Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Policy options for green regional development: Adopting a production and application perspective

Green and sustainable developments have received increasing attention in recent years due to challenges emanating from climate change and worsening environmental conditions. Although these are problems of global nature, actions have to be taken often at lower spatial scales. We focus on innovation and industrial policies and on the regional level since green development often can be supported here by respective policies. However, effective policies have to consider that individual regions face different kinds of challenges for moving towards a ‘greener’ future. This article develops a framework that allows taking such differences into account. We distinguish between the production side of ‘green technologies’ (i.e. the industries that develop and produce such technologies) and the application side (i.e. the adoption of such technologies by firms and the wider society), and we investigate what challenges might prevail on both sides and explore the potential role of policies for different types of regions.
COVID-19: One of the Worst Pandemic having a Mysterious Origin

Whole world is now struggling and suffering from CoVID-19 pandemic. The disease has already reached almost every corner of Earth and affected the entire population in a harsh way. Many Government research organizations as well as biotech companies are in a race track of vaccine development but none have gained success yet. Researchers are still trying to figure out the actual origin of the SARS-CoV-2 which may pave a helpful way in vaccine development, while most of the reports suggest its origin from Wuhan, China. While many countries are accusing China for its probable lab origin, most researchers supports it natural origin that are discussed here. This review covers the structure, evolution, current researches and the therapeutics that are now used in some countries to help patients recover from this viral infections. Some preventive measures as per the WHO and CDC guidelines are also discussed here.
Blockade of Catecholamine Reuptake in the Prelimbic Cortex Decreases Top-down Attentional Control in Response to Novel, but Not Familiar Appetitive Distracters, within a Timing Paradigm

Emotionally charged distracters delay timing behavior. Increasing catecholamine levels within the prelimbic cortex has beneficial effects on timing by decreasing the delay after aversive distracters. We examined whether increasing catecholamine levels within the prelimbic cortex also protects against the deleterious timing delays caused by novel distracters or by familiar appetitive distracters. Rats were trained in a peak-interval procedure and tested in trials with either a novel (unreinforced) distracter, a familiar appetitive (food-reinforced) distracter, or no distracter after being locally infused within the prelimbic cortex with catecholamine reuptake blocker nomifensine. Prelimbic infusion of nomifensine did not alter timing accuracy and precision. However, it increased the delay caused by novel distracters in an inverted-U dose-dependent manner, while being ineffective for appetitive distracters. Together with previous data, these results suggest that catecholaminergic modulation of prelimbic top-down attentional control of interval timing varies with distracter’s valence: prelimbic catecholamines increase attentional control when presented with familiar aversive distracters, have no effect on familiar neutral or familiar appetitive distracters, and decrease it when presented with novel distracters. These findings detail complex interactions between catecholaminergic modulation of attention to timing and nontemporal properties of stimuli, which should be considered when developing therapeutic methods for attentional or affective disorders.
Multicenter Clinical Investigation of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Infection

Background: To understand the clinical characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infection.Methods: The clinical characteristics of patients with VRE infection, members of CHINET Bacterial Drug Resistance Monitoring Network, in 2016, were analyzed and compared to patients with vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus (VSE) infection patients.Results: Urinary tract infection was the main type, followed by bloodstream infection and intraabdominal infection. Compared to VSE infection, VRE infection is observed in more patients who have intravenous catheterization and undergo dialysis. In addition, the proportion of patients complicated with shock, multiple organ failure, and other bacterial and fungal infections is high, the clinical outcome is poor, the hospitalization expenses are high, and the hospitalization duration is prolonged. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that intravenous catheterization was an independent risk factor for VRE infection.Conclusions: Intravenous catheterization is an independent risk factor for VRE infection. Thus, clinical measures should be strengthened to prevent VRE infection.
Large Is Riskier: The Case of European Commercial Banks

