Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Woody Species Composition in Relation to Spatial and Environmental Gradients in Acacia-Commiphora Vegetation Ecosystem of Ethiopia

Woody species composition at local scale has been studied well in the tropics. However, how the species composition is related to the spatial and environmental gradients was poorly studied. Here, we examined the effects of the topographic aspects and altitude gradient on the species composition across four sites of Acacia-Commiphora woodland and bushland ecosystem. We collected data on the number of species, number of individuals, dbh and total height for those dbh was ≥ 2.5cm from ten quadrates (size: 50  50 m each) along transect of about 2kms laid out in each four sites. Altitude was taken with handheld GPS (Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx) and topographic aspects were recorded for each quadrate. The species composition was dissimilar among the four sites, across altitudinal gradients and topographic aspects. Here, the majority of the rare species are specific to each site, for example, Olea europea is the rare species in site (A) but not recorded in the rest of the three sites. Our overall results underscore the importance of considering the spatial scales and environmental variables in designing conservation methods. Nevertheless, identifying the biotic attributes driving the species composition in the ecosystem envisages further studies.
The effects of white shark presence on the behaviour of Cape fur seals at Geyser Rock, Gansbaai, South Africa

Predators and the risk associated with their presence may affect group composition, group size, movement patterns, and habitat use of prey species. The removal of predators, or their reintroduction following long periods of absence, equally can have profound impacts on their prey, triggering ecological cascades and ultimately shaping the biota of entire landscapes. While such processes are well documented in terrestrial ecosystems, similar results are absent in the marine realm, largely due to logistical difficulty. One exception to this is the study of white shark and seal interactions at coastal island rookeries, where white shark presence is seasonal, and seals exhibit marked behavioural differences between seasons. What is lacking from these studies, however, is how subsurface habitat around the islands, specifically refugia, may influence the behaviour of seals and their interactions with white sharks. I address this challenge by comparing both seal movement patterns and shark-seal interactions at Geyser Rock, Gansbaai with the established seal and shark patterns at Seal Island, False Bay. White sharks aggregate at both islands during the austral winter and seals encounter these aggregations when commuting to and from their respective rookeries to offshore foraging areas. The seascape around Geyser Rock is comparably more featured, including kelp beds and extensive shallow (5–10m depth) reef systems, whereas Seal Island is largely featureless, with neither extensive kelp nor reefs. At Geyser Rock, predations by white sharks were rarely observed (0.1 predations/hour) compared to Seal Island (1.24 predations/hour) and lacked the focused spatiotemporal peak at sunrise to the south of the island. Seals at Geyser Rock did not show a relationship between group formation and season, which was clearly demonstrated at Seal Island. This suggests that seals at Geyser Rock may be less reliant on group formation (safety in numbers) and selfish herd tactics within such groups to reduce predation risk. Rather, seals at Geyser Rock avoided deep open water patches during winter and shifted their movement patterns to and from the island to sectors with greater subsurface habitat heterogeneity. While I was limited in quantifying spatiotemporal patterns of predation risk around Geyser Rock (predation events were rare and widely dispersed), these results strongly suggest that seals actively avoid deep open water and show a preference for high structural complexity sectors during the risky winter months when shark presence is highest. This finding represents a habitat-escape tactic unidentified in previously studied white shark/pinniped systems. Together these results provide empirical support for both the risk-allocation hypothesis and refugia hypotheses within marine predator-prey systems. Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To wn P a g e | 4
The Economics of Hubs: The Case of Monopoly

In this paper, we study the optimization problem of an unregulated air carrier which is given the exclusive right to satisfy demand for air travel between any pair of cities. It chooses a network of connections and a set of prices to maximize profits. Thus, both network design and prices are endogenous. We characterize the solution to this optimization problem when demands and costs are symmetric. Our main result is that, if there are economies of density in the number of individuals travelling between two directly connected cities, the optimal network is either a hub of size n − 1 or one in which every pair of cities is connected directly.
Socio-economic status and religious identity in medieval Iberia: The zooarchaeological evidence

This paper synthesises faunal data from medieval archaeological sites in the Iberian Peninsula, aiming to identify zooarchaeological evidence that can improve our understanding of socio-economic status and cultural identities. The main zooarchaeological indicators for social differentiation are explored: food procurement and cuisine (taking into account different types of sites – high status, urban and rural), and different socio-political systems (Islamic and Christian regions), from a diachronic perspective.
Oceanographic variability and changes in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) abundance at South Georgia

