Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of static passive acoustic monitoring to assess the status of the 'Critically Endangered' Baltic harbour porpoise in German waters

Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena abundance in the Baltic Proper (BP) is at a level where measures for improving the status of this genetically and morphologically discrete population are urgently needed. Without knowledge on seasonal and geographical distribution, a common basis for conservation efforts has been lacking for the past decades. We deployed 22 por- poise detectors from March 2005 until August 2007 in the eastern German Baltic Sea to study sea- sonal migrations and abiotic factors associated with porpoise presence/absence patterns. Two years of continuous monitoring resulted in 11 890 recording days from 21 stations within the BP, with only 207 porpoise-positive days (ppd — a day with verified porpoise detection), equaling 1.86% ppd per month and station over the study period. Data were analysed using generalised additive models to find significantly influencing factors. Detection rates in the BP peaked twice seasonally: once associated with the summer occurrence of animals from the population living mostly in the Belt Sea and once correlated with (1) cold air temperatures and (2) air temperatures lower than water surface temperatures. The latter suggests that porpoises from the BP migrate towards mostly ice-free waters in winter to avoid suffocation. In order to reduce harmful set-net- ting, conservation measures must be seasonally regulated, at least, or less harmful fishing meth- ods must be implemented. These findings should help to improve the current European anti-by- catch legislation, e.g. regulation EC 812/2004, which is currently under review.
Does otolith structure reflect the nutritional condition of a fish larva? Comparison of otolith structure and biochemical index (RNA/DNA ratio) determined on cod larvae

Cod larvae from laboratory rearing experiments aged from 1 to 12 d after hatching, both fed and deprived of food, were analysed. The number of increments on the otolith and the width of these increments were determined together with the RNA/DNA ratios on the same individual larva. Alizarin marking of the otoliths was performed to confirm the formation of daily increments. Cod larvae reared at 6*C formed the first ring right after hatching and deposited increments on a daily basis. A comparison of the measurements between the right and the left lapillus showed that these can differ, if the radius is taken. The lapillae core showed especially high individual variability, whereas the sum of the increments did not differ between both lapilli. Until Day 10 after hatching, while the larvae were still feeding on their yolk, the external food situation did not affect the increment width of the lapilli or the RNA/DNA ratios. In larvae older than 10 d the width of the daily increments was dependent on the nutritional situation and RNA/DNA ratios decreased in starving larvae in comparison to feeding larvae. RNA/DNA ratios and increment widths were correlated.
Perceived Self-Efficacy in Individuals with Moderate-to-Severe Brain Injury: The Effects of Rehabilitation Outcomes and Depression

Brain injury represents a major public health issue in the United States, accounting for a largely underestimated figure of 2.5 million cases in 2010. The pervasive effects of this chronic medical condition contribute to a growing economic burden, as the physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional sequelae of brain injury demand long-term care for those with moderate-to-severe brain injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently proposed new recommendations for improvements in monitoring the incidence of and research on brain injury. The goals of this public health initiative are to better inform health service delivery and ultimately improve quality of life for those affected, as well as their loved ones. In addition to improved quality of life, community reintegration is a primary goal of brain injury rehabilitation. Engagement in rehabilitation is largely dependent upon an individual’s level of impairment, as well as other personal factors. For example, research examining the relationship between targeted interventions and community participation has established support for the protective effects of self-efficacy, or personal belief in one’s abilities to achieve a desired goal. Additional research on the importance of selfefficacy to psychological health has provided further support for the protective effects of this construct against depression and anxiety. Therefore, further research into the relationship between rehabilitation outcomes, psychological health, and self-efficacy is necessary to inform recommendations for improving health service delivery and quality of life for this vulnerable population. The aim of the present study is to examine factors that may be related to selfefficacy in persons with moderate-to-severe brain injury who receive treatment at a long-
Relationship between Impulsivity, Social Media Usage and Loneliness

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between impulsivity, social media usage, and loneliness and to test the structural hypothetical model developed based on the literature. The study was conducted on 307 (164 female, 143 male) university students. Data collection instruments of the study were the Barratt Impulsivity Scale Short Form (BIS-11-SF), Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS), and UCLA Loneliness Scale Short Form (ULS-8). The measurement models of the latent variables were tested initially and it was observed that the scales of the latent variables were efficient enough to be included in the structural equation model. In addition, the suggested hypothetical model was tested. According to the analysis, it was observed that impulsivity directly, positively and significantly predicts social media usage, that social media usage directly, positively and significantly predicts loneliness, and that impulsivity indirectly, positively and significantly predicts loneliness.
Gender bias in risk aversion: evidence from multiple choice exams

