Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FOREST SCIENCE PROGRAM S TRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONAL VALUES OF RIPARIAN BUFFER STRIPS FOR SUSTAINING FLORISTIC DIVERSITY IN INTERIOR FORESTED LANDSCAPES . Project Number : Y 103157 Final Technical Report : 2009 / 2010 April 30 , 2010

The impacts of 20 years of riparian headwater stream management, in the Montane Spruce zone (MSxk2), were evaluated near Kamloops, BC, Canada. The purpose of our research was to examine the effectiveness of different riparian canopy treatments (clear-cut, one-sided buffer, two-sided buffer and continuous forest) and buffer width in maintaining riparian vascular plant and bryophyte diversity within the riparian zone and in promoting community reassembly post harvest in the adjacent uplands. We examined 30 riparian sites in B.C. Interior Montane Spruce forests. Bryophyte, vascular plant and shrub diversity were determined using a nested sampling design. Generalized linear models indicated that the bryophyte community in clear-cut riparian areas was significantly different than the bryophyte community found in riparian sites with a buffer (one sided and two-sided) or in continuous forest, however the response varied among bryophyte functional groups. In general, the frequency and richness of old-growth associated bryophyte groups (liverworts, perennial stayers, closed canopy species, humus or log associated species) were statistically similar among riparian sites with canopies, including one-sided and two-sided buffers, than in riparian sites without any remnant canopy. Disturbance associated bryophyte groups (colonists, open canopy species, and mineral soil/rock associated species) were significantly more abundant in clear-cut riparian sites than in riparian sites with canopies; however their richness did not vary among the canopy treatments. Multivariate ordination also found buffer width and remaining canopy cover within 50 m radius were strongly associated with the bryophyte composition in the riparian sites with buffers, whereas disturbance-related variables were associated with bryophyte composition in clear-cut riparian sites. Linear regressions supported the importance of habitat variables such as soft CWD and concavity in maintaining the bryophyte community. For herbaceous understory plants, species richness was significantly lower in upland versus riparian stands, but total species richness did not differ between canopy treatments. Herbaceous vascular functional plant group analysis showed an extended post-disturbance loss of shade tolerant species and a significant shift towards graminoid and ruderal/exotic species dominance. This trend correlated with decreased area of nearby forest cover and increased time since disturbance and sign of livestock grazing in riparian areas. The long-term maintenance of understory herbaceous plant diversity and community composition within Montane Spruce forests may depend on adequate tree cover retention along headwater stream margins. This is especially important given the predicted change in climate and the current increased rate of salvage harvesting due to mountain pine beetle in these ecosystems. Table of
A chrono-cultural reassessment of El Cuco rock-shelter: a new sequence for the Late Middle Paleolithic in the Cantabrian Region (northern Iberia)

A large number of sites dated to the Late Middle Paleolithic and the Early Upper Paleolithic have been recorded in the Cantabrian region (northern Iberia), making this area a key location to investigate the lifeways of the last Neanderthals and the first anatomically modern humans. The stratigraphic sequence from El Cuco rock-shelter was originally attributed to the Early Upper Paleolithic based on radiocarbon dates performed on bone apatite. However, new radiocarbon dates on shell carbonates from the lower levels produced inconsistent dates with those previously published. In order to clarify this anomaly, a reassessment of the chronology of levels VI to XIV was undertaken. The review was based on new radiocarbon dates performed on bones and shells, and a re-evaluation of the lithic assemblages. Bone samples did not produce radiocarbon dates due to lack of collagen preservation but radiocarbon dating of shell carbonates provided dates ranging from 42.3 to 46.4 ka BP. These dates are significantly older than that previously obtained for level XIII using biogenic apatite from bones (~30 ka uncal BP), suggesting that the bone apatite used for radiocarbon dating was rejuvenated due to contamination with secondary carbonate. Lithic assemblages, defined in the first place as Evolved Aurignacian, have now been now confidently attributed to the Mousterian techno-complex. These results suggest a Middle Paleolithic chronology for this part of the sequence. The new chronology proposed for El Cuco rock-shelter has significant implications for the interpretation of Neanderthal subsistence strategies and settlement patterns, especially for coastal settlement and use of marine resources, not only in northern Iberia, but also in Atlantic Europe.
Evaporator Design for an Isokinetic Total Water Content Probe in a Naturally Aspirating Configuration

