Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An analysis of a benchmarking initiative to help government entities to learn from best practices – the “Dubai We Learn” initiative

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms for managing coordinated benchmarking projects and the outcomes achieved from such coordination. While there have been many independent benchmarking studies comparing the practices and performance of public sector organisations, there has been little research on initiatives that involve coordinating multiple benchmarking projects within public sector organisations or report on the practices implemented and results from benchmarking projects. This research will be of interest to centralised authorities wishing to encourage and assist multiple organisations in undertaking benchmarking projects. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a case study methodology. Data were collected on the coordinating mechanisms and the experiences of the individual organisations over a one-year period. Findings The findings show successful results (financial and non-financial) across all 13 benchmarking projects, thus indicating the success of a coordinated approach to managing multiple projects. The study concluded by recommending a six-stage process for coordinating multiple benchmarking projects. Originality/value This research gives new insights into the application and benefits from benchmarking because of the open access the research team had to the “Dubai We Learn” initiative. To the authors’ knowledge the research was unique in being able to report accurately on the outcome of 13 benchmarking projects with all projects using the TRADE benchmarking methodology.
INVESTIGATION OF JET ENGINE INTAKE DISTORTIONS CAUSED BY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS

The Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery at TU Braunschweig owns a Propulsion Test Facility (PTF) which is capable of investigating future jet engine intakes and fan aerodynamics to a high level of detail. A long-term goal of this facility is the examination of coupled fan-intakeinteractions which is not possible in any existing test bench around the world. Before doing research on these interactions, it is important to undergo proper studies of isolated aspirated intakes and fans under varying operating conditions (design and off-design). Therefore, within the PTF, comparable result of the well-known LARA nacelle to existing experimental and numerical data investigated in the early 1990s at the ONERA F1 wind tunnel has been generated for a first validation purpose. Therefore, comparable studies have been conducted with the LARA nacelle, to that of experimental and numerical investigations performed in the early 1990s at the ONERA F1 wind tunnel (mention reference), in order to generate results for validation. The first results of the validation experiment show differences in peak Mach number between the ONERA F1 and PTF experimental data for identical boundary conditions based on Mach number and crosswind. To investigate this further, a comprehensive numerical study has been carried out. It was inferred that the discrepancy was mainly caused by the Reynolds number effect within the PTF environment and its sensitivity to the inlet flow angle distribution with regard to angle of attack for crosswind. Within the validation test campaign, the experimental investigations showed a separation and reattachment hysteresis, which was identified when crosswind as well as nacelle mass flow had been increased or decreased to set up the different operating points. This phenomenon has still no established theoretical basis for understanding the aerodynamic behaviour. Overall, the applicability of conventional RANS models is shown. Additionally, the sensitivity to the aforementioned boundary conditions and the numerical reproducibility of the hysteresis phenomenon are discussed and compared to new experimental data in detail.
Translocation and hand-rearing techniques for establishing a colony of threatened albatross

Summary Many breeding colonies of Procellariiformes have been threatened with extinction. Chick translocation has been shown to be an effective method for establishing new “safer” colonies of burrow-nesting species, but techniques for surface-nesting species have not been fully developed. The entire breeding population of the threatened Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastoria albatrus is restricted to two sites, Torishima Island and the Senkaku Islands, and neither site is secure due to volcanic activity or political instability. The Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team has recommended facilitating the recovery of this species by establishing at least one additional colony through the translocation and hand-rearing of chicks at a safe historical breeding site. To evaluate the feasibility of this approach, we hand-reared 10 post-guard phase chicks of two related species in 2006–2007: Laysan Albatross P. immutabilis translocated from Midway Atoll to Kaua’i Island, Hawai’i and Black-footed Albatross P. nigripes translocated from a nearby islet in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to Mukojima Island, Japan. In these pilot studies, 40% of Laysan Albatross chicks and 90% of Black-footed Albatross chicks fledged successfully. Following this groundwork, 40 post-guard phase Short-tailed Albatross chicks were translocated from Torishima Island to Mukojima Island in February 2008–2010 and hand-reared to fledging. Their fledging success has been 100% in all three years. Fledging body sizes were similar or greater in hand-reared chicks at the release site than parent-reared chicks on Torishima Island. There were significant differences in levels of some blood chemistry parameters between pre-fledging hand-reared and parent-reared chicks. The techniques developed in our studies have broad-reaching implications for the future conservation of threatened populations of other surface-nesting seabirds.
Variation in phloem resistance of Norway spruce clones and families to Heterobasidion parviporum and Ceratocystis polonica and its relationship to phenology and growth traits

