Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some Age Related Attributes of Macrobrachium mcrobrachion (Herklots, 1851) from Luubara Creek in Ogoni Land, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Some Age related attributes of Macrobrachium mcrobrachion from Luubara Creek in Ogoni Land, Niger Delta, Nigeria was studied for a pe riod of two years (January 2006 - December, 2007). The age composition of the shrimps estimated from the length-at-age data obtained from Paul's integrated plots based on the carapace length showed that; in 2006 males of one year plus represented 35.63% of the sample population while two years plus constituted 55.17% of the sample population. Shrimps of t hree year plus constituted 6.89% of the sample population while of four years plus represented only 2.29% of the sample population. Shrimps less than one year were not observed. In 2007, male shrimps less than one year of age constituted 32.09% of the sample population while those of one year plus constituted 44.44% or the majority of the catch. Shrimps aged two years plus were 16.04% of the sample population and those of three years plus were 7.40% of the sample population. There were no shrimps of more than four years during the study in 2007. In 2006, there were no female shrimps below one year. Shrimps of one year plus constituted 24.77% of the sample population; shrimps of two years plus constituted 62.83% of the sample population while shrimps of three years plus constituted 12.38% of the population. There were no female shrimps of above four years in 2006. In 2007, there were also no shrimps above four years. Female shrimps of one year plus was 31.11% of the sample population while those more than two years were 54.54% of the sample population. Female shrimps of three years plus constituted only 14.28% of the sample population in 2007. In the berried female shrimps, no shrimp was recorded below one year of age in 2006. Berried female shrimp within one year plus constituted 60% of the sample population while those of two years plus constituted 40% of the sample population. Shrimps of three years age were not found. In 2007, no berried females shrimps caught were below one year. Shrimps of two years plus constituted 70% of the sample population. The relative ages and modal lengths (i.e., length - at - age) of M. macrobrachion obtained through Pauly's Integrated distribution plots are showed that the ages attained in males ranged from +1 year to 4 years while the female attained a maximum age of 3 years. It was observed that the growth in length was faster in the males than in females. The annual increment of males was between 3-10 mm in 2006, while berried f emales had between 3-6.5 mm annual increments. Individual growth also decreased according to age . Individual growths between two age groups we re considerably low.
Voluntary Environmental Disclosure by Australian Listed Mineral Mining Companies: an Application of Stakeholder Theory

Within the stakeholder theory framework this paper examines the extent of voluntary environmental disclosure (ED) in relation to characteristics of Australian listed mineral mining ﬁrms. Three indexes, words, unweighted and weighted index, are calculated to measure the association of total ED and categories of total ED with ﬁrm characteristics within the three dimensions of stockholder theory. We ﬁnd that the three indexes for total ED and categories of disclosure are signiﬁcantly associated. Consequently, a single construct is employed as a surrogate for the indexes. The result of Ordinary Least Squares Regression of this construct as a dependent variable with ownership diffusion, ﬁnancial leverage and membership of the Australian Mining Industry Council (AMIC) as proxies for stakeholder power; the presence of a corporate environmental committee as a proxy for strategic posture; retum on equity and systematic risk as proxies for economic performance ; and ﬁrm size and commercial production as control variables showed that membership of AMIC and size were statistically signiﬁcant. The implication of this ﬁnding is that ﬁnancial variables do not explain voluntary ED and that the variables used in the strategic posture and economic performance dimensions of stakeholder theory are not signiﬁcant. This implies, subject to limitations of the study, that the regulators of accounting infonnation will need to issue an accounting standard if they
Potential of intercropping for management of some arthropod and nematode pests of leafy vegetables in Kenya

African leafy vegetables (ALVs) play an important role as income and food security crops in many households in Kenya. However, their potential in alleviating poverty and ensuring household food and nutrition security has not been fully exploited. The objectives of this study were to identify some arthropod and nematode pests that infest ALVs and to evaluate the effectiveness of intercropping of susceptible and resistant plants for the management purposes. Three vegetable types: African nightshade, sunn hemp and spider plant were used in determining the efficacy of an intercrop of susceptible and non-susceptible types in reducing arthropod and nematode pest effect. The treatments in the field experiment consisted of different intercrop designs and a sole crop design as control while data was taken based on five different variables. Crops in the field were infested with arthropod pests and eight different species were enumerated. The same row and hill intercropping designs were the most effective in reducing the effect of arthropod and nematode pests compared to the control plots. Spider plant and African nightshade intercrops recorded the least arthropod pest damage, higher fresh and dry shoot yields and differed significantly (P≤0.05) to African nightshade planted as a sole crop. A similar trend was observed when the experiment was repeated with a sunn hemp and African nightshade intercrop. It is concluded from this study that intercropping of different crops can be integrated with other methods to provide an easily adaptable technology to apply for effective management of arthropod and nematode pests with low external inputs.
Microstructure Noise and Cross-Sectional Returns

