Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Factors of the Voting Equation: An Empirical Analysis Los factores de la ecuación del voto: un análisis empírico

The literature on the phenomenon of abstention has shown that participation is determined by certain individual and contextual factors. However, the empirical studies conducted using rational choice theory have not taken these contributions into account. Some authors more focused on understanding the factors that should be included in the voting equation, have concluded that citizeus vote because they overestimate the value of their vote. But is this overestimation random? What does it depend on? The aim of this study, based on the 2008 post-election survey data of the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), is to turn the traditional factors of the instrumental voter equation into dependent variables, thereby discovering some of their determinants. The results show that the distribution of these factors is not random and that it does not always match what was predicted.
The Effects of Webopac Self Training Tool with Guided Exploration on Information Literacy Skills among First Year Degree Students.

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of WebOPAC Self Training Tool with Guided Exploration (WSTTG), WebOPAC Self Training Tool with non-guided exploration (WSTT) and Traditional (T) groups as the learning strategies on information literacy (IL) skills standards among first year degree students in Malaysian public university. The proposed learning strategy (WSTTG) was developed according to Ausebel’s Instructional Design Theory and Gagne‘s Nine Events of Instruction which consist of constructivist learning environment model and cognitive of multimedia learning model. This unique and novel learning strategy is used to develop individual’s logical thinking skill and access the information literacy skills which comply with Association of College and Research Libraries Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education and Bloom Taxonomy standard. This study investigates the effects of the learning strategies amongst the students with high and low logical thinking level on their IL skills. Student’s logical thinking level was measured using Group Assessment of Logical Thinking Test (GALTS). Meanwhile, students’ information literacy skills were measured through a WebOPAC Training Assessment Information Literacy Skills (WTAILS). A quasi-experimental study with posttest-only nonequivalent group design that employed a 3x2 factorial design was applied in the study. The sample considered of 150 students from three academic libraries in Malaysia which were all randomly selected and assigned to the treatment and control groups. The findings of this study suggest that WSTTG is preferred compare to WSTT and T methods in developing student’s information literacy skills at both logical thinking levels. From the practical perspective, the findings should alert librarians on the need to adopt this effective learning strategy for library orientation program and to be used by both the librarians and library users for WebOPAC teaching and learning purposes.
Biostratigraphy of the Kinta Valley, Perak

Besides tin, the Kinta Valley is known for its lithology and biostratigraphy. Study on some Permian microfossils from the Kampar area indicates the presence of Maklaya (fusuline) at H.S. Lee Mine. This finding is interesting because Genus Maklaya and other taxa found at this locality are yet unknown in other localities in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia and Peninsular Thailand. Maklaya indicates the highest horizon of Bolorian or to some authors, to the base of Kubergandian. Moreover, the Bolorian limestone at the H.S. Lee Mine possibly extents into the Yahtahsian and it may corresponds to a period without limestone deposition in the northwest Peninsular Malaysia and Peninsular Thailand. Furthermore, the characteristics shown by the lithology and stratigraphy of the Kinta Valley indicate that the palaeogeography of this area is different from the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Abstrak: Disamping kaya dengan bijih timah, Lembah Kinta adalahjuga menarik dari segi segi litologi dan biostratigrafi. Kajian yang telah dijalankan terhadap sebahagian fosil mikro berusia Perm di kawasan Kampar menunjukkan kewujudan Maklaya (fusuline) di H.S. Lee Mine. Penemuan ini adalah sangat menarik kerana Genus Maklaya dan lain-lain taksa yang ditemui di lombong ini, sehingga kini belum lagi ditemui mana-mana lokaliti di bahagian barat-Iaut Semenanjung Malaysia dan juga Semenanjug Thailand. Selanjutnya, batu kapur di H.S. Lee Mine berusia Bolorian berkemungkinan tersebar dengan meluas hingga keusia Yahtashian dan ianya mungkin berkait rapat dengan kala pemendapan tanpa batu kapur di barat-Iaut Semenanjung Malaysia dan Semenanjung Thailand. Maklaya menunjukkan ufuk bahagian teratas usia Bolorian atau bagi sesetengah penulis ia menunjukkan bahagian paling bawah usia Kubergandian. Disamping itu, ciri-ciri litologi dan biostratigrafi yang terdapat di Lembah Kinta menunjukkan kelainan dari segi paleografi dengan kawasan barat-Iaut Semenanjung Malaysia.
Impact of Supplemental Feed Enzymes, Condiments Mixture or Their Combination on Broiler Performance, Nutrients Digestibility and Plasma Constituents

