Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Varieties of National Metonymy in Media Accounts of International Mergers and Acquisitions

International mergers and acquisitions (M&As) often invoke national identification and national cultural differences. We argue that metonymy is a central linguistic resource through which national cultural identities and differences are reproduced in media accounts of international M&As. In this paper, we focus on two revealing cases: the acquisition of American IBM Personal Computer Division (PCD) by the Chinese company Lenovo and the acquisition of American Anheuser-Busch (A-B) by the Belgian–Brazilian company InBev. First, we identify the forms, functions, and frequencies of national metonymy in media accounts of these cases. We present a typology that classifies varieties of national metonymy in international M&As. Second, we demonstrate how these metonyms combine with metaphor to generate evocative imagery, engaging wit, and subversive irony. Our findings show that national metonymy contributes to the construction of emotive frames, stereotypes, ideological differences, and threats. Combinations of national metonymy with metaphor also provide powerful means to construct cultural differences. However, combinations of metonymy with wit and irony enable the play on meanings that overturns and resists national and cultural stereotypes. This is the first study to unpack the deployment of metonymy in accounts of international M&As. In doing so, it also opens up new avenues for research into international management and the analysis of tropes in management and organization.
Sensitivity analysis and calibration of a dynamic physically based slope stability model

Abstract. Physically based modelling of slope stability on a catchment scale is still a challenging task. When applying a physically based model on such a scale (1 : 10 000 to 1 : 50 000), parameters with a high impact on the model result should be calibrated to account for (i) the spatial variability of parameter values, (ii) shortcomings of the selected model, (iii) uncertainties of laboratory tests and field measurements or (iv) parameters that cannot be derived experimentally or measured in the field (e.g. calibration constants). While systematic parameter calibration is a common task in hydrological modelling, this is rarely done using physically based slope stability models. In the present study a dynamic, physically based, coupled hydrological–geomechanical slope stability model is calibrated based on a limited number of laboratory tests and a detailed multitemporal shallow landslide inventory covering two landslide-triggering rainfall events in the Laternser valley, Vorarlberg (Austria). Sensitive parameters are identified based on a local one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis. These parameters (hydraulic conductivity, specific storage, angle of internal friction for effective stress, cohesion for effective stress) are systematically sampled and calibrated for a landslide-triggering rainfall event in August 2005. The identified model ensemble, including 25 behavioural model runs with the highest portion of correctly predicted landslides and non-landslides, is then validated with another landslide-triggering rainfall event in May 1999. The identified model ensemble correctly predicts the location and the supposed triggering timing of 73.0 % of the observed landslides triggered in August 2005 and 91.5 % of the observed landslides triggered in May 1999. Results of the model ensemble driven with raised precipitation input reveal a slight increase in areas potentially affected by slope failure. At the same time, the peak run-off increases more markedly, suggesting that precipitation intensities during the investigated landslide-triggering rainfall events were already close to or above the soil's infiltration capacity.
Adoption and continued use of improved maize seeds: Case study of Central Ethiopia

The literature on agricultural technology is limited on the issue of the continued use of an agricultural technology after it is adopted. This paper analyzes the factors that explain adoption as well as continued use of improved maize seeds in one of the high potential maize growing areas in central Ethiopia. Using a bivariate probit with sample selection model approach, the study provides insights into the key factors associated with adoption of improved maize seed and its continued use. The result revealed that human capital (adult workers, off-farm work and experience in hiring labor), asset endowment (size of land owned), institutional and policy variables (access to credit, membership in cooperatives) all strongly influence farmers’ decisions to adopt improved maize varieties, while continuous use of the seed is influenced by the proportion of farmland allocated to maize, literacy of the household head, involvement in off-farm work, visits by extension agents, farmers’ experience, household land size, and fertilizer usage. Accordingly, policies and interventions that are informed about such factors are required to accelerate adoption and continued use of improved maize seeds in order to increase farm yields and remedy shortage of food and fight food poverty and insecurity more effectively and more sustainably.
Otolith microchemistry in Sicydium punctatum: indices of environmental condition changes after recruitment

