Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE IN DETERMINING SPECIES RICHNESS OF MESIC GRASSLANDS IN PANNONIAN BASIN AND CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS

Alpha diversity of mesic grasslands of the Arrhenatheretalia order was related to the surrounding landscape structure. The following questions were addressed: i) Does structure of surrounding landscape affect local species richness? How important is the influence of surrounding landscape in comparison with influence of climatic-topographical and soil-geological variables? ii) Do the landscape effects differ in climatically distinct regions (Pannonian, Carpathian colline-submontane and Carpathian montane-subalpine)? iii) Which of the surrounding habitats contribute to species richness and which species immigrate to grasslands most frequently? Species data were extracted from Slovak vegetation plot database. Surrounding land-use (in terms of cover and diversity of various habitat types in plot neighbourhood of 4 km) was derived from CORINE land cover maps and National Grassland Inventory. Both, percentage cover and diversity of different habitat types in plot neighbourhood affected local species richness. In the Pannonian Basin, mesic grasslands had the lowest species richness but the landscape factors explained the highest proportion of its variance. In the montane-subalpine Carpathian region, the effect of landscape factors was least pronounced. The surrounding landscape affected number, proportion and cover of satellite species in plots. Mesic grasslands of the Pannonian Basin hosted the largest number, proportion and cover of archaeophytes and neophytes.
Antioxidant Activities of Some Thai and Exotic Fruits Cultivated in Thailand.

The twenty-one methanolic extracts of meat or peel of native and exotic fruits cultivated in Thailand were determined their total phenolic content and antioxidant activities by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. The ripe fruit of Carissa carandas and the raw fruit of Ficus hirta presented the highest and lowest %yield of extract as 67.20% and 12.86%, respectively. The Terminalia chebula and Baccauea motleyana extracts contained the highest and lowest amount of total phenols, 6.96 and 0.05 g/100g dried fruit, respectively. The T. chebula and Syzygium malaccense extracts contained the highest and lowest amount of total phenols, 16.12 and 0.22 g/100g extract, respectively. The range of TEAC and IC50 values of the fruit extracts were 0.35–0.003 and 21.33 µg/mL –5.10 mg/mL, respectively. The T. chebula and Diospyros peregrina extracts showed the highest antioxidant activities, while B. motleyana extracts indicated the lowest. The extracts of T. Chebula and D. peregrina (raw fruit) showed equal TEAC value, however the total phenolics content of D. peregrina raw fruit was quite low. Finally almost methanolic extracts of Thai and exotic fruits in this study presented their antioxidant activities in direct proportion to the amount of total phenolics.
Lagrange Method Investigation Used for Shock Wave Extinguished in Small Partition Assay Experiment

In order to investigate the characters of high energy solid explosives initiated by shock waves, the Lagrange analytical experiment equipment was designed. The effects on the shock sensitivity of pressed TNT were quantitatively measured. Ignition and Growth reactive flow models for the pressed TNT were formulated based on the measured pressure histories. The shock wave extinguished in pressed TNT was experimentally investigated and analyzed by Lagrange method in the case of small partition assay. The reaction rate obtained by Lagrange method indicates that there are partly reactions when the shock wave extinguished in the solid explosives.
Addition of inorganic or organic phosphorus enhances nitrogen and carbon fixation in the oligotrophic North Pacific

We present a spatially extensive record of dinitrogen (N2) fixation rates and distributions of N2 fixing microorganisms along with the results of exogenous phosphorus (P) addition experiments conducted during a series of cruises in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG). We measured the N2 and carbon (C) fixation rates of natural plankton assemblages in response to the addition of methylphosphonate (MPn), a dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) compound, and dissolved inor- ganic phosphorus (DIP). Results are compared to parallel unamended controls. These experiments produced 3 major findings: (1) MPn and DIP were utilized with equal metabolic efficiency over a sin- gle photoperiod, (2) the bulk of the enhanced N2 fixation rates were within the range of those previ- ously reported in the NPSG, suggesting that P levels in this region can be saturating but were not at the time of sampling and (3) MPn and DIP additions stimulated C fixation rates beyond estimated contributions by diazotrophs, and hence both DIP and bioavailable DOP additions could lead to enhancement of net primary productivity on short time-scales. Our results suggest that the rate of N2 fixation in our study region may have been restricted by the availability and/or the composition of the total P pool (inorganic and organic P) during our field season.
Family dynamics and career decision self-efficacy: A study of first year Malaysian undergraduates

