Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioerosive impact of Diadema mexicanum on southern Mexican Pacific coral reefs

El crecimiento y mantenimiento de los ecosistemas arrecifales esta relacionado con la actividad alimenticia de los erizos de mar. Asi, determinar la capacidad bioerosiva del erizo Diadema mexicanum es necesaria para evaluar su impacto en las comunidades y arrecifes de coral que se desarrollan frente a las costas del Pacifico del sur de Mexico. Este estudio evaluo la densidad, la talla y la tasa de bioerosion de D. mexicanum y el tipo de carbonato removido, a partir de lo cual se estimo el balance de carbonatos en 15 co munidades y arrecifes coralinos ubicados frente a Guerrero y Oaxaca. La densidad ( H = 13.4, P = 0.001) y la talla ( H = 139.5, P = 0.000) de los erizos vario espacialmente y ambos parametros estuvieron relacionados significativamente (densidad, r 2 = 0.79, P = 0.00; talla, r 2 = 0.28, P = 0.03) con las ca racteristicas del sustrato. En general, los organismos alcanzaron mayor talla y d ensidad en sitios con mayor cobertura de roca y baja cobertura de coral vivo. La remocion de carbonatos estuvo directamente relacionada con la talla de los erizos ( 6.1 cm = 0.325 g/ind/d). Del total de carbonatos removidos, el 22% correspondio a aragonita coralina y el 78% a calcita de magnesio, lo que sugiere que el impacto de los erizos sobre el esqueleto de los corales en la region es minimo. El balance entre acumulacion y remocion de aragonita coralina indico que esta ultima fue solo el 3.1% del total de carbonatos depositado por los corales, indicando que la actividad alimenticia del erizo, por si misma, no compromete el crecimiento y permanencia de las comunida des y arrecifes coralinos en la s costas sudoccidentales de Mexico. No obstante, la actual politica de uso y de desarrollo en, y alrededor de, los sistemas arrecifales en la region podria exacerbar el efect o bioerosivo de D. mexicanum en un
Evaluating Mechanical Properties of Few Layers MoS2 Nanosheets-Polymer Composites

The reinforcement effects of liquid exfoliated molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanosheets, dispersed in polystyrene (PS) matrix, are evaluated here. The range of composites (0~0.002 volume fraction () MoS2-PS) is prepared via solution casting. Size selected MoS2 nanosheets (3~4 layers), with a lateral dimension 0.5~1 µm, have improved Young’s modulus up to 0.8 GPa for 0.0002 MoS2-PS as compared to 0.2 GPa observed for PS only. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is improved considerably (~×3) with a minute addition of MoS2 nanosheets (0.00002 ). The MoS2 nanosheets lateral dimension and number of layers are approximated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The composites formation is confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Theoretical predicted results (Halpin-Tsai model) are well below the experimental findings, especially at lower concentrations. Only at maximum concentrations, the experimental and theoretical results coincide. The high aspect ratio of MoS2 nanosheets, homogeneous dispersion inside polymer, and their probable planar orientation are the possible reasons for the effective stress transfer, resulting in enhanced mechanical characteristics. Moreover, the micro-Vickers hardness () of the MoS2-PS is also improved from 19 (PS) to 23 (0.002 MoS2-PS) as MoS2 nanosheets inclusion may hinder the deformation more effectively.
3 Chapter A potential role for muscle in glucose homeostasis : in vivo kinetic studies in Glycogen Storage Disease type 1 a and fructose-1 , 6-bisphosphatase deficiency

