Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Off-road sampling reveals a different grassland bird community than roadside sampling: implications for survey design and estimates to guide conservation

Grassland bird species continue to decline steeply across North America. Road-based surveys such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) are often used to estimate trends and population sizes and to build species distribution models for grassland birds, although roadside survey counts may introduce bias in estimates because of differences in habitats along roadsides and in off-road surveys. We tested for differences in land cover composition and in the avian community on 21 roadside-based survey routes and in an equal number of adjacent off-road walking routes in the grasslands of southern Alberta, Canada. Off-road routes (n = 225 point counts) had more native grassland and short shrubs and less fallow land and road area than the roadside routes (n = 225 point counts). Consequently, 17 of the 39 bird species differed between the two route types in frequency of occurrence and relative abundance, measured using an indicator species analysis. Six species, including five obligate grassland species, were more prevalent at off-road sites; they included four species listed under the Canadian federal Species At Risk Act or listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), the Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), and McCown's Longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii). The six species were as much as four times more abundant on off-road sites. Species more prevalent along roadside routes included common species and those typical of farmland and other human-modified habitats, e.g., the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), the Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia), and the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Differences in avian community composition between roadside and off-road surveys suggest that the use of BBS data when generating population estimates or distribution models may overestimate certain common species and underestimate others of conservation concern. Our results highlight the need to develop appropriate corrections for bias in estimates derived from roadside sampling, and the need to design surveys that sample bird communities across a more representative cross-section of the landscape, both near and far from roads.
Firm Value Effects of Global, Regional, and Local Brand Divestments in Core and Non‐Core Businesses

__Abstract__ In this article, we investigate the effect of brand divestments on firm value. We integrate two common motives for focus-increasing brand divestitures—global branding and refocusing on core businesses—in a single common framework. In particular, we investigate the effects of divesting local/regional/global brands in core businesses and local/regional/global brands in non-core businesses on firm value. Analyzing 205 divestment announcements in the global food and beverages industry, we find that, in most cases, brand divestments destroy firm value. Only when firms divest local or regional brands in non-core businesses is the effect on firm value positive.
Completeness and soundness guarantees for conjunctive SPARQL queries over RDF data sources with completeness statements

RDF generally follows the open-world assumption: information is incomplete by default. Consequently, SPARQL queries cannot retrieve with certainty complete answers, and even worse, when they involve negation, it is unclear whether they produce sound answers. Nevertheless, there is hope to lift this limitation. On many specific topics (e.g., children of Trump, Apollo 11 crew, EU founders), RDF data sources contain complete information, a fact that can be made explicit through completeness statements. In this work, we leverage completeness statements over RDF data sources to provide guarantees of completeness and soundness for conjunctive SPARQL queries. We develop a technique to check whether query completeness can be guaranteed by taking into account also the specifics of the queried graph, and analyze the complexity of such checking. For queries with negation, we approach the problem of query soundness checking, and distinguish between answer soundness (i.e., is an answer of a query sound? ) and pattern soundness (i.e., is a query as a whole sound? ). We provide a formalization and characterize the soundness problem via a reduction to the completeness problem. We further develop heuristic techniques for completeness checking, and conduct experimental evaluations based on Wikidata, a prominent, real-world knowledge base, to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach.
A Three Step B2B Sales Model Based on Satisfaction Judgments

This paper aims to provide a coherent, detailed and integrative understanding of the mental processes (i.e. dimensions) that industrial buyers apply when forming satisfaction judgments in adjacent to new task buying situations. A qualitative inductive research strategy is utilized in this study. The insights produces can be applied for selling companies to craft close collaborative customer relationships in a systematic ad efficient way. The process of building customer relationships will be guided through actions that yields higher satisfaction judgments leading to loyal customers and finally to increase in sales and profitability. The specific nature of the developed insight will further make it difficult for competitors‘ to copy. Thus, processing the guidelines offered by the proposed typology in a successful manner will have the potential to create unique competitive advantages form the selling companies‘ perspective. The buying center members applied satisfaction dimension when forming satisfaction judgments. Moreover, the focus and importance of the identified satisfaction dimensions fluctuated pending on the phase of the buying process. Based on the findings a three step sales model is proposed comprising of 1. Identification of the satisfaction dimensions the buying center members apply in the buying process. 2. Identification of the fluctuation in importance of the satisfaction dimensions and finally 3. Identification of the degree of expectations‘ adjacent to the identified satisfaction dimensions.
'Dual' Gravity: Using Spatial Econometrics to Control for Multilateral Resistance

