Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micro-State Dependent Perceptual Discrimination in a Metacontrast Masking Paradigm

We used EEG to investigate aware perceptual discrimination thresholds as a function of pre-stimulus microstates. We employed a forced-choice discrimination task in which one of two possible targets were presented followed by a metacontrast mask. On each trail subjects indicated which target they saw and how aware they were of it. We found two microstates that doubly dissociated the aware and unaware correct trials. Their concomitant source differences found increased current density in cuneus before unaware trials. Analysis of stimulus ERPs revealed no significant surface differences between conditions. However in response-locked ERPs two topographies appeared only before unaware responses. Source differences involved a fronto-parietal network including Anterior Cingulate. We conclude that activity in early visual cortex before unaware trials prevents the upcoming stimulus to activate this area enough to ensure perception and that after response execution unaware trials elicit conflict monitoring (ACC) probably because they are treated as errors.
Effect of Fuel wood on the Quality of Smoked Freshwater Fish Species Sold in Tamale Central Market, Northern Region, Ghana

The study was conducted in Tamale and three villages around it. The method involved processing and smoking some raw freshwater fish species with different fuel wood species to ascertain the quality of the smoked products. A market survey was conducted to match the quality of the smoked products with those sold on the market and determine consumer preference on the Tamale Central Market (TCM). The results indicate that eight locally available fuel wood species produced preferred colours in the smoked fish; and have been classified as good fuel wood; while two imparted least preferred colours, and are considered bad fuel wood. All the fuel wood species had high relative efficiency (>5.5%). Thirty-one smoked freshwater fish species, belonging to 21 families were sold on the TCM. These come from 9 sources. Yeji supplied the highest quantity. Smoked freshwater fish species make a significant contribution to the economy of the Tamale Metropolis.
The effectiveness of technology based (interactive) distance learning methods in a large South African financial services organisation

The trend towards technology-based learning (or ‘e-learning’) is increasing, driven largely by anecdotal evidence of advantages. This article compares the effectiveness of the technology supported learner driven distance learning methods to the ‘traditional’ classroom based teaching model and the simulation model. The results of the training methods on a sample of cashiers in a major South African bank are compared and the study finds that there were significant differences between the outcomes of three methods of training that had an impact on performance and knowledge retention with classroom based learning having the greatest impact. *To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
Brackets in representation algebras of Hopf algebras

For any graded bialgebras $A$ and $B$, we define a commutative graded algebra $A_B$ representing the functor of $B$-representations of $A$. When $A$ is a cocommutative graded Hopf algebra and $B$ is a commutative ungraded Hopf algebra, we introduce a method deriving a Gerstenhaber bracket in $A_B$ from a Fox pairing in $A$ and a balanced biderivation in $B$. Our construction is inspired by Van den Bergh's non-commutative Poisson geometry, and may be viewed as an algebraic generalization of the Atiyah--Bott--Goldman Poisson structures on moduli spaces of representations of surface groups.
An Assessment of Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Eating Attitudes Among College Students

Abstract Background: Disordered eating patterns continue to surface on college campuses. Studies are needed to examine the potential influence of emotional intelligence on disordered eating behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between perceived emotional intelligence factors and eating disorder symptoms among male and female college students. Methods: A convenience sample (N = 418) of college students completed online surveys consisting of items from the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Results: Inverse relationships existed between: (1) clarity (i.e., TMMS factor involving the capacity to comprehend one's mood) and bulimia/food preoccupation (r =-0.177, P = 0.001) and (2) repair (i. e., TMMS factor involving the capacity to fix unfavorable moods or sustain favorable ones) and bulimia/food preoccupation (r = -0.151, P = 0.004). Females scored higher than males on dieting (M = 28.80 and M = 19.38, respectively), bulimia/food preoccupation (M = 8.27 and M = 4.56, respectively), oral control (M = 9.92 and M = 8.65, respectively), and total eating attitudes (M = 46.99 and M = 32.51, respectively). Gender was the only significant predictor of dieting, and was the most significant predictor of bulimia/food preoccupation, oral control (i.e., a factor potentially indicative of healthy eating behaviors), and total eating attitudes. Discussion: Results confirm gender differences regarding eating disorder symptoms and indicate that low levels of perceived emotional intelligence (i.e., clarity and repair) are associated with greater risks for bulimia/food preoccupation. Translation to Health Education Practice: Future research is needed to investigate factors that protect males from developing eating disorder symptoms. Health educators need to recognize the potential efficacy of incorporating emotional intelligence factors into eating disorder prevention programs and teach individuals skills for healthy coping.
Deterministic prediction of surface wind speed variations 1421

