Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personality and Cognitive Ability Predictors of Performance in Graduate Business School.

A cross-validation study is reported in which both personality variables and cognitive ability variables were evaluated as predictors of two separate performance criteria in a sample of 450 Master of Business Administration students. Whereas verbal and quantitative aptitudes of the students were found to be strong predictors of performance at written work, they were weak predictors of an in-class performance criterion. The opposite was true when specific personality trait variables were used as predictors. The personality characteristics of the students predicted classroom performance better than they predicted written performance. The Big Five factors of personality (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience) did not predict either criterion consistently
Determinants of Health Care Utilization among the Elderly Population in Jimma Town, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia

Aim: To assess determinants of health care utilization among the elderly population in Jimma town, Oromia region, southwest Ethiopia, 2012. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study on 422 residents was conducted in Jimma town, from November 1-8, 2012. Respondents were identified using multistage sampling methods. Data was collected using face to face interviewer. The data was entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Logistic regression analysis was carried out and all variables with p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were candidates for multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify a variable which has a significant association. Results: Among a total of 422 study subjects planned 417 gave their complete responses. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents have utilized a modern health care facility in the last three years. General checkup 43.2% and hospital admission & treatment 20.8% were the major reason for the visit to the health care facility. The burden of illness (95% CI of 8.00-50.00) and Physical and mental health status (95% CI of 8.1-25.5) are the main determinants of health service utilization among elderly in Jimma town. Concussion: Burden of illness Physical and mental health status are the major the main determinants of health service utilization among elderly in Jimma town.
Indigenous knowledge and climate change: settlement patterns of the past to adaption of the future

For centuries the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia have been confronted with major ecological, geological and climate events, and had to adapt home shelters and settlements to seasonal variations. Many of these changes have been captured in the cultural traditions of the indigenous people reflecting a harsh coastal environment. Weather patterns and climate change were gauged by the occurrence of the tidal changes, landscape changes, recurring weather events and the acknowledgement of six seasons. Community settlements got established and relocated to adapt to the patterns of nature. This paper investigates if this ancient knowledge can provide answers for adaptation of coastal settlements to a changing climate. Drawing upon recent published literature on predicted coastal climate change impacts in the different regions of Australia, and the review of indigenous settlement planning according to a six season cycle, the author explores traditional knowledge as input to a potential Design Based Adaptation Model for coastal settlements along the Australian coast.
Networks, Crowds, and Markets - Reasoning About a Highly Connected World

Are all film stars linked to Kevin Bacon? Why do the stock markets rise and fall sharply on the strength of a vague rumour? How does gossip spread so quickly? Are we all related through six degrees of separation? There is a growing awareness of the complex networks that pervade modern society. We see them in the rapid growth of the internet, the ease of global communication, the swift spread of news and information, and in the way epidemics and financial crises develop with startling speed and intensity. This introductory book on the new science of networks takes an interdisciplinary approach, using economics, sociology, computing, information science and applied mathematics to address fundamental questions about the links that connect us, and the ways that our decisions can have consequences for others.
An investigation and analysis of the Hispanic students' nationwide school dropout rates and the difference between those who complete their high school diploma and those who dropout

An Investigation And Analysis Of The Hispanic Students’ Nationwide School Dropout Rates And The Difference Between Those Who Complete Their High School Diploma And Those Who Dropout by Maria Olivia Egemba Gerald C. Kops, J.D. , Ph.D., Examination Committee Chair Professor o f Educational Leadership University o f Nevada, Las Vegas As the United States embarks on the twenty-first century, anxiety continues about the American educational system. The dropout crisis in the United States and particularly among the Hispanic students is a matter o f serious concern for parents, educators, politicians, and the general public. Due to the rapid technological advances, staying in school and graduating is crucial for preparing a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible work force needed by America to compete in the global economy. Hispanic students are the largest-growing sector o f the population and have the highest dropout rate o f any major segment o f the U.S. population (Hispanic Dropout Project, 1996). While the nation's high school dropout rates have improved among White and African American students, Hispanic students' dropout rates are still at alarming levels. Hispanic students are dropping out o f school at a rate that does not show signs o f diminishing—with ultimate perilous costs to society. In 1994, the number o f Hispanic
Biohydrogen production from carob waste of the Lebanese industry by dark fermentation

