Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RECRUIT PUBLIC SERVANTS

What is the best way to recruit public servants? Governments all over the world have the last decades pondered that question, as parts of increasing attempts to reform civil services and public administrations. Two opposing alternatives can be distinguished: on one hand, traditional civil service recruitment, centralized, through formal examinations, with low discretion and flexbility for managers. On the other hand, private sector-style recruitment that is faster and more flexible, allowing managers to pick the candidates most suitable for each position. In this paper, I test the hypothesis that the context determines which institution that will deliver the highest level of meritocracy (in the sense that skills and ability actually are the decisive factors). More specifically, when the risk for patronage is low, private sector style-recruitment can be attempted to find the best candidates, but when the risk instead is high, formal public sector stylerecruitment is preferable to prevent patronage and nepotism. Analysis of a dataset containing information about the structures and characteristics of bureacracies in over 100 countries lends support to the hypothesis. Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank Carl Dahlström, Mikael Gilljam, Victor Lapuente, Anna Persson, Martin Sjöstedt and seminar participants at the Quality of Government Institute for valuable comments during the preparation of the manuscript. Anders Sundell The Quality of Government Institute Department of Political Science University of Gothenburg anders.sundell@pol.gu. se
Relationship between Wind and Precipitation Observed with a UHF Radar, GPS Rawinsondes and Surface Meteorological Instruments at Kototabang, West Sumatera during September-October 1998

Simultaneous observations with a UHF-band boundary layer radar (hereafter referred as BLR), GPS rawinsondes and a tipping-bucket-type rain gauge were conducted at Kototabang (0.20°S, 100.32°E, 865 m MSL), which is located on the mountainous region near Bukittinggi, West Sumatera Province, during 27 September-7 October 1998 (rainy season). Low-level (1-3 km) westerly wind stronger than 10 m/s was observed, and precipitation tended to occur when the low-level westerly wind became weak (2-5 October). Similar relationship was observed for two months (1 September-31 October 1998) during which only BLR and surface meteorological instruments were operated at Kototabang. NCEP/NCAR objective analysis, and GMS TBB data showed that the low-level (850 hPa) wind field, and cloud distribution, were both completely different between the Indonesian Archipelago (east of Kototabang) and the eastern Indian Ocean—including the Bay of Bengal (west of Kototabang)—uring the analysis period. Two large-scale cloud disturbances existed along the equator in the western side (80°-100°E), but precipitation at Kototabang did not correspond to these cloud disturbances. The implication is that effects of the mountain range of Sumatera blocked the large-scale cloud disturbances over the Indian Ocean. The precipitation by local-scale cloud systems prevailed at Kototabang. The convergences of local circulations, which are generally dominant under weak background winds, are considered as the major cause of local-scale cloud systems.
The Effect of Additional Funds for Low-ability Pupils: A Non-parametric Bounds Analysis

This paper investigates the effect of a policy measure that gives secondary schools additional resources for low-ability pupils. Schools are free in deciding how to spend the additional money. I use a nonparametric bounds analysis to estimate upper and lower bounds on the effect of additional funds on exam results of pupils. First I investigate what can be concluded without imposing assumptions; next I layer weak nonparametric assumptions to tighten the bounds. The tightest bounds show that the additional school funds significantly increase the probability that a pupil passes the exam and it significantly increases math and language test scores.
Simple estimation of critical stress intensity factors of wood by tests with double cantilever beam and three-point end-notched flexure

Abstract Simple equations are proposed for calculation of critical stress intensity factors by tests using double cantilever beam (DCB) and three-point end-notched flexure (3ENF). The calculation modes are named here as modes I and II and are based on the beam theory and 95 previously published data on the elasticity properties of woods. The validity of the data was examined on specimens of western hemlock wood with various crack lengths. The influence of the elastic properties is more significant on the stress intensity factor calculated in mode I than that calculated in mode II. Further work is needed, particularly for measuring the mode I stress intensity factor. However, it is obvious from the experiments with western hemlock that the critical stress intensity factors can be determined by the equations proposed here.
Retrospective Cohort Study of Antenatal Care and Pregnancy Outcomes in Kadjebi District of Ghana

