Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep-Slope Stabilization Using Lime

Lime piles have been successfully used in practice in several countries worldwide but their mechanism of operation has not been adequately explained. The literature on the subject has been briefly reviewed and a list of suggested stabilizing processes has been compiled. Programs of experimental work to investigate each process are described and the results are presented. Lime piles, which usually consist of columns of quicklime placed in pre-formed holes in clay soils, draw in water during hydration and expand. No lateral consolidation of the surrounding clay occurs, however, because of the stoichiometry of the hydration reaction. The water loss in the surrounding clay causes an increase in undrained shear strength. The associated pore water pressure reduction, or suction, caused by the hydration reaction is shown to be significant in the short term to increase the stability of the slope and in the long term by overconsolidation of the shear plane. Migration of calcium and hydroxyl ions from the piles has been shown to be limited to less than 30 mm (1.2 in.), as might be expected from considerations of clay liners. The pile itself is shown to have significant strength. The laboratory work has been supported by the initial findings of a program of field trials.
The Development of Local Wisdom Based-Instructional Book VCT Model Oriented in Improving Character Education of Fourth Grade Elementary School Student

This research objective was to produce local wisdom based-instructional book that can be used by teacher in engrafting student’s character education. Local wisdom based-instructional book can be an interesting offer for character education, since character education basically must be followed by the integration of nation identity to child. The application of local wisdom based-instructional book will be more optimal if applied in learning using VCT learning model so it will create more pleasant learning. This development research method using ADDIE research model with pretest-posttest group design. The statistical test result of local wisdom based-instructional book showed that student’s character experienced very significant improvement. Therefore, local wisdom based-instructional book VCT model oriented was not merely make student possessed good competence, but also possessed laudable character.
Social Upgrading and Labour in Global Production Networks: A Critique and an Alternative Conception

Over the last two decades the global commodity chain, global value chain and global production network (GCC/GVC/GPN) frameworks have facilitated valuable research into contemporary global capitalism. However, much of this research has paid insufficient attention to work and workers. Recently, the concept of social upgrading, with a strong emphasis on workers' conditions, has been advanced by leading GCC/GVC/GPN theorists, as a potential remedy to the previous lacunae. This article welcomes this development, but also argues that the social upgrading concept represents an elite comprehension of relations between capital, the state and labour. It is argued that the concept, derived from the International Labour Organization's Decent Work Agenda, denies the reality of labour's exploitation by capital and is therefore only partially equipped to explain the existence of indecent work. The Decent Work Agenda and the social upgrading concept expect improvements in work to be delivered by elite actors such as firms, national states and international organizations. It is argued that, through re-visiting Marx's explication of the capitalist labour process, it is possible to comprehend the nature of capitalist exploitation, the root causes of indecent work and resistance to it, and thus to develop an alternative conception of social upgrading. The article presents evidence from North East Brazilian export horticulture to support these arguments.
Indications that some nutritional elements can improve gladiolus corm and cormel qualities in Mexico

In regions of the State of Puebla (Mexico), gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus Andrews) production has had asexual propagation problems, which have caused losses for producers, who mostly produce their own vegetative seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate some physical qualities and health characteristics of corms and cormels generated at four fertilization rates (FD, kg ha-1): 65N-14.9P-171K-16.6Mg-31.2Ca-0.0B-0.0S (FD1); 40.5N-24P-171K-23Mg-37.2Ca-0.2B-8.5S (FD2); 81N-24P-171K-23Mg-37.2Ca-0.2B-0.0S (FD3); and 81N-24P-171K-23Mg-37.2Ca-0.0B-0.0S (FDR; traditional regional rate). Two hundred and forty corms, along with their cormels, of two varieties ('Borrega Roja' and 'Espuma') produced at four FDs were harvested. The following physical qualities of corms were assessed; corm fresh weight (CFW), number of cormels generated (NcMC), and total fresh weight (TFW); evaluated physical qualities of cormels were size (mm) and total weight. Cormel health was analyzed in 160 randomly disinfested pieces that were plated in agar medium with or without splitting. The percentage of identified fungus incidence was recorded. Data were analyzed by a non-parametric one-way ANOVA. No significant differences were shown for CFW. The best treatments were mainly FD2 followed by FD1. In relation to FD-R, FD2 in both varieties increased NcMC by 31% to 69%, TFW by 27% to 46%, 6-8 size by 24% to 27%, and the development of Fusarium oxysporum colonies was reduced by 100% in cormel internal tissue.
Is the provision of more timely earnings information good for the Chinese stock market? : evidence from investor reactions to management earnings forecasts

