Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Elevation, Land Use, and Landscape Context on Patterns of Alien Plant Invasions along Roadsides in Protected Areas of South‐Central Chile

Abstract: Alien plant species are a growing concern in protected areas, yet little information is available on the role of roads as corridors for alien species and the effects of elevation, land use, and landscape context in these invasions. These concerns are of particular interest in temperate zones of South America, where protected areas have high concentrations of endemic species. We studied roadside alien plant communities and forest‐road edges in Villarrica and Huerquehue national parks in the Andean portion of south‐central Chile. We sampled alien species and their abundance along 21 km of roads inside parks and 22 km outside parks, using 500‐m roadside transects. We also sampled plant species and recorded their abundance in 15 transects located perpendicular to forest‐road edges in four forest types. Of the 66 alien species encountered along roadsides, 61 were present outside parks and 39 inside parks. Elevation and alien species richness along roadsides were significantly and negatively correlated (R2=−0.56, p < 0.001). Elevation, land use, and their interaction explained 74% of the variation in alien species richness along roadsides (p < 0.001). Transects located in pasture or disturbed secondary forests had significantly more alien species. We found no significant edge effect on native and alien species richness in any forest type. Few alien species have percolated into forest interiors. Native and alien diversity in edge plots were not related. Almost half the alien species belonged to three families and 85% were native to Eurasia. Our results suggest that alien species are moving into parks along road corridors and that elevation and land use of the matrix influence these invasion processes. Our findings corroborate the importance of early detection and control of invasive species in protected areas and highlight the importance of considering surrounding matrix land use in developing conservation strategies for reserves.
The Effects of a Female Role Model on Academic Performance and Persistence of Women in STEM Courses

ABSTRACT Women are more likely to leave science, technology, engineering, and mathematics compared to men, in part because they lack similar role models such as peers, teaching assistants, and instructors. We examined the effect of a brief, scalable online intervention that consisted of a letter from a female role model who normalized concerns about belonging, presented time spent on academics as an investment, and exemplified overcoming challenges on academic performance and persistence. The intervention was implemented in introductory psychology (Study 1, N = 258) and chemistry (Study 2, N = 68) courses. Relative to the control group, the intervention group had higher grades and lower failing and withdrawal rates.
A Simulation Model to Evaluate the Layout for Block Stacking Warehouses

Storing pallets of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) on top of one another in lanes on a warehouse floor is known as block stacking. This storage system is widely used in manufacturing systems and distribution centers. The arrangement of lanes in the layout of this system significantly impacts utilization of the storage space and transportation costs. Existing research that studies the layout for this system focuses exclusively on determining the optimal lane depth with respect to space utilization and ignores transportation costs. In this study, we develop a simulation model that computes several performance metrics to evaluate both of these objectives for a warehouse layout. It aims to take the stochastic variations exist in the real world situation into account. Designing the layout based on the historical data distinguishes this model from the analytical models in the systems with high level of uncertainty, where determining the required parameters for analytical models are difficult due to the high variations. We verified the model using the existing analytical models and developed an experimental analysis to show the trade-off between the space utilization and transportation costs in the layout design problem.
Study of influence of ACPA in PVA/AA photopolymer for holographic reflection gratings

This work was supported by the “Generalitat Valenciana” (Spain) under project PROMETEO/2011/021, ISIC/2012/013 and GV/2012/099 and by “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion” (Spain) under projects FIS2011-29803-C02-01 and FIS2011-29803-C02-02.
Employees’ Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility: A Focus Group Study in Izmir City

The aim of this research is to examine how white collar employees working at the Izmir offices of large-sized international companies in Turkey understand and interpret Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept. Focus group interview as one of the techniques of qualitative research method was used in this study. The focus group interview that was conducted with eight businesspeople brought out their opinions into light, and thus more profound data regarding CSR was collected and also localized accounts of personal views and experiences were presented. The primary findings of the research were grouped into seven categories: Selection of the CSR activity; Reason(s) for conducting a CSR activity; CSR and being an ethical business; CSR training; CSR and company image; CSR, a matter of budget; CSR, a matter of spending time or money. On the other hand, "CSR-related words and phrases" and "motivations and concerns behind CSR activities" werealso elicited as secondary findings of the research. There were three limitations in the study: the research was conducted only in Izmir city, there was only one focus group, and the participants were all from international companies. To be able to gain a deeper understanding about the issue and then compare the views of different groups of employees on CSR, further research is suggested
Optical linear polarization of 74 white dwarfs with the RoboPol polarimeter

