Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Descending to the twilight-zone: changes in coral reef fish assemblages along a depth gradient down to 65 m

In contrast to the abundance of literature on the relationship between fish assemblages and habitat structure in the upper 30 m of coral reefs, the deeper (>40 m) parts of coral reefs are rarely studied. We examined changes in reef fish diversity and habitat structure along an increasing depth gradient, including the unknown deep reef. We ran visual and video transects along a substantial depth gradient (0 to 65 m) in the northern Red Sea and extended the known depth distribution for 48 reef species. We found a change in assemblage composition highly correlated to both the depth gradi- ent and a reduction in the abundance of branching corals with depth. The number of reef fish species declined with depth and we also measured a high species turnover as measured by beta diversity (βt, βw) in the deep reef. This pattern is mainly due to the replacement of the abundant damselfishes in the shallow reef, which prey on zooplankton, by zooplanktivorous sea basses and wrasses in the deep reef. The steep reduction in branching corals, which most damselfishes use for cover, may be the main factor contributing to this change. We found a peak in species richness (alpha diversity) at 30 m, a peak in βw at 50 to 65 m, and peaks in βt at 30 to 50 m and 50 to 65 m. The 30 m depth stratum shows species of both shallow and deep assemblages generating a transition zone with characters of both deep and shallow habitats. The fish assemblage continues to change with depth, and future research will determine if there exists a depth threshold at which the assemblage will stabilize.
Rational and Coalition Models of Job Evaluation: Do More Powerful University Departments Have an Advantage?

Job evaluation research has, to date, focused on the individual as the unit of analysis. After approximately 50 years of study, evidence on the basic assumptions supporting job evaluation is still inconclusive. This study expands the research by employing organizational theory to the topic and studying job evaluation at the group level. Prior work on rational and coalition models of resource allocation is used to develop hypotheses that are tested with six years of job evaluation data from a university. The results support the coalition model and the conclusion that departmental power can affect job evaluation outcomes.
Formal Mentors' Distancing and Manipulative Behaviors: An Empirical Study on Their Antecedents and Consequences 1

This study empirically tests several hypotheses about the antecedents and consequences of formal mentors’ distancing and manipulative behaviors (i.e., negative behaviors) toward their proteges. This study suggests that formal mentors’ machiavellianism influences their distancing and manipulative behaviors and these negative behaviors increase their proteges’ job-related stress and turnover intentions. The data were collected in 2010 using a sample of 147 nurses participating as proteges in a formal mentoring program offered by a general hospital in Korea. The results indicate that formal mentors’ machiavellianism is positively related to their distancing and manipulative behaviors and that distancing behaviors are a significant predictor of proteges’ job-related stress, whereas manipulative behaviors are a significant predictor of proteges’ turnover intentions.
The influence of changes in activity-based financing on hospital readmissions for the elderly

Activity-based financing of Norwegian hospitals was implemented in 1997. An earlier study shows that when the activity-based component increases, the average length of stay for the elderly is reduced. If this reduction entails premature discharge, an increased activity-based component may have the undesirable side effect of increasing readmission rates. Yearly the Norwegian government decides the size of the activity-based component, and all hospitals face the same size. In this paper, we investigate whether the level of activity-based financing is associated with the readmission rates for acute-care patients above 70 years of age. The sample consisted of 468 010 hospital admissions among elderly patients in the period from 2000 to 2007. Using repeated cross-sectional data extracted from the Norwegian Patient Registry, a Cox regression model was used to estimate factors that may influence the hazard rate of a readmission within 30 days. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 6.6%. The results demonstrate that the activity-based component had no significant effect on the readmission rate. Patient-specific factors such as age, gender, diagnoses, comorbidities, as well as the time trend, were important predictors of readmission rates. We also found a statistically significant random effect of hospitals, although this effect was less substantial than the impact of patient characteristics. Our results show that the effect of the activity-based component on the readmission rate was negligible when it varied between 40% and 60%. Published: Online May 2016. In print August 2016.
A Parameterization of cirrus cloud formation: Homogeneous freezing including effects of aerosol size

