Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Laboratory Technique to Screen Seedling Emergence of Sorghum and Pearl Millet at High Soil Temperature

SUMMARY Apparatus was built to screen sorghum and pearl millet for seedling emergence through a hot soil surface. Seeds were sown in soil in long clay pots arranged in a steel water tank so that the top 7 cm of the pots was above the water level. The soil in the pots was heated with infra-red lamps fitted to a frame above the tank. By adjusting the height of the frame the temperature of the soil could be changed. The system allows emerging plumules to be subjected to high soil temperatures (up to 50°C) but without water stress. Both crops exhibited genotypic differences in emergence.
Policing, Schooling and Human Capital Accumulation

A substantial body of empirical and policy literature argues that greater investment in schools can be a powerful tool against criminality and violence. On the other hand, recent work has demonstrated that low levels of public safety can have serious detrimental effects on educational outcomes. This paper develops a model to analyze the roles that investments in education and public safety have for student's educational attainment, and focuses on exploring the optimal balance between the two public programs. The model analyzes individual decisions to acquire violence related skills ("street capital") at the expense of human capital accumulation in a setting where the former can serve to protect one’s property or expropriate that of others. Therefore, if the level of public safety, which helps prevent violent confrontations, is low, the incentives to study will also be lower. Moreover, the agents who accumulate more human capital and hence are more productive suffer a comparative disadvantage in exerting violence because their opportunity cost of doing so is higher. The paper finds, therefore, that if investments in public education increase the productivity spread between adult agents of different ability, the incentives to study might further decrease and lead to a lower output, showing that the benefits of schooling can only be seized if they are complemented with enough public safety.
How ICT Policy and Regulation Is Failing the ‘Less Connected’ in South Africa

The less connected are those - the majority of the connected in South Africa - who are dependent on mobile phones and mobile networks for their Internet connectivity and who live on or below median incomes, buying data in small packages (RIA, 2018). Current policy and regulation has enabled the highly connected - those on higher incomes an/or with broadband access at work, college or at home - to enjoy high quality and high speed access to a broad range of Internet services. Policy also addresses the need to connect the unconnected through schools programmes, and city programmes to provide public WiFi access. New research reported here suggests that those on lower incomes who are connected, in urban and rural areas, are unable to make effective use of Internet-based services due to the high costs of mobile data and the pricing policies of mobile operators. They are experiencing an 'Internet of the Poor' - limited to instant messaging and data-free social network services and excluded from exploring the World Wide Web. We describe them as 'less connected' with fragile connectivity and frugal practices that restrict their ability to benefit from the Internet. The highly connected have access to a competitive market of mobile networks, fixed-line and fibre networks, and a variety of ISPs. The less connected are largely dependent on mobile network operators for their access. Mobile network operators discriminate against low income users who buy data in small bundles. This means they pay rates that are up to eleven times higher than those charged to higher income users. Policy and regulation needs to move beyond attempting to close the digital divide and pay greater attention to the inequalities between the less connected and the highly connected. Unless this issue is addressed, the claimed benefits of Internet connectivity may remain beyond the reach of a marginalised majority.
Service Recovery Performance: A Critical Review of Literature

In the service industry, effective service recovery is essential element to maintain customer satisfaction. Service firms can maintain good long-term relationships with customers to gain their loyalty, commitment, and product acceptance through providing effective service recovery. Because customer’s strong relationships with organizations and brands are underpinned by customer satisfaction. Regrettably, in the last two decades, the problem of poor service recovery was not handled adequately by service firms, consequently customers are not satisfied with the company’s effort toward service recovery, and complainant satisfaction is decreasing. To address this issue this paper synthesizes existing theory through a comprehensive literature review published on the topic by drawing general characteristics of the service recovery performance along with theoretical underpinning. Next, this study recognizes specific factors associated with service recovery performance. In addition, this article put light on theoretical methods that describes how/ why these factors work. finally, this article proposes four fruitful dimensions for further research. Additionally, this paper make contribution to the area of service recovery performance literature by critically analyzing and synthesizing existing research on factors associated with service recovery performance, by showing why and how these factors work.
Dominant Negative Protein Kinase Cβ Improves 1α, 25‐Dihydroxy Vitamin D3‐Induced Insulin Resistance

1α,25‐Dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25D3) activates conventional PKC and may subsequently lead to insulin resistance. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that pretreatment with 10 nM–10 µM 1,25D3 dose‐responsively suppressed insulin‐induced glucose. To assess PKCβ‐mediated inhibition of insulin‐induced glucose uptake in rat adipocytes, we preincubated with Go6976 and LY379196, conventional PKC inhibitors, and found they abolished the 1,25D3‐mediated inhibitory effect on insulin‐induced 2‐deoxyglucose (DOG) uptake. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of 1,25D3 on insulin‐induced DOG uptake was abrogated in adipocytes overexpressed with dominant negative PKCβ, but not in those overexpressed with wild type PKCβ. These results suggest that 1,25D3 reduces insulin‐induced glucose uptake via activation of PKCβ in rat adipocytes.
Rookie Directors