Which factors determine the systematic risk of European banks? The issue is very important for regulators and decision-makers in financial markets. This study follows the Beaver, Kettler and Scholes (1970)’s pioneering approach, which estimates true betas of not-financial firms by correcting the observed market betas through the fundamental financial/accounting ratios that better explain the systematic risk. By extending this approach to commercial banks, the fundamental betas of a sample of more than 100 European banks in 2006-2015 period, are empirically estimated. The emerging findings show that size, diversification, derivatives, and TEXAS ratio increase the systematic risk of banks and that the risk weighting of assets, based on Basel framework, does not correctly catch the bank risks (as perceived by the market), since it influences negatively their beta. This evidence weakens the dominant belief among European supervisory institutions and governments that growing up through M&As is the panacea for European banks.
Mixture productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) intercropped with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the humid tropics: effects of sunflower introduction date and organic fertiliser

Abstract. Intercropping is a major production strategy in the tropics. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) are two resilient oilseed crops of high economic potential with contrasting growth and morphological characteristics, which may make them suitable candidates for intercropping. Two field trials were conducted during the late cropping season (July–November) of 2018 and 2019 at Abeokuta, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of organic fertiliser application and varying the introduction date of sunflower into sesame fields on intercrop productivity and efficiency. Sunflower was sown at 0, 10 and 20 days after sowing (DAS) of two varieties of sesame. On average, mixtures that involved either sesame variety with sunflower interplanted at 0 or 10 DAS plus fertiliser application showed a high land-equivalent ratio of >1.00 (biological efficiency), high land-equivalent coefficient of >0.25 (intercrop compatibility), and high economic efficiency in terms of monetary advantage index and sesame yield equivalent. Weight of sesame capsules per plant increased significantly (P < 0.05) following application of organic fertiliser in both years. Similarly, aboveground plant weight of sesame was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced irrespective of the date of introducing sunflower into sesame fields in both years. Sesame grain yield (543.4–636.5 kg/ha) during the wetter late season of 2019 compared favourably with mean values from Africa (473.5 kg/ha) and the world (512.3 kg/ha). Organic fertiliser application significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced sesame grain yield in both years. Delaying introduction of sunflower until 20 DAS of sesame resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) lower sunflower head weight and achene weight per head and depressed sunflower grain yield in both years. Therefore, mixtures of both sesame varieties with sunflower introduced at 0 or 10 DAS and with organic fertiliser applied achieved high intercrop productivity and land-use efficiency, and are hereby recommended for cultivation under humid tropical conditions.
When Does Earnings Management Matter? Evidence across the Corporate Life Cycle for Non-Financial Chinese Listed Companies

Information availability, firm performance, idiosyncratic volatility and bankruptcy-risk vary across the Corporate Life Cycle (CLC) stages. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether CLC stages explain firm’s propensity to engage in both accrual base and real earning management practices in the context of China. Panel data of 3250 non-financial Chinese listed firms spanning from 2009 to 2018 is used to investigate the proposed relationship. CLC stages were captured through Dickinson’s model, while earnings management is measured by employing both techniques, i.e., accruals-base earnings management and real earnings management. The data were analyzed through Panel data fixed-effects and random-effects techniques. Results reveal that, when compared to shakeout phase, managers’ response to use both earnings management practices is significantly higher during introduction and decline phases, and lower during growth and mature stages of CLC. It suggests that introductory and later-staged firms distort their factual financial information from creditors to obtain loans without strict debt covenants. Our results are robust to alternate measures and specifications. The core contribution of this research is to add a fresh perspective to the CLC research by uncovering its imperative role in influencing the earning management behavior of corporate managers.
The Effect of Degradation and Stabilization on the Mechanical Properties of Polymers Using Polypropylene Blends as the Main Example

