Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The mutually antagonistic effect of drought and sand burial enables the biocrust moss Bryum argenteum Hedw. to survive the two co-occurring stressors in an arid sandy desert

Biocrust moss is an essential soil surface bio-cover. It represents the highest succession stage among the diverse range of surface-dwelling cryptogams (e.g., cyanobacteria, green algae, and lichen, which are also referred to as biological soil crusts) and makes a major contribution to soil stability and fertility throughout arid desert ecosystems. The soil surface represents a small ecological niche that is poikilohydric in nature. Biocrust moss is therefore highly susceptible to drought and sand burial, which are two ubiquitous stressors in arid sandy deserts. However, little information is available regarding the mechanism by which biocrust moss can survive and flourish in these habitats when stressed simultaneously by the two stressors. The combined effects of drought and sand burial were evaluated in a field experiment using the predominant biocrust moss, Bryum argenteum Hedw. , in the Tengger Desert, China. Drought was simulated by applying distilled water in three artificial rainfall regimes at 8-day intervals in spring and autumn: 4 and 6 mm (average rainfall, control), 2 and 3 mm (double drought), and 1 and 1.5 mm (fourfold drought), respectively. The effect of sand burial was determined by applying six treatments, i.e., sand depths of 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 10 mm. The four parameters of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, regeneration potential, and shoot upgrowth were evaluated in the moss. It was found that the combined effects of drought and sand burial did not exacerbate the single negative effects of the four parameters tested. Drought significantly ameliorated the negative effects of deep sand burial on the retention of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and regeneration potential of B. argenteum . Sand burial diminished and even reversed the negative effects of drought on the maintenance of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and regeneration potential. Although drought and sand burial imposed an additive negative effect on shoot upgrowth, which suggested a trade-off between growth ability and stress tolerance, their mutually antagonistic effect on the physiological vigor of B. argenteum provided an opportunity for the biocrust moss to overcome the two co-occurring stressors. In addition to providing a strong stress tolerance, drought and sand burial may provide an important mechanism for the biodiversity maintenance of biocrust mosses in arid sandy ecosystems.
Inulinase Production by a Mexican Semi-Desert Xerophylic Penicillium citrinum Strain under Submerged Culture

The aim of the study was to produce inulinase under submerged culture (SmC) by a xerophylic fungal strain isolated from the Mexican semi-dessert and to verify its potential as an industrial inulinase producer. This enzyme can be obtained from microorganisms that live in close association with inulin plant store tissues. Inulin is a widespread plant polyfructan that serves as a storage polysaccharide in several plants and its depolymerization involves the action of inulinase. Inulinases are classified among hydrolases and target on the $-(2,1)-linkage of inulin which is hydrolyzed into fructose and glucose. These carbohydrates are promising candidates to be used as food ingredients and in production of fermenting sugars. However, their utilization is limited due to the high cost of their production thus it is necessary to find new inulinase producer strains with high productivity and desirable characteristics for industrial production. In the present study, Penicillium citrinum ESS produced extracellular inulinase with the highest enzymatic activity (18.7 U/L) at 48 h, 30°C and 25 rpm, respectively. Moreover, the medium that we propose for inulinase production has a simpler chemical composition than other reported in previous works. Even further improvements on the process are needed, within the experimental limits of this study, it was possible to demonstrate that the xerophylic fungal strain Penicillium citrinum ESS isolated from Mexican semi-dessert could compete favorably with other fungal strains reported in literature to produce inulinase industrially.
Values Versus Regulations: How Culture Plays Its Role

This study examines the impact of culture on regulation and corruption. Our empirical results suggest that cultural values have significant effects on countries’ regulatory policies, levels of corruption, and economic development. Contrary to the conclusions drawn by others, this study shows no significant relationship between the regulatory policies of countries and their perceived levels of corruption. Thus, evidence of the “public choice view” toward entry regulation derived in related studies seems to be at least attenuated.
Coping and Career Advancement Activities.

The possibility of using measures of ways of coping to predict career advancement activities was examined in a study of 104 undergraduate students (69% were Caucasian, 19% were Asian-American, 9% were Latina/Latino, and 46% were male) enrolled in a career planning course at a large southwestern university. The students completed the 50-item Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) and a new 16-item questionnaire called the Career Advancement Activities Scale that was designed to measure action-oriented career planning activities. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used with the eight separate scale scores from the WCQ as the predictor variables and the overall score of the Career Advancement Activities Scale as the criterion variable. The final regression model included three of the eight predictor variables and was statistically significant. Three coping scales proved to be significant predictors of higher ieveIs-of career exploration activities: painful problem solving; accepting responsibility; and confrontive coping. According to the Pearson's "r" correlations calculated for the predictor and criterion variables, more than 28% of the variance in career advancement activity was accounted for by problem solving, accepting responsibility, and confrontive coping strategies. (Contains 15 references and the Career Advancement Activities Scale.) (MN) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** Coping and Career Advancement Activities 1 Running head: COPING AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACTIVITIES Coping and Career Advancement Activities Rebecca C. Yerly, Christopher J. McCarthy, and Robert C. Murff University of Texas at Austin U. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Oth of Educational Research and Improvement ED CATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in is document do not necessarily represethnt official OERI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY IAN" PIM" TO THE EDUCAT ONAL R' URGES INFORMNATI CENTER (ERIC) Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association August 15, 1997
Dimensions for the assessment of ethical leadership : an internal audit perspective

