Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water Policy and Sustainability of Irrigated Farming Systems in Italy

The objective of this paper is to provide an analysis of the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Italy in the context of CAP reform and Water Framework Directive. The work combines scenario analysis, multicriteria mathematical programming simulation models and economic, social and environmental indicators. Five irrigated farming systems were considered: cereals, rice, fruit, vegetables and citrus. The results show the diversity of Italian irrigated farming systems and the trade-off between socio-economic and environmental performance. This highlights the need for a differentiated application of the Water Framework Directive, balancing water conservation and rural development objectives.
Early predictors of first-year academic success at university: pre-university effort, pre-university self-efficacy, and pre-university reasons for attending university

ABSTRACT Given the large number of dropouts in the 1st year at university, it is important to identify early predictors of 1st-year academic success. The present study (n = 453 first-year students) contributes to literature on the transition from secondary to higher education by investigating how the non-cognitive factors pre-university effort and pre-university academic self-efficacy influence 1st-year retention at university. In addition, we examined pre-university reasons for attending university and whether these reasons were related to 1st-year retention. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that pre-university effort positively predicted 1st-year retention, whereas pre-university academic self-efficacy did not. With exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, we identified six pre-university reasons for attending university: career perspective, personal development, compliance with the social environment, attractiveness of the institution, recommended by others, and location. None of the pre-university reasons appeared to significantly predict 1st-year retention. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Determinants of Environmental Migrants' Conflict Perception

Migration is likely to be a key factor linking climate change and conflict. However, our understanding of the factors behind and consequences of migration is surprisingly limited. We take this shortcoming as a motivation for our research and study the relationship between environmental migration and conflict at the micro level. In particular, we focus on environmental migrants? conflict perceptions to shed new theoretical and empirical light on this debate. We contend that variation in migrants? conflict perception can be explained by the type of environmental event people experienced in their former home , i.e., gradual, long-term or sudden onset, short-term environmental changes . We examine and further develop this argument before quantitatively analyzing newly collected micro-level data on intra-state migration from five developing countries . The results emphasize that migrants who suffered from gradual, long-term environmental events in their former homes are more likely to perceive conflict in their new location than those having experienced sudden, short - term environmental events. These findings are therefore in line with our theoretical argument that environmental migrants who suffer to a large degree from environmentally induced grievances, are ultimately more likely to perceive conflict and challenges in their new homes.
Development of diet jam from apple grown in Swat (NWFP)

This research was carried out in Department of Food Science and Technology, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan to investigate the effect of individual (A spartame, cyclamate and saccharine) and mix non nutritive sweeteners (aspartame + cyclamate, cyclamate + saccharin and aspartame + saccharin) on diet apple jam. All the sa mples were stored in presterilized glass jars and were analyzed physico-che mically (pH, %acidity, total soluble solids, reduci ng and non reducing sugars, ascorbic acid and % moisture) and organoleptically (color, texture and overall acceptability) fortnigh tly during 3 months of storage. The treatments were T 1 (aspartame @ 4.17g kg -1 pulp), T 2 (cyclamate @ 25g kg -1 pulp), T 3 (saccharin @ 2.5g kg -1 pulp), T4 (aspartame @ 2.08g + cyclamate @ 12.5g) kg -1 pulp, T 5 (cyclamate @ 12.5g + saccharin @ 1.25g) kg -1 pulp and T 6 (aspartame @ 2.08g + saccharin @ 1.25g) kg -1 pulp. A decrease was recorded in ascorbic acid con tent (14.55 to 9.65 mg/100g), moisture content (82.43 to 71.71%), pH (4.34 to 3.0 1) and non-reducing sugar (7.33 to 3.46), while an increase was recorded in acidity (0.26 to 0.59%), TSS (13.70 to 18.03 ° brix) and reducing sugars (4.02 to 7.15). Samples T 4 and T 6 were found most acceptable to the pannel of judges during storage. Statistical analys is showed that storage intervals and treatments had a significant (p<0.05) influence on physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of diet apple jam.
INFLUENCE OF CONTAINER VOLUME AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS, WATER PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH OF POTTED EUPHORBIA × LOMI