Accurate prediction of wind speed is an important aspect of various tasks related to wind energy management such as wind turbine predictive control and wind power scheduling. The most typical characteristic of wind speed data is its persistent temporal variations. Most of the techniques reported in the literature for prediction of wind speed and power are based on statistical methods or probabilistic distribution of wind speed data. In this paper we demonstrate that deterministic forecasting methods can make accurate short-term predictions of wind speed using past data, at locations where the wind dynamics exhibit chaotic behaviour. The predictions are remarkably accurate up to 1 h with a normalised RMSE (root mean square error) of less than 0.02 and reasonably accurate up to 3 h with an error of less than 0.06. Repeated application of these methods at 234 different geographical locations for predicting wind speeds at 30-day intervals for 3 years reveals that the accuracy of prediction is more or less the same across all locations and time periods. Comparison of the results with f-ARIMA model predictions shows that the deterministic models with suitable parameters are capable of returning improved prediction accuracy and capturing the dynamical variations of the actual time series more faithfully. These methods are simple and computationally efficient and require only records of past data for making short-term wind speed forecasts within practically tolerable margin of errors.
Organizational Characteristics and Disclosure Practices of Non-profit Organizations in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of organizational characteristics on the extent of disclosures in the annual reports of non-profit organizations (NPO) in Malaysia. Organizational characteristics and the extent of disclosures are obtained from the content analysis of annual reports of 213 NPOs registered with Registrar of Societies in Malaysia for the financial period 2010. This study provides evidence that the overall extent of disclosure is low. Of the organizational characteristics, this study revealed significant positive relationships between size and some types of funds available to the NPOs. The significant positive relationships between certain types of funds and extent of disclosures in some parts of the annual reports indicate selective disclosure strategies by non-profit managers, thus reducing meaningful transparency in the non-profit sector. Nevertheless, it indicates that non-profit managers are using disclosures in annual reports in managing their inter-organizational relationships in ensuring continuous flow of resources to their organisations.
The nature of optical and near-infrared variability of BL Lacertae

Context. Since 1997, BL Lacertae has undergone a phase of high optical activity, with the occurrence of several prominent outbursts. Starting in 1999, the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) consortium has organised various multifrequency campaigns on this blazar, collecting tens of thousands of data points. One of the main issues in the analysis of this huge dataset has been the study of colour variability. Aims. The immense amount of optical and near-infrared data collected during the campaigns enables us to perform a thorough analysis of multiband data, with the aim to understand the flux variability mechanisms. Methods. We use a new approach for the analysis of these data, focusing on the source spectral evolution. Results. We show that the overall behaviour of the BL Lacertae light and colour curves can be explained in terms of a changing viewing angle of a moving, discrete emitting region, which causes variable Doppler boosting of the corresponding radiation. Conclusions. A fractal helical structure is suggested to be at the origin of the different time scales of variability.
ExELS: an exoplanet legacy science proposal for the ESA Euclid mission – I. Cold exoplanets

The Euclid mission is the second M-class mission of the ESA Cosmic Vision programme, with the principal science goal of studying dark energy through observations of weak lensing and baryon acoustic oscillations. Euclid is also expected to undertake additional Legacy Science programmes. One such proposal is the Exoplanet Euclid Legacy Survey (ExELS) which will be the first survey able to measure the abundance of exoplanets down to Earth mass for host separations from �1 AU out to the free-floating (unbound) regime. The cold and free-floating exoplanet regimes represent a crucial dis covery space for testing planet formation theories. ExELS will use the gravitational microlensing technique and will detect over 400 microlensing events per month over 1.6 deg 2 of the Galactic bulge. We assess how many of these events will have detectable planetary signatures u sing a detailed multi-wavelength microlensing simulator — the Manchester-Besanc microLensing Simulator (MaBµLS) —
Effect of salinity and silicon application on photosynthetic characteristics of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L

-1 ), two levels of Si (1.44 and 1.92 g.kg -1 soil) application and control (0 g.kg -1 soil) arranged as a split, split plot design. Salinity significantly decreased photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll a (Cha), chlorophyll b (Chb), and dry matter accumulation (DM) of the sorghum plants, indicating that plants suffered from stress. In addition, salinity imposed a remarkable decrease on variable fluorescence (Fv) and quantum yield. At highest level of salinity supply of 1.92 g.kg -1 soil Si, alleviated negative effects of salinity and increased photosynthetic rate (24%), transpiration rate (19%), quantum yield (38%), total pigments (22%) and dry matter accumulation (65%) compare with 1.44 g.kg -1 soil Si application. Correlation between shoot dry weight, Cha and Chb were no significant. In the relative salt sensitive CV (Sepideh) leaf Cha, Chb content and Cha/Chb, was higher than salt tolerance CV (Omidbakhsh), however, Omidbakhsh showed higher photosynthetic rate and dry matter accumulation.
Structure and distribution of the slope fish community in the vicinity of the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Archipelago

