Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TOPOGRAPHIC EFFECTS USING EXPLOSIONS AND MICROTREMORS RECORDINGS

A field experiment for the study of ground motion variation across a topographic relief, based on explosions and microtremors recordings, was carried out. The hill selected for the experiment is located in Northern Greece, close to the Lagada lake, about 15 km NW of the Euroseistest experimental test site. It is constituted by quite homogeneous metamorphic rocks. The experiment consisted in the execution of four explosions at the toe of the hill. Ground motion was recorded at the crest, at the toe and along the flanks. Between explosions, data acquisition at the crest proceeded continuously to record ambient noise. The explosion data were used to construct experimental seismic sections to study the scattered wavefield. They also were processed using standard spectral ratios (SSR) between the station at the crest and those at the toe and along the flanks showing topographic relative amplification between these points. In addition, horizontal to vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) were also computed both using explosion data and ambient noise recordings in order to explore the applicability of this non-reference technique in estimating topographic effects. Finally, experimental HVSR at crest were compared with those obtained from numerical modeling with a bidimensional boundary element code showing a good agreement at least in terms of spectral shape.
Soil aggregation and organic carbon fractions under different land uses in submontane Punjab

A study was conducted in a mixed watershed in submontane Punjab to determine the raindrop stability of soil aggregates especially rain drop stability and the relationships between aggregate stability indices and soil organic carbon fractions under different land uses. Replicated soil samples were collected at three soil depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-15 cm) from different land uses within the watershed for analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions viz permanganate-oxidizable carbon (POXC), cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and carbohydrate carbon. The undisturbed soil samples were also collected from 0-15 cm soil depth for determining different aggregate stability indices. The mean SOC content was significantly higher in soils under forest than in other land uses but the SOC stock in 0-15 cm soil layer was similar under all land uses. The POXC, MBC, CWEOC and carbohydrate carbon content were observed to highest in soils under forest and lowest in soils under agriculture. The POXC, MBC and carbohydrate carbon were better correlated with SOC than CWEOC. The aggregate stability determined on the basis of both dry and wet sieving analysis and single rain drop technique was higher in soils under forest and silvipastoral than other land uses. Among the SOC fractions, stability of aggregates in terms of mean weight diameter and rain drop stability index showed better correlation with carbohydrate carbon (R 2 =0.66 and R 2 =0.53, respectively) and MBC (R 2 =0.66 and R 2 =0.48, respectively). The soil microbial activities varied among different land uses. The highest mean dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDA) were observed in soils under agroforestry and lowest in soils under agriculture. The mean soil respiration was highest in soils under forest and lowest in agriculture land.
Evaluation of the satisfaction level of patients attended by a pharmaceutical care program in a private communitarian pharmacy in Vitória (ES, Brazil)

The present study was designed to evaluate the satisfaction of users of a Pharmaceutical Care (PC) service in a private communitarian pharmacy in Vitoria (ES, Brazil). In this transversal observational study, patient interviews were performed by an experimenter that had no relationship with the establishments evaluated. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire used a five point Likert scale, in which smaller numbers represented lower levels of satisfaction. For comparison, user satisfaction was also evaluated for two pharmaceutical establishments that do not have standardized PC services. In these cases, age-matched patients were selected randomly. A higher level of satisfaction was reported by users of the PC service, with values between three and five. The higher averages for the establishment with PC service were the result of greater perceived pharmacist interest in the patient's health. As the same results were not obtained by the services without PC, it was concluded that this practice is very important to the satisfaction level of users of pharmacy services.
A constructionist examination of construction site culture: Review of a pilot study

Recent developments in the UK construction industry have led to behavioural and cultural safety programmes becoming a key tool in the prevention of health and safety incidents on construction sites for major contractors. However, the synchronicity of these programmes with the established UK construction site culture can be challenged, and indeed the success of these change programmes has yet to be proven. An on-going PhD study to investigate how safety is placed and embedded within the culture of UK construction sites, including a review of the impact of these cultural change programmes, has recently completed a pilot study. The pilot used photography and unstructured interviews to produce a rich variety of data, which could be examined from a social constructionist epistemological stance using discourse analysis. This analysis suggested that there were areas of potential conflict with the dominant construction site culture and the behavioural and cultural change programmes, as well as friction between the form and direction of the discourses used within the programmes and those found to be more prevalent on sites. Evaluation of the pilot study suggested the methods employed had the potential to productively address the issues surrounding site safety culture.
Welfare institutions, resources, and political learning. Interacting with the State as an Incentive for the Political Participation of Long-Term Unemployed Youth

