Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VU Research Portal Online Deliberation in Academia: Evaluating the Quality and Legitimacy of Cooperatively Developed University Regulations

This article focuses on the potential of online participation to enable the cooperative development of norms by affected stakeholders, investigating whether such processes can produce norms of both high quality and legitimacy. To answer this question, we designed, implemented, and evaluated an online norm setting process that goes beyond the scope of those usually described in the literature. Taking as a case study a process to redraft the examination regulations for doctoral degrees at a science faculty of a German university, we show that such instances of online deliberation can integrate the diversity of opinions of all affected stakeholders. The result was a norm that implemented previously controversial external recommendations for doctoral dissertation procedures and that was met with high satisfaction from both those who participated as well as those who remained passive. While we believe that the university context in which this process was conducted is particularly promising for such efforts because of its organization, its members, and the issue that was at stake, we argue that similar conducive conditions exist, for example, for political parties. As such, the ﬁndings can be instructive for understanding the potential and limits of successful online participation in other contexts.
Understanding consumer choice in the hospitality and tourism industry: An electrical engineering control system approach

In this conceptual paper, we show how an electrical engineering control system may be used to help explain consumer choice behavior in the hospitality and tourism industry. Key concepts of electrical engineering control systems are explained as they might apply to simple (refrigerator thermostat) and complex multidimensional (aircraft autopilot systems) control systems. This understanding is used to understand consumer choice behavior in the industry. For example, we might consider the reference signal to be a person’s set of desired attributes in a hotel. We sense the environment through our usual five senses enhanced, in today’s world through technology, which, if not an exact match with our desires, creates an error or a dissonance, which may lead to some corrective action like choosing a different tourism alternative. This change leads to a modified input through our sensors, and then a modified comparator signal. If the error is zero or within acceptable limits, we are satisfied and are not motivated to change any more. If not, we continuously adjust our actions until we are reasonably satisfied. It is quite common for a hotel to ask for ratings on a set of predetermined factors. This paper does not deny the value of such an exercise, but posits that such ratings are not sufficient to get a complete picture. Rather, we need to determine the appropriate reference, sensor, and error signals. The reference signal is the set of desired attributes. The sensor signal might reasonably be reflected in the ratings on the typical rating form that the customer completes at the end of the experience. The error signal is the discrepancy between the reference signal and the sensor signal – and the control system model proposes that it is that discrepancy or error signal which will be the primary driver of the action signal.
Tectonics of the New Guinea Region

The New Guinea region evolved within the obliquely and rapidly converging Australian and Pacific plate boundary zone. It is arguably one of the most tectonically complex regions of the world, and its geodynamic evolution involved microplate formation and rotation, lithospheric rupture to form ocean basins, arc-continent collision, subduction polarity reversal, collisional orogenesis, ophiolite obduction, and exhumation of (ultra)high-pressure metamorphic rocks. We describe the major onshore and offshore tectonic and geologic components, including plate boundaries, seismicity, faults, and magmatism, and we integrate these with emerging ideas about mantle dynamics to evaluate the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of New Guinea. Future research opportunities to resolve the mantle structure beneath New Guinea will enable mantle dynamics to be linked to lithospheric and surface processes. Virtually all plate tectonic and mantle processes have been active in the New Guinea region throughout the Cenozoic, and, as such.
Halophytication in Harran (Şanliurfa) and Amik Plain (Hatay) in Turkey

In the studied areas of the Harran and Amik plains some halophytic species are distributed. The number of these species in the Harran Plain has started to increase due to improper irrigation after the starting of GAP (Southeast Anatolian Project). Some of these species distributed in the two plains are: Salsola crassa, S. dendroides, S. soda, Petrosimonia brachiata, Frankenia pulverulenta, Cressa cretica, Chenopodium foliosum, Ch. vulvaria, Salicornia europaea, Aeluropus lagopoides var. lagopoides, Sideritis montana subsp. montana, Hordeum geniculatum, Lolium subulatum, Cynodon dactylon var. villosus, and Peganum harmala. In the flatlands of Hatay, where soil salinity is either small or medium, the following new associations have been found: Alhago manniferae-Hordetum murinumae, Prosopo farctae-Hordetum murinumae, Cresso creticae-Hordetum murinumae, Ammio visnagae- Hordetum murinumae, and in Akcakale: Aeluropuseto lagopoidesae-Chenopodietum vulvariae, Frankenieto pulverulentae-Salsoletum sodae and Cresso creticae-Aeluropusetum lagopoidesae. The phytosociologic properties and productivity of these associations differ from each other and are subject to seasonal changes.
Global and temporal distribution of meteoric smoke : a two-dimensional simulation study

