Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen cycling in degraded Leucaena leucocephala-Brachiaria decumbens pastures on an acid infertile soil in south-east Queensland, Australia

A grazing trial was conducted to quantify N cycling in degraded Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena)-Brachiaria decumbens (signal grass) pastures grown on an acid, infertile, podzolic soil in south-east Queensland. Nitrogen accumulation and cycling in leucaena-signal grass pastures were evaluated for 9 weeks until all of the leucaena on offer (mean 600 kg edible dry matter (EDM)/ha, 28% of total pasture EDM) was consumed. Nitrogen pools in the grass, leucaena, soil, cattle liveweight, faeces and urine were estimated. The podzolic soil (pH 4.8-5.9) was found to be deficient in P, Ca and K. Leucaena leaf tissues contained deficient levels of N, P and Ca. Grass tissues were deficient in N and P. Grazing was found to cycle 65% of N on offer in pasture herbage. However, due to the effect of the plant nutrient imbalances described above, biological N fixation by leucaena contributed only 15 kg/ha N to the pasture system over the 9-month regrowth period, of which 13 kg/ha N was cycled. Cattle retained 1.8 kg/ha N (8% of total N consumed) in body tissue and the remainder was excreted in dung and urine in approximately equal proportions. Mineral soil N concentrations did not change significantly (-3.5 kg/ha N) over the trial period. The ramifications of grazing and fertiliser management strategies, and implications for pasture rundown and sustainability are discussed.
Taxes and Ex-Dividend Day Returns: Evidence From REITs

The distributions of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are comprised of components that differ in how they are taxed to the recipient shareholders. This variation in tax characteristics enables us to study the effect of shareholder taxes on stock prices around ex-dividend days, while avoiding the problems associated with non-tax confounding factors and intertemporal tests that have hampered the interpretation of previous studies. Using a dataset that includes the component makeup of individual REIT distributions, we provide evidence that abnormal returns and trading volume around ex-dividend days are driven by the component of the distributions that is most tax-penalized. Our results support a tax-based explanation for ex-dividend day pricing and investor trading behavior.
NEMATODE DENSITIES IN YEAR-ROUND FORAGE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UTILIZING MANURE FERTILIZATION

Application of dairy manure to forage crops is a viable means of recycling nutrients and minimizing problems with manure storage. The objective of this study was to determine whether forage cropping system or frequent application of liquid dairy manure affected populations of plant-parasitic nematodes. Two forage systems were evaluated: the CBR system was a rotation of temperate corn (Zea mays L.), coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ], and a mixture of rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover ( Trifolium incarnatum L.); and the CCR system was a rotation of temperate corn, tropical corn, and a mixture of rye and crimson clover. Application of liquid manure at 14-day intervals with irrigation water was compared to application of inorganic fertilizer based on crop recommendations. The soil was naturally infested with Helicotylenchus sp. , Mesocriconema sp. , Paratrichodorus sp. , and Pratylenchus spp. Densities of Mesocriconema sp. and Helicotylenchus sp. tended to be greater in CBR plots than in CCR plots, while the reverse was observed for Pratylenchus spp. Densities of Paratrichodorus sp. and Pratylenchus spp. were consistently lower in the manure treatment than in the fertilizer treatment. When averaged across years, numbers per 150 cm3 of soil in manure vs. fertilizer were 79 vs. 159 for Pratylenchus spp. and 8 vs. 16 for Paratrichodorus sp. The other plant-parasitic nematodes were unaffected or inconsistently affected by nutrient source. Additional research is needed to determine the mechanism of nematode suppression when liquid dairy manure is applied regularly to the crop. If ammonia accumulation is involved, then soil type and pH will be important factors in determining the efficacy of the treatment.
SIZE EFFECT ON THE DAMAGE EVOLUTION IN OPEN-HOLE COMPOSITE LAMINATES

Open holes are present in many composite structures, producing an increment of stress in its proximity and a strength reduction. The stress concentration factor in laminates depends on the material properties and laminate lay-up. Therefore, the influence of a hole has to be considered in the design of composite structures. In this work, the Discrete Damage Mechanics model of Barbero-Cortes is employed to study damage evolution in open-hole composite laminates subjected to uniaxial in-plane tensile loads. The model is validated with experimental and numerical data taken from the literature with different hole diameters and laminate widths. The influence of the stacking sequence on the evolution of crack density, stress-displacement, and notched strength of the laminate are analyzed.
Effect of Ginseng (Panax ginseng) against Testicular Toxicity Induced by Sodium Valproate in Male Rats

