Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica cultivars in South Africa

English: Spineless cactus pear [Opuntia ticus-indice (L.) MilL] in South Africa is increasingly commercialised and there is a need to establish a database to assist the South African farmers in the selection of cultivars for production. The aim of this study was to contribute to such a database on horticultural, fodder, genetical and pathoglogical level. 2. Plantmaterial of the 10 cultivars were obtained from a genebank situated near Potgietersrus in the Northern Transvaal (230 50'S), South Africa. This area has a subtropical climate with predominantly summer rainfall. The cultivars were characterised on general horticultural characteristics, characteristics for use as fodder and resistance to four pathogens obtained from infected cactus pear orchards in South Africa. The cultivars were also genetically characterised using the AFLP method. 3. All the morphological results obtained were compared with the genetical data. The results obtained showed that morphological data, whether horticultural, fodder or pathological, are inadequate to distinguish and characterise the different cultivars. DNA fingerprinting can complement this characterisation. 4. The fact that the major clustering in the morphological and pathological dendrograms does not correlate with the AFLP dendrogram proves that low correlation exist between the subset of DNA related to morphological characters, the subset of DNA related to pathology and a random sampling of the total genomic DNA. It also underlines the unreliability of using only morphological and pathological descriptors in selection. In order to solve this problem, further description and characterisation of these cultivars is needed, but in the different cactus pear production areas in South Africa in order to better understand the influence of the environment on these cultivars. Description and characterisation of the cultivars in terms of a wider set of parameters, for instance resistance to a wider range of pathogens and cold tolerance is also needed in order to make the morphological and pathological data more reliable. 5. It is clear from the literature that O. ficus-indice is a multifunctional crop, which can be of great value in both developed en undeveloped countries, because of its ability to utilise the full potential of arid areas, though in South Africa the full potential of cactus pear is not utilised yet. It is clear from the morphological and pathological data in this study that the 10 commercial cultivars in South Africa compare well to other cultivars described in the literature.
The oversight of financial reporting in Germany: Essays on audit quality and on accounting enforcement

Die Neuregelung der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 537/2014 sollen zur Verbesserung der Qualität der Abschlussprüfung von PIEs beitragen. Die in dieser Studie durchgeführte deskriptive Analyse von Unternehmen mit DPR-Fehlerveröffentlichungen und einer Stichprobe von Vergleichsunternehmen ohne Fehlerveröffentlichungen liefert kein Argument für die durch Einführung der black list vorgenommene Verschärfung der Regelungen hinsichtlich des Angebots von Nichtprüfungsleistungen. Teil 2 des Beitrags unterstützt Zweifel daran, dass das cap eine besonders wirksame Maßnahme zur Steigerung der Prüfungsqualität ist. Hinsichtlich der 15%Honorargrenze ergeben sich Hinweise für die grds. richtige Stoßrichtung der Regelung. Es verbleiben jedoch Zweifel an deren Effektivität. Aus Teil 3 des Beitrags kann kein Argument gegen eine externe Rotation abgeleitet werden. This chapter has been written together with Renate Hecker and published in Zeitschrift für internationale und kapitalmarktorientierte Rechnungslegung (KoR). It is divided into three parts for publication purposes (Parts 1, 2 and 3). Reference to this chapter are made throughout the dissertation based on the publication in the KoR and are cited as Fiallo/Hecker (2019a), Fiallo/Hecker (2019b) and Fiallo/Hecker (2019c).
Computational modeling of angiogenesis : from matrix invasion to lumen formation

In this thesis computational modeling is used to help unravel the mechanisms of key steps in angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries from existing blood vessels. The first step in angiogenesis is the invasion of new branches into the surrounding tissue by degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, e.g. fibrin. A first model describes how invading sprouts use the so called plasminogen system, which dissolves fibrin matrices. A next model asks how endothelial cells can dynamically switch position during angiogenesis. Based on experimental observations, several authors suggest that dynamic cell shuffling is under strict, genetic control. Our simulations show, however, that shuffling can emerge as a side effect of sprouting. Once a sprout is formed, it needs to hollow to allow blood flow. The mechanisms responsible for this hollowing, or lumen formation, are debated: vacuoles may punch a hole through the cell, or cells might repulse one another. In our simulations, both these hypotheses can work synergistically in lumen formation, suggesting that both hypotheses might work together. In a final chapter, we introduce a workflow to simultaneously test the impact of changes in the value of multiple parameters on the outcome of the type of models used in this thesis.
The effect of mandatory CSR disclosure on firms: empirical evidence from UAE