At high-frequency, two risk components can potentially arise: the risk embedded in the stochastic volatility of the unobservable efficient return process and the risk due to the stochastic volatility of the equally unobservable market microstructure noise process. I use the 25 FamaFrench size- and value-sorted portfolios and find that market microstructure noise is a source of risk positively priced in the cross-section of stock returns. I also show that optimally-sampling high-frequency asset price data for the purpose of noise reduction leads to precise estimates of the efficient price volatility loadings.
Lithosphere-asthenosphere interaction beneath Ireland from joint inversion of teleseismic P-wave delay times and GRACE gravity

The nature and extent of the regional lithosphere-asthenosphere interaction beneath Ireland and Britain remains unclear. Although it has been established that ancient Caledonian signatures pervade the lithosphere, tertiary structure related to the Iceland plume has been inferred to dominate the asthenosphere. To address this apparent contradiction in the literature, we image the 3-D lithospheric and deeper upper-mantle structure beneath Ireland via non-linear, iterative joint teleseismic-gravity inversion using data from the ISLE (Irish Seismic Lithospheric Experiment), ISUME (Irish Seismic Upper Mantle Experiment) and GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) experiments. The inversion combines teleseismic relative arrival time residuals with the GRACE long wavelength satellite derived gravity anomaly by assuming a depth-dependent quasilinear velocity-density relationship. We argue that anomalies imaged at lithospheric depths probably reflect compositional contrasts, either due to terrane accretion associated with Iapetus Ocean closure, frozen decompressional melt that was generated by plate stretching during the opening of the north Atlantic Ocean, frozen Iceland plume related magmatic intrusions, or a combination thereof. The continuation of the anomalous structure across the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary is interpreted as possibly reflecting sub-lithospheric small-scale convection initiated by the lithospheric compositional contrasts. Our hypothesis thus reconciles the disparity which exists between lithospheric and asthenospheric structure beneath this region of the north Atlantic rifted margin.
An Analysis of the Abundance, Diversity and Patchiness of Terrestrial Gymnamoebae in Relation to Soil Depth and Precipitation Events Following a Drought in Southeastern U.S.A.

Summary. The objectives of this research were to examine the abundance, diversity and patchiness of gymnamoebae sampled at a distance of 3.0 cm apart and at three soil depths (surface, 5.0 cm and 10.0 cm) during a drought and after a significant precipitation event. The observed gymnamoebae were categorized into four morphotypes using a standard categorization scheme, but genera of the family Cochliopodiidae were categorized separately since their abundance patterns were different from the other gymnamoebae, and taxonomically they possess characteristics of both naked and testate amoebae. Gymnamoebae abundance was significantly correlated with soil moisture (r = 0.75, n = 18, p < 0.001). The mean abundance of gymnamoebae (combining all the data) after the precipitation event was significantly larger than the abundance during the drought based on a univariate ANOVA test (F(2, 15) = 12.8, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean gymnamoebae abundance of the triplicate samples taken at the surface and at 5.0 cm after the precipitation event was significantly greater than the mean abundance during the drought F(1, 4) = 18.3, p < 0.013 (surface), F(1, 4) = 15.0, p < 0.018 (5.0 cm). There was no significant difference in the mean gymnamoebae abundances at a depth of 10 cm, F(1, 4) = 6.4, p = 0.064. Within triplicates assays, diversity coefficients were generally more similar following the precipitation event than in samples taken during the drought, and there was evidence of patchy distribution in most of the triplicate samples taken at 3.0 cm apart.
Trend inflation as a workers disciplining device in a general equilibrium model

In New Keynesian models nominal rigidities determine socially inefficient outcomes. Our paper reverses this view: properly designed monetary policies may take advantage of predetermined nominal wages to discipline monopolistic wage setters. This, in turn, requires accepting a non-zero inflation rate. Discretionary monetary policy is effective when wage setters are non atomistic. Inflation targeting has real effects irrespective of the degree of labor market centralization.
Analysis of Mud Mass Transport under Waves Using an Empirical Rheological Model

This study is focused on deepening our insight into rheological properties of soft mud under oscillatory forces, on quantifying their effects on the interaction between water waves and mud bed, and especially on the resultant mud mass transport. On the basis of a large number of experiments, an empirical rheological model and formulas for model parameters are proposed. In addition, a simple analytical model for evaluating the temporal change in mud water content ratio under waves is derived. Using these two models, a vertical 2-D numerical model is developed to predict the wave-induced bed mud motion and the resultant mud mass transport velocity. Comparisons between the calculations and measurements are presented.
EVALUATION OF THE CELL-FREE MITOCHONDRIAL DNA QUANTITY IN PLASMA AS AN AGING

