Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking field and farmer surveys to determine the most important changes to weed incidence

Borger CPD, Michael PJ, Mandel R, Hashem A, Bowran D & Renton M (2012). Linking field and farmer surveys to determine the most important changes to weed incidence. Weed Research52, 564–574. Summary An understanding of weed species incidence and patterns of change in incidence is vital in developing weed management strategies and directing future research endeavours. Weed incidence in fields in the south-west of Western Australia was surveyed in 1997 and repeated in 2008 to determine any changes. In 2008, farmers were also surveyed to determine their perception of changes to weed incidence and severity. The field survey identified a total of 194 weed species (or groups of species within a genus) in the combined survey data set (i.e. 956 sites from both field surveys). The majority of survey sites were utilised for cropping, and 152 weed species were identified within cropped fields. Between 1997 and 2008, noticeable decreases in incidence (in cropped fields) were observed for Vulpia spp. (−25%), Aira caryophyllea (−21%), Bromus diandrus (−20%), Avena fatua (−18%) and Austrostipa spp. (−13%), with only Raphanus raphanistrum (11%) and Arctotheca calendula (7%) significantly increasing in frequency. Farmer perception of the most severe weed problems did not always coincide with survey results of weed incidence. For example, an exceptionally common weed like A. calendula (with increasing incidence) was of less concern to farmers than the extremely rare Conyza spp. The main conclusion of this research is that the prevalence of a weed species is not always an indication of whether the species is of economic concern to industry. Therefore, it is vital to link field survey results to industry perception of weed species severity, when directing future research efforts into weed management.
The nature of information, and the effective use of information in rural development

Introduction. We report on the role of information in the development of rural communities where the impact of the oral tradition remains very strong. The nature of the attributes, and the particular type of communication mechanisms to be used, have been proposed as key factors in the use of information in rural communities. Method. Literature studies have been conducted to determine the nature of information, and information handling skills of traditional people. An indepth study with field visits provided information on real-life practices. Analysis. A qualitative analysis has been carried out to match evidence from a case study and field visits with evidence in the literature. Requirements for the development process were taken into account. Results. A comparison of the attributes of information with the requirements for development of traditional people revealed that certain attributes of information are conducive to development while others can be counterproductive to the development process if not addressed properly. Conclusion. The successful use of information as a resource for development depends in large part on knowledge of the nature of information and the ability of senders to apply appropriate communication mechanisms understandable to traditional people. This has implications for people involved in the development of rural communities.
Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Firefighter Worker in Brazil

Fireman's labor activity requires situations of extreme physical demand and few studies are directed at this class of workers. The aim of this study was to identify the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) symptoms in firefighter workers and to and verify the correlation of MSD prevalence with age and working time. Socio demographic were collected and the Nordic Questionnaire was used to verify the MSD prevalence. In Group A, 91% of workers reported MSD symptoms for the last 6 months or in the last 7 days, with the low back region being the most affected? In Group B, 80% of workers reported MSD symptoms in the last 6 months or the last 7 days. No significant difference was observed between the groups considering MSD prevalence with working time exposure and age of worker. In conclusion, most of the fireman reported some type of MSD symptoms (89%); low back pain was the most body region affected. Work time factor and age did not influence the MSD prevalence. The results of the present study point to the need for interventions for this group of workers with the aim of reducing the MSD prevalence, regardless of working time exposure and age of worker.
Lipid and Fatty Acid Compositions of Mytilus galloprovincialis Cultured in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Southern Italy): Feeding Strategies and Trophic Relationships

Lipid and fatty acid (FA) compositions were determined in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from June 2006 to May 2007 in the Mar Grande of Taranto, southern Italy. Total lipids significantly differed throughout the study period (ANOVA, p＜0.05), with higher values in summer (24.7% dry weight (DW)) and the lowest values in winter (3.5% DW). Triacylglycerols (TAGs) were the dominant lipid class in spring and summer accounting for 55.28% and 60.3% of total lipids, respectively, while in the autumn and winter phospholipids (PLs) were considerably greater than TAGs, comprising 55.16% and 47.5% of total lipids, respectively. Cholesterol did not show large variations over the seasons. Predominant FAs were saturated FAs (SAFAs) followed by monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs). The amount of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) was low. The 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, and 22:0 SAFAs, together with 14:1, 16:1ω7, 18:1ω9, 18:1ω7, 20:1ω9, and 24:1ω9 MUFAs, and the PUFA, non-methylene interrupted dienoic (NMID), were the most abundant FAs. FA biomarkers are frequently used to identify trophic relationships among marine invertebrates. In order to obtain indications on food sources of M. galloprovincialis, a variety of FA ratios and the sum of some FAs were determined. The sum of 18:1ω7+odd-branched FAs indicated a moderate bacterial contribution to the mussel diet. A high 18:1ω9/18:1ω7 ratio together with a high level of 20:1ω9 indicated an animal dietary input. Trophic markers suggested lows contribution of diatoms and dinoflagellates to the diet of M. galloprovincialis.
The Impact of Invasive Exotic Grasses on Quail in the Southwestern United States