ABSTRACT This purpose Figure 1of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the mandatory disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) among firms listed on the Emirates Securities Market of UAE (ESM). These factors include the following: corporate ownership, financial performance, board size, corporate visibility and gender diversity. Since 2017, firms listed on the SET have been required to disclose CSR activities in either an annual registration statement or a separate report called a sustainability report. The data analysis was conducted using econometrics regression models based on the sample consists of 62% manufacturing, 28% financial and insurance, and 10% other firms. The results revealed that the impact of research factors on CSR disclosure is not significant. Accordingly, the government ownership has a significant impact on mandatory CSR disclosure. The findings support the stakeholder theory that firms to carry out CSR activities in order to enhance stakeholders’ perception of financial performance and the firm’s ability. In this context, UAE, stakeholders influence significant determinants of the mandatory CSR disclosure. The paper contributes to the understanding of determinants of mandatory CSR disclosure and offers findings which are potentially useful for both theory and practice to other developing or emerging economies that have similar economic and financial structure.
Redefining floristic zones in the Korean Peninsula using high‐resolution georeferenced specimen data and self‐organizing maps

Abstract The use of biota to analyze the distribution pattern of biogeographic regions is essential to gain a better understanding of the ecological processes that cause biotic differentiation and biodiversity at multiple spatiotemporal scales. Recently, the collection of high‐resolution biological distribution data (e.g., specimens) and advances in analytical theory have led to the quantitative analysis and more refined spatial delineation of biogeographic regions. This study was conducted to redefine floristic zones in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and to better understand the eco‐evolutionary significance of the spatial distribution patterns. Based on 309,333 distribution data of 2,954 vascular plant species in the Korean Peninsula, we derived floristic zones using self‐organizing maps. We compared the characteristics of the derived regions with those of historical floristic zones and ecologically important environmental factors (climate, geology, and geography). In the clustering analysis of the floristic assemblages, four distinct regions were identified, namely, the cold floristic zone (Zone I) in high‐altitude regions at the center of the Korean Peninsula, cool floristic zone (Zone II) in high‐altitude regions in the south of the Korean Peninsula, warm floristic zone (Zone III) in low‐altitude regions in the central and southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, and maritime warm floristic zone (Zone IV) including the volcanic islands Jejudo and Ulleungdo. Totally, 1,099 taxa were common to the four floristic zones. Zone IV showed the highest abundance of specific plants (those found in only one zone), with 404 taxa. Our study improves floristic zone definitions using high‐resolution regional biological distribution data. It will help better understand and re‐establish regional species diversity. In addition, our study provides key data for hotspot analysis required for the conservation of plant diversity.
Economic viability of the canola crop with nitrogen applied in coverage in no-tillage system in Corblia-PR, Brazil

It is essential for the farmer, to have information of cultural costs when deploying a new crop or new technology. The cost of the study allows decision making for new technologies and use of viable inputs in production (Richetti, 2011; Souza et al., 2012). Zimmermann (2005), when studying technical and economic viability of canola crops, stated that canola is economically viable. The aim of this work was to assess the economic viability of different quantities of nitrogenous fertilizers applied in coverage of canola (Hyola 61) crop. The experiment was conducted in a eutrophic Red Latosol, with geographic location of 24°49'06" south latitude and 53°16'44" west longitude, altitude of 682 m and presents subtropical (Cfa) climate, in the Agricola Andreis experimental farm, in Corbelia, Parana. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications and seven treatments, totaling 28 plots with an area of 31.5 m2 each. Quantities used to verify canola response were: T1 to 0 kg ha-1 N (control); T2 to 25 kg ha-1 N; T3 to 50 kg ha-1 N; T4 to 75 kg ha-1 N; T5 to 25 kg ha-1 N + 27 kg ha-1 S; T6 to 50 kg ha-1 N + 54 kg ha-1 S (both in solid form) and T7 to Micro Xisto HF (liquid form) foliar fertilizer. An F-test (Analysis of Variance) was used in order to verify statistical difference among treatments, followed by Tukey’s means comparison test, at 5% significance. Grain yield presented a statistically non-significant tendency to increase. Nitrogen top dressing did not provide economic return for the climatic conditions observed in this harvest. Key words: Brassica napus L. var. oleifera, fertilizer, production.
Butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Lembucherra, West Tripura, Tripura, India

A study on the diversity of butterflies was carried out in the campus of College of Agriculture and its vicinity, Lembucherra, West Tripura district, Tripura, India from April, 2016 to March, 2017. A total of 118 species of butterflies belonging to 77 genera and five families were recorded. Among the five families, Nymphalidae (represented by 25 genera and 45 species) was the most dominant followed by Lycaenidae (22 genera, 26 species), Hesperiidae (16 genera, 20 species), Pieridae (10 genera, 17 species) and Papilionidae (4 genera, 10 species). Out of total 118 butterfly species 20 (16.95%), 29 (24.58%), 27 (22.88%), 37 (31.36%) and 5 (4.24%) species are Very common, Common, Not rare, Rare and Very rare, respectively in occurrence. Eighteen species of butterflies are reported here as new records for the state of Tripura. Among the 118 species of butterflies recorded 25 are schedule species under Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Though the area is rich in butterfly diversity, it needs a conservation plan in order to protect the butterfly fauna since it harbours some of the schedule species under IWPA and 31.36 and 4.24 % of recorded species are of rare and very rare categories, respectively.
An Online KAP Study to Access Contraceptive Use Among Reproductive Females in North-Western India