Oceanographic data collected to the north of South Georgia were examined for three consecutive summers (1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99). The results show the existence of a shelf break front during each period. The most reliable means of defining the front was the potential density anomaly at the near-surface potential temperature minimum. In each year, off-shelf waters were separated from on-shelf waters by water with a potential density anomaly between 27.22 and 27.29 kg m )3 . During 1997/98, the near-surface potential temperature minimum was much colder and much shallower than in other years and was consistent with waters originating from much further south than South Georgia; these differences were further evident at a single deep off-shelf station. The oceanographic changes during 1997/98 were consistent with a mesoscale or large-scale movement of the southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current front. Acoustically determined densities of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, at South Georgia showed consistent patterns between years. Densities were substantially higher over the shelf compared with off-shelf, with the highest densities at the shelf edge; densities were also higher to the east of the island. During 1997/98, acoustic densities of krill were substantially higher than in other years. The coincidence of the elevated acoustic density and the cooler oceanographic conditions was explored. When data from all years were combined and analysed by Generalized Additive Model, an inverse relationship between acoustic density and temperature was apparent. Historical data were also examined and it was noted that the only other occurrence of such a high estimate of krill density at South Georgia, was when oceanographic conditions were also colder.
High-resolution Sea-ICE motions from AMSR-E imagery

Abstract Passive microwave remote-sensing imagery has proven to be a useful Source for Sea-ICE motions because of its all-sky capabilities. However, the low Spatial resolution of the passive microwave Sensors has not allowed the retrieval of Small-scale motion details Such as lead and ridge formation. The NAsA Earth Observing System Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) has more than double the Spatial resolution of previous passive microwave Sensors, allowing it to track the formation of moderate-sized leads and yield much more detailed and more accurate ICE-motion estimates. Comparisons with buoys indicate that AMSR-E motions have errors >30% lower than ICE motions derived from the previous passive microwave Sensors. While AMSR-E Still cannot retrieve the Same level of detail as Synthetic aperture radars or visible/infrared Sensors, AMSR-E’s complete coverage can better capture the ephemeral motions of the Sea-ICE cover on daily, and potentially Sub-daily, timescales.
Inhibitory Effect of Varying Concentrations of Leaves' Extracts of Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) on Some Microorganisms of Medical Importance

The inhibitory concentration of Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) on some microorganisms of clinical importance was investigated using standard microbiological methods. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Alkaloids , Saponins , Tannins , Flavonnoids , Anthraquinones , Cardiac glycosides and Phlobatannins. The antimicrobial tests were carried out with ethanolic and aqueous extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The bacterial species used were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Shigella species, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae . The results obtained for ethanolic extracts revealed that Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the largest zones of inhibition 23.0mm (35mg/ml) while Shigella and Escherichia coli had the smallest of 15.0mm (15mg/ml). For the aqueous extracts Proteus species had the largest zone of inhibition of 18.0mm (35mg/ml) while Vibrio cholerae had the least zones of inhibition of 12.1mm (15mg/ml). The higher inhibitory effects of these ethanolic extracts may be due to some bioactive substances present in the extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 100mg/ml to 500mg/ml for both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The results obtained qualify Centella asiatica to be a medicinal plant that is recommended for use in the treatment of some diseases and infections.
Effects of silver nanoparticles in some crop plants, Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and corn (Zea mays L.)

Effects of silver nanoparticles on plant growth parameters such as shoot and root lengths, leaf surface area, chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents of economic important pulses, common bean (phaseolus vulgaris L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) was probed in the present research. The study was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. Five levels of silver nanoparticles (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm) were used. After germination, daily supply with 15 ml from each concentration was carried out for 12 days during plant growth. The results showed that small concentrations of silver nanoparticles had a stimulating effect on the growth of the plantlets, while the enhanced concentrations induced an inhibitory effect. However, increasing concentration of silver nanoparticles from 20 to 60 ppm has led to an increase in shoot and root lengths, leaf surface area, chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents of the two tested crop plants. Additionally, the lowest amount of these parameters was found with control plants, but the enhancing level of silver nanoparticles resulting in the reduction of these compounds.
Structural vector autoregressions with Markov switching : identification via heteroskedasticity

