Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Return to Gold-Based Monetary System: Analysis Based on Gold Price and Inflation

Researchers and economists clarify that the problem of inflation and the currency instability occurs today is due to the implementation of monetary system which is not based on valuable commodity or gold as the gold standard of the previous system. As a sequence to this, there has been a proposal to create a Bretton Woods II system by the World Bank President, Robert Zoelick, recently in 2010. The question is whether the return to gold currency is justifiable in order to ensure world economic stability. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the historical data of the inflation rate and world gold price in order to identify a more stable financial system. The study will provide evidence that the gold standard era is the most stable era thus justifies the return to gold currency. This study uses time series data for a key economic indicator i.e. inflation rate starting from year 1880 to 2008, divided into three phases of gold standard system; i.e. the full gold standard system (1880-1914) and the gold exchange standard system (1925-1931); the Bretton Woods system (1946-1972) and the fiat currency system (1973-2008), using regression model and CUSUM test. The results show that the rate of inflation and the value of world gold are much lower and more stable during the gold standard phases than the fiat money. This indicates that the move to return to gold currency is more apt in the bid to ensure global economic stability. However, more efforts are needed to resolve the implementation mechanism.
Antioxidant And DNA Damage Preventive Properties of Bacopa Monniera (L) Wettst

ABSTRACT Background: Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst. is a perennial creeping plant found throughout India in wet, damp and marshy areas. Traditionally, it was used as a brain tonic to enhance memory development, learning and concentration and to provide relief to patients with anxiety or epileptic disorders. Objective: Extraction and estimation of antioxidant and DNA damage preventive activity of B. monniera. Materials and Methods: The present study was to assess the antioxidant potential in vitro of extracts of B. monniera in different solvents like hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and water. Total polyphenols content of each extract was determined using folin-ciocalteu reagent. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was checked on the basis of 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power assay. DNA damage preventive property of Bacopa monniera was checked using pRSETA plasmid grown in E. coli. Results: Highest polyphenol content was found in methanol extract followed by water extract (55.0 pg/mg, 52.0 pg/mg gallic acid equivalents respectively). The IC50 values of the DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of methanol extract showed 0.052 mg/ml and 0.034 mg/ml respectively. Reducing power assay results also followed in the same way. Methanol extract was comparatively effective in preventing more DNA damage. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study clearly indicate that B.monniera has a significant potential as a natural anti-oxidant and DNA damage preventing agent.
MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITYOF POROSIA BIGIBBOSA (ARCELLINIDA: HYALOSPHENIIDAE) FROM EAST HERZEGOVINA

The genus Porosia includes two species characterized by presence of two large invaginated pores. These pores are connected by internal tube as in members of the genus Certesella. In this paper, morphological variability of P. bigibbosa (Penard, 1890) Jung, 1942 based on 175 specimens from East Herzegovina is presented. Shell length ranges from 136 to 178 μm (previously noted 128-177 μm), shell width – from 86 to 118 μm (previously noted 83-123 μm), aperture width – from 40 to 51 μm (previously noted 34-49 μm), aperture-pore distance – from 45 to 62 μm (previously noted 52-70 μm), pore-pore distance – from 48 to 80 μm (previously not measured), and area of the optical section – from 9063 to 15706 μm2 (previously not measured). The minimal variability (4.5%) was observed for shell length, while maximal variability (9.01%) was recorded for the area of the optical section. Results of size frequency distribution analysis of shell length and shell width indicate that this population possesses continuous polymorphism.
The Lorca Earthquake observed by GPS: a Test Case for GPS Seismology

