Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Syntheses of Birnessites Using Alcohols as Reducing Reagents: Effects of Synthesis Parameters on the Formation of Birnessites

This study shows that synthetic birnessite, an octahedral layered manganese oxide material called OL-1 can be synthesized with Na+, K+, Na+/Mg2+, or K+/Mg2+ ions as interlayer cations by redox reactions between permanganate and alcohols in a strong basic media. The synthesis processes were followed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. OL-1 samples have been characterized by XRD, chemical analysis, average oxidation states measurements, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Results show that all OL-1 samples have an interlayer spacing of ∼7.0 A. The average oxidation states of manganese fall in a range of 3.60−3.70. The chemical compositions for typical Na−OL-1 and K−OL-1 are Na4.7Mn14O27. 7·8.7H2O and K4.6Mn14O27. 9·6.6H2O, respectively. α-MnO(OH) coexists with Na−OL-1 in the synthesis where NaMnO4 aqueous solution is added to the solution containing ethanol, water, and sodium hydroxide. When Mg(MnO4)2 was used as the oxidant, more Mg2+ ions were accommodated in OL-1 than in previous reports. The .
The Relationship Between Organizational Silence and Allen-Meyer Organizational Commitment Model: A Research In The Health Sector In Turkey

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the organizational commitment of employ-ees in the public health sector has a meaningful effect on employees’ silent behavior. The study was carried out on a total of 120 people working in public hospitals, emergency health service stations and community health centers operating in Balikesir's Erdek municipality. The data of the study were obtained by questionnaire. It was used 'organizational silence scale' developed by Van Dyne, Ang & Botero (2003) to measure the levels of silence and ‘organizational commitment scale' developed by Meyer & Allen (1991) to measure the level of organizational commitment of employees in questionnaire. The reciprocal and causal re-lationships between organizational commitment and organizational silence were analyzed respectively by correlation and simple linear regression methods. According to the results of the research, organizational commitment affects organizational silence positively. In other words, as the organizational commitment increases, the employee silence increases.
Adaptive convergences in two nestling bivalves (Myoida: Myidae, Hiatellidae) of the brazilian littoral

The myoideans bivalves Hiatella solida (Sowerby, 1834) (Hiatellidae) and Sphenia antillensis Dali & Simpson, 1901 (Myidae) from the littoral of São Paulo, Brazil, are studied. Both species normally live as nestling forms and share the same habitat. 5. antillensis was found in the southem littoral of São Paulo, Brazil, many years after the record of H. solida in the area. The habit of living byssally attached inside hollows and crevices and submitted to the same environmental conditions may have led to the evolution of adaptive convergence and the appearance of similarities responsible for misunderstandings conceming the Identification of both species when in their natural habitat or in a mixed collection of their Shells. A comparative analysis of the Shell features and of the anatomy of the soft parts revealed some of these similarities, as well as distinctive characteristics which are specially centered in the hinge line, siphons and alimentary canal, all of them pointed out and illustrated.
Banks' Leverage Procyclicality: Does US Dollar Diversification Really Matter?

Assets of banks located in France are mainly denominated in euro and in US dollar. Currency diversification, which measures how much of assets are denominated in US dollar, implies a credit risk diversification and a valuation effect on assets. As currency diversification affects directly the total converted value of assets, it changes banks' debt capacity and their resilience to economic shocks. Thereby, currency diversification of assets should affect leverage responsiveness to the value of assets, namely the leverage procyclicality. Using innovative data on credit institutions located in France between1999 and 2014, we examine whether US dollar diversification of assets is pertinent for the analysis of leverage procyclicality. Focusing on investment banks, our results suggest that the net effect of US dollar diversification is dominated by the valuation effect. After extracting the valuation effect of diversification, it also posits the importance of two opposite effects in leverage procyclicality. Additionally, our results confirms the theoretical prediction where currency mismatch does not affect leverage procyclicality. Implicitly it supports the idea that leverage procyclicality is only driven by assets. Finally, our conclusions support the idea that US dollar diversification is relevant to the analysis of leverage procyclicality especially for the post crisis period.
Variations in 13 C values among major plant community types in the Xilin River Basin , Inner Mongolia , China

