Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliable proxies for glandular secretion production in lacertid lizards

The epidermal glands of lizards are considered an important source of semiochemicals involved in lizard communication. Many features of the lizard epidermal gland system vary among and within species (e.g. gland number, size, and shape), and some are believed to reflect the degree of intra- and interspecific variation in glandular secretion production, and by extension, the chemical signalling investment of lizards. Traditionally, herpetologists estimate secretion production based on the number of glands or the size of the glands, rather than quantifying the amount of secretion produced. Still, the reliability of these proxies for secretion production has never been validated. Here, I explored the relationship among secretion production (in mass), pore size (surface area, diameter), and gland number in three species of lacertid lizards ( Acanthodactylus boskianus , Timon lepidus , Holaspis guentheri ), and tested which proxies predicted secretion production variation best, and examined whether the same trend is true for all species. The findings of this study show that the total secretion production of lacertids is highly variable among and within species. Variation in secretion production among-species (but not within-species) could partly be explained by variation in body size. While both measures of pore size were positively related with secretion production, my tests revealed the model with only pore diameter as contributing variable explaining absolute secretion production variation (both within and across species) as the best one. Although gland number appeared a suboptimal estimate for secretion production in the three lacertids under study, only family-wide, multi-species comparative tests counting large within-species sample sizes can provide further insight on the matter.
Weak Solutions of Abstract Evolutionary Integro-Differential Equations in Hilbert Spaces

We prove existence and uniqueness of weak solutions to certain abstract evolutionary integro-differential equations in Hilbert spaces, including evolution equations of fractional order less than 1. Our results apply, e.g., to parabolic partial integro-differential equations in divergence form with merely bounded and measurable coefficients. AMS subject classification: 45N05, 45K05
Building Believability in Groups of Synthetic Characters

Synthetic characters are used in virtual environments to improve the users’ interaction experience. However, this effect is only possible if the characters are able to show a coherent and believable behaviour.Therefore, in scenarios where users and synthetic characters interact in the context of a group it is very important that the group interactions follow a believable group dynamics. In this paper we describe a model that supports the creation of believable group dynamics based on a characterization of the different types of interactions that may occur in a group. This model will be applied in the development of an application that will be used by a group of phsychologists in their studies of group dynamics.
Analyzing network dynamics through graph partitioning

In dit proefschrift bestuderen we drie problemen voor diffuus gekoppelde netwerken: regelbaarheid, parti"{e}le consensus en storingsontkoppeling. Om de regelbaarheid van netwerken te bestuderen, introduceren we diffuus gekoppelde netwerken met algemene lineaire dynamische agenten, waarvan slechts enkele agenten (zogenaamde leiders) een extern regelsignaal ontvangen. Vervolgens tonen we de rol die de lineaire dynamica van de agenten en de netwerktopologie speelt in de regelbaarheid van het gehele netwerk. Vervolgens richten we ons op netwerken die bestaan uit enkele integrator agenten. Voor deze netwerken geven we zowel de boven- als de ondergrens van de regelbare deelruimte in termen van afstandspartitities en bijna billijke partities van de onderliggende grafen. Daarna onderzoeken we netwerken met afstandsreguliere topologi"{e}n en verstrekken we een strategie om de leiders zodanig te kiezen dat het netwerk regelbaar wordt. Het merendeel van bovenstaande resultaten is uitgebreid naar de situatie waar netwerken arbitrair schakelen tussen een eindige verzameling van toelaatbare topologi"{e}n. Voor het probleem van parti"{e}le consensus beschouwen we heterogene diffuus gekoppelde netwerken met dubbele integrator agenten. We geven zowel de noodzakelijke en voldoende algebra"{i}sche voorwaarden, als de noodzakelijke grafentheoretische voorwaarden om parti"{e}le overeenstemming te bereiken. Voor het probleem van storingsontkoppeling richten we ons op diffuus gekoppelde netwerken met enkele integrator agenten, waarvan enkele agenten be"{i}nvloed worden door een extern storingssignaal. In het bijzonder ontwikkelen zogenaamde bijna billijke partities ten opzichte van een gegeven cel, in welke termen we een voldoende grafentheoretische voorwaarde geven om het probleem van storingsontkoppeling op te lossen voor netwerken.
The Relationship between Organizational Cynicism and Innovative Behaviors of Sport and Youth Offices in Hamedan Province

