Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amphibians and reptiles from the Mt. Hamiguitan Range of eastern Mindanao Island, Philippines: new distribution records

Despite extensive surveys conducted in the past, many remote areas in the Philippines remain unexplored and many species are unknown to science. The Mount Hamiguitan Range (MHR) is among these areas, containing large remaining forests tracts. In this study, we report new records of amphibians and reptiles from MHR and propose removing two species from the previously listed species from this mountain range. We used standardized techniques to sample populations of amphibians and reptiles in fragmented forests of Mt. Hamiguitan. Our survey resulted in 16 new records of species (four frogs, three lizards and nine snakes). Combining our results with previous studies, the known species diversity from the MHR is now increased to a total of 61 taxa. Our results highlight the underestimated diversity of herpetofauna of Mt. Hamiguitan, and we discuss the importance of repeated surveys for determining species occurrences and assessing their conservation status.
Persistent infection of African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) with SAT-type foot-and-mouth disease viruses : rate of fixation of mutations , antigenic change and interspecies transmission

Transmission of a plaque-purified SAT-2 foot-andmouth disease virus (FMDV) occurred erratically from artificially infected African buffaloes in captivity to susceptible buffaloes and cattle in the same enclosure; in some instances transmission occurred only after contact between persistently infected carriers and susceptible animals lasting a number of months. Because the rate at which FMDV mutations accumulated in persistently infected buffaloes was approximately linear (1 .64% nucleotide substitutions per year over the region of the 1D gene sequenced), both buffaloes and cattle that became infected some months after the start of the experiment were infected with viruses that differed from the original clone. The nucleotide differences were reflected in significant antigenic change. A SAT-1 FMDV from a separate experiment inadvertently infected some of the buffalo in the SAT-2 experiment. The SAT-1 FMDV also accumulated mutations at a constant rate in individual buffaloes (1 .54% nucleotide changes per year) but the resultant antigenic variation was less than for SAT2. It is concluded that persistently infected buffaloes in the wild constantly generate variants of SAT-1 and SAT-2 which explains the wide range of genomic and antigenic variants which occur in SAT-1 and SAT-2 viruses in southern Africa.
Trophic Status of Shallow Lakes of La Pampa (Argentina) and Its Relation with the Land Use in the Basin and Nutrient Internal Load

Phosphorus and nitrogen are essential nutrients for living organisms. Their concentration in the water of an aquatic ecosystem is one of the factors responsible for the trophic status of the lake and is related to the soils of the region and to the human activities carried out in their basins. These nutrients are also found in the bottom sediments, where they can either be retained or re-enter the water column. Since the information about the concentrations of nutrients in the water of some lakes of La Pampa (Argentina) is fragmentary, the aim of this study is to describe the trophic status of some shallow lakes of the semiarid center of Argentina and analyze its relation with the human activities in their basins, the concentrations of nutrients and organic matter and particle size distribution of sediments. To this end, we studied ten shallow lakes subjected to different anthropogenic influences (agriculture, agriculture and livestock and impacted by cities). All were hypertrophic and the concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen were among the highest reported globally. Since some lakes had no fish, cladoceran grazing (top-down effect) led them have reduced concentrations of phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and high water transparency. This relativizes the use of these parameters to determine the trophic status. The sediments of seven of the studied lakes were predominated by fine sands, whereas three were predominated by silts. Nutrient and organic matter content were high, with higher concentrations in lakes with prevalence of fine particles. The reduced adsorption capacity of sediments, the resuspension by wind, the anthropogenic input and the accumulation favored by the arheic character of the basins would explain the high concentrations of nutrients in the water of these Pampean environments.
Metadiscourse Analysis of the Extraverted-Introverted L2 Learners’ Oral Production

The study at hand aims at analyzing the relationship between the extraversion level and the employment of metadiscourse markers in the Second Language (L2) learners’ oral production on the one hand, and investigating the differences between various levels of extraversion and the types of metadiscourse they use, on the other hand. To this end, 60 advanced EFL learners comprising 12 males and 48 females took part in the study and their extraversion level was assessed with the aid of Myer-Briggs Type Indicator questionnaire. The highly extraverted (N=7) accounted for 11.7%, moderately extraverted (N=22) comprising 36.7%, moderately introverted (N=9) including 15%, and quite introverted (N=22) involving 36.7% of the population. Indeed, the findings revealed a strong positive correlation between the extraversion level and the employment of metadiscourse markers in speech. Besides, there were statistically significant differences across highly extraverted, moderately extraverted, moderately introverted, and quite introverted learners regarding the application of met discourse markers in their speech.
The Effect of Personal-Situational Locus of Control on the Amount of Betting in a Private University

