Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forest Area, Fragmentation, and Loss in the Eastern Arc Mountains: Implications For the Conservation of Biological Diversity

ABSTRACT An understanding of forest area, fragmentation and loss is central to developing strategies to conserve biological diversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains. Using recent 1:250,000 land cover and use maps (Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, 1996) and 1:250,000 and 1:500,000 topographic maps, I examine natural forest area, fragmentation, and loss in the Eastern Arc Mountains. I estimate the maximum total area of natural forest, open as well as closed forest, in the Eastern Arc Mountains is 5,340 km2. The remaining natural forest in the Eastern Arc Mountains is highly fragmented. The median patch size is 10.2 km2, and the mean patch size is 58.0 km2. Based upon the estimates of various workers, approximately 1,447 km2 of closed forest remains in the Eastern Arc Mountains or 27 % of the remaining natural forest. Comparisons of the current to prehistoric forest cover suggest that 77 % of the original forest has been lost over the last approximately 2,000 years.
Transient Elastography and Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) in the Assessment of Liver Steatosis in Severe Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Some noninvasive techniques have been used to quantify liver fat, such as the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Objective: To evaluate CAP as a tool to identify liver steatosis and its relationship with different clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters in a group of patients with severe adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), and to compare the evolution of metabolic profiles after 6 months of human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement therapy in a subgroup of patients. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study at baseline of naive rhGH multiple pituitary hormonal deficiency (MPHD) hypopituitarism patients. A 6-month intervention clinical trial in a selected group of a non-randomized, non-controlled cohort was also applied. Results: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was normal in severe AGHD patients. CAP evaluation showed steatosis in 36.3% of baseline patients (8/22), associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, insulin, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. According to steatosis degree by CAP, child-onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) was graded as 68.75% (11/16) S0, 12.5% (2/16) S1, and 18.75% (3/16) S3, whereas AO-GHD was graded as 50% (3/6) S0, 16.66% (1/6) S2, and 33.33% S3. After 6 months of hrGH replacement, CAP measurements did not change significantly, neither on group without hepatic steatosis at baseline (194.4 ± 24.3 vs. 215.4 ± 51.3; p = 0.267) nor on the group with hepatic steatosis (297.2 ± 32.3 vs. 276.4 ± 27.8; p = 0.082). A significant improvement of body composition was observed only in the first group. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the importance of CAP as a non-invasive tool in the liver steatosis identification on hypopituitary patients. This method may be an important indicator of the severity of metabolic disorders in MPHD patients. In our study, no liver health modification in LSM at baseline or after 6 months of rhGH replacement was found. Longer studies can help to establish the potential repercussions of growth hormone replacement therapy on liver steatosis.
A stable money demand: Looking for the right monetary aggregate

A money demand relationship with M1 as the monetary aggregate holds very well until the mid-1980s but not well after that. This could be because the demand for money is not a stable relationship. The authors' conclusion is that the measure of money is not a stable measure. Technological innovation and changes in regulatory practices in the past two decades have made other monetary aggregates as liquid as M1. Once an appropriately adjusted measure of money is taken into consideration, the stability of money demand is recovered.
Age of Transplant and Row Spacing Effects on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Two field experiments were conducted for two years (2013 and 2014) at the Multipurpose crop nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-campus from May to September to evaluate the effect of three transplanting ages (30, 37 and 44 days) and four row spacing (30 x 30 cm, 40 x 30 cm, 50 x 30 cm and 60 x 30cm) on growth, yield and yield components of pepper. The experimental design used was a 3 x 4 factorial in randomized complete block design with three replicates for both experiments. The results showed that 44 aged transplants had the highest yield during the 2013 cropping season, tallest plant in both cropping seasons, highest number of branches and canopy width for the entire 2014 cropping season. The 30 aged transplants differed significantly from the other aged transplants in number of fruits per plant and widest fruit diameter during the 2013 cropping season. The 40 x 30 cm row spacing had the tallest plant and highest number of branches from 8 to 10 weeks after transplanting in both cropping seasons. The 30 x 30 cm row spacing differed significantly from the 50 x 30 cm and 60 x 30 cm row spacing in fruit yield during the 2013 cropping season. The 60 x 30 cm row spacing had the longest fruit length and the heaviest fruit weight per plant during the 2013 cropping season. It is concluded that for high fruit yield, farmers are to transplant pepper seedlings at 44 days using 30 x 30 cm row spacing.
A Pooled Mean Group Estimation on ICT Infrastructure and Economic Growth in ASEAN-5 Countries

