Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compositional patterns in terrestrial fauna and wetland fl ora and fauna across the Pilbara biogeographic region of Western Australia and the representativeness of its conservation reserve system

A biological survey of the Pilbara biogeographic region was undertaken between 2002 and 2007 to provide a regional perspective on biodiversity patterns as a contribution to nature conservation planning. During this survey, 304 sites were sampled for small ground-dwelling mammals, birds, reptiles, spiders, ants, beetles and scorpions. A further 98 sites were sampled for wetland invertebrates, aquatic macrophytes and fringing riparian vegetation. Data for these two groups of sites were aggregated separately (i.e. terrestrial fauna and wetland biodiversity) and models of turnover in species composition within each data set were developed using generalised dissimilarity modelling (GDM). A wide range of environmental variables was assessed as predictors of compositional turnover – biotic (vegetation cover indices), climate, landform, hydrologic, regolith (soil and geology) and geographic distance. Generally, predictors associated with regolith were the most strongly supported in both the terrestrial fauna and wetland biodiversity models, followed by combined landform/ hydrologic variables, then climate/biotic variables. Geographic distance between sites was retained in the terrestrial fauna model only. The fi nal GDM models explained 46.1% and 58.5% of the deviance in the compositional turnover of terrestrial fauna and wetland biodiversity, respectively. Spatial representation of the coverage of survey sites showed that a large proportion of the core study area was well represented for both terrestrial fauna and wetland biodiversity. However, gaps in the proportional representation of both groups within the 2011 conservation reserve system were evident, particularly in the coastal region of the Pilbara (Roebourne subregion) and the Fortescue River valley (Fortescue subregion). With the addition of proposed reserves (in 2015) within these two subregions, the representation of terrestrial fauna and wetland biodiversity was substantially improved.
Association between Probiotic Yogurt Intake and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent metabolic complications of pregnancy. Previous studies have reported that using either probiotic yogurt or a probiotic supplement reduces the incidence of gestational diabetes. However, the results were inconsistent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and probiotic yogurt intake during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy in Chinese women. Methods: This was a case-control study involving 123 cases with gestational diabetes mellitus and 126 controls matched for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index. Each participant was interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic characteristics, diet and exercise habits, as well as probiotic yogurt consumption (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium) during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. An unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Mothers in both groups had similar socio-demographic backgrounds. Probiotic yogurt intake during pregnancy was significantly higher in normal pregnant women than that in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio: 0.292, 95% confidence interval: 0.148 – 0.577, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in probiotic yogurt consumption before pregnancy between cases and controls. Conclusion: Probiotic yogurt intake before pregnancy was not associated with gestational diabetes mellitus, but probiotic yogurt consumption during pregnancy was effective in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women. The findings from the present study may have implications for the future care of pregnant Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Quality in Tourism Literature: A Bibliometric Review

The literature about quality has experienced an important expansion in the tourism sector in the last decade. This is a result of the importance of quality issues when attempting to maintain and expand sustainable business models for tourism organizations and destinations, which are critical to strengthen competitiveness in the new framework. This relevance has been reflected in the tourism literature, with numerous papers focusing on the topic of quality. Nevertheless, despite its importance, there is a lack of studies and reviews of this literature. In order to overcome this problem, this paper develops a bibliometric and visualization analysis of the literature that examines the topics of tourism and quality together. Specifically, the article studies the 4625 documents on this issue published until the end of 2018 in the Web of Science Core Collection database, by using the co-occurrence of keywords, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship analyses. In addition, the VOSviewer program was used to map the diverse clusters or relationships among the literature. The results showed the trends and impact of this literature, and also the main papers, authors, journals, institutions, and even countries that focus on tourism and quality aspects together. They are useful for researchers and practitioners when dealing with this topic, in order to better understand the situation of this issue and its development.
Title Housing Price Dynamics in Time and Space : Predictability , Liquidity and Investor Returns Permalink

It is widely accepted that aggregate housing prices are predictable, but that excess returns to investors are precluded by the transactions costs of buying and selling property. We examine this issue using a unique data set—all private condominium transactions in Singapore during an eleven-year period. We model directly the price discovery process for individual dwellings. Our empirical results clearly reject a random walk in prices, supporting mean reversion in housing prices and diffusion of innovations over space. We find that, when house prices and aggregate returns are computed from models that erroneously assume a random walk and spatial independence, they are strongly autocorrelated. However, when they are calculated from the appropriate model, predictability in prices and in investment returns is completely absent. We show that this is due to the illiquid nature of housing transactions. We also conduct extensive simulations, over different time horizons and with different investment rules, testing whether better information on housing price dynamics leads to superior investment performance.
Properties of the Higgs-like boson in the decay H → ZZ → 4 ` in pp collisions at √ s = 7 and 8 TeV

