Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and Gender Effects of Workforce Composition on Productivity and Profits: Evidence from a New Type of Data for German Enterprises

This empirical paper documents the relationship between the composition of a firm’s workforce (with a special focus on age and gender) and its performance (productivity and profitability) for a large representative sample of enterprises from manufacturing industries in Germany using newly available, unique data. We find concave age-productivity profiles and a negative correlation of age on firms’ profitability. Moreover, our micro-econometric analysis reveals for the first time that the ceteris paribus lower level of productivity in firms with a higher share of female employees does not go hand in hand with a lower level of profitability in these firms.
Secularization – an empirically consolidated narrative in the face of an increasing influence of religion on politics

With this research Gert Pickel proposes an updated version of secularization’s narrative, contrasting it with the growing phenomena of religious pluralism, secular-religious polarization, and religiosity’s politicization in Europe. This article focuses especially on the European religious landscape of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, analyzing the empirical developments in its indices of secularization, namely at the individual level. For this purpose, the author calls upon several statistical data that consider individuals’ attitudes towards religion, bearing in mind the different levels of modernization, as well as the political, religious and historical-cultural vicissitudes of the different countries. Despite religious affair’s proliferation in public debate, this article concludes that secularization remains empirically more convincing than the narrative of the return of religions. However, we are still far from speaking of a secular Europe.
The Effect of Mind Mapping on EFL Students’ Idea Development in Argumentative Writing across Gender Differences and Learning Styles

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of mind mapping as a strategy in generating ideas before writing on the EFL students’ idea development in argumentative writing as perceived from their gender differences and learning styles. By conducting an experimental investigation at university level in Indonesia, two existing TOEFL classes at the State Islamic Studies (STAIN) in Kediri were selected by a lottery to group 1: using linear notes (N=41), and group 2: using mind mapping (N=41). For analyzing the data, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were utilized by using students’ TOEFL score as the covariate variable. The result findings indicated that there is no significant difference on the students’ idea developments in writing between the control and the experimental groups. These result also revealed that there is no significant difference on the students’ idea development in writing between gender differences, and among the students’ learning styles. Furthermore, there is no significant interaction between treatment and gender differences, and there is no significant interaction between treatment and learning styles.
Testing gravity theories via transverse Doppler and gravitational redshifts in galaxy clusters

There is growing interest in testing alternative gravity theories using the subtle gravitational redshifts in clusters of galaxies. However, current models all neglect a transverse Doppler redshift of similar magnitude, and some models are not self-consistent. An equilibrium model would fix the gravitational and transverse Doppler velocity shifts to be about 6σ2/c and 3σ2/2c in order to fit the observed velocity dispersion σ self-consistently. This result comes from the virial theorem for a spherical isotropic cluster, and is insensitive to the theory of gravity. A gravitational redshift signal also does not directly distinguish between the Einsteinian and f(R) gravity theories, because each theory requires a different dark halo mass function to keep the clusters in equilibrium. When this constraint is imposed, the gravitational redshift has no sensitivity to theory. Indeed, our N-body simulations show that the halo mass function differs in f(R), and that the transverse Doppler effect is stronger than analytically predicted due to nonequilibrium.
Small-scale open-ocean currents have large effects on wind-wave heights

Tidal currents and large-scale oceanic currents are known to modify ocean wave properties, causing extreme sea states that are a hazard to navigation. Recent advances in the understanding and modeling capability of open ocean currents have revealed the ubiquitous presence of eddies, fronts, and filaments at scales 10–100 km. Based on realistic numerical models, we show that these structures can be the main source of variability in significant wave heights at scales less than 200 km, including important variations down to 10 km. Model results are consistent with wave height variations along satellite altimeter tracks, resolved at scales larger than 50 km. The spectrum of significant wave heights is found to be of the order of 70〈Hs〉2/(g2〈Tm0,−1〉2) times the current spectrum, where 〈Hs〉 is the spatially averaged significant wave height, 〈Tm0,−1〉 is the energy-averaged period, and g is the gravity acceleration. This variability induced by currents has been largely overlooked in spite of its relevance for extreme wave heights and remote sensing.
HYPERBARIC THERAPY INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITIES EFFECTIVENESS DEVELOPMENT – TWO CASES STUDY

