Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Boosting competition on Israeli markets

Promoting competition to enhance productivity at the firm level and resulting income and growth improvement and a lower cost of living is an important economic and social challenge in Israel. Consistent evidence shows multiple deficiencies leading to a dual functioning of the economy between exposed and sheltered sectors. Product markets are hampered by regulations that are far from best practice. Because of its geographical and geopolitical situation, Israel is less open to foreign trade than other small OECD countries. Moreover, its product markets feature monopolies in many sectors. Addressing these issues have been high on the policy agenda since the 2011 “tent protests”, and the authorities have adopted or launched reforms in many domains since then. However, further increases in foreign trade exposure by lowering non-tariff barriers, making regulation more competition-friendly in network industries, especially electricity, and reducing the oligopolistic structure of the food and banking sectors would still have considerable economic payoffs.This Working Paper relates to the 2016 OECD Economic Review of Israel www.oecd. org/eco/surveys/economic-survey-israel.htm Stimuler la concurrence sur les marches israeliens Promouvoir la concurrence pour accroitre la productivite dans les entreprises et les gains en resultant pour les revenus et la croissance et abaisser le cout de la vie constitue un enjeu economique et social de taille pour Israel. Certains elements concordants montrent de multiples deficiences qui menent a un fonctionnement dual de l’economie, partagee entre secteurs exposes a la concurrence internationale et ceux qui en sont proteges. Les marches de produits sont entraves par des reglementations qui sont loin de constituer des exemples de bonnes pratiques. De par sa situation geographique et geopolitique, Israel est une economie moins ouverte aux echanges internationaux que d’autres petites economies de l’OCDE. Qui plus est, ses marches de produits se caracterisent par l’existence de monopoles dans de nombreux secteurs. Les autorites ont fait de ces questions une priorite depuis la « revolte des tentes » de 2011 et ont depuis lors adopte ou engage des reformes dans de nombreux domaines. Toutefois, une plus forte exposition aux echanges internationaux via une reduction des obstacles non tarifaires, une reglementation plus favorable a la concurrence dans les industries de reseau, en particulier dans le secteur de l’electricite, et une organisation moins oligopolistique du marche de l’alimentation et du marche bancaire, serait grandement payante sur le plan economique. Ce Document de travail se rapporte a l’Etude economique de l’OCDE de l’Israel 2016 (www.oecd.org/fr/eco/etudes/etude-economique-israel.htm).
The Distribution and Biogenic Origins of Zinc in the Mineralised Tooth Tissues of Modern and Fossil Hominoids: Implications for Life History, Diet and Taphonomy

Simple Summary Teeth begin to grow in the jaws before birth and continue to appear in an overlapping sequence until each is complete in length. Subsequently, the central pulp (nerve) chamber of each tooth slowly fills in with dentine and the root of the tooth continues to accumulate thin layers of cementum until the individual dies. Each of the tooth tissues, the hard enamel cap, the dentine core of the tooth and the root cementum grow incrementally and incorporate small quantities of blood-born trace elements ingested from our diet into their structure. A chronological record of zinc incorporation exists in each tooth tissue and can be visualised in thin sections, or slices, of teeth using a beam of synchrotron light. Zinc markings in teeth are especially useful and occur at birth in enamel and dentine and annually in the cementum layers. This work shows that zinc is consistently concentrated within surface enamel and in the dentine surrounding the central pulp chamber. Knowing where to sample Zn in modern and fossil teeth enables us to reconstruct a chronology of growth and to determine something about diet in the past from the remnants of different Zn isotopes contained in different foodstuffs. Abstract Zinc is incorporated into enamel, dentine and cementum during tooth growth. This work aimed to distinguish between the processes underlying Zn incorporation and Zn distribution. These include different mineralisation processes, the physiological events around birth, Zn ingestion with diet, exposure to the oral environment during life and diagenetic changes to fossil teeth post-mortem. Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence (SXRF) was used to map zinc distribution across longitudinal polished ground sections of both deciduous and permanent modern human, great ape and fossil hominoid teeth. Higher resolution fluorescence intensity maps were used to image Zn in surface enamel, secondary dentine and cementum, and at the neonatal line (NNL) and enamel–dentine–junction (EDJ) in deciduous teeth. Secondary dentine was consistently Zn-rich, but the highest concentrations of Zn (range 197–1743 ppm) were found in cuspal, mid-lateral and cervical surface enamel and were similar in unerupted teeth never exposed to the oral environment. Zinc was identified at the NNL and EDJ in both modern and fossil deciduous teeth. In fossil specimens, diagenetic changes were identified in various trace element distributions but only demineralisation appeared to markedly alter Zn distribution. Zinc appears to be tenacious and stable in fossil tooth tissues, especially in enamel, over millions of years.
Monitoring and evaluation practices and project outcome of tech start-ups in Ghana: The moderating role of the Business environment