We propose a quantity-based 'dual' version of the gravity equation that yields an estimating equation with both cross-sectional interdependence and spatially lagged error terms. Such an equation can be concisely estimated using spatial econometric techniques. We illustrate this methodology by applying it to the Canada-U.S. data set used previously, among others, by Anderson and van Wincoop (2003) and Feenstra (2002, 2004). Our key result is to show that controlling directly for spatial interdependence across trade flows, as suggested by theory, significantly reduces border effects because it captures 'multilateral resistance'. Using a spatial autoregressive moving average specification, we find that border effects between the U.S. and Canada are smaller than in previous studies: about 8 for Canadian provinces and about 1.3 for U.S. states. Yet, heterogeneous coefficient estimations reveal that there is much variation across provinces and states.
Moisture Migration in Concrete Slabs during Drying

This paper presents the profiles of relative humidity (RH) readings taken at various depths in concrete slabs during a time period of over 230 days using probes attached to a humidity-reading device. It also examines the effect ambient conditions have on the drying process. For the experimental work, two sets of slabs were tested, one in a controlled environment with an elevated temperature and the other in a laboratory at room temperatures. It was found, not surprisingly that the slabs in the controlled room appeared to dry out at a much faster rate than those held at room temperature. However, a residual of moisture remained within the slab and the average residual RH over the depth of the latter was as much as 85%, as compared with 80% for the former. This suggests that the industry’s standard, specified in BS 8203: 1996, concerning the application of floor coverings when the surface reaches a RH of 75% needs to be treated with caution especially when drying is artificially accelerated. Due to this moisture residue remaining in the slab, any impermeable covering applied to the surface may result in a number of defects occurring, leading to expensive repair work later on. A scheme for modelling the process numerically is presented, employing the finite element method that will eventually account for changing ambient RH, non-linear diffusion coefficients and sealing of the surface at some point in time.
Oral health knowledge, perceptions and behaviour among nursing students in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate oral health knowledge, perceptions and behaviour amongst nursing students in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital on 244 respondents aged 17 to 40 years, using self administered structured questionnaire. Result: Respondents showed high level of oral health knowledge. Most of them (68.3%), had never visited a dentist with females accounting for 144 (67.7%) (P > 0.05). About 58.0% of the respondents brushed once a day. Majority, 155 (70.5%), of females perceived their oral health as good as against 14 (58.3%) males. Conclusion: The respondents had good oral health knowledge, but poor oral health behaviour. Importance of regular dental visit, frequent tooth brushing, should be stressed. Keywords : Oral health, knowledge, behaviour, Nursing students, tertiary hospital. Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 14 (1) 2007: pp. 26-29
Characterisation of purified acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) from Oreochromis mossambica brain tissues

This study reports on the characterization of a purified AChE from Oreochromis mossambica brain extract. The purification protocol involved the application of custom-synthesized affinity chromatography gel (Edrophoniumâ€“Sephacryl S-400) and the use of high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC). Soluble AChE was partially purified 27.9 fold with a highest specific activity around 73.1 Ã— 103 U/mg proteins. The partially purified AChE higher capability to hydrolyse acetylthiocholine (ATC) and shows less degradation against propionylthiocholine (PTC) and also butyrylthiocholine (BTC). Based on enzyme kinetic analysis, the partially purified AChE exhibits the apparent Michaelis constants Km, for ATC, PTC and BTC in the range of 125, 260 and 600 ÂµM and the maximum velocities Vmax were 276, 59 and 36 Âµmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The apparent inhibition constant (ki) values of eserine, propidium and carbofuran were 0.24 ÂµM-1min-1, 65 ÂµM-1min-1 and 0.41 ÂµM-1min-1 ÂµM-1min-1, respectively. The purified enzyme is apparently an AChE since it capable to hydrolyzes ATC at a higher rate compared to other synthetic substrates, at pH 7.0 and 25ÂºC, and is inhibited by it specific inhibitor which is eserine but not by iso-OMPA.
Half-metallic ferromagnetism and spin polarization in CrO2

We present electronic structure calculations in combination with local and non-local many-body correlation effects for the half-metallic ferromagnet CrO$_2$. Finite-temperature Dynamical Mean Field Theory results show the existence of non-quasiparticle states, which were recently observed as almost currentless minority spin states near the Fermi energy in resonant scattering experients. At zero temperatures, Variational Cluster Approach calculations support the half-metallic nature of CrO$_2$ as seen in superconducting point contact spectroscopy. The combination of these two techniques allowed us to qualitatively describe the spin-polarization in CrO$_2$.
On the Exact Convex Hull of IFS Fractals