[1] In a previous study, we have derived an approximate, physically based parameterization of cirrus cloud formation by homogeneous freezing, applying to a wide class of supercooled aerosols in the upper troposphere and tropopause region. In this study, the parameterization scheme is extended to include the effects of aerosol size on the freezing process in adiabatically rising air parcels. Aerosol size effects become important when the timescale of the freezing event is fast compared to the timescale of depositional growth of the pristine ice particles. The generalized parameterization scheme is validated with parcel model simulations and can directly be applied in models that do not explicitly resolve the ice nucleation process, such as cloud-resolving models, weather forecast models, and climate models. The relationship between aerosol and ice crystal number concentrations in cirrus clouds formed by homogeneous freezing is discussed. This relationship is much weaker than in liquid water clouds. It is shown that even freezing of enhanced levels of sulfate aerosol originating from strong volcanic eruptions is unlikely to exert a sensible influence on cirrus formation.
Apple biological and physiological disorders in the orchard and in postharvest according to production system

The study aimed to evaluate the incidence of biological and physiological disorders in the field and postharvested apples cvs. Gala, Fuji and Catarina grown in four production systems: conventional, organic transition, integrated and organic. Apples were evaluated for damages related to biological and physiological disorders in the orchard and after harvest. The greatest damages were attributed to pests, especially Anastrepha fraterculus in the organic system and Grapholita molesta in the organic transition. Apples produced in organic orchards had higher damage levels caused by postharvest physiological disorders than those grown in other production systems. For apples becoming from organic orchards most of the damage was due to lenticels breakdown and degeneration ('Gala'), and bitter pit ('Fuji' and 'Catarina'). The incidence of postharvest rot was not influenced by apple production system.
Wastage in Public Secondary Schools: Strategies to Reduce Effects of Home -Based Variables in Kericho County, Kenya

DOI: 10.15580/GJER.2018. 4.060718078 The gist of this study was to determine strategies for reducing home-based variables causing educational wastage in public secondary schools in Kericho County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: first to profile the nature of educational wastage, second, to determine the home-based variables causing the educational wastage and, third, to devise strategies for reducing these variables. A descriptive survey research design was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 10 principals and simple random sampling to select 25 teachers and 275 students, yielding a sample size of 320 participants. Questionnaires were used to collect data from students and teachers while interview schedules were used to collect information from teachers and principals. The instruments were pretested before fieldwork to determine their validity and reliability. It was established that the nature of educational wastage was rather complex and rampant in all classes in the study locale. It was revealed that the proportion of total wastage due to student dropout (PTWSD) ranged between 49.3% to 83.7compared to the proportion of total wastage due to student repetition (PTWSR) at between 6.8% and 50.7%. The main factors responsible for repetition were ranked in decreasing order of magnitude as: child labour, absenteeism, negative peer influence, and lack of parental support of school development projects The recommended strategies ^^^alleviate the negative trend were: key stakeholders, especially the parents and community members should be sensitized to support school development projects ; and Board of Management in schools should put in place early identification procedures to retain students who are likely to drop out of school because of school fees and other home-based bottlenecks. Submitted: 07/06/2018 Accepted: 26/06/2018 Published: 28/06/2018
Effects of pre- and post harvest treatments on changes in sugar content of tomato

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the combined effect of pre- and post harvest disinfection and evaporatively coolled storage on the changes in sugar content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). The preharvest treatments used were ComCat®, manure, NP and the combinations of ComCat® with the two forms of fertilizers and a control. The tomatoes were periodically analyzed for reducing sugar and total sugar. Preharvest ComCat® and ComCat® + manure treatments improved the quality of tomato in terms of maintaining higher (P deterioration of tomatoes. Disinfection seemed to have very limited effect on the changes in sugar content of tomatoes during storage. Two-way interactions between preharvest and storage conditions on changes in total sugar were significant at P found to be the benefits of the combined effect of preharvest treatments and evaporatively cooled storage.
Paper 2 , 3 , 4 ’ , 5-Tetrahydroxystilbene 2O-β-D-glucoside prevents vascular endothelial dysfunction in a type 2 diabetic rat model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 2,3,4’,5-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) on vascular endothelial dysfunction in the type 2 diabetes rats, and the possible mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) to induce type 2 diabetes. TSG (60 or 120 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage for 6 weeks. The vascular endothelial dysfunction was assessed using isolated aortic ring preparation. Fasting serum insulin (FINS), fasting blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and free fatty acids (FFA) in serum were measured. The homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was also calculated. The mRNA and protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the aorta were tested by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot. The results showed that TSG significantly decreased the levels of FBG, HOMA-IR, MDA, TNF-α and FFA and significantly increased the level of SOD. TSG also improved acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. The expression of eNOS was significantly increased, whereas the expression of ET-1 was significantly decreased in aortas of diabetic rats with TSG treatment. These results demonstrate that TSG prevents vascular endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes rats, and the mechanism may be related to its ability of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, improving insulin resistance, up-regulation of eNOS and down-regulation of ET-1.
CORE DISCUSSION PAPER 2007/97 MIXED EXPONENTIAL POWER ASYMMETRIC CONDITIONAL HETEROSKEDASTICITY

