Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fire, storms, and erosional events in the Idaho batholith

In late December 1996, the South Fork Payette River basin in west‐central Idaho experienced a prolonged storm that culminated on January 1, 1997, with intense rain on melting snow that triggered slide failures, producing debris flows and sediment‐charged floods. Failures occurred in saturated, cohesionless, grussy colluvium derived from weathered Idaho batholith granitic rocks. Many failures along the South Fork Payette River originated in ponderosa pine forests burned in the 1989 stand‐replacing Lowman fire. An example is the 0·49 km2 ‘Jughead’ Creek basin, where a single large colluvial failure produced almost 40% of the total volume eroded from the basin and generated a massive and rapid debris flow. Failures also occurred in steep, unburned, and unforested drainages such as Hopkins Creek. In this south‐facing 0·58 km2 basin, 15 colluvial hollows failed, but no single failure produced more than 10% of the total eroded volume. Sediment transport in Hopkins Creek occurred by prolonged sediment‐charged sheetflooding. Despite vegetation differences, sediment yields from the geomorphically similar Hopkins Creek (∼42 000 Mg km−2) and Jughead Creek (∼44 000 Mg km−2) basins were quite similar. These 1997 erosion events are equivalent to several thousand years of sediment yield at low rates (2·7–30 Mg km2 year−1) measured by short‐term sediment trapping and gauging in Idaho batholith watersheds. If similar large events were solely responsible for sediment export, recurrence intervals (RIs) of several hundred years would account for higher sediment yields averaged over ∼104 year from Idaho batholith watersheds. Dating of small fire‐induced sheetflooding events in an early Holocene tributary junction fan of Jughead Creek indicates that frequent small sedimentation events (RI≈33–80 year) occurred between 7400 and 6600 cal year BP, with an average yield not greatly exceeding 16 Mg km−2 year−1. Compared with the Holocene average, erosion rates during that 800 year period were unusually low, suggesting that sediment yields have not been constant over time, and that climatic variations and related fire regime changes may exert a strong influence on the probability of major erosional events. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Replacing Fish Meal with Poultry By-Product Meal in Practical Diets for Mirror Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Fingerlings

Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous rations containing various levels (0% or control), 33%, 67% and 100% of fish meal) of poultry by-product meal (PBM) were fed to three replicate groups of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 15.40±0.03 g. 50 fish per tank were tested for 10 weeks in 500 l fibreglass tanks. Average weight gain of carp fingerlings fed the control were significantly (P<0.05) higher (42.63±0.66) compared to fish fed 33%, 67% and 100% PBM of fish meal (30.14±0.06, 25.91±0.48 and 19.77±0.07, respectively). Significant variation in feed conversation ratios which varied between 1.71±0.02 and 2.81±0.03 for the control and 100% PBM, respectively, were obtained among the groups. Similarly, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the level of PBM increased. However, condition factor, dress out percentage and the whole body composition didn’t exhibit any significant variation among the test groups.
Medical Research: What's It Worth?

Understanding the nature, extent and processes involved in the return on investment in medical research has been largely neglected as an area of serious scientific study. This report is the outcome of a one-year study commissioned by the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, the UK Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. Its purpose is to compare the economic benefits accruing in the UK from medical research funded in the UK, publicly or by charities only, to the cost of that research. The report includes time series estimates of public/charitable and private pharmaceutical industry expenditure on medical research; explores the concept of knowledge 'spillovers' from public and charitably funded medical research; estimates the magnitude of spillovers in the UK; and computes internal rates of return on research investment. Using mental health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) as case studies, the report provides a clear demonstration of an approach that provides an improved theoretical basis for empirically estimating the two main elements of the economic returns from medical research - the value of health gains and the impact on GDP.
The Impact of Pair Work on Promoting Noticing among EFL Learners

This study investigates the effect of pair work on promoting noticing among EFL learners. The participants in this study were 31 Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Tthe participants were first asked to narrate a story in written form. Then, at the second stage, the participants collaborated with a self-selected peer to provide feedback on each other's linguistic problems. Finally, at the third stage, the participants renarrated the story after a week’s interval. While completing the task at the first and second stages, the participants had to make notes on their linguistic problems. Their notes were regarded as the operationalised form of noticing. The results revealed that written output was influential in promoting noticing among the participants. The participants mostly noticed lexical problems at both stages. However, the quality of noticing was low and as a result did not lead to retention and learning at the third stage.
Public Perceptions of Food Safety: Assessing the RisksPosed by Genetic Modification, Irradiation, Pesticides,Microbiological Contamination and High Fat/High CalorieFoods

