Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Politics Matter? Norwegian Defense Spending and Its Political Determinants

In this thesis, I empirically examine how political ideology and the occurrence of parliamentary elections affect the demand for defense spending in Norway in the context of the domestic economy and the external security environment. Such a relationship is suggested by the literature on Political Business Cycles (PBC) and partisan politics. I review this literature and the economic literature on the demand for defense, and incorporate alternative explanations of the demand for defense spending in a dynamic econometric analysis. Using a dataset that includes economic, political and strategic variables for Norway covering the time period 1962-2016, I estimate conditional demand functions for defense spending using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach to cointegration of Pesaran et al. (2001). The results indicate that defense spending is moderately higher under right-wing non-socialist governments and under a more right-wing parliamentary composition. The dynamics of the estimated models suggest that this effect works slowly over time, and may take over a decade to manifest. The results also indicate that spending is moderately higher in election years, but this estimate is sensitive to the dynamic structure of the empirical models and whether or not time trends are included. There is a strong positive relationship between Norwegian defense expenditures and the spending of NATO allies, indicating that Norway does not free-ride in the alliance. Income as measured by GDP also has a significant positive impact on defense spending, supporting the hypothesis that defense is a normal good, but the estimated income elasticity is less than one. Soviet/Russian defense expenditures or the balance of power between the U.S and Russia seem to have little impact on Norwegian defense spending over the time period considered. This result may depend on structural change following the end of the Cold War.
Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Fungus from African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) Eggs and Adults in National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center Hatchery, Ethiopia

Isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi from African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) eggs and adults in Ethiopian National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center hatchery was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016. The aim of this study was to investigate the aquatic fungal flora associated with eggs and brood stock from African catfish in the center. A total of 16 egg samples, 77 swab samples from skin of adult fishes (brood stock) and water samples from 14 incubating containers were investigated. Samples were collected from water, outer body surface of fish as well as from artificially hatched eggs. Isolation and identification of the fungus was done on colonial and microscopic characteristics. In this study, 84.11% samples were positive for fungal growth and fungus isolates belonging to seven different genera were identified. Tricophyton, Saprolegnia, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Mucor, Microsporum and Alternaria were among the dominant isolated fungal genera. Among the isolated genera, Tricophyton was detected from 13.08% of the samples, while Alternaria had the least with 3.74%, unidentified fungi accounts for 14.02% and unidentified yeast were 20.56%. Based on the results, various pathogenic fungi species were identified from fish body, water and hatched eggs, hence are potential causes of mortality and decreased egg hatchability. In the light of this, appropriate egg and water disinfection methods are essential for hatchery management. Fishes in rearing facilities must be given proper health management monitoring to prevent outbreak of fungal disease.
Predation on different-sized quail eggs in an artificial-nest study in western Newfoundland

In artificial-nest studies, Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica) eggs have been used as surrogates for passerine eggs, although small mammals that prey on passerine eggs may be unable to consume Japanese Quail eggs. To determine the influence of egg size on nest predation in different landscapes on insular Newfoundland, we placed either a Japanese Quail egg or a smaller Chinese Painted Quail (Xexcalfactoris chinensis) egg in artificial ground nests along lakeshore forest edges and along riparian buffer strips. Clay eggs were used to identify nest predators. Levels of predation on nests with Japanese Quail and Chinese Painted Quail eggs were similar. Based on clay eggs, predation was attributed to red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and we found no evidence that smaller mammals preyed on artificial nests. We conclude that the Japanese Quail egg is acceptable for use in artificial-nest studies in Newfoundland, and we discuss the implications of egg size and small mammals in nest-predation experiments.
Liquidity and Counterparty Risks Tradeoff in Money Market Networks

We examine how liquidity is exchanged in different types of Colombian money market networks (i.e. secured, unsecured, and central bank’s repo networks). Our examination first measures and analyzes the centralization of money market networks. Afterwards, based on a simple network optimization problem between financial institutions’ mutual distances and number of connections, we examine the tradeoff between liquidity risk and counterparty risk. Empirical evidence suggests that different types of money market networks diverge in their centralization, and in how they balance counterparty risk and liquidity risk. We confirm an inverse and significant relation between counterparty risk and liquidity risk, which differs across markets in an intuitive manner. We find evidence of liquidity cross-underinsurance in secured and unsecured money markets, but they differ in their nature. Central bank’s role in mitigating liquidity risk is also supported by our results.
Critical assessment of the current understanding/knowledge of the framework of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

