Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OTTERS AND EELS: LONG-TERM OBSERVATIONS ON DECLINES IN SCOTLAND

The summer diet of otters Lutra lutra has been monitored for almost forty years in a study area in NE Scotland. Since 2000, otter numbers and reproduction in the area have declined. At the same time the occurrence of eels (Anguilla anguilla) in otter faeces or 'spraints', formerly the otters' dominant prey, decreased substantially. This is seen against a well-documented sharp, probably global decline in numbers of eel. Otter predation on young water birds in the study area increased, as has predation on other fish species, and changes in importance of other prey are also documented. It is suggested that with otters being food- limited, the decline in eels should be of serious concern to otter conservationists.
The role of demographics in students' selection of higher education institutions

Purpose: To investigate the choice factors students consider when selecting a higher education institution, with a focus on the differences between gender and language groups. Problem investigated: The educational landscape has seen several changes, such as stronger competition between institutions for both student enrolments and government funding. These market challenges have led to an interest in students' institution selection processes as it has implications for the way higher education institutions (HEIs) manage their marketing and recruitment strategies. The research objective of this study was to identify the most important choice factors of prospective South African students. It also aimed to determine if any gender and language differences exist with regard to students' institution selection processes. Methodology: A convenience sample of 1 241 respondents was drawn, representing six South African universities. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Questions from the ASQ (Admitted Student Questionnaire) and CIRP (The Cooperative Institutional Research Programme) were used and adapted to the South African context after pilot testing. Hypotheses were analysed using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test with Wilks' lambda as the test statistic. Findings/Implications: Irrespective of gender or language, the most important choice factor for respondents was the quality of teaching at HEIs. The findings showed that males and females differ according to the selection of certain choice factors which suggest that HEIs can consider recruitment strategies for each gender group. Significant differences between the language groups were found for 17 of the 23 choice factors, signalling that different language groups make decisions based on different choice factors. African language-speaking students have, amongst other, indicated that the multiculturalism of the institution is a very important choice factor for them. Conclusion: The findings provide HEIs with an indication of the importance of choice factors considered by students in selecting a HEI. This will enable HEIs to use their limited funds more efficiently to attract the right calibre student (recruitment policies), to create a unique position, to sagment the student market more appropriately and to gain a competitive advantage.
The utility of ITS2 in spider phylogenetics: notes on prior work and an example from Anelosimus

Abstract The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer ITS2 is probably the most popular nuclear DNA marker used to examine relationships among and within species in animals and plants. ITS2 sequences have also begun to be used as DNA barcodes. ITS2, however, has rarely been used in studies of spiders. Here, I examine the potential utility of this marker for spider phylogenetics based on preliminary data for Anelosimus spiders and a brief summary of prior work. The secondary structure of ITS2 facilitated alignment of highly divergent sequences and indicated that secondary structure morphology might be phylogenetically informative in itself. Phylogenetic analysis of Anelosimus species was congruent with a prior study based on a combination of six mitochondrial and nuclear loci plus morphology regarding the deeper clades within the genus. However, ITS2 had insufficient variation to resolve relationships within species and among closely related species. Previous studies have also discovered relatively little within-species variation in ITS2. In sum, ITS2 is an easily amplified and sequenced marker that is underutilized in spider phylogenetics; however, it has limited uses at the lowest taxonomic levels and is not likely to be a universally useful DNA barcode marker.
Characterization of chemical and antioxidant properties of Kiwi fruit

Actinidia deliciosa commonly known as Kiwifruit native to south Asia, is rich in many vitamins, flavonoids and minerals. Traditionally it has been used to treat various diseases like cancers, including those of the digestive system. Healthful attributes of kiwifruit are high ascorbic acid levels and polyphenols. The present study was carried out to evaluate the chemical and antioxidant characteristics of kiwi fruit.
A Detailed and High-Resolution Land Use and Land Cover Change Analysis over the Past 16 Years in the Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia

Land use and land cover (LULC) change plays a key role in the process of land degradation and desertification in the Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia. This research presents a detailed and high-resolution (30 m) LULC change analysis over the past 16 years in Ongniud Banner, western part of the Horqin Sandy Land. The LULC classification was performed by combining multiple features calculated from the Landsat Archive products using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) based supervised classification approach. LULC maps with 17 secondary classes were produced for the year of 2000, 2009, and 2015 in the study area. The results showed that the multifeatures combination approach is crucial for improving the accuracy of the secondary-level LULC classification. The LULC change analyses over three different periods, 2000–2009, 2009–2015, and 2000–2015, identified significant changes as well as different trends of the secondary-level LULC in study area. Over the past 16 years, irrigated farming lands and salinized areas were expanded, whereas the waterbodies and sandy lands decreased. This implies increasing demand of water and indicates that the conservation of water resources is crucial for protecting the sensitive ecological zones in the Horqin Sandy Land.
Effect of interannual variation in winter vertical mixing on CH4 dynamics in a subtropical reservoir

