Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To Give or Not to Give, That Is the Question: How Methodology Is Destiny in Dutch Giving Data

In research on giving, methodology is destiny. The volume of donations estimated from sample surveys strongly depends on the length of the questionnaire used to measure giving. By comparing two giving surveys from the Netherlands, the authors show that a short questionnaire on giving not only underestimates the volume of giving but also biases the effects of predictors of giving. Specifically, they find that a very short module leads to an underestimation of the effects of predictors of giving on the amount donated but an overestimation of their effects on the probability of charitable giving. Short survey modules may lead researchers to falsely reject or accept hypotheses on determinants of giving due to underreporting of donations.
The extreme drought in the 1920s and its effect on tree growth deduced from tree ring analysis: a case study in North China

Using tree-ring analysis coupled with historical records, we investigated the possibility of developing a tree-ring network in North China, and the possible disturbance for the dieback of Meyer spruce (Picea meyeri) forest in typical steppe. Four tree-ring chronologies were employed: one for Meyer spruce and Korean spruce (Picea koraiensis) in eastern Inner Mongolia, and two for Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) in central Inner Mongolia. Significant parallel behaviour between the chronologies revealed the possibility of developing a large-scale tree-ring network in North China. In addition, the coincident growth decline in the 1920s in Chinese pine and Korean spruce chronologies revealed the most severe drought period for more than 200 years in North China, which was confirmed by converging lines of historical events. A clear correspondence between a peak in the age distribution (1933-1935) and a persistent drought event from 1922 to 1932 implied that the extreme drought in the 1920s was probably the underlying cause of Meyer spruce mortality.
Performance Analysis and Strategic Interactions in Service Networks

Service businesses are currently viewed as interdependent entities that achieve competitive advantage by fostering partnerships and co-evolving with competitors. Service networks are formed to describe these relationships and reveal value created and shared among them. In this paper, we analyze network participants’ behavior aiming to optimize their own value. We describe ecosystems in which more than one competing networks co-exist and interact with one another to their own benefit. We perform simulations to measure the performance of service networks and investigate optimal strategies for competing systems. We describe various scenarios defining dynamic strategies for competing players and show experimentally that after a small number of time slots these strategies reach an equilibrium in which no one is willing to diverge from its decision to his own benefit. Keywords-service networks; value optimization; performance analysis; strategic behavior; competing networks
Influence of low cadmium and zinc concentrations on batch culture Prorocentrum micans (Dinophyta) containing low levels of dissolved organic carbon

Experiments with Prorocentrum micans Ehrenberg were run over a period of 380 h in North Sea water containing 0.5 mg C 1-' of dissolved organic carbon. Dissolved Cd concentrations ranged from 0.08 to 10 pg l-'; Zn concentration was 0.1 pg 1' . Cell density started with 35 000 1-'. Growth in terms of cell numbers, primary productivity, bacterial activity, and uptake of Zn and Cd measured by the radlo isotopes 6 5 ~ n a d 'OgCd were followed in short intervals during exponential and stationary growth phases. Enrichment factors of the metals were highest at the lowest Cd concentration. On a daily basis, Cd and Zn concentrations increased during the day and decreased at night. The rhythm was most obvious during exponential growth. This indicates the special role of actively metabolising cells for uptake of Zn and Cd. Accumulation was more rapid for Zn (maxima every 24 h) than for Cd (maxima every 26 h), so that the daily rhythm of the metals was shifted.
OPTIMISATION OF THE EXTRACTION OF FLAVONOIDS FROM APPLES USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The ultrasound-assisted extraction of flavonoids from apple samples was modelled using response surface methodology. A three-level-three-factor central composite design using the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimise three extraction variables, including temperature, extraction time and ultrasonic power, for the achievement of the highest extraction yield of the flavonoids from lyophilised apple samples. The optimised extraction conditions were 44.61oC, an extraction time of 26.90 min, and ultrasonic power 480 W. The experimental yield of flavonoids was 6.58 mg g-1 expressed as rutin equivalent, which was close to the predicted yield (6.69 mg g-1). Optimised extraction conditions were applied for the analysis of apple samples of six cultivars.
High Performance Leadership: The Influence of Mindfulness and Reinvestment

ii Acknowledgements . iv List of Tables. vii List of Figures . viii Chapter One: Introduction. 1 High Performance Leadership . 1 Theory of Mindfulness . 4 Mindfulness in the workplace. 5 Mindfulness in sport performance. 12 Decision Making under Pressure and Reinvestment . 14 Movement Reinvestment . 16 Conditions of Mindfulness . 18 Theoretical Model . 20 Summary of Hypotheses . 22 Chapter Two: Method . 24 Participants . 24 Procedure . 24 Measures . 25 Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. 25 Decision Specific Reinvestment Scale. 26 Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale . 26 Subjective Recall of Performance under Pressure. 26 Performance Level. 27 Data Analysis . 27 Missing data . 27 Recoding of variables. 27 Exploratory factor analysis. 28 Descriptive statistics. 29 Reliability analysis . 29 Correlation analysis. 30 Sample size and power . 30 Regression analysis . 30
Investigating the Collapse of the Puerto Colombia Pier (Colombian Caribbean Coast) in March 2009: Methodology for the Reconstruction of Extreme Events and the Evaluation of their Impact on the Coastal Infrastructure

