Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of flow regulation on shallow-water habitat dynamics and floodplain connectivity

Abstract Our study examined the effects of flow regulation on the spatiotemporal availability of shallow habitat patches with slow current velocity (SSCV patches) and floodplain inundation in the unregulated Yellowstone River and the regulated Missouri River in Montana and North Dakota. We mapped representative sites and used hydraulic models and hydrograph data to describe the frequency and extent of floodplain inundation and the availability of SSCV habitat over time during different water years. In the Yellowstone River the distribution, location, and size of SSCV patches varied but followed an annual pattern that was tied to the snowmelt runoff hydrograph. There was less variation in patch distribution in the Missouri River, and the pattern of habitat availability was influenced by flow regulation. Regulated flows and their effects on channel morphology and patterns of vegetation establishment resulted in 3.0–3.5 times less area of inundated woody vegetation during normal and dry years in the Missouri.
The Effect of Individualized Technology-Mediated Feedback on EFL Learners’ Argumentative Essays

This quantitative quasi-experimental study, which followed a pretest-posttest-delayed posttest design, was aimed at investigating the effect of individualized technology-mediated feedback (henceforth, ITMF) on the overall quality of Iranian EFL learners’ argumentative essays. The effect of ITMF, as the experimental treatment, was compared with the common written corrective feedback (henceforth, CWCF) strategies as the control treatment. 57 learners, studying at general EFL courses at upper-intermediate level, formed the participants. They were assigned to two groups: ITMF and CWCF, which, in this study, is meant as the pen-and-paper form of direct and indirect feedback. Each group received six sessions of treatment. The writing tasks and tests were all of argumentative type. First, whether there was any significant difference between the ITMF and CWCF in the overall quality of the essays was investigated. The ITMF group significantly outperformed the CWCF one. Then, whether the difference between the groups varied over time was explored, and it was revealed that the ITMF was still significantly superior over the CWCF. Next, whether there would be any significant change in the ITMF in the long term was examined, and no change was seen. The study supports the advocates of screencasting feedback, revision and teacher-learner negotiation following the feedback.
Mast seeding and predator-mediated indirect interactions in a forest community: Evidence from post-dispersal fate of rodent-generated caches．

When and how do seeds die? For most temperate trees the answer is soon after seed fall and as a result of seed predation. In temperate deciduous woodland a considerable proportion of seeds is consumed by granivores (Hulme, 1993, 1998; Hulme and Benkman, 2001). Not surprisingly, granivores (in particular, small mammals) have been found to play a pivotal role in the regeneration (Hulme, 1996b, 1997), colonization ability (Myster and Pickett, 1993), spatial distribution (Kollmann, 1995) and reproductive ecology (Sork, 1993) of temperate trees. To date, research on granivory in deciduous woodlands has tended to focus on the relative importance of habitat, microhabitat, plant species and seed density for seed predation rates (Willson and Whelan, 1990; Whelan et al., 1991; Myster and Pickett, 1993; Hulme and Borelli, 1999). However, the frequent absence of consistent directional trends (e.g. Willson and Whelan, 1990) has made it difficult to construct accurate predictive models of post-dispersal seed predation. One factor that might lead to inconsistencies in seed-predation rates may be the temporal and spatial variation in the abundance of alternative food resources. Polyphagous seed predators, such as small mammals, are likely to respond not only to the absolute abundance of a particular seed species but also to its relative abundance in relation to other seed species (Greenwood, 1985). For example, the rate of seed predation on a particular plant species can decrease dramatically following an increase in availability of a more preferred species. Such frequencydependent foraging by granivores has considerable potential to structure plant communities (Hulme, 1996a). Furthermore, frequency dependence may explain why inconsistent trends in removal rates are sometimes found among habitats, seasons and years (Schupp, 1990; Willson and Whelan, 1990; Kollmann et al., 1998). These inconsistencies may simply reflect spatial and/or temporal changes in the relative abundance of different seed species. Although several studies have examined seed predation in a community context (Schupp, 1990; Kollmann et al., 1998), only Hulme and Hunt (1999) have analysed how a seed
Households’ Saving Behavior in Greece Corresponding Countermeasures in Financial Crisis

This study aims to investigate the determinants of consumers’ saving behavior in the island of Crete. Data were drawn from 400 responders through a field survey in 2011 using the random stratified sampling technique. The empirical analysis was based on the estimation of OLS regression models. In particular, three categories of independent variables were used in this paper, namely: a) demographic characteristics, b) economic variables and c) psychological factors. It was concluded that income is the most significant variable for saving. Furthermore, the results suggested that other statistically significant variables are marital status, educational level, type of employment and economic situation. In general, men are more likely to save money than women. Our analysis is based on the impact of uncertainty with regards to the consuming behavior and its increasing influence.
WHAT EmPIRICAL WORK CAN TELL US

