Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromosomes of Archaeogastropoda (Mollusca : Prosobranchia), with Some Remarks on Their Cytotaxonomy and Phylogeny

Karyotype of 27 species of eight archaeogastropod families were investigated. Including these results, karyological information on the Archaeogastropoda was reviewed based on the data stored in CISMOCH (Computerized Index System for Molluscan Chromosomes). Conservation in chromosome number and morphology has been urged and was confirmed in major archaeogastropod groups: Patellacea (Acmaeidae and Patellidae), Neritacea (marine neritids) and Trochacea (Trochidae, Turbinidae and Stomatellidae). These archaeogastropods have certain characteristic karyotypes including chromosome number, size and morphology. Remarkable diversification in karyotype has occurred primarily in special groups having a secondary limpet-form or expanding from the sea to brackish/fresh-water areas. No results have been obtained in support of the hypotheses on an evolutionary tendency of change in chromosome number, while evolutionary polyploidy is hypothesized to have occurred in a hermaphroditic ancestor at a very early stage of gastropod radiation.
Risk considerations and Southland farmers

Results from a recent survey suggest that Southland farmers perceive their farm businesses as being risky, and that this risk has increased significantly over the past decade. More importantly, they perceive that their ability to control these risk factors is limited. It may be argued that a number of potential risk amelioration strategies will not be considered by the majority of farmers as these strategies conflict with some important non-economic farming goals. As a result, any policy initiative which is designed to reduce or limit the risks faced by farmers should be based on a sound understanding of the likely reactions of those farmers.
Shape Classification Based on Normalized Distance and Angle Histograms Using PNN

This study presents an attempt to develop a reliable computerized algorithm, which could classify images into predetermined classes. For this purpose, the histogram of the normalized distance between each two points of the image (algorithm I) and the histogram of normalized distances between three points and the normalized angle of the image edge points (algorithm II) are analyzed. The probabilistic neural network (PNN) is implemented to do shape classification. Our proposed approach is tested on ten classes of MPEG-7 image database. It has been shown that feature extraction based on the distance histogram (algorithm I and algorithm II) is efficient due to its potential to preserve interclass and intra-class variation. In addition, these algorithms ensur invariance to geometric transformations (e.g. translation, rotation and scaling). The best classification accuracy is achieved by eight classes with the total accuracy of 90% and 92.5% for algorithm I and algorithm II, respectively. The reported experiment reveal that the proposed classification algorithm could be useful in the study of MPEG-7 shapes.
THE EFFECTS OF RISKFACTOR OF PREGNANCY PERIOD ON INFANT’S WEIGHT

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the most important causes of mortality in newborns, therefore identifying the associated risk factors is of crucial necessity. Objective: To investigate the risk factors among women during the pregnancy leading to delivery of a LBW infants. Methods: This was a case-control study in which the data from 191 infants characteristic of LBW as cases (chosen out of a total of 203) and 199 normal infants as controls were compared . Controls were intentionally chosen to be the next live birth to the LBW infant. Statistical univariate analyses were performed using t-test and χ test. Also, Multiple Logistic Regression was employed to identify the risk factors associated with LBW. Findings: Univariate analysis showed that LBW was related to gestational age (p<0.001), mother's weight (p=0.004), mother's higth (p=0.001), mother's age (p=0.040), history of chronic desease in mother (p=0.026), bleeding during pregnancy (p=0.007), mother's education level (p =0.003), and birth order (p=0.047). Logistic Regression (multivariable analysis) revealed that, in presence of all factors, LBW was only associated with gestational age, mother's higth , bleeding durring pregnancy, and the history of chronic desease in mother with odd ratios of 1.77 , 1.90 , 0.60 , 0.66, respectively, Conclusion: Increased gestational age, appropriate management of bleeding durring pregnancy and also of mothers' chronic desease could reduce the chance of LBW.
A Morphological Study on the Venom Apparatus of the Spider Agelena labyrinthica (Araneae, Agelenidae)

The morphology of the venom apparatus of the spider Agelena labyrinthica was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The venom apparatus, situated in the anterior of the prosoma, is composed of a pair of chelicerae and venom glands. Each chelicera consists of two parts, a stout basal segment covered by hair, and a movable articulated fang. There are regular, parallel fine grooves on the surface of the cheliceral fang. The venom pore is situated on the subterminal portion of the fang. All of the venom glands are the same size and are shaped like long tubes. Each gland is surrounded by bundles of muscular fibers. Venom is produced in the venom glands, and it is carried by a venom duct passing through the chelicera, exiting from the venom pore during muscular contraction.
Activity patterns of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Slovenia and Croatia