[Excerpt] "In general, people in the developed world have access to a safe and varied supply of food. Instead of systemic hunger, many developed countries have problems with obesity and other kinds of eating disorders among their citizenry. It is within this context that some find public concerns about the safety of food both paradoxical and misplaced. Nevertheless, understanding how people perceive the risk associated with food is an important exercise in demonstrating accountability and in setting priorities for regulation. With the advent of technologies for producing genetically modified foods, and the development of fat blockers like Olestra, the public is increasingly being asked to judge the social acceptability of various kinds of food modifications. In addition to interpreting the risks and benefits associated with these newer innovations, the public is also balancing the risks and benefits of more familiar food interventions. Not only must consumers of food assess the merits of genetic modification and food irradiation, they still must consider exposure to pesticide residues and microbiological contaminants like Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter. Additionally, with high rates of cardiovascular disease and elevated concerns about developing diseases like diabetes, many people seriously consider the fat and sugar content of the foods they consume. This exploratory study examines how the public perceives food risks by employing a ranking exercise, a scale for assessing food safety practices, a scale for combining elements from the psychometric paradigm (e.g., voluntary exposure, perceived benefit, and perceived risk) across five potential food hazards, and demographic variables (sex, age, and level of education) most commonly linked to the perception of food risks. "
Modeling lumber recovery in relation to selected tree characteristics in jack pine using sawing simulator Optitek

End uses and product recovery are important considerations in forest management decision-making. This study intended to develop general tree-level lumber volume recovery models for jack pine. A sample of 154 jack pine trees collected from natural stands was scanned to obtain 3-D stem geometry for sawing simulation under two sawmill layouts, a stud mill and a random mill with optimized bucking, using sawing simulator Optitek. Three model forms were chosen to describe the quantitative relationship between simulated lumber volume recovery and tree characteristics. It was found that lumber volume recovery of individual trees from both sawmills could be well estimated from DBH using a second-order polynomial equation. Adding tree height into the model resulted in a small but significant improvement in the goodness of the model. Adding tree taper into the model that already included DBH and tree height no longer improved the goodness significantly. The power function form involving only DBH or both DBH and tree height as variables was also found to be suitable for the stud mill; exponential forms were least suitable. The second-order polynomial model with DBH alone was the most suitable model when inventory records DBH only, while the second-order polynomial model and the power model involving two variables (DBH and tree height) for the random mill and the stud mill, respectively, were better when both DBH and tree height are available.
Leveraging human thinking style for user attribution in digital forensic process

User attribution, the process of identifying a human in a digital medium, is a research area that has receive significant attention in information security research areas, with a little research focus on digital forensics. This study explored the probability of the existence of a digital fingerprint based on human thinking style, which can be used to identify an online user. To achieve this, the study utilized Server-side web data of 43-respondents were collected for 10-months as well as a self-report thinking style measurement instrument. Cluster dichotomies from five thinking styles were extracted. Supervised machine-learning techniques were then applied to distinguish individuals on each dichotomy. The result showed that thinking styles of individuals on different dichotomies could be reliably distinguished on the Internet using a Meta classifier of Logistic model tree with bagging technique. The study further modeled how the observed signature can be adopted for a digital forensic process, using high-level universal modeling language modeling process- specifically, the behavioral state-model and use-case modeling process. In addition to the application of this result in forensics process, this result finds relevance and application in human-centered graphical user interface design for recommender system as well as in e-commerce services. It also finds application in online profiling processes, especially in e-learning systems
Latin American Presidentialism in Comparative and Historical Perspective

This paper demonstrates that there is a distinctive style of presidentialism in Latin American constitutional design. While early constitutions in the region tended to follow the US model of presidency, subsequent constitutions evolved away from this model in favor of giving the president more authority in lawmaking. We demonstrate a substantial amount of convergence over time. This analysis has three important implications. First, it calls attention to geography as an important predictor of constitutional design. Second, our analysis emphasizes change rather than continuity and convergence over time. This approach contrasts with the recent emphasis in comparative law on - legal origins as determinants of contemporary outcomes. Finally, while the legal-origins analysts emphasize the importance of French law in Latin America, we show that at a constitutional level (surely important for economic outcomes), the influence of Spain and the United States was also significant in the early years. But while the legal-origins school argues for long-range consequences of initial choices, we observe a gradual process of constitutional updating in which constitutions within the region grow more similar to each other, and a move away from the models from which they were initially drawn.
Understanding Fluid Flow during Tectonic Reactivation: An Example from the Flamborough Head Chalk Outcrop (UK)

