Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
User Participation as an efficient work method in the construction sector A case study of Krokslätt Fabriker Söder

User participation in the construction sector can be described as a work method used to involve the future users of a facility in the design process. Although there are several benefits connected to user participation in construction, the method has not yet been widely used. In order to change this, a research project aiming at developing a common method for efficient user participation in the construction sector is currently being performed in an on-going housing development. This thesis aims at describing the process of user participation in the on-going development in order to identify aspects that are of importance in achieving efficient user participation in construction. The results of the thesis can also be used as input for the research project. The thesis is mainly based on a case study including observations made during the user participation and connected project meetings in the development, as well as on interviews with involved practitioners. The study showed several factors that are important in order to achieve efficient user participation in construction which relates to the participation process itself, the overall project process and the construction industry in general. Some of these aspects were to develop a method for ensuring that a representative selection of users is performed, to schedule and perform all the steps of the participation early in the project process, to allow continuous evaluations and implementation of improvements throughout the process and to ensure a positive attitude among practitioners towards incorporating the users.
Do Gays Shy Away from Competition? Do Lesbians Compete Too Much?

It is an established fact that gay men earn less than other men and lesbian women earn more than other women. In this paper we study whether differences in competitive preferences, which have emerged as a likely determinant of labour market differences between men and women, can provide a plausible explanation. We conduct an experiment on a Dutch online survey panel to measure the competitiveness of gay, lesbian and straight panel members. For differences in competitiveness to partially explain sexual orientation differences in earnings, gay men would need to be less competitive than other men and lesbian women more competitive than other women. Our findings confirm this competitiveness hypothesis for men, but not for women. Gay men compete less than other men, while lesbian women compete as much as other women. Linking our experimental measure to survey data, we show that competitiveness is a significant predictor of earnings. Differences in competitiveness can account for a significant portion of the gay earnings penalty, but cannot explain the lesbian premium.
Causal Effects of Maternal Time-Investment on Children's Cognitive Outcomes

Many social scientists hypothesize that the time mothers spend with their children is crucial for children’s cognitive development. Unlike most studies that investigate maternal employment effects on children, we estimate direct casual effects of time-diary measured maternal time using the CDS – PSID dataset. Considering maternal time allocation endogenous, the effect of an increase of maternal time associated with a rise in childcare prime (IV estimate) is an order of magnitude larger than OLS estimates for Applied Problems and Word-Letter identification tests. Evidence also shows that the effect is larger for children living college educated mothers and in two-parent household. JEL codes: D1, J13, C36.
Forecasting the Collapse of Speculative Bubbles: An Empirical Investigation of the S&P 500 Composite Index

In this paper we test for the presence of periodically partially collapsing, positive and negative, speculative bubbles in the S&P 500 Composite Index for the period 1888-2001. We extend existing regime-switching models of speculative behaviour by including abnormal volume as an indicator of the probable time of the bubble collapse. Abnormal volume is included as both a classifying variable that helps predict the probability of the bubble surviving, and as a factor of risk in the surviving state equation. Increased volume is considered a signal that market beliefs concerning the future of the bubble are changing. We show that abnormal volume is a significant predictor and classifier of returns. Furthermore, we examine the financial usefulness of the augmented model by studying the risk-adjusted profits of a trading rule formed using inferences from it. Use of the augmented model trading rule leads to higher risk adjusted returns than those obtained from employing existing models or a buy and hold strategy.
A Theoretical Framework of External Accounting Communication: Research Perspectives, Traditions and Theories

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework of external accounting communication in the form of a typology based on perspectives, traditions, and theories from the discipline of communication studies. The focus is accounting communication with external audiences via public written documents outside the audited financial statements, i.e., annual reports, press releases, CSR reports, websites, conference calls, etc. Design/methodology/approach - The theoretical framework is based on two broad research perspectives on accounting communication: (A) a functionalist-behavioural transmission perspective and (B) a symbolic-interpretive narrative perspective. Eight traditions of communication research are introduced which provide alternative ways of conceptualising accounting communication, namely (1) mathematical tradition, (2) socio-psychological tradition, (3) cybernetic/systems-oriented tradition, (4) semiotic tradition, (5) rhetorical tradition, (6) phenomenological tradition, (7) socio-cultural tradition, and (8) critical tradition. Exemplars of each tradition from prior accounting research, to the extent they have been adopted, are discussed. Finally, a typology is developed, which serves as a heuristic device for viewing similarities and differences between research traditions. Findings - Prior accounting studies predominantly focus on the role of discretionary disclosures in accounting communication in the functioning of the relationship between organisations and their audiences. Research is predominantly located in the mathematical, the socio-psychological, and the cybernetic/systems-oriented tradition. Accounting communication is primarily viewed as the transmission of messages about financial, environmental, and social information to external audiences. Prior research is mainly concerned with the communicator (e.g. CEO personality) and the message (e.g. intentions and effects of accounting communication). Research from alternative traditions is encouraged, which explores how organisations and their audiences engage in a dialogue and interactively create, sustain, and manage meaning concerning accounting and accountability issues. Originality/value - The paper identifies, organises, and synthesises research perspectives, traditions, and associated theories from the communication studies literature in the form of a typology. The paper concludes with an extensive agenda for future research on accounting communication.
Epidemiologic description and therapeutic outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Childhood in Isfahan, Iran (2011-2016)