We present the first linear polarimetric survey of white dwarfs (WDs). Our sample consists of WDs of DA and DC spectral types in the SDSS r magnitude range from 13 to 17. We performed polarimetric observations with the RoboPol polarimeter attached to the 1.3-m telescope at the Skinakas Observatory. We have 74 WDs in our sample, of which almost all are low polarized WDs with polarization degree (PD) smaller than 1%, while only 2 have PD higher than 1%. There is an evidence that on average the isolated WDs of DC type have higher PD (with median PD of 0.78%) than the isolated DA type WDs (with median PD of 0.36%). On the other hand, the median PD of isolated DA type WDs is almost the same, i.e. 0.36% as the median PD of DA type white dwarfs in binary systems with red dwarfs (dM type), i.e. 0.33%. This shows, as expected, that there is no contribution to the PD from the companion if the WD companion is the red dwarf, which is the most common situation for WDs binary systems. We do not find differences in the polarization degree between magnetic and non-magnetic WDs. Because 97% of WDs in our sample have PD lower than 1%, they can be used as faint zero--polarized standard star in the magnitude range from 13 up to 17 of SDSS r filter. They cover the Northern sky between 13 hour to 23 hour in right ascension and from -11 degrees to 78 degrees in declination. Additionally, we found that for low extinction values (< 0.04) the best model that describes the dependence of PD on E(B-V) is given by the equation: PD_{max, ISM}[%] = 0.65 x E(B-V)^{0.12}.
BOOK READING AND SOCIAL STATUS IN TURKEY

This paper analyzes book reading and purchasing behaviors as a leisure time activity in Turkey with respect to socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households. The study used the raw data of “Household Budget Survey” questionnaires conducted with 17,310 households by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2005 and 2006.Eleven percent of the respondents declared reading and purchasing books as a leisure time activity. The most statistically significant factors in book expenditures, in order of significance, are income, postgraduate, college education and gender. In order of importance, income level is the most, education is the second and gender variable is the third most important determinant of leisure time book reading and purchasing. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.em. 17.2. 2190
Rainfall in arid zones: possible effects of climate change on the population ecology of blue cranes.

Summary 1. Understanding the demographic mechanisms through which climate affects population dynamics is critical for predicting climate change impacts on biodiversity. In arid habitats, rainfall is the most important forcing climatic factor. Rainfall in arid zones is typically variable and unpredictable, and we therefore hypothesise that its seasonality and variability may be as important for the population ecology of arid zone animals as its total amount. 2. Here we examine the effect of these aspects of rainfall on reproduction and age specific survival of blue cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus Lichtenstein) in the semi-arid eastern Nama Karoo, South Africa. We then use our results to predict the effect of changes in rainfall at the population level. 3. Using combined capture-mark-resighting and dead-recovery models, we estimated average survival of cranes to be 0·53 in their first year, 0·73 in their second and third year, and 0·96 for older birds. 4. We distinguished between three seasons, based on the blue cranes’ breeding phenology: early breeding season, late breeding season and nonbreeding season. Cranes survived better with increasing rainfall during the late but not early breeding season. Based on road counts and success of monitored nests, reproduction was positively associated with rainfall during the early but not late breeding season. 5. A matrix population model predicted that population growth rate would increase with increasing rainfall. A stochastic analysis showed that variation in early breeding season rainfall increased population growth slightly due to the nonlinear relationship between rainfall and reproduction. This effect was opposed by the effect of variation in late breeding season rainfall on survival and overall, variation in rainfall had a negligible effect on population growth. 6. Our results allow predictions to be made for a range of climate-change scenarios. For example, a shift in seasonality with drier springs but wetter summers would likely decrease reproduction but increase survival, with little overall effect on population growth.
Limitations in direct and indirect methods for solving optimal control problems in growth theory

The focus of this paper is on a comprehensive analysis of different methods and mathematical techniques used for solving optimal control problems (OCP) in growth theory. Most important methods for solving dynamic non-linear infinite-horizon growth models using optimal control theory are presented and a critical view of the limitations of different methods is given. The main problem is to determine the optimal rate of growth over time in a way that maximizes the welfare function over an infinite horizon. The welfare function depends on capital-labor ratio, the state variable, and the per-capita consumption, the control variable. Numerical methods for solving OCP are divided into two classes: direct and indirect approach. How the indirect approach can be used is given in the example of the neo-classical growth model. In order to present the indirect and the direct approach simultaneously, two endogenous growth models, one written by Romer and another by Lucas and Uzawa, are studied. Advantages and efficiency of these different approaches will be discussed. Although the indirect methods for solving OCP are still the most expanded in growth theory, it will be seen that using direct methods can also be very efficient and help to overcome problems that can occur by using the indirect approach.
Breach of continuous disclosure in Australia