Abstract The aim of the present work is the study of the feasibility of a solid carob waste valorization from the Lebanese food industry using dark fermentation for a second-generation biohydrogen production. The preliminary experiments conducted in 125-mL glass bottles showed that the most effective initial pH was 6.0 and the highest hydrogen yield was 1.38 mol H2/mol hexose consumed for sucrose, followed by 1.32 mol H2/mol hexose consumed for carob waste. However, using 2-L bioreactor with pH control, hydrogen productivity were enhanced using carob waste compared to glucose. Two ways of improving dark fermentation were studied. First, the importance of nitrogen source was demonstrated. The hydrogen yield (1.15 ± 0.05 mol H2/mol hexose consumed) were clearly lower with the iron medium compared to the complete medium (1.28 ± 0.04 mol H2/mol hexose consumed). Second a simplified medium including only iron and nitrogen was prepared, and by using this medium an improvement of the hydrogen yield were recorded (1.22 ± 0.03 mol H2/mol of sugar consumed). Then, particle size reduction from 5.0 to 2.5 mm enhanced the hydrogen yield up to 1.37 mol H2/mol hexose consumed, and productivity up to 0.089 mol H2/mol hexose consumed/h.
Targeting families and teens: Television violence on the WB

Targeting Families and Teens: Television Violence on The WB by Rick Brian Marks Dr. Lawrence Mullen, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas The author investigates the amount of violence contained within WB primetime programs in order to determine The WB’s number of violent acts per program and per program hour as well as determine some of the possible effects of The WB’s violence. The author sampled one week of WB primetime programming. A definition of violence similar to other violence studies was employed for comparability. The unit of analysis used for coding was the violent act The author found all WB primetime programs to contain some violence. The most violent WB primetime program was “Buffy the Vampire Slayer ̂and the highest number of violent acts aired was found on Tuesday night. The author concludes the majority of WB primetime programs contain a low amount of violence. The author suggests future violence studies employ a single accepted definition of violence and include The WB and UPN programming in their samples.
Routine-Work-Related-Absence:

Work-related-parental-absence is becoming more common in our society, however the literature has not kept pace with this growing trend. The routine exiting and reentry of a spouse or parent creates disruption in the family system which necessitates family coping. This paper explores the effects of work-related-absence on families and the coping mechanism commonly used by these families. A theoretical framework is developed hypothesizing relationships deduced from the literature. The framework also illustrates the importance of therapeutic intervention for families experiencing difficulty coping with routine absence of a spouse or parent.
Joint Book Reading as a Multiple Vocabulary Acquisition Device

Anat NinioHebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, IsraelThis study investigated serial effects in recurrent ostensive definitions of wordsin the context of joint picture-book reading by 20 mother-infant dyads. Contentanalysis revealed a number of labeling formats, among them simple labeling bythe mother or by the infant, elicitation of labeling by "what-questions," elicitationof pointing by "where-questions," and elicited and spontaneous imitation by theinfant. The dyads applied a mixture of labeling formats to the same referent onits successive occurrences. Imitation was more likely following previous error inlabeling than were correct labeling and pointing by the infant. No difference wasfound in the correct labeling rate following production, comprehension, and im-itation. Mothers tended to follow errors and no responses with simple labelingof the same referent on its next appearance, whereas they followed correct re-sponses with attempts to elicit labeling or pointing from the infant. The resultsimply that imitation, comprehension, and productive responses to words by vo-cabulary-learning infants do not represent different levels of word knowledge, andalso that the respective vocabularies are overlapping at a given point in time.Joint attention of mother-infant dyads torepresentational materials such as picturebooks constitutes a context that is especiallyappropriate for the acquisition of the first lex-icon (e.g., Werner & Kaplan, 1963). The coreprocess through which vocabulary teachingand practice occurs seems to be the so-called"ostensive definition," in which a name ismatched to a representation of its referent(e.g., a picture), the latter in joint attentionof the participants.The realization of this core process in ac-tual mother-infant interaction might takevarious forms. One of the participants mightsimply label the picture after bringing it tothe attention of the other. The second par-ticipant might subsequently imitate that la-bel, either spontaneously or in response toa demand to do so. Participants might de-mand labeling by asking a question of thetype, "What is this? " or demand the provi-sion of the matching picture by a question
High-Speed Resistance Training in Elderly People: A New Approach Toward Counteracting Age-Related Functional Capacity Loss

