Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How climate influences the biology and behaviour of Phyllophaga capillata (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado

Phyllophaga capillata (Blanchard) is the most important soil pest in soybean crops in Central Brazil (Federal District and Goiás state). The objective of this work was to study the bio‐ecology of P. capillata in the field in the Cerrado of Central Brazil, relating its biology and behaviour to the climatic characteristics of this biome. The study was conducted over three years in a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] production area (≈6000 ha) in the Federal District. Field samplings were taken to observe the biological stages of P. capillata, preferred oviposition sites and the adult swarming period. Phyllophaga capillata presented an univoltine cycle that lasted about 10 months of egg to inactive adults, and 12 months until the appearance of active adults. Eggs were found in the field in October and November. The larval stage occurred between November and June. Pre‐pupae were observed in June and the pupae between July and August. Inactive adults were observed in August and September, and the swarming period was between September and December. Females preferred to oviposit in sites with taller plants. This species synchronises its active phases (larvae and active adults) with soybean cultivation and the rainy season (October/March) in the Brazilian Cerrado. Alternatives for pest management based on their bio‐ecological characteristics are presented.
Multilevel Rasch modeling of two-tier multiple choice test: A case study using Lawson’s classroom test of scientific reasoning

Assessment instruments composed of two-tier multiple choice (TTMC) items are widely used in science education as an effective method to evaluate students’ sophisticated understanding. In practice, however, there are often concerns regarding the common scoring methods of TTMC items, which include pair scoring and individual scoring schemes. The pair-scoring method is effective in suppressing “false positives” at the cost of missing possible middle states of progression of student understanding. On the other hand, the individual scoring method captures an undistinguished middle level but is prone to rewarding guessing, which leads to “false positives”. In addition, this middle level does not discriminate the progression between knowing the result and explaining the reason, which limits the capacity of drawing meaningful implications from the assessment outcomes. To address the concerns with the current scoring methods, it is valuable to explore new scoring method(s) that can fully utilize the information measured with TTMC items. In this study, a number of scoring models are studied using Rasch analysis on data of a popular TTMC test, the Lawson classroom test of scientific reasoning (LCTSR), collected from four considerably different populations. The results show that the model fit quality of the scoring methods varies with student population and item design. In general, there is no one-fits-all solution; however, given the new information obtained in this study, a three-step process is suggested that can guide the development of new mixed scoring models tailored for a particular population and or test. The evaluation results show that the mixed models produce the most reliable model fitting and better than average goodness of fit. Furthermore, the results in this study also confirm previous studies, which suggest that it is harder to come up with a correct explanation than to just know the answer.
The influence of induction programs on beginning teachers'well-being and professional development

Steeds meer scholen hebben een begeleidingsprogramma, om beginnende docenten te ondersteunen in hun eerste jaren van de zelfstandige beroepsuitoefening. Met een interviewstudie en een vragenlijststudie is onderzocht in hoeverre inductieprogrammaâs bijdragen aan het welbevinden van de beginnende docenten en aan hun professionele ontwikkeling. Uit het onderzoek bleek dat de nadruk in inductieprogrammaâs vaak ligt op emotionele ondersteuning en het helpen van docenten bij problemen met klassenmanagement. Een mogelijke verklaring hiervoor is dat de meeste mentoren sterk gericht lijken te zijn op de alledaagse urgente zorgen en problemen van de docent. Zij proberen docenten te ondersteunen en hen te helpen met hun vragen en problemen, die vaak betrekking hebben op het managen van de klas. Docenten ervaren deze begeleiding als positief. Doorslaggevende factor hierbij is de mate waarin de mentor ondersteunend is. Daarnaast bleek dat de meeste docenten slechts weinig invloed ervaren van de begeleiding op hun professionele ontwikkeling. Ter bevordering hiervan is geadviseerd om de begeleiding meer te faciliteren en om bij de selectie van mentoren rekening te houden met hun competentie om docenten te kunnen uitdagen in hun professionele ontwikkeling. Hiervoor is onder meer van belang om te investeren in de voorbereiding en scholing van mentoren.
Determinants of Local Governments attitude towards Local Agenda 21: an empirical analysis

