Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Workforce diversity policies in practice: drivers and barriers in local administrations

ABSTRACT Employment in the municipal workforce is a key area in which cities shape the inclusion of their population of immigrant origin. While many European cities have developed policies aiming to foster the employment of staff of immigrant origin, little is known about the drivers and barriers of their implementation. Based on a comparative case study of local administrations in one German regional state and drawing on organizational theory, this article explores the role of organizational factors. It shows how the interplay of mainly two factors matters: support from the administrative leadership and the pragmatic recruitment rationalities of the human resources practitioners. Additionally, the findings suggest that the local identity as municipality more or less shaped by immigration also informs practices. The article argues that to understand the implementation of policies promoting workforce diversity organizational structures and rationalities must be considered.
Using unbalanced data from a barley breeding program to estimate gene effects: the Ha2, Ha4, and sdw1 genes

The effects of genes in self-pollinated crops are usually estimated from designed experiments where selection is minimised. In this study, we used a large, but unbalanced, dataset from a barley breeding program to estimate the effects of the Ha2, Ha4, and sdw1 genes on grain yield, grain weight, grain protein, malt extract, and diastatic power. The Ha2 and Ha4 genes for resistance to cereal cyst nematode were under intense selection pressure, whereas the sdw1 gene, which reduces plant height, was under mild selection pressure. From a mixed-model analysis of mainly F5-derived lines over 5 years, resistance due to the Ha2 gene was found to increase grain yields at 2 sites where the nematode was expected to be present, but not at 3 other sites. There was no significant effect of Ha4 on grain yield. Because of selection, data from later stages of evaluation were not useable for Ha2 or Ha4. From analyses of both early stage and later stages of evaluation, the semi-dwarf allele of the sdw1 gene increased grain yields at high-yielding sites, but decreased yields at low-yielding sites. The semi-dwarf allele reduced grain weight. The effects of Ha2 or Ha4 on malt extract and diastatic power were not significant, but the semi-dwarf allele at sdw1 reduced grain protein. We concluded that plant breeding data can be used to successfully estimate the effects of important genes, with bias due to selection minimised by the use of data from appropriate stages of selection and the use of appropriate statistical models.
A Wide-Stopband Microstrip Bandpass Filter Using Stepped Impedance Resonators with Open-Circuited Stubs and Asymmetric Coupling Structure

For realizing stable and high-speed communication systems, the spectral of signals need to be purified, thus, an asymmetric third-order bandpass filter, which composed by open-circuited stubs loaded dissimilar stepped impedance resonators, is proposed to realize 20 dB stop-band attenuation up to 20.6 f 0 (17.85 GHz). Open-circuited stubs are loaded to resonators for scattering harmonics and suppressing the unexpected harmonics. Asymmetric coupling structure has been applied to suppress the harmonics and the inevitable fly-over coupling between resonators. Stepped impedance resonators are designed with extremely low impedance ratio ( R z ) for enhancing the open-circuited stubs and asymmetric coupling structures’ suppression on harmonics and reducing the circuit size. Resonance frequencies, external quality factor ( Q e ) and coupling coefficient ( K ) between dissimilar resonators have been synthesized and derived by admittance analysis. The open-circuited stub and K ’s influence on fundamental resonance, and Q e have been derived by equations and investigated by simulations respectively. Both the calculations and simulations show that the open-circuited stub and asymmetric coupling structure influence fundamental resonance little while the harmonics significantly.
The Microplankton of Plymouth Sound from the Region beyond the Breakwater

Throughout a complete year from September, 1915, to September, 1916, sea-water samples were taken regularly two or three times a week from beyond the Breakwater in the region of the Knap buoy, 2½ miles from Plymouth shore, from the surface and at 5 and 7 fathoms, The object was to supplement the existing records from the tow nets as it is well known that a very large amount of material is lost even from the finest nets, as Lohmann has shown exhaustively (1908). So far the only plankton records from this region have been from the tow nets, and a glance at the tables given at the end of this paper will show directly, if compared with those by Gough (1903–7) and Bygrave (1911), also Cleve (1899 and 1900), the great difference in numbers of the smaller forms, or their entire absence from the tow nettings. Again, no actual numerical records have been given from this region. At the same time as the water samples were taken, tow nettings, coarse, medium and very fine, were also secured, and these were regularly examined for comparison.
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

Both sexes assist in excavating the cavity 4 to 12 m (12 to 40 ft) above the ground, usually in a snag but occasionally in a fence post or living cypress. Three or 4 white eggs comprise a typical clutch. The eggs are incubated for 11 to 12 days, and the young fledge in approximately 3 weeks (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Parental care continues for several weeks after the young have fledged (Kilham 1983).
No-tillage and conservation farming practices in grain growing areas of Queensland – a review of 40 years of development

