Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Access to Modern Energy: A Review of Impact Evaluations

Universal access to modern energy services, in terms of access to electricity and to modern cooking facilities, has been recognized as fundamental challenge for development and is likely to be included in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. Despite a strong praise for action and several programs at both national and international level, very few impact evaluation studies try to shed light on the causal relationship between access to energy and development, by also allowing decision makers to rigorously assess cost-effectiveness and efficiency of policies and programs. This work attempts to review the literature on existing impact evaluation of access to electricity and modern cooking facilities. For access to electricity we consider as outcomes labour markets, time allocation, household welfare (consumption, income, schooling and health) and business. For access to improved cookstoves, we assess impacts on household welfare. The reviewed literature highlights a significant causal impact of electricity access on important metrics of wellbeing, but more mixed evidence regarding clean cookstove. Finally, we also review the barriers and drivers of access to modern energy services identified by most recent impact evaluation studies.
Evaluation of Anti-hyperlipidaemic Potential of Gum Arabic in Experimentally Induced Hyperlipidaemia in Donkeys

Hyperlipaemia is a pathophysiological response to prolonged negative energy balance associated with gross lipaemia. This study was designed to determine whether treating with gum Arabic would lower plasma lipids in a group of donkeys with experimentally induced hyperlipidaemia. Three groups each of six male donkeys were subjected to four days fasting to induce hyperlipidaemia and then they were randomly assigned to receive either 25 or 50 g/day of gum Arabic for seven successive days or left untreated. Following fasting triglycerides level was increased significantly (P<0.05) in the plasma of donkeys in the three groups. Simultaneous increase in Plasma level of cholesterol, urea, creatinine and albumin was also observed in the three groups following fasting. No significant difference was observed in total protein and glucose concentration as well as AST and ALT activities. Treatment of donkeys with gum Arabic with 25mg/day resulted in significant decrease in the plasma level of triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and creatinine. The level of triglycerides in the group treated with 50g/day exhibited no significant decrease and remained at high level up to the end of the experiment. The concurrent decrease in urea and creatinine may indicate a further positive effect in kidney function. Here it is to be concluded that gum Arabic at dose rate of 25g/day for seven successive days has positive effect in lowering plasma triglycerides level in donkeys with experimentally induced hyperlipdaemia; and that the increase in the gum Arabic dose was not necessary to affect the level of triglycerides in donkeys.
Twisted exchange interaction between localized spins embedded in a one- or two-dimensional electron gas with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

We study theoretically the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida ~RKKY! interaction in one- and two-dimensions in presence of a Rashba spin-orbit ~SO! coupling. We show that rotation of the spin of conduction electrons due to SO coupling causes a twisted RKKY interaction between localized spins which consists of three different terms: Heisenberg, Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya, and Ising interactions. We also show that the effective spin Hamiltonian reduces to the usual RKKY interaction Hamiltonian in the twisted spin space where the spin quantization axis of one localized spin is rotated.
On the complexity of determining tolerances for ->e--optimal solutions to min-max combinatorial optimization problems

Sensitivity analysis of e-optimal solutions is the problem of calculating the range within which a problem parameter may lie so that the given solution re-mains e-optimal. In this paper we study the sensitivity analysis problem for e-optimal solutions tocombinatorial optimization problems with min-max ob-jectives where e > 0. We show that the problem is easy if the original problem is easy. We also show that the converse is true under the assumption that it is possible to calculate an e-optimal solution to the problem in polynomial time.
A Multilevel Model of Responsibility Towards Employees as a Dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility

This multilevel study addresses labor relations (LA) and human resource management (HRM) practices within the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study adds to the growing literature on multilevel CSR by addressing the specific aspect of responsibility towards employees through LA-HRM practices in industrial firms. We design a multidimensional model of LA-HRM oriented CSR with the wider institutional environment, industrial setting and organizational setting as antecedents. The model and findings allow for a broad view of factors associated with practices of LA-HRM as important attributes of CSR. The predictive power of the institutional setting as well as industrial setting are shown to be moderately strong, while contrary the research hypothesis the organizational setting generally exhibits weak predictive power. The former finding reinforces the central role of the external environment and actors in firms’ internal application of LA-HRM practices and CSR. The later finding suggests that contrary to previous assertions, LA-HRM is generally not within the discretional power and influence of firms, and not a not a key area in the context of firms’ voluntary CSR policy but is dominated by externally mandated regulatory requirements.
Qualitative Classification of the La Nina Events

