Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder Engagement: Achieving Sustainability in the Construction Sector

Achieving sustainability-related targets in construction projects is increasingly becoming a key performance driver. Yet sustainability is a complex concept in projects and there are many diverse stakeholders. Some stakeholders are generally recognized as important, i.e., the client and main contractor, yet there are others not always perceived as such and whose absence from the decision-making processes may result in a failure to address sustainability issues. Hence there is a need for a systematic approach to engage with stakeholders with high salience in relation to sustainability. This paper reports the results of an exploratory study involving interviews with construction project practitioners that are involved in sustainability in some way. Data were collected from the practitioners in terms of the processes for engaging with stakeholders to deliver sustainability. The data suggests six steps to a stakeholder engagement process: (i) identification; (ii) relating stakeholders to different sustainability-related targets; (iii) prioritization; (iv) managing; (v) measuring performance; and (vi) putting targets into action. The results suggest that understanding the different sustainability agendas of stakeholders and measuring their performance using key performance indicators are important stages to be emphasized in any stakeholder engagement process to achieve sustainability-related goals.
Is the Prefrontal Cortex Necessary for Delay Task Performance? Evidence from Lesion and fMRI Data

Although the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is consistently found to be associated with various working memory processes, the necessity of the PFC for such processes remains unclear. To elucidate PFC contributions to storage and rehearsal/maintenance processes engaged during verbal working memory function, we assessed behavior of patients with lesions to the left or right lateral PFC, and neural activity of healthy young subjects during fMRI scanning, during performance of working memory tasks. We found that PFC lesions did not affect storage processes—which is consistent with the notion that posterior cortical networks can support simple retention of information. We also found that PFC lesions did not affect rehearsal/maintenance processes, which was in contrast to our finding that healthy subjects performing a verbal delayed recognition task showed bilateral PFC activation. These combined imaging and behavioral data suggest that working memory rehearsal/maintenance processes may depend on both hemispheres, which may have implications for recovery of function and development of rehabilitation therapies after frontal injury. (JINS, 2006, 12, 248–260.)
A refutation of Metcalfe ’ s Law and a better estimate for the value of networks and network interconnections

Metcalfe’s Law states that the value of a communications network is proportional to the square of the size of the network. It is widely accepted and frequently cited. However, there are several arguments that this rule is a significant overestimate. (Therefore Reed’s Law is even more of an overestimate, since it says that the value of a network grows exponentially, in the mathematical sense, in network size.) This note presents several quantitative arguments that suggest the value of a general communication network of size n grows like n log(n). This growth rate is faster than the linear growth, of order n, that, according to Sarnoff’s Law, governs the value of a broadcast network. On the other hand, it is much slower than the quadratic growth of Metcalfe’s Law, and helps explain the failure of the dot-com and telecom booms, as well as why network interconnection (such as peering on the Internet) remains a controversial issue.
Relationship between Receipt of a Social Protection Grant for a Child and Second Pregnancy Rates among South African Women: A Cohort Study

Background Social protection programs issuing cash grants to caregivers of young children may influence fertility. Grant-related income could foster economic independence and/or increase access to job prospects, education, and health services, resulting in lower pregnancy rates. In the other direction, these programs may motivate family expansion in order to receive larger grants. Here, we estimate the net effect of these countervailing mechanisms among rural South African women. Methods We constructed a retrospective cohort of 4845 women who first became eligible for the Child Support Grant with the birth of their first child between 1998 and 2008, with data originally collected by the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. We fit Cox regression models to estimate the hazard of second pregnancy in women who reported grant receipt after birth of first child, relative to non-recipients. As a secondary analysis to explore the potential for grant loss to incentivize second pregnancy, we exploited a natural experiment created by a 2003 expansion of the program’s age eligibility criterion from age seven to nine. We compared second pregnancy rates between (i) women with children age seven or eight in 2002 (recently aged out of grant eligibility) to (ii) women with children age seven or eight in 2003 (remained grant-eligible). Results The adjusted hazard ratio for the association between grant exposure and second pregnancy was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.75). Women with first children who aged out of grant eligibility in 2002 had similar second pregnancy rates to women with first children who remained grant-eligible in 2003 [IRR (95% CI): 0.9 (0.5, 1.4)]. Conclusions Across both primary and secondary analyses, we found no evidence that the Child Support Grant incentivizes pregnancy. In harmony with South African population policy, receipt of the Child Support Grant may result in longer spacing between pregnancies.
Restoration of the Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Middle-Aged Female Rats by Altering the Balance of GABA and Glutamate Transmission in the Medial Preoptic Area1