Five native quail species inhabit arid and semi-arid ecosystems in the southwestern United States. One species is endangered, one species is declining throughout it’s historic range, another species is declining in portions of its historic range, and the other two species may be beginning to decline in selected portions of their respective ranges. A number of factors have been implicated for these declines, though habitat loss is frequently cited as the most common factor associated with southwestern quail declines. Exotic species invasions in the United States represent a significant economic and biological threat to the United States. Many exotic organisms introduced to the United States are threatening entire ecosystems, replacing native species and even threatening other native species with extinction. Numerous exotic grasses are invading arid and semi-arid ecosystems in the Southwest. Most exotic grasses were intentionally introduced for erosion control and to provide forage for livestock. Cattlemen sometimes favor exotic grasses in spite of their impacts to native biodiversty. The impacts of exotic grasses on vegetative communities are discussed, as well as their potential impacts on the five native quail species that inhabit the southwestern United States. Exotic grass eradication and control are also discussed, as well as introducing exotic grass pest management into existing land management programs. Research designed to determine the impacts of exotic grass invasions on quail and their habitat is recommended. Citation: Kuvlesky, W. P., Jr., T. E. Fulbright, R. Engel-Wilson. 2002. The impact of invasive exotic grasses on quail in the southwestern United States. Pages 118–128 in S. J. DeMaso, W. P. Kuvlesky, Jr., F. Hernandez, and M. E. Berger, eds. Quail V: The Fifth National Quail Symposium. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, TX.
Comparsion of Doses and Image Quality among Various Chest X-ray Systems for optimization using our original phantoms of lung adenocarcinoma according to Noguchi’s classification

The aim of our study is to compare evaluation of image quality and doses among various chest X-ray systems using the phantom of lung adenocarcinoma. Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is characterized by an area of ground-glass opacity (GGO) and it is difficult to detect GGO by chest X-ray examination. We examined the imaging performance on conventional radiography (HD-M2, Fuji Film), photofluorography (CXM5-100, Canon Inc), computed radiography systems (FCR XU-D1, Fiji Film/Konica Regius 330, Konica Co. Ltd) and a flat-panel detector digital radiography system (CXD-11 X-ray Digital Camera, Canon Inc) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. We used the type A and B phantoms of lung adenocarcinoma according to Noguchi’s classification. The shape of lung adenocarcinoma was assumed to be spherical with different density in the core. The shapes of phantoms were obtained by calculating equivalent thickness to X-ray transmission leading to the same shadow as the sphere in order to practically perform visual evaluation using chest lung phantom on which the phantoms were attached. The materials of the phantoms were tough water phantom made by Kyotokagaku Co. Ltd. The performance of the phantoms developed was validated for chest radiographs of the phantoms attached to the surface of the chest lung phantom. The result of visual evaluation of tumor detectability by 13 radiologists and technicians showed a broadly good agreement with previous clinical data. Using these phantoms, we have studied the relation between detection rate of lung adenocarcinoma and the doses of various chest X-ray systems.
Influence of surrounding plates on 3D subduction dynamics

Our 3D modelling study shows that the presence of lithospheric plates around a subducting plate has a significant influence on subduction dynamics, in particular on trench retreat rate, slab dip, and lateral shortening of the subducting plate. Neighbouring plates prevent unrealistic plate behaviour with no need for complex rheologies. Because, at the Earth's surface, plates form a continuous shell, they should not be neglected.
The Neuropsychological Impact of Insulin Levels: Roles of Insulin in Parkinson's Disease and Cognitive Functioning

Numerous studies demonstrate a relationship between insulin and Alzheimer’s disease; however, little research exists on insulin’s association to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). The current study examined the connection between insulin and cognitive functioning in PD, PDD, and age-matched controls. A total of 22 older adult participants with PD completed the present study: 12 participants with PD (mean age = 67.50; 41.67% men; mean Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) = 28.67) and 10 participants with PDD (mean age = 75.10; 90.00% men; mean MMSE = 22.90). Twenty-two non-demented older adults (mean age = 71.77; 63.64% men; mean MMSE = 29.23) from the University of Kansas Brain Aging Project served as the control group. Participants completed a neuropsychological assessment battery designed to represent cognitive domains of interest for individuals with PD and PDD as well as a two-hour glucose tolerance test. Total area under the curve (AUC) for blood insulin served as overall indices for insulin levels. PDD participants had lower absolute insulin values compared to PD participants and lower insulin levels were associated with decreased motor performance based on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. Contrary to predictions, higher insulin levels predicted poorer executive functioning performance for both PD and PDD participants. More research is needed to establish specific mechanisms to explain the relationship between higher insulin levels and reduced executive functioning performance. Additional research would also provide further evidence for insulin’s role in cognitive changes for older adults with PD, PDD, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Effects of Sand Ingestion on the Blockage of Film-Cooling Holes