A critical review was carried out involving experts from 17 countries, to identify, summarize and evaluate the current understanding related to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries management (EAF) in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The existing information available at country level, coming from research and monitoring projects and other types of activities, was explored. The evaluation was done following a standardized protocol and using simple semi-quantitative methods. The results highlighted an overall low-medium degree of fulfilment of the requirements of the EAF, with some differences related to the different issues considered. The highest scores were reported for the knowledge related to fleet structure/ behaviour and species/habitat distribution, whereas the lowest scores were reported for modelling, and socio-economic and management issues. Although only semi-quantitative, these results provided an initial picture at a broad regional level on the state of knowledge with a view to a proper implementation of the EAF in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and identified gaps in scientific knowledge that should be covered.
3D interactive augmented reality-enhanced digital learning systems for mobile devices

With enhanced processing capability of mobile platforms, augmented reality (AR) has been considered a promising technology for achieving enhanced user experiences (UX). Augmented reality is to impose virtual information, e.g., videos and images, onto a live-view digital display. UX on real-world environment via the display can be e ectively enhanced with the adoption of interactive AR technology. Enhancement on UX can be bene cial for digital learning systems. There are existing research works based on AR targeting for the design of e-learning systems. However, none of these work focuses on providing three-dimensional (3-D) object modeling for en- hanced UX based on interactive AR techniques. In this paper, the 3-D interactive augmented reality-enhanced learning (IARL) systems will be proposed to provide enhanced UX for digital learning. The proposed IARL systems consist of two major components, including the markerless pattern recognition (MPR) for 3-D models and velocity-based object tracking (VOT) algorithms. Realistic implementation of proposed IARL system is conducted on Android-based mobile platforms. UX on digital learning can be greatly improved with the adoption of proposed IARL systems.
Spin Seebeck effect at microwave frequencies

We experimentally study the transient voltage response of yttrium iron garnet/platinum bilayer samples subject to periodic heating up to gigahertz frequencies. We observe an intrinsic cutoff frequency of the induced thermopower voltage, which characteristically depends on the thickness of the yttrium iron garnet film. The cutoff frequency reaches values of up to 350 MHz in a 50 nm thick yttrium iron garnet film, but drops to below 1 MHz for several-micrometer-thick films. These data corroborate the notion that the magnon spectrum responsible for the spin current emission in the spin Seebeck effect can be shaped by tuning the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer.
Translating climate forecasts into agricultural terms: advances and challenges

Seasonal climate prediction offers the potential to anticipate variations in crop production early enough to adjust critical decisions. Until recently, interest in exploiting seasonal forecasts from dynamic climate models (e.g. general circulation models, GCMs) for applications that involve crop simulation models has been hampered by the difference in spatial and temporal scale of GCMs and crop models, and by the dynamic, nonlinear relationship between meteorological variables and crop response. Although GCMs simulate the atmosphere on a sub-daily time step, their coarse spatial resolution and resulting distortion of day-to-day variability limits the use of their daily output. Crop models have used daily GCM output with some success by either calibrating simulated yields or correcting the daily rainfall output of the GCM to approximate the statistical properties of historic observations. Stochastic weather generators are used to disaggregate seasonal forecasts either by adjusting input parameters in a manner that captures the predictable components of climate, or by constraining synthetic weather sequences to match predicted values. Predicting crop yields, simulated with historic weather data, as a statistical function of seasonal climatic predictors, eliminates the need for daily weather data conditioned on the forecast, but must often address poor statistical properties of the crop-climate relationship. Most of the work on using crop simulation with seasonal climate fore- casts has employed historic analogs based on categorical ENSO indices. Other methods based on clas- sification of predictors or weather types can provide daily weather inputs to crop models conditioned on forecasts. Advances in climate-based crop forecasting in the coming decade are likely to include more robust evaluation of the methods reviewed here, dynamically embedding crop models within cli- mate models to account for crop influence on regional climate, enhanced use of remote sensing, and research in the emerging area of 'weather within climate. '
Conductance oscillations of a metallic quantum wire

The electron transport through a monatomic metallic wire connected to leads is investigated using the tight-binding Hamiltonian and the Green function technique. Analytical formulae for the transmittance are derived and M-atom oscillations of the conductance versus the length of the wire are found. Maxima of the transmittance function versus the energy, for a wire consisting of N atoms, determine the (N+1) period of the conductance. The periods of conductance oscillations are discussed and the local and average quantum wire charges are presented. The average charge of the wire is linked with the period of the conductance oscillations and for M-atom periodicity there are possible (M−1) average occupations of the wire states.
The potential impacts of the use of Southern Oscillation information on the Texas aggregate sorghum production

