Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface patterns of Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in the presence of boats in Port of Malhado, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil

Las interacciones con embarcaciones pueden causar cambios de comportamiento en los cetaceos. El proposito de esta investigacion es analizar si los delfines costeros, Sotalia guianensis, modifican su patron de afloramiento para respirar, en presencia de diferentes categorias de embarcaciones y de la distancia de contacto con las mismas en el puerto de Malhado, Ilheus, Bahia, Brasil. Los datos se obtuvieron desde un punto fijo, de septiembre 2008 a agosto 2009, totalizando 362,6 h de esfuerzo de muestreo y 213,2 h de esfuerzo efectivo de observacion. El numero de salidas a la superficie fue contabilizado durante periodos de un minuto, cada vez que pasaba una embarcacion, y tambien durante la ausencia de embarcaciones. La composicion de los grupos de delfines se clasificaron como: grupos con crias y grupos sin crias. Los tipos de embarcaciones fueron clasificadas como: con motor central (CM), con motor fuera de borda (OM), barcos (S) y sin motor (WM). Las distancias entre los defines y las embarcaciones que pasaban se clasificaron como: cerca, intermedia y lejana. En total se efectuaron 365 observaciones de un minuto en ausencia de embarcaciones y 379 en su presencia. Los barcos de motor central fueron los mas frecuentes (n = 478) en el area de estudio y en interaccion con los delfines (n = 260). Sin embargo, las embarcaciones con motor fuera de borda eran las principales responsables de la disminucion de los patrones superficiales con un promedio de 1,82 y una mediana de 2,2. En los grupos con crias, el numero de subidas a la superficie se redujo significativamente con un promedio de 2,13 por minuto. No hubo variaciones significativas con respecto a las distancias en el patron de subida a la superficie con ningun tipo de embarcacion. La variacion de este comportamiento de S. guianensis en presencia de embarcaciones puede ser una estrategia de evasion de embarcaciones o una respuesta a la dificultad de comunicacion entre los animales.
Plasma source and loss at comet 67P during the Rosetta mission

Context.The Rosetta spacecraft provided us with a unique opportunity to study comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) from a close perspective and over a 2-yr time period. Comet 67P is a weakly active comet. It was therefore unexpected to find an active and dynamic ionosphere where the cometary ions were largely dominant over the solar wind ions, even at large heliocentric distances.Aims. Our goal is to understand the different drivers of the cometary ionosphere and assess their variability over time and over the different conditions encountered by the comet during the Rosetta mission.Methods. We used a multi-instrument data-based ionospheric model to compute the total ion number density at the position of Rosetta. In-situ measurements from the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) and the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC)–Ion and Electron Sensor (IES), together with the RPC–LAngmuir Probe instrument (LAP) were used to compute the local ion total number density. The results are compared to the electron densities measured by RPC–Mutual Impedance Probe (MIP) and RPC–LAP.Results. We were able to disentangle the physical processes responsible for the formation of the cometary ions throughout the 2-yr escort phase and we evaluated their respective magnitudes. The main processes are photo-ionization and electron-impact ionization. The latter is a significant source of ionization at large heliocentric distance (>2 au) and was predominant during the last 4 months of the mission. The ionosphere was occasionally subject to singular solar events, temporarily increasing the ambient energetic electron population. Solar photons were the main ionizer near perihelion at 1.3 au from the Sun, during summer 2015.
Characterization of Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Among all the secondary complications of type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment associated with diabetes is less well studied and characterized. We made an attempt to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in cognitive decline in high fat diet-streptozotocin model of type 2 diabetes. High-fat diet and a single low dose streptozotocin (25 mg/kg) were used to induce diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Developments of cognitive deficit in these animals were measured using change in transfer latency in elevated plus maze test and step-down latency in passive avoidance test. This was followed by biochemical estimation of acetylcholinesterase and reduced glutathione levels followed by histological evaluation of cortical and hippocampal slices. The high fat diet-streptozotocin animals developed type 2 diabetes, characterized by an increase in fasting blood glucose levels >250 mg/kg, marked increase (P<0.001) in triglyceride (207±7.2) and total cholesterol level (125.3±2.7) with a decrease (P<0.001) in high-density lipoproteins (14.27±1.1) when compared to control animals. After 4 weeks of development of type 2 diabetes high fat diet-streptozotocin animals showed signs of cognitive deficit with a significant decline in step-down latency (P<0.001) and a significant increase in transfer latency (P<0.001) compared to controls. The high fat diet-streptozotocin animals also showed significant decrease (P<0.001) in cortico-hippocampal glutathione levels and increase in (P<0.001) acetylcholinesterase activity as compared to control animals suggesting type 2 diabetes-associated oxidative stress and decrease in hippocampal Ach activity. Immunohistochemical studies in these animals showed pronounced astrogliosis and microglial activation in the cortical and hippocampal slices suggesting neuroinflammatory changes. We also found significant loss (P<0.001) of hippocampal neurons at CA1 and CA3 region in the diabetic rats as compared with healthy controls. Antidiabetic compound glibenclamide (10 mg/kg for 3 weeks) partly reversed the above neurobehavioral, biochemical and histological changes in the diabetic rat brain. Hence we show that high fat diet-streptozotocin type 2 diabetic rats may develop signs of cognitive impairment. This cognitive decline was found to be associated with an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and loss of hippocampal neurons. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory changes in the brain of these animals may be responsible for hippocampal neuronal loss, which could be partly reversed upon glibenclamide treatment.
Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Behavior Among Farmers: A Case Of Cabbage Farmers In Kiminini Ward