This paper examines the impact of interactions with welfare institutions on the political partici-pation of long-term unemployed youth in two cities. We assess the role of resource redistribution and of political learning on engagement in protest activities. We use a unique dataset of long-term unemployed youth to predict the probability that long-term unemployed youth participate in protest activities and be-come politically alienated as a result of their interactions with the state. Our study suggests that the impact of staid aid on political participation comes from providing services through the unemployment office and the social aid office rather than from direct payments. However, we do not find strong evidence revealing a process of political learning, as political alienation does not seem to mediate the effect of interactions with the state on protest. The most important finding of our study is that the connection between welfare insti-tutions and political learning is context-dependent. We find a differential effect of interactions with the unemployment office and with the social aid office across cities.
First-time mothers’ experiences of meaningfulness during their third trimester of pregnancy: A focus on spirituality

This study sought to gain in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of first-time mothers during their third trimester of pregnancy. The non-probability, purposive sample were Afrikaans speaking first-time mothers aged between 22 and 40 years. Data on their experiences of meaningfulness during their pregnancy were collected using the Mmogo-Method® and reflective journals. The data were thematically analyzed combining textual data and visual depictions. This group of first-time mothers expressed a very personal relationship with a Divine reality that they rely on and derive meaningfulness from their pregnancy and birthing experiences. They perceived a Divine reality as the giver of life and that they were given a responsibility to carry new life. Sense of meaningfulness during pregnancy was strongly associated with spirituality.
Effects of English and Persian Subtitles on Oral Fluency and Accuracy of Intermediate Iranian EFL Learners

The present study attempted to explore the effects of employing English and Persian subtitles on the Iranian EFL learners' oral fluency and accuracy. From among 100 intermediate Iranian EFL learners in Donyaye Sokhan Language Institute in Isfahan, Iran, 60 were selected in the wake of administering the PET (Preliminary English Test) as the participants of the study, and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The control group was exposed to movies without any subtitles, while one of the experimental groups watched movies with English subtitles and the other watched movies with Persian subtitles. The format of pretest and posttest was semi-structured interview in which students answered several questions. Fluency scores were derived out of the formula suggested by Yuan and Ellis (2003), while accuracy was quantified through Foster and Skehan’s (1996) procedure. The analysis of the obtained data via SPSS indicated that (a) the successful performance of the participants in the experimental groups was shown to be attributable to using subtitles as a method for improving oral fluency and accuracy, (b) there were no significant differences between the two experimental groups, and (c) oral fluency and accuracy of the control group did not ameliorate significantly in the course of this experiment.
The Effects of Cancer in the English Labour Market

The continued rise in overall cancer survival rates has ignited a field of research which examines the effect that cancer has on survivors’ employment. Previous estimates of the effect of cancer on labour market outcomes, using U.S. data, show a significant reduction in employment and hours of work in the first 6 months after diagnosis. However, this impact has been found to dissipate after 2 years. I use data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and find that, not only does cancer have a negative impact in the first 6-month period following diagnosis, but also in the second 6-month period. I estimate that, in the second 6-month period after diagnosis, respondents with cancer are 20.7 percentage points less likely to work and work 24% less hours a week when compared to matched, healthy controls. This suggests that the negative effects from cancer can persist for longer than the 6 months identified in previous studies. Results are significant at the 1% level. These results have implications for government policy and employers, because it increases both the length of time that survivors may be on government supported sick pay and the expected time that workers will be absent from work due to illness.
Influence of Rates of Application of Different Plant Residues on Time Courses of N Mineralization and Immobilization in Soils with Different Textures

