Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anurans as Intermediate and Paratenic Hosts of Helminth Infections in the Rainforest and Derived Savanna Biotopes of Southern Nigeria

Anurans from the rainforest (Okomu National Park) and derived savanna (Agbede) locations in Nigeria were investigated for their role either as intermediate or paratenic hosts of helminth infections. A total of 269 anuran specimens (157 from the Okomu National Park and 112 from Agbede) were examined. Metacercariae of a strigeoid trematode, two nematode species, a proteocephalid cestode, and an acanthocephalan were recovered from infected hosts. Except for the strigeoid trematode, which was only recorded in the rainforest, there was no ecological dichotomy in the distribution of the larval parasites recorded. Tree frogs from the rainforest only served as second intermediate hosts for the strigeoid trematode. The two nematode larvae (type I and type II) found in the body cavity of the infected host are believed to use them as paratenic hosts. Tree frogs were the predominant intermediate hosts of the proteocephalid cestode larvae in the rainforest, while Ptychadena and Phrynobatrachus spp. served this function in the derived savanna. The occurrence of cystacanths in the anurans from both biotopes confirms their known role as paratenic host for acanthocephalans. Afrixalus dorsalis is a new host record for the ascaridoid nematode while the finding of the strigeoid trematode, the proteocephalid cestode larvae and acanthocephalan cystacanths in the anurans investigated represents new geographical records.
Kim, D.-H. and Lee, H. (2016) Effects of user experience on user resistance to change to the voice user interface of an in-vehicle infotainment system: Implications for platform and standards

This study examines the effects of user experience on user resistance to change—particularly, on the relationship between user resistance to change and its antecedents (i.e. switching costs and perceived value) in the context of the voice user interface of an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. This research offers several salient findings. First, it shows that user experience positively moderates the relationship between uncertainty costs (one type of switching cost) and user resistance. It also negatively moderates the association between perceived value and user resistance. Second, the research test results demonstrate that users with a high degree of prior experience with the voice user interface of other smart devices exhibit low user resistance to change to the voice user interface in an IVI system. Third, we show that three types of switching costs (transition costs, in particular) may directly influence users to resist a change to the voice user interface. Fourth, our test results empirically demonstrate that both switching costs and perceived value affect user resistance to change in the context of an IVI system, which differs from the traditional IS research setting (i.e. enterprise systems). These findings may guide not only platform leaders in designing user interfaces, user experiences, and marketing strategies, but also firms that want to defend themselves from platform envelopment while devising defensive strategies in platform and standards competition.
Sensitivity Analysis of Water Scrubbing Process for Biogas Purification

For vehicle fuelapplication,biogas need to have high energy content. So, the gas has to be upgraded. The value of energy in the biogas is in direct proportion to the methane concentration. Raw biogas produced by anaerobic digester has methane content about 50-60% and carbon dioxide as main contaminant at 40-50% of volume. The methane content in biogas can be upgraded by carbon dioxide removal process. In contrary, carbon dioxide removal process need cost addition of biogas production. It is important to have an optimized biogas upgrading process in term of low energy consumption and high efficiency giving high methane content in biogas. On the other hand, it is very important to minimize emission of methane from upgrading process because methane have a greenhouse gas effect 23 times greater than carbon dioxide.Water scrubbing is simplest and cheapest technology to produce bio methane using biogas upgrading process.The best control process scenario need to keep the process work in optimal condition. But fluctuation of flow and concentration in biogas produced by anaerobic digester make difficultupgrading process control. By sensitivity analysis study, control scenario for this process can decided in the best way. Keyword— biogas, carbon dioxide removal, sensitivity analysis, upgrading biogas, water scrubbing.
TEACHING READING TO STUDENTS OF PHILOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS IN UKRAINE: RECONSIDERING WESTERN EXPERIENCE

The article is dedicated to the study of the process of teaching reading at philological faculties of higher educational establishments, its levels, types, stages and strategies. The article examines classifications of levels of reading. Such levels as literal, inferential, critical, creative; evaluation, synthesis, interpretation; elementary (rudimentary, basic or initial), inspectional, analytical (thorough, complete), syntopical (comparative) are described. In the article such types of reading as survey reading, skimming, and superficial reading (extensive reading), content study reading and linguistic study reading (intensive reading) are studied. Stages of reading – pre-reading, while/during reading, after-reading are characterized. Factors that predetermine a reader`s understanding of the text are mentioned. The article presents the analysis and description of the strategies of teaching reading to students of philological departments in Ukraine that from the author`s point of view are seldom used and could be of immense educational value if used consistently, among them are graphic organizers, picking up a scene, thinking aloud, K-W-L or K-W-W-L charts, probable passage, draw a text. The article also examines strategies for reading non-fiction as an important part of the process of teaching reading to students of philological departments, namely: establish purpose, survey, revise purpose, study in depth, evaluation. In the article the advantages of the listed strategies have been enumerated, their benefits for the students have been mentioned.
Connectedness and SME Financing in Post-Communist Economies: Evidence from Uzbekistan