Early agricultural practices in Queensland inadvertently led to accelerated soil erosion. During the 1940s, the Queensland Government initiated a soil conservation service that worked with the principles of matching land use with its capability, as well as runoff management using earth structures such as contour banks and grassed waterways. A concerted effort began in the 1960s to develop and adapt farming systems that maximised retention of crop residues to maintain surface cover to complement the earthworks. Investigation and promotion of farm machinery capable of dealing with high stubble levels commenced in the mid-1970s. Demonstrations of the benefits of reduced and no-tillage conservation farming practices for improved productivity and soil conservation also began at this time. The combined research, development and extension efforts of farmers, grower organisations, agribusiness and government agencies have contributed to an increase in the understanding of soil–water–crop interactions that have led to the adoption of no-tillage and conservation farming practices in Queensland. In 2005, the overall area under no-tillage was ~50% of the cropping land in the main grain growing areas of southern and central Queensland, but was potentially as high as 85% among some groups of farmers. Conservation farming practices, in their many forms, are now regarded as standard practice, and the agricultural advisory industry is involved considerably in providing advice on optimum herbicide application and crop rotation strategies for these practices. Factors hindering greater adoption of no-tillage include: farmer attitudes and aspirations, machinery conversion or replacement costs, buildup of soil and stubble-borne plant diseases, use of residual herbicides that may limit crop options, dual use of land for grazing and cropping, herbicide resistance, buildup of hard-to-kill weeds, the need for soil disturbance in some situations, and concerns by farmers about the effects of herbicides on the environment and human health. Developments that may aid further adoption of no-tillage systems include: ongoing machinery modifications that allow greater flexibility in the cropping systems, refinement of controlled traffic farming and precision agriculture, improved crop resistance or tolerance to plant diseases associated with stubble retention, availability of more crop options and rotations, development of a broader spectrum of effective herbicides and the use of genetic modification technologies to breed herbicide-resistant crops.
WHEAT BRAN (TRITICUM AESTIVUM): COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONALITY AND INCORPORATION IN UNLEAVENED BREAD

High fiber Chapathi, an Indian unleavened bread incorporating different levels (5-15%) of wheat bran to wheat flour was prepared and evaluated for acceptability and farinograph characteristics. Whole wheat flour, wheat bran and its differently milled fractions were analyzed for chemical composition and functional properties. The water absorption capacity of bran was slightly lower than that of flour and did not increase as a function of time. The bran incorporated doughs were difficult to knead and sticky with no change in rolling properties. Farinograph characteristics revealed an increase in dough development time and a decrease in mixing tolerance index as the level of incorporation of bran increased. Wheat bran incorporated products scored lesser for the sensory quality attributes than controls. The differences were statistically significant for products prepared with 10% and 15% bran and not significant for products prepared with 5% level of bran. It can be concluded that wheat bran can be incorporated up to a level of 5% for preparation of high fiber phulkas or chapathis without affecting sensory quality. Cette etude evalue l'incorporation de son de ble dans du Chapathi, pain indien non leve, sur la qualite organoleptique, la composition et les proprietes fonctionnelles du produit. Les caracteristiques du farinographe revelent une augmentation du temps de developpement de la pâte lorsque la teneur en son augmente. Les produits contenant du son de ble ont des scores sensoriels inferieurs au produit sans son. Une teneur de 5% de son de ble n'affecte pas les proprietes organoleptiques du Chapathi.
A body condition score system and its use for farmed red deer hinds

Abstract A longitudinal observational study of 15 red deer farms in New Zealand was carried out for a 2‐year period. To assess the body condition of deer, a scoring chart was developed with scores ranging from 1 (lean) to 5 (fat) with half‐unit increments. Scores were given after palpating the tuber coxae, sacrum, and rump area of the deer standing straight and quiet. Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated on 39 yearling hinds and 90 adult hinds on four properties which were independently scored twice by two assessors to investigate assessor bias and consistency. A body condition score (BCS) was assigned to 1400 and 2100 hinds in consecutive years in March before mating, in September before calving, and in March of the next year at weaning. There were wide variations of individual hind body condition and mean hind body condition between farms. Overall, yearling hinds lost body condition during winter and subsequently during lactation up to weaning. Repeatability and reproducibility were above 0.
The Digital Linguistics: The Birth of Linguistic Humans 66,000 Years Ago in South Africa with Laryngeal Descent

