Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NEWGOV New Modes of Governance Integrated Project Priority 7 – Citizens and Governance in the Knowledge-based Society Socially Responsible Investments : Methodology , Risk Exposure and Performance reference

This paper surveys the literature on socially responsible investments (SRI). Over the past decade, SRI has experienced an explosive growth around the world. Particular to the SRI funds is that both financial goals and social objectives are pursued. While corporate social responsibility (CSR) defined as good corporate governance, sound environmental standards, and good management towards stakeholder relations may create value for shareholders, participating in other social and ethical issues is likely to destroy shareholder value. Furthermore, the risk-adjusted returns of SRI funds in the US and UK are not significantly different from those of conventional funds, whereas SRI funds in Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific strongly underperform benchmark portfolios. Finally, the volatility of money-flows is lower in SRI funds than of conventional funds, and SRI investors’ decisions to invest in an SRI fund are less affected by management fees than the decisions by conventional fund investors.
The Enterprising Self and Prejudices toward Unemployed Persons

Abstract: This research tries to build bridges between sociological and social psychological theoretical ideas for the study of social inequality in neoliberal societies. It adds to research on social inequality by examining amplifiers of prejudices toward unemployed persons. A conceptual model has been developed which draws upon social dominance theory and governmentality studies. The empirical analyses guided by this model assess the mediating effects of the enterprising self – a newly developed attitude measure based on sociological analyses of contemporary self-help literature – and the Protestant Work Ethic in the relationship between social dominance orientation and prejudices toward unemployed persons, both depending on social status. Conditional process models reveal the phenomenon of ideological asymmetry relevant for the enterprising self, indicating that this neoliberal guiding principle serves as a dominant driving force in reproducing social inequality through mechanisms at the intergroup-level.
Recent changes in distribution pattern of freshwater crayfish in Croatia − threats and perspectives

Analysis of Croatian freshwater crayfish populations, aiming to gather new distributional data and complement previous surveys (2005–2011), was performed during 2014–2016, within the frame of Natura 2000 Integration Project. The research included different waterbodies across the whole of Croatia, harbouring both indigenous and non-indigenous crayfish species (ICS and NICS, respectively). Field work was conducted in 117 grid squares with dimensions 10 × 10 km, and up to four waterbodies were surveyed per grid square, making a total of 450 studied sites. Out of those, crayfish were not recorded in 368 sites. In the sites with crayfish presence (i.e. , 82), the most frequently observed ICS was Astacus astacus (registered in 33 sites) followed by Austropotamobius pallipes (16 sites), Austropotamobius torrentium (12 sites), and Astacus leptodactylu s (5 sites). Concerning NICS, the majority of records were for Orconectes limosus (13 sites), followed by Pacifastacus leniusculus (2 sites), whereas Procambarus fallax f. virginalis was registered in only one locality. Comparisons of obtained data with those from previous surveys showed that NICS are progressively spreading and displacing ICS, as recorded for A. leptodactylus that was almost completely displaced by O. limosus in waterbodies of the east Croatia. Existing ICS populations are under growing anthropogenic preassure, frequently fragmented and isolated. Moreover, this survey showed that in the last decade 55% of A. astacus and 67% of A. pallipes populations disappeared mainly as a consequence of anthropogenic influence onto their habitats. Further monitoring and conservation actions for ICS should be urgently applied to mitigate negative impacts of both NICS and anthropogenic influence.
Impact of Hedging Pressure on Implied Volatility in Financial Times and London Stock Exchange (FTSE) Market

This paper examines the impact of net buying pressure and the event of 9/11 on the implied volatility of the U.K. FTSE 100 (Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange) index options. Our findings indicate that when effects such as financial leverage, information flow and mean reversion are held constant, the net buying pressure of the out-of-the-money put options plays a dominant role in determining the shape of the implied volatility function. Further, the event of 9/11 has a transitory influence on the implied volatility change. Our results also support the notion that hedging pressure can help explain the difference between implied volatility and realized volatility.
Does Increased Investment in Responsible Properties Lead to Better Corporate Performance

