Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity of the Endemic Xantus’ Hummingbird Using 16 Novel Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci, and Their Cross Amplification between Six Related Species

A set of 16 microsatellite loci was developed and characterized for the Xantus’ hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) by using 454 next-generation sequencing. Twenty-five H. xantusii samples from one population were genotyped; all loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from three to ten. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.681 for all loci. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected, but five loci (Hxan05, 06, 09, 13 and 14) showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellite loci are the first to be characterized for H. xantusii. A moderate to high level of cross-species amplification was observed across the six hummingbird species (31% - 87.5%), with the best cross amplification results observed in the closest related species (H. leucotis, Cynanthus latirostris, Calypte costae). The availability of these molecular tools allows assessing questions integrating population genetics, ecology, conservation, and evolutionary history for H. xantusii and for other phyogenetically related species.
Examining the extent to which HRM practices of multinational and domestic enterprises in Vietnam demonstrate the Resource Based View of the firm: Evidence from a qualitative study

This paper examines the extent to which HRM practices of multinational and domestic enterprises in Vietnam can be understood from the perspective of the Resource Based View (RBV). The analysis is based on in-depth interviews with two multinational enterprises and three domestic companies. The findings represent an analysis of five selected interviews from a total of 15 conducted. The findings reveal that domestic enterprises appear less inclined than multinational enterprises (MNEs) to adopt a RBV approach to HRM as evidenced by their recruitment and selection, and training and development practices. MNEs focus on employee capabilities more than domestic enterprises. The study suggests important implications for government, universities and enterprises in respect to considering how and where they invest in education and approaches to recruitment and training to maximise talent.
Designing generic technologies in Energy Research: learning from two CEA technologies for double unknown management

The aim of this paper is to shed light on an innovative strategy for the design of generic technologies (GTs). Research on radical innovation management, while recognizing the success of GTs, generally describes their design according to evolutionary strategies featuring multiple and uncertain trials, which would finally result in the discovery of common features between multiple applications. Building on a case study conducted on two technological development programs at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), we exhibit an anomaly to this rarely discussed idea: we describe an alternative strategy that consists in intentionally designing common features that bridge the gap between a priori heterogeneous applications and a priori heterogeneous technologies. This anomaly brings three main results: 1) The usual trial-and-learning strategy is not necessarily the only strategy to design a GT; 2) beyond technological breakthrough, the value of GTs also relies on the capacity to reuse and connect existing technologies; 3) the design of GT might require sophisticated organizational patterns to be able to involve multiple technology suppliers and applications' providers.
Optical photometry and spectroscopy of the low-luminosity, broad-lined Ic supernova iPTF15dld

Core-collapse stripped-envelope supernova (SN) explosions reflect the diversity of physical parameters and evolutionary paths of their massive star progenitors. We have observed the type Ic SN iPTF15dld (z = 0.047), reported by the Palomar Transient Factory. Spectra were taken starting 20 rest-frame days after maximum luminosity and are affected by a young stellar population background. Broad spectral absorption lines associated with the SN are detected over the continuum, similar to those measured for broad-lined, highly energetic SNe Ic. The light curve and maximum luminosity are instead more similar to those of low luminosity, narrow-lined Ic SNe. This suggests a behavior whereby certain highly-stripped-envelope SNe do not produce a large amount of Ni56, but the explosion is sufficiently energetic that a large fraction of the ejecta is accelerated to higher-than-usual velocities. We estimate SN iPTF15dld had a main sequence progenitor of 20-25 Msun, produced a Ni56 mass of ~0.1-0.2 Msun, had an ejecta mass of [2-10] Msun, and a kinetic energy of [1-18] e51 erg.
Liquid Crystal-Based Dielectric-Loaded Plasmonic Ring Resonator Filter

─ A new tunable plasmonic filter based on liquid crystal dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguide is proposed and studied. The transmission spectrum can be controlled easily by applying a constant external electric field to the plasmonic filter. The physical principle of this phenomenon is evaluated from the phase of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the waveguide and the electro-optical effect of liquid crystals. Our numerical simulations with finitedifference time-domain (FDTD) technique reveal that a large tuning range of the transmission spectrum can be achieved. Both the electrical switching and optical properties of the proposed structure are investigated in the context of designing an optical switch. The special feature of the proposed structure gives it an opportunity to be used as an efficient element in ultrahigh nano-scale integrated photonic circuits for miniaturization and tuning purposes. Index Terms ─ FDTD, liquid crystal, surface plasmons polaritons.
Low Consistency Refining of Eucalyptus Pulp: Effects on Surface Chemistry and Interaction with FWAs