Forty clones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) from eight full-sib families and their parents as grafts in a seed orchard were wound-inoculated with two major pathogenic fungi, Heterobasidion parviporum and Ceratocystis polonica, and the lengths of the resulting phloem lesions were recorded six to eight weeks after the inoculations. Significant variation was found for the lesion lengths both between families and clones within families, with broad sense heritability estimates of 0.21 for H. parviporum and 0.51 for C. polonica. There was no positive correlation between phloem lesion lengths caused by H. parviporum and C. polonica, suggesting that the pathosystems differ in the genetic basis of phloem resistance. No strong relationships were found between the lesion lengths and tree heights and the day of growth start and growth cessation. However, the response to the inoculations was strongest when the shoot had passed the bud-burst stage and was elongating. Quite strong relationships were found for both fungi between the lesions lengths of the offspring and those of the male parents but not for the female parents. The effects of inoculation time for screening Norway spruce clones for differential resistance against H. parviporum and C. polonica and future research approaches are discussed.
Functional properties of the total proteins of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed-effect of physical and chemical treatments

Changes in the functional properties, including N solubility, bulk density, water and fat absorption capacities, foaming capacity and stability and emulsion capacity, of sunflower seed proteins as a result of chemical (washing with acidic butanol) and physical (wet or dry heating) treatments were studied. Functional properties were evaluated in water and in 1M NaCl. Autoclaving at 2 kg/cm2 and roasting at 100 or 150C reduced the N solubility of the proteins. Acidic butanol treatment decreased the foam stability of proteins in water. Foam from samples roasted at 150C or autoclaved (1 or 2 kg/cm2) collapsed faster than foam from samples roasted at 100C or controls. In all cases, the emulsifying stability of proteins was higher in water than in NaCl. Results are explained with respect to surface and physicochemical properties of sunflower seed proteins.
Influence of tillage, planting date, and Bt cultivar on seasonal abundance and within-plant distribution patterns of thrips and cotton fleahoppers in cotton

Abstract Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae( and cotton fleahoppers, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter( (Hemiptera: Miridae(, are considered to be significant economic pests of cotton in Texas, USA. A 2-year field study evaluated the influence of planting date, tillage practice, and Bt cotton on seasonal abundance patterns of thrips and cotton fleahoppers and their within-plant distribution patterns in cotton. Thrips were sampled visually while fleahoppers were sampled both visually and with a ‘beat bucket’ at weekly intervals throughout the growing season. Thrips infestations had two distinct peaks, with the first peak at the one to two main stem node leaf stage and the second peak during the flowering stage. Cotton fleahoppers had only one infestation peak at 13 – 15 weeks after planting (after crop cutout(. Average seasonal abundance of each pest was significantly influenced by tillage practice with higher numbers in conventional tillage compared with that in conservation tillage plots. Thrips abundance was similar between the two cultivars, whereas cotton fleahopper abundance was significantly higher in non-Bt cotton compared with that in Bt cotton. Thrips average seasonal abundance was significantly higher in timely planted cotton compared with that in late-planted cotton. Thrips were more prevalent in upper one-third vertical stratum (51%( followed by middle stratum (33%( and the lower stratum (16%(. Cotton fleahopper within-plant distribution was similar to that for thrips, with 65, 24, and 11% of the total abundance found in upper, middle, and lower one-third of the plant, respectively.
Resource-Use Efficiency in Dry Season Vegetable Production

The growth and sustainability of dry season vegetable farming is necessary in many developing nations to improve food security. It is necessary that producer efficiency in use of available resources is maximized. Resource-use efficiency in dry season vegetable production was assessed with the aim of determining profitability and potential for growth. Data were generated through a survey of 96 producers selected through multistage sampling from four Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria. Farm budget analysis was carried out to examine cost structure while assess profitability and a production function model was employed to examine resource-use efficiency. Dry season vegetable production is profitable with a net return on investment of about 126%, but it is inefficient. Producers can enhance income by increasing farm size and fertilizer use while reducing the level of labor.
Indonesian Cyber Law Formulation in The Development Of National Laws In 4.0 Era

