Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Market for Forest Carbon Offsets: How these offsets are created and traded?

How these offsets are created and traded iii Background to this Lecture Note A carbon offset or credit is equal to a ton of carbon (or 3.67 tons of carbon dioxide) that does not flow into the atmosphere or is absorbed from the atmosphere. Other Greenhouse gases (GHG) such as nitrous oxide and methane too have carbon dioxide equivalents that are used to estimate carbon credits. Carbon credits are the currency in which carbon markets deal – a way for market mechanisms to drive industrial and commercial processes in the direction of low emissions of carbon dioxide and other GHGs into the atmosphere. There are many ways in which carbon credits are produced. Examples include renewable energy projects and shifting from coal-fired power plants to hydroelectric ones. This lecture note explains how carbon credits or offsets are generated from the forestry sector-both in terms of growing new trees as well as protecting existing ones, and how they are traded in international markets. It is important to note that these projects and the resultant offsets are only a part of a long set of solutions that the international community is considering to address climate change. We also explain why in spite of the surge in international carbon markets, actual trading in forestry carbon offsets remains low. The lecture note is primarily meant to share information among ICRAF's (World Agroforestry Centre) local partners in South East Asia and Africa on how to engage in international markets for forestry carbon offsets. However, the note will also be useful for government officials, NGO functionaries, private sector operators, and community representatives in other developing countries who wish to access international carbon market to sell locally produced carbon offsets from forestry and other conservation oriented activities, or even to just understand how the market operates. Indeed, despite the prolific increase in reference material on ecosystem services, particularly forest carbon services, there is a relative dearth of literature that explains basic concepts in easily accessible language. For instance, why is someone willing to pay for not cutting down trees (or for planting new ones) when that person (or company) is not even located in the same country? Or why don't we see many forest carbon projects even when international carbon markets are now worth billions of dollars? We attempt to answer these questions by using key economic concepts such as cap and trade that help generate carbon …
Initial characterization of new bacteria degrading high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons isolated from a 2-year enrichment in a two-liquid-phase culture system.

AIMS To characterize some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-degrading microorganisms isolated from an enriched consortium degrading high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs in a two-liquid-phase (TLP) soil slurry bioreactor, and to determine the effect of low molecular weight (LMW) PAH on their growth and HMW PAH-degrading activity. METHODS AND RESULTS Several microorganisms were isolated from a HMW-PAH (pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]pyrene and perylene) degrading consortium enriched in TLP cultures using silicone oil as the organic phase. From 16S rRNA analysis, four isolates were identified as Mycobacterium gilvum B1 (99% identity),Bacillus pumilus B44 (99% identity), Microbacterium esteraromaticum B21 (98% identity), and to the genus Porphyrobacter B51 (96% identity). The two latter isolates have not previously been associated with PAH degradation. Isolate B51 grew strongly in the interfacial fraction in the presence of naphthalene vapours and phenanthrene compared with cultures without LMW PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene was degraded in cultures containing a HMW PAH mixture but pyrene had no effect on its degradation. The growth of isolates B1 and B21 was improved in the aqueous phase than in the interfacial fraction for cultures with naphthalene vapours. Pyrene was required for benzo[a]pyrene degradation by isolate B1. For isolate B21, pyrene and chrysene were degraded only in cultures without naphthalene vapours. CONCLUSION Consortium enriched in a TLP culture is composed of microorganisms with different abilities to grow at the interface or in the aqueous phase according to the culture conditions and the PAH that are present. Naphthalene vapours increased the growth of the microorganisms in TLP cultures but did not stimulate the HMW PAH degradation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY New HMW PAH-degrading microorganisms and a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in HMW PAH degradation in TLP cultures.
Neurosurgical Anesthesia

Modes of ventilation Infants normally are ventilated in CPPV or SIMV modes using constant flow ventilators which are pressure cycled. HFOV ventilation is a new mode of ventilation which warrants less lung injury and can be used in children weighing up to 30 Kg, especially in cases of severe respiratory insufficiency. Toddlers and preschoolers are similar to older children and adults so that they are ventilated in the same way.
Electrocardiographic QRS Duration and the Risk of Congestive Heart Failure: The Framingham Heart Study