The determination of an adequate container volume t hat maximize vegetative growth and the adoption of a n efficient irrigation system in soilless culture, whi c improve water use efficiency without affecting cro p performance, have become a priority in ornamental i dustry. A greenhouse experiment was conducted aiming to assess the effects of two container volumes ( 1 dm or 3 dm) and two irrigation systems (closed dripirrigation or subirrigation) on growth parameters, o rnamental quality, SPAD index, leaf gas exchange, ag ronomical and physiological water use efficiency (W UEA and WUEP) of containerized Euphorbia × lomi Rauh. There were no significant differences in terms of plant growth parameters between the two irrigation systems. The subirrigation system was more efficient in terms of water use than the drip-irrigation syst em since it could save on average 27% of water. The WUE A recorded with subirrigation in 3 dm 3 and 1 dm containers were significantly higher by 43% and 81% compared with those recorded with drip-irrigation. The plant height, leaf number, leaf area, root leng th and shoot dry biomass were significantly lower by 45.7%, 39.5%, 45.5%, 35.1% and 43.1%, respectively when the Euphorbia × lomi plants were cultivated in the 1 dm containers. The best crop performance recorded in the 3 dm containers was related to a higher photosynthetic activity and higher leaf chlorophyll content (i.e. SPAD index) with respect to the plants grown in the 1 dm containers.
Development Accounting, the Elasticity of Substitution, and Non-neutral Technological Change

We construct a broad panel with 84 countries over the period 1970-2014 with data from the Penn World Tables (PWT) 9.0. We apply the tools of development accounting to our panel. However, we depart from the traditional Cobb-Douglas hypothesis and Hicks-neutral technological change, and assume a Constant Elasticity of Substitution production function, which allows for a constant but non-unitary elasticity of substitution, and for non-neutral technological change. For different values of the elasticity of substitution, and different representation of technological change, we find that the cross-country variation in GDP per worker that can be accounted for by factor inputs is decreasing over time until the mid-2000s, when it reverses its decreasing trend. In addition, our estimates suggests that in the more recent period the proportion of the cross-country variation in GDP per worker explained by factor inputs is around 20%. Finally, we obtain similar results with broad panels from PWT versions 8.1 and 7.0, corroborating our initial findings.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY OF RUSSIA

This study explores corporate governance practices in Russian oil and gas companies over the 2009-2012 periods and examines the relationship between accounting performance measures and corporate governance mechanisms. Our findings suggest that managerial ownership and foreign ownership are positively associated with firm performance. Similarly, the results on government ownership also support our initial hypothesis and indicate that government ownership positively affects accounting performance. However, our findings suggest that board size and independent directors on the board do not appear to affect firm performance. This study demonstrates that corporate governance practices implemented in developed markets have some relevance and synergies to transition economies such asRussia.
Prey density in non-breeding areas affects adult survival of black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla

In migratory birds, environmental conditions in both breeding and non-breeding areas may affect adult survival rates and hence be significant drivers of demographic processes. In seabirds, poor knowledge of their true distribution outside the breeding season, however, has severely limited such studies. This study explored how annual adult survival rates of black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla on Hornoya in the southern Barents Sea were related to temporal vari- ation in prey densities and climatic parameters in their breeding and non-breeding areas. We used information on the kittiwakes' spatiotemporal distribution in the non-breeding season gained from year-round light-based tracking devices (geolocators) and satellite transmitters, and kittiwake annual adult survival rates gained from a multistate capture-mark-recapture analysis of a 22 yr time series of colour-ringed kittiwakes. In the post-breeding period, kittiwakes concen- trated in an area east of Svalbard, in the winter they stayed in the Grand Banks/Labrador Sea area, and in the pre-breeding period they returned to the Barents Sea. We identified 2 possible prey categories of importance for the survival of kittiwakes in these areas (sea butterflies Theco- somata in the Grand Banks/Labrador Sea area in winter and capelin Mallotus villosus in the Bar- ents Sea in the pre-breeding season) that together explained 52% of the variation in adult survival rates. Our results may have important implications for the conservation of kittiwakes, which are declining globally, because other populations use the same areas. Since they are under the influ- ence of major anthropogenic activities including fisheries, international shipping and the offshore oil and gas industry, both areas should be targeted for future management plans.
MEDIA EDUCATION IN THE LIFE OF SENIOR POPULATION

When discussing media effect and its impact upon human beings, children and youngsters are considered to be a high risk group. It is mainly due to the fact that they do not have a consistent value system, learn through imitation (not only from real life, but also media reality), and in their early age are incapable of telling fiction from reality. Another high risk group, although significantly less discussed within this context, is seniors. There are European, as well as Slovak standards and legal norms that stipulate and emphasize the necessity to educate seniors, or at least make an appeal to improve media literacy of the elderly. However, the concrete forms and methods of media education are minimal, or they do not exist at all.
Labour admission test: a screening test for foetal distress in labour