We find that firms appointing first-time independent directors experience an increase in firm value, especially among firms with well-functioning boards, firms with less powerful CEOs, and non-complex firms. Unlike seasoned independent directors, first-time directors are associated with higher CEO turnover-performance (pay-performance) sensitivity but lower innovation output, suggesting that they add value through improved monitoring. The positive valuation effects of first-timers concentrate in the first three years of their directorships and these directors at better-performing firms gain more board seats after their first appointment. Thus, first-timers work hard to establish their reputation initially but such an incentive declines over time.
Subalpine Tree Reestablishment After Fire in the Olympic Mountains, Washington

Rates of subalpine tree reestablishment were measured on the 1978 Hoh burn (3 yr old), the 1924 Mount Wilder burn (55 yr old), and the 1891 High Divide burn (88 yr old) in Olympic National Park, Washington, USA. All three sites were Abies lasiocarpa/Tsuga mertensiana forest at the time of burning; Vaccinium spp. were dominant after the fire. Tree establishment rates were higher on burned sites during periods with generally above-average to average spring/summer precipitation than during below-average periods. Highest rates of tree establishment occurred close to fire edges. Current species composition on the older burns closely reflects the composition of residual trees. Drought resistance of the residual tree species may interact with climate to affect establishment rates. Tsuga mertensiana establishes best during wet periods; Abies lasiocarpa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Pinus monticola establish well during normal periods. These patterns are quite different from tree invasion into heather (Phyllodoce/Cassiope) meadows, which occurred during a fairly discrete 1920-1940 regional drought when extended snow-free periods apparently existed in these meadows.
Explaining Internet Companies’ Internationalization: An Approach of Competences

Why do Internet companies internationalize? Why is its internationalization unique? By discussing companies with fully digital products, this article answers these questions and provides an opportunity to examine the strength of earlier findings in International Entrepreneurship research, which has been carried out largely in high tech ventures exporting physical products. In our view, capabilities enabling Internet companies’ internationalization may differ from those of physical product-based ventures. The primary objective of this paper is to uncover Internet companies’ competence for internationalization. By adopting an inductive multi-case approach, we propose that International Digital Competence (IDC) reveals four main capabilities: cross-cultural programming skills, global virtual networks, cross-border digital monetizing adaptability, and international business model reconfiguration. This competence is a pre-requisite to the internationalization of Internet companies. We also conceived that the digital company’s strategy to achieve non-equity investments is moderated by its entrepreneur’s international orientation. <br>
Topography of the brain stem of the rhesus monkey with special reference to the diencephalon

Structures lying on the dorsal surface of the brain are readily accessible, and can be stimulated or destroyed without damaging other parts. It is, however, with difficulty that the deeper regions are reached. To study the inaccessible parts of the brain with precision, Horsley and Clarke ('08) developed a special stereotaxic instrument. Since adequate comprehensive descriptions of the apparatus and its application have been given by Clarke ('20) and more recently by Ranson ( '34), it is not necessary to give an account of it here. It is not within the scope of this work to give detailed descriptions of the nuclei and fiber connections of the brain stem of the monkey. The diencephalon has been adequately covered in the comprehensive works of Friedemann ( '12), Pines ( '27), Griinthal ( '31), Crouch ( '34), Le Gros Clark ( '29, '31, '32, '33 a, '33 b, '36), Clark and Boggon ( '35), Aronson and Papez ('34) and Papez and Aronson ( '34). The reader is referred especially to the work of the last three authors. It has been our prime object to present a series of illustrations showing the fiber systems and nuclear outlines of the diencephalon as seen in sections cut in the frontal plane of the Horsley-Clarke instrument and to show by means of
The Joint Distributions of Japanese REIT and Equity Markets

We employ a little-used dataset to study the Japan's Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) market. We make use of copula theory and test for dependence between equity and REIT returns using several popular copula families. The copula families in our specification were: Gaussian, Student-t, Clayton, Frank, and Gumbel. The p-values were computed using parametric bootstrap replications. We motivate the argument presented, and provide the goodness-of-fit test results based on the Rosenblatt transform. We find that the dependence between the innovations of JREIT Composite and JREIT Office returns can be modelled by a Student-t copula with 2.7 degrees of freedom and correlation parameter v = 0.93. All other models are rejected. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first time that copula theory has been applied to study REITs in Japan.
An Adaptive SPT Rule for Scheduling and Testing Heterogeneous Jobs