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between organizational cynicism and innovative behaviors of Sport and Youth offices in Hamedan province. This study is an applied research for the study population and descriptive correlational research in terms of method of coorelative type which tended to evaluate the correlation between the two variables. The population under study included all the personnel of Sport and Youth offices in Hamadan province in 2015 with 140 people working in this organization. The samples were selected using Morgan table at 103. Instrument ­ of measuring organizational cynicism was the 12-item questionnaire of Dean (2008) and measuring instrument of innovative behaviors was the 8 item questionnaire of Kanter (1988). The reliability of the questionnaire of organizational cynicism and innovative practices using Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. The results of multivariate regression showed that there is a significant relationship between organizational cynicism and innovative behavior. The dimensions of organizational cynicism including destructive beliefs, negative emotions and degrading and malicious behaviors were reducing employees' innovative behavior and had the ability to predict innovative behaviors among which humiliation, degradation and malicious components had the greatest impact on innovative behavior.
Impact of Marketplace Lending on Consumers' Future Borrowing Capacities and Borrowing Outcomes

Using comprehensive credit bureau data, we examine the credit dynamics of borrowers on a major marketplace lending platform (MPL). Relative to their neighbors with identical ex-ante credit dynamics, but with unmet credit demand (those originating unsecured installment loans) from banks, MPL borrowers' credit card balances decline 42% (13%) post-MPL origination, but revert to pre-MPL levels within 4 quarters. Their credit scores increase 21 (14) points immediately after origination, followed by an increase in credit card limits. In the next two years, MPL borrowers' higher indebtedness results in 96% (65%) higher default likelihood, with the effects more pronounced for constrained borrowers.
FRACTIONATION OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS (Zn, Ni, Cu) IN MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGES FROM PODLASIE PROVINCE

In the samples of fresh dehydrated sewage sludges from municipal treatment plants in Grajewo, Bielsk Podlaski, Sokółka, Dąbrowa Białostocka, Knyszyn, Mońki, Augustów, Suwałki, Sejny and Suchowola the following determinations were made: pH, pseudo-total content of Zn, Ni and Cu, organic matter and dry mass. The contents of the above-mentioned elements in fractions were evaluated using modified BCR method (four fractions: F1-acid soluble and exchangeable, F2-reducible, F3-oxidizable, F4-residual). The zinc content (mean values) in particular fractions can be arranged quantitatively in a sequence: F3 (60.8%) > F2 (20.0%) > F4 (19.9%) > F1 (3.9%), in the case of nickel: F3 ( 48.6%) > F2 (25.2%) > F4 (25.1%) > F1 (5.6%) and in the case of copper: F4 (66.3%) > F3 (35.3%) > F1 (4.2%) > F2 (3.0%). Cumulative content of zinc in mobile fractions (F1+F2+F3) ranged from 76.0 to 93.3%; for nickel from 56.3 to 89.6% and for copper from 28.8 to 53.3% of pseudo-total content.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR DIFFERENT STREAMS OF TANNERY WASTEWATER

This article discusses the results of laboratory tests aimed to determine the effectiveness of tannery wastewater treatment in the process of enhanced oxidation using Fenton reagent. The general sewage from the tannery located in Mazowieckie Province was used for the research. The process was carried out using two doses of iron of 0.45 g Fe2+/dm3 and 0.56 g Fe2+/dm3, and H2O2 from 2.21 g/dm 3 to 4.08 g/dm3. All the tests were performed for a constant optimum pH of 3.0. Wastewater was characterized by basic physico-chemical indicators (pH, conductivity, COD, chromium, ammonium nitrogen). The efficiency of the process was determined mainly on the basis of changes in the organic pollutants identified as COD. The efficacy of the Fenton process for different doses of Fe2+ and Fe/H2O2 ratio of 1: 5, 1: 6 and 1: 7 was from 69 to 80% COD reduction in relation to raw sewage. Another aspect of the study was determining the possibility of removing sulphides from the wastewater by catalytic oxygenation with oxygen from air in the presence of manganese. In this case, the wastewater produced during leather manufacture in tanneries located in the southern part of Poland was examined. The subject of the study described in the paper was to determine the optimum manganese dose and oxidation time to simultaneously remove the sulphides and organic pollutants expressed as COD. The change in pollutant content in the wastewater over time indicates that the reduction of parameters takes place within one hour after the addition of manganese. Using the process of catalytic oxidation with 0.1 g/dm3 to 0.6 g/dm3 manganese and a reaction time of 1, 3, 24 h, the sulphides were removed in the range of 50 to 99% and organic compounds in 12 to 65%.
Multiple drivers, scales, and interactions influence southern Appalachian stream salamander occupancy