Ethical leadership is regarded as the key to building trust and sustaining organisations. However, monitoring the effectiveness of organisations in promoting ethical leadership poses a challenge to assurance providers, in particular internal auditors. Although attempts have been made to provide internal auditors with guidelines on how to assess the tone-at-the-top, these efforts are still based on the traditional compliance approach that in the past has fallen short of expectations when applied to questions of ethics. This paper proposes additional dimensions, to be included in a value-based approach to the assessment of ethical leadership. The foundation on which these dimensions are assessed is the Integrated Control Framework prepared by The Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Impulsivity and pathological gambling among Chinese: Is it a state or a trait problem?

Background: This study tested 37 Chinese male pathological gamblers and 40 controls to understand the relationship between pathological gambling and impulsivity as a long-term trait or a short-term state in the cognitive and affective domain. Results: Trait impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. State impulsivity in the cognitive and affective domains were measured by the Stroop Color Word Test and the Emotional Conflict Task, respectively. The pathological gamblers scored significantly higher than the controls on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. However, there were no significant group differences in performance on the Stroop Color Word Test or the Emotional Conflict Task. Conclusions: Findings clearly show that pathological gambling is associated with trait but not state impulsivity. In other words, pathological gambling is associated with an impulsivity stemming from enduring personality characteristics that lead gamblers to focus on short-term gains (trait impulsivity) rather than momentary cognitive or affective disinhibition (state impulsivity). Interventions should aim to change pathological gamblers’ habitual functioning style by cultivating healthy reflection habits and focusing on long-term rewards.
The parentage of Muscat of Hamburg

This research demonstrates that Muscat of Hamburg, a fine black table grape variety with muscat flavour, is the progeny of Schiava Grossa x Muscat of Alexandria. Two isozymes (GPI and PGM), 30 nuclear and 5 chloroplastic microsatellite markers were used. Two highly informative microsatellite markers from VMC (‘Vitis Microsatellite Consortium’) are suggested to enlarge the minimum set of loci selected for grapevine identification in the frame of the European Project GenRes 081.
Reduced diversity and changed bacterioplankton community composition do not affect utilization of dissolved organic matter in the Adriatic Sea

To obtain insights into the coupling between community composition, diversity and community function, bacterioplankton assemblages from the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea) were exposed to increasing environmental stress throughout 2 wk in continuous seawater cultures to construct communities differing in composition and diversity. The assemblages were exposed to (1) decreased temperature, (2) decreased temperature and phosphate addition or (3) decreased temperature, phosphate addition and lowered oxygen level. Bacterial and viral abundances as well as bacterial community composition stabilized during the second week of the experiment. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed dramatic reductions in bacterial diversity in all treatments and major compositional differences relative to the inoculum. Nevertheless, no differences in the ability to exploit dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were found for the acquired communities relative to the inoculum, indicating that the bacterial communities were functionally redundant. We speculate that oscillations in exploitation of the DOC pool in situ are mainly governed by factors limiting the overall bacterial growth, rather than perturbations affecting only subsets of the microbial biota.
Growth inhibitory effect of extracts from Reynoutria sp. plants against Spodoptera littoralis larvae

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of methanolic extracts from three Reynoutria species on feeding, development and mortality of larvae S. littoralis. The extracts of all three Reynoutria species did not reveal feeding deterrence in the Spodoptera littoralis larvae. However they significantly decreased the larvae growth and the efficiency of conversion of the ingested and digested food. Conversion of the ingested food was lower, when compared with control larvae. The use of food provoked prolongation of the larvae development and chronic toxicity. Even if extracts of all three plant species were effecting the larvae mortality with the same results (LC50 ranged from 0.5 to 1 mg g-1 in all extracts), the impact on growth inhibition in the larvae varied. The most efficient extract was R.xbohemica interspecific hybrid (LC50 was 1.24 mg g-1), then the extract of R. japonica (LC50 of 6.72 mg g-1), and the least efficient was the R. sachaliensis extract (LC50 of 9.48 mg g-1).
NEW CONSTRAINTS ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE STELLAR-TO-DARK MATTER CONNECTION: A COMBINED ANALYSIS OF GALAXY–GALAXY LENSING, CLUSTERING, AND STELLAR MASS FUNCTIONS FROM z = 0.2 to z = 1