Prolonged electrocardiographic QRS duration is frequently observed in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. We hypothesized that CHF risk increases with longer QRS interval in individuals free of CHF. We evaluated 1759 Framingham Study participants (mean age, 69 years; 63% women) without prior myocardial infarction or CHF who attended a routine examination. QRS duration was analyzed as a continuous (log-transformed) and a categorical variable [referent, <100 ms; incomplete bundle branch block (BBB), 100 to 119 ms; complete BBB, ≥120 ms]. During follow-up (mean, 12.7 years), 324 participants (205 women) developed CHF. CHF incidence increased across the 3 baseline QRS duration categories in both sexes. Each SD increment in log-QRS duration was associated with a multivariable-adjusted 23% increase in CHF risk [95% confidence interval [CI] 8% to 38%; P<0.001]. In time- dependent models with QRS category and risk factors updated every 2 years, incomplete BBB was associated with a 1.4-fold (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.96; P=0.03) and complete BBB with a 1.7-fold (95% CI, 1.28 to 2.35; P<0.001) risk of CHF. These associations were maintained on adjustment for baseline left ventricular mass. In our community-based sample, longer electrocardiographic QRS was associated with increased CHF risk, consistent with the hypothesis that depolarization delay may increase CHF risk.
The Role of Attitudes and Decision Makinig on Product Choice. Case Study: Cellular Phones

The process of deciding over (choosing) a brand may be influenced by situation and content. “Brand attitude” and “corporate attitude” affect consumer’s brand choice and re-buying rate. The findings of the study can provide companies and active players in production, marketing, and sale of cell phones with practical suggestions as well as guidelines on how to meet consumer’s needs. In this descriptive survey, a questionnaire with 57 questions was used to gather required data. The statistical population consisted of buyers and users of cell phones in cell phone shopping centers in Tehran. A combination of multi-stage cluster sampling and judgment sampling was employed. In total, 385 questionnaires were analyzed. SPSS and LISREL were used for descriptive and inferential analysis of data and hypothesis test based on confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings suggest a significant relationship between the variables “brand attitude”, “corporate attitude”, and “product (cell phone) choice”. In addition, no significant relationship was found between individual decision making processes (independent or mediated) and product choice.
Sexual hormone abnormalities in male patients with renal failure.

Endocrine abnormalities are a common feature of chronic renal insufficiency w1,2x. Changes of androgen synthesis and metabolism develop early after the onset of renal insufficiency and are likely to be caused by primary hypogonadism anduor disturbances of the hypothalamic–pituitary axis. Uraemic toxins, co-morbidity, and concomitant drug administration are supposed to contribute to the observed changes, yet the exact mechanism remains unclear. Impaired function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis is not reversed by initiation of otherwise effective haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis therapy. In contrast, renal transplantation was reported to restore endocrine function, but study results are conflicting. A complete normalization as well as persistingly low testosterone levels have been described after transplantation and gonadotrophin levels were also reported to be persistingly high or normal w3,4x. Pathophysiology and pathogenesis
Effect of Epidural Analgesia on Metabolic Response to Major Upper Abdominal Surgery

Blood concentrations of glucose, lactate, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and insulin (IRI) were measured in two groups of ten patients undergoing elective gastrectomy under general anesthesia with halothane (Group G) or epidural analgesia extending from Th.3–4 to L1–2 without halothane (Group E). The rise in blood glucose and the rise in NEFA in group E during operation were significantly less than in Group G. Blood lactate levels during operation were lower in group E than in group G although the difference was not statistically significant. The increase in IRI/glucose ratio on postoperative day 1 was significantly less in Group E than in Group G, suggesting that insulin sensitivity after surgery was higher in Group E. The postoperative course was uneventful in all subjects. These results suggest that the endocrine‐metabolic response to major upper abdominal surgery can be inhibited by epidural analgesia.
Reflectance Properties of Thue-Morse 1-D Dielectric Multilayers

Omnidirectional reflectivity is theoretically investigated in four Thue-Morse (T-M) structures S4, S5, S6 and S7. It is observed that the width of omnidirectional reflection region increases with the order of T-M multilayer i.e. from S4 to S7 generation and multiple photonic band gaps exist for both TE and TM modes due to self-similarity of T-M multilayers. It can also be found that multiple omnidirectional bandgaps (OBGs) exist in the higher generation non-periodic T-M dielectric structures due to the self-similarity in the internal structure. These structures can be used as dense optical filters, sensors and multifrequency laser cavities.
Importance of tasting rooms for Canary Islands' wineries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the tasting room for wineries from a re‐developing Spanish wine region, and identify the challenges winery owners currently face in their pursuit to market their wines through the tasting room.Design/methodology/approach – Between May and June of 2007 a total of 23 winery owners, managers and wine makers located in the Canary Islands were interviewed from a sample of 61 wineries identified in Tenerife and La Palma islands.Findings – The findings confirm the vital importance of the tasting room as a marketing, branding, and educative vehicle for the wine product. Overall, wineries focus on the tasting room as a way to advertise and present their wines to visitors and passers by as part of a long‐term strategy, rather than as a way to make direct wine sales.Research limitations/implications – It is acknowledged that the sample of only 23 participating businesses may not be enough to make generalisations about the impact of the tasting room on win.
Morphological and physiological evidence for interstitial cell of Cajal‐like cells in the guinea pig gallbladder

