Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperature on recruitment of cyanobacteria from the sediment and bloom formation in a shallow pond

The initial stage of bloom formation of cyanobacteria was investigated in Hirosawa-no-ike Pond, Kyoto, Japan, from February to May 2006. This pond is prone to periodic heavey blooms of cyanobacteria from spring to au- tumn, despite the complete draining of water for more than two months every winter. The dominant types of cyanobac- teria in the bloom were Aphanizomenon flos-aquae from February to March, followed by Microcystis spp. in April. The planktonic populations of Microcystis spp. increased continuously during April when the water temperature was in the range of 12.0-17.3°C, which was almost below the growth threshold for most Microcystis species. An incubation exper- iment revealed that the recruitment of Microcystis colonies from the pond sediment increased with temperature, espe- cially at and above 15°C. Recruitment of Anabaena trichomes was also observed, but there was no clear relationship be- tween water temperature and trichome densities of Anabaena spp. The M. aeruginosa colonies in the sediment in winter were likely to be dormant, as implied by the invariable frequencies of the division of cells throughout a day. These re- sults suggest that once water temperature exceeded the growth threshold of Microcystis species, the recruitment of the colonies is enhanced and a bloom is formed by both conspicuous recruitment and active growth.
Critical Thinking: A Reading Strategy in Developing English Reading Comprehension Performance

There is a general consensus that critical thinking can be influential in almost every occupation due to its association with the abilities such as problem solving and decision making. This paper aims at probing the role of critical thinking (CT) skills on EFL learners' reading comprehension performance using Bloom's taxonomy. Therefore, the role of CT strategies training across two language proficiency levels, high & low, was investigated. Then the difference between females and males regarding their CT was studied. In so doing, 240 male and female Iranian EFL students were selected and screened into two proficiency levels based on the Longman preparation course for TOEFL test. Each proficiency group was divided into critical and non-critical group. The results suggested CT skills significantly affected EFL learners’ reading comprehension performance. However, the effect of critical thinking strategy training didn’t vary across different language proficiency levels. Overall, the findings provide empirical support for the facilitative effect of critical thinking strategy training on reading comprehension performance of EFL learners.
Do Anti-TNF Therapies Increase the Risk of Postoperative Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Despite the increasing use of biologics in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), an important proportion of patients still require surgery. Nearly one third of Crohn’s Disease (CD) patients still require a major abdominal surgery in the five years following disease diagnosis [1]. In UC, between 10% and 36% of patients need a colectomy [2]. To what extend immunomodulators could affect postoperative outcomes should therefore be of particular interest for the clinician. It has been shown that immunosuppressant treatment such as azathioprine would not increase the rate of postoperative complication in IBD [3]. In the contrary, it appears that systemic steroids significantly affect postoperative outcomes with an increased risk of 41% of all postoperative complications and of 68% of postoperative infectious complications [4]. Up to 60% of CD patients received an anti-TNF before first abdominal surgery and a recent study showed that between Ulcerative Colitis (UC) diagnosis and colectomy, 30% of patients received at least one anti-TNF agent [5,6]. It remains controversial, if a large number of studies already investigated postoperative complication rate in anti-TNF treated patients, whether exposure to anti-TNF agents is associated with worth surgical outcomes. In CD, most of studies failed to identify a negative impact of biologics on early postoperative outcomes (usually defined as 30 days postoperative complications) [7-12]. The first study on this topic has shown a protective effect of immunomodulators even if these results have not been further reproduced [13]. Importantly, the study which has shown an increased rate of postoperative complications is also the largest one. Among 389 patients, infliximab exposure in the previous three months before surgery was associated with an increased risk of sepsis, intra-abdominal abscess and readmission [14]. Similarly, in a
Plant diversity, biogeography and environment in Iberia: Patterns and possible causal factors