This research employed an experimental design to study the issue of gambling to determine the main and interaction effects of Rotter’s personal locus of control and situational locus of control on the amount of betting in a simulated blackjack card game. A total number of 53 undergraduates from a private university in Kuala Lumpur participated in this research. A two-way factorial ANOVA was employed and showed no significant main effects of personal and situational locus of control on the amount of betting. The findings also suggested no significant interaction effect between both measures. With current statistics showing an increase in the number of gamblers, especially among youths in Malaysia, the findings of this research could provide insights into the possible factors contributing to gambling behaviour despite the non-significant effects of personal and situational locus of control.
Analysis of Combined Probing Measurement Error and Length Measurement Error Test for Acceptance Testing in Dimensional Computed Tomography

Industrial X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) has evolv ed as an alternative measurement method to tactile nd optical coordinate measurement systems (CMSs). Acce ptance testing e.g. according to ISO 10360 standard s is a common method to assess locally and globally CMS er rors as probing measurement errors P and length measurement errors E, respectively. This paper explores in an experimen tal approach aspects of performing combined, i.e. simultaneous, P and E acceptance tests in the field of dimensional CT. T his combined test approach was proposed in ISO standardization in ear ly 2014. Prospective benefits of combined P/E testing are the potential reduction of time and costs. However, the combined P/E test is a completely new concept in the field of coordinate metrology and needs to be analy zed for its metrological characteristics. Thus, thi s work – performed within the framework the European Marie C urie project INTERAQCT – discusses this new approac h on the basis both of real CT scans and simulations and tries to create input for the international sta ndardization of dimensional CT.
Modeling of colloid-associated radionuclide transport in porous groundwater aquifers at the Gorleben site, Germany

Results are presented which have been obtained in prediction studies on the colloid-associated transport of radionuclides through porous groundwater aquifers overlying as geochemical barrier the planned nuclear repository site at Gorleben, Germany. The studies incorporate three-phase retardation factors for 227 Ac, 228 Th, 232 U and 210 Pb in site-specific groundwater aquifers containing humic colloids and efficiencies for Brownian deposition of colloidal carriers onto immobile sedimentary grains. It is shown that colloidbound radionuclide migration can be approximately modeled by using the basic advection-dispersion transport equation modified with three-phase retardation coefficients and colloid-chemical attachment factors due to the presence of multiple phases, i.e., fluid, colloid and immobile solid. Moreover, results of sitespecific assessment studies indicate that the transport of colloid-associated radionuclides in porous groundwater aquifers overlying the Gorleben salt dome may not occur over long distances, provided that the nuclides are transported by porous flow only.
Comparing distance education and conventional education: Observations from a comparative study of post‐registration nurses

This retrospective study presents a comparison of assessment results achieved by distancelearning students and classroom-based students undertaking the same module in a degree course. The purpose of the comparison is to provide some objective measurement of the quality of distance education in relation to conventional classroom-based education. The authors have selected three groups of students, who have all undertaken the same module in the B. Sc Health Studies degree programme offered by the University of Paisley. One group (in Paisley) undertook their studies by means of conventional classroom-based education, the second (in Hong Kong) by supported distance learning with face-to-face contact in the form of tutorials, and the third (in a geographically dispersed group in the United Kingdom and other countries) by supported distance learning with no face-to-face contact. The results obtained by these three groups of students were analysed. Because of the differences in the size of the groups, the Kruskal- Wallis 1- Way Anova test was applied to validate the face value findings. The authors include findings from the literature comparing distance education with conventional education and from cross-cultural studies to present their data in context. Analysis of the assessment results showed that students from all three groups were successful in their studies, but the students studying by distance learning obtained significantly higher end-of-module results than their classroom-based colleagues. This latter finding reflects the conclusion that other investigators have reached In their discussion the authors identify educational, cultural and personal factors that may help to explain their findings. A limitation in the study is that it concerns only one module in the degree programme. The research now moves on to comparing students who have undertaken the whole degree programme by the means described DOI: 10.1080/0968776020100110
Identifying conventional and unconventional monetary policy shocks: a latent threshold approach