ABSTRACT Ortiz, J.C. ; Salcedo, B. , and Otero, L.J., 2014. Investigating the collapse of the Puerto Colombia pier (Colombian Caribbean Coast) in March 2009: methodology for the reconstruction of extreme events and the evaluation of their impact on the coastal infrastructure. On March 7, 2009, a 200-m section of the Puerto Colombia pier collapsed when a cold front passed through the Atlántico Department of Colombia on the Caribbean coast. Herein, the most important meteo-marine event of the last 10 years in the Colombian Caribbean area was reconstructed using SWAN software and the WAVEWATCH III global wave model, which uses wind fields as input. The modeling method involved a nested grid approach for wave generation and propagation in a particular sector of the central Caribbean coast of Colombia. To validate the numerical model, the time series for the event generated using modeling data was compared with the recorded wave data from two buoys: buoy 42058, which is located in the Caribbean Sea and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and buoy 41194, which is located near the Magdalena River mouth and operated by the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR). The simulation results were incorporated into the CMS-Wave and CMS-Flow models for reconstruction of the cold-front event. The modeling results were also compared with previously reported data for the waves generated by hurricanes Joan (1988) and Lenny (1999). The results revealed that the analyzed study area was more heavily affected by the ocean conditions than the 2009 cold front event produced compared with conditions produced by other hurricanes that have affected the Colombian Caribbean coast. The findings also indicate that the proposed methodology, which utilizes several wave propagation models, produces results that adequately characterize the processes in deep, intermediate, and shallow waters.
High Resolution TEM Investigations and TDA Analysis of Zinc Alloy with Strontium Addition

In this paper there are presented results of high resolution transmission electron microscope investigation concerning the structure of the Zn–Al–Si cast zinc alloy with Sr addition for crystal structure refinement after thermoderivative analysis performed using the universal metallurgical simulator and analyzer platform. The thermoderivative analysis allows to determine the specific points of the solidifying alloy, which is helpful for phase determination and proper heat treatment condition determination, allowing to reduce the energy costs and obtaining higher mechanical and functional properties. Using transmission electron microscopy, especially selected area diffraction method appliance it was possible to determine the phases occurring in the alloy in the state after chemical composition modification as well as after appliance of very precisely controlled cooling rate. The morphology and size of the microstructure of micro-sized eutectic was possible to determine as well the lattice parameters of the Zn α-phase. Particularly the overview will be also directed on the high resolution transmission electron microscope to achieve good insight into the structural changes on the atomic scale.
Discovery of the neutron star spin and a possible orbital period from the Be/X-ray binary IGR J05414-6858 in the LMC

Context. The number of known Be/X-ray binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud is small compared to the observed population of the Galaxy or the Small Magellanic Cloud. The discovery of a system in outburst provides the rare opportunity to measure its X-ray properties in detail. Aims. IGR J05414-6858 was discovered in 2010 with INTEGRAL and was found in another outburst with the Swift satellite in 2011. To characterise the system, we analysed the data from a follow-up XMM-Newton target of opportunity observation of the 2011 outburst and investigated the stellar counterpart with photometry and spectroscopy. Methods. We modelled the X-ray spectra from the EPIC instruments on XMM-Newton and compared them with Swift archival data. We searched for periodicities and variability in the X-ray and optical light curves. The optical counterpart was classified using spectroscopy obtained with ESO’s Faint Object Spectrograph at NTT. Results. The X-ray spectra as seen in 2011 are relatively hard with a photon index of ∼0.3−0.4 and show only low absorption. They deviate significantly from earlier spectra of a probable type-II outburst in 2010. The neutron star spin period of Pspin = 4.4208 s was discovered with EPIC-pn. The I-band light curve revealed a transition from a low to a high state around MJD 54 500. The optical counterpart is classified as B0-1 IIIe and shows Hα emission and a variable near-infrared excess that vanishes during the 2010 outburst. In the optical high state, we found a periodicity at 19.9 days, probably caused by binarity and indicating the orbital period.
Antimicrobial and Anti-oxidative Effects of Methanolic Extract of Dorema aucheri Boiss.