This paper investigates the impact that ownership of eco-certified properties has on the corporate performance of U.S. REITs. Given the financial benefits associated with individual eco-certified properties, ownership of such properties within an overall real estate portfolio should translate into better corporate operational performance. Utilizing OLS with robust standard errors, we analyze the 2011 property holdings for 66 U.S. equity REITs to determine the effect that LEED and Energy Star property ownership has on each firm’s funds from operation (FFO), and return on average assets (ROAA) in 2012. Indeed, we found that ownership of LEED certified properties had a positive impact on both FFO and ROAA, with ownership of Energy Star properties positively effecting FFO only.
Marginal Q, Tobin’s Q, Cash Fow and Investment

Many studies of the determinants of investment use Tobin’s q to control for the investment opportunities of a firm. Tobin’s q roughly measures the average return on a firm’s capital anticipated by the market. More relevant for investment decisions, however, is the marginal return on capital. In this paper we estimate investment and research and development (R&D) equations using a measure of marginal q. We use marginal q to identify the existence of cash constraints and managerial discretion and as a separate explanatory variable. For a sample of 560 U.S. firms observed over the 1977–1996 period we present evidence confirming the existence of both cash constraints in some companies and managerial discretion in others.
Evaluating post-perovskite as a cause of D′′ anisotropy in regions of palaeosubduction

Seismic anisotropy in the Earth's lowermost mantle (D? ) is often attributed to the alignment of MgSiO3 post-perovskite (ppv) by the movement of dislocations in response to mantle flow. However, ppv's plastic yield surface is not known; nor do we know if this is the main deformation mechanism. We make use of a heterogeneous, generally anisotropic model of elasticity in D? derived from a 3-D model of mantle flow, which is obtained by inversion of geophysical observables. Unlike previous approaches, completely general, 3-D flow and full anisotropy are permitted, yielding more information to compare with observations than has been possible before. We model observations of anisotropy in D? by calculating the shear wave splitting predicted in ScS waves for a series of models of ppv plasticity. We find that observations in regions of the lowermost mantle beneath subduction zones are best fit by a model which accommodates slip on (010). Our results show that, within one standard deviation, slip on (010)-or a mechanism giving the same style of anisotropy-explains D? anisotropy beneath these regions.
Factors influencing the content of vitamins A and E in sheep and goat milk.

Michlova T. , Dragounova H. , Hornickova S. , Hejtmankova A. (2015): Factors influencing the content of vitamins A and E in sheep and goat milk. Czech J. Food Sci., 33: 58-65. The content of lipophilic vitamins A and E was determined in samples of sheep and goat milk of different breeds com - ing from 9 farms in central, eastern, and southern Bohemia. Samples were collected throughout the period of lactation (from April to September). Vitamins A and E were determined by HPLC using DAD and FLD detectors. Vitamin A was determined in all samples but only α-tocopherol (out of various forms of vitamin E) was detected in all samples. The total average content of vitamins A and E in raw milk of all sheep breeds during lactation was 0.93 ± 0.07 and 2.93 ± 0.87 mg/kg, levels of these vitamins in goat milk were 0.79 ± 0.08 and 1.29 ± 0.35 mg/kg, respectively. The re - sults showed a significantly medium and strong correlation between the content of vitamin A and E and the content of fat ( R 2 = 0.57 and 0.75, respectively). The year did not have any statistically significant influence on the content of monitored vitamins. The content of both vitamins is dependent on the phase of lactation. The levels of vitamins A and E were significantly lower in the early phase and significantly higher in the late phase of lactation. The a mount of monitored vitamins slightly decreased during pasteurisation. A strong decrease in the content of both vitamins was observed during the first two weeks after milk storage in a freezing box at the temperature of -20°C (about 11-55%).
Paul-Louis Cyfflé's (1724-1806) search for porcelain

