Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher abundance and diversity in faunal assemblages with the invasion of Codium fragile ssp. fragile in eelgrass meadows

The present study examined how species-specific attributes of the invasive alga Codium fragile ssp. fragile (hereafter Codium) and eelgrass Zostera marina influenced faunal assemblages associated with eelgrass ecosystems in iles de la Madeleine, eastern Canada. Direct association of species with Codium (<1 m) was evaluated and compared to eelgrass faunal assemblages from invaded beds. Potential neighborhood effects (ca. 10 m) were assessed by comparing invertebrates associated with eelgrass in invaded and non-invaded beds. The influence of Codium on more mobile species was evaluated by comparing fish assemblages associated with macrophytes in invaded and non-invaded beds. In addition, species-area relationships for low mobility species associated with Codium were contrasted between beds where Codium or eelgrass was the dominant structuring macrophyte. Codium had distinct invertebrate species assemblages, as there was a greater abun- dance and diversity of invertebrates associated with Codium than with eelgrass, and multivariate assemblage structure differed between macrophyte types. In contrast, no neighborhood patterns were observed as invertebrate assemblages associated with eelgrass did not differ between invaded and non-invaded beds, suggesting that the mechanisms that account for differences between the invertebrate assemblages are a function of the macrophyte's nature and operate at small spatial scales. Fish community structure differed between invaded and non-invaded beds, largely due to a greater abundance of 2 fishes, Apeltes quadracus and Tautogolabrus adspersus, in invaded beds. Epifaunal abundance and species richness were positively correlated with Codium thallus biomass, and the abundance relative to biomass correlation was greatest where Codium was the dominant macrophyte. Experimental manipulation of thallus structure to create straight or branched Codium fronds with similar surface area showed that associated invertebrate and gastropod abundance was not influenced by this factor and indicated that factors other than macrostructure complexity influ- enced the presence of epifauna on the introduced alga. Overall, the present study suggests that the invasion of eelgrass beds by Codium increases faunal density and diversity. However, longer-term effects of Codium invasion in this and other eelgrass ecosystems require further assessment, as the severity of the invasion effects on faunal communities likely depends on the interaction between Codium and eelgrass.
Domestic and international competitive focus, technology strategy and company performance: an empirical analysis

This study empirically explores the association of a firm's approach to domestic and international operations with its technological choices and financial performance. The technological choices examined unclude the following: commitment to leading the creation of new technologies: emphasis on internal and external sources of technology: capital spending for technological pursuits: R&D investments. Cluster analysis of data from 180 US electronics firms produced four clusters of international and domestic operations. These clusters exhibited variaions in companies' technological choices and in the associations between technology variables and company financial performance. The results help to identify viable technolgical choices under different combinations of domestic and international competition.
Flight–crash events in turbulence

Significance Irreversibility is a fundamental aspect of the evolution of natural systems, and quantifying its manifestations is a challenge in any attempt to describe nonequilibrium systems. In the case of fluid turbulence, an emblematic example of a system very far from equilibrium, we show that the motion of a single fluid particle provides a clear manifestation of time irreversibility. Namely, we observe that fluid particles tend to lose kinetic energy faster than they gain it. This is best seen by the presence of rare “flight–crash” events, where fast moving particles suddenly decelerate into a region where fluid motion is slow. Remarkably, the statistical signature of these events establishes a quantitative relation between the degree of irreversibility and turbulence intensity. The statistical properties of turbulence differ in an essential way from those of systems in or near thermal equilibrium because of the flux of energy between vastly different scales at which energy is supplied and at which it is dissipated. We elucidate this difference by studying experimentally and numerically the fluctuations of the energy of a small fluid particle moving in a turbulent fluid. We demonstrate how the fundamental property of detailed balance is broken, so that the probabilities of forward and backward transitions are not equal for turbulence. In physical terms, we found that in a large set of flow configurations, fluid elements decelerate faster than accelerate, a feature known all too well from driving in dense traffic. The statistical signature of rare “flight–crash” events, associated with fast particle deceleration, provides a way to quantify irreversibility in a turbulent flow. Namely, we find that the third moment of the power fluctuations along a trajectory, nondimensionalized by the energy flux, displays a remarkable power law as a function of the Reynolds number, both in two and in three spatial dimensions. This establishes a relation between the irreversibility of the system and the range of active scales. We speculate that the breakdown of the detailed balance characterized here is a general feature of other systems very far from equilibrium, displaying a wide range of spatial scales.
The Effect of Internal Audit Function Quality and Internal Audit Contribution to External Audit on Audit Fees