Objective: to study the role of extra-hepatic tissue in glucose homeostasis during fasting. Study design: endogenous glucose production (EGP), glycogenolysis (GGL) and gluconeogenesis (GNG) were quantified with stable isotopes in a patient with Glycogen Storage Disease type 1a (GSD-1a), and in a patient with fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency. The [6,6-H2]glucose dilution method in combination with the deuterated water method was used during individualized fasting tests. Results: both patients became hypoglycemic. The patient with GSD-1a after 2.5 hrs of fasting, with EGP 3.84 μmol/kg·min (30% of normal EGP after an overnight fast), GGL 3.09 μmol/kg·min and GNG 0.75 μmol/kg·min. The patient with FBPase deficiency after 14.5 hrs of fasting, with EGP 8.53 μmol/kg·min (62% of normal EGP after an overnight fast), GGL 6.89 μmol/kg·min GGL and GNG 1.64 μmol/kg·min. Conclusion: EGP was severely hampered in both patients resulting in hypoglycemia. However, despite the defective hepatic and renal GNG in both disorders, and the defective hepatic GGL in GSD-1a, both patients were still able to produce glucose via both pathways. Since all necessary enzymes of these pathways have now been functionally detected in muscle, a contribution of muscle to EGP during fasting via both GGL as well as GNG is suggested.
The Relation between Earnings Management Using Real Activities Manipulation and Future Performance: Evidence from Meeting Earnings Benchmarks

This paper examines the consequences of real activities manipulation. Using financial statement data, I identify firms that appear to engage in any of the following real activities manipulation (RM): reducing R&D to increase income, reducing SG&A to increase income, timing of income recognition from the disposal of long-lived assets and investments, and cutting prices to boost sales in the current period and/or overproducing to decrease COGS expense. I then examine whether RM is associated with firms just meeting two earnings benchmarks (zero and last year’s earnings). The results indicate that real activities manipulation of R&D, SG&A, and production are positively associated with firms just meeting these earnings benchmarks. Next, I examine the extent to which real activities manipulation affects subsequent performance. A negative association between just meeting earnings benchmarks by using RM and subsequent performance supports prior research suggesting managers opportunistically use earnings management to the detriment of shareholders (i.e., managerial opportunism). A positive association is consistent with managers using operational discretion to attain benefits that allow better future performance or to signal future firm value. I find that firm-years reflecting RM to just meet earnings benchmarks have higher subsequent firm performance (compared to firm-years that do not engage in RM and miss or just meet the earnings benchmarks). In this setting, using RM to influence the output of the accounting system is not opportunistic, but consistent with managers attaining benefits that allow better future performance or signaling.
Study of the cellular component of pig uterus after intra uterine administration of Lipopolysaccharide

A study was conducted on 8 sows to record the response of the uterus following intrauterine administration of lipopolysaccharide, a known immunomodulator by collecting uterine lavage from live animals, the immune response of the uterus was measured in terms of total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC), the mean TLC of uterine lavage collected from live animals was 1.57±0.21 × 10/ml before intrauterine infusion of LPS and 1.17±0.29 × 10/ml after infusion. In control group the mean values were 2.46±0.58 and 1.12±0.50 × 10/ml respectively. Mean percentage of neutrophils in the uterine lavage collected from live sows before and after intrauterine infusion of LPS was 99.88±0.10 and 99.82±0.05 respectively. For lymphocyte the corresponding mean percentages were 0.13±0.10 and 0.19±0.05. In the control live sows treated with PBS the mean percentage of neutrophils in the uterine lavage was 99.88±0.10 and 99.75±0.07 before and after infusion respectively, and that of lymphocyte was 0.13±0.10 and 0.25±0.07 respectively, the study revealed that intrauterine infusion of E coli lipopolysaccharide did not affect the total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count of the uterus in pigs.
To belong or to Self-Enhance? Motivational Bases for Choosing Interaction Partners

The present research investigated motives for choosing interaction partners in people with varying levels of self-esteem. The authors predicted that high self-esteem individuals would choose to interact with someone who provided positive feedback about their personalities, regardless of his or her interest in forming a relationship, whereas those with low self-esteem would choose to interact with someone who expressed interest in forming a relationship, regardless of his or her assessment of their personalities. In four studies, participants were asked to choose between two interaction partners who provided feedback that included different combinations of acceptance and positivity. Results supported the authors’ prediction. Discussion addressed the hierarchical nature of social motivation and the seemingly paradoxical interaction preferences of low self-esteem individuals.
Antecedents to Organizational Learning as a Determinant of Business Performance: The Role of the Organizational Size as a Moderator Variable

