Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First record of the spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) in Slovenia – 300 km upstream from its known distribution in the Drava River

The spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) is one of the most problematic invasive crayfish species in Europe. Here we report the first occurrence of spiny-cheek crayfish in Slovenia, 300 km upstream from the previously known records in the mouth of Drava River in Croatia. The species was not expected to colonize this area for at least two decades. This new isolated population will significantly alter our predictions of the ongoing colonization of the Drava River basin in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
Effects of novel polyether ionophore hainanmycin on nutrient digestion, metabolism and ruminal characteristics of goats

Five castrated male goats (average BW 21.3 kg) with cannulae in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used to study the influence of intraruminal infusion of the polyether ionophore, hainanmycin (0.05 mg kg 1 BW day ), on rumen characteristics and total tract digestion. Infused hainanmycin did not affect total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in the rumen, but increased (P<0.05) the molar proportions of propionate from 21.8 to 26.3% and decreased (P<0.05) that of acetate from 72.8 to 68.8%. The ratio of acetate to propionate significantly declined (P<0.01) in the experimental period. Ruminal and duodenal chyme ammonia N (NH 3-N) levels were reduced (P<0.05) 39.5 and 16.0%, respectively, and the chyme urea-N concentration was reduced (P<0.05) 56.8%o compared to the control. Infusion of hainanmycin had no effect (P>0.05) on apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) or acid detergent fibre (ADF) in comparison with the control, but apparent nitrogen (N) digestibility was markedly increased (PO.05) from 46.1 to 56.4% in the hainanmycin infused period.
The Effects of Organizational Culture, Learning Organization, Empowerment, and Organizational Commitment on the Performance of SMEs (A Case Study of SMEs in the Regency of South Minahasa)

This study aimed at investigating the effects of (1) organizational culture on organizational commitment, (2) learning organization on organizational commitment, (3) empowerment on organizational commitment, (4) organizational culture on the performance of SMEs, (5) organizational commitment on the performance of SMEs, (6) learning organization on the performance of SMEs, and (7) empowerment on the performance of SMEs. The study employed a quantitative approach. As many as 354 samples of enterprise owners served as the variable of SMEs performance. The employees served as the variable of organizational culture, learning organization, empowerment and organizational commitment on SMEs in 17 districts in the Regency of South Minahasa. Data were then analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) and further tested using CFA (Confirmatory factor Analysis). Based on the findings, it was be concluded that there were six significant and direct effects, namely: (1) Organizational Culture had a direct effects on organizational commitment (2) Learning organization had a direct effects on organizational commitment (3) Empowerment had a direct effects on the performance of SMEs (4) Organizational Culture had a direct effects on the performance of SMEs (5) Organizational Commitment had no direct effects on the performance of SMEs (6) Learning organization had a direct effects on the performance of SMEs, and (7) Empowerment had a direct effects on the performance of SMEs
Status of DIMBOA and phenolic acids in transgenic Bt corn

Experiments were conducted to investigate the status of DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) and phenolic acids in leaves of some transgenic Bt corn hybrids. Comparison between Bt corn hybrids and their corresponding non-transgenic near-isogenic lines suggested that the introduction of the Bt gene has adverse effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of DIMBOA and some phenolic acids, such as ferulic acid, in the corn plants. Under conditions of either water or nitrogen stress, the accumulation of DIMBOA in the leaves of the Bt corns could be enhanced. The results of this study suggest that caution must be taken when considering the introduction of Bt corns into China because Bt corns may have a weaker capacity, relative to traditional Chinese corn hybrids, to synthesise DIMBOA and some forms of phenolic acids in the leaves and, therefore, reduce the plant's resistance to pathogens, diseases, and pests other than the targetted corn borer.
An econometric viability model for ongrowing sole (Solea senegalensis) in tanks using pumped well sea water

Sole (Solea senegalensis) is of great interest to marine aquaculture in the Mediterranean because of its relatively fast growth and good commercial prospects (high price). However, the wide mean annual variation in the temperature of Mediterranean sea water (14-26 deg C) is a limiting factor for the ongrowing of this species; the optimum for this process is 19-20 deg C. One of the possible mid-term solutions for ensuring a constant year-round temperature is to ongrow these fish in tanks containing pumped well water. The present work describes a mathematical model for estimating the values of economic variables associated with sole production (which to date have not been defined at the commercial level) for an onshore ongrowing plant using pumped well water at 19-20 deg C. The economic variables studied include optimum load, the sale price of the final product, the cost of juveniles and feed (these last two are influenced by mortality which is still highly variable in this species), and finally the cost of electricity and oxygen (of great importance in onshore plants). The model allows different possible situations to be analysed on the basis of still undefined variables for ongrowing (juvenile cost, feeding, survival, etc.), and establishes under which conditions sole ongrowing would be profitable.
Impact of cluster thinning on productive characteristics and wine phenolic composition of cv. Merlot