Dorema aucheri Boiss. (Apiaceae) is an endemic plant growing in Iran. This plant is used as food and its extracts are recommended for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. To conduct this study, leaf, stem, and flower of D. aucheri were collected from near Yasouje, Iran. Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of methanol extracts were measured. Further, total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, carotenoid, soluble sugar, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid contents of plant methanol extracts were also determined. The results showed that total phenolic, anthocyanin, and soluble sugar in the stem of D. aucheri were 22.72 mg GAE g -1 dW, 19.33 mg g -1 dW, and 6.45 mg g -1 dW respectively, greater than those of the other samples tested. Also, phenolic acids were identified by RP-HPLC and chlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in the samples. The highest amount of flavonoid (1.95 mg QE g -1 dW) was observed in the flower. All of the different extracts exhibited a good antioxidant activity based on inhibition of fatty acid oxidation assay. The maximal inhibition was observed in the leaf (48.52%) and flower (54.24%) of D. aucheri . Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was also high in the stem and flower. In addition, the results showed that leaf, stem, and flower extracts had inhibitory activity against four bacteria tested. The highest antimicrobial activity was obtained with flower extract. These results suggest that the methanolic extracts from different parts of D. aucheri are a valuable source of effective compounds. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of extracts was correlated with pcoumaric and caffeic acid content.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF COMPONENTS OF MINDFULNESS WITH COGNITIVE EMOTION REGULATION STRATEGIES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ALEXITHYMIA

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship of mindfulness and cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mediating role of alexithymia in this relationship. Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, 355 students (192 femalesand 163 males) were recruited from ShahidBahonar university of Kerman through randomclustered sampling method. Five- facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) and cognitive emotion regulation strategies questionnaire (CERQ) were used as instruments. Data were analyzed through SPSS22 and Mplus5 software packages and using path analysis and mediation analysis. Results: There was significant relationship between facets of mindfulness, alexithymia and cognitive emotion regulation strategies. In addition, facet of difficulty in identifying feelings had partial mediating role in relationship between facets of mindfulness and positive emotion regulation strategies. Conclusion: Results indicated that mindfulness has a significant role in prediction of different aspects of alexithymia and cognitive emotion regulation and it can be useful for improvement of emotional problems.
The Rationale for Cross-Border Listings

Technological progress and the liberalization of capital flows have both contributed to the considerable changes in global equity markets over the past few decades. Yet obstacles to international capital flows still exist, leading to segmentation of markets and creating incentives for corporate managers to adopt financial policies such as international cross-listing. In exploring the costs and benefits of cross-listing, Chouinard and D'Souza find that U.S. exchanges are attracting an increasing share of cross-listed firms. The empirical studies they review suggest that the cost of equity capital declines following a foreign listing as a result of lower transactions costs or an improvement in the quality and quantity of firm-specific information available to investors. As well, informational asymmetries across countries prevent simultaneous price discovery across exchanges.
Physical Layer Authentication Analysis Based on Correlative Sequence and Channel Coding

In this paper, the physical layer authentication problem is analyzed theoretically with typical set and channel coding techniques. The wireless channels have characters of reciprocity and uniqueness. High correlation advantage of both sides can be used for authentication. Firstly, the sequences SAlice and SBob are quantized by estimating the channel. The two sequences are highly correlated, but not identical. And they are naturally confidential to Eve. An authentication framework based on correlative sequences and channel coding is proposed. The attack behavior that Eve may adopt is classified. And the upper and lower bounds of Eve’s attack capability are analyzed. Through theoretical analysis, it is found that the upper and lower bounds of the success rate of attack tend to be consistent when the codeword length tends to infinity.
Capacitive coupling of discrete micro-sized gaps for RF applications

This paper investigates the performance of a passive thin metallic object containing micro-sized gaps exposed to a plane wave excitation. This work has potential applications for emerging antenna fabrication techniques where the conducting sections are made from discrete metallic sections. This includes antennas composed from nanomaterials and conventional inkjet printed antennas. Electromagnetic simulations showed metallic sections separated by a micro-sized gap were found to capacitively couple. The coupling can be enhanced by reducing the size of the gap, increasing the width of the metallic object or by filling the gap with a permittivity greater than unity. It should be noted that the DC value of parallel plate capacitor is not strictly valid at radiofrequencies – however, this paper shows that the DC value of capacitance is a reasonable approximation and is useful to understand the behavior.
Response of Some Peanut Genotypes to Phosphorus Fertilization Levels Under New Valley Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture Farm, Assiut University, New Valley branch during 2015 and 2016 summer season to study the response of five peanut genotypes to phosphorus fertilization levels. This experiment was laid outin arandomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement with three replications. Phosphorus levels (P) were distributed randomly on the main plot and peanut genotypes at sub plot. The obtained result show that peanut plants fertilized with 45 kg fed. -1 P2O5 significantly gained the highest mean values of most studied traits in the two growing seasons. Furthermore, peanut genotypes had a significant effect on most studied traits in both seasons. Thus, L35 peanut genotype surpassed the others tested genotypes in most studied traits in both seasons. Moreover, the highest mean values of seed yield and oil yields were obtained from45 kg fed. -1 P2O5 and L35 peanut genotype surpassed all other genotypes in seed and oil yields in both seasons.
String Transformation-A Query based Approach