The properties of the new boson with the mass around 125 GeV are reported. The boson is observed in the search for the standard model Higgs boson in the mass range 110 < mH < 1000 GeV in the H→ ZZ decay channel. The search considers final states where both Z’s decay to electron, muon, or tau lepton pairs. The analysis uses pp collision data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5.1 fb−1 at √ s = 7 TeV and 19.6 fb−1 at √ s = 8 TeV. It makes use of the measured four-lepton mass, the mass uncertainty, kinematic discriminants, and information sensitive to the production mechanism, such as associated dijet characteristics and transverse momentum of the four-lepton system. The boson is observed in channels with electron and muon pairs with a local significance above the expected background of 6.7 standard deviations with the mass 125.8± 0.5 (stat.) ±0.2 (syst.) GeV. The signal strength μ, relative to the expectation for the standard model Higgs boson, is measured to be μ = 0.91+0.30 −0.24. The signal strength modifiers associated with vector bosons and fermions in production are measured to be μV = 1.0+2.4 −2.3 and μF = 0.9 +0.5 −0.4, thus consistent with the standard model expectations. The spin-parity of the boson is studied and the pure scalar hypothesis is found to be consistent with the observation when compared to six other spin-parity hypotheses. The data disfavour the pure pseudoscalar hypothesis 0− with a CLs value of 0.16%, and disfavour the pure spin-2 hypothesis of a narrow resonance with the minimal couplings to the vector bosons with a CLs value of 1.5%. The spin-1 hypotheses are disfavoured with an even higher confidence. No other significant standard model Higgs-like excess is found in the search and upper limits at 95% confidence level exclude the range 130–827 GeV.
Spring 5-10-2009 Joint Attention in Young Children with Autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are classified as pervasive developmental disorders characterized by social, communicative, and behavioral impairments. According to formal and informal reports, children with ASD present with receptive and expressive language delay. Joint attention (JA: the behavior that occurs when two individuals focus on the same object or event) has been identified as a possible marker of delayed language development in children with ASD. In this study, the JA behaviors in children with ASD were contrasted with initially languagematched typically developing (TYP) children across three visits. Measures of language, the frequency, duration, and source of initiation of JA episodes, and the choice of toy during those episodes, were coded. Across visits and groups, mothers initiated more JA episodes than children; however, typical children also initiated more JA episodes than ASD children at visits 1 and 2. Also, the total duration of typically developing children’s JA episodes was generally longer than that of the ASD children’s, significantly so at Visit 2. Significant associations emerged between children’s vocabulary and two measures of JA: frequency and number of maternal initiations. Teaching parents to incorporate JA training in their interactions with their children may likely help children with ASD acquire language.
DNSSEC Feasibility Issues and the Transport Validation Assessment

Domain Name System (DNS) has become one of the major targets of the network security incidents. DNS extension protocols such as DNSSEC for the authentication have been proposed, but they are still not widely deployed on the operational networks. In this paper, we survey the past works of the performance metrics and issues on DNSSEC feasibility, and present that the transport issues are the most significant ones to be solved for a faster DNSSEC deployment. We further investigate the transport issues and claim the IP fragmentation allowance is the key issue for validating the transport capability of DNSSEC. We propose experimental methods to validate the transport in between two DNSSEC hosts.
Experimentation Speed Across Products: Evidence from Peru in the Us Market

This paper develops a model to explain how quickly exporters sequentially export products to a particular destination in a setting where product demands follow a joint bivariate distribution. By exporting shipments of a first product A to market d and observing realised demand, the exporter gradually updates his perceived demand for product B. Expected profitability of product B, and thus the decision to export, is shown to be a function of the number of shipments of A, the correlation coefficient between the two demands, as well as the mean export value of A. Sequential exporting is predicted to take place faster (after fewer shipments of product A) if (i) trade costs of product B are lower, (ii) the mean value of A exports is larger, and (iii) the higher is the correlation between product demands in market d. This prediction is then tested by a survival analysis, using a rich dataset of Peruvian firms that exported to the United States between 2006 and 2013. The enactment of the USA-Peru Free Trade Agreement in 2009, which eliminated most tariffs on Peruvian products in USA, is associated with an acceleration of the introduction of new products into that market, expressed as either fewer shipments of previous products or a shorter time spell between the first shipment of the old and the new product. Such acceleration tends to be larger for products with higher pre-FTA tariffs, not included in pre-FTA unilateral trade preferences by USA. Additionally, trade liberalisation tends to facilitate the introduction of new products by pre− FTA firms after having sent smaller values of previous products.
Genetic diversity in natural populations of Stylosanthes scabra Fabaceae using ISSR markers