[1] Meteoric material entering Earth’s atmosphere ablates in the mesosphere and is then expected to recondense into tiny so-called ‘‘smoke particles. ’’ These particles are thought to be of great importance for middle atmosphere phenomena like noctilucent clouds, polar mesospheric summer echoes, metal layers, and heterogeneous chemistry. Commonly used one-dimensional (1-D) meteoric smoke profiles refer to average global conditions and yield of the order of a thousand nanometer sized particles per cubic centimeter at the mesopause, independent of latitude and time of year. Using the first two-dimensional model of both coagulation and transport of meteoric material we here show that such profiles are too simplistic, and that the distribution of smoke particles indeed is dependent on both latitude and season. The reason is that the atmospheric circulation, which cannot be properly handled by 1-D models, efficiently transports the particles to the winter hemisphere and down into the polar vortex. Using the assumptions commonly used in 1-D studies results in number densities of nanometer sized particles of around 4000 cm �3 at the winter pole, while very few particles remain at the Arctic summer mesopause. If smoke particles are the only nucleation kernel for ice in the mesosphere this would imply that there could only be of the order of 100 or less ice particles cm �3 at the Arctic summer mesopause. This is much less than the ice number densities expected for the formation of ice phenomena (noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes) that commonly occur in this region. However, we find that especially the uncertainty of the amount of material that is deposited in Earth’s atmosphere imposes a large error bar on this number, which may allow for number densities up to 1000 cm � 3 near the polar summer mesopause. This efficient transport of meteoric material to the winter hemisphere and down into the polar vortex results in higher concentrations of meteoric material in the Arctic winter stratosphere than previously thought. This is of potential importance for the formation of the so-called stratospheric condensation nuclei layer and for stratospheric nucleation processes.
Length-weight relationships of 24 stream-dwelling fish species from the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract The length-weight relationship parameter is important for obtaining fish weight and biomass data with relevant implications about species role on ecosystem functioning. Here we report the length-weight relationship (LWR) for 24 fish species from three streams located in the Atlantic Forest in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Fish were collected with electrofishing and standard length (cm) and wet weight (g) were measured to obtain the a and b parameters of the Log (W) = Log (a) + b Log (SL) equation. Length-weight relationships for seven out of 24 species (Hypostomus punctatus, Deuterodon taeniatus, Deuterodon hastatus, Deutorodon janeiroensis, Characidium vidali, Characidium interruptum and Rineloricaria zawadiskii) are reported for the first time. The length-weight relationships reported here contribute to the database that can support fish diversity conservation, fisheries management plans and studies on fish biology.
Scottish Silurian shorelines

ABSTRACT The Silurian inliers of the Midland Valley of Scotland all exhibit a regressive sequence, and despite evident facies differences between inliers, marine successions invariably pass upwards into redbeds of continental origin. Contrasting types of shoreline facies can be seen in different inliers; here the beds in the North Esk Inlier (NEI) are compared with those previously described from Knockgardner. At Knockgardner a high energy coastal environment prevailed, but in the NEI very different conditions can be identified in near-contemporaneous deposits. In the NEI thin sandstones and siltstones of the Reservoir and Deerhope formations are succeeded by the sandstones and conglomeratic beds of the Cock Rig Formation. These are overlain by the marine mudstones of the Wether Law Linn Formation and, at the top of the sequence, the continental redbeds of the Henshaw Formation. The Wether Law Linn Formation is interpreted, on various lines of evidence, as a lagoonal system. Conditions therein were initially fully marine, though within the photic zone, but subsequently the faunas were increasingly influenced by fluctuating salinity, prior to deposition of the redbeds. Such a lagoon would have required an offshore bar impounding it, which is represented by the Cock Rig Formation. These sedimentary rocks, previously interpreted as deposits of a laterally unconfined submarine channel, are now considered to be of shallow water origin. The succession closely conforms to classic models in which shoreface sands, consisting of small cross-bedded packets, are succeeded by tabular sandstone sheets representing foreshore beach deposits. Coarser and thicker beds, with herringbone cross-sets, linguoid ripples and trains of rounded pebbles, are interpreted as the deposits of tidal channels within the barrier complex. The barrier-lagoon system persisted throughout the whole of Cock Rig time and most or all of the time during which the Wether Law Linn Formation was deposited, and was either static or prograded seawards until the lagoon dried up during a final marine regression. The sedimentary and faunal evidence is consistent with this interpretation, and the contrast between the shoreline environments of the NEI and Knockgardner is striking. Brief reference is made to other inliers in the Midland Valley.
Enigmatic boulder trains, supraglacial rock avalanches, and the origin of "Darwin's boulders," Tierra del Fuego