La Nina is a cold episode of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon which is the strongest climatic signal on the inter-annual time scale; besides it greatly affects the world population. It plays an important role in formation of climate and environment anomalies. Based on the global HadISST datasets on sea surface temperature in the Nino3.4 region of the equatorial Pacific in 1870 – 2013 and the South Oscillation index (SOI) data, the La Nina events are selected and described. The obtained results are used as a ground for classifying the La Nina events. Taking into account typical variability of three main characteristics, i.e. intensity, duration and maximum SOI level, three types of the La Nina events are selected using the objective cluster analysis method. Three types of the La Niña events are distinguished by the objective classification. Type I is characterized by maximum duration (more than two years) and the highest intensity, type II – less pronounced features: moderately weak intensity and mid duration, and type III – low intensive and lowor midenduring La Nina events with low values of the Southern Oscillation index. Quasiperiodicity, apparently, conditioned by low-frequency variability in the ocean-atmosphere system is characteristic of the anomalies’ temporal variation corresponding to each of the distinguished types.
Factors and Interventions Associated with Parental Attachment during Pregnancy in Iran: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Parents' attachment to the child is an intimate,warm and continuous relationship which is the basis of the natural development of the child. Attachment starts long before birth, and is affected by a variety of factors that are not definitively recognized. Also, several interventions have been proposed for improving it that their effectiveness has not yet been determined. Given the evidence about the role of cultural and national differences, it is necessary to review existing studies in order to identify these factors and interventions in Iran.Methods and Materials: In this review, Web of Science, Scopous, Proquest,Psycinfo, CINAHL and Pubmed databases and SID, Magiran, Irondoc, Barakat Knowledge Network System as Iranian databases were searched using English and Persian keywords such as prenatal attachment, relationship, maternal attachment between 2000 and 2017, to find articles related to prenatal attachment. The full text of the articles was studied by two reviewer and their main findings were extracted and categorized.Results: Factors and interventions associated with parental attachment summarized into 12 themes: parent education, culture, anxiety, family, planning for pregnancy, history of fetal loss, substance abuse, postpartum attachment, fetal anomaly, paternal attachment, attachment measurement tools, and effectiveness of education on prenatal attachment . Conclusion: the effect of education and counseling on prenatal attachment in Iranian parents suggests the use of these methods in prenatal care. Parentâ��s education, social support and marital satisfaction were significant associated factors with increasing maternal attachment. History of fetal loss, anxiety and smoking was associated with the poor prenatal attachment
A 19-Year Study of the Dynamics of an Invasive Alien Tree, Bischofia javanica, on a Subtropical Oceanic Island1

ABSTRACT A 19-yr study of the dynamics of an invasive alien species, Bischofia javanica Blume, in a secondary forest was conducted in the Bonin Islands, Japan. The study was begun in 1984 when another alien species, Pinus luchuensis Mayer, had begun to die because of infection by a pine nematode as well as typhoon damage in 1983. Diameters at breast height (DBHs) of all trees in a 20 by 20 m plot and heights of all saplings (<1.3 m, ≥0.3 m in height) were measured almost every 3 yr. The total basal area of P. luchuensis decreased over time, and all trees had fallen over by 1998. The total basal area of B. javanica increased more than 10-fold over 19 yr without changes in tree or sapling density. Up to 1990, growth rates of trees of B. javanica were higher than those of two native canopy trees (Pouteria obovata and Machilus kobu), but a third native canopy tree (Schima mertensiana) had growth rates comparable with those of B. javanica. After 1990, there were few differences between growth rates of B. javanica and native species. However, mortality and recruitment of B. javanica were lower than those of native species of canopy trees during the survey period. The higher growth rate, lower mortality, and lower recruitment led to a shift from a skewed size distribution of the individuals of B. javanica toward a more bell-shaped size distribution. Our results suggest that regeneration and maintenance of B. javanica populations in the secondary forests depend on canopy gaps occasionally created by disturbances.
Character Variation and a Cladistic Analysis of the Genus Lachenalia Jacq. f. ex Murray (Hyacinthaceae)