1 Hz GPS data recorded by the GNSS network of the Consejeria de Agricultura y Agua of the Murcia Region during the Mw 5.1 Lorca earthquake on May 11th 2011 is used as a test case. A Precise Point Positioning (PPP) approach is applied to analyse the earthquake-induced motion of the station LORC, located close to the epicenter. The results are validated using a conventional Double Differences (DD) processing. After applying sidereal and regional filters, the detected transient motion is about 20 millimeters in each component and clearly above noise level. The results from the two different processings are compared in view of the accuracy and applicability. The PPP approach described here can potentially be used for real-time analysis e.g. based on NTRIP streaming data. It may be used to set up an early warning system, as well as to gain real-time knowledge of ongoing earthquakes, extending the already-existing seismic information obtained from classical measurements.
Factors affecting poverty levels in Kenya: case study Busia county.

viiii 1.0Introduction. 1 1.2 Problem Statement . 2 1.3 Objectives of the Study . 3 1.4 Justification of the study . 3 1.5 Organization of the study . 4 CHAPTER 2: . 5 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 5 2.1 Empirical Literature. 5 2.2Gaps in the Literature Review . 10 CHAPTER 3. 12 3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY . 12 3.1Model specification . 12 3.2. Definition of Variables. 12 3.3 Description of variables. 14 3.4 Study area . 16 3.5 Data type and Sources . 18 CHAPTER 4. 19 4.0 DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 19 4.2Descriptive Statistics. 19 4.3 Evaluation of the Logistic Model. 25 4.3. 1Goodness-of-fit Testing. 25 4.4Multi-collinearity Analysis.26 4.4 Factors affecting Poverty.28 CHAPTER FIVE.29 5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS.29 5.1 Summary of findings.29 5.2 Conclusions and policy recommendation.31
Woody plant proliferation in North American drylands: A synthesis of impacts on ecosystem carbon balance

[1] Changes in the magnitude and direction of ecosystem carbon (C) balance accompanying woody plant encroachment are among the largest contributors to the uncertainty in the North American C budget. In this synthesis we identify the important species contributing to woody encroachment, summarize our current knowledge of aboveground and belowground C storage change with woody encroachment, and evaluate the range of human and natural disturbance factors that alter the course of C gains and losses within ecosystems experiencing woody encroachment. Available data indicate that relative to the historic vegetation, aboveground net primary production (ANPP) decreases with woody plant encroachment in arid regions (mean annual precipitation (MAP) < 336 mm), but increases in semiarid and subhumid regions (on the order of 0.7 g C m−2 yr−1 per mm of MAP over 336 mm). Soil organic carbon response to woody plant encroachment ranged from losses of 6200 g C m−2 to gains of 2700 g C m−2 with an average accumulation of 385 g C m−2 across all studies and did not appear to be closely coupled to ANPP. Taken together, in the absence of disturbance, woody encroachment appears to result in a net ecosystem C gain across most species and ecoregions. However, disturbance associated with wildfire, land management practices, and drought may quickly and significantly offset these gains and should be explicitly factored into regional-scale C balance estimates. Our findings may be used to better constrain future estimates of woody plant encroachment influences on the North American C budget.
Wildlife Fencing Escape Ramp Monitoring: Preliminary Results for Mule Deer in Southwest Colorado

Animal-vehicle collisions have negative impacts to human safety and wildlife populations and are therefore a topic of great concern to transportation and wildlife managers. Beyond risks of injury or death, animal-vehicle collisions can result in high economic costs from property damage and loss of wildlife recreation opportunities. A key mitigation measure includes use of wildlife fencing. However, fencing can also create a physical barrier that traps wildlife in right-of-way areas near the road and it blocks wildlife linkages across the landscape; thus it has the potential to increase animal-vehicle collisions and hinder wildlife movement. To allow escape for wildlife, earthen ramps are often constructed from inside of the right-of-way with a gradual slope to the height of the wildlife fence, which creates a sharp drop outside the fence allowing wildlife to jump to safety. The authors provide preliminary results for a monitoring effort that will eventually have 2 years of data. From August 2012 – April 2013, they monitored 11 escape ramps embedded within a 5-mile stretch of wildlife fencing along Highway 550, north of Ridgway, Colorado. The authors focused on quantifying successful escape ramp usage by mule deer as a function of escape ramp design using motion-activated infra-red video cameras. Ramp characteristics important in determining escape success included jump height, slope, and whether a horizontal bar was present. Ramp visits had strong seasonality with greatest use in fall and early spring. The authors also report on the use of these ramps by other wildlife species. In addition to a better understanding of the seasonality in ramp use over the remainder of the study, the authors plan to assess whether road or landscape characteristics help explain ramp use.
Coaching for brave leadership: an action research study

