Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Space and resource use by brown hyenas Hyaena brunnea in the Namib Desert

Two clans of brown hyenas were studied on the arid chilly Namib Desert coast where very large seal colonies are present. Carcasses from seals were abundant during summer and autumn following the seal pupping season, and scarce in winter and spring. Hyenas fed predominantly on carcasses. Members of one clan of three hyenas obtained most of their food along 3 km of coastline adjacent to the seal colonies. The other clan of nine individuals obtained food from an area along 6 km of coastline north of the seal colonies. Although carcasses were usually scavenged, seal pups were seen to be killed on occasions. Time spent foraging was not affected by carcass availability. Territories of the two clans overlapped and individual home-range size varied from 31.9 to 220 km2. Food availability apparently had no influence on foraging activities but the dispersal of food affected territory and group sizes. Over abundance of food results in the maintenance of territories extending beyond the distribution of food. The shape and area of these territories may result from the cultural inheritance of space.
Beyond ‘Othering’: the political roots of slum tourism

The occurrence of organized forms of slum tourism in at least two cities of the global South has been linked to large-scale political events, involving thousands of political travellers. Rio de Janeiro’s favela tours are said to have originated in the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (Freie Medeiros 2009) while Nairobi’s Kibera Tours originated in tours taken by attendees of the 2007 World Social Forum (Mowforth & Munt 2009). Township tourism in South Africa was preceded by politically motivated ‘struggle junkies’ who visited townships in support of the resistance of black South Africans against the apartheid regime. This indicates the particular role of mobile political activists in the creation of slum tourism as an organized tourist practice. Moreover, these cases seem to indicate a development pattern of slum tourism destinations, which could help explain the process through which they come about. In this chapter I situate slum tourism in the wider realm of the political tourism that arguably triggered its development. As mobile political activists visit slums they often intend political transformations of the slum and attempt to create networks of solidarity with the visited slum dwellers. Does this political nature of the visits survive in the development of slum tourism in the given destinations? By looking at the links between slum tourism and political tourism, this chapter addresses the ethical concerns central to slum-tourism reflections.
A Coprological Diagnostic Comparison Between Zinc Sulphate Floatation and Formalin:Ether Sedimentation with Two Natural Extracts (Pomegranate Molasses and Honey)

A survey of the common human intestinal parasites was conducted during the period from October 2005 to March 2006. Out of 524 faecal samples were examined by concentration methods, which includes the centrifugal flotation by Zinc Sulphate solutions and centrifugal sedimentation by Formalin-Ether and also by using two natural extracts, one of them from the plant product (Pomegranate molasses) and the other from animal product (Honey), after examination of both extracts by concentration method revealed that the sediment have the ability to concentrate the cysts of protozoans and ova of helminths according to the specific gravity. Zinc Sulfate flotation method showed the higher efficiency in diagnosing intestinal parasites (36.64%), while among sedimentation methods which were used in the present study Pomegranate molasses showed the higher efficiency (30.77%) when compared to other methods also have ability for slightly staining the stages of the parasites. These methods of Pomegranate molasses and Honey sedimentation can be considered as the first attempt in this field.
İçerik Yönetim Sisteminde Kullanılabilirlik Yapılarının İncelenmesi

The internet provides a media-rich navigational environment where people interact with computer systems. This interactive relationship between humans and computers can be explored from a socio-technical philosophy. Thus, investigating individual behaviors toward new information technologies based on their experiences with the internet technology in general, and content management in particular emerged as an alternative stream of research. Since users' behaviors are heavily influenced by web sites usability, this study is aimed at exploring multidimensionalty in usability constructs of a content management system. The findings indicate that multidimensional model - at least- with two upper constructs exist in usability. This finding supports the socio-technical perspective in usability in that content presentation and architectural design were perceived as separate constructs by participants.
REGIONAL ESTIMATION OF THE BODY MASS INDEX USING DATA FROM THE 2002/2003 FRENCH HEALTH SURVEY

In this paper we model one variable of the 2002/2003 French Health Survey (The Body Mass IndexBMI) in order to obtain regional estimations for the rate of overweight people. We construct the model, we derive the theoretical estimations for the parameters of interest . Then we test the fit of the model to the data and after deciding that the model is good enough we compute the estimations and their precisions. We conclude the paper with some directions for future research
The Economic Institution of International Barter

Starting with the international debt crisis in the 1980s, international barter increased substantially. More recently, barter has emerged in Russia and South East Asia. This paper examines how barter can help highly indebted countries to finance imports if they cannot use standard credit arrangements. We argue that payment in goods is easier to enforce than payment in money. However, debtors may pay with inferior quality products. We rank goods with respect to these incentive properties and derive the economic institution of commodity money which explains the trade pattern in barter. Our theoretical predictions are consistent with data on barter contracts.
The Contest for Olympic Success as a Public Good