Previous research has identified factors affecting Local governments' (LGs) attitude to Local Agenda 21 (LA21) (Echebarria, et al. 2009). This research is addressed to propose a measurement model and contrast it in the case of a specific region, the Basque Country. Research results support that LGs attitude to LA21 (in terms of value, satisfaction and loyalty) is explained by internal characteristics of the LGs (such as the existence of key individuals and the LG' propensity towards citizen participation) and factors related to the environment of the LGs which is fostered, fundamentally, by the higher levels of government (HLGs) which can create connected or networking processes. Measurement model could be used in other contexts in order to accept or refuse the results of this research and offer politicians a guide to achieve a more generalised diffusion of LA21 processes.
Large-Scale and Global Maximization of the Distance to Instability

The larger the distance to instability from a matrix is, the more robustly stable the associated autonomous dynamical system is in the presence of uncertainties and the less severe transient behavior its solution exhibits. Motivated by these issues, we consider the maximization of the distance to instability of a matrix dependent on several parameters, a nonconvex optimization problem that is likely to be nonsmooth. In the first part we propose a globally convergent algorithm when the matrix is of small size and depends on a few parameters. In the second part we deal with the problems involving large matrices. We tailor a subspace framework that reduces the size of the matrix drastically. The strength of the tailored subspace framework is proven with a global convergence result as the subspaces grow and a superlinear rate-of-convergence result with respect to the subspace dimension.
Stability of model performance and parameter values on two catchments facing changes in climatic conditions

Abstract Hydrological models are often used for studying the hydrological effects of climate change; however, the stability of model performance and parameter values under changing climate conditions has seldom been evaluated and compared. In this study, three widely-used rainfall–runoff models, namely the SimHYD model, the HBV model and the Xin’anjiang model, are evaluated on two catchments subject to changing climate conditions. Evaluation is carried out with respect to the stability in their performance and parameter values in different calibration periods. The results show that (a) stability of model performance and parameter values depends on model structure as well as the climate of catchments, and the models with higher performance scores are more stable in changing conditions; (b) all the tested models perform better on a humid catchment than on an arid catchment; (c) parameter values are also more stable on a humid catchment than on an arid catchment; and (d) the differences in stability among models are somewhat larger in terms of model efficiency than in model parameter values.
Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its Associated Factors Among Medical Students

Background and aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder and is the most commonly diagnosed one by gastroenterologists. In this study, we aim to explore the frequency of IBS among medical students in Qassim, and the factors associated with this disorder among them. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among medical students of all academic levels in three local universities in Qassim region; Qassim University, Unizah as well as Alrajhi colleges of medicine. Data for the study were collected throughout the 1st semester of the academic year 2015-2016 using a validated, self-administered, and anonymous paper questionnaire. The questionnaire included three main sections: Demographics, Rome III criteria and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Results: Among 511 students completed the study and of those 70 (13.7%) had IBS. Senior medical students are 3.61 times more likely to have IBS than juniors (p<0.001). Depression was significantly associated with IBS (p=0.042). Stepwise logistic regression showed that chronic health problems, more advanced academic level and personal history of IBS were significant predictors for IBS. Conclusion: The prevalence of IBS is 13.7% among medical students in Qassim region. Depression, age, living situation, advanced academic years, family or personal history, or an episode of travellers’ diarrhoea were the main predictors of IBS. Offering psychological and emotional support along with stress management courses in order to deal with stress is recommended.
A GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR BATCH CHEMICAL PLANT SCHEDULING

In this paper, a two-stage methodology for solving jobshop scheduling problems is proposed. The first step involves the development of a discrete-event simulation (D.E.S.) model to represent dynamically the production system behaviour, taking into account the main features inherent to a batch chemical plant. In the second step of our approach, we investigate Genetic Algorithms (GAs) for solving batch process scheduling problems : a GA has been developed for minimising the average residence time to produce a set of batches in function of batch order in a multipurpose-multiproduct batch plant. The evaluation of the objective function is provided by its coupling with the D.E. S. model embedded in the optimisation loop. Computational results show that the use of this approach can significantly help improving the efficiency of the production system. ________________________________________________________________________________
Maintenance of Disc Height and Lordosis When Performing a New Technique In Instrumented Lumbar Posterolateral Fusion - Results from a Consecutive Prospective Study