Degradation can result from a variety of chemical, physical and mechanical mechanisms, most of them involving a reduction of molecular weight and thus a decrease in the mechanical performance of the degraded polymer. A clear understanding and control of these mechanisms is absolutely essential: without stabilization some polymers (e.g. PVC, polyolefins) would not survive their processing undamaged. In this paper an overview of the different degradation mechanisms, their effect on molecular chains, and the methods used to characterize the extent of degradation will be given. Subsequently we establish some fundamental relationships between the microstructure and the mechanical performance (of thermoplastic polymers) using differently aged and stabilized polypropylene (PP) - EPR compounds. In particular we investigate the influence of two types of heat stabilizers (phenolic antioxidants and hindered amine stabilizer HAS) on the degradation behaviour of test specimens thermally aged at 120 and 135°C respectively. From an investigation of the changes with aging time in structure and low-strain properties (yield stress, strain at yield, tensile modulus) and from the differences in the evolution of the fracture properties a molecular model of the chain scission mechanisms and of inter-lamellar connectivity (through tie-chain molecules) has been established, which allowed an explanation of the gradual change of the dominant deformation mechanism from cold drawing to crazing and brittle fracture.
Investigating Health Status Among Women Aged 50-70 years old in Hunan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional study

Background: As promotion of the Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016-2020 and the Outline of the "Healthy China 2030" Plan, healthy ageing becomes a hot pot. It is crucial to identify health status of senior women and acquire characteristics of them. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the health of women aged 50-70 in Hunan Province of China, come out coping strategy and prompt an active discussion for healthy ageing.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 communities randomly selected from 5 sampled districts and 5counties in Hunan Province. A self-designed and structured questionnaire was used, included demographic data, diseases-related information, self-reported health, health behaviors, and psychological health. The data was collected by well-trained workers, double-entered into EpiData 3.0 and analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results: Among the 2585 senior women, 51.0% was chronic diseases, 49.6% was gynecopathy and 23.6% was mastopathy. Age [OR=1.394, 95% CI=(1.63-1.670)], household type [OR=1.700, 95% CI=(1.416-2.042)], BMI [OR=1.194, 95% CI=(1.043-1.367)], average monthly household income [OR=0.884, 95% CI=(0.809-0.965)] and self-reported physical health [OR=4.659, 95% CI=(3.913-5.546)] were significantly associated with chronic diseases. Age [OR=0.668, 95% CI=(0.564-0.792)], household type [OR=1.335, 95% CI=(1.094-1.629)], occupation [OR=1.045, 95% CI=(1.002-1.090)], average monthly household income [OR=1.243, 95% CI=(1.143-1.352)] and self-reported physical health [OR=1.748, 95% CI=(1.510-2.024)] were significantly associated with gynecopathy. Age [OR=0.749, 95% CI=(0.616-0.910)], household type [OR=1.603, 95% CI=(1.269-2.026)], occupation [OR=1.057, 95% CI=(1.009-1.108)], average monthly household income [OR=1.233, 95% CI=(1.127-1.350)] and self-reported physical health [OR=1.272, 95% CI=(1.077-1.502)] were significantly associated with mastopathy. Age [OR=0.778, 95% CI=(0.645-0.939)], household type [OR=2.090, 95% CI=(1.733-2.520)], and BMI [OR=1.218, 95% CI=(1.061-1.399)] were significantly associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. Age [OR=0.829, 95% CI=(0.701-0.980)] and occupation [OR=0.956, 95% CI=(0.923-0.990)] were significantly associated with regular physical examinations. Household type [OR=0.642, 95% CI=(0.398-1.035)] and self-reported physical health [OR=1.983, 95% CI=(1.340-2.935)] were significantly associated with anxiety.Conclusion: This cross-sectional study shows good description as an appropriate investigation for the identification of women aged 50-70 with certain diseases, health behaviors and psychological health problems in a representative and community-conducted sample of women in Hunan Province of China. It discloses their poor health status.
Effect of nitrogen fertiliser rates and defoliation regimes on the vertical structure and composition (crude protein content and digestibility) of a grass sward