Given that disclosure is important for the efficient functioning of capital markets, this paper explores the impact of infringement of continuous disclosure by Australian listed firms. We observe a significantly negative market reaction for our sample firms around the day an infringement is announced. Our findings also provide partial evidence of an increase in spreads and a decrease in price informativeness following the announcement of a breach. Overall, our results indicate that the market considers the breach of continuous disclosure to be a relatively important incident.
Characterization of pathotype diversity in nine isolates of Ascochyta rabiei based on virulence and DNA polymorphism

The most destructive among the biotic stresses in chick-pea is the blight caused by Ascochyta rabiei. Variability in isolates of Ascochyta rabiei both in terms of virulence analysis and molecular characterization was studied. The nine morphologically alike isolates of A. rabiei representing different geographical regions were subjected to virulence analysis on differential chick pea genotypes. These were divided into seven distinct pathotypes based on their disease reaction. The isolates from Kashmir ArK1 and ArK2 were found to be least virulent while ArG1 from Gurdaspur was most virulent. Rapid amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was carried out based on (UPGMA) clustering analysis; the isolates were divided into two major groups. The least virulent isolate ArK1 and ArK2 were separated from rest of the isolates, which showed that correlation existed between virulence analysis and RAPD pattern. The investigation also resulted in identification of useful molecular markers for separation of different isolates.
Age-wise seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in clinically suspected infectious hepatitis patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Delhi

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a major public health problem globally. There are limited studies on age and sex related prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV). As hepatitis C is a preventable disease, the burden of the disease could be reduced to a significant extent if its seroprevalence is better known in different age groups. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine age-wise seroprevalence of HCV in clinically suspected infectious hepatitis patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi over a period of one year from January 2008 to December 2008. All the serum samples taken from subjects (600 study and 200 control) were tested for immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti HCV using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit. Study group consisted of patients with clinically suspected acute infectious hepatitis while the control group had age and sex matched patients showing no clinical evidence of acute infectious hepatitis. Results: Overall 33 (5.5%) samples tested positive for IgM anti HCV in the study group while 3 (1.5%) samples tested positive in the control group. On analyzing age-wise seropositivity, it was found that maximum seropositivity of IgM anti HCV was in 11-20 years of age group in the study group (9%) followed by 21-30 years (6.1%), 0-10 years (5.1%) and >40 years (3.7%) of age. On the other hand in the control group, the maximum seropositivity of IgM anti HCV was seen in 0-10 years (2.8%) followed by 11-20 years (2.7%). Conclusions: HCV infection is predominantly a disease of young adults, which is due to cumulative risk of exposure with increasing age. However infection in children is explained by the mother to baby transmission. Most of the HCV infected patients are unaware of their clinical status and hence the disease may be under reported.
Identifying the Implications of most Warming Foods: A Pilot Analysis

The new found popular interest in sustainable development is highly skewed towards areas that are politically visible, such as transport and in particular the evils of air travel. This situation is mirrored in the academic community with an explosion of articles on sustainable transport (an EBSCO web search yielded 552 academic references to Sustainable Transport while for example Sustainable Livestock only found less than 10% of that number1). Nonetheless, only 14% of GHG’s actually result from transport, with as little as 2% coming from aviation, against 32% resulting from agriculture and land use – a major part of which can be directly attributed to the food chain (Stern, 2006). Moreover within the food system, certain areas such as livestock production are particularly problematic with meat and dairy products contributing more than 50% of the total GHG’s emitted (Kramer et al, 1999). Another recent study in the UK shows that GHG emissions attributable to meat and dairy consumption are about 4 times more than the GHG emissions generated from fruit and vegetable consumption (Garnett, 2007).
THERMAL , STRUCTURE AND PHASES ANALYSIS OF THE ALUMINIUM ENAC-AlMg 5 Si 2 Mn ALLOY

Resume The microstructure that is attributable from the specific casting method dictates further mechanical and physical properties of the material. In order to understand how to control the microstructure of the casting, it is important to understand the changes in microstructure during crystallization. The work focused on thermal analysis, metallurgical characterization and laser treatment of an aluminium alloy. The research show that the thermal analysis carried out on Universal Metallurgical Simulator and Analyser (UMSA) Technology Platform is an efficient tool for collect and calculates thermal parameters. The paper contributes to better understanding non-equilibrium metallurgical characterization of aluminium alloys. The solidification of the aluminium dendritic network, iron containing intermetallic phases, the aluminium-silicon eutectic and magnesium containing intermetallic phases were characterized.
Grass fires—an unlikely process to explain the magnetic properties of prairie soils

