Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deposition, Incubation Period and Hatching of Eggs from Triatoma juazeirensis Costa & Felix and Triatoma sherlocki Papa, Jurberg, Carcavallo, Cerqueira & Barata(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Triatoma juazeirensis Costa & Felix and Triatoma sherlocki Papa, Jurberg, Carcavallo, Cerqueira & Barata are members of the Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 species complex. Discovered in the state of Bahia, Brazil, collections from both natural and artificial habitats revealed that they can be found infected by Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) suggesting a potential to be vectors for Chagas disease. To contribute to the evaluation of this potential, the capacity of each species to proliferate under laboratory conditions was measured by the number of eggs laid, the rate of hatching and the incubation time over a 22-week period. Thirty pairs, fifteen of each species, were maintained under laboratory conditions by weekly feedings on mice, Mus musculus (Linnaeus). The comparisons of laid and hatched eggs of T. juazeirensis and T. sherlocki were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test. When p value of <0.01 it was considered statistically significant. For comparison of the average longevity, a chi-square analysis was used. When p > 0.01, the average longevity was not considered statistically different. The two species presented similar incubation periods for their eggs, but T. juazeirensis demonstrated greater reproductive potential than T. sherlocki. The females of T. sherlocki deposited significantly fewer eggs with a lower rate of viability. Results suggest that T. juazeirensis is a more serious threat, concerning to these reproductive features. Considering the longevity, no significant differences could be noticed.
Spatial Econometric Modeling of Origin-Destination Flows

ABSTRACT Standard spatial autoregressive models rely on spatial weight structures constructed to model dependence among n regions. Ways of parsimoniously modeling the connectivity among the sample of N=n2 origin‐destination (OD) pairs that arise in a closed system of interregional flows has remained a stumbling block. We overcome this problem by proposing spatial weight structures that model dependence among the N OD pairs in a fashion consistent with standard spatial autoregressive models. This results in a family of spatial OD models introduced here that represent an extension of the spatial regression models described in Anselin (1988).
Comparison of tagging in an educational context: Any chances of interplay?

Web-based tagging systems for educational resources allow users to associate free keywords with resources. This paper first studies similarities and differences of tagging systems that are an integrated part of learning platforms, and then introduces a case study on teachers' use of social tagging tools. Analysing more than 20,000 teacher-created tags from five platforms, it was found that even if the tagging system designs differ, more than 30% of the posts were shared through tags between two or more platforms. Thus, tags can create interplay not only between the users and their tools, but also between diverse learning platforms.
Employment Growth in Higher-Paying Sectors

We find that the share of job growth in higher-paying sectors typically responds favorably to overall employment growth and, conversely, falls when labor markets weaken. Recent history falls squarely in this pattern. Recent estimates of higher-paying industry job growth have rebounded over the last year and currently stand about where we would expect given the state of the labor market.
Replacement of soybean meal by conventional and coated urea in dairy cows: intake, digestibility, production and composition of milk

This study evaluated the effect of dairy cows' diets containing two different sources of urea on dry matter intake, nutrient apparent digestibility, and milk production and composition. Eight crossbred cows (Holandes x Zebu) were confined and randomly assigned to four sequential diets distributed in two 4 x 4 Latin: SM = soybean meal; SRU 0 = conventional urea (CU) 100%/slow release urea (SRU) 0%; SRU 44 = CU 56%/SRU 44%; SRU 88 = CU 12%/SRU 88%. Experimental periods consisted of 21 days, with total duration of 84 days. Dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber, organic matter, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients were not affected by experimental diets. Dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility coefficient presented average values of 69.43 and 51.07%, respectively. Average digestibility of crude protein was 65.43%. Average milk production was 9.609 kg. The partial replacement of soybean meal by conventional urea and slow release urea, at 2.1% of the diet dry matter, showed that these sources of urea can be offered without production impairment for dairy cows.
Why Determinism in Physics Has No Implications for Free Will

This paper argues for the following three theses: (1) There is a clear reason to prefer physical theories with deterministic dynamical equations: such theories are both maximally simple and maximally rich in information, since given an initial configuration of matter and the dynamical equations, the whole (past and future) evolution of the configuration of matter is fixed. (2) There is a clear way how to introduce probabilities in a deterministic physical theory, namely as answer to the question of what evolution of a specific system we can reasonably expect under ignorance of its exact initial conditions. This procedure works in the same manner for both classical and quantum physics. (3) There is no cogent reason to subscribe to an ontological commitment to the parameters that enter the (deterministic) dynamical equations of physics. These parameters are defined in terms of their function for the evolution of the configuration of matter, which is defined in terms of relative particle positions and their change. Granting an ontological status to them does not lead to a gain in explanation, but only to artificial problems. Against this background, I argue that there is no conflict between determinism in physics and free will (on whatever conception of free will), and, in general, point out the limits of science when it comes to the central metaphysical issues.
Phenotypic correlation network analysis of garlic variables

