Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Faunal relationships and zoogeographical affinities of mammals in north‐west Africa

The nonmarine mammal fauna of the Maghreb region of north‐west Africa is related to that from three potential source areas: the northern Palaearctic (Europe and south‐west Asia; here referred to as the European fauna), subsaharan Africa (the African fauna) and the arid Palaearctic (Sahara Desert: the desert fauna).
Use of Cottonseed Meal in Aquatic Animal Diets: A Review

Abstract Cottonseed meal is a plant protein source that is abundant in most parts of the world, relatively high in protein, and generally less expensive per unit of protein than soybean meal. It is highly palatable and readily digested by most aquatic animals, though generally not as digestible as soybean meal. Its use in aquaculture feeds may be limited because of the potential toxic effects of free gossypol and its relatively low available lysine and methionine content. However, depending on economics, the protein quality of cottonseed meal can be improved by supplementing it with lysine or both lysine and methionine. Also, the concentrations of free gossypol in diets containing significant levels of cottonseed meal are typically below the levels that are detrimental to many aquatic animals. However, even as a partial replacement of soybean meal, cottonseed meal has generally been used at relatively low levels in aquatic animal diets, partially because the safe levels of cottonseed meal appear to differ.
The Effects of Emotions on the Moral Judgments and Intentions of Accountants

Unethical earnings management continues to exist. Pressures to meet analysts‟ expectations and to improve the bottom line are commonplace. While certain techniques are legal and ethical in managing earnings, it is easy to approach and descend the slippery slope between ethical and unethical behavior (Stice and Stice, 2006). For example, timing of advertising and other period costs to increase or decrease net income during a year is prudent and acceptable. But to make accounting changes without appropriate disclosures, to purposefully capitalize ordinary expenses, or to intentionally alter the year-end cutoff for purposes of managing earnings are violations of GAAP. The latter two actions, if there is harm, are fraudulent. Is it possible that reporting of wrongdoing may be avoided or decrease the effect of accounting scandals that resulted from inappropriate earnings management? A significant stream of research has used Rest‟s (1986) model of moral action (described below) to explore the ethical decision making of accountants. Coughlan and Connolly (2008) extended the Rest (1986) model, and addressed the role of emotions which were shown to be an important part of the decision process. Greenfield (2007) posits that “. emotional responses to moral issues and dilemmas often influence our moral sensitivity and moral judgment and often motivate moral behavior. ” (2007, 15) We continue their research to explore the effects of emotions on moral judgment and intention to whistleblow using a sample of 220 professional accountants and four earnings management scenarios. We find that relief, satisfaction, and regret do have a certain effect on moral judgment, but not on whistleblowing intention.
Replications: A Proposal to Increase their Visibility and Promote them

A number of recent results in peerreviewed academic work have ignited a debate over the fraction of results that are false positives. Published work in top Economics journals has discontinuities around p-values of 0.05, consistent with researcher data-mining (Brodeur et al., 2016). Moreover, in an attempt to replicate a set of recent experimental articles, Camerer et al. (2016) were able to successfully replicate two-thirds of the studies, which is less than the original p-values would suggest. One response to such findings is to minimize flexibility over the econometric specifications available to researchers via registration and pre-analysis plans. However, the sheer volume of research, coupled with the strong tendency to only finish and publish positive findings (Franco, Malhotra and Simonovits, 2014) leads to false positives even in the absence of somewhat questionable research practices (Ioannidis, 2005; Coffman and Niederle, 2015; Simonsohn, Nelson and Simmons, 2014). A solution is therefore required to try and separate what is true from what is not after a paper is disseminated: Replication. While we discuss the dearth of replications, it is worth noting that replications do exist, though they often take forms that make them hard to find. Consider, for example, Niederle and Vesterlund (2007). Of the first two dozen independent replications (that is, without a coauthor of the initial study) none can easily be found when searching for “replication of Niederle and Vesterlund (2007). ” This is because every one of these replications is part of (and buried within) a paper that has a much
Transition patterns across an evergreen–deciduous broad‐leaved forest ecotone: the effect of topographies

