Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of environmental factors on the dynamics of macrobenthic crustaceans on soft-bottoms of the Ebro Delta continental shelf (northwestern Mediterranean)

Short-term temporal variability in infaunal crustacean communities was evaluated against environmental variability. The area of study was located at two stations at 45 and 60 m depth under the influence of the Ebro River. Differences in the relative abundance of crustacean species between sites might be related to the distance from the river, with higher organic matter supply and finer mud content near the river. There was a marked seasonal variability linked to high phytoplankton production in spring, which supplied organic matter to the benthos, inducing higher crustacean abundance. In late summer there was a reduction in the infaunal crustacean abundance and species richness that could have been caused by two factors: the establishment of the thermocline, which could limit the availability of organic matter to the seabed, and the high water temperatures, which caused the production of phytoplankton exudates and accumulation of mucilaginous aggregates over the seabed. The 45-m site was under the influence of otter-trawl fishing and precisely in this area the seasonal variability was not observed, probably masked by the effects of trawling impact.
Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of dogs with Visceral Leishmaniasis and infused with bone marrow mononuclear cells

The respiratory system has a direct contact with external environment, but this anatomical feature can be the entry route to many agents of injury. Lung disorders are not rare in clinical practice and analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) becomes an useful tool to assess possible changes in lung cell population against local injury, cellular embolism and after infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) intravenously (IV). We evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively the cellular components of BALF from dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum chagasi and compared with infected animals and infused with BMMC. Thirteen animals were divided into negative control group (N = 6 dogs) and naturally infected (N = 7 dogs), and four dogs in this group were infused IV with BMMC homologously. The collect of BAL was performed with endotracheal tube; BMMC were obtained upon puncture of the iliac crest, separated by density gradient and adjusted a final volume containing 1 × 108 cells to IV infusion in each dog. The data obtained showed a significant difference in total count of cells between control and naturally infected group, showing a decrease in the pulmonary cell population in animals with leishmaniasis. The treated group showed an increase in the total of cells presents in the BALF from each dog, but the overall average there was no significant difference. In the same group there was a decrease in polymorphonuclear cells count and an increase of mononuclear cells (p≤0.05). The cellular analysis of BALF showed that pulmonary immune response is significantly depressed in canine visceral leishmaniasis and mononuclear cells population rises after BMMC infusion. https://doi.galoa. com.br/doi/10.17648/jibi-2448-0002-1-1-4344
Descent from the polar mesosphere and anomalously high stratopause observed in 8 years of water vapor and temperature satellite observations by the Odin Sub‐Millimeter Radiometer

Using newly analyzed mesospheric water vapor and temperature observations from the Sub-Millimeter Radiometer instrument aboard the Odin research satellite over the period 2001-2009, we present evidence for an anomalously strong descent of dry mesospheric air from the lower mesosphere into the upper stratosphere in the winters of 2004, 2006, and 2009. In the three cases, the descent follows the recovery of the upper stratospheric polar vortex from a major midwinter stratospheric sudden warming. It is also accompanied by the rapid formation of an anomalously warm polar mesospheric layer, i.e., an elevated polar stratopause, near 75 km, and its slower descent to prewarming level (near 1 hPa) over 1.5-2 months. These three winters stand out in the current record of Odin/Sub-Millimeter Radiometer observations started in July 2001.
The Structure and Resilience of the European Interbank Market

Financial institutions are connected to each other by a series of bilateral transactions. In normal times, institutions’ connections may result in efficient risk transfer. But in crises, connections can facilitate contagion – as initial problems lead to chains of defaults and liquidity shortages – sparked by shocks which might arise within the financial system or from the real economy. Institutions are also interconnected in indirect ways, since they are exposed to common risk factors that can result in concurrent losses. For example, most banks extend loans secured by real estate: they are thus collectively exposed to falls in house prices. Resulting bank distress can then exacerbate initial problems: banks might simultaneously sell collateral (houses), thus worsening downward price spirals. Less tangibly, institutions can also be connected through perceptions of counterparties’ creditworthiness. Given uncertainty, financial institutions may in general become reluctant to lend to each other and hoard liquidity. Potential for contagion due to interconnectedness is a key component of systemic risk. As a first step towards understanding the mechanisms of contagion, this paper abstracts from complex indirect connections between banks, and rather focuses on direct linkages between 53 large EU banks, based on unique data on interbank exposures collected by national regulators as of the end of 2011. JEL Classification: G01, E58, G21
Multi-breed genetic evaluation for docility in Irisch Suckler Beef Cattle