Structural vector autoregressions are of great importance in applied macroeconometric work. The main difficulty associated with structural analysis is to identify unique shocks of interest. In a conventional approach this is done via zero or sign restrictions. Heteroskedasticity is proposed for use in identification. Under certain assumptions when volatility of shocks changes over time, unique shocks can be obtained. Then formal testing of the restrictions and impulse response analysis can be performed. In this thesis I show how identification via heteroskedasticity can be used in different contexts. In the first chapter I analyze the dynamics of trade balances in response to macroeconomic shocks. I show that identifying restrictions, which are known in the literature, are rejected for two out of seven countries. Partially identified models fail to provide enough information to fully identify shocks. The second chapter, coauthored with my supervisor, demonstrates how one can benefit from identification via heteroskedasticity when sign restrictions are used. The approach is illustrated with a model of the crude oil market. It is shown that shocks identified via previously known sign restrictions are in line with the properties of the data. Use of tighter restrictions uncovers that the approach can be discriminative. The third chapter reconsiders the conflicting results in the debate on the effects of technology shocks on hours worked. Using six ways of identifying technology shocks, I find that not all of them are supported by the data. There is no clear-cut evidence in favor of positive reaction of hours to technology shocks. However, it is plausible for real wage and disentangled investment-specific and neutral technology shocks, even though conventional identification of the latter shocks is rejected.
Parent–child relationships and facial preferences Concurrent Parent-child Relationship Quality is Associated with an Imprinting-like Effect in Children’s Facial Preferences Running head: Parent–child relationships and facial imprinting

Humans have been shown to display phenomena resembling sexual imprinting, whereby adults are attracted to features in potential mates which resemble their opposite sex parent. In humans this may be particularly so when the parent–child relationship is positive, but there are currently limited data elucidating the causes of these patterns. Here we investigate whether such preferences can be documented in children on the cusp of puberty, for whom prospective data exist on parent–child relationships. Sixty 9-year-olds and their parents were recruited from a British longitudinal sample who have been studied since infancy. Parents were photographed and children were then presented with stimuli in which a computer generated face was manipulated to appear more or less like the parent. Children also reported on their current relationship with each parent. Although attachment at 15 months did not predict imprinting at 9 years of age, children reporting a more accepting current relationship with their parents preferred parental features significantly more than those who reported a more rejecting relationship with their parents. These data support the suggestion that imprinting-like phenomena in humans may arise through associative learning.
Analyzing The Brand Equity and Resonance of Banking Services: Bangladeshi Consumer Perspective

The importance of customers’ strong association with brands is immense. It helps an organization build long term relationship with the customers. The branding activity of organization is summarized in the most popular Customers Based Brand Equity – CBBE model. It comprises six progressive blocks that lead to the final formation of brand equity. The current research attempts to evaluate the brand equity of banking services in Bangladesh. Random samples of 300 respondents were selected and were asked about their views through a structured questionnaire. The findings suggest that when customers get emotionally attached to a brand (brand feeling), they go on to create strong association with the brand. The quality of the services of a brand, its credibility, and its presence in the choice set of customers (together what is called Brand Judgment) also lead to customers’ strong association with a brand. On the other hand, some of the building blocks of the CBBE model are found to be not strongly contributing for the creation of brand association in the banking sector of Bangladesh. Brand recognition how easily customer identify a brand after exposing some cue or a physical product, and brand recall -how easily customer recall the brand without showing a cue while making purchase decision or thinking the product category (together what is called brand salience) are found be contributing not significantly in creating strong association with the brand. Banking institutions may place less emphasis on them in creating brand awareness.
Bearing prognostics with non-trendable behavior based on shock pulse method and frequency analysis

Bearings are one of the most important parts of rotating machineries. Their fault diagnosis and prognosis are critical for the maintenance decision making. In reality, few bearings are working under constant operating conditions. So, robust features which are not sensitive to the operating condition are needed for bearing prognostics. Sometimes, even if they are working under stationary conditions, common-used degradation features are non-trendable and cannot be used to predict the remaining useful lives. In order to address these two issues, shock pulse method and frequency analysis are combined to detect the incipient fault and predict the remaining useful lives. Maximum normalized shock value which is extracted using shock pulse method can reflect the degradation process more robust under non-stationary conditions. And frequency analysis can identify the change points of degradation states when degradation features are non-trendable. Finally, a case study is conducted where the proposed methods are demonstrated by analyzing the 2012 PHM challenge data sets.
Diaspora Remittance Inflow, Financial Development and the Industrialisation of Africa