Charles Darwin considered himself to be a geologist and published extensively on many geologic phenomena. He was intrigued with the distribution of erratic boulders and speculated upon their origins. In his accounts of the voyage of the HMS Beagle, Darwin described crystalline boulders of notable size and abundance near Bahia San Sebastian, south of the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego. Influenced by Charles Lyell’s reflections upon slow, vertical movements of crust, submer gence, and ice rafting to explain drift, Darwin proposed that the boulders of Bahia San Sebastian were ice-rafted. Benefiting from 170 years of subsequent study of the glacial history of Tierra del Fuego, petrography, and terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide measurements, we revisit the origin of “Darwin’s Boulders” at Bahia San Sebastian. We suggest that they, as well as another train of boulders to the west, at Bahia Inutil, represent rock falls of Beagle-type granite from the Cordillera Darwin onto glacial ice flowing into the Bahia Inutil–Bahia San Sebas tian lobe. These supraglacial rock avalanche deposits were subsequently elongated into boulder trains by glacial strain during transport and then deposited upon moraines. The cosmogenic nuclide exposure dates support the correlation of Andean glaciations with the marine oxygen isotope record and the glacial chronologies recently proposed for Tierra del Fuego.
Characterization and comparative assessment of bactericidal activity of carbon nanodots (CDs) and nanoparticles (CNPs) prepared from soot's of clarified butter and mustard oil, respectively

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are carbon-based nanomaterial with dimensions in the range of 1–100 nm. In the present research, an ecofriendly, simple, and highly reproducible method was used to prepare the CNPs from the soot of clarified butter (carbon dots) and mustard oil (carbon nanospheres) in both pristine and oxidized forms. The obtained CNPs were subjected to various analyses such as UV-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), dynamic light scattering, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The analyses demonstrate that the size of butter-originated CNPs was found in the ranges of 10–90 nm (raw) and 5–20 nm (oxidized), whereas, in the case of mustard oil-originated CNPs, the size was observed in the ranges of 100–150 nm (raw) and 50–80 nm (oxidized). As per zeta potential results, the net surface charges on CNPs were observed as −9.05 and −14.6 mV in the case of raw and oxidized CNPs from butter, respectively, and −12.7 and −20.1 mV in the case of raw and oxidized CNPs from mustard oil, respectively. XRD results showed the typical graphitic crystalline nature of both kinds of CNPs irrespective of their initial raw material. FTIR results confirmed hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, and amide groups on CNPs that help in their capping and stabilization in the solvent media. Five bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Moraxella catarrhalis , were used to assess the bactericidal potential of synthesized CNPs using agar-well and 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2 H - tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide-colorimetric methods. Butter-mediated oxidized CNPs were the most effective bactericidal agent against all the bacterial strains compared to mustard-originated CNPs. Furthermore, CNPs-mediated toxicity towards bacteria was both size and concentration dependent. Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis were the most sensitive [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 800 µg/ml] and resistant (MIC: 2.0 mg/ml) bacteria, respectively, towards CNPs-mediated toxicity. The synthesized CNPs were devoid of any metallic impurities and hence worthy of being used in various applications like imaging, labeling, sensor-technology, and environment monitoring and as an antibacterial agent.
Community Health Needs Assessment on Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among Women of Reproductive Age in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer contributing to high mortality and morbidity all over the world. However, early diagnosis with screening has been linked with good prognosis but different factors have been implicated in the poor uptake. Hence, a community health needs assessment about cervical cancer screening uptake among women of reproductive age in Ijero Local Government Area (LGA) of Ekiti State Nigeria was carried out. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used using a purposive sampling technique to administer a self-structured questionnaire to 132 respondents at the Ijero Local Government Council Secretariat, Ijero-Ekiti. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results were presented in tables and figures. Results: The majority (85.5%) of the respondents were Christians. 72.5% were married. The vast majority (98.1) have heard about cervical cancer screening before but only 12.6% of the respondents had good knowledge about it. The utilization rate was found to be low (26.1%). Not knowing the test location (69.4%), finance (82.9%), lack of proximity (91.9%), not considering self as at risk (81.2%), and not having complaints about the cervix (90.9) were the main factors influence the utilization of the screening process. Conclusion: Knowledge and the utilization of women of reproductive age in Ijero LGA of Ekiti State is still poor. Healthcare workers and the government of the Ekiti State should ensure that the women of reproductive age are well equipped with the needed knowledge in order to make informed choices about their health.
A generalized classification of South African summer rain‐bearing synoptic systems

