Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Risky Decision Making Processes in Dyads and Individuals

The thesis compared the likelihood of taking risks in dyads and individuals in varying situations. Patterns of risky decision making were examined in the standard risky choice task and a novel risk management task. The relative successes of two theories of risky decision making were assessed: Prospect Theory emphasizes perceptual and psychophysical processes, whereas Security-Potential/Aspiration Level Theory emphasizes dispositional and motivational processes. The thesis also examined dyads’ decision behavior in light of competing social influence perspectives regarding risky versus cautious shifts and group polarization. Participants, as individuals or as part of a dyad, made decisions in 23 trials about hypothetical two-outcome monetary gambles in one of two different tasks. Risky choice involved making choices between two given 50-50 lotteries which varied in riskiness (i.e., outcome variability), whereas risk management required actively manipulating an existing 50-50 risk by changing outcome values. The 23 trials were equivalent across tasks. Dyad participants communicated via an instant messenger program, while viewing the same lotteries on different computers. Data on risk preferences across gain and loss domains were analyzed using a mixed factorial ANOVA design. Consistent with Prospect Theory value function predictions, the risky choice task led to risk averse preferences for gains and risk seeking preferences for losses, though risk seeking was weak. Consistent with SP/A theory predictions, the risk management task led to overall risk averse preferences, with movement toward risk taking for gains. vi In addition, there was some evidence of social influences in that dyads tended to be more conservative than individuals in their decision behavior when dealing with undesirable outcomes. Thus, a cautious shift was observed, but only for lotteries involving guaranteed losses. This could not be explained by group polarization. Each of the theories received some support, but none of them could explain all of the findings. Recommendations were made to give greater attention to defining and measuring risk attitudes and dispositions, and to continue exploring differences in decision situations and social settings to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of risky decision making processes. Findings here suggest the need for an overarching theory that can account for a wide variety of influences. A dual processes approach was recommended as one promising avenue. Social and situational influences may prove an essential part of understanding risky decision making in real life contexts.
Legume Decomposition and Nitrogen Release When Applied as Green Manures to Tropical Vegetable Production Systems

alogy and acidity, biological activity, and the presence of other nutrients (Myers et al., 1994). In a previous For legume green manures (GM) to be effective, environmentally study, 60-d-old soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] and sound N sources for horticultural crops in the tropics, their N release indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria L.) plants conformed to must be in synchrony with crop N demand. Decomposition and N high-quality litter characteristics (Swift, 1987), releasing release of surface applied (mulch) or incorporated soybean [Glycine §
Vessel morphology variation and ecoanatomical properties of anjily ( Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.) wood grown in different agro-climatic zones of Thrissur, Kerala

Vessel morphological parameters viz., vessel frequency, vessel diameter, vessel area and vessel length of anjily wood collected from trees grown in three agro-climatic zones of Thrissur district, Kerala were studied. Three girth classes were selected from each zone. Three trees representing each girth class were then chosen for collection of wood samples. Significant variation was found only among agro-climatic zones for vessel length and not between girth classes within zones. Vessel area, vessel diameter and vessel frequency did not show any significant variation between three zones as well as between girth classes. Ecoanatomical properties like vulnerability and vessel mesomorphy were also calculated. Vulnerability showed significant difference between the three zones. Vessel mesomorphy values of anjily wood indicated that the species is mesic in nature.
Efficiency bounds for instrumental variable estimators under group-asymptotics

The paper derives asymptotic efficiency bounds for estimators of a single linear relation, based on dummy instruments, under asymptotic parameter sequences where the number of instruments is allowed to grow with the number of observations. We assume normality and show that ML-estimators under homoand heteroscedasticity, do not reach the efficiency bound. It is shown that no uniformly continuously differentiable estimator can reach the bound for all asymptotic parameter sequences considered.
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) response to seasonal variation in prey availability: influences on space use, seasonal site fidelity and reproduction