A number of recent aircraft turbofan power failure events have been linked to ice accretion in the initial compressor stages while the aircraft is traversing the anvil region of storm clouds. The water content in such cloud regions is not well known and the accuracy of most existing water content probes is likely to be poor under such conditions. A new cloud water content probe is being developed for airborne characterisation of such clouds and a critical feature of the probe is the evaporator. In this work we develop some analytical expressions to assist in the design and characterisation of the evaporator. In particular, we consider the issue of convective heat transfer to the ice and water particles moving with the air flow through the evaporator. For the particular evaporator design we are considering, it is shown that ice particles larger than 100 μm are unlikely to have sufficient residence time to evaporate if they remain suspended in the heated air. Although these larger ice particles are likely to impact on the evaporator walls so there is also an opportunity for direct conduction heating, the present analysis indicates that particles larger than 100 μm may not adhere to the walls. However, there are many uncertainties in the present analysis and experiments are needed to determine the actual performance of the evaporator.
News, activism and social media: reporting the Egyptian Revolution and its aftermath by Al-Jazeera, BBC, CNN, RT and XINHUA

The early days of the January 25th Revolution received unprecedented international media coverage that kept the world’s viewers on the edge of their seats watching the plunge of another corrupt Arab regime, shortly after Bin Ali’s collapse in Tunisia. Toppling Mubarak’s regime was the most significant achievement of the January 25th Revolution, yet events that occurred under the interim military regime that followed Mubarak’s rule also received extensive media coverage. Media focus on the Egyptian Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) was not only because such events, collectively, represented a crucial transitional stage to a new democratic Egypt, but also because of their dramatic nature of re-occurring bloody clashes between the January 25th Revolutionaries and SCAF. As the new military regime, like Mubarak’s, continued to clash with revolutionaries and protesters, social media-equipped activists continued to feed the cyberspace with anti-SCAF content, which was then pitched up and broadcasted by news media to millions of viewers inside and outside Egypt. This thesis focuses on examining the impact of an evolving relationship between news organizations and social media-equipped activists on the coverage of the Egyptian Revolution and its associated events. By examining disparities in news coverage, it explores possible changes in journalism practices, and detects emerging patterns, particularly pertinent to journalist-source relationship and human rights reporting. While exploring possible changes in journalism practices, it also questions whether the existing normative media typology frameworks have been disrupted and as a result would invite media scholars to revise their typology/ macro approach in understanding changes in journalism practices across different media environments. The thesis’ findings have led to identifying three emerging patterns in the coverage: a counter-elite sourcing practice, human rightscentered reporting and a disruption in existing normative media typology frameworks. If these patterns continue to develop and consolidate, they might be seen as early features of a new ear in journalism practices. Using an integrated content-textual analysis, as a primary research method, the thesis analyzes the news coverage of the Egyptian Revolution and its associated events by the Arabic and the English news sites of five international news organizations: Al-Jazeera, BBC, CNN, RT and XINHUA. Textual analysis is used to look at possible lexical consonance between activists’ entries on social media and the non-attributed lexical choices identified in news stories. The textual analysis is supported by two sets of surveys that target Egyptian activists and journalists to explore their insights about their relationship during the Egyptian Revolution and its aftermath.
EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS TREATMENT WITH GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE DURING THE ANOVULATORY SEASON ON GONADOTROPIN SECRETION , FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS AND OVULATION IN THE MARE A

Effects of Continuous Treatment with Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone during the Anovulatory Season on Gonadotropin Secretion, Follicular Dynamics and Ovulation in the Mare. (December 2004) Stephanie Morton, B.S., McNeese State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Gary L. Williams Objectives were to determine if low-dose, continuous infusion of GnRH from Fall to Spring, would prevent seasonal anovulation in mares. Twenty Quarter Horse mares, ages 18 mo to 24 yrs, were stratified by age and body condition score and assigned randomly to either a saline control (n = 9) or GnRH (n = 11) treatment group. Treatments were instituted between September 23 and October 9, 2002. Gonadotropinreleasing hormone was delivered in 0.9% physiological saline via Alzet osmotic minipumps (Model 2004) placed sc at the base of the neck, with Silastic sham pumps placed in control mares. Pumps were inserted on day 3 following ovulation or during the follicular phase if ovulation had not occurred. Delivery rate of GnRH was 2.5 ug/h (60 ug/d) for the first 60 d, followed by 5.0 ug/h (120 ug/d) thereafter, with all pumps replaced every 30 d. By December 1, all mares had become anovulatory and remained anovulatory until February. Mean serum concentrations of LH were not affected by treatment in anovulatory mares. In contrast, control mares that exhibited ovulatory cycles after treatment onset had higher (P < 0.05) mean concentrations of LH during all
Spillover and Asymmetric-volatility Effects of Leveraged and Inverse Leveraged Exchange Traded Funds

