Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cold acclimation response of non-native Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus) populations from New York and California

Understanding how organisms respond to climatic variability and novel conditions is becoming an increasingly important task for ecologists. For ectotherms in the northern hemisphere, the response to cold is of special interest, considering that poleward range expansion events and increasing variability of temperatures during winter are already being observed as consequences of a warming planet. Though direction of change in physiological variables in response to cold is well studied in ectotherms, the extent to which traits can change and the rate at which they can change is not. We compared the extent and rate of change in cold tolerance (CT min ) between two long-term captive populations of the Italian wall lizard ( Podarcis siculus ) during a lab cold-acclimation treatment. Heat tolerance (CT max ), thermal preference (T pref ), temperature dependent rates of oxygen consumption (SMR O2 ), and temperature dependent rates of water loss (EWL) were also compared between Italian wall lizards previously introduced to Long Island, NY and San Pedro, CA before and after the lab cold acclimation treatment. Because our study coincided with a cold snap during the spring 2018 season for the San Pedro, CA population, we also studied the effects of cold acclimatization on wild lizards from the CA population. After initial lab acclimation of the lizards to laboratory conditions, SMR O2 at 15°C and EWL at 10°C were higher in NY lizards compared to CA lizards. Lizards from the two populations did not differ in any other variables measured before the cold acclimation treatment. We found that lizards from the NY population experienced an 80% decrease in CT min following a switch from 20°C:18°C to 17.5°C:16°C (12h light:12h dark) acclimation treatment. Lizards from the CA population did not decrease CT min in response to the same cold acclimation treatment. Overall, NY lizards decreased CT min , CT max , and T pref following cold acclimation, whereas CA lizards decreased CT max only. Wild CA lizards decreased CT max following the cold spring 2018 season in a manner similar to that of lab acclimated NY and CA lizards, suggesting that these lizards do not maintain a high CT max when the environment is unlikely to expose them to high temperatures. Thermal sensitivity (Q 10 ) of SMR O2 and EWL was lower in NY lizards, suggesting physiological adaptation to fluctuation in diurnal temperatures. The ratio of CO 2 produced to O 2 consumed (respiratory exchange ratio, RER) measured at 15°C increased in NY lizards following cold acclimation suggesting an increased use of carbohydrates and/or an increased production of lipids in the colder conditions. These responses in combination with the higher observed plasticity in NY lizards are in accordance with the climatic variability hypothesis, which predicts that organisms from more variable climates will be…
Internet Memes with Feminist Content as a Communication Media of Philosophical Meaning through Building a Deep Understandings on Women’s Positions

This research departs from interest and curiosity about women's issues and positions as represented in internet memes. The purpose of this research is to uncover the hidden philosophical meaning behind internet memes with feminist themes, chosen using a purposive sampling technique. This research thus provides a feminist internet meme analysis using the theoretical framework of critical discourse Sara Mills. This qualitative research is divided into four sections, after opening with an overview of internet memes, their philosophical background, and Sara Mills critical discourse to looking at the issue of women's positions. The first section discusses internet memes with a Western cultural background; the second section the analysis of internet memes with an Eastern cultural background; and the third section argues the analysis of internet memes with a background in Islamic culture. The fourth section will provide a philosophical reflection on feminist as reflected in internet memes from Western, Eastern and Islamic cultures as viewed from critical discourse Sara Mills. The research seeks the philosophical meaning of internet memes with feminist themes by using a Sara Mills critical discourse framework. This approach will offer a deep understanding of women’s positions within their cultural backgrounds, as depicted through internet memes to communicate the philosophical meaning of feminist issues.
Quantifying the economic cost of invertebrate pests to New Zealand’s pastoral industry

ABSTRACT The invertebrate pests most commonly affecting New Zealand’s pastoral-based production in ‘average’ years cause losses of between $1.7B and $2.3B p.a. of which up to $0.9B occur on sheep and beef farms and $1.4B on dairy farms. The native scarab grass grub is the most costly pest causing losses of $140–380 M on dairy farms and $75–205 M on sheep and beef farms annually. The exotic scarab, black beetle, although only affecting approximately 1 M ha, costs dairy farmers up to $223 M and sheep and beef farmers up to $19 M annually. Porina cause losses up to $84 M and $88 M respectively. Pasture nematodes are estimated to cost up to $274 M p.a. for dairy farmers and $326 M p.a. for sheep and beef farmers. Two exotic pests, Argentine stem weevil (ASW) and clover root weevil (CRW) are causing damage estimated at up to $200 M p.a. and $235 M p.a. respectively in dairy and sheep and beef pastures. While CRW is subject to successful biological control management it still causes considerable losses. Lesser pests also contribute to lost production, particularly as they often coexist with more major pests. However, their economic cost to New Zealand is difficult to calculate due to the variable nature of infestations on both temporal and spatial scales. At farm and paddock level, it is abundantly clear that substantial savings could be made if pest management is achieved. It is equally clear that in many instances the tools to do so are limited but if developed would contribute substantially to farm profitability.
Social Inclusion of Preschool Children With ASD: The Role of Typical Peers

