Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vertical habitat utilization by large pelagic animals: a quantitative framework and numerical method for use with pop-up satellite tag data

A quantitative framework and numerical methodology were developed to characterize vertical habitat utilization by large pelagic animals and to estimate the probability of their capture by certain types of fishing gear. Described are the steps involved to build ‘vertical habitat envelopes’ from data recovered from an electronically tagged blue marlin (Makaira nigricans )a s well as from a longline fishing gear experiment employing temperature‐depth recording devices. The resulting vertical habitat envelopes, which integrate depth and temperature preferences of tagged fish, are conducive for comparative studies of animal behavior and for calculation (and visualization) of degrees of overlap ‐ be it among individuals, species or fishing gear. Results of a computer simulation evaluation indicated our numerical procedure to be reliable for estimating vertical habitat use from data summaries. The approach appears to have utility for examining pelagic longline fishing impacts on both target and non-target species and could point to ways of reducing bycatch via modification of fishing strategy or gear configuration.
Available Micro Nutrient Status and their Relationship with Soil Properties of Narayanpur Block, District Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Soil is a component of the lithosphere and biosphere system. It is a vital natural resource on which is the supporting life system and socio economic development depends. The crisis of land degradation was mainly related to increasing population pressure. The per capita cultivable land has been declined 0.32 ha in 1950 through 0.14 by the turn of the century to less than 0.1 ha by 2020. The challenge in thus being faced not only of increasing productivity on sustainable basis, but also of the preserving and maintaining of soil resource bases for the posterity (FAO, 1993). Soil is crucial for life on earth and is thus one of the most important natural resources. It is at the heart of terrestrial ecology, and an understanding of the soil system is a key to successful human use of the land and environmental harmony. Soil is the base of the life, which support all the living organisms of the earth. Plant depends upon the nutritional status of the soil for their growth and completion of the life cycle. The soils of Narayanpur block, Mirzapur district in eastern Uttar Pradesh exhibits catenaries relationship with increasing drainage intensity, change in colour from yellowish brown or reddish brown to reddish gray and texture from loam to clay loam, clay or silt clay and sandy loam. The Narayanpur block, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 7 (2017) pp. 2838-2843 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Effect of Fungal Treated Maize Cob on the Performance of West African Dwarf Rams

Introduction Maize cobs (MC) are generated in large quantities in Nigeria. After removal of the grains from the cobs; the cobs constitute a nuisance to the environment. There is limitation to their consumption by ruminants due to their high fibre, low protein, vitamins and mineral contents. Appropriate methods of processing these wastes into value added ruminant feed is of particular interest to the developing countries especially Nigeria, where the rate of livestock production and consumption is low due to high cost of conventional feed (Abu et al., 2005). Reports (Belewu and Okhawere, 1998) showed that fungal treatment of crop residue improved the crude protein while the fibre fractions significantly reduced. In view of the paucity of information on this subject, this study was conducted to examine the impact of fungal treated maize cob in the diet of West African dwarf rams .
Depression and Suicide Risk among HIV Positive Individuals Attending an OutPatient HIV/Aids Clinic of a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution

Some chronic medical conditions have been found to be worsened by the presence of emotional and psychological disorders which often were not given considerations or even recognized when treatment for these medical conditions are been planned. With regards to HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organization (WHO) had observed that there is a close connection between mental health and HIV/AIDS. The most prevalent mental health problems found to be mostly associated with HIV/AIDS is depression and suicide ideations. This study examined the prevalence of depression and suicide risk among HIV positive persons attending the HIV/AIDS clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu south east Nigeria. The major depressive episode and the suicidality modules of the Mini neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) were used to screen 360 persons made up of 180 HIV positive persons and 180 HIV negative blood donors (controls) attending the HIV/AIDS and the hematology clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Ituku Ozalla, Enugu south east Nigeria for the prevalence of depression and risk of suicide. The prevalence of depression and risk of suicide was 27.8% and 7.8% respectively for the HIV positive subjects, while it was 12.8% and 2.2% respectively for the HIV negative blood donors (controls). It was concluded that there was high prevalence of depression and suicide risk among HIV positive persons than among the controls.
The influence of firm-specific and industry-specific risk factors on the probability of bankruptcy of Dutch firms