Hyperbaric therapy is a relatively new non-invasive therapeutic method. It involves inhaling the patient with pure oxygen using a pressure of 2 to 3 absolute atmospheres (ATA). The main pur pose of this therapy is to improve the healing mechanisms and repairing processes in the case of various types of wounds and diseases. While this method is quite common practice in medicine, in sport it is not often used and when applied this is mainly for the purposes of a faster return to full fitness for athletes after injury or following exhaustive, intense training conditions. Two subjects took part in the experiment. Training sessions were performed based on the selected original set of exercises within 29 days. The experiment participant was placed under conditions of increased pressure (2.5 ATA), during the session he breathed 100% oxygen, provided by the individual respiratory system. The measurement of the muscle strength level for the selected muscle groups, within selected motor tasks, was then estimated (maximum weight – which is the maximum external resistance defeated in one repetition). It was found that there were increases in the level of muscle strength in selected muscle groups in the first participant as a result of the set of exercises applied (motor tasks) and the effect of the hyperbaric sessions. The results of the study show that there was a visible/significant influence on the part of the hyperbaric session on increasing the muscle function based on the strength training example. This method in combination with adequate strength training sessions could be used in many areas connected with the psychomotor development of human abilities.
Soil-Landscape Modelling – Reference Soil Group Probability Prediction in Southern Ecuador

Our dependence on soil, and our curiosity about it, is leading to the investigation of changes within soil processes. Furthermore, the diversity and dynamics of soil are enabling new discoveries and insights, which help us to understand the variations in soil processes. Consequently, this permits us to take the necessary measures for soil protection, thus promoting soil health. This book aims to provide an up-to-date account of the current state of knowledge in recent practices and assessments in soil science. Moreover, it presents a comprehensive evaluation of the effect of residue/waste application on soil properties and, further, on the mechanism of plant adaptation and plant growth. Interesting examples of simulation using various models dealing with carbon sequestration, ecosystem respiration, and soil landscape, etc. are demonstrated. The book also includes chapters on the analysis of areal data and geostatistics using different assessment methods. More recent developments in analytical techniques used to obtain answers to the various physical mechanisms, chemical, and biological processes in soil are also present.
Statistical study of coronal mass ejection source locations: Understanding CMEs viewed in coronagraphs

[1] How to properly understand coronal mass ejections (CMEs) viewed in white light coronagraphs is crucial to many relative researches in solar and space physics. The issue is now particularly addressed in this paper through studying the source locations of all the 1078 Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) CMEs listed in Coordinated Data Analysis Workshop (CDAW) CME catalog during 1997–1998 and their correlation with CMEs' apparent parameters. By manually checking LASCO and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) movies of these CMEs, we find that, except 231 CMEs whose source locations cannot be identified due to poor data, there are 288 CMEs with location identified on the frontside solar disk, 234 CMEs appearing above solar limb, and 325 CMEs without evident eruptive signatures in the field of view of EIT. On the basis of the statistical results of CMEs' source locations, there are four physical issues: (1) the missing rate of CMEs by SOHO LASCO and EIT, (2) the mass of CMEs, (3) the causes of halo CMEs, and (4) the deflections of CMEs in the corona, are exhaustively analyzed. It is found that (1) about 32% frontside CMEs cannot be recognized by SOHO, (2) the brightness of a CME at any heliocentric distance is roughly positively correlated with its speed, and the CME mass derived from the brightness is probably overestimated, (3) both projection effect and violent eruption are the major causes of halo CMEs, and especially for limb halo CMEs the latter is the primary one, and (4) most CMEs deflected toward equator near the solar minimum; these deflections can be classified into three types: the asymmetrical expansion, the nonradial ejection, and the deflected propagation.
On Serial Observation Processing in Localized Ensemble Kalman Filters

Ensemble square root filters can either assimilate all observations that are available at a given time at once, or assimilate the observations in batches or one at a time. For large-scale models, the filters are typically applied with a localized analysis step. This study demonstrates that the interaction of serial observation processing and localization can destabilize the analysis process, and it examines under which conditions the instability becomes significant. The instability results from a repeated inconsistent update of the state error covariance matrix that is caused by the localization. The inconsistency is present in all ensemble Kalman filters, except for the classical ensemble Kalman filter with perturbed observations. With serial observation processing, itseffect issmallin cases whenthe assimilation changesthe ensembleof modelstatesonlyslightly. However, when the assimilation has a strong effect on the state estimates, the interaction of localization and serial observation processing can significantly deteriorate the filter performance. In realistic large-scale applications,whenthe assimilationchanges the states only slightlyand whenthe distributionof the observations is irregular and changing over time, the instability is likely not significant.
PRO AND CONTRA OPINIONS REGARDING A SME ACCOUNTING STANDARD