The study explores the relationship between family functioning and career decision making self-efficacy in a sample of 925 college students in Malaysia. The results indicate that the relationships between family functioning subscales and career decision making self-efficacy subscales were between small and moderate. The study also found that each family functioning subscale contributed less than 15% of the variance in career decision-making self-efficacy. The total variance accounted for by the six family functioning subscales was small (32%). Implications for career counseling and future studies are discussed.
The implications of land use/cover dynamics on resources development in Tubah sub-division, Cameroon

The environment at various scales is greatly modified through the activities of man and his dynamic science and technology. These modifications essentially constitute land use/cover changes. This paper describes the implications of land use dynamics on resource development in Tubah Sub-division over time and space from 1983 to 2013. This research has made use of remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information System (GIS) in describing land use/cover changes in Tubah Sub-division. Primary data was obtained through field observations and ground truthing in order to confirm observations on satellite imageries. Land use maps were produced using the GIS software packages of Google Earth, ENVI 4.3, Global Mapper 15 and ArcGis 10.2. Maps were generated to show changes in land use/cover which were transposed into tables and bar graphs to show the magnitude of changes, percentage of change and the rate of change. These changes are necessary for economic development and social progress, but often come at a substantial cost on the environment and resources. The analysis of static land use maps of 1983, 2000, and 2013, all pointed to the fact that, there have been significant changes observed on forest cover, farmland, grazing land and settlement land uses. Keywords: Land use/cover, Dynamics, Remote Sensing Techniques, Geographic Information System, Resource Implications, Tubah
Private Returns to Education in Urban Cameroon

Earlier studies on the impact of education on earnings highlighted a declining pattern of the private returns in developing countries. However, recent research has argued that failing to account for the segmented structure of the labour market could be misleading. This study aims to estimate private returns to education in Cameroon, focusing on how they vary across the different segments of the Cameroon labour market. The data used in this study are drawn from the 2005 Employment and Informal Sector Survey, which is nationally representative and comprehensive survey providing information over 8,540 households and 38,599 individuals around the country. The estimation of wage equations corrected from selectivity bias reveals that there are convex rates of return to education in all the segments of the labour market. As far as the private sector is concerned, it is found that those who graduated from primary school earn no returns compared to those who never attended school. The fact that only degrees are rewarded on the Cameroon labour market evidences the existence of a sheepskin effect in Cameroon and may serve as a confirmation of the signalling role of education in this context.
Starburst to Quiescent from HST/ALMA: Stars and Dust Unveil Minor Mergers in Submillimeter Galaxies at z ∼ 4.5

Dust-enshrouded, starbursting, submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) at z ≥ 3 have been proposed as progenitors of z ≥ 2 compact quiescent galaxies (cQGs). To test this connection, we present a detailed spatially resolved study of the stars, dust, and stellar mass in a sample of six submillimeter-bright starburst galaxies at z ∼ 4.5. The stellar UV emission probed by HST is extended and irregular and shows evidence of multiple components. Informed by HST, we deblend Spitzer/IRAC data at rest-frame optical, finding that the systems are undergoing minor mergers with a typical stellar mass ratio of 1:6.5. The FIR dust continuum emission traced by ALMA locates the bulk of star formation in extremely compact regions (median re = 0.70 ± 0.29 kpc), and it is in all cases associated with the most massive component of the mergers (median ). We compare spatially resolved UV slope (β) maps with the FIR dust continuum to study the infrared excess (IRX = LIR/LUV)–β relation. The SMGs display systematically higher IRX values than expected from the nominal trend, demonstrating that the FIR and UV emissions are spatially disconnected. Finally, we show that the SMGs fall on the mass–size plane at smaller stellar masses and sizes than the cQGs at z = 2. Taking into account the expected evolution in stellar mass and size between z = 4.5 and z = 2 due to the ongoing starburst and mergers with minor companions, this is in agreement with a direct evolutionary connection between the two populations.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of cervical length and amniotic fluid index as predictor of pregnancy outcome in case of preterm premature rupture of membrane