The surface chemistry of eucalyptus pulp fibers prior to and after low-consistency (LC) refining was studied using a state-of-the art laboratory refining device and advanced surface analysis techniques. It was found that LC refining could generate fines and fibrillation and change the surface chemical composition of fiber surfaces. Both of these two effects can facilitate the adsorption of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) by the combination of increased specific surface area, electrostatic forces, and hydrophobic interactions, thus compensating for the loss of optical properties resulting from LC refining. The mechanical hydraulic force generated by the high refining energy disturbed the FWA retention. Therefore, high refining energy could improve the adsorption of FWAs when they are added after refining, but for better performance, the refining energy should be controlled and lowered. In addition, small amounts of calcium salt added after refining can also ameliorate the adsorption of FWAs.
Effect of periodic application of wastewater on chemical forms of zinc and copper in soil depths

The current study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of periodic application of wastewater on some soil chemical properties and distribution and migration of Cu and Zn in soil profile. Application of wastewater on the soil properties showed that, irrigation with wastewater decreased soil pH and CCE, and on the other hand, increased Ec, SAR and OM, compared with non irrigated soils. The change of Zn and Cu fractions with depth for non-irrigated soil showed that Zn and Cu are strongly associated with the residual fraction. Chemical forms of Cu and Zn tendency to decrease with depth. Increased wastewater after 6 and 12 months caused increases in all chemical forms of Zn (except Carbonate form), especially in the surface layer. The mobility factor of Zn was reduced in three layers after 6 months of irrigation. In contrast, after 12 months of irrigating with wastewater resulted in the transformation of metals from the non mobile fraction towards the mobile fraction and finally mobility factor of Zn was increased in three layers. The result showed higher concentrations of chemical forms of Cu in the surface layers than sub surfaces. In irrigated soil, concentration of Chemical forms of Cu tendency to decrease with depth. The mobility factor of Cu was increased in three layers after 6 and 12 months of irrigation. Generally, application of wastewater caused increase in chemical forms of Zn and Cu and finally mobility factor, however, these factors were below of very mobile range.
Prices of Barrier and First-Touch Digital Options in Levy-Driven Models, Near Barrier

We calculate the leading term of asymptotics of the prices of barrier options and first-touch digitals near the barrier for wide classes of Levy processes with exponential jump densities, including the Variance Gamma model, the KoBoL (a.k.a. CGMY) model and Normal Inverse Gaussian processes. In the case of processes of infinite activity and finite variation, with the drift pointing from the barrier, we prove that the price is discontinuous at the boundary. This observation can serve as the basis for a simple robust test of the type of processes observed in real financial markets. In many cases, we calculate the second term of asymptotics as well. By comparing the exact asymptotic results for prices with those of Carr's randomization approximation, we conclude that the latter is very accurate near the barrier. We illustrate this by including numerical results for several types of Levy processes commonly used in option pricing.
Morphological changes of oviduct in postnatal development and in oestrous cycle of heifers

was 1.9 – 2.2 mmol) and in oestrous cycle. The oviduct samples for histological study were gained by vivisection from three parts of oviduct. Samples were fixed for light microscopy (LM) in formaldehyde and for scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in glutaraldehyde paraformaldehyde. Subsequently they were processed by usual method which is use in laboratory for LM and electron microscopical studies. We discovered progressive changes in the length of oviduct in post-natal period (+7.9 cm up to 9 th month) and in comparison with sexually mature animals retarded growth at hypoglycaemic 15 months old heifer (18.0±1.8 cm). The length of oviduct in cycling heifer varied depending on the stage of cycle (21.7±1.9 in diestrus or 24.8±2.5 in oestrus). At the same time we have discovered progressive changes in relative volume of epithelium during development depending on the part of oviduct and age. This volume was on the level of 3 rd – 6 th month of age at hypoglycaemic animals. The most significant changes were observed in ampulla and infundibulum during the development as well as during oestrous cycle. The same tendencies were observed as representation and character of epithelium cells. There were no ascertained significant changes between ciliary and secretory cells, with the exception of hypoglycaemic heifers. This cannot be assumed about these cells during oestrous cycle. In their representation there were hormonal changes regulating individual stages of cycle. The sub-microscopic changes of cells in post-natal development as well as in oestrous cycle were also described. The energy deficit appeared in retardation of growth and development changes at animals with subclinical form of hypoglycaemia.
Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA)

Protein interactions with nucleic acids are important for the synthesis, regulation, and stability of macromolecules. While a number of assays are available for interrogating these interactions, the differential radial capillary action of ligand assay (DRaCALA) has been developed as an easy and flexible platform that allows for the study of individual interactions when carrying out high‐throughput screening for novel binding proteins and small molecule inhibitors. In this article, we describe the principle of DRaCALA and methods that utilize DRaCALA to determine the affinity and specificity of individual protein‐nucleic acid interactions as well as uses for screening for binding proteins and chemical inhibitors. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Potential Air Quality Improvements from Ultralow Emissions at Coal-fired Power Plants in China