Using data from the COSMOS survey, we perform the first joint analysis of galaxy–galaxy weak lensing, galaxy spatial clustering, and galaxy number densities. Carefully accounting for sample variance and for scatter between stellar and halo mass, we model all three observables simultaneously using a novel and self-consistent theoretical framework. Our results provide strong constraints on the shape and redshift evolution of the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SHMR) from z = 0.2 to z = 1. At low stellar mass, we find that halo mass scales as Mh∝M0.46* and that this scaling does not evolve significantly with redshift from z = 0.2 to z = 1. The slope of the SHMR rises sharply at M* > 5 × 1010 M☉ and as a consequence, the stellar mass of a central galaxy becomes a poor tracer of its parent halo mass. We show that the dark-to-stellar ratio, Mh/M*, varies from low to high masses, reaching a minimum of Mh/M* ∼ 27 at M* = 4.5 × 1010 M☉ and Mh = 1.2 × 1012 M☉. This minimum is important for models of galaxy formation because it marks the mass at which the accumulated stellar growth of the central galaxy has been the most efficient. We describe the SHMR at this minimum in terms of the “pivot stellar mass,” Mpiv*, the “pivot halo mass,” Mpivh, and the “pivot ratio,” (Mh/M*)piv. Thanks to a homogeneous analysis of a single data set spanning a large redshift range, we report the first detection of mass downsizing trends for both Mpivh and Mpiv*. The pivot stellar mass decreases from Mpiv* = 5.75 ± 0.13 × 1010 M☉ at z = 0.88 to Mpiv* = 3.55 ± 0.17 × 1010 M☉ at z = 0.37. Intriguingly, however, the corresponding evolution of Mpivh leaves the pivot ratio constant with redshift at (Mh/M*)piv ∼ 27. We use simple arguments to show how this result raises the possibility that star formation quenching may ultimately depend on Mh/M* and not simply on Mh, as is commonly assumed. We show that simple models with such a dependence naturally lead to downsizing in the sites of star formation. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results in the context of popular quenching models, including disk instabilities and active galactic nucleus feedback.
Modeling Approaches to Salt Management Problems in Irrigated Agriculture: A Review

Irrigation projects have been developed throughout human history to increase food production, but they frequently contribute to salinization and drainage problems as well. Examples where salinization and drainage water disposal due to agricultural activity are a critical problem can be found in irrigated areas in different parts of the world. To find possible solutions to irrigation and drainage related problems, government agencies, scientists, and soil and water resources managers recommend a broad array of management alternatives for conducting investigations. The concept of management alternatives of salinization and drainage problems can be evaluated by field experiments and/or by simulating conditions with reliable numerical or conceptual models. This paper provides a review of the implementation of modeling approaches for evaluating commonly proposed salt management alternatives on two different spatial scales: (1) Local (farm) scale, and (2) Regional scale. The conceptual and numerical-hydrologic modeling efforts presented here were generally limited to assessment of the effects on surface or groundwater quality. However, the development of a spatially and temporally distributed agroeconomic model using economic and hydrologic submodels might be a promising approach for better evaluation of management strategies. After accomplishing integration of hydrologic processes with economic submodels, the economic, environmental and social impact of management alternatives can be quantified to address the ubiquitous salt and pollution issues of irrigated agriculture, with potential application to arid and semiarid regions such as Turkey in the future.
Quarantine and Its Malcontents: How Liberians Responded to the Ebola Epidemic Containment Measures

This article examines how populations aff ected by the Ebola epidemic in Liberia reacted to the implementation of mandatory, state-imposed quarantine as a way of curtailing transmission. The ethnography, based on in-depth fi eldwork in both urban and rural areas, shows how mandatory quarantine caused severe social consequences for both people’s perceptions of epidemic control and their health-seeking behaviours. The authoritarian imposition of this public-health measure soon became a driver of social fear that contributed to the divide between institutions and population, jeopardising the control of transmission. Its implementation overshadowed more acceptable local quarantine measures that communities were organising to protect themselves from transmission. The analysis argues that quarantine in Liberia was counterproductive and suggests alternatives to epidemic control rooted in social acceptance and local practices.
Effect of Early Door to Balloon Time on Treatment with Adjunctive Therapy and Resultant Procedural Success in STEMI

