Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the ECOSSE model to predict heterotrophic soil respiration by direct measurements

This paper aims to evaluate the suitability of the ECOSSE model to estimate soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) from arable land and short rotation coppices of poplar and willow. Between 2011 and 2013, we measured Rh with automatic closed dynamic chambers on root exclusion plots at one site in the UK (willow, mixed commercial genotypes of Salix spp.) and two sites in Italy (arable and poplar, Populus × Canadensis Moench, Oudemberg genotype), and compared these measured fluxes to simulated values of Rh with the ECOSSE model. Correlation coefficients (r) between modelled and measured monthly Rh data were strong and significant, with a range between 0.81 and 0.96 for all three types of vegetation. There was no significant error and bias in the model for any site. The model was able to predict seasonal trends in Rh at all three sites even though it occasionally underestimated the flux values during warm weather in spring and summer. Because of the strong correlation between the measured and modelled values, it is unlikely that underestimation of the flux is the result of missing processes in the model. Therefore, further detailed monitoring of Rh is needed to modify the model. In this research, a limited set of input data was used to simulate Rh at the three sites. Nevertheless, overall results of the model evaluation suggest that the ECOSSE model simulates soil Rh adequately under all land uses tested and that continuous and direct measurements (such as automatic chambers installed on root‐exclusion plots) are a useful tool to test model performance to simulate Rh at the site level.
M&A Negotiations and Lawyer Expertise

We shed light on the effects of lawyer expertise on contract design in the context of M&A negotiations. Using proprietary data on 151 private transactions, we document that more lawyer expertise is associated with more beneficial contract outcomes in terms of risk allocation and prices. Higher legal expertise does not come with larger legal fees, as high-expertise lawyers economize on transaction costs by reducing the length of negotiations. We address concerns about the endogenous allocation of lawyers by performing fixed-effects analyses and by exploiting firms’ inclination to work with the same lawyer on subsequent deals. Our results help explain the importance of league tables and variation in legal fees within the M&A services industry.
Improving the Nanoparticle Resolution of the ELPI

The nanoparticle resolution of Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) has been improved by designing and manufacturing a new impactor stage for the impactor. The measured cutpoint of the stage is 16.7 nm. The additional stage does not affect the properties (e.g. cutpoints) of other impactor stages. The performance of the new impactor construction was evaluated with laboratory and heavy duty diesel exhaust measurements. Based on the laboratory measurements the lower limit for the measured geometric mean diameter is expanded down to 11 nm. The diesel exhaust measurements made parallel with the new and the old construction show that the results are equal at large particle sizes. For nanoparticles, the resolution and precision are improved with the new construction. Using the new impactor stage and density analyzing method density can be analyzed even for 10 nm particles.
Transcription influences repair-induced DNA methylation

This work is aimed at the dissection of the molecular mechanism(s) linking DNA damage and gene silencing. To this end, we have developed a genetic system that allows a rapid assessment of homologous-directed repair (HR) of an unique DNA double strand break (DSB). Briefly, we induced a DBS in the genome of HeLa or mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells using the I-SceI restriction endonuclease. Homologous recombination repair by gene conversion, initiated at the site of the double strand break, converts 2 inactivated tandem repeated green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes (DR-GFP) in an intact functional gene. The efficiency of HR, under our conditions, is approximately 2%–4% and can be easily quantified by analyzing GFP+ cells. Half of these recombinants expressed GFP poorly, because GFP gene was silenced. Silencing was rapid and associated with HR and DNA methylation of the recombinant gene, since HeLa DR-GFP treatment with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine, a DNA demethylating drug, significantly increased the fraction of GFP expressing cells. Methylation did not alter recombination frequency in both cell types. ES cells deficient in DNA methyl-transferase 1 yielded as many recombinants as wild-type cells, but most of these recombinants expressed GFP robustly. Bisulfite analysis of GFP DNA molecules revealed that approximately half of the HR repaired molecules were de novo methylated, principally at the 3’-end of the DSB in a range of ~300bp. The other half GFP molecules were hypomethylated. Uncleaved and non-homologous repaired molecules did not show changes of the methylation profile. DNA methyl-transferase 1 bound specifically to HR GFP DNA, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA analysis. HR induced novel methylation profiles on top of the old patterns and contributed to the silencing of GFP expression. Inhibition of transcription by
Higher engineering education in Russia: incentives for real change