Gas turbines are often subjected to conditions where dirt and sand are ingested into the engine during takeoffs and landings. Given most aero engines do not have filtration systems, particulates can be present in both the main gas path and coolant streams. Particulates can block coolant passages and film-cooling holes that lead to increased airfoil temperatures caused by reduced coolant available for a given pressure ratio across the cooling holes. This study investigated the effects of sand blockage on film-cooling holes placed in a leading edge coupon. The coupon was tested to determine the reduction in flow parameter for a range of pressure ratios, coolant temperatures, metal temperatures, number of cooling holes, sand amounts, and sand diameters. Depending upon conditions, blockages characterized by reduced coolant flow can be as high as 10%. Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Workplace Bullying and the Role of Trade Unions : Issues of Voice and Collectivism Presenting

There is a considerable and discrete body of research into the construct of workplace bullying, indicating it is significant problem in the UK and elsewhere (Zapf et al. 2003) which has an extremely detrimental impact on targets and organisations (Mayhew et al. 2004). Indeed, several studies indicate aggressive behaviour directed at employees not covered by protective legislation may be more damaging than physical abuse (Mayhew et al. 2004) or sexual harassment (Hershcovis and Barling 2008). However, studies appear to have neglected ways of intervening in cases of workplace bullying (Lewis and Sheehan 2003; Shannon et al. 2007). Little is known about which support mechanisms targets of bullying utilize, the nature of the assistance provided, and the efficacy of the various sources and types of support. Despite its legitimate concern as a workplace issue, little has been written on bullying from an industrial relations perspective (Hoel and Beale 2006), with few, if any, studies conducted into the role of trade unions in addressing this issue. However, some researchers believe there is scope to study workplace bullying within the context of an unequal employment relationship, diminished employee voice (Liefooghe and Mackenzie Davey 2001; Hoel and Beale 2006) and collectivism (Ironside and Siefert 2003).
Correlation between serum high-density lipoprotein level and senile dementia risk : a meta analysis

Senile dementia including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), are the major disease for Chinese aged and show the high risk of lethal and mutilation. However, there is not decisional conclusion for the relationships with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and senile dementia. This study aims to explore relationships with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and senile dementia by Meta analysis. We found that there was a significant difference in HDL level for normal people and Alzheimer’s disease patients; meanwhile, there was a significant difference in HDL level for Alzheimer’s disease risk. However, there is significant correlation between HDL level and vascular dementia.
Pyridine Nucleotides in Plant Mitochondria. Amounts,metabolism and contribution to electron transport

HPLC analysis was used for direct quantification of amounts and redox levels of pyridine nucleotides in plant mitochondria. The amount of NAD(H) and NADP+ varied, 1.0-3.7 and 0-0.5 nmol (mg protein)-1, respectively, depending on the species from which nucleotides were extracted. NADPH was never detected. Submitochondrial localisation of NAD+-degrading enzymes indicated that matrix NAD+ diffuses intact across the inner mitochondrial membrane and is metabolised by NAD+-catabolising enzymes in the outer membrane. NAD pyrophosphatase activity was identified as being involved in the pyridine nucleotide degradation. During malate oxidation by isolated Solanum tuberosum mitochondria, the highest levels of NAD(H) reduction were obtained when malic enzyme was active. The lowest NAD(H) reduction levels were seen when conditions favoured malate dehydrogenase activity. Rotenone increased the reduction level of intramitochondrial NADH. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI) inhibited malate oxidation in the presence of rotenone in isolated mitochondria. This result indicated participation of matrix NADPH and the internal rotenone-insensitive, DPI-sensitive, NADPH dehydrogenase during malate oxidation. Antisera raised against peptides deduced from two S. tuberosum genes (nda1 and ndb1), homologous to the yeast genes for the internal and external NADH:ubiquinone dehydrogenases specifically cross-reacted with 48 and 61 kDa polypeptides in potato tuber mitochondria, respectively. Native NDA1 and NDB1 occurred as higher molecular mass forms, and show different association to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The physiological significance of pyridine nucleotide turnover and occurrence of multiple NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in the inner mitochondrial membrane is discussed.
Traditional budgeting during financial crisis