ABSTRACT STRENGTH AND HIGH-VELOCITY MOVEMENTS ARE 2 ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS IN AGING HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE. THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A NEW APPROACH AND STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF STRENGTH AND POWER IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION.
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Principal Proposed Use: Anti-inflammatory for degenerative or rheumatic joint disease and tendonitis Other Proposed Uses: Analgesic for other pains (headache, menstrual pain), antipyretic, antidiabetic, appetite stimulant and bitter tonic, liver and gall bladder tonic, vulnerary Overview The major clinical uses for Devil’s claw are for pain relief in joint diseases, back pain and headache. The evidence from scientific studies in animals and humans has resulted in widespread use of standardized Devil’s claw as a mild analgesic for joint pain in Europe. There are no studies evaluating its effectiveness as an appetite stimulant or liver tonic, but it is widely used for these purposes. The major potential risks and side effects include possible allergies and potential inotropic, chronotropic, antiarrhythmic and hypotensive effects; it is traditionally contraindicated for patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers, but side effects are rarely reported and tend to be limited to mild gastrointestinal upset. Commercial products are occasionally contaminated with inactive plants and other bitter African plants such as Elephantorrhiza and Acanthosicyos. There are no studies evaluating its safety or effectiveness during pregnancy, lactation, or childhood.
Proposed Model for Investigating Relationships between Vision Components and Business Unit Performance

ABSTRACT Leaders are widely exhorted to employ visions, yet surprisingly little research has been conducted on what constitutes an “effective” vision. A research model is proposed for investigating relationships between vision components, and business unit performance as measured by employee and customer satisfaction. The model, expressed both graphically and as three propositions, proposes that vision attributes of brevity, clarity, abstractness, challenge, future orientation, stability, and desirability, plus vision content relating to employee and customer satisfaction, can directly affect performance. However, the model also predicts indirect effects on performance mediated by six realization factors and two intervening variables.
Técnicas de reconhecimento de padrões no comportamento de bovinos em função de dados de GPS

Detectar rapidamente animais que precisam de atenção extra devido a problemas de saúde ou bem-estar são essenciais. Estas anormalidades podem ser detectadas pelas mudanças no tempo padrão gasto pelo animal em atividades cotidianas como, de pé, deitado, comendo, ruminando ou andando. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar o comportamento de bovinos por meio de monitoramento animal utilizando sensores de posicionamento GPS, sensores inerciais e algoritmos de reconhecimento de padrões. Os animais foram observados por um analista de domínio e seus comportamentos foram anotados por meio de um software que confere precisão e facilita o treinamento dos algoritmos de classificação supervisionados. Os sensores, de baixo custo, foram montados em colares e instalados em 11 bovinos no pasto, num total de 42 dias incontínuos, enquanto esses animais foram observados à distância, e os seus comportamentos registrados, num total de 97 horas, em que foram anotados 35.211 comportamentos. Para este conjunto de dados foi obtida uma taxa média de acerto de 91,6% de classificação das atividades analisadas: pastando, andando, deitado descansando, deitado ruminando, de pé descansando e de pé ruminando.
Glaciovolcanism in the Garibaldi volcanic belt

This thesis investigates glaciovolcanism in the Garibaldi volcanic belt (GVB) of southwestern British Columbia (SWBC), Canada. Field observations and modelling are used to investigate: i) the paleoenvironmental implications of glaciovolcanism in SWBC, ii) volcanic eruption processes in glaciovolcanic environments, and iii) causal linkages between the volcanic eruptions and the growth and decay of terrestrial ice masses. Throughout the Pleistocene, the GVB has experienced multiple alpine and continental glaciations. The GVB comprises >100 Quaternary volcanoes and much of the character of this volcanism is ascribed to the range of magma compositions (alkaline basalt to rhyolite), to the extreme relief of the landscape, and to interactions with ice. The three key findings are: i) The GVB volcanoes are established as a powerful proxy for the local paleoenvironment. The volcanic deposits are used in conjunction with a geometric model for mountain glacier growth and retreat to inform on the presence, thickness, and transient properties of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet over the last 1 Ma. ii) Studies of two effusive glaciovolcanoes (the Lillooet Glacier basalts, and the Table) show that eruption style and deposit morphology are strongly influenced by the nature of heat exchange between the erupted lava and the ice. Specifically, meltwater drainage attending eruptions exerts a critical control on eruptive behaviour (i.e., dictating the ephemeral presence of an englacial lake). Lava-dominated tuyas, may be constructed from eruptions involving within-ice dike injection, steep, well-drained bedrock topography and endogenous, englacial inflation of the massif. iii) Transient growth and decay of terrestrial ice masses can influence the timing, size and distribution of eruptions. Specifically, glacier-induced deformation of topography may impart local, shallow crustal stresses which influence eruption frequency, eruption size and vent distribution, depending on the rheology of the bedrock and the geometry of the topography. At the scale of the crust, transient loading and unloading of ice sheets may act as a glacial pump, bending the crust downwards during loading (causing a suppression in eruptions) and allowing the crust to rebound during unloading (causing an increase in eruptions).
DPF retrofit program in Israel – effects of diesel particle filters on performance of in-use buses