Abstract This paper proposes a new estimation framework for identifying monetary policy shocks in both conventional and unconventional policy regimes using a structural VAR model. Exploiting a latent threshold modeling strategy that induces time-varying shrinkage of the parameters, we explore a recursive identification switching with a time-varying overidentification for the interest rate zero lower bound. We empirically analyze Japan’s monetary policy to illustrate the proposed approach for modeling regime-switching between conventional and unconventional monetary policy periods, and find that the proposed model is preferred over a nested standard time-varying parameter VAR model. The estimation results show that increasing bank reserves lowers long-term interest rates in the unconventional policy periods, and that the impulse responses of inflation and the output gap to a bank reserve shock appear to be positive but highly uncertain.
The factors Affecting Citizens ’ Adoption of E-government System in Developing Countries . Nigeria case Study

Among the many promises of the egovernment evolution is its potential to strengthen social equality among citizens and make governments service oriented to the needs of their citizens. The purpose of using ICTs in government is to provide information and services online and also to support consultation processes that encourage active participation of citizens in governance. Citizen requirements are important part of e-government which is the desire to change the way businesses, citizens and tourist interact with government agencies (Mundy and Musa, 2010). It is therefore important to determine the expectations and desires of citizens from their government. This paper presents an assessment of factors that affect the adoption of e-government system in Nigeria using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Out of the 1100 potential respondents, 989 were usable responses and were used for subsequent analysis. The empirical data reveal that performance expectancy was considered an insignificant influence on the citizens’ behavioural intention to adopt egovernment systems, while effort expectancy and social influence Journal of computing and management studies ISSN 2516-2047. Issue 1. Volume 2. January 2018 Journal of computing and management studies ISSN 2516-2047. Issue 1. Volume 2. January 2018 factors have significant positive influence on citizens’ behavioural intention to adopt e-government. Additionally, this study findings reveal that the facilitating conditions are insignificant to the citizens in adopting the egovernment system. The iimplications for decision makers and suggestions for further research are also considered in this
Modeled alongshore circulation and force balances onshore of a submarine canyon

Alongshore force balances, including the role of nonlinear advection, in the shoaling and surf zones onshore of a submarine canyon are investigated using a numerical modeling system (Delft3D/SWAN). The model is calibrated with waves and alongshore flows recorded over a period of 1.5 months at 26 sites along the 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 m depth contours spanning about 2 km of coast. Field observation-based estimates of the alongshore pressure and radiation-stress gradients are reproduced well by the model. Model simulations suggest that the alongshore momentum balance is between the sum of the pressure and radiation-stress gradients and the sum of the nonlinear advective terms and bottom stress, with the remaining terms (e.g., wind stress and turbulent mixing) being negligible. The simulations also indicate that unexplained residuals in previous field-based estimates of the momentum balance may be owing to the neglect of the nonlinear advective terms, which are similar in magnitude to the sum of the forcing (pressure and radiations stress gradients) and to the bottom stress.
Title : Induced and evoked properties of vibrotactile adaptation in primary somatosensory cortex

1. Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA 2. F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA 3. Schools of Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 4. Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom 5. 6. School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX Cardiff, United Kingdom
“ A Characteristic Model for Asset Pricing ”

We develop a framework to identify firm characteristics that forecast stock returns. We show that forecasting returns is equivalent to forecasting earnings and earnings growth. Thus a characteristic indicates expected returns if it indicates expected earnings and earnings growth that the market prices as being at risk. The model identifies two important characteristics that explain cross-sectional variation in equity returns: (1) earnings-to-price (E/P) and (2) book-toprice (B/P). Because E/P is a yield, it is a valid characteristic to indicate expected returns, though it has not been emphasized in most prior research. B/P is a valid characteristic because it is positively associated with future (risky) earnings growth. This positive correlation is surprising since most prior research labels low B/P stocks as growth stocks. As a validation of our model, we revisit the puzzling negative relation that has been observed between leverage and realized returns. We find evidence of a positive relation between leverage and returns only when returns are conditioned on the set of characteristics identified by our model.
Do nostalgic product placements in TV series and movies increase narrative enjoyment and influence brand perceptions ?