Antenatal care is essential strategy for improving maternal and pregnancy outcome. We determined the association between antenatal attendance and pregnancy outcome using low birth weight and preterm birth. We conducted retrospective cohort study using data from antenatal and delivery records of all the maternity units in Kadjebi District from October 2012 to January 2013. The study subjects were a cohort of women who delivered in maternity units in the district from 1 st January to 31 st December 2011.The study participants were 663 pregnant women with mean age of 25.8 years, ranging between 15-45 years. Most of the women, 53.9% were between 20-29 years and 16.2% were teenagers. The mean parity of the women was 2.1. Almost all the pregnant women, 99.2% had at least one antenatal care but only 48.2% of them made the optimum antenatal visits recommended by WHO. About 55.5% of the deliveries were preterm. Pregnant women with height <145cm were most likely to have good antenatal attendance (LR, OR: 0.65, CI: 0.45-0.95, P= 0.0246). Preterm delivery was more among Sickling positive pregnant women (LR, OR: 4.37, CI: 1.55-12.33, P: 0.0052). Low birth weight was most common among the unemployed (OR: 5.17, CI: 1.72-15.60, P: 0.0035). Early antenatal registration was protective against low birth weight (OR: 0.27, CI: 0.07-0.95, P: 0.0415). Analysis of data collected in the antenatal and delivery registers can yield valuable information for public health action. Antenatal attendance was almost universal however, optimum antennal visits was undesirably lower than expected. Early registration for antenatal care would reduce low birth weight and improve pregnancy outcome. Keywords: Ghana, Antenatal care, Prenatal care, Retrospect cohort study, pregnancy outcome
Description and validation of an AOT product over land at the 0.6 μm channel of the SEVIRI sensor onboard MSG

Abstract. The Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) aboard Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) launched in 2003 by EUMETSAT is dedicated to the Nowcasting applications and Numerical Weather Prediction and to the provision of observations for climate monitoring and research. We use the data in visible and near infrared (NIR) channels to derive the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) over land. The algorithm is based on the assumption that the top of the atmosphere (TOA) reflectance increases with the aerosol load. This is a reasonable assumption except in case of absorbing aerosols above bright surfaces. We assume that the minimum in a 14-days time series of the TOA reflectance is, once corrected from gaseous scattering and absorption, representative of the surface reflectance. The AOT and the aerosol model (a set of 5 models is used), are retrieved by matching the simulated TOA reflectance with the TOA reflectances measured by SEVIRI in its visible and NIR spectral bands. The high temporal resolution of the data acquisition by SEVIRI allows to retrieve the AOT every 15 min with a spatial resolution of 3 km at sub-satellite point, over the entire SEVIRI disk covering Europe, Africa and part of South America. The resulting AOT, a level 2 product at the native temporal and spatial SEVIRI resolutions, is presented and evaluated in this paper. The AOT has been validated using ground based measurements from AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), a sun-photometer network, focusing over Europe for 3 months in 2006. The SEVIRI estimates correlate well with the AERONET measurements, r = 0.64, with a slight overestimate, bias = −0.017. The sources of errors are mainly the cloud contamination and the bad estimation of the surface reflectance. The temporal evolutions exhibited by both datasets show very good agreement which allows to conclude that the AOT Level 2 product from SEVIRI can be used to quantify the aerosol content and to monitor its daily evolution with a high temporal frequency. The comparison with daily maps of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) AOT level 3 product shows qualitative good agreement in the retrieved geographic patterns of AOT. Given the high spatial and temporal resolutions obtained with this approach, our results have clear potential for applications ranging from air quality monitoring to climate studies. This paper presents a first evaluation and validation of the derived AOT over Europe in order to document the overall quality of a product that will be made publicly available to the users of the aforementioned research communities.
Feeding by the zooflagellate Pseudobodo sp. on the picoplanktonic prasinomonad Micromonas pusilla

The trophodynamic interaction between a heterotrophic zooflagellate, Pseudobodo sp. (2 to 4 pm) and a small (2 pm) prasinophyte, Micromonas pusilla, was studied in continuous culture. This zooflagellate was capable of phagocytizing Micromonas and causing a rapid decline in cell numbers of the latter. Maximum growth rate of the zooflagellate was about 2 d-I and maximum clearance rate was about 1 X 10-~ 1ind-I d-l. A video system was used to record its feeding behaviour. We attempted to estimate population parameters by deliberately perturbing the experimental system and using systems identification procedures to fit non-linear dynamic models to the resulting time series. Our results suggest that the response of zooflagellates to fluctuating food densities is intrinsically more complicated than observations of steady-state growth would suggest. These complexities include both time lags in the response of ingestion to increasing food density, and a complex response of cell size, physiological state and depth rate to decreasing food density. Present observations suggest that considerable caution should be exercised in the use of steady-state chemostat results to predict or model zooflagellate populat~ons in the field.
ERGONOMICS-THE LAW OF WORKING

Ergonomics, the science that studies human stress a nd strain related to activities, has one primary ob jective-to prevent work related musculoskeletal disorders, or symptoms that aggravate these disorders. Repeated unnatural, deviated or inadequate working postures, forceful h and movements, inadequate equipment or workplace designs and inappropriate work patterns are likely to be the pa rticular risk factors. The application of ergonomic s to dentistry, or dento-ergonomics, can increase efficiency and preve nt injury. Among the factors that need to be consid ered are the height and reach of staff members, the equipment be ing used and the distribution of tasks. By implemen ting the theories of ergonomics, dental care providers can p rolong their interest and commitment to dentistry b y making difficult or even painful tasks less stressful. Th e paper shows that ergonomics can have a large impact on the effectiveness of dental health care delivery system s. So we suggest the idea that the study of ergonom ics should be included in the dental curriculum.
Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus

Rev. Biol. Trop. (Int. J. Trop. Biol. ISSN-0034-7744) Vol. 53 (1-2): 297-304, March-June 2005 (www.tropiweb.com) Wilson, E.O. 2003 Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 794 p + CD ROM. ISBN 0-674-00293. Price US$110.00. Review with a special emphasis on the Brazilian Pheidole ant fauna and megadiversity distribution in American countries
Changes in growth and metabolic profile of Chickpea under salt stress

Objectives: To analyze differences in sensitivity to saline stress among kabuli and desi cultivars of chickpea. Methodology and results: From ten genotypes of chickpea, three cultivars were screened in saline soils; two of them are kabuli (PUSA-1053, PUSA-939) and one desi types (BG-256). The seeds of the different cultivars were inoculated with Rhizobium sp. strain G-118 and the plants were grown in the greenhouse. After 12 days when symbiosis establishes, saline water of varying concentrations (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 dSm -1 ) NaCl, Na2SO4, CaCl2 were supplied to the seedlings. Plants were harvested at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) for analysis. Data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance, and the means compared by the LSD test (p<0.05). Results showed that plant growth, nodulation and nitrogenase activity were more severely affected in cultivar BG-256 under salinity treatments than cultivars PUSA-1053 and PUSA-939. Nodule mass and number was enhanced under salt stress in PUSA-1053 and PUSA-939. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity increased significantly in the nodules of tolerant cultivars under salt stress at all harvests, and this was clearly related to the salt treatments. Salinity reduced leaf chlorophyll and Rubisco activities in all the three cultivars. Conclusions: Salt stress limits photosynthetic efficiency, nitrogen fixation and carbon metabolism. Alteration in the nodular metabolism seemed to be directly responsible for nitrogen fixation by the salt tolerant cultivars. The present study reveals that under saline stress tolerant cultivars are more capable of nodulation which helps to attain higher nitrogen fixation by symbiosis than the sensitive ones.
Further Evidence of Deficiencies in Classical Finance 3

Reviewing the basics of mean–variance portfolio optimization and the capital asset pricing model, this paper discusses the plausibility of some of the underlying assumptions. It is pointed out that a positive in-sample relationship between the expected return of an asset and its covariance with the market portfolio can be a statistical artifact because it can be explained without using any economic arguments. In an empirical analysis of two sets of assets consisting of individual stocks and indices, respectively, no indication of any out-of-sample relationship is found. In the absence of such a relationship or any other additional information about the expected returns, simple averages of past returns must be used as input for portfolio-optimization procedures. Empirical evidence is presented which suggests that portfolio optimization is of little practical value in this case and, in addition, that the use of robust estimators can hardly make any difference. JEL classification numbers: C58, G11, G17
Articlex Quantum Unravelling of Perception by Active Consciousness

Leonid V. Il’ichov ABSTRACT Some hypothetical quantum operation is assumed to underline our perception of the external world. Choosing the so-called unravelling of the operation, we can change the probabilities of impressions. There explicitly evaluated an extremal unravelling which minimize the informational content of impressions and so make the picture of the external world most predictable. Being applied to sequences of impressions, the concept of the extremal unravelling yields the phenomenon of distinctive ‘quantum prognostics’. Communication between conscious minds is also possible by means of varying unravellings.
SInfluences of Cultivation Conditions on Microbial Profiles of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Harvested from Eastern and Central Thailand

This study investigated influences of cultivation conditions on microbial profiles of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) from three different cultivation environments: location, season and cultivation system (sanitation control farm and semi-natural farm). The first shrimp samples were collected from a sanitation control farm in Rayong (Eastern Thailand) in January 2011 (S1). Average temperature of water in the ponds was 27.1±0.2 °C with salinity 22.8±2.5 ‰ and pH 8.50±0.16. After harvesting, the samples were immediately shocked by ice before subjecting to microbiological analysis. Under these conditions, total plate counts (TPCs) of shrimps were generally below 4.00 Log CFU/g. Vibrio spp. was observed in 25 g of all samples. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was observed in terms of most probable number (MPN) values ranging from 3.6 to 11 MPN/g. The second shrimp samples were collected from the same farm in June 2011 (S2). Average temperature and salinity of waters were significantly higher than S1 (30.6±2.1°C and 30.4±0.4 ‰, respectively), whereas pH value was not significantly different (8.37±0.17). The TPCs and occurrence of Vibrio spp. of this batch were also similar to S1, whereas MPN values of V. parahaemolyticus were significantly higher (240 to >1100 MPN/g). The third shrimp samples were collected from a semi-natural farm in Samut Songkram (Central Thailand) in August 2011 (S3). In this farm, salinity was dramatically lower than the sanitation control farms (0.6±0.5 ‰), whereas the temperature and pH value were relatively similar (29.1±0.3°C and 8.27±0.27, respectively). TPCs observed were significantly higher than the control system farms (5.14 to 5.86 Log CFU/g). Vibrio spp. was detected in all samples. Interestingly, MPN values of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were significantly lower than the first two samples (<0.3 to 3.6). According to the results, microbial load on shrimp could be influenced by salinity and farming operation systems. The V. parahaemolyticus populations correlated positively with increasing temperature. In addition, salinity increase seems to be a key factor influencing contamination levels of V. parahaemolyticus on shrimps.
The associations among body composition, historical and recent physical activity, and bone status in postmenopausal women