Although freshwaters are considered to be substantial natural sources of atmospheric methane (CH4), in situ processes of CH4 production and consumption in freshwater ecosystems are poorly understood, especially in subtropical areas, leading to uncertainties in the estimation of global CH4 emissions. To improve our understanding of physical and biogeochemical factors affecting CH4 dynamics in subtropical lakes, we examined vertical and seasonal profiles of dissolved CH4 and its carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) and conducted incubation experiments to assess CH4 production and oxidation in the deep subtropical Fei‐Tsui Reservoir (FTR; Taiwan). The mixing pattern of the FTR is essentially monomixis, but the intensity of winter vertical mixing changes with climatic conditions. In years with incomplete vertical mixing (does not reach the bottom) and subsequent strong thermal stratification resulting in profundal hypoxia, we observed increases in sedimentary CH4 production and thus profundal CH4 storage with the development of reducing conditions. In contrast, in years with strong winter vertical mixing to the bottom of the reservoir, CH4 production was suppressed under NO3−‐rich conditions, during which denitrifiers have the competitive advantage over methanogens. Diffusive emission from profundal CH4 storage appeared to be negligible due to the efficiency of CH4 oxidation during ascent through methane‐oxidizing bacteria (MOB) activity. Most of the profundal CH4 was rapidly oxidized by MOB in both oxic and anoxic layers, as characterized by its carbon isotope signature. In contrast, aerobic CH4 production in the subsurface layer, which may be enhanced under high temperatures in summer, may account for a large portion of atmospheric CH4 emissions from this reservoir. Our CH4 profiling results provide valuable information for future studies predicting CH4 emissions from subtropical lakes with the progress of global warming.
The interface of innovation and activity theory

The phenomenon of learning and innovation can be explained through activity theory (AT) and socio-technical theory (STT), with the Association International des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (AIESEC) in Curitiba as the empirical field. This association offers a leadership training course to young university students. The methodology used was labour development research (LDR), which studies expansive and remediative learning. The results showed that AT enabled an explanation of the rise and construction of a historical perspective of the object. STT demonstrated the diffusion of innovation in local projects, from the formulation of expectations to summarisation.
Evaluation five years after a Refinary Oil Spill in freshwater wetland - Paraná State, Southern of Brazil

In order to evaluate the Getulio Vargas refinery oil spill - 2000, Parana State - Brazil the presence of PAHs in the sediment, PAHs bioavailability through bile chemical analysis and biochemical and morphological biomarkers were investigated in a native fish species Hyphessobrycon reticulates. The histophatological parameters were also considered to another native species Phalloceros caudimaculatus. Sediment analysis showed the presence of 5-6 rings PAHs on the surface layer and 2-3 rings PAHs in the deepest sediment showing that oil is still accumulated in sediment, and its bioavailability is confirmed by the accumulation of PAHs in bile. Lipid peroxidation, catalase (CAT), GST and cholinesterase activities indicated respectively oxidative stress in liver of H. reticulatus and neurotoxicity, also evidenced by genotoxic and histopathological damages. Despite of the occurrence of other pollutants not identified in the current study, the data presented here may suggest that 5 years after the accident animals as fish can be still affected by hydrocarbons and PAHs presented in the sediment. Concluding, studies must be done to confirm that with a more sophisticated chemical analysis, but this work is the only study realized after the accident. We strongly suggest a new study to compare and verify if still there is risk to biota.
Nuclear Stellar Disks in Spiral Galaxies

We report evidence for nuclear stellar disks in three early-type spirals, namely, NGC 1425, NGC 3898, and NGC 4698, revealed by Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 F606W images out of a sample of 38 spiral galaxies, selected from the Hubble Space Telescope data archive. Adopting the photometric method introduced by Scorza & Bender, we derived their central surface brightness and scale length by assuming them to be infinitesimally thin exponential disks. No nuclear disk was found in barred galaxies or galaxies of Hubble type later than Sb. The external origin of the disk in NGC 4698 is strongly suggested by its orthogonal geometrical decoupling with respect to the host galaxy.
Microfinance for housing in Nicaragua: is joint-liability an effective mechanism?