The horticulturally important and botanically diverse genus Lachenalia Jacq. f. ex Murray is endemic to southern Africa, and is the largest member (115 species) of the Hyacinthaceae. The genus is morphologically and cytologically variable. Species delimitation is usually unambiguous but in some instances there is gradation between species. Other species display extensive variation which has led to considerable taxonomic confusion. The close taxonomic relationship with the small endemic, sympatric genus Polyxena Kunth is discussed, and its inclusion within Lachenalia is supported. The aim of the study was to examine the potential of morphological characters in producing a natural classification of Lachenalia. A morphological cladistic analysis of Lachenalia has not previously been attempted. A wide range of characters was analysed, including macromorphology, micromorphology, anatomy and palynology. Two parsimony analyses were performed using the endemic southern African genus Massonia Thunb. ex Houtt as the ancestral outgroup; an initial analysis in which the characters were unweighted, and a weighted analysis using successive approximations character weighting. The high level of homoplasy evident in both analyses indicates that morphological characters on their own are insufficient to trace the evolutionary history of Lachenalia, and other approaches such as molecular and cytological methods will need to be used in conjunction with morphology in order to generate a robustly supported, phylogeny of the genus. The study was based on species in their natural habitats as well as under cultivation, and from representative herbarium specimens.
The Application of Systems Methodology to Curriculum Development in Higher Education

The development of curricula is a major priority of educational systems. The associated concepts, theories and guiding principles are briefly presented in this paper, along with a systemic approach for designing a curriculum. This approach is based on the systemic domain of Systems Methodology that facilitates curriculum development in a holistic manner. The related systemic guiding principles are demonstrated through examples that are presented according to the relevant modelling technique of Organizational Method for Analyzing Systems.
Attraction of Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to different baits in the Brazilian Amazon region

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) are considered essential for enhancing the physicochemical characteristics of soils, principally by changing organic materials (e.g. dead animals, faeces, fruits e leaf litter). This study compared the species richness and abundance of dung beetles captured using various types of baits, to demonstrate attractiveness differences in variable habitats of the Brazilian Amazon. Samplings were carried out with pitfall traps baited with human faeces, rotten banana, rotten meat and a nonbaited trap, in February, March, June, September and October 2015. Habitats included native forests, agriculture areas, pastures and disturbed forests in different regeneration stages. A total of 13 736 Scarabaeinae beetles were captured, distributed over 98 species. Most individuals were captured using traps baited with faeces (76.7 % of individuals), followed by rotten meat baited traps (17.8 % of individuals), fermented banana baited traps (3.9 % of individuals) and finally by non-baited traps (1.6 % of individuals). A significant difference in attractiveness of the different baits used and habitats types was observed. Most of the captured assemblages were composed by coprophagous (42 %), generalist species (32 %), necrophagous (15 %) and none was classified as saprophagous. Approximately 54 % of the specimens were tunnelers, 25 % were rollers and 12 % were dwellers. The species of Scarabaeinae sampled in the region revealed qualitative and quantitative differences among their assemblages and the phytophysiognomies. The forest environments housed the greatest species richness observed, and a fraction of these is exclusive of those areas. We concluded that some species of Scarabaeinae have an important potential as disturbance indicators in the Amazonian ecosystem. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (3): 917-924. Epub 2017 September 01.
Political Representation and Governance: The Case of Second-Tier Councilors in Romania

The notion of governance stresses interaction and co-operation between many interdependent actors and, as such, poses a challenge to political leadership and the traditional electoral- based notion of political representation. Governance-oriented reforms bring about new roles for all actors involved in local politics and policy-making, starting with the elected officials. Among these actors, councilors on both tiers of local government are called upon to take on a new role as goal-steering decision-makers, while accepting a clear separation between politics and administration and the increased interdependence with non-state actors. This paper reflects on the difficulties of accommodating the representational role orientations of local elected officials with the introduction of governance-oriented policy-making mechanisms. It explores two inter-related questions in the context provided by the second tier of local government in Romania: (1) How does the representational role orientation of Romanian councilors look like? and (2) How do Romanian councilors reconcile their representational role orientation with the introduction of governance elements in the Romanian public sector?
Laboratory Characterization of Coal Dust Fouled Ballast Behavior