This study empirically investigates the effects of infrastructures for information and communications technologies (ICT) on economic growth in selected ASEAN countries over the period 1980–2010. The studies of ICT infrastructure have received much attention in recent literature for its potential contribution towards growth and productivity. However, there is little empirical evidence on the effects of ICT infrastructure on growth performance, particularly for ASEAN countries. This study examines recent data using the pooled mean group estimator (PMGE). The availability of ICT infrastructure is captured by the number of subscriptions for both fixed line and mobile phone, the number of telephone lines, the number of mobile cellular subscriptions and the number of internet users. Empirical results show statistically significant positive correlations for all four variables. This study concludes that ICT infrastructure is a key driver of ASEAN economic growth.
Children Composing 4-14

1.Children's music 2.Children and composing 3.Listening to children's music 4.Music-making in the early years 5.Composing: the watershed 6.Composing pathways: children aged 8-12 7.Musical style: children aged 10-14 8.Composers in education 9.Composing in schools
SOMACLONAL VARIATION IN SUGARCANE THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE AND SUBSEQUENT SCREENING FOR MOLECULAR POLYMORPHISMS

Sugarcane plants of cv. Ph8013, G98/28, G98/24 and GT54-C9 were used for somaclonal variation induction using the spindle leaves as ex-plants. The used varieties differed according to the vegetative traits, juice quality and their similarity index. The effect of five concentrations from 2,4-D and three concentrations of coconut water were examined for the somatic embryogenesis induction. The 2, 4-D was applied at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/l in combination with 0, 5 and 10 g/l coconut water. Also, the effect of using NAA at five concentrations i.e. 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 mg/l in combination with five concentrations of sucrose i.e. 20, 30, 40 50 and 60 g/l were examined to obtain the highest root and shoot elongation. The obtained results indicated the different responses of studied varieties with the different treatments of 2,4-D and coconut water. The varieties gave the highest callus induction percentage and somatic embryogenesis callus induction percentage with different concentrations of 2, 4-D in range between 2 - 4 mg/l. Lowering 2, 4-D to 1 mg/l enhanced the embryos development. On the other hand, all the varieties responded to 7 mg/l NAA but differ with the sucrose concentrations, they ranged between 40, 50 and 60 g/l. Molecular genetic studies were done to assess the somaclonal variation induced through tissue culture compared to the parental varieties. Five out of six primers succeeded in amplifying DNA fragments. Tissue culture was thus responsible for the generation of new variability, since an increase in the rate of molecular polymorphism was observed. Twenty eight out of 46 loci were found to be polymorphic in the regenerated genotypes. Similarity index (as percentage) based on RAPD-PCR analysis using UPGMA computer analysis between the regenerated varieties and their parental lines Phil. 8013, G98-28 and G98-24 were 84%, 85% and 88% respectively, which indicated the induction of mutation via somaclonal variation through tissue culture. The consensus tree was developed based on the banding patterns of the four varieties and their three regenerated genotypes using SPSS statistical analysis program to study the genetic relationships among these genotypes at the molecular level. The results confirmed that in vitro culture of the sugarcane is very efficient and has tremendous potential for producing novel and useful varieties.
TAXONOMIC INFLATION AND BODY MASS DISTRIBUTIONS IN NORTH AMERICAN FOSSIL MAMMALS

Abstract Body mass distributions of mammalian species are a major focus of macroecological and macroevolutionary studies. However, these distributions may be obscured by taxonomic error, just like any other aspect of biodiversity. The key problem with taxonomy is that many currently used names are synonyms of each other or are biologically indeterminate. This article reassesses body mass patterns in the fossil record of North American mammals using the recently developed flux ratio method for estimating the underlying proportion of invalid names. Current name quality varies very strongly with body mass: small species names are highly unreliable, but names of large species have been evaluated thoroughly. The main reason is that there has been a dramatic fall through historical time in the average size of described species. Hence, there simply has not been enough time yet to reevaluate the names of most small species. This bias only accentuates the previously described bimodal diversity distribution for North American mammals, which suggests the existence of dual body mass optima—so not all evolutionary lineages converge on 100 g. The historical shift in the underlying quality and body mass of newly described species also differentially affects our picture of biodiversity in major taxonomic groups. On the one hand, ungulate and carnivoran names are much more likely to be invalid in the 1st place than are rodent and insectivoran names. On the other hand, most of the invalid names for large mammals already have been identified, but this is not true for the small-mammal groups. Therefore, the most fruitful strategy for future taxonomic research would be to focus on small- and medium-sized mammals.
An investigation of the bacterial flora causing spoilage of fishes at board fish market, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Bacterial flora from the epidermis of different species of carp fishes were isolated and identified as potential causes of spoilage of fish at Board fish market, Peshawar, Pakistan from November to December, 2013. Nutrient agar medium was used for mixed culture of bacteria. Other selective media, such as MacConkey agar, Blood agar medium, EMB medium, Pseudomonas medium and Mannitole salt agar medium were used for culture and identification of specific bacteria. Five bacterial groups that are pathogenic to humans (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli) were reported to reside on the fish epidermis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from Labeo rohita, Tor putitora, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Wallago attu, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio. Staphylococcus epidermidis was also found on the epidermis of Labeo rohita and Wallago attu. Bacillus species like E. coli, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella spp. were isolated from the epidermis of Maha Sher (Tor putitora), Silver carp (Hypohthalmichthys molitrix), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Malli (Wallago attu), Gulfam (Cyprinus carpio) and Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Harvesting, handling, transportation and storage of local market fish should be performed hygienically to reduce the risk of spoilage.
The heterogeneity of default costs: Evidence from recent sovereign debt crises

