Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INTRA-ANNUAL PATTERNS IN PASSAGE RATES AND FLIGHT ALTITUDES OF MARBLED MURRELETS BRACHYRAMPHUS MARMORATUS AT INLAND SITES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus is listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act throughout the southern portion of its range (i.e. Washington, Oregon and California; USFWS 1992), where it flies up to ~80 km inland from nearshore waters to nest on limbs of old-growth coniferous trees (Nelson 1997, Piatt et al. 2007). Information on the seasonal activity and flight altitudes of murrelets at inland sites is lacking but important for evaluating disturbance impacts to murrelets from timber operations and other human activities and for determining collision risks associated with wind turbines, transmission lines, communication towers and other tall structures. Public agencies and developers are particularly interested in this information to assist in evaluating collision risk at land-based wind energy projects within the range of the Marbled Murrelet. Further, the information would assist the US Fish and Wildlife Service in development of protocols for studies of Marbled Murrelets at proposed wind energy projects. Studies of murrelets at inland sites have focused almost exclusively on the summer breeding period, when inland flight activity presumably is greatest (Nelson 1997). Most information on inland flight activity outside of the breeding period is based on audiovisual surveys by Naslund (1993) and O’Donnell (1993). The scope of inference for these studies is limited due to inherent biases in the detectability of murrelets at inland sites during audiovisual surveys (Jodice et al. 2001, Smith & Harke 2001, Cooper & Blaha 2002). Information on flight altitudes of murrelets traveling between the ocean and inland nest sites is similarly limited to a small number of radar-based studies (e.g. B. Cooper, unpub. data; Stumpf et al. 2011).
Association between Non-High-Density-Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Levels and the Prevalence of Asymptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the association between non-high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and the prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS). Methods and Results The Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community (APAC) study is a prospective cohort study based on the Kailuan district (China) population. A total of 5351 eligible subjects, aged ≥40, and without history of stroke or myocardial infarction, were enrolled in this study. Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD) was performed on all enrolled subjects for the evaluation of ICAS presence. Out of 5351 patients, 698 subjects showed evidence of ICAS (prevalence of 13.04%). Multivariate analysis showed that non-HDL-C is an independent indicator for the presence of ICAS (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.08 – 1.23), but with a gender difference (P for interaction<0.01): in men, non-HDL-C is an independent indicator for ICAS (multivariate-adjusted OR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.18–1.39), but not in women (multivariate-adjusted OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.93–1.14). Subjects were divided into five subgroups based non-HDL-C levels and these levels correlated linearly with the prevalence of ICAS (P for trend <0.01). Compared with the first quintile, multivariate-adjusted OR (95%CI) of the second, third, fourth and fifth quintiles were: 1.05 (0.71–1.56), 1.33 (0.91–1.95), 1.83 (1.27–2.63), 2.48 (1.72–3.57), respectively. Conclusion Non-HDL-C is an independent predictor of ICAS prevalence in men but not in women, suggesting that non-HDL-C levels could be used as a surveillance factor in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke, especially in men.
Predicting the volume and depth of lakes from map-derived parameters

The volume and depth of a lake are basic properties that greatly affect a wide array of its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Nevertheless, volume and depth data are scarce in lake-rich regions of the world. We coupled the Swedish lake register to GIS-derived geographical and topographical parameters, attempting to predict the volume and depth of 6943 lakes from map-derived parameters only. Lake area and the maximum slope in a 50 m wide zone outside of the lake shoreline were the most important predictors of both lake volume and depth, explaining 92% of the variance in lake volume but ˂40% of the variance in both maximum and mean depth. Regression parameters of regional submodels of lake volume were similar across geographically and topographically different regions, indicating that the model probably is applicable for glacially formed lakes in general. Despite the high degree of explanation for lake volume, the uncertainty in predicted volume for a single lake is considerable (relative standard deviation, ±57%). However, the mean or cumulative lake volume of catchments containing several lakes (n > 15) is predictable from map-derived parameters with a greatly reduced uncertainty.
How far have we rolled back malaria on the African continent nine years down? The burden of malaria among pregnant women in a semi-urban community of northern Nigeria.