In this paper we applied weighted correlation networks in order to discover correlation structures and link patterns of sixteen garlic variables related to leaf, bulb and other vegetative and growth variables. By using the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm, correlation clusters and other structures could be easily identified. Overall, we detected a link between clusters of leaf and bulb variables. The harvest index was negatively associated with vegetative variables, as expected. In addition, bulb growth rate was positively associated with leaf area rate, root growth rate and plant liquid assimilation rate.
The perceived importance of sport management competencies by academics and practitioners in the cultural/industrial context of Taiwan

The study of management competencies and their application in the field of sport management has an established tradition. It is only relatively recently however that concern to consider the culturally specific context of competency evaluation has developed in the mainstream management literature and little work has been developed in the sport management field to address cultural specificity in respect of competencies. In addition, the distinction between those competencies valued by sport management educators and by sport management practitioners is a relatively neglected topic. This study evaluates the perceptions of the critical competencies required of sport managers in Taiwan, developing and applying a locally based tool for evaluation of competencies in sport management, and in particular evaluates the differences between the perceptions of sport management academics and practitioners in Taiwan. The results of this study highlight cultural differences between the Taiwanese and other cultural contexts in terms of the perceived importance of particular competencies, and have implications for sport management professional development and training.
Cash Holdings, Political Connections, and Earnings Quality: Some Evidence from Malaysia

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of cash holding, political connection and their interaction effect on earnings quality in the Malaysian environment, where political influence plays a vital role in many aspects of business dealings and resources allocation is seriously affected by politics. Design/methodology/approach - – This paper uses ordinary least square and seemingly unrelated regressions upon a sample of the Malaysian top 100 listed firms. Findings - – This paper finds that earnings of firms with excess cash reserves are of high quality. Consistent with previous research, the study finds that investors perceive earnings numbers of politically connected firms as being of low quality. However, this research fails to support an expectation that the adverse consequences of holding a large amount of cash to earnings quality would be more pronounced when political extraction is high. The findings of this study suggest that policy makers should encourage or mandate firms to disclose information in relation to their connections with government, political party, or politicians so that investors and all interested parties can use the information to better assess the firms’ earnings quality. Originality/value - – This research is considered as the first attempt to examine the relationships between cash holdings, political connections, and earnings quality in a developing country such as Malaysia.
Tomography-based determination of permeability and Dupuit–Forchheimer coefficient of characteristic snow samples

Abstract A tomography-based methodology for the mass transport characterization of snow is presented. Five samples, characteristic for a wide range of seasonal snow, are considered. Their three-dimensional (3-D) geometrical representations are obtained by micro-computed tomography and used in direct pore-level simulations to numerically solve the governing mass and momentum conservation equations, allowing for the determination of their effective permeability and Dupuit–Forchheimer coefficient. The extension to the Dupuit–coefficient is useful near the snow surface, where Reynolds numbers higher than unity can appear. Simplified semi-empirical models of porous media are also examined. The methodology presented allows for the determination of snow’s effective mass transport properties, which are strongly dependent on the snow microstructure and morphology. These effective properties can, in turn, readily be used in snowpack volume-averaged (continuum) models such as strongly layered samples with macroscopically anisotropic properties.
Isolation and identification of probiotic lactic acid bacteria from curd and in vitro evaluation of its growth inhibition activities against pathogenic bacteria

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify probiotic lactic acid bacteria from curd and evaluate in vitro, its growth inhibition activities against pathogenic bacteria. A total of nine strains of Lactobacillus were isolated from curd and identification of strains was done by biochemical and physiological tests and Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains were identified from curd. Lactobacillus strains survival were also assessed under conditions simulating human GI tract. Therefore, resistance to antibiotics, resistance to low pH, resistance to bile salt and bile salt hydrolysis was performed. Results showed that all tested isolates were able to grow at low pH 3.0, and at 0.3% bile concentration. L. casei, L. delbrueckii and L. brevis showed more resistance to antibiotics. According to haemolytic activity, all examined strains did not exhibit β-haemolytic activity when grown in Columbia human blood agar. Regarding the bile salt hydrolysis, L. casei and L. delbruekii showed partial bile salt hydrolysis activity and colony morphology was recorded as differentiated in comparison with the control MRS agar plates. Finally, antimicrobial activities of lactobacillus isolates were tested against five pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp. and E. coli sp.) at pH 6.5 by disc diffusion method. All the tested isolates showed in vitro inhibitory zone against pathogenic bacteria. L. casei and L. delbrueckii showed maximum inhibition zone. In conclusion, the present study showed that L. casei and L. delbrueckii can be used as potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Key words: Lactobacillus, curd, probiotics, antibiotic resistance, resistance to low pH, resistance to bile, pathogenic bacteria.
Abrupt transitions in gravity currents

