Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ciliate dynamics in response to changing biotic and abiotic conditions in a large, deep lake (Lake Constance)

From 1987 to 1998, ciliates and their prey and predator communities in Lake Constance (which is large, deep and meso-eutrophic) were intensively studied as the lake underwent re- oligotrophication. Ciliate biomass exhibited the bimodal seasonal distribution typical for meso- eutrophic lakes, with high biomass in spring and summer and low biomass in winter and during the clear-water phase. Cluster analysis produced 9 groups of temporally co-occurring ciliate morphotypes with potentially similar ecological characteristics. The clusters exhibited a larger seasonality than found in the size distribution, showing that size alone failed to capture some ciliate seasonal dynamics. Ciliate biomass declined by approx. 30% during the 12 yr of study, i.e. considerably less than daphnids (and total phosphorus). This yielded a significant increase in the ratio between summer ciliate and daphnid biomass as re-oligotrophication progressed, in contrast to previous studies. Few indications for a mechanistic link between phosphorus concentrations (which declined 3-fold during the study period) and ciliate biomass or community composition via group-specific food concentrations were found. The relative contribution of 3 of the 9 clusters changed as re-oligotrophication progressed. Ciliate size distribution was related to re-oligotrophication and daphnid biomass in summer. The smallest and largest ciliates gained importance when daphnids decreased, whereas the biomass of large ciliates declined. Generally, summer daphnid biomass had a greater predictive power for attributes of the ciliate community than the other factors studied (phosphorus, prey biomass, copepod biomass). The extent of bottom-up and top-down control of ciliates appeared to be time- and group- specific. Overall, the ciliate community exhibited remarkably recurrent seasonal patterns, despite major alternations in abiotic and biotic conditions.
Conflict Management Strategies in Mergers and Acquisitions : A Comparative Case Study of Industry-specific Human Diligence

Conflict management has become a key factor for mergers and acquisitions in contemporary global economy. Although firms may do well in general in terms of financial due diligence, the human factor in mergers still remain as a primary source of conflict, impacting firms at all levels significantly. Following an extensive review of the literature and previous research, this paper unfolds a series of relevant theories that deal with the sources, course and outcomes of the conflict at organizational settings during mergers and acquisitions. Through the use of comparative method with a small-N sample and secondary data for triangulation, this study describes a preliminary typology for successful or failed mergers notably focusing on industry-specific causes and outcomes of the conflict, and potential strategies to be developed by firms’ management. While industry-specific complexity, incompatible business culture and interests, unpreparedness and lack of planning and prior competition between firms have explanatory power over the failure of investigated firms notably playing a role in the organizational integration and cohesion between parties; compatible mutual interests, well-prepared organizational integration processes and synergy-creating To cite this article: Bingöl, H. B. (2017). Conflict Management Strategies in Mergers and Acquisitions: A Comparative Case Study of Industry-specific Human Diligence. İletiş-im, Galatasaray University Journal of Communication, 26, 203-245. DOI: 10.16878/ gsuilet.324858. 204 İleti-ş-im 26 • haziran/june/juin 2017 [mostly vertical] business models that represent strategic and effective HRM and management practices appear to be more successful. keywords: mergers and acquisitions, conflict management, human diligence, industry
Global Supply Chain Practices and Problems Facing Developing Countries: A Study in Tanzania

Although global supply chain is widely discussed by practitioners and academics, and the widespread international recognition of global supply chain practices and problems, little is known in the literature concerning the global supply chain problems facing developing countries. This study aims to identify key problems affecting global sourcing processes in the global supply chain, with reference to the transport sector in Tanzania. We used a case-based research approach by conducting in-depth interviews with senior procurement and supplies managers. Secondary data were collected from the companies’ websites and annual reports. Also, direct observation on the companies’ operations helped to make the study empirically grounded. We used cross-case analysis to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the local end component of the global supply chain in Tanzania faces many problems compared to that of developed countries; for example, key problems facing Tanzania are: the use of outdated technology in the domestic market, lack of trust, documentation problems, procurement of counterfeit products (e.g., spare parts), and lack of integrated computerised systems to link with the overseas suppliers in the global supply chain, and so on. The insights on problems and practices provide valuable information to researchers and practitioners on the challenges and opportunities in the global supply chain sourcing processes in developing countries. We provide recommendations to solve some of the global supply chain problems.
Reevaluation of the Digestible Lysine Requirement of Arian Male Broiler Chicks by Different Diets with Cottonseed Meal