The effects of cluster thinning on productive characteristics and wine phenolic composition of a red grapevine variety Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) was evaluated in this study. Cluster thinning consisted of removing upper clusters on shoots in order to remove 30% and 60% of clusters at veraison. Control treatment without cluster thinning was also applied. Two levels of cluster thinning reduced yield by 19% and 40%, respectively. Average cluster weight and leaf area/fruit weight ratio were increased and fruit maturity was advanced with cluster thinning. Wines produced from cluster thinned treatments had higher alcohol content, lower acidity, higher concentration of total phenolics, total anthocyanins and higher color intensity comparing to the control treatment. Cluster thinning affected not only the total anthocyanin concentration but also the anthocyanin profile in wines. It significantly increased the levels of delphinidin-3-monoglucoside, cyanidin-3-monoglucoside, petunidin-3-monoglucoside and peonidin-3monoglucoside, while the concentration of the most abundant individual anthocyanin malvidin-3-monoglucoside and acylated anthocyanins did not differ considerably among treatments. The highest increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds occurred in the treatment with 60% of clusters removed. It was concluded that more than 1.5 m 2 of leaf area per kg of fruit was needed for the production of high quality Merlot wine, which is especially adequate for aging due to high concentration of phenolic compounds.
Does Gender Division of Labour Matters for the Differences in Access to Agricultural Extension Services? A Case Study in North West Ethiopia

Women farmers comprise, on average, 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. However, despite their role in agricultural production, their work remains largely unrecognized and they have been virtually ignored by agricultural intervention programs. Thus the aim of this study is to analyze the gender division of labour in agricultural production and identify the real causes of women farmers’ absence in agricultural extension services using a case study conducted in three rural villages of North West Ethiopia. Despite women’s significant role in crop and livestock production in the study area, only 15.8% of women heads are users of the extension service whereas men heads account for the lion share (70.7%). The quota system imposed on extension workers that led them to target resource-rich farmers combined with women’s poor access to resources are the most important factors for the denial of women’s client-ship in extension services. Capturing the differences between men and women in terms of productive assets should be boldly underlined to design gender responsive services. Moreover, minimizing the effect of quantitative targeting of clients and developing policies and programs that strengthen women’s physical access to resources remain important.
Obesity overtaken by leanness as a repeated game: social networks and indirect reciprocity

Recent research shows that social networks appear to explain obesity and leanness. A conceptual model of how these networks cause such an effect can be derived from economic and biological studies of the Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma (IPD). This analysis has potential implications for the evolution of norms and policies designed to combat obesity. The paper first briefly considers some results in game theory, then turns to ecological and economic models based on the IPD. Alternative results are considered in light of social networking theory. Finally, it considers possible policy responses to obesity.
Summoning Prior Knowledge Through Metaphorical Graphics: An Example in Chemistry Instruction

ABSTRACT The present investigation was designed to determine if the learning benefits of metaphors and graphics could be combined into one instructional device—a metaphorical graphic—to aid in the acquisition of difficult concepts of chemistry. The authors further sought to determine if metaphorical graphics could foster greater retention of the basic properties of chemical elements when compared to verbal descriptions of those properties or traditional graphical representations of elements commonly seen as orbital diagrams in chemistry textbooks. The findings revealed that metaphorical graphics helped learners to develop a deeper understanding of the behavior and reactivity, but not physical properties, of the features of fifteen selected chemical elements.
Minding the Gap: Central Bank Estimates of the Unemployment Natural Rate

A time-varying parameter framework is suggested for use with real-time multiperiod forecast data to estimate implied forecast equations. The framework is applied to historical briefing forecasts prepared for the Federal Open Market Committee to estimate the U.S. central bank's ex ante perceptions of the natural rate of unemployment. Relative to retrospective estimates, empirical results do not indicate severe underestimation of the natural rate of unemployment in the 1970s.
Teaching history using a Virtual Reality Modelling Language model of Erechtheum

The aim of this paper is to present a Virtual Reality Modelling Language VRML exploration of the Erechtheum in Athens. It addresses the 4th grade students and it constitutes a teaching approach trough the use of various representations created with VRML language. The design principles of the applications are described in detail as well as the technical characteristics of the application. A pilot evaluation of the teaching approach is also presented and the results indicate a strong positive impact on students’ performance. The application also aims to emphasize the significant advantages of VRML as an efficient way of offering ICT course materials to students.
Administrative Dimensions of Tax Reform