The IASB's proposed IFRS for SMEs opened an internationaleffervescent debate in academics and practitioners environments. In our research, weintent to collect pertinent evidence for pro and contra arguments and to investigatewhether the proposed IFRS for SMEs is likely to meet the needs of users of financialreports of SME. Our aim is to contribute to the SME accounting area of knowledge,knowing that very little research has been previously conducted looking specifically ofaccounting at SME level.
Poor Institutions, Rich Mines: Resource Curse and the Origins of the Sicilian Mafia

This study explains the emergence of the Sicilian mafia in the XIX century as the product of the interaction between natural resource abundance and weak institutions. We advance the hypothesis that the mafia emerged after the collapse of the Bourbon Kingdom in a context characterized by a severe lack of state property-right enforcement in response to the rising demand for the protection of sulfur - Sicily's most valuable export commodity - whose demand in the international markets was soaring at the time. We test this hypothesis combining data on the early presence of the mafia and on the distribution of sulfur reserves across Sicilian municipalities and find evidence of a positive and significant effect of sulphur availability on mafia's diffusion. These results remain unchanged when including department fixed-effects and various geographical and historical controls, when controlling for spatial correlation, and when comparing pairs of neighboring municipalities with and without sulfur.
Influence of climate variability on water partitioning and effective energy and mass transfer in a semi-arid critical zone

Abstract. The critical zone (CZ) is the heterogeneous, near-surface layer of the planet that regulates life-sustaining resources. Previous research has demonstrated that a quantification of the influxes of effective energy and mass transfer (EEMT) to the CZ can predict its structure and function. In this study, we quantify how climate variability in the last 3 decades (1984–2012) has affected water availability and the temporal trends in EEMT. This study takes place in the 1200 km2 upper Jemez River basin in northern New Mexico. The analysis of climate, water availability, and EEMT was based on records from two high-elevation SNOTEL stations, PRISM data, catchment-scale discharge, and satellite-derived net primary productivity (MODIS). Results from this study indicated a decreasing trend in water availability, a reduction in forest productivity (4 g C m−2 per 10 mm of reduction in precipitation), and decreasing EEMT (1.2–1.3 MJ m2 decade−1). Although we do not know the timescales of CZ change, these results suggest an upward migration of CZ/ecosystem structure on the order of 100 m decade−1, and that decadal-scale differences in EEMT are similar to the differences between convergent/hydrologically subsidized and planar/divergent landscapes, which have been shown to be very different in vegetation and CZ structure.
Endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Survival

Abstract We investigated survival for male, female, and first-year Cape Sable seaside sparrows (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis, hereafter sparrows), a federally endangered bird restricted to the Florida Everglades, USA. Accurate estimates of survival are critical to improve management decisions and population estimates for this and other threatened species. We used Program MARK to evaluate effects of age, sex, population membership, temporal variation, and ground-water levels on annual survival from mark–recapture data collected across 3 sparrow populations from 1997 to 2007. We found little evidence that annual survival rates differed between the populations or across ground-water levels, but we found high variability between years for both adult and juvenile survival. Our results revealed female sparrows experienced 14–19% lower survival than males. Sparrows experienced much lower survival during their first year of life and were short-lived (2–3 yr). Our results highlight sparrows' susceptibility to population declines and suggest that management actions aimed at increasing survival may be effective for this species' management.
Agro-environmental scheme for segetal plant conservation in Wallonia (Belgium): an assessment in conventional and organic fields

Description of the subject. Segetal plant species are highly threatened in arable land. They are an integral part of agricultural history and biodiversity in Western Europe. In Wallonia (southern Belgium), an agro-environmental scheme (AES) has been adopted for their conservation. It consists of strips on a field margin, with at least 60% cereals in crop rotation, and proscribes spraying and fertilisation. Objectives. This paper assessed the impact of an AES on segetal species conservation. Method. In eight organic fields and six conventional fields, a vegetation survey was performed on an AES strip and on a control margin of each field. Evenness, richness, cover and species composition for both total and segetal species were compared between AES strips and their corresponding control margins. Also, a cover of pernicious weeds was considered to be a factor in the rejection of AES by farmers. Results. In conventional agriculture, species richness (total and segetal) and cover (total and segetal) were higher in the AES than in the respective control; however, pernicious weed cover was also enhanced. In organic fields, total species richness was higher and pernicious weed cover was lower in the AES than in the respective control. Total evenness was higher in organic than in conventional fields, due to the co-dominance of several species. Under the AES, species composition and abundance remained different between conventional and organic fields. In all cases, rare species were hardly found in our survey. Conclusions. AES promote plant diversity in both organic and conventional fields. Sowing AES strips with uncleaned seeds from well-preserved fields, or species introduction, are recommended to enhance rare species recovery.
First record of the Malaysian Bridle Snake, Dryocalamus subannulatus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), in Myanmar (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae)