Modern humans are linguistic humans, who acquired the logical properties of phonemes and morae in speech sound to generate an infinite number of word signs and to compose grammatically modulated sentences with complex meanings. 5KA (thousand years ago) they invented characters, which could display individual knowledge and intelligence to be shared and passed on to the following generations. Civilization itself is the linguistic phenomenon where knowledge and thoughts are transferred to subsequent generations via written documents, and very rapid consecutive innovations take place. In the 21st century, we are at the third and final stage of logical linguistic evolution with the interactive search and electric transfer of information via computer networks. It is necessary to clarify the in-brain mechanism for linguistic processing and intelligence to take full advantage of the final stage. The author outlines on the general overview of Digital Linguistics (DL) and identifies the birth of linguistic humans at the time of the laryngeal descent, which provided vowel accented syllables containing logical properties of phonemes and morae, to 66KA on the southern coastline of South Africa at the beginning of Howiesons Poort industry.
Phosphorus Load‐Concentration Relationship in Lake Dal, a High Altitude Marl Lake in the Kashmir Himalayas

The relationship between phosphorus concentration and estimated phosphorus load in Lake Dal—a marl lake—is described for the past decade. The concentration of this element in the lake system remained constant during this period although the P load increased by about 40 %. This phenomenon is discussed in connection with various P-removal mechanisms operating in the lake system.
3-in-1 Block with Bupivacaine VS Bupivacaine Plus Dexamethasone in Acute Pain Control for Patients Undergoing Hip Nailing Surgery: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Femoral 3-in-1 block is one of the most effective methods in cases of hip nailing surgery because of its ease, low cost, and fewer complications. This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding dexamethasone to peripheral nerve block solution. Methods: Forty-four ASA (I,II & III) patients aged between 50-80 years, scheduled for elective hipnailing surgery who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this double blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were allocated into two groups randomly; at the end of the surgery, femoral 3-in-1 nerve block was performed with 40 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% solution with or without 8 mg dexamethasone. Pain score was measured for 24 hours. Original Research Article Amini et al.; JAMMR, 32(6): 40-46, 2020; Article no.JAMMR. 54766 41 Results: We found no significant difference in pain intensity scores until hour 0.5 and the scores were below 1. Thereafter, the VAS scores increased, yet it remained below 3 in the first 12 postoperative hours. Morphine was administered during hours 12-24 in both groups, when VAS scores reached to about 4. The total amount of morphine consumption was a little lower in the case group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine 0.25% for 3-in-1 block has no more benefit than bupivacaine 0.25% alone for acute postoperative pain management after elective hip nailing surgery.
Anisotropic potential around charged absorbing small particle in a collisional electronegative plasma with ion drift

A distribution of the electric potentials around a charged absorbing particle in a drifting weakly ionised collisional plasma with negative ions is calculated in the linear hydrodynamic approach. Coulomb-like asymptote of the electric potential around the absorbing particle deforms under the action of the negative ions’ flow and exhibits a valley profile along the flow behind the particle. The presence of the flowing negative ions can be conducive to string formation in the dust structures at relatively large pressures.
Observations on the ultrastructure of baculovirus in australian penaeus monodon and penaeus merguiensis

Baculovirus particles were found in the digestive gland of Penaeus monodon from hatcheries and grow-out ponds in northern New South Wales, northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Similar particles were seen in a Penaeus merguiensis specimen caught off Townsville, Queensland. The particles were found in the hypertrophied nuclei of hepatopancreatic epithelial cells, both free in the nucleoplasm and occluded in large eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. The nucleocapsids of the particles measured 45-52 nm × 260-300 nm and resembled the baculovirus reported from Penaeus plebejus.
Life History, Ecological Production, and an Empirical Mathematical Model of the Population of Sagitta elegans in St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia

The population of Sagitta elegans Verrill in St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia, was polymodal throughout the year. The modes were distinct enough to be considered as representing subpopulations. Four subpopulations were present in the Bay during the early winter and a fifth subpopulation entered the Bay during the late winter. The growth of the subpopulations was followed through the year and related to the mean water temperature. A mathematical model describing the effect of temperature on development, length of the life cycle, and reproductive potential is presented. The model simulates the effects of temperature on the body length at maturation, ovary length, generation time, and numbers surviving at various body lengths. Predictions are made on the changes in population size due to temperature, and mortality and flushing rate changes. The calorific content of the animals at different stages of the life history are given along with the carbon content of the animals. A yearly ecological production figure .
Chemical composition of two muscles of the common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)