Flamborough Head chalks are located at the extremities of E-W and N-S trending fault systems along the Yorkshire coast (UK). Rock deformation is expressed in Selwicks Bay where a normal fault is exposed along with a high density of calcite veins. The fault mineralization is tested using geochemistry. Crosscutting relationships are used to differentiate between three vein generations: a network of parallel veins that are oriented perpendicular to stratigraphy (Group I), hydraulic breccia with typical jigsaw puzzle structure (Group II), and a third generation of calcite veins crosscutting the two previous generations (Group III). Geochemical analyses revealed that all three generations possess the same chemical signature and must reflect successive pulses from the same mineralizing fluid source. Strontium isotope analyses showed that the veins have elevated 87Sr/86Sr ratios, that is, up to 7.110, while ratios of the chalk matrix equal 7.707. The latter value is in agreement with the signature of Late Cretaceous seawater. Consequently, the source of the fluid is external, reflecting an open system. The radiogenic Sr-isotope ratios, combined with low iron concentration, suggest that fluids migrated through sandy deposits. Fluid inclusion salinities range from 0 to 12 eq. wt% NaCl equiv. with a dominance of very low salinity inclusions, reflecting a meteoric signal. This leads to a model where meteoric fluids stored in an underlying confined sandstone aquifer were remobilized. The wide range of salinities could result from mixing of the meteoric fluid with some more saline fluids present in the rock sequence or from the dissolution of salts in the subsurface. In addition to the understanding of the local paragenetic evolution of the veining in Flamborough Head chalks, this study offers an insight into the way how fluid flows and mineralizes along fault zones.
Analysis of Perceived Difficulty Rank of English Skills of College Students in China

A widely known fact of English education in China is that after years of learning, most Chinese students still can not speak English or understand spoken English. This phenomenon is called “mute English” in China’s academic community, a phenomenon that has been frustrating both English instructors and learners ever since English was listed a compulsory subject in high schools and mandatory course in universities in China years ago. “Mute English” or “English mute” is due to many factors, which would require more than one study and constant research efforts to arrive at a full understanding. This study analyzed the perceived difficulty rank of five English skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating in the hope of discovering the relationships among these skills to find out how these skills interact with each other, thus providing some hints on improving China’s current English teaching approaches and reducing the mute English phenomena. Data analysis shows that of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translating, Chinese students perceive translating and speaking the most difficult skills to command, whereas reading is perceived the least difficult one. However, no significant difference is found between translating and speaking between English majors and none majors. Such perception differences in these English skills alert us that we need to restructure our design teaching approaches and course contents for an effective teaching approach of oral English in China and to reach the ultimate goal of the application of foreign language learning.
Effect of feeding transgenic cottonseed vis-à-vis non-transgenic cottonseed on haematobiochemical constituents in lactating murrah buffaloes

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding transgenic cottonseed (Bt.) vis-a-vis non-transgenic (non-Bt.) cottonseed on blood biochemical constituents in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty Murrah buffaloes in mid-lactation were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Animals of group I were fed with 39.5% non-transgenic cottonseed in concentrate mixture while the same percentage of transgenic (Bt.) cottonseed was included in the concentrate mixture fed to the animals of group II. Animals of both groups were fed with concentrate mixture to support their milk production requirements. Each buffalo was also offered 20 kg mixed green fodder (oats and berseem) and wheat straw ad libitum. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 35 days. There was no significant difference in the dry matter intake between the two groups of buffaloes. All the buffaloes gained body weight, however, the differences were non significant. Total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and packed cell volume were 9.27±0.70×10 6 /µl, 13.01±0.60 g/dl and 34.87±1.47%, respectively in group I with the corresponding figures of 8.88±0.33, 12.99±0.52 and 31.08±1.52 in group II. The values of total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume did not differ significantly between the two groups of buffaloes. The concentration of plasma glucose, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein were non significantly higher in buffaloes fed non-transgenic cottonseed than in buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (p<0.01) higher in buffaloes of group I (136.84±8.40 mg/dl) than in buffaloes of group II (105.20±1.85 mg/dl). The serum alkaline phosphotase, glutamic-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic-pyruate transaminase activities did not differ significantly between two groups of buffaloes. However, serum glutamic-pyruate transaminase activity was considerably high in buffaloes fed non- transgenic cottonseed as compared to buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. Bt. proteins in serum samples of animals of group II were not detected after 35 days of feeding trial. It was concluded that transgenic cottonseed and non-transgenic cottonseed have similar nutritional value without any adverse effects on health status of buffaloes as assessed from haematobiochemical constituents. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 12 : 1732-1737)
Sequential Processes to Produce N-TiO2 Films Through Rf Plasmas

