Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postfire Vegetation Dynamics in Three Rangelands of Northeastern Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract In many rangeland ecosystems, the role of fire on vegetation dynamics has been the object of detailed studies. In Argentina, and especially in Patagonia, the knowledge of how fire changes vegetation is scarce. In 3 areas affected by wildfires on different dates (in 1988, 1994, and 1998), we determined the structure of the vegetation (plant cover, density, and biomass) and compared it with that of nearby unburned areas. Based upon these data, we present a qualitative state-and-transition model of this rangeland. For the sites burned in 1988 and 1994, aerial biomass, density, and cover of perennial grasses were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) for burned than for unburned areas. For the site burned in 1998, although there were no significant differences in perennial grass biomass and cover, density was significantly greater compared to the unburned area. Total shrub cover was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in burned than in the unburned areas, attaining 49.7%, 15.0%, and 5.5% of that of the unburned areas for the sites burned in 1988, 1994, and 1998, respectively. Similar to cover, density for most shrubby species was significantly greater in the unburned than in the burned areas for the 3 sites. Grazing and fires of different intensities, combined with variable rainfall, makes the prediction of postfire vegetation changes difficult. However, it can be generalized that fire changed the vegetation from shrub-dominated steppes, a persistent state in northeastern Patagonia, into a grass-dominated transient state. This change has persisted for more than 10 years after a fire event. From the perspective of sheep raising, the significant postfire increase in perennial grass biomass represents a substantial improvement in the condition of these rangelands. However, repeated fires would be necessary to control the sprouting shrubs and maintain the grass-dominated state.
Anatomy of the AGN in NGC 5548 IV. The short-term variability of the outflows

During an extensive multiwavelength campaign that we performed in 2013 2014, we found the prototypical Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 in an unusual condition of heavy and persistent obscuration. The newly discovered “obscurer” absorbs most of the soft X-ray continuum along our line of sight and lowers the ionizing luminosity received by the classical warm absorber. We present the analysis of the high resolution X-ray spectra collected with XMM-Newton and Chandra throughout the campaign, which are suitable to investigate the variability of both the obscurer and classical warm absorber. The time separation between these X-ray observations range from two days to eight months. On these timescales the obscurer is variable both in column density and in covering fraction. This is consistent with the picture of a patchy wind. The most significant variation occurred in September 2013 when the source brightened for two weeks. A higher and steeper intrinsic continuum and a lower obscurer covering fraction are both required to explain the spectral shape during the flare. We suggest that a geometrical change of the soft X-ray source behind the obscurer causes the observed drop in the covering fraction. Because of the higher soft X-ray continuum level, the September 2013 Chandra spectrum is the only X ray spectrum of the campaign in which individual features of the warm absorber could be detected. The spectrum shows absorption from Fe-UTA, Oiv, and Ov, consistent with belonging to the lower-ionization counterpart of the historical NGC 5548 warm absorber. Hence, we confirm that the warm absorber has responded to the drop in the ionizing luminosity caused by the obscurer.
Continuity in the photosynthetic production of dissolved organic carbon from eutrophic to oligotrophic waters

We studied the photosynthetic production of dissolved organic carbon (DOCp) during summer oligotrophic conditions in the Celtic Sea. The production rate of size-fractionated, particulate organic carbon (POCp) was also determined, as well as the relationship between irradiance and DOCp and the kinetics of DOCp during a 24 h light-dark cycle. Mean (±1 SE), euphotic layer-inte- grated POCp was 510 ± 61 mg C m -2 d -1 , and cells in the 15 000 mg C m -2 d -1 , PER was relatively constant at ~20%, and integrated DOCp could be predicted from integrated POCp with the equation: log (DOCp) = 0.96 × log (POCp) - 0.51 (r 2 = 0.90, n = 35, p < 0.001).
Evaluation of job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour: Case study of selected organisations in Zimbabwe

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate job satisfaction and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) amongst selected organisations in Zimbabwe. The research was aimed at achieving the following objectives: determine job satisfaction levels of employees in the selected organisations; determine the extent to which employees in these organisations engaged in OCB; analyse the correlation between job satisfaction and OCB and recommend job satisfaction measures that can be used by these organisations to enhance OCB. The study adopted the quantitative research design. Questionnaires were administered to 1,202 employees from 5 selected organisations. Employees in the organisations surveyed experienced intrinsic job satisfaction more than extrinsic job satisfaction. Furthermore, employees in these organisations engaged more in altruism than other dimensions of OCB. Substantive correlation between job satisfaction and OCB was also found. Key words: evaluation; job satisfaction; organisational citizenship behaviour; volatile; economic environment.
Innate and Discretionary Accruals Quality and Corporate Governance

