Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Access to Information and Farmer's Market Choice: The Case of Potato in Highland Bolivia

Potato incomes are critical determinants of Andean farmers' household well-being. Efforts to improve incomes of producers should recognize the role of access to market information. In highland Bolivia, market information has entered the digital age. Cell phones are ubiquitous, and networks lubricated by cellular technologies are affecting traditional means of gathering information. Andean markets are characterized by the heavy involvement of women. Lower information costs could change market choices and roles of men and women. This study explores the effects of information access on market choice near Cochabamba. It diagnoses the roles of men and women and investigates decision-making and changes in it. The research confirms the importance of gender and cell phones to market access. Market decisions are made jointly by men and women, but women take a leading role in marketing. Women dominate marketing by negotiating favorable prices with buyers who are also women. Marketing networks have not changed substantially since the introduction of new information technologies. While cellular technology has broadened access to information and quickened its flow, it has not fundamentally changed network structures. The study provides recommendations about improving competitiveness of small-scale potato producers: (1) increasing access to information by expanding the information content of existing networks; (2) expanding cell phones access; (3) consideration of the important roles intermediaries play; and (4) more technical support for market and information access.
Understanding the physics of kappa (κ): Insights from a downhole array

At high frequencies, the acceleration spectral amplitude decreases rapidly; this has been modelled with the spectral decay factor κ. Its site component, κ0, is used widely today in ground motion prediction and simulation, and numerous approaches have been proposed to compute it. In this study, we estimate κ for the EUROSEISTEST valley, a geologically complex and seismically active region with a permanent strong motion array consisting of 14 surface and 6 downhole stations. Site conditions range from soft sediments to hard rock. First, we use the classical approach to separate local and regional attenuation and measure κ0. Second, we take advantage of the existing knowledge of the geological profile and material properties to examine the correlation of κ0 with different site characterization parameters. κ0 correlates well with Vs30, as expected, indicating a strong effect from the geological structure in the upper 30 m. But it correlates equally well with the resonant frequency and depth-to-bedrock of the stations, which indicates strong effects from the entire sedimentary column, down to 400 m. Third, we use our results to improve our physical understanding of κ0. We propose a conceptual model of κ0 with Vs, comprising two new notions. On the one hand, and contrary to existing correlations, we observe that κ0 stabilizes for high Vs values. This may indicate the existence of regional values for hard rock κ0. If so, we propose that borehole measurements (almost never used up to now for κ0) may be useful in determining these values. On the other hand, we find that material damping, as expressed through travel times, may not suffice to account for the total κ0 measured at the surface. We propose that, apart from material damping, additional site attenuation may be caused by scattering from small-scale variability in the profile. If this is so, then geotechnical damping measurements may not suffice to infer the overall crustal attenuation under a site; but starting with a regional value (possibly from a borehole) and adding damping, we might define a lower bound for site-specific κ0. More precise estimates would necessitate seismological site instrumentation.
Information and communication technology skills in higher education: the case of a distance learning institution

It is essential for information and communications technology (ICT) to be fully utilised in order for higher education institutions to deliver effective and sustainable education in a digital world. The aim of this article is to report on the self-assessed level of ICT skills of staff in an open distance learning (ODL) institution. Important findings of the study include significant differences between academic and support staff, with academic staff claiming higher confidence levels in a number of ICT competencies. A clear age dynamic is also observable, with younger staff members (34 years and younger) displaying significantly higher confidence levels in all ICT skill categories than older staff. The contribution of the article is that a holistic view of ICT skill levels for all staff in the institutions are identified upon which more specific individual or departmental ICT training needs analysis initiatives could be launched. It also creates a platform to allow for more targeted strategic training and development interventions to prepare staff for the digital age. Based on the exploratory work done in this study, other ODL institutions may use a similar approach when strategic ICT training and development initiatives are considered. Key phrases distance education, information and communications technology skills, self-assess skills, training and development BJ ERASMUS JPR JOUBERT Information and communication technology skills in higher education: the case of a distance learning institution Journal of Contemporary Management DHET accredited ISSN 1815-7440 Volume 14 2017 Pages 1010-1034 Page 1011
Beyond the flexoelectric model of modulated nematics

Nataša Vaupotič, Samo Curk, Mikhail A. Osipov, Mojca Čepič, Hideo Takezoe, Ewa Gorecka 1 Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 3 Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, 26 Richmond str. , G1 Glasgow, United Kingdom Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 16, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, 41-1 Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1192, Japan Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
Matric and particulate phosphatase and aminopeptidase activity in limnetic biofilms

