Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sub-Saharan Africa’s Infrastructure Gap: A Failure of Financial Markets?

This research examines the role of financial market failure in explaining Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) infrastructure gap. The core infrastructure examined are energy, telecommunication and transport. The model includes a nonlinear interaction variable as well as elements of expectation models. The study finds that fixed effects are dominant for all infrastructure except mobile telecommunication facilities in SSA. The dynamic panel regression results indicate that for most of the considered infrastructure, financial sector intermediation to the private sector is most critical. Banking and stock market development are, generally, less important. There is evidence that there is an interaction between most considered infrastructure and financial sector intermediation. JEL Classification: G2, O1, G10. Keywords: Financial markets, Infrastructure gap, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Proteins in Action. Simulations of conformational changes in small proteins

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Muon Collider: Plans, Progress and Challenges

We in the physics community expect the LHC to uncover new physics in the next few years. The character and energy scale of the new physics remain unclear, but it is likely that data from the LHC will need to be complemented by information from a lepton collider which can provide for precise examination of new phenomena. We describe the concept, accelerator design, and detector R&D for a high energy Muon Collider as well as the challenges associated with the machine and its detector environment.
A WAY TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT BY A TWO-PROBE IMPLEMENTATION OF MICROWAVE INTERFEROMETRY

This paper addresses the possibility of displacement measurement by microwave interferometry at an unknown re∞ection coe-cient with the use of as few as two probes. The case of an arbitrary interpobe distance is considered. The measurement error as a function of the interprobe distance is analyzed with the inclusion of variations of the detector currents from their theoretical values. The analysis has shown that as the interprobe distance decreases, the maximum measurement error passes through a minimum for re∞ection coe-cients close to unity and increases monotonically for smaller re∞ection coe-cients. Based on the results of the analysis, the interprobe distance is suggested to be one tenth of the guided operating wavelength ‚g. In comparison with the conventional interprobe distance of ‚g=8, the suggested one ofiers a marked reduction in the maximum measurement error for re∞ection coe-cients close to unity, while for smaller ones this error remains much the same (for a detector current error of 3%, the maximum measurement error in percent of the operating wavelength is 2.2% and 1.0% at ‚g=10 as against 4.8% and 2.7% at ‚g=8 for a re∞ection coe-cient of 1 and 0.9, respectively, and 2.9% at ‚g=10 as against 2.4% at ‚g=8 for a re∞ection coe-cient of 0.1).
Acidic Deposition in the Northeastern United States: Sources and Inputs, Ecosystem Effects, and Management Strategies

A deposition is the transfer of strong acids and acid-forming substances from the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth. The composition of acidic deposition includes ions, gases, and particles derived from the following: gaseous emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3), and particulate emissions of acidifying and neutralizing compounds. Over the past quarter century of study, acidic deposition has emerged as a critical environmental stress that affects forested landscapes and aquatic ecosystems in North America, Europe, and Asia. This complex problem is an example of a new class of environmental issues that are multiregional in scale and are not amenable to simple resolution by policymakers. Acidic deposition can originate from transboundary air pollution and can affect large geographic areas. It is highly variable across space and time, links air pollution to diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and alters the interactions of many elements (e.g., sulfur [S], nitrogen [N], hydrogen ion [H+], calcium [Ca2+], magnesium [Mg2+], and aluminum [Al]). It also contributes directly and indirectly to biological stress and to the degradation of ecosystems. Despite the complexity of the effects of acidic deposition, North American and European management actions directed toward the recovery of damaged natural resources have resulted in recent decreases in both emissions and deposition of acidic S compounds. Accordingly, acidic deposition presents an instructive case study
Studies on population characteristics of Coryphaena hippurus, (L) (Pisces: Perciformes) from Indian waters

The Indian dolphin fish, Coryphaena hippurus, (Linnaeus, 1758) forms a commercially important fishery in India, especially along the south west coast. The present study was carried out to understand the growth parameters of C. hippurus. Growth parameters of C. hippurus such as the age, growth and mortality of dolphin fish, C. hippurus were estimated through the appropriate routines of FISAT II Software from the length frequency data. The optimized values for asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) obtained through ELEFAN I routine was 194.25 cm and 0.40 year -1 respectively. The estimated value for average total, natural and fishing mortality coefficients were found as 0.97, 0.60 and 0.37 respectively. The relative yield per recruit and average biomass per recruit were determined as a function of LC/L∞ and M/K where it was 0.28 and 1.5 respectively. The exploitation ratio E = 0.38 indicated that the population was under exploited. The growth parameters obtained in the present study are useful fundamental indicators for the population dynamics studies of C. hippurus.
Effects of carbon source on N 2 O production in the process of simultaneous nitrification and denitrifica-tion via nitrite by aerobic granular sludge