There appears to be a gap between the behaviours of leaders and the expectations of followers and other stakeholders. This gap may be due to an absence of brave leadership. An action research study was designed for use with six leaders who undertook to help evolve and also be coached using a brave leadership coaching model. The data was analysed using a retroductive and thematic approach. The use of the brave leadership model appears to indicate that it can assist in decision making and that bravery may be enhanced, at least from a subjective perspective. It would also appear that the idea of brave leadership may complement other leadership theories.
Board Entrepreneurial Orientation, Board Guanxi and Firm Growth of Small Medium Enterprises in Malaysia

This conceptual paper is based on a study that predicts the overall Small Medium Enterprises firm growth based on board entrepreneurial orientation and board guanxi in Malaysia context. Previous studies on board of directors' attributes' tend to consider financial performance in its analysis only. The inclusion of the growth indicators including sales figures, employee number, introduction of new product and new market broaden the research scope to fill the previous research gap.This study also aims to examine the relationship between board entrepreneurial and guanxi in relations with SMEs firm growth. One of the most significant theoretical implications is the introduction of a conceptual model on SMEs firm growth, board entrepreneurial orientation and board guanxi based on Malaysia context. From the practitioners' perspectives, this paper suggests improvement of existing approaches to the governance and growth of SMEs. There is a dearth of exploratory endeavors in the context of SMEs firm growth and board of directors' attributes for developing nations. Thus, empirical study in this area merits critical attention
Anisotropy characterization of structural flakeboards with ultrasonic methods

The aim of this research was to study the anisotropic behavior of structural flakeboards using ultrasonic velocity and acoustic emission methods. One full-size board (3,050 x 1,850 x 19 mm) was analyzed for which the orthotropic model was assumed. Ultrasonic velocities of longitudinal and transversal bulk waves were used to estimate the nine stiffnesses. The measurements were performed on specimens of standard size cut from the board. Surface wave velocities were measured on the full-size board along and across the flake alignment direction. Furthermore an acoustic emission technique of breaking 0.5 mm pencil lead on the surface of the specimens was employed. Several parameters of acoustic emission were measured (duration, count number, energy, peak amplitude, rise time) on specimens cut parallel and perpendicular to the direction of flake alignment. The anisotropy was estimated as the ratio of velocities of bulk and surface waves and of acoustic invariants, as well as the ratio of acoustic emission parameters.
Organizational Culture: Preferences and Realities

An understanding of the organizational cultural preferences of new hires is required in order to achieve a person-organization fit - the key to reducing job turnover and maintaining a committed workforce. In addition, because all organizations socialize new hires (formally or informally) to understand “the way things are done around here,�? a knowledge of preferences that are changeable - and those that are not - is both valuable and necessary. In this study we have provided findings on both the changeability of preferences through organizational socialization, as well as findings on differences in preferences across five world regions, across four countries in two world regions (Europe and Asia), and across countries within a world region (Latin America) - all with an emphasis on graduates with MBA degrees.
Cu2+ Removal from Aqueous Solutions with a Cuban Volcanic Glass Mineral

A natural Cuban mineral from Sama Arriba mine (SAN) was used as an adsorbent for Cu2+ removal from aqueous solutions. SAN material was characterized by a variety of experimental techniques in order to know the chemical and phase composition as well as its textural properties. Characterization results indicated that the main phase present was calcite CaCO3 that is partially transformed into malachite during Cu2+ adsorption process. Moreover, the textural properties indicated that the mineral presented some porosity mainly of macroporous nature. The experimental adsorption isotherms of Cu2+ ions were performed in batchtype adsorption systems and the experimental data linearized considering the Langmuir model with a very good correlation. The SAN capacity to remove Cu2+ from water solutions was higher than the data reported in the literature for other materials
The impact of intellectual capital on firm performance: Evidence from Tehran Stock Exchange