Demersal fish community structure, distribution and trophic relationships on the slope (depth range 200–1500 m) of the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands and surrounding sea rises were investigated during a pilot survey conducted in April 2001 onboard fishing vessel MV Iris. A total of 56 fish taxa were collected during the survey, of which 44 were identified to the species level, seven to the genus level and five to the family level. Among the identified taxa, 36 constituted new records for the area investigated. Total catch per unit effort (cpue) during the survey ranged from 1·1 to 241·2 individuals h−1. Both average fish diversity and total cpue positively correlated with trawling depth. Overall, mean sampling depth and near-bottom temperature explained 56% of total fish cpue. Hierarchal cluster analysis identified three distinct fish assemblages with pronounced dominant species. Major shifts in fish community composition occurred at 500–600 m and 800–900 m depth strata and could probably be a result of physical and biological vertical zonation. Analysis of the diet of selected fish species showed that they were generalist feeders, consuming predominantly pelagic, including epipelagic, meso- and benthopelagic, prey. Diets of six species and nitrogen stable isotope signatures of 22 species revealed that with a few exceptions most fishes occupied the fourth trophic level and were tertiary consumers. Wide variability in carbon isotopic signatures is discussed with respect to alternative, e.g. possible importance of high Antarctic and chemoautotrophic v. photoautotrophic sub-Antarctic primary production, organic matter sources at the base of deep-sea food webs.
A quantitative comparison of stimulation and post-processing thermographic inspection methods applied to aeronautical carbon fibre reinforced polymer

Active thermographic inspection is a very powerful tool for many areas of science. However, there is no agreement about the proper stimulation and post-processing method for a particular material and defect type, which forces technicians to carry out trial and error tests. This study presents a comparison of three stimulation and six post-processing thermographic inspection methods applied to aeronautical carbon fibre reinforced polymer with different kind of simulated defects. The obtained results have been quantitatively assessed using the signal-to-noise ratio metric. Conclusions provide recommendations for technicians interested in thermographic inspection of this type of material.
Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma viride on growth performance of Salvia officinalis Linn.

Salvia officinalis (Sage) is a popular kitchen herb, member of mint (Lamiaceae) family has been cultivated for its wide range of medicinal values. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are beneficial symbionts for plant growth and development and offer a viable replacement of high input agricultural technology employed for production of environmentally hazardous fertilizers. Therefore, the present study was focused to analyze the effect of two AM fungi (Acalospora laevis and Glomus mosseae) along with Trichoderma viride, alone and in combination, on different growth parameters of S.officinalis in a green house pot experiment with sterilized soil. AM inoculum and T.viride showed significant increase of different growth parameters after 45 and 90 days of inoculation. Among all treatments, dual combination of A.laevis plus T.viride was most effective in increasing shoot length, leaf area, root length, root weight, AM spore number and percent root colonization. Moreover, maximum increase in shoot biomass was found in plant treated with T.viride.
Cognitive Development and Learning in Mildly Handicapped Bilingual Children.

The theoretical background and empirical studies concerned with the relationshir between language and cognition in bilingual children and in bilingua2 mildly retarded children are examined. It is suggested that the effects of bilingualism are not necessarily detrimental to mildly handicappe children. Cognitive and interactional factors in the acquisition of literacy are discussed in the context of previous research and of observations of an ongoing investigation in a self-contained classroom composed of bilingual mildly handicapped children (grades 4-6). Here the instructional approach emphasizes the acquisition of writing skills through interaction in meaningful learning activities (journal writing). A reconceptualization of the teaching/learning process as a mutually constructed, interactive activity is advocated as holding much promise in the development of effective instructional options for bilingual handicapped students. (JW) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions ;uupplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ***********************************************************************
INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF VEGETATION AND PREDATORS ON THE SUCCESS OF NATURAL AND SIMULATED NESTS OF GRASSLAND SONGBIRDS

Abstract We examined the influence of vegetation and predator community on nesting success of songbirds in the grasslands of eastern North Dakota, USA. Each year, eight sites were chosen: four were subject to predator removal, and four were non-removal sites. On each site, nests of grassland songbirds were monitored, and simulated nests were used to examine how vegetation characteristics at nests affect nest success. Vegetative characteristics at simulated nests did not differ from those at natural nests, but successful natural nests had greater forb and lesser grass cover than unsuccessful nests, whereas no differences in vegetation were detected between successful and depredated simulated nests. On non-removal sites, small mammals and ground squirrels (Spermophilus sp.) depredated nests in taller and denser cover when compared to nests destroyed by medium-sized mammals and birds. On removal sites, we found no difference in vegetation characteristics of nests depredated by different predator types. However, each group of mammalian predators depredated simulated nests with different vegetation characteristics on removal versus non-removal sites. On sites where predators were removed, small mammals and ground squirrels preyed on simulated nests in shorter vegetation containing fewer forbs, ground squirrels preyed on nests with higher grass cover and lower vertical density, and medium-sized carnivores preyed on nests in taller vegetation. These results support the hypothesis that high predator diversity may reduce the chance of “safe” nest sites, and suggest that the behavior of low-level predators may change when top-level predators are removed.
Drone flight times confirm the species status of Apis nigrocincta Smith, 1861 to be a species distinct from Apis cerana F, 1793, in Sulawesi, Indonesia

