Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does it matter what observers say? The impact of international election monitoring on legitimacy

ABSTRACT Scholars and democracy promoters often suggest that electoral observers’ (EOs’) assessments impact public opinion in a straightforward manner, yet, research on communication cautions against these sanguine assumptions. We test the impact of EO statements on public opinion in two very different contexts using survey experiments conducted among 3,361 Jordanians and Tunisians. Our results demonstrate the need for democracy promoters to consider negative consequences when implementing democracy promotion programmes, and for scholars to undertake further research regarding the impacts of election monitoring on domestic attitudes.
Morphological and molecular taxonomy of a new Daptonema (Nematoda, Xyalidae) with comments on the systematics of some related taxa

A new species of Daptonema is described based upon morphological characters and 18S rRNA sequence. Daptonema matrona sp. nov. was collected in Pina Basin (north-eastern Brazil). It differs from all other species of the genus by the presence of reduced cephalic setae and straight spicules. These features require an adaptation of the generic diagnosis. Moreover, the females are characterized by intra-uterine development of the offspring, considered herein as their major autapomorphic feature. Molecular systematic analyses supported Daptonema matrona sp. nov. as a distinct genetic and evolutionary lineage. The data also indicate hypotheses of taxonomic synonymies amongst some related taxa from Xyalidae as well as the paraphyly of Daptonema. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158, 1–15.
Optical and biological properties of Lake Ülemiste, a water reservoir of the city of Tallinn II: Light climate in Lake Ülemiste

Underwater light climate in strongly eutrophic Lake Ulemiste was studied by applying in situ measurements and model calculations. The attenuation of light in the waters of Lake Ulemiste is rather high, with a diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation, spectral region 400–700 nm (PAR) being 1.0–3.3 m–1. From the subsurface irradiance, only 3–13% reaches the depth of 1 m. However, in most cases, 1% from the irradiance just under the surface of water is available at the average depth (2.5 m) of the lake. A simple model is used for an approximate description of the temporal variation of underwater PAR at different depths. The initial data are the episodically determined values of the diffuse attenuation coefficient of PAR, Kd,PAR and the values of continuously recorded incident irradiance. Light is limiting phytoplankton growth in Lake Ulemiste only for a very short time each year: in early spring and late summer. The study should be continued to investigate the effect of artificially regulated influx and outflow of water and nutrients to toxic cyanobacteria blooms in this lake.
Environment of Internet Marketing and Experiential Marketing in Indonesia Context: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Purchase Intentions

The strategies to employ Internet Marketing and Experiential Marketing by Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) used to increase purchase intention. Therefore, this research aimed to analyse the partial and simultaneous influences between Internet Marketing and Experiential Marketing to purchase intentions. This research used a quantitative approach and took the samples by using a quota sample technique with 100 respondents from Small and Medium Enterprises on Fashion and Food sector in Medan City. The technique of analyzing the data used in this research was multiple linear regression. The result of this research was Internet Marketing, and Experiential Marketing had a positive and significant influence on purchase intention. Simultaneously, Internet marketing and Experiential Marketing had a positive and significant impact on purchase intention. The implication of this research was SMEs must transform from the conventional strategy into an online strategy.
Effects of Various n-3 Lipid Sources on the Quality Characteristics and Fatty Acids Composition of Chicken Egg

The present study was undertaken at Centre of Advanced Studies in Poultry Science, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India. Layer biological experiment was conducted to study the effect of various n-3 lipid sources such as fish, linseed and rapeseed oils to enrich n-3 fatty acids in chicken egg from 20 – 70 weeks of age. The inclusion of n-3 lipid sources (at one, two and three per cent levels) independently and simultaneously in feed had no adverse effect on body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg production, livability, egg quality characteristics and sensory evaluation of eggs in layers. The supplementation of n-3 lipid sources in layer ration had significant (P<0.01) increase of n-3 fatty acids composition such as linolenic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), total n-3 fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids and total n-3 / n-6 fatty acids ratio of egg yolk and a significant reduction (p<0.01) in palmitic and stearic acid concentrations. The total unsaturated fatty acids concentration in egg yolk showed an increase in all the treated groups due to incorporation of various n-3 lipid sources in feed. Feeding layers with combination of fish + linseed + rapeseed oil at one per cent level gave the higher profit margin.
Enterprises’ Servitization in the First Decade—Retrospective Analysis of Back-End and Front-End Challenges