Objectives: We studied whether earlier door-to-balloon (DTB) times affected use of standard adjunct medications (Rx), and the effect of differential Rx on PCI success. Background: Striving for earlier DTB times in STEMI is important, but rushing may negatively impact pt management. We studied whether earlier DTB times negatively affected use of standard adjunct Rx, pre-PCI chest x-ray (CXR), and the effect on PCI success. Methods: 227 pts diagnosed with STEMI were taken directly for angiography. Rx use between 3 grps were compared: Grp A=DTB>90 (n=156), Grp B=DTB<90 (n=71), Grp C =DTB<60 (n=12). Differential Rx patterns were evaluated for effect on PCI success. Optimal PCI result was defined as post-PCI TIMI 3 flow and stenosis <50% in the infarct vessel. Results: Fewer pts received all Rx pre-PCI in Grp B than in Grp A, 1.4% vs. 9.6% (p=0.02), including B-blk, 53.5% vs. 67.3% (p=0.01) heparin infusion (GTT), 19.7% vs. 46.8% (p 66min) of heparin pretreatment had more optimal PCI result (65.0%), vs. Q1 (0-30min) (41.0%) (p=0.02). Pts receiving heparin GTT had optimal results 66.2% vs. 50.0% (p=0.02), and higher TIMI 3 flow (69.8% vs. 53.2%, p=0.02). In this cohort, there was no significant difference in mortality based on DTB group, though use of B-blk and IIb/IIIa medications improved mortality and cardiac mortality, respectively. Conclusion: In this cohort, earlier DTB times led to less complete adjunctive Rx and omission of diagnostic steps. Shorter pretreatment with heparin, and omission of heparin GTT, predicted less favorable procedural outcomes.
Risk analysis integrating livelihood and economic impacts of wastewater irrigation on health

This chapter provides a brief review of methods and approaches for evaluating the consequences of using wastewater to irrigate vegetables. The following five objectives are considered: (a) analysing poor producers’ and consumers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the risks associated with pathogen contamination/ exposure, and the economic consequences on health and livelihoods; (b) analysing the costs and benefits of non-treatment interventions at the farm level (e.g. drip irrigation and cessation of irrigation prior to harvest) and post-harvest level (e.g. washing and disinfection of vegetables after harvesting); (c) identifying costeffective interventions for reducing the risk of waterborne disease associated with wastewater use for irrigation; (d) estimating producers’ and consumers’ willingness to pay for or adopt non-treatment interventions at multiple stages along the food chain; and (e) evaluating the long-term economic and livelihood impacts of adopting those non-treatment interventions that are identified as cost-effective and targeted at poor producers and consumers. The chapter concludes by synthesizing a methodological framework for the collection and analysis of data to assess the livelihood and economic impacts of illness caused by microbial pathogens from wastewater. 128 RISKS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Life satisfaction, health, self-evaluation and sexuality in current university students of sport sciences, education and natural sciences

Background: Lifestyle and health of an individual are influenced by many factors; a significant factor is life satisfaction. Life satisfaction is understood as a multidimensional construct closely related to the area of personal wellbeing and quality of life. Life satisfaction in university students represents one of the determinants of good health, high motivation for studying, work productivity, satisfactory interpersonal relationships and overall healthy lifestyle. Objective: The main objective of the present study is to identify and compare the level of overall life satisfaction and selected components of health, self-evaluation and sexuality in current university students with respect to their study specialization. Methods: The study included a total of 522 students from Palacký University. These were students from the Faculty of Physical Culture (n = 118), Faculty of Education (n = 218) and Faculty of Science (n = 186). In terms of age, the study focused on young adults aged 19 to 26. To assess the current level of life satisfaction, the research study used a standardized psychodiagnostic tool - Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ). The used diagnostic methods are fully standardized and contain domestic normative values. Statistical result processing was conducted using the Statistica programme v10.0. Results: The highest level of overall life satisfaction was revealed in university students of sport sciences. In comparison with the students of education and students of natural sciences the difference is significant. Satisfaction with health among the students of sport sciences is significantly higher than in the students of education (p ≤ .001; d = 0.53) and the students of natural sciences (p ≤ .05; d = 0.38). Similar results were found in the area of satisfaction with own person and self-evaluation, where the values of the students of sport sciences were significantly higher compared with the students of education (p ≤ .001; d = 0.39) and the students of natural sciences (p ≤ .001; d = 0.30). In the area of sexuality we revealed significantly higher values in the students of sport sciences compared with the students of natural sciences (p ≤ .05; d = 0.32). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that current university students who study sports sciences assess their life satisfaction significantly higher compared with the students of other specializations. The results of the study indicated a positive correlation between physical activity of current university students and the subjectively perceived level of life satisfaction, health, self-evaluation and sexuality.
New Bounds on Poisson Approximation for Random Sums of Independent Binomial Random Variables}

In this paper, we use the Stein-Chen method to obtain new bounds on Poisson approximation for random sums of independent binomial random variables. Some results related to sums of independent binomial distributed random variables are also investigated. The received results in the present study are more general and sharper than some known results.