Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population biology of European woodpecker species: a review

Understanding temporal dynamics of populations is important for the management of endangered and/or harvested populations as well as for evolutionary biology. Population sizes usually fluctuate over time because of changes in reproduction, mortality/survival, immigration and emigration. I reviewed the state of knowledge with respect to these vital demographic parameters on nine European woodpecker species. Only 4.2% of over 2100 publications found on these species reported on one or more of the vital rates, indicating severe knowledge gaps with respect to these traits. For most species, I found some information on reproduction (nest and fledging success), but generally much less on adult survival and immigration. No study quantitatively reported on emigration. No information on vital rates was found for Picus canus and Dendrocopos syriacus. Results are discussed in relation to geographic distribution and trends of the studied populations as well as with respect to life-history aspects and factors influencing vital rates.
Genes and signaling pathways affecting the pathogenesis of melanoma

Melanoma is probably the most aggressive cancer in humans and remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in developed countries. Melanoma represents a very small proportion of skin cancer incidences but is responsible for >80% skin cancer deaths. Ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun is the main contributing factor towards the development of melanomas. Novel strategies against melanoma are required and more research needs to be carried out towards the development of new chemotherapeutic and biological agents that can target the disease. In this review, the genes and signaling mechanisms that play an essential role in the development and progression of melanoma are described.
Aggregate Volatility and Threshold CAPM

We propose a volatility-based threshold capital asset pricing model (V-CAPM) in which asset betas change discretely with respect to innovations in aggregate volatility. Using option-implied measures (i.e. returns on at-the-money straddles written on the S&P 500 index and range of the VIX index) as proxies for changes in aggregate volatility, we find that asset sensitivity to market risk changes significantly when aggregate market volatility is beyond a certain threshold. More specifically, portfolios of small (big) and value (growth) stocks have significantly higher (lower) betas at times of high volatility. Due to changes in their market betas, small and value stocks are perceived riskier than their big and growth counterparts in bad times, when aggregate volatility is high. The proposed model also does a better job with pricing, especially for value and small portfolios and when aggregate market volatility is high.
The structure of the “lived-experience”: analysis of reports from women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: To investigate how systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has changed the lives of affected women and their reports on how this condition has affected them. Method: Interviews were performed in accordance with the qualitative study method of Amatuzzi and the answers were recorded. Results: Patients have reported that it is difficult to deal with this disease, their lives have changed, in particular their body image, as a result of treatment side effects. The lack of familiarity of other people with the disease brings several consequences such as discrimination, difficulties in obtaining a job and changes in their interpersonal relationships. Treatment compliance is often maintained due to the fear related to the unpredictable disease course. The imminence of a possible lupus flare can cause anxiety and fear, imposing limits to their lives. Since the disease has no regular course, it is perceived as a threat to their existence and, consequently, they feel persecuted by a death threat. Conclusions: Psychological manifestations related to the disease based on patients’ reports are discussed, together with the importance of multi-professional assistance, highlighting the role of the mental health professional as an essential tool to reach an overall understanding and adequate treatment for patients with SLE.
Distinguishable characteristics and early growth of piglets from Lithuanian indigenous pigs and wild boar intercross and backcross.

The objective of the study was to examine distinguishablecharacteristics between Lithuanian indigenous pigs and their hybridsthrough the presence of wattles, coat coloration patterns of newbornpiglets and their early growth. Introgression of wild boar into Lithuanianindigenous pigs reduced the number of stillborn and dead piglets until3 weeks of age (0.1<p 0.05). Negative correlations between thenumber and weight of piglets at birth were found. The highest portion oflowweightpigletsandthelowestmeanweightatbirthwasfoundfor1/4WB piglets (p<0.05) but their early growth rates were higher than thoseof 1/2 WB piglets. However, the highest growth rates were determinedfor purebred Lithuanian indigenous pigs (p<0.05). The weight at birthof male piglets was higher (p<0.05) than that of female piglets in allstudied groups. The higher weight of male piglets from birth untilweaning (p<0.05) was only in 1/2 WB genotype. 71.7% of 1/4 WB and31.6% of 1/2 WB piglets inherited wattles, a morphological feature ofLithuanian indigenous pigs. The striped pattern was found in all 1/2 WBpiglets and in 32.1% of 1/4 WB piglets. The portion of wild boar had asignificant effect on piglet coat coloration.Key words: swine, hybrids, early growth, wattles, coat colorationpatterns
NURSERY RESPONSE OF ACACIA KOA SEEDLINGS TO CONTAINER SIZE, IRRIGATION METHOD, AND FERTILIZATION RATE