The paper is focused on changes in higher engineering education in Russia over the last decade. We assume that, as a result of technological and organizational changes in the markets young engineers are taught to work in, changes in education may be called for. The key change in the markets for engineers in Russia consists of the transition from planned to market economy, and thus the appearance of markets per se, and also in a shift away from a focus on the defense industry. To identify the possible changes and assess the current state of engineering education, we compare opinions of four target groups: university administrators, students, recent graduates, and employers.
The Effect of Surface Functionalization on the Immobilization of Gold Nanoparticles on Graphene Sheets

In our study, graphene oxide is synthesized by Hummers method. And then, carboxylic acid functionalized graphene (graphene-COOH), thiol-functionalized graphene (graphene-SH), and highly dispersive graphene are prepared by chemical modification of respective groups on the graphene surface. Furthermore, we explore a solution-based approach to prepare three differently functionalized graphene-gold composites by one-step chemical reduction of AuCl4 - ions in respective functionalized graphene suspensions, where the gold nanoparticles are deposited on the functionalized graphene surface during their synthesis process. In addition, we compare the influence of surface functionalization on the growth of gold nanoparticles on graphene surface. Transmission electron morphology (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy are employed to study the effect of surface functionalities on AuNPs distribution onto the graphene surface and demonstrate the successful immobilization of AuNPs on graphene surface.
Social capital’s role for value creation in open innovation networks.

This study aims to understand how various types of social capital and relational exchanges effect flows of knowledge resources within open innovation networks, particularly within the context of University and Business collaborations. Generally, university-business relationships are depicted as a link to knowledge resources that are governed by market-based mechanisms. This economic assumption overlooks social contingencies that contribute to value creation between affiliated parties. This study addresses this deficiency by employing a social network analysis technique to define correlations between formal and informal social capital structures that contribute to mutual benefit and value creating knowledge generation. This study finds informal connections are vital for new product development, knowledge diversity and network size but is often overlooked, thereby offering an extension to the open innovation literature.
Preliminary Investigation into Carbon Nanofibres for Electrochemical Capacitors

This paper presents an investigation into the influence of the parameters of the thermal stabilisation process of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibres on the process of their pyrolysis. The manufacture of precursor nanofibres by electrospinning from a polyacrylonitrile/N, Ndimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) solution is also described. The diameters of the nanofibres obtained are within the range of 640 nm, whereas their degree of crystallinity, as determined by means of wide angle X-ray scattering, is 40%. The parameters of the thermal stabilisation and the pyrolysis processes of the precursor nanofibres are presented. Two processing variants of the thermal stabilisation of PAN nanofibres in an air stream were applied. The first variant of the stabilisation process was conducted at 225 °C for 5-6 h, and the second variant step-wise for 9-10 h in a laboratory chamber dryer at a temperature of up to 280°C. The pyrolysis process was carried out in a thermobalance at a temperature of up to 700°C. Images of PAN precursor nanofibres and of the carbon fibres obtained from them are illu strated by SEM microphotographs.
Selecting the number of transects in multispecies acoustic surveys in northern Chile using a surface occupation index