We provide evidence on a gender bias in risk aversion among students of economics in Spain. In a sample of 1947 multiple choice exams with penalization for errors, we find that women consistently answer less questions, while differences in marks are not significant. These empirical results are consistent with a recent theoretical prediction of the effect of risk aversion in test exams. This finding shows that women can suffer a disadvantage with this kind of exams widely used in education.
Seismic response of torsionally irregular single story structures

Impulse ground motions are applied to single story structures with different in-plane wall strength and stiffness, rotational inertia, and out-of-plane wall stiffness to obtain the dynamic response considering torsion. A simple hand method to evaluate the impulse response is developed. It is shown that the median increase in response of the critical component considering torsion from many earthquake records is similar to that from impulse records. Using this information, a simple design methodology is proposed which enables the likely earthquake response of critical elements considering torsion to be obtained from building analyses not considering torsion. A design example is also provided.
Management of water resources in Buluwayo city

The city of Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe with a population of about one million and is the major industrial hub for the southern region. The region is characterized by poor rainfall and has experienced its worst droughts in living memory. The average annual rainfall is 640mm and water rationing and restrictions have been the means of supply. This research is aimed at finding solutions to the current water shortages and possible ways of improving efficiency in supply and distribution system. The main objectives of the research are to evaluate current sources of supply and to estimate water losses in the distribution. Recommendations were made on ways of improving efficiency in supply and possible future sources were identified.
PRE TRANSPORT FACTORS AND TRANSPORT QUALITY A FFECTING THE NEONATAL OUTCOME

AIM: To study the determinant of mortality on extramural arrival of sick newborns and mode of neonatal transport at tertiary care Centre. BACKGROUND: Neonatal transport system in our country is major gap in holistic newborn care and acute neonatal physiology is deranged during transport which adversely affects the mortality and morbidity of sick newborns. MATERIAL & METHODS: This is prospective observational cohort study carried out in out born neonatal intensive care unit over a period of one year. Inclusion criteria were age up to 28 days, delivered at home or private nursing home or any health centre; and exclusion criteria were age more than 28 days, abandoned newborns and those delivered in the institution of study. A predesigned and tested proforma was used to record information by the pediatric resident on duty at time of neonatal admission. Data were analysed and tabulated, for analysis of data software STATISTIX was used, chi- square test for dichotomous variables and multiple logistic regression for predictors of mortality. RESULT: Out of 200 newborns 146 were male and 54 were female, 140 were term and 59 were preterm, 39 newborns expired and common mode of transport was taxi 47%, bus 16%, auto 16% and ambulance 2.5%. The common factors determining the outcome were low admission weight, prematurity, longer duration of transport and deranged physiological factors e.g. hypothermia, respiratory distress, prolonged CRT and central cyanosis. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that neonatal transport in our country is self-supported; the ideal element of neonatal transport is major gap in holistic neonatal care. Thus we suggest RUSH-IN FACILITY for neonatal transport.
GJB2 Mutations in Non Syndromic Hearing Loss in the Republic of Macedonia

GJB2 Mutations in Non Syndromic Hearing Loss in the Republic of Macedonia Hearing impairment is a common sensori-neural disorder with the incidence of profound deafness in one per 1,000 births. Non syndromic recessive deafness (NSHL), accounts for approximately 80% of cases of hereditary deafness. It is extremely heterogeneous genetically with over 130 gene loci. Mutations in the GJB2 and GJB6 genes for DFNB1 locus (13q12) are responsible for about half of all cases of autosomal recessive prelingual hearing loss. We determined the prevalence and mutations in the GJB2 gene, and the presence of delD13S1830 in the GJB6 gene in DNA samples from 33 unrelated Macedonian families with recesive NSHL and 200 normal hearing individuals using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis followed by direct sequencing and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We found mutations in the GJB2 gene in 12 patients, but no delD13S1830 in the GJB6 gene. In 22 mutated chromosomes, 15 (68.2%) had the 35delG mutation, four (6.1%) W24X, two (3.0%) V37I and one (1.5%) R127H. Because of the high mutation rate (36.4%) in the GJB2 gene in NSHL patients, testing should be performed in all cases with prelingual deafness.
The effect of Balassa-Samuelson in South-East Asia

