Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strengthening of the Northeast Monsoon over the Flores Sea, Indonesia, at the time of Heinrich event 1

Paleoclimate evidence from South America and Asia has been interpreted to indicate that tropical rainfall migrated southward during the Northern Hemisphere cooling associated with Heinrich stadial 1 (HS1), an event of massive iceberg discharge to the North Atlantic ca. 18‐15 ka. Although arid conditions associated with such a shift are well documented in southern Asia, as far south as Borneo, debate still exists regarding the precipitation response in southern Indonesia and Australia during HS1. This study utilizes concentrations of the long-lived nuclide 232 Th as a proxy for detrital riverine input and 230 Th normalization to estimate the history of preserved fl uxes reaching the seafl oor in the Flores Sea, located between southern Sulawesi and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Because the only source of 232 Th to the ocean is continental minerals, this proxy is a robust indicator of continental weathering. The 230 Th normalized burial fl uxes of lithogenic and biogenic matter demonstrate that both detrital and biogenic fl uxes in the Flores Sea were higher during HS1 than any other period in the past 22 k.y. High detrital fl uxes indicate enhanced precipitation runoff from surrounding landmasses during a period of maximum southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. This study further constrains the northern limit of enhanced rainfall associated with a southward shift of Australian monsoon-related rainfall at the time of HS1 and highlights the value of 232 Th as a proxy of continental input to deep-sea sediment records.
The Characteristics Influence of The Seismic Signal Noise Using Spectral Analysis

The observation of earthquake monitoring station had deployed in Indonesia. The data for this study were earthquake data recorded from BMKG Seismic Network. We use the 2016 Aceh earthquake, struck the Indonesia Island of Sumatra with Mw of 6.5 in Aceh province on December 7th 2016, at 05:03 WIB (22:03 UTC December 6th 2016) with duration 14 days from December 1st 2016, 00:00:00 UTC to December 14th 2016 00:00:00 UTC. Spectral analysis response to determine the level of background noise in the seismic station by using the Power Spectral Density and the Probability of Density function from the spectral result. The results of our background noise analysis are useful for characterizing the performance of existing BMKG Network Station, for detecting operational problem.
Optimization of truss structures by a stochastic method

This paper presents an original stochastic method of optimization (PGSL) for optimum design of truss struc- tures. PGSL (Probabilistic Global Search Lausanne , developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Techn ology at Lausanne) has been interfaced with a finite element code, the n applied and tested on several size optimization p roblems of plane truss structures. This method uses a probability distribu tion function (PDF) to sample the search space and select the best struc- ture. A PDF represents the probability of finding a good solution at any given point in the search dom ain. The better solu- tions are more likely to be found in the neighbourh ood of good solutions; hence, probabilities are inc reased in regions where good solutions are found. The main advantage of this method is to avoid the sensitivity analysis and to converge to the global optimum.
Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Niosomes Containing Essential Oils of Thymus caramanicus Jalas and Evaluation of its Total Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Properties

Essential oils (EOs) are aromatic oily liquids that have some biological properties such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The nanoencapsulation of these oils in drug delivery systems have been proposed due to their capability of improving the solubility, stability and bioavailability of them by maintenance of therapeutic drug blood levels. In this study encapsulation of thyme essential oil in nano-niosomes and evaluation of its total phenolic contents and antioxidant properties were evaluated. Nano-niosomes containing thyme essential oil were prepared by thin film hydration method using span20 and cholesterol and were characterized for their size, poly dispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and morphology. Then the total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of free and nano-niosomal essential oil was studied. The results show that particle size was about 83 nm and poly dispersity index was 0.226. The encapsulation efficiency of essential oil was 17% when appropriate formulation is used. We observed that total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of EO was significantly increased after encapsulation. Nano encapsulation effectively enhanced beneficial properties of thyme essential oils such as total phenolic contents and antioxidant properties.
Effect of Bio Preservation as a Modern Technology on Quality Aspects and Microbial Safety of Minced Beef