Question Topography has distinct effects on local-scale vegetation distribution by creating heterogeneous habitats. In ecotones, which are sensitive to environmental variation, this effect on vegetation differentiation may be magnified at a regional scale. Here, we evaluate vegetation transition patterns across an evergreen–deciduous broad-leaved forest ecotone (EDF ecotone) in eastern China, to investigate whether the transition pattern differs between two topographic positions with different habitats, and identify underlying environmental mechanisms driving variation in species- and trait-based community structure. Location Anhui Province, China. Methods Across an EDF ecotone, community data were collected in 47 20 × 20-m plots situated on upper and lower hill slopes. Trait-based community structure was constructed based on seven functional traits and weighted by species abundance. Environmental variables were grouped into three categories: thermal conditions, water availability and edaphic variables. Trends in species richness and dominance along latitude were evaluated for both evergreen broad-leaved species (EBT) and deciduous broad-leaved species (DBT). Variation partitioning analysis was used to distinguish the roles of the three environmental variables in determining transition patterns within the two topographies. Results For both EBT and DBT, species richness showed similar transition patterns along the latitudinal gradient on both the upper and the lower slope. However, species dominance changed more abruptly on the upper than on the lower slope. Compared with edaphic variables, both thermal conditions and water availability had a larger impact on transitions across the EDF ecotone, but their relative roles differed between the upper and the lower slopes. Thermal conditions primarily explained the variation in species- and trait-based community structure on the upper slope, while water availability primarily explained variation on the lower slope. Conclusions Our results suggest different roles of thermal conditions and water availability in determining transition patterns between the two topographies. Evergreen Castanopsis trees, having less cold tolerance, make transitions on the upper slope more sensitive to thermal conditions. Cyclobalanopsis trees, which prefer wet habitats, make the transition on the lower slope more sensitive to water availability. Based on the present findings, we predict that the EDF ecotone will become narrower and there will be a sharper boundary between the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests of eastern China under warmer and drier climate conditions.
Control of diapause and supercooling by the retrocerebral complex in Pyrrhocoris apterus

Effects of external (photoperiod, temperature) and internal (retrocerebral complex, diapause condition) factors on supercooling were studied in Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) adults. An increase in supercooling capacity is associated with the induction of diapause by short‐day photoperiod or cardiacallatectomy of long‐day non‐diapause insects in spite of a high temperature of 26 °C. The induction of diapause is a prerequisite for a further increase in supercooling capacity by cold acclimation.
University of Groningen A review of economic evaluation models for cardiac resynchronization therapy with implantable cardioverter defibrillators in patients with heart failure Tomini,

Objectives Cardiac resynchronization therapy with a biventricular pacemaker (CRT-P) is an effective treatment for dyssynchronous heart failure (DHF). Adding an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) may further reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, if the majority of patients do not require shock therapy, the cost-effectiveness ratio of CRT-D compared to CRT-P may be high. The objective of this study was to systematically review decision models evaluating the cost-effectiveness of CRT-D for patients with DHF, compare the structure and inputs of these models and identify the main factors influencing the ICERs for CRT-D. Methods A comprehensive search strategy of Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid) and EconLit identified eight costeffectiveness models evaluating CRT-D against optimal pharmacological therapy (OPT) and/or CRT-P. Results The selected economic studies differed in terms of model structure, treatment path, time horizons, and sources of efficacy data. CRT-D was found cost-effective when compared to OPT but its cost-effectiveness became questionable when compared to CRT-P. Conclusions Cost-effectiveness of CRT-D may increase depending on improvement of all-cause mortality rates and HF mortality rates in patients who receive CRT-D, costs of the device, and battery life. In particular, future studies need to investigate longer-term mortality rates and identify CRT-P patients that will gain the most, in terms of life expectancy, from being treated with a CRT-D.
CSR builds Loyalty: The role of Awareness, Satisfaction and Trust

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is one of the tools that has strategic implications across the wide gamut of companies and industries. On one hand, the companies are investing in CSR initiatives either keeping in mind the strategic implications of CSR or to meet the regulations or to boost and embolden their image or to make the customers believe in the brand and the companies. On the other hand, it has been recognized by the academics and practitioners of marketing domain that consumers are on a regular look out for the brands that offer memorable and distinctive experiences to them. The main objective of the study was to study the effects of CSR advertising, awareness, satisfaction and trust on brand loyalty and for the same, a model was proposed to establish a relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand loyalty with an insight on the intermediary relationships. The present work also studied the mediation effect of trust on the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. The study investigated the different relationships proposed in the model and it succeeded in establishing that CSR initiatives, awareness, satisfaction and trust are positively affecting brand loyalty. The data was collected from 150 respondents and the same was analyzed using PLS-SEM.
The Effect of HEART Score Risk Stratification Tool on Length of Stay

