Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy-mineral, mineral-chemical and zircon-age constraints on the provenance of Triassic sandstones from the Devon coast, southern Britain

Abstract An integrated heavy-mineral, mineral-chemical and zircon-dating study of the Triassic succession exposed on the south Devon coast, in the western part of the Wessex Basin, indicates derivation from a combination of granitic and metasedimentary lithologies of ages of mostly over 550 Ma. These sources were probably located at a relatively proximal location near the southern margin of the basin. Derivation from more distal sources in the Armorican Massif or local Variscan sources to the west appears unlikely in view of the scarcity of Permo-Carboniferous (Variscan-age) zircons. The Budleigh Salterton Pebble Bed Formation was derived from a different combination of source lithologies than the Otter Sandstone Formation, the former including staurolite-grade metasediments that were absent in the catchment area of the Otter Sandstone. The Devon coast succession has provenance characteristics that differ from equivalent sandstones further east in the Wessex Basin, and from sandstones in the East Irish Sea Basin to the north. These differences indicate that sediment supply patterns to the linked Triassic basin systems in southern Britain are complex, involving multiple distinct sub-catchment areas, and that heavy-mineral studies have considerable potential for unravelling these sub- -catchment area sources.
Examining the interconnection of job satisfaction and organizational commitment: an application of the bivariate probit model

Links between employees' commitment to their organizations and satisfaction with their jobs have been the subject of a large amount of empirical research, and still there seems little agreement about the causal connections between these two important employee attitudes. Understanding these attitudes is important because they have an important effect on organizational performance, and these attitudes can be influenced by human resource policies and practices. This paper assesses the gains from the use of a bivariate probit approach in measuring the connections between job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This paper is the first to make use of the bivariate probit approach in this context, and it improves our understanding of the connections between HR policy and these important employee attitudes. The approach taken allows a direct test of the hypothesis that job satisfaction and organizational commitment are jointly determined by demographic and policy factors. The results are compared with the results from the more traditional binomial probit approach to illustrate the degree of bias corrected by the bivariate approach.
Influence of chicken manure and NPK (17-17-17) fertilizer on growth and yield of carrot

This study was conducted to determine the effect of chicken manure and NPK (17-17-17) fertilizer on growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) in a volcanic soil of Musanze District in the Northern Province of Rwanda. This was geared upon by many unattended biotic and agronomic factors pertaining to low yields of carrot crop in this area. The treatments were: the control (T0), 10 t ha -1
Does familiarization with call improve students'attitudes towards call?

This paper reports a survey of the attitudes of a group of University students towards using computers to study English. The focus of this research is to determine whether familiarization with computers for language learning can improve students' attitudes towards CALL. In particular, it was found that, after having used computers one semester, the students in this survey showed more positive attitudes towards CALL than students who had never used them before. Evidence suggests that we should start seriously thinking about the importance of familiarizing our students with computers for language learning from their first learning stages
The Influence of Race, Class and Gender on Mathematics Achievement and Self-Esteem for Fifth, Eighth and Eleventh Grade Students in Pennsylvania Schools.

This integrative study of student socioeconomic status (SES), race and gender focused on mathematics achievement and self-esteem in the school context. Data for tne study were derived from the Pennsylvania Educational Quality Assessment Program for the years 1981 through 1984. Analyses were conducted at the fifth, eighth, and eleventh grade levels.Replicable achievement differences in mathematics were observed across grade levels for student SES and race, but not for gender. The only replicable interaction to emerge was a relatively weak, but persistent SES by race effect that occurred for all analyses involving students attending low SES schools. Although achievement increased across student SES level for both white and black students the increment tended to be slightly larger for white students. Replicable differences in self-esteem occurred for student SES and gender. Race differences, in the form of a grade level by race interaction, occurred only within low SES schools. Supplementary analyses of mathematics achievement incorporating school SES and race were also performed. In addition to significant results for each main effect several interactions were found, the most prominent being a race by school SES effect, which occurred at each grade level. Tables and a list of references are included. (Author/YP) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** THE INFLUENCE OF RACE, CLASS AND GENDER ON MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT AND SELF-ESTEEM FOR FIFTH, EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS Richard L. Kohr J. Robert Coldiron Eugene W. Skiffington James R. Masters Ross S. Blust Pennsylvania Department of Education Symposium Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association Washington, D.C. April, 1987 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and improvement EDUCATIONA. RESOURCES TEERIC) UC INFORMATION CE hi. document has been reproduced as Aeived from the person or organization opuinating it In Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality, Points of view or opinions stated in this docui ment do not necessarily represent official OERI posihon or policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Richard L. Kohr TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). " REST COPY AVAILABt E
The effects of dark chocolate consumption on lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, liver enzymes, inflammation, and antioxidant status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study