This research aims at finding firm-specific and industry-specific variables that exert an influence on the probability of bankruptcy of Dutch private firms. The outcomes indicate that the integration of non-financial risk factors improves the bankruptcy prediction model. For example, working capital management risk and access to financing have shown to have practical relevance and are statistically significant related to the probability of bankruptcy. Firms should try to optimize the cash conversion cycle and try to eliminate agency problems as much as possible in order to obtain external financing. The conducted survival analyses show that firms that have less access to financing are almost three times more likely to go bankrupt. The inclusion of industry variables does not significantly add to the bankruptcy prediction model, but especially industry barriers are important to take into consideration as they individually can have a significant impact on firms. In addition, it has been found that the interest coverage ratio and Altman’s Z-score are good indicators of the probability of bankruptcy, and can therefore be of great importance to firms, financial institutions and researchers.
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL F U L F I L L M E N T OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS

The major focus of this study is to explore, using the 1990 British Columbia Mathematics Assessment data at the Grade 7 level, gender differences in mathematics teachers' beliefs. As well, this study compared these differences to gender differences of students' beliefs found in the same data. The theoretical rationale for this study is based on a model devised by this researcher, namely the Modified Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) Research Model, which is the combination of the Cognitively Guided Instruction Research Model (Fennema, Carpenter, and Peterson, 1989) and the Autonomous Learning Behavior (ALB) Model (Fennema & Peterson, 1985). Two way A N O V A as well as planned comparisons (t-test) were used to investigate gender differences within and across a random sample of two status groups (teachers and students). The analysis of the data suggested several conclusions. First, male and female teachers are more similar than different with respect to their beliefs regarding the importance and difficulty of selected mathematics topics. And, Numbers and Operations was the only topic under study in which male and female teachers differed significantly. Male teachers rated Numbers and Operations more important than female teachers.
Impacts of European drought events: insights from an international database of text-based reports

Drought is a natural hazard that can cause a wide range of impacts affecting the environment, society, and the economy. Providing an impact assessment and reducing vulnerability to these impacts for regions beyond the local scale, spanning political and sectoral boundaries, requires systematic and detailed data regarding impacts. This study presents an assessment of the diversity of drought impacts across Europe based on the European Drought Impact report Inventory (EDII), a unique research database that has collected close to 5000 impact reports from 33 European countries. The reported drought impacts were classified into major impact categories, each of which had a number of subtypes. The distribution of these categories and types was then analyzed over time, by country, across Europe and for particular drought events. The results show that impacts on agriculture and public water supply dominate the collection of drought impact reports for most countries and for all major drought events since the 1970s, while the number and relative fractions of reported impacts in other sectors can vary regionally and from event to event. The analysis also shows that reported impacts have increased over time as more media and website information has become available and environmental awareness has increased. Even though the distribution of impact categories is relatively consistent across Europe, the details of the reports show some differences. They confirm severe impacts in southern regions (particularly on agriculture and public water supply) and sector-specific impacts in central and northern regions (e.g., on forestry or energy production). The protocol developed thus enabled a new and more comprehensive view on drought impacts across Europe. Related studies have already developed statistical techniques to evaluate the link between drought indices and the categorized impacts using EDII data. The EDII is a living database and is a promising source for further research on drought impacts, vulnerabilities, and risks across Europe. A key result is the extensive variety of impacts found across Europe and its documentation. This insight can therefore inform drought policy planning at national to international levels.
Harvest stages and pre-cooling influence the quality and storage life of tomato fruit.

The study was carried out to investigate the influence of harvesting stages and pre -cooling on the physico-chemical quality characteristics of stored tomato fruit during the years 2008 -2009. Tomato fruits of three maturity stages e.g. breaker, yellow and pink were harvested on 30 th June at mid-day and either left untreated (control) or subjected to pre - cooling treatment. Data was recorded on various physico-chemical quality characteristics after 28 days storage at 12±2°C. Harvesting stages significantly affected the fruit quality parameters. The least weight loss (9.167 %) and reducing sugars (2.93%) were recorded in fruits harvested at yellow mature stage, which also had the highest juice (34.16%) and ascorbic acid content (8.06 mg/100ml). The fruit harvested at breaker stage had the highest firmness (7.833 kg/cm 2 ), but least juice content (26.66%), TSS (7.91%), fruit pH (3.58) and disease incidence (14.5%), while the highest weight loss (11.167%), fruit pH (4.0) and disease incidence (17.5%) was obs erved in fruits harvested at pink mature stage. Pre-cooling resulted in significantly lower weight loss , TSS, fruit pH, reducing sugars and disease incidence as well as higher juice content, fruit firmness, nonreducing sugars and ascorbic acid as compared control. The interaction of harvesting stages and pre -cooling revealed that the treatment resulted in significantly higher fruit firmness, ascorbic acid content and lower disease incidence, however it was more effective at the yellow stage of maturity.
Assessment of the Accuracy of a Multi-Beam LED Scanner Sensor for Measuring Olive Canopies