Abstract Issues relating to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) have been established as a key and fundamental tool for the successful implementation of projects regardless of the industry. The study therefore sought to address the following questions: what effect do monitoring and evaluation practices have on tech start-ups project outcomes, as well as the role that business environment play in the relationship between M&E and project outcomes. The study followed a positivist mind-set, relying only on quantitative methods and an explanatory research design. Primary data via structured questionnaire was obtained from 317 respondents in managerial positions in the tech industry and analysed using inferential and descriptive tools. The study found that monitoring practices had a positive significant effect on project outcome. Evaluation practices also had a positive significant effect on project outcome. Business environment was found to have a dampening significant moderating effect in the relationship between evaluation practices and project outcome. However, business environment did not have any significant effect in the relationship between monitoring practice and project outcome. These findings will enable project practitioners understand the dynamics of monitoring and evaluation and the business environment when it comes to project execution. It will further enable project managers, personnel, and donors recognize how significant M&E tools are when creating policies and managing performance. Moreover, tech start-ups should create policies that recognize the integration of M&E in their operations and business functions.
Large conversion rates of NO2 to HNO2 observed in air masses from the South China Sea: Evidence of strong production at sea surface?

Nitrous acid (HONO) plays important roles in tropospheric chemistry, but its source(s) are not completely understood. Here we analyze measurements of HONO, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and related parameters at a coastal site in Hong Kong during September–December 2012. The nocturnal NO2‐to‐HONO conversion rates were estimated in air masses passing over land and sea surfaces. The conversion rates in the “sea cases” (3.17–3.36 × 10−2 h−1) were significantly higher than those in the “land cases” in our study (1.20–1.30 × 10−2 h−1) and in previous studies by others. These results suggest that air‐sea interactions may be a significant source of atmospheric HONO and need to be considered in chemical transport models.
Relationship between Ratio of Pristane to Phytane, Crude Oil Composition and Geological Environment of South Cambay Basin, Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India

The ratios of di-benzo-thiophene to phenanthrene and pristane to phytane joined together suggests the easiest way to know the crude oil source rock depositional environments of the particular area. This type of studies signify identification of the source formation(s) in a basin thereby providing valuable guidance for further exploration of oil wells. The ability to interpret this information from the data analyzed of a crude oil is much valuable during drill stem test of the samples collected from exploratory wells which are characteristically drilled on structural heights, stratigraphically remote from the source formation(s). The ratio of these two compounds is usually interpreted to be an indicator of the oxicity of the environment of deposition 3,4 . Recent advances in organic geochemistry in combination with geological constraints lead us to suggest that the Pr/Ph ratio cannot be used as an indicator for oxygen levels. However, in hypersaline environments of deposition the rationale behind a low Pr/Ph ratio is easier to understand, and in these environments application of the Pr/Ph ratio can be expected to be successful. In the present endeavor the ratio of pristane and phytane of Ankaleswar oilfield has been evaluated to know the relationship of other parameters. The Ankaleswar oilfield is one of the promising field of Gujarat state and contributing 10% of the total production of the Indian oilfields.
Assessing a local ensemble Kalman filter: Perfect model experiments with the NCEP global model