Abstract This paper investigates effects of interpersonal links with bureaucrats on SME access to formal finance. A survey of 502 SMEs in post-communist Uzbekistan shows fewer SMEs with government connections express a need for external finance, but success rates of applications are higher than for SMEs without connections. Econometric models show government-connected SMEs receive more formal credit than their counterparts. The small share of SME credit available is thus distributed in favour of those capitalising on bureaucratic links, with consequent resource misallocation. Findings imply that greater SME credit flows need supplementing with capacity building that improves bank transparency and efficiency.
Querying the Causal Role of Attitudes in Educational Attainment

This paper synthesizes the evidence on the causal impact of attitudes on educational attainment using a simple four-element model of causation—requiring association, sequence, intervention, and explanation. Overall, there was no clear evidence that intervening to change the educational attitudes of disadvantaged students will lead to enhanced attainment. Some mental concepts, such as external motivation, show promise and could be developed further. Others, like locus of control, show little promise and could even be dangerous if used without care. Given that there are other approaches that can help to overcome the poverty gradient in schools, raising aspirations is not the way for policy to go. The stratification of educational outcomes is more likely to be structural rather than mental. An improved attitude without the competence to do something about it could be ineffective, whereas competence may be sufficient in isolation. The current evidence is that attitudes do not cause variation in attainment, and so policies and practices based on a belief that they do are being, and will continue to be, ineffective. Such policies also present opportunity costs, using budget that could be used for more promising approaches, and leaving the poverty gradient largely untouched for yet another generation.
In vitro anthelmintic potential and phytochemical composition of ethanolic and water crude extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn.

In vitro studies were conducted to determine the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic and water extracts aerial whole plant parts of Euphorbia heterophylla. Efficacy and potency of crude extracts was determined using 70% ethanol and water extracts in serial dilutions: 3 mg/ml to 64 mg/ml parallel to serial dilutions of albendazole 6.25 to 100 mg/ml in three replicates. Ascaris suum was used for the assays. The phytochemical screening of the extracts were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Both crude extracts of E. heterophylla and albendazole reduced worm motility by 100% in 48 h post treatment in a dose-dependent response when compared with negative control with median effective dose being 26.85 mg/ml, 4.60 mg/ml and 15.12 mg/ml respectively. All dose levels of E. heterophylla extracts caused a significant adult worm motility inhibition (F (5, 53) = 4.41, P= 0.003; R2 = 0.92). A significant difference in motility inhibition by the ethanolic, water extracts and albendazole treatments as measured by median effective doses of E. heterophylla (F (2, 53) = 140.43, p= 0.001) was observed although water extract effect did not differ from albendazole effect (p= 0.878). Phytochemical screening revealed presence of tannins, alkaloid, saponins, flavonoids, steroids glycosides, triterpenes, coumarin derivatives, anthocyanocides, anthracenocides and reducing sugars whose intensity varied with solvent used for extraction. The study revealed the anthelmintic potential of E. heterophylla and that water extract was more potent than ethanolic extract. The phytochemical compounds present justify the plant’s ethno-veterinary use although in vivo efficacy evaluation and toxicity studies need to be carried to ascertain their bioavailability and safety to the animals. Key words: Ascaris suum, medicinal plants, motility inhibition, Nakasongola.
Tilburg University Consequences of regret aversion in real life

Although ample research has shown that decisions may cause regret and that the anticipation of regret may influence decisionmaking, this previous research was largely limited to hypothetical choices with student participants. The current research replicates and extends these findings for real life lottery participation decisions in non-student samples. Four studies are reported in which two lotteries in the Netherlands, the Postcode Lottery and the National State Lottery, were compared. The State Lottery is a traditional lottery in which one has to buy a ticket with a number printed on it. In the Postcode Lottery, one s postcode is the ticket number, and hence even if not participating one may still find out that one would have won had one played. As our research shows, this particular feedback that is present in the Postcode Lottery but absent in the State Lottery influences the level of anticipated postdecisional regret, and moderates the influence that anticipated regret has on lottery participation. Study 1, 100 street interviews, confirmed our expectations that the Postcode Lottery may elicit regret. Study 2 found under controlled conditions, that people anticipate more regret over not playing when there is feedback about the neighbors winning a prize in the Postcode Lottery than in the State Lottery. However, when this feedback is absent they anticipate equal amounts of regret over not playing. Study 3 replicated these findings for regret, while showing that the two lotteries do not differ with respect to envy and jealousy, emotions that might also be invoked in this context. Study 4 validated that, as we predicted, anticipations of post-decisional regret influence decisions to play the Postcode lottery, but not the State Lottery. These findings demonstrate the external and discriminant validity of anticipated regret for decision-making, and indicate its pragmatic relevance. The implications or recent developments in regret research are discussed. 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Identifying strengths and weaknesses of current human health risk assessment : A workshop report