Article history: Received March 25, 2015 Received in revised format August 6 2015 Accepted August 21 2015 Available online August 29 2015 The aim of the present research is to study the relationship between intellect capital components and performance evaluation indicators. For measuring intellectual capital, the study uses Pulic’s method [Pulic, A. (2000). VAICTM–an accounting tool for IC management. International Journal of Technology Management, 20(5-8), 702-714. ], which consists of three components of physical capital efficiency, human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency. In the present study first, the value of the intellectual capital of the companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange over the period 2006-2012 is calculated. Next, the relationship between the components of intellectual capital and financial return of the companies are evaluated. For calculating the financial performance 8 performance indicators in 5 groups presenting market value, profitability, activity, capital return, orientation on value creation are used. In the present research the statistical method used for data analysis is multiple regression and correlation coefficients. The selected sample of research includes 73 companies in continuous way for a time period of 7 years and the size of the company has been considered as a control variable. The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between intellectual capital and financial performance of companies and a positive effect of the size of company on availability rate of intellectual capital and financial performance of a company. Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 5 © 201
Prediction of Borderline Personality Disorder Based On Psychological Flexibility Components: Acceptance and Action, Values and Cognitive Defusion

1 . هورگ . ناریا ،زاريش ،زاريش هاگشناد ،يسانشناور و يتيبرت مولع هدکشناد ،ينيلاب يسانشناور 2 . )لوئسم هدنسیون( هورگ يسانشناور ،ينيلاب هدکشناد مولع يتيبرت و ،يسانشناور هاگشناد ،زاريش ،زاريش یا نار . Mehrdad.pourshahbazi@gmail.com شیپ ‌ ینیب ‌ للاتخا ‌ تیصخش ‌ یزرم ‌ رب ‌ ‌ ساسا ‌ م ؤ هفل ‌ یاه ‌ فاطعنا ‌ یریذپ ‌ ناور ‌ یتخانش ‌ : شریذپ ‌ و ‌ لمع ‌ ،‌ ‌ شزرا ‌ اه ‌ و ‌ شلسگ ‌ یتخانش ‌
Chromatin Project Final Report

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is packaged as chromatin, a highly ordered structure formed through the wrapping of the DNA around histone proteins, and further packed through interactions with a number of other proteins. In order for processes such as DNA replication, DNA repair, and transcription to occur, the structure of chromatin must be remodeled such that the necessary enzymes can access the DNA. A number of remodeling enzymes have been described, but our understanding of the remodeling process is hindered by a lack of knowledge of the fine structure of chromatin, and how this structure is modulated in the living cell. We have carried out single molecule experiments using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the packaging arrangements in chromatin from a variety of cell types. Comparison of the structures observed reveals differences which can be explained in terms of the cell type and its transcriptional activity. During the course of this project, sample preparation and AFM techniques were developed and optimized. Several opportunities for follow-up work are outlined which could provide further insight into the dynamic structural rearrangements of chromatin.
Size-dependent energetics of metamorphosis in the yellow dung fly, Scathophaga stercoraria