With increasing national health care expenditures, different methods of reducing health care costs, along with supportive evidence-based research, are essential. This research will lead to changes in clinical practice standards including the utilization of tools by emergency room and hospitalist providers to reduce costs by decreasing the length of stay for acute chest pain admissions. The researcher utilized a retrospective review of charts for participants admitted into the acute care setting with the primary diagnosis of acute chest pain, with a focus on determining whether an initial calculation of a HEART Score risk stratification variable was completed and if there was a correlated relationship with reduced hospital length of stay. A total of 86 randomly selected participant charts were reviewed, and a specific data set was collected as determined in the methodology of the project. The analysis was completed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 24.0) software for the calculation of an independent samples t test, which was used to analyze the differences between each acute chest pain admission, with and without the HEART Score calculation, and the associated length of stay. The study analysis did not support the hypothesis, as the null hypothesis was not rejected based on statistical findings. Other study findings assisted in further development of health care changes for leaders, managers, providers, and nursing teams. Further research should be conducted with a larger sample size, in an institution with greater ethnic diversity, and with an additional qualitative component to support the existing evidence-based research that supports a correlation between the variables in this study.
Metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastatic urological tumours: still no second-hand news

For patients presenting with limited metastatic disease burden, known as the oligometastatic state of disease, a more aggressive treatment approach targeting the new or progressive metastatic lesions might improve patient outcome, with no or only limited toxicity to be expected from the treatment. This review provides an overview of the existing evidence and on-going trials on oligometastatic disease and metastasis-directed therapy in the field of renal, bladder and prostate cancer.
Effect of Nutrients on Essential Oil Components, Pigments and Total Phenolic Content of Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis L.)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and a complete fertilizer (Agrihansa) on essential oils, pigments and total phenolic content of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The treatments were using N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, NPK and Agrihansa and comparing them to control (without using fertilizers). N, P2O5 and K2O were applied at a concentration of 50 mg/kg of pot soil. The results indicated that the maximum essential oil yield (0.4%) was obtained in P treatment. Geranial (38.1-45.3%), neral (29.2-34.1%), pentadecanal (3.7-5.4%), geranyl acetate (2.9-4.2%) and β-caryophyllene (2.0-3.5%), were the major components of the oil. The highest percentage of geranial and neral were observed in NP and N treatments, respectively. The maximum chlorophyll a (4.22 mg/g dw) and chlorophyll b (2.20 mg/g dw) was achieved on NK treatment. The highest carotenoid (0.65 mg/g dw) was obtained in NK treatment. Spectrophotometrical determination of total phenolic content indicated that the maximum amount of phenolic content (37.89 mg GAE/g dw) was obtained in Agrihansa treatment which was not significantly different when compared to P treatment.
Youth Education, Employment and Marriage Transitions in Iran: Evidence from the School to Work Transition Survey∗

This paper studies the factors that affect the transitions of Iranian youth through education, employment and marriage using the School-to-Work Transition Survey (SWTS). While previous studies have described various aspects of the Iranian economy, this is the first study that is able to analyze directly the impact of these economic factors on the lives of youth and their success in each of these three central components of their young lives. Our analysis, which relies on a detailed retrospective question available for the youth in the SWTS, also allows us to to study the dynamics of the labor market in more detail than was previously possible as we observe the various types of employment and unemployment for many youth over a relatively long window of time. Thus, in addition to showing how personal or familial characteristics effect youth education, employment and marriage transitions, and how these transitions effect each other, we provide new insights into the dynamics of the Iranian labor market.
A simulated map of the potential natural forest vegetation of Switzerland

Using empirical data (ca. 7500 phytosociological releves), a simple, probabilistic ‘vegetation-site’ model was developed, to simulate geographical distribution of 71 forest community types, representing the potential natural vegetation (PNV) of Switzerland. The model was interfaced to a geographic information system (GIS) and used to generate a numerical vegetation map, on the basis of digital maps of 12 environmental variables including climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation), topography (elevation, slope, aspect), and soil parameters (soil pH and physical soil parameters). The predicted distribution of forest communities was compared with several vegetation maps, prepared for some subregions of Switzerland by means of traditional field methods. Similarity ranged from 50 to 80 %, depending on the community type, level of vegetational hierarchy and the geographical region. The current resolution and accuracy of the simulated vegetation map allows us to study the vegetational patterns on the level of the entire country or its major geographical and climatic regions. The simulated vegetation map is potentially an important tool in ecological risk assessment studies concerning the possible impacts of climate change on the ecological potential of forest sites and biological diversity of forest communities.
Morphological and Developmental Differences in Three Species of the Snapping Shrimp Genus Alpheus (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Abstract Living, freshly collected individuals of three species of snapping shrimps were studied to determine any differing morphological, developmental, and ecological features: Alpheus heterochaelis, collected from Beaufort, NC; A. angulosus, found mainly in Jacksonville, FL, but also at one site in Beaufort; and A. estuariensis, collected at another Jacksonville site. Structural characteristics of these superficially similar species are summarized, with particular attention to coloration. Adult A. angulosus individuals have blue-green 2nd antennal fl agella (vs. tan in the other two species) that are significantly shorter than those of A. heterochaelis. Alpheus angulosus and A. estuariensis bear smaller eggs (<1 mm, regardless of embryonic stage) than A. heterochaelis (>1 mm), and the former species displays the zoea larval form typical of alpheids (vs. abbreviated larval development in A. heterochaelis).
Cytotoxic Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Hep G2 Cells

