Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term Effects of Burning Wyoming Big Sagebrush Steppe in Southeast Oregon

Abstract Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S.L. Welsh) plant communities of the Intermountain West have been greatly reduced from their historic range as a result of wildfire, agronomic practices, brush control treatments, and weed invasions. The impact of prescribed fall burning Wyoming big sagebrush has not been well quantified. Treatments were sagebrush removed with burning (burned) and sagebrush present (control). Treatments were applied to 0.4-ha plots at 6 sites. Biomass production, vegetation cover, perennial herbaceous vegetation diversity, soil water content, soil inorganic nitrogen (NO−3, NH+4), total soil nitrogen (N), total soil carbon (C), and soil organic matter (OM) were compared between treatments in the first 2 years postburn. In 2003 and 2004, total (shrub and herbaceous) aboveground annual biomass production was 2.3 and 1.2 times greater, respectively, in the control compared to the burned treatment. In the upper 15 cm of the soil profile, inorganic N concentrations were greater in the burned than control treatment, while soil water, at least in the spring, was greater in the control than burned treatment. Regardless, greater herbaceous aboveground annual production and cover in the burned treatment indicated that resources were more available to herbaceous vegetation in the burned than the control treatment. Exotic annual grasses did not increase with the burn treatment. Our results suggest in some instances that late seral Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities can be prescribed fall burned to increase livestock forage or alter wildlife habitat without exotic annual grass invasion in the first 2 years postburn. However, long-term evaluation at multiple sites across a larger area is needed to better quantify the effects of prescribed fall burning on these communities. Thus, caution is advised because of the value of Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities to wildlife and the threat of invasive plants.
Life Satisfaction Among Children in Different Family Structures: A Comparative Study of 36 Western Societies

This paper examines differences in life satisfaction among children in different family structures in 36 western, industrialised countries (n = 184 496). Children living with both biological parents reported higher levels of life satisfaction than children living with a single parent or parent–step-parent. Children in joint physical custody reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction than their counterparts in other types of non-intact families. Controlling perceived family affluence, the difference between joint physical custody families and single mother or mother–stepfather families became non-significant. Difficulties in communicating with parents were strongly associated with less life satisfaction but did not mediate the relation between family structure and life satisfaction. Children in the Nordic countries characterised by strong welfare systems reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction in all living arrangements except in single father households. Differences in economic inequality between countries moderated the association between certain family structures, perceived family affluence and life satisfaction.
The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Decision-making Quality in Hospital Managers

Background and Objectives: Evidence increasingly highlights the impact of emotional intelligence in managers on the productivity and performance of their organizations. Given the importance of decision-making in the management process, this study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence and decision-making quality in hospital managers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 30 senior and junior hospital managers. The results were summarized using descriptive statistical methods. Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression analysis were employed to examine the influence of emotional intelligence on quality of decision making. Findings: A significant correlation between managers’ emotional intelligence and their quality of decision-making was identified (r = 0.40, P < 0.001). In addition, multivariate regression analysis indicated that solution finding by the hospital managers is influenced by their emotional intelligence (β = 0.72, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provided further evidence for the impact of emotional intelligence on quality of decision-making. Given that emotional intelligence is an acquirable skill, our results encourage hospital administrators to improve managers’ emotional intelligence to achieve a higher organizational performance in health settings.
Biotin Deficiency as a Target for Treating Restless Legs Syndrome in Chronic Dialysis Patients

Restless Legs Syndrome is a neuropathic disorder seen in end stage renal disease. Since biotin is dialyzable, we examined the relationship between biotin status and Restless Legs Syndrome in end stage renal disease (Study 1) and determined the effect of biotin supplementation on Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms (Study 2). Comparison of prevalence of biotin deficiency in those with and without Restless Legs Syndrome (Study 1) and randomized assignment, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of biotin supplementation (Study 2) were in a medical center’s outpatient dialysis unit. In Study 1, patients received chronic dialysis and routine biotin supplementation at ≈300 μg daily (10 times the recommended dietary allowance). In the intervention Study 2, biotin was supplemented at 10,000 μg daily for 8 weeks; the placebo group received ≈300 μg of biotin daily. Outcome was measured by Restless Legs Syndrome symptom score and biotin status as indicated by activation coefficient of the biotin-dependent enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In Study 1, patients with (n=30) were more likely than those without (n=19) Restless Legs Syndrome to be biotin deficient as judged by increased activation coefficient of propionyl-CoA carboxylase; mean (± 1SD) was 1.17 ± 0.65 vs. 0.87 ± 0.39, respectively (P=0.007). In Study 2, Restless Legs Syndrome score of the biotin group (n=16), improved from 20 ± 6 to 13 ± 11 (P=0.001). However, in the placebo group (n=15), Restless Legs Syndrome score also improved from 17 ± 8 to 12 ± 10 (P=0.01). Consequently, this change was not different between biotin and placebo. Mean activation coefficient of propionyl-CoA carboxylase of the biotin group (n=8) improved from 1.38 ± 0.76 to 0.81 ± 0.25 (P=0.01) and did not change in the placebo group (0.98 ± 0.44 vs. 1.17 ± 0.32; P=0.17). The improvement of biotin status and of Restless Legs Syndrome score with the 10,000 μg supplement suggests that large biotin supplements might be necessary to optimize biotin status in dialysis patients.
Managing in a 'quasi'- market: using cost structure information to provide insights from recent history.