This paper analyzes the influence of key organizational variables on organizational learning, considering the latter as a process of knowledge creation determining organizational performance. It is showed that both the entrepreneurial orientation of the organization and its learning orientation positively influence on organizational learning, and this has a significant effect on organizational performance. The results also reveal that the relationship established between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational learning is more intense for the large firms. Besides, learning orientation’s influence on organizational learning is greater in small and medium-sized enterprises, whereas organizational learning is positively linked to organizational performance in both types of firm.
Contribution CHANGES IN PARAMETERS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN PATIENTS WITH GRAVES ’ DISEASE

Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder. It accounts for 70-80 % of all cases of hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study is to examine the change of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in 23 Graves’ disease patients before treatment with methimazole and in 31 healthy controls. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in erythrocytes were measured. Serum levels of TSH and free thyroxin (fT4) were also estimated. We observed increased concentrations of fT4 and suppressed TSH levels before treatment. Significantly higher MDA concentrations were found in hyperthyroid GD patients compared to controls (1.96±0.10 μmol/l vs. 1.71±0.05 μmol/l, p<0.05). Activity of GPX in erythrocytes in hyperthyroidism was higher compared to controls (9.3±1.2 U/gHb vs. 6.6±0.5 U/gHb, p<0.05). Our data confirm the presence of increased lipid peroxidation in hyperthyroid patients. We suppose that in hyperthyroidism the enhanced activity of GPX was induced by oxidative stress and, as well, was connected with TSH receptor hyperstimulation.
Natural biological control of western yellow-striped armyworm, Spodoptera praefica (Grote), in hay alfalfa in northern California

The effect of natural enemies on populations of western yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica [Grote]) was assessed in hay alfalfa in the Sacramento Valley of California. Analysis of partial age-specific life tables (i.e., egg to pupa) revealed that most of the generation or real mortality of S. praefica occurred during the egg-small-larval age interval. Experimentation revealed that such mortality was largely due to a complex of polyphagous predators. Predators included larvae of Chrysopa carnea Stephens; adults and nymphs of Geocoris pallens Sal, G. punctipes (Say), G. atricolor Montandon, Nabis americoferus Carayon, N. alternatus Parshley, and Orius tristicolor (White); adults of Collops vittatus (Say); and the notorious “pest” species, Lygus hesperus Knight. Parasites and disease had a relatively minor impact on populations of S. praefica. The results provide further support for biological control of insect pests in temporary agroecosystems and illustrate the importance of polyphagous predators in such biological control.
Pollinator diversity and abundance in bitter gourd, Momordica charantia Linn.

Field studies were conducted at the Department of Entomology, S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, India to document the diversity and abundance of insect pollinators on bitter gourd. Fourteen insect species including 6 hymenopterans, 5 lepidopterans and 3 dipterans were recorded visiting the bitter gourd flowers. Among them, Trigona iridipennis, Halictus gutturosus and Apis florea were the most frequent and abundant visitors. The abundance of T. iridipennis was highest (10.83 bees/m2/5 minutes) followed by H. gutturosus (1.06 bees/m2/5 minutes) and A. florea (0.37 bees/m2/5 minutes). Among all insect visitors, Hymenoptera order constituted the major chunk of pollinators (88.51%) followed by Diptera (5.81%) and Lepidoptera was the least (4.68%). Of total bee population, T. iridipennis had the maximum proportion (77.52%) followed by H. gutturosus (7.60%). Foraging activity was maximum (9.22-8.17 bees/m2/5 minutes) at 0900-1000 h of the day. Foraging activity of T. iridipennis, A. florea and H. gutturosus commenced at 0600, 0630 and 0730 h, respectively with peak at 0900-1000 h and ceased by 1400, 1230 and 1300 h, respectively.
Sensorless position estimation of simulated direct driven hydraulic actuators