The effect of nisin and Lactobacillus acidophilus individually and in combination on sensory (color, odor and consistency), chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen "TVB-N" and thiobarbituric acid "TBA") and bacteriological (total colony count "TCC", Enterobacteriaceae count and coliform count) quality attributes of fresh minced beef, as well as on the growth and survival of Staphylococcus aureus, as a food borne pathogenic bacteria, experimentally inoculated into fresh minced beef, was studied during chilling storage at 4°C. Sensory analysis indicated significant variances in using nisin and the combination trial. The results showed that the applied treatments markedly decreased pH, TVB-N and TBA values as well as TCC, Enterobacteriaceae count and coliform count, as compared with the control samples throughout chilling storage, when used separately, but the preservative activity highly increased with the combination trial. In addition, a highly significant differences (P<0.05) between the different treatments were noticed. Shelf life of samples treated with nisin, Lactobacillus acidophilus and a combination trial, Lactobacillus acidophilus and nisin increased and reached over 6, 3 and 5 days of storage at 4°C, respectively, compared to that of control samples which reached 2 days only. Initial count of S. aureus in minced meat samples was 8.54 log CFU/g, which decreased following treatment directly with nisin by 1.21 log CFU/g (14.17%), 2.54 log CFU/g (29.74%) and 3.69 log CFU/g (43.21%) in the 1 day, 2 day and 3 day, respectively, while after treatment with st nd rd Lactobacillus acidophilus by 1.54 log CFU/g (18.03%) and 4.87 log CFU/g (57.03%) in the 1 day and 2 day, st nd
Antibacterial study of silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis

Objectives: The present study has been undertaken to synthesize silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles, with pharmaceutical importance. The synthesized particles have been evaluated to study the effect of silver doping on grain size and further on antibacterial activities against the microorganisms Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by the solution route spincoating process, using zinc acetate (Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as host and dopant precursors respectively. The antibacterial activity of the silver doped zinc oxide were studied against S. auerus and B. subtilis via using agar well diffusion method. Results & discussion: : The structure of the powder samples was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of silver doping on grain size and further on antibacterial activity against the microorganisms B. subtilis and S. auerus is discussed. Conclusion: It was clear from X-ray investigations that its structure is wurtzite type and that an increase in Ag-doping resulted in decrease in the grain size of the ZnO nanoparticles. Antimicrobial study against the microorganisms B. subtilis and S. auerus shows that in case of S. auerus the MIC varies with increase in Ag content but in case of B. subtilis the MIC remained constant for all concentration of Ag. Copyright a 2013, JPR Solutions; Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights
The investigation of the relationship between dividend policies, cash-flow uncertainty, contributed capital mix and investment opportunities: the case of emerging markets (Tehran Stock Exchange)

Financial performance measurement of companies is among the most important subjects considered by investors, creditors, governments and managers. Mangers use performance measurement in order to evaluate the performance of parts under their coverage. Investors (shareholders) evaluate the performance in order to assess the success rate of management in applying their capital and decisions making for maintain, increase or selling investment and creditors use it to make decision about rate of credit granting. The most important aspect that investors consider in evaluating performance is that whether any value has created for them or not. In recent years many efforts have been done to introduce indices that could better fulfill the goals of shareholders. In this study, the relationship between dividend policy, cash-flow uncertainty, contributed capital mix and investment opportunities is investigated in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during the period of 2006-2010. First, the variables of research were identified and then data were obtained from RahavardNowin Software. These data were analyzed to test hypotheses by using SPSS software through descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation analysis. The following research results have been obtained: there is a negative and significant relationship between dividend policy, cash flow uncertainty and investment opportunities and positive and significant relationship between dividend policy and contributed capital mix.
3-D Seismic Attributes for Reservoir Characterization of Y Field Niger Delta, Nigeria.

An integrated interpretation of seismic and well log data over “Y” Field in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria was carried out with the aim of characterizing reservoir-rocks using quantitative seismic attributes and petrophysical properties. 3-D seismic sections, composite well logs and check-shot data were used. Calibration of wells to seismic was carried out. Depths and thicknesses of hydrocarbon bearing zones were obtained from correlated wells. Structural maps were used to study the geometry of reservoirs in the field. Well log data showed that the area of study was characterized by sand-shale inter-beds. Three reservoirs were mapped at depth range of 1524 to 1800 m, with thicknesses of 1045 m. Porosity of the reservoirs ranged from 3040 %, water saturation 30-45 % and hydrocarbon saturation 6580 %. Seismic attribute maps revealed presence of hydrocarbons in the identified sands. There was a good correlation between the structural high and zones of anomalous amplitude. It was concluded that seismic attributes could be used to predict reservoir rock properties and characterize reservoir.
Taxation, Industry Integration and Production Efficiency

Taxes levied on production processes (e.g. VAT), are today a very important source of government revenues in developed economies. Theories of optimal taxation conclude that these taxes are detrimental to production efficiency, when firms operate in perfectly competitive markets. These theories draw on the neoclassical approach, which regards firms as single production units. The present paper investigates the effects of taxation on production efficiency, accounting for the organization of an industry. The model shows that a lump-sum tax does not have any effect on the organization of the industry, while a non lump-sum tax can be designed that induces an organizational change of the industry. The paper shows that the effect of this ”tax induced organizational change” on production efficiency ultimately depends on the characteristics of the market.
The Effect of Hedonic Motivations, Socialibility and Shyness on the Implusive Buying Tendencies of the Irish Consumer