Geldleners beschikken over informatie die de kredietverschaffer niet bezit, zoals de kans op het niet aflossen van schuld. Kredietverschaffers lossen dit informatiegebrek op door een borg te eisen of het controleren van de geldleners. Voor arme ondernemers gaan deze oplossingen niet op: ze hebben geen borg en/of hun leningen zijn te gering om de controlekosten voor de kredietverschaffer te rechtvaardigen. De traditionele banken lieten deze groep dan ook links liggen. Microkredieten – kleine leningen, zonder borgstelling, aan arme ondernemers – spelen hierop in. Donororganisaties subsidieren vaak het fonds waaruit de leningen worden verstrekt. Algemeen wordt de Grameen Bank uit Bangladesh gezien als pionier op het gebied van microfinanciering. Deze bank lost het gebrek aan informatie op via groepsleningen, waarbij groepsleden aansprakelijk zijn voor elkaars aflossingen en interestbetalingen, zodat de leden, in plaats van de kredietverschaffer, elkaar gaan controleren. Uitgangspunt is dat de onderlinge controlekosten voor de groepsleden veel lager zijn dan voor de kredietverschaffer. De laatste jaren ontdekken microkredietinstellingen dat hun leningen steeds vaker worden gebruikt om woningbouw of renovatie te financieren. Hoewel tegenover de microkredieten geen inkomsten staan waaruit de geldlener kan aflossen, voldoen microkredieten voor renovatie wel aan de theoretische voorwaarden voor het toepassen van groepsleningen. Voor het financieren van woningbouw gaat dit niet op als de leningen groter zijn dan $1500, omdat dan de aansprakelijkheid voor de groepsleden te groot wordt. Twee studenten onderzochten voor de Wetenschapswinkel in Nicaragua vijf microkredietstellingen gericht op woningbouw en renovatie. Vier hiervan konden de variabele bedrijfskosten financieren uit de interestbetalingen. Wel hadden alle instellingen subsidie nodig als startkapitaal. Hoewel alle instellingen armoede willen bestrijden, kwam slechts een instelling met haar leningproduct tegemoet aan de vuistregel, dat de armen in Nicaragua maximaal 20 procent van hun maandelijkse inkomen aan interestbetalingen en aflossingen kunnen besteden, dit is $ 7,50 per maand. Het meest opvallende was dat geen van de microkredietinstellingen gebruik maakte van groepsleningen. Bij woningbouw is dit niet zo verwonderlijk aangezien het leningen betrof tussen de $1500 en $5000 en men voor de borg gebruik kon maken van een hypotheek. Bij woningrenovatie werd gebruik gemaakt van een medeondertekenaar; een goede bekende van de geldlener, die zich borg stelt voor de geldlener. De voorkeur voor een systeem met een medeondertekenaar kan liggen in het individualistische karakter van de Nicaraguaanse bevolking of in de eenvoudige toepassing van het systeem in vergelijking met groepsleningen.
Perceiving emotion in children's songs across age and culture1

We explored children's and adults' ability to perceive the emotional intent of sung performances by Canadian children who were 8-10 years old. Experiment 1 revealed that Canadian listeners were more accurate on happy renditions than on sad renditions of songs and on skilled ("good") than on unskilled ("ordinary") performances. Moreover, children's accuracy was greater than that of adults. In Experiment 2, Japanese children and adults with limited comprehension of spoken English successfully perceived the expressive intentions of Canadian children, but they were more accurate on sad renditions than on happy renditions. Japanese children performed better than adults, but only on the sad renditions. Moreover, the accuracy of Japanese children and adults was greater for skilled than for unskilled singers, but only on happy renditions. Finally, expressive cues in children's sung performances were predictive of accuracy regardless of the age or the cultural back- ground of listeners (Experiment 3).
Meanings are acquired from experiencing differences against a background of sameness, rather than from experiencing sameness against a background of difference: Putting a conjecture to the test by embedding it in a pedagogical tool

In helping learners to make a novel meaning their own, such as when helping children to understand what a word means or teaching students a new concept in school, we frequently point to examples that share the aimed-at meaning but differ otherwise. This type of approach rests on the assumption that novel meanings can be acquired through the experience of sameness against a background of difference. This paper argues that this assumption is unfounded and that the opposite is the case: we make novel meanings our own through the experience of differences against a background of sameness. We put this conjecture to the test in an experimental study by embedding it in a computer game and the results support the conjecture.
A physical insight into counter-rotating open rotor in-plane loads

Ce papier présente la comparaison des résultats obtenus à l’aide de deux codes de simulation aérodynamique de différents degrées de précision et coût de calcul sur le cas d’un moteur à doublet d’hélices contrarotatives (AI-PX7). Le principal but étant d’évaluer la capacité d’un code basé sur la méthode des singularités à prédire à la fois les performances globales des rotors, les efforts dans le plan hélice et la distribution des efforts sur pale au long d’un tour. De plus, l’ajout de modèles d’effets d’installation et d’aérodynamique de profil instationnaire ont servi aussi à évaluer des possibles améliorations de ces prédictions initiales.
Politics and Basking-in-Reflected-Glory: A Field Study in Flanders