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) are being used in an increasing number of fields such as molecular imaging in the context of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, ultrasound, optical imaging, and X-ray imaging. This widespread application of different sized of Fe2O3-NP in the biomedical field raises concerns over their increasing expose to tissues and organs of the human and animals. This study investigated molecular and cytotoxic effects of Fe2O3-NP (20 nm) on Hep G2 cells (human liver cancer cell line). Nanoparticles are containing high surface area to volume ratio that converted them to reactive molecules; therefore we evaluated oxidative stress biomarkers by standard biochemical methods. Results showed cells treated by Fe2O3-NP produced high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Assessment of ROS content in different concentration of Fe2O3-NP approved increased ROS level directly accompanied by doubled nanoparticle does. ROS overproduction is accompanied by lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH) leakage from the cells revealed to membrane damages in the presence of toxicant nanoparticle. Mentioned molecular effects increase cell death in does dependent manner that evaluated by MTT assay. Possibly due to small size of nanoparticle which allows fast and easy entry into the cells and increased ROS overproduction attack to the membrane and intracellular organelles that finally lead to cell death.
Challenging Participation in Sustainability Research1

If we take the rhetoric of recent academic and policy discourse at face value, crossing disciplinary and institutional boundaries and engaging extra-scientific actors in the production and distribution of knowledge has become a kind of ‘gold standard’ . This is particularly true for fields like sustainability research, which is supposed to address the complexity of so-called ‘grand challenges’ of contemporary societies. Investigating the projects of a funding scheme for participatory sustainability research, this paper explores how researchers frame participatory research practices in their prospective narrations in research proposals and in their retrospective reflections in the framework of interviews. Thereby we focus on their stories about (1 ) the overall value of participation, (2) the roles allocated to different actors, (3) the temporal organization of participation as well as the (4) spatial dimension of collaboration. Building on this analysis, the paper concludes that even though participatory research programs create new possibilities, they remain limited in scope as they operate in an environment in which this kind of cross-boundary work does not fit the established standards. This strongly limits any form of “collective experimentation” and new ways of learning in sustainability research and beyond.
Two new, sympatric species of Wahlenbergia (Campanulaceae) from the New England Tableland escarpment, New South Wales, Australia

The status of two putative new species of Wahlenbergia sympatric on the New England Tableland escarpment was investigated with morphometric analyses of a database derived from vegetative, floral and fruit characters and scanning electron microscopic studies of seeds. The following new species are described: W. rupicola G.T. Plunkett & J.J.Bruhl and W. telfordii G.T. Plunkett & J.J.Bruhl. Their distributions, habitats and conservation status are noted.
Invasibility of experimental grassland communities: the role of earthworms, plant functional group identity and seed size

Invasions of natural communities by non-indigenous species threaten native biodiversity and are currently rated as one of the most important global-scale environmental problems. The mechanisms that make communities resistant to invasions and drive the establishment success of seedlings are essential both for management and for understanding community assembly and structure. Especially in grasslands, anecic earthworms are known to function as ecosystem engineers, however, their direct effects on plant community composition and on the invasibility of plant communities via plant seed burial, ingestion and digestion are poorly understood. In a greenhouse experiment we investigated the impact of Lumbricus terrestris, plant functional group identity and seed size of plant invader species and plant functional group of the established plant community on the number and biomass of plant invaders. We set up 120 microcosms comprising four plant community treatments, two earthworm treatments and three plant invader treatments containing three seed size classes. Earthworm performance was influenced by an interaction between plant functional group identity of the established plant community and that of invader species. The established plant community and invader seed size affected the number of invader plants significantly, while invader biomass was only affected by the established community. Since earthworm effects on the number and biomass of invader plants varied with seed size and plant functional group identity they probably play a key role in seedling establishment and plant community composition. Seeds and germinating seedlings in earthworm burrows may significantly contribute to earthworm nutrition, but this deserves further attention. Lumbricus terrestris likely behaves like a ‘farmer’ by collecting plant seeds which cannot directly be swallowed or digested. Presumably, these seeds are left in middens and become eatable after partial microbial decay. Increased earthworm numbers in more diverse plant communities likely contribute to the positive relationship between plant species diversity and resistance against invaders.