INTRODUCTION: The use of contraceptives has been practiced since thousand of years and if used correctly can lead to birth control. AIM: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of contraceptive of reproductive females aged 18 years and above.MATERIALS AND METHOD: The present study was cross-sectional in nature and included married females above 18 years of age were asked to fill up an online questionnaire, divided into 4 sections and containing 17 questions. After application of descriptive statistics, the multivariate logistic regression and Pearson’s correlation was applied. p value was significant when it was ≤0.05RESULTS: Most respondents has poor knowledge (54.5%) of contraceptives with the most preferred method of contraception being OCP (36.3%) closely followed by condoms (36.1%). Awareness regarding emergency use on contraceptives was mostly seen to be poor (43.9%). The most common method used for contraception was condoms (49.7%%), followed by IUDs (15.6%),Injectables (14.3%) and OCPs(12.7%). Only a few (5.3%) did not practice any method for contraception and 2.4% underwent sterilization. the multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant relation (p=0.03) while and Pearson’s correlation (p=0.76) revealed a strong association. CONCLUSION: There is a need to educate females more about the various methods of contraception to promote their reproductive health
Cytogenetic Study of Three Microhylid Species (Anura, Microhylidae) from Thailand

1 Program in Biology, Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani 40001, Thailand 2 Program in Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Surin 32000, Thailand 3 Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand 4 Program in Biology, Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Surin 32000, Thailand 5 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand 6 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand 7 Research Group on Toxic Substances in Livestock and Aquatic Animals, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Study on the factors influencing the dyeing performance of cotton fabric with vat dyes based on principal component analysis

Abstract Color performance on textiles is affected by many factors. In order to make the color presented more precisely, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between fabric structure and dyeing effect, so as to compensate the color displayed according to different fabrics in color matching. Pad dyeing of different cotton fabrics with vat dyes was carried out, and principal component analysis was used to analyze the comprehensive properties of fabrics. According to the factor weight, the main factors affecting the dyeing effect were obtained, and a mathematical regression model between the comprehensive values of fabric properties and the dyeing effect was established. The results showed that with the increase of dye concentration, the apparent shade depth of the fabric increased correspondingly. For different fabrics with the same dye concentration, their apparent shade depth varied with the fabric structure. There were five main factors affecting the dyeing effect of fabrics, which was glossiness, whiteness, weft density, roughness, gram weight. The comprehensive values of fabric properties were negatively correlated with the K/S values after dyeing. The smaller the comprehensive value of fabric, the deeper the apparent color after dyeing.
Students matter: the role of doctoral students in university–industry collaborations

ABSTRACT Universities are the main knowledge-producing institutions, combining learning and research activities. Companies, in turn, play a role in the application of knowledge. In between, we find university–industry collaborations assuming various forms and stretching across different areas. One of the areas in which this cooperation takes place is doctoral education. The aim of this article is to discuss the role played by doctoral students, through their research, in the enhancement of university–industry collaborations, as they can be a vehicle of connection between academia and companies, but also because they can positively influence knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing. The discussion is framed by public policy initiatives formally promoting relationships between universities and companies in Portugal. We analyse the factors that contribute to make doctoral students important actors in creating and strengthening the cooperation between universities and companies and assess how their role varies between the scientific and economic environments. Our analysis is based on a survey conducted with doctoral programme directors in Portugal during the 2016/2017 academic year. From the main findings of the research, we highlight that doctoral students’ research is a central element in university–industry collaboration, including in knowledge transfer, and that the more diverse the role of universities and companies, the more heterogeneous and important is the role of doctoral students.
Relative Salt Tolerance of Eight Japanese Barberry Cultivars

Relative salt tolerance of eight Berberis thunbergii (japanese barberry) cultivars ( B. thunbergii ‘Celeste’, ‘Kasia’, ‘Maria’, ‘Mini’, and ‘Talago’; B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘Concorde’, ‘Helmond Pillar’, and ‘Rose Glow’) was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were irrigated with nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS · m L 1 (control) or saline solutions at an EC of 5.0 or 10.0 dS · m L 1 (EC 5 or EC 10) once a week for 8 weeks. At 4 weeks after treatment, all barberry cultivars in EC 5 had minimal foliar damage with visual scores of 4 or greater (visual score 0: dead, 5: excellent). At 8 weeks after treatment, in EC 5, ‘Helmond Pillar’, ‘Maria’, ‘Mini’, and ‘Rose Glow’ plants exhibited slight foliar salt damage with an average visual score of 3.5, whereas
ACCEPTED VERSION OF THE MANUSCRIPT: Effects of rearing system and feeding intensity on the fattening performance and slaughter value of young crossbred bulls