One of the (many) riddles about language and its relation to thought is how is it possible that we can talk about things that we do not perceive directly. How are we able to communicate our thoughts about intangible, abstract notions such as love, friendship, importance, peace, justice or inflation? One of the possible explanations has been provided by what has been termed “Conceptual metaphor Theory” (henceforth, CmT1), championed by George Lakoff and mark Johnson. In their 1999 book, they propose that our ability to entertain abstract thoughts depends crucially on our ability to project information from concrete domains, from which we do have direct and grounded experiences (basically, sensorimotor information), onto abstract domains. Such abstract domains can in this way be re-structured and understood more easily. most of the evidence for the existence of this cognitive mechanism comes from linguistic grounds. Thus, and just to name a couple of examples, metaphors have proved extremely useful to explain issues such as the extension of meanings (i.e., polysemy) in our lexicon (Lakoff, 1987). Instead of a haphazard collection of senses, the lexicon can in this way be regarded as a motivated network in which many of the extensions from one sense to another are based on a metaphoric (or metonymic) link. metaphor and metonymy have also suggested very natural pathways for the diachronic evolution of the meaning of words (Sweetser, 1990) and even of grammatical constructions.
Central European Financial Markets from an EU Perspective, Theoretical Aspects and Statistical Analyses

Due to the fact that the European transition economies practically started from scratch in financial market development the size of financial markets in the CE-10 is significantly smaller with respect to GDP than in developed market economies. We can show by residual analysis that financial markets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia still need some restructuring. We also find that stock markets hardly contribute to economic prosperity, neither in the CE-10 nor in the EU.
A 7000 year record of paleohurricane activity from a coastal wetland in Belize

Sedimentary paleotempestological studies have documented that tropical cyclone activity levels in the North Atlantic have been characterized by significant fluctuations since at least the mid Holocene, with activity regimes typically lasting from several centuries to > 2000 years. These activity-level estimates are based on site-specific hurricane strike histories derived from proxy records of overwash events attributed to landfalling major hurricanes. Here we present a 7000 year composite record from two adjacent wetland sites in coastal Belize, Central America that records both tropical cyclone-generated storm surges and large precipitation events. Although overall sensitivity appears to decrease over time, this record displays clear evidence of continuous oscillation between distinctly different activity regimes, with active and quiet periods each covering ~ 50% of the record. Active periods occur during ~200–600 BP, 1450–2600 BP, 3200–4200 BP, 4750–5450 BP, 5750–6050 BP, and 6700–6900 BP. This activity pattern does not match regional records from the northern Gulf of Mexico, the northern Caribbean or the Atlantic coast of the USA, thereby supporting the view that activity patterns are temporally variable throughout the North Atlantic, and that hyperactivity does not occur simultaneously across the entire basin.
Audit Quality and Earnings Management among Nigerian Listed DepositMoney Banks

The incessant failure of Nigerian deposit money banks has raised queries on audit quality in the Nigerian banking sector. Hence, the study examined relationship between Audit Quality and Earnings Management in Nigerian listed deposit money banks. The study adopted a longitudinal research design and secondary data covering a period of 2005-2014 were collected. The population of the study comprised fifteen (15) deposit money banks listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 2016, out of which six (6) banks were randomly selected resulting in 60 observations. Panel data technique was employed, while fixed and random effects model were used for estimation. Descriptive Statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and simple pooled OLS regression analysis were used for analysis to determine possible link between the variables identified. The results of the study showed that a significant positive relationship existed between joint audit and earnings management (β1=1.054533; t=2.34; and p=0.0023 0.05). The study concluded that lengthy audit tenures were mechanisms adopted by banks’ managers to influence auditors’ objectivity in the course of audit assignment. Therefore, the study recommended that lengthy audit tenure be discouraged.
Assessment Of Cell Kinetics In The Tissues Of Brownbanded Bamboosharks (Chiloscyllium Punctatum) By Using Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) And Anti-Brdu Monoclonal Antibody