An empirical approach was used to determine the sample size of transects in acoustic surveys to estimate the abundance of three pelagic species in northern Chile. Relationships between the coefficient of variation of fish density and modified degree of coverage were established, where the modified degree of coverage is proportional to the distance sailed and the surface occupation index (Co) of the species and inversely related to the square root of the study area. From this relationship, an equation was obtained to estimate the number of transects required in order to obtain a predefined level of precision, given a known level of occupation. The surface occupation index corrects the degree of coverage and explains to a large degree the differences in the estimated coefficients of variation among the different species. Results showed that sample size declined with an increase in the surface occupation index of the species, and the magnitude of that reduction was appreciably greater for higher levels of precision. The number of transects must be limited to sample sizes with a minimum transect separation in order to assure independence between transect densities. The empirical procedure used for the estimation of the number of transects can be applied to other species situations if the information is available from previous surveys, since the approach only requires repeated echo integrator surveys. Resume - Une approche empirique est utilisee pour determiner la taille de l'echantillon de transects necessaire lors de campagnes acoustiques afin d'estimer l'abondance de 3 especes de poissons pelagiques dans la partie septentrionale du Chili. Les relations entre le coefficient de variation de la densite de poissons et le degre modifie de couverture sont etablies, ou ce degre de couverture est proportionnel a la distance parcourue et a l'index de surface occupee (Co) par l'espece et inversement proportionnel a la racine carree de l'aire d'etude. De cette relation, une equation est obtenue pour estimer le nombre de transects necessaires afin d'obtenir un niveau de precision predefini, en regard d'un niveau connu d'occupation. L'index de surface occupee corrige le degre de couverture et explique en grande partie les differences dans les estimations des coefficients de variation entre les differentes especes. Les resultats montrent que la taille de l'echantillon diminue lorsque qu'augmente l'index de surface occupee par l'espece, et l'amplitude de la reduction est plus importante pour des niveaux eleves de precision. Le nombre de transects doit etre limite a la taille de l'echantillon afin d'assurer l'independance entre les densites des transects. La procedure empirique utilisee pour l'estimation du nombre de transects peut etre appliquee a d'autres especes si l'information est disponible provenant d'autres campagnes acoustiques, cette approche demande seulement des campagnes repetees d'echo-integration.
Growth of Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) European provenances in central Chile

Abstract: Pinus pinea is characterized by phenotypic plasticity, tolerance to harsh soils and climates, but low differentiation in growth parameters and low genetic variability. Growth and cone production of six European stone pine provenances (two from Italy, three from Spain and one from Slovenia) were analyzed in a field trial experiment established in central Chile. The study evaluated height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and crown diameter growth of 147 nineteen-year-old trees per provenance, as well as fruiting variables (i.e., number of cones per tree and cone weight). Survival over the first 7 years was also evaluated. Provenances significantly differed in cone number per tree, cone weight, height and DBH growth, and crown diameter growth. Provenances were grouped according to growth and production variables: one group included the Italian and Slovenian provenances, the second group Andalucia and Sierra Morena (Spain), and the third included Meseta Castellana (Spain). Individual cone production was positively correlated with cone weight and other growth variables. Meseta Castellana provenance showed the highest growth and productivity. Our results provide useful information for the selection of P. pinea provenances to be used in new plantations in central Chile.
AGEING IN LUSOPHONE COUNTRIES: THE IMPACT OF AGE-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION ON THE RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS

The ageing phenomenon of the 21 St Century has led to an increased need of public policies to protect the rights of the older population. An example is the Law of the Rights of Older Persons, a Brazilian legislation. Some countries still lack this kind of legislation, which may cause more vulnerability among this population. The exercise of interpersonal rights in daily life requires recognition of general and specific duties, beyond the competence to exercise them. Considering that the first step in the exercise of rights is to recognize them, the goals of this descriptive study are: (a) presenting some exploratory and inferential data on the recognition of rights, from the responses of 60 elderly (30 Brazilian and 30 Portuguese) to an eight-item questionnaire regarding to the Law for the Rights of Older Persons, (b) discussing the importance of the elderly rights in the Brazilian and Portuguese contexts. In general, the Brazilian sample presented higher scores than the Portuguese sample for the recognition of three rights (priority assistance, free issuing of documents, reserved parking spaces) which might be related to the existence of a legislation in Brazil but not in Portugal. Both groups reported higher scores only of awareness of rights, medium scores for exercising rights and low scores for discrimination of unrespected rights and for mobilization of feelings of justice, which points to possible difficulties to claim for their rights. These findings may indicate that age-specific legislation is a necessary but not sufficient condition to prevent violence against the older persons. We discuss the importance of research and psychosocial interventions to promote the necessary skills for the older persons claim and defend their rights. Key words: Lusophone countries, older persons, recognition of rights.
Stratospheric BrONO 2 observed by MIPAS

Abstract. The first measurements of stratospheric bromine nitrate (BrONO 2 ) are reported. Bromine nitrate has been clearly identified in atmospheric infrared emission spectra recorded with the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) aboard the European Envisat satellite, and stratospheric concentration profiles have been determined for different conditions (day and night, different latitudes). The BrONO 2 concentrations show strong day/night variations, with much lower concentrations during the day. Maximum volume mixing ratios observed during night are 20 to 25 pptv. The observed concentration profiles are in agreement with estimations from photochemical models and show that the current understanding of stratospheric bromine chemistry is generally correct.
Research on Effectiveness Modeling of the Online Chat Group

