Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Has the Covid-19 pandemic undermined public support for a diverse society? Evidence from a natural experiment in Germany

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic has led to widespread worries that the health crisis is resulting in generalized hostility towards minorities and reduced support for a diverse society. Relying on a large survey of diversity attitudes in Germany fielded before and during the pandemic, we employ a quasi-experimental design to evaluate whether such a trend has occurred among the general public. Past work suggests two competing expectations – one anticipating a rise in hostility grounded in threat theories, and one anticipating stability grounded in public opinion research and theories of longer-term value change. Empirical results reveal generally high assent to socio-demographic diversity and minority accommodation, and remarkable stability during the pandemic period. Additionally, survey vignettes show strong and equally stable anti-discrimination norms that are inclusive of Asian-origin populations. Overall, results suggest that surges in racist incidents during the pandemic do not reflect analogous surges in hostility within the population at large.
Effect of the specimen refractive index on the imaging of a confocal fluorescence microscope employing high aperture oil immersion lenses

The effect of the specimen refractive index on the resolution, image brightness and axial scaling in confocal fluorescence microscopy is theoretically investigated for ten of the most popular fluorophores. The calculations are based on a vectorial theory based on Fermat's principle. We show that the axial scaling of the image does not depend on the fluorophore used. Axial scaling factors are derived for objects embedded in glycerol and water. For each fluorophore, the maximum intensity and the full-width-half-maxima of the confocal point spread function are given as a function of the focusing depth. The full-width-half-maxima allow for an assessment of the axial and lateral resolution when deeper regions of the specimen are to be investigated.
PSV-5 Dairy worker perspectives on performing euthanasia as an essential component of their job

Euthanasia is a critical component of dairy management as it provides a way to alleviate animal suffering. Limited research explores dairy worker perspectives regarding their role in performing euthanasia or the impact of this practice on worker wellbeing. Additionally, training offered to caretakers is inconsistent in content and frequency and lacks cultural congruence. This project aimed to identify how euthanasia methods, procedures, and training affect caretaker attitudes towards performing on-farm euthanasia, job satisfaction and sense of well-being of dairy workers and managers. Focus groups, facilitated by Colorado State University researchers, were conducted at five large Colorado dairies. Thirty-eight animal caretakers (workers, n = 29; managers, n = 8; and veterinarians, n = 1) participated in focus groups according to their job description and language of choice (English or Spanish). Focus groups were recorded for subsequent transcription and translation. Thematic analysis was performed to identify recurring themes in the transcripts. Themes that emerged from the focus groups included: stressors related to physical, work, and social environments; euthanasia techniques, frequency, process, decision making, and who performs this task; the language used when referring to euthanasia; animal welfare; and the effect of the human-animal bond on euthanasia decision-making and performing euthanasia. Preliminary analysis of themes indicated that multiple factors influence how euthanasia is performed and the euthanasia decision-making process. Additionally, euthanasia and job-related tasks were identified as sources of stress for dairy workers. Strength of the human-animal bond and worker compassion towards the animals they care for were evident for all participants. Initial analysis showed a lack of caretaker awareness regarding mental health services available in their community. Training programs on dairy farms should incorporate worker health and safety, particularly as it pertains to performing euthanasia, and address the mental wellbeing of dairy workers. Information regarding mental health services in the community should also be accessible to caretakers.
Thinking fast and slow about willingness to communicate: A two-systems view

How does a person decide whether she or he is willing to communicate? Dual-process theories have been influential in the literature on the psychology of making judgments and decisions. Dual-process theories make a distinction between cognitive processes that are fast, automatic, and unconscious (also called ‘experiential’ thinking) and those that are slow, deliberative, and conscious (also called ‘rational’ thinking). The study assesses differences in willingness to communicate (WTC) ratings made based on rational and experiential processes, and differences between native to second language WTC. Data were collected from a sample of 84 students in Iran and 82 students in Canada. Both groups assessed their WTC using English as a second language in Iran and as a native language in the Canadian sample. Data analysis showed that a preference for using rational thinking, as measured by the Rational-Experiential Inventory (Pacini & Epstein, 1999), was correlated with WTC ratings made fast and slow, but only in the second language. We also found WTC ratings were significantly higher when made fast compared to slow, regardless of language group. Pedagogical implications are discussed with advice to teachers how to capitalize on rational thinking and to avoid hesitation in communication.
Gamma radiation exposure of MCT diode arrays