An experiment was conducted to reevaluate the digestible lysine requirement of Arian male broilers by comparing the performance of chicks fed different levels of cottonseed meal (CSM) on a total amino acid (AA) versus a digestible AA basis. Four hundred and thirty two (432) Arian male broiler chicks were allotted to 18 treatments with four replicates of six chicks each in a completely randomized block design in a factorial arrangement with two factors (two levels of digestible lysine × nine different diets). The first of the eighteen treatments was the corn and soybean meal control diet based on previously determined digestible lysine requirement for maximum body weight gain. Diets 2 to 5 contained 5, 10, 15 or 20% CSM, respectively and were formulated to contain levels of total AA equivalent to those in the first treatment. Diets 6 to 9 contained the same levels of CSM as diets 2 to 5 but the diets were formulated to be equal in digestible AA content to the first treatment. Treatments 10 to 18 were the same as treatments 1 to 9, but on the basis of determined digestible lysine requirement for maximum feed efficiency. Formulating diets containing CSM on a digestible AA basis resulted in an improvement in chick performance compared to those formulated on a total AA basis (P<0.01). The lessening of chick performance with diets formulated on a total AA basis compared to a digestible AA basis, indicated that the previously determined digestible lysine requirement for the Arian broiler strain may be correct.
Energy-based calibration of virtual performance systems

A Virtual Performance System (VPS) is a real-time 3D auralisation system which allows a musician to play in simulated acoustic environments. Such systems have been used to investigate the effect of stage acoustics on the performance technique of musicians. This article describes the process of calibrating a VPS using energy-based quantities and goes on to verify this technique by comparing known acoustic quantities measured in a test space with a virtual version of the same space. This work has demonstrated that calibrating a VPS using metrics based on Support will result in an accurate simulation of a test space according to known acoustic metrics such as T30. A comparison of quantities referring to earlier parts of the response, such as Early Decay Time (EDT), show some errors which are thought to be caused by the non-anechoic nature of the reproduction space.
Effect of Selected Drugs on Control of Morphine Withdrawal Hypothermia Induced by Morphine or Conditional Stimulus Associated with Morphine

The present investigation was undertaken to demonstrate how a conditional stimulus (cs) similar to the a ction of morphine, can increase rectal temperature during morphine abstinence. Also, the study implicates certain neurotra11E.rn1iters which are involved in the ef'f'ect of conditional stimulus and of morphine to affect rectal temperature. Rats were given two equally spaced injections of morphine sulfate daily, each injection being paired with a bell. The bell was presented fo r one minute and the injection was given during the last 15 seconds. This procedure was followed for lJ-15 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection the bell was presented alone. The rats learned to increase their body temperature folloi.ving the presentation of the bell. This increase was specific only to animals that had the bell paired with morphine prior to challenge treatment. This change in temperature was shown to be approximately equivalent to an injection of 12.5 mg/Kg at 24 hr after the last morphine injection. When naive animals were exposed to a bell, no change in temperature was observed. Those rats which had received a random bell or no bell during addiction demonstrated no change in temperature when presented with the CS 24 hr after the last injection. iii Naloxone, a narcotic antagonist, produces hypothermia in normally addicted rats only if given within 12 hr after the last morphine injection. In contrast, when administered to CS-morphine paired animal s which received only the CS 24 hr after the las t morphine injection, naloxone caused a hypothermia. This data suggest that the CS and morphine a re working by either the same or parallel pathways in the brain. The CS induced increase in temperature was b locked dur ing withdrawal ~hen t h e animals we re pret reated wi th phenoxybenzamine (2 mg/Kg ), mecarnylamine (2.5 mg/Kg) , h a loperidol (0. 2 mg/Kg) and benztropine (0 . 625 mg/Kg ) but was not blocked by cyprohe ptidine (2 mg/Kg) . Morphine induced increas e in temperatur e ~~s blo cked by me camyJ.nmine, ph e n oxybenzamine and cyprohept idin e but was not blocked by haloperidol or bentropine. Propranolol (2 mg/Kg ) had little effec t on the increase in t emperature due to t he CS or morphine when given at 24 hr after the last CS-morphine pairing . The CS wa s not able to affect other withdrawal symptoms such as sha kes, ptosis, pi loerection, loss in body weight, or writhing when presented 24 hr after the last morphine dose. These data indicate that the increase in temperature elicited by morphine during withdrawal can be classically conditioned. Such a response required a functional autonomic and centra l nervous system.
Using Modeling and Simulation Projects to Meet Learning Objectives in an Upper-Level Course in System Dynamics