This paper studies the spillover of returns and volatilities of leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) using the Exponential General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity-in-Mean-Autoregressive Moving Average (EGARCH-M-ARMA) model. This research finds the strong positive (negative) influence of lagged leverage (inverse leveraged) ETF returns on current stock index returns. Lagged stock index returns have negative (positive) effect on leveraged (inverse leveraged) ETF returns as a result of the addition (reduction) of total return swaps exposure. A negative bilateral relationship is evident in the spillover effects of returns. Moreover, a bilateral relationship of spillover effects of volatilities is observed from the results. The findings provide evidence of the higher volatility caused by leveraged ETFs. The relationship between risks and returns is negative for both the stock index and the inverse leveraged ETF returns, whereas the positive relationship for leveraged ETFs has minor significance.
LEARNING STYLES AND STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN DESIGN PROBLEM SOLVING

Design curricula and all core design studio courses are prepared for performance attainment by giving theoretical and professional training. However students’ performance may be affected by both the constraints set on a design problem, and their learning styles. This study explores the performance of interior architectural students in relation to their learning styles (as proposed by Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory), and different types of constraints set on design problems. Design performance, measured as conceptual development, form and spatial configuration, structural innovation and ergonomics, and craftsmanship, was found to change throughout the two bipolar continuum of the learning cycle with regard to two design conditions characterized by different types of constraint use.
Understanding Video Propagation in Online Social Networks: Measurement, Analysis, and Enhancement

The deep penetration of Online Social Networks (OSNs) has made them major portals for video content sharing recently. It is known that a significant portion of the accesses to video sharing sites (VSSes) are now coming from OSN users. For example, YouTube reported that, as of January 2012, more than 700 tweets per minute containing a YouTube link, and over 500 years’ worth of YouTube videos are watched by Facebook users every day. Although the videos shared in OSNs are mostly from VSSes, OSNs provide quite different mouth-to-mouthlike sharing mechanisms, leading to distinctive user access patterns. Yet the unique features of video sharing over OSNs and their impact remain largely unknown. In this thesis, we conduct a systematic study on the video propagation in OSNs based on large-scale real-world data. Our study unveils the unique characteristics of video requests from OSNs, showing that an OSN can dramatically amplify the skewness of video popularity that 2% most popular videos account for 90% of total views; and video popularity also exhibits much more dynamics with multiple request bursts. We then closely analyze the video propagation process in OSNs with both measurement and modeling, identifying the key influential factors. We further examine the popularity prediction of videos shared in OSNs. We demonstrate that conventional methods largely fail in this new context, and develop a novel propagation-based prediction model. Finally, based on the above studies, we present SNACS (Social Network Aware Cloud Assistance for Video Sharing), which enables OSN operators to cost-effectively enhance the video viewing experience of their users through utilizing content cloud services.
The Impact of Metamemory on the EFL Students` Achievement at Taif University

The purpose of the current research is to scrutinize the relationship between metamemory and EFL learners` achievement. The participants were 250 first year university students who were chosen from a large sample of the preparatory year Science and Humanities streams at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The objective of the research is twofold: (a) to assess whether metamemory can predict English language skills achievement (listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and (b) to assess if there exist notable discrepancies between male and female students and the different academic streams (the science stream and the humanities stream) on the metamemory factors. Students` metamemory was measured by the Metamemory questionnaire (SMSQ) of Tonkovic and Vranic (2011). The results of this study show that metamemory is a good predictor of the EFL students` language learning skills achievement. It also indicates that there are differences between male and female students on the metamemory factors in favor of females. Furthermore, the findings reaffirm that there are differences between the academic streams, in favor of the science stream.
Crustal anatexis and melt extraction during deformation in the restitic xenoliths at El Joyazo (se spain)

Abstract The dacite of El Joyazo contains abundant metapelitic xenoliths. These can be divided into two main types: garnet-biotite-sillimanite and spinel-cordierite xenoliths. In the xenoliths the widespread occurrence of rhyolitic glass as interstitial films, foliation-parallel layers and primary melt inclusions in all mineral phases indicates that these assemblages developed in the presence of a melt phase, i.e. during anatexis. The composition of the interstitial glass is comparable to that of the melt inclusions, suggesting that melt was locally produced. Phase equilibria indicate that anatexis occurred at P−T conditions of 5−7 kbar and 850±50°C . Several microstructural lines of evidence show that melt extraction was assisted by deformation during foliation development, and that on the scale of the xenoliths (up to 50 cm) melt escaped mainly by flow along foliation planes. The development of a syn-anatectic foliation also suggests that metapelitic rocks were involved in high-grade metamorphism and partial melting prior to fragmentation and dispersion in the host dacite. Mass balance calculations, based on the chemical composition of interstitial glass and melt inclusions in minerals, the bulk xenoliths and representative samples of potential pelitic sources support a model wherein the xenoliths represent restites after the extraction of 30 to 55 wt. % melt from graphitic metapelite protoliths similar to the rocks constituting the surrounding Alpujarride metamorphic complex.
Behaviour of unreinforced expanded polystyrene lightweight concrete (EPS-LWC) wall panel enhanced with steel fibre

