Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Development, Institutional Quality and Economic Growth: Evidence from ECOWAS Countries

Most of the literature that explored the relationship between financial development and economic growth taking into consideration the roles played by institutional quality in the ECOWAS region still debates on the roles of institutional quality on economic growth. This study used data from 1996-2017 for 15 emerging economies within the ECOWAS by applying two-step SYS GMM (SGMM) estimators. The following conclusions were developed: first, the study discovered that financial development has no significant and positive impact on economic growth in the ECOWAS region. Secondly, regulatory quality and control of corruption, which are considered as institutional quality variables, have opposing results with control of corruption reducing growth as well as regulatory quality variable increasing growth. Again, the results indicate that capital formation has a positive association with growth and labor force influencing growth negatively. Finally, due to a lack of proper corruption control systems in the region and poor financial sector development, growth cannot improve.
Empirical search for neural correlates of cognitive subcomponents in different shifting tasks

We aimed to contrast cognitive subcomponents in three different shifting tasks combined in a single positron emission tomography study. The three tasks differed according to various aspects, such as their predictability and their (endogenous or exogenous) cueing. A conjunction analysis reproduced a previously reported common activation in the middle portion of the right intraparietal sulcus (IPS), related to attentional processes involved in many executive tasks. We then used simple subtractions/interaction analyses and plots of parameter estimates, looking for brain activation that could empirically be related to a specific cognitive subcomponent intervening in only two of the three tasks. Predictable cued shifting between stimuli for verbal categorization and unpredictable exogenously cued shifting between local and global features of Navon figures (but not the endogenously controlled arithmetic task) recruited the medial bank of the left IPS, involved when shifting between stimuli was conditional upon external cue-target association. The empirical study is consistent with hypothesis-driven reports and shows consistent neural correlate of a non-specific but useful cue-target association that intervenes in different shifting tasks.
Fungi as biological control agents of arthropods of agricultural and medical importance

SUMMARY There are many species of fungi attacking terrestrial and aquatic insects of agricultural and medical importance. Of these, few species have received much attention with a view to their use as biological control agents. The mechanisms of infection have been comparatively well studied, although many questions remain to be answered. The knowledge so far obtained has shed some light on the reasons for host specificity. Temperature, above all relative humidity, and their interactions are the most important physical factors influencing infection of terrestrial insects by entomopathogenic fungi and these are discussed in relation to epizootiological events. In aquatic environments, temperature, salinity and organic pollution are the important factors. In addition to these physical factors, numerous biotic factors at the level of the insect and the fungal pathogen influence both infection and spread of disease in insect populations. The complexity of the interactions of the biotic and abiotic factors makes it extremely difficult to study the influence of any one of these. Virulence of fungal pathogens and its measurement are discussed, together with the shortcomings of present bioassay systems; virtually no laboratory bioassay system exists which has been designed to yield data meaningful in the field. Mass-production techniques are described as are their inherent problems and those of formulation and storage. Finally, the achievements of fungal control of insects in the field are reviewed. Thus far, several species are mass-produced and are in widespread use, two of which, Verticillium lecanii and Hirsutella thompsonii, have been commercialized. More studies, ecological, fundamental and developmental are required in this field to realize fully the potential of other candidate fungi.
Fatty-Acid Composition of Mycoplasma Lipids: Biomembrane with Only One Fatty Acid

Mycoplasma strain Y grew well when elaidate was the only fatty acid added to the medium, and this acid then comprised over 97 percent of the lipid fatty acids. It also grew well when elaidate was supplied together with any one of a series of straight-chain saturated fatty acids, and the lipids then contained both in approximately equimolar proportions. The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid remained constant.
Winners and Losers from COVID-19 Global Evidence from Google Search

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
Error Modeling in Distribution Network State Estimation Using RBF-Based Artificial Neural Network

State estimation is essential to access observable network models for online monitoring and analyzing of power systems. Due to the integration of distributed energy resources and new technologies, state estimation in distribution systems would be necessary. However, accurate input data are essential for an accurate estimation along with knowledge on the possible correlation between the real and pseudo measurements data. This study presents a new approach to model errors for the distribution system state estimation purpose. In this paper, pseudo measurements are generated using a couple of real measurements data by means of the artificial neural network method. In the proposed method, the radial basis function network with the Gaussian kernel is also implemented to decompose pseudo measurements into several components. The robustness of the proposed error modeling method is assessed on IEEE 123-bus distribution test system where the problem is optimized by the imperialist competitive algorithm. The results evidence that the proposed method causes to increase in detachment accuracy of error components which results in presenting higher quality output in the distribution state estimation.
Geophagy by large mammals at natural licks in the rain forest of the Dzanga National Park, Central African Republic