In this study it is demonstrated that standard income inequality measures, such as the Lorenz curve and the Gini index, can successfully be applied to the distribution of Olympic success. Olympic success is distributed very unevenly, with the rich countries capturing a disproportionately higher share compared to their world population share, which suggests that the Olympic Games do not provide a level playing field. The actual distribution of Olympic success is compared with alternative hypothetical distributions, among which are chosen the distribution according to population shares, the welfare optimal distribution under the assumption of zero government expenditures, and the non-cooperating Nash-Cournot distribution. By way of conclusion, a device is proposed to make the distribution of Olympic success more equitable.
Growth Rate of India's GDP, 1950-51 to 1987-88 Examination of Alternative Hypotheses

A rigorous statistical testing of the alternative hypotheses on the long-term trend growth rate of India's (measured) real gross domestic product does not reject the proposition of a break in the series at 1979-80 and an increased growth rate thereafter. This result is found to hold even when the observation for 1979-80 (a statistical outlier) is dropped. Moreover, the statistically significant break with a positive sign since 1979-80 also is evident for GDP excluding 'public administration and defence'; and even after adjusting for the observed lowering of the growth of the latter in the revised (with 1980-81 as the base year) series of National Accounts Statistics.
Niche differentiation of ammonia oxidizing bacteria and archaea in managed soils

Soils offer humanity a multitude of ecosystem services, including production of food and clean drinking water, and many such services are driven by soil microbial communities. However, human activities are constantly affecting soil ecosystems through altered land use or various management strategies, and thereby influence microbial communities and their functions. Human activities also result in increasing amounts of nitrogen entering terrestrial ecosystems, which modifies the global nitrogen cycle. This can lead to a number of negative environmental effects such as increased amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) being emitted to the atmosphere or nitrate (NO3-) being leached from soils to surrounding water bodies, causing eutrophication. This thesis explores how indigenous soil bacterial and archaeal communities are affected in managed soils, with emphasis on ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA). The objectives were to identify specific environmental drivers for AOB and AOA and to evaluate how potential changes might affect their activity. Long-term application of various fertilizer regimes on an agricultural soil was found to alter the total abundance of targeted bacterial and archaeal phyla and classes in similar ways, although different taxa-specific responses were observed for the relative abundance of certain phyla/classes. Long-term organic and fertilizer amendments also affected the ammonia-oxidizing community. The AOA appeared to be functionally more important in the nitrification process than the AOB at the studied field site. Also, the AOA dominated in abundance except under certain conditions, when the AOB dominated, suggesting niche differentiation between the two groups. Studies on a drained forested peat soil revealed that the AOB were numerically superior to the AOA, and that AOB and AOA community structures and AOB abundance exhibited temporal variation. Furthermore, a spatially focused study on an agricultural soil revealed contrasting spatial patterns between the AOB and AOA with regard to both abundance and structure, which correlated differently to soil properties. This too indicates niche differentiation between the two ammonia oxidizing groups and there were also indications that the AOA were the drivers of nitrate leaching from the studied agro-ecosystem. In conclusion, the AOB and AOA communities clearly respond to different management strategies. Based on current knowledge, it is suggested that the size of the AOB and AOA communities could serve as a good bioindicator when monitoring soil status.
Liquidity Constraints, Home Equity and Residential Mortgage Losses

This paper analyses how mortgage borrower liquidity constraints and home equity drive the realized loss rates given default using loan-level data. We define defaulted loans with zero loss as cures and those with non-zero loss as non-cures. We find economically that borrower liquidity constraints and positive equity explain cure, while negative equity explains non-zero loss. The findings provide an important economic-rationale for a separation of the cure and loss processes in mortgage loss models and their applications such as loan pricing and bank capital regulation. The results have great relevance for the multi-trillion dollar mortgage industry for a more efficient capital allocation, better mortgage pricing and more forward-looking loan loss provisioning.
Managing Student Behavior in an Elementary School Music Classroom: A Study of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams

Classroom management is a common concern for teachers. Music teachers in particular experience unique behavior challenges because of large class sizes, uncommon pacing requirements, and performance-based outcomes. Positive behavior support is an evidence-based framework for preventing or eliminating challenging behaviors by teaching and reinforcing appropriate social skills. Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), a specific positive behavior support intervention involving social skills instruction, positive reinforcement, and group contingencies, has proven effective in elementary schools but has not been evaluated specifically in music classrooms. The present study sought to investigate the effectiveness of CW-FIT in increasing on-task behavior and teacher praise-to-reprimand ratios in a sixth-grade music classroom. A single-subject reversal (ABAB) design was used. Results indicated that student on-task behavior increased when CW-FIT was implemented. Teacher praise-to-reprimand ratios also improved. Results suggest the teacher and the students found CW-FIT valuable and enjoyable. Study limitations and implications are addressed.
The Longidoridae (Nematoda: Dorylaimida) in Yugoslavia. I.

