Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Impact of Educational Spaces Painted on Learning and Educational Achievement of Elementary Students in Ahvaz, Southwest of Iran

Background Understanding environmental factors affecting the educational process and including them in educational planning will lead into increased outcome of education, mental health, reduced stress, and higher education performance. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of educational spaces coloring on learning and academic achievement of elementary school students in the academic year of 2015-2016 in Ahvaz. Materials and Methods At a Cross-sectional study, a total of 210 students were selected randomly as sample of study. Cluster sampling was done by appropriate allocation and questionnaires were randomly divided among students. Data collection tools included Hermance’s achievement motivation questionnaire and researcher-constructed questionnaire (observation checklist to examine the physical parameters of learning environment coloring) and interviews with students. Data of study were analyzed in SPSS- 21 software. Results The results showed that appropriate coloring of educational environment has impact on learning and academic achievement of elementary school students in Ahvaz (P<0.05). Conclusion Our results suggest that educational managers of country must consider these factors in designing educational environments.
Intergenerational Effects of Guaranteed Pension Contracts

In this paper we show that there exist intergenerational cross-subsidization effects in guaranteed interest rate life and pension contracts as the different generations partially share the same reserves. Early generations build up bonus reserves, which are left with the company at expiry of the contract. These bonus reserves function partly as a subsidy of later generations, such that the latter earn a risk-adjusted return above the risk-free rate. Furthermore, we show that this subsidy may be large enough to explain why late generations buy guaranteed interest rate products, which otherwise would not have been part of the optimal portfolio allocation.
Using tacit knowledge in training and accident prevention

Tacit knowledge plays an invaluable role in construction and has been labelled as the ‘most strategically important resource’ in organisations. Microconstruction firms rely heavily on the tacit knowledge acquired by their workers when managing site safety. Unfortunately, the importance of this knowledge is sometimes overlooked due to its inexpressible and informal nature. This paper investigates how microconstruction firms use tacit knowledge to prevent accidents on site, thereby improving overall site safety. An ethnographic approach was used to gather rich in-depth qualitative data on the practices of these ‘hard-to-reach’ microconstruction firms. Five case studies were conducted in the East Midlands region of the UK. Findings from the case studies suggest that workers of microconstruction firms use tacit knowledge in areas such as training newcomers and also identifying and managing imminent risks and dangers on site. Additionally, tacit knowledge plays an important role in safety communications among .
The Effectiveness of Teaching Stress Management on Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life in Divorcées

This research aims to study the influence of stress management training in self-efficacy and quality of life of the divorcees in Ahvaz. The research sample consists of 15 divorcees in a control group and 15 in an experimental group, selected by simple random sampling. The self-efficacy Rolandick and Life Quality SF_36 Questionnaires were used in this research. The research project was of pre-test and post-test type with control group. Pre-test was administered for both groups and then stress management teaching as the independent variable was administered on experimental group, after completion of, post-test was administered on both groups. The MANCOVA was used to analyze data. The results showed that compared to the control group, stress management training increased self-efficacy and quality of life beliefs of divorcees in the experimental group.
Nutritional value of sugarcane varieties in relation to nitrogen fertilization for the pre-Amazon Region of Brazil

This study evaluated the nutritional value of sugarcane varieties in relation to nitrogen fertilization. The varieties studied were RB 863129, RB 867515, and RB 92579, and nitrogen fertilizer was applied at doses of 0, 60, 80, 120, and 140 kg N ha-1. The experiment was divided into two stages: i) Year I - plant cane, when the yield and nutritional quality of the three sugarcane varieties were evaluated; ii) Years II and III, when and the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the nutritional quality of the first and second ratoon crops of the same varieties was evaluated. In plant cane the yield (t ha-1) and DM (dry matter) and CP (crude protein) contents were higher for the RB 863129 variety. There was no difference between the varieties regarding their NDF (neutral detergent fiber) and ADF (acid detergent fiber) contents and IVDMD (in vitro dry matter digestibility). In the first and second ratoon crops, there was a difference between the varieties and fertilizer doses for the evaluated parameters, with the exception of the DM content and IVDMD, which were influenced by the varieties, doses of N, and cutting years. The RB 92579 variety showed the best yield of the two ratoon crops (131 t ha-1 of stems) and the best nutritional parameters (26% ADF, 41% NDF, 2.4% CP, and 69.4% IVDMD). The sugarcane yield and its nutritional quality can be influenced by the cutting year and nitrogen fertilization management system and by the variety type.
A life cycle assessment of annual, N fertilised perennial and non-N fertilised perennial pastures, South-Western Australia