This paper examines the costs of recent sovereign defaults using synthetic control methods, a novel econometric technique based on comparative case studies. Evidence on the e ects of debt crises is thus presented on a case-by-case basis, uncovering large variations in country-speci c experiences. Our estimates of cumulated output losses, e.g., range between 8.5% and 23% depending on the considered default episode. Further di erences concern the persistence and likely causes of these costs. In particular, our results are consistent with the selective use of direct trade sanctions as punishment for sovereign defaults.
Entrepreneurial intentions of Tshwane University of Technology, Arts and Design students

Despite a high unemployment rate and the unique capabilities that the Arts and Creative industry can be of value to South Africa by stimulating job creation, Arts graduates are still reluctant to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option, even in an environment of high job scarcity. Thus, the need to develop and transform university Arts graduates into self-sustaining entrepreneurs is more urgent than ever. It is therefore important to know what drives students’ decision towards self-employment, especially in a University of Technology perspective. This descriptive survey design will utilise an adapted measure based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. A sample of 150 graduates from the Arts and Design graduates took part in the study and data collected were analysed using structural equation modelling (sem). The results indicated that subjective norm is an insignificant predictor of entrepreneurial intention compared to attitudes towards entrepreneurial behaviour and perceived entrepreneurial abilities. Attitude towards entrepreneurship as a career option and perceived entrepreneurial abilities of students’ both positively influence entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, to positively influence Arts students’ intention to become entrepreneurs, it is necessary to change their attitude towards entrepreneurship whilst increasing their entrepreneurial abilities. Future research is recommended to fully evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education subject components’ impact on students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship, perceived entrepreneurial abilities and entrepreneurial intentions. Key words: Arts and creative industries, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intentions, subjective norm.
Effects of Thrombus Aspiration Catheter Combined with Atorvastatinin Reducing No-Reflow Phenomenon in Emergency PercutaneousCoronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: To explore therapeutic effects of thrombus aspiration catheter (TAC) combined with atorvastatin in reducing no-reflow in emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 126 AMI patients from January 2012 to June 2014 undergoing PCI but with slow flow or no-reflow were chosen as the study participants and divided into atorvastatin group and control group, each with 63 cases. The atorvastatin group received TAC treatment combined with atorvastatin while the control group received standard PCI treatment. Clinical records were then collected and analysed, including plasma high sensitive c-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and soluble cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and serum pro B type natriuretic peptide (Pro-BNP). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow, heart function parameters and conditions of prognosis were also detected. Results: Preoperative and 24 h postoperative plasma Hs-CRP and sICAM-1 levels, and postoperative serum Pro-BNP level were lower in the atorvastatin group than those in the control group (all P 50% were higher, while creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CKMB) peak value, CKMB peak time, and occurrence rates of IRA no-reflow/slow flow and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) were lower in the atorvastatin group than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: TAC combined with atorvastatin in the treatment of AMI patients after emergency PCI is safe, effective and worthy of clinical application.
Social Attention and Emotional Responsiveness in Young Adults With Autism

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are generally characterized by marked impairments in processing of social emotional information, but less is known about emotion processing in adults with the disorder. This study aimed to address this by collecting data on social attention (eye tracking), emotional arousal (skin conductance level, SCL), and emotional awareness (self-report) in a paradigm with social emotional video clips. Fifty-two young, intelligent adults with ASD (IQrange = 88–130, Agerange = 18–24) and 31 typically developing (TD) ASD (IQrange = 94–139, Agerange = 19–28) gender matched controls participated and reported on severity of autism symptoms [Social Responsiveness Scale for Adults (SRS-A)]. Results showed no group difference in social attention, while autism symptom severity was related to decreased attention to faces across participants (r = −.32). Average SCL was lower in the ASD group, but no group difference in arousal reactivity (change from baseline to emotional phases) was detected. Lower SCL during video clips was related to autism symptom severity across participants (r = −.29). ASD individuals reported lower emotional awareness. We conclude that, even though no deviations in social attention or emotional reactivity were found in ASD, an overall lower level of social attention and arousal may help explain difficulties in social functioning in ASD.
Epidemiological And Biochemical Studies Of Human Lymphatic Filariasis And Associated Parasitoses In Oguta, Southeastern Nigeria