The problem of finding the convex hull of an IFS fractal is relevant in both theoretical and computational settings. Various methods exist that approximate it, but our aim is its exact determination. The finiteness of extremal points is examined a priori from the IFS parameters, revealing some cases when the convex hull problem is solvable. Former results are detailed from the literature, and two new methods are introduced and crystallized for practical applicability -- one more general, the other more efficient. Focal periodicity in the address of extremal points emerges as the central idea.
Policy Reform and Farmers' Wheat Allocation in Rural China: A Case Study

Market-oriented policy reforms often have important effects on farm-level grain production and utilisation decisions in developing countries. China's grain farmers are of particular interest because of China's importance in world grain markets and because of China's recent major agricultural policy advances and retrenchments. An empirical evaluation of market liberalisation among farmers located in two provinces in China on farm-level wheat consumption, market sales and on-farm storage during 1994 is presented. The results indicate that policymakers should account for such changes in farm household behaviour in designing and assessing the consequence of market liberalisation programs for agricultural sectors in developing countries.
Scripted Cooperation in High School Mathematics: Peer Interaction and Achievement.

In the last few years educational researchers have become increasingly aware of the need to examine interaction among students to understand the impact of cooperative small groups on learning. For this study 26 students in an 11th -grade Algebra II/Trigonometry class were trained to use a didactic cooperative learning technique called scripted cooperation. The study was designed to explore the nature of students' verbal interaction within this cooperative structure, how that interaction changed over time, and its relationship to achievement. Findings from analysis of transcripts of students working in groups, chapter tests, and student characteristics instruments included the fact that none of the 24 categorized interaction sequences or behaviors was significantly related to ability as measured by prior mathematics achievement. Contains 51 references. (MKR) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** (JD Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association 0 LU April 1994, New Orleans, Louisiana SCRIPTED COOPERATION IN HIGH SCHOOL. MATHEMATICS: PEER INTERACTION AND ACHIEVEMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION AtCENTER (MCI hts document has been reproduced as ceived from the person or organtzatton onginating a. C Manor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent offictal OERI position or policy
Morphometric and Phylogenic Analysis of Six Population Indonesian Local Goats

The research objectives were to characterize morphometric and genetic distance between populations of Indonesian local goats. The morphological discriminant and canonical analysis were carried out to estimate the phylogenic relationship and determine the discriminant variable between Benggala goats (n= 96), Marica (n= 60), Jawarandu (n= 94), (Kacang (n= 217), Muara (n= 30) and Samosir (n= 42). Discriminant analysis used to clasify body weight and body measurements. In the analysis of variance showed that body weight and body measurement (body length, height at withers, thorax width, thorax height, hert girth, skull width and height, tail length and width, ear length and width) of Muara goats was higher (P<0.05) compared to the other groups, and the lowest was in Marica goats. The smallest genetic distance was between Marica and Samosir (11.207) and the highest were between Muara and Benggala (255.110). The highest similarity between individual within population was found in Kacang (99.28%) and the lowest in Samosir (82.50%). The canonical analysis showed high correlation on canon circumference, body weight, skull width, skull height, and tail width variables so these six variables can be used as distinguishing variables among population. The result from Mahalonobis distance for phenogram tree and canonical analysis showed that six populations of Indonesian local goats were divided into six breed of goats: the first was Muara, the second was Jawarandu, the third was Kacang, the fourth was Benggala, the fifth was Samosir and the sixth was Marica goats. The diversity of body size and body weight of goats was observed quite large, so the chances of increasing productivity could be made through selection and mating programs.
Assessing Fiscal Sustainability for Malaysia: Fiscal Sustainability Indicators

This paper aims to assess fiscal sustainability in Malaysia using two fiscal sustainability indicators i.e. primary gap indicator and recursive algorithm indicator. Using annual data from 1981 to 2014, both indicators indicated that Malaysia’s current fiscal policy is weakly unsustainable. The current tax ratio is inadequate to cover the government spending in the medium and long term with medium term gap indicator showing unsustainable fiscal policy since 1997 and recursive algorithm approach detected unsustainable fiscal policy since 1998. Malaysia government needs to achieve primary surplus either by spending cuts or tax increases to ensure fiscal sustainability for Malaysia and also address any long term issues that could affect fiscal sustainability such as population ageing and rising contingent liabilities.
Academic cheating and gender differences in Barcelona (Spain)