Biofdms are a major nexus for biogeochemical transformations in inland waters. A defining feature of biofdms is an extracellular polysaccharide matrix. One of the proposed functions of the matrix is retention of extracellular enzymes. We investigated this function by following the kinetics of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in shaded and exposed limnetic biofilms developed on glass slides. Organic matter (OM) accumulation and chlorophyll content were also measured. Biofilrn was scraped from the slides and partitioned in matric and particulate (ectocellular plus detrital bound) fractions. In addition to enzyme activity, the matric fraction was analyzed for carbohydrate and protein content. Over the May to October study period, matric K, values were sigmficantly higher (by 30 to 50%) than particulate values for both enzymes in both treatments (n = 44). V,,,,, values were significantly higher in the particulate fraction for both enzymes in both treatments. Matric activity as a fraction of total activity averaged about 25% (3:l ratio particulate: matric) for both enzymes, suggesting that the matrix was retaining enzymes. This was corroborated by principal component analysis which In general t ~ e d matric enzyme activity w ~ t h matric carbohydrate and protein content and with OM accumulation and linked phosphatase activity to chlorophyll. There was no correlation between matric and particulate enzyme activities and both varied widely. During periods of seasonal turnover in dominant algal populations, matric activity exceeded particulate. Matric enzymes appear to be a significant community resource whose activity may affect the dynamics of biofilm communities.
Selective contracting by health insurers

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
The VPOS: a vast polar structure of satellite galaxies, globular clusters and streams around the Milky Way

It has been known for a long time that the satellite galaxies of the Milky Way (MW) show a significant amount of phase-space correlation, they are distributed in a highly inclined Disc of Satellites (DoS). We have extended the previous studies on the DoS by analysing for the first time the orientations of streams of stars and gas, and the distributions of globular clusters within the halo of the MW. It is shown that the spatial distribution of MW globular clusters classified as young halo clusters (YH GC) is very similar to the DoS, while 7 of the 14 analysed streams align with the DoS. The probability to find the observed clustering of streams is only 0.3 per cent when assuming isotropy. The MW thus is surrounded by a vast polar structure (VPOS) of subsystems (satellite galaxies, globular clusters and streams), spreading from Galactocentric distances as small as 10 kpc out to 250 kpc. These findings demonstrate that a near-isotropic infall of cosmological sub-structure components onto the MW is essentially ruled out because a large number of infalling objects would have had to be highly correlated, to a degree not natural for dark matter sub-structures. The majority of satellites, streams and YH GCs had to be formed as a correlated population. This is possible in tidal tails consisting of material expelled from interacting galaxies. We discuss the tidal scenario for the formation of the VPOS, including successes and possible challenges. The potential consequences of the MW satellites being tidal dwarf galaxies are severe. If all the satellite galaxies and YH GCs have been formed in an encounter between the young MW and another gas-rich galaxy about 10-11 Gyr ago, then the MW does not have any luminous dark-matter substructures and the missing satellites problem becomes a catastrophic failure of the standard cosmological model.
Mean platelet volume: An economical diagnostic marker of cardiovascular risk assessment in altered fasting blood glucose levels

Background: Platelets with altered morphology or large size are more thrombogenic and are likely to be associated with increased risk of vascular disease. Platelet parameters especially high mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported in diabetic patients as major contributing factor. The aim of the present study was to find correlation between fasting blood glucose value and hematological variables (PC and MPV), not only in diabetics, but also in the normoglycemic subjects and patients with impaired fasting blood glucose levels. Materials and Methods: In the present study 3471 subjects were analyzed retrospectively and categorized into three groups based on the fasting blood glucose levels as Group I - normoglycemics (FBG ? 109 mg/dl, n = 1158), Group II- impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG ? 126 mg/dl, n = 1158) and Group III – Diabetics (FBG ? 127 mg/dl, n = 1155). Results: We found progressive increase in value of MPV with the increasing FBG levels, in the following order: G1 (8.44 ± 0.842 fl), G2 (8.98 ± 0.898 fl), G3 (9.31 ± 0.967 fl). The platelet count however, did not show much statistical significance with rising glucose levels. Conclusions: MPV increased proportionally with increasing plasma glucose levels. Although the variation between the normoglycemics and impaired fasting group was not very significant, the parameters still showed progressive increase with rising sugar levels significant in diabetic group. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(1) 2015 30-33
Parent-child behavioural patterns related to pre-schoolers' overweight/obesity