Background : Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important health problem in the world and despite the rising prevalence, there is currently no satisfying therapeutic strategy for curing NAFLD. Dark chocolate (DC) is a food rich in phenolic antioxidants, which may exert favorable and modifying effects on lipid profile, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and metabolic effects. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of DC consumption on the lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), liver transaminases (ALT, and AST), inflammatory, and antioxidant status in NAFLD patients. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 42 patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the treatment group (n=21) whom received 30 gr dark chocolate (83%) daily and the control group (n=21), for a 12 weeks period. Results: During the intervention, taking 30 gr DC (83%) daily resulted in a significant decrease in AST (P=0.012), body weight (P=0.027), and BMI (P=0.042) in the treatment group. In addition, patients who received DC had considerable changes in serum HDL ( P = 0.044). However, no significant changes occurred in serum levels of ALT, hs-CRP, anthropometric measures (WC, HC, and WHR), and grades of NAFLD in both groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: DC consumption can decrease the level of AST in patients with NAFLD and could be a potential therapeutic approach. We recommend more investigation about potential therapeutic effects of dark chocolate to be further clarified.
Using Online Professional Development to Increase Self-Efficacy in School-Based Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educators

The purpose of this study was to determine if school-based occupational therapists who participated in a series of online professional development modules on the topic of fieldwork education reported increased feelings of self-efficacy regarding the ability to fulfill the role of fieldwork educator. In this single-group design, participants completed a series of six online professional development modules. Each module consisted of a narrated slideshow presentation, case study activity, and online discussion board. Participants completed a self-efficacy survey before and after completing the series of modules. Results indicated a significant increase in self-efficacy related to fieldwork education following completion of the online professional development course. An online professional development course on the topic of fieldwork education can improve selfefficacy in potential fieldwork educators.
CORPORATE RISK MANAGEMENT UNDER INFORMATION ASYMMETRY 241 particularly well suited for an investigation of the information asymmetry hypothesis

This paper examines the financial and operational hedging activities of US pharmaceutical and biotech firms that are subject to a high level of information asymmetry stemming from R&D investments during 2001–2006. We find evidence in support of the information asymmetry hypothesis à la Froot, Scharfstein and Stein (1993) that hedging helps mitigate the under-investment problem. Specifically, we find that the use of financial derivatives is associated with greater firm value and that the value enhancement is larger for firms subject to greater information asymmetry and better growth opportunities. There is a synergy between financial hedging and operational hedging where the latter is used to counter product development risk. The results are robust with respect to alternative performance measures, industry-specific growth measures, and the endogeneity problem. Our work is differentiated from existing studies that examined commodity-based industries without addressing information asymmetry.
Modification of vibrating thin walled structure using dynamic vibration absorber

Vibration control have widely used to suppress the vibration of thin walled structure. There are two different types of thin walled properties such as a thin plate with flexural rigidity and without flexural rigidity. To improve modification of thin walled structure, dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) was introduced to reduce vibration on thin structure. This paper demonstrated experimental force vibration by using exciter motor shaker to investigate the dynamical behaviour of a thin walled structure attached with DVA. Experimental results, in terms of modal parameters and vibration reduction performance, are compared with numerical approaches which obtained through a finite element model. The measurement result found that when DVA attached to plate structure the vibration amplitude of the controlled mode are significantly reduced by almost 85% and 94% for single and dual DVA attachment, respectively. It concludes that adding more DVA attached on the structure produce better result in vibration reduction.
Properties of Matrix Variate Confluent Hypergeometric Function Distribution

We study matrix variate confluent hypergeometric function kind 1 distribution which is a generalization of the matrix variate gamma distribution. We give several properties of this distribution. We also derive density functions of , , and , where independent random matrices and follow confluent hypergeometric function kind 1 and gamma distributions, respectively.
Application of advanced confocal microscopic observation in animal reproductive medicine