In systems with migratory prey, resource availability varies seasonally and can modify the spatial organization of carnivores. Predators within these systems must therefore adopt a strategy to deal with prey movements when resources are seasonally unavailable. The seasonal migration of semidomesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in northern Norway creates large temporal variation in prey availability for carnivores in this area. In this study, I investigate the response of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolverine (Gulo gulo) to seasonal reindeer migration in Finnmark and Troms counties, Norway. I examine the space use of these solitary carnivores in two areas: one with migratory reindeer (Finnmark) and another with seasonally stable reindeer availability (Troms). I use GPS data to examine seasonal home range overlap and centroid shift distances to investigate how temporally changing prey abundance influences carnivore space use. I further investigate the influence of reindeer availability on lynx reproduction and recruitment rates. Lynx and wolverine largely maintained stable residency, even within a system of migratory prey. Mean proportion of seasonal home range overlap for lynx and wolverine was >50% for all individuals. Male lynx showed a higher degree of home range stability than females while wolverines showed no intersexual differences. When reindeer were not seasonally available, most individuals exhibited directional home range overlap suggesting that winter home range expansion is necessary to obtain adequate food resources. In both species, females exhibited greater winter home range expansion and shift distances. Contrary to expectations, some carnivores that overlapped winter reindeer grazing areas showed less stability than either those that were completely lacking winter reindeer or those that had stable reindeer presence year around. This was evident in both lynx and wolverine. Female lynx showed restricted range use in summer, related to denning behavior, while reproduction increased winter home range expansion in females. However, reproduction was not influenced by winter reindeer availability. Recruitment was lower in areas without winter reindeer presence (20%) than in areas with reindeer (47%) indicating that winter reindeer availability may influence kitten survival. The results of this study indicate that the decreased lynx recruitment seen may be related to the costs of living within a system with seasonally marginal resources. Further research is needed investigating a link between foraging behavior and demographic processes in lynx. Overall, my findings suggest that the space use of carnivores in areas of predictable reindeer presence is more stable than carnivores with seasonal variation in prey availability. It may be important to consider the effect of seasonal resource distribution on carnivore demography and overall spatial stability in population management planning as well.
Fluid description of multi-component solar partially ionized plasma

We derive self-consistent formalism for the description of multi-component partially ionized solar plasma, by means of the coupled equations for the charged and neutral components for an arbitrary number of chemical species, and the radiation field. All approximations and assumptions are carefully considered. Generalized Ohm's law is derived for the single-fluid and two-fluid formalism. Our approach is analytical with some order-of-magnitude support calculations. After general equations are developed we particularize to some frequently considered cases as for the interaction of matter and radiation.
Going to the Discounter: Consumer Search with Local Market Heterogeneities

This article proposes a new rationale for consumer search and mixed-strategy pricing: the presence of local market heterogeneities. In the model, two spatially separated markets, each home to an identical local monopolist, differ in size and their consumers' willingness to pay (e.g., as caused by differences in local income). Consumers observe their native market's price and a flexible subset of them may travel to the other market at strictly positive cost, hoping for a bargain. I show that as long as the proportion of flexible consumers in the high-valuation market is not too large, directed search to the low-valuation market will occur in equilibrium. If the high-valuation market is relatively large in size, the opposed firm faces a commitment problem that induces non-trivial mixed-strategy pricing in equilibrium. In particular, low-valuation consumers are excluded from the product market with positive probability. Informative advertising with price-commitment may decrease market performance.
Children's knowledge of bushfire emergency response

In the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfire disaster, the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommended that bushfire education be made a formal part of the Australian national curriculum. Crucially, the success of any hazards education program depends on the degree to which the learner’s existing knowledge and experience is accommodated in the education process. Yet accommodating children’s knowledge in bushfire education is hampered by a lack of research on how children conceptualise bushfire hazards. To address this gap, this paper presents a detailed qualitative analysis of children’s knowledge of bushfire hazards with a specific focus on emergency response. Across four bushfire-prone locations in south-eastern Australia, 26 focus group interviews were conducted with 87 children aged between 8 and 12 years. To better understand the construction of children’s knowledge, individual interviews were also conducted with 37 parents. Through their engagement in the research process, children demonstrated a capacity for engaging in serious discussions about bushfire hazards and although their knowledge was often characterised by gaps and misconceptions, they also demonstrated a capacity for understanding the fundamental principles of emergency response, particularly when they had been involved in bushfire planning within their household.
Critical Business Environment Factors for SMEs in the UK Chemical Distribution Industry: A Qualitative Perspective

The UK chemical distribution industry is a significant and well-established, yet fragmented and subject to strong consolidation, part of the chemical industry and a major contributor to the UK economy and employment. However, it remains largely unexplored, with limited research in the factors contributing to SMEs success. This paper, which is part of a larger-scale study, addresses a well-established gap in the UK chemical distribution industry and provides a qualitative perspective of the business environment factors critical to the success of small and medium-sized distributors. This research is based on the opinions of owners and very senior managers (Managing Directors, Directors, CEOs and CFO’s), an approach extensively used by other researchers. A total of 180 SMEs fulfilling the criteria of this study are identified with 118 owners/managers participating, generating a very satisfactory response rate of 65.5%. The paper informs key stakeholders and policy makers with a view to improve strategy formulation and decision-making process in supporting chemical distribution SMEs.
Variation and distribution of qualitative traits of the savannah muturu on free range in the Benue trough of Nigerian.