The concept of servitization provides major benefits both for the performing company and for the profiting customer. Thus, during the last years many companies were heading for this well-proven direction tempted by expectations, but have been possibly even not aware of some inherent challenges. Since there are some issues even threatening the existence of companies, and some other rather easy to overcome, it is by all means necessary to consider and deal with this matter. Hence, this paper provides an insight into pitfalls in servitization named “service paradox” and addresses corresponding managerial issues. To operationalize the challenges of servitization, this paper suggests a separation among internal back-end challenges and customer-facing front-end issues, which represents the applied framework for their examination. Besides, the matter of appropriate pricing and the inherent shift of risks towards suppliers are discussed. Finally, the last part concludes the analysis outputs and gives suggestions for the future strategies in the enterprise servitization.
The Implementation of Wraparound Model in Israel - An Alternative to Out-of-Home Placement of Delinquent Juveniles

: Wraparound model refers to community-based programs designed to rehabilitate youth; characterized by multiple risk factors, through "wrapping" them with a variety of assistance agencies, first and foremost their families. The purpose of the current paper was to describe the way of implementation of the Wraparound model in Israel, named the Ma'atefet 1 , which is operated by the Juvenile Probation Service (JPS), as an alternative to out-of-home placement of convicted juvenile offenders. The paper presents an overview of the program's background, objectives and goals, as well as findings of evaluation studies designed to examine the program effectiveness, and case studies of convicted minors that participated in the program in Israel. In consistent with previous studies from different countries in the world, it was found that the program in Israel achieves its main goals, reflected in improvements in the educational, familial and mental condition of the treated youth; reducing recidivism; and preventing out-of-home placement. In light of these many advantages, we recommend policy-makers to expand the program, for the benefit of young offenders, their families and the community as a whole.
Statistical significance of tropical cyclone forward speed on storm surge generation: retrospective analysis of best track and tidal data in Japan

ABSTRACT In this study, 42 years of tidal records and landfall TC best tracks in Japan were used to demonstrate that TC pre-landfall forward speed is significantly correlated with maximum storm surge height. Coastal morphology was the determining factor for the correlation between storm surge and TC forward speed. Fast-moving TCs tended to amplify the storm surge along open coastlines (Pearson correlation coefficient, R = 0.62), but reduce it in semi-enclosed bays (R = −0.52). The negative correlation contrasts with the general perception that the coincidence of TC wind speed and forward speed vectors generates a larger storm surge. The influence of coastal morphology was most prominent for TCs with a central pressure lower than 956 hPa. Tropical cyclone (TC) operational forecasts are continuously improving; however, there is still scope to improve the precision of storm surge predictions. These findings could contribute to the improvement of storm surge forecasting and provide emergency management personnel with more precise early warnings of dangerous storm surges.
Characterization of resistant starch from autoclaved wheat starch

The nature of a particular type of in vitro undigestible starch, i.e. resistant starch (RS), was studied. This type of undigestible starch is found in products processed at relatively high moisture contents, such as baking and autoclaving. The RS was concentrated by enzymic digestion of available starch and protein and recovered by centrifugation. RS from autoclaved wheat starch was evaluated by various methods. The crystallinity was studied by X-ray diffraction and DSC. The degree of polymerization (DP) was evaluated with gel permeation chromatography and iodine binding and the starch content and linearity by enzymic methods. The results indicate that RS consist of crystallized, linear α-glucans of relatively low molecular weight (DP approx. 65). The recovery of RS after various drying procedures, and the introduction of a thermostable amylase (Termamyl®) in the RS assay was also studied. Oven-drying of the fibre residues used in the analysis had no significant effect on RS recovery, whereas freeze-drying was accompanied by a slight increase in RS content. The use of Termamyl®, in the assay of RS in the fibre residues, decreased the yield of RS by 10–15%.
ArduiTaM: accurate and inexpensive NMR auto tune and match system

