Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Culture and the Gender Gap in Competitive Inclination: Evidence from the Communist Experiment in China

Radical communist reforms propelled traditionally secluded Han Chinese women into the labor force but exempted ethnic minorities. Using an economic experiment, this study compares the gender gap in competitive inclination across three ethnic groups in one county. The Han Chinese have no statistically significant gender gap while the patrilineal Yi women are significantly less competitively inclined than Yi men and than Han Chinese women. The matrilineal Mosuo women are as competitively inclined as the Han Chinese women. The findings affirm that culture matters for competitive inclination and suggests the hypothesis that institutional changes can narrow the gender gap in competitive inclination.
A survey of deformed wing virus and acute bee paralysis virus in honey bee colonies from serbia using real-time RT-PCR

Abstract In this study 55 honey bee colonies from different Serbian regions were monitored for the presence of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) using TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR assay. The results revealed the presence of DWV in each sampling location, and ABPV in 10 out of 11 apiaries. High frequency of DWV (76.4%) and ABPV (61.8%) positive samples in asymptomatic colonies can be the consequence of inefficient and postponed Varroa treatment concerning the role of this mite in the transmission and activation of honey bee viruses. The real-time RTPCR technique described in this paper is proved to be the most reliable method for this kind of investigation.
Obtaining Assurance for Financial Statement Audits and Control Audits when Aspects of the Financial Reporting Process are Outsourced

SUMMARY: Businesses increasingly outsource organizational functions that have financial reporting implications, which requires auditors to adjust their risk assessment and audit procedures for this practice. However, PCAOB inspection reports cite deficiencies indicating that external auditors frequently do not perform proper procedures before relying on controls maintained by service organizations. In this paper, we examine the audit implications of clients' use of service organizations. Using the audit risk and control risk models and drawing on the extant research on using the work of others and internal audit outsourcing, we develop a framework that describes how clients' use of service organizations affects financial statement and internal control audits. We propose that three characteristics of outsourcing: the client, the service organization, and the auditor of the service organization affect inherent risk, control risk, and control detection risk for clients who outsource these functions. Based on.
CINÉTICA DA DEGRADAÇÃO DA TEXTURA DE PIMENTAS EM CONSERVA

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento termico (pasteurizacao) na cinetica de degradacao da textura de pimentas em conservas. Tres cultivares de pimentas (CNPH 0053 – Pimenta Dedo-de-Moca, CNPH 0279 – Pimenta Escabeche e CNPH 0280 – Pimenta de Cheiro), produzidas pela Embrapa Hortalicas (em Brasilia), foram avaliadas. As pimentas foram branqueadas por imersao em salmoura (2% NaCl) a 100oC durante 1 minuto. Em seguida, foram envasadas em vidros e pasteurizadas a 100oC por 10, 20, 30 e 40 min, utilizando-se como liquido de cobertura salmoura acidificada com acido acetico (2% NaCl). As amostras processadas foram analisadas quanto a firmeza e avaliadas quanto ao modelo cinetico de degradacao da textura. Os resultados revelaram que a textura dessas pimentas seguiu reacao de 1a ordem nos tempos de processamento da pasteurizacao analisados e o tempo de reducao decimal (D) para as tres pimentas em conserva encontrou-se abaixo de 100 minutos.
Multiple nutrient imbalances in ear leaves of on-farm unfertilized maize in eastern and southern Africa

Maize is a major food crop in eastern and southern Africa and is often cultivated with insufficient supplies of nutrients. The current studies are aimed at diagnosing any potential nutrient limitation in maize under farmers’ conditions using the nutrient content in ear leaf tissue at tasseling stage. The majority of the maize crops were considered below the critical nitrogen (N) content in the ear leaves with mean N content of 1.84%. Phosphorus (P), B and Cu content appeared critically low at three of the four sites. Unique fingerprinting by multivariate statistics was possible for each site when using the proportion of nutrients in the leaf tissue. The content of six macro elements (N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca) at the tasseling stage were found to be able to predict 83% of the variation in the grain yield at maturity whereas the inclusion of micronutrients only improved this prediction with an additional 3%. N alone predicted 50% of the variation in grain yield and the N supply of the maize crops in eastern and southern Africa must thus be the first priority before yields can be improved
Controlled-temperature effects on cotton growth and development