Abstract Hypothalamic glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission are involved in the ovarian hormone-induced GnRH-LH surge in rodents. We previously reported that middle-aged rats have significantly less glutamate release in the medial preoptic area than young rats on the day of the LH surge. The present study tested the hypothesis that the delayed and attenuated LH surge in ovariohysterectomized middle-aged rats primed with ovarian steroids results from reduced hypothalamic glutamate and increased GABAA neurotransmission. Microdialysis results show that middle-aged rats with attenuated LH surges had reduced extracellular glutamate and increased extracellular GABA levels in the medial preoptic area compared with young rats. Blocking GABAA receptors with bicuculline or inhibiting synaptic glutamate reuptake with l-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid increased extracellular Glu in the medial preoptic area and partially restored LH surge amplitude in middle-aged rats without altering LH surge onset. Complete recovery of LH surge amplitude was observed in middle-aged rats treated with the combination of bicuculline and l-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid. This treatment also restored the extracellular glutamate:GABA ratio in the medial preoptic area of middle-aged rats to the level of young rats. Immunoblot analysis revealed that estradiol and progesterone treatment reduced SLC32A1(formerly known as vesicular GABA transporter) levels and increased SLC17A6 (formerly known as vesicular glutamate transporter 2) levels in the anterior hypothalamus of ovariohysterectomized young but not middle-aged rats. These data suggest that both reduced availability of glutamate and increased activation of GABAA receptors under estrogen-positive feedback conditions contribute to the age-related delay in onset and attenuated amplitude of the LH surge.
Tillage depth and forward speed effects on draft of three primary tillage implements in clay loam soil.

Effects of tillage depth and forward speed on draft of three primary tillage implements were studied by using a tension load cell in clay loam soil. Implements included a moldboard plow, a disk plow and a chisel plow, each of them with one tillage unit. A photoelectric speed sensor was used for measuring forward speed. The effects of forward speed and tillage depth on draft measurements were investigated through strip-split plot design. A significant increase in draft was observed for all the implements with increase in tillage depth and forward speed. Comparing of average draft in treatments with Duncan’s multiple range test showed that moldboard plow in highest forward speed and tillage depth had maximum draft and disk plow in lowest forward speed and tillage depth had minimum draft values. The relationships between draft and forward speed are presented graphically.
Working memory in preterm‐born adults: Load‐dependent compensatory activity of the posterior default mode network

Premature birth is associated with an increased risk of cognitive performance deficits that are dependent on working memory (WM) load in childhood. Less clear is whether preterm‐born adults show similar WM impairments, or develop compensatory brain mechanisms that help to overcome prematurity‐related functional deficits, for example, by a workload‐dependent over‐recruitment of WM‐typical areas, and/or engagement of alternative brain networks. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, 73 adults born very preterm and/or with very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and 73 term‐born controls (CON, mean age: 26.5 years) performed a verbal N‐Back paradigm with varying workload (0‐back, 1‐back, 2‐back). Generally, both groups showed similar performance accuracy and task‐typical patterns of brain activations (especially in fronto‐cingulo‐parietal, thalamic, and cerebellar areas) and deactivations (especially in mesial frontal and parietal aspects of the default mode network [DMN]). However, VP/VLBW adults showed significantly stronger deactivations (P < 0.05, cluster‐level corrected) than CON in posterior DMN regions, including right ventral precuneus, and right parahippocampal areas (with adjacent cerebellar areas), which were specific for the most demanding 2‐back condition. Consistent with a workload‐dependent effect, VP/VLBW adults with stronger deactivations (1‐back > 2‐back) in the parahippocampal/cerebellar cluster also presented a greater slowing of response latencies with increasing WM load (2‐back > 1‐back), indicative of higher effort. In conclusion, VP/VLBW adults recruited similar anatomical networks as controls during N‐back performance, but showed an enhanced suppression of posterior DMN regions during higher workload, which may reflect a temporary suppression of stimulus‐independent thoughts that helps to maintain adequate task performance with increasing attentional demands. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1121–1137, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geological observations in high‐grade mid‐Proterozoic rocks from Else Platform, northern Prince Charles mountains region, east Antarctica