The accuracy and computational e ciency of the recently proposed Local Ensemble Kalman Filter (LEKF) data assimilation scheme is investigated on a state-of-the-art operational numerical weather prediction model using simulated observations. The model selected for this purpose is the T-62 horizontal- and 28-level vertical-resolution version of the Global Forecast System (GFS) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The performance of the data assimilation system is assessed for di erent configurations of the LEKF scheme. It is shown that a modest size (40-member) ensemble is su cient to track the evolution of the atmospheric state with high accuracy. (For this ensemble size the computational time per analysis is less than 9 minutes on a cluster of PCs). The analyses are extremely accurate in the mid-latitude storm track regions. The largest analysis errors, which are typically much smaller than the observational errors, occur where parameterized physical processes play important roles. Since these are also the regions where model errors are expected to be the largest, limitations of a real-data implementation of the ensemble based Kalman filter may be easily mistaken for model errors. In light of these results, the importance of testing the ensemble based Kalman filter data assimilation systems on simulated observations is stressed.
Caractérisation écologique de l’habitat naturel du Sulla (Fabaceae) dans le Nord-Est de l’Algérie

As part of the evaluation and enhancement of plant genetic resources of fodder and pastoral interest in Algeria, a study of the ecological characterization of the natural habitat of Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik. (Syn. Hedysarum coronarium L., Fabaceae) was carried out in Northeastern Algeria. Following a collecting mission, 36 sites of Sulla were randomly selected. In each site, three soil samples were randomly collected. Sixteen soil parameters (soil pH, electrical conductivity, total limestone, total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, carbon, organic matter, the C/N ratio and particle composition) were analysed. Two factors related to topography (altitude) and climate (rainfall) of the natural habitat of S. coronaria were also considered. Variance analyses (univariate and multivariate) showed a high variation of the physical and chemical characteristics between the different sites. The pH varies between 8.1 and 8.94. In most cases, soils were characterized by a clayey texture, but the species may also adapt to other types of texture (clayey loam, silty clay loam, silty clay, silty). Cluster analysis highlighted five groups of sites. The altitude and rainfall seem to play a prominent part in the formation of these groups. Relations have also been found between certain characteristics of the soil and between altitude and rainfall in the natural habitat of the species. The effect of altitude seems to be more pronounced. This study will contribute to valorize and develop S. coronaria in the marginal, isolated and deprived areas where fertilizers are not economically advisable
Interventions to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Uptake of Recommended Vaccines during Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Scoping Review

Tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for the prevention of related morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and postpartum. Despite the established benefits of vaccination for prenatal and postnatal women, maternal vaccination is not universally included in routine antenatal programs, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, the uptake of recommended vaccines among pregnant and postpartum women remains below optimum globally. This review aimed to map the evidence on interventions to improve knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of recommended vaccines among pregnant and postpartum women. We conducted a comprehensive and systematic search for relevant literature in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. Overall, 29 studies published between 2010 and 2023 were included in this review. The majority (n = 27) of these studies were from high-income countries. A total of 14 studies focused on the influenza vaccine, 6 on the Tdap vaccine, 8 on both influenza and Tdap vaccines, and only one study on the COVID-19 vaccine. Patient-centered interventions predominated the evidence base (66%), followed by provider-focused (7%), health system-focused (10%), and multilevel interventions (17%). Overall, the effect of these interventions on knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of maternal vaccines was variable.
Identifying spatial variability of subsoil constraints using multiyear remote sensing and electromagnetic induction.