Modeling and simulation projects in an upper-level system-dynamics course are described with an emphasis on using these projects to support course learning objectives. Course-specific objectives include: modeling engineering systems using Lagranges equation; using the Dymola software package to solve the resulting nonlinear differential-algebraic equations; and validating simulation results. General educational objectives include: reproducing published work and comparing and interpreting the results; close reading for understanding; critical reading to identify unstated assumptions and incomplete development, and responding to such deficiencies; and developing a project topic, scope of work, and final report consistent with professional standards. The course and projects are described and examples of student work are given. The discussion concludes with a summary of student responses and possible drawbacks to the approach and of how project outcomes support the learning objectives.
The Implementation of LSMR in Image Deblurring

Image deblurring is a classic problem which has been extensively studied in image processing. The challenge of image deblurring is how to devise efficient and reliable algorithms for recoverin g the original, sharp image from a blurred and noisy one. In this paper, we consider the implementation of the LSMR method for computing an approximate solution of an ill-posed problem arising from image deblurring. When equipped with a stopping rule based on the discrepancy principle, the LSMR method acts as a regularization method. The numerical examples illustrate that the LSMR method is able to give restored images of higher quality with less computational effort than other widely used regularization methods.
Area Efficient Digital ComparatorDesign Using Pseudo NMOS and PassTransistor Logic

Comparators are one of the most key design elements for a large number of applications. This paper presents wide-range, area efficient and high-speed comparator using pseudo nMOS and pass transistor logic. The conventional CMOS design requires more number of transistors than pseudo nMOS and pass transistor logic. Hence the transistor count of a design can be reduced by using pseudo nMOS and pass transistor logic instead of conventional CMOS. The working operation of the comparator based on a novel scalable parallel prefix structure. The comparison starts from most significant bits (MSB) of each sequence, if the MSB bit of two different sequences is equal that time only the comparison operation moves towards the least significant bit (LSB). This method helps to minimize the dynamic power dissipation by eliminating unwanted transitions in a parallel prefix structure. Then the N-bit comparison result will be generated after [⌈log4N⌉+ ⌈log16N⌉+ 4] CMOS gate delays. This comparator is designed by interconnecting CMOS gates with a maximum number of fan-in and fan-out of five and four, respectively, not depending on comparator bitwidth. This comparator plays a role for high speed and power efficiency for large bitwidth.
Corporate Risk Disclosure in Malaysia: The Influence of Pre-dispositions of Chief Executive Officers and Chairs of Audit Committee

Drawing on upper echelons theory, this study aims to provide evidence on the effects of the background influences of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair of Audit Committee (CAC) on corporate risk disclosure. In practice, such corporate disclosures are found to be inadequate, and there is limited evidence on factors influencing risk disclosure decisions by management. Sampling from the 200 top listed companies in Malaysia, data is hand-collected from annual reports. Sentences in which pre-determined risk-related keywords appear are counted to measure total risk disclosure and its sub-categories. Demographic data for CEOs and CACs is collected, including age, functional track, education, tenure and ethnicity. The findings in this paper indicate that the CEOs’ tenure and ethnicity significantly influence their decision making in regards to corporate risk disclosure. That is, CEOs with Bumiputera ethnicity and with shorter-tenured backgrounds are associated with higher corporate risk disclosure. However, the background of CACs is found to have no significant influence. These results have implications for board decisions on the recruitment of CEOs. Further, there are implications for corporate governance policy-makers concerning the credentials of CACs in Malaysia. This paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate risk disclosure and the influence of pre-dispositions of CEOs and CACs in Malaysian top listed companies since prior research has not investigated these two types of key management players in the area of corporate risk disclosure. Keywords: Malaysia, Corporate risk disclosure, Upper echelons theory, Chief Executive Officer, Chair of Audit Committee, Demographic characteristics
Essays in applied microeconomics

This thesis addresses three questions using the same tool of microeconomic modelling. In the first chapter (joint with Emily Farchy), I examine the role of individual’s decision to acquire broad versus specialist knowledge. I show that a worker can afford to become more specialized on a narrower set of skills by relying on other workers for missing skills. This yields a new explanation of the urban wage premium, and in particular of why workers tend to be more productive in bigger cities, where the existence of better networks of workers provides more incentives to acquire specialized skills. This conclusion matches well established empirical findings on workers’ productivity in the literature. In the second chapter, I look at the dynamics of human capital acquisition over time and show the possibility of what I term a social poverty trap. Namely, parents who do not instil in their offspring the culture of social cooperation (modeled as a higher discount rate) deny them the possibility of future good outcomes; in turn, this new generation will be unable to invest resources in the socialization of their offspring, and so on. This creates a poverty trap where some dynasties are stuck in a bad equilibrium. In the last chapter, I model political parties campaigning on different issues to voters with limited attention. I assume that the relative salience of the different issues depend on how much time parties devote to each issue. In this setting, I show that campaigning might result in excessive focus on divisive issues (for political differentiation) to the detriment of Pareto-improving ones.
AN INVERSE SOURCE PROBLEM FOR THE DIFFUSION EQUATION WITH FINAL OBSERVATION