Abstract We introduce a low-complexity, low-cost, yet sufficiently accurate automatic tune and match system for NMR and MRI applications. The ArduiTaM builds upon an Arduino Uno embedded system that drives a commercial frequency synthesiser chip to perform a frequency sweep around the Larmor frequency. The generated low-power signal is fed to the NMR coil, after which the reflected waves are detected using a directional coupler and amplified. The signal shape is then extracted by means of an envelope detector and passed on to the Arduino, which performs a dip search while continuously generating actuator control patterns to adjust the tune and match capacitors. The process stops once the signal dip reaches the Larmor frequency. The ArduiTaM works readily with any spectrometer frequency in the range from 1 to 23 T. The speed of the ArduiTaM is mainly limited by the clock of the Arduino and the capacitor actuation mechanism. The Arduino can easily be replaced by a higher-speed microcontroller, and varactors can replace stepper-motor controlled variable capacitors. The ArduiTaM is made available in open source, and so is easily duplicated.
Boll Weight and Within‐Plant Yield Distribution in Field‐Grown Cotton Given Different Levels of Nitrogen

Increased understanding of N effects on fruiting and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) could lead to more efficient use of N fertilizer and increased yields. We determined the influence of N rate on boll size and yield distribution of cotton plants by measuring individual boll weights (IBW) and average seedcotton yield at each potential fruiting site (FS). Field experiments were conducted from 1987 through 1990 on Commerce silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, nonacid, thermic Aeric Fluvaquent) to assess the response of cotton to preplant N rates of 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, and 168 kg ha −1 and to split application of 56 + 56 kg ha −1 . Increasing N rate from 0 to 84 kg ha −1 increased average whole-plant IBW by 0.16 g and average yield per fruiting site by 0.29 g [. ]
Application of Mitochondrially Targeted Nanoconstructs to Neoadjuvant X-ray-Induced Photodynamic Therapy for Rectal Cancer

In this work, we brought together two existing clinical techniques used in cancer treatment—X-ray radiation and photodynamic therapy (PDT), whose combination termed X-PDT uniquely allows PDT to be therapeutically effective in deep tissue. To this end, we developed mitochondrially targeted biodegradable polymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocarriers incorporating a photosensitizer verteporfin, ultrasmall (2–5 nm) gold nanoparticles as radiation enhancers, and triphenylphosphonium acting as the mitochondrial targeting moiety. The average size of the nanocarriers was about 160 nm. Upon X-ray radiation our nanocarriers generated cytotoxic amounts of singlet oxygen within the mitochondria, triggering the loss of membrane potential and mitochondria-related apoptosis of cancer cells. Our X-PDT strategy effectively controlled tumor growth with only a fraction of radiotherapy dose (4 Gy) and improved the survival rate of a mouse model bearing colorectal cancer cells. In vivo data indicate that our X-PDT treatment is cytoreductive, antiproliferative, and profibrotic. The nanocarriers induce radiosensitization effectively, which makes it possible to amplify the effects of radiation. A radiation dose of 4 Gy combined with our nanocarriers allows equivalent control of tumor growth as 12 Gy of radiation, but with greatly reduced radiation side effects (significant weight loss and resultant death).
Data limitations and potential of hourly and daily rainfall thresholds for shallow landslides