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was used to study the effect of carbon source (C 6 H 12 O 6 and CH 3 COONa) and C/N ratio (C/N=4:1 and C/N=7:1) on the production of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) in the process of simultaneous nitrifica-tion and denitrification via nitrite (short-cut SND) by aerobic granular sludge and the removal efficiency of nitrogen under low dissolved oxygen (DO). The results showed that short-cut SND occurred in this system, and the removal ef-ficiency of total nitrogen (TN) at C 6 H 12 O 6 and CH 3 COONa were 28.93 % and 41.19 %, respectively. However, the production of N 2 O significantly increased when CH 3 COONa was used as a carbon source. In addition, the rate of N 2 O release when CH 3 COONa was a carbon source was 8.34 times the rate when C 6 H 12 O 6 was the carbon source. With the increase of C/N, removal rate of TN and the efficiency of the short-cut SND were increased. The removal efficiency of TN at C/N=7:1 was 90.33%, which was 2.19 times at C/N=4:1. The percentage of short-cut SND at C/N=4:1 and C/N=7:1 were 87.47% and 95.97%, respectively. The release rate of N 2 O from the original 1.14 mg/(g • min) decreased to 0.10 mg/(g • min) after increased the C/N from 4:1 to 7:1.
A Study on the Factors Affecting the Service Quality of Online Transactions Based on Association Analysis

Through a comparative study of service quality under the traditional and online contexts, this paper extracted the keywords from the verbal descriptions about service quality of online transactions. Major affecting factors of online transaction service quality were refined by the Correlationbased Feature Selection (CFS) standard, based on 25 impact attributes and 1 decision attribute concerning customer complaints and negative emotions. Simultaneously, the association analysis of Apriori algorithm on data mining produced 10 association rules. Corresponding suggestions and managerial implications from the perspective of service recovery are discussed. Keywords-online transactions; service quality; data mining; association analysis
Researches on Conduction Mechanism of Social Stability Risk in Large-scale Engineering Projects

Based on the dynamic conduction characteristics of social stability risk,the conduction mechanism and prevention measures of social stability risk in large-scale engineering projects are discussed.Firstly,social stability risk conduction chain of large-scale engineering projects is built,including risk source,risk stream,risk carrier,risk event and risk result.Secondly,the conduction mechanism of social stability risk in large-scale engineering projects is analyzed and further elaborated using Sandpile Model.The analysis indicates that social stability risk can be prevented and resolved through reducing risk source,hindering risk pathway,raising the risk threshold of society.The research helps to recognize the nature of social stability risk and conduction rules in large-scale engineering projects,which can prevent social stability risk from the source.
HRM Practices and Existence of Knowledge Management Agent in Higher Education

Purpose - the organizational life cycle theory show us about the impact of Knowledge management on Human resource practices. By observing universities that teach knowledge management in their academic course compared to university does not teach knowledge management, we want to know how knowledge management can impact on the quality of Human Resource (HR) practices. Findings - it appears that HR practices in universities that teach knowledge management courses were more able to develop research and education and information absorption than they did not teach the courses. In addition the universities which did not teach knowledge management sometimes more focused on operational issues and difficulties in building the skills and knowledge of their HR staff significantly, and have lower performance result. Research limitations/implications - there are limitations on the collection of respondent by purposive sampling and it is suggested to increase the number of respondents that extends from the geographical scope and a longer study period. Originality/value - HR practices in various organizations and universities have been widely studied. But it is still rare to study the field of knowledge management course especially about lecturer as knowledge management agent. In addition, this study applies the life cycle theory by examining HR practices in higher education that encourages the higher university to focus on strategic HR issues in their environment. Keywords: knowledge management, university, organizational life cycle
The y-sky: diffuse spectral distortions of the cosmic microwave background

The non-linear evolution of the energy density of the radiation induces spectral distortions of the cosmic microwave background both at recombination and during the reionization era. This distortion has the same spectral signature as the one produced by the re-scattering of photons by non-relativistic hot electrons, the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect, whose amplitude is quantified by a Compton y parameter. A diffuse y-sky is then expected to emerge from mode couplings in the non-linear evolution of the cosmological perturbations and to superimpose to the point source contributions of galaxy clusters. The equations describing the evolution of the y field and a hierarchy governing its angular multipoles are derived from the second order Boltzmann equation. These equations are then integrated numerically to obtain the first predicted power spectrum of the diffuse y-sky. It is found to be a remarkable tracer of the reionization history of the Universe.
Antioxidant Responses of Helianthus annuus L. under Vanadium Stress.

