Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rainfall thresholds for shallow landsliding derived from pressure‐head monitoring: cases with permeable and impermeable bedrocks in Boso Peninsula, Japan

Rainfall thresholds for shallow landslide initiation were determined for hillslopes with two types of bedrock, permeable sandstone and impermeable mudstone, in the Boso Peninsula, Japan. The pressure‐head response to rainfall was monitored above a slip scarp due to earlier landslides. Multiple regression analysis estimated the rainfall thresholds for landsliding from the relation between the magnitude of the rainfall event and slope instability caused by the increased pressure heads. The thresholds were expressed as critical combinations of rainfall intensity and duration, incorporating the geotechnical properties of the hillslope materials and also the slope hydrological processes. The permeable sandstone hillslope has a greater critical rainfall and hence a longer recurrence interval than the impermeable mudstone hillslope. This implies a lower potential for landsliding in sandstone hillslopes, corresponding to lower landslide activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NANOMETER RESOLUTION 2-D IN-PLANE SAW MOTOR

An in-plane two-dimensional ultrasonic motor using surface acoustic wave (SAW)---2-D SAW motor--- is reported. The motor utilizes propagating Rayleigh wave, a kind of SAW, for friction drive. To independently drive a slider in X- or Y-direction, four interdigital transducers (IDTs) were fabricated on ends of a stator plane to excite X- or Y-propagating Rayleigh wave. The operation area of the motor, namely the inside area surrounded by the four IDTs, was 14x14 mm 2 . Since both the stator and slider are made of surface polished crystal substrates, the operational plane of the slider is flat and smooth on nanometer scale. The 2-D SAW motor performed less than 10 nm stepping motion every 0.2 ms for both directions. The motor also exhibited high speed, up to 0.5 m/s and 0.15 m/s for X- and Y-direction, respectively. The 2-D SAW motor showed excellent features for 2-D precise positioning actuator.
Response of broiler chicks fed increasing levels of copra meal and enzymes

A study was performed to test the efficacy of three types of commercial enzymes, to determine how much copra meal can be used in chick diets and to investigate whether there is an interaction between type of enzyme and level of copra meal in the diets. Sixty four male Ross chicks were used in a two way factorial design experiment with four levels of copra meal (0, 10, 30 and 50 percent) and four enzyme treatments (no enzymes, "Hemicell", "Allzyme SSF" and a combination of "Gamanase", "Hemicell" and "Allzyme SSF") with four replicates. All levels of inclusion of copra meal decreased weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, DM digestibility, nutrient digestibility, AME and jejunal content viscosity significantly. In general, the amount of decrease was proportional to the amount of copra meal in the diet. The inclusion of each enzyme significantly increased weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, DM digestibility, nutrient digestibility and decreased jejunal content viscosity. However, none of the enzyme treatments was able to completely overcome the growth depression of chicks caused by the inclusion of copra meal in the diet.
Amortisation Versus Impairment of Goodwill and Accounting Quality

In this paper there has been made a comparison between the amortisation and the impairment methods for accounting for goodwill, with regards to their associated effects on accounting quality. Based on two qualitative characteristics of accounting information, as formulated by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the effects of the new impairment method are examined using a value relevance and a timeliness model. The sample consists of European companies that adopted this new method of goodwill accounting, following the required adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2005. The results indicate that impairment of goodwill is actually less value relevant than amortisation, but that it does lead to more timely accounting information. It is concluded that the objective of the IASB in issuing a new accounting standard is not completely met and it only partially contributes to higher accounting quality.
RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL E RETORNOS DAS AÇÕES: UMA ANÁLISE DE EMPRESAS LISTADAS NA BM&FBOVESPA* SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND STOCK RETURNS: AN ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES LISTED ON BM&FBOVESPA