Abstract. Rainfall thresholds are a simple and widely used method to predict landslide occurrence. In this paper we provide a comprehensive data-driven assessment of the effects of rainfall temporal resolution (hourly versus daily) on landslide prediction performance in Switzerland, with sensitivity to two other important aspects which appear in many landslide studies – the normalisation of rainfall, which accounts for local climatology, and the inclusion of antecedent rainfall as a proxy of soil water state prior to landsliding. We use an extensive landslide inventory with over 3800 events and several daily and hourly, station and gridded rainfall datasets, to explore different scenarios of rainfall threshold estimation. Our results show that although hourly rainfall did show best predictive performance for landslides, daily data were not far behind, and the benefits of hourly resolutions can be masked by the higher uncertainties in threshold estimation connected to using short records. We tested the impact of several typical actions of users, like assigning the nearest raingauge to a landslide location and filling in unknown timing, and report their effects on predictive performance. We find that localisation of rainfall thresholds through normalisation compensates for the spatial heterogeneity in rainfall regimes and landslide erosion process rates and is a good alternative to regionalisation. On top of normalisation by mean annual precipitation or a high rainfall quantile, we recommend that non-triggering rainfall be included in rainfall threshold estimation if possible. Finally, we demonstrate that there is predictive skill in antecedent rain as a proxy of soil wetness state, despite the large heterogeneity of the study domain, although it may not be straightforward to build this into rainfall threshold curves.
AVALIAÇÃO DE PROGRAMAS NUTRICIONAIS COM A UTILIZAÇÃO DE CARBOIDRASES E FITASE EM RAÇÕES DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different nutritional programs associated to enzyme supplementation (carbohydrases and phytase) on performance and carcass characteristics. A total of 2,016 male broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were allotted in third-two pens and fed diets based on corn and soybean meal. A completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replicates of 63 birds each was used. The treatments were designed as follows: T1 - nutritional program recommended for Coob-500; T2 -T1 nutritional program with reduction of 4% of metabolizable energy (ME), 3% of crude protein (CP) and 10% of all amino acids; T3 - T1 nutritional program with 200g/T of carbohydrases and 50g/T of phytase; and T4 - T2 nutritional program with 200g/T of carbohydrases and 50g/T of phytase. The results showed no statistical difference in feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics for all treatments in the period of 1 to 42 days of age. However, feed consumption, slaughter weight and weight gain were affected, the treatments supplemented with enzymes had greater feed consumption than the treatments without enzyme supplementation, besides the highest slaughter weight and weight gain. In conclusion, the use of carbohydrases associated with phytase enzymes was effective to increase the apparent metabolizable energy of diets based on corn and soybean meal. The addition of enzymes to the diet of broilers led to an increase in feed consumption of 5.18%, and improved weight gain in 4.39%. KEYWORDS: broilers; carbohydrases; carcass characteristics; performance; phytase.
SCALE‐DEPENDENT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TREEFALLS AND SPECIES RICHNESS IN A NEOTROPICAL MONTANE FOREST

Recent community studies found no relationship between treefall regime and species richness at the scale of individual treefalls. Here, spatial patterns of trees >5 cm diameter and treefalls (mostly dated by using dendroecological techniques) were described in 6 ha of subtropical montane forest in northwest Argentina, to explore the relationships between treefalls and tree community composition at different spatial scales. Time since gap formation showed spatial autocorrelation at spatial scales smaller than 5000 m2 (Moran's I coefficient). Point pattern analysis (Ripley's K function) showed that very recent treefalls (1990–1997) are spatially associated with previous treefalls (1978–1987) at scales of 1000–5000 m2. At the scale of individual treefalls (100–400 m2), species richness was uncorrelated with treefall regime, and shade-tolerant and light-demanding species were not discriminated in a multidimensional scaling ordination analysis. However, correlation between treefalls and species richness, and the discrimination of regeneration groups, increased abruptly at the scales of treefall aggregations. In agreement with previous studies, this study suggests that isolated treefalls have little effect on species composition and diversity, probably due to recruitment limitation. Instead, this study shows that at scales >1000 m2, treefall regime is a good predictor of species richness and composition of regeneration groups. This may be because treefall aggregations and gap expansion increase the probability of new nearby treefalls being colonized by light-demanding species. These results emphasize the importance of scale and spatial dynamics of disturbances and species dispersal in the study of canopy disturbances and their effects on community composition and diversity.
Quantum technology hype and national security

