Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity and activity of aquatic fungi under low oxygen conditions

SUMMARY 1. The objective was to test whether a decrease in oxygen concentration in streams affects the diversity and activity of aquatic hyphomycetes and consequently leaf litter decomposition. 2. Senescent leaves of Alnus glutinosa were immersed for 7 days in a reference stream, for fungal colonization, and then incubated for 18 days in microcosms at five oxygen concentrations (4% ,2 6% ,5 4% ,7 6% and 94% saturation). Leaf decomposition (as loss of leaf toughness), fungal diversity, reproduction (as spore production) and biomass (ergosterol content) were determined. 3. Leaf toughness decreased by 70% in leaves exposed to the highest O2 concentration, whereas the decrease was substantially less (from 25% to 45%) in treatments with lower O2. Fungal biomass decreased from 99 to 12 mg fungi g )1 ash-free dry mass on exposure to 94% and 4% O2 respectively. Sporulation was strongly inhibited by reduction of dissolved O2 in water (3.1 · 10 4 versus 1.3 · 10 3 spores per microcosms) for 94% and 4% saturation respectively. 4. A total of 20 species of aquatic hyphomycetes were identified on leaves exposed to 94% O2, whereas only 12 species were found in the treatment with 4% O2 saturation. Multidimensional scaling revealed that fungal assemblages exposed to 4% O2 were separated from all the others. Articulospora tetracladia, Cylindrocarpon sp. and Flagellospora curta were the dominant species in microcosms with 4% O2, while Flagellospora curvula and Anguillospora filiformis were dominant at higher O2 concentrations. 5. Overall results suggest that the functional role of aquatic hyphomycetes as decomposers of leaf litter is limited when the concentration of dissolved oxygen in streams is low.
Law, Property, and the Geography of Violence: The Frontier, the Survey, and the Grid

Abstract Physical violence, whether realized or implied, is important to the legitimation, foundation, and operation of a Western property regime. Certain spatializations—notably those of the frontier, the survey, and the grid—play a practical and ideological role at all these moments. Both property and space, I argue, are reproduced through various enactments. While those enactments can be symbolic, they must also be acknowledged as practical, material, and corporeal.
Sonar-based local path planning for an AUV in large-scale underwater environments

A real-time local path planning for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in a completely unknown underwater environment is addressed in this paper. Firstly, image processing techniques are applied to extract information of obstacles from the sonar data to build a grid map of the local underwater environment around the AUV. Then a topologically organized bio-inspired neurodynamics model based on the map is constructed to represent the dynamic environment. The goal globally attracts the AUV through the dynamic neural activity landscape of the model, while the obstacles locally push the AUV away to avoid collisions. Finally, the AUV finds its path to the goal autonomously by a steepest gradient ascent rule. The proposed model does not require any prior knowledge of the environment or learning procedures. The simulation result shows that the proposed approaches are capable of planning collision-free paths in large-scale unknown underwater environments.
Identifying and Measuring Technical Inefficiency Factors:Evidence from Unbalanced Panel Data for Thai Listed Manufacturing Enterprises

This study employs stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and two-stage DEA approaches to predict firm technical efficiency and analyse an inefficiency effects model. Aggregate translog stochastic frontier production functions are estimated under the SFA approach using an unbalanced panel data of 178 Thai manufacturing enterprises listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), covering the period 2000 to 2008. The maximum-likelihood Tobit model is used to conduct the second-stage of the two-stage DEA model to investigate the relationship between technical inefficiency and environmental variables. Both parametric and nonparametric approaches are found to produce consistent results. The empirical evidence from both approaches highlight that Thai listed manufacturing firms had been operating under decreasing returns to scale over the period 2000 to 2008. The SFA approach reports that technical progress decreased over time, and relied on labour input. Both estimation approaches suggest that leverage (financial constraints), executive remuneration, managerial ownership, exports, some types of listed firms (i.e., family-owned firm and foreign-owned firm), and firm size have a negative (positive) and significant effect on technical inefficiency (technical efficiency). The empirical results obtained from both approaches also suggest that liquidity, external financing, and research & development (R&D) have a significantly positive (negative) effect on technical inefficiency (technical efficiency)
Evaluation of indigenous bivoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Hybrids under sub-tropical conditions