The study was carried out at two council wards each in Logo and Tarka local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. The study was designed to investigate qualitative traits variation and distribution within and between populations of the savannah muturu herds on free range under rural farmers. There were coat color variations of solid black, solid brown, dominating black with irregular distribution of white patches, dominating brown with irregular distribution of black and white patches, dominating white with irregular distribution of black patches, coat colors of irregular black and white patches of uneven distributions, restricted color patterns of black and white, brown and white, and white and black. There was wide deviation from reported coat color patterns of the savannah muturu of multiple coloration, ebony, faun, white and black patches of equal dimensions and uniform distribution over the entire body. It was evidenced that the coat color genes of the savannah muturu cattle under rural farmers had undergone divergence due to inbreeding, random sampling, counter selection and genetic drift.
Investigation of the Role of Human Capital Factor in Explanation of Adjusted Returns Based on Market Factor, Size Factor and Value Factor in Tehran Stock Exchange

The main approach to portfolio performance evaluation involves considering return on investment along with its accompanied risk. In addition, a criterion for superiority of portfolio performance is adjusted returns based on risk. In this process, risk explanation models development play an important role. The main target of the present research is to investigate the role of human capital factor in explanation of adjusted returns based on market factor, size factor and value factor in Tehran Stock Exchange over 2006-2011. Multifactor regression based on three-factor model was used in this research. Results showed that human capital value has a negative and significant relationship with stock returns, market value has a positive significant relationship with stock returns and company size has a negative and significant relationship with stock returns. Results also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between book-to-market value and stock returns.
Carrier localization in InGaN by composition fluctuations: implication to the “green gap”

A simple semi-empirical model for radiative and Auger recombination constants is suggested, accounting for hole localization by composition fluctuations in InGaN alloys. Strengthening of fluctuation with the indium molar fraction in InGaN is found to be largely responsible for decreases in both the radiative and Auger recombination constants with emission wavelength. The model provides good fitting of the experimental spectral dependencies of the recombination constants, thus demonstrating implication of the carrier localization to light-emitting diode efficiency reduction in the “green gap. ”
Molecular identification of formae specialis and racial identity in Iranian strains of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici: detection of avirulence genes

قارچ Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) عامل پژمردگی آوندی و یکی از مهم ترین عوامل بیماری زای گیاهی در ایران است. تاکنون چهار ژن مقاومت تک ژنی در گوجه فرنگی شناسایی شده اند که در تعیین نژاد این بیمارگر به کار گرفته می شوند. در مقابل ژن های غیربیماری-زایی Avr1، Avr2و Avr3 در نژادهای FOL شناسایی شده اند که در این بین Avr2 فقط در فرم اختصاصی FOL حضور دارد. از این رو سه ژن فوق می توانند نشانگرهای مناسبی جهت تشخیص فرم تخصصی و هویت نژادی در این عامل بیماری زا باشند. این فرضیه در جدایه هایی از کشورهای مختلف مورد بررسی قرار گرفته، ولیکن تاکنون در جدایه های ایرانی بررسی نشده است. هم چنین مطالعات قبلی نشان داده اند که یک جهش نقطه ای در Avr3 می تواند سبب افزایش توان بیماری زایی FOL در ارقام حساس گوجه فرنگی گردد. در این تحقیق به منظور شناسایی فرم تخصصی و هویت نژادی، ژن های Avr در مجموعه ای از جدایه های ایرانی مورد مطالعه قرار گرفت. نتایج حاصل نشان داد که این روش سنجش ملکولی در تفکیک جدایه های غیربیماری زا از جدایه های بیماری زا با توان بیماری زایی پایین بسیار موثر است. هم چنین براساس نتایج حاصل اکثر جدایه های مورد بررسی دارای ژنوتیپ غیربیماری زایی مشابه با نژاد یک بودند. علاوه براین به منظور بررسی این نکته که آیا تنوع آللی در Avr3 می تواند جدایه هایی با توان بیماری زایی مختلف را از یک دیگر تفکیک نماید، ژن فوق در جدایه هایی با توان بیماری زایی بالا و پایین تعیین توالی گردید. نتایج حاصل نشان داد که در جدایه-های ایرانی ارتباطی میان توان بیماری زایی آن ها و تنوع آللی در Avr3 وجود ندارد.
Fragmentation-related patterns of genetic differentiation in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) at two hierarchical scales