The online chat group is a small-scale multiuser social networking platform, in which users participate in the discussions and send and receive information. Online chat group service providers are concerned about the number of active members because more active members means more advertising revenues. For the group owners and members, efficiency of information acquisition is the concern. So it is of great value to model these two indicators’ impacting factors. This paper deduces the mathematical models of the number of active members and efficiency of information acquisition and then conducts numerical experiment. The experimental results provide evidences about how to improve the number of active members and efficiency of information acquisition.
Effects of different types of feedback on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills among nursing students a pilot study

Background: During the last 20 years there have been different approaches to teaching nurse students cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Receiving CPR with compressions of adequate depth and frequency, and ventilations of adequate volume improves the chance of survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of different types of feedback on CPR skills among nursing students. Methods: A pilot study with an explorative approach including 30 nurse students. Students was randomized in three groups; 1) instructor-led training followed by self-training without feedback, 2) self-training with visual graphic feedback, and 3) self-training with voice advisory manikin (VAM). Outcomes were correct compression deep, frequency, hand position and release, and correct ventilation volume and flow. If performance was correct to 70%, students were considered to have reached approved level. The students also answered questions about theoretical knowledge about CPR. Results: In technical skills, group 2 had significant higher level of correct ventilation volume compared with the other group. Both group 1 and 3 did not reach the level of 70% correct performance. Group 1 and 2 had significant higher level of correct deep of compressions compared with group 3 which did not reach the 70% level. There was no difference in performance between groups in other parameters. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that visual graphic feedback is promising and seemed to be more effective than self-training with voice advisory manikin and instructor-led training with followed self-training without feedback.
Some operators acting on weighted sequence spaces and applications

where A 2 C([ 1; 1], RN N ). The essence of the method is that the evolution family is sought in the form of a series of Chebyshev polynomials. Then, by de ning appropriate weighted sequence spaces and matrices of linear operators, we are able to obtain a su cient condition based only in the given data for the representation of the solution of the initial value problem (*). The method is motivated for practical considerations in the context of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. © 2013 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of determinants of employment efficiency using stochastic frontier analysis and beta regression

One of the main issues in today’s world is the fact that the world economy is not creating enough jobs, particularly for young people. Unemployment is one of the biggest issues in this modern life. This study investigates the most important determinants of employment efficiency for countries. There are two steps in this study. First we measure countries’ employment efficiency by Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) using the data from the Database and cover the period between 2009 and 2012. SFA, which is a parametric method, is used frequently to estimate the boundary functions and to measure the production effectiveness. At second stage, we expose the multiple relationships between the employment efficiency and the other variables using Beta regression approach which is performed in which the dependent variable is restricted to the standard unit interval such as rates and proportions. The most important factors which affect the employment efficiency were determined as Industry Value Added and Net Taxes.
OXIDATION STABILITY OF CASTOR OIL IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION

The present work aims to investigate the oxidation stability of castor oil obtained via three solvents, namely n-hexane, methanol and petroleum ether. Oxidation test was performed at ambient temperature and 120°C, and the oil was characterized according to its viscosity and acid value at different time intervals. Results show that the n-hexane extract is low in acid value, and exhibits good oxidation stability at ambient condition. For all oil extracts, heating at higher temperature accelerates the oxidation, thus increasing the viscosity and acid value. This behaviour is more pronounced for methanol extract. Although methanol and petroleum ether extracts possess high acid value, the latter reveals a better oxidation resistance at longer heating period compared to the former.
SUCCESS IN RAVEN’S TEST AS AN INDEX OF INTELLIGENCE: DOES BI/MULTILINGUALISM MATTER?

The present study seeks to find out whether or not higher scores of bilingual and multilingual speakers in Raven’s intelligence test owe a debt to their bi/ multilingualism. To this end, 50 abridged versions of Raven’s test were randomly distributed among a population of almost 200 freshman university students out of which forty four booklets were returned at the end of administration sessions. The results of statistical analyses proved that bilingual and multilingual speakers enjoy higher IQ levels. The significance test confirms the fact that cognitive development of individuals has a direct relation with the number of languages spoken by them. Received: June, 2011; Accepted: October, 2011 *Corresponding author