Data mining is the process of analyzing data from different perspectives and it is a powerful area, which computerizes the process of searching valuable information from a large database. Its wide range of applications promises a future, where the data grow rapidly. Many problems in natural language processing, data mining, information retrieval, and bioinformatics can be formalized as string transformation. Proposed system implements string transformation in data mining field with the help of selected algorithms. String transformation includes a set of operators to transform a given string into most likely output strings. Insertion, deletion, transposition, and substitution are the operators for transformation. Transformation rules and predefined rule indexes are used here to avoid unwanted searches and time delay. Here the users can view the formation of possible outcomes from the given string. Another important feature is query reformulation. By using efficient methods, proposed system can introduce query reformulation with useful description about the given query. Query reformulation is also a transformation technique and it deals with the term mismatch problem. Here similar query pairs can mine from training data. Proposed system tries to transform a given query to original query and therefore make a better match between the query and the document and also act as a library, which give a brief description about books of authors.
Phenotypic Comparison of Halotolerant Bacteria: Halomonas halodurans sp. nov., nom. rev., comb. nov.

Several strains of halotolerant bacteria from North America were compared for 125 characteristics. Although these organisms had several characteristics in common, they are a relatively heterogeneous group. The 12 strains could be divided into at least three and perhaps as many as five taxa. Halomonas elongata ATCC 33173T (T = type strain) and “Pseudomonas halodurans” ATCC 29686T had 79% phenotypic similarity, indicating that these organisms are probably separate species of the same genus. We conclude that this relationship is sufficient to warrant assignment of “Pseudomonas halodurans” to the genus Halomonas as Halomons halodurans sp. nov., nom rev., comb nov.
TEMPLATE BASED DEFECT DETECTION OF FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUIT

This study presented a research on machine vision inspection to define defects on flexible printed circuit (FPC). The images were subjected to image processing system where an elimination-subtraction method used. In this algorithm, 7 types of FPC defects defined and simulated in the system using Specimen 1 and processing time taken for both side inspection was 3.3s. Then, the commercial patent design of FPC was tested as specimen 2 to define short circuit defects on it. The processing time taken by this algorithm on specimen 2 was 0.28s. Comparison on manual inspection and machine vision implementation were carried out and greatly resulted on shorten inspection time to 59.7%. This result shows significant contribution in increasing the efficiency of FPC inspection process.
lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 regulates osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion by sponging miR-346

Background It was recently reported that lncRNA FBXL19 antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1) is a novel tumor-promoting RNA that contributes to tumor progression by sponging miRNAs. However, the expression and function of FBXL19-AS1 in osteosarcoma (OS) have not been investigated. Methods Cell proliferation was assessed by the CCK-8 and colony formation assays, while cell migration and invasion were assessed using wound healing and transwell invasion assays, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the level and subcellular localization of FBXL19-AS1 expression. Interactions between miRNAs and FBXL19-AS1 were determined using luciferase reporter assays. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed to assess tumor formation. Results We first showed that lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 was upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines. In vitro experiments showed that FBXL19-AS1 promoted OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Inhibiting miR-346 led to a significant upregulation of FBXL19-AS1, suggesting FBXL19-AS1 was negatively regulated by miR-346, which was further confirmed by the inverse correlation between FBXL19-AS1 and miR-346 expression in OS patient specimens. Furthermore, we proved that miR-346 could directly target FBXL19-AS1 through luciferase assays, suggesting FBXL19-AS1 could sponge miR-346. Additionally, inhibiting miR-346 blocked the effects of silencing FBXL19-AS1 on proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, inhibiting FBXL19-AS1 significantly promoted the malignancy of MG63 and 143B cells in vivo. Conclusion We validated FBXL19-AS1 as a novel oncogenic lncRNA and demonstrated the molecular mechanism through which it promotes OS progression. This work advances our understanding of the clinical significance of this RNA species.