The growing concern about the social and environmental issues has led companies to take a more careful position on their actions, in order to leverage a good reputation, which is considered a crucial element for success in the market. Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the adoption of socially responsible practices by the authorities, aimed at providing social and economic development of the environments in which they operate. At the same time, these actions meet the organizational interests that may lead to improved corporate image, market share gains, increase in profitability and increase the possibilities of continuity. In order to verify a possible relationship between corporate social responsibility practices and the economic results reported by the companies, this research sought to identify whether disclosure of the composition of the portfolio of the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of BM&FBOVESPA impacts on variations in stock returns of the companies that are in the index. In this sense, the share of assets in the portfolio was considered as a proxy for sustainability initiatives, and the event study method was used to analyze the effect of the inclusion or exclusion of firms in the portfolio. ISE portfolios were analyzed for the years 2011 to 2013 and the results showed positive abnormal returns of the companies included after the release of the index and negative abnormal returns of the firms that were excluded from the index. It was found also that the market behavior returns to normality after the absortion of avaliable information, which supports the semi-strong efficiency hypothesis of the Brazilian capital market.
Feeding habits and digestive enzymes in the gut of Mormyrus rume (Valenciennes 1846) (Osteichthyes Mormyridae)

The feeding habits of 436 elephant snout fish, Mormyrus rume (Valenciennes 1846), from River Ose were investigated. Stomach contents were identified and analyzed by occurrence and volumetric methods, and the prominence of individual food items was determined by the ranking index I. Only 3.2% of the specimens had empty stomachs while the others had stomachs in varying degrees of fullness. Food items included plant and animal matter, mainly arthropods. A preponderance of insects, crustaceans and detritus, which accounted for 100% occurrence and > 16% of total volume in the stomachs of M. rume specimens, suggests a benthic feeding habit. The high percentage occurrence of detritus and its high I value established M. rume as a detritivore. Assays were conducted to determine the occurrence, distribution and specific activities of digestive enzymes in different gut regions of juvenile (SL 35.0 cm) M. rume . Alpha-amylase, maltase, lactase, sucrase, chitinase, pepsin, trypsin and lipase were present in the different gut regions at varying quantities and with specific activities. The wide distribution of enzymes in both juvenile and adult M. rume reflects its ability to digest the carbohydrate, protein and lipid portions of its foods. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in specific activities of digestive enzymes between wet and dry seasons.
Public Sustainable Development Values: A Case Study in Sepang, Malaysia

The continuous process of observing and assessing the development scenarios around them provide the public the perception and understanding of the current development issues. The shortcomings of the current development methods inspire the public to develop a set of preferred development values. The information of public’s development values is important to sustainable development management as values underlie people’s action and behaviour. Without greater understanding and awareness of this, conflicts over management are prone to occur. This research focuses on the development values from the socio-cultural point of views in Sepang, Malaysia. Using qualitative methods, in-depth interviews and group discussions of selected respondents were held to represent their views and communities represented by them. The analysis of data highlights five theme values in development namely identities, peace, freedom, environment and development. There were seven fundamental needs according to Max-Neef list evident i.e. subsistence, protection, affection, participation, creation, identity and freedom.
Interaction of Light and Matter in Metal-Semiconductor Hybrid Nanostructures