Economic decision models incorporating biophysical simulation models are used to examine the impact of the use of Southern Oscillation (SO) information on sorghum production in Texas. Production for 18 sites is aggregated to examine the impact of the use of SO information on the aggregate supply curve and other production and economic variables. Two information scenarios are examined. For all expected prices, the use of SO information increased producers’ net returns over the scenario in which SO information is not used. Depending on price, the expected Texas aggregate sorghum supply curve using SO information shifted both left and right of the without SO information supply curve. Changes in nitrogen use based on the SO information is a major factor causing the shift in the supply curves. Further, the use of SO information decreased aggregate expected costs per metric ton of production. Changes associated with the use of SO information can be summarized as follows: the use of SO information provides producers a method to use inputs more efficiently. This more efficient use has implications for both the environment and for the agricultural sector.
Effectiveness of wetland interpretation in affecting school children's attitude towards scratching of trees

Scratching or carving on trees by visitors is a common depreciative behaviour in most recreational forest. Besides spoiling the tree's beauty, damaging its wood, causing infection, thwarting tree's growth or even causing its death, scratch marks on trees will potentially make visitors feel angry and uneasy. Wetlands Environmental Interpretation Program (WEIP) was designed by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) to tackle this problem. About 72 fifth graders of two approximately similar classes from a National Primary School in FRIM were participants of an experiment. The effects of WEIP on the children's attitude towards depreciative behaviour were investigated. A self-administered questionnaire was given in situ to both the intervention and control groups. The respondents' behaviours were monitored for depreciative behaviours. The results revealed that interpretive learning experiences positively affected the school children's attitude towards scratching on trees. The message conveyed through environmental interpretative learning experiences could help resource managers in curtailing depreciative behaviours by influencing human attitude on the negative acts on flora, fauna, human and the environment.
Interrelationships of Staphyliniform groups inferred from 18S and 28S rDNA sequences, with special emphasis on Hydrophiloidea (Coleoptera, Staphyliniformia)

The series Staphyliniformia is one of the mega-diverse groups of Coleoptera, but the relationships among the main families are still poorly understood. In this paper we address the interrelationships of staphyliniform groups, with special emphasis on Hydrophiloidea and Hydraenidae, based on partial sequences of the ribosomal genes 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA. Sequence data were analysed with parsimony and Bayesian posterior probabilities, in an attempt to overcome the likely effect of some branches longer than the 95% cumulative probability of the estimated normal distribution of the path lengths of the species. The inter-family relationships in the trees obtained with both methods were in general poorly supported, although most of the results based on the sequence data are in good agreement with morphological studies. In none of our analyses a close relationship between Hydraenidae and Hydrophiloidea was supported, contrary to the traditional view but in agreement with recent morphological investigations. Hydraenidae form a clade with Ptiliidae and Scydmaenidae in the tree obtained with Bayesian probabilities, but are placed as basal group of Staphyliniformia (with Silphidae as subordinate group) in the parsimony tree. Based on the analysed data with a limited set of outgroups Scarabaeoidea are nested within Staphyliniformia. However, this needs further support. Hydrophiloidea s.str. , Sphaeridiinae, Histeroidea (Histeridae + Sphaeritidae), and all staphylinoid families included are confirmed as monophyletic, with the exception of Hydraenidae in the parsimony tree. Spercheidae are not a basal group within Hydrophiloidea, as has been previously suggested, but included in a polytomy with other Hydrophilidae in the Bayesian analyses, or its sistergroup (with the inclusion of Epimetopidae) in the parsimony tree. Helophorus is placed at the base of Hydrophiloidea in the parsimony tree. The monophyly of Hydrophiloidea s.l. (including the histeroid families) and Staphylinoidea could not be confirmed by the analysed data. Some results, such as a placement of Silphidae as subordinate group of Hydraenidae (parsimony tree), or a sistergroup relationship between Ptiliidae and Scydmaenidae, appear unlikely from a morphological point of view.
Effect of strain gage misalignment on cross sensitivity of extended ring (ER) transducers