The paper assesses how remittances directly and indirectly affect industrialisation in a panel of 49 African countries for the period 1980-2014. The indirect impact is assessed through financial development channels. The empirical evidence is based on three interactive and non-interactive simultaneity-robust estimation techniques, namely: (i) Instrumental Fixed Effects (FE) to control for the unobserved heterogeneity; (ii) Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) to control for persistence in industrialisation and (iii) Instrumental Quantile Regressions (QR) to account for initial levels of industrialisation. The non-interactive specification elucidates direct effects of remittances on industrialisation whereas interactive specifications explain indirect impacts. The findings broadly show that for certain initial levels of industrialisation, remittances can drive industrialisation through the financial development mechanism. Policy implications are discussed.
Physico-Chemical, Sensory and Microbial Evaluation of Ginger-Lime Ready-To-Serve (RTS) Functional Beverage, Sweetened by Palmyra Sugar Candy

Production of functional beverage is an excellent method for incorporation of phyto-chemicals, anti-oxidants and beneficial components. In the present investigation, an effort has been made to prepare a Ready-To-Serve (RTS) functional beverage by exploiting the medicinal, nutritional and organoleptic properties of ginger, lime juice and palmyra sugar candy to find out the most suitable proportion of ginger and lime extracts and to assess the shelf life of the formulated beverages. The beverage combinations were prepared by blending of ginger and lime juices at different % of 20:0, 18:2, 16:4, 14:6, 12:8, and 10:10 and sweetened by 15% of plamyra sugar candy. Physico-chemical, microbial and sensory analyses were carried out immediately after preparation and storage. The declining trends in pH, TSS and ascorbic acid and an increasing trend in titratable acidity and total sugar were noted with advancement of storage period. Based on the quality evaluation, it was concluded that the formulation with 12% of ginger and 8% of lime juice extract had highest mean scores for organoleptic characteristics that could be stored at 30±1°C temperature and 70-75% of RH for a period of 12 weeks and which is safe for human consumption.
Preparation and evaluation of wine from tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon L) fruits with antioxidants

Wine was prepared from tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon L.) fruits and evaluated. Must from tendu fruits was made by raising total soluble solids (TSS) to 20° B, 0.1% (NH 4 ) SO 4 as nitrogen source and fermenting it using 2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus into wine. The wine had the following proximate compositions: TSS, 2°B; total sugar of 3.78g/100ml; titratable acidity, 1.32g tartaric acid/ 100ml; pH, 3.12; total phenolics, 0.95g/100ml; β-carotene, 8µg/100ml; ascorbic acid, 1.52mg/ 100ml; lactic acid, 0.39mg/100ml, methanol, 3.5% (v/v) and ethanol,6.8% (v/v). The tendu wine had a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH )scavenging activity of 52% at a dose of 250µg/ ml. Principal Component Analysis(PCA) reduced the 10 original analytical and proximate variables (TSS, total sugar, TA, pH, phenol, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, ethanol and DPPH scavenging activity) into three independent components that accounted for 83.42% of the total variations. Sensory evaluation was carried out by 16 trained panelists on various attributes such as taste, aroma, flavour, colour/ appearance and after-taste. The analysis showed that the taste of tendu wine was liked strongly by the panelists and there was no significant difference between the two replicate sets (p<0.05) in most sensory parameters.
Classification of Argentine maize landraces in heterotic groups.

The genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays L) is a valuable and strategic natural resource that plays a key role in the breeding progress. However, exploitation of genetic variability from landraces has not reached a significant level of utilization in breeding programs in Argentina yet. In order to establish their breeding potential, the best 15 out of a group of about 300 landraces from Argentina, were evaluated for various agronomic characters in testcrosses with five lines representing different heterotic groups. Testcrosses were evaluated in nine environments during two growing seasons. A factorial array of those landraces and tester lines was used. Differences for landraces, testers, and landrace x tester interactions were detected for ear diameter and length, ear attachment and plant height, and grain yield. Yield data were further analyzed following additive main effects (landrace and tester) and multiplicative interaction (landrace x tester) models. The first two principal components were significant and accounted for 67% of that interaction. The first axis was consistent with the Argentine flint vs. US dent (Mo17), and US dent (B73) vs. US dent (Mo17) heterotic patterns. The second axis exhibited a contrast between Argentine flint and US dent (B73 or B73 derived line) heterotic groups. The first two principal components of the landrace x tester interaction and mean performance of testcrosses were considered to identify eight landraces as parents of three composite populations.
Ancient Lumminigame: A Preliminary Report on Recent Archaeological Investigations at Lumbini's Village Mound

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