High growth in the South-East Asian countries for the past three decades should imply high increases in productivity to reveal the Balassa-Samuelson (BS) effect of high growth accompanied by real exchange rate (RER) appreciation. This paper examines the effects of productivity increases by developing a robust unrestricted error correction model (UECM) of RER based on a class of theories of time-varying equilibrium exchange rates as opposed to the conventional PPP-based theory. An empirical study was carried out on four selected Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. This work suggests that the effects of productivity increases may be more complicated than what the theory suggests and points to the possibility that the Balassa-Samuelson is affected by the stage of economic development rather than mere productivity increases.
Pattern of internet addiction among urban and rural school students, Mangaluru, India: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Adolescents use the Internet for a variety of activities besides gaming; they frequently engage themselves with social networking, instant messaging, blogging and downloading information. Heavy Internet use has been associated with potential side effects, such as loss of control over the use of the Internet, adverse effects on other daily activities, emotional status and communication among family members. Objective of present study to assess the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) and factors associated with Internet use among Urban and Rural school students.Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural field practice area of a medical college hospital in Mangaluru. Internet addiction was assessed using Young’s Internet Addiction Test.Results: The prevalence of internet addiction among urban school students was found to be i.e. 83.3%, while it was 78% in rural school students. Mild IA was common among both. Male gender, smart phones and hours spent on internet were common risk factor for IA in both groups.Conclusions: Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a simple and easy tool to assess Internet addiction among adolescent school students. Need to give importance of outdoor activity and community level education needed to prevent Internet Addiction.
Computational efficiency of staggered Wilson fermions: A first look

Results on the computational efficiency of 2-flavor staggered Wilson fermions compared to usual Wilson fermions in a quenched lattice QCD simulation on $16^3\times32$ lattice at $\beta=6$ are reported. We compare the cost of inverting the Dirac matrix on a source by the conjugate gradient (CG) method for both of these fermion formulations, at the same pion masses, and without preconditioning. We find that the number of CG iterations required for convergence, averaged over the ensemble, is less by a factor of almost 2 for staggered Wilson fermions, with only a mild dependence on the pion mass. We also compute the condition number of the fermion matrix and find that it is less by a factor of 4 for staggered Wilson fermions. The cost per CG iteration, dominated by the cost of matrix-vector multiplication for the Dirac matrix, is known from previous work to be less by a factor 2-3 for staggered Wilson compared to usual Wilson fermions. Thus we conclude that staggered Wilson fermions are 4-6 times cheaper for inverting the Dirac matrix on a source in the quenched backgrounds of our study.
Determination of protonation constants and structural correlations for some tertiary formamides and acetamides in sulfuric acid with UV spectroscopy

The protonation of ten aliphatic amides in sulfuric acid media was studied by UV spectroscopy. The p K BH + values and solvation parameters were calculated using Yates and McClelland Method, Excess Acidity Method and Bunnett and Olsen Method. p K BH + values were –1.44, –1.15, –0.80, –0.32, –1.13 and –0.80 for formamide, dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, diisopropylformamide, diisobutyl­form­amide and dibutylformamide, respectively. According to the p K BH + values obtained for acetamide, dimethylacetamide, diethylacetamide and diisopropylacetamide (–0.57, –0.29, –0.32 and 0.36, respectively), analogous acetamides were more basic than formamides. Applying the Hammett’s equation, satisfactory correlation could be gained only for some formamides, the basicities of which increased linearly with the inductive effect of the electron donating groups. From Taft’s approach, it can be concluded that the polar effect slightly dominates over the steric one. Excellent correlation between p K BH + and solvation parameters m* was achieved for formamide, dimethylformamide and diethylformamide. At half- and full-protonation, better correlation was obtained for formamides than for acetamides.
Fatty acid profiles of Western Canadian bison (Bison bison) meat.

Western Canadian bison meat is renowned for its natural healthfulness; however, studies on the dietary effects on the fatty acid (FA) profile are limited. Herein, we evaluated the FA profiles of retail bison (longissimus dorsi) representing grain-fed (Grain), grass-fed (Grass) and grass-fed plus oat and pea screening supplement from early (Early-con) or late (Late-con) season harvested finishing regimes. Bison meat contained less than 30 mg fat/g meat, and was lowest for Early-con bison. Proportions of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were greatest in Early-con and lowest for Late-con bison. Early-con bison had the greatest proportion of omega-6 (n-6) FA and Late-con bison the lowest, yet as mg/g meat, total n-6 content did not differ. In contrast, Grass and Early-con bison had greater proportions of 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, 22:6n-3 and total omega-3 (n-3) FA. The n-3 content for Grain, Grass, Early-con and Late-con bison were 38, 90, 69 and 69 mg/100 g meat, respectively. The 3:1 n-6/n-3 ratios of Grass, Early-con and Late-con bison were superior to the 7:1 ratio of Grain bison. Proportions of potentially beneficial biohydrogenation intermediates (BI), including t11-18:1 and c9, t11-conjugated linoleic acid, were greater for Early-con and Late-con bison. Proportions of cis-monounsaturated FA were similar for both Grain and Grass bison; however, Late-con was greater than Early-con bison. Cumulatively, Grass, Early-con and Late-con bison were more desirable compared to Grain on account of greater proportions of n-3 FA and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Furthermore, seasonal supplementation enhanced the BI proportions with potential beneficial bioactivity in Early-con and Late-con bison.
Acquisition and assimilation of carbon in non-bleached and bleached corals