s : The digital age has made the loss of boundaries for interaction and communication which then creates a new world of cyberspace. The cyberspace entity on the one hand provides advantages and on the other hand also causes losses if there is no protection in the cyberspace. Protection of cyberspace in Indonesia is still far from good and tends to be bad. Even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been a victim of the weak protection of the cyberspace. These weaknesses are the implications of the existence of norms that are legal norms which are the basis of the implementation of cyberspace protection in Indonesia. In this paper , we will discuss about the problems of cyberspace in Indonesia and how legal norms should be present as a means of social control and engineering. Especially, the cyberspace in order to realize order and security in the cyberspace. The method used in this study is the normative juridical method with the legislation approach and case approach. Keyword: Digital era; cyberspace; void norms; legal norms Abstrak : Era digital telah membuat hilangnya batas wilayah untuk berinteraksi dan berkomunikasi yang kemudian menciptakan dunia baru yakni ruang siber. Entitas ruang siber tersebut di satu sisi memberikan keuntungan dan di sisi lain juga menimbulkan kerugian apabila tidak adanya perlindungan di ruang siber. Perlindungan ruang siber di Indonesia masih jauh dari kata baik dan cenderung buruk. Bahkan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pernah menjadi korban dari lemahnya perlindungan ruang siber tersebut. kelemahan tersebut merupakan implikasi dari adanya kekosongan norma yakni norma hukum yang menjadi landasan penyelenggaraan perlindungan ruang siber di Indonesia. Dalam tulisan ini akan dibahas mengenai problematika yang terjadi dalam ruang siber di Indonesia dan bagaimana seharusnya norma hukum hadir sebagai alat kontrol dan rekayasa sosial terutama dalam ruang siber tersebut guna mewujudkan ketertiban dan keamanan dalam ruang siber tersebut. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yakni metode yuridis normatif dengan pendekatan peraturan perundang-undangan dan pendekatan kasus. Kata Kunci : Era digital; ruang siber; kekosongan norma; norma hukum;
Cyst-theca relationships in some Protoperidinium species (Peridiniales) from Scottish sea lochs

Recent dinoflagellate cysts were collected from Scottish west coast sealoch sediments and germinated to establish cyst-theca relationships. Fourteen different Protoperidinium species have been germinated and studied using the scanning electron microscope. New cyst-theca relationships are described for Protoperidinium subinerme, P. thorianum and ? P. hangoei. The archeopyle of the P. excentricum cyst is described for the first time. The archeopyles of the cysts of P. pentagonum (Trinovantedinium capitatum) and P. leonis (Quinquecuspis concretum) have previously been described as representing the loss of the second intercalary paraplate, but are here considered to represent the loss of this paraplate and also the fourth precingular paraplate.
An exploratory empirical study of whistleblowing and whistleblowers

The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of whistleblowers and to determine whether whistleblowing legislation would encourage those individuals to bring to light some illegal or unethical behaviour that otherwise would remain in the shadows. ,Having identified whistleblowing correlation, a survey was carried out in Cyprus of actual whistleblowers and could-have-been whistleblowers. ,Males between 46 and55 years of age, regardless of whether they have dependents or hold senior positions in organizations are significantly more likely to blow the whistle. However, could-have-been whistleblowers did not go ahead because they felt that the authorities would not act on their information. ,Because of the sensitive nature of the research topic and the fact that only whistleblowers or intended whistleblowers could participate in the study, the sample size is limited as a result. This, in turn, limits both the number of respondents in each category (actual and intended) as well as constrains the statistical analysis that could be carried out on the data. ,It remains to be seen whether EU Member States shall implement the European Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union Law, in its entirety by the due date, namely December 2021. ,This study provides a literature review of whistleblowing and reports an original survey against the backdrop of the European Directive.
Optical Brighteners Enhance Activity of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Against Western Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Nine optical brighteners were tested using diet-plug bioassays in the laboratory to determine their effects on the activity of Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus ( Cf MNPV) against 4th instars of C. occidentalis Freeman. Five brighteners (Blankophor RKH, Tinopal LPW, Blankophor BBH, Blankophor P167, and Blankophor HRS) enhanced viral activity, whereas 4 did not (Blankophor BSB, Blankophor DML, Blankophor LPG, and Blankophor BSU). The effective brighteners enhanced viral activity 1.76–13.08 times. The optimal concentration of brightener for enhancing viral activity was 1%. Adding brightener reduced the time required for the virus to kill larvae by 30–72%. Further studies are required to determine whether active brighteners may enhance efficacy of Cf MNPV against C. occidentalis in the field.
Seed dormancy and storage behaviour in tropical Fabaceae: a study of 100 species from Sri Lanka