Seven unglazed figurines from private collections, attributed to Cyffle’s Terre de Lorraine manufacture in Luneville (1766–1780), were subjected to porosity and scanning electron microscopic analyses to determine bulk element compositions and the composition and nature of their constituent phases. One figurine bears the mark CYFFLE A. LUNEVILLE, three the mark TERRE DE LORRAINE. The studied samples pertain to four compositional groupings: (1) Two porous (18–20 % water adsorption W.A.) bodies containing milled quartz-rich frit +anhydrite (former gypsum) +phyllosilicate +Ca-rich matrix; (2) A soft-paste (artificial) porcelain body (10 % W. A.), containing quartz +calcic plagioclase (An 88–95 ) + glassy matrix. The latter is inferred to derive from a former frit. A coronitic, amorphous (as revealed by electron backscattered diffraction analysis) reaction rim is visible around the quartzes. The K-rich and Na-poor composition of the frit is best explained as a mixture of potassium nitrate, alum, calcined gypsum, sand, and moderate amounts of salt and soda; (3) A porous (23 % W. A.), hybrid porcelain body with finely milled particles of quartz, mullite-bearing hard-paste porcelain, Na-Ca-siliceous glass and metakaolinite; (4) Three hard-paste porcelain bodies, some with relict quartz, andesine plagioclase (An 37–45 ), pseudomorphs of kaolinite and the liquidus phase mullite in a glassy matrix. Well fired figurines have no W. A. due to the pervasive former melt phase, underfired figurines 7 %. These wares can contain small amounts of lead (1.8 wt% PbO) and SO 3 (0.6 wt%), suggesting the use of lead frit and gypsum. The diversity of Cyffle’s production is now better recognized. His trial-and-error experiments made use of a remarkably wide range of paste mixtures, with porcelain bodies in the French (soft-paste) and the German (hard-paste) tradition.
Basalt–trachybasalt samples in Gale Crater, Mars

The ChemCam instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity, observed numerous igneous float rocks and conglomerate clasts, reported previously. A new statistical analysis of single‐laser‐shot spectra of igneous targets observed by ChemCam shows a strong peak at ~55 wt% SiO2 and 6 wt% total alkalis, with a minor secondary maximum at 47–51 wt% SiO2 and lower alkali content. The centers of these distributions, together with the rock textures, indicate that many of the ChemCam igneous targets are trachybasalts, Mg# = 27 but with a secondary concentration of basaltic material, with a focus of compositions around Mg# = 54. We suggest that all of these igneous rocks resulted from low‐pressure, olivine‐dominated fractionation of Adirondack (MER) class‐type basalt compositions. This magmatism has subalkaline, tholeiitic affinities. The similarity of the basalt endmember to much of the Gale sediment compositions in the first 1000 sols of the MSL mission suggests that this type of Fe‐rich, relatively low‐Mg#, olivine tholeiite is the dominant constituent of the Gale catchment that is the source material for the fine‐grained sediments in Gale. The similarity to many Gusev igneous compositions suggests that it is a major constituent of ancient Martian magmas, and distinct from the shergottite parental melts thought to be associated with Tharsis and the Northern Lowlands. The Gale Crater catchment sampled a mixture of this tholeiitic basalt along with alkaline igneous material, together giving some analogies to terrestrial intraplate magmatic provinces.
Time and Frequency Measurements Using the Global Positioning System (GPS)

This paper describes how Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals are used in time and frequency metrology. It discusses how a GPS receiver can provide a reference signal for frequency calibrations and time synchronization. It also explains the several types of time and frequency measurements that utilize GPS signals. These include one-way or direct reception measurements, single and multi-channel common-view measurements, and carrierphase measurements. A discussion of how GPS signals can provide traceability to national and international standards is also provided.
The effect of rice husk as an insoluble dietary fiber source on intestinal morphology and Lactobacilli and Escherichia coli populations in broilers