The growth and development of cotton was studied on cotton plants grown in pots in growth rooms under constant day/night temperature (C) and varying temperature regimes throughout the day and/or night (V) The V-treatments had a common mean temperature of 22°C. The objectives were to determine the thermal requirements of three cultivars and to observe the extent of genotype×thermal environment interactions throughout the entire growth period. Vegetative growth was found to be almost exclusively time and temperature dependent, varietal differences being largely insignificant. Plant material was found to accumulate four times faster under the warmest C-regime, which was 7°C warmer than the coolest. The C-treatments caused variation in the number and size of lateral shoots and leaves, causing leaf area to be larger at the squaring stage in cool environments but at maturity in warm regimes. Relatively cool nights lowered the position of the first floral or fruiting branch, whereas warm days shortened flowering intervals and thus promoted earliness. However, the effect of temperature in altering the position of the first floral branch seems to be less important than its effect on the shedding of early squares. The effects of fluctuating temperature (V) on vegetative growth and earliness were similar to those from constant temperature environments. Growth and development rates were low in the low minimum V-regimes, especially when the maximum temperature was also low. Temperature variation affected vegetative growth to a greater extent in the early than in the later stages of development. At squaring, leaf area and dry weight were lowest under the regime with the highest minimum and maximum temperatures. Later on, only leaf area at flowering and total dry weight at maturity significantly differed between treatments. High maximum or minimum temperatures produced effects similar to a higher or lower mean temperature, respectively. The low minimum raised the node number of the first floral or fruiting branch, whereas in the case of boll dry weight it acted in the same way as a further drop in temperature, decreasing the weight, regardless of the maximum temperature. Boll period was affected mainly by the temperature variation itself rather by than the type of variation. The inverse of time to a certain stage and the corresponding mean temperature were linearly related and allowed threshold temperatures (T0) and thermal time requirements to be estimated. T0=12°C, except for the initial stage, when it was lower. A cotton growing season cooler on average by only 1°C will considerably delay maturity.
Cell protective antioxidants from the root bark of Lannea velutina A. Rich., a Malian medicinal plant

Antioxidants (radical scavengers and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors) in semipolar extracts of root bark from the Malian medicinal plant Lannea velutina have been investigated. A series of proanthocyanidins with degree of polymerization from 2 to more than 12 have been isolated, in addition to the monomeric substance, catechin. The major constituents have a degree of polymerization of ten or more. Most structures are proposed to be derived from a common biosynthetic route in which catechin is introduced as the terminal unit and epicatechin units are extenders. Catechin, dimeric, trimeric, decameric and dodecameric proanthocyanidins have been assayed as scavengers of the stable free radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl and as inhibitors of the peroxidizing enzyme 15-lipoxygenase. All of them were shown to be effective radical scavengers (50% radical scavenging at concentrations of 5-7 microgram/mL) and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors (50% inhibition at 10 - 18 microgram/mL). When epicatechin and trimeric proanthocyanidin were tested as antioxidants in cells, they gave a significant reduction in endogenously produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Key words: Lannea velutina, Anacardiaceae, medicinal plant, antioxidant, radical scavenging, 15-lipoxygenase, proanthocyanidins, electrospray mass spectrometry.
Revealing Future Prospects Without Forecasts: The Case of Accelerating Material Contract Filings

ABSTRACT: Extant research on voluntary disclosure about future prospects has focused on two forward-looking disclosure mechanisms: management forecasts and conference calls. This study examines the accelerated filing of material contracts as another type of future-related disclosure that involves no forecasting. I find that firms are more likely to accelerate material contract filings when forward-looking disclosures could lack credibility or arouse litigation concerns. However, for proprietary cost considerations, firms delay contract filings when facing high (low) product market competition from incumbents (potential entrants). I also find that accelerated contract filing is incrementally associated with lower information asymmetry. Overall, while presenting a cost-benefit trade-off that is distinctly different from forward-looking disclosures, accelerated contract filing is an important alternative channel through which firms communicate future prospects to investors. Data Availability: The data used i.
Dynamics of Siberian Paleolithic Complexes (Based on Analysis of Radiocarbon Records): The 2012 State-of-the-Art

Our updated database of Siberian Paleolithic radiocarbon records (the 2011 date list of ∼800 values) was used to analyze the patterns of population changes, following the methodology developed previously (Kuzmin and Keates 2005). Although the main conclusions remain similar to our 2005 results, some new features were also detected. The intensity of occupation after ∼35,000–34,000 BP was higher than previously thought, and the rise in population began at ∼20,000–19,000 BP. It is once again confirmed that no significant decline can be observed for the Last Glacial Maximum (∼22,000–16,000 BP). The relationship between climate and Paleolithic humans in Siberia was complex and without a clear trend toward the intensification of occupation during the warm phases.
Pravastatin: A tool for investigating the availability of mevalonate metabolites for primary and secondary metabolism in Catharanthus roseus cell suspensions