Abstract We associated patterns of plant diversity with possible causal factors by considering 93 local regions in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands with respect to biogeography, environmental favourability, and environmental heterogeneity, and their relationship with measured species diversity at four different scales: mean local species richness standardized at a grain of 100 m2, total species richness in a community type within a region (regional community richness), mean compositional similarity, and mosaic diversity. Local regions in biogeographic transition zones to the North African and Atlantic floras had higher regional community richness and greater mosaic diversity than did non-transitional regions, whereas no differences existed in mean local species richness or mean compositional similarity. Mean local species richness was positively related to environmental favourability as measured by actual evapotranspiration, but negatively related to total precipitation and temporal heterogeneity in precipitation. Mean local species richness was greatest in annual grassland and dwarf shrubland communities, and on calcareous bedrock types. Regional community richness was similarly related to actual evapotranspiration and total precipitation, but in addition was positively related to spatial heterogeneity in topography and soil water holding capacity. Mean compositional similarity decreased with increasing spatial heterogeneity and temperature seasonality. Mosaic diversity, a measure of complexity, increased with increasing local and regional richness. We hypothesize that these relationships can be explained by four ecological and evolutionary classes of causal factors: numbers of individuals, intermediate environments, limits to adaptation, and niche variation. These factors operate at various scales and manifest themselves in various ways. For example, at the site level, apparently processes that increase the number of individuals increase mean local species richness, but at the level of the entire region no such effects were found. Abbreviations: AET = Actual evapotranspiration; NDVI = Normalized difference vegetation index; PET = Potential evapotranspiration; WHC = Water holding capacity.
Unusual operating cash flows and stock returns

0278-4254/$ see front matter 2008 Elsevier In doi:10.1016/j.jaccpubpol. 2008.07. 004 * Address: 3850 Highbury Way, San Ramon, CA 360 287 7487. E-mail address: luomei@gmail.com 1 This paper is partly based on my dissertation co The current financial reporting of cash flows from operations does not present individual sources of these cash flows, making it difficult for investors to assess a firm’s future performance. I hand-collect individual cash flows from unusual operations and examine their characteristics for predicting future cash flows. The results show that the unusual individual cash flow items contain a significant incremental predictive ability for future cash flows. Additional return tests show that stock prices fail to fully reflect their predictive value, suggesting that the current reporting practice may mislead investor perceptions of a firm’s cash generating ability and investors could benefit from a more explicit presentation of cash flows from operations. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
SUBORDINATE TRUST IN SUPERVISOR AND ORGANIZATION: EFFECTS ON SUBORDINATE PERCEPTIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT

This research examines the relationship between psychological empowerment and trust in organization and supervisor. In order to find out about the relationship among study variables, a research group has been formed among the employees of three companies operating in the field of infertility treatment in medicine industry and supplying hormones for follicular development. First, variables of trust in organization and supervisor have been dealt with regarding demographic factors. It has been investigated that there is no significant difference in terms of position, experience and age, whereas, given trust in supervisor, there is a significant difference in terms of gender and education. Then, relationships between the variables have been focused on. The findings have revealed there is a strong and positive relationship between trust in supervisor and the subordinate perceptions of psychological empowerment in terms of meaning and competence factors. Trust factor as an intervening variable is thought to have an effect on the perceptions of psychological empowerment.
Hand Looms , Power Looms , and Changing Production Organizations : The Case of the Kiryu Weaving District in the Early 20 th Century Japan

This study finds that the development process of the Kiryu silk weaving district in Japan from 1895 to 1930 can be divided at least into the two phases, i.e., Smithian growth based on the inter-firm division of labor using hand looms and Schumpeterian development based on factory system using power looms. Weaving manufacturers-cum-contractors led Smithian growth by organizing sub-contracts with out-weavers in rural villages and grew faster than factory production systems. Newly emerged joint stock firms played a role of genuine entrepreneurs by realizing significant scale economies. During this new phase, weaving manufacturers-cum-contractors survived and also introduced new production system.
Bars and boxy/peanut bulges in thin and thick discs. I. Morphology and line-of-sight velocities of a fiducial model

We explore trends in the morphology and line-of-sight (los) velocity of stellar populations in the inner regions of disc galaxies using N -body simulations with a thin (kinematically cold) and a thick (kinematically hot) disc which form a bar and a boxy/peanut (b/p) bulge. The bar in the thin disc component is ~50% stronger than the thick disc bar and is more elongated, with an axis ratio almost half that of the thick disc bar. The thin disc b/p bulge has a pronounced X-shape, while the thick disc b/p is weaker with a rather boxy shape. This leads to the signature of the b/p bulge in the thick disc being weaker and further away from the plane than in the thin disc. Regarding the kinematics, we find that the los velocity of thick disc stars in the outer parts of the b/p bulge can be higher than that of thin disc stars, by up to 40% and 20% for side-on and Milky Way-like orientations of the bar, respectively. This is due to the different orbits followed by thin and thick disc stars in the bar-b/p region, which are affected by two factors. First, thin disc stars are trapped more efficiently in the bar-b/p instability and thus lose more angular momentum than their thick disc counterparts and second, thick disc stars have large radial excursions and therefore stars from large radii with high angular momenta can be found in the bar region. We also find that the difference between the los velocities of the thin and thick disc in the b/p bulge (Δ v los ) correlates with the initial difference between the radial velocity dispersions of the two discs (Δ σ ). We therefore conclude that stars in the bar-b/p bulge will have considerably different morphologies and kinematics depending on the kinematic properties of the disc population they originate from.
Morphology of the toe flexor muscles in older people with toe deformities