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of adding three types of feed additives avizyme, phytase, a mixture of condiments at two levels or their combination to corn-soybean meal based diets. Dietary treatments included feeding a control corn-soybean diet, while in the other diets, the control diet was supplemented with 1g. avizyme/ kg diet, 1000 FTU Natuophos phytase/ kg diet and a mixture (1:1:1:1) of cardamom, cumin, hot and black pepper at 2 or 4 g/kg, or a combination of avizyme and phytase, Avizyme and mixture of condiments at 2 or 4 g/kg and combination of phytase and condiments mixture at 2 and 4 g/kg and combination of Avizyme, phytase and 2 or 4 g of condiments mixture/ kg diet. Diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. A number of 540 unsexed 7-days old Lohman broiler chicks were fed on 12 dietary treatments each contained 5 replicates of 9 chicks each. The experimental period lasted from 7 to 49 d. of age. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, chemical composition of the excrement, digestibility of nutrients and biochemical constituents of blood plasma were studied. The results obtained showed that, diet supplementation with a combination of Avizyme, phytase and 2 g/kg of condiments significantly increased the gain of body weight during the first growth period (7-21 days of age). The average live body weight gain increased significantly on using phytase supplementation alone by 7.6% compared to the unsupplemented control for the whole experimental period. Chicks fed diets supplemented with Avizyme without or with either low or high level of condiments mixture showed similar growth rate to those received the un-supplemented diet. There was no significant effect of adding neither tested enzymes and condiments mixture nor their combination on feed intake and feed conversion all over the experimental periods however, group fed diet supplemented with phytase alone recorded the best feed conversion and this was numerically better than that of the un-supplemented control by 3.6%. Chemical composition of the excrements or nutrient digestibility at 49 days of age showed no significant effect of using studied feed additives. However, groups feed on phytase diets showed a numerically better crude protein, fiber, ether extract and organic matter digestibility compared with those of the control. Neither tested enzymes and condiments mixture nor their combination had any significant effects on some blood constituents such as plasma total protein, its fractions, total lipids, cholesterol and liver functions as measured by AST and ALT enzymes. Accordingly, it can be recommended to use a combination of Avizyme, phytase and 2g/kg of condiment mixture in broiler diets during the first growth period, 7-21 days of age, to achieve a satisfactory performance. Also, phytase supplementation also has a pronounced effect on the biological responses associated with the performance at the rest of the growth period.
Adsorption of cesium, thallium, strontium and cobalt radionuclides using activated carbon

Adsorption studies of Cs + , Tl + , Sr 2+ and Co 2+ on activated carbons from aqueous solutions are reported. The carbon samples were characterized using differ- ent techniques. The chemical nature of the surface of the activated carbon was studied. Optimal conditions for adsorption of the metal ions have been identified. The compar- ative study for the metal ions was also considered in the presence of different anions. The data suggest the possible use of activated carbons for preconcentration and sepa- ration of some cations. PACS: 07.88. +y , 07.89. +b, 68.43. -h
Slumps impact the release of OC to the Arctic Ocean 1485 ± Shoreline 1952 Active RTSs 1952 Active RTSs 1972 Stable RTSs

Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) are among the most active thermokarst landforms in the Arctic and deliver a large amount of material to the Arctic Ocean. However, their contribution to the organic carbon (OC) budget is unknown. We provide the first estimate of the contribution of RTSs to the nearshore OC budget of the Yukon Coast, Canada, and describe the evolution of coastal RTSs between 1952 and 2011 in this area. We (1) describe the evolution of RTSs between 1952 and 2011; (2) calculate the volume of eroded material and stocks of OC mobilized through slumping, including soil organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC); and (3) estimate the OC fluxes mobilized through slumping between 1972 and 2011. We identified RTSs using high-resolution satellite imagery from 2011 and geocoded aerial photographs from 1952 and 1972. To estimate the volume of eroded material, we applied spline interpolation on an airborne lidar dataset acquired in July 2013. We inferred the stocks of mobilized SOC and DOC from existing related literature. Our results show a 73 % increase in the number of RTSs and 14 % areal expansion between 1952 and 2011. In the study area, RTSs displaced at least 16.6× 106 m3 of material, 53 % of which was ice, and mobilized 145.9×106 kg of OC. Between 1972 and 2011, 49 RTSs displaced 8.6× 103 m3 yr−1 of material, adding 0.6 % to the OC flux released by coastal retreat along the Yukon Coast. Our results show that the contribution of RTSs to the nearshore OC budget is non-negligible and should be included when estimating the quantity of OC released from the Arctic coast to the ocean.
Larval identities of Ansonia hanitschi Inger, 1960 (Amphibia: Bufonidae) and Polypedates colletti (Boulenger, 1890) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from East Malaysia (Borneo)

We describe the tadpoles of Ansonia hanitschi Inger, 1960 and Polypedates colletti (Boulenger, 1890) from East Malaysia, Borneo. The morphological description is supplemented by photos of living specimens and SEM images of external and internal features. Identification was based on morphological and genetic characters (16S rRNA). The tadpole of A. hanitschi is among the largest tadpoles described for the genus Ansonia from Borneo. This suctorial-rheophilous tadpole has been collected from fast-flowing rocky streams, in association with foaming currents. The tadpole of P. colletti is redescribed due to uncertainties about its identity and lack of photographic evidence in previous descriptions. It is an inhabitant of stagnant waters, living in and on flooded leaf litter accumulations.
The evolution of HI and CIV quasar absorption line systems at 1.9 < z < 3.2

We have investigated the distribution and evolution of ~3100 intergalactic HI absorbers with HI column densities log N(HI) = [12.75, 17.0] at 1.9 12.2 within a given velocity range. The entire HI column density distribution function (CDDF) can be described as the combination of these two well-characterised populations which overlap at log N(HI) ~ 15. At log N(HI) 15, with its distribution function proportional to N(HI)^(-1.45). However, it starts to flatten out at lower N(HI), since the enriched forest fraction decreases with decreasing N(HI). The deviation from the power law at log N(HI) = [14, 17] shown in the CDDF for the entire HI sample is a result of combining two different HI populations with a different CDDF shape. The total HI mass density relative to the critical density is Omega(HI) ~ 1.6 x 10^(-6) h^(-1), where the enriched forest accounts for ~40% of Omega(HI).
Consumer retirement planning: an exploratory study of gender differences

Purpose – Although superannuation planning has been examined within the context of individual choice, life course and cumulative advantage perspectives, little research has been contained within the theories of consumer behavior. This paper, therefore, aims to examine this important issue by delving into the perceptions of retirement planning from the perspectives of both male and female consumers.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research design was adopted to gather in‐depth information within a real‐life context in order to build theory. In total, 21 exploratory semi‐structured interviews, to assist in identifying and describing the variety of thoughts and feelings that female and male consumers hold towards financial retirement planning, were conducted.Findings – The findings from the in‐depth interviews indicate that males and females adopt different perspectives when it comes to retirement planning. Males tend to adopt an individual choice perspective, whereby it is assumed that retirement.
Numerical Simulations of the Postsunrise Reorganization of a Nocturnal Mesoscale Convective System during 13 June IHOP_2002

AbstractA convection-permitting numerical model is used to simulate the postsunrise reorganization of a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) observed over western and central Oklahoma on 13 June 2002 during the International H2O (IHOP_2002) Field Experiment. The MCS reorganization consists of a transition from northwest–southeast-oriented convective rainbands near sunrise to a single northeast–southwest (NE–SW)-oriented convective rainband with trailing stratiform precipitation later in the morning.Results indicate the importance of environmental preconditioning on MCS reorganization. In particular, the development of the NE–SW rainband that redefines the MCS organization is facilitated by a similarly oriented zone of antecedent mesoscale upward motion, which increases the depth of large water vapor mixing ratios. This allows convective updrafts to be fed primarily by moist and conditionally unstable air from 1 to 2.5 km AGL in the NE–SW-oriented rainband, which lacks a surface cold pool during its.
Evolution of ice-shelf channels in Antarctic ice shelves