The amphidromous life cycle and morphological characteristics of Sicydiinae species allow them to colonise tropical freshwater habitats from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the river basin. Otolith microchemistry of 62 Sicydium punctatum from the Perou River, Guadeloupe (French West Indies) was investigated with a femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (fs-LA-ICP-MS) in order to reconstruct individual life history and follow the possible movements of Sicydium punctatum after the recruitment. Sr:Ca fingerprint confirmed the amphidromous cycle of this species. Variations of Ba:Ca in some individuals indicated changes in environmental conditions after the recruitment in the river. Even if results did not allow concluding to the specific origin of these variations, the hydrological regime and the biofilm composition may have a non negligible influence on the Ba availability. Results supported the use of multi-elemental signatures in otoliths and highlight the need for a large geographical and temporal sampling of Ba and Sr in freshwater systems for a better understanding of amphidromous fish species. © 2011 EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD.
Remidiasi Miskonsepsi Siswa Pada Materi Listrik Dinamis Menggunakan Ebook Interaktif

Based on previous research, the student had many misconceptions occurred in dynamic electrical material so the researcher developed interactive ebook of dynamic electrical material which was integrated with PhET simulation software to reduce misconception on that material. The purposes of this study are: (1) Describe the validity of an interactive ebook based on expert assessment in terms of material, media, and language and three physics teachers; (2) Describe the effectiveness of interactive ebook based on the decrease of student misconception after learning with developed ebook; and (3) Describe the practicality of the ebook based on the student response questionnaire. The method used in ebook development refers to the Instructional Design Strategy developed by Moore & Kearsley with the sequence: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluations. The results of this study are: (1) Development of an interactive ebook is in a very decent category in terms of validity from expert assessment on material, media, and language ebook and three physics teachers; (2) The effectiveness of interactive ebook is in the effective category, it could reduce student misconceptions on dynamic electrical materials effectively; and (3) The developed ebook are very practical to use, responses of students were positively
Testing the Stickiness of Macroeconomic Indicators and Disaggregated Prices in Japan : A FAVAR Approach

This paper compares the stickiness of macroeconomic indicators and disaggregated prices in Japan using a factor-augmented vector autoregressive (FAVAR) approach. We present three main findings. First, fluctuations in common components are the main source of the volatility in disaggregated inflation rates, and generate most of the fluctuations in aggregate inflation. Second, disaggregated prices appear sticky in response to macroeconomic disturbances, but flexible in response to sector-specific shocks. Third, unexpected tight monetary policy shocks have a gradual negative effect on producer prices; however, only a minor effect was observed on consumer prices.
Developing an instrument model to assess teachers’ creativity in designing and teaching music subject

This paper aims at developing an instrument model to assess teacher’s creativity in designing and teaching music at school. The study was conducted by adapting the approach of Research and Development (RD the model development and dissemination. The model development encompassed of model planning, model designing, as well as the try out. While, the dissemination stage was done by presenting the research result at a conference. At the end of the study, it was proven that the assessment instrument model used to assess teachers’ creativity in designing and teaching music subject at school had met with the research aim. It was shown from the try out test on the assessment instrument model development that: (1) the assessment material, assessment technique, rater criteria, assessment object, units of observation, competence test process, time allotment, observation process, measurement criteria, as well as the measurement rubric had been considered appropriate and had provenly matched from one to another so that it can be applied well; (2) the reliability of the assessment instrument based on Intraclass Correlation Coefficients/ICC test on consistency and absolute agreement definition type as well as the Generalizability Coefficient had met the criteria.
On the generalized asymptotically nonspreading mappings in convex metric spaces

In this article, we propose a new class of nonlinear mappings, namely, generalized asymptotically nonspreading mapping, and prove the existence of fixed points for such mapping in convex metric spaces. Furthermore, we also obtain the demiclosed principle and a delta-convergence theorem of Mann iteration for generalized asymptotically nonspreading mappings in CAT(0) spaces.
Burst increases of precipitating electrons recorded by the DEMETER satellite before strong earthquakes

Abstract. This case study developed a method for data processing over six years, from 2004 to 2010, of 70 keV–2.3 MeV electrons recorded by the DEMETER (Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions) satellite. Short time increases in electron counting rates, having 99% probabilities of not being Poisson fluctuations, were statistically selected using geomagnetic invariant space and called electron bursts. Temporal series were analysed confirming the seasonal variations in low energy bands of 70–450 keV. Differently from previous results, the DEMETER results exhibited two peaks of electron bursts: one in the period June–August and one in the period December–February annually. Specifically, six earthquake cases are presented in detail having increases in electron burst number prior to events. Moreover, electron burst precipitation occurring before each strong earthquake of the entire period over the life of the satellite with M ≥ 7.0 was verified as having a probability greater than 97% of not being of a statistical origin. Low energetic electrons in 70–330 keV resulted occurring more frequently near seismic activity than those observed in 330 keV–2.34 MeV energy bands at the satellite altitude in the ionosphere.
Does media coverage influence Corporate Community Involvement disclosures?