Objective: Despite suggestions that atrophied, or weak toe flexor muscles are associated with the formation of toe deformities, there has been little evidence to support this theory. This study aimed to determine whether the size of the toe flexor muscles differed in older people with and without toe deformities. Methods: Forty-four older adults (>60 years) were recruited for the study. Each participant had their feet assessed for the presence of hallux valgus or lesser toe deformities. Intrinsic and extrinsic toe flexor muscles were imaged with an ultrasound system using a standardised protocol. Assessor blinded muscle thickness and cross-sectional area was measured using Image J software. Results: Participants with lesser toe deformities (n=20) were found to have significantly smaller quadratus plantae (p=0.003), flexor digitorum brevis (p=0.013), abductor hallucis (p=0.004) and flexor halluces brevis (p=0.005) muscles than the participants without any toe deformities (n=19). Female participants with hallux valgus (n=10) were found to have significantly smaller abductor hallucis (p=0.048) and flexor halluces brevis (p=0.013) muscles than the female participants without any toe deformities (n=10; p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to use ultrasound to investigate the size of the toe flexor muscles in older people with hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities compared to otherwise healthy older adults. The size of the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles were decreased in participants with hallux valgus whereas the quadratus plantae, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis and flexor halluces brevis muscles were smaller in those participants with lesser toe deformities.
Using Movies in EFL Classrooms: A Study Conducted at the English Language Institute (ELI), King Abdul-Aziz University.

The present study sought to examine the attitudes of Saudi English as a foreign language (EFL) learners as well as teachers towards the integration of English movies in their classes as a tool to develop students’ language skills. Fifty female intermediate level students studying English in their Preparatory Year Program (PYP) in the English Language Institute (ELI) at King Abdul-Aziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, participated in the study. Questionnaires were administered to the students to investigate their perceptions towards the integration of English movies in their classes to develop their language skills. The researcher also conducted semi-structured interviews with both students and teachers to explore their perceptions towards the use of movies in their classes. In addition, teachers were required to write reflective journals regarding the use of movies in their classes. The findings of the study indicate that both students as well as teachers had positive attitudes towards the use of movies in their classes to improve students’ language skills. The study offers pedagogical implications for EFL instructors with respect to the integration of films in their classrooms to improve students’ language learning. Well-selected movie materials could enhance students’ language learning process and increase their motivation to learn the target language.
Use of flight interception traps of Malaise type and Attractive Traps for social wasps record (Vespidae: Polistinae)

The literature provides different methodologies for collecting social wasps, including, flight intercept trap type Malaise and Attractive trap, however, there is no consensus on its use. In this respect, the aim of this study was to evaluate the best use of Malaise traps and Attractive trap in biodiversity work of social wasps, and generate a collection protocol for the use of these traps. The study was conducted in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, east of the state of Minas Gerais, in the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004 and in the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, located in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, in years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Were collected 15 species using Malaise traps, and traps Attractive, 26 species of social wasps were collected. Although the negative aspects of both traps are useful complementary methodologies surveys varying social wasps and it is recommended to choose for use in accordance with the logistical field.
Effect of Potassium on Quality and Yield of Potato Tubers – A Review

Potassium (K) aids in maintaining osmotic potential which enhances water uptake and root permeability, control ionic balances, regulate plant stomata and activate enzymatic processes. Potassium (K) plays significant role in quality as well as yield attributes of potato such as reducing sugar, Vitamin C content, specific gravity, shelf life and total yield. K application has found to increase reducing sugar content in potato tubers to threshold level and tends to decrease after that. The reason behind this is conversion of sugar to starch at high rate of K application. Vitamin C content is found to increase at moderate level of K application and tends to decrease in high concentration. Among the different sources of K, use of Muriate of Potash (MOP) is found better than Sulphate of Potash (SOP) for increasing Vitamin C content. Specific gravity and dry matter content are found to decrease with higher dose of K application. K lowers down senescence and reduces physiological disorders, increasing shelf life in potato tubers. Potassium Chloride (KCl) is more effective in reducing the incidence of physiological disorders during postharvest compared to other source of K. K application plays significant role in increasing yield of potato tubers which is either due to formation of large sized tubers or increasing number of tubers per plants or both by helping in accumulation of carbohydrate. There is low replenish and high loss of Potassium by leaching in soil and shows widespread deficiency in intensively potato growing areas. Therefore, careful attention should be given in Potassium fertilization to maximize the quality and yield of potato tuber.
Macadamia husk compost improves soil health in sub-tropical horticulture