S-mode principal component analysis has been applied to standardized monthly South African rainfall fields and the synoptic systems represented on the higher eigenvectors identified by matching the spatial distribution of rainfall on each component with that of the various weather systems as revealed by satellite imagery. Summer systems identified include cloud bands connecting the tropical and temperate circulations, tropical and subtropical cyclones, coastal depressions, cyclones on the continental west coast and troughs associated with cold fronts on the east coast. The new classification is contrasted with earlier equivalent schemes. The uses of the results in terms of the search for geophysical controls on the development of each of the identified systems are discussed.
Sensitivity of simulated flow fields and bathymetries in meandering channels to the choice of a morphodynamic model

Morphodynamic models are used by river practitioners and scientists to simulate geomorphic change in natural and artificial river channels. It has long been recognized that these models are sensitive to the choice of parameter values, and proper calibration is now common practice. This paper investigates the less recognized impact of the choice of the model itself. All morphodynamic models purport to simulate the same flow and sediment dynamics, often relying on the same governing equations. Yet in solving these equations, the models have different underlying assumptions, for example regarding spatial discretization, turbulence, sediment inflow, lateral friction, and bed load transport. These differences are not always considered by the average model user, who might expect similar predictions from calibrated models. Here, a series of numerical simulations in meandering channels was undertaken to test whether six morphodynamic codes (BASEMENT, CCHE‐2D, NAYS, SSIIM‐1, TELEMAC‐2D and TELEMAC‐3D) would yield significantly different equilibrium bathymetries if subjected to identical, initial flow conditions. We found that, despite producing moderately similar velocity patterns on a fixed‐flat bed (regression coefficient r of 0.77 ± 0.20), the codes disagree substantially with respect to simulated bathymetries (r = 0.49 ± 0.31). We relate these discrepancies to differences in the codes' assumptions. Results were configuration specific, i.e. codes that perform well for a given channel configuration do not necessarily perform well with higher or lower sinuosity configurations. Finally, limited correlation is found between accuracy and code complexity; the inclusion of algorithms that explicitly account for the effects of local bed slope and channel curvature effects on transport magnitude and direction does not guarantee accuracy. The range of solutions obtained from the evaluated codes emphasizes the need for carefully considering the choice of code. We recommend the creation of a central repository providing universal validation cases and documentation of recognized fluvial codes in commonly studied fluvial settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metacognitions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a psychometric study of the metacognitions questionnaire-30

The metacognitions questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) was developed for the assessment of metacognitive beliefs and processes that are central components of the metacognitive model of emotional disorders. Anxiety and depression commonly occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Testing such a model for anxiety and depression in patients with COPD is warranted. However, the psychometric properties of the MCQ-30 in COPD patients are unknown. Therefore, in this study we aimed to examine these properties in COPD patients. The MCQ-30 was administered to 203 COPD patients referred to a rehabilitation unit in respiratory medicine. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the five-factor as well as the bi-factor models of MCQ-30. Exploratory factor analyses were also performed. Both models did not meet the criteria for an acceptable fit on Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.810 and 0.858 vs. criterion of ≥0.9, but the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) criterion ≤0.08 was acceptable for both models with RMSEA = 0.074 and 0.066, respectively. The factors were mostly moderately correlated (0.41–0.58) with acceptable reliability coefficients (0.73–0.87). The exploratory factor analysis identified three of the five factors originally described in the five-factor model of the MCQ-30. These data show that the factor structure of the MCQ-30 appears to differ from that of the original instrument in COPD patients and further studies are needed to confirm its validity and reliability in this patient group.
New perspective on the transition from flat to steeper subduction in Oaxaca, Mexico, based on seismicity, nonvolcanic tremor, and slow slip

We examine the along‐strike transition from flat to steeper subduction in Oaxaca, Mexico, to provide a better understanding of what controls the slab morphology. Prior studies have suggested the slab tends to tear along the transitions in dip as the slab rolls back. We determine the slab geometry based on local seismicity, nonvolcanic tremor (NVT), and slow slip utilizing a deployment of broadband seismometers and continuous GPS receivers distributed in and around Oaxaca. We construct depth contours of the subducting slab surface down to 100 km, which illustrate that the transition from flat to steeper subduction occurs rapidly via a sharper flexure than previously recognized. The prior catalog of NVT in Oaxaca is extended using the same method and additional stations that extend further west. The band of NVT follows the new slab contours, widening toward the west with the downdip extent gradually moving inland. The amount of NVT also correlates with the strength of an ultraslow‐velocity layer. There are no gaps in seismicity, NVT, or slow slip across the rapid transition in slab dip, further supporting the notion that the slab is not currently torn in the updip region. We propose that the sharp flexure is possible in this region due to bending moment saturation that leads to greater curvature in both the downdip and along‐strike directions. A similar set of observations in southern Peru suggests this is a viable alternative to tearing that accommodates the large strains from variable rates of slab rollback.