Al enkele jaren is er wereldwijd behoefte om de risicobeoordeling van chemische stoffen te vernieuwen. Het RIVM is verantwoordelijk voor de risicobeoordeling van chemische stoffen en is daarom betrokken bij deze vernieuwing. Om hieraan bij te kunnen dragen heeft het RIVM geinventariseerd wat de sterke en zwakke punten zijn van het huidige systeem. Op die manier worden beperkingen en hiaten duidelijk, evenals de essentiele elementen die behouden moeten blijven. Uit deze inventarisatie blijkt dat er meer inzicht nodig is over de mate waarin mensen worden blootgesteld aan stoffen. Dit is nodig om de risico's voor mensen te kunnen schatten en de veiligheid van stoffen te kunnen waarborgen. Bovendien moet zo min mogelijk gebruik gemaakt worden van proefdieren, zonder dat dit ten koste gaat van de veiligheid van mensen. Een sterk punt van de huidige risicobeoordeling is dat een breed scala van schadelijke effecten vastgesteld wordt. Daarnaast maakt het systeem duidelijk bij welke dosis een stof schadelijke effecten veroorzaakt. Dit is belangrijke informatie om grenswaarden te bepalen. Verder biedt het huidige systeem de mogelijkheid om te schatten in welke mate mensen aan de desbetreffende stof zijn blootgesteld. Bruikbare gegevens over die blootstelling zijn echter niet altijd beschikbaar en dat is een van de zwakke punten van het huidige systeem. Andere zwakke punten zijn het gebruik van proefdieren en het ontbreken van geschikte methodieken voor complexe stoffen. Ook is niet zeker of het systeem alle nadelige effecten op de gezondheid afdekt en is er onvoldoende kennis over gevoelige groepen in de bevolking die mogelijk een hoger risico lopen.
A multi-model superensemble algorithm for seasonal climate prediction using DEMETER forecasts

In this paper, a multi-model ensemble approach with statistical correction for seasonal precipitation forecasts using a coupled DEMETER model data set is presented. Despite the continuous improvement of coupled models, they have serious systematic errors in terms of the mean, the annual cycle and the interannual variability; consequently, the predictive skill of extended forecasts remains quite low. One of the approaches to the improvement of seasonal prediction is the empirical weighted multi-model ensemble, or superensemble, combination. In the superensemble approach, the different model forecasts are statistically combined during the training phase using multiple linear regression, with the skill of each ensemble member implicitly factored into the superensemble forecast. The skill of a superensemble relies strongly on the past performance of the individual member models used in its construction. The algorithm proposed here involves empirical orthogonal function (EOF) filtering of the actual data set prior to the construction of a multimodel ensemble or superensemble as an alternative solution for seasonal prediction. This algorithm generates a new data set from the input multi-model data set by finding a consistent spatial pattern between the observed analysis and the individual model forecast. This procedure is a multiple linear regression problem in the EOF space. The newly generated EOF-filtered data set is then used as an input data set for the construction of a multi-model ensemble and superensemble. The skill of forecast anomalies is assessed using statistics of categorical forecast, spatial anomaly correlation and root mean square (RMS) errors. The various verifications show that the unbiased multi-model ensemble of DEMETER forecasts improves the prediction of spatial patterns (i.e. the anomaly correlation), but it shows poor skill in categorical forecast. Due to the removal of seasonal mean biases of the different models, the forecast errors of the bias-corrected multi-model ensemble and superensemble are already quite small. Based on the anomaly correlation and RMS measures, the forecasts produced by the proposed method slightly outperform the other conventional forecasts.
Constraints on submicrojansky radio number counts based on evolving VLA-COSMOS luminosity functions