Background: There are some reports on the positive effectsof dietary insoluble fiber on the performance of broilers. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine theeffect of inclusion rate and particle size of rice husk in the diet of broilerson the ileal and cecal bacteria populations and small intestine morphology. Methods: The experimental diets consisted of a control husk-free diet andfour diets containing 7.5 or 15 g/kg rice husk with particle sizes of less than1 mm or between 1-2 mm. Results:The dietary insoluble fiber did not affect feed intake of the experimentalgroups. The best body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was recorded in thebroiler chickens fed the diet containing 15g/kg rice hulls with particle sizeof less than 1 mm (p<0.05). In the duodenum and jejunum, the crypt depth tovilli height ratio in the control group was significantly lower than othergroups (p<0.05). In the ileum, all the birds fed rice husk except the groupfed the diet that contained 15g/kg rice husk with particle size of 1-2 mm,had higher Lactobacilli and lowerE. coli and coliforms populations than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest thatthe 7.5g/kg dietary inclusion and more coarse particles size of rice husk (1-2mm) were more effective to promote broiler growth performance. The positiveeffects of dietary insoluble fiber on the growth performance of broilers inthis study are probably a result of favorable changes in the bacteria populations of the gastrointestinal tract andnot any improvement in small intestine absorptive capacit
MICROBIAL QUALITY OF COOKED MEAT FOODS IN TEHRAN UNIVERSITY'S RESTAURANTS

Objective: Evaluation of microbial load of cooked meat in university restaurants. Methodology: Two hundred sixteen samples from four types of consumed foods in six clinical and educational centres were assessed for bacterial contamination by standard methods. Results: There was no contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Mean of total bacterial and coliform counts in grilled ground meat samples were 1.14 × 10 5 CFU/g and 1.98 × 10 2 CFU/g respectively. Twenty one (38.9%) out of 54 examined samples of grilled ground meat had E.coli contamination and S.aureus were found in 30 (55.6%) samples. Mean quantity of total bacterial contamination were 2.85 × 10 2 CFU/g for fish samples and there was no presence with coliforms or other pathogenic bacteria in this food. Conclusion: Some foods (especially grilled ground meat) had contamination loads which were higher than accepted standards. Omitting grilled ground meat from food schedule, especially in warm seasons, may reduce the hazard of food poisoning.
Brokers' Adoption of Net Stock Trading: A Study

The purpose of this paper was to examine whether brokers who adopted Net stock trading perceived differently from those of non-net based brokers. The primary data based on 196 brokers (92 brokers and 104 non-net based brokers) were analyzed using advanced multivariate techniques like factor analysis and discriminant analysis besides percentages, means, and Z-test. Results clearly indicated that demographics relative to attitude dimensions were fairly strong in classifying brokers as Net brokers or non-Net brokers. As regards demographics, young brokers were more adaptable to the latest Internet technology as a medium of providing trading facility in comparison to aged and experienced brokers due to lack of education and awareness about this medium. As for as the attitude dimensions were concerned, 'economic, convenience and transparency' contributed significantly in discriminating between Net brokers and non-Net brokers.
Attenuation of High frequency P and S Waves in Qeshm Island, Iran

Seismic waves attenuation of direct shear and P waves was investigated for the crust in Qeshm Island, the greatest Iranian Island in the Persian Gulf in north-western flank of the strait of Hormoz, using 100 seismograms of local earthquakes recorded after 2005 Qeshm earthquake. The data of a seismological network consisting of 17 stations, installed after the earthquake. We applied the single-station method (extended coda normalization method) to analyze Qp -1 and Qs -1 using the ratio of the P and S-wave to Coda-wave amplitude spectra, in the frequency range of 1.5 – 36 Hz, as a function of distance. The Qp and Qs is analyzed by using 66 lapse times of 22.5 – 87.5 seconds for center frequencies 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36 Hz. The values of Qp -1 and Qs -1 estimated shows frequency dependence and decrease with increase of lapse time and distance indicates that the Q value increases with depth. The inverse of average of all quality factors for each frequency band is measured as Qp -1 and Qs -1 . The estimated Qp -1 and Qs -1 is highly frequency dependant and decrease from 0.07 and 0.06 in 1.5 Hz to 0.003 and 0.006 in 36 Hz, Respectively. Estimated Qp -1 and Qs -1 shows high frequency dependence with functional form 97 . 0 0.06 f and 83 . 0 0.1 f , respectively. The relatively low value of Q obtained in this study agrees with the value which is expected for a seismically active region such as Qeshm.
Using CALIOP to estimate cloud-field base height and its uncertainty: the Cloud Base Altitude Spatial Extrapolator (CBASE) algorithm and dataset

