Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does taxonomic diversity in indicator groups influence their effectiveness in identifying priority areas for species conservation?

The identification of priority areas for biodiversity conservation is a cornerstone of systematic conservation planning. However, biodiversity, or even the distribution of all species, cannot be directly quantified, due to the inherent complexity of natural systems. Species indicator groups may serve as important tools for the identification of priority areas for conservation. Yet, it is unclear which factors make certain indicator groups perform better than others. In this study, using data on the Danish distribution of 847 species of plants, vertebrates and insects, we assessed whether the taxonomic diversity in species indicator groups influence their effectiveness in the identification of priority areas for species conservation. We tested whether indicator groups comprising a higher taxonomic diversity (i.e. indicator groups consisting of species from many different taxonomic groups) perform better than indicator groups comprising a lower taxonomic diversity. The performance of the indicator groups was evaluated on target groups, which, in terms of species composition, were independent of the indicator groups. Overall, we found that using taxonomically diverse indicator groups did not consistently increase the coverage of target species than when using less taxonomically diverse indicator groups. However, indicator groups chosen solely from one taxon were outperformed by taxonomically diverse groups. Second, we found that taxonomic diversity of the indicator did not influence the taxonomic diversity of the covered target species (in terms of number of represented families, orders, etc.) Thus, taxonomic diversity per se only had a marginal influence on the performance of indicator groups. Distributional characteristics, such as the proportion of species with narrow range sizes, had a larger impact on indicator performance. Our results suggest that it might be of minor importance to consider taxonomic diversity when acquiring species data for future conservation projects using indicator groups.
Great Plains ecosystems: past, present, and future

Abstract Little question exists that the main bodies of North American prairie (i.e., the tall-grass, mixed, and shortgrass) are among the most endangered resources on the continent. The purpose of this paper is to provide a past and present biological baseline by which to understand North American prairies and to provide a platform for future conservation. Events both immediate to the end of the Pleistocene and historic suggest that the present grassland conditions are different from those within which most of the grassland organisms evolved. Our analysis suggests that few grassland landscapes remain adequate in area and distribution to sustain diversity sufficient to include biota and ecological drivers native to the landscape. A robust and history-based scenario to conserve Great Plains grasslands is to 1) identify areas large enough to sustain an ecological system with all its biodiversity, 2) reverse significant losses in area of native grasslands, 3) ensure that restoration matches the grassland previously existing at that site, 4) refocus the profession of range management, and 5) establish a more meaningful agency design for grassland and natural resource management.
Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Dairy Animals from Khartoum State, Sudan

Article history Received:15.12. 2014 Accepted: 10.01. 2015 Available online:01.08. 2015 A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2012 and April 2014 to determine the sero-prevalence and the main risk factors associated with the T. gondii infection in dairy cattle and co-herded camels, sheep and goats in dairy farms from Khartoum State. A total of 1477 serum samples from 1216 dairy cows, 61 camels, 100 sheep and 100 goats were examined for specific T. gondii IgG antibodies using Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). The overall seroprevalence determined were 92.7% and 45.3% at herd and individual level, respectively. The antibody levels ranged from 1:2 to 1:32 in cattle and camels and up to 1:128 in sheep and goats. Possible association of the infection with the investigated risk factors was analyzed by univariate analysis and variables significant at p≤0.25 were included in multivariate logistic regression models. The results showed that, the differences between the seven localities of the State and the four animal’s species were statistically highly significant (p<0.01). The univariate analysis included herd type, source of fodder, source of water, neosporosis, keeping cats, stray cats, keeping both dogs and cats and presence of both stray dogs and cats as risk factors associate with LAT positive status of T. gondii infection. Districts, production system, herd size, source of concentrate, brucellosis and presence of stray cats were not significant risk factors. The multivariate analysis indicated region (Omdurman and Bahri), Animal species (sheep), source of water (common canal) and source of fodder (prepared in the farm) as the significant (p<0.05) risk factors of T. gondii LAT seropositivity. The study also reported occurrence of abortion (72.4%), repeat breeding (76.3%), repeated abortion (18.2%) and stillbirth (18.4%) during interview with the owners of the investigated dairy herds. Interestingly, 61.8% of the interviewed farmers send their dairy animals with reproduction problems to slaughter houses. Generally, this is the first comprehensive report on risk factors associated with seropositivity of T. gondii infection in dairy animals in Sudan. The study concluded that dairy animals in the Sudan are widely exposed to T. gondii infection and Sudanese people are at risk of toxoplasmosis.
Cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa.