The investigation was carried out to evaluate ten silkworm bivoltine hybrids raised by involving half (5 × 5) diallel set of bivoltine breeds including five hypersericigenous (NSO, SPO, SPDL, Z and ZZ) breeds along with ruling bivoltine hybrid, SH6 × NB4D2 in order to identify the adaptable, high yielding hybrids suited for sub-tropical conditions. Observations were made on twelve economically important traits namely; larval weight, larval survival, cocoon yield per 10,000 larvae (by weight and by number), good cocoon, pupation, single cocoon weight, single shell weight, shell ratio, average filament length, nonbreakable filament length and denier. The data was analyzed using Evaluation index (E.I.) method. Six hybrid combinations recorded mean evaluation index (E.I.) values of >50 ranging from 51.63 to 57.51, whereas, control scored E.I. value of 31.38 only. Three hybrid combinations, Z × SPO (57.51), SPDL × NSP (56.89) and SPO × NSP (56.84) recorded Average E.I. value >56 for all the characters under subtropical conditions.
Determinants of Users Trust for Branchless Banking in Pakistan

To capture the unbanked population, cellular companies in partnership with microfinance institutions/banks are offering branchless banking initiatives in the market. This trend is building competitive environment in banking sector. Current study aims to investigate the effects of service quality, system quality, reputation, structural assurance, perceived credibility and perceived financial cost on Users’ Trust in branchless banking. Primary data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire from 120 undergraduate level students of a university in Pakistan. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was run for hypotheses testing. The study concluded that service quality, system quality, reputation and perceived credibility exert significant positive effects while perceived financial cost exert significant negative effect on Users’ Trust. However, study could not prove a significant effect of structural assurance on Users’ Trust. Results also indicate that 40.9% of the variation in Users’ Trust in branchless banking can be accounted for by the respective changes in all six independent variables. Recommendations and limitations are also discussed in the study.
Modeling the potential distribution of three lichens of the Xanthoparmelia pulla group (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in Central Europe

The paper presents models of potential geographical distribution of Xanthoparmelia delisei , X. loxodes , and X. verruculifera in Central Europe. The models were developed with MaxEnt (maximum entropy algorithm) based on 224 collection localities and bioclimatic variables. The applied method enabled to identify the areas where climatic conditions are the most suitable for modeled species outside their known localities. According to obtained model, high potential distribution of the X. delisei and X. loxodes was found in the northern and northeastern Poland, when areas most suitable for X. verruculifera were placed in the south, especially in the Carpathians. Model also suggests that potential distribution of X. delisei could be wider than known data on its occurrence and extend to Lithuania, Belarus and the Czech Republic. MaxEnt modeling of X. loxodes showed the widest potential distribution for this species in Central Europe with the best regions in Lithuania. Potential distribution in all models was strongly influenced by precipitation-related variables. All the modelled species prefer areas where precipitation in the coldest quarter is very low.
Do Disaster Expectations Explain Household Portfolios

It has been argued that rare economic disasters can explain most asset pricing puzzles. If this is the case, perceived risk associated with a disaster in stock markets should be revealed in household portfolios. That is, the framework that solves these pricing puzzles should also generate quantities that are consistent with the observed ones. This paper estimates the perceived risk of disasters (both probability and expected size) that is consistent with observed portfolios and consumption growth between 1983 and 2004 in the United States. I find that the portfolio choice of households that have less than a college degree can be partially explained by expectations of stock markets disasters only if one allows for a large probability of labor income loss at the same time. Such disaster expectations however, are not revealed in the portfolios of educated and wealthier households; simple per-period participation costs to stock market coupled with preference heterogeneity explain their participation and investment patterns.
“I want to shake your hand before …”: The role of clients, knowledge exchange and market dynamics in southern Italian software firms

Abstract This study aims to assess the importance of clients in multi-scalar networks leading to learning competence and knowledge exchange. Furthermore, the difficulties encountered by firms located in a peripheral and marginally innovative area in signing commercial agreements with partners located in distant regions are tackled. Our findings, based on qualitative interviews, reveal that clients are considered to be the most important partners by the founders, owners and professionals of software firms located in the marginally innovative province of Lecce (southeastern Italy). Furthermore, being located in a peripheral area is not seen as a limitation from the technical–infrastructural viewpoint thanks to the opportunity offered by new technologies (e.g. the Internet) and computer-mediated communications. Conversely, the contracting of business agreements with partners located in distant markets is negatively influenced by the geographical distance from potential clients due to the need for previous acquaintance or face-to-face contact engendering trust.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Debt in Companies Listed within Kompas 100

This study aims to determine the effect of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) which is proxied through the proportion of independent commissioners, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, quality audits, and family ownership on the cost of debt. The objects of this study are companies listed in Kompas 100 from the period of August 2013-January 2014. The method used to take samples of the study using purposive sampling method. Data analysis methods used are descriptive statistics, the classical assumption test, and hypotheses test. Based on the results of hypothesis testing that performed by using multiple regression analysis at the 0.05 significant level, the results of this study prove that the proportion of independent commissioners has a significant negative effect on the cost of debt. Also, managerial ownership has a significant positive effect on the cost of debt. On the other hand, institutional ownership, quality audits, and family ownership have no significant effect the cost of debt.
Time Trend in the Viability of Pollen Grains in the ‘Picual’ olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivar

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability and longevity of the pollen grains of the olive cultivar ‘Picual’, the most extensive and important olive cultivar in the Iberian Peninsula. Over a 3-year period (2007–2009), viability of the pollen grains of 15 ‘Picual’ cultivar trees was measured using the Fluorochromatic Reaction (FCR). These olive trees were distributed along different altitudinal areas of the province of Jaen (southeast Iberian Peninsula). The percentages of viability did not show any geographical variability. In general, the percentage of viability did not vary from one year to another. With an average value of 49%, the viability of the pollen in the cultivar ‘Picual’ could be classified as medium-range. ‘Picual’ pollen grains have the highest viability after 24 hours of anther dehiscence. Viability declines rapidly with time. The longevity of the pollen grains was about seven days. The first three days after anthesis are the most important for fertilisation. A rapid decline in pollen viability may considerably reduce effective fertilisation and could negatively influence fruit production. For this reason, these findings should be considered for the improvement of olive fruit yields.
Effect of sulphur and micronutrients fertilization on yield and fat content in winter rape seeds (Brassica napus L.).

Three-year strict experiments with winter rapeseed were conducted in three experimental stations. In the research, winter rape fertilization with elemental sulphur (S) in the doses: 20, 40 and 60 kg S/ha, boron (B) - in the dose of 2 kg B/ha and copper (Cu) - 5 kg Cu/ha were applied. Microelements were introduced separately, in treatments B and Cu, as well as in combination B + Cu. The experimental soils featured low content of sulphate sulphur SO 4 2- -S and boron, medium and low copper content. Rapeseed fertilization with sulphur, boron and copper resulted in their increased concentration in plants. Sulphur at 40 and 60 kg S/ha doses affected the increase in oilseed rape grain yield by 11-12% compared to the not fertilized treatment. The dose of 20 kg S/ha did not show any significant influence on yield. The yield increased by more than 10% in the comparison to the treatment without B and Cu, was obtained due to boron, as well as combination of boron and copper fertilization. A significant increase in fat content, in relation to not fertilized treatment, ranking from 1.0-1.4% dry matter, was recorded after fertilization with the highest sulphur dose - 60 kg S/ha, as well as after application of boron and copper fertilization.
Processing method, variety and roasting duration effect on physical quality attributes of roasted Arabica coffee beans

Coffee quality is affected by pre and post harvest practices. Among these practices, processing method and roasting are the main ones. Dry, washed and recently introduced semi-washed processing methods are common green coffee preparations in Ethiopia. Regardless of the processing method used, roasting is required to obtain typical coffee aroma from green coffee beans. However, comprehensive information on the effect of processing method, variety, roast duration and their interaction on final quality is not available. Hence, this study was conducted at Jimma Agricultural Research Centre to evaluate the impact of processing method, variety and roasting duration on physical quality attributes of roasted Arabica coffee during the 2011/2012 cropping season. It was designed in a factorial combination of three released coffee berry disease resistant coffee varieties, three processing methods and four roasting durations in completely randomized design with three replications. The physical quality attributes of roast weight loss, volume change, and bulk density of roasted coffee were recorded and the analysis was computed using general linear model procedures of SAS version 9.2. The result indicated that interaction of variety by roasting duration was highly significant (P<0.01) for roast volume change and bulk density of roasted coffee. The highest roast volume change (116.27%) was recorded for variety 744 roasted for 10 min and the minimum roast volume change (14.29%) was for variety 74110 roasted for six minutes. Variation on roast physical properties of Arabica coffee during roasting was profound for coffee quality. The result can be used to enhance cup quality of Arabica coffee aiming at roasting for different processing methods.
Chapter XVIII The Functions of Negotiation of Meaning in Text Based CMC