Background: Labour is a very short period in the life of a foetus but poses the maximum threat. Improvements in medical technology have made it possible to monitor fetal well-being during labour. The introduction of labour admission test has proven to be of benefit in identifying patients at risk for developing distress and implementing timely intervention. Methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the same. This was a prospective study done on 500 patients above 37 weeks of gestation in cephalic presentation. EFM was done using oxford sonicaid 8002 CTG machine and Gem premier 3000 (model no 5700) arterial blood gas analyzer machine was used for determining the pH of fetal blood. Results: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15.0 statistical analysis software. p value <0.001 was considered highly significant. Results revealed that a total of 105 (80.77%) babies had fetal distress in category II and III out of 135, whereas only 30 (8.11%) were distressed in category I out of 370. Test had a sensitivity of 77.7% and specificity of 93.15% with a positive predictive value of 80.7% and a negative predictive value of 91.89%. Conclusions: It has become evident that combined use of CTG with cord blood pH is more accurate way of predicting and diagnosing birth asphyxia.
Effect of clay on mechanical and gas barrier properties of blown film LDPE/clay nanocomposites

Low density polyethylene (LDPE)/clay nanocomposites, which can be used in packaging industries, were prepared by melt-mix organoclay with polymer matrix (LDPE) and compatibilizer, polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PEMA). The pristine clay was first modified with alkylammonium salt surfactant, before melt-mixed in twin screw extruder attached to blown-film set. D-spacing of clay and thermal behavior of nanocomposites were characterized by Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. WAXD pattern confirmed the increase in PEMA contents exhibited better dispersion of clay in nanocomposites. Moreover, DSC was reported the increased PEMA contents caused the decrease in degree of crystallinity. Mechanical properties of blown film specimens were tested in two directions of tensile tests: in transverse tests (TD tests) and in machine direction tests (MD tests). Tensile modulus and tensile strength at yield were improved when clay contents increased because of the reinforcing behavior of clay on both TD and MD tests. Tensile modulus of 7 wt % of clay in nanocomposite was 100% increasing from neat LDPE in TD tests and 17% increasing in MD tests. However, elongation at yield decreased when increased in clay loading. Oxygen permeability tests of LDPE/clay nanocomposites also decreased by 24% as the clay content increased to 7 wt %. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Tax authorities’ interaction with taxpayers: A conception of compliance by power and trust

Tax compliance represents a social dilemma in which the short-term self-interest to minimize tax payments is at odds with the collective long-term interest to provide sufficient tax funds for public goods. According to the Slippery Slope Framework, the social dilemma can be solved and tax compliance can be guaranteed by power of tax authorities and trust in tax authorities. The framework, however, remains silent on the dynamics between power and trust. The aim of the present theoretical paper is to conceptualize the dynamics between power and trust by differentiating coercive and legitimate power and reason-based and implicit trust. Insights into this dynamic are derived from an integration of a wide range of literature such as on organizational behavior and social influence. Conclusions on the effect of the dynamics between power and trust on the interaction climate between authorities and individuals and subsequent individual motivation of cooperation in social dilemmas such as tax contributions are drawn. Practically, the assumptions on the dynamics can be utilized by authorities to increase cooperation and to change the interaction climate from an antagonistic climate to a service and confidence
How shareholder accusations of managerial misconduct affect sell-side analysts

How Shareholder Accusations of Managerial Misconduct Affect Sell-side Analysts Jared Nelson Jennings Chair of Supervisory Committee: Professor Dawn Matsumoto, Co-Chair Professor Terry Shevlin, Co-Chair In this paper, I examine how the firm’s information environment changes after an accusation of managerial misconduct associated with management disclosure. Filing a security class action lawsuit under SEC Rule 10(b)-5 is the primary mechanism that shareholders have to formally accuse management of intentionally misrepresenting or withholding firm disclosure. After the filing of the lawsuit, investors and other market participants likely question management’s credibility and the quality of its disclosure. Investors likely demand additional information from other market participants to evaluate and/or substitute for management disclosure after the lawsuit is filed. I argue that sell-side equity analysts have the expertise and incentives to produce a portion of the additional information demanded by investors after the filing of the lawsuit. Using 565 security class action lawsuits obtained from Cornerstone Research and Stanford Law School, I find evidence consistent with sell-side analysts providing more services, using more private information during the forecasting process, and having more informative reports after the filing of a security class action lawsuit.
From Refining Sugar to Growing Tomatoes

This article seeks to advance the understanding of the relationship between industrial ecology (IE) and business model innovation for sustainability as a means and driver of new value creation and competitive advantage by expanding the understanding of industrial symbiosis (IS) and internal symbiosis. This is explored through the case study of British Sugar, which, at the time of writing, is the UK's largest sugar producer by market share. Over the past three decades, the company has systematically sought opportunities to turn waste streams and emissions from their core production processes into useful and positive inputs to new product lines. Their core business is still sugar, but the business model has evolved to offer a broad range of additional synergistic and profitable product lines, including animal feed, electricity, tomatoes, and bioethanol. The research explores the temporal dimension of dynamic business model innovation, framing it in the context of a continuous evolutionary process rather than a discrete design activity. The case will be of interest as an additional contribution to the growing literature on IS; in offering an approach for linking the themes of IE literature and sustainable business model innovation more concretely in research and practice; and, by presenting the case as an evolutionary innovation process, the article furthers the emerging literature on business model innovation for sustainability.
Effect of Superheated Steam Roasting on Radical Scavenging Activity and Phenolic Content of Robusta Coffee Beans