Vanadium (V) is a transition metal consistently distributed in the Earth’s crust. At trace concentrations, it has been described as a beneficial element for some organisms; however, it is toxic at higher concentrations. This study was conducted hydroponically in a complete randomized design to investigate effects of V (0, 3.25, 7.5, and 15 mg L-1) on antioxidant system of sunflower. Results showed that all applied concentrations of V significantly decreased the plant growth, but increased the free amino acids, proline, malondialdehyde and H2O2 contents of plants. The antioxidant enzymes activities increased in response to the increase in V concentration. The activity of (Guaiacol) peroxidase showed a significant increase at 15 mg L-1 V while the activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase decreased significantly by application of V. There was a slight increase in the superoxide dismutase activity at different concentrations of V. The study concludes that the applied concentrations of V induced oxidative stress in sunflower and (Guaiacol) peroxidase was a more effective antioxidant enzyme in scavenging the free radicals in this plant.
Deadline Tightness and Performance in Operational and Logistics Contexts

The purpose of this research is to better understand the relationships among regulatory focus (dispositional factor), inventory record accuracy (an operational context), and deadline tightness (a parameter under management control) against performance. Participant performance was measured by the amount of defects identified and the cumulative times to complete the given tasks. Two conditions placed on the participants were a high and low inventory-record accuracy and a loose or tight deadline, and prevention and promotion focused were measured on a regulatory focus scale. We analyzed, through statistical tools such as regression and a t test, the significance between performance, conditions, and regulatory focus. The anticipated outcome is to validate our assumption that tighter deadlines will lead to lower performance and that inventory record accuracy results in higher levels of performance. These findings may have practical applications for organizations such as DLA, NAVSUP, and other agencies or organizations that perform warehouse tasking when assigning or hiring individuals to perform such functions.
Exploring evaluator perceptions of the characterization of impact under the REF2014

The relative newness of ‘impact’ as a criterion for research assessment has meant that there is yet to be an empirical study examining the process of its evaluation. This article is part of a broader study which is exploring the panel-based peer and end-user review process for societal impact evaluation using the UK’s national research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, as a case study. In particular, this article explores the different perceptions REF2014 evaluators had regarding societal impact, preceding their evaluation of this measure as part of REF2014. Data are drawn from 62 interviews with evaluators from the health-related Panel A and its subpanels, prior to the REF2014 exercise taking place. We show how going into the REF exercise, evaluators from Panel A had different perceptions about how to characterize impact and how to define impact realization in terms of research outcomes and the research process. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for future impact evaluation frameworks, as well as postulating a series of hypotheses about the ways in which evaluators’ different perceptions going into an impact assessment could potentially influence the evaluation of impact submissions. Using REF2014 as a case study, these hypotheses will be tested in interviews with REF2014 evaluators post-assessment.
BRAZILIAN LOGISTICS: A TIME FOR TRANSITION Invited Paper

This article describes the logistics dimensions that World Class Firms use to differentiate their capabilities from their more average counterparts. These dimensions, which have been identified through international research, yield logistically excellent firms. The dimensions are documented and described. Using these dimensions as a foundation, the article then develops the implications for Brazilian logistics managers as they are required to transition to a World Class level of logistical performance.
In Focus All You Need Is Sleep

Citing this paper Please note that where the full-text provided on King's Research Portal is the Author Accepted Manuscript or Post-Print version this may differ from the final Published version. If citing, it is advised that you check and use the publisher's definitive version for pagination, volume/issue, and date of publication details. And where the final published version is provided on the Research Portal, if citing you are again advised to check the publisher's website for any subsequent corrections.
Civic Community Approaches to Rural Development in the South: Economic Growth with Prosperity