Poor temperament in beef cattle has been associated with reduced performance, health, and carcass quality in beef cattle (Beckman et al., 2007a). Handling is more labour intensive and time consuming and therefore causes increased productions costs (Grandin, 1989). Aggressive cattle jeopardize stockperson safety and are more likely to become injured during handling (Grandin, 1989). The response to handling can vary from docile, easy to handle to aggressive with docile being the preferred behavioural response for farming conditions (Gauly et al., 2001). The combination of these factors make docility an economically relevant trait (Golden et al., 2000) that should be strongly considered by beef producers when breeding or purchasing cattle. Differences in temperament are quite noticeable and moderately heritable (Le Neindre et al., 1995) so selection pressure can be exerted in a breeding programme to alter or improve temperament (Morris et al., 1994). Within breed genetic evaluations for docility have been implemented by a various beef evaluation centres including the North American Limousine Federation (Limousine), BREEDPLAN in Australia, (Limousine), ICBF in Ireland (Limousine).
Preventable Risks in the Management of Aural Foreign Bodies in Western Nigeria

Background: Inserted foreign bodies in the ears are usually heralded by instantaneous attempts at removal by any caregiver with resultant injuries of variable magnitudes. Our aim is to describe the antecedent problems associated with this act and recommends possible preventive measures. Methods: This is a 10-year retrospective study of four hundred and nineteen patients with foreign bodies (FB) in the ear seen in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan from 1997 – 2007. Results: Of the 419 patients with aural foreign bodies that were reviewed, 105 (25.1%) had prior attempts at removal mainly with sharp instruments by various caregivers before referral Otorhinolaryngologists. This was complicated by canal abrasion 96(91.4%), traumatic tympanic membrane rupture 87(82.9%), foreign body in the middle ear 18(17.1%) and hearing impairment 72(68.6%). However, among 314 patients who had primary removal done by the Otorhinolaryngologists, 22(7.0%) had complications; canal abrasion 22(7.0%), tympanic membrane rupture 9 (2.9%) and hearing impairment 6 (1.9%). Conclusion: Removal of aural foreign bodies is associated with risks of complications. Skills seemingly appear imperative for its successful removal and safety measures should be adapted for its removal. Failed attempt should prompt immediate referral to the specialists while repeated attempts discouraged.
Development of antenatal psychosocial stress scale for pregnant women in Kerala, India

Background: Psychosocial stress in pregnancy, defined as, “the imbalance that a pregnant woman feels when she cannot cope with demands is expressed both behaviourally and physiologically”. The purpose of this study was to develop a culturally appropriate and locally relevant scale for measuring antenatal psychosocial stress. Methods: Cross sectional design was used for the study. Participants were antenatal women attending outpatient department of both government and private sector. Twenty-nine item questionnaires to identify psychosocial stress among antenatal women was developed by conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews among socioeconomically diverse population and different parity and among uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies. By administering the questionnaire among 190 participants, Reliability and Validity were estimated. Factor analysis was done for item reduction. Poor loading, wrong loading and cross loading items were removed from the questionnaire. Convergent validity assessed with prenatal psychosocial stress scale among 55 antenatal women. Results: The final questionnaire has 10 items. Item-total correlation was found to be greater than 0.2 for all the items. The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) for the 29-item questionnaire was 0.878. Test-retest reliability was 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99). Further, factor analysis was done to demonstrate construct validity. The interrater reliability was 0.98 (95% CI0.96-0.99). Conclusions: Based on analysis of psychometric properties, the conclusion is that the 10 items questionnaire is a reliable, simple, valid and easy to administer tool for use among antenatal women of all settings.
Moral antecedents of authentic leadership: Do moral justice reasoning, self-importance of moral identity and psychological hardiness stimulate authentic leadership?

Abstract The aim of the present study is to explore intra-psychological moral processes as potential antecedents of authentic leadership (AL) behavior, and as such add to the scarce knowledge about underlying moral processes involved in the execution of such leadership. In a sample of Norwegian naval officer cadets (N = 139), mature principled moral reasoning, self-importance of moral identity (i.e. importance of being a moral person) and mental resilience in terms of hardiness are used as predictor variables, and peer ratings of AL was outcome measure. A step-wise hierarchical regression analysis showed that mature moral reasoning and internalized moral identity explained 17% of the variance in AL at composite level. At dimension-levels of AL, models explaining 15% of the variation in “transparency” (i.e. open about thoughts and feelings) and 16% of “internalized moral perspective” (i.e. moral integrity) emerged, with mature moral reasoning, internalized—and symbolized moral identity as significant predictors. For the AL dimensions “balanced processing” (i.e. activating critical voices) and “self-awareness”, 8 and 10% of variance was explained, respectively, with mature moral reasoning and internalized moral identity as only significant predictors. Unexpectedly, psychological hardiness was unrelated to all dimensions of AL. Thus, the study suggests that mature moral reasoning and moral motivation represent important aims for leader development among emergency leaders, and as criteria for leader selection. It also suggests that AL encompasses a genuine morals orientation, conversely to a manipulative approach.
Impact of innovativeness of the country on export performance: evidence from Asian countries

