Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of goal commitment on physical activity in adults

The purposes of this study were to examine: the effects of goals and goal commitment on increasing physical activity levels; and whether goal commitment moderates the relationship between goals and increases in physical activity levels. A total of 69 middle-aged (16 male and 53 female) adults were asked to wear a pedometer and to maintain their daily routine minimum five days for a baseline assessment of physical activity. Participants were then randomly assigned into three different goal groups: 10%, 20% and 40% increase step counts from baseline measurement. The participants wore a pedometer and were asked to reach assigned goal. Then the participants’ goal commitment to the assigned goals was also measured. Results from a multiple regression analysis indicated that goal and goal commitment were significant predictors of increasing daily step counts. However, there was no significant interaction between goal commitment and goal on performance. With these findings, this study suggests that goal commitment is an independently important predictor for increasing physical activity in adults.
Hydrologic futures: using scenario analysis to evaluate impacts of forecasted land use change on hydrologic services

Land cover and land use changes can substantially alter hydrologic ecosystem services. Water availability and quality can change with modifications to the type or amount of surface vegetation, the permeability of soil and other surfaces, and the introduction of contaminants through human activities. Efforts to understand and predict the effects of land use decisions on hydrologic services—and to use this information in decision making—are challenged by the complexities of ecosystem functioning and by the need to translate scientific information into a form that decision makers can use. Hydrologic modeling coupled with scenario analysis can (1) elucidate hydrologic responses to anticipated changes in land use and (2) improve the utility of scientific information for decision making in a manner that facilitates stakeholder involvement. Using a combination of general concepts and concrete examples, this paper summarizes hydrologic consequences of land use changes and describes the use of modeling and scenario analysis to inform decision making. Two case studies integrate the concepts raised in the paper and illustrate how an approach employing modeling and scenario analysis offers a potentially powerful way to link research on hydrologic services with decision making.
Exploiting the potential of web application vulnerability scanning

Using automated web application vulnerability scanners so that they truly live up to their potential is difficult. Two of the main reasons for this are limitations with respect to crawling capabilities and problems to perform authenticated scans. In this paper, we present JARVIS, which provides technical solutions that can be applied to a wide range of vulnerability scanners to overcome these limitations. Our evaluation shows that by using JARVIS, the vulnerability detection performance of five freely available scanners can be improved by more than 100% compared to using them in their basic configuration. As the configuration effort to use JARVIS is small and the configurations are scanner-independent, JARVIS also allows to use multiple scanners in parallel in an efficient way. In an additional evaluation, we therefore analyzed the potential and limitations of using multiple scanners in parallel. This revealed that using multiple scanners in a reasonable way is indeed beneficial as it increases the number of detected vulnerabilities without a significant negative impact on the reported false positives. Keywords–Web Application Security; Vulnerability Scanning; Vulnerability Detection Performance.
8-7-2014 Leverage , Volatile Future Earnings Growth and Expected Stock Returns

We provide theory and evidence to complement Choi's [RFS, 2013] important new insights on the returns to equity in `value' firms. We show that higher future earnings growth ameliorates the value-reducing effect of leverage and, because the market for earnings is incomplete, reduces the earnings-risk sensitivity of the default option. Ceteris paribus, a levered firm with low (high) earnings growth is more sensitive to the first (second) of these effects thus generating higher (lower) expected returns. We demonstrate this by modeling equity as an Asian-style call option on net earnings and find significant empirical support for our hypotheses.
New LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating for Strandja granitoids (SE Bulgaria): evidence for two-stage late Variscan magmatism in the internal Balkanides

The Strandja Massif (Sakar-Strandja Zone) forms an important link between the Balkan Zone (external Balkanides) of Bulgaria, which is commonly correlated with the Variscan orogen in Central Europe, and the Western Pontides of Turkey. The Bulgarian part of the massif is composed of a metamorphic basement (various granite gneisses, paragneisses, and schists) traditionally interpreted as having Precambrian age, Triassic-Jurassic metasedimentary cover, and Upper Cretaceous volcanosedimentary sequences. The basement is intruded by large granitic plutons of Variscan age that are widespread mostly across Turkish territory. New LA-ICP-MS data support the suggestion of Variscan granitoid magmatism in the studied area but do not confirm the presence of Precambrian rocks. Furthermore, two stages of magmatism are determined in relation to the Variscan metamorphism and deformation. The first one (301.9 ± 1.1 Ma) is represented by strongly deformed metagranites and thus is interpreted as syntectonic, while the second one is relatively younger (293.5 ± 1.7 Ma) and postmetamorphic.
TEXTURAL VARIATIONS IN MORB SULFIDE DROPLETS DUE TO DIFFERENCES IN CRYSTALLIZATION HISTORY