﻿Ultraschnelle Nanooptik erforscht das Verhalten von Licht in nanostrukturierten Materialien auf Femtosekunden-Zeitskalen und konnte damit den nachste grosen Durchbruch in der Datenverarbeitung bringen. Das Wissen aus diesem Forschungsbereich ist die Grundlage fur zukunftige rein optische Schaltungstechnik, die Daten viel schneller als herkommliche Elektronik verarbeiten kann. An nanostrukturierten Metalloberflachen konnen Oberflachenplasmonen (SPPs) angeregt werden. Dabei handelt es sich um kollektive Schwingungen des Elektronengases im Metall und des elektromagnetischen Feldes. SPPs konnen Licht auf einen raumlichen Bereich fokussieren der kleiner als das Abbe-Limit ist und propagieren immer entlang der Metalloberflache. Damit sind sie als Informationstrager in nanooptischen Geraten besonders geeignet. Organische und anorganische Halbleiter sind eine weitere wichtige Komponente in nanooptischen Bauteilen. Sie ermoglichen die Licht-Licht und Licht-Materie Wechselwirkung, die notwendig ist, um Licht zu verstarken und zu schalten. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt theoretische Berechnungen, die in enger Zusammenarbeit mit experimentellen Kollegen entstanden. Der Modellierungsprozes, der eng mit der Wahl der numerischen Methoden in Zusammenhang steht, wird erortert. Desweiteren werden Auswertungsmethoden beschrieben, die die numerischen Ergebnisse mit experimentell zuganglichen Grosen verknupfen. Die Ergebnisse der Berechnungen werden zuletzt experimentellen Ergebnissen vergleichend gegenubergestellt. In ihrem ersten Teil diskutiert die vorliegende Arbeit subtile Aspekte der Anregung von SPPs auf Metallgittern, bei denen die Symmetrie des Gitters von den einzelnen Streuern gebrochen wird. Thema des zweiten Teils der Arbeit ist ein Metallgitter, welches mit einem Farbstoff beschichtet wurde. In einem solchen System bilden SPPs und Exzitonen im Farbstoff kollektive, gekoppelte Moden, die auch Excimon oder Plexciton genannt werden. Dies kann an der vermiedenen Kreuzung der durch SPPs beziehungsweise Excitonen entstehenden Dips im winkelaufgelosten Reflektivitatsspektrum nachgewiesen werden. Im letzten Teil wird die Lokalisierung von Licht in Anordnungen von Zinkoxid Nanonaadeln diskutiert. Die Nanonaadeln sind dabei zufallig auf einem Substrat verteilt, stehen aber alle vertikal. Wegen ihres waldahnlichen Aussehens werden solche Anordnungen auch Nanowalder genannt. Einfallendes Licht erfahrt in diesem System Vielfachstreuung an den Nanonaadeln. Es stellt sich heraus, dass ein Teil des Lichtes lokalisiert wird - es wird im Nanowald gefangen.
Robust Learning from Bites

Many robust statistical procedures have two drawbacks. Firstly, they are computer-intensive such that they can hardly be used for massive data sets. Sec- ondly, robust confidence intervals for the estimated parameters or robust pre- dictions according to the fitted models are often unknown. Here, we propose a general method to overcome these problems of robust estimation in the con- text of huge data sets. The method is scalable to the memory of the computer, can be distributed on several processors if available, and can help to reduce the computation time substantially. The method additionally oers distribution-free confidence intervals for the median of the predictions. The method is illustrated for two situations: robust estimation in linear regression and kernel logistic re- gression from statistical machine learning. and scoring methods for credit risk management, respectively. Other examples are data mining projects and micro-arrays. For such data sets parametric assumptions are often violated, outliers are present, or some variables can only be measured in an imprecise manner. The application of robust sta- tistical methods is important in such situations. However, many robust methods have the following drawbacks which are serious limitations for the application of robust methods. (a) They are computer-intensive such that they can hardly be used for massive data sets, say for several millions of observations with many explanatory variables. (b) Robust standard errors and robust confidence intervals for the estimated parameters or for robust predic- tions are often unknown. (c) Some statistical software packages like S-PLUS or R contain state-of-the-art algorithms for robust statistical methods, but the implemented numerical algorithms usually require that the whole data set fits into the memory of the computer. In this paper a simple but quite general method for robust estimation in the context of huge data sets is proposed. The goal of the proposal is to broaden in application of robust methods for massive data. The idea is to split the huge data set S by random into disjoint subsets Sb, b = 1;:::;B. Then the robust method is applied to each subset, and the results are summarized in a robust manner. The proposal yields robust predictions for the median together with distribution-free confidence intervals. The method is scalable to the memory of the computer by choosing B appropriately and the computation can easily distributed on several processors which helps to reduce the computation time substantially.
How Far Away From Nature are We? Analysis of Correlation Similarities between Descriptors of the Drug Bank and Tripeptides Molecules