This paper makes an attempt to find the relationship between innovation indicators and export performance of the country. We used patents, trademarks, industrial design, number of scientific journals, R&D expenditures as indicators of innovativeness of the country. As a sample we have constructed unbalanced panel data for 48 Asian countries with time series from 1997 to 2011. After OLS regression we found that only innovativeness indicator which positively associated with export performance is a number of registered industrial design in the country. The rest of innovativeness indicators did not show any significant relationship with export performance of the country.
LIDAR CALIBRATED SATELLITE SENSED PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

The carbon cycle is among the more important global phenomena affecting the Earth’s climate. The Southern Ocean is probably one of the less studied oceanic provinces and a thorough understanding of its role in that natural process requires further study. In this paper, new estimates of the primary production (PP) of Antarctic waters from 1997 to 2003 are provided. They are based on a PP model tuned in Antarctica and on satellite derived chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations calculated with an original bio-optical algorithm calibrated with lidar measurements carried out in the Southern Ocean. The results presented here indicate that usual PP models applied to standard Chl-a concentrations can underestimate PP up to 50%.
Nanocrystalline silicon carbide films for solar cells

Nanocrystalline silicon carbide (nc-SiC) films as protective coating and as solar cell material for a harsh environment, high temperatures, light intensities and radiation, were investigated. pand n-types 100-mm silicon wafers with (100) orientation were used as substrates for SiC films deposition. The films were deposited using HighFrequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (HF-PECVD) with CH3SiCl3 gas as a silicon and carbon source. Hydrogen supplied CH3SiCl3 molecules in the field of HF discharge. Deposition was carried out on a cold substrate. The power density was 12.7 W/cm. Deposition conditions were explored to prepare films with a controlled band gap and a low defect density. Formation of nc-3C-SiC films has been confirmed by the high resolution-transmission electron microscopy analysis, optical band gap values ETauc, conductivity, charge carrier activation energy and Hall measurements. The efficiency of photoconductivity was calculated for evaluating the photoconductivity properties and for the correlations with technology. For p-n junction creation in solar cell fabrication, the ntypes nc-SiC films were doped with Al. Employing Al as a doping material of nc-n-SiC, the open-circuit voltage as high as 1.43 V has been achieved.
Validation of the Job Demands-Resources model in cross-national samples: Cross-sectional and longitudinal predictions of psychological strain and work engagement

The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model proposes that employee health and performance are dependent upon direct and interacting perceptions of job demands and job resources. The JD-R model has been tested primarily with small, cross-sectional, European samples. The current research extends scholarly discussions by evaluating the full JD-R model for the prediction of psychological strain and work engagement, within a longitudinal research design with samples of Australian and Chinese employees (N = 9404). Job resources (supervisor support and colleague support) accounted for substantial variance, supporting the motivational hypothesis of the JD-R model. However, minimal evidence was found for the strain hypothesis of the JD-R model. The interactions of job demands and job resources were not evident, with only one from 16 interaction tests demonstrating significance. We discuss explanations for our findings. The implications of testing western-derived organizational behavior theories among employees employed in Asian regions, especially in regard to the increasing ‘westernization’ of many Asian organizations and their employees, are also discussed.
A comparison of the marketing capabilities of SME websites in Australian and U.S. domains

This paper provides information on the capabilities of small and medium enterprise (SME) websites in terms of three elements of marketing, online marketing communication, marketing channel or transactional aspects, and relationship continuity. The content analysis process used a tool to determine a websites “marketing readiness”. The sites were analyzes by two auditors and reconciled by a third. The domain names were selected from domain name listings of the “. com” domain managed by VeriSign Corporation and the “. com.au” domain in Australia managed by AUDA, resulting in 316 auditable sites across the two domains. It was found that while the websites from the two domains are statistically similar in terms of the three marketing elements mentioned, they differ on many items. In both, the websites are more capable in terms of marketing communication than they are in their marketing channel and relationship continuity capabilities and are not fully optimizing use of the Web in marketing. A limitation is that the sample size and industry types prevent generalization across domains. The lower findings in the two capabilities beg the question as to whether increasing these would increase conversions and, therefore, marketing and financial performance of SMEs. The paper suggests that SME websites are not utilizing the marketing opportunities provided. A major contribution of this study is that it analyzes the entire selected SME websites, using structured content analysis. It is hoped the study will simulate debate and further study using this methodology with subjective and objective data concerning return on marketing investment.
Land Use and Population Dynamics in the Kalikhola Watershed of Nepal