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of ginseng powder, extract, L-carnitine and their combination against sodium valproate induced testicular toxicity in rats, the reproductive performance of male rats with respect to semen parameters, male sex hormones and the testicular antioxidant system. A total of forty two mature male albino rats were divided into six groups of seven rats. The control group received saline, whereas the other five groups received sodium valproate the firs represented positive group, after that four groups received ginseng (100 mg/kg. diet), ginseng extract (10 mg/kg. B wt /rat), L-carnitine (150 mg/kg Bwt/rat /day) or a combination of both ginseng and L-carnitine via a stomach tube daily respectively for one month. At the end of the treatment period, rats were sacrificed, weights of sexual organ recorded and their sperm characteristics count, antioxidant enzyme factors levels (reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity) and sex hormone levels (testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were analyzed. Results showed that the four experimental treatments improved lipid parameters, liver function, sperm parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity and testosterone hormone levels; the most pronounced positive effects were observed in the group that received a combination of both ginseng and L-carnitine. Therefore, the administration of a combination of ginseng and L-carnitine may be beneficial for improving male sexual performance.
Relationships among six medicinal species of Curcuma assessed by RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were applied to detect the genetic relationships and diversity among 33 accessions of Curcuma species in China, which involved six medicinal species. A total of 115 products were amplified by 21 primers, among which 106 products (92.17%) were found to be polymorphic. A total of 3 to 8 polymorphic bands were amplified by each polymorphic primer, with an average of 5.48 bands. The data of 115 RAPD bands were used to generate Jaccard’s similarity coefficients and to construct a dendrogram by means of UPGMA. The results show that the genetic similarity coefficient of these six species is relatively large, from the cluster diagram, while the genetic relationships are not associated with their geographical distributions.
Effect of alcohol extracts of demospongiae on growth of periphytic diatoms

Antifoulin g potentialities of alcoh ol extracts of demospongiae, col lec ted otT east coast of Indi a, against I{,ur dominalll marine foulin g diatoms are report ed. Of th e 20 combinations worked out (5 sponges x 4 diatoms) 16 interaction s showed act ivity accounting to about 80%. Plakortis silllplex, Azorica pJeifJerae and Dacitopsis sp. showed 100% growth inhih itlon against all the 4 fouling di atoms (Navicllia .\'IIbinflata, Navicula cl'll cicllla, Nit zschia sp., Alllpho/'{/ sp. ) te sted. illlp lying th e presence of potent antifouling compounds whi lst, oth er extracts showed species specificity in their actilll 1. Ho weve r. th e same cells exh ibit ed normal growth , when transfe rr ed to extract free media, pointin g towards non lO xic wa y ot' action . Th e EC50 va lue s var ied with extracts and test organisms used and ranged from 14 jJg/m l (A. /! feU/el'([ £' \ . .\' N. ('1'116(,111(/) ( 0 5~n jJg/ml (Dercitopsis sp. vs Aili/I /W I'([ sp.). The ac tiv e . s totally arrested the silicate uptake on diatums. trea ted witli EC" KI values, in relation to co nt rol. Th c degrce of silicatc up take impairment varicd with extracts and tcs t organi slll s lI sed. Th c resuits imply the possible potential itie s of the se extracts in controllin g the mi crofoul ers. Marine foulers cause world wide technical and economic problems to various indu stries in marine sector lik e shippin g, building and /or maintaining offshore structures, thermal power plants, OTEC systems, aquaculture systems and other submarine infrastructures l . Copper and orga notin compounds such as tributyltin oxide (TBTO) have been used as effect ive antifoulants 2. Howeve r, th ese compounds are of environmental concern' . Thus, most of the countri es have banned th e use of TBT based antifou lin g paints. In the wake of res tr ictio ns on TBT, researchers allover th e world have begun to search for environmental frie ndl y antifoulin g compounds. An area th at th e searc h for nontox ic anti fo ulants has led investigators is that of marine natural antifoulin g products. Laboratory and field studies conducted by va ri ou s investigators support th e hyp oth es is that sponges contai n compound s tha t act as anti -foul ant s 4 . 6. Howl! ver, most of th e in ves ti gators wo rki ng on marine natural antifouling products ha ve focus ed mainly on larvae of macrofoulers . The neglect of marine fouling diatom is surprisin g when on e considers th eir role in th e succession of biofoulin g community and it s effect on submerged obj ec ts. Therefore, an attempt has bcen made to stud y th e antifouling potentialities of somc of th e mcmbers of de mospongia e aga in st dominant marine foulin g diatoms and the resu lt s obtained are presented here.
Ageing increases the sensitivity of neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds to imbibitional stress