ABSTRACT To assess the effectiveness of nationwide ultralow emission policies for coal-fired power plants on air quality in China, we simulated several criteria pollutants concentrations using the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model for four one-month periods (January, April, July, and October). Two emissions scenarios were conducted with the BASE case having emissions of 2013 and the ER60 case decreasing coal-fired power plants emissions to the standards of gas power plants. Model results from the BASE case were first evaluated through a comparison with observational data collected at 47 urban sites across China, which showed mean fractional bias in the range of –27% to 10% and mean fractional error in the range of 15% to 36% depending on chemical species, suggesting the reasonable performance of the modeling system. The ER60 simulation revealed potential decreases of 8%, 40% and 20% in annual concentrations of PM2.5, SO2 and NO2, respectively, in eastern China should the emissions from coal-fired power plants be reduced to the standards of gas power plants. Stringent control plans for coal-fired power plants as well as for other major emission sources are needed to improve urban air qualities across China.
H∞ DIA control of magnetic suspension systems

Abstmct-llis paper deals with the H, DIA control system design attenuating initial-state uncertainties and its application to magnetic suspension systems. Here the H, DIA eonbol means B mixed Disturbance and an Initialstate uncertainty Attenuation(Dl.4) control for Linear timeinvariant systems in the infinite-horizon case. The H, DIA control problem supplies H, controls with good transients and assures H- contmls of mbustness against initial-state uncertainties. We derived a necessary and suffcient condition of the generalized H, DIA problem. In this paper, we apply this H, DIA appmch to magnetic suspension systems, and evaluate a mixed attenuation property of the pmposed approach via experiments. We investigate a role of the weighting ma& N for the initial state uncertainty in the control system design.
Dynamic capital structure and partial adjustment frameworks

I compare ordinary least squares and the Kalman filter as possible estimation tools for partial adjustment models of dynamic capital structure. I find that the latter is more suited, as it can handle forms of endogeneity and measurement error. While the firms in my sample adjust their capital structure at different rates, I do not find any evidence that this adjustment is made according to a time-varying target. Furthermore, I construct a simple theoretical dynamic model with fixed capital adjustment costs. By investigating time series generated by this model, I conclude that partial adjustment frameworks may be inadequate for estimation. When fixed costs are present, estimates of a firm's speed of capital adjustment are biased.
Attitude towards mathematics of computer engineering students

There are several factors, which influence people’s perception and valuation of different branches of knowledge and particularly of mathematics. This paper reports a study, which investigated the attitudes towards mathematics of computer engineering students. Likert scale test was applied to analyze the attitudes towards mathematics widely used in mathematics education. The results of this research showed that students consider mathematics to be useful, but at the same time complicated and matter of great anxiety. The 50% of participants gave the positive opinion about the usage of mathematics, while only 22% of them had a negative opinion. The usefulness of mathematics was the highest rated factor with an average of 3.38.
Investigation on the Electrochemistry and Cytotoxicity of Organic Nitrates and Nitroamines

Laboratory scale quantities of a series of organic nitrates and nitroamines were obtained by nitration with dinitrogen pentoxide in dichloromethane medium. Twenty seven synthesized compounds were explored by voltammetry methods and their cytotoxicity for mice splenocytes was evaluated. N.N’-dinitropiperazine, DINA and hexandiol-1,6-dinitrate were determined as some of the most toxic compounds. Several compounds having non-planar cyclic, bicyclic or cage structures (IHN, TNAD, DINGU, TEX) were found as less toxic, possibly due to poorer penetration through the cell membrane.
Predictors of hematoma expansion predictors after intracerebral hemorrhage

Despite years of effort, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains the most devastating form of stroke with more than 40% 30-day mortality worldwide. Hematoma expansion (HE), which occurs in one third of ICH patients, is strongly predictive of worse prognosis and potentially preventable if high-risk patients were identified in the early phase of ICH. In this review, we summarize data from recent studies on HE prediction and classify those potential indicators into four categories: clinical (severity of consciousness disturbance; blood pressure; blood glucose at and after admission); laboratory (hematologic parameters of coagulation, inflammation and microvascular integrity status), radiographic (interval time from ICH onset; baseline volume, shape and density of hematoma; intraventricular hemorrhage; especially the spot sign and modified spot sign) and integrated predictors (9-point or 24-point clinical prediction algorithm and PREDICT A/B). We discuss those predictors’ underlying pathophysiology in HE and present opportunities to develop future therapeutic strategies.
Optoacoustic imaging of an animal model of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is currently the most common cancer among Canadian men. Due to an increase in public awareness and screening, prostate cancer is being detected at earlier stages and in much younger men. This is raising the need for better treatment monitoring approaches. Optoacoustic imaging is a new technique that involves exposing tissues to pulsed light and detecting the acoustic waves generated by the tissue. Optoacoustic images of a tumour bearing mouse and an agematched control were acquired for a 775 nm illumination using a reverse-mode imaging system. A murine model of prostate cancer, TRAMP (transgenetic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate), was investigated. The results show an increase in optoacoustic signal generated by the tumour compared to that generated by the surrounding tissues with a contrast ratio of 3.5. The dimensions of the tumour in the optoacoustic image agreed with the true tumour dimensions to within 0.5 mm. In this study we show that there are detectable changes in optoacoustic signal strength that arise from the presence of a tumour in the prostate, which demonstrates the potential of optoacoustic imaging for the monitoring of prostate cancer therapy.
Physiological characteristics of Microcyclus ulei (P. Henn.) V.ARX. – a fungal pathogen of the cyanogenic host Hevea brasiliensis