Assisted reproduction techniques especially in farm animals allow propagating those with an increased reproductive potential as well as of high economic value. Most of these techniques are based on in vitro manipulation, with special regards given to the selection of female gametes of high maturation and fertilization potential and of embryos characterized by an increased developmental capacity. The developmental capacity of oocytes and/or embryos can be estimated on the basis of their ability to grow and develop in in vitro cultivation (IVC) systems. Thereby, the developmental capacity is defined as the ability of oocytes to reach full maturation stage (MII stage), to successfully undergo monospermic fertilization, forming zygotes, to reach the blastocyst stage and appropriate implantation. Apart from several molecular biology techniques which allow detecting markers of developmental capacity, progress in invasive and/or noninvasive imaging methods helps the scientists to evaluate the expression and/or distribution of various proteins within the female mammalian gametes and embryos. Inasmuch fluorescence microscopy allows determining protein localization and parametric expression as well, assessment of developmental capacity manifested by oocytes and/or embryos gained a new technique, which permits to define even better mammalian reproductive performance. Therefore, studies using advanced confocal microscopy are now of an increased significance and take an important place in the determination of the developmental potential of mammalian oocytes and/or embryos. An appropriate interpretation of confocal microscopic images, reflecting protein expression, localization, distribution and/or translocation, is of a high importance. In this chapter, the confocal microscopic observation will be presented and discussed, related to the expression and distribution of proteins responsible for gamete maturation, fertilization as well as for appropriate growth and development of embryos of female mammals. Furthermore, specific mechanisms of protein translocation enigma will also in the focus of attention. Longtime experience will be also presented in this chapter, related to the application of confocal imaging systems in mammalian reproductive medicine, involving studies on oocytes and embryos as well as cumulus granulosa cell transformation and expression of luminal proteins in epithelial cells.
Validation of an Awareness and Preparedness on a Hearing Conservation Program Questionnaire: A Cross Sectional Study in Thailand

Objective: To validate a hearing conservation program (HCP) questionnaire based on the health belief model and stages of change model (or transtheoretical model). Materia l and Methods: The perception levels of 145 workers who voluntarily participated at 2 companies were determined using this HCP questionnaire from April 2014 to September 2015. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to justify the final questionnaire. Results: The final questionnaire had 24 items with 5 components: risk acceptance (8 items), perceived barriers (3 items), perceived benefits (5 items), role model (4 items), and the stages of change (4 items). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of each component were 0.75, 0.64, 0.84, 0.85, 0.71, and the total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of this questionnaire was 0.78. Workers in the factory who promoted continuous safety activities of HCP had a better score in all dimensions than those workers in the factory who did not. Conclusion: This questionnaire of 5 components was a well validated, predictable, and positive instrument for the HCP situation in manufacturing.
Uniqueness and Value-sharing of Entire Functions

In this paper, we study the uniqueness problems on entire functions sharing one value. We improve and generalize some previous results of Zhang and Lin [11]. On the one hand, we consider the case for some more general differential polynomials where is a polynomial; on the other hand, we relax the nature of sharing value from CM to IM.
Importance of bitwise identical reproducibility in earth system modeling and status report

Abstract. Reproducibility is a fundamental principle of scientific research. Bitwise identical reproducibility, i.e., bitwise computational results can be reproduced, guarantees the reproduction of exactly the same results. Here we show the importance of bitwise identical reproducibility to Earth system modeling but the importance has not yet been widely recognized. Modeled mean climate states, variability and trends at different scales may be significantly changed or even lead to opposing results due to a slight change in the original simulation setting during a reproduction. Out of the large body of Earth system modeling publications, few thoroughly describe the whole original simulation setting. As a result, the reproduction of a particular simulation experiment by fellow scientists heavily depends on the interaction with the original authors, which is often inconvenient or even impossible. We anticipate bitwise identical reproducibility to be promoted as a worldwide standard, to guarantee the independent reproduction of simulation results and to further improve model development and scientific research.
Analysis of use of technological support and information content by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify types of technological support and information content utilized to promote therapeutic regimen management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : In this study, which had a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive, and transversal approach, the authors used a questionnaire organized on the basis of a literature review and two models: One of acceptance of the technology and a theoretical one of the determinants for patients perceived ease of its use. Results : The patients with COPD reported need for more information related to their daily activities and breathing exercises. Patients who had higher literacy and higher technological literacy reported that web-based technologies were more useful. Those who had lower literacy and lower technological literacy reported higher usefulness, intention and ease of use of mobile phone books, and videos in the access to information. Conclusion : Information resources may use any technologi -cal support, provided information is available according to the literacy and technological literacy of the patients and tailored to their needs. Keywords : Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Education nursing; Computer literacy; Patient education as topic
Mixing processes in Crater Lake, Oregon