Planting koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) in Hawai‘i, USA aids in restoration of disturbed sites essential to conservation of endemic species. Survival and growth of planted seedlings under vegetative competition typically increases with initial plant size. Increasing container size and fertilizer rate may produce larger seedlings, but high fertilization can lead to surface and groundwater pollution and relatively low fertilizer use efficiency. Subirrigation systems may help mitigate this problem. Our study objective was to evaluate koa seedling growth with overhead or subirrigation over a range of container volumes (50 to 656 mL) and fertilizer rates (0 to 9.6 kg·m−3). Increasing container volume from 50 to 656 mL yielded koa seedlings with 200% more height and stem diameter growth. Subirrigation resulted in less nutrient leaching losses and yielded seedlings of similar vigor as overhead irrigated seedlings. Subirrigation helps optimize fertilizer delivery, which may improve fertilizer use efficiency and reduce environmental contamination.
Legitimacy theory or something else? The audit of environmental matters: a New Zealand study

The research presented in this paper examined the audit of „environmental matters‟ and asks the question whether legitimacy theory provides an explanation for the observed audit phenomenon. This task is important because, as members of the accountancy profession, auditors are expected to act in the public interest (ICANZ, 2003, Code of Ethics, paragraphs 14 and 15) and environmental matters are issues of public interest. The evidence for this study was collected using semi-structured in-depth personal interviews with twenty-seven auditors: eighteen were financial auditors in chartered accounting practice (FA); seven were public sector auditors (PS) and two were from the office of the Auditor General (OAG). The interviews which were guided by a small number of broad open-ended questions were conducted in the interviewees‟ offices by the researcher. The research findings indicated that legitimacy theory does not provide the appropriate explanation for the audit of environmental matters in accordance with Audit Guidance Statement (AGS) 1010: The consideration of environmental matters in the audit of financial reports. The introduction of AGS-1010 by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) was due to a necessity to maintain equivalence with global partners. Public Sector Auditors‟ explicit focus on environmental matters for every public sector and government entity is in compliance with the legislated mandate as required by the Auditor General and the Local Government Act 2002. On the other hand, the financial auditors‟ consideration of environmental matters is no different from their consideration of other audit issues. At the present time, there is no apparent tension between the New Zealand public and there is no public outcry which causes the organisation to perceive that its reputation or legitimacy is threatened, thus the notion of legitimacy theory would not come into play in regards to environmental matters, i.e. business is as usual. Findings from this study substantiate and explain more clearly the underlying concepts in legitimacy theory. Very obviously, organisational survival must be present (Bansal & Roth, 2000). Something drastic must also have happened that impacted detrimentally on an organisation‟s reputation or legitimacy (Patten, 1991) and social pressure had caused management to perceive that there is a legitimacy crisis that led to a legitimacy gap. Only in such circumstances would legitimation strategies be considered for narrowing the gap.
The Comparison of the Different Balance Performance of Soccer Players Versus Sedentary

This study aims to compare different dynamic balance ability between soccer players and sedentary. Sixteen soccer players and 18 sedentary participated in the study. Soccer players group participated soccer trainings consisting of different coordinative exercises for 3 years; the sedentary group attended a normal school program. Soccer players’ mean height was 157.81±6.63 cm, mean weight was 44.06±6.81 kg and sedentary mean height was 154.91±7.45 cm, mean weight was 43.46±7.03 kg. Informed consent form signed by the entire participant, their parents and the trainer prior to the study as required by the Helsinki declaration. Dynamic balance ability with Prokin, Y balance and Flamingo balance tests were used. Factorial ANOVA and independent samples t test was used for analyzing the results. For dynamic balance ability; bipedal perimeter length (p=0.019), area gap percentage (p=0.019) and medium speed (p=0.032); right foot perimeter length (p=0.03) and medium speed (p=0.03) values; and for Y balance; right anterior (p=0.001), left anterior (p=0.001), right posteriolateral (p=0.001), left posteriolateral (p=0.008) measurements and also for flamingo balance test both on right-left foot and eyes open-closed results (p≤0.001) are significantly different in favor of soccer players. There were no significant difference for dynamic balance bipedal-right-left forward backward axis and medium lateral axis, right foot area gap percentage, left foot perimeter length, area gap percentage and medium speed and for y balance; right-left foot posteriomedial measurements. The dynamic balance ability of soccer players was clearly different than that of sedentary. According to these results it can be concluded that the effect of extensive soccer skill practice on overall balance control.
HOUSEHOLD RESPONSES TO URBAN ENCROACHMENT ON THE RURAL HINTERLAND IN THE OGBOMOSO URBAN FRINGE, NIGERIA