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease produced by Leishmania parasite and is transmitted by sandfly. The aim of this study was to investigating the epidemiology of Cutaneous leishmaniasis and different aspects of treatment in children with 10 years of age and under in Isfahan Province. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3143 child cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province during the March 2011 to March 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic and clinical status of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children. The relationship between treatment regime with demographic and clinical variables were examined using Chisquare test. Data of the study was analyzed by using SPSS 18, software. The significance level of the tests was considered as PE0.05. Of 3143 cases, 52.3% were boys, 51.6% were in rural areas and 91.6 % were Iranian. Leishmania major with 91% of cases was the most common species of the cutaneous leishmaniasis. The relationship between treatment regime and age group , season, year of disease occurrence, Leishmania parasite, residential area, nationality, travel history, travel location and simultaneous disease in other family members were statistically significant as (P<0.05). Children in Isfahan Province are at high risk of disease occurrence. Cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment in Iranian children was consistent with cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment guideline and scientific evidence. However, the process for combating the animal reservoirs and mosquito vector should be considered as a priority to control disease. Furthermore, the facilities should be provided for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil through microbial degradation-FTIR based prediction.

Samples of polluted soil contaminated with used motor oil spillage were collected to study whether such soils may be remediated, i.e. whether the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil is achievable using microbial strain sampled from the same site where from the contaminated soil has been collected for isolating bacterial strains. Sampled soil has been divided in to two sets and the one set of the two was inoculated with the isolated microbial strain (treated sample) and the other set left as such without any inoculation (untreated). The inoculation of microbial strain was performed after assessing the water holding capacity of the sampled soils. FTIR spectra were obtained of the untreated samples and have been referred in the study as zero day. Spectra of treated samples were obtained on 12th day of incubation and on 25th day of incubation. A comparison of FTIR spectra of treated (12th day and 25th day) and untreated soil revealed the presence of new bands pertaining to aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including various alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. The isolated bacterial strain seems to have substantial potential to remediate the hydrocarbon contamination of the soil and indicate signs of bioremediation of soils contaminated with used motor oil.
Argon‐40‐argon‐39 chronology and petrogenesis along the eastern limb of the Moon from Luna 16, 20 and 24 samples

Abstract— Eighteen new lithic fragments from the Soviet Luna missions have been analyzed with electron microprobe and 40Ar‐39Ar methods. Luna 16 basalt fragments have aluminous compositions consistent with previous analyses, but have two distinct sets of well‐constrained ages (3347 ± 24 Ma, 3421 ± 30 Ma). These data, combined with other Luna 16 basalt ages, imply that there were multiple volcanic events filling Mare Fecunditatis. The returned basalt fragments have relatively old cosmicray exposure (CRE) ages and may have been recovered from the ejecta blanket of a young (1 Ga), nearby crater. A suite of highlands rocks (troctolites and gabbros) is represented in the new Luna 20 fragments. One fragment is the most compositionally primitive (Mg# = 91–92) spinel troctolite yet found. Both troctolites have apparent crystallization ages of 4.19 Ga; other rocks in the suite have progressively younger ages and lower Mg#s. The age and composition progression suggests that these rocks may have crystallized from a single source magma, or from similar sources mobilized at the same time. Within the new Luna 24 basalt fragments is a quench‐textured olivine vitrophyre with the most primitive composition yet analyzed for a Luna 24 basalt, and several much more evolved olivine‐bearing basalts. Both new and previously studied Luna 24 very low‐Ti (VLT) basalt fragments have a unimodal age distribution (3273 ± 83 Ma), indicating that most returned samples come from a single extrusive episode within Mare Crisium much later than the Apollo 17 VLT basalts (3.6–3.7 Ga).
Direct active and reactive power control of single-phase grid-tie converters