Malaria has continued to constitute a serious public health issue in Nigeria nine years since the domestication of the ‘roll back malaria’ (RBM) programme in Africa. This study was therefore carried out to ascertain the burden of malaria among ante-natal women in a semi-urban community of Benue state. The study was hospital based. Pregnant women attending clinics for their routine ante-natal services were consecutively recruited into the study. Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant information such as: age number of previous pregnancies literacy level feeding habits number of children and ownership and use or otherwise of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs). Capillary blood samples were obtained using sterile lancet where thick and thin blood films were made fixed and stained using Giemsa’s method then air dried and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Micro-capillary tubes were used to collect capillary blood sealed and centrifuged in microhaematocrit machine where Packed cell volume (PCV) was estimated. Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. The incidence of malaria was found to be 42.4% (308/726) of which anaemia (PCV < 28%) was recorded in 71.6% (221/308) of them. Those who used insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) were 22.7% (165/726) while 32.6% (237/726) used untreated bed nets. There was a significant increase in the rate of malaria with a proportionate decrease in use of ITNs (P< 0.001). A significantly higher rate of infection was recorded among those who were uneducated compared to the educated; 67.9% (253/377) for Nil 22.1% (38/172) for primary 8.9% (11/133) and 12.9% (7/54) for secondary and tertiary education respectively (P< 0.001). In view of the high malaria load among inhabitants of Otukpo and environs; efforts should be intensified towards supply and distribution of ITNs adult education as well as public sensitization towards malaria control.
The Amount of Straw for Growing-Finishing Pigs Considering the Reduction of Time Spent in Manipulative Behavior

The behavior of rooting and digging is highly motivated in the pig. The motivation to perform this exploratory behavior is not reduced even after the dietary requirement has been fulfilled through feeding. The aim of this study was to identify the minimal amounts of straw needed to satisfy pig motivation for manipulation and reduce to a minimum the manipulating behavior of pigs directed toward pen mates. To determine the minimal amount of straw needed for conventional growing-finishing pigs, a study using 168 pigs provided with 7 different amounts of straw (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200 or 300 grams/ pig/ day) was performed. The straw was provided either once or four times per day. Behavior observations were made using focal animal sampling and continuous recording for one hour between 9 and 10 am and between 3 and 4 pm. The time spent by the pigs manipulating straw increased over 10% ranging up to 27% in all the pens receiving over 200g of straw per day compared to the range from 4-22% in pens receiving 20-100g of straw. Meanwhile, the time spent in redirected behavior decreased below 5% in all the pens receiving over 200g of straw per day. No significant differences were found when comparing pens provided with straw once or four times per day.
Founder Management, Government Ownership and Firm Performance: Evidence from Malaysia

This paper examines first, how founder CEOs affect firm performance and second, whether government ownership moderates the relationship between founder CEOs and firm performance of companies listed in Malaysia between 2002 and 2011. Firms led by founder CEOs perform better than those led by non-founder CEOs. Although a direct-effect test indicates that government ownership may be detrimental to firm performance, there exists a positive relationship between founder CEOs and firm performance in the presence of government ownership from the perspective of growth opportunities. In terms of profitability, however, government ownership may not increase return on assets. These findings suggest that the government may play a crucial role to protect investor’s wealth, especially with respect to long-term survival of a company.
Heavy metal tolerance and multiple drug resistance of heterotrophic bacterial isolates from metal contaminated soil

The development of multiple metal/antibiotic resist ances among the bacterial population causes a poten tial risk to human health. Metal contamination in natura l environments could have an important role in the maintenance and proliferation of antibiotic resista nce. In the present study, a total of 46 heterotrop hic bacterial isolates from metal contaminated soil were tested f or their sensitivity to 10 widely used antibiotics such as ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, nalidixic aci d, penicillin, amikacin, lincomycin, novobiocin, va ncomycin and tetracycline. Metal tolerant ability of these iagainst five heavy metals such as lead, zin c, copper, cadmium and nickel were also determined. The result s revealed that most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to one or more heavy metals/ antibiotics against wh ich they are tested. Tolerance to heavy metal showe d the following pattern; lead > zinc > nickel > copper > cadmium. Resistance to ampicillin (73.91%), penicillin (60.8%), lincomycin (43.47%) and nalidixic acid (21 .73%) were encountered frequently. None of the isol ates were resistant to amikacin, while resistance to gen tamicin and tetracycline were low (2.17%). Out of the 46 bacterial isolates, 36 isolates showed multiple met al and antibiotic resistances. Isolate LOC 10 showe d significantly high tolerance (100-300ug/mL) to all the metals and was resistant to 6 antibiotics.
Improving Coping Abilities among Caregivers of Patients with Cerebrovascular Stroke

