Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indications for different types of brittle failure due to active coal mining using waveform similarities of induced seismic events

Abstract. Longwall mining activity in the Ruhr coal mining district leads to mining-induced seismicity. For detailed studies the seismicity of a single longwall panel beneath the town of Hamm-Herringen in the eastern Ruhr area was monitored between June 2006 and July 2007 with a dense temporary network of 15 seismic stations. More than 7000 seismic events with magnitudes between –1.7 ≤ ML ≤ 2.0 were detected and localized in this period. Most of the events occurred in the vicinity of the moving longwall face. In order to find possible differences in the brittle failure types of these events an association of the events to distinct clusters is performed based on their waveform characteristics. This task is carried out using a new clustering algorithm utilizing a network similarity matrix which is created by combining all available 3-component single station similarity matrices. The resultant network matrix is then sorted with respect to the similarity of its rows leading to a sorted matrix immediately indicating the clustering of the event catalogue. Finally, clusters of similar events are extracted by visual inspection. This approach results in the identification of several large clusters which are distinct with respect to their spatial and temporal characteristics as well as their frequency magnitude distributions. Comparable clusters are also found with a conventional single linkage approach, however, the new routine seems to be able to associate more events to specific clusters without merging the clusters. The nine largest observed clusters can be tentatively divided into three different groups that indicate different types of brittle failure. The first group consists of the two largest clusters which constitute more than half of all recorded events. Results of a relative relocation using cross-correlation data suggest that these events are confined to the extent of the mined out longwall and cluster close to the edges of the active longwall at the depth of active mining. These events occur in lockstep with the longwall advance and exhibit a high b value of the Gutenberg–Richter relation (GR) of about 1.5 to 2.5 and consist of small magnitude events. Thus, these events represent the immediate energy release adjacent to the mined out area. The second group consists of clusters located either slightly above or below the depth of active mining and occurring at the current position of the longwall face within the confines of the longwall. They consist of generally stronger events and do not follow GR. This activity might be linked to the failure of more competent layers above and below the mined out seam resulting in larger magnitude events. Finally, one cluster represents seismic activity with a rather low b value below 1 and events located partly towards the north of the longwall which are delayed with respect to the advance of the longwall face. These events are interpreted as brittle failure on pre-existing tectonic structures reactivated by the mining activity.
CHLOROPLAST RNA TRANSPORT SYSTEM OPTIMISATION FOR HETEROLOGOUS PROTEIN EXPRESSION Master ́s degree final project

Chloroplast transgenesis is an emerging approach for the production of heterologous proteins. However, it is limited by the necessity of genomic sequence knowledge and the lengthy procedures required for obtaining a homo-plastid configuration, among others. That constrains could be avoided with an expression system based on specific RNA traffic to the chloroplast. In the present study, an expression cassette based on a viroid-derived sequence as targeting signal, was attempted to optimize by increasing protein expression levels and reducing biosafety concerns. Influence of several 5’ untranslated leader sequences in protein expression levels was analysed. Additionally, the viroid-derived sequence was reduced in two shorter versions and a sequence with an analogous secondary structure was also designed. These variants did not present protein accumulation in the chloroplast despite that correspondent RNAs were presumably detected in the organelle. According to our results, the RNA targeting signal encodes a putative chloroplast transport peptide which is translated from a non-canonical start. Finally, 5’ untranslated chloroplastic translation enhancers were not suitable for transient expression because of the early expression in Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
DIFFERENTIATION AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE by ADRIATIK LIKCANI

This study explored the impact of differentiation of self on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). First, the study determined if differentiation of self in a relationship added to the variance accounted for by the known risk factors including relational satisfaction, marital conflict, romantic jealousy, depression, anxiety, and attitude about violence towards women. Second, it examined the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between differentiation of self and IPV. Results indicated that differentiation of self in a relationship is a predictor of perpetration of intimate partner violence in relationships even after controlling for other known risk factors. Results also indicated that gender did not moderate the relationship between differentiation of self and perpetration of violence. DIFFERENTIATION AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE by ADRIATIK LIKCANI B.A., University of Tirana, Albania, 1995 M.S., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2004 M.S.W. , University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2011 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOHY School of Family Studies and Human Services College of Human Ecology KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2013 Approved By: Co-Major Professor Sandra Stith, Ph.D. Approved By: Co-Major Professor Farrell Webb, Ph.D.
Tell-tale signs: reflection towards the acquisition of academic discourses as second languages