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of rearing system and feeding intensity on the fattening performance and slaughter value of 38 young crossbred bull calves. The calves were raised naturally with nurse cows (NC) or were fed milk replacer (MF) until 150 days of age. During the rearing period the NC calves were healthier and had higher average daily gain (by 0.15 kg) compared to the MF calves. After a 30-day transition period, the animals were fattened in intensive (I) and semi-intensive (SI) systems from 181 to 560 days of age. During the fattening period, the bulls were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of grass silage and concentrate. The concentrate to silage ratio, on a DM basis, was 25:75 (SI) and 40:60 (I). The MF calves had lower BW at the end of the fattening period compared to the NC calves but the rearing system had no effects on daily gain during the fattening period. Compensatory growth was not observed during fattening. During the fattening period, a higher proportion of concentrate in the ration contributed to higher feed intake, higher feed efficiency and more desirable carcass characteristics. Three-rib cuts from the carcasses of the I bulls had significantly (P<0.05) higher fat content and lower bone content compared to the carcasses of the SI bulls. The longissimus thoracis muscle of the I bulls had higher (P<0.01) intramuscular fat content compared to the SI bulls.
Basic School Pupils’ Attitude towards the Use of BridgeIT Mobile Application for Learning Mathematics

The problems of pupils’ understanding, performance and attitude towards mathematics cannot be overlooked. This study investigated the basic school pupils’ attitude towards the use of BridgeIT mobile application for learning mathematics in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive research of a survey method. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 1,310 from 13,100 pupils from the 131 schools using BridgeIT in Lagos State. The researchers designed questionnaire, validated by two mathematics teachers from BridgeIT schools, three mathematics educators and one educational technology was used for collecting data. The questionnaire reliability index was 0.76 obtained with the use of Guttmann Split half procedure. The two research questions raised were answered using percentages while the hypothesis generated was tested using Mann-Whitney U test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study showed that the pupils’ attitude towards the use of BridgeIT mobile application for learning was positive with 89%. Also, no significant difference in the attitude of pupils based on gender. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the use of BridgeIT mobile application for learning should be extended to other states and possibly to other nations.
Gravitational and Finite‐Size Effects On Pressure Saturation Curves During Drainage

We experimentally and numerically study the influence of gravity and finite‐size effects on the pressure‐saturation relationship in a given porous medium during slow drainage. The effect of gravity is systematically varied by tilting the system relative to the horizontal configuration. The use of a quasi two‐dimensional porous media allows for direct spatial monitoring of the saturation. Exploiting the fractal nature of the invasion structure, we obtain a relationship between the final saturation and the Bond number SnwF=Bo0.097 using percolation theory. Moreover, the saturation, pressure, and Bond number are functionally related, allowing for pressure‐saturation curves to collapse onto a single master curve, parameterized by the representative elementary volume size and by the Bond and capillary numbers. This allows to upscale the pressure‐saturation curves measured in a laboratory to large representative elementary volumes used in reservoir simulations. The large‐scale behavior of these curves follows a simple relationship, depending on Bond and capillary numbers, and on the flow direction. The size distribution of trapped defending fluid clusters is also shown to contain information on past fluid flow and can be used as a marker of past flow speed and direction.
Thresholds and Endocrine Disruptors: An Endocrine Society Policy Perspective

Abstract The concept of a threshold of adversity in toxicology is neither provable nor disprovable. As such, it is not a scientific question but a theoretical one. Yet, the belief in thresholds has led to traditional ways of interpreting data derived from regulatory guideline studies of the toxicity of chemicals. This includes, for example, the use of standard “uncertainty factors” when a “No Adverse Effect Level” (or similar “benchmark dose”) is either observed, or not observed. In the context of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), this approach is demonstrably inappropriate. First, the efficacy of a hormone on different endpoints can vary by several orders of magnitude. This feature of hormone action also applies to EDCs that can interfere with that hormone. For this reason, we argue that the choice of endpoint for use in regulation is critical, but note that guideline studies were not designed with this in mind. Second, the biological events controlled by hormones in development not only change as development proceeds but are different from events controlled by hormones in the adult. Again, guideline endpoints were also not designed with this in mind, especially since the events controlled by hormones can be both temporally and spatially specific. The Endocrine Society has laid out this logic over several years and in several publications. Rather than being extreme views, they represent what is known about hormones and the chemicals that can interfere with them.