Using as target a CpTi disk in an atmosphere of argon/oxygen and by rf plasma. First titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) films were obtained on silicon substrates, and subsequently, these films were doped with nitrogen (N-TiO 2 ). In both processes, along four hours at 390°C of temperature. X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the nanostructured anatase phase. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyzes indicate that the nitrogen atoms were incorporated into the TiO 2 film with ~33.9 at%. The films reach a thickness of 1.25 μm and 40 nm the average uniformity determined by using an atomic force microscope. Finally, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy outcome evaluated ones an energy band gap reduction from 3.17 eV to 2.95 eV corresponding to TiO 2 films and N-TiO 2 films respectively.
Grain yields of alternative small grains in organic field production.

The aim of this paper is to outline the potentional interests for alternative wheat species for organic crop production. This paper deals with result of the effects organic field production on grain yield of different alternative small grains in investigated period (2007/08 2008/09) on the chernozem luvic soil type in "Radmilovac"Experimental field trial Faculty of Agriculture Belgrade-Zemun, Republic Serbia. The results shows that yield of small grains were higher in first year study with better meteorological conditions. Alternative small grains wheat species (Tr. Spelta, Tr. aestivum ssp. compactum and Tr, durum), barley and oats gives lower grain yield compared with comercial cultivar Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare NS-40S. Combination with organic and microbiological fertilizer has better effect on the grain yield of different alternative small grains compared with only organic fertilizers.
An Investigation of Cross-Country Income Differences

This paper investigates the nature of income inequality across nations. Several exercises, such as variance decompositions, simulations and counter-factual analyses are performed. We find that, although total factor productivity has a leading role in explaining the dispersion of output per worker, countries grew in the past –and, consequently, are poor in the present– for different reasons. Even after correcting for productivity differences, some nations remain poor mostly because of low schooling of the labor force and other because they impose too many distortions to capital accumulation. Policy recommendations have to take country differences into account, or else they have a high chance of being either wrong or ineffective.
Relationship Between Sleep Problems and Depression of Older Persons in Bangladesh

As age increases older persons may develop sleep problems. These may cause depression, a condition which negatively affects many aspects of older persons’ life. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between older persons’ sleep problems and depression in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 280 older persons using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS-5), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-10). Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to analyze sleep problems and depression data. Results show that sleep problems are significantly and positively related to depression. The identification of intervention programs for the screening of both sleep problems and depression, with a view to reducing the consequences of depression, is recommended.
The Recognition and Reward of Employee Performance

This paper examines when and to what extent an individual's relative wage depends on his/her productivity relative to others doing the same job. Starting wages were influenced by background characteristics and training cost realizations but not by relative productivity. Wages one year later were influenced by productivity but the effects were small. The wage elasticity was . 2 at small establishments and 0 at establishments with over 400 employees. The wage response to relative productivity and training costs was weaker in small labor markets, suggesting that wages do not fully respond to performance because of the firm specificity of job performance differentials.
Social media marketing and business competitiveness: evidence from South African tourism SMMEs

The increasing prominence of social media marketing in advancing the global reach and visibility of products and services is ideal for the South African tourism industry, which depends on local and international visitors for leveraging its business activities and competitiveness. However, what remains under-explored in tourism literature is the depth of integration of social media marketing into the competitive strategies of emerging tourism small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs). To address this grey area, this study explored the extent to which tourism SMMEs utilize social media technologies (SMTs) to extend their market share and the im- plications thereof for the competitiveness of their business operations. Drawing on a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted on 234 tourism SMMEs’ owner/ managers in the Free State province of South Africa to establish the impact of social media marketing on the competitiveness of their businesses. Evidence suggests that tourism SMMEs employed social media marketing predominantly for online marketing of their products/services, promoting their products/services, attracting existing customers, and sometimes, for integrating it into their marketing strategies. Results of correlation analysis revealed that social media marketing is positively and significantly related to the competitiveness of tourism SMMEs. The recommendations for leveraging the integration of social media marketing into the competitive strategy of the small business are provided.