This paper extends previous research on the association between corporate governance mechanisms and accruals quality. We derive measures of the discretionary and innate components of accruals quality and regress them against corporate governance characteristics. For discretionary accruals, we find use of a Big 4 audit firm and a larger audit committee as the primary governance mechanisms associated with higher accruals quality. For innate accruals quality, we find that higher quality is associated with an independent board of directors, a larger, more independent and more active audit committee, and use of a Big 4 audit firm. Our findings suggest a stronger relation between sound governance mechanisms and innate accruals quality than discretionary accruals quality.
The Skill Shortage in German Establishments Before, During and After the Great Recession

Summary This paper investigates the development of skill shortages during the period 2007-2012. Using the German Establishment Panel of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), we find differences across the years before, during and after the Great Recession. Furthermore, we analyze the importance of firm characteristics and that of certain, specific measures with respect to the skill shortage. The empirical analysis reveals that the relative skill shortage in the service sector during the Great Recession was more substantial than before and after 2009. The opposite pattern is observed for working time accounts. Firms with a high share of female workers typically experience usually less difficulty in finding qualified employees to fill jobs. However, during the Great Recession, the opposite was observed. Young firms facing competitive pressure, high wages, and without working time accounts that did not hoard skilled workers in the past tend to skill shortage. The estimations confirm that apprenticeship and further training serve to reduce the number of unfilled, high-skill jobs. It is also helpful when the firm has developed a plan for its personnel requirements. Other measures such as retaining older workers or hiring foreign workers were not successful. Ultimately, a skill shortage within a firm is often only a short-term phenomenon and less often observed over a longer period.
Multiplication Automaticity for Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities (LDs) often struggle to learn and maintain multiplication automaticity. This research looked at using the computer-based instruction (CBI) program, XtraMath, as an intervention to increase multiplication automaticity for students with LDs. Five fifth-grade students who have math goals stated in their Individual Education Plans (IEPs) were participants in this study. A multiple-baselineacross-participants single-case AB design was conducted to determine the impact XtraMath had on automaticity of multiplication facts (0-9) shown by digits correct per minute (DC/M). Each participant entered the intervention phase (i.e., phase B) separately and provided hard data by completing a two-minute, pencil and paper multiplication probe to show if there was any growth. Data revealed each participant increased their mean DC/M from their mean DC/M in baseline. However, the intervention was effective for only two of the five participants as shown by their nonoverlapping data percentages.
SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF THROUGH-DIAPHRAGM CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CFRT COLUMNS AND STEEL BEAMS-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

This paper is an extension study to an experimental program involving one traditional and three novel through-diaphragm connections between concrete-filled rectangular tubular columns and steel H-beams. The proposed connection types utilize tapered diaphragm or triangular plates at the end of the beam to improve the seismic performance of traditional through-diaphragm connections. Based on the experimental results, the lateral force versus beam-column deformation response was assessed and the shear force versus shear distortion relationship in the panel zone was evaluated. It was observed that the improvement in connection details significantly enhanced the rotation capacity and shear stiffness. The deformation of the connections was also analyzed in terms of the contribution of the column, the beam, and the joint. In addition, the force transfer mechanism in the connections was investigated by analysis of the strain distribution The test results indicate that the proposed through-diaphragm connections are able to alleviate the stress concentration in the load transfer path and exhibit better seismic behavior. As a result, it can be concluded that the proposed connections are more suitable for applications in moment resisting frames in seismic regions.
Implementation of a bio-inspired two-mode structural health monitoring system

A bio-inspired two-mode structural health monitoring (SHM) system based on the Nave Bayes (NB) classification method is discussed in this paper. To implement the molecular biology based Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) array concept in structural health monitoring, which has been demonstrated to be superior in disease detection, two types of array expression data have been proposed for the development of the SHM algorithm. For the micro-vibration mode, a two-tier auto-regression with exogenous (AR-ARX) process is used to extract the expression array from the recorded structural time history while an ARX process is applied for the analysis of the earthquake mode. The health condition of the structure is then determined using the NB classification method. In addition, the union concept in probability is used to improve the accuracy of the system. To verify the performance and reliability of the SHM algorithm, a downscaled eight-storey steel building located at the shaking table of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) was used as the benchmark structure. The structural response from different damage levels and locations was collected and incorporated in the database to aid the structural health monitoring process. Preliminary verification has demonstrated that the structure health condition can be precisely detected by the proposed algorithm. To implement the developed SHM system in a practical application, a SHM prototype consisting of the input sensing module, the transmission module, and the SHM platform was developed. The vibration data were first measured by the deployed sensor, and subsequently the SHM mode corresponding to the desired excitation is chosen automatically to quickly evaluate the health condition of the structure. Test results from the ambient vibration and shaking table test showed that the condition and location of the benchmark structure damage can be successfully detected by the proposed SHM prototype system, and the information is instantaneously transmitted to a remote server to facilitate real-time monitoring. Implementing the bio-inspired two-mode SHM practically has been successfully demonstrated.
Detection of icaABCD Genes in Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Patients in Iran