The objective of this study was to evaluate tris-citric egg yolk cryodiluter for cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa. Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa were recovered from eight slaughtered bulls. Semen retrieved from cauda of each testis pair was pooled and diluted in tris-citric egg yolk extender having 30 × 10 6 spermatozoa ml -1 . After dilution semen was filled in 0.5 ml straws, cooled to 5°C within two hours and equilibrated for four hours at 5°C. The straws were held at liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 minutes and then plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of each semen sample were assessed post thaw. Sperm motility of Sahiwal epididymal spermatozoa was 50.6±1.5, 33.8±0.9 and 18.1±1.3 percent at 0, 2 and 4 hour post thaw, respectively. Percentage of intact plasma membrane was observed 70.5±1.4, 52.9±1.0 and 40.0±1.6 at 0, 2 and 4 hour post thaw, respectively. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal acrosomes was 79.1±0.4, 75.1±0.2 and 71.5±0.2 at 0, 2 and 4 hour post thaw, respectively. In conclusion, tris-citric egg yolk cryodiluter may be used for the cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull epididymal spermatozoa.
Maths is a strong predictor of stem attainment in first year university

Mathematics is often heralded as the foundation to STEM education, yet we know relatively little about how student attainment in maths is related to attainment in science. Sadler and Tai’s (2007) influential US study showed the importance of learning mathematics in high-school for subsequent learning in university science, while research in New Zealand does not support this assertion (NZ Government, 2010). Furthermore there have been no studies of how maths may predict science attainment within university study. To address this issue we investigated the role of mathematics in STEM courses in one elite university in Australia. Secondary data analysis employed linear multiple regression to examine the relationship between first semester mathematics and second semester science attainments, while accounting for prior learning and demographic variables. These analyses confirmed that prior learning in the examined science was the best predictor of later science attainment; but that mathematics is also a strong predictor of science across biology, engineering, molecular bioscience and physics. In biology and molecular bioscience, maths is a significant predictor of attainment over and beyond the first semester attainment in these sciences. The implications for degree structure and preparation for study within STEM degrees are discussed.
SUBMILLIMETER INTERFEROMETRY OF THE LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY NGC 4418: A HIDDEN HOT NUCLEUS WITH AN INFLOW AND AN OUTFLOW

We have observed the nucleus of the nearby luminous infrared galaxy NGC 4418 with subarcsec resolution at 860 and 450 μm for the first time to characterize its hidden power source. A ∼20 pc (0.″1) hot dusty core was found inside a 100 pc scale concentration of molecular gas at the galactic center. The 860 μm continuum core has a deconvolved (peak) brightness temperature of 120–210 K. The CO(3–2) peak brightness temperature there is as high as 90 K at 50 pc resolution. The core has a bolometric luminosity of about 1011 L☉, which accounts for most of the galaxy luminosity. It is Compton thick (NH ≳ 1025 cm−2) and has a high luminosity-to-mass ratio (L/M) ∼ 500 L☉ M☉−1 as well as a high luminosity surface density 108.5 ± 0.5 L☉ pc−2. These parameters are consistent with an active galactic nucleus to be the main luminosity source (with an Eddington ratio about 0.3), while they can be also due to a young starburst near its maximum L/M. We also found an optical color (reddening) feature that we attribute to an outflow cone emanating from the nucleus. The hidden hot nucleus thus shows evidence of both an inflow, previously seen with absorption lines, and the new outflow reported here in a different direction. The nucleus must be rapidly evolving with these gas flows.
An Investigation of the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Rigorous Approach

The work at hand makes the proposition that in-depth or rigorous analyses are required to investigate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the economic growth and development of Nigeria. Currently, development literatures are fraught with a single regression model that pretends to predict the complex interplay between growth variables as well as the manifold and intractable regression problems that plague ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates. We posit that the pragmatic, observant, delicate, curious and refinement spirit, common among experimental scientists, should be cultivated by FDI-growth empirical analysts to arrive at time and researchers invariant results. Using the data from one of the publications (Abu and Echegbulu, 2011) which employed only a single equation model in their FDI-growth studies, we demonstrate that rigorous tests of significance vis-a-vis several models are needed to arrive at a correct, clear and indisputable conclusion on the linkage between FDI and economic progress.
Molecular genetic variation in the African wild rice Oryza longistaminata A. Chev. et Roehr. and its association with environmental variables