This chapter aims at describing the patterns of negotiation of meaning functions in text-based synchro- nous computer-mediated communication by using computer-mediated discourse analysis. Two research questions were sought in this study: (a) what types of negotiation of meaning emerge in text-based synchronous CMC environments, and (b) is there any difference between native speakers (NSs) and non- native speakers (NNSs) of English in terms of negotiations of meaning functions in this environment. The emerged functions of meaning negotiation were presented, and when comparing the NS with NNSs, the most frequently used negotiation of meaning functions were found to be different, but the least frequently used ones were found to be similar. The findings of this study might give insights to researchers, educa - tors, and teachers of English Language when designing instruction in terms of patterns of negotiation of meaning functions in text-based synchronous computer-mediated communication.
Reforms of the public sector in the light of the new public management: A cases of Sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of this paper is to talk about reforms of the public sector in the light of the new public management (NPM) with special emphasis of some selected Sub-Saharan African countries. The origin, rationale and chief characteristic of the ‘new public management’ was explained. Thereafter, a discussion was made on the trends, rationales and principal characteristics of the public sector reform program of the past two decades and the extent to which these reforms were influenced by the principles of new public management. Finally, the successes, challenges, limitations and constraints of the reforms and reform processes were highlighted. The paper is based archival research, where secondary data sources have been used. Reform programs through NPM is not only aim at ensuring the adequate management of machineries of government, but also effective public service delivery through the building and strengthening institutional capacity, and by introducing results-oriented management techniques. The paper demonstrated the variants of the new public management approach being introduced in the public sector reforms of developing countries, with special attention on Sub-Saharan Africa. However, it needs to be noted that the new public management approach may not be a cure to the problems of public administration. Hence, a wise selection and adoption of some elements of the NPM may be beneficial. Key words: Public sector reform, new publish management, public administration, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Preliminary assessment of activity pattern and diet of the lesser dog faced fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis in a Dipterocarp Forest, Sarawak, Borneo.

The short nosed fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis (Muller 1838) is primarily a plant-visiting bat feeding on fruits, flowers and leaf fractions (Funakoshi et al. 1993). It typically roosts in small groups in trees, under banana leaves, palm fronds and man-made structures. It is locally abundant, has a wide distribution throughout South/South East Asia and occupies a variety of habitats including primary and disturbed forest, orchard, mangrove and cultivated areas (Corbet & Hill 1992). C. brachyotis is probably one of the best studied fruit bats in South East Asia. It’s ecology and behavior, especially foraging ecology, has been well explored in Peninsular Malaysia. (Abdullah 2003; Campbell et al. 2006a,b; Campbell et al. 2007; Hodgkison & Balding 2004; Tan et al. 1998). No studies, however, have been carried out on the ecology of this species in Malaysian Borneo. The Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo are different in terms of floristics, endemism and flowering phenology. This study deals with the activity pattern and diet of C. brachyotis in Borneo from where such information has not been collected so far. There is scanty information on the natural history of bats occurring in the tropical rain-forests due to difficulty in making observations. In Peninsular Malaysia, C. brachyotis has been studied using radiotelemetry and faecal analysis (Campbell et al. 2006a,b; Hodgkison & Balding 2004). However, use of remote flash photography has never been explored in the field to observe bat behaviour. Radiotelemetry is labour intensive and inadequate to differentiate between feeding and other activities. This information is vital to understand dispersal and competition as some Pteropodidae including C. sphinx rarely remain on the fruit bearing trees to feed and frequently carry the fruits to a feeding roost (Elangovan et al. 1999; Thomas 1988). Therefore, we investigated the activity pattern and diet of C. brachyotis using infrared cameras. The study was conducted at Kubah National Park (KNP; 01° 36.1704’ N and 110° 11.159’ E) which is located 22 km from Kuching city, in the state of Sarawak. The park covers an area of 2230 ha and surrounded by villages and small agricultural settings such as banana (Musa sp.), durian (Durio zibethinus) and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum). Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is a common epiphyte. The study site received 3852 mm of rain during 2006 (Malaysian Meteorological Service 2007). A total of 93 rainy days were recorded
The relationship of overweight and obesity to the motor performance of children living in South Africa

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between overweight and obesity and the motor performance of nine- to 13-year-old South African children. Design: The study used a one-way cross-sectional design based on baseline measurements. Settings and subjects: The research group comprised 280 Grade 4, 5 and 6 learners (128 boys and 152 girls) from two schools that represented a distribution of socio-economic status, race and gender. Outcome measures: Anthropometric [(body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage] and motor performance measurements (fine manual control, manual coordination, body coordination and strength and agility) were obtained by means of the Fitnessgram and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-II. International age-specific cut-off points were used to classify the children's body composition as normal weight, overweight or obese. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and analysis of variance, followed by a Tukey post hoc analysis. Results: The results showed that running speed and agility decreased significantly with an increase in BMI. Muscular strength also decreased significantly with a smaller practical significance, while fine manual control, manual coordination, and body coordination showed the weakest relationship to BMI. Analysis of variance showed significant relationships between BMI and running speed and agility (p-value < 0.05). These relationships were influenced differently by gender and ethnicity. Conclusion: The motor performance of young South African children was negatively influenced by overweight and obesity. Intervention strategies are recommended to reduce the consequences of overweight and obesity in the overall development of such children.