S U M M A R Y It has been proposed that grass fires affect the magnetic properties of soils by combining generally reducing soil conditions with elevated temperatures. To explore this supposition, we analysed surface and subsurface samples from loessic soils and compared their differences in magnetic properties as a function of fire intensity. Fire intensity was established based on types of burnt vegetation, which ranged from low-intensity fires in short-grass areas to highintensity fires in tall-grass and forested areas. We measured low-field magnetic susceptibility (χ ), a common proxy for the abundance of magnetic minerals, frequency-dependent susceptibility (χFD), a proxy for the presence of ultrafine-grained superparamagnetic minerals, and susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (χARM), a magnetic parameter highly dependent on the presence of fine, single-domain magnetic particles. Although intense fires led to an increase in frequency-dependent susceptibility and low-field magnetic susceptibility, moderately intense fires did not produce significant changes in magnetic properties. Observed magnetic changes are limited to sites that were very heavily burnt in forest areas. Grass fires are therefore an unlikely mechanism to explain a measurable component of the magnetic enhancement in prairie soils.
Fatigue Cyclic Tests on Artificially Cemented Soil

Artificially cemented soils are frequently used in the infrastructural layers of road or railway platforms but the durability of these structures is often questioned when subjected to cyclic loads. In order to evaluate the fatigue behavior, this paper presents long cyclic triaxial tests over several soil cement mixtures using a very well graded silty sand and Portland cement. In undrained cemented tests, pore pressure decreased as a sign of plastic degradation, resulting that the effective stresses rose during the tests. For that reason, the resilient moduli were normalized to the effective stress, revealing a clear drop on the normalized resilient modulus at a number of cycles depending on the porosity/cement ratio. Notwithstanding, drained and undrained tests presented in this paper performed in uncemented and cemented specimens showed a distinct behavior from granular materials (where the shakedown theory applies) revealing a continuous increase in the accumulated permanent deformations, indicating that long term cyclic triaxial tests, with large number of cycles, may be decisive for a reliable characterization of cyclic triaxial test for bound mixtures.
Estimation of thyroid equivalent doses during evacuation based on body surface contamination levels in the nuclear accident of FDNPS in 2011

To reduce uncertainty in thyroid dose estimation, residents’ radiation protection behavior should be reflected in the estimation. Screening data of body surface contamination provide information on exposure levels during evacuation. Our purpose is to estimate thyroid equivalent doses based on body surface contamination levels using a new methodology. We obtained a record of 7,539 residents/evacuees. Geiger-Mueller survey meter measurement value in cpm was translated into Bq/cm2 according to the nuclides densities obtained by measuring clothing from two persons by germanium γ-spectrometer. The measurement value of body surface contamination on head was adjusted by a natural removal rate of 15 hours and radionuclides’ physical half-life. Thyroid equivalent dose of 1-year-old children by inhalation was estimated by two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation. The proportions of evacuees/residents with measurement value in cpm of Namie and Minamisoma groups were higher than those of other groups during both periods (p<0.01, Kruskal-Wallis). During 12-14 March period, 50 and 95 percentiles of thyroid equivalent doses by inhalation were estimated as 2.7 and 86.0 mSv, respectively, for Namie group, and 4.2 and 17.2 mSv, respectively, for Minamisoma group, 0.1 and 1.0 mSv, respectively, for Tomioka/Okuma/Futaba/Naraha group, and 0.2 and 2.1 mSv, respectively, for the other group. During 15- 17 March period, 50 and 95 percentiles of thyroid equivalent doses by inhalation were 0.8 and 15.7 mSv, respectively, for Namie group, and 1.6 and 8.4 mSv, respectively, for Minamisoma group, 0.2 and 13.2 mSv, respectively, for Tomioka/Okuma/Futaba/Naraha group, and 1.2 and 12.7 mSv, respectively, for the other group. It was indicated that inhalation dose was generally higher in Namie and Minamisoma groups during 12-14 March than those during 15-17 March might reflect different self-protective behavior to radioactive plumes from other groups.
Financial Development and Economic Growth : Evidence from Indian Economy

This paper examines the relationship between financial development and economic growth in India from 1970-71 to 2008-09. Using a multi-variable VAR model, the competing hypothesis of supplyleading versus demand-following hypothesis is tested empirically. The results from Johansen and Juselius co integration test supports for the existence of long run equilibrium relationship exist among variables of financial development and economic growth for Indian economy. Further, the results from Granger causality tests based on vector error-correction models (VECM) suggests unidirectional causality running from financial development to economic growth. This result supports the supply leading hypothesis for Indian economy during the sample period. This finding highlights the importance of financial development in India’s recent growth.