Imbibitional stress was imposed on neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds by letting them soak for 1 h in water at unfavourable, low temperatures before further incubation at 30°C. Sensitivity to low imbibition temperatures increased with a decrease in seed moisture content (MC). To investigate a possible involvement of seed age in the extent of imbibitional damage, initially high-quality seed lots that differed in storage history (10 weeks versus 10 months) were examined at 4 and 7% MC (fresh weight basis). After 10 months of storage, the 7% MC seeds had become sensitive to imbibitional stress. Further drying (1 week) to 4% MC affected aged seeds more than non-aged seeds. Barrier properties of cellular membranes in axes excised after 1 d of rehydration were estimated using a spin-probe technique. The proportion of cells with intact membranes increased with increasing imbibition temperature. For each temperature tested, there were more cells with leaky membranes after 10 months than after 10 weeks of dry storage. Localization of embryo cells displaying loss of turgor and abnormal cellular structure was accomplished using cryo-planing, followed by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Inspection of the cryo-planed surfaces confirmed that imbibitional damage was temperature dependent, occurring at the periphery. Ageing increased the number of imbibitionally damaged, peripheral cell layers. Germination was estimated to fail when less than 70% of axis cells were alive. We conclude that ageing increases the sensitivity to imbibitional stress. Both the fast ageing and the sensitivity to imbibitional stress might explain the apparent controversies about neem seed desiccation tolerance and storage behaviour.
Manufactured Exports and FDI in Southern Mediterranean Countries: Evolution, Determinants and Prospects

This paper investigates the evolution and determinants of manufactured exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) in 11 southern Mediterranean countries over the period 1985–2009 as well as their prospects under different scenarios pertaining to the development of the determinants. The econometric analysis confirms the role of exchange rate depreciation, the openness of the economy and the quality of institutions and infrastructure in fostering manufactured exports and FDI inflows in the region. The assessment of the prospects suggests that a scenario of deeper integration with the EU entails superior performance for manufactured exports and FDI compared with either the status quo or less integration with the EU but greater integration within the region.
Differences in the Levels of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1ra) in Children with Status Epilepticus and Febrile Seizure

Proinflammatory cytokines are elevated in status epilepticus and febrile seizure and associated with tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate the differences in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 1 receptor agonist (IL-1ra) levels in status epilepticus as compared with febrile seizure and febrile. This cross-sectional study was designed to include 45 subjects divided equally into three groups (status epilepticus, febrile seizure, and febrile). Both IL-1β and IL-1ra were measured by using an ELISA method. Results showed that IL-1β levels were significantly higher in the status epilepticus group as compared with the febrile seizure and febrile groups (p < 0.05). IL-1ra levels in the status epilepticus group were significantly lower compared with the febrile seizure group (p = 0.04). Consistently, the IL-1β/IL-1ra ratio in the status epilepticus group was significantly higher as compared with the febrile seizure group (p = 0.01). We concluded that IL-1β and the IL-1β/IL-1ra ratio were significantly higher in status epilepticus. IL-1ra levels were significantly higher in the febrile seizure group.
‘It's Like Piecing Together Small Pieces of a Puzzle’. Difficulties in Reporting Abuse and Neglect of Disabled Children to the Social Services

According to Swedish law, the Child and Youth Habilitation Services are obliged to report abuse and neglect of disabled children to the Social Services. Only a small proportion of all children who are suspected of being victims of abuse or neglect are, however, reported to the Social Services. The aim of this study is to discuss why some cases of abuse and neglect of disabled children are considered difficult to report by the Child and Youth Habilitation Services. The qualitative data were collected during individual and natural group interviews with 14 members of the staff of a regional division of this authority. The study shows that reporting was seen as a ‘last resort’ and was used only when all other remedies had been exhausted. The main obstacles to reporting were to be found in the perceived closeness between staff members and the disabled children's families. Other obstacles to reporting were habilitation ideals, cultural ideas about the family, a lack of evidence of abuse and neglect, and uncertainty about the children's future after reporting. Factors that facilitated reporting were visible proof of abuse and neglect, and the disabled children's ability to communicate. Furthermore, certain criminal acts against the children were seen as more reprehensible than others and thus easier to report.
Long-term colonization and extinction patterns of a forest-dependent rodent ( Muscardinus avellanarius ) in highly fragmented landscapes

Colonization and extinction events play a major role in influencing long-term population dynamics, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Nevertheless, empirical knowledge on which factors drive these processes is still lacking for many mammals, likely due to difficulties in conducting long-term large-scale field studies. To determine which landscape features affect local colonization and extinction in Muscardinus avellanarius - a species highly sensitive to human landscape modifications - we collected detection/non-detection data in highly fragmented landscapes scattered through central Italy during a 7-year large-scale (≈11000 km 2 ) study. We fitted multi-season occupancy models to our data; the results showed that both local colonization and extinction processes were driven by the level of connectivity in the landscape surrounding a patch. Specifically, the colonization probability of a patch increased with the number of patches within 1 km: the higher the number of surrounding patches, the higher the probability of colonization. Similarly, the extinction probability was positively affected by the mean edge distance to other patches within 1 km: the higher the mean edge distance - that is, surrounding patches at greater distance - the higher the probability of extinction of the local population. Our findings provide empirical evidence to support management actions aimed at conserving the hazel dormouse in areas where the populations are declining or threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
The Tale of Two Expectations istat working papers