Canopy characterization has become important when trying to optimize any kind of agricultural operation in high-growing crops, such as olive. Many sensors and techniques have reported satisfactory results in these approaches and in this work a 2D laser scanner was explored for measuring canopy trees in real-time conditions. The sensor was tested in both laboratory and field conditions to check its accuracy, its cone width, and its ability to characterize olive canopies in situ. The sensor was mounted on a mast and tested in laboratory conditions to check: (i) its accuracy at different measurement distances; (ii) its measurement cone width with different reflectivity targets; and (iii) the influence of the target’s density on its accuracy. The field tests involved both isolated and hedgerow orchards, in which the measurements were taken manually and with the sensor. The canopy volume was estimated with a methodology consisting of revolving or extruding the canopy contour. The sensor showed high accuracy in the laboratory test, except for the measurements performed at 1.0 m distance, with 60 mm error (6%). Otherwise, error remained below 20 mm (1% relative error). The cone width depended on the target reflectivity. The accuracy decreased with the target density.
Distribution and diversity of wheat aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in Iran

Eleven species of parasitoids were found to attack 7 species of wheat aphids in Iran. The Simpson's Index of diversity (D) used to compare the aphidiine diversity in various cereal crop systems in geographically different regions of Iran ranged from 0.197 to 0.488, depending on locality. There were significant differences among species diversities at different altitudes. The central high- lands (1000-1500 meters above mean sea level) were the areas with the most diverse aphid parasitoid complex, differing signifi- cantly from that at lower and higher altitudes. We found that altitude explained about 10% of the cereal aphid parasitoid distribution pattern in Iran. Species of the genus Aphidius Nees were the most abundant and widely distributed. These were Aphidius rhopalo- siphi De Stefani, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetski, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Aphidius matricariae Haliday. A. uzbekistani- cus, Ephedrus plagiator (Nees) and Ephedrus persicae Froggat were encountered mainly on the plains at lower altitudes. Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) was mainly recorded at higher altitudes in Iran along with its dominant parasitoid species, Diaeretiella rapae (MIntosh). The fact that Iran is close to the presumed area of D. noxia origin (Central Asian submountains) could be very important in further biological control efforts against this pest aphid. According to our results, Aphidius ervi Haliday is a very rare parasitoid of cereal aphids in Iran, which contrast with its high abundance in Europe and North America.
Geometry Eigenvalues and Scalar Product from Recoupling Theory in Loop Quantum Gravity

We summarize the basics of the loop representation of quantum gravity and describe the main aspects of the formalism, including its latest developments, in a reorganized and consistent form. Recoupling theory, in its graphical tangle-theoretic Temperley-Lieb formulation, provides a powerful calculation tool in this context. We describe its application to the loop representation in detail. Using recoupling theory, we derive general expressions for the spectrum of the quantum area and the quantum volume operators. We compute several volume eigenvalues explicitly. We introduce a scalar product with respect to which area and volume are symmetric operators, and (the trivalent expansions of) the spin network states are orthonormal.
Effect of temperature changes during transportation on muesli quality