Parallels can be drawn between the acquisition of academic discourses and second languages. After enrolling in a sign language course, we – lecturers teaching academic discourses – decided to explore this phenomenon and determine the implications for pedagogical practice. Themes and codes were identified through qualitative analysis of reflection journals compiled during the course. It is suggested that pedagogical practice could be improved by adapting pace and lesson structure to students’ needs. It is clear that motivation is important for skills acquisition and can be facilitated by the creation of learning communities and accommodating different learning styles through differentiation. A safe learning environment is essential where a learning community is supported by effective use of technology. Additionally, an adequate balance of suitable content, opportunities for learning by example, having sufficient tools to reach measureable outcomes as well as creating opportunities for reinforcement of skills could all benefit the teaching of academic discourses.
Analytic-holistic thinking influence on information use during sensemaking

The present study looks at how cultural differences in cognition pose a challenge to the management of information. Analytic-Holistic (AH) thinking, in particular, appears to influence information selection, attribution, and ultimately, sensemaking. This study, conducted in the United States, used 47 Americans and 47 Malaysian students studying in the U.S. The participants completed the Holism Scale; read a scenario and responded to a recognition test and an attribution assessment, developed for this study. First, Malaysians were found to be higher than the Americans in a scale of holistic thinking. Second, they also remembered more situational information. Thirdly, no differences were found between the two groups in situational attribution. Finally, proposed mediations with recognition of information as a mediator of AH thinking and Attribution were not significant. Differences in cognition affected types of information remembered. Implications of results on information management, sensemaking, and barriers to multinational teamwork are discussed.
The Effect of Demand Response on Electricity Consumption in Japan

The main purpose of this study is to investigate, by using regressions analysis, the DR effect on households' electricity consumption. We employ three kinds of estimation models: a pooled OLS model, a random effect model, and a fixed effect model. Major results are as follows. First, the DR scheme clearly reduces electricity consumption. As the peak-time price of electricity increases by 20 yen/kWh in the form of TOU and CPP, electricity consumption decreases by about 8.1% at sample mean. However, consumption after DR tends to increase, most likely due to the rebound effect. Second, the reduction effects of the DR scheme can be strengthened as households' income becomes higher. In contrast, as more people stay at home during the daytime and the temperature rises, the reduction effects of the DR scheme may become weaker. Third, electricity price, household characteristics, and external conditions are significant factors affecting electricity consumption. Fourth, the effects of some DR schemes such as requests to save electricity, TOU, and CPP, can differ largely according to household characteristics and external conditions.
Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) gut microbiomes, bacterial inhabitants of a worldwide distributed pet

Background. Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) were originally endemic to Australia, but they are nowadays popular worldwide pet birds. It is now possible to make detailed molecular studies on cultivable and uncultivable bacteria that are part of the intestinal microbiome of healthy animals, these studies showed that bacteria are an essential part of the capacity and metabolic status of animals. There are few studies of bird microbiomes and to date this is the first reported cockatiel microbiome work. Methods. In this paper we analyzed the gut microbiome of 3 healthy adult cockatiel birds by massive sequencing of 16S ribosomal gene. Additionally, we show a comparison with other poultry, and wild birds microbiomes and their taxa profiles Results. The vast majority of the Cockatiel’s bacteria found were Firmicutes, while Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes are poorly represented. 19,280 different OTUs were detected, of which 8,072 belong to the Erysipelotrichaceae family. Discussion. Cockatiels wide geographic distribution, and close human contact makes relevant to study their microbiomes, this study gives a baseline for their bacterial diversity. Cockatiels microbiomes diversity are dominated by Firmicutes of the Erysipelotrichaceae family. Cockatiels, and other wild birds are almost depleted of Bacteroidetes which happen to be abundant in poultry birds and this is probably related with the intensive human manipulation of poultry bird diets. Some pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium colinum, and Serratia marcescens are inhabitants of the cockatiel’s microbiome while other pathogens are not elements of healthy cockatiel’s microbiota, although the specimens collected were perfectly healthy at the time.
The endemic flora of Bosilegrad surroundings (Krajište region) in SE Serbia

Data on the presence, diversity and chorology of the endemic plant taxa of the Bosilegrad surroundings (Krajiste region) in southeast Serbia are presented. Fifty-nine endemic taxa (species and subspecies) are recorded in the rich flora of this area. The greatest number of endemics is recorded in the highland, siliceous region of the Vlasina mountain chain. Considerable percentage of endemics, including the local or steno-endemic taxa, occur on the small calcareous plateau of Mt Rudina. The existence of a diverse and rich endemic flora is of great importance in the conservation of biodiversity in this area. Moreover, this fact shows that Bosilegrad surroundings are an important center of the Balkan endemic flora in the area of Serbia and the Balkan peninsula.
The Discrete–Continuous Correspondence for Frequency-Limited Arma Models and the Hazards of Oversampling