The vertical sward structure (proportions of lamina and sheath) and sward composition (crude protein and digestibility) have an effect on animal behaviour and performance, but their variation through management is not well known. We studied the effect of defoliation regime and nitrogen supply on these sward characteristics. There were six treatments, two nitrogen fertiliser rates combined with three defoliation regimes. Two of the latter mimicked a long growth duration (up to 7 weeks) and one mimicked a short period of regrowth (2 weeks). The swards were cut 7 cm from ground level. We found that there was a single relationship between sheath length and sward height, regardless of treatment and sampling date. For the treatments which mimicked a long growth duration, crude protein and digestibility decreased linearly from the top to the base of the sward when these decreases were expressed per unit of herbage mass. Conversely, for the treatments which mimicked a short growth duration, crude protein and digestibility fell quickly between the upper layers and those close to the ground. This discontinuity was the result of a smaller number of laminae per tiller than for the other treatments, whereas the composition of the sheath was the same. For resting periods longer than 20 days a model was proposed to simulate the effect of sward defoliation depth on the chemical composition of the diet selected by grazing animals according to available herbage mass before and during grazing. From a practical point of view the sward height alone could not be used to predict the sward composition from the top to the base of the sward and its effect on diet selection by grazers. The length of the resting period needs to be known in addition to the residual sward height. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
The Dependence of the Debye Temperature on the Elastic Constants

Sophisticated methods have been put forward in the literature to calculate Debye temperatures from the elastic constants C ik . As a simple alternative method for cubic crystals, a relation is often used that correlates Debye temperature and bulk modulus (c 11 + 2c 12 )/3 by a square-root law. It is shown that, with exception of the alkali metals, such a law is only poorly fulfilled for other cubic elements and compounds. If one takes, however, elastic moduli such as [c 44 (c 11 - c 12 ) (c 11 + c 12 + 2c 44 )] 1/3 or {c 44 [(c 11 - c 12 ) c 44 /2] 1/2 (c 11 - c 12 + c 44 )/3} 1/3 instead of the bulk modulus the square-root law is established for various cubic material classes. This procedure eventually allows to easily evaluate hitherto unknown Debye temperatures from the elastic constants with high precision.
Physicochemical and rheological characterizations of Cocos nucifera L. and Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (Arecaceae) oils for black hair shampoo formulation

Black hair suffers from a lipid deficiency, either on the surface with a decrease in sebaceous secretion or in depth with a lack of covalent bonds between the lipids and the cuticular cells. The result is a porous cuticle, a dull, rough hair that is difficult to untangle and breaks easily. The aim of this study was to evaluate properties of oils extracted from Cocos nucifera and Elaeis guineensis intended for the formulation of shampoos for black hair. Physicochemical and rheological analyses were carried out. Both oils showed a refractive index of 1.45 and melting points of 28 °C and 30 °C for coconut oil and palm kernel oil, respectively. The relative densities, moisture contents, saponification indexes, peroxide values, unsaponifiable matter contents, para-anisidine values were relatively similar while iodine and acid values were different. Both oils are rich in lauric, oleic and linoleic acids. These oils exhibited a Newtonian behavior and a dominant elastic nature after their melting temperature in the study conditions. They could constitute active ingredients for the formulation of shampoo for black hair in view of their different characteristics.Keywords: Physico-chemical analyses, rheological parameters, Cocos nucifera oil, Elaeis guineensis oil.
Unraveling the Role of Maize Cell Wall Hydroxycinnamates in Digestibility, Biofuel Production and Pest Resistance Using A Multi-Parent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) Approach. 