The δ13C values of 51 plant species selected from eight plant communities along a moisture gradient were measured. Our results showed that all the community types that we investigated are dominated by C3 species in the Xilin River Basin. Large variations in the average 13C natural abundance of different communities were detected, and the magnitude of δ13C values showed the following trend: typical steppe (−23.0‰) > degraded steppe (−23.5‰) > sand dune (−25.0‰) > restoring degraded steppe (−25.8‰) > meadow steppe (−26.4‰) ≥ saline meadow (−26.5‰) > swamp meadow (−28.2‰). The major determinants of the biomass-weighted δ13C values in a given community were the presence or absence of C4 plants, the intrinsic variation among species and the variation of the same species growing in different habitats with different soil-moisture regimes and disturbance history. These results suggested that different habitats support dominant species with different water-use efficiencies and a trend in the community-level δ13C values was observed, as ascribed by the contribution of C4 plants and/or the variations among species or the response of water-use efficiency of the same species to different soil moisture conditions.
Environmental impacts and nutrient recycling on pastures grazed by cattle

Grasslands are being replaced by urbanization and more profitable agricultural activities around the world. Producers may be faced with land constraints and need to consider intensification of the remaining grasslands as a means of maintaining overall production on a decreasing land resource. However, intensification of the grazing system is usually associated with greater nutrient inputs, including those from commercial fertilizers and supplement fed to animals. Excessive loading of nutrients in intensive grazing systems via fertilizer and animal wastes can cause nutrient buildup in the soil and subsequent water quality problems. Surface runoff and leaching of nutrients are the two major process affecting water quality. Nitrogen and P represent major nutrient concerns as related to water quality. Increased nitrate concentrations render groundwater unsuitable for drinking and can cause serious health issues for humans. Excessive N and P concentrations may contribute to eutrophication of streams and lakes. Maximizing efficiency of nutrient recycling through the soil-forage-animal system minimizes off-site nutrient transport and decreases production costs by reducing the quantity of commercial fertilizer needed. Management strategies to reduce soil and water contamination include refining the balance of nutrient inputs from feeds and fertilizers as well as accounting for the nutrients recycled through the decomposition of plant litter and animal wastes. Current interest in the development and adoption of efficient and sustainable agriculture systems has led forage researchers to amplify the scope of grasslands research by increasing multidisciplinary efforts. There is an increased interest in quantifying the impacts of forage-animal management strategies on the environment, with the goal of developing economically viable best management practices that result in optimum forage production and profitability, while protecting the environment. Furthermore, these best management practices will supply reliable information for future environmental policies that may be adopted by governmental agencies.
Relations between Teachers’ Goal Orientations, Their Instructional Practices and Students’ Motivation

Relations between teachers’ goal orientations, their instructional practices as expressed in perceived classroom goal structures and students’ goal orientations were analyzed, focusing also on potential moderators. Results of a questionnaire study with 46 Mathematics teachers and their 930 students supported the assumption that teachers’ goal orientations affect their instructional practices and students’ goal orientations. These effects were, in part, moderated by teacher beliefs (implicit theories, self-efficacy beliefs). Overall, the results provided strong support for the notion that the mechanisms underlying these effects are based on the functionality of certain instructional practices for the attainment of teachers’ goals.
The demographic consequences of releasing a population of red deer from culling

A change in population density can generate spatial and demographic effects that can have an impact on fluctuations in population size for many years. Although the demographic effects of time lags have been incorporated into analyses of time series data, there are few detailed descriptions of the long-term demographic consequences of a change in density. We use detailed, individual-based data from a population of red deer ( Cervus elaphus) from the North Block of the Isle of Rum, Scotland, to describe long-term de- mographic and spatial effects of a change in density. The population was released from hunting pressure in 1972. Over the following 10 years population density doubled and, since the early 1980s, has fluctuated around ecological carrying capacity. The cessation of culling led to long-term transient spatial and demographic effects that have persisted for 30 years. Different vital rates responded to the increase in density at different rates, causing long-term changes to the demographic and spatial structure of the population. These changes altered the impact of different age- and sex-specific vital rates on annual changes in pop- ulation size. These changes are still ongoing, 30 years after cessation of the cull, suggesting that a change in density may generate transient dynamics that persist for several generations.
Impact of Macroeconomic Policy Instruments and External Shock on Unemployment Rate in Malaysia

This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic policy instruments and external shock on unemployment rate in Malaysia. Using the quarterly data from 2006(Quarter 1) to 2015 (Quarter 4) the study found that GDP growth, price of oil, broad money supply and average overnight interbank rate have significant and negative impact on unemployment rate in Malaysia. The findings of the study also indicate the existence of Okun’s law which postulates A positive relationship between GDP and unemployment. Policy makers could formulate policies related to the above macroeconomic variable to enhance unemployment reduction. On the other hand, the inflation rate shows a positive effect but is not significant. © 2016 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.uk
Modeling of soft x-ray induced ablation in solids