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND BONE STATUS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN by JESSICA ANNE BINKOWSKI (Under the Direction of Ellen M. Evans) ABSTRACT The association between historical bone loading physical activity (PA) and bone mineral density (BMD) and the relative importance of lean soft tissue mass (LSTM) or fat mass (FM) as the primary independent predictor of BMD, controlling for historical or recent PA, has not been extensively studied in postmenopausal women. Women (n = 67, mean age 58.1 ± 3.9, range 49-65 years old) were assessed for PA habits subjectively via questionnaires and objectively using a pedometer. Bone status and body composition measured were assessed using dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry. No significant relationships were found between any reported historical PA and BMD although recent PA, measured either from self-report or step counts, were weakly related. LSTM, not FM or recent PA, was the only significant independent contributor to whole body and femoral neck BMD other than hormone replacement therapy when age and months in menopause were controlled.
An Analysis of Innovativeness as the Basic Competitiveness Factor of the Sector of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Poland in the Years 2001-2012 against Changes in the Selected Measures of the National Economy

The publication analyzes and tries to assess innovative activity of small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. The above analysis and assessment was made in the context of the competitiveness of the SME sector in Poland and against selected measures characterizing the national economy within that scope, as well as based on the selected indicators for average values in the European Union. The whole article is divided into four, logically linked parts. Introduction shows dependencies between innovative activity and competitiveness, Part Two discusses innovative activity and competitiveness of SMEs in Poland in the years 2001-2006, Part Three deals with the years 2007-2012, whereas Part Four, forming the Conclusions, indicates challenges that the SME sector enterprises in Poland face in the 21st century.
Light absorption of Isochrysis galbana (Prymnesiophyceae) under a daynight cycle with ultraviolet radiation

Diel variation in chlorophyll a-specific absorption coefficients, a* ph (λ), m 2 (mg chl a) -1 , was examined to study the effect of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on a* ph (λ) of the prymnesiophycean Isochrysis galbana (Parke). A continuous culture was exposed for 2 wk to a 12 h light: 12 h dark cycle of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) supplemented with UVR. Photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments as well as cell density and diameter were also determined every 2 h for 2 d to confirm the periodicity of a* ph (λ). A distinct diel variation was observed, with maxima toward the end of light periods and minima toward the end of dark periods. The magnitude of diel variation in a* ph (440) and a* ph (676) was 14 and 6.6%, respectively. To reconstruct the absorption coefficient, the absorption efficiency factors Q a (λ), were determined using intracellular chl a concentration, cell diameter, and chl a-specific absorption coefficients after solubilization on Triton X, a* TX (λ). The main source of diel variation for Q a (λ) appears to be a *TX (λ). Diel variation in the absorption ratio of photoprotective pigments to chl a was observed to be more significant than that for the absorption ratio of other photosynthetic pigments to chl a. The diel variations in a* ph (λ) were primarily caused by changes in pigmentation of photoprotective pigments due to UVR.
Social Capital and Expenditure on Farm Inputs: A Case Study of Paddy Farming Households in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

Social Capital refers to the networks of relationships that are built on trust to facilitate collective action in a community. The role of social capital in enhancing various aspect of farm production has become increasingly important. This article aims at examining the effect of structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital on expenditure on farm inputs in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Data was collected in the 2013/14 farming season in five selected villages of the study area from 309 randomly selected households. A structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Analysis involved the use a Tobit regression which considers censored dependent variable. The results shows that farm households in Kilombero have cooperative attributes based on strong ties, kinships and networks. Households with high membership density and which invest on trust relationships were more likely to have increased spending on farm inputs. The other cognitive dimension of social capital, social cohesion, is particularly relevant in ensuring farm labour availability. The results generally support hypothesis that, social capital relax farm input liquidity constraints. Formulation of rural development strategies should thus aim at promoting formation of social groups and networks, which may address input liquidity concerns. Original Research Article Msinde; JAERI, 14(1): 1-10, 2018; Article no.JAERI. 38208 2