A preliminary survey of longidorid nematodes was carried out in some regions of Yugoslavia. Four species of Longidorus: L. distinctus, Lamberti, Choleva et Agostinelli, 1983; L. euonymus Mali et Hooper, 1973; L. juvenilis Dalmasso, 1969 and L. macrosoma Hooper, 1961 and nine species of Xiphinema: X. brevicolle Lordello et Da Costa, 1961; X. dentatum Sturhan, 1978; X. diversicaudatum (Micoletzky, 1927) Thorne, 1939; X. incertum Lamberti, Choleva et Agostinelli, 1983; X. index Thorne et Allen, 1950; X. italiae Meyl, 1953; X. pachtaicum (Tulaganov, 1938) Kirjanova, 1951; X. vuittenezi Luc, Lima, Weischer et Flegg, 1964 and Xiphinema sp. were found. L. distinctus, L. euonymus, L. juvenilis and X. incertum are recorded for the first time from Yugoslavia. Morphological characteristics, morphometrics and distribution of the species are presented.
Catastrophic 1638 earthquakes in Calabria (southern Italy): New insights from paleoseismological investigation

The reanalyses of all the primary historical sources of the catastrophic March–June 1638 Calabrian earthquakes permitted to split up the seismic sequence in different events that occurred in conterminous areas and to direct our geological surveys of the June shock inside the Sila massif (northern Calabria). We carried out paleoseismological analyses along the Lakes fault (LF), a previously unknown fault. LF (trending NW-SE) cuts the eastern sector of the Sila massif and dips southwestward, damming the drainage network that runs toward the Ionian Sea. We opened four trenches close to or inside some of the small marshes and ponds created by the footwall uplift, finding evidence of several displacement events, the last one being the June 1638 earthquake (M = 6.7). The fault location fits with the historical description of a long fracture opened during the event, our trenching area being still named by the natives “the earthquake sag. ” The young geomorphic expression of LF recalls that of the 1980 Irpinia fault, suggesting its relatively recent activation within the extensional regime characterizing the Calabrian arc. Conversely, the northern continuation of LF (Cecita Lake fault), which we argue to be active too, is not associated to any historical earthquake of the Italian seismic catalogue, this fact evidencing a long, at least 1000 years, elapsed time. Our study permits (1) the relocation of the June 1638 earthquake inside the Sila massif, the epicenter being shifted with respect to the macroseismically derived one, (2) the revision of the whole 1638 sequence, (3) the discovery of the LF, (4) the recognition of the evidence of the June 1638 surface faulting plus four previous paleoearthquakes, and (5) the evaluation of its slip rates and return interval. Finally, the relationship of LF with the neighboring faults casts light to the seismotectonic of the region, providing a new insight to the seismic hazard analysis.
Effects of light on in vitro fiber development and flavonoid biosynthesis in green cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

As an environmental factor, light influences the physiological functions and secondary metabolism of plants. However, the role of light in cotton fiber development and pigment biosynthesis has not yet been thoroughly explored. In this study, ovules of green cotton were cultured in vitro under dark and light conditions, and fiber and ovule growth parameters as well as fiber carbohydrate and cellulose contents and the expression of genes related to fiber development were investigated to elucidate the effect of light on fiber development. In addition, to investigate the effect of light on fiber pigment biosynthesis, the fiber flavonoid content and related gene expression were determined. The results demonstrated that the fiber length and the expression levels of fiber elongation genes under light culture were significantly lower than under dark culture, however, the ovule and fiber weight were significantly higher than under dark culture. The fiber developed under light culture had higher carbohydrate concentrations and carbohydrate transformation rate than under dark culture. Additionally, light culture exhibited higher cellulose contents and expression levels of cellulose biosynthesis genes compared with dark culture. In contrast, the pattern of the effect of light on flavonoid biosynthesis differed from that for cellulose biosynthesis. At 10 DAC (days after culture) and 20 DAC, the flavonoid contents and the expression levels of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were lower than under dark culture. However, the flavonoid contents and gene expression levels observed at 30 DAC and 40 DAC were higher in the light culture than in the dark culture. These results suggested that light hindered fiber elongation, but promoted carbohydrate accumulation and carbohydrate transformation, which resulted in fiber weight gain and increased cellulose accumulation in fibers. In addition, light inhibited flavonoid biosynthesis at early stage of fiber development, but promoted it at later stages. These findings provide the basis for intensive study of fiber development and flavonoids biosynthesis in green cotton.
Effect of Hydrophobicity Degree on PVDF Hollow Fiber Membranes for Textile Wastewater Treatment Using Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