Molecular markers, complemented by appropriate Geographical Information System (GIS) software packages are powerful tools in mapping the geographical distribution of genetic variation and assessing its relationship with environmental variables. The objective of the study was therefore to investigate the relationship between genetic diversity and eco-geographic variables using Oryza longistaminata as a case study. The methodology used was a novel technique that combined hierarchical cluster analysis of both molecular diversity generated using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and climate data available in a GIS software. The study clearly established that there is a close relationship between genetic diversity and eco-geographic variables. The study also revealed that genetic diversity is a function of annual rainfall, and peak diversity occurs in intermediate rainfall areas reflecting the 'curvilinear theory' of clinal relationship between the level of genetic diversity and rainfall. The clear association of genetic diversity with rainfall allows the extrapolation of the potential impacts of global warming on diversity when empirical data on predicted climate models, particularly rainfall, are available. This knowledge would therefore be useful in the development of conservation measures to mitigate the effects of genetic erosion through climate change.
ABO and Rh Blood Groups in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, North of Iran

Background and purpose: Diabetes is a multifactorial disease in which genetic factors, environmental and immunological factors are involved in its pathogenesis. Due to the immunological role of blood groups, this study aimed to evaluate the distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh types in patients with type 2 diabetes in north of Iran. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in type 2 diabetic patients referring to academic endocrine clinics in Sari, Iran, 2015. Relevant information including age, sex, history of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes chronic complications were extracted from patients’ files. The red blood cell surface antigens were detected by direct standard slide agglutination technique. Results: We studied 1500 diabetic patients of whom 590 (39.3%) had O blood type. The distribution of other blood groups were as follows: A: 26.2%, B: 26.7%, and AB: 7.8%. Compared with the society, in patients with type 2 diabetes, the distribution of A blood group was found to be lower but the distribution of type B was higher (P= 0.000 and P= 0.009, respectively). The prevalence of D antigen was significantly higher in diabetic people (P= 0.000). Conclusion: In current study, blood group B was associated with type 2 diabetes, therefore, this type should be considered as a risk factor for developing diabetes; for which screening programs should be done in this community. Also, it seems that blood group genotyping could be a valuable guide in evaluating the mechanism of diabetes.
Assessment of job design and job satisfaction among doctors and nurses in Lagos, Nigeria hospitals

This study examines the effect of job design on job satisfaction among Doctors and Nurses in selected hospitals. Data were collected from a sample size of 400 medical personnel (Nurses and Doctors) employed in four major medical centers in Lagos, Nigeria. Results from Pearson product moment correlation revealed that job design is associated with all dimensions of job satisfaction. In addition, the findings also revealed group differences among Doctors and Nurses on measures of job satisfaction. Finally, the study shows that job design alone may not explain all the variations in job satisfaction. This implies that other factors may contribute to employee job satisfaction. Research and managerial implications of these findings are discussed. Key words: Job design, job satisfaction.
Factors Engendering Cost Misrepresentation of Public Sector Projects in Ghana

The main purpose of this research was to identify the core factors that engender construction cost overruns in public buildings in Ghana. Adopting a positivist, realist and value free philosophical approach, the research employs a multiple research strategy emphasized by the funnel technique principle. Twenty two dominant factors generated from a combination of exploratory interviews and extensive literature in the context of GCI was designed into a structured questionnaire targeting 240 clients, consultants and contractors. With a 55% return rate, the response of the participants were analysed using a combination of severity, frequency and relative importance indices. The five most important factors according to all three participants are (1) delay and uncertainty surrounding payment for work done (2) lack of enforcement of contract provisions by parties (3) variations and additional works resulting from changes in site conditions (4) lapses and challenges within PPL (5) excessive material and labour price fluctuations. Even though the Spearman’s rank correlation test showed a strong agreement between clients and consultants, there was however a weak correlation between clients and contractors and consultants and contractors which is normal considering the allegations and counter-allegations regarding each other’s contribution towards cost overruns. However a fair degree of objectivity and validity can be credited to the results considering the average level of experience of the respondents in the GCI.
Effect of F Score on Stock Performance: Evidence from Indian Equity Market

This study seeks to examine whether value investing strategy based on F Score when applied to high book to market firms can significantly shift the current and future stock performance in favour of the investor in the Indian market. The study engages the panel data model to analyse the impact of high F Score on contemporaneous and future stock returns (Rt and Rt+1), return on equity (ROEt and ROEt+1) and market to book value (MTBVt and MTBVt+1) as stock performance measures. The study concludes that high book to market firms with high F Score can shift the distribution of contemporaneous and future stock performances in favour of investors in the Indian market. However such observation is most prominent and statistically significant at higher level when applied to future stock valuation measures than the future stock return as measures of stock performance. The outcome of the study would no doubt help the individual value investors, mutual fund managers and value investing strategists who have presence in the Indian market.
A 10-year Review of Microbial Spectrum of Post-cataract Surgery Endophthalmitis in Hong Kong Chinese