The development of multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is a public health concern. In the hospital, infected and colonized patients contribute to the transmission and spread of S. aureus and hospital personnel, who serve as the reservoirs and facilitate further dissemination [1, 2]. The infections caused by Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are often difficult to treat due to the high resistance of the bacteria to multiple standard antibiotics conferred by both intrinsic and acquired mechanisms [3]. The biofilm produced by S. aureus is known as one of the main virulence factors of the bacteria and a primary agent of clinical infection. Biofilm production leads to infection and the failure of the indwelling medical devices, such as intravenous catheters, ear and central nervous system shunts, cosmetic surgical implants, and many other implanted devices [4]. In S. aureus biofilm formation, the synthesis of the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) is the most important step that mediates the adhesion of bacterial cells to each other in the biofilm [1, 5]. The biofilm acts as a barrier to antimicrobial agents and the host immune system, and thus, assists sustained bacterial colonization [6]. The eradication of the biofilm in S. aureus is a challenging task due to its greater resistance to antibiotics, host defenses, and disinfectants [7, 8]. Researchers have demonstrated that the first stage of staphylococcal infections is the attachment to host tissue surfaces [9, 10]. Owing to the major role of biofilm-producing S. aureus in the infection of indwelling medical devices and their inherent resistance to therapeutic options, the early detection of such potential pathogens can be useful to decrease the morbidity rate and reduce healthcare service costs [11]. The icaABCD genes play a key role in the biofilm formation. Isolates of S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis encode the major enzyme, icaA, which is essential for PIA synthesis. This enzyme might require an icaD gene product (called IcaD) for its activity [12]. The other genes within the ica operon are icaB (polysaccharide deacetylase), icaC (transporter of PIA), and icaR (the inhibitor gene). Most strains of S. aureus contain all four genes of the ica operon. However, several reports have detected some of these genes in different strains [12]. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of biofilm-producing MRSA isolates in clinical specimens, compared to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates.
Image Processing Applications in Real Life: 2D Fragmented Image and Document Reassembly and Frequency Division Multiplexed Imaging

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu. edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Biomedical Commons, Computational Engineering Commons, Data Storage Systems Commons, Electrical and Electronics Commons, Electromagnetics and Photonics Commons, Nanotechnology Fabrication Commons, Other Computer Engineering Commons, Other Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons, and the Signal Processing Commons
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE VOTING PREMIUM: WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIVATE BENEFITS IN ITALY?

Italian financial markets were generally characterized by concentrated ownership, weak investor protection and State ownership (Gupta, 2014), that is, Italy is typically considered a country where low investor protection enables controlling shareholders to enjoy high private benefits (Belcredi & Enriques, 2014; Esposito De Falco, 2014). However, several changes have also been made to the Italian corporate governance: the presence of foreign institutional investors has been growing steadily, the separation between ownership and control via the pyramidal and dual class shares has been decreasing (with regard to dual class shares the number of firms issuing non-voting shares has dropped from 70 in 1998 to 19 in 2015 (Consob, 2016), the legal framework has changed and the investor protection has been increasing remarkably (Law 149/1992 that introduces the mandatory OPA, Law Decree. 58/1998 and other pieces of legislation on the protection of minority). It, therefore, appears interesting to ask what has happened and what is the current status of private benefits of control in Italy? Private benefits of control derive from the separation of the residual claim right and residual control rights attributed to the controlling shareholders. When the residual claim (for example the cash flow right which reflects the return on investment represented by the shares that a controlling shareholder owns as a proportion of the total value of the firm) is not consistent with the residual control right (the voting right which is represented by the shares that a controlling shareholder owns), there is a private benefit of control. Private benefits of control can be either pecuniary or non-pecuniary and they can be drawn out by the controlling shareholders of the firm without necessarily sharing them with other shareholders (Kang & Kim, 2006). As shown by Sancetta and Gennaro (2009), these benefits can assume three different forms: i) psychological benefits; ii) cash flow that the controlling coalition can draw out of a company (personal benefits, dividend policy, M&A, etc.), diverting assets away from other shareholders; iii) additional cash flow that the controlling coalition (external synergies) can develop outside the company (see also Zanetti, 2004). According to the taxonomy of Pacces (2008) Abstract
Validating the demographic, political, psychological, and experimental results obtained from a new source of online survey respondents