Is the Provision of More Timely Earnings Information Good for the Chinese Stock Market? Evidence from Investor Reactions to Management Earnings Forecasts by ZHAO Shunan Master of Philosophy Since 2001, publicly listed companies in China have been required by the Chinese Securities and Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the Shanghai Exchange and the Shenzhen Exchange to issue management earnings forecasts when they anticipate that earnings will be negative or change substantially from the previous period. This study examines the consequences and implications of this disclosure regulation. I find that the earnings forecasts are associated with an earlier incorporation of relevant earnings information into stock prices. However, I also find evidence that is consistent with the presence of overreactions to forecasts of extreme earnings changes. My study offers a cautionary note about the policy of mandating listed firms to issue earnings forecasts in a stock market that is dominated by individual investors. DECLARATION I declare that this is an original work based primarily on my own research, and I warrant that all citations of previous research, published or unpublished, have been duly acknowledged. ( ZHAO Shunan ) May 3, 2012
7 Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Since Klemperer proposed a concept on diffuse collagen disease in 1942, diseases occurring in the connective tissue have been understood to reveal their clinical symptoms in various tissues and organs with a variety of findings. This concept consequently allowed us to believe in the presence of a disease appearing between two established diseases or being an overlapped or mixed form of two diseases. Sharp had recognized a group of patients who have mixed clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and polymyositis (PM). All such patients had high titers of anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibody and a good prognosis. In 1972, Sharp et al. published a group of these conditions as a new disease entity: mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The independent feature of the clinical entity of MCTD, however, was criticized by several investigators including Reichlin et al. (1976), LeRoy et al. (1980) and Nimelstein et al. (1980) on the following two points. The clinical features of MCTD do not differ from those of anti-snRNP antibody-positive SLE patients and most MCTD patients progress to scleroderma during the observation period. Nevertheless, MCTD has been a recognized disease all over the world having characteristic mixed clinical features of several connective tissue diseases and autoantibody to U1snRNP.
Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies: Laboratories for probing the Primordial Universe

Abstract Blue Compact Dwarf (BCD) galaxies are the most metal-deficient star-forming galaxies known in the universe, with metallicities ranging from 1/40 to 1/3 that of the Sun. I review how they constitute excellent nearby laboratories for studying big bang nucleosynthesis and star formation and galaxy evolution processes in a nearly primordial environment.
Regional Effects on Employer-Provided Training: Evidence from Apprenticeship Training in Switzerland

This paper uses regional variation in labor markets, the industry structure and the educational system to explain the training decisions of firms. Using a representative firm-level data set, the results show that firms are less likely to offer training if the number of competing firms situated in the same geographical area is high. Furthermore, the supply of potential apprentices affects the training decision positively through an improved matching process. In addition, the expected ability of apprentices also has a positive impact, whereas a more developed system of full-time schooling options for school leavers reduces the likelihood of a firm to offer training.
Experimental warming does not enhance soil respiration in a semiarid temperate forest-steppe ecosystem

The influence of simulated climate change on soil respiration was studied in a field experiment on 4 m × 5 m plots in the semiarid temperate Pannonian sand forest-steppe. This ecosystem type has low productivity and soil organic matter content, and covers large areas, yet data on soil carbon fluxes are still limited. Soil respiration rate – measured monthly between April and November from 2003 to 2006 – remained very low (0.09 – 1.53 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) in accordance with the moderate biological activity and low humus content of the nutrient poor, coarse sandy soil. Specific soil respiration rate (calculated for unit soil organic matter content), however, was relatively high (0.36 – 7.92 μmol CO2 g−1 Corg h−1) suggesting substrate limitation for soil biological activity. During the day, soil respiration rate was significantly lower at dawn than at midday, while seasonally clear temperature limitation in winter and water limitation in summer were detected. Between years, annual precipitation appeared to be important in determining soil carbon efflux intensity. Nocturnal warming increased soil temperature in 1 cm depth at dawn by 1.6°C on the average, and decreased topsoil (0–11 cm) moisture content by 0.45 vol%. Drought treatment decreased soil moisture content by an average of 0.81 vol%. Soil respiration rate tended to decrease by 7–15% and 13–15% in response to heat and drought treatment, respectively, although the changes were not statistically significant. Nocturnal warming usually prevented dew formation, and that probably also influenced soil respiration. Based on these results, we expect a reduction in the volume and rate of organic matter turnover in this ecosystem in response to the anticipated climate change in the region.
The Interaction Effects of Firm Value, Managerial Ownership Retention, Earnings Forecasts and Earnings Management