Understanding how factors that vary in spatial scale relate to population abundance is vital to forecasting species responses to environmental change. Stream and river ecosystems are inherently hierarchical, potentially resulting in organismal responses to fine-scale changes in patch characteristics that are conditional on the watershed context. Here, we address how populations of two salamander species are affected by interactions among hierarchical processes operating at different scales within a rapidly changing landscape of the southern Appalachian Mountains. We modeled reach-level occupancy of larval and adult black-bellied salamanders (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) and larval Blue Ridge two-lined salamanders (Eurycea wilderae) as a function of 17 different terrestrial and aquatic predictor variables that varied in spatial extent. We found that salamander occurrence varied widely among streams within fully forested catchments, but also exhibited species-specific responses to changes in local conditions. While D. quadramaculatus declined predictably in relation to losses in forest cover, larval occupancy exhibited the strongest negative response to forest loss as well as decreases in elevation. Conversely, occupancy of E. wilderae was unassociated with watershed conditions, only responding negatively to higher proportions of fast-flowing stream habitat types. Evaluation of hierarchical relationships demonstrated that most fine-scale variables were closely correlated with broad watershed-scale variables, suggesting that local reach-scale factors have relatively smaller effects within the context of the larger landscape. Our results imply that effective management of southern Appalachian stream salamanders must first focus on the larger scale condition of watersheds before management of local-scale conditions should proceed. Our findings confirm the results of some studies while refuting the results of others, which may indicate that prescriptive recommendations for range-wide management of species or the application of a single management focus across large geographic areas is inappropriate.
Spatial Distribution of Dengue Incidence: A Case Study in Putrajaya

Background: Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue has become an important public health problem worldwide. It affects tropical and subtropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi urban areas. Dengue outbreaks characteristically have been associated with high rainfall as well as elevated temperatures and humidity. In Malaysia, dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) have shown an increasing trend. This study aimed to map the spatial distributions of dengue cases in Putrajaya through integration of Geographical Information System (GIS) and spatial statistical analyses. Methodology: This study analysed 389 dengue cases from 2013 to 2014 in different precincts in Putrajaya. Data were collected from various government health agencies. Three spatial statistical analyses [Moran’s I, Average Nearest Neighbourhood (ANN) and Kernel Density estimation] were used to access spatial distribution cases. Results: Analysis showed dengue cases within the district were highly clustered and occurred at an average distance of 264.91 meters. Several locations especially residential areas had been identified as hot spots of dengue cases in the precinct by using kernel density estimation analysis. Conclusion: The study has shown that by integrating spatial analysis using GIS, it is possible to improve the understanding of the distribution of dengue cases within a particular area. GIS and spatial statistical analyses are important in guiding health agencies, epidemiologists, public health officers, town planners and relevant authorities in developing efficient control measures and contingency programmes in identifying and prioritizing their efforts in effective dengue control activities.
The New Immigrants’ Generation in Portuguese Classes: disproportionate relationships and group-specific issues in academic development.

-The present study examines nationality group effect on language proficiency considering six groups of Portuguese immigrant students (M=13 years old; SD= 2,7): Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Portuguesespeaking African countries, Latin America, Asia and China. This research aims to verify whether students from different nationalities evidence similar difficulty levels in tests on language skills. Results of MANOVA showed that nationality groups differed in a significant manner, in particular, two groups – South Asia (Meridional) and Latin America. The Asian group evidenced more difficulty in vocabulary and verbal reasoning when compared to other nationality groups. Higher scores were attained by the Latin American group whose language of testing had common features with the home language and therefore showed more overlapping. The influence of the covariable "Languages spoken at home" on the results was also confirmed, which suggests that nationality is a less strong predictor compared to the number of languages spoken at home.
The Effects of an Instructional Intervention on 7th Grade Students’ Science Process Skills and Science Achievement

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the instructional intervention on science process skills (SPSs) and science achievement of the 7th grade elementary students in Turkey. Non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was employed for research design. While an instructional intervention was performed in order to integrate the learning of science process for the experimental group, the control group received a regular teaching approach over the existing curriculum. The students were administered the Test of Scientific Process Assessment (TSPA) and achievement test as pre- and post-test. Although the difference between the experimental and control group related to the post-test scores of both the test of TSPA and the achievement test was not significant, it can be possible suggest that the experimental group improved their SPSs and achievements more than the control group via the instructional intervention. The results also indicated that there is a significant correlation between the students’ SPSs and achievements in science.
The Kannan-Lovász-Simonovits Conjecture