Powerful free electron lasers (FELs) operating in the soft X-ray regime are offering new possibilities for creating and probing materials under extreme conditions. We describe here simulations to model the interaction of a focused FEL pulse with metallic solids (niobium, vanadium, and their deuterides) at 13.5 nm wavelength (92 eV) with peak intensities between 1015 to 1018 W/cm2 and a fixed pulse length of 15 femtoseconds (full width at half maximum). The interaction of the pulse with the metallic solids was modeled with a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium code that included radiation transfer. The calculations also made use of a self-similar isothermal fluid model for plasma expansion into vacuum. We find that the time-evolution of the simulated critical charge density in the sample results in a critical depth that approaches the observed crater depths in an earlier experiment performed at the FLASH free electron laser in Hamburg. The results show saturation in the ablation process at intensities exceeding 1016 W/cm2. Furthermore, protons and deuterons with kinetic energies of several keV have been measured, and these concur with predictions from the plasma expansion model. The results indicate that the temperature of the plasma reached almost 5 million K after the pulse has passed.
Elisão fiscal e valor da firma: evidências do Brasil

This paper investigates the relationship between corporate tax avoidance and firm value in Brazil. Although one might expect that tax avoidance practices result in value generation for the shareholder, alternative theories suggest that this not always happens; implicit agency costs that have been recently detected by the literature, may exceed the tax saving benefits, causing value destruction. Verifying what happens in Brazil, it was performed a panel data analysis including 323 companies traded in the stock market from 2006 to 2012, totalizing 1,704 firm-year observations. It was adopted BTD, controlled by accruals, as proxy for tax avoidance and Tobin’s q as proxy for firm value. The results show that tax avoidance and firm value are negatively associated. It was also evaluated the corporative governance effect, finding limited disclosures that can mitigate the value destruction.
Blood Haematological-Cholesterol Profile and Antibody Titer Response of Broilers with Added Probiotic Containing both Bacteria and Yeast or an Antibiotic in Drinking Water

An experiment was conducted to investigate the haematological and cholesterol profiles and antibody titer responses to both Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious bronchitis (IB) vaccines in broiler chickens after drinking water supplemented with either a commercial probiotic (an Active Elements®; AE) containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an antibiotic Chlortetracycline (CTC), or the probiotic plus the antibiotic. Four hundred one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups designated as follow: a non-treated control (T1), a 0.05% CTC (T2), a 1:500 AE (T3), and a combination of 0.05% CTC and 1:500 AE (T4), respectively. The chicks were fed with a commercial broiler diet ad lib. and were reared on rice hull bedding in identical floor pens and in an environmentally controlled experimental room for 6 weeks. The result showed that the IB vaccine antibody titers of the probiotic supplemented broilers group at the 28 days of age were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the other groups. At 28 days of age, the chickens originated from the probiotic and antibiotic-probiotic combination groups showed significant (p<0.05) increases in the mean red blood cell count, the mean hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, the number of thrombocyte, monocyte, heterophil but show significant decreases in the number of lymphocyte. Finally at 42 days of age, the total serum cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the chickens supplemented with antibiotic and with antibiotic and probiotic as compared to the control chickens. It is concluded that using this probiotic as an alternative for antibiotic in commercial broiler production may be considered.
Privatization, organizational change and performance: evidence from Indonesia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between privatization of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), organizational change and performance. It explores the processes by which privatization affects corporate performance through the internal changes within organizations in a developing country context.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology involved the use of a survey questionnaire. Responses were obtained from 86 managers in 86 organizations, comprised of SOEs, privatized firms and private enterprises in Indonesia.Findings – Cross‐sectional analysis shows that there had been a statistical significant difference across the types of ownership pertaining to organizational elements that were expected to change. The evidence suggested that privatization brought about important alignments among the organization's goals, design elements and resources and between the organization and its competitive environment.Practical implications – The implications of the study are discussed in re.
Latitudinal disparity in the reproductive cycle of sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon lalandii (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae), in Atlantic waters off South America

Geographical variation in biophysical conditions may strongly influence the life history characteristics of widely distributed species, such as the Brazilian sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon lalandii (Muller & Henle, 1839). Here, we use original and secondary data of reproductive traits of R. lalandii to identify population differences among northern/northeastern and southern Atlantic waters of South America. In the southeast region, birth occurs between December and March, and the young become frequent along the coast between April and September. Mating occurs mainly between March and June, when females with bite marks are common. Females in early pregnancy occur between March and September. The reproductive cycle of R. lalandii in the northern/northeastern region was approximately six months ahead of the cycle described for the southeastern region. These results support the hypothesis that environmental conditions in the North-Northeast and Southeast generate differences in life history traits, resulting in at least two distinct populations along the Brazilian coast.
Performance, persistence and business cycle asymmetries in Norwegian mutual fund returns: do mutual funds perform when it matters the most?