The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method has been used to assess the quantity of proliferative potential in organs and tissues in various mammals. For application of this method in fish, it was necessary to determine conditions that optimize the detection of the BrdU epitope. In the present investigation, we investigated the localization of proliferative cells as well as various conditions for detection of S-phase cells in the tissues of adult brownbanded bamboosharks by means of the BrdU immunohistochemical method. Our results demonstrated that BrdU-positive cells were satisfactorily demonstrated in the tissues of brownbanded bamboosharks treated with BrdU at a dose of 6 mg/kg or higher. However, there was no difference in BrdU reactivity between routes of administration, including intravenous, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injections. BrdU-incorporated cells were detected both in formalin-fixed and 70% ethanol-fixed tissues with enzymatic treatment and acid hydrolysis in the shark tissues, while formalin-and ethanol-fixed brownbanded bambooshark tissues that did not undergo the enzymatic procedure showed no BrdU reactive cells. Importantly, samples were quickly fixed in heated formalin solution and treated with 5N HCL and 0.01% Nagarase at 37 C for 30 seconds to one minute. In conclusion, the BrdU labeling method was useful in a cell kinetic study detecting S-shaped cells in sharks, as in other mammals. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(5):293-299). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Spatial and temporal dynamics of stream chemistry in a forested watershed impacted by atmospheric deposition

Spatial and temporal dynamics of stream chemistry in a forested watershed impacted by atmospheric deposition K. B. Piatek, S. F. Christopher, and M. J. Mitchell West Virginia University, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 6125, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA State University of New York, College at Buffalo, The Great Lakes Center, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA State University of New York, College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA Received: 11 August 2008 – Accepted: 11 August 2008 – Published: 8 September 2008 Correspondence to: K. B. Piatek (kathryn.piatek@mail.wvu.edu) Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
Proximal Gradient Algorithms: Applications in Signal Processing

Advances in numerical optimization have supported breakthroughs in several areas of signal processing. This paper focuses on the recent enhanced variants of the proximal gradient numerical optimization algorithm, which combine quasi-Newton methods with forward-adjoint oracles to tackle large-scale problems and reduce the computational burden of many applications. These proximal gradient algorithms are here described in an easy-to-understand way, illustrating how they are able to address a wide variety of problems arising in signal processing. A new high-level modeling language is presented which is used to demonstrate the versatility of the presented algorithms in a series of signal processing application examples such as sparse deconvolution, total variation denoising, audio de-clipping and others.
Contrasting feeding habits of post-larval and adult Astyanax cavefish

The subterranean environment is often described as “extreme” and food poor. Laboratory experiments have shown that blind Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus (De Filippi, 1853) cavefish are better at finding food in the dark than surface fish. Several morphological and behavioural attributes that could foster this obvious adaptive response to cave environments have been described. Nonetheless, it is currently unknown what young cavefish actually eat in their natural cave environment. Our results from the Pachon cave in Mexico during the dry and rainy season show that fry are efficient predators in their natural cave environment. Their primary food item is aquatic crustaceans. The guts of post-larval, pre-juvenile stage individuals (n=9) contained an average of 17.9 water fleas (Cladocera), copepods, ostracods, and isopods. Thus, the fry in this cave are well-fed. The Pachon cave environment does not appear to be “food poor” for juvenile cavefish. Food regimes change between post-larval and adult stages to become more dependent on partially decomposed material, guano, or detritus from the mud. We discuss the data with regards to our current developmental and genetic understanding of cavefish morphological and behavioural evolution, particularly regarding its enhanced Vibration Attraction Behaviour (VAB).
Personality and sociality in captive tigers (Panthera tigris)

Aims: In this study we assessed the personality and sociality of eight zoo tigers. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted over five months at Le Cornelle Faunistic Park (Valbrembo, BG, Italy). Methodology: A multifaceted approach of observer ratings (rating method) and keeper questionnaires (coding method) was used to produce personality profiles for each tiger. Focal animal behavioural observations allowed the production of time budgets and enclosure usage for each animal. Sociality was measured through Association Index, both for intraspecific (tiger-tiger) Original Research Article Pastorino et al.; ARRB, 21(2): 1-17, 2017; Article no.ARRB. 38122 2 and interspecific (keeper-tiger) dyads. Keeper Association Index and eventual tiger affiliative behavior towards keepers was measured during indoor interactions in the morning and in the evening at lock up and feeding times. Results: All the results outlined a distinct personality in each animal, different levels of intraspecific sociality and affiliative behavior towards each keeper. Conclusions: We advocate that this deeper understanding of each animal’s personality and behavior can offer practical help to zoological institutions to facilitate daily husbandry, animal welfare, tailor training or enrichment and ultimately increase reproductive success.
Investigation of the Solutions of Prizren-Kosovo Education Faculty Teachers Mathematics Problems

The aim of the study was to examination of mathematical problem-solving skills and to determine the relationship of between problem posing and problem-solving skills of teacher trainees in Prizren “Ukshin Hoti” University, Faculty of Education in Kosovo. The results of this study are important because there is no a similar work in teacher training in Kosovo. For this aim, the case studies, qualitative research (case study), model was used. The research at the state Prizren “Ukshin Hoti” University has been established by Turkish Teacher trainers. These teachers’ group was selected as a working group. The classroom teacher department NCT=26, Pre-school teacher department NPST=27 and physics-chemistry teacher department NPCT=12 teacher trainees were participated. The total number of trainers was 65. The data were collected by semi-structured interview form and worksheets in this study. Rubrik and descriptive statistics were used as an analyzing instrument. In conclusion, the levels of problem-solving skills of teacher trainees have been determined and recommendations for the development of these levels have been included. Key words: Worksheets, Teacher Trainees, Problem Solving, Problem-Solving Skills, Problem Posing.
EFFECT OF IRRADIATION AND HEAT TREATMENTS ON THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SIWI DATE FRUIT (PHOENIS DACTYLIFERA L.)