Muesli is often packed in pre-made stand-up pouches and flowpacks. There are different storage and packaging solutions based on the composition of the storage atmosphere. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) extends shelf-life of product as it affects biochemical, enzymatic and microbiological changes. Nevertheless, during food product transportation around 9% of complaints are related to wet cargo. It is the second most common problem in freight transportation and causes greatest losses during logistics. A sudden drop in temperature during transportation can cause condensation, increasing moisture migration in the product, reducing its quality and promoting deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine optimal muesli packaging solutions to eliminate the possibility of product quality deterioration due to changes in temperature during muesli transportation. Muesli samples were packed in three different types of packaging – 2-layer (PET/PE) and 3-layer (PAP/AL/PE) stand-up pouches, and biodegradable PLA pouches in air ambience and MAP environment. Samples were stored at ambient temperature (20±1 °C) for 14 days. After two-week ambient storage, samples were stored at -5±1 °C, 0±1 °C and 30±1 °C temperature for 5 days, followed by storage at ambient temperature for 2 days. The results of water activity, moisture content, pH value, texture and microbiological parameters showed no significant changes in muesli quality.
Particle size selectivity and resource partitioning in five species of Thalassinidea (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Particle selectivity was examined in Calocaris macandreae, Callianassa subterranea, Jaxea nocturna, Upogebia deltaura and U. stellata by comparing the inorganic particle size range within the gut with that from their respective environments. C. subterranea and C. macandreae are both deposit feeders, whilst J , nocturna is a resuspension feeder, i.e. this shrimp flicks up deposited material ahead of the mouthparts and suspension feeds. U. deltaura and U, stellata are both predominantly suspension feeders. Particle size selectivity was not observed for either C. macandreae or J. nocturna. When the particle slze range of the sediment taken from the upogebiid site was compared with that of the gut, particle selectivity was observed for both species. When particle size distribution from the gut was compared to that of the water column, however, no such evidence of particle selectivity was noted. For C. subterranea, no evidence of particle selectivity was observed in the specimens taken from a very fine muddy sediment. However, those taken from a sandier site showed clear evidence of particle selectivity. Interspecific and intraspecific particle size selection is discussed in relation to resource partitioning.
Validation and application of a standardized procedure for evaluating freshness of Citrus juices based on pectin methylesterase activity quantitation

A method developed for freshness authentication of freshly squeezed Citrus juices (FSCJ) was evaluated for routine application. It involved titrimetric assessment of pectin methylesterase (PE) activity after enzyme extraction from pulp-standardized juice samples. Standard test conditions enabled reliable discrimination between FSCJ and chilled Citrus juices that had comparative advantages due to extended shelf life. Unlike the latter, FSCJ always displayed PE activities in the linear range between the limit of identification (LOI, 0.42 units g -1 of juice) and the maximum activity found for FSCJ (1.94 units -1 ), equivalent to 0.0035-0.016 units during titration. However, for model samples having activities -1 resulting from FSCJ dilution or PE standard addition, but it was lower (76 - 80 %) near LOI. The average of the mean activities, which were detected by 3 analysts with intraassay precision ≤ 8.4 %, varied with relative standard deviations of 8.2 % for FSCJ and 3.9 % for a sample of the same juice diluted to 60 % (w/w), thus proving reproducibility. FSCJ batches were unambiguously distinguished from four commercial chilled juices, because the activities detected for the latter were by far ≤ LOD and thus confirmed labeled mild preservation.
Personal features and well-being as predictors of meaning in life among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in Nigeria

Aims: the study examined self-esteem, life satisfaction and hopelessness as predictors of meaning in life among people living with HIV/ AIDs. Methods: two hundred patients; 126 females and 74 males, aged between 17 and 70 years were used for the study. their mean age was 38.9 years with a standard deviation of 10.2 years. results: the findings revealed that self-esteem, life satisfaction and hopelessness significantly predicted meaning in life and they are important constructs in assessing meaning in the lives of PLWHAs. conclusion: therefore, it was recommended that meaning centered therapy programs should be put in place by health care givers and other stakeholders dealing with PLWHAs to increase patient’s meaning in life
The Causality between Financial Development and Economic Growth: Panel Data Cointegration and GMM System Approaches

The debate on the direction of causality between financial development and economic growth has been comprehensively growing since 1980s in theoretical and empirical literature. The existing literature provides conflicting views of this relationship. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is therefore to empirically investigate the direction of causality between finance and growth using panel data cointegration and GMM system approaches. If it is acknowledged that financial development stimulates growth, then economic growth may reciprocally stimulate financial development. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 10 countries, 6 from the OECD region and 4 from the MENA region during 1990-2006, reports the following results: a panel data cointegration analysis confirms a long-term relationship between financial development and economic growth for the OECD and the MENA countries. The GMM system approach shows that financial development and real GDP per capita are positively and strongly linked. The error correction model approach shows that causality is bi-directional for the OECD countries and unidirectional for the MENA countries, i.e. economic growth stimulates financial development. Keyswords: Financial development, Economic growth, Causality, Cointegration and GMM system
Mean Reversion in Stock Prices: Implications for Long-Term Investors

This paper discusses the implications of mean reversion in stock prices for longterm investors such as pension funds. We start with a general definition of a meanreverting price process and explain how mean reversion in stock prices is related to mean reversion in stock returns. Subsequently, we show that mean reversion makes stocks less risky for investors with long investment horizons. Next, we consider a mean-variance efficient investor and show how mean reversion in stock prices affects such an investorâ€™s optimal portfolio weights. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the investment decisions of long-term investors.