This study examined the natural social interest of 193 (95 boys, 98 girls) typically developing preschoolers aged 41 to 77 months (M = 61.71 months, SD = 8.48 months) toward their included peers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; N = 16, M = 66.8, SD = 8.80). A hierarchical linear model examined the role of endogenous (within-child) and exogenous (environmental) variables in explaining typically developing children’s natural social behaviors. Results indicated the significant contribution of three variables: (a) typically developing children’s prosocial behaviors, (b) teachers’ attitudes about their training regarding inclusion, and (c) areas of inclusion support needed by the specific child with ASD. Discussion highlighted possible interactions among these variables within the social–ecological theoretical framework, for explaining peer relations of typically developing children with peers with ASD in regular preschools.
When Does Forecasting GAAP Earnings Entail Unreasonable Effort?

SEC rules require managers to reconcile their non-GAAP forecasts with the most directly comparable GAAP measure unless doing so would entail ‘unreasonable effort’. A large and growing number of managers invoke the unreasonable efforts exception to justify the omission of comparable GAAP forecasts. We analyze firms where managers invoke the unreasonable efforts exception and find that these firms are characterized by non-GAAP measures with significantly greater recurring expense exclusions. Our findings suggest that these firms opportunistically exploit the unreasonable efforts exception to avoid reconciling elevated non-GAAP forecasts to predictably lower GAAP earnings.
O efeito dos stock splits na liquidez das ações/The effect of stock splits in stock liquidity

Objetivos: A liquidez desempenha um papel crucial no bom funcionamento dos mercados financeiros e, ao longo dos anos, tem-se assistido a uma preocupacao das empresas em maximizar os niveis de liquidez das suas acoes. Os stocks splits tem sido um dos veiculos utilizados para atingir este objetivo, pelo que o presente trabalho visa estudar o comportamento da liquidez das acoes de empresas europeias que realizaram stock splits . Metodologia: Para testar o efeito na liquidez resultante dos 69 stock splits realizados por 68 empresas pertencentes ao STOXX Europe 600, entre 2010 e 2016, utilizou-se a metodologia de estudo de evento, com recurso a testes estatisticos nao parametricos e a tres medidas de liquidez: racio de turnover , LMx de Liu (2006) e ILLIQ de Amihud (2002). Resultados: Embora nao seja possivel concluir de forma inequivoca sobre os efeitos do stock split nos niveis de liquidez com uma janela de evento de um mes, os resultados obtidos sugerem que a liquidez aumenta nos 12 meses posteriores ao mes da operacao. Implicacoes praticas: Os resultados encontrados permitem aos gestores, considerar na tomada de decisoes, os efeitos esperados dos stocks splits na liquidez das acoes. Originalidade e valor: Atendendo a que grande parte da literatura sobre o tema se concentra em empresas dos EUA, o presente trabalho contribui para alargar o conhecimento a uma amostra de empresas europeias. Purpose: Liquidity plays a crucial role in financial markets and, over the years, companies have been concerned in maximizing the liquidity levels of their stocks. Stock split s have been one of the vehicles used to achieve this goal and therefore this paper aims to study the behavior of liquidity levels in European companies that have done stock split s. Methodology: To test the impact in liquidity of the 69 stock split s performed by 68 companies belonging to STOXX Europe 600, between 2010 and 2016, we used event study methodology, nonparametric statistical tests and three liquidity measures: turnover ratio, LMx of Liu (2006) and ILLIQ of Amihud (2002). Findings: Although it is not possible to conclude about stock split effects on liquidity levels with a one-month event window, the results suggest that liquidity increases in the 12 months after the stock split operation. Practical implications: The obtained results allow managers to consider the expected effects of stock split s on stock liquidity in their decisions. Originality/value: Since the related literature is mostly focused on US markets, this work contributes to broaden knowledge by studying a sample of European companies.
Digital Literacy in Formal Online Education: A Short Review

This study aims to explain the current findings of digital literacy in formal online education. The methods of research is a type of library description obtained from relevant scientific articles obtained from internet search media library engines: proquest, researchgate, google scholar and other search engines with keyword search "digital literacy" to find the publication of related scientific papers / relevant to the topic. Then the 41 articles found (listed in the references) are studied and then explained from the author's perspective. Digital literacy is multi-dimensional, built by multi construct hypotesis. In the previous research found a higher level of digital literacy that was positively related to the output of learning outcomes in the subjects studied. Online learners feel anxious because they do not understand and are accustomed to online classes, especially for those who have limited computer skills. Most importantly, independent students get the final grade of the program far better than non-independent students. The best predictor of academic success, measured by the final grades, namely components of academic skills, reading and writing abilities. Higher levels of digital literacy positively affected the high output of learning outcomes to student academic performance.
Unraveling the role of governance mechanisms in online ratings: The case of Spanish chain-affiliated hotels