Motivated by common practices in maintenance and healthcare operations, in which diagnostic activities precede service, we study the problem of scheduling jobs with random processing times on a server that can test jobs (i.e., perform a diagnostic procedure) prior to serving them in order to observe their durations. On one hand, testing utilizes the server and increases service delays, but on the other hand, testing reduces uncertainty and informs future scheduling decisions, which contributes to reducing overall delays. <br><br>We consider two cases in which tests are either optional or mandatory prerequisites for processing heterogeneous jobs whose random processing times (and in some cases weights) are statistically different. For several interesting cases of optional testing problems, we develop an adaptive shortest processing time (SPT) rule, which characterizes the optimal policy using intuitive testing thresholds given by closed-formulas. We then show that a generalization of these thresholds forms an optimal index policy for mandatory testing problems. <br><br>Our work provides tools for analyzing similar problems, as well as practical insights on how to prioritize uncertainty reduction efforts, in order to reduce delays in service systems.
The CCAAT Enhancer-Binding Protein-α Negatively Regulates the Transactivation of Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer Cells

The basic leucine zipper transcription factor, CCAAT enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα), negatively regulates cell proliferation and induces terminal differentiation of various cell types. C/EBPα is expressed in the prostate, but its potential role in the tissue is unknown. Herein, we show that C/EBPα is highly expressed at the stage of growth arrest during prostate development. Furthermore, overexpression of C/EBPα decreases the rate of DNA synthesis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Investigation of the potential cross-talk between C/EBPα and androgen receptor (AR) that is responsible for androgen-dependent prostate proliferation demonstrates that androgen-dependent transactivation of AR is strongly repressed by C/EBPα. C/EBPα directly binds AR in vitro and forms a complex with AR in vivo. C/EBPα neither prevents the nuclear translocation of AR nor disrupts the N/C-terminal interaction of AR, which are both necessary for its proper transactivation activity upon ligand binding. To modulate AR transactivat.
Inflation Expectations in a Highly Volatile Environment: Evidence from a Firms' Survey

This study provides new evidence about inflation expectations formation in a highly volatile environment, in which inflation dropped dramatically from three-digits annual rate to less than 3%. Our findings, based on an Israeli survey of firms' expectations, support information rigidity theories, and at the same time point to the presence of asymmetric preference towards forecast errors. Most importantly, both inattentiveness and asymmetry depend on inflation, being more pronounced when inflation is sufficiently decreasing. This pattern applies both for high and low inflation regimes. Our evidence demonstrates the complexity of inflation expectations, having important implications for macroeconomic dynamics and policy issues.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BACTERIOPHAGES ON THE BACTERIAL FLORA AND PURIFICATION POWERS OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

This report describes the isolation of bacteriophages (phages) infectious for dominant bacteria in the activated sludge of a public sewage disposal plant, and the influence of the phages on the bacterial flora and the purification powers (biological oxygen demand [BOD], chemical oxygen demand [COD] and sludge volume index [SVI]) of the sludge. The activated sludge used contained two groups of dominant bacteria, M 1-W and M1-P. Their phages were easily found in spring and autumn in the sludge or in the environment around the plant. Eight phages attacking M 1-W strains and two phages attacking M 1-P strains were isolated during 30 months' investigation. At the time of the isolation of these phages, a disturbance in the normal bacterial flora possibly due to phage infection was observed, as well as a change in dominant strains (for example, when the phage attack on M 1-W strains occurred, M 1-P strains became dominant). Such disturbance was considered to cause a decrease in the purification powers of the activated sludge.
Female Labor Supply, Human Capital and Welfare Reform

We estimate a dynamic model of employment, human capital accumulation — including education, and savings for women in the UK, exploiting policy changes. We analyze both the incentive effects and the welfare implications of tax credits and income support programs and we account for their insurance value. We find important incentive effects on education choice and labor supply, with single mothers having the most elastic labor supply. Returns to experience increase with education, but experience only accumulates when in full-time employment. Finally, marginal increases in tax credits are preferred to equally costly income support or to tax cuts.
Notes on Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) I A Revision of the Nepticula ruficapitella Group

The European species of the Nepticula ruficapitella group are revised on the basis of authentic material. Four new species, svenssoni, dorsiguttella, roborella and eberhardi, are established. Three species, atricapitella Hw. , ruficapitella Hw. and samiatella Z. , formerly not satisfactorily defined, are redescribed. N. cerricolella Klim. is reduced to a subspecies of basiguttella Hein. N. ilicivora Peyer. is considered synonymous with the older name suberivora Stt. Five lectotypes are designated, some of these specimens have previously been labelled "Type" or "Lectotype" but as far as known without publication. These lectotypes are here published in accordance with the rules of zoological nomenclature. A list of the Scandinavian and British Nepticulidae was compiled and the species are arranged into groups consisting of allied species. The definition of Stigmella Schrank 1802 is disagreeing with the structural characters distinguishing the family Nepticulidae. Consequently, the generic name Stigmella has to be rejected and the younger but better known and satisfactorily defined name Nepticula Heyden I843 has been used in this paper.
Gone With the Vol: A Decline in Asset Return Predictability During the Great Moderation