An aerobic incubation experiment was conducted at room temperature (19 to 23 °C) to determine the influence of rates of application of different plant residues on time courses of N mineralization and immobilization in soils with different textures. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experimental treatments were factorial combinations of four factors: (1) three rates of plant residue applications (0, 1.25, 2.50 and 5.00 mg of plant residue g -1 soil); (2) three soil textures (loamy sand, loam and clay soils); (3) four plant residue types (leucaena, sesbania, faba bean stubble and maize stubble); and (4) six incubation periods (0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days). The treated samples were analyzed for extractable mineral N (NH 4 + + NO - 3) to determine mineralization and immobilization of N. From the results, the following conclusions and recommendations were drawn. (1) Application of sesbania residue into soils resulted in N mineralization with the rate that increased with fineness of soil texture but decreased with increasing time of incubation. In the cases of the loam and clay soils, N mineralization increased with increasing rate of residue up to 5.00 mg g -1 soil throughout the incubation period but, in the case of the loamy sand soil, N mineralization increased up to the highest rate after 30 days of incubation (DI). (2) Application of leucaena residue into soils resulted in N immobilization that increased with fineness of soil texture during 0-15 DI. N mineralization, increased with fineness of soil texture and rates of application up to 5.00 mg g -1 soil after 15-30 DI onwards, but decreased with time of incubation. (3) Application of faba bean stubble or maize stubble resulted in N immobilization at the rate that increased with fineness of soil texture. In the loamy sand soil N immobilization was mostly observed throughout 120 DI. In the loam and clay soils, N immobilization that increased with fineness of soil texture occurred during 0-15 DI. After 15-30 DI, N mineralization, at the rate that was independent of the rate of residue application in the case of the loam soil but decrease with increase in the application rate in the case of the clay soil, took place.
The ownership-performance puzzle: agency issues in small and medium-sized family firms

Using a cross sectional sample of 2,865 family firms from the 1998 NSSBF database, we examine the relationship between family ownership and financial performance for small and medium-sized family firms with a chained-interaction model in which we combine ownership dispersion proxies with several moderating governance, management and family variables. Our results suggest that ownership dispersion has a positive influence on performance when the family firm is in the “cousin consortium” generational stage, giving support to predictions put forth by agency cost models in private family firms (Schulze et al., 2003). Our results also suggest that the zero agency-cost base case as described by Jensen and Meckling (1976) is in fact no zero agency cost case due to ignored agency costs in family firms.
Genetic analysis of maternal behavior and its effect on lamb survival

Improvement of lamb survival rates is an important topic for production and welfare in the sheep industry. Maternal behavior affects lamb survival and vigor during the neonatal period. A measurement used in the literature for maternal behavior is MBS, which measures the distance between ewe and lamb during handling of the lamb. MBS displays low to moderate heritability and repeatability. Genetic correlations with litter survival are considered to be low. Small genetic improvement for lamb survival is expected but the advance would be slow. The aim of this current review was to investigate the genetic value of incorporating maternal behavior as an indirect selection trait for lamb survival in breeding programs. With the low genetic parameters found it is suggested that selection for maternal behavior to improve lamb survival would have slow genetic progress. Other correlated traits might be more efficient to improve lamb survival. The evaluation of differences between breeds in this review indicates that more intensively bred breeds have lost more maternal ability than those who have been extensively bred. This could imply that our current, intense breeding for production traits without including maternal behavior is resulting in a decline of ewes expressing good maternal care. If further research can strengthen this theory, maternal behavior should be included in breeding programs for sheep.
Atmospheric deposition versus rock weathering in the control of streamwater chemistry in a tropical rain-forest catchment in Malaysian Borneo

Abstract: Uncertainty about the H+ buffering capacity in tropical rain forest limits our ability to predict the future effect of anthropogenic deposition on the streamwater chemistry. Export of major ions to the stream and the ion-fluxes via rainfall, throughfall, litter-leachate and soil-water pathways were observed to examine the source of streamwater nutrients in a small catchment in Sabah, Malaysia. The streamwater and the ion-fluxes were measured for 3.75 and 2 y, respectively, by collecting water twice a month and setting ion-exchange-resin columns. Streamwater pH ranged from 6.5 to 7.6 and was not sensitive to water discharge controlling base cations. The NO3−-N, Ca2+ and Mg2+ fluxes were low in atmospheric depositions (0.6, 0.5 and 0.3 kg ha−1 y−1, respectively) and markedly increased in the litter layer. The NO3−-N flux decreased drastically from subsoil (70 kg ha−1 y−1) to the stream (1.4 kg ha−1 y−1) whereas the Ca2+ and Mg2+ fluxes were not different between subsoil (38 and 18 kg ha−1 y−1) and stream (30 and 15 kg ha−1 y−1). Neutral pH in tropical streams was mainly due to the base cation leaching with deep chemical weathering in deeper strata, and a rapid decrease in NO3− leaching from the subsoil to the stream.
The Disappearing ‘Deutschland AG’ – An Analysis of Blockholdings in German Large Caps