Background: Mechanical resistance due to higher hydroxycinnamate content makes maize tissues more recalcitrant to damage by insects, less digestible by ruminants, and less suitable for biofuel production. The integrated study of the maize functional genetic variability for each hydroxycinnamate component could be crucial to identify relevant genetic variants that may be incorporated into selection programs to breed maize varieties for multiple uses. A Genome Wide Association study was carried out a in a maize Multiparent-Advanced Intercross (MAGIC) Population to indentify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with cell wall bound hydroxycinnamates;and we checked thereafter their relationship with SNPs significantly associated with saccharification efficiency, digestibility of organic matter and corn borer damage.Results: We found 24 SNPs, corresponding to15 QTL, significantly associated with cell wall bound hydroxycinnamates. Each SNP explained between 6 and 8% of the total variability. We define new genomic regions and genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis and modifications, and the oxidative coupling associatted to cell wall hydroxycinnamates content. Conclusions: SNPs explained a small proportion of the variability for hydroxycinnamates, saccharification efficiency, digestibility or insect damage, therefore we recommend a genomic selection approach for future breeding programs of these traits. In addition, no colocalizations were found between hydroxycinnamates and final-use-related traits so breeding strategies can be focus on each particular trait with no side effects on the others.
Palladium(II) Complexes with 1,1‘−Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenes [Fe(η5-C5R4PPh2)2]n+ (dppf, R = H, n = 0; dppomf, R = Me, n = 0; dppomf+, R = Me, n = 1). Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity in Ethene Methoxycarbonylation

Several palladium(II) complexes with 1,1‘-bis(diphenylphosphino)octamethylferrocene (dppomf) and its oxidized form 1,1‘-bis(diphenylphosphino)octamethylferrocenium (dppomf+) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. For comparative purposes, analogous Pd(II) derivatives with 1,1‘-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) have been also prepared. Single-crystal X-ray analyses have been carried out for the square-planar mononuclear compounds [Pd(H2O)2(dppf)](OTf)2 and [Pd(H2O)2(dppomf)](OTf)2 and for the binuclear complex [Pd(μ-OPF2O)(dppomf+)]2(BF4)4·6CH2Cl2 in which two [Pd(dppomf+)]3+ moieties are held together by the oxygen atoms of two bridging PO2F2- groups derived from the oxidative degradation of PF6- ions. Selected dppf and dppomf Pd(II) complexes have been employed as catalyst precursors for the methoxycarbonylation of ethene (600 psi, 1:1 CO/C2H4, 85 °C). It has been found that dppomf generates selective catalysts for the production of methyl propanoate, w.
FRANCHISE ALAN İŞLETMELERİN PARTNER SEÇİMİ: GIDA SEKTÖRÜNDE NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA

M13 Bu çalışmanın amacı gıda sektöründe franchiseelerin franchisorı seçme nedenlerini ortaya koymak ve bazı değişkenlerle karşılaştırma yapmaktır. Bu nedenle derinlemesine bilgi almak amacıyla yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniğinin kullanıldığı araştırmada, literatür taraması sonucunda oluşturulan soru formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini Antalya ve Burdur illerinde gıda sektöründe faaliyet gösteren kolayda ve kartopu örneklem yöntemiyle ulaşılmış toplam 16 franchisee oluşturmaktadır. Yapılan görüşmeler MAXQDA 18.0 paket programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Analizler sonucunda franchise alan işletmelerin partner seçiminde en fazla dikkat ettiği faktörün konsept – ürün çeşitliliği olduğu görülmüştür. Ardından sırasıyla ikili ilişkiler, marka, firma potansiyeli, profesyonellik, ürün ve hizmet standardı, yatırım şartlarının uygunluğu, kârlılık oranı ve lojistik desteğin dikkat edilen unsurlar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Girişimciler partnerleriyle yaptıkları görüşmelerde sırasıyla finansman, franchisee kimliği, sözleşmenin tek taraflı olması, yer seçimi ve franchisee olarak faaliyete başlama süresinin uzun olması gibi problemlerle karşılaşmışlardır. Franchiseeler anlaşma sonrasında sırasıyla yanıltıcı/yetersiz danışmanlık, sözleşme şartlarına hâkim olamamak, tedarik ve franchise veren işletmenin yeterli tecrübesinin olmamasından kaynaklı zorluklarla karşılaştıklarını ifade etmişlerdir. Sonuç olarak işletmelerin yeterli oranda partner seçimi kriterlerini dikkate almadıkları ve zorluklar yaşadıkları belirlenmiştir.