Cerebrovascular stroke is a condition that affects both patients and family members who provide care and support. Because stroke is an unexpected traumatic event that suddenly forces family members into a care giving role, and experience an overwhelming sense of burden, the present study was conducted to assess the perceived stress and stressors facing caregivers of patients with cerebrovascular stroke, their burden, patterns of caring themselves ,their coping abilities and designing and implementing nursing intervention program for improving caregivers' coping abilities toward their stressors and burden. The study was carried out at the Outpatient Clinic of Neuropsychiaty in Ain Shams University Hospitals. The sample included 50 caregivers of patients with cerebrovascular stroke. Tools used for data collection were 1) Questionnaire dealing with socio-demographic characteristics, general health condition of caregivers, physical, economical, psychological and social stressors facing them and their awareness toward patterns of caring themselves. 2) Perceived Stress Scale to measure the caregivers' perception of stress 3) Burden Interview Questionnaire which indicates how often the caregivers feel toward caring their patients 4) Assessment dependence level questionnaire to assess ADL and IADL of patient. 5) Coping Inventory to assess caregivers' coping abilities. The main results showed that the nursing intervention program was effective in improving caregivers' coping abilities toward their perceived stress and burden. This study recommended that, caregivers-focused intervention programs should be provided for family caregivers emphasizing on, assertive training to deal with burden of care giving based on caregivers' actual needs' assessment and awareness programs are needed about self care and stress management techniques for improving their coping abilities with their stressors and burden of care giving. Keywords: Caregivers, Cerebrovascular Stroke, Coping abilities, Nursing intervention
Test of relationship between Exchange Rate and Inflation in South Sudan: Granger-Causality Approach

Using Granger-causality approach, this study was intended to establish the relationship between exchange rate and inflation measured by CPI in South Sudan using time series monthly data for the period August 2011 to November 2014. The study reveals that there exists a unidirectional causality from exchange rate to CPI without feedback. This means depreciation of South Sudanese currency is detrimental to the economy of South Sudan. Although CPI failed to cause changes in exchange rate, there is no way to conclude with greater confidence that the results are true. The effect of the pressure of an increase in price level on exchange rate could have been from the response of monetary authorities in bridging the gap between the price level and the purchasing power of people in the economy. In South Sudan, with no response from the monetary authorities to increase money supply, the effect of increase in prices on exchange rate has been suppressed and only manifests itself in terms of suffering encountered by the economic actors with consumers and mainly the low-income consumers hit hard.Given the results, there is a need for the authorities to manage the exchange rate and save the domestic currency from depreciation. In search of more information, the study recommends further research to be conducted with the aim of establishing the weaknesses and strengths of South Sudan Central Bank management in carrying out effective monetary policies in the country.
Spatial genetic structure of the Sea Sandwort on Surtsey: an immigrant's journey

Sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides) is one of the first plants to successfully colonize and reproduce on the volcanic island Surtsey, formed in 1963 off the southern coast of Iceland. Using amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) markers we examined levels of genetic variation and differentiation among populations of H. peploides on Surtsey in relation to 5 populations on the nearby island Heimaey and from the southern coast of Iceland. Selected populations from Denmark and Greenland were used for comparison. In addition, we tested whether the effects of isolation by distance can be seen in the Surtsey populations. Using two primer combinations, we obtained 173 AFLP markers from a total of 347 plant samples. The resulting binary matrix was then analyzed statistically. Main results include the followings: (i) 10 Surtsey has the highest proportion of polymorphic markers as well as a comparatively high genetic diversity (55.5% PLP; 0.1974 HE) and Denmark the lowest (31.8% PLP; 0.132 HE), indicating rapid expansion during an early stage of population establishment on Surtsey and/or multiple origins of immigrants; (ii) the total genetic differentiation (FST) among Surtsey (0.0714) and Heimaey (0.055) populations was less than half of that found among the 15 mainland populations in Iceland (0.1747), indicating substantial gene flow on the islands; (iii) most of the genetic variation (79%, p < 0.001) was found within localities, possibly due to the outcrossing and subdioecious nature of the species; (iv) a significant genetic distance was found within Surtsey, among sites, and this appears to correlate with the age of plant colonization; and (v) the genetic structure analysis indicated multiple colonization episodes on 20 Surtsey, whereby H. peploides most likely immigrated from the nearby island of Heimaey and directly from the southern coast of Iceland. Genetic structure of Honckenya peploides, Page 3
Serological markers of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with cardiovascular disease

Wstep. Wzrastająca liczba danych seroepidemiologicznych i doświadczalnych wskazuje na mozliwy udzial Chlamydia pneumoniae , niedawno odkrytego ludzkiego patogenu wewnątrzkomorkowego, w patogenezie chorob ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego, takich jak tetniak aorty brzusznej (AAA), zawal serca i udar mozgu. Wedlug danych z piśmiennictwa, u znacznej liczby osob ze schorzeniami ukladu krązenia wykryto serologiczne wskaźniki przewleklego zakazenia C. pneumoniae . Cel pracy. Celem pracy byla ocena czestości wystepowania zakazenia Chlamydia pneumoniae u osob z chorobą wiencową serca, miazdzycowym zwezeniem tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej i AAA, poprzez oznaczenie miana swoistych przeciwcial klasy IgG, IgM i IgA w surowicy. Material i metody. W badaniach uczestniczylo 47 chorych (8 K, 39 M, średni wiek chorych 64,4 lata) z ostrym zawalem serca lub niestabilną chorobą wiencową, 17 chorych (3 K, 14 M, średni wiek chorych 66,5 r.) operowanych z powodu miazdzycowego zwezenia tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej oraz 28 chorych (5 K, 23 M, średni wiek chorych 68,5 r.) operowanych z powodu AAA. Grupa kontrolna skladala sie z 20 osob, zblizonych pod wzgledem wieku i plci do osob z grupy badanej, bez objawow chorob ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego i oddechowego. Ocene miana swoistych przeciwcial anty- C. pneumoniae klasy IgG, IgA i IgM przeprowadzono z zastosowaniem metody mikroimmunofluorescencji za pomocą testu Chlamydia pneumoniae Micro-IF firmy Labsystems (Finlandia). Analize statystyczną przeprowadzono z uzyciem programu Statistica. Za istotne statystycznie przyjeto p Wyniki. Serologiczne wskaźniki przewleklego zakazenia Chlamydia pneumoniae stwierdzono u 37/47 (80,9%) osob z chorobą wiencową, u 12/17 (70,6%) chorych z miazdzycowym zwezeniem tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej, u 22/28 (78,6%) chorych z AAA oraz u 6/20 (30,0%) osob z grupy kontrolnej. U 21/37 (56,8%) osob z chorobą wiencową, u 5/12 (41,7%) chorych z miazdzycowym zwezeniem tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej i u 10/25 (40,0%) chorych z AAA z serologicznymi wskaźnikami przewleklego zakazenia C. pneumoniae odnotowano wysokie miana swoistych przeciwcial klasy IgG i IgA, wskazujące na aktywne zakazenie. Wszyscy chorzy z miazdzycowym zwezeniem tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej i AAA, u ktorych zaobserwowano serologiczne wskaźniki aktywnego zakazenia, byli chorymi z objawami. Wnioski. Serologiczne wskaźniki przewleklego zakazenia C. pneumoniae wystepują statystycznie cześciej u osob z chorobą wiencową, miazdzycowym zwezeniem tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej oraz AAA w porownaniu z grupą kontrolną. Aktywne zakazenie C. pneumoniae wiąze sie z objawami AAA oraz wystepowaniem objawow przemijającego niedokrwienia mozgu.
The dilemma of pest suppression in the conservation of endangered species