Abstract. Ice shelves buttress the continental ice flux and mediate ice–ocean interactions. They are often traversed by channels in which basal melting is enhanced, impacting ice-shelf stability. Here, channel evolution is investigated using a transient, three-dimensional full Stokes model and geophysical data collected on the Roi Baudouin Ice Shelf (RBIS), Antarctica. The modeling confirms basal melting as a feasible mechanism for channel creation, although channels may also advect without melting for many tens of kilometers. Channels can be out of hydrostatic equilibrium depending on their width and the upstream melt history. Inverting surface elevation for ice thickness using hydrostatic equilibrium in those areas is erroneous, and corresponding observational evidence is presented at RBIS by comparing the hydrostatically inverted ice thickness with radar measurements. The model shows that channelized melting imprints the flow field characteristically, which can result in enhanced horizontal shearing across channels. This is exemplified for a channel at RBIS using observed surface velocities and opens up the possibility to classify channelized melting from space, an important step towards incorporating these effects in ice–ocean models.
31. CARBON AND NITROGEN STABLE ISOTOPE RATIOS AT SITES 969 AND 974: INTERPRETING SPATIAL GRADIENTS IN SAPROPEL PROPERTIES 1

Discrete organic-rich layers (sapropels) representing 1‐10 k.y. of depositional time are common throughout Pleistocene sediments from the Mediterranean Sea, and are thought to reflect temporary oceanographic changes such as enhanced organic matter preservation at depth or enhanced surface productivity. Pleistocene sections from two Mediterranean Sea sediment cores, one from the Mediterranean Ridge (Ocean Drilling Program Site 969) and one from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Site 974), were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in order to identify the mechanisms for sapropel formation and their spatial extent. Compared with surrounding sediments, sapropels contained consistently higher organic carbon concentrations, lower 15N/14N ratios, and, contrary to previous findings, higher 13C/12C ratios. These trends are consistent with upwelling-induced increases in primary productivity and/or enhanced preservation triggered by deep-water anoxia during sapropel formation, and they are inconsistent with two mechanisms suggested previously: terrigenous inputs of organic matter and dissolved nutrients. The opposite sense of the δ13C excursion between sites suggests that a single mechanism cannot explain all the Mediterranean sapropels, but that different mechanisms, perhaps all triggered by the same global or regional event, acted in different parts of the basin.
Occurrence and susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter isolated from environmental water sources

Environmental waters are established sources of Campylobacter infections in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and susceptibility profiles of Campylobacter species isolated from irrigation and domestic water sources in Ghana. Samples were pre-enriched with CCDA broth and isolated on mCCDA agar. Isolates were confirmed on API CAMPY kit and with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to determine the susceptibility patterns of species. Of the 188 water samples analyzed, 42 isolates were confirmed to be contaminated with Campylobacter species, giving a prevalence rate of 22.3%. Prevalence of Campylobacter in the various water sources were 35.7% in rivers, 26.2% in streams, 21.4% in wells, 9.5% in ponds and 7.1% in boreholes. Sixty four percent (64%) of Campylobacter species were Campylobacter jejuni, followed by Campylobacter coli (19%) and Campylobacter lari (14%). Resistance was 100% to the β-lactams, 98% to erythromycin, 48-69% to the quinolones, 45-55% to the aminoglycosides, 71% to trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole, 76% to tetracycline and 90% to chloramphenicol. All the isolates (100%) were multidrug resistant. The presence of multidrug resistant Campylobacter species in the different water sources sampled in this study may indicate a significant health risk to humans and animals. Key words: Campylobacter, antibiotic resistance, water sources, Ghana.
Electrochemical Formation of Silver Nanoparticles and Nanoclusters on Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Electrode Films