This study uses the lenses of the stakeholder and the media agenda-setting theories to investigate the impact of community expectations on Corporate Community Involvement disclosures (CCID) in the annual reports of UK listed companies. Using content analysis and a panel study approach, we find no significant support for CCID/community expectation relationship even after controlling for the effect of firm-specific characteristics and CG variables. These findings may imply that CCID is rather encouraged because it enhances corporate reputations to the advantage of both managers and all stakeholders other than the community alone. Consequently, all parties are encouraged to support CCID initiatives.
Taking farmers on a journey: experiences evaluating learning in Farmer Field Labs in UK

This paper presents results from an evaluation of the Soil Association’s Duchy Originals Future Farming programme which supported regular farmer group meetings (Field Labs) and problem based field experiments. Drawing on the theoretical ideas of the three learning loops (Argyris & Schon, 1996), the paper examines the nature and extent of farmer learning that can be attributed to participation in the initiative. Using data from a survey, detailed interviews and a discussion forum, the evaluation found that farmer understanding of Field Lab topic, practices and skills, and research methods has been enhanced to different extents as a result of participating in Field Labs. However, overall farmer learning is as much about being given the tools and the confidence to go away and try things, as it is about acquiring specific knowledge, skills and practices. The paper concludes by reflecting on methodologies employed for evaluation of learning approaches and arguing for a more embedded and reflective approach.
The Effect of Different Rates of Nitrogen and Plant Density on Qualitative and Quantitative traits of Indian mustard

To understand the effect of plant density and amounts of nitrogen fertilizer on some agronomic characteristics of Indian mustard, an experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with splitplot arrangement with three replications. Nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha) were allotted to main plots and subplots were consisted of three levels of plant densities (80, 100 and 120 plants/ m 2 ). The results indicated that, plant density had a highly significant effect on plant height, seed/siliqua, siliqua/plant, seed yield, biologic yield, 1000-seed weight, oil content and oil yield (p<0.01). All tested traits (qualitative and quantitative ones) were significantly affected by nitrogen fertilizer (p<0.01). Nitrogen×plant density interaction also significantly affected all tested traits (p<0.05) except for plant height and siliqua/plant. Our findings suggest that for semi-arid zone of Takestan, Indian mustard due to its high adaptation to arid conditions can be a good option for spring rapeseed replacement.
Social and environmental causes of allergies

This paper assesses the impact of social factors on the development of allergic diseases in early childhood. Epidemiological research has shown increasing allergy rates with improvements in social economic status (SES). However, we argue that the pattern of social influences on allergies is too coloured to be reduced to mere correlations between allergy and SES only. We would suggest rather explaining effects of SES on allergic diseases by mediating factors of the social and the physical environment. Hence, in our study we analyzed infants with atopic dermatitis as well as infants with symptoms of wheezing for the influence of SES and other socioeconomic variables. Further, we examined whether SES and socioeconomic variables interact with several risk factors of the social and physical environment. Our results indicate that associations between socioeconomic variables and allergies point to hidden influences of the social and physical environment, which must be revealed in order to understand the social causes of allergies. As we did so we could provide evidence that SES is not a causal risk factor for allergies, as is imprecisely suggested by many epidemiological studies. Indeed, correlations between SES and disease outcomes are a powerful measure to indicate social influences on health and illness. But they might only be a first step in a multi-factorial research approach, which assesses the various pathways through which social factor and human health interact.
An Outbreak of Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B in a Thai Layer Farm

Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B was diagnosed and revealed in a layer farm. The infected chickens showed mucous nasal discharge, facial edema and conjunctivitis. Egg production also decreased dramatically. Necropsy findings showed lesions of conjunctivitis and edematous tissue around the eyes. The infraorbital sinuses were filled with a caseopurulent mass and tracheitis. Bacterial isolation and identification was performed and confirmed by PCR technic. A hemagglutination inhibition test using specific antibodies against serovar B revealed the Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B infection. A pathogenicity test done in 10 layer chickens, showed clinical signs of nasal discharge, facial edema and conjunctivitis. This is the first report of an outbreak of infectious coryza caused by A. paragallinarum serovars B in Thailand.
Steady State Design for the Separation of Acetone-Chloroform Maximum Boiling Azeotrope Using Three Different Solvents