Corporate governance mandates and listing rules identify internal audit functions (IAF) as a central internal control mechanism. External auditors are expected to assess the quality of IAF before placing reliance on its work. We provide evidence on the effect of IAF quality and IAF contribution to external audit on audit fees. Using data from a matched survey of both external and internal auditors, we extend prior research which is based mainly on internal auditors' assessment and conducted predominantly in highly developed markets. We find a positive relationship between IAF quality and audit fees as well as a reduction in audit fees as a result of external auditors' reliance on IAF. The interaction between IAF quality and IAF contribution to external audit suggests that higher quality IAF induces greater external auditor reliance on internal auditors' work and thus result in lower external audit fees.
In system identification, interval (and fuzzy) estimates can lead to much better accuracy than the traditional statistical ones: General algorithm and case study

In many real-life situations, we know the upper bound of the measurement errors, and we also know that the measurement error is the joint result of several independent small effects. In such cases, due to the Central Limit Theorem, the corresponding probability distribution is close to Gaussian, so it seems reasonable to apply the standard Gaussian-based statistical techniques to process this data — in particular, when we need to identify a system. Yes, in doing this, we ignore the information about the bounds, but since the probability of exceeding them is small, we do not expect this to make a big difference on the result. Surprisingly, it turns out that in some practical situations, we get a much more accurate estimates if we, vice versa, take into account the bounds — and ignore all the information about the probabilities. In this paper, we explain the corresponding algorithms. and we show, on a practical example, that using this algorithm can indeed lead to a drastic improvement in estimation accuracy.
Partner Notification Among Peruvian Pregnant Women With Syphilis

Introduction As part of an implementation research study on the feasibility of implementing point-of-care tests for syphilis in Peru, we collected information on partner treatment of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and explored womens' and health providers' knowledge and practices regarding partner notification and treatment (PNT) for maternal syphilis. Methods Mixed methods were used to collect information. Quantitative data were collected from consecutive pregnant women with a positive point-of-care test for syphilis. A subset participated in qualitative interviews. Health providers completed a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about PNT. Results Of the 144 seropositive women, 46 (31.9%) had concurrent patient-partner treatment. From the 98 seropositive women whose partner was not at the clinic, 33 partners (33.7%) received at least 1 dose of penicillin. The multivariate model showed that screening at the antenatal care clinic (prevalence ratio [PR], 3.84), first sex after age 16 years (PR, 0.55), and lifetime number of partners (PR, 0.55 for 2–4 partners; PR, 0.77 for >4 partners) were independently associated with treatment for the partner. Women identified the provider as key for the PNT, but less than half of the providers reported having been trained for counseling and recognize the need for defining the procedures and standardization for PNT. Providers and women both reported that men may not come for treatment once notified because of fear, distrust of the system, or barriers associated with the services. Conclusion There is a need for better training of health providers, for clear and standardized processes for partner counseling, registration and follow-up, and an opportunity to introduce new technologies.
Idiopathic coccygodynia. Analysis of fifty-one operative cases and a radiographic study of the normal coccyx.

We studied the normal radiographic anatomy of the coccyx in 120 asymptomatic subjects and performed a retrospective review of the results in fifty-one patients who had had a partial or total coccygectomy for idiopathic coccygodynia during a twenty-year period. Of the asymptomatic subjects, the sacrococcygeal joint was fused in forty-four (37 per cent); the first intercoccygeal joint, in twelve (10 per cent); and the second intercoccygeal joint, in fifty-two (43 per cent). Four types of configuration of the coccyx were identified on the lateral radiographs. In Type I the coccyx was curved slightly forward, whereas in Type II the curve of the coccyx, which pointed straight forward, was more marked. In Type III the coccyx was angulated forward sharply, and in Type IV it was subluxated at the sacrococcygeal or the intercoccygeal joint. Most subjects (68 per cent) had a Type-I configuration. Of the fifty-one patients with idiopathic coccygodynia, twenty-six (51 per cent) showed fusion of the sacrococcygeal joint; six (12 per cent), of the first intercoccygeal joint; and twenty-five (49 per cent), of the second intercoccygeal joint. In most patients (69 per cent) the coccyx had a Type-II, III, or IV configuration. Thirty-one patients had undergone a partial coccygectomy and twelve, a total coccygectomy; in the remaining eight patients the extent of the coccygectomy could not be determined. The results of surgery were excellent or good in thirty-two (88 per cent) of the thirty-six patients who were followed for at least two years. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Serum prostate-specific acid phosphatase: development and validation of a specific radioimmunoassay.