Competing hypotheses: (1) Large body size confers more efficient energy use (relative efficiency hypothesis). (2) Large body size requires more energy to be sustained, a disadvantage when food is limited (absolute energy demand hypothesis). Organism: Yellow dung flies, Scathophaga stercoraria (Diptera: Scathophagidae), artificially selected for large and small body size in the laboratory for 24 generations to augment the available phenotypic body sizes. Methods: Larvae were reared under limited and unlimited food (dung) conditions, and the energy content of pupae was measured at the beginning and the end of the pupal stage in different, size-matched individuals. Conclusions: Over the pupal period, lipids and glycogen decreased whereas sugar content increased. Net energy loss per unit body mass was higher at unlimited food. Contrary to expectation, males (the larger sex) lost less energy than females. Large selection line pupae showed the highest absolute and mass-specific energy loss during metamorphosis, indicating a correlated physiological response to body size selection because phenotypic body sizes do not differ between the lines at limited dung. We conclude that energetic costs due to greater absolute energy demand of larger individuals during the pupal phase outweigh the benefits due to greater metabolic efficiency.
Dating of Cremated Bones

When dating unburnt bone, bone collagen, the organic fraction of the bone, is used. Collagen does not survive the heat of the cremation pyre, so dating of cremated bone has been considered impossible. Structural carbonate in the mineral fraction of the bone, however, survives the cremation process. We developed a method of dating cremated bone by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), using this carbonate fraction. Here we present results for a variety of prehistoric sites and ages, showing a remarkable success rate for this method.
Scale Economies and Technical Efficiency of Quebec Dairy Farms

Canada’s average cost for milk production is amongst the highest in the world. The paper focusses on specific potential causes by estimating economies of scale and technical efficiency for a panel of Quebec dairy farms that spans the 2001-2010 period. The stochastic frontier analysis based on an input distance function is use to estimate returns to scale relationships across dairy farms. We show that there is significant economies scale to be exploited and that cost of production could also be reduced by improving technical efficiency. The results have important implications for Canada’s supply management policy, and more specifically for the trading of production quota between dairy farmers, as well as for the delivery of targeted extension services.
Oxidation capacity of the city air of Santiago, Chile

Abstract. The oxidation capacity of the highly polluted urban area of Santiago, Chile has been evaluated during a summer measurement campaign carried out from 8–20 March 2005. The hydroxyl (OH) radical budget was evaluated employing a simple quasi-photostationary-state model (PSS) constrained with simultaneous measurements of HONO, HCHO, O3, NO, NO2, j(O1D), j(NO2), 13 alkenes and meteorological parameters. In addition, a zero dimensional photochemical box model based on the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCMv3.1) has been used to estimate production rates and total free radical budgets, including OH, HO2 and RO2. Besides the above parameters, the MCM model has been constrained by the measured CO and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alkanes and aromatics. Both models simulate the same OH concentration during daytime indicating that the primary OH sources and sinks included in the simple PSS model predominate. Mixing ratios of the main OH radical precursors were found to be in the range 0.8–7 ppbv (HONO), 0.9–11 ppbv (HCHO) and 0–125 ppbv (O3). The alkenes average mixing ratio was ~58 ppbC accounting for ~12% of the total identified non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs). During the daytime (08:00 h–19:00 h), HONO photolysis was shown to be the most important primary OH radical source comprising alone ~55% of the total initial production rate, followed by alkene ozonolysis (~24%) and photolysis of HCHO (~16%) and O3 (~5%). The calculated average and maximum daytime OH production rates from HONO photolysis was 1.7 ppbv h−1 and 3.1 ppbv h−1, respectively. Based on the experimental results a strong photochemical daytime source of HONO is proposed. A detailed analysis of the sources of OH radical precursors has also been carried out.
High blood pressure tends to increase carotid intima-media thickness in adult females

Background Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelial dysfunction, as a result of increasing degradation of nitrit oxide by reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing oxydative stress. Dyslipidemia is one of the risk factors of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of blood pressure and serum lipid level with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in subjects aged between 55-65 years. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out in 52 male and female subjects aged between 55-65 years. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profile, and CIMT were assessed in all subjects. The independent t-test was used to to analyze the relationship between all variables and CIMT. The level of statistical significance was set at p 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in gender between the two groups (p=0.011). In females, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the thickened CIMT group than in the normal CIMT group, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that high blood pressure tends to increase CIMT in female adults. An increasing value of CIMT should be considered as a sign of cerebrovascular disease.