Study Design: Consecutive Prospective Study. Summary of Background Data: Lumbar fusion is considered the “gold standard” treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP) that is believed to be due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) and is not relieved by prolonged conservative treatment. Instrumented intercorporal fusion is believed to restore disc height and prevent postoperative kyphosis better than instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF). A new technique to perform PLF, using modern pedicle screw systems, challenges this belief. Objective: This study has two main objectives: to measure disc height and segmental lordosis pre-, post-, and late post-operative in patients operated on with a variant of PLF and to compare the results with reported measurements with other techniques. Material: The study included 97 consecutive patients (56 female) age 20-73, all with CLBP; 84 patients were diagnosed as DDD only, 13 patients had a spondylolisthesis with concurrent DDD. Forty-nine, patients were treated at one segment, 47 at two segments, and one patient at three segments. All patients were X-rayed preoperatively, immediately post-operative, and at late follow-up (≥ 10 months). Methods: In all patients, PLF’s were performed using a pretension-distraction technique. Disc height and lordosis were calculated for all treated segments according to evaluated methods. The values on disc height and lordosis were compared for each patient preoperatively, immediately post-operative, and at follow-up. Results: All treated segments had an increase of disc height at post-operative examinations. Despite some reduction of this increase at late control follow-up, the increase was still significant for L3-L4 segment (men) and L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments (women). Lordosis was reduced postoperatively with less than the measurement error for the method. Conclusions: When this method of PLF was used, long-term increase in disc height and maintenance of lordosis was as favorable as reported on intercorporal fusions.
Use of RPMI in Vitreous Cytology: The Case for Sterile, Single Use Aliquots

Importance: Sterile aliquots of Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) are necessary in obtaining uncontaminated vitreous biopsies. Background: To report a case of RPMI medium contamination in diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to exclude vitreoretinal lymphoma. Design: Interventional case report. Participants: One patient. Methods: Diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy, vitreous biopsy. Main outcome measures: Diagnostic, clinical, and histopathologic features of granulmoatous vitritis. Conclusion: A case for single use, sterile aliquots of refrigerated RPMI for vitreoretinal surgeons.
Correlation breakdown and extreme dependence in emerging equity markets

This study investigates the dependence structure of extreme realization of returns between the mature markets of Japan and the U.S. and the emerging markets of Cyprus, Greece and that of six Asia- Pacific counties, with the application of multivariate Extreme Value Theory that best suits to the problem under investigation. The evidence we obtain indicates that the left tail extreme correlations (downside risk) are not substantially different from the unconditional ones or from those obtained from a multivariate Dynamic Conditional Correlation GARCH model (DCC) with asymmetric GJRGARCH univariates. Moreover, a clustering analysis shows that the examined countries do not belong to a distinct block on the basis of the extreme correlations we have estimated. The policy implications are that the benefits from portfolio diversification between the Cyprus stock market and the markets of Asia-Pacific countries, Greece, Japan and the U.S. are not eroded during crisis periods, in that no "correlation breakdown" has been witnessed.
Ageing in the Middle East and North Africa: A Contemporary Perspective

Abstract One of the central themes in the study of population growth has been ageing. Ageing in the world’s population has grown into a dominant demographic feature in twenty-first century society. An ageing population is the result of many contributing factors including the improvement of the health care system. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in recent years has attracted much interest from scholars, policy makers and social gerontology. By applying the geographical case studies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) this paper critically explores the issues and debates of ageing in a social policy context.
EFFECT OF THE DIFFERENT SINTERING ATMOSPHERES ON THE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PARTIALLY STABILIZED ZIRCONIA DOPED WITH 8wt%Y 2 O 3

Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of zirconia-based ceramics have led to a wide range of advanced and engineering applications like solid electrolyte in oxygen sensors, fuel cells and its low thermal conductivity has allowed its use for thermal barrier coatings for aerospace engine components. In this study, the effect of the sintering at-mosphere in the in-situ stabilization of the Cubic- and Tetragonal-ZrO 2 phases were studied in ZrO 2 -8wt. %Y 2 O 3 ceramics. Powder mixture was compacted by cold isostatic pressing and sintered at 1600 o C-30 minutes, in air and under vacuum. Sintered samples were characterized by relative density, X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Ceramics with relative density near to 90% were obtained in both sintering atmospheres and the sintering in air demonstrate an increasing of the cubic+tetragonal-ZrO 2 stabilization, reducing the martensitic (T-M) trans-formation after sintering. In this form, a lower monoclinic is formed and consequently, a few higher densification was obtained in samples sintered in air. The lattice parameters of the tetragonal and cubic phases were determined to be similar and its proportion (65% and 35% respectively for ZrO 2 -8wt.%Y 2 O 3 ) is no influenced by the sintering atmosphere.
Stability of Some Stochastic Interest Rate Models