Investigations of electrical properties of long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) mercury cadmium telluride arrays exposed to γ-radiation have been performed. Resistance–area product characteristics of LWIR n+–p-photodiodes have been investigated using a microprobe technique at T ≈ 78 K before and after exposure to various doses of γ-radiation (Co60 Gammas). The current transport mechanisms for those structures are described within the framework of the balance equation model taking into account the occupation of the trap states in the band gap.
COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR NUTRIENT MEASUREMENT IN CALCAREOUS SOILS: ION-EXCHANGE RESIN BAG, CAPSULE, MEMBRANE, AND CHEMICAL EXTRACTIONS

Four methods for measuring quantities of 12 plant-available nutrients were compared using three sandy soils in a series of three experiments. Three of the methods use different ion-exchange resin forms—bags, capsules, and membranes—and the fourth was conventional chemical extraction. The first experiment compared nutrient extraction data from a medium of sand saturated with a nutrient solution. The second and third experiments used Nakai and Sheppard series soils from Canyonlands National Park, which are relatively high in soil carbonates. The second experiment compared nutrient extraction data provided by the four methods from soils equilibrated at two temperatures, “warm” and “cold. ” The third experiment extracted nutrients from the same soils in a field equilibration. Our results show that the four extraction techniques are not comparable. This conclusion is due to differences among the methods in the net quantities of nutrients extracted from equivalent soil volumes, in the proportional representation of nutrients within similar soils and treatments, in the measurement of nutrients that were added in known quantities, and even in the order of nutrients ranked by net abundance. We attribute the disparities in nutrient measurement among the different resin forms to interacting effects of the inherent differences in resin exchange capacity, differences among nutrients in their resin affinities, and possibly the relatively short equilibration time for laboratory trials. One constraint for measuring carbonate-related nutrients in high-carbonate soils is the conventional ammonium acetate extraction method, which we suspect of dissolving fine CaCO3 particles that are more abundant in Nakai series soils, resulting in erroneously high Ca2+ estimates. For study of plant-available nutrients, it is important to identify the nutrients of foremost interest and understand differences in their resin sorption dynamics to determine the most appropriate extraction method.
Impact of Induction Motor Faults on the Basic Parameters' Values

Unlike fault diagnosis approaches based on the direct analysis of current and voltage signals, this paper proposes a diagnosis of induction motor faults through monitoring the variations in motor's parameters when it is subjected to an open circuit or short circuit faults. These parameters include stator and rotor resistances, self-inductances, and mutual inductance. The genetic algorithm and the trust-region method are used for the estimation process. Simulation results confirm the efficiency of both the genetic algorithm and the trust-region method in estimating the motor parameters; however, better performance in terms of estimation time is obtained when the trustregion method is adopted. The results also show the possibility of extracting fault signatures from the motor's parameter values because each type of the mentioned faults has a different impact on these parameters. Under a 10% short circuit fault condition, the mutual inductance and rotor resistance deviate by almost 10% from their original values to lower values. While the stator resistance noticeably reduces by up to 20% during the open circuit fault condition.
ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION OF PYRIMIDINE DERIVATIVES: IV. ANIONIC EFFECTS ON THE PHOTOLYSIS OF CYTOSINE AND O-METHYLCYTOSINE

The course of the photochemical reactions involved in the photolysis of O-methylcytosine is strongly affected by the presence of various anions. Similar anionic effects were noted during the photolysis of cytosine but the products of this reaction appeared to be less suitable for further investigation. Ultraviolet irradiation of O-methylcytosine in water leads to destruction of the characteristic absorption bands, while irradiation in phosphate leads to the production of a new compound with marked absorption at 300 mμ, and irradiation in pyrophosphate, glycero-phosphate, citrate, or cacodylate leads to the production of compounds with marked absorption at 274 mμ. The phosphate-dependent photolysis of O-methylcytosine has been studied in some detail and the product has been isolated and purified. Apparently the H2PO4− ion acts as a catalyst in a reaction which involves the loss of 1 mole of ammonia and the addition of 2 moles of water to O-methylcytosine.
Cauchy matrix structure of the Mel’nikov model of long–short wave interaction

We propose a systematic method to construct the Mel’nikov model of long–short wave interactions, which is a special case of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation with self-consistent sources (KPSCS). We show details how the Cauchy matrix approach applies to Mel’nikov's model which is derived as a complex reduction of the KPSCS. As a new result we find that in the dispersion relation of a 1-soliton there is an arbitrary time-dependent function that has previously not reported in the literature about the Mel’nikov model. This function brings time variant velocity for the long wave and also governs the short-wave packet. The variety of interactions of waves resulting from the time-freedom in the dispersion relation is illustrated.
Does going beyond income make a difference? Income vs. equivalent income in the EU over 2007-2011