This study used steel fibre as reinforcement while enhancing the EPS-LWC strength. In line with architectural demand and ventilation requirement, opening within wall panel was also taken into account. Experimental tests were conducted for reinforced and unreinforced EPS-LWC wall panel. Two samples with size of 1500 mm (height) x 1000 mm (length) x 75 mm (thickness) for each group of wall panel were prepared. Samples in each group had opening size of 600 mm (height) x 400 mm (length) located at 350 mm and 550 mm from upper end respectively. EPS-LWC wall panel had fcu of 20.87 N/mm 2 and a density of 1900 kg/m. The loading capacity, displacement profiles and crack pattern of each sample was analyzed and discussed. Unreinforced EPS-LWC enhanced with steel fibre resist almost similar loading as reinforced EPS-LWC wall panel. The presence of steel fibre as the only reinforcement creates higher lateral displacement. Wall panel experience shear failure at the side of opening. The number of micro cracks reduces significantly due to presence of steel fibre.
The Relationship between Teacher Participation in Decision-making and Organisational Commitment

Abstract Job commitment refers to the willingness of the teachers to go beyond the expected levels of participation so as to achieve school-based goals. This is partially achieved by involving them in critical school based decision-making areas. This study examined the relationship between teacher participation in decisionmaking and organisational commitment. The study adopted an interpretive qualitative research methodology and a case study research design. A purposive convenient sample of 5 school heads and 20 secondary school teachers formed the study. Data was collected through face to face interviews, documentary analysis and observation of two staff meetings per school. The study began the process of data analysis by transcribing verbatim audio taped interviews. The results were cross-checked with the participants. The study established that teachers were not significantly involved in decision-making. Most of the decisions were made by school heads and passed on to teachers for implementation. The study observed that insignificant teacher participation in critical school issues resulted in low commitment and low job satisfaction. It is therefore important for school heads to consider other people’s concerns because if people are angry regarding the way decisions are taken, such decisions will not proceed smoothly. Their feelings and perceptions account for the success or failure of the decision.
Influence Of Land Tenure Arrangements On Grazing Management Incentives

Paper presented at the Western Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meetings,Vancouver, British Columbia, June 29-July 1, 2000.Authors are Extension Assistant, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and AssociateProfessor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State UniversityCorrespondence should be addressed to Gary May at gmay@oznet.ksu. eduPartial financial assistance for this project has been provided through EPA-Section 319Non-Point Source Pollution Control Grant C90077405-97, through a grant agreementwith the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.Copyright 2000 by Gary J. May, Rodney D. Jones, Michael R. Langemeier, and Kevin C.Dhuyvetter. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document fornon-commercial purposes by any means, provided that this copyright notice appears onall such copies.
Auctions for conservation contracts: an empirical examination of Victoria's BushTender trial

The present paper proposes that markets for nature conservation on private land are missing because of the problem of asymmetric information. An auction of conservation contracts was designed to reveal hidden information needed to facilitate meaningful transactions between landholders and government. The present paper describes the key elements of auction and contract design employed and the results obtained from a pilot auction of conservation contracts run in two regions of Victoria. The pilot demonstrated that it was possible to create at least the supply side of a market for nature conservation and in conjunction with a defined budget, prices were discovered and resources allocated through contracts with landholders. The present paper compares a discriminative price auction with a hypothetical fixed-price scheme showing that an auction could offer large cost savings to governments interested in nature conservation on private land. The paper identifies some important design problems that would need to be solved before auctions could be applied more broadly including: multiple complementary outcomes, reserve prices, sequential auction design and contract design. Nevertheless, the paper does show that auctioning conservation contracts for environmental outcomes is an important new policy mechanism that deserves closer examination.
Avalanche dynamics by Newton. Reply to comments on avalanche flow models based on the concept of random kinetic energy

ABSTRACT The critique by Issler and other (2017) of our avalanche dynamics model maintains that we disregard well-established results of particulate gravity flows. Here we show that the arguments of Issler and others (1) violate Newton's laws of motion in the avalanche core and (2) ignore size-dependent drag forces on snow particles (Stokes law) that lead to the formation of avalanche suspension layers. We explain why we cannot amend our model equations to accommodate their suggestions. The goal of our approach is to describe highly non-stationary processes in the avalanche core that lead to a wide range of avalanche flow types and therefore different flow behavior. This is important for practical applications.