Fouling refers to the condition of railroad ballast when voids in this unbound aggregate layer are filled with finer materials. As a fouling agent, coal dust coming from coal trains and accumulating in the ballast has become a major concern for railroads. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of adverse impacts of coal dust on railroad ballast drainage and load carrying functions. First, mechanical properties of coal dust were investigated at the University of Illinois through laboratory tests such as grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, moisture-density compaction relationships, and shear strength properties. Then, ballast aggregates were added coal dust at different percentages by weight and moisture contents to represent coal dust fouling in the field. When fouled samples were tested in large direct shear (shear box) equipment, it was found that 25% coal dust by weight of aggregates were enough to fill up all the voids in ballast corresponding to a void ratio of 43%. When the coal dust percentage in ballast samples increased, the ballast shear strength steadily decreased. In the case of ballast fully fouled with wet coal dust at 35% moisture content, the friction angles obtained from the direct shear equipment were close to the friction angle of coal dust itself. This implies that individual aggregate particles within ballast layer would be completely separated by coal dust to most likely cause the worst track instability problems in the field.
"May I offend you?" An experimental study on perceived offensiveness in online violent communication and hate speech

The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of attitudinal and sociodemographic variables on the perceived offensiveness of online communication and hate speech. We conducted an experimental study in which 373 participants rated their perception of offensiveness of four kinds of violent content (direct incitement to violence/threat, exaltation of violent responses, incitement to discrimination and expression of bad taste) with the appearance of posts in the Facebook social network. We manipulated the emitters (in-group man, in-group woman, and male foreigner). We did find that participants' attitudes towards issues related to the content in the violent messages had a significant effect in how they perceived said content. This kind of investigation becomes extremely relevant given the current legal discussion regarding the criminalization of online violent communication and hate speech.
A STATE-DEPENDENT MODEL OF HYBRID BEHAVIOR WITH RATIONAL CONSUMERS IN THE ATTRIBUTE SPACE

This paper presents a dynamic choice model in the attribute space considering rational consumers. The model presents a stationary consumption pattern that can be inertial, where the consumer only buys one product, or a varietyseeking one, where the consumer shifts among varied products. Under the hybrid utility assumption, the consumer behaves inertially among the unfamiliar brands for several periods, eventually switching to a varietyseeking behavior when the stationary levels are approached. An empirical illustration with myopic agents is run using scanner databases for three different product categories: fabric softener, saltine cracker, and catsup. Nonlinear specifications provide the best fit of the data, as hybrid functional forms are found in all the products. The resullts confirm the gradual trend to seek variety as the level of familiarity with the purchased items increases.
Microstructure and hardness of cement pastes with mineral admixture

Portland cement pastes are highly heterogeneous material and exhibits heterogeneous features over a wide range of length scales. Mechanical properties of microstructure can be determined using depth-sensing indentation. Coupled indentation/SEM technique can be used to location the indents and provides a way to determine the mechanical properties of a specific phase. Thus, the present paper aims to determine the hardness of different phases of cement pastes prepared with different mineral admixtures including sugarcane bagasse ash. The microstructure of cement pastes prepared with different mineral admixtures is analyzed by X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic hardness tests on polished sections. The different backscatter coefficient allows to differentiate anhydrous phases from C-S-H, calcium hydroxide, silica fume and quartz. A grid of indentation is used to determine the hardness of the different phases and a complete phase segmentation of the different samples is achieved. The results show that the hardness of the different phases follow the sequence (from higher to lower hardness) quartz, anhydrous particles, calcium hydroxide, C-S-H and agglomerated silica fume. The presence of agglomerated silica fume is clearly observed in scanning electron microscopy images and the poor mechanical properties of these areas might compromise the cement pastes. The microstructure of cement pastes prepared with sugarcane bagasse ashes is similar to the observed in samples with crushed quartz.