1979 is regarded as a watershed in the way that public services operate. It was characterised by the setting of limits to the involvement of the state, placing the emphasis on public service provision and the role expected of its management. In the specific context of local government, the drive for efficient, customer-orientated services meant focusing on the pursuit of 'value-for-money' (VFM) and it was intended that this would take a variety of forms: changes to the sources of funding and controls over expenditure were accompanied by compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) and the deregulation of activities to encourage private sector competition. The implementation of such a policy was highly political, and very quickly gave rise to research examining its success or failure. Over a near thirty year period, a wealth of studies has been published on the effects of tendering and contracting out of service provision, and the level of efficiency gains achieved. However, resultant evidence has been ambivalent on success or failure, and has also focused primarily on the local authority as the provider of the service. An area that has been relatively starved of equivalent research has been the impact on those DLOs which have continued to trade and survive in the medium to long-term. This research paper is an attempt to begin the rectification of that imbalance as it focuses on: • evidence as it relates to the DLO (agent) rather than the local authority (principal). • the response of DLOs/DSOs to the introduction of a 'quasi- market' as discerned through an examination of their costs structures. • the extent to which other external factors such as party political control or geographical location accentuate or ameliorate the impact on the DLOs / DSOs cost structures either through or alongside the market. The findings, by their very nature, provide issues for management to reflect on, for policy making and for consideration in the context of the most recent Gershon efficiency agenda.
Response of North Atlantic Ocean Circulation to Atmospheric Weather Regimes

A new framework is proposed for investigating the atmospheric forcing of North Atlantic Ocean circulation. Instead of using classical modes of variability, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) or the east Atlantic pattern, the weather regimes paradigm was used. Using this framework helped avoid problems associated with the assumptions of orthogonality and symmetry that are particular to modal analysis and known to be unsuitable for the NAO. Using ocean-only historical and sensitivity experiments, the impacts of the four winter weather regimes on horizontal and overturning circulations were investigated. The results suggest that the Atlantic Ridge (AR), negative NAO (NAO−), and positive NAO (NAO+) regimes induce a fast (monthly-to-interannual time scales) adjustment of the gyres via topographic Sverdrup dynamics and of the meridional overturning circulation via anomalous Ekman transport. The wind anomalies associated with the Scandinavian blocking regime (SBL) are ineffective in driving a fast wind-driven oceanic adjustment. The response of both gyre and overturning circulations to persistent regime conditions was also estimated. AR causes a strong, wind-driven reduction in the strengths of the subtropical and subpolar gyres, while NAO+ causes a strengthening of the subtropical gyre via wind stress curl anomalies and of the subpolar gyre via heat flux anomalies. NAO− induces a southward shift of the gyres through the southward displacement of the wind stress curl. The SBL is found to impact the subpolar gyre only via anomalous heat fluxes. The overturning circulation is shown to spin up following persistent SBL and NAO+ and to spin down following persistent AR and NAO− conditions. These responses are driven by changes in deep water formation in the Labrador Sea.
The Role of Thrombopoietin in Disorders with Thrombocytosis; Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia and Reactive Thrombocytosis

The exact role of thrombopoietin (Tpo), the main regulator of thrombocytopoiesis, and its receptor, Mpl, in disorders with thrombocytosis is unknown. The current study shows that plasma Tpo levels were within the normal range or slightly elevated in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET), polycythaemia vera (PV) and reactive thrombocytosis (RT). In view of the highly elevated platelet counts in these patients, Tpo levels are relatively high. Analysis of the platelet Tpo content showed that this parameter was decreased in PV and ET compared with RT. Moreover, platelet counts and plasma Tpo levels were inversely correlated in these myeloproliferative disorders but were positively correlated in RT. In line with published observations on diminished Tpo-receptor expression on platelets from patients with PV or ET, we postulate that in these disorders Tpo clearance seems to be decreased due to a diminished Tpo uptake. In contrast, in RT, Tpo production might be increased under the influence of inflammatory cytokines.
Broadacre Farm Productivity and Profitability in South‐Western Australia