In this paper, we study whether taking into account non-income dimensions along with income while measuring individual well-being matters for cross-country welfare comparisons. We focus on the 27 EU member states over the period 2007-2011, using data from the European Quality of Life Survey. Individual well-being is measured by equivalent income, which is equal to the actual income minus the monetary value of suffering from not having the best achievements in non-income dimensions. Cross-country comparisons of these statistics and their growth rates show that going â€œbeyond incomeâ€ makes a substantial difference. In particular, we find that when social welfare is measured by an index sensitive to both mean well-being and its inequality, leaving out non-income dimensions, especially health, from well-being measurement, would leave unexplained more than half of the cross-country variation in social welfare. Taking non-income dimensions into account affects more the part of social welfare that is inequality-sensitive than the one that is mean sensitive.
Clay Minerals at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Interpretations, Limits, and Perspectives

The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was an “extreme” episode of environmental stress that affected the Earth in the past, and it has numerous affinities concerning the rapid increase in the greenhouse effect. It has left several biological, compositional, and sedimentary facies footprints in sedimentary records. Clay minerals are frequently used to decipher environmental effects because they represent their source areas, essentially in terms of climatic conditions and of transport mechanisms (a more or less fast travel, from the bedrocks to the final site of recovery). Clay mineral variations at the PETM have been studied by several authors in terms of climatic and provenance indicators, but also as tracers of more complicated interplay among different factors requiring integrated interpretation (facies sorting, marine circulation, wind transport, early diagenesis, etc.). Clay minerals were also believed to play a role in the recovery of pre-episode climatic conditions after the PETM exordium, by becoming a sink of atmospheric CO2 that is considered a necessary step to switch off the greenhouse hyperthermal effect. This review aims to consider the use of clay minerals made by different authors to study the effects of the PETM and their possible role as effective (simple) proxy tools for environmental reconstructions.
Occurrence of β-lactam and polyether ionophore antibiotics in surface water, urban wastewater, and sediment

The occurrence and fate of antibiotic compounds in the aquatic environment has been recognized as an emerging area of interest in environmental chemistry. An analytical method was developed and validated for determining β-lactam and polyether ionophore antibiotics in surface water, urban wastewater, and sediment based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography–ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The average recovery of β-lactams and polyether ionophores from all the fortified samples was generally higher than 80% (except for amoxicillin and ampicillin). A total of 400 actual water and sediment samples were analysed using SPE-LC-MS-MS to evaluate the occurrence and fate of these antibiotic compounds in a river and a wastewater treatment plant in northern Colorado. Most samples were found to be negative for β-lactam compounds. In those samples with positive results, β-lactam compounds were found at 15–17 ng/L in influent wastewater samples, 9–11 ng/L in surface water samples, and 0.13–0.36 μg/kg in sediment samples. No β-lactam compounds were detected in any effluent wastewater samples. The β-lactams are expected to be easily eliminated in wastewater treatment plants due to the lability of the β-lactam ring towards chemical and microbial degradation. The average concentration of ionophores ranged 0.03–0.05 μg/L in surface water samples and 0.5–3.1 μg/kg in sediment samples. These results confirm that β-lactam and ionophore antibiotics are adsorbed by sediment.
Mentoring and preparing primary school mathematics teachers

This article reports on the mentoring of foundation phase teachers and their development of disciplinary-specific knowledge, particularly how the practicum provides a space for mathematics content knowledge (MCK) and mathematics pedagogical content knowledge (MPCK) for student teachers, given the generalist knowledge base of many primary school teacher mentors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with two Grade 2 mentors and focus group interviews with 12 third-year student teachers in an urban university setting. A two-step process of analysis comprising open-ended coding, followed by a form of deductive coding, within a framework derived from literature on the development of MCK and MPCK, led to two main findings. Firstly, mentors might have hindered student teachers’ development of MCK and MPCK, thus affecting the building of comprehensive conceptual models of good mathematics teaching practice. Secondly, the efficacy of the university-led training for mentors did not seem to have been successful for preparing them to work effectively with student teachers. We therefore recommend that greater emphasis be placed on the development of subject-specific mentoring practices, especially in scarce-skills areas such as mathematics and argue for a set of standards for mathematicsspecific mentoring practices in South African primary school teacher education.
Reducing livestock-carnivore conflict on rural farms using local livestock guarding dogs

Abstract. Livestock depredation can be devastating to both farmers and the species considered responsible if they are subsequently persecuted. Many proposed conflict solutions are limited in their uptake because they may be short-term, localised, expensive or species-specific. Livestock guarding dogs have been a successful solution in many parts of the world, however recommended imported breeds are generally expensive or inaccessible to many rural farmers. In this study, we report on a program placing local Tswana dogs with farmers in Botswana as a tool to reduce livestock loss. Seventy-five farmers who experienced high conflict from carnivores in both rangelands and wildlife areas were selected to receive a Tswana puppy. Puppies were monitored regularly to determine their performance, survival and owner attitudes toward wildlife. From initial baseline reports of goat losses before farmers received a puppy, loss declined by at least 85% over the following three years. Farmers were very satisfied with the performance of their livestock guarding dog and attitudes toward protection and tolerance of wildlife improved after one year of receiving a puppy. Our study suggests locally bred Tswana dogs are an effective solution for livestock at risk to depredation, particularly for rural farmers and development of community-led programs can be further used to reduce conflict.
Reactive arthritis and undifferentiated peripheral spondyloarthritis share human leucocyte antigen B27 subtypes and serum and synovial fluid cytokine profiles.