Exploiting survey data covering two decades, we try to learn how agents forecast. Specifically, we examine the central tendencies (balances) and cross-sectional dispersions (disagreement) of lay consumers’ predictions on individual-level and aggregate income dynamics. The joint analysis of expectations on these two different but linked – fundamentals highlights a number of interesting outcomes for Italy. Agents’ predictions on micro and macroeconomic evolutions do not drift apart despite (possibly composite) shocks have permanent effects on expectations. When shocks create a gap between the two expectations, in fact, agents revise only their forecasts about GDP dynamics. These latter overreact to shocks and are more volatile than expectations on personal stances. Unlike what typically assumed in the macroeconomic literature, then, evidence shows that disagreement is persistently high. Astonishingly, when predicting the same fundamental consensus shrinks. Lastly we elaborate a test on whether and find evidence that – cross sectional disagreement and time series volatility in expectations are equal.
"Success factors for quality management systems: certification benefits"

Despite the numerical success of ISO 9000 quality management systems, the certification is much criticized, as it is not a risk-free undertaking. A review of the literature on this issue indicates that organizations often lack flexibility in the design and implementation of quality management systems, the level of the utilization of employees’ skills and knowledge is low. This is because organizations usually approach this process of implementation in an empiric way. ISO 9000 certification can deliver business and financial benefits, but the managers of organizations should carefully design the ISO 9000 implementation strategy. To develop a mature quality management system, critical success factors for ISO 9000 certification benefits should be considered in the early phases of their planning and designing processes. The article presents the critical success factors for ISO 9000 certification benefits which can help plan and implement quality management systems according to the 9000 standard most successfully. The investigation has shown that very important for ISO 9000 financial benefits is a well-developed ISO 9000 implementation strategy. Strategic orientation is a moderating factor influencing the relationship between ISO 9000 certification benefits and the firm’s financial performance. In the present study, a strong interdependence between the companies’ certification motivation factors and the results obtained was determined. From the overall findings of the investigation, it can be concluded that strong internal motivation or willingness to improve a company’s quality helps establish a quality management system that leads to external benefits (such as the improvement of the company’s position in the market) as well as to internal benefits. Continuous improvement of processes, people and system, the reward system, team work, the measurement of performance and communication during the post-certification period are all critical success factors for the sustainable quality management system and for successful results of ISO 9000 certification. Quality auditors are in a powerful position to increase the value of certifications. Value-added audit may not only produce data for the use in granting a certificate, for improving documentation or for enforcing conformity, but also for making managerial decisions concerned with economy, staff development, technology, growth, product and processes, because these decisions are based on current performance.
Molecular screening for erythromycin resistance genes in Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from Iraqi patients with tonsilo-pharyngites

Streptococcus pyogenes is the leading cause of uncomplicated bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis commonly referred to as strep throat. Erythromycin is administered for patients allergy to penicillin. In this study, 125 throat swab samples were collected from children between 2-12 years old with tonsillopharyngitis attended to at the AL-Imammain AL-Kadhimain Medical City-Baghdad-Iraq and Pediatric Caring Hospital-Baghdad-Iraq from February 2014 to February 2015. Only 72 throat swab samples showed bacterial growth. The isolates were identified using Vitek 2 Compact system for Gram-Positive. Antibiotics susceptibility was examined using the BioMérieux Vitek2 compact system AST card. For direct molecular identification of S. pyogenes, 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA gene amplification were used. Molecular screening for erythromycin resistance genes erm(A), erm(B) and mef(A) were done using PCR. The results of identification using Vitek2 GP show that 21 (29.2%) samples were S. pyogenes-positive while 51(70.8%) of samples were due to other causes of tonsillo-pharyngitis. The results of molecular identification of S. pyogenes strains using 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA amplification showed that only four strains were positive for 16S-23S rRNA, while two strains out of four were also positive for 16S rRNA. According to the results of antibiotic sensitivity, there were seven strains resistant to erythromycin. The results of molecular screening for erythromycin resistant genes showed that all these resistant strains did not contain the resistant genes erm(A), erm(B) or mef (A). We conclude that, maybe there was a specific sequence variations in genes used for identification of S. pyogenes. Also, resistance to erythromycin could be attributed to causes other than the studied mutations, such as structural modification of erythromycin by phosphorylation, glycosylation or lactone ring cleavage by erythromycin esterase.