[1] Pyroclastic flows and snow avalanches sometimes exhibit a rapid deceleration of their dense flow fronts and detachment of their dilute clouds. This behavior is also inferred for submarine flows and could explain stepped thickness patterns in their deposits. A similar “abrupt transition” process occurs in particle-laden, lock release laboratory currents with relatively high concentrations. New experiments on nonparticulate, solute-driven density currents were run to investigate the cause of abrupt transitions. Abrupt transitions occur in laboratory currents with Reynolds numbers (Re) less than 1000 and are interpreted, supported by theoretical scaling analysis, to signify a change in dynamic regime. Currents with high Re, which do not show abrupt transitions, undergo a downstream change in dynamic regime from (1) inertial slumping to (2) inertial-buoyancy spreading to (3) viscous-buoyancy spreading. In low Re currents that undergo abrupt transitions, however, the duration of the second regime is very short, and hence they appear to pass directly from the quickly moving slumping phase into the slowly moving viscous phase. Scaling analysis indicates that an abrupt transition should occur in currents below a critical value of Re of ∼10–5000 for currents with different initial aspect ratios. Given that natural flows typically have greater Reynolds numbers, we suggest that abrupt transitions in laboratory and natural currents are likely to be dynamically different. This work has important implications for the physical modeling of gravity flows.
A study on elderly sexuality: knowledge, attitudes, and image of care staff in nursing homes

The purpose of this study was the examination of nursing home care staff's knowledge, attitudes, and image of elderly sexuality and the determination of a possible relationship among them. Nurses and care workers from five nursing homes in Okinawa, Japan volunteered to participate the study. One hundred fifty-two care staff answered and returned the self-administered packet for a response rate of 74.5%, with 126 of the respondents completing the questions appropriately. The packet included questionnaires containing demographic characteristics, institutional factors, the Japanese version of Aging Sexuality Attitudes and Knowledge Scale (ASKASJ) and a Semantic Differential (SD) technique for assessment of respondents' image of elderly sexuality. A computer software package, the SPSS, statistically examined average scores of knowledge, attitudes, and image on elderly sexuality. Additionally, a multiple regression analysis examined variables related to the knowledge, attitudes, and image. Pearson's correlation coefficient was utilized for further assessment of the relationship among them. The study found that "experience of learning elderly sexuality " was significantly related to knowledge, attitudes, and image of elderly sexuality. In addition, there were significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.51), knowledge and image (r=0.48), and attitude and image (r=0.38). These findings indicate that education is a key to increasing care staff's knowledge, positive image and attitudes on elderly sexuality. However, only 31.7% of the respondents received education related to elderly sexuality, mostly from sources outside the school setting. We point out the importance of incorporating the topic of elderly sexuality in educational programs. Japanese gerontological nursing educators need to encourage formal inservice programs for care staff and develop school curriculums for nursing students on sexuality in the aged.
Lipid and protein composition of outer and inner membranes in wild-type strains and nod mutants of Rhizobium meliloti

The glycerolipid and protein compositions of the outer and inner membranes of Rhizobium meliloti were studied. The wild-type R. meliloti strain Rm41 was shown to contain three phospholipids characteristic for most Gram-negative bacteria, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol, this last compound being concentrated into the inner membrane. As in several bacteria interacting with plants, the presence of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine and phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine was also demonstrated. Induction of the nod genes by luteolin did not affect the lipid composition and no difference in lipid composition was found between the wild-type strain and a number of Nod−and Fix−mutants tested. Protein analysis of the inner and outer membranes showed that they exhibit very different patterns with several bands specific for one or the other membrane. A Nod−mutant carrying a large deletion in the symbiotic megaplasmid pRme41b showed differences in the protein patterns even before induction by luteolin, indicating that this megaplasmid codes for several membrane proteins. When the nod genes of strain Rm41 were induced by luteolin, two new bands at around 60 kDa and 44 kDa appeared in both the outer and the inner membranes. By using a strain overexpressing the nod genes and the technique of immunoblotting with antibodies against NodC, it was confirmed that the 44 kDa band corresponded to the NodC protein. This protein was not found in a nodC:: Tn5 mutant. This work represents the first step in the characterization of modifications induced by luteolin treatment at the membrane level.
BASE CATION CONCNETRATION AND CONTENT IN LITTERFALL AND WOODY DEBRIS ACROSS A NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST CHRONOSEQUENCE