This field study tested whether the basking-in-reflected-glory phenomenon would emerge in a political context. Two days before the general elections in Flanders (Belgium), 3 urban regions were systematically surveyed by 10 observers. These observers unobtrusively registered the addresses of private houses that displayed at least 1 poster (N = 482) or 1 removable lawn sign (N = 180) supporting a political party. The day after the elections, the observers checked whether the registered houses still displayed their poster(s) or lawn sign(s). A strongly positive linear relation was found between the proportional win-loss of the various political parties (compared with the previous elections) and the percentage of houses that continued to exhibit the poster(s) or lawn sign(s) in favor of that party: The better the election result, the more houses that still displayed their poster(s) or lawn sign(s). Two complementary processes seem to account for the observations: a tendency to flaunt one's association with a triumphant party (i.e., basking-in-reflected-glory) and a tendency to conceal one's association with a defeated party (i.e., cutting-off-reflected-failure). A follow-up indicated that basking-in-reflected-glory lasted for at least 1 week after the elections.
Evidential Socio-Economic and Cultural Characteristics Defining Street Begging in Akure , Nigeria

This research examines socio-economic and cultural characteristics of issues defining begging in Akure metropolis, a medium-sized city in southern Nigeria. The study focused on Akure city where an extensive field survey was conducted on the incidence of street begging. It made use of both primary and secondary data. Using multistage sampling technique, a total of two hundred and forty (240) street beggars were sampled, constituting 12.5% of total 1,908 beggars. Data obtained from the questionnaires were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The research findings were presented in form of tables, percentages, maps and charts as appropriate. The findings of this research reveal; (i) that 60.8% of the beggars were males as against 39.2% for females. (ii) that the majority of the beggars sampled were Hausa (73.7%) of northern origin; while 23.8% of the beggars came from within and towns around Akure. The study recommends that beggars should be given vocational training and skill acquisition together with public awareness, advocacy, sensitization and poverty alleviation schemes among others.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY MODEL OF DISCONTINUOUS MICROSTRIP CIRCUITS UNDER PLANE WAVE ILLUMINATION

The electromagnetic susceptibility model of discontinuous microstrip circuits with the presence of a uniform plane incident wave is established. First, the analytical expressions are modeled as equivalent voltage and current sources for discussing the global efiect of the incident plane wave on the associated interconnects. Then, these fleld-induced equivalent source expressions are incorporated into ADS circuit solver, and a fast model is established for analyzing the output responses of discontinuous microstrip circuits, such as the cross bend, the band-rejection fllter and the single-stage amplifler. The corresponding simulation results from the proposed model are validated by comparing the results from both simulation and measurement. The results also show that the incident plane wave may in∞uence the output terminal responses signiflcantly, and the proposed approach would be an e-cient method to solve the electromagnetic susceptibility problems associated with the discontinuous microstrip circuits.
Piscicidal activity of alcoholic extract of Nerium indicum leaf and their biochemical stress response on fish metabolism

Laboratory evaluations were made to asses the piscicidal activity of ethyl alcohol extract of Nerium indicum leaf against predatory fish Channa punctatus and their ultimate mode of action on fish metabolism. Toxicity experiments show there was significant negative correlation between LC values and exposure periods i.e. LC50 value decreased from 66.32 mg/L (24h) to 44.96 mg/L (96h). Biochemical studies show that after exposure to sub lethal doses of alcoholic extract, pyruvate level and activities of acetylcholinesterase and cytochrome oxidase significantly decreased while lactate level and activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate amino transferase were significantly enhanced in both liver and muscle tissues of Channa punctatus. The alterations in all the above biochemical parameters were significantly (P<0.05) time and dose dependent. There was a significant recovery observed in all the above biochemical parameters, in both liver and muscle tissues of fish after the seventh day of the withdrawal of treatment Thus it was believed that alcoholic extract of Nerium indicum leaf can be used in aquatic environment for controlling predatory fish Channa punctatus population. Their piscicidal activity may be due to their adverse effect on respiratory as well as energy production of fish. The reversible nature of the piscicidal action could be advantageous in aquatic environment.
Comparing the ANN and Linear Regression in Estimation of the Growth Model (The Case of MENA)

Economic convergence is one of the important topics of new macroeconomics. It refers to tendency of income per capita of countries (regions) to converge to their steady-state value. There are two kinds of convergence: conditional and absolute convergence. This paper examines income convergence between 22 MENA countries during the period of 1970-2003 by using the neoclassical growth model of Barro- Salla-i-Martin for both kinds of convergence. Non-linearity of the underlying relationships, the restrictiveness of assumptions of functional forms and econometric problems in the estimation and application of theoretical models advocate for the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) algorithms. We show that by changing the quantitative tools of analysis and using ANN, the results become more precise. Results show that absolute convergence and conditional convergence are significant but the rate of convergence is low.