Researchers have increasingly turned to online convenience samples as sources of survey responses that are easy and inexpensive to collect. As reliance on these sources has grown, so too have concerns about the use of convenience samples in general and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk in particular. We distinguish between “external validity” and theoretical relevance, with the latter being the more important justification for any data collection strategy. We explore an alternative source of online convenience samples, the Lucid Fulcrum Exchange, and assess its suitability for online survey experimental research. Our point of departure is the 2012 study by Berinsky, Huber, and Lenz that compares Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to US national probability samples in terms of respondent characteristics and treatment effect estimates. We replicate these same analyses using a large sample of survey responses on the Lucid platform. Our results indicate that demographic and experimental findings on Lucid track well with US national benchmarks, with the exception of experimental treatments that aim to dispel the “death panel” rumor regarding the Affordable Care Act. We conclude that subjects recruited from the Lucid platform constitute a sample that is suitable for evaluating many social scientific theories, and can serve as a drop-in replacement for many scholars currently conducting research on Mechanical Turk or other similar platforms.
The Unemployment Correlation Puzzle

Models with labor market frictions have been criticized because they generate too little volatility in employment subject to technology shocks. Shimer (2009) shows that real wage rigidity increases employment volatility signi…cantly. We introduce two additional frictions in the model: sticky prices and real rigidities in the form of habit persistence and investment adjustment costs. We show that the model can still generate volatility in employment. However, these realistic and standard frictions induce a negative correlation between employment and output ("unemployment correlation puzzle") whereas in the data we observe a strong positive correlation. Therefore, the model driven only by technology shocks cannot explain business cycle dynamics.
RAPID DUST FORMATION IN NOVAE: THE SPEED CLASS—FORMATION TIMESCALE CORRELATION EXPLAINED

Observations show that the time of onset of dust formation in classical novae depends strongly on their speed class, with dust typically taking longer to form in slower novae. Using empirical relationships between speed class, luminosity and ejection velocity, it can be shown that dust formation timescale is expected to be essentially independent of speed class. However, following a nova outburst the spectrum of the central hot source evolves, with an increasing proportion of the radiation being emitted short-ward of the Lyman limit. The rate at which the spectrum evolves also depends on the speed class. We have therefore refined the simple model by assuming photons at energies higher than the Lyman limit are absorbed by neutral hydrogen gas internal to the dust formation sites, therefore preventing these photons reaching the nucleation sites. With this refinement the dust formation timescale is theoretically dependent on speed class and the results of our theoretical modification agree well with the observational data. We consider two types of carbon-based dust, graphite and amorphous carbon, with both types producing similar relationships. Our results can be used to predict when dust will form in a nova of a given speed class and hence when observations should optimally be taken to detect the onset of dust formation.
The Transportation of the Djehutihotep Statue Revisited

The transportation of a colossus painted in the ancient Egyptian tomb of Djehutihotep (Dayr al-Barshā) is known as an example of lubrication application. However the benefits and the nature of lubrication used by ancient Egyptians are controversial. In order to clarify this issue, the physical parameters involved in the transportation are carefully reviewed. The traction force is a key parameter, and is evaluated by simple physical models and the results of biomechanical and ergonomic studies. The results of this work suggest high traction force can be produced only with an excellent team coordination, and the friction coefficient between sledge and ground is efficiently reduced by hypothetical methods which exclude probably wood-on-wood or wood-on-sand surface contacts.
Some recent developments in bicycle dynamics and control

The paper is devoted to the design of a human-like controller for a bicycle model. For control input both steer torque and upper body lean torque are considered. Optimal controller design (LQR) gives unrealistic feedback gains. Intuitive control design gives satisfactory and realistic results. There seems to be little difference in the dynamics and control of a model with fixed rider and a model with leaned upper body motion.
Inflation Targeting and Output Growth: Empirical Evidence for the European Union

This paper evaluates the performance of two alternative policy rules, a forward-looking rule and a spontaneous adjustment rule, under alternative inflation targets, in terms of output losses in a macroeconomic model, using European Union data. The simulations suggest that forward-looking rules contribute to macroeconomic stability and monetary policy credibility, and that a positive inflation target, as opposed to zero inflation, leads to higher and less volatile output. These results are robust to changes in the specification of the model and time period. The same methodology applied to individual countries supports country-specific flexible inflation targeting.