The free market-based policies of the corporate community model have skewed economic development across the South. For many small, rural communities, the consequences of global capitalism have resulted in declining real wages, high underemployment, and increasing rates of income inequality. Backed by recent scholarship and grassroots movements that suggest that both civic engagement and the presence of smaller-scale, locally controlled enterprises can help determine whether communities prosper or decline, this paper explores the links between social structure and rural development in the South. The goal is to expand our understanding of civic community theory as an alternative to the neoclassical economic model of development. Using a local problem-solving framework, we suggest that a departure from the traditional, neoclassical path of development is in order. We conclude that rural policy makers must establish a role for civic community in the rural development process if they wish to protect the welfare of workers and communities, while increasing the prospects of economic growth with prosperity.
Blood and biometric data on an established Salmo trutta macrostigma (Dumeril, 1858) population in an Italian stream: preliminary results.

The aim of this study was to obtain a basic knowledge of some blood haematological and biochemical characteristics of Salmo trutta macrostigma (S. t. macrostigma) captured in Anapo river, Italy. White blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), thrombocyte count (TC), triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, glucose and lactate were measured in blood sample from 20 adult fish (8 males and 12 females). The fork length and total weight of the individuals varied from 19.00 to 29.40 cm and from 93.00 to 343.00 g, respectively, while condition factor varied from 0.89 to 1.55 g cm -1 . The obtained results, showed no significant difference of biometric data between males and females. About haematological and biochemical parameters Unpaired t-Test Student between females and males of the 20 S. t. macrostigma showed statistically significant differences only for TC (P<0.001) which value was lower in females respect to males. The present study represent a preliminary investigation related to a specific seasonal period as it is known that fish metabolism is influenced by water temperature, water oxygen concentration and intensity and length of sunshine. Thus our results are useful to obtain a basic knowledge for S. t. macrostigma in order to monitor the health status of this fish species that today appears to be at risk of extinction.
Sharan Merriam : Globalization and Adult Education

On September 22, 2011, Sharan Merriam visited Brock University to give a Distinguished Speaker Lecture entitled "Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Adult Education. " Based on her research about the future of adult education within a global context, Merriam’s lecture sets the tone for this special issue on the impact of globalization for adult education and higher education. Merriam (2010) unpacked the phenomenon of globalization, connected it to the knowledge economy, and situated it within a contemporary, political, social, cultural, and educational context. Merriam (2010) highlighted the need for consideration of the trends and trajectories in adult education related to globalization as "adult education does not occur in a vacuum" (p. 408). She emphasized the need to consider research on lifelong learning that has been impacted by global education. Merriam’s work further highlighted the need for the sharing of knowledge among international educators in a global context. Subsequently, the authors of this article interviewed Merriam seeking to understand her background, how she became a specialist in adult education, her understanding of adult education as a field, and her perspective with respect to globalization and adult education. The ideas discussed in the interview led the editors to conceptualize this special issue entitled "The Impact of Globalization for Adult Education and Higher Education. " This special issue seeks to explore new knowledge that considers the question: How does globalization play out within the practice of teaching adult and higher education in various adult educational contexts?
A P ] 3 0 Ju l 2 01 8 Probabilistic representation for mild solution of the Navier-Stokes equations

This paper is based on a formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations developed by Iyer and Constantin [5] , where the velocity field of a viscous incompressible fluid is written as the expected value of a stochastic process. Our contribution is to establish this probabilistic representation formula for mild solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations on Rd.
NEECF: a project of nutrient enrichment experiments in china’s forests

anthropogenic nitrogen (N) emissions to atmosphere have increased dramatically in China since 1980s, and this increase has aroused great concerns on its ecological impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Previous studies have showed that terrestrial ecosystems in China are acting as a large carbon (C) sink, but its potential in the future remains largely uncertain. so far little work on the impacts of the N deposition on C sequestration in China’s terrestrial ecosystems has been assessed at a national scale. aiming to assess and predict how ecological processes especially the C cycling respond to the increasing N deposition in China’s forests, recently researchers from Peking u niversity and their partners have established a manipulation experimental network on the ecological effects of the N deposition: Nutrient Enrichment Experiments in China’s Forests Project (NEECF). The NEECF comprises 10 experiments at 7 sites located from north to south China, covering major zonal forest vegetation in eastern China from boreal forest in greater Khingan mountains to tropical forests in Hainan Island. This paper introduces the framework of the NEECF project and its potential policy implications.