This research aims to assess the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from one kilogram of live weight cattle production from annual pastures, nitrogen (N) fertilised perennial pastures and non-N fertilised perennial pastures in Western Australia for different farming practices. Using streamlined life cycle assessment (SLCA) methodology, it was estimated that approximately 14.30 kg, 12.09 kg and 11.0 kg of CO2-e of GHG emissions will be emitted from the production of one kilogram of live weight cattle from annual, non-N fertilised and N fertilised perennial pastures respectively. Enteric emissions account for a significant portion of GHG emissions (85% from annual pasture and around 95% from perennial pastures). Live weight yields from annual pasture emit more GHG emissions than do N fertilised and non-N fertilised perennial pastures. Although the inclusion of liming produces additional GHG emissions, the increase in productivity associated with these activities can actually offset GHG emissions when considered on a per kilogram basis.
Possible Foraging Benefits of Bimodal Daily Activity in Proxylocopa olivieri (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)

Abstract We followed the daily and seasonal foraging patterns of the solitary bee Proxylocopa olivieri during two springs and summers in Har Gilo, Israel. During the foraging season, the bees exhibited a clear bimodal daily activity pattern. They foraged mostly before sunrise and after sunset. We hypothesized that this activity schedule entails foraging benefits. We found that snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) was a major source of nectar for P. olivieri. Nectar production rates in snapdragon were significantly higher during the morning activity period of P. olivieri than during mid-day. Bees of numerous other species foraged on snapdragon, but their activity periods hardly overlapped with P. olivieri. Foraging activity in P. olivieri was highest at a combination of high (25–35°C) temperatures and low (1–100 Lux) illumination levels. We suggest that P. olivieri benefits from foraging at dawn and dusk on snapdragon, and possibly additional food plants, because of exploitation of the large amounts of nectar produced. A nectar enrichment experiment revealed that P. olivieri does not cease foraging because of lack of available nectar. We suggest that the P. olivieri’s ability to fly at low light levels enables it to dominate a unique foraging niche.
Femtosecond laser-induced damage threshold of electron beam deposited dielectrics for 1-m class optics

Abstract. In order to transport multi-petawatt (PW) femtosecond laser beams with large spectral bandwidth, specific mirrors have to be designed and manufactured. We report on an experimental study of the laser-damage resistance and other optical properties of coating materials deposited in a 1-m class coating chamber. The study is conducted on single-layer coatings deposited by electron beam evaporation at 500 fs. Based on the experience of large optics for nanosecond applications, hafnia and silica are particularly investigated. However, in the case of sub-15 fs, the spectral specifications for PW beam transport mirrors cannot be reached by classical high laser-resistant quarter-wave SiO2/HfO2 stacks. Therefore, we investigate the laser resistance of different dielectrics of interest deposited with electron-beam processes: Al2O3, Y2O3, Sc2O3, HfO2, Ta2O5, TiO2. The influence of multiple pulse irradiations and environmental conditions, such as vacuum and temperature, is studied. With the investigation of multilayer stacks, we also show that there is no difference in behavior when a film is studied as a single layer or embedded in a stack. Based on these results, we were able to optimize high reflective (>99.5%), broadband (300 nm) and high laser-induced damage threshold (2.5 J/cm2) mirrors for PW applications.
Mission Accomplished? Framing of the Iraq War in the Elite Newspapers in Sweden and the United States

This study investigates the framing of the 2003 Iraq War in the elite newspapers in Sweden and the US, Dagens Nyheter and The New York Times. The content analysis revealed significant differences between the two papers: the military conflict frame was more common for the US war coverage while the responsibility and anti-war protest frames were more common for the Swedish war coverage. Both newspapers offered human interest stories and media self-references. The US newspaper, however, relied more heavily on official government and military sources. In addition, the tone of war coverage differed across the two nations, with Swedish reporting being more negative overall. Implications of the differences in war coverage as well as possible reasons rooted in the national media and political systems are discussed.
Evaluation of an improved mixing plane interface for OpenFOAM

A mixing plane interface provides a circumferentially averaging rotor-stator coupling interface, which is extremely useful in practical turbomachinery simulations. It allows fundamentally transient problems to be studied in steady-state, using simplified mesh components having periodic properties, and with the help of a multiple reference frames (MRF) approach. An improved version of the mixing plane interface for the community-driven version of OpenFOAM is presented. This new version of the mixing plane introduces a per- field, user-selectable mixing option for the flow fields at the interface, including the possibility to use a mass-flow averaging algorithm for the velocity field. We show that the quality of the mass-flow transfer can be improved by a proper selection of the mixing options at the interface. This paper focuses on the evaluation of the improved mixing plane interface for various steady-state simulations of incompressible flows, applied to a simple 2D validation test case, and to more complex 3D turbomachinery cases.
INFUENCE OF PAPRIKA EXTRACT SUPPLEMENT ON EGG QUALITY OF LAYING HENS FED WHEAT-BASED DIET