Postoperative acute endophthalmitis, with an estimated incidence of 0.07 to 0.26% worldwide [1-3], is one of the most serious complications after cataract surgery which may result in profound visual impairment after recovery. Studies have been conducted to identify the risk factors and possible prophylactic measures to reduce its incidence [4]. However, information regarding epidemiology of this condition and its microbial spectrum in the Chinese population is lacking. There has been no large study to date that aimed to investigate the association of the type of causative microorganisms and final visual outcome. The primary objective of this study, therefore, was to find out the spectrum of causative microorganisms of post-cataract extraction endophthalmitis in the Hong Kong Chinese population and to compare with the post-cataract endophthalmitis case series in the literature worldwide. Any association between the causative microorganism and final visual outcome would be investigated and analyzed. We also aimed to make recommendations on the management of postoperative endophthalmitis in order to maximize visual outcome.
Convergence and Stability of Modified Random SP-Iteration for A Generalized Asymptotically Quasi-Nonexpansive Mappings

The purpose of this paper is to study the convergence and the almost sure T-stability of the modi ed SP-type random iterative algorithm in a separable Banach spaces. The Bochner in-tegrability of andom xed points of this kind of random operators, the convergence and the almost sure T-stability for this kind of generalized asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive random mappings are obtained. Our results are stochastic generalizations of the many deterministic results.
Interactive comment on “ Water stable isotopes spatio-temporal variability in Antarctica in 1960 – 2013 : observations and simulations from the ECHAM 5-wiso atmospheric general circulation model ” by Sentia Goursaud et al .

Earlier studies focused on individual locations or specific time intervals have evidenced temporal changes in isotope-temperature relationships (e.g. different decadal to seasonal relationships, Masson-Delmotte et al., 2003), or different relationships in warmer than today climatic conditions (e.g. Sime et al., 2009). Our study is a step forward through a systematic quantitative analysis for all Antarctica, confronting seasonal, annual and time-averaged linear relationships. While our key findings are indeed not new, we confirm and expand the lines of evidence supporting these findings through a broader database and a systematic model-data comparison.
Effects of Income Inequality on Aggregate Output

This paper estimates the effect of income inequality on real gross domestic product per capita using a panel of 104 countries during the period 1970–2010. The empirical analysis addresses endogeneity issues by using instrumental variables estimation and controlling for country and time fixed effects. The analysis finds that, on average, income inequality has a significant negative effect on transitional gross domestic product per capita growth and the long-run level of gross domestic product per capita. However, the impact varies by the level of economic development, so much so that in poor countries income inequality has a significant positive effect on gross domestic product per capita.
Early Frasnian acanthodians from Central Iran

Two vertebrate-bearing horizons in the basal Frasnian carbonate of the Chahriseh section, northeast of Esfahan, yielded microremains of thelodonts, placoderms, acanthodians, actinopterygians, chondrichthyans, and sarcopterygians, considerably expanding the vertebrate faunal list for the strata. Acanthodians comprise a diverse association of climatiids, diplacanthids, and ischnacanthiforms, including the previously recorded climatiid Nostolepis sp. cf. N. gaujensis, as well as one new climatiid genus and several taxa left in open nomenclature. Climatiid Iranolepis ginteri gen. et sp. nov. is diagnosed by having scales with a highly raised medial crown area separated by steep slopes from lateral crown areas; an odontocytic mesodentine of maximum extent in the crown, distinguished by extensive network of fine canaliculi with abundant tiny osteocytes; and a poorly developed stranggewebe system. Other scales with fan-like symmetrically grooved crowns conform to the Diplacanthus-type histologically, and have many characters in common with Milesacanthus antarctica from the Aztec Siltstone of Antarctica. Osseous gnathal elements include mesodentinous tooth whorls from an ischnacanthiform or climatiid, and ischnacanthiform jaw bones with large chambers for vascular canals, distinctly separated cylindrical tooth cusps along the lingual ridge, and wide-based, triangular, weakly striated cusps on the main lateral ridge. The acanthodian association, accompanied by the Frasnian conodonts of the middle Mesotaxis falsiovalis to Palmatolepis hassi zones and zonal thelodonts Turinia hutkensis and Australolepis seddoni, is proving useful for biostratigraphy, showing similarities with assemblages from both Gondwana and the Old Red Sandstone Continent.