We document a significant shift in the comovement of asset returns and macroeconomic volatility during the Great Moderation. Strong U.S. stock and bond return predictability from several macroeconomic volatility series before 1982 was followed by a significant predictability decline during the Great Moderation (1982-2008). These findings are robust to alternative empirical specifications and out-of-sample tests. In a calibrated time-varying-volatility equilibrium model, the predictability decline is consistent with changes in monetary policy and shock dynamics. A stronger policy response to inflation and lower cost-push shock variance reduce the sensitivity of macroeconomic variables and asset returns to a persistent volatility factor, explaining the lower predictability. The results contribute to examine macroeconomic volatility as a driver of expected asset returns, and identify sources of the Great Moderation using asset price dynamics.
Effectiveness determination of wheat genotypes and Stb resistance genes against Iranian Mycosphaerella graminicola isolates

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola is a serious disease in some wheat-growing regions of Iran. Continuous monitoring of the fungus populations is indispensable to study the efficiency of known resistant cultivars and Stb genes. In this study, resistance of 49 wheat genotypes, including 20 wheat differential cultivars worldwide and 29 other wheat genotypes, were studied to 19 M. graminicola isolates. Among 931 genotype–isolate interactions, 224 isolate-specific resistances (26%) were observed by comparing the means of disease severity data using LSD1% and LSD5%. Iranian M. graminicola isolates showed new virulence patterns. All isolates were virulent to Stb2, Stb5, Stb6, Stb7, Stb13 and Stb14. Among wheat differentials, M3 was resistant to all isolates, indicating that it has gene(s) with the most efficiency against Iranian isolates. Among other genotypes, two genotypes were resistant to all isolates. This suggests that these genotypes have efficient resistance gene(s) to Iranian M. graminicola isolates and could be used as resistance sources to STB in Iran. They may be effective against other populations of M. graminicola worldwide.
An Econometric Testing of Traditional Import Demand Function for Cote d’Ivoire

This study estimates an aggregate import demand function for Cote d’Ivoire and tests the price homogeneity assumption implied by conventional import models. Estimations are based on annual data for real import, real GDP, domestic and import prices over the period 1980-2017. The empirical results reveal that there exists a long run relationship between imports, income, domestic and import prices. In both the long and short run, imports are positively related to real income and domestic prices, and negatively related to foreign prices. The demand for imports is found to respond much more strongly to changes in domestic price rather than income and import price. The study also shows that the assumption of price homogeneity does not hold, implying that the relative price formulation of import demand function is inappropriate in the case of Cote d’Ivoire. <br>
Kinetics and equilibria of tea infusion: Kinetics of extraction of theaflavins, thearubigins and caffeine from Koonsong broken pekoe

The rates of infusion of theaflavins, thearubigins, and caffeine from Koonsong Broken Pekoe into water were measured at 79.5 and 94.0°C. The kinetic data have been interpreted in terms of a simple two-phase model, and the rate constants of infusion and of re-absorption were calculated. At low infusion times thearubigins were extracted faster than theaflavins, with the caffeine rate intermediate. However, the rate constants for the overall infusion process were quite similar for the three constituents. The corresponding activation energies are small as are those calculated from Long's data on the rate of extraction of all soluble material.
Education and the Journey to the Core: Path-Dependence or Leapfrogging?

We study changes in 130 countries’ indices of revealed comparative advantage for 1,240 products between 1995 and 2010, to answer: (i) whether export diversification is path-dependent, and whether it is more difficult to diversify into more sophisticated products; and (ii) whether education helps reduce path-dependence, or to develop comparative advantage in sophisticated products. We develop a regression framework that includes a measure of how distant a target product is from those products a country exports with comparative advantage, and measures of product sophistication. We combine these with estimates of the quality and quantity of education that a country’s workforce possesses. We find, first, that, over this period, the development of comparative advantage is a path-dependent process — stepping stones products must usually be developed to approach new products. Second, there is strong evidence consistent with the view that education helps reduce this path-dependence by facilitating more rapid incremental movement across the stepping stones of industrial development. Results also indicate that education quality matters more than education quantity, and that high-quality basic education matters for export diversification. Our framework also allows us to test whether leapfrogging into what we refer to as core products is possible and conclude that this is very unlikely.