A Statistical analysis was performed of similarities between 2D topological descriptors from the Drug Bank molecule database and 8,000 tripeptides (all possible amino acid combinations encoded by nucleic acids). The correlation between theoretically calculated properties of tripeptide molecules (MW, AlogP, Topological PSA, hydrogen bond donors and hydrogen bond acceptors) and topological descriptors from Drug Bank showed major similarities between simple tripeptides and compounds with dedicated bioactivity developed in laboratories. The paper presents histograms for the distribution of the number of compounds with similar molecule properties as encoded by the descriptors. A simple, innovative methodology for the large scale analysis of statistical data and their correlation has been developed within our study. Some hypothesis indicates that highly processed food is a natural antibacterial and antiviral barrier. Our research in comparison with literature data proves that many xenobiotics are topologically similar to natural metabolites being tripeptides and some have similar therapeutic applications.
Metabolic Syndrome : Potential Benefit From Specific Nutritional Dietary Therapy

The aim was to investigate the effect of a dietary supplement on the different criteria of the metabolic syndrome (Mets). Fifty eight obese Mets women with mean age of 48.8±0.87 years and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 38.6± 0.90 kg/m2, volunteered for 8 weeks, divided into two equal phases to follow a low caloric balanced diet (10001200 K calories). In phase 1, the diet was supplemented firstly by 30% doum biscuits (Group A= 34 patients), secondly by whole meal wheat flour (WMWF) biscuits (group B= 24 patients). In phase (2) both supplements were omitted. All patients were monitored clinically anthropometrically and biochemically by estimating hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile and C-peptide concentrations. Chemical, rheological and organoleptic characteristics of the biscuits were determined. While both biscuits contain high percentage of linoleic and linolenic fatty acids, and glutamic acid, the doum biscuit contains in addition higher concentrations of crude fiber and polyphenols. Reduction of all the anthropometric measurements and the blood pressure values were recorded in both groups by the end of both phases. Also hemoglobin and High Density LipoproteinCholesterol (HDL-C) significantly increased, while the other lipid parameters, FBG, C-peptide and Modified HOMA-IR significantly decreased among both groups by the end of phase 1. On the contrary, after omission of the supplements in phase 2, there was a significant decrease in(HDLC),while the other parameters significantly increased, more so among group (B), thus favouring the choice of the doum biscuit. In conclusion, the combination of hypocaloric diets with specifically chosen supplements, act synergistically directing the metabolism towards normalization especially if adopted as long term policy in the management of the metabolic syndrome.
MICA-DERIVED VERMICULITES AS UNSTABLE INTERMEDIATES *

-Stability determinations were made by solubility methods on two trioctahedral mica-derived vermiculites. The phlogopite-'derived vermiculite was found to be unstable under acid solution conditions, where stabilities of montmorillonite, kaolinite and gibbsite had previously been determined. An attempt was next made to locate a possible montmorillonite-vermiculite-amorphous silica triple point. This triple point involved conditions of alkaline pH, high pH4SiO 4 and high Mg 2+. These are conditions where phlogopite and biotite-derived vermiculites are most likely to control equilibria/f they are stable minerals. The montmorillonite-vermiculite-amorphous silica samples went to the montmorillonite-magnesiteamorphous silica triple point, leaving no stability area whatsoever for the vermiculites. These large particle-size, trioctahedral, mica-derived vermiculites appear to be unstable under all conditions of room T and P. Arguments are presented indicating that micas are unstable in almost all weathering environments. A hypothesis is proposed that mica-derived vermiculites result from the unique way in which unstable micas degrade in these environments. It is proposed that vermiculite derives from a series of reactions whose relative rates often result in an abundance of vermiculite. These relative reaction rates are slow for mica dissolution, rapid for K removal and other reactions pursuant to vermiculite formation, and slow for vermiculite dissolution. In chemical terms, mica-derived vermiculites may be considered fast-forming unstable intermediates.
Convex and concave types of second baroclinic mode internal solitary waves