Gallbladder smooth muscle (GBSM) exhibits spontaneous rhythmic electrical activity, but the origin and propagation of this activity are not understood. We used morphological and physiological approaches to determine whether interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are present in the guinea pig extrahepatic biliary tree. Light microscopic studies involving Kit tyrosine kinase immunohistochemistry and laser confocal imaging of Ca2+ transients revealed ICC‐like cells in the gallbladder. One type of ICC‐like cell had elongated cell bodies with one or two primary processes and was observed mainly along GBSM bundles and nerve fibres. The other type comprised multipolar cells that were located at the origin and intersection of muscle bundles. Electron microscopy revealed ICC‐like cells that were rich in mitochondria, caveolae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and formed close appositions between themselves and with GBSM cells. Rhythmic Ca2+ flashes, which represent Ca2+ influx during action potentials, were synchronized in any given GBSM bundle and associated ICC‐like cells. Gap junction uncouplers (1‐octanol, carbenoxolone, 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid and connexin mimetic peptide) eliminated or greatly reduced Ca2+ flashes in GBSM, but they persisted in ICC‐like cells, whereas the Kit tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imanitib mesylate, eliminated or reduced action potentials and Ca2+ flashes in both cell types, as well as associated tissue contractions. This study provides morphological and physiological evidence for the existence of ICC‐like cells in the gallbladder and presents data supporting electrical coupling between ICC‐like and GBSM cells. The results support a role for ICC‐like cells in the generation and propagation of spontaneous rhythmicity, and hence, the excitability of gallbladder.
The Role of Real Estate Agents in this Economy

The Real Estate industry is shifting from traditional broker and typical customer relationship that previously provided for individual home ownership to more of a real estate servicing mode that involves working for a different customer base. The downturn in the housing market has affected the careers and subsequently the incomes of many real estate companies and real estate agents. The current economy has caused the retooling of the technology skills of many agents and real estate companies that depended completely on the typical homeowner purchase transaction. The era of REO (Real Estate Owned) by banks or other institutions is a prevalent manner of sales in this economy. REO’s provide the realtor a challenge in mastering the technology utilized by the REO as well as the following revenue results: 1. BPO (Broker Price Opinions) which gives the realtor’s assessment of the current value of the property based on recent sales and the current condition of the property with repairs or without repairs. 2. Listing of the property by the realtor in an as is condition for sale on the open market. These types of properties were considered prime for investors to buy and sell at a higher price until the recent credit freeze.
Encounter-based antecedents of e-customer citizenship behaviors

Purpose – In the marketing and consumer behavior literature, much remains to be explained about customer citizenship behavior in a highly technological e-retailing context. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey of 186 e-shoppers which was conducted grounded in the social exchange theory. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling is used to test the proposed model. Findings – The results provide support that e-customer familiarity with an e-store and facilitating conditions provided by an e-retailer influence e-customers ' e-satisfaction, e-loyalty, and e-commitment with an e-retailer, all of which exert different effects on three dimensions of e-customer citizenship behavior. Practical implications – The results of this study offer e-retailers a way to stay ahead of their competitors by focusing on online attributes that are difficult to duplicate when it comes to customer relationship such as e-loyalty, e-commitment and e-customer citizenship behavior. Originali.
Training and the Private Sector

How can today's workforce keep pace with an increasingly competitive global economy? As new technologies rapidly transform the workplace, employee requirements are changing and workers must adapt to different working conditions. This volume compares new evidence on the returns from worker training in the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Japan, Norway, and the Netherlands. The authors focus on Germany's widespread, formal apprenticeship programs; the U.S. system of learning-by-doing; Japan's low employee turnover and extensive company training; and Britain's government-led and school-based training schemes. The evidence shows that, overall, training in the workplace is more effective than training in schools. Moreover, even when U.S. firms spend as much on training as other countries do, their employees may still be less skilled than workers in Europe or Japan. Training and the Private Sector points to training programs in Germany, Japan, and other developed countries as models for creating a workforce in the United States that can compete more successfully in today's economy.
Gastroenteritis in Suckling Mice Caused by Human Rotavirus Can Be Prevented with Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY) and Treated with a Protein‐Bound Polysaccharide Preparation (PSK)