type="main" xml:id="ajar12040-abs-0001"> This paper examines broadacre farm performance in south-western Australia. This region has experienced pronounced climate variability and volatile commodity prices since the late 1990s. Relationships between productivity and profitability are explored using panel data from 47 farms in the study region. The data are analysed using nonparametric methods. By applying the Fare-Primont index method, components of farm productivity and profitability are measured over the period 1998–2008. Growth in productivity is found to be the main contributor of profitability. Gains in efficiency and technical change are identified as jointly and similarly important in their contribution to total factor productivity for the farm sample in the region from 1998 to 2008. However, across environments, efficiency gains play an increasingly important role in influencing productivity as growing season rainfall increases. We conclude that R,D&E that delivers further improvement in technical efficiency and technical change is needed to support the profitability of farms across the study region.
Palynomorphs’ response to sea-level fluctuations: a case study from Late Cretaceous – Paleocene, Gurpi Formation, SW Iran

Statistical studies on Palynology contents of Late Cretaceous to Paleocene age Gurpi Formation in a surface section in Zagros Basin,SW Iran indicate changes in abundance, species diversity, ratio of Spiniferites to Cyclonephelium (S/C), palynological marine index(PMI) values and organic facies. These palynological variations clearly reflect fluctuations in relative sea-level and depositionalenvironment and can be used for recognition and differentiation of systems tracts and key horizons such as flooding surfaces andsequence boundaries. Dramatic increase in PMI, dinoflagellate species diversity and S/C ratio associated with sedimentary faciesparameters indicate a marine transgressive systems tract while, a reduced species diversity, lower S/C ratio and PMI value along withincrease in abundance of phytoclasts and degraded land-plant materials are characteristics of marine regression. The variation trends ofthe palynological parameters when consecutive indicate a complete cycle of relative sea-level change. Abundance of Spiniferites,Achomosphaera, Areoligera, and Cleistosphaeridium species and presence of peridiniacean dinoflagellate cysts show a warm Tethyan,upper bathyal to middle shelf environment of deposition for the Gurpi Formation. The nine depositional sequences identified here canbe correlated to the global third-order sea-level cycles. The main regional sequence surfaces like K180 (maximum flooding surface) inthe Late Cretaceous sequences (68Ma) in northeast of Arabian Plate are recognizable here.
Etiological spectrum for dysphonia in a rural Indian treatment seeking population

Background: Aim of the study was to identify and analyse the etiological factors for dysphonia in a rural treatment seeking population in South India.Methods: 100 consenting patients presenting to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology in our rural hospital with change in voice for more than 4 weeks and undergoing detailed clinical evaluation including videolaryngoscopic examination and other relevant investigations to arrive at a definitive diagnosis, were included in a cross sectional descriptive clinical study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed. Results: Organic/structural and functional dysphonia constituted 87% and 13% of cases respectively. The commonest causes for dysphonia were laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) (35%), laryngeal/hypopharyngeal malignancies (16%) and vocal palsy/paresis (12%). The mean age of the study patients was 38.71±5.82 years. Majority (65%) were aged 21–50 years. Vocal palsy was identified in children aged 1–10 years (1%), and muscle tension dysphonia in those aged 11–20 years (2%). In individuals aged 21–50 years, LPRD (28%), functional dysphonia (9%), vocal nodules (8%) and vocal palsy (7%) were the most common causes. Laryngeal/hypopharyngeal malignancy (14%) was the commonest etiology identified in individuals aged ≥51 years. Male:female ratio was 1.1:1. The most frequently observed cause for dysphonia was laryngeal/hypopharyngeal malignancy (15%) in males, and LPRD (22%) in females.Conclusions: With its vast etiology, dysphonia is often just the “tip of the iceberg” for a much greater underlying disease process. This study serves as an insight into the possible differential diagnosis based on age, gender and geographic location of patients. As observed, the most common causes for dysphonia are LPRD and laryngeal/hypopharyngeal malignancies; both of which are amenable to prevention by lifestyle modification, early detection by appropriate clinical and investigative measures, and suitable treatment. Early and correct identification of the cause for dysphonia, enables early management, thereby reducing its associated morbidity and mortality.
Analysis of Agro-Chemical Inputs Use in Maize Production among Small-Scale Farmers in Iwo Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria

In spite of the development of various improved cultivars of maize, yield in Nigeria has continued to be hampered by the over cropped nature of most farmlands as well as a wide range of pests and diseases. This study therefore carried out an analysis of agro-chemical inputs’ use in maize production among small scale farmers in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between agro-chemical inputs’ use and maize yield in the study area. It determined the factors affecting agro-chemical inputs’ use and the major constraints to its usage. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 105 respondents obtained through a two stage random sampling procedure. Analytical tools employed for the study included Pearson Moment correlation and linear regression analysis. The study revealed a 78.5% positive and significant relationship between agro-chemical inputs’ use and maize yield (p< 0.01). High cost and irregularity of supplies, insufficient farm income and fear of health hazards were the major constraints to the use of agro-chemicals. The determinants of agro-chemical inputs’ use among the farmers were; farm size, income at p<0.01 and educational status and household size at p<0.1. The study concluded that a strong positive relationship existed between agro-chemical inputs’ use and maize yield in the study area. It is recommended that there should be guaranteed minimum price for agricultural produce and that farmers should be empowered to increase their farm size through agricultural mechanization.
The Experts, Explorers and Brokers: How Do U.S. Venture Capitalists ChoosePartners When They Expand into Europe?

We contrast the two dominant logics of alliance formation and partner selection: embeddednessaffiliation and unembeddedness-innovation, and posit that new entrants may follow one of these two logics depending on the level of market vs. firm uncertainty. Our analysis of U.S. venture capitalist firms’ entry into Europe during the period of the 1980s –2000s shows that the resulting network exhibited both the logic of embeddedness-affiliation practiced by VC firms acting as experts and the logic of unembeddedness- innovation practiced by VC firms acting as explorers. Finally, we contend that VCs acting as brokers helped increase the efficacy of information exchange by linking the experts and explorers into a more cohesive network.
Assessment on Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Improved Forage Production in South Tigray, Ethiopia

This paper was planned to analyze farmers’ willingness to adopt improved forage production that mainly aimed at identifying the social, institutional, economic and physical factors that affect the adoption and intensity of adoption for forage production; identifying farmers’ evaluation criteria for improved forage distribution and assessing alternative methods and strategies to enhance the use of improved forage varieties to improve the livestock feeding system. The data used for the empirical analysis was obtained from a survey of 56 household farmers in southern zone of Tigray. Kebeles and household farmers were selected using systematic random sampling and proportional sampling techniques and data was analyzed using a logistic regression model. The results of this study show that variables related to age, education level, land tenure, farm size and level of income do not significantly affect the degree to which improved forage production is adopted. Other empirical studies also show that age, education level, the salinity level of water and membership in a farmers’ association do not significantly influence the degree to which salt-tolerant forage production is adopted (Ali Chebil, etal.,2009). On the other hand, labor constraint, membership in a farmers’ organization and the rate of extension advises significantly affect forage crop production. These variables have significant and positive relationship with forage adoption. This indicates that farmers’ that were members of any local organization and those had the access for frequent extension advice in addition to own labor resources have better adopted. So, agricultural extension services should ensure that farmers’ participation in various local organizations and frequent extension advises has to be strengthened to encourage them to adopt forage production and pass on their knowledge to other farmers. Keywords: Adoption, feed, improved forage production, south Tigray
Habitat use and resource tracking by African Ceratogymna hornbills: implications for seed dispersal and forest conservation

Conservation of tropical forests requires an understanding of the seasonal patterns of abundance and distribution of important seed dispersers. In the forests of Central Africa, three species of hornbills in the genus Ceratogymna (Aves: Bucerotidae) provide dispersal for over 50 species of trees and lianas, yet their ecology is poorly known. We present the first empirical evidence for resource tracking and large‐scale movements by two of these species, which were previously considered resident. Hornbill numbers and fruit production were estimated over a one‐year period in the Dja Reserve, Cameroon. Monthly abundances of C. atrata and C. cylindricus varied four‐ and 12‐fold, respectively, and were predicted by community fruit availability as measured by fruitfall on a 4.3 km trail. In contrast, C. fistulator abundances varied little and were not related to fruit availability. Synchronous population fluctuations in sites 22 km distant were observed for atrata and cylindricus, but not for fistulator. Together, these results indicate that atrata and cylindricus populations track fruit resources via seasonal emigrations, while the fistulator population appears to be relatively sedentary. Comparisons of hornbill densities in primary and secondary forests suggest that they are important dispersers in both habitats, and will likely play larger roles in central African forest regeneration as more vulnerable seed dispersers are removed by hunting. If large seasonal movements of hornbills turn out to be a general phenomenon, effective management of central African forest reserves will require greater emphasis on reserve connectivity and on seasonal and spatial patterns of fruit production.