We present an investigation of radio luminosity functions (LFs) and number counts based on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array-COSMOS 3 GHz Large Project. The radio-selected sample of 7826 galaxies with robust optical/near-infrared counterparts with excellent photometric coverage allows us to construct the total radio LF since z ~ 5.7. Using the Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, we fit the redshift dependent pure luminosity evolution model to the data and compare it with previously published VLA-COSMOS LFs obtained on individual populations of radio-selected star-forming galaxies and galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei classified on the basis of presence or absence of a radio excess with respect to the star-formation rates derived from the infrared emission. We find they are in excellent agreement, thus showing the reliability of the radio excess method in selecting these two galaxy populations at radio wavelengths. We study radio number counts down to submicrojansky levels drawn from different models of evolving LFs. We show that our evolving LFs are able to reproduce the observed radio sky brightness, even though we rely on extrapolations toward the faint end. Our results also imply that no new radio-emitting galaxy population is present below 1 μJy. Our work suggests that selecting galaxies with radio flux densities between 0.1 and 10 μJy will yield a star-forming galaxy in 90–95% of the cases with a high percentage of these galaxies existing around a redshift of z ~ 2, thus providing useful constraints for planned surveys with the Square Kilometer Array and its precursors.
Corporate Debt Policy Pre- and Post-financial Market Reforms: The Case of the Textile Industry of Pakistan

The literature provides evidence that the capital structure of a firm is often a combination of several securities; it can arrange (1) Bank loan (2) issue debentures/bonds, (3) issue shares (4) lease financing, or (5) utilise its retained earnings. Eventually number of ideas and theories has been developed to discuss the optimal capital structure. Optimum is the trade-off between the benefit of tax and costs of financial distress; a firm faces due to the borrowed money. Although extensive research work has been done on the capital structure but still it remains one of the unsettled topics in finance. Optimal capital structure has an impact on corporate profits. Debt is considered as the cheapest source of financing due to tax shield, higher the firm's tax bracket more the debt is advantageous to a firm. The trade off theory states that higher debt is associated with higher profitability. Three reasons support this theory; one debt allow tax shield. Second, more trust is built on profitable companies considering more sustainable and less prone to bankruptcy; hence high profitable companies are able to seek more debt. Third, agency cost, for the profitable firms, lenders/creditors give relaxation in monitoring charges, which reduces the debt cost. This motivates profitable firms to go for more debt. If firms follow pecking order theory then it base financial decision on the availability of internally generated funds. Profitable firms prefer internal financing. External finance is only used when internally generated funds are not sufficient. Number of studies worldwide shows different results. Textile industry is the largest sector of Pakistan, which has major share in exports. Hence this sector has a major impact on the national economy. This sector major financing depend on bank loan. In mid 1990s Government of Pakistan started financial sector reforms and in 1997 it was strengthened when the government issued three amended ordinances that are, State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956, Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962, and Banks Nationalisation Act, 1974. These amended ordinances further strengthened the State Bank of Pakistan in regulating banking sector. Furthermore, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) was established under the Act of Parliament in 1997 as an autonomous body. It started operations from January 1999 as regulator of Non-banking financial institutions. This study examines the debt and its determinants in the light of capital structure theories in the pre and post financial sector reforms.
Transfer Effects of Challenge Based Lessons in an Undergraduate Dynamics Course

Challenge-based instruction, a method of instruction where course content is framed around and driven by a complex problem or set of problems, requires learners to continually evaluate posed challenges based on what they know and refine this understanding through a series of formal learning experiences. A version of challenge-based learning has been used in an introductory course of dynamics to teach kinetics and kinematics to sophomores in a civil engineering department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. As an introduction to specific instructional sequences, students were posed a challenge to frame the remaining lectures for that topic. Once the challenge was introduced and before any formal instruction, students were asked to generate ideas about the immediate problems they needed to solve and to generate ideas about potential solutions. In addition, they were asked to generate questions about what more they needed to learn in order to better solve the problem. Next, students engaged in a series of lectures, discussions and problem solving exercises to explore the concepts associated with answering the challenge. At the end of the instructional sequence, students were asked to submit their solution to the initial challenge. An initial study of this approach compared exam question scores between students of challenge-based instruction and traditional lecture and homework problems sets. Results showed the challenge-based students outperformed the prior cohort of students on exam questions similar to those found in the textbook. Therefore, the exam questions were more focused on recall of basic concepts and did not require the same level of processing as the challenges required of students. In this second study, additional questions were added to the exams to better align with the challenges. Initial analysis of the data indicates that students increase their ability to generate ideas and questions using concepts and principles applied in the earlier challenges. The analysis of results also helps describe the limits of students’ conceptual understanding of the governing principles and how these limits diminish with time. Therefore, students are on a learning progress that increases their potential for generalizing their knowledge which will increase their potential to use it in less familiar context. The results of this study will be interesting to instructors and researchers involved in the teaching and learning of dynamics. This paper provides an overview of the fundamental concepts covered by the modules, common challenges to learning dynamics and a qualitative analysis of students work on the challenge statements and exam questions.