Oral inoculation of human rotavirus MO strain (serotype 3) into 5‐day‐old BALB/c mice cause gastroenteritis characterized by diarrhea. Clinical symptoms, histopathological changes in the small intestine, and the detection of rotavirus antigen in enterocytes were all characteristic of rotavirus‐induced gastroenteritis. Using this small animal model, passive protection of suckling mice against human rotavirus infection was achieved with the use of immunoglobulin (IgY) from the yolks of eggs of rotavirus‐immunized hens. When IgY against a rotavirus strain homotypic to the challenge virus (MO strain) was administered in the mice, complete protection against rotavirus infection was achieved. On the other hand, with oral administration of IgY against a heterotypic strain (serotype 1, Wa strain), a lower protective effect was nevertheless obtained. The four different strains of human rotavirus (Wa, KUN, MO, and ST3) were inactivated in vitro by treatment with PSK, a protein‐bound polysaccharide preparation, in a dose‐dependent manner. Oral administration of 2.5 mg of PSK caused a therapeutic effect on experimentally MO‐infected suckling mice. The antiviral effect of PSK was indicated by the reduction of the duration of diarrhea.
Correlates of Consumer Susceptibility to Coupons in New Grocery Product Introductions

Abstract This paper presents the results of an exploratory study of female shoppers influenced to try new grocery products by sales promotions coupons. The findings indicate that this consumer group represents a sizable market segment with many unique characteristics. Knowledge of the unique demographic and psychographic characteristics of this segment should facilitate development of promotional strategies to elicit early trial of new products.
AAMT — supporting and enhancing the work of teachers The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers Inc

In the Australian Curriculum, the concept of mathematical induction is first met in the senior secondary subject Specialist Mathematics. This article details an example, the Tower of Hanoi problem, which provides an enactive introduction to the inductive process before moving to more abstract and cognitively demanding representations. Along the way, it is suggested that the Tower of Hanoi problem would also be suitable as an example for introducing mathematical inductive thinking to students in junior secondary school. Induction and the Australian Curriculum The Tower of Hanoi problem contains deep, foundational mathematical truths. It requires, for example, knowledge (explicit or implicit) of the basic if not fundamental properties of odd and even numbers and (mathematical) inductive logic. The broad notion of ‘reasoning’ emerges as a proficiency strand of the “Mathematical Proficiencies” in the Australian F–10 Mathematics curriculum (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, n.d., F–10 Curriculum: Mathematics, Content structure), and the concept of mathematical induction as a formal topic first suddenly surfaces (or “is introduced”) in the senior secondary subject Specialist Mathematics in the Australian Curriculum (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2015, Specialist Mathematics, Structure of Specialist Mathematics, Overview, and Rationale, Curriculum, Unit 2). The related curriculum outcome is described as: “understand the nature of inductive proof including the ‘initial statement’ and ‘inductive step’” (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2015, ACMSM064). The language used is abstract, reflecting advanced arguments from propositional calculus: “Let there be associated with each positive integer A us tr al ia n S en io r M at he m at ic s Jo ur na l v ol . 2 9 n o. 1
Productivity growth as key driver of development: finding the right policy mix

PIDS Policy Notes are observations/analyses written by PIDS researchers on certain policy issues. The treatise is holistic in approach and aims to provide useful inputs for decisionmaking. The author is Senior Research Fellow at PIDS. He thanks Mr. Carlos Sayco, Jr. and the Development Academy of the Philippines for allowing the issuance of their coauthored study on Philippine productivity dynamics as a PIDS Discussion Paper. This Policy Notes draws from C. Sayco, Jr. and G. M. Llanto (2012), Philippine productivity dynamics in the last five decades, Development Academy of the Philippines, Pasig City. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of PIDS or any of the study’s sponsors. P Policy Notes
T-shape polarization reconfigurable patch antenna for cognitive radio

Recieving wire with polarization reconfiguration capacity is basic for a cognitive radio framework. Different exchanging strategies are required for polarization reconfiguration which needs outrageous care must be taken for outlining a reception apparatus. Reconfigurable filtenna is proposed here for the intellectual radio applications. By utilizing filtennas, the negative effect of the inclination line is maintained a strategic distance from and the edges of the reception apparatus are not exasperates. Reconfigurable filtenna structure is gotten by setting the channel at radio wire inclination line. The working recurrence of circularly enraptured reception apparatus can be altered by utilizing switch and the proposed structure has the recurrence of operation at 3.9GHz.
Reduction of x-ray lethality in mice by agents affecting the reticuloendothelial system.

Mortality of mice irradiated several weeks after administration of mycobacterium tuberculosis and zymosan was significantly reduced. There was no accelerated recovery of hemopoietic and lymphatic tissue in the protected animals. Certain enhanced activities of the reticuloendothelial system related to increased nonspeciflc resistance were still evident after lethal irradiation. A correlation between resistance to near-lethal irradiation and certain parameters reflecting the functional state of phagocytic elements of the reticuloendothelia1 system is postulated.