− We have designed an extractive distillation for separating maximum boiling azeotrope of acetone-chloroform system. PRO/II 9.4 was used to simulate the overall process. The VLE data adopted from Dortmund data bank was regressed to obtain a new set of binary interaction parameters. Three different entrainers were used for the separation process--dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and benzene--to test their viability for the acetone-chloroform system. Thermodynamic feasibility analysis was done through ternary map diagrams. Two different thermodynamic models, NRTL and UNIQUAC, were explored for the study of overall process.
An investigation of the behavior of Cu and Cr during iron meteorite crystallization

Abstract— The measured Cu and Cr contents in magmatic iron meteorites appear to contradict the behavior predicted by experimental fractional crystallization studies currently available. To investigate the origin of Cu and Cr concentrations observed in these meteorites, a thorough set of solid metal/liquid metal experiments were conducted in the Fe‐Ni‐S system. In addition to Cu and Cr, partitioning values were also determined for As, Au, Bi, Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sn, V, and Zn from the experiments. Experimental results for Cu and Cr showed similar chalcophile partitioning behavior, whereas these elements have differently sloped trends within magmatic iron meteorite groups. Thus, fractional crystallization alone cannot control both the Cu and Cr concentrations in these iron meteorite groups. A simple fractional crystallization model based on our experimental Cu partitioning results was able to match the Cu versus Au trend observed in the S‐poor IVB iron meteorite group but not the decreasing Cu versus Au trends in the IIAB and IIIAB groups or the unique S‐shaped Cu versus Au trend in the IVA group. However, the crystallization model calculations were found to be very sensitive to the specific choice for the mathematical expression of D(Cu), suggesting that any future refinement of the parameterization of D(Cu) should include a reassessment of the Cu fractional crystallization trends. The Cr versus Au trends in magmatic iron meteorite groups are steeper than those of Cu and not explained by fractional crystallization. Other influences, such as the removal of chromite from the crystallizing system or sampling biases during iron meteorite compositional analyses, are likely responsible for the Cr trends in magmatic iron meteorite groups.
Does Regional Integration Promote the Multilateralization of Trade Flows?: a Gravity Model Using Panel Data

We will be asking ourselves whether the trading blocs created or renewed since the end of the 1980s favor the multilateralization of trade, and so constitute building or stumbling blocks with regard to trade flows. In a gravity model using panel data, we estimate a set of three regional dummies representative of intrabloc trade, extra-bloc exports and extra-bloc imports. Taking the resulting three coefficients as a starting point, we propose an original typology of trade creations / diversions and of trading blocs. By applying this to our results, all the groups chosen as well as the Economic and Monetary Union, are shown to be building blocks. No trade diversion is noted, apart from an export diversion brought about by the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Trade Patterns and Perpetual Youth in a Dynamic Small Open Economy

In this paper, I examine the long-run specialization patterns that arise in a small open economy using a two-sector growth model in which households faced with finite but uncertain lifetimes undertake intertemporal optimization decisions. I show that in a small open economy with a positive birth rate, imperfect specialization requires that the subjective discount rate be less than the interest rate. This finding contrasts sharply with Stiglitz’s (1970) finding that a country must be completely specialized if the subjective discount rate differs from the interest rate. In addition, I show that a steady state equilibrium with incomplete specialization can be saddle-point stable.
Chronic Low Back Pain and Disability among Nurses: A Cross Sectional Study from Bam, Iran

Background: Although Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) rarely threatens the humans’ lives, those individuals suffering from such pain experience a variety of health-relate d problems and difficulties such as physical disability. This study aimed to determine the relationship between low back pain and physical disability among nurses working in Pastor Hospital of Bam, Kerman, Iran. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among nurses and paramedics who suffering from chronic low back pain and working in Pastor Hospital in Agu, 2015. Through randomly sampling, 120 eligible individuals were recruited of which 104 individuals were satisfied to enter to the study. The standard tools of Owsestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (Vas) as well as demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. The SPSS software, version 18 was used to analyze the data. Results: In all, 104 participants with mean age of 34.7±8.9were assessed. The majority of the participants (N= 90, 86.5%) were female. There were significant association between functional disability and low back pain intensity (P <0.001). Furthermore, Pearson correlation showed that there were significant positive relationship between duration of back pain and disability (P <0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the chronic low back pains among nurses were related to their disability. Therefore, it seems to improving low back pain among this target group can be an effective step to improve their physical function in their workplaces.