This article studies how the choice of the mechanism of governance affects online ratings of hotels, empirically exploring the conditions under which various governance mechanisms improve (or damage) them. We emphasize that no governance mode is universally superior. However, when the mechanism of governance fits hotel characteristics, online ratings improve. We argue that such characteristics (i.e., hotel category, size, and age) determine the severity of agency problems (e.g., managerial shirking and free-riding) and the performance of governance choice. We test several organizational fit hypotheses on a data set of 2,328 hotels operating in Spain. Our results support the fit argument, because they show the superiority of franchise and management contracts (i.e., hybrids) for enhancing online ratings, as opposed to vertical integration, when category rises and size increases. Furthermore, we find evidence that maintenance does not appear to be a major problem in leasing. JEL CLASSIFICATION: D23; L25; L83
The Paradox of “Eyes on the Street”: Pedestrian Density and Fear of Crime in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Most studies highlighting the link between the urban environment and fear of crime (FoC) have focused on less populated spaces in urban areas, and concluded that the presence of activities and people in a space makes its users more confident. This study analyses the paradoxical phenomenon of FoC in occupied public spaces in the setting of Yaounde, Cameroon. To this end, this study analyses the relationship between intersection level, pedestrian density and perceived FoC. The results of the multi-level binary logistic regression demonstrate that women, vulnerable age groups, people with a weak sense of community and high-income people tend to express a higher level of FoC. Among the major FoC theories, these results confirm the theories of physical vulnerability and social networks and invalidate the theory of social vulnerability in the local context. The results also reveal that the relationship between “pedestrian density” and FoC seems to be a convex curve with the minimum value, implying that the concept of ‘eyes on the street’ is not valid in places where pedestrian density exceeds a specific threshold. This suggests that policy makers and planners should consider pedestrian density when designing public spaces, not only to secure wellbeing, but also due to the impact it can have on perceived FoC among those who use such spaces.
Online Safety as a New Component of Digital Literacy for Young People

Introduction. Digital literacy refers to the skills required to achieve digital competence, the confident and critical use of information and communication technology for le arning, leisure, communication and future work of young people. Digital competence has a dual nature. First of all, it is the technical ability to operate programs, pages, equipment. Secondly, it is also the ability to use digital media safely. Materials and Methods. The paper presents the attempts to measure digital literacy in the area of threats resutling from using the new media in the group of upper-secondary school students (fourth educational cycle). The study was carried out using a diagnostic test with 18 questions. The research was conducted in the group of 1693 youths aged 15–21. The research was designed based on traditional methods of testing knowledge and skills.Results. The findings showed that the weakest digital literacy component was the copyright-related knowledge and the strongest area was online shopping and financial operations. All digital literacy components are interrelated. The improvement in one area leads to the development of other digital literacy elements. Despite this correlation, digital literacy is a heterogeneous concept. There are also differences regarding certain digital literacy components, determined by gender – girls obtained higher test results in terms of the soft competencies whereas boys were better with the technical aspects of digital literacy. Based on the cluster analysis, we noticed that 41.41% of the students obtained good and very good results from the competence test. More than half of the students require further education in most of the analysed areas.Discussion and Conclusion. For educational decision-makers, the findings highlight the importance of designing training programs aimed at developing students’ digital literacies, with a special focus on new topics as sexting, piracy and cyberbullying.
Private rhino conservation: Diverse strategies adopted in response to the poaching crisis

Private landowners in South Africa conserve roughly 40% of white rhinos globally. Given concerns that escalating poaching has caused private‐rhino owners to disinvest, we used a national survey to assess 171 private‐rhino owners’ responses to the crisis. Twenty‐eight percent of rhino owners are disinvesting in rhino, 57% are pursuing business‐as‐usual (largely ecotourism), and 15% are investing in more rhinos. It is currently unclear whether this diversity in private‐rhino owners’ responses to the crisis is increasing the resilience of the rhino population to poaching. Some rhino investors show signs of financial stress. Most owners support rhino‐horn trade to fund conservation, yet international trade remains banned. By contrast, a recent national policy amendment allows rhinos to be managed as livestock, risking a shift from rhino‐for‐conservation to rhino‐for‐production on private land. Our findings highlight an urgent need to ensure policies keep pace with dynamic socioeconomic environments that influence the sustainability of wildlife use.
Efficiency of some common treatments on infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield in Northeast Ethiopia: Participatory and comparative analysis