We investigate the inverse problem involving recovery of source temperature from the information of final temperature profile. We prove that we can uniquely recover the source of a n-dimensional heat equation from the measurement of the temperature at fixed time provided that the source is known in an arbitrary subdomain. The algorithm is based on the Carleman estimate. By using a Bukhgeim-Klibanov method, as a first step, we determine the source term by two measurements. A compacity and analyticity arguments procedure help to reduce the number of measurements.
In this paper early qualitative and quantitative histological changes in the seminiferous epithelium of the cryptorchid rat

Cryptorchidism of the mature rat testis led to degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and changes in enzyme patterns and activities. Spermatogenic stages 1--4, containing pachytene primary spermatocytes in late meiotic prophase, and stage 5, containing recently formed round spermatids, were damaged by 48 h. Within 96 h stages showed a loss of germinal cells into the lumen and this was almost complete by 192 h. Acid phosphatase showed increased histochemical activity in the basal area of the seminiferous tubule up to 96 h of cryptorchidism, and at 192 h much of the activity was located in large lipidcontaining bodies within the remaining seminiferous epithelium. Total and free biochemical acid phosphatase decreased during cryptorchidism in parallel with cell loss; there were no significant changes in total cathepsin D activity but free enzyme activity was increased throughout the experimental period indicating increased lability of lysosomes in the Sertoli cell. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was mainly tubular but succinate dehydrogenase also showed interstitial activity. Lipoamide dehydrogenase (NADH) was found mainly in the interstitium. During cryptorchidism both lactate and succinate dehydrogenase activity decreased in the tubules parallel to the loss of germinal cells, whereas lipoamide dehydrogenase (NADH) activity increased in both interstitial and tubular areas. It is suggested that the initial lesion in the seminiferous epithelium, produced by cryptorchidism is in the Sertoli cell and that germ cell damage may result from reduced function of the Sertoli cell
Affine Contracts for Affine Types

Affine and other substructural type systems offer a range of expressiveness and performance benefits but cannot easily interact with components written in non-affine languages in a safe manner. We propose a technique for regulating the interaction between code written in an affine language and code written in a conventional typed language by means of contracts. We formalize our approach via a typed calculus with both affine-typed and conventionally typed modules. An affine type system is used for affine modules and a conventional type system for conventional modules, and neither type system is aware of the other. We show how to preserve the properties guaranteed by the two type systems despite modules being able to call each other and exchange values arbitrarily, and we establish the correctness of our approach through a syntactic type soundness theorem.
Emissions of CO2 and N2O from volcanic soil under different crop management using closed non-fixed chambers.

Agriculture soils may be a potential source of greenhouse gases, however it is not directly estimated yet in countries like Chile, which has special soil and climate conditions for a competitive agricultural activity and particular nutrient cycling patterns and processes in volcanic soils. The present work shows the first data of CO2 and N2O fluxes estimated from direct gas samples of passive chambers on volcanic soils in a crop system of Southern Chile. Gas samples were obtained from a oat-wheat rotation in a volcanic soil surface in Chile (36o S, 72o W) under two treatments of N fertilization (150 kg N/ha NH4 + -and NO3 - -N, respectively) and two lime dose treatments (0,5 and 1 Ton lime/ha, respectively), from closed non-fixed chambers and fluxes of CO2 and N2O were estimated from a gas chromatograph concentration in function of time during gas accumulation in the chambers headspace in a period of 1 year. Soil variables, including temperature, water content and mineral N content were registered in order to check correlations with gas fluxes. Results show low emissions of GHG from volcanic soils of Chile and no important influences of some agriculture management and environmental variables.
Bacterial Inactivation in Liquids Using Multi-Gas Plasmas

Using a multi-gas plasma jet, we generated plasmas of various gas species such as argon, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air. Photometric measurements of colorforming reactions were used to identify singlet oxygen, OH radicals, hydrogen peroxide, NO radicals, nitrite, and nitrate, which are important sterilization agents that are generated in the liquid phase. Oxygen plasma generated the largest amount of singlet oxygen, OH radicals, and hydrogen peroxide. Air plasma generated NO radicals, nitrite, and nitrate. The pH of air plasma–treated water for 120 s dropped below 3.0. The air plasma sterilized Escherichia coli in distilled water after 120 s of treatment. In addition, when the initial pH was fixed below 3.6, E. coli was more effectively sterilized by oxygen plasma. Furthermore, dimethylsulfoxide, which is an OH radical scavenger, suppressed the sterilization effect of oxygen plasma.