The macadamia industry has acknowledged that bare soil under mature trees with mechanical harvesting from the orchard floor has resulted in soil loss from erosion. Macadamia husk and poultry manure were composted to provide a surface cover and the effects of compost on soil health assessed. A green waste compost was also included for comparison. Both composts and a compost treatment with a fibre mat on top were applied to three tree plots of macadamias, and soil health indicators were measured for 18 months. Microbial activity increased in the 0-2cm and 2-10cm soil layers under compost over time, and was significantly greater than the bare soil control. The soil pH under the husk compost increased from 4.15 to 5.0 after 18 months in the 0-2cm layer. The green waste compost did not improve these soil properties as much, but was greater than the bare soil. Water holding capacity was only increased by the husk compost. The green waste compost had a much larger particle size and different source material which may explain the differences. By 18 months, the microbial biomass carbon in the 0-2cm layer under the husk compost showed that the population was 300% more than bare soil, while the green waste compost was only 50% greater. The benefits of husk compost under macadamia trees were substantial as it improved soil fertility and may reduce soil loss in the long term.
Alternating temperature states influence walleye pollock early life stages in the southeastern Bering Sea

Water temperatures in the southeastern Bering Sea influence the density of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma early life stages, potentially influencing spatial distributions and the phenology of reproduction and development. We quantified stage-specific changes in spatial and temporal distributions under cold- and warm-water conditions using generalized additive models. Analyses showed that walleye pollock egg and yolksac larval spatial distributions are unaffected by temperature, suggesting that spawning locations are stable. Preflexion larvae, late larvae, and juveniles shift onto the shelf under warm conditions, similar to spatial shifts observed in distributions of sub-adults and adults. Temporal distributions were used to address the hypo - thesis that timing of the density peak at each stage is delayed under cold conditions. Differences in the timing of density peaks supported the hypothesis that the timing of spawning, hatching, lar- val development, and juvenile transition are temperature-dependent. The current analysis repre- sents the best support available for the importance of temperature to walleye pollock in determin- ing early life stage development and population trends in the eastern Bering Sea. Our data indicate that future changes in water temperatures could influence the early life stages of an eco- logically dominant member of the Bering Sea community by changing phenology and habitat use in the first several months of life.
Integrating plant–soil interactions into global carbon cycle models

1. Plant–soil interactions play a central role in the biogeochemical carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and hydrological cycles. In the context of global environmental change, they are important both in modulating the impact of climate change and in regulating the feedback of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) to the climate system.
Short- and long-term impacts of climate variations on the agrarian economy in pre-industrial Europe

Only a small number of quantitative studies have investigated the shortand longterm impacts of climate variations on society during Europe’s pre-industrial era. Accordingly, there is a lack of research clearly comparing the consequences of climate variation (short-term) and climate change (long-term). This study focuses on the close relationship between climate variations and the dynamics of the agrarian economy in Europe during the period of 1500 to 1800 AD. ARX modeling was applied to analyze the relationship between climate and past agrarian economies, on large spatial and long temporal scales. Both shortand long-term findings are provided, based on statistical analysis, as well as the empirical study of the 17th century economic crisis as a case analysis. The negative climatic variations in the short-term caused grain prices to increase. Grain prices were affected for up to 25 yr by a period of climatic variation due to the price stickiness. The immediate and long-term effects of climate variations over the study period can add up to significantly influence agrarian economies. Climate change occurs when climate variations last for more than 30 yr. The accumulated effect of climate change on the agrarian economy ultimately resulted in an economic crisis in pre-industrial Europe.
Stern polynomials and double-limit continued fractions

this last identity follows by iterating (1.2). For ease of reference we also list the first Stern polynomials up to n = 32 in Table 1. We note that a different polynomial extension of the Stern sequence (1.1), also called Stern polynomials, was introduced and studied in [16]. An important and interesting property of the Stern sequence is the fact that in each interval 2n−2 ≤ m ≤ 2n−1 the maximum value of a(m) is the Fibonacci number Fn. In general this maximum is attained twice, at