The objectives of this study are to study the effect of hydrophobicity degree of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes blended with different types of additives i.e. ethylene glycol (EG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on textile wastewater application. The degree of hydrophobicity of each membrane was analyzed using contact angle goniometer. The membrane morphology and gas permeability were characterized prior to filtration experiment. Both membranes were tested using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system and their performances were evaluated with respect to water flux and dye removal. This study revealed that the membrane with higher contact angle has greater stability in terms of flux and dye rejection compared to the membrane with low hydrophobic property. This is mainly due to the low surface energy obtained by the highly hydrophobic membrane that prevented the liquids from both sides to penetrate through membrane pores.
Anti-Leishmania donovani antibodies enhance promastigotes internalization into host macrophage

Leishmania spp. promastigotes preferentially infect host macrophages, where parasite internalization is facilitated by several host and parasite surface molecules. This study aimed to demonstrate the role of humoral immunity in Leishmania parasite internalization into host macrophages. First, informed consent sera were obtained from 67 parasitologically confirmed visceral leishmaniasis patients reporting to our field treatment centre, Eastern Sudan. Then following titre determination, sera that had a titre of >102,400 were selected for parasite coating. An in vitro parasite internalization system was developed to enhance the Leishmania/ macrophage interactions. The mean parasite number per monocytes was 626 ± 91 for antibody-coated Leishmania donovani, compared to 412 ± 70 uncoated isolates (p= 0.01). On the other hand, the percentage of infected cells was significantly higher for all antibody-coated isolates (100%) compared to uncoated ones (40%). This evidence of high infectivity probably points to the fact that anti-Leishmania antibodies facilitated the parasite uptake by host macrophages and monocytes-derived macrophages (MDM). Moreover, the rate of parasite uptake by MDM was significantly higher compared to monocytes (p= 0.00). This could be explained by the fact that the functional capabilities of fully differentiated macrophages differ from monocytes. In conclusion, host humoral immunity probably plays a pivotal role in Leishmania parasites internalization into host macrophages. Key words: Leishmania donovani, macrophages, monocyte-derived macrophages, humoral immunity
Al 2 O 3 incorporation in MgSiO 3 perovskite and ilmenite

First-principles calculations in the MgSiO3–Al2O3 system predict that MgSiO3–perovskite dissolves about 15 mol% Al2O3 at the top of the lower mantle, limited by coexistence with Al-rich ilmenite (corundum). The solubility increases with pressure so that the lower mantle is likely undersaturated in alumina in all but the coldest parts of the uppermost lower mantle. The akimotoite– corundum solid solution is highly non-ideal with a symmetric regular solution parameter W=66 kJ/mol per formula unit at the top of the lower mantle. The critical temperature for exsolution of ilmenite is predicted to be 2000 K. The MgSiO3 solution is also significantly non-ideal; assuming only Tschermak substitutions, the value of W=12 kJ/mol per formula unit. Total energy calculations over a range of compositions and several configurations for each composition are based on density functional theory in the local density approximation. We find that the entropy of solution of both structures is nearly ideal on the basis of random sampling of simulations using semi-empirical interatomic potentials. Results also confirm previous experimental and computational results showing that aluminum has little effect on the elasticity of MgSiO3 perovskite.
Procedure for separating the selection effect from other effects in diversity±productivity relationship

Iva SÏ paeÁ kovaÂ * and Jan LepsÏ* *Department of Botany, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, BranisÏovskaÂ 31, CZ-370 05 and Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BranisÏovskaÂ 31, CZ-370 05 CÏeskeÂ BudeÏ jovice, Czech Republic. E-mail: iva@bf.jcu. cz *Correspondence: Jan LepsÏ. E-mail: suspa@entu.cas. cz Abstract In a greenhouse pot experiment we cultivated six meadow species in a replacement series design. The plants were grown at two sowing densities in monocultures and all possible species combinations. Our aim was to separate the selection effect from other diversity effects. This distinction is based on the notion that true overyielding is not a consequence of the selection effect. We suggest a hierarchical procedure, which is based on a repeated division of samples into the pots with the most productive species present and missing. Overyielding can be then demonstrated by a positive dependence of productivity on species richness in the subsets with the most productive species present. Although we found a strong dependence of biomass on species richness in the entire data set, the hierarchical method revealed no evidence of overyielding. Above-ground biomass in a monoculture was a good predictor of species success in a species mix.