Dryocalamus subannulatus is reported for the first time from Myanmar. A single individual was found on the Thayawthadangyi Island Group in the Myeik Archipelago, Tanintharyi Region. Morphological features and a maximum likelihood analysis of the 16S mitochondrial gene confirm its identity. This specimen represents the first record of D. subannulatus north of the Isthmus of Kra.
The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.
Infrastructure and Core Quality Management Practices in Higher Education Performance

The literature differs by choosing the quality management practices depending on the organization's activities or the type of sector. Meanwhile, there is a differentiation in selecting the best practices, even in the same sector. Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award has resonated with researchers as the best practices that can conform to the higher education activities. Moreover, the literature discusses the impact of quality management practices on performance through being divided into Core and infrastructure practices. This study proposes to discuss any of these practices concerned with the Core-QMPs or Infrastructure-QMPs. It recommends being tested in the future.
Effect of Caffeine Co-Ingested with Carnitine on Weight, Body- Fat Percent, Serum Leptin and Lipid Profile Changes in Male Teen Soccer Players: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Weight loss and decreasing the Body fat percentage (BF%) is motivated to optimize performance. In order to achieve these, many supplements are used by athletes, however the possible negative or synergic effects have not been fully described in the literature, specifically in humans. The present study was conducted to investigate the co-administration effects of two common used supplements in body weight and BF% management to recommend athletes for safe weight and BF% reduction. Materials and Methods: In the present double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study, the effect of six-week co-administration of caffeine and carnitine was determined on changes in body weight (BW), BF%, serum leptin concentration and lipid profile (triglyceride, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and free fatty acid (FFA) changes. Twenty eight male teen soccer players from Ahvaz-Iran, were divided in three groups (group CafPlc, caffeine (6 mg/kg/day) + dextrose; group CafCar, caffeine (6 mg/kg/day) + carnitine (2g); and group Plc, dextrose). Results: Caffeine-carnitine had a lowering effect on BW (P=0.02) and BF% (P=0.03), compared to caffeine alone and placebo in male teen soccer players (mean age of 16.92 ± 0.76 years). TG was significantly decreased in CafCar (P=0.04). FFA levels were increased in CafCar (P=0.04) and there was significant differences between CafCar and Plc groups (P=0.01). FBG was increased in both CafPlc and CafCar (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively), with no significant differences between groups. Conclusion: The synergistic effect of caffeine-carnitine might be suggested to decrease the BF% and BW, besides it may prevent the increment of FFA levels; however it should be prescribed cautiously since it increased FBG levels.
Comparison of oral hygiene status among 6-14 year old students of public and private schools of Rajbiraj, Saptari, Nepal

Aim To determine the oral hygiene status of 6-14 years old school children in Rajbiraj, Nepal. Materials and Methods Three hundred school children from public and private schools were examined for oral hygiene status using OHI(S). Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were done. Results There was no significant difference in the oral hygiene status among gender, but the oral hygiene status of the children in private schools was better than that of the public school. Conclusion Large number of public school children had poor oral hygiene compared to private school children. Hence, oral health education programs should be conducted on a frequent basis to improve their oral hygiene status. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/jcmsn.v10i1. 12763 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2014, Vol.10(1); 17-21
Tomato production in function of sulfur doses application

The importance of sulfur (S) has already been noted by various cultures, especially on production aspects; however it might be a limiting factor of productivity due to intensive cultivation system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sulfur application on the tomato productivity development. An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, on 4 kg vessels of soil, in Guarapuava-PR. The experiment was arranged in entirely randomized blocks, of which 6 doses of S (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg kg -1 ) in the form of agricultural gypsum along with 3 repetitions. Into the vessels it was transplanted a tomato plant (Abiru variety), cultivated for 115 days. The fruits were harvested, washed and weighed and the shoots were cropped, weighed and analyzed in relation to levels of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. The tomato fruit production increased under sulfur doses, obtaining a 23 to 34% raise. The dry mass of the shoot, content and accumulation increased under the application of sulfur doses on the soil. The C/S and N/S relation decreased on the tomato shoot under sulfur doses, with variable values of 92 to 144 for C/S and 2.1 to 3.1 for N/S. The average relation of C:N:S found on the tomato shoot was of 112:2.4:1. The 2.6 N/S relation on the shoot was the one which presented balance of these nutrients on the tomato production obtainment.