Background: The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is a global concern. Although childhood obesity has grown as a result of a complex array of interactions among multiple behavioural, biological, and environmental factors, excessive screen time (ST) and low levels of physical activity (PA) are often discussed as causal factors. Therefore, it is beneficial to identify risky family behavioural patterns contributing to the increasing prevalence of obesity even in pre-schoolers. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess whether parental obesity and parent-child behavioural patterns (PA and ST) affect the odds of overweight/obesity in 4-to-7-year-old preschool children. Methods: We analysed seven-day PA and ST behaviour among families with pre-schoolers that included 194 preschool children (88 girls and 106 boys) and their parents (165 mothers and 111 fathers). PA was monitored by means of unsealed Yamax pedometers for at least eight hours a day over seven consecutive days during spring (April/May) and autumn (September/October) of 2015. ST was recorded by parents on family log book sheets. To assess the odds of parents' obesity and PA/ST variables in relation to child overweight/obesity, a logistic regression (backward method) was used. Results: Most children (n = 157) reported normal weight (87 boys, 70 girls), 37 children were overweight or obese (19 boys, 18 girls). Children's excessive ST (> 1 hour/day) (OR: 5.65/33.19 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' obesity (OR: 13.80/28.84 on weekdays/weekends), mothers' excessive ST (> 2 hours/ day) (OR: 32.46 at weekends), and children's male gender (OR: 38.69 at weekends) were significantly (p < .05) associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity in the preschool children. Conclusions: Uncovering parent-child behavioural patterns provides insight into the lifestyle of families with pre-schoolers and is a source of valuable information for designing and implementing family-based intervention programmes aimed at reducing obesity. Especially, weekends provide a suitable space for the implementation of joint family programmes aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour.
Effects of Herbage Allowance on Dry Matter Intake, Efficiency of Grazing,Milk Yield and Grazing Behaviour of Crossbred Holstein-Jersey Dairy Cows Grazing Alfalfa Pastures

The objectives of this study were to research the effects of herbage allowance (HA) on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield, grazing efficiency and grazing behaviour of dairy cows grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pastures, and to compare the estimates of herbage DM intake using either an external intake marker developed from a purified enriched lignin (LIPE®) or the animal performance method, the latter based on calculations of energy requirements.Twenty six spring calving crossbred Holstein-Jersey dairy cows (84 days in milk) were balanced and assigned to either the low HA (Lo-HA; 10.0 kg DM/cow/day) or the high HA treatment (Hi-HA; 14.5 kg DM/cow/day). Cows were offered alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pastures at grazing, Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) silage (3.7 kg DM/cow/day) and concentrates (5.6 kg DM/cow/day). Herbage DM intake was estimated using the sward cutting method, the animal performance method and an indigestible intake marker (LIPE®). Decreasing herbage allowance (HA) decreased herbage DM intake by 1.1 kg cow/day (P 0.05). The cows on the Lo-HA treatment produced less milk (-4.1 kg cow/day (P <0.05) and grazed 26 min/day longer (P < 0.05) than cows at the Hi-HA. Herbage DM intake measured with LIPE® was positively correlated with estimates of herbage DM intake from the animal performance method (R= 0.65, P < 0.01). This study showed that cows at the Hi-HA treatment had greater herbage DM intake and milk yield, but had an efficiency of grazing 210 g/kg lower than cows at the Lo-HA in early lactation.
Values in teaching

As in many other Western countries, in The Netherlands in recent years a discussion has started about the possibilities and necessity of teachers paying more attention to values in schools. In this article we will give a review of research regarding values and education, and make a conceptual clarification. We will analyse how values and communicative skills to reflect on values can be part of education, and will discuss school culture as part of a moral education. We argue for a more integrative approach. This implies at the same time the stimulation of certain values by the teacher, teaching and learning of skills to better communicate on values, and increasing the active participation of students. Throughout the article we focus on the pedagogical and didactic approach of the teacher, the way teachers are confronted with values, and how teachers' own values are part of their teaching practice.
Molecular epidemiology of a primarily MSM acute HIV‐1 cohort in Bangkok, Thailand and connections within networks of transmission in Asia

Thailand plays a substantial role in global HIV‐1 transmission of CRF01_AE. Worldwide, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk for HIV‐1 infection. Hence, understanding HIV‐1 diversity in a primarily Thai MSM cohort with acute infection, and its connections to the broader HIV‐1 transmission network in Asia is crucial for research and development of HIV‐1 vaccines, treatment and cure.
A simple method for estimating larval supply in reef fishes and a preliminary test of population limitation by larval delivery in the kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus

This paper describes a method for estimating larval supply of a temperate reef fish, the kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus, that is simple, inexpensive, requires relatively low effort, and inte- grates larval supply over time. Using this method, we sampled larval supply concurrently at 4 sites spread over about 35 km for nearly an entire settlement season. With these data and visual estimates of recruitment (the density of young-of-the-year after the end of the settlement season), we tested the hypothesis that spatial patterns in recruitment were set by larval supply. This hypothesis was rejected: kelp bass recruitment to the 4 sites was not related to patterns of larval supply. Furthermore, in contrast to the findings of an earlier study, recruitment was not related to the density of the macroalga Macrocystis pyrifera. Recruitment was, however, strongly correlated with the density of 1 yr old kelp bass, suggesting that spatial patterns of recruitment were consistent between the 2 cohorts. Recruitment, however, was not correlated with the density of bass 2+ yr old. We also mea- sured larval supply in a second year and found that spatial patterns of supply were strongly corre- lated between years at a relatively small scale of 10s to 100s m, but not at a larger scale of several km. This finding suggests that some deterministic process (or set of processes) sets spatial patterns of larval supply at small, but not large scales. At large scales, consistent patterns of recruitment between 2 cohorts in the face of variable larval supply suggest that deterministic, postsettlement pro- cesses may generate predictable patterns of recruitment even when the supply of larvae is variable. In addition to demonstrating that spatial patterns in the abundance of demersal fish are not always well predicted by larval supply, this study introduces a technique that may facilitate more thorough exploration of the role of larval supply in determining the dynamics of populations of reef fishes.
Rigidity and vanishing of basic Dolbeault cohomology of Sasakian manifolds

The basic Dolbeault cohomology groups of a Sasakian manifold M are invariants of its characteristic foliation F (the orbit foliation of the Reeb flow). We show some fundamental properties of this cohomology, which are useful for its computation. In the first part of the article, we show that the basic Hodge numbers, the dimensions of the basic Dolbeault cohomology groups, only depend on the isomorphism class of the underlying CR structure. Equivalently, we show that the basic Hodge numbers are invariant under deformations of type I. This result reduces their computation to the quasi-regular case. In the second part, we show a basic version of the Carrell-Lieberman theorem relating the basic Dolbeault cohomology of (M,F) to that of (C,F), where C is the union of closed leaves of F. As a special case, if F has only finitely many closed leaves, then the (p,q)-th basic Hodge numbers are zero for p not equal to q. Combining the two results, we show that if M admits a nowhere vanishing CR vector field with finitely many closed orbits, then the (p,q)-th basic Hodge numbers are zero for p not equal to q. As an application of these results, we compute then the basic Hodge numbers for deformations of homogeneous Sasakian manifolds.
Expenditure elasticity of demand for Swedish leisure aviation travel

The purpose of this study is to find the expenditure elasticity of demand for leisure travel abroad by aviation for Swedish Households. The study uses household expenditure survey data compiled by Statistics Sweden in 2012. The independent variable ”Flight” has numerous values of zero, as many households spend no money this type of travel. Having zero values for the dependent variables leads to the so-called censored variable problem where a regular OLS regression leads to a downward bias. This is a well-known problem for expenditure survey data that is dealt with using a Tobin Model. This study finds elasticity values ranging from 2.612 to 2.933. Unfortunately, the models were rejected when the errors of the models failed the tests for Normality and Homoskedasticity. Suggestions for further research and improved models are made.
Impact of Large-scale Climatic Oscillations on Snowfall-related Climate Parameters in the World's Major Downhill Ski Areas: A Review

Abstract Skiers are passionate about finding the best snow conditions. Snow conditions in thousands of ski resorts around the world depend mainly on natural snowfall, particularly in the case of backcountry skiing. In various mountain ranges popular among skiers, snowfall is strongly linked to large-scale climatic oscillations. This paper reviews existing information on the impacts of several of these phenomena, such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and North Pacific Index, on snowfall-related climate parameters in the world's major ski areas. We found that in each of the studied areas, one or more large-scale climatic oscillations affected snowfall-related climate parameters. Understanding the predictability of such oscillations is high on the climate research agenda. If this research leads to improved predictability in the coming years, this could be combined with the knowledge summarized in our paper on the relationships between climatic oscillations and snow-related parameters to provide useful information for winter sports and other snow-related fields.
The Copying of Complex Geometric Drawings by Sighted and Visually Impaired Children

This study examined the role of visual imagery in the centripetal execution principle (CEP), a graphic rule that is related to the drawing of complex figures that are composed of embedded geometric shapes. Sighted blindfolded children and children with early-onset low vision and early-onset blindness copied raised-line drawings (using only the haptic modality). The results revealed the dominance of the CEP in the sighted and blind groups, but not in the group with low vision. They suggest that the CEP is not determined by visual imagery, but by a more general mechanism that is based on children's perceptual experience.