In the C20 strain of Catharanthus roseus, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) reduces alkaloid accumulation by inhibiting the synthesis of precursors of alkaloid terpenoids. However, the presence of this growth regulator is necessary to promote growth, as measured in terms of dry weight and sterol content. The terpenoid metabolism implicated in the accumulation of alkaloids would therefore be the target of 2,4-D inhibition and not the metabolism leading to sterol biosynthesis. The specific inhibition by pravastatin of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), the enzyme that catalyses mevalonate synthesis, enables the limitation of mevalonate on sterol content and on alkaloid accumulation to be studied. In presence of pravastatin cells are supplied with labelled mevalonate. Under these conditions the mevalonate is incorporated into sterols but not into alkaloids accumulated in the absence of 2,4-D. The inhibition of sterol biosynthesis induced by pravastatin is not overcome by zeatin or a cytokinin-like compound, whereas the inhibition of alkaloid accumulation can be partially overcome. The use of pravastatin shows that the availability of mevalonate for primary and secondary metabolism is differently regulated in Catharanthus roseus cells.
Overview, Critical Assessment, and Conservation Implications of Koala Distribution and Abundance

Abstract: Regional and national surveys provide a broadscale description of the koala's present distribution in Australia. A detailed understanding of its distribution is precluded, however, by past and continuing land clearing across large parts of the koala's range. Koala population density increased in some regions during the late 1800s and then declined dramatically in the early 1900s. The decline was associated with habitat loss, hunting, disease, fire, and drought. Declines are continuing in Queensland and New South Wales. In contrast, dense koala populations in habitat isolates in Victoria and South Australia are managed to reduce population size and browse damage. Current understanding of koala distribution and abundance suggests that the species does not meet Australian criteria as endangered or vulnerable fauna. Its conservation status needs to be reviewed, however, in light of the extensive land clearing in New South Wales and Queensland since the last (1980s) broadscale surveys. Consequently, we recommend that broadacre clearing be curtailed in New South Wales and Queensland and that regular, comprehensive, standardized, national koala surveys be undertaken. Given the fragmentation of koala habitat and regional differences in the status of the koala, we recommended that studies on regional variation in the koala be intensified and that koala ecology in fragmented and naturally restricted habitats be developed. More generally, the National Koala Conservation Strategy should be implemented.
Light-induced growth of phytoplankton collected during the winter from the benthic boundary layer off Oregon, USA

Despite the importance of the spring phytoplankton bloom off Oregon as a food source for zooplankton, little is known about the sources of phytoplankton seed stock for the bloom or its tim- ing. Experiments were conducted in the late winter to determine if the benthic boundary layer (BBL) could be a source of viable phytoplankton and to determine to what extent their growth was limited by light. Water collected on 3 dates from the BBL over the inner-shelf and mid-shelf in January 2003 was used for growth experiments run in shipboard incubators held at 10°C. The water was exposed to in situ nutrient concentrations and to 4 light levels and 2 daylengths (9 and 12 h), representative of winter and spring daylengths. Significant increases in chl a and particulate organic matter (POM) were observed in high light and medium light treatments at both daylengths. Chl a increased mini- mally (≤0.3 µg l -1 ) in the low light treatments, while no significant increase in POM occurred. Chl a decreased in the control (no light) treatment throughout the experiments. Blooms that developed dur- ing these incubations were dominated by Thalassiosira spp. , Actinopytchus sp. , Asterionellopsis glacialis and other diatoms, consistent with in situ phytoplankton community composition during the spring. Growth occurred at light levels that were generally 40 to 50% of that measured in surface waters in January, suggesting that light levels at the surface are conducive to growth, but that mixing prevents significant growth during the winter.
Allocation of Terrestrial Carbon Sources Using 14CO2: Methods, Measurement, and Modeling

The radiocarbon content of whole air provides a theoretically ideal and now observationally proven tracer for recently added fossil-fuel-derived CO2 in the atmosphere (Cff ). Over large industrialized land areas, determination of Cff also constrains the change in CO2 due to uptake and release by the terrestrial biosphere. Here, we review the development of a Δ14CO2 measurement program and its implementation within the US portion of the NOAA Global Monitoring Division's air sampling network. The Δ14CO2 measurement repeatability is evaluated based on surveillance cylinders of whole air and equates to a Cff detection limit of <0.9 ppm from measurement uncertainties alone. We also attempt to quantify additional sources of uncertainty arising from non-fossil terms in the atmospheric 14CO2 budget and from uncertainties in the composition of “background” air against which Cff enhancements occur. As an example of how we apply the measurements, we present estimates of the boundary layer enhancements of Cff and Cbio using observations obtained from vertical airborne sampling profiles off of the northeastern US. We also present an updated time series of measurements from NOAA GMD's Niwot Ridge site at 3475 m asl in Colorado in order to characterize recent Δ14CO2 variability in the well-mixed free troposphere.
A comparative study on efficacy of various disinfectant systems on dental impression surfaces: In vivo study