Robusta coffee is one of the coffee species grown in Malaysia. However, there is little research conducted on Robusta coffee beans as Arabica coffee is more popular among the consumers. Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, therefore research on antioxidant properties of Robusta coffee beans is important to explore its market value. Nowadays, most of coffee analysis is on conventional roasted coffee which reduces their antioxidant properties. In this study, Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) were subjected to superheated steam roasting at 200, 220 and 240 ˚C for 20-40 min to obtain light, medium and dark roast. The effect of different roasting temperature and time on the total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of Robusta coffee bean was investigated. Total phenolic content of coffee brews decreased with the increase of roasting degree due to the degradation of phenolic compounds. The highest phenolic content was found at 220 ˚C for 20 min. Meanwhile, brews extracted from light roasted coffee and medium roasted at 220 ˚C for 20 min showed a maximum scavenging activity than those from green coffee. Brews from dark roasted coffee showed lowest radical scavenging activity and total phenol content. Hence, based on the results from this study, the best superheated steam roasting condition is at 220 ˚C for 20 min (medium roast) to achieve a maximum antioxidant activity and highest phenolic content.
School Climate and Building Highly Effective Schools: How Student Perception of School Structure and Supportive Learning Environments Affect Their Enjoyment of School

Education reformers have long sought to apply scientific framework analysis to engineer the ideal system in which both students and teachers are highly successful. Grounded in the evidence based theoretical framework of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), many academicians and practitioners are now focusing on determinants of school structure and supportive learning environments to bolster students’ enjoyment of school, which supports increased positive outcomes. The Abbreviated School Climate Survey (Student Version) (Ding, Liu and Berkowitz, 2011) instrument was designed to explore student perspective of school climate as an indicator of student outcomes based on seven variables. The purpose of this study was to determine how the construct of "Structured Supportive Environment" correlates to students’ enjoyment of school, using the seven-factor variables of the Abbreviated School Climate Survey, in a sample of two (2) traditional and two (2) charter public middle schools in Missouri (N=729). Using Structured Equation Modeling, the analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation of the measured factors on enjoyment of school, thus supporting the reliability and validity of the Abbreviated School Climate Survey in measuring and predicting the effect of students’ perceptions of school climate factors on outcomes. Given the strong correlation of these school climate factors—both organizational and socioemotional—on student outcomes, it should be these factors, rather than discrete standardized test scores, that should drive education policy and assessment of school quality. Future studies could use this instrument to measure the effect of school climate factors on student outcomes, including academic, social and economic aspects.
The transformation of public action - A new spatial planning paradigm in Peru?

It appears that the situation of spatial planning policies in Peru is complicated. Several attempts to simplify legislations have failed. However, a coherent policy framework is necessary in order to efficiently implement a comprehensive spatial planning strategy. Therefore this paper considers the question of spatial planning through an analysis of public policy, in order to understand who has the power to make changes to create a common vision of spatial planning in Peru. It analyzes which were the obstacles of change so far to illustrate how change did not happen (or happened only in a limited way). The first part sheds light on the conflicts between different levels of government. The second, analyzes how to conflicts of interest between actors within the government impede the elaboration of a coherent legislative framework. The last part discusses the possibility of a paradigm shift in Peruvian spatial planning policy and possible alternatives to the current model.
A note on acquisition in frequency-based accounts of Binding Phenomena

This article addresses the so-called ‘pronoun interpretation problem’ or ‘delay of Principle B effect’ – an observation in the study of language acquisition that challenges classical Binding Theory. We show that a recent, frequentist theory of binding which is empirically superior to the classical Binding Theory can, with a minor adjustment, address the pronoun interpretation problem and thus explain why children acquire interpretational restrictions on pronouns later than they acquire such restrictions on reflexives and why the acquisition of interpretational restrictions lags behind restrictions on generation.
Composition and Formation of the "Paso Robles" Class Soils at Gusev Crater

Light-toned, subsurface soil deposits have been excavated by the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit in six distinct locations along its traverse across the Columbia Hills of Gusev Crater. Samples at two of these sites have been analyzed in detail by the M ssbauer (MB) and Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometers (APXS), providing information on iron mineralogy and elemental chemistry, respectively. These soils are referred to as "Paso Robles" class deposits.