The present work was carried out to improve the quality and the shelf-life of Siwi date fruit during storage time using irradiation and heat treatments, and investigate the effect of these treatments on the physical and chemical properties of the Siwi date fruit. Results showed that control dates samples (without treatments) contained 18.74% moisture, 1.72% crude protein, 1.21% fat, 2.62% crude fiber and 2.05% ash while in the irradiated date samples, the average percent contents were 17.65 moisture, 1.65 crued protein, 1.19 fats, 2.58 fibers and 1.97% ash. On the other hand, the results showed that the date fruit treated with heat had 19.48% moisture, 1.61% protein, 1.140% fat, 2.55% fiber and 1.99% ash. The results indicated that the moisture content of the control date samples decreased from 18.74 to 11.35% over a 9-month of storage while it decreased from 19.48 to 12.68% and from 17.65 to 11.82 over 9-months of storage for the heat treatment and irradiated samples, respectively. The results also showed that, during the storage period (9-months), the protein contents decreased from 1.72 to 0.80% for control; from 1.61 to 0.782% for heat treated samples and from 1. 65 to 0.80% for irradiated samples. In our study, all essential and non-essential amino acids increased sharply after the heat and irradiation treatments, compared with the control samples. The most affected amino acid appeared to be Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Serine and Tyrosine. The results demonstrated that the heat treatment samples had lower Valine content than the control and the irradiated sample. These results suggest that irradiation of Siwi date fruit at doses up to 1kGy could be used as alternative method for improving fruit quality, as well as prolonging the marketable period of date fruit.
On the contribution of thermal excitation to the total 630.0 nm emissions in the northern cusp ionosphere

Direct impact excitation by precipitating electrons is believed to be the main source of 630.0 nm emissions in the cusp ionosphere. However, this paper investigates a different source, 630.0 emissions caused by thermally excited atomic oxygen O(1D) when high electron temperature prevail in the cusp. On 22 January 2012 and 14 January 2013, the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT) radar on Svalbard measured electron temperature enhancements exceeding 3000 K near magnetic noon in the cusp ionosphere over Svalbard. The electron temperature enhancements corresponded to electron density enhancements exceeding 1011 m−3 accompanied by intense 630.0 nm emissions in a field of view common to both the EISCAT Svalbard radar and a meridian scanning photometer. This offered an excellent opportunity to investigate the role of thermally excited O(1D) 630.0 nm emissions in the cusp ionosphere. The thermal component was derived from the EISCAT Radar measurements and compared with optical data. For both events the calculated thermal component had a correlation coefficient greater than 0.8 to the total observed 630.0 nm intensity which contains both thermal and particle impact components. Despite fairly constant solar wind, the calculated thermal component intensity fluctuated possibly due to dayside transients in the aurora.
Note, Cut and Strike Detection for Traditional Irish Flute Recordings

This paper addresses the topic of note, cut and strike detection inIrish traditional music (ITM). In order to do this we first evaluate state of the art onset detection methods for identifying note boundaries. Our method utilises the results from manually and automatically segmented flute recordings. We then demonstrate how this information may be utilised for the detection of notes and single note articulations idiomatic of this genre for the purposes of player style identification. Results for manually annotated onsets achieve 86%, 70% and 74% accuracies for note, cut and strike classification respectively. Results for automatically segmented recordings are considerably, lower therefore we perform an analysis of the onset detection results per event class to establish which musical patterns contain the most errors.
Taxation and Balance of Payments in Nigeria (1970 - 2008)

This paper examines the implication of using taxation to manage the Nigerian Economy and the influence of such measure on macroeconomic aggregates, especially balance of payments over the period 1970 - 2008. The analysis was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method was used for the estimations. Our findings indicate that the historical trends in balance of payments showed no significant response to tax policy. A positive relationship between tax policy and balance of payments was obtained, which is in line with the theory, but with insignificant coefficient. Further, we found that taxation was not effective in tackling balance of payments problems in the economy during the period of study largely because of inconsistency in the use of tax measures. Among other recommendations, the paper submits that Nigeria should apply tax measures much more carefully than was observed over the period studied.