Sulfide droplets from fresh Mid-Ocean-Ridge Basalt (MORB) glasses show different textures. Some are fine-grained droplets consist of Monosulfide Solid Solution (Mss) and Intermediate Solid Solution (Iss) micrometric intergrowths with pentlandite at the Mss-Iss interface and disseminated Fe-oxide grains; other droplets display a characteristic “zoned” texture consisting of segregated massive grains of Mss and Iss, with euhedral Fe-oxides and pentlandite occuring as equant grains and as flame-shaped domains in the Mss formed by exsolutions. The difference in the textures implies a difference in the crystallization history of the sulfide droplets. These different textures are observed in droplets that are only millimeters apart in the same sample, and thus had an identical cooling history. Therefore, some other factors controlled the textural development. There is relationship between the size and the texture of the droplets. The larger sulfide droplets tend to have zoned textures and the smaller ones fine-grained textures. We propose that the latter have experienced greater undercooling before crystallization. The reason for the delay in crystallization could be that, in the small sulfide droplets, large stable grains with low surface to volume ratio cannot form, which results in higher effective solubility of the Mss. Due to the high degree of undercooling in the small droplets, there were numerous nucleation sites and the diffusion rates of the crystal components in the liquid were lower, leading to fine-grained Mss-Iss intergrowths. In contrast, larger droplets with lower effective solubility of Mss began to crystallize at higher temperature, and thus had fewer nucleation sites, higher diffusion rates, and more time for sulfide differentiation.
Factors that control the geochemical evolution of hydrothermal systems of alkaline water in granites in Central Pyrenees (Spain)

La evolucion geoquimica de las soluciones de los sistemas hidrotermales de Caldas de Boi, Arties, Tredos y Les, situados en el Pirineo Central (Spain), muestra diferencias reflejadas en la concentracion de solidos disueltos y en la presencia de una situacion de equilibrio o desequilibrio en profundidad de las soluciones respecto a la albita. La datacion (14C) de las aguas pertenecientes a los distintos sistemas hidrotermales ha puesto de manifiesto que el tiempo de residencia no es el factor de control determinante de las diferencias existentes en el grado de evolucion geoquimica alcanzado por las mismas, teniendo que contemplarse otro tipo de factores relacionados con la cinetica de disolucion de los minerales, como responsables de estas diferencias. El analisis de la influencia de los principales factores que controlan la tasa de disolucion de los minerales y, mas en concreto, de los feldespatos, muestra como las diferencias de temperatura de las soluciones en profundidad son capaces de justificar el distinto grado de evolucion geoquimica, incluso en soluciones con tiempos de residencia muy similares.
Exploring accretion disk physics and black hole growth with regular monitoring of ultrafast active galactic nucleus winds

Fifteen years of XMM-Newton observations have established that ultrafast highly ionized winds (UFOs) are common in radio-quiet active galactic nucleus (AGN). A simple theory of Eddington-limited accretion correctly predicts the typical velocity (∼0.1c) and high ionization of such winds, with observed flow energy capable of ejecting star-forming gas. An extended XMM-Newton observation of the archetypal UFO PG 1211+143 recently found a more complex flow pattern, suggesting that intensive XMM-Newton observations offer exciting potential for probing the inner accretion disk structure and super-massive black hole (SMBH) growth.
Investigations of Residual Stress Distributions in Retained Austenite and Martensite after Carbonitriding of a Low Alloy Steel

Specimens of low alloy steel were carbonitrided under different conditions to attain varying levels of carbon and nitrogen contents. The residual stress depth distribution was evaluated in martensite and retained austenite by X-ray diffraction. Beside standard evaluations, triaxial residual stress states with σ33≠0 in both phases were also considered. High values of residual stresses in both phases were observed. The sign, magnitude and location of maximum compressive residual stresses were greatly influenced by the level of carbon and nitrogen contents.
THE EFFECTS OF AGE ON ROAD CRASH PATTERNS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA FROM 1994 TO 1998

The crashes of older drivers (aged over 65) were compared with those of drivers in younger age groups for all road crashes reported to South Australia Police for the years 1994 to 1998. It was found that older drivers were involved in relatively few crashes, and their crash involvement rates were relatively low except when adjusted for kilometres driven. With regard to crash types, the crashes of older drivers were more likely than those of younger drivers to have resulted in severe injury and to have involved some form of turning movement, especially right turns. Older drivers were more likely to have been deemed responsible for the crash in which they were involved but were less likely to have been driving at excessive speed or with an illegal blood alcohol concentration when the crash occurred. Older drivers were less likely to have crashed in adverse driving conditions, such as peak hour traffic times, night time or in periods of wet weather. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E209619.
Comics as a Literary-Didactic Method and Their Use for Reducing Gender Differences in Reading Literacy at the Primary Level of Education