Possible organ infections associated with human filariasis, helminthiasis and malaria in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria were investigated. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected in appropriate containers from 200 male and female respondents aged 31 – 85 years. Parasitological studies were carried out on blood samples for malaria and/or microfilariae parasites while stool samples were tested for the presence of some intestinal parasites. The study showed a prevalence of intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica), Wuchereria bancrofti, the intestinal helminthes Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworms. Biochemical parameters of liver integrity were also studied across the various infection cohorts among the respondents. Results obtained show that these parasitic infections depressed the hematological parameters relative to ‘normal’ respondents. Comparative biochemical analyses showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in some liver function parameters obtained for infected respondents relative to those not infected. There was also a positive correlation between age brackets with highest filarial infection (with no malarial co infection) and age groups with elevated markers of liver dysfunction. This study can be of immense diagnostic value in the clinical management of the filariases especially in malaria-endemic and resource-poor areas. Key words: Filariasis, co-parasitoses, Nigeria, prevalence patterns, liver dysfunction.
Genetic evaluation for milkabilty using subjective and measured observations in Italian dual purpose Simmental cows

In italian Simmental milking speed is a very important trait. Nowadays milking speed is taken into account in italian Simmental selection index (IDA) with an economic weight of 7.5%. Since early '90s this trait is recorded as farmer's score collected by type classifiers. Recently, in order to get more reliable bulls proofs, italian Simmental breed organization(ANAPRI) started to collect also measured data on progeny-test bulls daughters and on bull's mothers. Therefore, milk recording agencies have been asked to collect also Total Milking Time (TMT) during official milk recording test-days. Milk flow (kg/m) i.e. ratio between milk yield by TMT, was analyzed. A bi-trait Blup Animal Model analysis has been developed estimating genetic parameters. Heritabilities were . 15 and . 20 respectively for farmer's score and milk flow. Genetic correlation between these two traits was high (.83). Breeding values have been also estimated for entire population observing a slightly favourable genetic trend. Pretty good correlations have been also observed between proofs of bulls evaluated also in other countries (Germany-Austria-France). ___________________________________________________________________________
Dynamics of large Ar cluster bombardment of organic solids

Molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to investigate the ejection process of molecules from a benzene crystal bombarded with keV large Ar clusters. The effect of projectile size, the kinetic energy and the impact angle on the sputtering efficiency is investigated. The results show that although the sputtering yield depends on all projectile parameters, this dependence can be greatly simplified if the sputtering yield per projectile nucleon is expressed as a function of projectile kinetic energy per nucleon. A different dependence of the total sputtering yield on the impact angle has been observed for small and large projectiles. This effect is attributed to a ‘washing out’ mechanism. For large projectiles most of the organic molecules are ejected by gentle collective action of argon atoms. Proper selection of the projectile parameters allows for achieving conditions where only intact molecules are emitted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Entrepreneurial Intentions and Attitudes Towards Plagiarism

Much of the existing research highlights the prosocial side of entrepreneurship, but various studies suggest that entrepreneurship is not always productive. Furthermore, there is some empirical evidence suggesting that young people who break the rules are more likely to become entrepreneurs in the future. However, to date relatively little research interest has been devoted to the negative side of entrepreneurship. This study contributes to fill this gap by focusing on the association between students’ intentions to become an entrepreneur and their attitudes towards plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of deviant behavior frequent among students, and its perpetration involves risk-taking and the pursuit of gains, which are also present in entrepreneurship. A questionnaire was developed to assess the factors under analysis and the results of data collected from a Portuguese sample suggest a statistically significant positive relationship between students’ intentions to become an entrepreneur and their attitudes towards plagiarism.
Thermal and Dimensional Stability of NBS-catalyzed AcetylatedRice Husks

Rice husks have been treated by acetylation for use as oil spill sorbents. The thermal and dimensional stabilities have been presented and discussed in this study. The thermal degradation studies were carried out within the temperature range of 26-600oC. Weight loss as a result of degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin was used to investigate the stability of the acetylated products. The dimensional stability was tested at 26oC and was found to increase by 35.57%. The results indicated that acetylation leads to a decrease in thermal stability and consequently an increase in the dimensional stability of the rice husks