El presente estudio expone las caracteristicas de la conducta deshonesta en el aula, describe sus causas y examina las nefastas consecuencias que tiene para el aprendizaje. Con el fin de analizar el estado de la cuestion en nuestro pais, se ha hecho una entrevista psicoeducativa y se ha aplicado un cuestionario a un total de 306 alumnos de ultimo curso de bachillerato, ultimo curso de universidad y ultimo curso de Psicologia en Barcelona (Espana). Se ha comprobado que, igual como ocurre en otros paises, mas de la mitad de los estudiantes reconocen tener el habito de copiar, y tambien que los chicos copian mas que las chicas. Para finalizar, el trabajo expone estrategias operativas para controlar la conducta deshonesta en el aula, que incluyen: incorporar contenidos relacionados con la etica en el curriculum, ensenar tecnicas de analisis y resumen para evitar que los alumnos se vean obligados a copiar, y ser muy estrictos con las fechas limite y la aplicacion de las normas en las instituciones educativas.
Assessment of Phosphorus-microbe Interactions in Lake Ontario by Multiple Techniques

ABSTRACT Conventional and newly-developed techniques to determine the phosphorus (P) status of Lake Ontario phytoplankton were employed in September 2003, immediately after the passage of the storm system associated with Hurricane Isabel. Surface water (1–5 m) was collected at 29 stations, with selected stations sampled throughout the water column. Chemical estimates of total P concentrations were compared with proxies of P bioavailability: P enrichment bioassays of lake water, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), and P-dependent bioreporter assays. Average total P (314 nM) and total chlorophyll-α (2.12 μg/L) concentrations measured in pelagic surface waters from throughout Lake Ontario suggest an oligotrophic status prevailed across much of this lake during the sample period. Autotrophic picoplankton (0.2–2 μm) displayed the highest growth rates and were grazed at the highest rate, whereas P-enrichment bioassays favored the production of autotrophic nanoplankton (2–20 μm) and autotrophic microplankton (> 20 μm) biomass. Average concentrations of bacteria (2.61 ×1010 cells/L) were higher than those measured during summer in a similar lake (Erie), whereas the average viral density (1.38 ×1010 virus particles/L) was similar. Pelagic stations exhibited higher APA than coastal stations; cyanobacterial bioreporter responses did not show high correlation with APA suggesting that proxies of P-demand based on residual effects (e.g., enzyme production) were not indicative of shorter-term biological responses related to planktonic growth (bioreporter genetic response). The combination of traditional chemical, biochemical (APA), and cutting-edge biological methods (bioreporter) provided information on nutrient concentrations and primary productivity throughout Lake Ontario, while concurrently allowing real-time assessment of P bioavailability.
A Novel Wideband Circularly Polarized Patch Array with Meta-Surface

A wideband sequential-phase-feeding circularly polarized (CP) patch array is proposed in this paper. A well-designed meta-surface is placed above the array to enhance its impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths. The proposed patch array has an overall size of 1. 275λo× 1. 275λo× 0. 0935λo at 5.1 GHz. Measured results show that the impedance bandwidth (|S11| < �10 dB) of the array is 24.26% from 4.74 GHz to 6.05 GHz, and its 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth is 19% from 4.75 GHz to 5.75 GHz. The measured gain of the array at 5.7 GHz is 10.8 dBic. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Branch Strength of Bradford Pear ( Pyrus calleryanavar. ‘Bradford’)

Previously planted extensively as a street tree, Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana var. ‘Bradford’) has fallen out of favor because of its reputation for branch breakage. Despite this reputation, Bradford pear branch strength has never been tested. Prior studies on branch breaking have discounted the influence of branch attachment angle, suggesting that the ratio of branch to trunk diameter, or aspect ratio, is a better predictor of branch attachment strength. Twenty-six Bradford pear branches from 10 trees were broken by pulling them with a winch. To assess the effect of branch cross-sectional dimensions, breaking stress was calculated considering the branch cross-section as either an ellipse or a circle. Breaking stress was normalized by dividing it by the modulus of rupture measured on wood samples from each broken branch. The location of failure, either in the branch itself or at the branch/trunk attachment, did not affect breaking stress. Aspect ratio was a better predictor of branch attachment strength than branch attachment angle. Breaking stress calculated considering the branch cross-section as an ellipse was greater than when stress was calculated assuming the branch cross-section was a circle. Results are compared with previous studies and the importance of measuring branch cross-sectional dimensions is discussed.