The best tax policy in the world is worth little if it cannot be implemented effectively. Tax policy design in developing countries must therefore take the administrative dimension of taxation carefully into account. What can be done may to a considerable extent determine what is done in any country. This paper discusses the relationship between tax policy and tax administration. When can policy lead administration? When must policy initiatives wait on administrative reform? How exactly can both sides of the policy and administrative agenda be advanced together? The paper sets out the broad outlines of administrative reform -- the essential conditions for such reform, its principal components, and its limits as a way of solving critical tax problems and provides a short case study of the interaction of tax policy and tax administration in the Polish Tax reform of the early 1990s.
The biochemical, textural and sensory properties of king scallop (Pecten maxinus) meats frozen at different characteristic freezing times.

Post rigor scallop meats were frozen individually with characteristic freezing time of 19, 49, 89, 235, 555 and 1000 min (time to cool the thermal centre of the meats from -1 to -7°C). After freezing, the meats were thawed and their quality was evaluated with tests related to muscle integrity (-hydroxy-acylcoenzyme –A dehydrogenase activities in muscle extracts), freezing and thawing losses, expressible fluids and myofibrillar protein denaturation (Ca2+-ATPase activities in actomyosin extracts). Instrumental texture measurements and triangular sensory evaluations were also performed. Fresh post-rigor meats were analyzed as controls. The muscle integrity test showed that the freezing process itself clearly affected the integrity of intra-cellular organelles (mitochondria). The characteristic freezing time of 89 and 49 min caused more damage to cell structure than the shorter and longer characteristic freezing time tested. Ca2+- ATPase activities of actomyosin extracts suggested that the freezing process itself, but not the freezing time, caused structural damage to myofibrillar proteins and were associated with the changes in water holding capacity (sum of thawing and expressible fluids). Peak shear forces of fresh and frozen scallop meats, as measured by the Warner-Bratzler shear knife, showed that only the freezing process itself caused softening of scallop meats. Triangle sensory comparisons between fresh and frozen scallop muscles suggested that characteristic freezing times up to 555 min may not influence the sensory quality of frozen scallop meats. Freezing of meats at the short freezing time of 19 min reduced freezing and thawing weight losses compared to longer time tested.
Predictors of learner performance in mathematics and science according to a large-scale study in Mpumalanga

Eight hundred and ninety-nine (431 male, 467 female and one missing value) Grade 8 and 9 (n = 184 and 713, respectively, with two missing values) learners from secondary schools in Mpumalanga completed a science and mathematics questionnaire. Student's t tests showed that male and female, as well as language groups' scores, differed significantly. Stepwise non-linear regression shows that a combination of factors contributes significantly to learner, science and mathematics performance (R 2 = 25%, 20%, and 11%, respectively). South African Journal of Education Vol. 26(2) 2006: 229–252
Peat influence on Zn tolerance, bioconcentration and bioaccumulation in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden

1 Department of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Frederico Westphalen, City of Frederico Westphalen, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 2 Post-Graduation in Agronomy, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, City of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 3 Department of Environmental Engineering, Centro Universitário Franciscano, City of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 4 Post-Graduation in Soil Science, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, City of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Studies On Bioemulsifier Production by Bacillus licheniformis PTCC 1595

Surfactants are amphipathic molecules which reduce surface and interfacial tensions and widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and petroleum industries. Biosurfactants are the structurally diverse group of surface-active molecules synthesized by microorganisms. There are several advantages for biosurfactants in contrast with chemical surfactants, such as lower toxicity; higher biodegradability; better environmental compatibility; higher foaming; high selectivity and specific activity at extreme temperatures, pH, and the ability to be synthesized from renewable feed-stock. In the present study, the production of bioemulsifer by Bacillus licheniformis PTCC 1595 has been studied. B. licheniformis was grown in the nutrient broth medium and bioemulsifer production was evaluated every 24 h by surface tension and emulsification index (E24). Then B. licheniformis PTCC 1595 was grown in nutrient broth with different conditions in order to get maximum production of bioemulsifer. The best culture medium was found to be nutrient broth medium supplemented with starch, Fe2+, Mn2+ and olive oil. After growing the bacteria, the microbial biomass was removed from the supernatant by acidic precipitation method. Its amphipathic structure was established by biochemical and spectroscopy methods and it was confirmed lipopeptide structure.
INHERITANCE OF EARLINESS AND VEGETATION PERIOD IN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) GENOTYPES