The Ag nanoparticles and nanoclusters (AgNP, AgNC) have been widely used due to their multiple applications, for example, in catalysts for CO 2 to CO electrochemical reduction, O 2 reduction in fuel cells, interface design for plasmonic resonance experi- ments and H 2 O 2 or glucose sensors. The chemical methods most used to obtain AgNP, reported in the literature are: borohydride reduction, the Tollens method or the sonication at high concentrations of AgNO 3 . One important disadvantage of these methods is the multiple steps required for electrode design, especially in carbon materials, and one of them is MWCNTs, used in some applications mentioned above. Electrodeposition has been reported in the preparation of metallic particles. In this chapter, we described the electropolishing method in the preparation of AgNP and AgNC supported on MWCNT film. An advantage of this proposed method is that it allows obtaining AgNP and AgNC in situ, supported on carbon matrices, ready to use as electrodes in different applications .
When and how? Freshwater mussel recolonization in Lake Orta

Thanks to a video posted on a social network, live mussels of Unio elongatulus , have been recorded from Lake Orta (Italy) over one century after the last (and only) report. With its long and well documented history of pollution, Lake Orta offers the opportunity to document the post-extirpation recovery of freshwater unionid mussels. This case evidences that recovery/recolonization is possible despite a high devastation in the past, and permits to evaluate how fast recolonization may occur, in which way, and in what conditions. The answer to the ' how fast ' was sought by estimating the age of the larger and seemingly older individuals of the population. To address the ' in which way ' we compared the haplotypes of Lake Orta specimens of Unio elongatulus (the only species present) with those of surrounding populations. We concluded that, since Lake Orta lacks a direct connection with the putative source populations, colonizing mussels were almost certainly transported by fish carrying glochidia that were used for lake restocking after liming. Data from the long-term monitoring of water chemistry and sediments have allowed defining what conditions proved to be suitable for survival making possible the start of mussels recovery. But not only water and sediment quality matters for mussels recovery, which was delayed by nearly ten years after the reappearance of fish. This delay reflects the need of the whole trophic chain to be reestablished to allow the survival of the suitable and healthy host-fish populations necessary for mussels reproduction.
Topological Defects as Inhomogeneous Condensates in Quantum Field Theory: Kinks in (1+1) Dimensional λψ4 Theory

Abstract We study topological defects as inhomogeneous (localized) condensates of particles in quantum field theory. In the framework of the closed-time-path formalism, we consider explicitly a (1+1) dimensional λψ4 model and construct the Heisenberg picture field operator ψ in the presence of kinks. We show how the classical kink solutions emerge from the vacuum expectation value of such an operator in the Born approximation and/or λ→0 limit. The presented method is general in the sense that it applies also to the case of finite temperature and to non-equilibrium; it also allows for the determination of Green's functions in the presence of topological defects. We discuss the classical kink solutions at T≠0 in the high temperature limit. We conclude with some speculations on the possible relevance of our method for the description of the defect formation during symmetry-breaking phase transitions.
REFLECTIONS ON FISCALIST DIVERGENT PRICE-PATHS Ó scar

In this paper I analyze the classes of price-paths arising from a non-Ricardian fiscal-monetary plan along the lines of the Fiscal Theory of the Price Level (FTPL), under a price-invariant nominal money supply rule in a standard Sidrauski-Brock model. I first show that fiscalist speculative deflationary paths are irrational bubbles. Then I argue that a fully autonomous fiscal policy is, in most cases, no implementable, regardless of the time-horizon, thus complementing Buiter's (2001, 2002) findings. Finally, I claim that, contrary to the FTPL's arguments, a speculative hyperinflation can never be a necessary result. This latter observation is taken as an evidence against the analogy drawn between the equilibrium value of a firm's stock and money, as recently suggested by some proponents of this new paradigm in monetary economics.
Resistance towards wiki for collaborative learning among undergraduates.

Wiki is an asynchronous online collaborative tool which can be used to for teaching and learning purposes. This study explored the issues related to undergraduates’ resistance in using Wiki for collaborative learning. Findings revealed that students’ resistance were related to the technical constraints of Wiki, students’ commitment and interest towards the course, initial hands-on exposure to Wiki, and also the importance of peer contributions.