Agribusiness remains to be the most lucrative business where land fragmentation has resulted in the formation of small pieces of land that cannot support other forms of farming (Kinyanjui et al., 2008). From casual observation, this situation does not prevail in Trans-Nzoia County since the growth is very slow hence the venture is risky. Nevertheless, some few farmers have risked by taking the initiative of venturing into the cabbage farming business so as to seize the opportunity. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour among cabbage farmers in Kiminini Ward in Trans-Nzoia County. The population of this study was determined by getting a list of farmers engaged in cabbage growing enterprises. Simple random sampling method was used to select 100 cabbage farmers from a list of cabbage farmers from the ministry of agriculture. The questionnaire comprised of closed and open ended questions. Descriptive statistics was used to collect data and included frequency tables. Further, a computer statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used in entering and analyzing the data. The findings indicate that age and marital status as factors under Demographic factors influence entrepreneurial behaviour of risk taking decision making and innovativeness of the farmer this is also true with social factors but education level of the farmer and size of land under cabbage has no influence on entrepreneurial behaviour . psychological factors have no influence on entrepreneurial behaviour
Evaluation of efficacy of Ultrasound in diagnosis of Neck Swellings

Background: Neck swellings are a common cause of dilemma to clinicians. Accurate diagnosis of neck swellings is of paramount importance. This study evaluated patients with neck swellings to study their ultrasonographic features and correlated the ultrasound findings with the final diagnosis. Methods: 100 patients with neck swellings were evaluated clinically and divided into four groups– congenital, inflammatory, benign and malignant. Thereafter, they underwent high-resolution Ultrasound (US) and the ultrasonographic features of each type of swelling were studied. A final diagnosis was established after further evaluation using FNAC, further imaging, surgical intervention in the form of incision and drainage or excision/incisional biopsy with histopathological examination or successful non-surgical treatment. Ultrasound findings were compared with final diagnosis. Results: For swellings of inflammatory nature, this study showed the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of US to be 87.2%, 96.6%, 94.4%, 91.9% respectively. For benign swellings, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV was 97.5%, 91.3%, 88.6% and 98.1% respectively. Sensitivity of US in diagnosing malignant lesions of the neck was 87.5% with a specificity of 98.7%, PPV 93.3% and NPV 97.5%. Sensitivity of US in detecting thyroid malignancy in the present study was 83.3% and in diagnosing malignant lymph nodes was 87.5%. Conclusions: Ultrasound is the ideal modality for initial imaging for neck swellings. Later on, as per the need and Ultrasound findings, one can go in for further haematological investigations, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Radiological investigations.
To analyze the Comparative Financial Performance Analysis of Is lamicand Conventional Banks in Pakistan

This exploration study was directed to make correlation of money related execution of 5 Islamic banks and 5 routine banks in Pakistan from 2008-2015. To survey the money related execution of Islamic and routine banks enlightening insights was utilized for the inner determinants of CAMEL model. To check whether there is critical distinction or not in execution of Islamic and traditional banks one way ANOVA was used. To assess those components which impact the execution of banks Regression was implemented. On the premise of discoveries it is reasoned that there is noteworthy contrast in execution of Islamic and conventional banks in significant terms.
Adaptation of Teachers' Conceptions and Practices of Formative Assessment Scale into Turkish Culture and a Structural Equation Modeling.