Background and aims: Individuals of the same species may have large variations in their ageing rates, especially notable at higher ages. Therefore, it is proposed that chronological age is not suitable for measuring ones functionality, but instead the concept of biological age should be used. To define individuals biological age the biomarkers of aging have to be first established. In a previous study, the cell-free DNA concentration in plasma was reported to be higher in older individuals, making it potential aging biomarker candidate. The aim of this study was to further analyze the cell-free DNA. This was carried out by quantifying nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, the two fractions of cell-free DNA, separately. Materials and methods: The plasma and PBMC samples were collected from the participants of the Vitality 90+ study who were of 90 years of age. Control group consisted of healthy young laboratory personnel. The cell-free DNA was extracted from plasma samples as well as total DNA of the PBMC. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers of all samples were determined separately with quantitative PCR by using specific primers. The obtained mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were scaled to nuclear DNA copies and compared within and between the groups. Results: No significant difference in plasma mitochondrial DNA quantity was observed between nonagenarians and controls. In contrast, the plasma of nonagenarians contained significantly higher levels of nuclear DNA. Conclusions: The mitochondrial DNA quantity in plasma seems to be inadequate parameter to be used as an aging biomarker. However, because only two distinct groups were compared: the young and the very old individuals, the obtained data does not address the issue of a linear correlation between chronological age and mtDNA quantity in plasma. Additional studies are also needed to demonstrate whether there are differences in plasma mtDNA quantity between the successfully and unsuccessfully aged individuals.
Ecoregions in Context: a Critique with Special Reference to Indonesia

Abstract: World Wildlife Fund–United States ( WWF ) is promoting an ecoregional framework internationally as a new hierarchical approach to organizing and prioritizing conservation efforts. We assessed WWF ecoregions against existing frameworks: (1) the Dasmann‐Udvardy ( World Conservation Union [IUCN] ) Biogeographical Representation Framework, (2) the Bailey Ecoregional Framework ( U.S. Forest Service), and (3) the hotspot approach, as exemplified by the BirdLife Endemic Bird Area Approach and the WWF–IUCN Centres of Plant Diversity Program. We examined the genealogy of the schemes from three perspectives: methodological explicitness, transparency and repeatability, and whether the WWF–ecoregions system improves on existing schemes. We considered Indonesia as a case study and assessed the efficacy of each system in the Indonesian context. The existing planning frameworks achieved their objective; in general had explicit, transparent, and repeatable methods; and, in the case of the Dasmann‐Udvardy system, attained an institutional reality in Indonesia. The central purpose of the WWF–ecoregions framework is the same as the 25‐year‐old Dasmann‐Udvardy system, and at the coarsest spatial scales it relies on similar spatial delineators ( biomes and faunal regions). The WWF methodology, however, employs a gestalt approach to defining ecoregion boundaries. In the Indonesian context the resulting map appears problematic both in terms of the underlying rationale of the ecoregion approach and in terms of apparent conflict with preexisting protected‐area design. We suggest, insofar as refined planning frameworks are needed, that an alternative route that builds on rather than competes with existing approaches would be to combine at the mesoscale the landform delineators that characterize the Bailey ecoregion system with the existing macroscale ecoclimatic and biogeographic delineators of the Dasmann‐Udvardy system. We question the investment in developing and promoting the WWF–ecoregion scheme in Indonesia when the existing Dasmann‐Udvardy system, used in conjunction with hotspot studies, provides a seemingly adequate system and when the reserve system itself is under considerable pressure.
Consumer Perception and Attitude on Mobile Phone Market in Tanzania

Over the past era expansions in telecommunication technology have created opportunities for new and interactive electronic marketing channels, such as the mobile phone. In particular, the omnipresent and personal nature of this device suggests strong potential for its use as an advertising and direct marketing platform. Despite of several concerns surround the use of this device for marketing purposes, and as such, consumer acceptance of mobile phones as an electronic marketing medium remains relatively low. This study explores Tanzania consumers’ perceptions of mobile phone marketing, defined here as an electronic marketing innovation. From the theory of Innovation attribute of Rogers (1995), this research study makes an important contribution of understanding how consumer perceptions of the attributes related with this innovation affect their acceptance of mobile phone marketing operations. In the research, three attributes were tested: relative advantage, compatibility and complexity. Statistical analysis using a multiple hierarchical regression model discovered that consumers’ perceptions of compatibility and relative advantage were considerably associated with their perceptions of mobile phone marketing. The identification of compatibility as the key driver of acceptance supports previous research which identified control, delivery of message, permission and privacy, as vital drivers of mobile phone marketing acceptance. However, consumers’ perceptions of the complexity related with mobile phones had a positive rather than negative relationship with their acceptance of this marketing strategy.
Environment Systems: A New Concept on Cremation