Reef-forming corals cycle carbon (C) between the coral host, their endosymbiotic algae, and their skeleton. At elevated sea-surface temperatures this relationship breaks down and the corals bleach by expelling their endosymbiotic algae or these algae lose their photosynthetic pigments. The effect of thermally induced bleaching on the C cycling of 2 ecologically important coral species was investigated. The acquisition and assimilation of photoautotrophically and heterotrophically acquired C was examined via pulse-chase labeling experiments in thermally bleached and non- bleached Montipora capitata and Porites compressa corals. In non-bleached corals photoautotrophic and heterotrophic C were acquired and assimilated very differently. Namely, photoautotrophically acquired C was used to meet short-term metabolic demands and calcification, whereas heterotroph- ically acquired C was retained in both the coral host and endosymbiotic algae. In bleached corals there was a dramatic reduction in the assimilation of photoautotrophically acquired C by the endosymbiotic algae, in the translocation of C from the algae to the coral host, and in the C assimi- lated in the skeleton. The level of heterotrophically acquired C assimilated into bleached corals was similar to that in non-bleached corals, and was a direct source of organic C to the endosymbiotic algae. This host-to-endosymbiotic algal supply of heterotrophic C may stimulate endosymbiotic algal recovery. These findings show the importance of both photoautotrophic and heterotrophic C to coral function and demonstrate that both play a crucial role in the recovery from bleaching.
Heterosis in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Ninety soybean hybrids derived from a line × tester analysis along with their parents were evaluated at the Research Farm of Kisan (PG) College, Simbhaoli, to estimate heterosis over mid- and better-parent. Heterosis was positively significant for yield in 15 hybrids over better-parent and in 24 hybrids over mid-parent. Heterosis for yield was generally accompanied by heterosis for number of seeds/pod, number of pods/plant and pod length. For protein 16 and for oil 31 hybrids exhibited significant positive heterosis over better parent. In view of the availability of genetic male sterility, the study revealed good scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis for yield and oil contents in soybean.
Metaheuristic algorithms for building Covering Arrays: A review

Covering Arrays (CA) are mathematical objects used in the functional testing of software components. They enable the testing of all interactions of a given size of input parameters in a procedure, function, or logical unit in general, using the minimum number of test cases. Building CA is a complex task (NP-complete problem) that involves lengthy execution times and high computational loads. The most effective methods for building CAs are algebraic, Greedy, and metaheuristic-based. The latter have reported the best results to date. This paper presents a description of the major contributions made by a selection of different metaheuristics, including simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, ant colony algorithms, particle swarm algorithms, and harmony search algorithms. It is worth noting that simulated annealing-based algorithms have evolved as the most competitive, and currently form the state of the art.
On the impact of transport model errors for the estimation of CO2 surface fluxes from GOSAT observations

A series of observing system simulation experiments is presented in which column averaged dry air mole fractions of CO2 (XCO2) from the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) are made consistent or not with the transport model embedded in a flux inversion system. The GOSAT observations improve the random errors of the surface carbon budget despite the inconsistency. However, we find biases in the inferred surface CO2 budget of a few hundred MtC/a at the subcontinental scale, that are caused by differences of only a few tenths of a ppm between the simulations of the individual XCO2 soundings. The accuracy and precision of the inverted fluxes are little sensitive to an 8‐fold reduction in the data density. This issue is critical for any future satellite constellation to monitor XCO2 and should be pragmatically addressed by explicitly accounting for transport errors in flux inversion systems.
University of Pardubice Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Department of English and American Studies Banjo as a Symbol of American Culture

The thesis deals with the cultural-historical development of a string musical instrument called the banjo which was brought to the United States of America by African slaves. The modern banjo playing on stages today varies greatly from the primitive banjo made by black slaves of plantations. Therefore, the structure and usage of the banjo have changed through the history always depending on the cultural background of its players and builders.