Abstract. Two types of second baroclinic mode (mode-2) internal solitary waves (ISWs) were found on the continental slope of the northern South China Sea. The convex waveform displaced the thermal structure upward in the upper layer and downward in the lower layer, causing a bulge in the thermocline. The concave waveform did the opposite, causing a constriction. A few concave waves were observed in the South China Sea, marking the first documentation of such waves. On the basis of the Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV) equation, an analytical three-layer ocean model was used to study the characteristics of the two mode-2 ISW types. The analytical solution was primarily a function of the thickness of each layer and the density difference between the layers. Middle-layer thickness plays a key role in the resulting mode-2 ISW. A convex wave was generated when the middle-layer thickness was relatively thinner than the upper and lower layers, whereas only a concave wave could be produced when the middle-layer thickness was greater than half the water depth. In accordance with the K-dV equation, a positive and negative quadratic nonlinearity coefficient, α2, which is primarily dominated by the middle-layer thickness, resulted in convex and concave waves, respectively. The analytical solution showed that the wave propagation of a convex (concave) wave has the same direction as the current velocity in the middle (upper or lower) layer. Analysis of the three-layer ocean model properly reproduced the characteristics of the observed mode-2 ISWs in the South China Sea and provided a criterion for the existence of convex or concave waves. Concave waves were seldom seen because of the rarity of a stratified ocean with a thick middle layer. This analytical result agreed well with the observations.
Evidence of a change in oceanic fixed nitrogen with decadal climate change in the North Pacific subpolar region

Using four pentadecadal hydrographic time series of biogeochemical properties over the North Pacific subpolar region, we found that the linear trends of these properties over this region due to sea surface stratification. Decadal periodicity of 18 years was also found although there were the opposite phases between the eastern and western sides. Despite decreasing trends of DO with an increase of PO4, N* in the subsurface water showed an increasing trend of 0.18 μmol kg−1 y−1. N* in the surface water had also an increase of 0.12 μmol kg−1 y−1 with a decrease of Si/N. With considering the decease of N/P and increase of Si/N in diatoms under iron‐deficient conditions, this finding is evidence that a shift of phytoplankton has already occurred due to the progress in stratification with the depletion of iron derived from deep water, despite being a relatively high primary production region.
Health-related Quality of Life among Community-dwelling Elderly People in the General Populations of the US and Japan

Background Japanese live longer than Americans, but whether elderly Japanese enjoy better health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than elderly Americans is unknown. Objective To compare HRQOL between community-dwelling elderly Japanese and Americans using population data. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective, cross-sectional study using nationwide survey data of 706 US and 491 Japanese subjects aged 65 years or above. Main outcome measures The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Results Elderly Japanese had higher physical-related HRQOL scores (physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality) and social functioning than elderly Americans. The disparity of physical functioning scores between the two populations was greater in the higher-aged groups. Medical conditions were surveyed using a self-report questionnaire. More than 76% of elderly Americans reported having two or more medical conditions compared with 39% of Japanese. Only 8.3% of elderly Americans reported having no medical condition, compared with 28% of Japanese. Multivariate analyses suggest that the number of medical conditions is the most important independent predictor for physical functioning scores. In addition, mental health-related HRQOL scores (mental health, general health perceptions, and role-emotional) were lower in Japanese than in the Americans. Conclusions Community-dwelling elderly Americans had lower physical functioning and more comorbid conditions than similarly aged Japanese.
Using a mixture of natural forage in growing of yearlings of carp under conditions of recirculation installations

The basic fish-breeding and biotechnological and biological indicators of yearlings of scaly carp grown in recirculation installations using forage mixture of natural food objects were researched. It was established that the introduction of natural fodder for feeding carp in controlled conditions positively affect the growth of fish. Using histological studies it was determined that in terms of growing fish in closed water plants, feeding fish with natural feed ingredients have positive effect on the metabolism in the body of the fish.