Abstract Beekeeping is an integral part of livestock-based livelihood system in tropical and subtropical regions of Ethiopia. Despite its importance, the sub-sector is challenged by humble colony strength and honey yield due to pests including wax moths. To avert these challenges different treatments were suggested by researchers regardless of economic, social and technical efficiency analysis. This participatory study is thus intended to evaluate the efficiency of treatments on infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield in Northeast Ethiopia. Un-replicated on-farm experiment was conducted on six beekeepers comprising supplementary feeding, tobacco leaf smoking, the combination and control treatments. Economic, biological and preference data were collected periodically. Profitability was estimated in partial budget, while biological and preference data were analysed using ANOVA and weighted ranking matrix, respectively. Results revealed that tobacco smoking had the lowest infected combs (0.7 ± 0.2) followed by the combination, supplementary feeding and control groups in ascending order. Supplementary feeding provided highest mean honey yield (14.7 ± 1.2) (p < 0.05). Add to the honey yield improvement, ensuring active and strong colony with supplementary feeding is playing significant role in regulating wax moth infestation. Moreover, supplementary feeding was efficient with net benefit of ETB2811.2 (USD98.5) and 4396.9% marginal rate of return. It was also beekeepers’ primary choice by the overall preference parameters. Spearman’s correlation indicated that beekeepers’ preference rank was coincided by 80% with actual measured rank. Therefore, supplementary feeding is suggested for further promotion in similar agro-ecologies to regulate infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield enhancement.
A STUDY OF POVERTY AND INEQUALITY: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF ISSUES, CONCEPTS AND MEASUREMENTS - A LITERATURE VIEWS

Alleviation of Poverty is a crucial issue in the economic policy of most of the developing countries. But the Understanding of poverty and inequality needs a different aptitude of approaching its issues, concepts and measurement. Accordingly, this article examining the study of nature of issues, concepts and measurements of poverty and inequality which are closely associated with different multivariate phenomenon and magnitudes. This study also emphasized that the poverty and inequality must be approached in a broader view rather than a narrowed one.
Estimates of Heritability for Enhanced Storage Shelf Life and Early Maturity in Onions (Allium cepa L.)

Thirty-seven Onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes comprising of twelve parents (12) and twenty-five hybrids were evaluated at the Fadama Teaching and Research farm of the Department of Crop Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto during the 2015/2016 dry season. The objective of the study was to estimate heritability, phenotypic coefficient of variation, the genotypic coefficient of variation and environmental coefficient of variation. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. After harvesting, the genotypes were stored for five months under farmers practice. The analysis of the results indicated significant (P < 0.05) difference between the genotypes with respect to plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, leaf area index, percentage bolting, days to maturity, bulb diameter, bulb height, average bulb weight, fresh bulb yield, cured bulb yield, and percentage weight loss after five months of storage. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed. However, cured bulb weight recorded the highest values for both phenotypic (176.57%) and genotypic coefficients of variation (167.67%) followed by percentage bolting with 65.51 and 56.58% respectively. Days to maturity and plant height, on the other hand, recorded the lowest phenotypic coefficient of variation of (11.64 and 12.79% respectively) as well as genotypic coefficient of variation of 11.43 and 9.18% Original Research Article Gulumbe et al.; ARJA, 10(4): 1-5, 2018; Article no.ARJA. 33864 2 respectively. Percentage loss had the highest heritability (98.01%) while leaf area index had the lowest heritability of 14.11%. At the end of the research, it was concluded that all the characters were highly heritable with the exception of leaf area index.
On the Use of the Hybrid Causal Logic Methodology in Ship Collision Risk Assessment

A ship collision accident is one of the most dangerous and common types of maritime accidents. Traditional probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) of ship collision accidents is a methodology that can be adopted to ensure maritime safety. Nevertheless, a need for better approaches to model human behavior, such as risk identification, communication, and decision-making, has been identified. Such advanced PRA methods require a more explicit way of taking human factors into consideration than the traditional risk assessment methods. Hybrid causal logic (HCL) is an advanced PRA method due to its unique three-level framework that includes event sequence diagrams, fault trees, and Bayesian networks, which makes it suitable for modeling human behavior that is important to ship collision accidents. This paper discusses the applicability of the HCL methodology for the ship collision accident. Firstly, the event sequences of typical ship collision accidents are summarized based on the study of 50 accident investigation reports. Then, fault trees for mechanical failure events and the Bayesian networks for human error events are constructed to analyze the events in a structured way at a more detailed level. Finally, the three main end-state types of ship collision avoidance scenario have been quantified. The result of the probability of a ship collision accident is verified by estimating the annual frequency of collision accidents in the Singapore Strait. Comparing with the historical data, the estimation results are quite near to the real case. By taking advantage of the HCL methodology, the modeling of ship collision scenarios can be carried out at a deep logical level. At the same time, it is possible to combine a detailed analysis of various primary events with a comprehensive analysis at the system level.