We describe radioimmunoassay for human prostatic acid phosphatase [orthophosphoric-monoester phospho-hydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1. 3.2] in serum, with use of monospecific antisera raised in rabbits against highly purified acid phosphatase from human prostates. The antiserum did not cross react with partly purified acid phosphatases from human spleen, erythrocytes, or synovial tissues. 125I-labeled acid phosphatase was prepared by a Chloramine T method, and the bound and free antigen was separated in the assay by use of anti-rabbit gamma-globulin raised in sheep. Uniform low nonspecific binding of the [125I]acid phosphatase was achieved by using acid-phosphatase-free serum to prepare standard curves and diluted samples of serum with high acid phosphatase activities. Concentrations of immunoreactive acid phosphatase in the serum of healthy men ranged from less than 1 to 10 microgram/liter and for 12 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma between 100 and 500 microgram/liter. The concentrations of the enzyme in sera of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were very similar to those in sera of the reference group.
Evidence that coupling sequences play a frequency-determining role in conjugative transposition of Tn916 in Enterococcus faecalis

The conjugative transposon Tn916 (encodes resistance to tetracycline), originally identified in Enterococcus faecalis, moves by an excision-insertion process in which the rate-limiting step is believed to be excision. Individual transposon-containing strains exhibit characteristic mating frequencies which range over several orders of magnitude; the basis of this phenomenon is addressed in the present study. We were able to generate independent single-copy insertions in identical target locations and with similar orientations within a plasmid hemolysin determinant (cylA); however, transposition from this site occurred at very different frequencies (10(-8) to 10(-4) per donor) depending on the individual isolate. DNA sequencing analyses showed that the coupling (junction) sequences differed between isolates and thus appeared to be responsible for differences in excision frequencies. Other experiments showed that inducible transcription into either end of the transposon had no significant effect on transfer.
Interplay between Nitric Oxide and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide in Inducing Fluid Secretion in Rat Jejunum

Nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) interact in the regulation of neuromuscular function in the gut. They are also potent intestinal secretogogues that coexist in the enteric nervous system. The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the interaction between NO and VIP in inducing fluid secretion in the rat jejunum, and (2) to determine whether the NO effect on intestinal fluid movement is neurally mediated. The single pass perfusion technique was used to study fluid movement in a 25 cm segment of rat jejunum in vivo. A solution containing 20 mml‐arginine, a NO precursor, was perfused into the segment. The effect of the NO synthase inhibitors (l‐NAME and l‐nitroindazole (l‐NI)) and the VIP antagonist ([4Cl‐D‐Phe6,Leu17]VIP (VIPa)) on l‐arginine‐induced changes in fluid movement, expressed as μl min−1 (g dry intestinal weight)−1, was determined. In addition, the effect of neuronal blockade by tetrodotoxin (TTX) and ablation of the myenteric plexus by benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was studied. In parallel groups of rats, the effect of l‐NAME and l‐NI on VIP‐induced intestinal fluid secretion was also examined. Basal fluid absorption in control rats was (median (interquartile range)) 65 (45–78). l‐Arginine induced a significant fluid secretion (−14 (−20 to −5); P < 0.01). This effect was reversed completely by l‐NAME (60 (36–65); P < 0.01) and l‐NI (46 (39–75); P < 0.01) and partially by VIPa (37 (14–47); P < 0.01). TTX and BAC partially inhibited the effect of l‐arginine (22 (15–32) and 15 (10–26), respectively; P < 0.05). The effect of VIP on fluid movement (−23 (−26 to −14)) was partially reversed by l‐NAME (24 (8.4–35.5); P < 0.01) and l‐NI (29 (4–44); P < 0.01). The inhibition of VIP or NO synthase prevented l‐arginine‐ and VIP‐induced intestinal fluid secretion through a neural mechanism. The data suggest that NO enhances the release of VIP from nerve terminals and vice versa. Subsequently, each potentiates the other's effect in inducing intestinal fluid secretion.
Less Segregated Processing of Visual Information in V2 than in V1 of the Monkey Visual Cortex

To test the possibility of cross‐talk between parallel pathways dealing with different aspects of visual information, such as orientation, direction of motion and colour in cortical area V2, we quantitatively analysed visual responses of 121 V2 cells recorded from anaesthetized and paralysed macaques and compared them with those of 147 V1 cells. A selectivity index of visual responses was calculated for each neuron, which was then classified as selective or not to a particular attribute of visual stimuli. Twenty‐one percent of the V2 neurons had dual selectivity to both colour and direction of stimulus motion (C&D cells). In V1, only 5% of the cells were C&D cells. Thus, the proportion of C&D cells significantly increased from V1 to V2. We also carried out cross‐correlation analysis of spike trains recorded simultaneously from pairs of V2 neurons or pairs of V1 neurons. In V2, correlated firings could be observed between cells with completely different optimal orientation, such as orthogonal, while it was never observed in V1. The cross‐correlation analysis further indicated that functional interactions in V2 were more widespread than those in V1. These results suggest that neurons which have different functional properties become less segregated, and that functional interactions become more widespread in V2 than in V1.
Does inflation have an impact on stock returns and volatility? Evidence from Nigeria and Ghana