In this study, sensorless position control of hydraulic cylinders is investigated. Direct driven hydraulics units are utilized as a prime mover. Direct driven hydraulics is a valveless pump controlled hydraulic system that uses an electric motor to drive pumps for a single actuator. This brings energy saving and controllability advantages to traditional valve controlled hydraulics. Advantages and disadvantages of various types of position sensors, which are available on the market were investigated for hydraulic cylinder application. These sensors, while accurate, have been noted to be rather expensive and not suitable for harsh environment applications. Virtual sensors can provide an alternative to physical position sensors. Using only torque and speed data received from electric motor controller it is possible to simulate the position of a cylinder, provided that all relevant parameters are known. Simulation model of direct driven hydraulic system of a mining loader test platform was realized using Matlab/Simulink Simscape blocks. Results within the simulation show that the model can reach an accuracy within a few millimeters for a single cycle. A cumulative error for repeated cycles was observed, which recommends simple cylinder end or middle point proximity sensors to be used as reference points.
Production of Synthetic Seed in Cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Cassava is an important source of energy in the diet of most tropical countries of the world. It has enormous potential in India for food security and industrial uses due to its ability to grow in marginal and waste lands where other crops could not survive. Commercial planting of cassava is done from stem cuttings and because of the low multiplication rate, bulkiness of seed material and difficulty in transporting the planting materials to distant places, the crop could not make much impact either as food crop or industrial crop in the country. These limitations can be overcome by the development of synthetic seed technology. Synthetic seeds have multiple advantages including mass propagation of elite plant, ease of handling, long-term storage and low cost of production. In this study, different concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions were tested in order to optimize the shape, texture and germination frequency of synthetic seeds of cassava. The nodes containing axillary buds from in vitro grown cassava variety, H-226 were encapsulated with 2%, 3% and 4% sodium alginate (w/v) along with Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts without calcium salt and exposed to 75mM, 100mM and 125 mM calcium chloride solution (CaCl2.2H2O). Round and sufficiently hard beads/synthetic seeds were observed by the encapsulation with sodium alginate 3% and exposed to 100 mM CaCl2.2H2O combination. It showed that encapsulation at 2% and 3% sodium alginate concentrations and exposed to CaCl2.2H2O at 75mM and 100mM concentrations, gave high germination frequency under in vitro condition. The synthetic seeds have the possibility of being an efficient way for germplasm storage, exchange and propagation of pathogen-free planting material
Potential Ecological Impact of Diet Selectivity and Bison Herd Composition

Behavioral segregation between the sexes of bison (Bas bison), coupled with artificially manipulated sex ratios of bison herds, might profoundly influence prairie ecosystems. There­ fore, we measured carbon isotopes in hair collected from bison from the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in northeast Oklahoma to deter­ mine if adult male, adult female, and juvenile bison segregate on the basis of botanical composition of their diet. Sex ratio of bison herds in the Great Plains and behavioral differences between sexes were used to assess potential effects of sex ratio on tallgrass prairie. Botanical composition of diet differed among the three bison groups, in that C 4 grasses contributed most to adult bull diets and least to juvenile diets. Bison sex ratio in half of the herds surveyed was highly skewed toward females. Because of behavioral differ­ ences between adult male and female bison, different sex ratios in bison herds might result in different vegetation structure, composi­ tion, and patchiness.
Assessment of genetic variation and productive markers through four progenies of the first introduced stock of cultured shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei in Cuba

The Pacific White shrimp, Penaeus vannamei is the only invertebrate cultured species in Cuba nowadays. Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) lines are imported from Shrimp Improvement System (SIS) in USA and genetic characterization is achieved once animals arrive. Monitoring crossings and progenies along the production process is also accomplished. The objective of this work was to seek both production and genetic tendencies in four progenies of the first introduced stock. Productive recorded data including yield, survival and final weight were computed. Four microsatellite regions were explored to characterize the four populations in culture. Both survival and yield of the first, second and tenth offspring generations were significantly different from the ninth one. This last stock offered the lowest values of the whole analyzed productive process. On the other hand, the final weight did not show significant differences among the four studied progenies. Genetic parameters remained similar for the second, ninth and tenth but significantly differed from the very first introduced stock. Relatedness coefficients suggest not related individuals and there is no evidence of a bottleneck effect for any of the progenies or the founder stock. In summary, it seems that inbreeding and genetic diversity is still not causing damages in animals that could influence the productive process.
The relationship between board characteristics and firm financial performance in Malaysia