A long service life of heavy-duty diesel vehicles results in a large number of older-technology trucks and buses of various types running on roads nowadays. Cleaning up exhaust gases of these older vehicles gives an opportunity to improve air quality at affordable costs. Retrofitting older buses with diesel particulate filters (DPF) is a cost-effective measure to quickly and efficiently reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions and contribute to mitigation of air pollution in urban conglomerates. In this paper, the milestones on a way to wide-scale retrofitting of heavy-duty vehicles with DPF are discussed on the example of Israel DPF retrofit program. Crucial importance of a balanced governmental approach combining regulation and economic incentives, together with collaboration of government, academia and vehicle operators, is underlined. Main results of the one-year pilot project focused on urban and intercity buses are discussed. Impact of DPF retrofitting on particulate emissions and engine performance and maintenance aspects of in-use diesel buses is analyzed. Very high particle filtration efficiency (in average, about 97%) together with relatively low fuel economy penalty (0.6–1.8%, depending on the bus type) are proved. Vital importance of careful monitoring and correct maintenance of DPF-equipped vehicles is underlined.
Weather regimes and analogues downscaling of seasonal precipitation for the 21st century: A case study over Israel

Global climate models provide only partial information on local‐scale phenomenon, such as precipitation, primarily due to their coarse resolution. In this study, statistical downscaling algorithms, based on both weather regimes and past analogues, are operated for 18 Israeli rain gauges with an altitude ranging between −200 and ~1,000 m above sea level (ASL). To project seasonal precipitation over Israel and its hydrologic basins, the algorithms are applied to six Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models for the end of the 21st century, according to the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The downscaled models can capture quite well the seasonal precipitation distribution, though with underestimation in winter and overestimation in spring. All models display a significant reduction of seasonal precipitation for the 21st century according to both scenarios. The winter reductions for the end of the century and the RCP8.5 scenario are found to be ~22 and ~37% according to the weather regimes and the analogues downscaling methods, respectively. Spring reductions are found to be ~10–20% larger than winter reductions. It is shown that the projected reduction results from a decrease in the frequency of the rain‐bearing systems, as well as a decrease in the average daily precipitation intensity. The areas with the largest reductions in seasonal precipitation are found over the central mountains, the Mediterranean coastal area, and the Sea of Galilee hydrologic basins, which are the main fresh‐water aquifers and reservoirs of Israel. The statistical downscaling methods applied in this study can be easily transferred to other regions where long‐term data sets of observed precipitation are available. This study and others may serve as a basis for priority and policy setting toward better climate adaptation with associated uncertainties related to the methods used and nonstationary of the climate system.
Patterns and Behavioural Outcomes of Antipsychotic Use among Nursing Home Residents: a Canadian and Swiss Comparison

ii I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. iii ABSTRACT Background. Although antipsychotic medications are primarily intended to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms in adults, they are commonly administered to nursing home residents as pharmacotherapy for " off-label " indications such as disruptive behaviour. However, clinical trials have demonstrated limited efficacy and serious side-effects of antipsychotics among the elderly. As previous studies have reported inappropriate use in several countries, their use in nursing home residents ought to be monitored to detect and reduce inappropriate administration. Objectives. The aim of this study was a) to determine and compare prevalence rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing homes, b) to identify determinants of antipsychotics use in these two countries, by means of a cross-sectional design, and c) to investigate the impact of antipsychotic use on behaviours over time in Ontario and Swiss residents, by means of a longitudinal design. Methods. This study involved secondary data analysis of 1932 residents from 24 nursing homes in the province of Ontario in Canada and 1536 residents from 4 nursing homes in a German-speaking canton in Switzerland. Residents were assessed with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) tool. Resident characteristics and prevalence rates were compared internationally with the chi-square test. Demographic and clinical determinants of antipsychotic use, as well as behavioural change associated with antipsychotics, were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. Although Ontario nursing home residents had an overall heavier-care profile than Swiss residents, antipsychotics were administered to 25% of the Ontario residents compared to 29.5% of the Swiss residents. The adjusted rate among residents without appropriate conditions was also lower in Ontario (14%) than in Switzerland (24.5%). Apart from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment, antipsychotic use was determined by a different range of characteristics in these two countries. Antipsychotic use was not predictive of behavioural improvement. Conclusion. The high adjusted rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing home residents, as well as the presence of " inappropriate indications " and " facility " as determinants of their use, raise concerns about the appropriateness of their administration in both countries. Their lack of effectiveness to improve behaviours also questions their use as long-term treatment for behaviour …