This study examines the signaling and non-signaling effects of direct disclosure of expected earnings and managerial (insider) ownership in a comprehensive framework. Market valuation and cost reduction aspects of signaling are explored along with non-signaling aspects of earnings management, alignment effect, and value effect. The empirical results suggest that the market positively reacts to earnings forecast and insider ownership and earnings forecast and insider ownership substitute each other for the least costly combination. The results also show that earnings forecast positively affects the extent of earnings management to reduce signaling cost, while insider ownership does not. Regarding non-signaling aspects of insider ownership, it is shown that firm value positively affects insider ownership. However, insider ownership is not found to significantly affect firm value either positively or negatively. Also, insider ownership is found to lessen the extent of earnings management only at high ownership levels.
The Primacy of Human Capital and Social Capital in Influencing Landholders’ Participation in Programmes Designed to Improve Environmental Outcomes

Increasing landholder participation in environmental programmes is often essential for achieving desired levels of restoration and protection, as well as the economic goals of efficiency and equity. Previous literature has identified sociodemographic property and attitudinal variables that influence participation. Using qualitative research, we identify variables relating to human capital (business orientation and information seeking behaviour) and social capital (trust in those delivering programmes and connectedness with other landholders) that have been seldom or never identified as influencing participation. New scales are developed and existing scales refined for measuring these constructs, and their influence on past and future participation is examined together with a range of other constructs. The effect of these variables is examined using a survey of Australian landholders, and the results demonstrate the primacy of variables relating to human and social capital in influencing past and future participation.
Resource Collection by Honeybees (Apis mellifera) on Yellow Melon (Cucumis melo) Flowers

This study aimed to analyze the details of collection of floral resources (pollen and nectar) by honeybees ( Apis mellifera ) on male and hermaphrodite flowers of melon ( Cucumis melo ). The experiments were conducted in areas located at Embrapa Semiarido and Embrapa Produtos e Mercado, Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, in November and December 2011, with crop of a hybrid yellow 10/00 F1 melon. Honeybee colonies housed in Langstroth hives, uniform concerning the number of individuals and brood area were used. The four experimental areas (0.5 ha each), received respectively 0, 1, 2 and 3 hives, from the first day on which the hermaphrodite flowers appeared to the end of the flowering period of the melon crop. The results showed that the bees visited more the hermaphrodite than the male flowers, in order to collect the resources (pollen and nectar), in all areas where honeybee hives were placed. In general, independently from the number of hives, the resource most collected was nectar. Pollen collection occurred mainly at the first hours of the morning, while nectar was collected throughout the day.
A Multiple Case Study: Turkish Physics Teachers’ Teaching Beliefs related to National High School Physics Curriculum

In the present Turkish High School Physics Curriculum (THSPC), it was explicitly stated that physics teachers should use various teaching methods and techniques such as 5E, 7E, cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, and problem solving in their instructional practices. Although the use of multiple methods and techniques has been suggested by the national physics curriculum, it is probable that teachers do not teach by using various instructional methods and techniques. Some factors, especially their beliefs about how to teach physics according to the THSPC, can affect their use of various teaching methods and techniques. Identifying teachers’ teaching beliefs related to the THSPC and investigating the reflection of these beliefs in their instructional practices can contribute to effective implementation of the THSPC. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to identify physics teachers’ beliefs about how to teach physics according to the THSPC and to investigate the extent of reflection of these beliefs in their teaching. Four teachers from different schools participated in this study. Data was collected through interviews, open-ended questionnaire and classroom observations. According to the data results, all physics teachers believed that they could teach physics according to the THSPC by giving examples from daily life, and creating a discussion environment. In addition, the classroom observations showed that they generally used these two teaching techniques in their instructional practices.
Middle Eocene through Quaternary Planktonic Foraminifers from the Southern Angola Basin: Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 73

Middle Eocene through Quaternary sediments were recovered from the southern Angola Basin at Sites 519 to 523 during Leg 73 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Clearly defined magnetostratigraphic records and relatively well preserved faunas occur in the lower Pliocene sediments of Hole 519, upper Eocene to Oligocene sediments of Hole 522, and middle Eocene sediments of Hole 523. The apparently complete Oligocene sequence in Hole 522 is especially important for establishing a direct calibration of calcareous plankton biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy in a midlatitude deep sea section. The Miocene assemblages in Holes 520 and 521 demonstrate that Sphaeroidinellopsis subdehiscens, Globigerina druryi, and forms very similar to G. nepenthes range down to, and perhaps below, the base of the middle Miocene. Thus, the standard middle Miocene zonation of Blow (1969), which uses the successive first appearances of Sphaeroidinellopsis subdehiscens and Globigerina nepenthes to define Zone NI3, requires revision. A new midlatitude Oligocene zonation (OL1 to OL6) developed primarily from the faunal sequence of Hole 522 is proposed and correlated to standard zonations developed in tropical and other extra-tropical regions.
Biogenic isoprene emissions driven by regional weather predictions using different initialization methods: case studies during the SEAC 4 RS and DISCOVER-AQ airborne campaigns