Genetic diversity is the basis for genetic improvement as it can provide the basis for new cultivars. Stylosanthes scabra is a grasslands legume that presents potential economic importance in tropical and subtropical regions. Plants of the genus Stylosanthes naturally occur in semiarid native pastures in northeastern Brazil and are highly favored by grazing animals; therefore Brazil's Northeast stands out as an center of this genus. We evaluated the genetic diversity of S. scabra using ISSR molecular markers; naturally occurring samples were harvested from Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Floresta, Sertânia and Petrolina in Pernambuco state, Brazil. We selected seven ISSR primers for amplification and analyzed 75 individuals, obtaining 88 bands, which amplified with 95% polymorphism at the species level. The AMOVA test revealed that 40% of the total genetic variation occurs within populations and 60% among populations. Population differentiation was 0.332 and the migrant number per generation was 0.5. Grouping analysis confirmed a high level of differentiation among populations and that the greatest variability was in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe and Petrolina regions. The ISSR markers were efficient for genetic diversity quantification in S. scabra, which presented greater variability among populations
The zitterbewegung interpretation of quantum mechanics as theoretical framework for ultra-dense deuterium and low energy nuclear reactions

This paper introduces a Zitterbewegung model of the electron by applying the principle of Occam’s razor to the Maxwell’s equations and by introducing a scalar component in the electromagnetic field. The aim is to explain, by using simple and intuitive concepts, the origin of the electric charge and the electromagnetic nature of mass and inertia. The Zitterbewegung model of the electron is also proposed as the best suited theoretical framework to study the structure of Ultra-Dense Deuterium (UDD), the origin of anomalous heat in metal–hydrogen systems and the possibility of existence of “super-chemical” aggregates at Compton scale. c ⃝ 2017 ISCMNS. All rights reserved. ISSN 2227-3123
CD 31 (-) HipOps – A Highly Osteogenic Cell Population From Mouse Bone Marrow

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), found in many adult tissues, may be useful for regenerative medicine applications. Their identification and purification have been difficult due to their low frequency and lack of unambiguous markers. Using a magnetic micro-beads negative selection technique to remove contaminating hematopoietic cells from mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), our lab recently isolated a highly purified osteoprogenitor (HipOp) population that was also enriched for other mesenchymal precursors, including MSCs (Itoh and Aubin, 2009). To further enhance enrichment, we positively selected BMSCs and HipOps for CD73, a putative MSC marker, which resulted in no significant additional enrichment for osteoprogenitors when the population was tested in vitro. However, we also found that HipOps were enriched in vascular endothelial cells, and that removing these cells by further negative selection with CD31/PECAM resulted in a CD31(-) HipOp population with higher osteogenic capacity than HipOps in vitro and in vivo.
Education and Economic Growth : A Case Study in Malaysia

This paper studies the effect of education level on economic growth in Malaysia. Specifically, the impact of primary, secondary and tertiary education on Malaysia Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is examined. Quantitative research design approach was adopted to estimate the relationship between the enrollment rates of the three different education levels on changes of GDP in Malaysia from 1984 to 2012. Results show that there is significant relationship between education levels and economic growth. Tertiary education is found to have the highest effect on Malaysia GDP. Besides, the relationship between primary and tertiary education with economic growth is found to be positive while in contrast, secondary has negative relationship with economic growth.
About an ether interpretation for the Einstein equations of general relativity

Following Bell’s paper “how to teach special relativity”, we argue that a generalization of the Lorentz ether interpretation of the Einstein equations of general relativity may have a similar pedagogical value as the Lorentz ether interpretation for special relativity: It will give better intuitions to those who learn it. The Lorentz ether interpretation used here is the limit of an alternative ether theory of gravity, which gives the Einstein equations of GR in harmonic coordinates, together with an interpretation of the gravitational field in terms of density, velocity and stress tensor of an ether. Different examples where this “Lorentz ether” gives better, less confusing intuitions than a curved spacetime are considered. It is argued that using the Lorentz ether would decrease the problems with “ether cranks”, giving them the possibility to accept GR physics without giving up their prejudices about “true” space and time. The limitations of the Lorentz ether – which requires a fixed background – can be used to obtain a better understanding of the revolutionary character of the spacetime interpretation and background independence of GR.
The Effects of Some Physical and Nutritional Factors on the Vegetative Growth of Pleurotus ostreatus var . florida Eger . under Tropical Conditions

Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida culture was grown on different media and agricultural wastes and also subjected to a range of temperatures and pH to investigate their influence on the performance of the mycelium. The mushroom mycelium grew best between 25 and 35°C and least at 15°C. Mycelial growth sharply decreased at 35°C. Similarly, a pH range of 6.0-8.0 produced maximum mycelial extension, 72.90–78.66% more than the control. Mycelial yield decreased at pH below 6 and above 8. Least mycelial extension was recorded at pH 3.0. However, pH values higher than 6.0–8.0 retarded the growth of the mycelium. Mushroom mycelium grew best on oat meal yeast agar (OMYA), followed by corn meal yeast agar (CMYA), then by potato dextrose yeast agar (PDYA). Poorest growth occurred on malt extract yeast agar (MEYA), although not significantly different from that on CMYA and PDYA. The density and growth (i.e. distinct mycelial masses) of the mushroom had the highest rating on OMYA followed by CMYA, PDYA and MEYA. CMYA produced the heaviest mycelial mass followed by OMYA. Similarly the mushroom mycelium grew well on Andropogon gayanus, Pennisetum purpureum and Oryza sativa straws, but very poorly on Panicum maximum straw. The fastest mycelial extension occurred on A. gayanus straw followed by P. purpureum and O. sativa straws, although not significantly so. Our results are discussed in relation to the importance of mycelia as soup ingredients, in the production of different flavours and cellulolutic enzymes in the food industry and as biological control agents to trap nematodes and other plant disease agents. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A COMPARISON OF DIABETES KNOWLEDGE AMONG RESIDENTS IN BANGKOK AND OTHER CENTRAL PROVINCES OFTHAILAND

A COMPARISON OF DIABETES KNOWLEDGE AMONG RESIDENTS IN BANGKOK AND OTHER CENTRAL PROVINCES OFTHAILAND Pongmesa T, Li SC,Wee HL National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the level of diabetes knowledge among the residents in Bangkok (the capital) and other provinces in Central Thailand and investigate factors affecting diabetes knowledge in both groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in five major areas of Bangkok and four other Central provinces of Thailand in mid2007. Five hundred Thai residents aged greater than or equal to 15 years in each group were recruited from various public thoroughfares to complete a structured questionnaire comprising seven sections. RESULTS: The overall diabetes knowledge scores of most respondents in Bangkok (70.8%) and other provinces (75.4%) were acceptable (defined as greater than or equal to 50% of the total score). More than half of the respondents had acceptable scores in every section, except for the section ‘diabetes in women’. The mean ( SD) overall score of the other provinces group was significantly higher than that of the Bangkok group (60.95 18.95% vs. 58.21 20.69%, p = 0.029). There were also more respondents with acceptable scores in the other provinces group compared to the Bangkok group in almost every section. Education level, age, and having family member, relative or friend with diabetes were important predictors of knowledge score of respondents in both groups while working status was a significant predictor only in the other provinces group. Friends or relatives and various kinds of media were reported as major sources of diabetes information in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The level of diabetes knowledge of respondents in both groups was satisfactory, except for a few areas. Characteristics such as education level, age, and having family member, relative or friend with diabetes were all important in determining level of diabetes knowledge of the residents in both groups and should be considered in future planning of public health education programmes.
A Study on Gender Differences with relation to Occupational Stress among Faculties in Management Colleges of Private and Government Institutes – A Study with reference to Management Colleges in NCR

This paper investigates the difference in occupational role stress among employees (both male and female) working in private and government institutes in academic industry. With the help of ORS (Organizational role stress) scale ten different type of role stress are been measured. The total sample was of 180 and was divided on the basis of gender. In order to test the difference in mean between the two different groups z-test was used, Chi-square and were used to find the association between different ORS variables across demographic factors. It was found that women employees were more stressed than male counterparts. Age was found to have significant impact on stress level were as income group did not varied with respect to level of stress.
Willingness of the consumers of the Federal District − Brazil − to purchase beef meat with certification of origin

Food safety performs a strategic role in world commerce and represents a global concern (Nesbaken, 2009). According to Sofos (2008), challenges related to the safety of products of animal origin and difficulties related to effective control of the processes generate the need to create mechanisms which reduce the potential risk of food-borne diseases. Traceability meets that perspective, since it integrates the whole productive chain into a monitoring and certification system. Becomes relevant, therefore, assess whether consumers know the concept of bovine traceability and if the meat which is currently marketed in large supermarket chains with certification of origin is included in the purchase desire, even if pay more dearly for this product. So, the objective of this work was to identify the main attributes of beef which influence the decision to purchase it, surveying the willingness of these consumers to pay more for meat with certification of origin and identifying the main benefits and difficulties in the sale of meat with certification of origin, from the standpoint of the supermarket managers.