To match the stylized facts of high frequency financial time series precisely and parsimoniously, this paper presents a finite mixture of conditional exponential power distributions where each component exhibits asymmetric conditional heteroskedasticity. We provide stationarity conditions and unconditional moments to the fourth order. We apply this new class to Dow Jones index returns. We find that a two-component mixed exponential power distribution dominates mixed normal distributions with more components, and more parameters, both in-sample and out-of-sample. In contrast to mixed normal distributions, all the conditional variance processes become stationary. This happens because the mixed exponential power distribution allows for component-specific shape parameters so that it can better capture the tail behaviour. Therefore, the more general new class has attractive features over mixed normal distributions in our application: Less components are necessary and the conditional variances in the components are stationary processes. Results on NASDAQ index returns are similar.
Cyclical Properties of Baxter-King Filtered Time Series

This note demonstrates that the Baxter-King (1999) filter, and in general any bandpass filter, does not isolate the cycle in an unobserved-components model with a stochastic trend. The first difference of the trend passes through the filter, and as a result, the spectral properties of the filtered series depend on the trend in the unfiltered series. It is demonstrated that for postwar U.S. real GDP, the spectral properties of the BK-filtered series are primarily to due to the stochastic trend in output.
On the optimal use of put options under trade restrictions

Consider an agent who holds a stock, but is allowed to buy and hold some quantity of at-the-money put options on the stock. Such an agent must decide the optimal use of financial derivatives under trade restrictions. This paper uses simulation to compare the optimal quantity when the agent maximizes mean-variance utility or Value at Risk over wealth at option expiry. The optimal quantity is larger than the stock holding under mean-variance utility and precisely the same under value at risk. The options do not remove all variation in returns but still benefit the agent.
The effect of vibration proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and combined training on flexibility of hamstring muscles

Introduction: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of three stretching training methods (vibration, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, combined) on the flexibility of hamstring muscles in non-athlete male students. Material and Methods: We selected 30 male non-athlete students through random goal-oriented sampling and randomized them to three equal groups of vibration, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and combined stretching. The flexibility of hamstring muscles was measured using passive straight leg raising. The three groups then underwent training for 4 weeks; subsequently, all participants were evaluated using active knee extension. Results: The results of statistical tests indicated that flexibility improved significantly in all groups after training (p=0.001). The vibration and PNF training groups were not significantly different in terms of hamstring flexibility (p>0.05); nevertheless, the combined group was significantly superior in flexibility compared to the other two groups (p=0.000). Conclusion: Although each of the PNF and vibration methods alone help improve flexibility, the findings of this study suggest that optimal flexibility is achieved with a combination of these two methods. Thus, we recommend the combined training method to athletes who require very high flexibility.
THE CONCENTRATION OF CARBOHYDRATES IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE Apis mellifera carnica DRONE BROOD

Summary The concentrations of sugars were investigated in the Apis mellifera carnica drone brood in successive development stages. These stages are from the newly hatched larvae to the freshly emerged imago. Brood of all stages contained glycogen, trehalose and glucose. The glycogen concentration was higher in the fresh matter of all stages than trehalose and glucose. It was high in 1-2 day-old larvae (92.1 mg/g tissue), then decreased by half in 3-4 day-old larvae, and then reached 117.0 mg/g just before sealing. Sealed larvae contained almost 50% less glycogen than that close to cell capping. A subsequent increase occurred in the prepupae and pupae. The highest concentration (127.4 mg/g) was observed in pupae with pink eyes. Freshly emerged drones had the lowest level (6.1 mg/g) of glycogen. The lowest concentration of trehalose was observed in four-day-old larvae (1.5 mg/g). A significant increase occurred before sealing; but the highest concentration was found in larvae spinning the cocoon (12.9 mg/g). After that it continuously decreased. Freshly emerged drones had little trehalose (3.2 mg/g). Differences between all described means were statistically significant. The glucose concentration was low in brood of all developmental stages and ranged from 1.3 – 3.0 mg/g of fresh matter. Only the concentration in prepupae was significantly lower than in other stages.
Fiscal Shocks and the Consumption Response when Wages are Sticky