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paprika extract (PE) on egg performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 960 fifty-three wk-old laying hens were randomly allotted into five groups and each of six replicates with 32 birds. The birds were fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 0, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% PE respectively. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. RFC value linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01) and achieved 9.9 when dietary PE added by 0.8%. L* value of egg yolk decreased with increase in dietary PE (P < 0.05), The a* value linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01), while b* value unaffected (P<0.05). There were no effect of dietary PE on Haugh unit and cholesterol content in yolk (P<0.05). However, carotenoid content in yolk linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in egg size, laying rate, feed intake and feed conversion among dietary treatments (P<0.05). The results indicated supplementation of paprika extract significantly improved egg yolk color when hens fed wheat-based diet and yolk coloration could reach an ideal grade when paprika extract added by 0.8%.
Major barriers for participating in online teaching in developing countries from Iranian faculty members' perspectives

Although higher education systems in developing countries such as Iran have embraced the online education approach, they are confronted with significant challenges in this transition, one of which is lack of instructors' participation in online teaching. Therefore, this research is aimed at exploring barriers and influential factors for this lack of participation. The researchers developed their theoretical framework based on a thorough review of the existing body of knowledge while considering the cultural features of Iran as a developing country. A tailored questionnaire asking about the existence of three groups of barriers, namely personal, attitudinal and contextual inhibitors, was distributed among all faculty members who were candidates for delivering online courses in one of the top universities in the country. Data was analysed using the descriptive and inferential tests of Friedman, t -Test and ANOVA. The results were in line with research findings in other developing countries in which the contextual barriers had the most inhibition effect against faculty members’ participation in online teaching. Certain cultural barriers also are highlighted by participants, pertaining to the context of Iranian online education systems.
Corporate dividend policy in practice: the views of Nigerian financial managers

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to provide an additional insight into the dividend puzzle by investigating the field practice of dividend policy in an emerging market such as Nigeria. It also aims to contribute to the literature on industry-related dividend effect by examining whether managerial views on dividend policy vary between financial and non-financial firms. Design/methodology/approach - – The study employs semi-structured interviews with the financial managers of 21 Nigerian listed firms. The interviewees were divided into two broad groups of financial vs non-financial firms based on the industry classification of the firms. Findings - – The findings suggest that, despite differences in institutional environment, the dividend-setting process in Nigerian companies is similar in many extents to those in the USA and other developed markets. Nigerian companies exhibit dividend conservatism and typically focus on current earnings, stability of earnings and availability of cash when determining their current dividend levels. However, unlike in prior studies, the interviewees suggest that their companies do not have a target payout ratio; instead, they target the dividend per share when determining the disbursement level. Nevertheless, views regarding these issues vary significantly between financial and non-financial firms. Originality/value - – This paper adds to the extant literature that has examined the behavioural aspects of dividend policy using interviews, especially in the context of less-developed markets such as Nigeria. The study also updates and extends prior evidence on an industry-related effect on managerial perceptions of dividend policy.
Limeboo: Lime as a Replacement for Cement in Wall-Framing Systems with Bamboo-Guadua (Bahareque Encementado)

Traditional construction systems with the bamboo species Guadua angustifolia Kunth (Guadua) are standardized under the Colombian code for seismic-resistant buildings [1]. These systems are regarded as highly environmentally friendly due to their intensive use of Guadua in the supporting structure and walls. In particular, the plastered cane building system or ‘bahareque encementado’, which provides a low-cost and low-technology alternative for two-storey dwellings, commonly uses round Guadua for the frame and riven Guadua boards (esterilla) for covering the frame. However, this wall-framing system relies heavily on cement renders for providing combined structural action to resist lateral loads, protecting the material against weathering and ensuring a flat surface for construction finishes. Thick cement renders contribute greatly to the wall mass and together with the foundations result on the highest negative environmental impact in traditional wallframing construction with Guadua. Therefore, the reduction of the use of cement or its complete replacement for alternative binders in the wall-framing 'bahareque' system is a key point for environmental improvement. Widely available materials such as lime, which have less energy intensive production-processes present an alternative to cement. Moreover, lime offers improved breathability within the building and behaves more elastically than cement. This paper explores the potential use of lime as a replacement for cement mortars in 'bahareque' systems and analyses Guadua’s anatomical and chemical features when mixed with lime. The paper describes a “cold process” in which no high temperatures are involved for the improvement of the bonding between lime and bamboo.
Corporate Governance and Firm Performance in Ukraine