Populations at species’ range margins are expected to show lower genetic diversity than populations at the core of the range. Yet, long-lived, widespread tree species are expected to be resistant to genetic impoverishment, thus showing comparatively high genetic diversity within populations and low differentiation among populations. Here, we study the distribution of genetic variation in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) at its range margin in Finland at two hierarchical scales using 15 microsatellite loci. At a regional scale, we compared variation within versus among three oak populations. At a landscape scale, we examined genetic structuring within one of these populations, growing on an island of ca 5 km2. As expected, we found the majority of genetic variation in Q. robur to occur within populations. Nonetheless, differentiation among populations was markedly high (FST = 0.12) compared with values reported for populations of Q. robur closer to the core of its range. At the landscape level, some spatial and temporal sub-structuring was observed, likely explained by the history of land-use on the island. Overall, Q. robur fulfils the expectation of the central-marginal hypothesis of high differentiation among marginal populations, but the notable population differentiation has most likely been influenced also by the long, ongoing fragmentation of populations. Finnish oak populations may still be adjusting to the drastic habitat changes of the past centuries. Preservation of genetic variation within the remaining stands is thus an important factor in the conservation of Q. robur at its range margin.
Rural Poverty and Credit Use: Evidence from Pakistan

The 1990s have seen poverty reduction become the overarching objective of all economic development. In countries where poverty is largely a rural phenomenon it is obvious that considerations of poverty focus on improving rural welfare. The welfare impact of credit use in the process of agricultural development is generally not explicitly documented in the literature.1 The emphasis is generally on “the requisites for development of rural financial policies that facilitate rural growth” [Desai and Mellor (1993)]. Welfare gains arise from this growth through net gains in income from the relaxation of the capital constraint leading to higher input use and resultant higher output, in addition to increasing the risk bearing capacity of households thus leading to the adoption of new technology and diversification of crop mix and income sources. Additionally welfare gains can also arise from credit use directly through improved and more efficient consumption smoothing. Pakistan is predominantly rural and poor. Attempts over several decades, by successive governments, at developing the institutional credit market in Pakistan have failed miserably. The rural credit market continues to be fragmented and beset by distortions. Credit policy aimed at improving access of the small landowners and the poor ended up being diverted to the powerful large landowners. This misuse is widely documented in Malik (1989, 1990 and 1999). Badly designed policies coupled with a weak institutional structure and rampant corruption called into question the very basis for using credit markets as a means for poverty alleviation. This paper, therefore, attempts to evaluate the underlying relationship between rural poverty and credit use.
Emission of CO2 from agricultural peat soils in the Netherlands and ways to limit this emission

Summary A method to calculate CO 2 emissions from subsidence was developed. Empirical relationships between ditchwater and groundwater levels and subsidence were derived based on monitoring results collected during more than 30 years. With t hese relationships, data from the Dutch Soil Database and water management databases we calculated that the annual CO 2 emission of Dutch agricultural peat soils is 4.25 Mton. High ditchwat er levels is a way to diminish oxidation and so CO 2 emission of peat soils but will make the tradition al dairy farming on peat soils economically impossible. Subsurface irrigation by submerged drai ns is investigated as a promising alternative.
Dry-season soil water repellency affects Tahoe Basin infiltration rates

Lake Tahoe's declining clarity makes the identification of runoff and erosion sources and evaluation of control measures vitally important. We treated relatively undisturbed, native, forested sites of 10% to 15% slope with surfactant and used a rainfall simulator to investigate the effects of repellency. We compared infiltration measurements made by the simulator and a mini-disk infiltrometer (MDI). Runoff was produced by all plots with untreated water, but only two of 12 plots with surfactant. At volcanic soil sites, infiltration rates using surfactant exceeded those with water by only 20% when there was little litter cover, but with substantial litter the infiltration rates increased threefold. Similarly, at the granitic soil sites surfactant-enhanced infiltration rates were four times greater with scant litter, and eight times greater with substantial litter cover. Postsimulation soil moisture content and wetting depths were greater with the surfactant treatment. Excavations under surfactant treatments revealed that discontinuities in the soil's hydrophobic organic layer resulted in preferential infiltration zones in the mineral soils below.
Trends and demographic characteristics of hemorrhagic stroke in Albania during the period 2004-2015

Aim: Our aim was to describe the trend over time and the demographic distribution of hemorrhagic stroke in Albania in the past decade. Methods: This study included all patients diagnosed with hemorrhagic stroke and admitted during the period 2004-2015 at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana (988 cases overall; 34% women; overall mean age: 57.8±19.3 years). Information about selected demographic characteristics was also collected for all study participants. Results: The proportion of older patients (≥70 years) was slightly, but not significantly, higher in women than in men (32% vs. 27%, respectively; P=0.163). Furthermore, the proportion of Tirana residents was similar in both sexes (47% in men vs. 45% in women). Overall, there was evidence of a significant linear trend over time (Mann-Kendall test: P<0.01), indicating a gradual increase in the number of hemorrhagic stroke cases in Albania for the period 2004-2015. Conclusion: This study provides useful information about the increasing trend of hemorrhagic stroke in Albania, a transitional country in Southeastern Europe which is characterized by rapid changes including unhealthy dietary habits.