In the conservation of endangered species, suppression of a population of one native species to benefit another poses challenges. Examples include predator control and nest parasite reduction. Less obvious is the control of blood‐feeding arthropods. We conducted a case study of the effect of native black flies (Simulium spp.) on reintroduced Whooping Cranes (Grus americana). Our intent was to provide a science‐driven approach for determining the effects of blood‐feeding arthropods on endangered vertebrates and identifying optimal management actions for managers faced with competing objectives. A multiyear experiment demonstrated that black flies reduce nest success in cranes by driving incubating birds off their nests. We used a decision‐analytic approach to develop creative management alternatives and evaluate trade‐offs among competing objectives. We identified 4 management objectives: establish a self‐sustaining crane population, improve crane well‐being, maintain native black flies as functional components of the ecosystem, and minimize costs. We next identified potential management alternatives: do nothing, suppress black flies, force crane renesting to occur after the activity period of black flies, relocate releases of cranes, suppress black flies and relocate releases, or force crane renesting and relocate releases. We then developed predictions on constructed scales of 0 (worst‐performing alternative) to 1 (best‐performing alternative) to indicate how alternative actions performed in terms of management objectives. The optimal action depended on the relative importance of each objective to a decision maker. Only relocating releases was a dominated alternative, indicating that it was not optimal regardless of the relative importance of objectives. A rational decision maker could choose any other management alternative we considered. Recognizing that decisions involve trade‐offs that must be weighed by decision makers is crucial to identifying alternatives that best balance multiple management objectives. Given uncertainty about the population dynamics of blood‐feeding arthropods, an adaptive management approach could offer substantial benefits.
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal

Saharan Dust Impacts on Air Quality: What Are the Potential Health Risks in West Africa? Florence de Longueville a , Yvon-Carmen Hountondji b , Pierre Ozer c , Béatrice Marticorena d , Bernadette Chatenet d e & Sabine Henry a a Department of Geography , University of Namur , Namur , Belgium b Department of Natural Resources Management, Faculty of Agronomy , University of Parakou , Parakou , Benin c Environmental Sciences and Management Department , University of Liège , Arlon , Belgium d LISA, UMR CNRS 7583, Universités Paris Diderot et Paris-Est Créteil, IPSL , Créteil , France e IRD/UJF-Grenoble 1, LTHE UMR 5564, Représentation IRD , Sénégal Accepted author version posted online: 27 Aug 2012.Published online: 08 Jul 2013.
What Drives the Adoption of Electronic Markets in Australian Small-and-Medium Sized Enterprises? – An Empirical Study

This paper reports a study of the critical determinants for adopting electronic markets (e-Market) in Australian small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework. Structural equation modelling and logistic regression are used for identifying the critical determinants for the adoption of e-Markets by Australian SMEs through testing a proposed conceptual model and proposing an alternative model. This study contributes to existing research by enriching an understanding of the critical determinants of adopting an e-Market in Australian SMEs and by providing a validated model for the interrelationships of the determinants in technology adoption.
La gestión estratégica de la innovación en las entidades turísticas del destino la Habana.

La innovacion es un factor clave para lograr la competitividad. Ademas, incide en el posicionamiento y desarrollo de los destinos turisticos. En Cuba existen diferentes barreras que limitan el desarrollo del destino, impidiendo que el mismo sea innovador. Partiendo de la definicion del perfil de viaje de los turistas, se puede enfocar una estrategia coherente en materia de innovacion hacia el interior de las entidades, ya que, en empresas de servicios es vital el desarrollo de interface con los clientes, pues en gran medida, ellos aportan a la construccion y el desarrollo de las nuevas experiencias y los cambios. Inducir las actividades de I+D+i en la gestion de las entidades turisticas en el destino La Habana es una necesidad ante la muestras queda el agotamiento del modelo de desarrollo turistico sustentado en el “todo incluido”.