Granulite facies rocks on Else Platform in the northern Prince Charles Mountains, east Antarctica, consist of metasedimentary gneiss extensively intruded by granitic rocks. The dominant rock type is a layered garnetbiotite‐bearing gneiss intercalated with minor garnet‐cordierite‐sillimanite gneiss and calc‐silicate. Voluminous megacrystic granite intruded early during a mid‐Proterozoic (ca 1000 Ma) granulite event, M1, widely recognized in east Antarctica. Peak metamorphic conditions for M1 are in the range of 650–750 MPa at ∼800°C and were associated with the development of a gneissic foliation, S1 and steep east‐plunging lineation, L1. Strain partitioning during progressive non‐coaxial deformation formed large D2 granulite facies south‐dipping thrusts, with a steep, east‐plunging lineation. In areas of lower D2 strain, large‐scale upright, steep east‐plunging fold structures formed synchronously with the D2 high‐strain zones. Voluminous garnet‐bearing leucogneiss intruded at 940 ±20 Ma and was deformed .
Investigation of some biologic activities of Swertia longifolia Boiss

Swertia species are widespread in Eastern and Southern Asian countries and used in traditional medicine as anti-pyretic, analgesic, gastro and liver tonic. Among different species, only Swertia longifolia grows in Iran. In this investigation, antioxidant, cytotoxic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of S. longifolia have been studied. Aerial parts and roots of the plant were collected, dried and extracted with methanol 80% (total extract). Different extracts of the plant were obtained using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, methanol:water (1:1) and water, respectively. Cytotoxic activity was determined by MTT assay on MDBK, HepG2, MCF7, HT29 and A549 cell lines. Antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI) effect was evaluated based on Ellman’s method in 96-well microplates.The results showed no cytotoxicity of the plant extracts on MDBK, HepG2, MCF7, HT29 and A549 cell lines up to 100 μg/ml. All samples showed radical scavenging activity but methanol extract of aerial parts and ethyl acetate extract of the roots showed the highest effects.Total extract of the roots showed higher AChEI activity than the aerial parts. Among different extracts, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the roots and chloroform and methanol:water extracts of the aerial parts were more potent in AChEI assay. It is concluded that aerial parts and roots of the plant are rich in antioxidant agents with no cytotoxicity on selected cell lines up to 100 μg/ml. Moreover, since antioxidant and AChEI activity of compounds play an important role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disorder, this plant might be a potential candidate for isolation of antioxidant and AChEI compounds which could be used as supportive treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Understanding the Characteristics of Daily Precipitation over the United States Using the North American Regional Reanalysis

Abstract This study examines the seasonal characteristics of daily precipitation over the United States using the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). To help understand the physical mechanisms that contribute to changes in the characteristics of daily precipitation, vertically integrated moisture flux convergence (MFC) and precipitable water were included in the study. First, an analysis of the NARR precipitation was carried out because while observed precipitation is indirectly assimilated in the system, differences exist. The NARR mean seasonal amount is very close to that of observations throughout the year, although NARR exhibits a slight systematic bias toward more-frequent, lighter precipitation. Particularly during summer, the precipitation intensity and the probability distribution function (PDF) indicate that NARR somewhat underestimates extremes and overestimates lighter events in the eastern half of the United States. The intensity and PDF of moisture flux convergence exhibit a strong si.
Observation of Algal Bloom in the Northwest Arabian Sea Using Multisensor Remote Sensing Satellite Data

Algal bloom observed using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS-P4 Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) derived chlorophyll images during December 23, 2003–January 8, 2004, off the Oman coast. High chlorophyll concentration (∼20 mg m−3) patches were observed. MODIS-Aqua data of January 1, 2004, were analyzed to generate normalized water leaving radiance (nLw) images for seven visible channels: 412, 443, 488, 531, 551, 667 and 678 nm. The channels 667 and 678 nm showed interesting algal bloom features. The bloom features were detected in OCM image of January 2, 2004, using Subramanian's Trichodesmium detection Protocol. MODIS-Aqua retrieved Sea Surface Temperature (SST) around the bloom patches was observed to be >240°C. The OCM chlorophyll mean observed to be very high (>10.0 mg m−3) in two bloom pockets. Quickscat scatterometer derived wind speed was found to be optimum in the range of 3–5 m/sec.
Directivity Detection and Source Properties of the 11 May 2011 Mw 5.2 Lorca, Spain, Earthquake