In this research nostalgic product placements in narrative media were studied with regard to enjoyment, and whether they influenced brand/product evaluations in a more positive manner compared to current product placements. A 2x2 between-subjects experimental design with two levels of brand placements: retro products versus current products, and two levels of product placement setting: nostalgic setting vs current setting was used to study this rationale. An experimental replication factor with two levels: denim clothing vs portable music devices were also included to control for product types, and aid generalization. In total 390 participants from multiple countries (80 percent from the United States of America) have filled in the entire questionnaire and were exposed to one of the eight clips. The eight clips were shorter versions of real movie or TV-series and were between 1.5 – 3 minutes in length. Results showed that retro product placements were evaluated in a more positive manner compared to current product placements. The effect of retro product placements on brand heritage and placement enjoyment were mediated by nostalgic feelings. Novel effects of the role of nostalgia in the product placements context were found in this study. Theoretical and practical implications for advertising scholars, policy makers, and marketing communication personnel are included. NOSTALGIC PRODUCT PLACEMENTS IN NARRATIVE MEDIA 3 Table of
Post Tonsillectomy Pain of Bipolar Electrocautery and Coldsteel Dissection: A Randomized Prospective Comparative Study

Backgrounds and objectives: Tonsillectomy is regarded as one of the most common surgical operation carried out by otolaryngologists worldwide. Pain is one of the most common troubling problems both the patients and surgeons have to face postoperatively. The study aim is to compare pain scores after surgeries between bipolar diathermy and cold steel techniques. Patients and Methods: This is a comparative prospective study conducted at Azadi Teaching hospital – Department of otolaryngology - Head and neck surgery in Duhok-Kurdistan Region / Iraq, from September 2016 to February 2017. 40 patients have been included in this study and they randomly selected into two groups, group A (20 patients) underwent tonsillectomy by cold steel method and group B (20 patients) by diathermy method. Results: Data reveled that there was non-significant difference in pain between the two groups in the day of surgery and 1st postoperative day. Pain score have significantly became different in day 2 and day 3 postoperatively (p=0.01, p=0.002) respectively, which mandate the addition of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to restore the pain difference to be non-significant again. Pain outcome is more common in patients with recurrent tonsillitis regardless of type of surgery. Conclusion: Bipolar diathermy tonsillectomies is considered a good alternative procedure for the old cold steel technique with insignificant difference in pain scores especially after the addition of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with no recorded bleeding issues.
PARADOX OF FIRM-SPECIFIC HUMAN CAPITAL AS A SOURCE OF SUSTAINED ADVANTAGE : A MOBILITY CONSTRAINT WITH AN INVESTMENT

Strategy research suggests that firm-specific human capital is a source of sustained competitive advantage, at least in part because it may constrain employee mobility. However, it is also typically assumed that employees are reluctant to invest in firmspecific skills because such investments may come at the cost of developing general skills, thereby reducing their attractiveness in the labor market. This creates a theoretical paradox: Employee investment in firm-specific human capital is crucial for value creation and appropriation, yet there is believed to be global underinvestment in firmspecific skills. We argue that the logic behind this theory depends on the assumption that firm-specific human capital is accurately and objectively perceived among labor market participants and that relaxing this assumption significantly limits conclusions that can be drawn about competitive advantage. The key takeaway is that perceptions of firm specificity, even if inaccurate, can be more important than objective firm-specific human capital in determining the likelihood that firm-specific human capital can be a source of sustained advantage. By relaxing the assumption of strong-form labormarket efficiency, we develop propositions regarding how firms can facilitate and manage perceptions of firm specificity, thereby increasing the likelihood that a competitive advantage can be sustained. In doing so, we help reconcile some of the differing assumptions in micro and macro work on human capital and employee retention.
Changing patterns or patterns of change: the effects of a change in technology on social network str

Network Structure and Power Author(s): Marlene E. Burkhardt and Daniel J. Brass Source: Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 35, No. 1, Special Issue: Technology, Organizations, and Innovation (Mar., 1990), pp. 104-127 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. on behalf of the Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University Stable URL: http://www.jstor. org/stable/2393552 . Accessed: 12/11/2013 03:43