Geophagy (soil eating) by the forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) and other mammal species in the Dzanga National Park, Central African Republic, has led to large treeless licks. The geological and physical properties of these licks were studied and the chemical characteristics and particle sizes of geophagical lick soils were compared with soils from the forest and from licks where evidence of geophagy was absent. Average lick size of 20 licks in the Hokou lick area was 12,900 m2 (SE = 3,400 m2). Licks were situated exclusively in areas of outcropping dolerite intrusions. Physico-chemical analysis of the geophagical lick soil showed significantly higher quantities of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and clay compared with the other soils. Several samples of the geophagical lick soil had lower nutrient levels than the mean level of forest topsoil, indicating that nutrient supplementation is probably not the only reason for geophagy. The high clay content of the geophagical soil may help absorbing and combating secondary plant compounds. Pronounced geophagy in rainforests may be a sign for poor habitat quality for large mammals living in these ecosystems.
A Phylogenetic Analysis of Epilobium (Onagraceae) Based on Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Sequences

The internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S cistron of nuclear ribosomal DNA were sequenced from 22 species of Epilobium and two outgroups. Phylogenies were inferred from the sequences using parsimony, neighbor-joining, maximum-likelihood, and compatibility analysis. With parsimony we explored the effect of different weights for insertions/deletions (indels) vs. substitutions, coding vs. non-coding regions, transitions vs. transversions, and a posteriori character reweighting. Section Chamaenerion was found to be sister to the rest of the genus. The remainder of Epilobium fell into two main clades: 1) sect. Epilobium, and 2) the "xerophytic" clade, which comprises the remaining six sections. The unusual species E. rigidum (sect. Epilobium) had an uncertain position, appearing either at the base of sect. Epilobium, the base of the "xerophytic" clade, or as sister to the entire genus except sect. Chamaenerion. Within the "xerophytic" clade, relationships were incompletely resolved but a monophyletic group consisting of the annual sects. Boisduvalia and Currania (both formerly constituting the genus Boisduvalia) and the perennial, hummingbird- pollinated sect. Zauschneria was supported. The molecular phylogeny is compatible with some important independent characters and is useful for interpreting morphological and cytological evolution in Epilobium.
Nucleotide sequence: the β-hemolysin gene of Staphylococcus aureus

We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of the Staphylococcus aureus f- hemolysin gene (hlb). The hlb gene, located on a 4kb ClaI fragment, contains 330 amino acids having a predicted molecular weight of 39kd. The amino acid composition of the predicted 39kd protein is in agreement with the data of Bemheimer et al. (1) and Fackrell (2), and the restriction map of the nucleotide sequence corresponds to the data of Coleman et al. (3). We note that, at the amino acid level, there is a 55.7% similarity over 200 residues between the Hlb protein and a sphingomyelinase of Bacillus cereus. (4).
Estimation Model of labor Time at the Information Security Audit and Standardization of Audit Work by Probabilistic Risk Assessment

— Based on the factors that are available at the initial phase of the audit task, this paper proposes a labor time estimation method for the information security audit in the form of formula, statistically analyzing the data of the past 20 cases. Initially, audit mode, operation mode, penetration degree, and company size are considered to be the factors that could influence the labor time, and thus the “quantitative analysis I” is conducted with these factors. However the results were not sufficiently positive. As a result, by dividing audit mode into regular and emergency audit and by using company size as the factor, labor time estimation formula has been established by means of the regression analysis. Compared to regular audit, it is found that emergency audit takes more labor time at information security audit. We try to investigate this factor by probabilistic risk assessment.
The phylogeny of Tetanurae (Dinosauria: Theropoda)