This paper examines the responses of households located in urban frontiers of Ogbomoso, a pre-colonial though rapidly expanding city situated in S.W. Nigeria, to negativities of city expansion such as the increasing shortage of farmland, rising land rent/price, increasing house rents and food expenses, as well as basic services. The paper begins by examining the issue of spatial changes in Ogbomoso city between 1914 and 2007 using GIS. In order to examine the responses of households to urban encroachment, the study combines households and communities in the Ogbomoso urban fringe as units of analysis. Data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. A total of 359 questionnaires were submitted to randomly selected households in eighteen communities of the Ogbomoso urban fringe to gather information concerning the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of respondents, as well as data concerning the impact of city expansion on their livelihoods. One session of focus group discussions was also conducted among community elders in five communities in order to investigate the changing economic base of the communities under analysis. Results indicate that in response to changes in the economic base of communities, the occupations of households have tended to shift from farm
Quality and Microbial Changes of Fresh-cut Mango Cubes Held in Controlled Atmosphere

The marketable period of fresh-cut 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Kent' mango cubes was 3 to 5 days at 10 °C and 5 to 8 days at 5 °C. The marketable period was extended by 1 to 2 days when cubes were held in a 4 kPa O 2 + 10 kPa CO2 or 2 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (balance N2) atmospheres, depending on cultivar and temperature. Variations in texture (shear force), pH, and soluble solids were greater among cubes from different mango lots than among cubes held at different temperatures or atmospheres. Yeast count increased more with time than did the total mesophilic aerobic count, and the increase was less under controlled atmosphere (CA) than in air at 10 °C. The CA was beneficial in maintaining quality of the cubes; however, low temperature was more effective than CA.
Inoculation methods and aggressiveness of five "Fusarium" species against peach palm

EnglishFusarium wilt is a major disease which affects peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.var gasipaes Henderson). This study aimed to evaluate inoculation methods and aggressiveness of isolates of five Fusarium species on peach palm. Fusarium proliferatum can infect the leaves, stem, and roots of peach palm. F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. verticillioides, F. solani species complex (FSSC), and Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFSC) are pathogenic to peach palm. The use of Fusarium-colonized ground corn for root inoculation was effective and reduced the level of damage to plants. Key words: Bactris gasipaes,heart of palm; Fusarium wilt portuguesA fusariose e uma das principais doencas da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.var gasipaes Henderson). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar metodos de inoculacao e a agressividade de isolados de cinco especies de Fusarium a pupunheira. Demonstrou-se que Fusarium proliferatum pode infectar folhas, caule e raizes de pupunheira. Verificou-se que as especies F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. verticillioides, F. solani species complex (FSSC) e Gibberella. fujikuroi species complex (GFSC) sao patogenicas a pupunheira e, que o uso da quirera colonizada por Fusarium para inoculacao de raizes foi efetivo e reduziu o nivel de injurias as plantas. Palavras-chave: Bactris gasipaes; Kunth; palmito; fusariose
Ten years of asteroseismic modelling of pulsating B subdwarf stars: achievements, challenges, and prospects

We present a short, non-exhaustive review of the major achievements and challenges resulting from a decade of modelling the pulsations in hot pulsating B subdwarf stars. We also briefly outline promising applications of sdB asteroseismology that will be explored in years to come, showing that this new domain of stellar astrophysics has many interesting ramifications and a strong potential for greatly improving our understanding of stellar structure and evolution.
Comparative Analysis of Biodiesels from Calabash and Rubber Seeds Oils

Physicochemical properties of biodiesel from vegetable oils depend on the inherent properties of the oil-producing seeds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the physicochemical properties of biodiesels extracted from calabash and rubber seeds oils, as well as their combined oil mixtures with a view to ascertaining the most suitable for biodiesel production. Calabash and rubber seeds oils were separately extracted through the use of a mechanical press with periodic addition of water. Biodiesels were produced from each category of the oils by transesterification of the free fatty acid (FFA) with alcohol under the influence of a catalyst in batch process. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesels were investigated and comparatively analysed. The results obtained indicated an average of 1.40 wt% FFA for biodiesel produced from the purified calabash oil, which has a specific gravity of 0.920, pH of 5.93, flash point of 116 0C, fire point of 138 0C, cloud point of 70 0C, pour point of -4 0C, moisture content of 0.82 wt% and specific heat capacity of 5301 J/kgK. Conversely, the results obtained for biodiesel produced from the purified rubber oil showed an average of 33.66 wt% FFA, specific gravity of 0.885, pH of 5.51, flash point of 145 0C, fire point of 170 0C, cloud point of 10 0C, pour point of 4 0C, moisture content of 1.30 wt% and specific heat capacity of 9317 J/kgK. However, results obtained for biodiesel produced from the combined oil mixtures indicated an average of 19.77 wt% FFA content, specific gravity of 0.904, API gravity of 25.036, pH value of 5.73, flash point of 157 0C, Fire point of 180 0C, cloud point of 9 0C, pour point of 5 0C, moisture content of 0.93 wt% and specific heat capacity of 6051 J/kgK. Biodiesel produced from calabash seed oil is superior in quality to rubber seed oil, particularly in terms of its low FFA and moisture contents.
Genetic inversion of sparse disk-integrated photometric data of asteroids: application to Hipparcos data