Subsoil constraints are important growth limiting factors in many soils of north3eastern Australia as they reduce the ability of roots to obtain water and nutrients. However, accurate information on the variability of subsoil constraints across the landscape is difficult to obtain. We developed an empirical3statistical model using historical wheat yield data, remotely sensed (Landsat) imagery and in3crop rainfall to estimate yield variability at sub3paddock scale to accurately identify areas suspected of subsoil constraints at farm scale. The yield predictions for 16 paddocks where wheat crops were grown during 2000308 showed reasonably good agreement with farmer3reported yield (r 2 = 0.50). Analysis of the yield predictions showed 53% of the farm area exhibited consistently low yield, indicating the presence of at least one yield constraining factor. Soil samples averaged for low3yielding areas had substantially high concentrations of chloride in subsoil, high exchangeable sodium percent in the surface and subsoil and high nitrate nitrogen and volumetric moisture in the profile as compared to high3yielding areas. The results suggest that the paddocks or areas of paddocks exhibiting consistently low yields are an indicator of the presence of yield3limited factor/s. This offers the potential to map suspected areas of subsoil constraints.
Composition of weeds and yield as affected by different weed management and planting patterns in field pea and baby corn intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive seasons of rabi 2011-13 at Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to find out the effect of planting pattern and weed management practices on weed growth and yields of field pea and baby corn in field pea (Pant P-13) + baby corn (Surya) intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in split plot design keeping four planting patterns as main plot and four weed management practices as sub plot with three replications. Paired planting of maize (30/60 cm) + field pea (2:2) and planting of maize + field pea (1:1) had lower total weed density than sole planting of field pea or baby corn. Sole planting of field pea recorded significantly higher grain (2264 and 1434 kg ha–1) and straw yields (3263 and 2540 kg ha–1) during 2011-12 and 2012-2013 than yield obtained as a component crop in paired planting of maize (30/60 cm) + field pea (2:2) and planting of maize + field pea (1:1). Baby corn yield was similar in sole, paired (2:2) and 1:1 planting but significantly higher stover yield of baby corn (3576 kg ha–1 and 3533 kg ha–1,during 2011-12 and 2012-2013 respectively) was obtained from sole crop than other planting methods during both the years. The lowest total weed density (66.5 and 67.3 plants m–2, during 2011-12 and 2012-2013 respectively) was recorded in hand weeding at 90 days after sowing which was followed by preemergence application of pendimethalin 1 kg ha–1, post-emergence application of imazethapyr 50 g ha–1 and weedy check. Hand weeding, pre emergence application of pendimethalin 1 kg ha–1 and post emergence application of imazethapyr 50 g ha–1 (30 DAS) improved yields of field pea and baby corn than weedy check.
Espanola/Canjilon Pilot Study: Economic, social, and cultural aspects of public land grazing on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests

Many of the livestock grazing permittees on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests in northern New Mexico are descendants of Hispanic settlers who have farmed and ranched in the region for 400 years. Much of the permitted land was formerly owned or used by local communities under Spanish and Mexican land grants. Cultural differences and historical issues of landownership and use contribute to disagreements between permittees and federal land managers. This study will examine current economic, social, and cultural aspects of livestock ownership by these permittees to help agency managers administer the lands with increased effectiveness by promoting greater cultural understanding.
The Wheat Starchy Endosperm Protein Gradient as a Function of Cultivar and N-fertilization Is Reflected in Mill Stream Protein Content and Composition

Within the wheat starchy endosperm, the protein content increases biexponentially from the inner to outer endosperm. Here, we studied how this protein gradient is reflected in mill fractions using three cultivars (Claire, Apache, and Akteur) grown without and with N-fertilization (300 kg N ha−1). The increasing protein content in successive break fractions was shown to reflect the protein gradient within the starchy endosperm. The increasing protein content in successive reduction fractions was primarily due to more aleurone contamination and protein-rich material being harder to reduce in particle size. The miller’s bran fractions had the highest protein content because of their high sub-aleurone and aleurone content. Additionally, the break fractions were used to deepen our understanding of the protein composition gradient. The gradient in relative gluten content, increasing from inner to outer endosperm, was more pronounced without N-fertilization than with and reached levels up to 87.3%. Regarding the gluten composition gradient, no consistent trends were observed over cultivars when N-fertilization was applied. This could, at least partly, explain why there is no consensus on the gluten composition gradient in the literature. This study aids millers in managing fluctuations in the functionality of specific flour streams, producing specialized flours, and coping with lower-quality wheat.
The Use of English Language to Teach CS1 to Non-Native English Speakers: Students Perspective

The possible negative impact of using the English language in teaching different subjects to non-native English speakers has been the topic of many previous studies. However, not many researchers focused on the students' perspectives, especially CS1 students. In order to provide a better educational experience, the perspective of students on these topics should be known. In this research, a survey was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 393 non-native English-speaking CS1 students from two different countries. The aim was to identify some of the difficulties students may face when using the English language in CS1 courses. The results of this study identified some of the areas in which students most frequently encounter challenges. Additionally, a large number of the surveyed students expressed their desire to use a mix of English and their native language in studying programming.
Early instrumental weather data from Cadiz: A study of late eighteenth and early nineteenth century records

This paper examines some of the oldest instrumental records in Spain. They cover the period 1789 to 1816 for the Cadiz region and reveal strong evidence of a significant and approximately quantifiable degree of warming since those times. In contrast to the middle latitudes, greater temperature increases have occurred during the summer months. Wind records also indicate that the general circulation may have been more meridional than today.