of Thesis BASE CATION CONCNETRATION AND CONTENT IN LITTERFALL AND WOODY DEBRIS ACROSS A NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST CHRONOSEQUENCE Forest floor calcium (Ca) declines in northern hardwood forests are of interest because Ca availability may limit future forest growth. In the 1990s investigations into Ca pools and fluxes across a northern hardwood forest chronosequence showed decreases across stand age in the mass of forest floor base cations and litterfall cation concentrations. I undertook a study of factors that influence litterfall chemistry to develop a better understanding of base cation biogeochemistry in developing northern hardwood forests. Although Ca, potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in litterfall significantly declined with stand age, species composition and soil nutrient availability also influenced litterfall chemistry. The interplay between these factors, such as the distribution of species with different nutrient demands in areas of base cation availability or limitation, influences forest floor chemistry and may impact the time in which soil Ca depletion occurs. Additionally, I examined the quantity and qualities (species composition, decay class, size, and nutrient concentrations and contents) of woody debris across the same northern hardwood forest chronosequence. The objectives of this study were to quantify cation pools in woody debris, describe how the qualities of these woody debris pools change with stand development, and establish a baseline for long-term measurements of woody debris accumulation and chemistry with stand age. Decomposition of woody debris transfers base cations to the forest floor, and may be partially responsible for forest floor Ca gains in young stands. Calcium and K pools in woody debris were most strongly influenced by woody debris biomass, whereas Mg content was influenced by both woody debris biomass and species composition. In young stands, woody debris pools were strongly influenced by management practices during harvest. By 20 years since harvest woody debris pools reflected processes of stand development. For example, from 20 to nearly 40 years since harvest woody debris biomass and species composition was dominated by mortality of early successional species. Woody debris in more mature stands reflected small-scale stochastic disturbances including disease and single-tree mortality. Litterfall and woody debris are each components of within-stand cation cycling that will be critical to future forest growth with limited Ca availability.
Consistency tests of comparative advantage measures: an empirical evidence from the Malaysian and selected Asian shrimp products

The aim of this study is to examine the consistency between the Balassa index and Vollrath indices in measuring comparative advantages of the Malaysian shrimp products with other major shrimp exporting nations as comparator. The study uses Balassa index and Vollrath indices to measure comparative advantages of the Malaysian shrimp products. The indices then are compared by consistency tests. Malaysia was generally not competitive in shrimp trade; however, revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and relative export advantage (RXA) indices show some extent of competitiveness on non-frozen shrimp product. Thailand had a remarkable competitiveness in shrimp trade as compared to other major exporting countries. Although we found that double-counting problem in the Balassa index is insignificant in measuring export performance of the Malaysian shrimp sector, import could be an important variable in accessing its trade competitiveness. Marginal import of a sector may lead to relative trade advantage (RTA) index consistent with RCA and RXA indices. Considering exports and imports of a particular commodity in measuring competitiveness is more consistent with the real world phenomenon of two-way trade. Selecting measurement of comparative advantage should rigorously base on trade behaviour of a sector as well as theoretical constructs. The competitiveness of the Malaysian shrimp products remains unclear due to the lack of contemporary analyses backed by formal testing procedures. The results and policy implications of this study provide stakeholders insights into comparative advantage as well as trade position of the products. Better measurement for revealed comparative advantage, particularly for shrimp products, is discussed in this paper.
EFFECT OF SOIL SALINITY ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MUNGBEAN

Experiment was conducted with 5 mungbean accessions/genotypes with the aim of ascertaining the effect of salt stress on the yield and its component. The decrease in seed yield per plant under salt stress was more pronounced, associated with a reduced number of seed per pod and 100 seed weight. Consequently salt stress was more effective at vegetative, flowering and seed filling stages rather than seed development stage in all the five accessions/genotypes. NM-92 was less affected which showed its adaptability under saline conditions. Delayed maturity due to salt stress pushes the plant also be desiccation stress causing shriveled seeds.