In this paper we study the impact of a government spending shock on aggregate consumption, building on the GLV (Gali, Lopez-Salido and Valles (2007)) model. We show that the GLV model implies a counterfactual increase in the real wage, the interest rate and the in.ation rate. The introduction of sticky wages solves these problems and preserves the main result of the model, i.e. the positive response of consumption. Moreover, once we relax the common wage assumption, sticky wages are even essential to reproduce the positive response of consumption.
Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver: An Enigma of Diagnosis

A 20-year-old man presented with peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy. He was found to have a huge liver abscess on the right lobe. Open drainage was performed but the abscess was persistently unresolved upon follow up. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a solid liver lesion with raised Ca 19-9. Right hepatectomy was subjected and histology was consistent with a rare and aggressive case of embryonal sarcoma of the liver. Despite oncologic resection, he developed local recurrence and succumbed to death in 6 month postoperatively. We describe a unique aetiology of liver abscess with literature reviews of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver.
THE REASONS OF LACK OF MOTIVATION FROM THE STUDENTS' AND TEACHERS' VOICES

Motivation has been centre of attention among teachers throughout the years because it constitutes the backbone of learning process. Learning is a complicated and dynamic process, and learning in real sense gets completed through motivation. Since will to learn builds one of the basic elements of learning, students take an important step on the road to learning through motivation. However, students may sometimes lose their willingness and interest towards lesson, which puts a major barrier in front of effective language learning. Therefore, this study is concerned with lack of motivation. To begin with, this study explores the reasons of disinterest students display towards language-learning. Next, it dwells upon the ways of promoting motivation of the students showing reluctance against foreign language learning. The teachers and students in a high school were the participants of this study. The data were collected through classroom observation, interview with teachers and questionnaire to students.
Aid for Trade and International Investment

This paper investigates whether Aid for Trade (AfT) promotes greenfield and M&A investment in recipient countries. Using data for 25 donor and 140 recipient countries for 2004-2012, we measure the effects of both bilateral AfT and the aggregate AfT of other donors on bilateral greenfield and M&A investment. We find robust evidence that bilateral AfT increases bilateral greenfield investment but exerts insignificant effect on bilateral M&A. Our preferred specification includes bilateral and countrytime fixed effects and employs Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimation. We also find that the aggregate AfT of other donors is positively associated with both bilateral greenfield investment and M&A. Among the subcomponents of AfT, aid for infrastructure (particularly, transportation and energy) is found to have the strongest effect on greenfield investment followed by aid for building productive capacity. To the extent greenfield investment brings jobs and technology transfer, it appears AfT is accomplishing its development objectives.
Effects of simulated herbivory on pollen tube growth rate and siring ability in Nicotiana alata (Solanaceae)

The environment in which a pollen donating plant grows is very important as it may influence pollen performance. Here we examine effects of herbivory on pollen performance in two cultivars of Nicotiana alata with red and white flowers. Plants used as pollen donors, were subjected to varying degrees of simulated herbivory and were compared to control plants. We grew pollen from all individuals in vitro to evaluate inherent male competitive ability. Hand pollinations were made to study the effects of simulated herbivory on in vivo siring ability, which in turn is the result of interactions between both the male and the female reproductive functions. Herbivory had an impact on both in vitro and in vivo pollen performance. In both cultivars, in vitro pollen tube growth rate from the control plants was higher than that in pollen from moderately and highly treated plants. The siring ability of the red cultivar decreased with increase in herbivory intensity, while the white cultivar was positively affected. The differences found between the two cultivars suggest that the genotype of the pollen grain influences how pollen from individual plants reacts to different environmental factors.
Another experimental look at reciprocal behavior: indirect reciprocity

This paper highlights a new social motivation, the indirect reciprocity, through a three-player dictator-ultimatum game. Player 2 has the opportunity to reward or punish indirectly the player 1 by inciting – with her offer - player 3 to accept or to reject the division. We implement three treatments: in the first two we vary player 2’s available information whereas in treatment 3, players take part in a dictator game - as proposers - before being player 2s in the dictator-ultimatum game. Results show that 55% of subjects in treatment 2 and 28% in treatment 3 behave as indirect reciprocity predicts. Another reciprocal behavior - the generalized reciprocity - is investigated through a three-player dictator game. Our data show that 80% of players 2 act according to this reciprocal behavior. Finally, our findings confirm that the more complex the strategic interaction becomes the more self-regarding behavior is likely and the less other-regarding behaviors, such as reciprocity, dominate.