OBJECTIVES Peripheral SpA (pSpA) is comprised of ReA, PsA, enteritis-associated arthritis and undifferentiated pSpA (upSpA). ReA and upSpA share T cell oligotypes and metabolomics in serum and SF. We investigated HLA-B27 subtypes and cytokines in serum and SF that were compared between ReA and upSpA. METHODS ReA and upSpA were compared in two cohorts. In cohort I (44 ReA and 56 upSpA), HLA-B27 subtyping was carried out. In cohort II (17 ReA and 21 upSpA), serum and SF cytokines were compared using a multiplex cytokine bead assay (27 cytokines). A total of 28 healthy controls with similar age and sex to cohort II were included for comparison of serum cytokine levels. RESULTS In cohort I, HLA-B27 was positive in 81.8% (36/44) of ReA and 85.71% (48/56) of upSpA patients. HLA-B27 typing was successful in 70 patients (30 ReA and 40 uSpA). HLA-B*2705 was the most common, followed by HLA-B*2704 and HLA-B*2707. Frequencies were the same between ReA and upSpA. In cohort II, 14 cytokines were detectable in the serum of patients. The levels of eight cytokines were higher than in the controls. The cytokine levels of ReA and upSpA were similar. Sixteen cytokines were detectable in the SF of patients. There was no statistical difference in the levels between ReA and upSpA. The cytokine profiles in sera and SF were also similar among HLA-B27-positive and negative patients. CONCLUSION ReA and upSpA have similar HLA-B27 subtype associations and similar cytokine profiles. They should be considered as a single entity during studies as well as clinical management.
Anti-takeover Protection and Earnings Management: The Eternity Poison Pills Effect

Objective: This study aims to investigate whether eternity poison pills influence the earnings management level of Brazilian public companies. Method: We collect data from the bylaws obtained on the website of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission, aiming to identify the use of poison pills and “eternity” clauses by 235 non-financial companies. The information needed to estimate discretionary accruals using the Jones Modified model, and the control variables included in the econometric model, were obtained through the Bloomberg® database. For the data analysis, we use quantile regression, considering the outliers present in the sample. Originality/Relevance: This study fills a gap in the literature regarding the effect of eternity poison pills on discretionary accruals, given that this relationship has not been explored in the Brazilian context. Thus, it is relevant for investors and regulators because it provides evidence on the effects of implementing this anti-takeover mechanism. Results: The main results provide novel evidence on the relationship between poison pills and earnings management in the Brazilian context, demonstrating that this anti-takeover device, when associated with an “eternity” bylaw clause, is positively related to discretionary accruals. Theoretical contributions: It contributes theoretically by showing that the managerial entrenchment caused by the adoption of poison pills with “eternity” clauses may reduce the accounting information quality, shedding light for investors and regulators about this effect of implementing this anti-takeover mechanism.
How do weather and climate change impact the COVID-19 pandemic? Evidence from the Chinese mainland

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand, while the relationship between weather conditions and the spread of the virus remains largely debatable. In this paper, we attempt to examine this question by employing a flexible econometric model coupled with fine-scaled hourly temperature variations and a rich set of covariates for 291 cities in the Chinese mainland. More importantly, we combine the baseline estimates with climate-change projections from 21 global climate models to understand the pandemic in different scenarios. We found a significant negative relationship between temperatures and caseload. A one-hour increase in temperatures from 25 °C to 28 °C tends to reduce daily cases by 15.1%, relative to such an increase from −2 °C to 1 °C. Our results also suggest an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship between relative humidity and confirmed cases. Despite the negative effects of heat, we found that rising temperatures induced by climate change are unlikely to contain a hypothesized pandemic in the future. In contrast, cases would tend to increase by 10.9% from 2040 to 2059 with a representative concentration pathway (RCP) of 4.5 and by 7.5% at an RCP of 8.5, relative to 2020, though reductions of 1.8% and 18.9% were projected for 2080–2099 for the same RCPs, respectively. These findings raise concerns that the pandemic could worsen under the climate-change framework.