Abstract Seeds of legumes are generally considered to have physical dormancy and to be orthodox, but most seed biologists are unaware of the various kinds and combinations of dormancy and storage behaviour in seeds of this family. The aim of our study was to document the dormancy and storage behaviour of seeds of 100 native and introduced tropical Fabaceae species in Sri Lanka and classify them into germination/storage behaviour categories. Moisture content (MC) was < 16% for fresh seeds of 94 species and >29% for those of six. Seeds of these six species had low tolerance for desiccation and for low temperatures. Thus, seeds of six species are non-orthodox and 94 species orthodox. Nine of the 100 species were non-dormant, and 2, 3 and 86 had physiological, physiological epicotyl and physical dormancy, respectively. Six germination/storage behaviour categories were identified among the 100 species. However, as in extratropical regions of the world, orthodox storage behaviour and physical dormancy are characteristic of seeds of the majority of species of Fabaceae in tropical Sri Lanka.
On Counting Chromosomes in Pollen-Mother Cells

THE genetic study of hybrids between species with different chromosome numbers and of certain mutants requires the counting -of many chromosome groups and raises the question of the best technique for the purpose. The staining qualities of acetocarmine, which has long been used for preliminary work, especially by zoologists, are considerably improved by a trace of ferric salt. (Bolles Lee, ill his well-knowni manual, gives form'nulv for iron carmine; but this has no advantage for sections over iron henmatoxylin.) '
Self-Concept in China: Validation of the Chinese Version of the Five-Factor Self-Concept (AF5) Questionnaire

The principle of invariance is a mandatory methodological requirement for the psychological measures, even when items such as self-concept measures frequently present asymmetric heavy-tailed distributions. Few validated self-concept instruments can be applied in Eastern–Western cross-cultural studies. The Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5) is one of the few psychometrically sound instruments used to assess multidimensional self-concept in Spanish-speaking samples. The availability of the AF5 in Spanish and Chinese would facilitate cross-cultural research. To validate the Chinese version of the AF5, we used multisample confirmatory factor analysis with transformed dichotomous scales from the median to compare four alternative theoretical models. The sample consisted of 2507 participants (52.3% women) from China (n = 1298) and Spain (n = 1209), ranging in age from 19 to 35. Analyses confirmed the five-factor structure of the Chinese AF5 (i.e., academic, social, emotional, family, and physical) compared to the Spanish sample. Moreover, the Chinese version of the AF5 was found to be invariant in terms of item-factor weights, factor variance, and between-factor covariance, compared to the original Spanish version. The findings from this first validation study indicate that the Chinese version of the AF5 is an acceptable measure for use with Chinese-speaking adolescents and young adults.
Characterization of β-sheet structure in Ure2p1- 89 yeast prion fibrils by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

Residues 1−89 constitute the Asn- and Gln-rich segment of the Ure2p protein and produce the [URE3] prion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by forming the core of intracellular Ure2p amyloid. We report the results of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements that probe the molecular structure of amyloid fibrils formed by Ure2p1-89 in vitro. Data include measurements of intermolecular magnetic dipole−dipole couplings in samples that are 13C-labeled at specific sites and two-dimensional 15N−13C and 13C−13C NMR spectra of samples that are uniformly 15N- and 13C-labeled. Intermolecular dipole−dipole couplings indicate that the β-sheets in Ure2p1-89 fibrils have an in-register parallel structure. An in-register parallel β-sheet structure permits polar zipper interactions among side chains of Gln and Asn residues and explains the tolerance of [URE3] to scrambling of the sequence in residues 1−89. Two-dimensional NMR spectra of uniformly labeled Ure2p1-89 fibrils, even when fully hydrated, show NMR line.
The great stagnation of upper secondary education in England: A historical and system perspective

This historical and contemporary assessment of 14–19 attainment and post-16 participation suggests that for the first time in a generation, overall levels of attainment in the English upper secondary (14–19) phase are plateauing. Time-series data has been compiled to present four phases of attainment and participation development since the late-1980s when the education and training system in England transitioned into a full-time post-16 participation model. Closer analysis of the Fourth Phase (2012/13-present) shows several plateauing trends of learner attainment and participation that originate in Key Stage 4, but which are now spreading throughout the upper secondary phase. The analysis proceeds to explore the main dynamics of the plateauing phase – qualifications reform; accountability measures and institutional behaviours that form a new ‘attainment and participation equilibrium’. The article concludes by suggesting that the new trend poses particular threats to middle and lower attainers who could be disproportionately affected by Conservative-led reform and to the performance of the English upper secondary system when compared internationally.