Tetanuran theropods represent the majority of Mesozoic predatory dinosaur diversity and the lineage leading to extant Aves. Thus their history is relevant to understanding the evolution of dinosaur diversity, Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems, and modern birds. Previously, the fragmentary and poorly sampled fossil record of basal (non-coelurosaur) tetanurans led to uncertainties regarding their basic interrelationships. This in turn prevented determining the relationships of many incompletely known taxa that nonetheless document a global radiation spanning more than 120 million years. We undertook an exhaustive examination of all basal tetanurans and all existing character data, taking advantage of recent discoveries and adding new morphological, temporal and geographic data. Our cladistic analysis of 61 taxa achieved significantly improved phylogenetic resolution. These results position several ‘stem’ taxa basal to a succession of monophyletic clades (Megalosauroidea, Allosauroidea and Coelurosauria). Megalosauroids include nearly 20 taxa arrayed amongst a basalmost clade (Piatnitzkysauridae, fam. nov.) and the sister taxa Spinosauridae and Megalosauridae; the latter includes two subfamilies, Megalosaurinae and Afrovenatorinae subfam. nov. Allosauroidea contains a diverse Metriacanthosauridae (= Sinraptoridae), Neovenatoridae, Carcharodontosauridae and a reduced Allosauridae. Finally, we assessed more than 40 fragmentary forms and hundreds of additional reported tetanuran occurrences. Tetanuran evolution was characterized by repeated acquisitions of giant body size and at least two general skull forms, but few variations in locomotor morphology. Despite parallel diversification of multiple lineages, there is evidence for a succession of ‘dominant’ clades. Tetanurae first appeared by the Early Jurassic and was globally distributed by the Middle Jurassic. Several major clades appeared prior to the breakup of Pangaea; as such their absence in specific regions, and at later times, must be due to poor sampling, dispersal failure and/or regional extinction. Finally, we outline a general perspective on Mesozoic terrestrial biogeography that should apply to most clades that appeared before the Late Jurassic.
DEGENERATION OF GANGLION CELL FOLLOWING AXONAL INJURY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Degeneration of the ganglion cell invariably follows serious injury to the axon. In order to determine the progress and end-results of such degeneration, the present study was carried out. Degenerative changes in a nerve cell, following injury to its axon, were described by Nissl 1 in 1892. In tissues fixed with alcohol and stained by a methylene blue (methylthionine chloride, U. S. P.) and soap method, definite alterations were found within the nerve cells of the facial nucleus as early as twenty-four hours after evulsion of the facial nerve. These changes were manifested in progressive disintegration of the chromatin material in the cytoplasm (Nissl bodies) and in migration of the nucleus to the periphery of the cell. This process was designated as chromatolysis. Nissl believed that the majority of cells slowly recovered, and that, after fifty or sixty days, such cells could be distinguished from normal cells only with
Mineral nutrition of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus(L.): a comparison of wild and cultured stock

The macro and trace mineral composition of vertebrae and muscle in wild and cultured haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus was determined. Results indicated that haddock deposit c. 10% higher amounts of mineral than salmonids. Based on distribution between the analysed tissues as well as concentration differences, the minerals in wild and cultured haddock were divided into four categories: (1) As, Mn, Na, S and Zn concentration did not show any significant (P > 0·05) variation in both muscle and vertebrae; (2) Cr, Co, Mg. Mo and Si concentrations in wild and culture stocks muscle did not vary but vertebrae concentration showed significant differences (P < 0·05); (3) Ca and Cu concentration varied in muscle while remaining the same in vertebrae; (4) Al, Ba, Fe, P, K and Sr concentration showed a significant difference in both muscle and vertebrae. Vertebrae P content of cultured haddock was lower than that of wild fish whereas muscle P content was relatively high in cultured fish. Vertebrae and muscle Fe content of cultured haddock was significantly higher than in wild fish. The Mg. K, Co and Cr concentrations in vertebrae were significantly higher in wild haddock than in cultured fish. whereas Mo and Al levels were low. These differences in trace element composition of wild and cultured haddock were probably related to differences in food source and therefore the mineral composition of the diet. The nutritional significance of these findings is discussed.
Habitat‐based statistical models for predicting the spatial distribution of butterflies and day‐flying moths in a fragmented landscape

1. Most species’ surveys and biodiversity inventories are limited by time and money. Therefore, it would be extremely useful to develop predictive models of animal distributions based on habitat, and to use these models to estimate species' densities and range sizes in poorly sampled regions. 2. In this study, two sets of data were collected. The first set consisted of over 2000 butterfly transect counts, which were used to determine the relative density of each species in 16 major habitat types in a 35-km2 area of fragmented landscape in north-west Wales. For the second set of data, the area was divided into 140 cells using a 500-m grid, and the extent of each habitat and the presence or absence of each butterfly and moth species was determined for each cell. 3. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between species’ distribution and predicted density, based on habitat extent, in each grid square. The resultant models were used to predict butterfly distributions and occupancy at a range of spatial scales. 4. Using a jack-knife procedure, our models successfully reclassified the presence or absence of species in a high percentage of grid squares (mean 83% agreement). There were highly significant relationships between the modelled probability of species occurring at regional and local scales and the number of grid squares occupied at those scales. 5. We conclude that basic habitat data can be used to predict insect distributions and relative densities reasonably well within a fragmented landscape. It remains to be seen how accurate these predictions will be over a wider area.
Performance of Larval and Postlarval Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), Fed Two Commercial Liquid Diet Supplements