Previous empirical studies have shown that consumers' hedonic shopping motivations can reliably predict their impulsive buying tendencies (IBT). Impulsivity has been shown to have strong roots in people’s personality (Verplanken and Herabadi 2001). This study extended current research to include two other personality constructs shyness and sociability that have not been tested against impulsivity in the literature. A questionnaire comprising of subscales of IBT, hedonic shopping motivations, shyness and sociability as developed by Verplanken and Herabadi (2001), Arnold and Reynolds (2003) and Cheek and Buss (1981) respectively was administered to 194 respondents in two prominent Dublin city centre shopping locations. Using a structural equation modeling technique, the effects of shyness and sociability on consumer’s impulsive buying tendency were analyzed. The effects of consumer’s hedonic shopping motivations along with their gender were also studied. Although no direct effect was found between either shyness or sociability and IBT, shyness did have a significant effect on hedonic motivations that in turn had a significant effect on IBT. Thus the results did confirm the effect of shyness on consumer’s IBT. No relation was found between sociability and IBT. Gender issues had a significant effect in the model. Finally the research corroborated the multifaceted character of impulsivity and the need for further research in the area.
Effect of Drought Stress Conditions and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth of Two Cultivars of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture; Suez Canal University; Ismailia Governorate, Egypt during two winter seasons of 2012/13 and 2013/14. These experiments aimed to study the effect of regimes, rates of nitrogen fertilization (50.75 and 100 kg/fed) and two wheat varieties (Sakha 94 and Sedes 12) and their interaction on plant growth characteristics. This experimental farm is located at Longitude 30 o 58 and Latitude 32 o 23 at 13 meter above sea level. The texture of experimental site was sandy soil. Split–split plot design with three replications was followed. Exposure wheat plants to drought stress treatment at tillering or heading stages significantly decreased each of total chlorophyll, carotenoid pigments, plant height, dry weight of biomass above ground/ plant, flag leaf area, leaf area index and crop growth rate at the two growing seasons comparing to control treatment without skipping any irrigation. Meanwhile, proline content was decreased by skipping irrigations at tillering and heading stages. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer up to 100 kg N/fed led to increase all traits under studying during two growing seasons. Wheat cultivar Sakha 94 surpassed Sedes 12 in all traits. Flag leaf area, total chlorophyll and proline contents were affected significantly by interaction between the studied factors.
The role of the teacher in interactive teaching

Considering the role of the teacher and their relation to pupils during the instructional process as well as the organisation of activities by the teacher, this paper actualises the current views related to the role the teacher has in interactive teaching. The teacher is the basic instigator of interaction with his/her pupils and he/ she can be such an instigator only with well organised teaching. Interactive teaching, a promising approach, represents a challenge not only for the teachers but for the professional service as well. The traditional teaching, dominated by a verbal approach and memorising of the teaching material, is entirely replaced with other activities, both in the process of following the teaching and in the process of learning the material. The purpose of this paper is to explore the level of application of interactive teaching in the educational process, since practicing of interactive teaching by the teachers, during this paper represents only a part of authentic results from the two combined researches, one part of results obtained via survey sheets given to the teachers of nine schools and a part of the results from interviews taken with the professional service as a focus group.
Derivation of flow and transport parameters from outcropping sediments of the Neogene aquifer, Belgium.

Centimetre-scale saturated hydraulic conductivities (K) are derived from air permeability measurements on a selection of outcrops of the Neogene aquifer in the Campine area, Belgium. Outcrop sediments are of Miocene to Quaternary age and have a marine to continental origin. Grain size analyses for the same outcrops and corresponding K predictions using previously developed models are also presented. We discuss outcrop hydrogeological properties and quantify the heterogeneity within the outcrops in detail using geostatistical variography. Moreover, outcrop-scale K values, their anisotropy and dispersivities are numerically calculated as a means to upscale such small-scale measurements to a larger scale commensurate with the scale of flow and transport modelling. By studying the small-scale variability as observed in outcrops, we gain crucial understanding of the larger-scale behaviour of the corresponding hydrogeological units within the Neogene aquifer, the most important groundwater reservoir of Flanders. The results of this study will equally improve conceptual hydrogeological model building and parameterization.
Does Fixed-term Contract Employment Raise Firms’ Adjustment Speed?. Evidence from an Establishment Panel for West Germany / Erhöhen befristete Verträge die Anpassungsgeschwindigkeit von Unternehmen?. Empirische Evidenz auf Basis eines Betriebspanels