This study investigates the impact of overall level as well as of separate elements of corporate governance on enterprise performance for public companies in Ukraine. We use unique data on corporate governance choices for above 5 thousand firms (around a half of all public companies in Ukraine) for three years from 2000 to 2002. We construct index/sub-indices of corporate governance describing such aspects of corporate governance as shareholder rights, transparency/information disclosure, board independence, chairman independence and ownership arrangements. The novelty of our approach is that we use social trust factors as instruments for corporate governance choices. We use a set of instrumental variables coming mainly from "trust" literature, in particular political diversity, religion and ethnic diversity, and methods of privatisation, to tackle possible endogeneity. We employ ordinary least squares (OLS), two-stage least squares (2SLS), two-stage generalized method of moments (2SGMM), fixed effects (FE), random effects (RE), fixed effects instrumental variables analysis (FE IV) and random effects instrumental variable analysis (RE IV) to analyse the governance effects in the framework of standard production function approach. We find strong evidence that corporate governance predicts firm performance in the transition context. We do not find significant evidence of reverse causation or other endogenous effects. OLS results predict that one-point-increase in our overall corporate governance index would result in around a half-percent increase in performance; and worst to best change in our overall corporate governance index predicts about 40% increase in company's performance. We document statistically and economically strong effects of such governance elements as shareholder rights, transparency and board independence on performance. We also find a negative effect of the independence of the board chairman on performance.
Effect of Supplementing 2-Hydroxy-4-(Methylthio) Butanoic Acid and DL-methionine in Corn-soybean-cottonseed Meal Diets on Growth Performance and Carcass Quality of Broilers

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of feeding DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) and DL-methionine (DLM) supplemented corn-soybean-cottonseed meal diets on growth performance, carcass composition, and muscle color of broilers. The trial was designed as a 2×3×2 factorial experiment, including two methionine (Met) sources (HMTBA and DLM), three equimolar graded levels of Met supplementation (i.e., 0.08, 0.16, and 0.24% in the starter diet and 0.07, 0.14, and 0.21% in the grower and finisher diets, respectively), and two sexes (male and female). Additionally, one basal diet for each sex was formulated to be limiting in Met to test the dosage response of increasing supplemental Met levels. Four hundred and twenty 10-d-old broilers were randomly allotted to 14 treatments (seven each for males and females), with five replicate pens per treatment and six chicks per pen. There was no difference (p>0.05) between the two Met sources in growth performance and muscle deposition of broilers throughout the whole experimental period (d 10 to 49). With the increasing Met supplementation levels, average daily gain was increased (quadratic; p<0.01) during the starter, grower, and overall phases, average daily feed intake was increased (quadratic; p<0.01) during the starter phase, and feed:gain ratio was decreased (quadratic; p<0.05) during the grower and overall phases. At the end of finisher phase, Met supplementation increased breast muscle content (quadratic; p<0.01) and thigh muscle content (linear; p<0.05), and decreased abdominal fat content (quadratic; p<0.02). Compared to the broiler fed DLM, broilers fed HMTBA had superior breast and thigh muscle coloration (p<0.01). Male broilers had higher weight gain and feed intake and better feed conversion than female broilers (p<0.01). The fat content of thigh muscle in female broilers was higher than that of male broilers (p<0.03). The best fit comparison of HMTBA vs. DLM was determined by Schwarz Bayesian Criteria index, which indicated that the average relative bioefficacy of HMTBA vs. DLM was 120% with 95% confidence limit 67 to 172%. These results indicated that Met supplementation improved growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed corn-soybean-cottonseed meal diets irrespective of Met sources. Compared to DLM, HMTBA has the same molar bioefficacy on improving the growth performance and carcass quality of broilers; however, HMTBA fed
Empowering smart customer to participate in electricity supply system: Extended of technology acceptance model

Based on the literature on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and related efforts in technology adoption research, this paper proposed an extended model for analyzing supply system acceptance of users. Innovation adoption has been widely researched in academe, industry and the public sector. The user readiness to adopt and use smart grid will be evaluates using Technology Acceptance Model. This literature review is based on articles relating to TAM model being identified and observed to have been published in journals from databases EBSCOhost , Emerald, Proquest New Platform, Science Direct and IEEE Explore between the year 1998-2013. The most recent studies investigate the TAM model in information system and involved service industries in its scope have been reviewed. A discussion on the TAM model and factor on consumer acceptance smart grid is presented and conceptual framework and model are proposed.