Ten mature male common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) were cropped and their M longissimus dorsi (LD) and M biceps femoris (BF) dissected in order to determine the chemical composition of the meat of this species. There was no significant difference in proximate chemical composition between the LD and the BF. The duiker muscle had a moisture content of 713.1 g kg, a high protein content (257.7 g kg) and a low fat content (20.6 g kg ). Potassium and phosphorus were the minerals and lysine and leucine the amino acids present in highest concentrations in the meat. The LD contained higher levels of sodium and zinc than the BF but lower levels of alanine, leucine and lysine. Stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid constituted the greatest proportion of fatty acids in the meat. The common duiker's meat also had a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content (414.2 g kg total fatty acids), allowing it to be considered a healthy food commodity.
Circulating mRNA and microRNA profiling analysis in patients with ischemic stroke

To provide insight into molecular diagnosis and individualized treatment of ischemic stroke (IS), several available datasets in IS were analyzed to identify the differentially expressed genes and microRNAs (miRNAs). Series matrix files from GSE22255 and GSE16561 (mRNA profiles), a well as GSE110993 (miRNA profile) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. System-level clustering was performed with GeneCluster 3.0 software, and gene annotation and pathway enrichment were performed with gene ontology analysis and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery software. For a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets and IntAct interaction information were integrated to determine the interaction of differentially expressed genes. The selected miRNA candidates were imported into the TargetScan, miRDB and miRecords databases for the prediction of target genes. The present study identified 128 upregulated and 231 downregulated genes in female stroke patients, and 604 upregulated and 337 downregulated genes in male stroke patients compared with sex- and age-matched controls. The construction of a PPI network demonstrated that male stroke patients exhibited YWHAE, CUL3 and JUN as network center nodes, and in female patients CYLD, FOS and PIK3R1 interactions were the strongest. Notably, these interactions are mainly involved in immune inflammatory response, apoptosis and other biological pathways, such as blood coagulation. Female and male upregulated genes were cross-validated with another set of Illumina HumanRef-8 v3.0 expression beadchip (GSE16561). Functional item association networks, gene function networks and transcriptional regulatory networks were successfully constructed, and the relationships between miRNAs and target genes were successfully predicted. The present study identified a number of transcription factors, including DEFA1, PDK4, SDPR, TCN1 and MMP9, and miRNAs, including miRNA (miR)-21, miR-143/145, miR-125-5p and miR-122, which may serve important roles in the development of cerebral stroke and may be important molecular indicators for the treatment of IS.
Bankruptcy Prediction in Social Enterprises

Abstract Traditional bankruptcy literature focuses on commercial enterprises for identifying the strongest variables and models to predict the bankruptcy outcomes. In this study, for the first time, we exploit a large dataset of European bankrupt and healthy social enterprises (SE’s) in order to identify the crucial factors that affect the survival of this growing and distinguishable legal form. Combined with the goal of achieving optimal predictive accuracy, we rely on Random Utility Models (RUM) emphasising a new methodology: the Bootstrap Mixed Logit (BMXL). In contrast to what has been found for commercial enterprises, empirical results here indicate that certain organisational features such as the board and workforce size may have a different impact on the probability of SE’s bankruptcy.
A Novel Framework for Backstepping-Based Control of Discrete-Time Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems With Multiplicative Noises

This article is concerned with the exponential mean-square stabilization problem for a class of discrete-time strict-feedback nonlinear systems subject to multiplicative noises. The state-dependent multiplicative noise is assumed to occur randomly based on a stochastic variable obeying the Gaussian white distribution. To tackle the difficulties caused by the multiplicative noise, a novel backstepping-based control framework is developed to design both the virtual control laws and the actual control law for the original nonlinear system, and such a framework is fundamentally different from the traditional $n$-step predictor strategy. The proposed design scheme provides an effective way in establishing the relationship between the system states and the controlled errors, by which a noise-intensity-dependant stability condition is derived to ensure that the closed-loop system is exponentially mean-square stable for exactly known systems. To further cope with nonlinear modeling uncertainties, the radial basis function neural network (NN) is employed as a function approximator. In virtue of the proposed backstepping-based control framework, the ideal controller is characterized as a function of all system states, which is independent of the virtual control laws. Therefore, only one NN is employed in the final step of the backstepping procedure and, subsequently, a novel adaptive neural controller (with modified weight updating laws) is presented to ensure that both the neural weight estimates and the system states are uniformly bounded in the mean-square sense under certain stability conditions. The control performance of the proposed scheme is illustrated through simulation results.