This study seeks to apply the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model to assess the impact of inflation on stock market returns and volatility using monthly time series data from two West African countries, that is, Nigeria and Ghana. In addition, the impact of asymmetric shocks was investigated using the quadratic GARCH model developed by Sentana (1995), in both countries. Results for Nigeria show weak support for the hypothesis which states that bad news exert more adverse effect on stock market volatility than good news of the same magnitude; while a strong opposite case holds for Ghana. Furthermore, inflation rate and its 3-month average were found to have significant effect on stock market volatility in the two countries. Measures employed towards restraining inflation in the two countries, therefore, would certainly reduce stock market volatility, improve stock market returns and boost investor confidence.
Evaluation of Segment Attractiveness by Risk-Adjusted Market Potential

Numerous studies on destination marketing assume that repeat visitors are a more attractive market segment than first-time visitors. The current study questions this assertion, by focusing separately on the balance between economic potential, as determined by tourists’ spending, and risk. Specifically, the methodology adopted here integrates assessment of risks involved with targeting the two separate market segments. Consequently, it is possible to calculate a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the relative attractiveness of different market segments. The study relies on a survey conducted in Kissimmee, Florida, a mature destination attempting to avoid decline by attracting more tourists. Analysis of the tourist data reveals that the commonly suggested attractiveness of the repeat visitors segment should be reconsidered. The economic potential of both segments varies across spending categories as well as according to whether per-trip or per-day expenditures are considered. Conclusions and implications for both research and practice are provided.
Does Food Quality Really Matter in Restaurants? Its Impact On Customer Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions

Food quality seems to be accepted as a fundamental component to satisfy restaurant customers; however, it has been often overlooked in restaurant service quality and satisfaction studies. The primary objective of this study was to investigate how food quality is perceived in relation to satisfaction and behavioral intentions in mid- to upscale restaurants. This study also attempted to identify which attributes among food-related qualities are critical in improving satisfaction and heightening revisit intention. With a structural equation modeling technique, this study shows that overall food quality significantly affects customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions and also revealed that the relationship between food quality and customer behavioral intentions is mediated by satisfaction. Subsequent regression analyses demonstrated that taste and presentation were the two greatest contributors to customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Thus, managers should pay attention to the key food quality attributes that elicit customer satisfaction and enhance return visits in the restaurant business.
PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF INTRA-INDUSTRY TRADE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES SECTORS

Using finely disaggregated data at six-digit harmonized code classification level, this paper examines the patterns and determinants of horizontal and vertical intra-industry trade in the automobile and electrical appliances sectors during the past few decades among the six major Southeast Asian countries. It is found from the analysis of the data that intra-industry trade is much higher than the inter-industry trade in each of these two sectors. Further, the determinants of these two types of trade are found to differ somewhat in terms of sign and magnitude across the sectors, implying the importance of sector-specific factors as influences on the pattern of trade.
Outcome of 82 chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with nilotinib or dasatinib after failure of two prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors

There have been few reports of a response to dasatinib or nilotinib after failure of two prior sequential tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We report the outcome of 82 chronic phase patients who received nilotinib or dasatinib as third-line alternative tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Thirty-four patients failed to respond to nilotinib and were started on dasatinib as third-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy while 48 patients were switched to nilotinib after dasatinib failure. Overall, we obtained a cytogenetic response in 32 of 82 patients and major molecular response in 13 patients; disease progression occurred in 12 patients. At last follow up, 70 patients (85.4%) were alive with a median overall survival of 46 months. Our results show that third-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia patients after failure of two prior sequential tyrosine kinase inhibitors may induce a response that, in some instances, could prolong overall survival and affect event-free survival.
Financial Development and Economic Growth: The Case of Pakistan

This paper has examined the empirical relationship between financial development and economic growth in Pakistan over the period 1971–2004. The results show that, in the long run financial depth and real interest exerted positive impact on economic growth. The share of investment is although positively correlated to real income, but remained insignificant. Furthermore, in the short run economic growth is positively and significantly affected by changes in the share of investment. Moreover, changes in real interest rate exerted positive (negative) impact on growth. However, the response of real interest rate is very small in the short run. The feed back coefficient is negative and significant, suggesting about 0.06 percent disequilibrium in the previous period is corrected in the current year. We find a stable long run relationship between economic growth and financial depth. Unlike Ireland (1994) and Demetriades and Hussein (1996), our findings are consistent with the view that economic growth is an outcome of the financial development.