Abstract. A technique is presented that uses attenuated backscatter profiles from the CALIOP satellite lidar to estimate cloud base heights of lower-troposphere liquid clouds (cloud base height below approximately 3 km). Even when clouds are thick enough to attenuate the lidar beam (optical thickness τ≳5), the technique provides cloud base heights by treating the cloud base height of nearby thinner clouds as representative of the surrounding cloud field. Using ground-based ceilometer data, uncertainty estimates for the cloud base height product at retrieval resolution are derived as a function of various properties of the CALIOP lidar profiles. Evaluation of the predicted cloud base heights and their predicted uncertainty using a second statistically independent ceilometer dataset shows that cloud base heights and uncertainties are biased by less than 10 %. Geographic distributions of cloud base height and its uncertainty are presented. In some regions, the uncertainty is found to be substantially smaller than the 480 m uncertainty assumed in the A-Train surface downwelling longwave estimate, potentially permitting the most uncertain of the radiative fluxes in the climate system to be better constrained. The cloud base dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.1594/WDCC/CBASE.
Comparative Study on the Application of High-Contrast and Ultra-High Contrast Methodologies on Multi-Terawatt Laser Systems for Laser Ion Acceleration

The study of the interaction between ultrashort laser pulses at relativistic intensities and solid matter has promoted, in recent years, a promising way of investigating ultrafast phenomena and has suggested the possibility of efficiently producing accelerated particle beams. As laser technology has been improving and increasing intensities and energies, it has become clear that the temporal contrast of a laser pulse is a key parameter in defining the conditions of interaction and the involved phenomena. In this paper we present the results that have been obtained in laser ion acceleration experiments from recent past to present days, using the most recent temporal cleaning methods. Different technologies have been adopted to improve the temporal contrast: the obtained effect on the proton acceleration is presented and discussed.
Social capital and civil war: the Dinka communities in Sudan's civil war

It is generally assumed that violent conflict has a negative effect on social capital, and war zones are considered to be ‘zones of social capital deficiency’. This article challenges this position, and attempts to develop a more nuanced understanding of the status of social capital in the context of Sudan’s civil war. The empirical findings clearly question any simplistic assumption that conflict erodes social capital. While it is true that certain types of social capital have been a casualty of civil war, the opposite is the case in other communities. The article explains this difference by drawing a distinction between ‘endogenous’ and ‘exogenous’ counter-insurgency warfare. Communities in southern Sudan that were exposed to endogenous counter-insurgency warfare experienced a loss of social capital, but where exogenous violence dominated, there has been a deepening and strengthening of bonding social capital among and within communities.
Problematic in formulation of wind loads on buildings

This paper describes problematic in precise modelling of wind loads on buildings. Recent tall-building projects and plans in Finland, including wind-exposed buildings of order 100 m in height, have arose interest in usage of expert advice and boundary-layer wind-tunnel technologies. Such technologies have been developed since the 1960's for the needs of skyscrapers. With wind-tunnel testing and their improved measurement instrumentation, results tend to go in more detail in the actual physical phenomenon. This progress is basically related to increased precisions and usable frequency band of the wind-tunnel instrumentation and wind anemometers; as well as practical issues including automated manufacturing of scale models from 3D CAD models and computational capabilities to process big amounts of data. With improved techniques, smaller and smaller eddies of turbulence and rapid pressure fluctuations can be measured. Wind-tunnel findings have doubted some older believes of proper assessment of structural wind actions. In this paper, this problematic is dealt by using actual wind-tunnel- test projects as examples.