A kinematic finite‐source study of the 11 May 2011 M w 5.2 Lorca, Spain, earthquake has been performed using broadband data from the Spanish National Network. The nodal plane ambiguity of the double‐couple solution was resolved from finite‐source analysis, and a rupture velocity of 1.8 km s−1 and the northeast–southwest‐striking northwest‐dipping plane was found to best fit the data. This fault plane corresponds to the central sector of the Alhama de Murcia fault (AMF). The resulting slip distribution has a maximum of 19.3 cm and a total seismic moment of 6.25×1016 N·m. A Jackknife test has been performed to estimate the fault plane errors and their consequences in the slip distribution. Also synthetic tests have been performed to evaluate the errors in the finite‐source modeling. From this model, a prediction of the strong ground motion near the fault, corrected for soil amplification, is given in terms of peak ground velocity (PGV), which fits with the observed value at the accelerograph in the city of Lorca. We also compared the PGV converted to modified Mercalli intensity at the surface with the intensity distribution, also showing good agreement. Finally we extracted the directivity pulse from the strong ground motion record at Lorca with 0.5 s period in the transverse component to the AMF direction and 33 cm s−1 PGV. To further analyze the directivity effect, we estimate the duration and azimuthal amplitude distribution of the source time functions, finding them to be shorter and of greater amplitude in the direction of rupture and longer and smaller in amplitude in the opposite direction.
The Relationship of Rainfall Variability in Western Equatorial Africa to the Tropical Oceans and Atmospheric Circulation. Part II: The Boreal Autumn

AbstractThis paper examines the mechanisms controlling the year-to-year variability of rainfall over western equatorial Africa during the rainy season of October–December. Five regions with distinct behavior are analyzed separately. Only two show strong associations with the ocean and atmospheric features in the global tropics. These two regions, in the east (the eastern Zaire basin) and west (Angolan coast) of the study area, respectively, demonstrate strikingly opposite relationships with the anomalies of sea surface temperatures (SSTs), sea level pressure (SLP), and east–west atmospheric circulation. The wet (dry) conditions in the eastern Zaire basin are associated with El Nino(La Nina)–like phases. The inverse pattern is apparent for the Angolan coast. The other three regions, lying between these two poles of variability, represent a transition zone with a weak linear relationship to the circulation features.The vital impact of the east–west circulation cells on rainfall variability results in a stro.
AN OBJECTIVE AND PARSIMONIOUS APPROACH FOR CLASSIFYING NATURAL FLOW REGIMES AT A CONTINENTAL SCALE

Hydro‐ecological stream classification—the process of grouping streams by similar hydrologic responses and, by extension, similar aquatic habitat—has been widely accepted and is considered by some to be one of the first steps towards developing ecological flow targets. A new classification of 1543 streamgauges in the contiguous USA is presented by use of a novel and parsimonious approach to understand similarity in ecological streamflow response. This novel classification approach uses seven fundamental daily streamflow statistics (FDSS) rather than winnowing down an uncorrelated subset from 200 or more ecologically relevant streamflow statistics (ERSS) commonly used in hydro‐ecological classification studies. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the distributions of 33 tested ERSS are consistently different among the classification groups derived from the seven FDSS. It is further shown that classification based solely on the 33 ERSS generally does a poorer job in grouping similar streamgauges than the classification based on the seven FDSS. This new classification approach has the additional advantages of overcoming some of the subjectivity associated with the selection of the classification variables and provides a set of robust continental‐scale classes of US streamgauges. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Aspergillus nidulans transcription factor AtfA interacts with the MAPK SakA to regulate general stress responses, development and spore functions

Fungi utilize a phosphorelay system coupled to a MAP kinase module for sensing and processing environmental signals. In Aspergillus nidulans, response regulator SskA transmits osmotic and oxidative stress signals to the stress MAPK (SAPK) SakA. Using a genetic approach together with GFP tagging and molecular bifluorescence we show that SakA and ATF/CREB transcription factor AtfA define a general stress‐signalling pathway that plays differential roles in oxidative stress responses during growth and development. AtfA is permanently localized in the nucleus, while SakA accumulates in the nucleus in response to oxidative or osmotic stress signals or during normal spore development, where it physically interacts with AtfA. AtfA is required for expression of several genes, the conidial accumulation of SakA and the viability of conidia. Furthermore, SakA is active (phosphorylated) in asexual spores, remaining phosphorylated in dormant conidia and becoming dephosphorylated during germination. SakA phosphorylation in spores depends on certain (SskA) but not other (SrrA and NikA) components of the phosphorelay system. Constitutive phosphorylation of SakA induced by the fungicide fludioxonil prevents both, germ tube formation and nuclear division. Similarly, Neurospora crassa SakA orthologue OS‐2 is phosphorylated in intact conidia and gets dephosphorylated during germination. We propose that SakA–AtfA interaction regulates gene expression during stress and conidiophore development and that SAPK phosphorylation is a conserved mechanism to regulate transitions between non‐growing (spore) and growing (mycelia) states.