India is the biggest contributor to the world’s prematurity burden with almost 3.6 million premature births accounting for 23.6% of around 15 million global preterm births reported each year (WHO). Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) is a breach in the chorioamniotic membrane prior to the onset of labour at <37 weeks of gestation. PPROM complicates 3% of all deliveries and is associated with 30-40% of preterm deliveries. It is an important risk factor for perinatal mortality and morbidity. ABSTRACT
UHI Research Database pdf download summary Ecological adaptations and commensal evolution of the Polynoidae (Polychaeta) in the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge: a phylogenetic approach. Serpetti,

10 The polychaete family polynoid is very large and includes a high diversity of behaviours, 11 including numerous examples of commensal species. The comparison between free-living 12 and commensal behaviours and the evolution of the relationships between commensal species 13 and their hosts are valuable case studies of ecological adaptations. Deep-sea species of 14 Polynoidae were sampled at four seamounts in the Southwest Indian Ridge and twenty 15 specimens from seven species were selected to be analysed. Among them, there were free16 living species, living within the three-dimensional framework of cold-water coral reefs, on 17 coral rubble and on mobile sediments, and commensal species, associated with octocorals, 18 hydrocorals (stylasterids), antipatharians and echinoderms (holothurian and ophiuroids). We 19 analysed two mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and two nuclear (18S, 28S) ribosomal genetic 20 markers and their combined sequences were compared with other Genbank sequences to 21 assess the taxonomic relationships within the species under study, and the potential role of 22 hosts in speciation processes. Most basal species of the sub-family Polynoinae are obligate 23 symbionts showing specific morphological adaptations. Obligate and facultative commensal 24 species and free-living species have evolved a number of times, although, according to our 25 results, the obligate coral commensal species appear to be monophyletic. 26
Shift-invert rational Krylov method for evolution equations

In order to obtain the numerical solution of evolution equations which arise in various fields of science and technology, the computation of matrix functions called \(\phi\)-functions is required. This paper proposes a new method called the shift-invert rational Krylov method for the computation of matrix \(\phi\)-functions. This method efficiently computes the matrix \(\phi\)-functions and allows the appropriate parameters to be simply determined. References B. Beckermann and L. Reichel, Error estimation and evaluation of matrix functions via the Faber transform. SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis 47(5) :3849–3883, 2009. doi:10.1137/080741744 M. Crouzeix, Numerical range and functional calculus in Hilbert space. Journal of Functional Analysis 244 :668–690, 2007. doi:10.1016/j.jfa. 2006.10. 013 T. Gockler, Rational Krylov subspace methods for \(\phi \)-functions in exponential integrators. Karlsruher Instituts fur Technologie , 2014, Ph.D. thesis. http://d-nb.info/1060425408/34 S. Guttel, Rational Krylov approximation of matrix functions: Numerical methods and optimal pole selection. GAMM-Mitteilungen 38(1) :8–31, 2013. doi:10.1002/gamm.201310002 Y. Hashimoto and T. Nodera, Inexact shift-invert Arnoldi method for evolution equations. ANZIAM Journal 58(E) :E1–E27, 2016. doi:10.21914/anziamj.v58i0. 10766 M. Hochbruck and A. Ostermann, Exponential integrators. Acta Numerica 19 :209–286, 2010. doi:10.1017/S0962492910000048
Genetic diversity of Aeromonas spp. isolates from animal food origin demonstrated by Random amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis

A total of 332 samples of animal food origin comprising 104 poultry, 137 fish, 51 pork and 40 goat (chevon) were screened for genetic diversity ofAeromonas spp. from animal food origin. In the present study, out of 20 random primers of OPH series, OPH-1, OPH-2 and OPH-3 were found to produce the most reproducible and scorable amplicon profiles. The amplicon sizes ranged from 250 bp to 2.9 Kb with a common >250 bp fragmentsin all the isolates and the overlaid dendogram revealed similarity ranged upto 75% in all the samples
Economic and Cultural Gaps Among Foreign-Born Minorities in Spain

This paper compares the economic and cultural gaps of the largest foreign-born ethnic minorities in Spain: Latinos, Eastern Europeans, Moroccans and individuals from Other Muslim countries. We focus on several outcomes: the gender education gap, early marriage, inter-ethnic marriage, fertility, female employment, command of Spanish, and social participation. Our results suggest that Latinos are the group with patterns of behavior closest to those of natives, followed by Eastern Europeans. In several dimensions, such as the marriage penalty for females, Moroccans and individuals from Other Muslim countries are the groups with larger gaps relative to natives. Our results also show large improvements in the educational attainment of younger Moroccan cohorts, which is an important determinant of the outcomes we have analyzed.
Adenosine A2a receptor agonists as regulators of inflammation: pharmacology and therapeutic opportunities

A2a receptor (A2aR) plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. The activation of PKA-dependent and/or -independent pathways are responsible for the downmodulation of inflammatory networks and tissue injury. Based on promising recent studies, selective A2aR agonists are under clinical investigations for a wide range of disorders, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, chronic inflammation, and infectious diseases. Nevertheless, further studies are required to improve our understanding in the ability of A2a receptor agonists to reduce tissue damage during inflammation. Characterization of A2aR-induced signaling pathways will be useful for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory/immune diseases.
Framework of entrepreneurial orientation and networking: a study of SMEs performance in a developing country

SMEs with higher levels of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) have been found to perform better than those, which lack such orientatiol1. The dimensions of EO, namely autonomy, innovativeness, risktaking, proactive, and competitive aggressiveness contribute to firm performance independently. However, these EO dimensions are considered insufficient for the SMEs to enter global markets. Due to their limited resources and lack of knowledge as well as access to foreign markets, SMEs in developing countries (such as in Indonesia) that participate in international business have to possess the capability to establish networks. Networking also provides firms to gain access to resources that they do not possess. This study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates the capability to establish networking in the EO - performance relationship. ABSTRACT SMEs with higher levels ofEntrepreneurial Orientation (EO) have been lound to pel/orm better than those, which lack such orientatiol1. The dimensions of EO, namely autonomy, innovativeness, risk taking, proactive, and competitive aggressiveness contribute to firm performance independently. However, these EO dimensions are considered insufficient for the SlvlEs to enter global markets. Due to their limited resources and lack of knowledge as well as access to foreiRn markets, SMEs in developing countries (such as in Indonesia) that participate in intemational business have to possess the capability to establish networks. Networking also provides firms to gain access to resources thaI they do not possess. This stuc(v proposes a conceptual framework that integrates the capability to establish networking in the EO - pelj(mnance relationship.
Comparative Isolation of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 from Diarrhoeic and Non-Diarrhoeic Children in Selected Communities in Cross River State, Nigeria

Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been considered an emerging foodborne pathogen causing severe diarrheal disease globally especially among children under the age of five years in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed at conducting a comparative study on the rate of isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from diarrhoeic and non- diarrhoeic children in selected communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Stool samples were collected from children under the age of five yrs and the pathogen isolated and identified using standard microbiological and biochemical procedures. Serological analysis to detect E. coli 0157:H7 serotype was carried out using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and anti-rabbit H7 latex serum agglutination techniques. Out of 367 diarrhoeic children sampled, 70 (19.07%) were positive for E. coli 0157:H7 and the prevalence differed significantly (p<0.05) with the control. The prevalence of E. coli 0157:H7 between diarrhoeal (19.07%) and non-diarrhoeal (1.39%) cases also differed significantly (p<0.05) among the sampling areas. Diarrhoeric children below the age of one year had significantly highest prevalence of 26.83% at p<0.05 though no significant relationship between the sex of the children and the rate of infection with the organism was observed. Children diarrhoaeic stool therefore serves as a major vehicle in the domestic transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Improved personal hygiene and environmental sanitation among parents and care givers can reduce the spread of diarrheal disease caused by this pathogen amongst children under the age of five years.
Tax or Spend, What Causes What: Taiwan's Experience

In this paper we tested the hypothesis of tax-and-spend, spend-and-tax, or fiscal synchronization for Taiwan using annual data covering the 1967 to 1999 period. Granger causality test results based on the corresponding vector error-correction models (ECM) suggest unidirectional causality running from government revenues to government expenditures, thus supporting the tax-and-spend hypothesis for Taiwan.
Service Quality as a Predictor of Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty

Background: Service quality, customer satisfaction and custome r loyalty have received a special attention in the recent health sector literature. T he aim of this study was to examine the correlation between service quality and customer satisfaction as well as the co rrelation between service quality and customer loya lty. Methods: The self-report questionnaires gathered from patie nts at army medical centres in West Malaysia were u sed for this purpose. Results: The outcomes of SmartPLS path model analysis showe d that service quality dimensions, namely tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy were significantly correlated with customer satisfa ction and customer loyalty. Conclusions: This finding confirms that the capability of servic e providers to appropriately implement the quality dimensions in providing medical services has enhanc ed customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in th e organizational
Structures of the Haken manifolds with Heegaard splittings of genus two

Ό(n) (A(n), Mϋ(n) resp. ): the collection of the Seifert fibered manifolds the orbit manifold of each of which is a disk (annulus, Mobius band resp.) with n exceptional fibers. Mκ (ML resp.) : the collection of the exteriors of the two bridge knots (links resp.). L,κ : the collection of the exteriors of the one bridge knots in lens spaces each of which admits a complete hyperbolic structure or admits a Seifert fibration whose regular fiber is not a meridian loop.
Barriers to pharmacist participation in continuing education in Australia

Background: The pharmacy profession recognises of the need for continuing education (CE), however, the rate of participation in organised CE remains low. Little is known about the reasons for low participation rates in CE, particularly in the Australian context. Aim: This research aimed to identify the barriers to participation of Australian pharmacists in CE. Method: Focus groups were held with Australian community pharmacists, grouped into experienced pharmacists, recently qualified pharmacists, pharmacists with specialist-training needs, and pharmacists practising in rural or remote areas. Focus group transcripts were thematically analysed. Results: Barriers identified by pharmacists included time constraints, accessibility – in terms of travel and cost, relevance, motivation, quality and method of CE delivery. Participants provided ideas to improve uptake of CE. Conclusion: The major barriers identified were time, accessibility and relevance of content. To improve uptake of CE a wider variety of flexibly delivered programs supplemented with in-depth workshops could be utilised.
Approaches to learning in higher education: A review

The concept of approaches to learning (deep, surface and strategic) has been influential in higher education research, policy and practice, particularly, in the world’s leading universities. In this review, published international research investigating the relationship between approaches to learning and educational outcomes in higher education is evaluated. There is evidence that deep approaches to learning are associated with a deep understanding of educational material but not conclusively high academic achievement (as measured by assessment results). This may be because the assessment methods adopted by higher education institutions do not always reward deep learning. It is recommended that higher educational institutions in sub-Saharan Africa aim to encourage students to develop a deep approach to learning, leading to a deep understanding of subject matter. This can be achieved through the incorporation of well organised curricula and teaching and assessment methods that promote deep understanding, such as, essay writing, problem based learning, inquiry based learning, reflective learning and research projects.