The pollution generated by cemeteries and their overload are increasingly worrisome issues in current society, and yet there are few studies seeking to discuss and generate solutions in this field to provide better lives to the population. Thus, this research has aimed to develop a new concept of a cremation service called “Mobile Crematorium”, aiming at innovation and an alternative for reducing impacts caused by cemeteries. Hence, a new model of service development was used, jointly with bibliographic research, semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs and questionnaires answered by the population to collect essential information. Thus, requirements, needs and specifications of the clients and the service were developed, jointly with an analysis, simulation and selection of alternative solutions generated that allowed the creation of the new concept. Finally, the service process was modelled on the “Service Blueprint”, allowing visualization and identification of possible process failures and improvements thereon.
Soft X-ray absorption excess in gamma-ray burst afterglow spectra: Absorption by turbulent ISM

Two-thirds of long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) show soft X-ray absorption in excess of the Milky Way. The column densities of metals inferred from UV and optical spectra differ from those derived from soft X-ray spectra, at times by an order of magnitude, with the latter being higher. The origin of the soft X-ray absorption excess observed in GRB X-ray afterglow spectra remains a heavily debated issue, which has resulted in numerous investigations on the effect of hot material both internal and external to the GRB host galaxy on our X-ray afterglow observations. Nevertheless, all models proposed so far have either only been able to account for a subset of our observations (i.e. at z > 2), or they have required fairly extreme conditions to be present within the absorbing material. In this paper, we investigate the absorption of the GRB afterglow by a collisionally ionised and turbulent interstellar medium (ISM). We find that a dense (3 per cubic centimeters) collisionally ionised ISM could produce UV/optical and soft X-ray absorbing column densities that differ by a factor of 10, however the UV/optical and soft X-ray absorbing column densities for such sightlines and are 2-3 orders of magnitude lower in comparison to the GRB afterglow spectra. For those GRBs with a larger soft X-ray excess of up to an order of magnitude, the contribution in absorption from a turbulent ISM as considered here would ease the required conditions of additional absorbing components, such as the GRB circumburst medium and intergalactic medium.
The threat of social media blackmailing in the hospitality industry : when customers misuse their power

Nowadays customer ratings are among the most decision-relevant information on the Internet. Reviews are particularly valued for their credibility compared to mass media advertising and are increasingly used by customers to make purchase decision. Due to the high relevance of the review sites there is a growing concern for the repercussion negative reviews can have on a businesses reputation. The high relevance of customer reviews on market leaders such as TripAdvisor or HolidayCheck is especially of concern in the hospitality industry. In the past years a growing number of cases where reported where clients are trying to extort hotels by threatening with a bad review, unless demands like refunds and upgrades are fulfilled, this phenomenon has become known as social media blackmailing. This research was performed in order to set this new arising type of online reputation threat in the context of online reputation attacks, in order to provide a clearer picture about the kind of attacker who engages in social media blackmailing and its underlying motivations.
Market Forces, Strategic Management, HRM Practices and Organizational Performance, a Model Based in European Sample

This study uses structural equation modeling to test a model of the impact of human resources management practices on perceived organizational performance, on a large sample of European companies. The influences of competitive intensity, industry attractiveness and strategic management are considered in the model, and their direct and indirect influence on organizational performance is assessed. The model produced an adequate fit and results show that strategic management does influence human resource practices. Human resource flexibility practices and performance management have a positive impact on organizational performance, while training was not found to have a significant impact. A direct positive impact of competitive intensity and industry attractiveness on strategic management was supported by the data, as well as a direct positive effect of industry attractiveness on perceived organizational performance.
The influence of perception latency on the quality of musical performance during a simulated delay scenario

iii List of tables and figures vii Terminology and concept clarification viii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Background to the study 1 1.2 Motivation for the study 2 1.3 Theoretical framework 2 1.4 Research questions 2 1.5 Delimitations and value of the study 3 1.6 Chapter outline 3 Chapter 2: Literature review 5 2.
Comparison Group Identification for Difficult-to-Evaluate Populations: Lessons from Evaluating 1n10 LGBTQ Youth Support Services

The evaluation literature on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth programs is largely absent of quantitative studies, likely in part due to the challenge of using experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation designs. This paper proposes the creative use of a national data set to overcome the problem of estimating a counterfactual for this population. In addition to discussing lessons from this approach, we describe the program and its impacts. Evidence suggests that the program under study—1n10, a local support group for LGBTQ youth in the Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan area—draws a relatively more disadvantaged group than the national average but that their levels of suicide ideation are lower. By addressing key threats to the internal validity of evaluation designs, we rule out plausible rival explanations for program impacts.