The purpose of this study was to adapt Teachers’ Conceptions and Practices of Formative Assessment Scale (TCPFS) based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) into Turkish culture and apply the TPB to examine teachers’ intentions and behaviors regarding formative assessment. After examining linguistic validity of the scale, Turkish scale was applied to 400 primary school teachers in Turkey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was administered for the construct validity. The results showed that the model had fairly good model fit (RMSEA=.07, CFI= .90, TLI=.87, IFI= .90). Reliability of the Turkish version of the scale was attained through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Findings revealed that adapted scale has satisfactory psychometric features. Since the psychometric properties of the scale in the TPB were acceptable, predictive model was estimated. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the applicability of TPB in understanding teachers’ conceptions and practices of formative assessment. The results supported that TPB model can help to predict and explain teachers’ conceptions and behaviors regarding formative assessment.
Nucleotide sequencing and PCR-RFLP of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 gene in riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene is a structural gene associated with the growth and development of the animals. The present investigation was carried out to unravel nucleotide sequence and polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of IGFBP-3 gene in buffalo. Genomic DNA was isolated from a total of 157 animals belonging to Murrah, Surti, Jaffarabadi and Nagpuri breeds of Indian riverine buffalo. A 655 bp of IGFBP-3 gene was amplified in all the breeds and amplicons were digested with Hae III, Taq I and Msp I restriction enzymes. On digestion with Hae III yielded single restriction pattern of 8 fragments of sizes 201, 165, 154, 56, 36, 19, 16 and 8 bp in all the animals studied. Similarly Taq I and Msp I also revealed single restriction pattern yielding fragments of sizes 240 and 415 bp and 145 and 510 bp, respectively. This shows non- polymorphic nature of restriction sites in buffalo. Nucleotide sequencing of 587 bp of IGFBP-3 gene in Murrah buffalo was done and submitted to the GenBank (Accession No. AY304829). Nucleotide sequencing revealed an addition of 4 bases in the intronic region as compared to cattle. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 7 : 910-913)
Healthy revolutions: promoting cycling among women

Issue addressed: Australian women’s participation in cycling for transport and recreation is approximately half that of men. These gender differences do not occur in several western European countries. Research is required to investigate the individual, social and environmental determinants of Australian women’s participation in cycling for transport and recreation. Discussion: Few studies have systematically investigated women’s perceptions and experiences of cycling and little is known about what motivates and sustains their involvement. Preliminary indications are that, for women, there may be an interest in and capacity to participate in cycling that is not being translated into practice. Safety concerns appear to be a significant deterrent to women cycling. Safety factors have a differential impact on women as they are generally more risk averse than men. Quantitative risk assessments suggest that the risk of injury associated with cycling is small and that the health benefits outweigh the health costs. Cycling promotion campaigns may achieve greater success with women if they enable women to experience cycling in an environment that both is, and is perceived to be, safe and supportive. Conclusions: Research is needed to determine what strategies are likely to be most effective in promoting cycling among Australian women, as a basis for developing programs, policies and facilities to support women’s participation in cycling.
When a Smile Changes into Evil: Pitfalls of Smiles Following Social Exclusion

People have a fundamental and a critical need to belong. Social exclusion impairs this need and rejected individuals must seek to regain acceptance from others. It is known that such individuals show an increased preference for smiles. On the other hand, social exclusion sometimes leads to aggression. It is possible that this contradiction is modulated by acceptance and the level of control, such that prosocial behavior occurs in response to evidence of social affirmation, whereas aggression increases in response to reductions in the level of control. However, little is known about the impact of smiles without social affirmation, or the interaction between the effects of smiles and the level of control. In this study, we investigated the effects of such smiles by manipulating an excluder’s facial expressions (i.e., neutral and smiling faces) and similarity to the participant (i.e., level of control). We hypothesized that smiling excluders that are similar to the participant would increase aggression in the participant, presumably because being rejected by a similar partner reduces the level of control. In support of our hypothesis, results indicated that when excluders smiled, increased aggression was directed at those excluders that were similar to the participant. Our findings imply that a smile of an excluder directed at the person being excluded is one of the risk factors for aggressive behaviors in the excluded person.
A preliminary study on Indian Gerbils, Tatera indica Hardwicke, 1807 at population level in eastern and southern parts of Iran (Rodentia: Muridae)

There is little known about the systematics and population structure of Indian gerbils (Tatera indica) in Iran. In the present study six populations of T.indica from different localities of Iran were compared according to morphology, morphometry and karyological studies to determine the status of these populations at the sub specific level. The univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses of four external and 18 cranial morphometric characters in Tatera indica (Rodentia: Muridae) were performed using 84 specimens collected from widely scattered geographical localities.The results of MANCOVA showed that there are no significant differences between sexes. In order to show variation between samples and the significance of cranial variables CDA and PCA analyses were carried out using log-transformed data. The results of CDA analysis indicated discrimination between samples. The results of the univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the morphometric characteristics of the Indian gerbil populations in Iran are slightly different. Also, the results of the GM analysis showed two major phonetic groups which indicates separation of the northern and the southern populations. Karyological results showed that 2N=68 and NFa=80 in all karyotyped specimens which are similar to findings of previous authors. There are not any variations in 2N and NFa of the studied specimens. On the basis of the CDA, PCA and GM analyses there are two main phenetic groups in these populations which might be related to the sub-specific condition of them. However, due to methodological problems, other techniques such as molecular studies must be applied for determination of true status of these groups.
A Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalizing Process of Design Matrices in Linear Models as an Estimating Procedure of Covariance Components