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the systematic use of comics as a literary-didactic method to reduce gender differences in reading literacy and reading motivation at the primary level of education. It was assumed that the use of comics would have a positive effect on pupils’ reading literacy and reading motivation, while also reducingthe aforementioned differences between boys and girls. The dimensions of reading literacy and reading motivation were examined in experimental and control groups, before and after the intervention, by means of questionnaires and tests for pupils. The sample consisted of 143 pupils from second to fifth grade from two Slovenian primary schools in a rural environment, of which 73 pupils participated in the experimental group and 70 pupils represented the control group. Effects of the use of comics as a literary-didactic method were not found: using comics as a literary-didactic method did not have a statistically significant effect on pupils’ reading literacy and reading motivation. However, when the four-way structureof the research (taking into account the age and gender of the pupils) was considered, some subgroups showed a statistically significant increase in reading interest and attitude towards reading. No reduction of gender differences in reading literacy and reading motivation was found. Based on the results, guidelines for further research are established and suggestionsare offered for teachers’ work.
Government Domestic Debt, Private Sector Credit, and Crowding Out Effect in Oil-Dependent Countries

Banks are more liquid, better capitalised, and more profitable in oil-dependent countries. However, bank credit to the private sector is relatively low as a percentage of GDP. The low level has been blamed, amongst other reasons, on governments’ reliance on the banking sector to finance fiscal deficits. This study examines the crowding out effect of government domestic borrowing using a panel data model for 28 oil-dependent countries over the period 1990- 2012. We estimate the model, using both fixed effects and generalised method of moments estimators and find that a one percent increase in government borrowing from domestic banks significantly decreases private sector credit by 0.22 percent and has no significant impact on the lending rate banks charge to the private sector. This finding suggests that government domestic borrowing has resulted in the shrinking of private credit and works through the credit channel and not the interest rate channel.
Models for Shape Memory Alloy Behavior: An overview of modeling approaches

Shape memory alloys (SMA) have been known for over five decades and modeling of their response has attracted much attention over the last two decades. Recent increase in the range of applications of these materials has lead to an increased focus on modeling their thermomechanical response. Various approaches ranging from macroscopic phenomenology to microscopic lattice based methods are being pursued to model SMA behavior. Models ranging from simple tools as design aids to complex thermodynamic based models to understand the characteristic martensitic transformation responsible for the shape memory and superelastic response exist. In this report, following a brief introduction to the SMA behavior and the underlying martensitic transformation, an overview of models for SMAs is provided. This is aimed at providing an understanding of the state of the art and also to identify possible future directions. In this review, models are classified both on the basis of the approach and the level (scale) of continuum they address. General methodology of each type of approach is presented briefly followed by a review of the models that fall under that category. Certain liberties are taken in classifying these models to facilitate understanding and thus the present classification is by no means either unique or completely rigorous. Also, while an attempt is made to cover most of the approaches, review of all the models that exist in literature is practically impossible. Finally, summarizing the literature on models for SMAs, several interesting and relevant problems are identified for possible future developments.
Collusion when the Number of Firms is Large

In antitrust analysis it is generally agreed that a small number of firms operating in the industry is an essential precondition for collusive behavior to be sustainable. However, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) challenged this view in the recent case RCA (2000), when an information exchange among forty-four firms in the car insurance market was assessed as having an anticompetitive object. The AGCM’s basic argument was that an information exchange facilitates collusion because it changes the market environment in such a way as to relax the incentive compatibility constraint for collusion, thus circumventing the decrease in the critical discount factor when the number of firms in the industry increases. In this paper we model collusive behavior in a “dispersed” oligopoly. We prove that, when the technology exhibits decreasing returns to scale, collusion can always be sustained, regardless of the number of firms, provided the marginal cost function is sufficiently steep. Moreover, we show how an information exchange can sustain collusive behavior when the number of firms is “large” independently of the assumptions on technology.
The Dispersal of Protoplanetary Disks

Protoplanetary disks are the sites of planet formation, and the evolution and eventual dispersal of these disks strongly influences the formation of planetary systems. Disk evolution during the planet-forming epoch is driven by accretion and mass-loss due to winds, and in typical environments photoevaporation by high-energy radiation from the central star is likely to dominate final gas disk dispersal. We present a critical review of current theoretical models, and discuss the observations that are used to test these models and inform our understanding of the underlying physics. We also discuss the role disk dispersal plays in shaping planetary systems, considering its influence on both the process(es) of planet formation and the architectures of planetary systems. We conclude by presenting a schematic picture of protoplanetary disk evolution and dispersal, and discussing prospects for future work.
Partial vacuum and active modified atmosphere packaging for keeping overall quality of dates