This paper investigates the performance, persistence, and business cycle asymmetries in active Norwegian mutual funds using a dataset free of survivorship bias between 1983 and 2014. Fund performance is evaluated using both unconditional and conditional versions of Carhart’s (1997) four-factor model. To determine the statistical significance of our result, we adopt a cross-sectional bootstrap methodology. We find that actively managed Norwegian mutual funds on aggregate produce returns that underperform the four-factor benchmark net of costs. When we examine individual funds, our bootstrap simulations provide no evidence of skilled fund managers in the right tail of the cross-sectional performance distribution, but several inferior performing fund managers in the left tail. Tests for persistence in performance provide no evidence of risk-adjusted performance persistence among previous winners, but short-term persistence among previous losers. Additionally, we perform a series of non-parametric two-period tests that allow us to infer whether some funds perform consistently better or worse compared to other funds in the sample. These tests reveal evidence of short-term performance persistence among both recent winners and losers. Moreover, we use two different methodologies to explicitly link fund performance to recessionary and non-recessionary states in the Norwegian business cycle. We find weak evidence of asymmetric performance of actively managed Norwegian mutual funds. ∗Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), NO-5045 Bergen, Norway. We would like to thank our supervisor Torfinn Harding for his guidance and feedback which is much appreciated. Additionally, we gratefully acknlowedge the Oslo Stock Exchange Information Services, the Norwegian Fund and Asset Management Association and Bernt A. Ødegaard for their help in providing us with the data necessary for the completeness of our research. Main programmes in this study use MATLAB®. Codes are available from the authors upon request.
Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of the Mushroom Auricularia auricula-judae

Chemical composition of Auricularia auricula-judae fungus, used as a raw material for producing therapeutic and medicinal agents and as a food material has not been reported yet. Main components of this cultivated fungus (ash, protein, fat, total carbohydrate), water-soluble polysaccharide, cellulose, chitin, pectin, uronic acids, amino acid and mineral element contents, as well as neutral sugar composition were determined. This fungus contains 3.6% of ash, 12.5% of protein, 1.7% of fat and a large amount of carbohydrates (66.1%) per dry matter. Gas-liquid chromatography demonstrated the following monosaccharide composition of dry biomass: glucose (15.0%), mannose (10.7%), xylose (1.5%), galactose (0.6%). A. auricula-judae was shown to be a good source of almost all essential amino acids (34.7% of total) as compared to plant proteins, with the umami taste aminoacids present in content typical of mushrooms (25%). Its average calorific value is 327.7 kcal/100 g of dry matter. Results showed this fungus is a good source of healthy nutrients.
Memory for elements of a complex scene : binding and the influence of attention

ion how memory for individual objects is related to overall context and to groups of items. Binding Research: Effects of Context or Groups of Items on Object Memory To date, no research has specifically examined binding between individual objects within a complex scene. However, some work has examined the influence of contextual information (Brockmole, Castelhano, & Henderson, 2006; Chun & Jiang, 2003; Hollingworth, 1998; Hollingworth, 2007; Hollingworth & Henderson, 1999; Hollingworth, Williams, & Henderson, 2001), as well as information about groups of objects, on memory for individual objects (Brady & Alvarez, 2011; Brady, Konkle, & Alvarez, 2009; see also Chun & Turk-Browne, 2008; for a review of associative learning in vision). For example, Hollingworth (2007) found that memory for an object was enhanced when displayed with its original contextual information at test (contextual cueing). Participants in this experiment studied multiple complex scenes and then completed a discrimination task for items within these studied scenes. In this discrimination task,
Preseason and Postseason Body Composition Does Not Change Relative to Playing Time in Division I Female Basketball Players

International Journal of Exercise Science 6(3) : 208-216, 2013. The purpose of the study was to determine if preseason and postseason body fat percentages (BF%) change relative to playing time in Division I women’s basketball players. Subjects for the study included 11 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I female collegiate basketball athletes over the age of 18 from a Midwest public university. Demographic data of each subject (age 20.09 +1.81 yrs., weight 71.13 +10.85 kg., height 176.48 + 8.33 cm.) was taken before the initial body fat assessment. The subjects underwent preseason and postseason BOD POD® testing to get an accurate measure of body fat percentages. Data analyses looked for changes between preseason and postseason body fat percentage. A Pearson’s Correlation was performed to determine if changes in preseason and postseason BF% changed relative to playing time. Body fat percentage varied across preseason and postseason (average decrease in BF%: -1.83%) but such a difference was not significant (t1,10 = 1.89, p = .088). A negative relationship was found between preseason BF% and playing time (r = -.707) and postseason BF% and playing time (r =.728). No relationship was found between change in BF% and playing time.