La decouverte recente de deux formes distinctes d'abeilles melliferes nidifiant dans des cavites a Sulawesi (fig 1) nous a incites a etudier la periode de vols des mâles afin de determiner le statut taxonomique d'A nigrocincta. On a releve les vols des mâles de quatre colonies d'A cerana et de cinq d'A nigrocincta en trois sites differents comprenant deux zones de sympatrie (tableau 1). Dans tous les sites les mâles du morphe cerana volaient significativement plus tot (p < 0,0001), l'heure moyenne se situant environ 2,4 heures plus tot pour les mâles cerana que pour les mâles nigrocincta. Quelques mâles nigrocincta volant de bonne heure ont cause un petit chevauchement dans la distribution des periodes de vol des deux morphes (fig 2). La periode de vol et la duree des vol de mâles differaient significativement d'un site a l'autre (tableau Il et fig 2), les vols ayant lieu generalement plus tot dans les sites plus eleves (plus froids). Ces donnees soutiennent fortement la conclusion selon laquelle les morphes representent deux especes distinctes, puisque la repartition temporelle des vols de mâles est separee. D'apres les etudes morphometriques et genetiques il est evident que le morphe le plus gros et le plus jaune correspond a une espece non encore reconnue, qui fut autrefois decrite sous le nom d'A nigrocincta par F Smith en 1861.
Prescription pattern of unlicensed and off-label medicines for children aged 0 - 5 years in a tertiary hospital and a primary health care centre in Nigeria

Results. The 531 children included in the study received 2 190 prescriptions during the study period. Of these 446 (20.4%) were for unlicensed use and 470 (21.5%) for off-label use. The most common form of unlicensed medicine use was modification of licensed dosage forms (e.g. crushing of tablets to make suspensions), while the most frequent pattern of off-label use was using doses other than those recommended for the paediatric age categories. Conclusion. Unlicensed and off-label medicines are widely used for children in the centres studied. Further research on this subject is recommended in other parts of Nigeria and Africa.
Impacts of Hymenolepis diminuta (benign helminth worm) colonization on chronic pain and the central nervous system in Sprague Dawley rats

3 Introduction.4 Background.9 Methods and Results Experiment 1: Two 4-0 Suture CCI.12 Experiment 2: Two 4-0 Suture CCI Followed by Morphine Injections.19 Experiment 3: One 6-0 Suture CCI.22 Experiment 4: Two 4-0 Suture CCI Following Voluntary Wheel Running.25 Experiment 5: Four 4-0 Suture CCI.27 Experiment 6: Two 4-0 Suture CCI, Females.29 Experiment 7: Analysis of Hippocampus mRNA.31 Discussion.36 Acknowledgements.40 References.42
Bend scour reduction induced by an air-bubble screen under live-bed conditions

Open-channel bends are characterized by complex interactions between streamwise flow, curvature-induced secondary flow and bed morphology. These bend effects cause erosion near the outer bank, and deposition near the inner bank. Previous laboratory experiments in a sharply curved flume with a mobile bed under clear-water scour conditions have shown that an air-bubble screen generated with a porous tube on the bed can counteract the curvature-induced secondary flow and lead to a shift of the maximum scour away from the outer bank. The here reported study provides experimental results on the optimization of the bubble screen under live-bed conditions. The air-bubble screen considerably reduces erosion near the outer bank for all investigated configurations of the bubble screen. Comparison of three different locations of the porous tube shows that the bubble screen is most efficient when placed very near to the outer bank.
Paternity Allocation in a Mutant Heliothis virescens1 Colony

Abstract Tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), females can copulate multiple times creating the possibility for sperm competition. We used a colony lacking wild pigmentation on the wings (albino-type) for an experiment in which females double mated. Females copulated 2 days apart with two, 2-day-old males, one albino-type and one wild-type, or in the opposite sequence. A third of the females produced offspring from the first mate, and this group was significantly biased toward producing albino-type compared to wild-type progeny. A fourth of the females produced offspring from the second male exclusively and within this group was a significant bias toward wild-type compared to albino-type progeny. Almost half of the females produced offspring sired in equal proportions by both males simultaneously or in alternated paternities throughout all the reproductive life. These results suggest that regardless of the order in which moths mated, wild-type sperm had potential superior competitiveness. Therefore, sperm precedence is not the main driving force behind the paternity allocation mechanism in this strain of tobacco budworm.