Context. The development of techniques for the inversion of sparse disk-integrated photometric data of asteroids is a very urgent task, due to the imminent commencements of large sky surveys from both space (Gaia) and the ground (Pan-STARRS). Aims. We developed a numerical algorithm for the inversion of sparse photometric data of asteroids. An application to real data collected in past by the Hipparcos satellite provided very encouraging results. Methods. The inversion method is based on the application of a “genetic” algorithm approach. The objects are assumed to have triaxial ellipsoid shape. However, it is shown by means of simulations and applications to real data that this simplistic choice does not cause any significant problems. The algorithm solves for a number of unknown parameters, including the spin period, the coordinates of the spin axis, the axial ratios of the ellipsoid, an initial rotational phase corresponding to the first observation of a given dataset, and the slope of a linear variation in the magnitude as a function of solar phase. Additional parameters, describing some possible albedo variegation of the surface, can also be introduced. Results. The application of the inversion technique to both simulations and a dataset of sparse photometric data obtained some years ago by the Hipparcos satellite shows that the performance of the algorithm is strongly encouraging, and the correct solution for the rotational parameters is obtained in the majority of cases when a reasonable number of observations are available.
A TOMM 40 poly-T variant modulates gene expression and is associated with vocabulary ability and decline in non-pathological ageing

The TOMM40-APOE locus has been associated with a number of age-related phenotypes in humans including non-pathological cognitive ageing, late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and longevity. Here we investigate the influence of the TOMM40 intron 6 poly-T variant (rs10524523) on TOMM40 gene expression and cognitive abilities and decline in a cohort of 1613 community dwelling elderly volunteers who had been followed for changes in cognitive functioning over a period of 14 years (range 12-18 years). We showed that the shorter length poly-T variants were found to act as a repressor of luciferase gene expression in reporter gene constructs. Expression was reduced to approximately half of that observed for the very long variant. We further observed that the shorter poly-T variant was significantly associated with reduced vocabulary ability and a slower rate of vocabulary decline with age compared to the very long poly-T variants. No significant associations were observed for memory, fluid intelligence or processing speed, although the direction of effect, where the short variant was correlated with reduced ability and slower rate of decline was observed for all tests. Our results indicate that the poly-T variant has the ability to interact with transcription machinery and differentially modulate reporter gene expression and influence vocabulary ability and decline with age.
Random Forest Based Coarse Locating and KPCA Feature Extraction for Indoor Positioning System

With the fast developing of mobile terminals, positioning techniques based on fingerprinting method draw attention from many researchers even world famous companies. To conquer some shortcomings of the existing fingerprinting systems and further improve the system performance, on the one hand, in the paper, we propose a coarse positioning method based on random forest, which is able to customize several subregions, and classify test point to the region with an outstanding accuracy compared with some typical clustering algorithms. On the other hand, through the mathematical analysis in engineering, the proposed kernel principal component analysis algorithm is applied for radio map processing, which may provide better robustness and adaptability compared with linear feature extraction methods and manifold learning technique. We build both theoretical model and real environment for verifying the feasibility and reliability. The experimental results show that the proposed indoor positioning system could achieve 99% coarse locating accuracy and enhance 15% fine positioning accuracy on average in a strong noisy environment compared with some typical fingerprinting based methods.
The Effects of Aging on Organizational Performance: a Trade-off between Quantity and Quality

Empirical studies on the effect of aging on individual or organizational performance are inconclusive. This lack of clear results has been attributed to agespecific comparative advantages: older workers may perform better than younger workers in certain jobs, but worse in others. We suggest an alternative approach to studying the effects of aging on organizational performance. Aging may affect different dimensions of performance, such as quantity and quality, on the same job in different, often opposite ways. Numerous psychological and medical laboratory studies on aging provide supportive evidence by indicating that individual age-productivity profiles range widely between different abilities. They are negative for speed and physical strength, and positive for wisdom. For a broad range of complex tasks, therefore, we expect aging to be linked negatively to quantitative performance dimensions but positively to qualitative performance dimensions. We find supporting evidence on detailed productivity data for a panel of German courts. Our approach suggests that appropriate task assignments and career policies may help organizations to adjust to an aging workforce.