Abstract Two commercial liquid diet supplements were evaluated as a partial replacement for live foods fed to larval and postlarval Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were stocked in 20-L buckets at a density of 113 shrimp/L and fed one of four diets (5 replicate buckets per diet): (1) a control diet consisting of the diatom, Chaetoceros neogracile, and live Artemia; (2) the control diet plus Treflan (a fungicide); (3) LiquaLife liquid larval diet supplements with reduced concentrations of C. neogracile and Artemia; and (4) Epifeed liquid larval diet supplements with reduced concentrations of Artemia. Diets were evaluated by comparing shrimp rostro-caudal length and survival to PL-8, survival to osmotic and pH stress, as well as shrimp gut fullness, gut lipid content, and fouling. Rostro-caudal length and survival to PL-8 were not significantly different among the four treatments. However, mean survival to PL-8 was 12-34% greater in the Epifeed treatment than in the other three treatments. Shrimp fed Epifeed exhibited greater survival (P < 0.05) when exposed to 7 ppt water for two hours than shrimp in the control treatments. In contrast, there was no significant difference in survival (P > 0.05) among the four treatments when shrimp were exposed to apH of 3.35 for two hours. Although shrimp fed liquid diet supplements had more fouling (P < 0.05) than shrimp in either of the control treatments, commercial liquid diet supplements can be used in penaeid shrimp hatcheries to partially replace Artemia without compromising shrimp growth or survival.
ROLE OF SELF HELP GROUPS ON WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

SHGs are the voluntary organizations that play a vital role for the growth of socio-economic conditions of the poor, particularly the women. The fundamental aim of assist cluster is to administer funding to the poor within the society. In reference to micro-finance, assist teams are enjoying a crucial role for the advance of socio-economic conditions of the poor. The NABARD initiated a project to link assist cluster with banks and therefore the real effort was taken from 1991 for the linkage of five hundred assist teams with the banks. Currently in India, the assist teams are promoted by the agricultural banks, co-operatives and non-governmental organizations. The main aim of this study is to advance a new understanding of the impact of SHGs on the empowerment of women in the Tribal area of MP. Findings suggest that SHGs have positively impact on women empowerment but it is negatively contributed in terms of economic development on the ground realty. Although SHGs has increase the awareness level of tribal women in many terms but still most of them have poor awareness level regarding government scheme and financial literacy
Histopathological responses of the liver tissues of Rana ridibunda to the Champions 50 WP fungicide.

Adult male and female frogs Rana ridibunda were exposed to 0.125x10mg Champion 50WP/g body weight administrated by intraperitoneal injection, 1 injection at 2 days in a scheme of 3 weeks. The animals were kept at 4-6 ̊C, respectively at 22-24 ̊C in tap water tank. At the end of the experiment we observe large quantities of Pearls reagent material in Kupffer cells, dilatation of blood vessels, peri-hepatocyte, peri-centrilobular, peri-sinusoidal and periportal fibrosis, an expansion of Disse spaces, presence of leukocyte infiltrates, vacuolated hepatocytes with small pyknotic nuclei, and necrotic areas in the parenchyma. Histological changes were more powerful at animals that were kept at 2224oC than 4-6oC. Under normal conditions, the largest amount of copper accumulates in the cytosol. When the amount of copper is high, it accumulates in organelles: nucleus and lysosomes. Copper accumulation in the lysosomes is associated with the initiation of detoxification process and is the beginning of its biliary excretion.
Development of a Sensitive Bioassay for Evaluating Sublethal Pesticide Effects on the Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A standardized bioassay to evaluate sublethal pesticide effects on Apis mellifera L. was developed and tested with two insecticides, malathion and diazinon. Worker age at time of exposure had a significant effect on longevity, as did the test environment (cage or hive). Differences between cage and hive results indicated that laboratory and field studies may not be easily correlated. Under certain experimental conditions, a single exposure to the insecticides significantly reduced length of life of worker bees. This response was dose-dependent. Both malathion and diazinon have lethal and sublethal effects on workers. Malathion had less effect than diazinon on worker longevity, and would therefore be a safer chemical to use where foraging bees may be present.