A full diallel cross of four–parents was used to study gene action involved in the inheritance of earliness and vegetation period in forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) and estimation of general and specific combining ability effects. The genotypes used in the present study were Kerpo, Pleven 10, Mir and EFB33. The results of the analysis of combinative ability of the investigated traits showed influence of additive gene actions. The Vr/Wr graphs confirm the previous analysis that these traits were controlled by partial dominance. Kerpo was found to be the best general combiner for earliness (–30.06) and short duration of the vegetation period (–30.68). On the contrary, Pleven 10 exhibited highly negative combinative ability for both traits (13.06; 12.06). For decrease of the duration of periods days to beginning of flowering and technical maturity perspective crosses with high negative SCA effect were P2 × P3 (–10.56; –9.56) and P1 × P3 (–7.31; –9.31). Partial dominance and additive gene actions were observed for both traits. The fraction of h2/H2 indicated that at least one–two groups of genes controlled dominance for these characters. Mir, Pleven 10 and E.F. B.33 were found as genotypes with exhibited dominant alleles, but with recessive alleles Kerpo. Broad and narrow sense heritability were ranged from moderate to high for the studied traits. The parental form used in the present study Kerpo possessed favorable genes for the studied traits, which could be utilized in the breeding programs designed to improve these triats of the forage pea.
Co-integration analysis between stock prices & exchange rates: Evidence from Pakistan

Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate the relationship between stock prices represent by (KSE100 index) and Exchange rates in case of Pakistani economy. Methodology: Quarterly data from 1993 to 2010 has been used for the study & co-integration technique applied to examine the relationship between KSE 100 index & Pakistani currency in terms of rupees per dollar. Findings: The results suggest that the residual from the OLS regression are non-stationary at level using critical values suggest by Davidson and MacKinnon (1993) so there is no co-integrated relationship found between stock prices & exchange rates. Conclusion: study can be concluded with the view that there is no long term relationship between stock prices & exchange rates.
Weighted inequalities for rough square functions through extrapolation

Weighted inequalities for some square functions are studied. L 2 results are proved rst using the particular structure of the operator and then extrapolation of weights is applied to extend the results to other L p spaces. In particular, previous results for square functions with rough kernel are obtained in a simpler way and extended to a larger class of weights.
Cortical Synaptogenesis in the Human Brain in Conditions of Prenatal Alcoholization

Objective: Shaping synaptic contact is one of the leading processes during which largely determine the future integrative brain capabilities. Prenatal exposure to ethanol may have an impact on synaptogenesis in the brain of the embryo and foetus. The purpose of this study - identify the features of synaptogenesis in the brain of embryos and fetuses in conditions of prenatal alcoholization. Materials and Methods: 33 embryos and fetuses were obtained from female alcoholic patients. Alcoholic patients were aged 26–39 years and the duration of illness was 3–13 years. In all cases, grade II alcoholism was diagnosed (ICD - 10 F10.201, F10.202). The control group consisted of embryos and fetuses from healthy women numbering 30 people with no history of neurological or mental illnesses. The method of electron microscopy and morphometry have been used to study peculiarities in formation of the structure of human embryo and fetus brain synapses at early stages (7 to 12 weeks) of development at mother alcoholization. Results: Electron microscopy of material obtained from alcoholic women has shown slowing - down of formation of synaptic structure. Morphometry has revealed that under the influence of prenatal alcoholization the formation of components of synaptic brain contacts slows down at studying stages of development: the area of presynaptic terminals and their perimeter decreases, and the perimeter of postsynaptic densities decreases as well. Conclusions: The data showed a significant effect of prenatal exposure to ethanol on the development of synaptic structures - reduction of morphometric parameters, slowing the formation of synaptic contacts on the background of reduction of their formation in the brain of the fetus in the early stages of development compared with the norm, which is reflected on during synaptogenesis in the developing brain and can lie the basis of severe disorders in the unborn child.
Applications of Generating Functions in Nonparametric Tests

The combination of Mathematica’s high algebraic capacity and method of generating functions is becoming an extremely efficient tool in probability theory and statistics. After an introductory example and a short overview on nonparametric methods, we show how generating functions of discrete statistics can be handled using Mathematica. Next, we solve two combinatorial problems, which are essential in calculating the generating function of nonparametric test statistics. Finally, these methods are used to produce accurate and extensive tables and plots of the distributions of some of the most popular nonparametric test statistics. Furthermore, we use graphs to illustrate approximations of the distributions of these test statistics by standard distributions.