Summary Fixed-term labour contracts were liberalised in Germany in order to raise the flexibility of the labour market. However, empirical studies using industry-level data find no significant effect of FTCs on employment adjustment. This paper investigates the impact of FTC employment on firms’ flexibility by estimating dynamic labour demand models with the IAB-Establishment Panel for West Germany in 1996-2000. Using a GMM estimator and comparing the estimated adjustment of total employment to the adjustment of permanent contract employment some evidence is found that FTCs raise firms’ adjustment speed. Zusammenfassung Befristete Verträge sind seit Jahren in der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Debatte. Ihr Einsatz wurde in den achtziger Jahren mit dem Ziel dereguliert, die Flexibilität des Arbeitsmarktes zu erhöhen. Allerdings konnten die bisherigen empirischen Analysen auf Basis von Branchen-Daten keinen positiven Effekt befristeter Verträge auf die Flexibilität des Arbeitsmarktes finden. In diesem Beitrag werden dyanmische Arbeitsnachfragefunktionen auf Basis des IAB-Betreibspanels geschätzt. Dabei wird jeweils eine Funktion für die Gesamtbeschäftigung und eine Funktion für die Beschäftigung abzüglich der Arbeitnehmer mit befristeten Verträgen geschätzt. Es zeigt sich, dass die 4,3 Prozent befristeten Verträge im Datensatz den Median der Anpassung abhängig von der gewählten Spezifikation um 0,2 bis 3,0 Monate erhöhen. Dieses Ergebnis lässt sich dahingehend interpretieren, dass befristete Verträge von Unternehmen als Anpassungsinstrument für Nachfrageschwankungen genutzt werden.
Determining the Best Optimum Time for Predicting Sugarcane Yield Using Hyper-Temporal Satellite Imagery

Hyper-temporal satellite imagery provides timely up to date and relatively accurate information for the management of crops. Nonetheless models which use high time series satellite data for sugarcane yield estimation remain scant. This study determined the best optimum time for predicting sugarcane yield using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from SPOT-VEGETATION images. The study used actual yield data obtained from the mill and related it to NDVI of several two-month periods of integration spread along the sugarcane growing cycle. Findings were in agreement with results of previous studies which indicated that the best acquisition period of satellite images for the assessment of sugarcane yield is about 2 months preceding the beginning of harvest. Overall, of the five years tested to determine the relationship between actual yield and integrated NDVI, three years showed a significant positive relationship with a highest r2 value of 85%. The study however warrants further investigation to improve and develop accurate operational sugarcane yield estimation models at the local level given that other years had weak results. Such hybrid models may combine different vegetation indexes with agro-meteorological models which take into account broader crop’s physiological, growth demands, and soil management which are equally important when predicting yield.
Impact of Learning & Market Orientation on Business Performance & Innovation: The Mediating Role of Business Resilience & CRM effectiveness

This study discussed the mediating role of business resilience and customer relationship management effectiveness (CRMe) in the context of learning and market orientation, business innovation and business performance. Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the model with a sample size of 390 respondents from tourism ministry, travel agencies and hotels. The outcome of the study confirms that business resilience and customer relationship management effectiveness significantly mediates the relationship resulting into enhanced business performance and innovation. Keywords: Learning and Market Orientation, Business Resilience, CRM Effectiveness, Innovation & Business Performance
Modification of electronic surface states by graphene islands on Cu(111)

We present a study of graphene/substrate interactions on UHV-grown graphene islands with minimal surface contamination using \emph{in situ} low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We compare the physical and electronic structure of the sample surface with atomic spatial resolution on graphene islands versus regions of bare Cu(111) substrate. We find that the Rydberg-like series of image potential states is shifted toward lower energy over the graphene islands relative to Cu(111), indicating a decrease in the local work function, and the resonances have a much smaller linewidth, indicating reduced coupling to the bulk. In addition, we show the dispersion of the occupied Cu(111) Shockley surface state is influenced by the graphene layer, and both the band edge and effective mass are shifted relative to bare Cu(111).
The Influence of Affect on Attitude

Priests of the medieval Catholic Church understood something about the relationship between affect and attitude. To instill the proper attitude in parishioners, priests dramatized the power of liturgy to save them from Hell in a service in which the experience of darkness and fear gave way to light and familiar liturgy. These ceremonies "were written and performed so as to first arouse and then allay anxieties and fears" (Scott, 2003, p. 227):