Discrete-time ARMA processes can be placed in a one-to-one correspondence with a set of continuous-time processes that are bounded in frequency by the Nyquist value of ? radians per sample period. It is well known that, if data are sampled from a continuous process of which the maximum frequency exceeds the Nyquist value, then there will be a problem of aliasing. However, if the sampling is too rapid, then other problems will arise that will cause the ARMA estimates to be severely biased. The paper reveals the nature of these problems and it shows how they may be overcome. It is argued that the estimation of macroeconomic processes may be compromised by a failure to take account of their limits in frequency.
Effects of the dynamic vehicle-road interaction on the pavement vibration due to road traffic

A new model is developed for predicting pavement vibration due to the dynamic vehicle-road interaction. This model incorporates vehicles, an uneven pavement, a base layer and a subgrade, and uses the moving axle loads and the geometric unevenness as its inputs. Using the Fourier transform, the dynamic equilibrium equations of the coupling system are then solved in the frequency-wavenumber domain. The time domain responses are evaluated by the fast inverse Fourier transform. The effects of the moving vehicle speed, the wavelength and magnitude of pavement unevenness and the pavement properties on the dynamic displacement response are investigated systematically. Computed results show that two peaks of the vertical response can be observed with increase of the uneven wavelength and the vehicle speed because of resonance of the coupling system. Therefore, it is important to control the pavement unevenness and vehicle speed to avoid resonance in the engineering practice.
Description and evaluation of the Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers, version 4 (MOZART-4)

Abstract. The Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers, version 4 (MOZART-4) is an offline global chemical transport model particularly suited for studies of the troposphere. The updates of the model from its previous version MOZART-2 are described, including an expansion of the chemical mechanism to include more detailed hydrocarbon chemistry and bulk aerosols. Online calculations of a number of processes, such as dry deposition, emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes and photolysis frequencies, are now included. Results from an eight-year simulation (2000–2007) are presented and evaluated. The MOZART-4 source code and standard input files are available for download from the NCAR Community Data Portal ( http://cdp.ucar.edu ).
Adapted customer relationship management implementation framework: facilitating value creation in nursing homes

This paper proposes a framework to support customer relationship management (CRM) implementation in nursing homes. This work critically considers existing studies, which conducted in-depth questionnaires to identify critical CRM features (termed value-characteristics) that were identified as potentially adding the most value to nursing homes if implemented. Although the existing research proposed an implementation framework, summary of, and inconsistent inclusion of value-characteristics, limits the practical use of this contribution during implementation. In this paper we adapt the originally proposed framework to correct perceived deficiencies. We link the value characteristics to operational, analytical, strategic and/or collaborative CRM solution types, to allow consideration in context of practical implementation solutions. The outcome of this paper shows that, practically, a ‘one solution meets all characteristic’ approach to CRM implementation within nursing homes is inappropriate. Our framework, however, supports implementers in identifying how value can be gained when implementing a specific CRM solution within nursing homes; which subsequently supports project management and expectation management.
Topological semimetal to insulator quantum phase transition in the Zintl compounds B a 2 X (X =Si ,Ge )

By first-principles calculations, we find that $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{a}}_{2}X(X=\mathrm{Si},\mathrm{Ge})$ hosts a topological semimetal phase with one nodal ring in the ${k}_{x}=0$ plane, which is protected by the glide mirror symmetry when spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is ignored. The corresponding drumheadlike surface flat band appears on the (100) surface in surface Green's function calculation. Furthermore, a topological-semimetal-to-insulator transition is found. The nodal line semimetal would evolve into a topological insulator as SOC is turned on. The topologically protected metallic surface states emerge around the $\overline{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}$ point, which could be tuned into the topologically trivial insulator state by more than 3% hydrostatic strain. These results reveal a category of materials showing quantum phase transition between topological semimetal and insulator, and tunability through elastic strain engineering.
Activity Patterns and Habitat Use of Northern Bobwhite Females in 2 Grazing Systems

During spring and summer of 1985 and 1986, we investigated activity patterns and habitat use of female northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) on 2 sites in south Texas. One site had been subjected to a short duration grazing (SDG) system and the other to a continuous grazing (CG) system. Nineteen females were radio-tagged in 1985 and 28 in 1986. Rainfall was above average in 1985 and below average in 1986; as a result, herbaceous ground cover was more dense in 1985 than in 1986. Due to extensive fencing, 58% of the SDG cell was within 25 m of a mowed roadside, fencerow, or pipeline right-of-way; the same was true for 30% of the CG pasture. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in distances moved between successive locations or in the breeding season home range sizes of females in the 2 systems. In 1985, females preferred zones within 25 m of mowed areas and avoided those ~50 m from such areas. In the SDG cell during 1986 only, females preferred recently grazed paddocks. The results suggest that the most important difference between the 2 grazing systems was the increased proportion of mowed areas in the SDG cell during the abnormally wet year. In the Texas Coastal Bend, landowners unable to adjust stocking rates during wet years should consider mowing to improve bobwhite habitat.
Van azc naar een baan : de Nederlandse regelgeving over en praktijk van arbeidsmarktintegratie van vluchtelingen

