71.7% and specificity 67.9% respectively. In conclusion, the established model can be used to effectively determine the prognosis of SAH and help to improve the management of these critically-ill patients.
RAPD technique application for intraline evaluation of androgenic carrot plants.

The aim of this investigation was the evaluation of intraline uniformity of androgenic carrot plants, obtained by the use of anther culture technique. The material studied comprised plants of 30 lines/clones of R1 generation. The evaluation was carried out using 10 RAPD primers: OPA02, OPA04, OPA07, OPA11, OPB04, OPB11, OPB12, OPB15, OPB17 and OPB18. The RAPD analysis demonstrated significant plant variation within each of the lines studied. This was demonstrated by the presence of quantitative differences in the amplification profiles obtained for individual plants within each line analysed. The results obtained showed that the lines tested were not homozygous and were therefore not DH lines. Miroslawa Staniaszek, Hanna Habdas 88
Learner engagement in peer task-based interaction: Identifying the effect of interlocutor proficiency and task outcome

The goal of current peer interaction research is to develop an in-depth understanding of how peer task-based interaction promotes second language (L2) learning. Situated in this line of research, this dissertation investigated peer task-based interaction in light of learner engagement conceptualized as a multifaceted construct that manifests in cognitive, emotional and social dimensions. Specifically, the dissertation investigated how interlocutor proficiency and task outcome affected learner engagement in tasks during peer interaction, and whether leaner engagement in tasks was predictive of L2 question development during peer interaction. Study 1 investigated whether learners engaged differently during peer interaction when they were paired with peers from different proficiency levels. Fifteen Vietnamese core learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) were asked to work with a peer of higher proficiency and another peer of lower proficiency. The core learners’ degree of engagement when interacting with the lower proficiency partner and a higher proficiency partner was compared. The results revealed that the core learners showed greater cognitive and social engagement as reflected in their behavior. The core learners also reported greater emotional engagement when working with higher proficiency partners, although their preferences did not show explicitly in their interaction. Study 2 examined the impact of task outcome on learner engagement. This study compared learner engagement in the tasks that have convergent outcome as opposed to divergent outcome. A convergent task was the one that required learners to agree on an outcome whereas a divergent task did not have this requirement. The degree of learner engagement between the two tasks was compared to determine whether task outcome affected how learners engaged in tasks during peer interaction. The results showed that learners demonstrated greater cognitive and social engagement in the convergent task than the divergent task. Their emotional engagement in both tasks was not significantly different. Different from Study 1 and Study 2, the last study in this dissertation set out to make a link between learner engagement and L2 question development. Twenty-seven learners carried out five tasks that were designed to elicit L2 questions. A logistic regression was conducted to establish whether learner engagement was predictive of L2 question development, which was operationalized as a stage increase in Pienemann and Johnston’s (1987) development sequence of question formation. The predictor variables included in this logistic regression were cognitive, emotional and social engagement operationalized as question idea units, laugh episodes, and instances of responsiveness, respectively. The results revealed that only cognitive engagement was a significant predictor of L2 question development.
Comparison of the effects of two bongo net mesh sizes on the estimation of abundance and size of Engraulidae eggs

Studies of ichthyoplankton retention by nets of different mesh sizes are important because they help in choosing a sampler when planning collection and the establishment of correction factors. These factors make it possible to compare studies performed with nets of different mesh sizes. In most studies of mesh retention of fish eggs, the taxonomic identification is done at the family level, resulting in the loss of detailed information. We separated Engraulidae eggs, obtained with 0.333 mm and 0.505 mm mesh bongo nets at 172 oceanographic stations in the southeastern Brazilian Bight, into four groups based on their morphometric characteristics. The difference in the abundance of eggs caught by the two nets was not significant for those groups with highest volume, types A and B, but in type C (Engraulis anchoita), the most eccentric, and in type D, of the smallest volume, the difference was significant. However, no significant difference was observed in the egg size sampled with each net for E. anchoita and type D, which exhibited higher abundance in the 0.333 mm mesh net and minor axis varying from 0.45-0.71 mm, smaller than the 0.505 mm mesh aperture and the mesh diagonal.
Legal Origin, Creditor Protection and Bank Lending Around the World

In this study, we test whether bankers make more loans when they enjoy superior creditor protection. We test these hypotheses using bank-level data from 35 developed countries and 113 developing countries over the period 2000-2006 and using a random-effects model that controls for bank heterogeneity. We find that bankers allocate a significantly larger portion of their assets to risky loans: (i) when they enjoy English common-law legal origin rather than French civil-law legal origin; (ii) when creditors’ rights are weaker; (iii) when their banks are larger; and (iv) when the largest shareholder has a lower percentage ownership. We also find that bankers in developing countries, but not in developed countries, allocate a significantly larger portion of their assets to risky loans when legal enforcement of creditor rights is more efficient. Overall, these results provide strong support for the theory of legal origin but provide only mixed support for the “power” theories of credit.
Cointegration and Causality between Economic Growth and Social Development in Saudi Arabia

This paper presents an attempt to examine the causal relationships between economic growth and social development in Saudi Arabia between 1980 and 2011. For that, statistical and econometric techniques, such as unit root test, cointegration and Granger Engels causality through Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) are applied. Based on the aggregation of several indicators to construct a single social composite index, results show that there is significant long run causality from social development to economic growth. This indicates that trickle-up hypothesis is more active dominantly and that development strategies in Saudi Arabia have succeeded to reach significant social development enough to cause economic growth in the long run.