The ascomycete Microcyclus ulei causes premature leaf shedding of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis . During the development of this biotrophic fungus in the tissues of infected leaves HCN is liberated from the lesions. Despite high HCN concentrations in the leaf tissue the pathogenic fungus develops infection hyphae. The reaction of M. ulei to hydrogen cyanide and the biochemical properties of a fungal β-glucosidase which is active on the cyanogenic precursors of the host plant are reported.
The reluctant polymorph: investigation into the effect of self-association on the solvent mediated phase transformation and nucleation of theophylline

Little is known concerning the pathway of the crystallization of the thermodynamically stable polymorph of theophylline, form IV. Here we study the reasons why the thermodynamically stable theophylline form IV can be obtained only by slow, solvent mediated phase transformation (SMPT) in specific solvents, and whether the presence of prenucleation aggregates affect the polymorphic outcome. Solution concentration, polymorphic composition and morphology were monitored over time during the transformation from form II to form IV in several solvents. NMR and FTIR spectroscopy were used to detect prenucleation molecular aggregates present in the solutions. It was determined that theophylline self-associates in solvents which are good H-bond donors and the presence of these aggregates hinder the nucleation and phase transformation. SMPT from form II to form IV is a nucleation-growth controlled polymorphic transformation, nucleation is most likely homogenous, and form IV crystals grow along the (001) plane, forming plate-like crystals.
Metamemory and Motivation

The interrelationships among metamemory, intelligence, attributional beliefs, self-concept, and strategy use were investigated in 102 German and 91 American children. After pretest assessment, -children in the experimental conditions were trained to use a cluster-rehearsal strategy on a Sort Recall task. Posttraining assessments included tests of strategy maintenance, near-transfer, and task-related metamemorial knowledge. The two samples differed significantly on metamemorial, attributional, strategic, and performance variables. Causal modeling procedures showed that different causal models were required to explain relationships among the cognitive and personality/motivational variables in the two samples, with metamemory having the most consistent influence on strategy use.
Challenges of Premarital Education Program in Iran

Introduction: Divorce, unwanted pregnancies and failed marriages inflict severe mental, emotional, physical and financial damages on individuals, families and the community. Meanwhile, premarital education programs are considered one of the effective factors to prevent such problems. Objective : The present study aimed to determine challenges of premarital education program in Iran. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted by searching the PubMed, Elsevier, Magiran, IranMedex, SID Irandoc, Medlib, and Google scholar databases in order to find papers in Farsi and English with the keywords of couples, training, consultation, premarital, Iran, health program, preparation for marriage, educational needs, and divorce. We reviewed different case-control, descriptive, and descriptive-analytical studies on premarital education. Of the 28 published papers on premarital education, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Factors and challenges associated with premarital education can be divided into two main categories: policy making challenges and operational challenges. Conclusion: The results showed that marrying couples need the knowledge and skills that are not provided in the current premarital education. Complete execution of premarital education in Iran is possible only in the light of awareness, sufficient resources, considering the needs of the target group, and the presence of an accountable system.
Power Shifts and Board Roles in SMEs: a Multiple Case Study

The aim of this paper is to understand the functioning of boards and the roles they play in SME governance. Results from case studies of six small Tunisian firms revealed a range of board functions grouped according to four typical roles of control, strategy, service and mediation. The types of board involvement in firm decision making ranged among the case firms from a passive board classified as a “legal fiction” to a fully active “pilot” type of board depending on the relationship between the board and the CEO/founder and the firm's circumstances. SME governance under changing circumstances encompassed all four board roles but emphasis was placed on one or two key roles according to the strategic demands of the firm. In this context multiple board roles employed simultaneously are captured as a portfolio of roles and integrated within a contingency framework that aligns board competence with the firm's evolving strategic requirements.