Het onderzoeksrapport maakt de vier fases in het traject van azc naar een baan inzichtelijk. In de eerste fase, de asielprocedure, valt de asielzoeker onder de verantwoordelijkheid van het COA in afwachting van een status. Welk werk of andere activiteiten, zoals vrijwilligerswerk, mag een asielzoeker tijdens dat wachten doen en wat niet? Vervolgens breekt de fase aan dat de statushouder nog in een azc woont, maar kan wel beginnen met inburgeren. Juridisch gezien mag de statushouder wel werken, maar praktisch gezien is het vaak nog niet zo ver. Daarna is de statushouder in een gemeente gaan wonen; de gemeente gaat - in het kader van de uitvoering van de Participatiewet - aan de slag met de integratie van de statushouder. Ook de waardering van diploma’s komt dan aan de orde. In de laatste fase wordt vooruitgeblikt. De statushouder woont inmiddels al drie of vijf jaar in Nederland en heeft de verplichting om binnen drie jaar te slagen voor het inburgeringsexamen. Wat is de betekenis van de tijdelijkheid van de verblijfsstatus tot het moment dat na vijf jaar een verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd wordt verkregen of de status eventueel wordt ingetrokken als het land van herkomst weer veilig is.
Identifying and reducing response burdens in internet business surveys

Response burden is of great concern in survey data collection activities. Despite extensive efforts on the part of data collection agencies to reduce the burden the problem seems to prevail. In this article we discuss how web surveys can be one way of reducing the burden in business surveys. We offer a perspective on response burden that is different from the one currently used and we include this conceptualisation into a model that links survey design and response quality to response burden. We describe some qualitative tests performed in Norwegian business surveys, which support the usefulness of our conceptual model.
Title Robust synchronization via homogeneous parameter-dependentpolynomial contraction matrix

Robust synchronization problem is a key issue in chaotic circuits and nonlinear systems. This paper is concerned with robust synchronization problem of polynomial nonlinear system affected by time-varying uncertainties on topology, i.e., structured uncertain parameters constrained in a bounded-rate polytope. Via partial contraction analysis, novel conditions, both for robust exponential synchronization and for robust asymptotical synchronization, are proposed by using parameter-dependent contraction matrices. In addition, for polynomial nonlinear system, this paper introduces a new class of contraction matrix, i.e., homogeneous parameter-dependent polynomial contraction matrix (HPD-PCM), bywhich tractable conditions of linearmatrix inequalities (LMIs) are provided via affine space parametrizations. Furthermore, the variant rate margin for robust asymptotical synchronization is, for the first time, proposed and investigated via handling generalized eigenvalue problems (GEVPs). A set of representative examples demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method.
Setting the appropriate tax on cigarettes in Ireland

This paper examines the issues involved in setting the appropriate tax on cigarettes in Ireland. It compares Irish tax rates with those in other EU countries and then examines the external costs of cigarette consumption in Ireland. The paper concludes by reviewing some recent evidence that smokers do not fully take on board the internal costs of cigarette consumption which in turn could have major implications for appropriate levels of tax.
Decreasing mortality with drotrecogin alfa in high risk septic patients A meta-analysis of randomized trials in adult patients with multiple organ failure and mortality >40%

Objective. Sepsis is a complex inflammatory disease, rising in response to infection. Drotrecogin alfa, approved in 2001 for severe sepsis, has been withdrawn from the market. The aim of this study was to assess if drotrecogin alfa-activated can reduce mortality in the more severe septic patients. Methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, BioMedCentral, and in Clinicaltrials. gov databases to identify every randomized study performed on drotrecogin alfa-activated in any clinical setting in humans, without restrictions on dose or time of administration. Our primary end-point was mortality rate in high risk patients. Secondary endpoints were mortality in all patients, in patients with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) 2 score ≥ 25 and in those with an APACHE 2 score ≤25. Results. Five trials were identified and included in the analysis. They randomized 3196 patients to drotrecogin alfa and 3111 to the control group. Drotrecogin alfa was associated with a reduction in mortality (99/263 [37.6%] vs 115/244 [47.1%], risk ratios (RR) = 0.80[0.65; 0.98], p = 0.03) in patients with multiple organ failure and a mortality risk in the control group of >40%, but not in the overall population or in lower risk populations. Conclusions. In high risk populations of patients with multiple organ failure and a mortality of >40% in the control group, Drotrecogin alfa may still have a role as a lifesaving treatment. No beneficial effect in low risk patients was found. An individual patient meta-analysis including all randomized controlled trial on sepsis is warranted, along with new studies on similar drugs such as protein C zymogen.