It is considered a multivariate balanced mixed linear model without interaction for which the matrices of the quadratic forms required to estimate the covariance components are expressed by linear operators on finite dimensional inner product spaces. The purpose of this article is to prove that the quadratic forms obtained by a Gram - Schmidt or- thogonalizing process of design matrices are linear combinations of the quadratic forms derived by the generalized fitting constants method. Some sufficient conditions for the existence of non-negative best quadratic unbiased estimators (BQUE) for linear functions of covariance components are derived in a coordinate-free approach. Un proceso de ortogonalizaci´ on de Gram-Schmidt de dise˜ no de matrices en modelos lineales como procedimiento para estimar la covarianza de las componentes
The Influence of the Financial Crisis on Auditor Changes and Earnings Management

Using a large sample of publicly traded U.S. firms, I investigate whether, and how, the Financial Crisis affects the number and type of auditor changes (Big 4 vs. non Big 4) and the level of earnings management. Besides these, I investigate whether the effect of an auditor change on earnings management differs between the Financial Crisis and non crisis years. This study yields four major findings. First, I find that were less auditor changes during the Financial Crisis, compared to non crisis years. This result suggests that firms are less incentivized to change auditor during the crisis years. Secondly, with respect to the types of auditor changes, there were less changes from Big 4 to non Big 4 auditors and more changes from non Big 4 to Big 4 auditors during the Financial Crisis. This finding suggests that the Financial Crisis did not incentivize firms to change to a less expensive and/or lower quality auditor. Also, I find that firms engaged more in earnings management during the Financial Crisis, compared to non crisis years. Finally, I find that an auditor change during the Financial Crisis reduces the level of earnings management, while an auditor change in non crisis years did not affect the level of earnings management. This might imply that, during the Financial Crisis, newly appointed auditors detect and correct more earnings management than incumbent auditors. Name: Ralf Hubens ANR: 847252 Date: 20-07-2012 Title: The Influence of the Financial Crisis on Auditor Changes and Earnings Management Supervisor: Prof. Dr. E.H. J. Vaassen RA Second reader: Dr. S. Hollander Preface I present to you my master thesis concerning the influence of the Financial Crisis on auditor changes and earnings management. Finishing this master thesis results in graduating in the master of Accounting program from Tilburg University. During the process of writing this thesis, I have found support from many people. First, I want to thank Professor Vaassen as supervisor from Tilburg University, for providing feedback, comments and suggestions during the writing process. Second, I would like to thank dr. Verriest for his support on earnings management issues. Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends and girlfriend who always supported me during my student years. As a final remark, I hope you will enjoy reading my master thesis. In case you have any questions afterwards, do not hesitate to address them to me. Ralf Hubens Eindhoven, 20 July 2012. Table of
Antiplasmodial activity of Vernonia cinerea Less (Asteraceae), a plant used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso to treat malaria

Research and development of new antiplasmodial molecules in plant is a very important way for the development of new anti-malarial drugs. In this study, Vernonia cinerea Less (Asteraceae) was selected for its promising antiplasmodial activity because it is traditionally used in Burkina Faso to treat malaria. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiplasmodial activity of this whole plant. Five crude extracts of V. cinerea Less were prepared from the solvents of increasing polarity (CH2Cl2, CH3OH, CH3OH/H2O (1/1), H2O and alkaloids extracts). The method of Ciulei (1982) and thin layer chromatography were used for chemical characterization. The p-LDH technique was used in vitro. Extracts were evaluated in vitro for efficacy against the Plasmodium falciparum strain K1, which is resistant to chloroquine, and 3D7, which is sensitive to chloroquine. The crude extracts of alkaloids showed the IC50=4.25 μg/ml with the strains 3D7 and IC50=2.56 μg/ml with the K1 strains. The CH2Cl2 extracts showed the IC50= 8.42 μg/ml and IC50=5.85 μg/ml on strains 3D7 and K1, respectively. The CH3OH extracts showed the IC50=21.08 μg/ml, CH3OH/H2O extracts gave 41.56 μg/ml and H2O extracts gave 37.17 μg/ml on strains of P. falciparum K1. The present study highlighted the very promising antiplasmodial activity of V. cinerea Less. The most antiplasmodial activity of this plant extracts merit further study about its in vivo antiplasmodial activity in Plasmodium berghei infected mice.