This study examines the evolution of budgeting practices in the extremely difficult Spanish economic environment. In order to analyse if companies are still maintaining their budgeting process and if, right now, they are facing more difficulties in forecasting accurate indicators, two similar web surveys were addressed over two periods of time, firstly in 2008 at the beginning of the financial crisis, and secondly in 2013 after five years of a downward trend. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted to investigate how companies brought more flexibility to their budgeting process in order to cope with environmental uncertainty. The survey indicates that 97% of respondents are still using a traditional budgeting process being this result similar to the one found in 2008. However, 2013 showed that the reliance on forecasted information is being in creasingly questioned. Furthermore the study revealed that the respondents are bringing more flexibility to their processes, being able to modify the objectives once the budget is approved and to obtain new resources outside the budgeting process. This paper contributes to revealing information about difficulties in setting reliable objectives in a turbulent environment and provides data about the evolution of budgeting practices over five years during an austere economic crisis.
Radiative Heat Transfer

Thermal radiation is one of the most universal physical phenomena, and its study has played a key role in the history of modern physics. Our understanding of this subject has been traditionally based on Planck’s law, which in particular sets limits on the amount of thermal radiation that can be emitted or exchanged. However, recent advances in the field of radiative heat transfer have defied these limits, and a plethora of novel thermal phenomena have been discovered that in turn hold the promise to have an impact in technologies that make use of thermal radiation. Here we review the rapidly growing field of radiative heat transfer, paying special attention to the remaining challenges and identifying future research directions. In particular, we focus on the recent work on near-field radiative heat transfer, including (i) experimental advances, (ii) theoretical proposals to tune, actively control, and manage near-field thermal radiation, and (iii) potential applications. We also review the recent progress.
Structural refinements of magnesite at very high pressure

Abstract Unit-cell parameters of magnesite were measured between ambient pressure and 80 GPa using angle dispersive powder X-ray diffraction. The isothermal bulk modulus determined from a third order Birch Murnaghan equation of state is KT = 108(3) GPa with K'T = 5.0(2), and V0 = 279.2(2) Å3, in agreement with previously reported values. Combining this result with previous measurements, we show that magnesite with R3̄c structure is stable compared to the assemblage periclase + carbon dioxide at pressures and temperatures corresponding to the core-mantle boundary. Crystal structure refinements have also been carried out up to 80 GPa. The main structural change is a strong compression of the MgO6 octahedra with increasing pressure, largely reflected in the anisotropic compression of the c axis. This compression, however, tends to level off at around 50-60 GPa. On the other hand, the CO3 groups do not remain invariant since they undergo first a slight expansion and then a compression above the same threshold pressure of 60 GPa above which Mg-O bonds cannot compress further. Thus, in this structure-type, the energy gain due to a drastic volume reduction of the MgO6 octahedron compensates in a given pressure range for the energy cost of the small expansion of the CO3 carbonate unit.
Regional, Very Heavy Daily Precipitation in NARCCAP Simulations

The authors analyze the ability of the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program’s ensemble of climate models to simulate very heavy daily precipitation and its supporting processes, comparing simulations that used observation-based boundary conditions with observations. The analysis includes regional climate models and a time-slice global climate model that all used approximately half-degree resolution. Analysis focuses on an upper Mississippi River region for winter (December–February), when it is assumed that resolved synoptic circulation governs precipitation. All models generally reproduce the precipitation-versus-intensity spectrum seen in observations well, with a small tendency toward producing overly strong precipitation at high-intensity thresholds, such as the 95th, 99th, and 99.5th percentiles. Further analysis focuses on precipitation events exceeding the 99.5th percentile that occur simultaneously at several points in the region, yielding so-called ‘‘widespread events. ’’ Examination of additional fields shows that the models produce very heavy precipitation events for the same physical conditions seen in the observations.
Spillovers across organizational architectures: The role of prior resource allocation and communication in post‐acquisition coordination outcomes

We integrate insights from organization design, economic game theory, and social psychology to examine the role of prior resource allocation and communication in alleviating behavioral uncertainty arising in interunit coordination settings. We use the context of post‐acquisition coordination, focusing on the extent to which routines created under one organizational architecture (i.e., interorganizational alliances) may transfer to another organizational architecture (i.e., internal divisional structures via acquisition of alliance partners). Using a randomized experimental design, we find that prior resource allocation decisions in the absence of prior communication lowers post‐acquisition performance due to the development and transference of pre‐acquisition stage routines that may be inappropriate post‐acquisition. Post‐acquisition performance is aided, however, by the formation of noncompetitive routines in the pre‐acquisition stage in the presence of communication. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.