The German corporate governance system changed substantially over the last ten years. Meanwhile, ownership structures of German firms changed significantly. We examine the phenomenon of changing ownership structures by studying blockholdings of German large caps between 1997 and 2006. We examine the dynamics of blockholdings by analyzing the evolution of free float and block trades, where at least 5% of voting rights change hands. Two findings emerge: First, we find that free float increases from 65% in 1997 to 75% in 2006, mainly caused by German financials and German government entities. Simultaneously, we observe a surprisingly high number of block trades: on average 1.6 block trades per firm from 1997 to 2006. Second, we find that particularly individuals and German industrials are guarantors for a stable ownership structure. German financials or German government entities as blockowners increase the free float and the likelihood of block trades. Moreover, block trades are more likely to occur in firms having foreign investors as owners. Our findings are of interest with respect to the evolution of the so-called ‘Deutschland AG’ but also with respect to the current anchor shareholder discussion.
The Impact of Returned Product Disposition Strategies on Organizational Performance Applied to the Egyptian Household Appliance Industry

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of returned product disposition strategies on organizational performance by collecting and analysing data from the household appliance industry in Egypt. In addition, this paper also tests the effect of resource allocation as a moderator variable for the relations between disposition strategies and organizational performance. The proposed research model describes the impact of returned product disposition strategies on organizational performance and the effect of resource allocation as a moderator variable for the relations between disposition strategies and organizational performance. The proposed research model and hypotheses were tested using correlation analyses, regression analyses and structural equation modelling based on data collected from 108 companies in the Egyptian household appliance industry. According to the results of the study, disposition strategies are positively associated with organizational performance. Moreover, resource allocation moderates the relation between disposition strategies and organizational performance. The data used in this study were collected from 108 companies in the Egyptian household appliance industry. However, the generalization of the study results may be limited by the size of the sample. This study provides a useful working model in the household appliance industry. The results suggest that using disposal and repair strategies will contribute to improving organizational performance, and appropriate resource allocation will moderate the relation between disposition strategies and organizational performance.
Rights to forests and carbon under REDD+ initiatives in Latin America

Rights to large areas of forest have been granted to communities and indigenous peoples in Latin America, offering these groups an opportunity to participate in REDD+ initiatives. However, tenure is not always secure, and security of tenure alone is insufficient to guarantee positive outcomes for both forests and livelihoods. The question of carbon tenure rights has only just begun to be addressed, and even less attention has been given to liabilities. REDD+ initiatives provide an opportunity to consolidate indigenous territories but present a risk to those without secure land rights. REDD+ initiatives should be informed by a clear understanding of the successes and failures of community forest management. REDD+ initiatives should recognise local diversity and not impose blueprints.
Title Simultaneously reducing CO 2 and particulate exposures via fractional recirculation of vehicle cabin air Permalink

Prior studies demonstrate that air recirculation can reduce exposure to nanoparticles in vehicle cabins. However when people occupy confined spaces, air recirculation can lead to carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation which can potentially lead to deleterious effects on cognitive function. This study proposes a fractional air recirculation system for reducing nanoparticle concentration while simultaneously suppressing CO2 levels in the cabin. Several recirculation scenarios were tested using a custom-programmed HVAC (heat, ventilation, air conditioning) unit that varied the recirculation door angle in the test vehicle. Operating the recirculation system with a standard cabin filter reduced particle concentrations to 1000 particles/cm3, although CO2 levels rose to 3000 ppm. When as little as 25% fresh air was introduced (75% recirculation), CO2 levels dropped to 1000 ppm, while particle concentrations remained below 5000 particles/cm3. We found that nanoparticles were removed selectively during recirculation and demonstrated the trade-off between cabin CO2 concentration and cabin particle concentration using fractional air recirculation. Data showed significant increases in CO2 levels during 100% recirculation. For various fan speeds, recirculation fractions of 50–75% maintained lower CO2 levels in the cabin, while still reducing particulate levels. We recommend fractional recirculation as a simple method to reduce occupants’ exposures to particulate matter and CO2 in vehicles. A design with several fractional recirculation settings could allow air exchange adequate for reducing both particulate and CO2 exposures. Developing this technology could lead to reductions in airborne nanoparticle exposure, while also mitigating safety risks from CO2 accumulation.