In this study, a simple digital power control technique for single-phase grid-tie converters is proposed. The suggested technique is based on the application of dead-beat control theory to the instantaneous powers in the virtual two-axis reference frame. A voltage estimation scheme is added to the proposed direct power control algorithm that allows grid voltage sensorless operation. The simulation and experimental results confirm that the proposed control strategy provides fast, accurate and decoupled power control with a lower alternating current distortion.
Understanding and Explaining Chronic Poverty - An Evolving Framework for Phase III of CPRC's Research

In order to explain chronic poverty and determine how best to interrupt it, a clear and coherent conceptual framework is necessary. The framework presented in this paper has been developed based on work undertaken both by the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) during its first two phases (2000-2005) and by others, and is intended to inform CPRC's ongoing research and policy analysis in Phase III (2005-2010). The framework has three levels. The first is a statement of the problem 'chronic poverty' (Section 2). The second is an elaboration of how we are looking at this problem through the lenses of poverty dynamics and intergenerational transmission (Sections 2 and 3). The third level proposes concepts which are most useful in understanding and explaining chronic poverty, poverty dynamics and intergenerational transmission (Section 4). In particular this suggests that there is an inter-disciplinary meeting point between concepts of 'poverty traps' and 'adverse incorporation', and suggests that the cutting edge of research on chronic poverty lies in the interaction of asset dynamics and changing social relations. Key components of the context are explored in Section 5. One of these - the performance of the state, and in particular the under-performance of 'fragile states' or chronically deprived countries - is the subject of Section 6, which suggests both that research on chronic poverty has something to say to the 'fragile states' discourse, and that dealing with chronic poverty may be an important task in 'fragile states'. Section 7 concludes with a reflection on how this paper changes the way we see chronic poverty. The current working paper provides an overview of the entire framework. Elements of the framework are elaborated upon in a set of companion papers.
Determining Fibre Properties and Linear Density Effect on Cotton Yarn Hairiness in Ring Spinning

Yarn hairiness is a quite complex parameter of yarn quality that is affected by various parameters. Many researchers have devoted their attention to the influence of fibre parameters on yarn hairiness. These results sometimes differ because of the nature of different measuring principles. It is generally acDetermining Fibre Properties and Linear Density Effect on Cotton Yarn Hairiness in Ring Spinning Sevda Altas, *Huseyin Kadoglu
Isolation of a Novel Thermophilic Anoxybacillus flavithermus SO-13, Production, Characterization and Industrial Applications of its Thermostable α-Amylase

In this research paper, a novel thermophilic bacteria named strain SO-13 was isolated from hot spring mud sample in Afyonkarahisar (Omer). Based on morphological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, G-C content and DNA-DNA hybridization analysis, the thermophilic isolate belonged to Anoxybacillus genus and it was closely related to A. flavithermus. The effects of different solid state fermentation conditions such as different substrate, incubation time, temperature, pH and surfactants on α-amylase production were experimented. In addition to these, different parameters such as temperature and temperature stability, pH and pH stability, detergents and surfactants, different starches and metal ions on effect of partially purified enzyme characterization were examined. The optimum temperature and pH of thermostable α-amylase was 80°C and 7.0, respectively. Thermostable α-amylase hydrolyzed the 76% and 87% of soluble starch content in red and green apple juice at 80°C in 30 min.
The effect of inlet velocity and temperature on the strength of the swirling induced by a split channel: a CFD approach

Due to the increase of energy cost, natural heat resources and industrial waste heat have been considered as potential energy resources and has been the centre of attraction among many researchers in recent years. Limitations of the use of these freely available energy resources arise primarily from the engineering cost/efficiency challenges. Some researchers have focused on improving the efficiency of existing techniques to utilize these energy resources. Some other researchers have focused on finding new techniques of extracting energy from these heat resources. The ratio of the cost/efficiency index can be reduced not only by increasing the efficiency, but also by reducing the engineering cost. This research deals with an innovative low-cost technique to produce swirling flow by industrial wasted hot air which is already in use to induce fire-whirl by burning fuel in the laboratory. The configuration consists of two identical half cylinders which are placed off-centre. Previous studies show such a simple configuration is able to induce a swirling flow within the chamber when a hot air inlet is used instead of a fire. In this computational work, a configuration with nearly arbitrary geometries is modelled and the effect of the inlet temperature and velocity on the swirling strength is assessed. The computational results show reasonable agreement with the existing experimental data.
Serological Diagnosis of Salmonella typhi in DHQ (District Head Quarter Hospital) of Charsadda, City of Kp Pakistan 2015-2016