The extended octagonal ring (EOR) and plain extended ring (ER) transducers are popular devices for multi-dimensional force and moment measurement in agricultural engineering research. Independent measurements of forces and moments are accomplished by strain gages strategically located in ring sections at either end of the devices. Much effort has been devoted to determining the optimal location of strain gages to minimize cross sensitivity. This paper presents a theoretical analysis using analytical equations derived for the plain extended ring transducer to determine the effect of strain gage misalignment on cross sensitivity. The analysis showed that a tangential misalignment of one degree for one strain gage in a four arm bridge would result in a cross sensitivity of approximately 0.004 N N-1 for the horizontal strain gage bridge to vertical loading, and 0.012 N N-1 for the vertical bridge to horizontal loading. Angular misalignment had little effect when the strain gages were located at the secondary strain nodes, but had a large effect when strain gages were located in regions of high strain resulting from secondary loading. Cross sensitivity was relatively independent of nominal angular location of the strain gage bridge except for a discontinuity near the primary strain nodes. The analysis demonstrates the importance of careful alignment of strain gages on extended ring transducers to minimize cross sensitivity.
Measuring the Immeasurable! An Overview of Stress & Strain Measuring Instruments

Measurement of stress has been a subject of interest for many researchers and an extensive amount of literature has been devoted to this topic however despite the popularity of "stress" as a research topic, researchers still do not agree on a common definition of this controversial subject (Rees & Redfern, 2000). According to Person-Environment fit (PE-Fit) theory (French & Kahn, 1962; French et al., 1974), stress and strain at job comes into action from the interaction of individual with environment and particularly when job challenges pose a threat to individual which ends up in incompatible PE-Fit, leading to stress related physical and psychological strains (Edwards & Cooper, 1990, French, Caplan, & Harrison, 1982). PE-Fit and Demand-Control (Karasek, 1979) models developed to explain the job stress and strain have guided the construction of most measures of occupational stress (Vagg & Spielberger, 1998). This article in particular aims to discuss few of the most important stress and burnout measurement instruments designed so far and intend to offer recommendations regarding instrument selection. Furthermore this article shall also discuss the pros and cons of stress assessment approaches in general, with few suggestions for improvement.
Distribution and host plants of Bactrocera cucurbitae in West and Central Africa.

Introduction . The data on Bactrocera cucurbitae collected over a large area of West Africa for around the past ten years enables us to make a synthesis, since this economically significant species is now widespread. Fruit samples were collected in the course of various trips to Africa; we focused on looking for the melon fly, B. cucurbitae (Coquillett). Equipment and methods . The Tephritidae were captured by means of trapping the adults and collecting holed fruit containing larvae. The fruit samples were taken from Cucurbitaceae found in the sub-region, and from other plant families hosting melon fly larvae. Fruit holed by flies were collected from untreated orchards and taken to the laboratory to be weighed, counted and classified by species, variety, date and location. The larvae collected metamorphosed into pupae. After hatching from the pupae, the adults were recovered. Results and discussion . The samples taken enabled us to determine the distribution of B. cucurbitae in West Africa; this species was found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal. The fruit collected in these countries enabled us to draw up a list of B. cucurbitae host plants in these regions; besides Cucurbitaceae, there were two Anacardiaceae species, two Rutaceae species, one Annonaceae species, one Solanaceae species and one Oxalidaceae species. There were four economically important fruit species among them. Unlike Reunion, where the dietary pattern of the melon fly is oligophagous, in West Africa it appears to be polyphagous instead. Conclusion . The data collected from B. cucurbitae host plants is subsequently to be validated, and then refined by quantitative analyses for the different West African countries.
Organizational Succession in F1: An Analysis of Bernie Ecclestone’s Roles as CEO of Formula One Management

Wasserman (2003) suggests that Founder-CEO succession in organizations involves a transition from a leader to a “professional management” team. This unique and timely qualitative study on Formula One’s 82 year old CEO identifies the roles he undertakes. This archival analysis of online publications, ranging from the 1997 sale of the commercial rights to the start of the 2011 season, is an in-depth examination of his predominant role of negotiator within the organization and the context in which this role is fulfilled. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the current incumbent Bernie Ecclestone would be more effectively succeeded by a professional management team.
Does a graph-intensive economics curriculum promote epistemological access to economic theory?

The paper evaluates whether graph-intensive pedagogic and assessment practices in introductory economics promote student learning. It evaluates the role of instructor-supplied graphs in the correct application and interpretation of graphs. Using simple linear and panel regressions on student assessment data for graph-based multiple choice questions and descriptive analysis based on written student answers, the paper finds that graph-intensive pedagogic and assessment practices hinder student learning and that there are gender and epistemological biases associated with them. While instructor-supplied graphic illustrations offer a solution, findings suggest a contrary adverse effect. Such supplementary materials are necessary but not sufficient in promoting deep learning. Combined with negative marking, graph dominated assessment practices encourage students to avoid answering graph-based questions, which undermines their performance.