This study was carried out during two successive seasons 2011 and 2012 at the Aridlands and Oases Cropping Laboratory, Institute of the Arid Regions Medenine. The effect of several levels of partial vacuum (PV) and gas composition in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on overall quality of Deglet Nour date palm at Tamar stage during storage for 30 days at 20°C was studied. The following treatments were applied, unpackaged dates (Control), active MAP: 85 kPa CO2, 60 kPa CO2, 20 kPa CO2, 85 kPa O2, 60 kPa O2, 20 kPa O2, 100 kPa N2, 60 kPa N2 and 20 kPa N2, balance air. In addition 100, 90, 80, 60 and 25% of vacuum packaging were applied. During storage physical and chemical attributes of dates as well as microbial growth were monitored. The results were clearly stated that there is a positive relationship between CO2 concentrations and fruit physical and chemical properties. In addition, both MAP and VP induced a better quality of dates after storage compared to control. The CO2 active MAP was more effective in keeping date’s quality after storage than the others gases combinations and the vacuum, being 60 kPa CO2 the best concentration.
MASS REARING OF QUEEN BEES, APIS MELLIFERA L. (HYM: APIDAE) FOR BEE COLONY DEVELOPMENT RAISED UNDER THE TEMPERATE CONDITIONS OF KASHMIR

This experiment was carried out to determine the differences in terms of raising queens by different rearing methods i.e. queenright and queenless colonies. The larval acceptance rates among rearing groups were found highly significant in the month of May and June (p 0.05). The mean length of sealed queen cell was found 26.60±0.16 mm in queenright colonies, while the same values were measured as 31.00±0.13 mm in queenless colonies (t = 8.24, p < 0.001). Mean mating rates of queen bees in queenright and queenless colonies were found to be 90.77 and 87.77% respectively. The pre-oviposition period in both queenright and queenless colonies had no significant difference among the two methods, howver, the emergence weight was 202.19±8.25 mg in queenright colonies and 197.34±7.44 mg in queenless colonies.
A practical strategy for analysing multispecies distribution patterns

A strategy is presented for analysing marine biological survey data and relating the biotic patterns to environmental data. To avoid circular argument, biotic and environmental data are kept separate. The strategy is illustrated by a worked example using data on the distribution of 182 nematode species in 107 samples in the River Exe estuary. Nineteen stations are grouped Into 4 main clusters using complementary classification and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordination techniques. These are both based on root-root transformed abundance data with the Bray-Curtis measure of similarity. Indicator species characterising each group are extracted using information statistics. Inverse analyses give clusters of co-occurring species which are strongly related to the station groups. Relationships of station groups to environmental variables are revealed by superimposing data for one variable at a time on the MDS plot, showing that some station groups differ in sediment granulometry and others in salinity, for example. Some of the other factors plotted show no difference between station groups. Similarly, physiognomic characteristics of the species are superimposed on the MDS plots of the inverse analysis of species groups, revealing differences in setal length and trophic status between the species groups. Finally, the 4 major station groups and species groups are related to one another in terms of morphological adaptation to the habitat.
Need of Nutrigenomic Studies for the Prevention and Treatment of Mood andNeurodegenerative Disorders

M. Atif Raza Cheema1, 2* Khalid Mahmood2 Sadia Basharat2 Darakhshan J. Haleem2 Rafeeq A. Khan1 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan 2Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan
Effects of forest resources exploitation on the economic well-being of rural households in Delta State, Nigeria.

In order to examine the effects of forest resources exploitation on the economic well-being of rural households, in Delta State, Nigeria, data were collected from 306 households in 12 rural communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area. The results showed that income from forest resources exploitation contributed 41.3% to 67.2% of total household’s income; the proportion being greater for poorer families than high-income groups. The mean annual income per household was N,= 36,688.80 (US$ 286.63) while the mean income from forest products collection was N,= 14,009.93 (US$ 109.45). Forest resources extraction also provided 139.8 mandays of employment and supplied 78.2% of all households’ energy requirements. The results of the econometric analysis indicated that household size, educational status, prices of products, distance of forest from home and income affected volume of forest products exploited in a manner consistent with economic theory, and were statistically significant; though the impact of the variables on the various forest products was mixed. The adjusted R values were 0.40, 0.60, and 0.78 respectively for rattan cane, firewood and wild fruits.