Corporate governance has drawn attention of investors and government after the incidence of financial crisis world- wide since the late 90’s. Despite that reforms of corporate governance have been in place in Malaysia, voluntary disclosure of corporate governance has yet to proof its impact on the financial performance of the companies. This study examines the relationship between corporate governance attributes and firm financial performance in Malaysia. The relationship between board characteristics (board tenure, board size and CEO duality) were analyzed to investigate their correlation with firm financial performances. A total of 100 public listed companies were randomly selected from Bursa Malaysia for the year 2009 to 2013. Random effect panel data regression was obtained by using Stata. This study finds that board size, board tenure were significant to Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA). However, firm size has no significant relationship with firm financial performance. It is recommended that apart from including more variables as controlling effects on firm financial performance and examining few industries as sample, it is also good to examine the correlation between board characteristics and corporate governance variables (foreign listings, equity analysis, external auditors, leverage ratios, dividend policy, etc.) on one hand, and ownership structures on the other hand, that have significant impact on firm financial performance.
Impacted Factors of Academic Achievement of the Timorese Student Studying in Indonesia

The purposes of this study is to explore those two impacted factors of academic achievement of the student of Timor Leste who are staying in Indonesia. These factors are academic behavior and extrinsic motivation. The method which was used to analysis the data was multiple regression. The research involved those 4.450 Timorese student in Indonesia, the sample were 300 student that was determined with multistage cluster random sampling. The data been collected with Likart Scale which was distributed directly to the samples. Data being analysis with multiple regression. The result of shown that there were 4% highest, 52% were high, 25% are medium and 19% are low. In regarding to the impact academic behavior, extrinsic learning motivation on academic achievement shown that academic behavior are 35.8% on academic achievement, Extrinsic leaning motivation are 54,1% on academic achievement of Timorese student, who are studying in Indonesia.
Global temperature calibration of the alkenone unsaturation index (UK′37) in surface waters and comparison with surface sediments

In this paper, we compile the current surface seawater C37 alkenone unsaturation (UK′37) measurements (n = 629, −1 to 30°C temperature range) to derive a global, field‐based calibration of UK′37 with alkenone production temperature. A single nonlinear “global” surface water calibration of UK′37 accurately predicts alkenone production temperatures over the diversity of modern‐day oceanic environments and alkenone‐synthesizing populations (T = −0.957 + 54.293(UK′37) − 52.894(UK′37)2 + 28.321(UK′37)3, r2 = 0.97, n = 567). The mean standard error of estimation is 1.2°C with insignificant bias in estimated production temperature among the different ocean regions sampled. An exception to these trends is regions characterized by strong lateral advection and extreme productivity and temperature gradients (e.g., the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence). In contrast to the surface water data, the calibration of UK′37 in surface sediments with overlying annual mean sea surface temperature (AnnO) is best fit by a linear model (AnnO = 29.876(UK′37) − 1.334, r2 = 0.97, n = 592). The standard error of estimation (1.1°C) is similar to that of the surface water production calibration, but a higher degree of bias is observed among the regional data sets. The sediment calibration differs significantly from the surface water calibration. UK′37 in surface sediments is consistently higher than that predicted from AnnO and the surface water production temperature calibration, and the magnitude of the offset increases as the surface water AnnO decreases. We apply the global production temperature calibration to the coretop UK′37 data to estimate the coretop alkenone integrated production temperature (coretop IPT) and compare this with the overlying annual mean sea surface temperature (AnnO). We use simple models to explore the possible causes of the deviation observed between the coretop temperature signal, as estimated by UK′37, and AnnO. Our results indicate that the deviation can best be explained if seasonality in production and/or thermocline production as well as differential degradation of 37:3 and 37:2 alkenones both affect the sedimentary alkenone signal.