Purpose: To evaluate the microbial load on impressions and the efficacy of various disinfectants on reducing microorganisms from the impression surface after disinfection. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 dentulous impressions were made for dentate patients each of age 20 to 50 years using Alginate and Polyvinyl siloxane. Impression compound and zinc oxide eugenol were used for edentulous patients each of age 50 to 70 years, total of 50 edentulous impressions were made. Samples were collected with the help of an 8mm diameter sterile cork borer from each individual impression. Alginate, ZOE and impression compound had 100 samples each. Polyvinyl siloxane had 125 samples. Out of 100 samples the first group of the sample was assigned as control (n=25), the second group of samples (n=25) were immersed in 2% Glutaraldehyde, the third group of samples (n=25) were sprayed with Dimenol, the fourth group of samples (n=25) were placed in the ultraviolet light chamber. For polyvinyl siloxane, an additional fifth sample group (n=25) was subjected to microwave radiation of 650W. The viability of microorganisms that can persist after rinsing and disinfecting the impression surface was tested by inoculating in nutrient media. The colony forming units were counted and compared with the control group. The data were documented and statistically analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in the count among the control group and the disinfectant groups. Microbial load found on control groups was taken as 100%. Alginate samples which were disinfected with 2% Glutaraldehyde, Dimenol spray and UV light showed microbial load 31%, 46%, 44% respectively, Polyvinylsiloxane samples showed microbial load 35%, 53%, 48% and 0% with microwave radiation respectively. Impression compound samples showed 32%, 49%, 49% respectively & Zinc oxide eugenol samples with 2% Gluteraldehyde, dimenol and UV showed a load of 39%, 51%, 51% respectively. Conclusion: 2% Glutaraldehyde showed higher efficacy in reducing the microflora compared to Dimenol spray and UV radiation. There was complete removal of microorganisms with Microwave radiation.
Cryptococcus neoformans Induces Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1α (MIP-1α) and MIP-1β in Human Microglia: Role of Specific Antibody and Soluble Capsular Polysaccharide

ABSTRACT We characterized the expression of the β-chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), MIP-1β, and RANTES by primary human microglia after exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans. In the absence of specific antibody, C. neoformans failed to elicit a chemokine response, while in the presence of specific antibody, microglia produced MIP-1α and MIP-1β in amounts comparable to those induced by lipopolysaccharide. RANTES was also induced but at much lower levels. In addition to MIP-1α and MIP-1β mRNA, we observed a robust induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and interleukin-8 mRNA following incubation of microglia with opsonized C. neoformans. In contrast, cryptococcal polysaccharide did not induce a chemokine response even when specific antibody was present and inhibited the MIP-1α induction associated with antibody-mediated phagocytosis of C. neoformans. The role of the Fc receptor in the observed chemokine induction was explored in several experiments. Treatment of microglia with cytochalasin D inhibited internalization of C. neoformans but did not affect MIP-1α induction. In contrast, treatment with herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited MIP-1α induction. Microglia stimulated with immobilized murine immunoglobulin also produced MIP-1α and RANTES (MIP-1α > RANTES). Our results show that microglia produce several chemokines when stimulated by C. neoformans in the presence of specific antibody and that this process is likely to be mediated by Fc receptor activation. This response can be down-regulated by cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide. These findings suggest a mechanism by which C. neoformans infections fail to induce strong inflammatory responses in patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and have important implications for antibody therapy.
ONLINE NEWSPAPER READERSHIP IN THE NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

The study investigated the readership of online newspaper in the North Eastern Nigeria. Data were collected by means of structured questionnaire from one hundred and fifty (150) respondents made up of students, civil servants, private sector workers and petty traders. One hundred and thirty one (131) questionnaires were completed and returned. The study found that majority (78.86%) of the respondents read online newspapers, while minority (21.14%) of the respondents does not read online newspapers. Also majority (53.44%) of the respondents read online newspapers because they are up-to-date, current and cheaper, 21.37% of the respondents read online newspapers because they are up-to-date and another 19.85% of the respondents read online newspapers because they are current, while the least (5.34%) of the respondents read online newspapers because they are cheaper compared to the traditional newspapers. The study also found that majority (34.35%) of the respondents said increase in electricity supply was the likely solution to the problems encountered in the reading of online newspapers. 33.59% of the respondents said provision of more internet facilities was the likely solution to the problems encountered in the reading of online newspapers, while 32.06% of the respondents said upgrading of internet facilities from 2G and 3G to 5G was the likely solution to the problems encountered in the reading of online newspapers. The study among other things recommended that government should provide the needed infrastructure to make internet services available to every Nigerian. The study then concluded that, as a democratic nation, information about government, economy, environment and other aspects of our national life must be made available 24/7 for her citizens. Online newspaper is one of the platforms through which this can be accomplished.