The Kannan-Lovász-Simonovits conjecture says that the Cheeger constant of any logconcave density is achieved to within a universal, dimension-independent constant factor by a hyperplane-induced subset. Here we survey the origin and consequences of the conjecture (in geometry, probability, information theory and algorithms) as well as recent progress resulting in the current best bounds. The conjecture has lead to several techniques of general interest.
age structure and growth in a Turkish population of the Crimean Wall Lizard, Podarcis tauricus (PaLLas, 1814) (squamata: sauria: Lacertidae) altersstruktur und Wachstum in einer türkischen Population der Taurischen eidechse, Podarcis tauricus (PaLLas, 1814) (squamata: sauria: Lacertidae)

Life-history traits of a Turkish population of Podarcis tauricus (PaLLas, 1814) were studied using the methods of skeletochronology. in the adult sample (20 males and 20 females from the population of the village of sergen), the age ranged from 4-10 ( = 6.68) years for both sexes collectively, 5-10 ( = 7.2) years in males, 4-10 ( = 6.15) years in females and differed significantly between sexes. derived from the LaG (Lines of arrested Growth) configuration, the age at sexual maturity was 2-3 years in both males and females. There was a positive correlation between the lizards’ body size (sVL) and number of LaGs counted in the toe bones. sexual size dimorphism was weakly expressed by the slightly bigger snout-vent-length of the males (sdi = -0.005). The growth coefficient (k) was lower in males than in females (k ± Confidence interval; males: 0.37 ± 0.16; females: 0.67 ± 0.22). There was no difference in growth rate between sexes.
Behaviour and survival of pike, Esox lucius, with a retained lure in the lower jaw

The behaviour and survival of pike, Esox lucius L. , released with a retained lure in the mouth was studied relative to control fish, which simulated line breakage prior to landing. Behaviour was monitored during the first hour post-release with the aid of visual floats attached to the fish, and longer-term for 3 weeks, by means of externally attached radio transmitters. Lure-treated pike were less mobile during the first hour post- release, but exhibited greater mobility and travelled further distances from the release area in the first 24 h after release than controls. From the second day after release, the behaviour of lure-treated pike was similar to control fish. No mortality occurred in a 3-week monitoring period. These results are indicative of only short-term behavioural impairments resulting from a retained lure and rapid resubmission of normal behaviour after simulated break-offs.
Long-range interactions, wobbles, and phase defects in chains of model cilia

Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are chemo-mechanical oscillators capable of generating long-range coordinated motions known as metachronal waves. Pair synchronization is a fundamental requirement for these collective dynamics, but it is generally not sufficient for collective phase-locking, chiefly due to the effect of long-range interactions. Here we explore experimentally and numerically a minimal model for a ciliated surface: hydrodynamically coupled oscillators rotating above a no-slip plane. Increasing their distance from the wall profoundly affects the global dynamics, due to variations in hydrodynamic interaction range. The array undergoes a transition from a traveling wave to either a steady chevron pattern or one punctuated by periodic phase defects. Within the transition between these regimes the system displays behavior reminiscent of chimera states.
An autopsy case of suicide with three knives: a forensic and anatomical discussion

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Ltd, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Ltd. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Research and Reports in Forensic Medical Science 2013:3 1–5 Research and Reports in Forensic Medical Science Dovepress
Bank Monitoring and CEO Risk-Taking Incentives

This paper investigates whether monitoring by bank lenders affects CEO incentives of borrowing firms. We find that an increase in bank monitoring incentives significantly reduce the sensitivity of CEO wealth to stock return volatility (Vega). The results are more profound when bank lenders are more powerful and reputable and have a prior lending relationship with the borrowing firms. Additionally, Vega decreases after financial covenant violations and increases when bank lenders have offsetting equity stakes in borrowing firms. The reduction in Vega due to bank monitoring has some real effects on borrowing firms’ corporate policies. These results together suggest banks have a unique role in monitoring and shaping CEO incentives to mitigate the risk-shifting incentives of firm managers.
Enjoying the Quiet Life: Corporate Decision-Making by Entrenched Managers

In this study, we empirically test “quiet life hypothesis,” which predicts that managers who are subject to weak monitoring from the shareholders avoid making difficult decisions such as risky investment and business restructuring with Japanese firm data. We employ cross-shareholder and stable shareholder ownership as the proxy variables of the strength of a manager’s defense against market disciplinary power. We examine the effect of the proxy variables on manager-enacted corporate behaviors and the results indicate that entrenched managers who are insulated from disciplinary power of stock market avoid making difficult decisions such as large investments and business restructures. However, when managers are closely monitored by institutional investors and independent directors, they tend to be active in making difficult decisions. Taken together, our results are consistent with managerial quiet life hypothesis.