In most of Europe, true wilderness areas do not exist and brown bears Ursus arctos generally have to cope with human disturbance and infrastructure. The few studies in Europe that have investigated brown bear activity have demonstrated a predominantly nocturnal and ‘shy’ behaviour in bears. There is still quite a debate on whether the shy, nocturnal bears of Europe are the result of centuries of persecution by men (genetically fixed trait) or whether hunting and the high disturbance potential in the multi-use landscapes are the driving force (individually learnt trait). We analysed the activity pattern of 16 individual bears monitored for 3372 h between May and October 1982–1998 in the Dinaric Mountains of Slovenia and Croatia. The data were collected via time sampling and basically analysed using two approaches: a general linear model with seasonal component to delineate the most important variables influencing the activity pattern and level and cluster analysis to group bears according to their 24-h activity pattern. Time of day and age were the most important variables predicting activity. Although individual variation in the activity pattern was high among individual bears, in general, yearlings were more diurnal and had a less distinct difference between dayand night-time activity levels than adult bears. Subadults were somewhat intermediate to adults and yearlings. We believe that nocturnal behaviour is most likely driven through negative experiences with humans, giving space for much individual variation. More research is needed to prove the causal relationship of nocturnal behaviour and the degree of disturbance that an individual bear is exposed to.
The Effectiveness of Scrophularia Striata on Newcastle Disease

In this study pigeons were infected with field isolate of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) made in to 0.1 ml dilution. The experimental groups consisted of 75 racing pigeon were divided into three groups. Group 1 remained as control; Group 2 was infected with the field isolated of NDV Newcastle disease virus. After experimental infection group 2 was treated with combination of Ox tetracycline and Doxocycline. In group 3. Group 3 after experimental infection was treated with ethanol plant extract of Scrophularia Striata. Clinical signs and severe depression were observed by day 4 th post infection in all experimental pigeons. By on necropsy analysis, hemorrhagic lesions were indicated in heart, brain, with patches of necrotic epithelial cells and multifocal areas of lymphocytic infiltrates in the mucosal patches cranial trachea. Kidney, liver, pancreas, brain, gastrointestinal tract, spleens had extensive zones of necrosis. Lymphoid depletion with necrosis was observed in all lymphoid tissue in infected pigeons. The carcasses of the birds were thin and dehydrated. After therapeutic trail group 3 birds treated with plant extraction of Scrophularia striata. Out of pigeons, 9 survived. The activity of Scrophularia striata on bacteria inhibition was measured by zone inhibition range (39 - 8 mg/ml Stphylococcus aureus; 36 - 9 mg/ml Enterococcus faecalis; 16 - 34 mg/ml, control Gentamicine). These findings suggest that Scrophularia striata plant extract, had 36% effectiveness on Newcastle disease in racing pigeon. This available traditional herb extract can be considered as a novel therapeutic approach against NDV.
Inhibition of marine photosynthesis by ultraviolet radiation: Variable sensitivity of phytoplankton in the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence during the austral spring

To assess the potential impacts of ozone depletion on photosynthesis in the Southern Ocean, we need to know more about effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on phytoplankton in Antarctic waters, where, in addition to variable stratospheric ozone, temporal and regional differences in vertical mixing might influence photosynthesis and photoacclimation of phytoplankton assemblages. Toward this end, we quantified the responses to UV of Antarctic phytoplankton in the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence during the austral spring of 1993. Experimental results on spectral sensitivity of photosynthesis were fit statistically to a model that incorporated uninhibited photosynthesis as a function of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), wavelength‐dependence of inhibition, and the kinetics of photosynthesis during exposure to UV. In contrast to previous results on UV‐induced photoinhibition in a diatom culture at 20°C natural phytoplankton from open waters of the Antarctic showed no ability to counter UV‐induced inhibition of photosynthesis during exposures of 0.5–4 h: the rate of photosynthesis declined exponentially as a function of cumulative exposure, and inhibition was not reversed during incubations for up to 3.5 h under benign conditions. The results suggest that nonlinear exposure‐response relationships are necessary for modeling UV dependent photosynthesis in the surface mixed layer of the springtime Weddell‐Scotia Confluence. Consequently, we modified our laboratory‐based model of photosynthesis and photoinhibition to describe photoinhibition as a nonlinear function of biologically weighted cumulative exposure to damaging irradiance. The model described ˜90% of the spectrally dependent experimental variation in photosynthetic rate, and yielded six biological weighting functions (BWFs) for phytoplankton in the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence. Assemblages from different stations showed substantial variability in sensitivity to UV. Tolerance of UV was generally highest in assemblages from shallower mixed layers, which presumably had experienced higher irradiance, including UV, prior to sampling. The BWFs of assemblages that seemed acclimated to low irradiance showed the highest sensitivity to UV yet seen for Southern Ocean phytoplankton. The pattern of UV sensitivity was consistent with acclimation, but also with selection against less tolerant species.
ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF BIOGAS FUEL IN MODERN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES

Limited fossil fuel supplies and the necessary reduction in toxic fumes emission to the atmosphere are themain motives in conducting a search for the new, effective energy supplies. The one with potential is biogas. It is theproduct of natural fermentation processes of municipal waste in landfills or is produced in biogas plants out of agriculturaland green waste. Due to creation under different conditions, its chemical composition varies. This is enormousobstacle in its effective application. Biogas is easily applied to fuel spark-ignition engines however intensive attemptsare made to employ it in much more effective compression-ignition engines. Application of biogas require the use ofdual-fuel CI engine. The point of the research described in this paper is to show the influence of different methanecarbondioxide composition ratio in biogas on dual-fuel CI engine effectiveness. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017. 035
The stratigraphy of the mid Cretaceous (Albian) Upper Greensand Formation of the Wessex Basin and South West England, UK

The Upper Greensand Formation, mostly capped by the Chalk, crops out on the edges of a broad, dissected plateau in Devon, west Dorset and south Somerset and has an almost continuous outcrop that runs from the Isle of Purbeck to the Vale of Wardour in south Wiltshire. The Formation is well exposed in cliffs in east Devon and the Isle of Purbeck, but is poorly exposed inland. It comprises sandstones and calcarenites with laterally and stratigraphically variable amounts of carbonate cement, glauconite and chert. The sedimentology and palaeontology indicate deposition in marginal marine-shelf environments that were at times subject to strong tidal and wave-generated currents. The formation of the Upper Greensand successions in the region was influenced by penecontem-poraneous movements on major fault zones, some of which are sited over E-W trending Variscan thrusts in the basement rocks and, locally, on minor faults. Comparison of the principal sedimentary breaks in the succession with the sequence boundaries derived from world-wide sea-level curves suggests that local tectonic events mask the effects of any eustatic changes in sea level. The preserved fauna is unevenly distributed, both laterally and stratigraphically. Bivalves, gastropods and echinoids are common at some horizons but are not age-diagnostic. Ammonites are common at a few stratigraphically narrowly defined horizons, but are rare or absent throughout most of the succession. As a result, the age of parts of the succession is still poorly known.
Taiwanese Preschool and Elementary Teachers Beliefs about Discipline,Students, and Teaching Practices

East Asian children are among the top academically performing students in the world (OECD, 2010), yet research examining teaching that leads to this success has just begun to identify beliefs. The present study investigated Taiwanese teachers’ beliefs about discipline, students, and teaching practices in preschool (N=98) and elementary school (N=251). Results indicated two-three dominant viewpoints on each topic within each sample and emphasized beliefs about the importance of controlling behaviors, caring about students, and role modeling. In most cases, teachers’ background and classroom characteristics did not relate to beliefs. We discuss findings within and between samples, as well as implications.
Effect of internal controls on credit risk among listed Spanish banks

Purpose: The paper examines the effectiveness of internal control systems, explores the exposure of Spanish banks to the dangers of default as a result of internal control systems and establishes a relationship between internal controls and credit risk. Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative research approach is used to test hypotheses on the relationship between internal controls and credit risk among listed banks in Spain. Data from Bankscope and company websites from 2004-2013 were used. Generalized Least Squares (random effect) econometric estimation technique was used for the model. Findings: We find that internal control systems are in place but their effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. This exposes Spanish listed banks to serious default situations. There is significant effect of internal controls on credit risk especially the control environment, risk management, control activities and monitoring. The non-disclosure of material internal control weakness is a contributory factor to the ineffective internal control systems. There is however a perceived board ineffectiveness which does not augur well for effective internal control systems. Board characteristics for Spanish banks confirm the agency theory. Research Limitations and Implications: Data unavailability for certain years, variables and many inactive banks did not permit a larger sample size than expected. The use of quantitative variables lacks flexibility. Practical Implications: Bank management will find the work useful to ensure strict enforcement of internal control mechanisms and see it as both credit risk and operational risk issues. Central bank should hurry to compel banks to disclose material internal control weakness as provided in the reviewed COSO framework. Social Implications: Ineffective internal controls lead to credit risks, bank closure and loss of investments. Society suffers a lot from such losses and contagion. Disclosure of material internal control weakness is a social responsibility of banks. Originality/Value: The authors are yet to come across the use of purely quantitative variables to model the effect of elements of internal controls on credit risk. This study opens and adds a new dimension of internal controls not only to be seen as operational risk issue but also credit risk.
THE ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY USING MIND MAP IN BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSE

Process of learning which generally practiced nowadays is mostly in the form of face-to-face (lecturing) and one way communication. Sometimes the students are given tasks to fulfill the material target in one semester such as papers, internet-based summary, and/or other articles. Such things cause learners accustomed to convergent thinking and not to divergent thinking. Mind map is one of creative products which conducted by learners in learning process. Learning with mind map focuses more on the activeness and creative activity of the students. It will improve their ability to memorize and strengthen concept understanding of the student, and improve their creative thinking ability. This research was focused to analysis the creative thinking skills students using mind mapping in biotechnology course. The participant was students of Biology Education (N=55) consisting of two team that was team A (N=25) and team B (N=30). The result showed gain value of each team of creative thinking skills which were: team A (0.62) with three category: low (8%), average (40%), and high (52%). Team B (0,04) with three category: low (80%), average (10%) and high (10%).
Resolving fine-scale spatio-temporal dynamics in the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena

With the development of human activities in offshore shelf waters, the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena has become a focal species in relation to management of human activities and marine habitat conservation efforts. In this study, acoustic and visual time series of harbour porpoise occurrence were analysed from the Horns Reef area, eastern North Sea, aiming at resolving periodic- ity, spatial scale of aggregation and habitat drivers in porpoises. A total of 51 fine-scale surveys and 474 d of hydrophone deployment at 2 stations were analysed by partial least squares regression and spatial modelling in relation to synoptic (spatio-temporal) data derived from a local, high-resolution hydrodynamic model. Small-scale changes in local currents reflecting upwelling driven by the inter- action of the semi-diurnal tidal currents with the steep slopes of the bank were the main habitat driver identified from the acoustic as well as the survey data. Spatial modelling based on selected key predic- tor variables showed the distribution of harbour porpoises to alternate between 2 upwelling cells de- pending on the direction of tidal currents. The size of upwelling cells was less than 10 km, matching the small-scale spatial structure of survey data as revealed by geostatistical analysis. The findings may have great implications for the design of future protected areas for harbour porpoises, and they indi- cate that the overlap between areas of concentration of the species and areas targeted by fisheries and the offshore wind industry could be avoided without major changes to current management practices.
AMEE Guide No. 18: Standard setting in student assessment

Licensure, credentialling and academic institutions are seeking new innovative approaches to the assessment of professional competence. Central to these recent initiatives is the need to determine standards of performance, which separate the competent from the non-competent candidate. Setting standards for performance assessment is a relatively new area of study. Consequently, there is no one recommended approach to setting standards. The goal of this guide is to familiarize the reader with the framework, principles, key concepts and practical considerations of standard setting approaches and to enable the reader to make 'educated' choices in selecting the most appropriate standard setting approach for their testing needs.
Tropical Spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis L.) Control and Emergence Patterns in Preemergence Herbicide Systems

Tropical spiderwort is an exotic, invasive weed in the southern USA that has become one of the most troublesome cotton weeds in Georgia and Florida. Due to the continuous emergence pattern of tropical spiderwort, successful management will require a multi-component approach that includes an effective herbicide with soil residual activity. Field studies were conducted in Georgia and North Carolina to evaluate the effectiveness of several preemergence herbicides in suppressing tropical spiderwort emergence. The most effective (> = 80% control) herbicides in 2002 at 6 wk after treatment (WAT) were clomazone at 0.42 and 1.05 kg ai/ha, fluometuron at 1.68 kg ai/ha, and s-metholachlor at 1.07 and 1.60 kg ai/ha. In 2003 and 2004, only s-metolachlor at 1.60 kg/ha controlled tropical spiderwort >80%. Because of soil type restrictions in 2003 and 2004, lower rates of fluometuron were used, and tropical spiderwort control was reduced 24 to 49%. Diuron, flumioxazin, norflurazon, and prometryn provided <70% control. Linear relationships were observed for tropical spiderwort emergence over time during the first 80 d after planting (DAP) for the herbicides evaluated. Rates of tropical spiderwort emergence for most treatments were similar to the untreated control (1.61% per day). Flumioxazin at 0.035 kg/ha (1.22% per day) and s-metolachlor at 1.07 and 1.60 kg/ha (0.73 and 0.50% per day, respectively) had lower rates of emergence than the untreated control. The time at which 40% of the total emergence for the season in the untreated control occurred was termed the E40. Application of s-metolachlor at 1.07 kg/ha delayed E40 populations by 21 d relative to the untreated control, while s-metolachlor at 1.60 kg/ha suppressed emergence below the E40 until cotton canopy closure in Georgia. The application of herbicides with soil residual activity will be crucial for management of tropical spiderwort.