Abstract. Land and atmospheric initial conditions of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are often interpolated from a different model output. We perform case studies during NASA's SEAC4RS and DISCOVER-AQ Houston airborne campaigns, demonstrating that using land initial conditions directly downscaled from a coarser resolution dataset led to significant positive biases in the coupled NASA-Unified WRF (NUWRF, version 7) surface and near-surface air temperature and planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) around the Missouri Ozarks and Houston, Texas, as well as poorly partitioned latent and sensible heat fluxes. Replacing land initial conditions with the output from a long-term offline Land Information System (LIS) simulation can effectively reduce the positive biases in NUWRF surface air temperature by ∼ 2 °C. We also show that the LIS land initialization can modify surface air temperature errors almost 10 times as effectively as applying a different atmospheric initialization method. The LIS-NUWRF-based isoprene emission calculations by the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN, version 2.1) are at least 20 % lower than those computed using the coarser resolution data-initialized NUWRF run, and are closer to aircraft-observation-derived emissions. Higher resolution MEGAN calculations are prone to amplified discrepancies with aircraft-observation-derived emissions on small scales. This is possibly a result of some limitations of MEGAN's parameterization and uncertainty in its inputs on small scales, as well as the representation error and the neglect of horizontal transport in deriving emissions from aircraft data. This study emphasizes the importance of proper land initialization to the coupled atmospheric weather modeling and the follow-on emission modeling. We anticipate it to also be critical to accurately representing other processes included in air quality modeling and chemical data assimilation. Having more confidence in the weather inputs is also beneficial for determining and quantifying the other sources of uncertainties (e.g., parameterization, other input data) of the models that they drive.
All-trans retinoic acid influences viability , migration and adhesion of U 251 glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer. Literature data reveals that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has anticancer effects on different types of tumor cells. However, data about the effects of ATRA on glioblastoma cells are contradictory. In this study, we examined whether ATRA treatment affects features of human glioblastoma U251 cells. To that end, the cells were treated with different concentrations of ATRA. Results obtained by MTT and the crystal violet assays imply that ATRA affected the viability of U251 glioblastoma cells in a doseand time-dependent manner. Fluorescence staining of microtubule cytoskeleton protein α-tubulin revealed that ATRA induced changes in cell morphology. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR we found that the expression of SOX3 and GFAP genes, as markers of neural differentiation, was not changed upon ATRA treatment. Thus, the observed changes in cell morphology after ATRA treatment are not associated with neural differentiation of U251 glioblastoma cells. The scratch-wound healing assay revealed that ATRA changed the mode of U251 cell migration from collective to single cell motility. The cell-matrix adhesion assay demonstrated that the pharmacologically relevant concentration of ATRA lowered the cell-matrix adhesion capability of U251 cells. In conclusion, our results imply that further studies are needed before ATRA could be considered for the treatment of glioblastoma.
A Novel “FlocDrifter” Platform for Observing Flocculation and Turbulence Processes in a Lagrangian Frame of Reference

A novel drifter platform was used to measure the properties of aggregated particles called flocs—a key component of sediment transport in muddy environments. Also concurrently measured were turbulence, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), velocity, and salinity in both Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference. In Lagrangian mode the system performed well in a heavily sediment-laden river, providing measurements over a large spatial scale. The platform navigated itself through a complex geometry encompassingmanybendsandsignificantdepthchanges.Observedvelocitiesrelativetothedrifterandsalinities indicated that the drifter motion was almost Lagrangian with minimal slippage between the drifter and the water motion. The small amount of slippage that did occur was sufficient to ensure that the drifter oriented itself into the oncoming flow. High-quality in situ images of flocs were collected using a high-magnification floc camera (FlocCam). An automatic image analysis routine was developed to identify and characterize flocs within each FlocCam image, employing an artificial neural network (ANN) to ensure that only in-focus particles were included in the analyses. The results indicated that the FlocCam system had an upper working SSC limit of around 350‐ 400mgL 21 . The SSC estimates show that the drifters encountered considerable variability as they were advected downstream;however,concentrations predominantly remained under the image processing thresholdof 350‐ 400mgL 21 . The system captured the evolution of floc characteristics over short spatial scales (hundreds of meters). The median floc size (d50) was found to be positively correlated with SSC (r 2 5 0.5). A comparison between Eulerianand Lagrangianfloc historiescan thenbe used to evaluatethe role of antecedent conditions within the flocculation process.