Typhoid fever has a prominent as a perilous illness in Asia with almost 93% of worldwide cases has been underwritten by this region. Being a critical cause for an ailment and passing in creating nations where safe water supply, natural sanitation and sustenance cleanliness is not ideal. Typhoid remains a communicable disease found both male and female. It occurs due to the systematic infection of mainly via Salmonella typhi . An epidemiological model aimed at immediate and round about transmission of typhoid is planned and examined. The fundamental number is figured out. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of typhoid fever in 4253 consecutive patients with fever and symptoms clinically compatible with typhoid fever to verify recent estimates of a high prevalence of typhoid fever in individuals living in the Charsadda. 923 patients show the positive result, 476 were males & 487 females in the total of 4253. The ratio of positive result is considerable higher in females as compare to men.
Primary scab control using a “during-infection” spray timing and the effect on fruit quality and yield in organic apple production

Organic apple production in Europe depends to a great extent on the use of copper fungicides for scab control (Venturia inaequalis). The objective of this 6-year study (2003-2008) conducted in Belgium was to determine measures for reducing the use of copper fungicides in organic apple production. The effectiveness of a 'during-infection' spray strategy using wettable sulphur (with or without copper), lime sulphur, potassium bicarbonate, silicon and five natural plant extracts (orange peel, soapbark, tea seed, quinoa seed and grapefruit seed) for controlling primary scab was investigated in a split-plot field experiment. Four apple cultivars that express a gradient of partial scab resistance were included: a high scab-susceptible cultivar (cv. 'Pinova'), a medium scab-susceptible cultivar (cv. 'Pirouette') and two old cultivars expressing low to very low scab susceptibility (cvs. 'Reinette Hernaut' and 'Reinette des Capucins'). Apart from these cultivars, four monogenic Vf scab-resistant cultivars (cvs. 'Initial', 'Topaz', 'Zvatava' and 'JN 20/33/58') were also included in the experimental orchard. In order to reduce the amount of fungicide required, two strategies were used: a specific spray timing involving spraying during the infection processes, before fungal penetration, determined by the RIMpro software warning system, and a tunnel sprayer machine for optimal treatment applications. Depending on the year, a total of 8-12 applications were made annually. Under field conditions that were highly conducive disease, low rates of elemental sulphur (≤ 40 kg.ha-1 per year) combined with low rates of copper (≤ 2.1 kg.ha-1 per year) provided the best scab control and reduced scab severity on the leaves and fruits by 85-100%, depending on the year and cultivar, compared with the untreated control. In most cases, the lime sulphur spray treatment, which used more elemental sulphur but did not use copper, provided a similar level of scab control to the combined wettable sulphur and copper spray treatment. Sulphur, potassium bicarbonate and all plant extracts significantly reduced scab severity on leaves and fruits. In general, the treatments increased the yield of the high and medium scab-susceptible cultivars as well as that of the low and very low scab-susceptible cultivars. Under these experimental conditions, none of the treatments caused phytotoxicity, increased fruit russet or led to undesirable soil and fruit residues at harvest. The potential and limitations of "during-infection" spraying as a protection strategy against apple scab in organic farming are discussed.
Women’s adaptation to STEM domains promotes resilience and a lesser reliance on heuristic thinking

Experiences that compel people to challenge social stereotypes can promote enhanced cognitive flexibility on a range of judgmental domains. Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields are chronically exposed to such experiences and may therefore also demonstrate these benefits. Two studies examined the differential effects of counterstereotypical experiences on women from STEM and non-STEM fields. Results showed that imagining or recollecting these experiences led women from STEM fields to exhibit a lesser reliance on heuristic thinking compared to women from non-STEM fields, and this difference was mediated by self-perceived resilience to the negative impact of gender stereotyping. Implications for psychologists’ and educators’ understanding of the relationship between counterstereotypical experiences and heuristic thinking are discussed.
Immigrants and Mortgage Delinquency in the United States

We investigate the relationship between immigrant status and mortgage delinquency in the United States. We find that after controlling for observables, newly arrived immigrants are likely to have a higher delinquency rate on mortgages than natives, while immigrants who have resided in the United States for more than 20 years are no different than natives in this regard. In addition, there is no evidence that the second generation of immigrants has a higher delinquency rate than the third-or-higher generation. Our results are robust to potential sample selection bias and functional misspecifications.