Subsurface hydrothermal activity dominates the heat and salt budgets of the deep water column in Crater Lake, Oregon. From a time series of conductivity-temperature-depth data and data from a thermistor chain mooring, we estimate that the net hydrothermal heat flow is -1 W m -2 and the corresponding salt flux is -5 gg 2 s F s a r ds u m' ' . Thi p pe ' c sses the observation of these fluxes and the mechanisms and time scales of mixing re.spo. nsible for the redistribution of these properties through the water column. Free convection and wind mixing homogenize the upper 200 m of the lake twice annually. Deep-lake ventilation occurs during early winter and to some extent during late spring. However, since the deep lake does not reach atmospheric saturation with resEect to dissolved oxygen at any time during the year, ventilation of the deep water appears to be incomplete. t. uring periods of seasonal stratification, the active input of hydrothermally enriched fluids produces heterogeneities and instabilities in the density structure of the deep lake that may drive deep-lake mixing. As a result of these and other mixing processes, Crater Lake remains relatively well mixed, despite its great depth.
Learning Languages in Study Abroad And at Home Contexts: A Critical Review of Comparative Studies

In the last two decades numerous studies have been conducted to document the language learning gains in a second language (L2) thought to be prompted by study abroad (SA) programs. Although different research syntheses have been attempted to take stock of the findings involved, no review to date has been conducted with a view to analyze those studies in which researchers have compared the learning effects of SA contexts and those of at home (AH) regular classrooms. The present review is an attempt to identify the studies that have adopted this comparative approach and to critically assess the dimensions investigated, the methodology used and the main findings reported. A number of methodological issues awaiting to be addressed in future research are also discussed.
A Comparison of Developmental Activities of Elite Athletes Born in Large and Small Cities

The purpose of this study was to compare organized and non-organized sport activities of 41 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) athletes from different birthplace sizes (n small city =18; n large city =23). A retrospective semi-structured interview was used to collect developmental sport activities of athletes. Results revealed that athletes born in small cities participated in significantly more non-organized sport activities and significantly less organized sport activities than athletes from large cities. No significant differences were found between the athletes when comparing total number of sport hours. Findings from this study provide evidence that varying developmental activities can lead to elite athlete development. Cette etude visait a comparer les activites sportives organisees et non organisees auxquelles s'adonnaient 41 athletes de Sport interuniversitaire canadien (SIC) selon la taille de leur lieu de naissance (n petite ville = 18; n grande ville = 23). Des entrevues retrospectives semi-dirigees ont ete realisees avec les athletes pour recueillir des donnees sur leurs activites de developpement. Les resultats ont revele que les athletes issus de petites villes s'adonnaient nettement plus a des sports non organises et nettement moins a des sports organises que leurs homologues des grandes villes. Par contre, on n'a constate aucun ecart significatif d'un groupe a l'autre quant au nombre total d'heures consacrees au sport. Les resultats de l'etude revelent que le developpement initial des athletes elite peut etre associe a divers types d'activites sportives .
Geotechnical Damage Caused by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, Japan

On the 16th of April 2016, the Kumamoto earthquake (Mw 7.0) hit the Central Kyushu Region, Japan, following a Mw 6.2 shock on the 14th of April. The earthquake sequences caused severe damage in Kumamoto Prefecture. This paper presents quick reconnaissance results focusing on geotechnical damage features, which were observed during field investigations immediately after, one, and two weeks after the main shock. The damage surveys were carried out in southern Kumamoto City, Mashiki Town, Aso Caldera area and their suburbs. In southern Kumamoto City, evidence of liquefaction was found at many locations, and some buildings and river levees suffered from significant settlement and deformation; damage to an embankment of Kyushu Highway also seemed to be the result of liquefaction. The majority of the damaged residential houses were found in Mashiki Town and its suburbs, which may be linked to intense earthquake motions associated with the seismic fault location. In Aso Caldera area, a number of moderate to large scale landslides and their significant impact to structures were observed. The greater part of landslide masses in Aso Caldera area was a mixture of volcanic ash, andsol, a highly porous dark-colored material comprising of volcanic ash mixed with organic matter, and pumice. These porous materials might have experienced significant strength reduction during the earthquake.