Technology hype is an important concept in business, marketing, and science and technology studies, but it is rarely related to security studies. What is technology hype? How does it relate to national security? And to what effect? This article examines rational and performative perspectives on technology hype as either a kind of exaggeration or expectant discourse. Adopting the latter view, I compare and contrast hype cycles with threat inflation and securitization theory. I then sketch my own theoretical propositions about technology hype as being common in national security, with variable degrees of acceptance, familiar content, and significant consequences. A case study on quantum technologies provides proof of concept. I find ample evidence of hype over quantum computers, communications, and sensors; audience acceptance in the national security community varies with familiarity; and consequential decisions appear to follow. While cyclical expectations suggest the need for caution when citing quantum technologies in support of quantum approaches to international relations, a middle-range theory about technology hype provides useful insight into security practice.
Response of LUCC on Runoff Generation Process in Middle Yellow River Basin: The Gushanchuan Basin

Runoff reduction in most river basins in China has become a hotpot in recent years. The Gushanchuan river, a primary tributary of the middle Yellow river, Northern China, showed a significant downward trend in the last century. Little is known regarding the relative contributions of changing environment to the observed hydrological trends and response on the runoff generation process in its watershed. On the basis of observed hydrological and meteorological data from 1965–2010, the Mann-Kendall trend test and climate elasticity method were used to distinguish the effects of climate change and human activities on runoff in the Gushanchuan basin. The results indicate that the runoff in the Gushanchuan Basin has experienced significant declines as large as 77% from 1965 to 2010, and a mutation point occurred around 1997; the contribution rate of climate change to runoff change is 12.9–15.1%, and the contribution rate of human activities to runoff change is 84.9–87.1%. Then we divided long-term data sequence into two stages around the mutation point, and analyzed runoff generation mechanisms based on land use and cover changes (LUCC). We found that the floods in the Gushanchuan Basin were still dominated by Excess-infiltration runoff, but the proportion in 1965–1997 and 1998–2010 decreased gradually (68.46% and 45.83% in turn). The proportion of Excess-storage runoff and Mixed runoff has increased, which means that the runoff is made up of more runoff components. The variation law of the LUCC indicates that the forest area increased by 49.61%, the confluence time increased by 50.42%, and the water storage capacity of the watershed increased by 30.35%.
Opportunity/Threat Perception and Inertia in Response to Discontinuous Change: Replicating and Extending Gilbert (2005)

We use extensive longitudinal data from companies in the book retailing and telecommunication industries to replicate and extend Gilbert’s qualitative study on the influence of opportunity/threat perceptions on resource rigidity and routine rigidity in incumbents’ responses to discontinuous change. After discovering important anomalies in an empirical generalization study, we engage in a generalization and extension study to unbundle opportunity/threat perception into the dimensions of gain/loss framing and perceived control and induce a revised theory of the effect of such appraisals on incumbent inertia. Specifically, we induce that (a) imminent loss framing relaxes resource rigidity only when decision makers perceive a moderate level of control; (b) resource rigidity also relaxes in response to gain framing, at least when decision makers perceive the discontinuity as a particularly relevant strategic issue and strongly sense that they can control it; (c) loss framing and low perceived control can amplify routine rigidity by exacerbating resource rigidity; and (d) structural separation creates perceptions of gain and control by fostering the emergence of a local organizational identity in the unit implementing the discontinuous change. We resolve long-debated contradictions in studies on managerial and organizational cognition and discontinuous change, particularly between studies invoking threat rigidity theory and studies invoking prospect theory. We also demonstrate the usefulness of replicating qualitative research that is based on multiple case comparison.