This study analyzes the nexus between population dynamics and land-use practices in the Mid-Hill region of Nepal. The paper focuses on spatial and temporal changes in land use between 1987 and 1999 in a typical watershed in the western mountains of Nepal where community forest projects were implemented by the government. The dynamics of population, land use, and land cover within the Kalikhola watershed are investigated by performing spatial analysis of digital land-use maps in ArcGIS. There is a net increase in forest cover of 16% in the Kalikhola watershed with a corresponding decrease in agricultural land, shrubland, and grassland. The population of highland communities has been significantly reduced because of problems due to the implementation of community forest projects. In this watershed, a significant area under agriculture in 1987 was found abandoned in 1999, most likely because of increased out-migration of the labour force and frequent attacks of wild animals.
An inverse problem for a three-dimensional heat equation in thermal imaging and the enclosure method

This paper studies a prototype of inverse initial boundary value problems whose governing equation is the heat equation in three dimensions. An unknown discontinuity embedded in a three-dimensional heat conductive body is considered. A {\it single} set of the temperature and heat flux on the lateral boundary for a fixed observation time is given as an observation datum. It is shown that this datum yields the minimum length of broken paths that start at a given point outside the body, go to a point on the boundary of the unknown discontinuity and return to a point on the boundary of the body under some conditions on the input heat flux, the unknown discontinuity and the body. This is new information obtained by using enclosure method.
Prediction of the longitudinal dispersion coefficient for small watercourses

Longitudinal dispersion coefficient (D L ) is considered an essential physical parameter to water quality modeling in rivers. Therefore, the estimation of this parameter with high accuracy guarantees the reliability of the results of a water quality model. In this study, the observed values of longitudinal dispersion coefficient are determined for natural streams (with discharge less than 2.84 m 3 s -1 ), based on sets of measured data from stimulus-response tests using sodium chloride as a tracer. Additionally, a semi-empirical equation for prediction of D L is derived using dimensional analysis and multiple linear regression technique. The performance of the produced equation was compared to five empirical prediction equations of D L selected from literature. It presented correlation coefficient r 2 = 0.87, suggesting that this equation is suitable for the estimation of D L in streams. It also presented better results for predicting the D L than the five equations from literature, showing an accuracy of 71%.
Nutrient and Heavy Metal Composition of Plantain ( Musa paradisiaca ) and Banana ( Musa paradisiaca ) Peels

The total protein, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), phosphorous (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) composition of the peels of unripe plantain, ripe plantain, unripe banana and ripe banana were investigated using standard techniques. All the peel samples studied contained considerable amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Zn, Cu, and protein while the amount of Pb in all the peel samples were quite low to cause any deleterious effects. The study showed the nutritional and medicinal relevance of the peels of these plants.
Implications of Overlapping Difficulties in Mathematics and Reading on Self-Concept and Academic Achievement

Abstract In this study, the relationship between adolescents’ difficulty in mathematics and reading and the influence on academic self-concept and school grades was examined. The participants (N = 585; 299 girls, 286 boys) were one age group of ninth-graders whose mathematics and reading skills were assessed at the end of comprehensive school at age 16 years. Five student profile groups were found using cluster analysis: best achievers, normal achievers (NA), the reading difficulty (RD) group, the mathematical difficulty (MD) group, and the learning difficulty (LD) group. Post-hoc tests revealed that the RD group and the LD group had a higher academic self-concept than the MD group. In school grades history, surprisingly, the NA group and the RD group performed equally well across all school grades. Students in the MD group performed as poorly as the LD group. The results emphasise the prolonged and generalised effects of especially MD on students’ academic careers.
NEWS AGENDA DIVERSITY DURING TIMES OF CRISIS

This study on news coverage of highly visible company types in a Dutch daily quality newspaper (NRC Handelsblad; N = 14,363), during the economic crisis (2007–2013), shows that attention to banks (and to a lesser extent also to the automobile and components industry) had a structural negative influence on media agenda diversity. The majority of the other salient company types had a significant positive impact on diversity. These results suggest that banks attracted attention at the expense of more varied, diverse coverage during the crisis. Our findings extend knowledge of agenda-building dynamics in relation to organizational news by considering characteristics of the broader media agenda. We discuss our findings in light of causes and consequences of media coverage of salient businesses.