In this paper, we study exponential mean-square stability, boundedness in probability uniformly in t and pth-moments of the solution process of well-known interest rate models such as Vasicek, BrennanSchwartz, Hull-White and Dothan. Some of the results obtained here appear to be new.
Resolution enhancement with improved range Doppler algorithm in high numerical aperture OCT

The improved range Doppler algorithm is proposed to abate the trade-off between resolutions and depth of focus in spectral domain optical coherence tomography. By considering the finite beam width and the shape of the wavefronts produced by the Gaussian beam, a physical diffraction model is presented to simulate the light propagation process in the sample. The two-dimensional processing of the spectrum data is decomposed into two one-dimensional processings of Stolt transform and matched filter. Experimental results show that image reconstruction can be achieved. The transverse and axial resolutions are both improved significantly, especially in the out-of-focus range, and the resolutions are almost equivalent throughout the entire region of interest.
The desire of parenting: new scenarios in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinic and psychological reflections on heterologous fertilization

The purpose of this article is to explore, in line with Italian legislation on heterologous fertilization, a series of psychological factors that are involved in this technique and its impact on the couple relationship, on the fears connected to it and on the future relationship with the child. Furthermore, clinical reflections concerning the differences between man and woman in heterologous fertilization and the aspects concerning the choice to conceal or reveal the child's biological origin have been addressed. The conclusions presented here contribute to the discussion by launching ideas for reflection of future clinical research in relation to the development of the relationship between the child, the donor and the parents and the motivation behind offering the gametes.
Susceptibilidad de Solanum phureja (Juz. et Buk.) al virus del amarillamiento de las venas

RESUMEN Sixty two virus-free accessions of Solanum phureja from the Colombian central collection of this tuber (Bogota-Soacha) were tested for their susceptibility to infection with Potato yellow vein virus (PYVV). Under greenhouse conditions, the plants were inoculated with PYVV using viruliferous Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) whiteflies, and monitored for three months (the tuber formation period of S. phureja) for symptoms of infection and virus capsid protein (CP) production, by means of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Symptoms of PYVV infection, consisting in the chlorotic flecking of leaflets, followed by complete vein yellowing, were noted in 38 accessions whose RNA extracts generated correctsized CP amplicons in RT-PCR assays. Thirteen of the remai ning accessions were found to be latently infected with the virus through positive RT-PCR assays. Twelve accessions were free of virus infection as judged by the absence of symptoms and negative RT-PCR assay results over two cycles of tuber setting and germination. These accessions may possess field resistance to PYVV. This work is the first one to detect and define the levels of susceptibility of Colombian S. phureja accessions to PYVV infection, and to identify the potential existence of resistance to this deleterious Andean potato virus.
Income Inequality and Opportunity Inequality in Europe

This paper proposes an estimate of the extent of opportunity inequality and of its determinants in a sample of European countries, based on the Survey on Income and Living Conditions conducted in 2005. Although the ranking among Northern European and Mediterranean countries is generally respected, our measures of equality of opportunity provide a different ranking with respect to the one offered by the measures of overall income inequality. Our figures show that equality of opportunity has correlation with both institutional measures of schooling (pre-primary education, de-tracked secondary school) as well as with labour market institutions (union density, but not employment protection).
A Longitudinal Study of the Dynamics of Giftedness

Introduction. The paper presents a longitudinal study nearly a half-century long of the dynamics of giftedness from adolescence to maturity. Giftedness is an individual’s ability for creativity. The current study postulates that personal creative achievements can be predicted and that individuals’ ability to develop activities on their own initiative is the unit of such analysis of creativity. The concept of creativity is revealed through this ability as its mechanism. The ultimate forms of creativity are actions that lose the form of response. Methods. For the purpose of the study, the authors developed a Creative Field technique. This diagnostic tool has certain advantages over other existing tests, as it also measures intelligence according to the learnability criteria. The study was originated in 1970 with a sample comprised of 60 10th grade students of physico-mathematical school № 2 in Moscow. The second stage of the experiment took place in 1976. It employed the new Creative Field technique developed with the use of mathematical content. The third stage of the experiment was conducted during 2002–2003, at which point in time the sample was somewhat reduced due to inaccessibility of a portion of the original participants. The fourth stage of the study of the genesis of giftedness is currently underway (2018-2019). Results and Discussion. The study produced reliable measures of giftedness in adolescence and maturity and analyzed achievements in participants’ professional activities. These results create an objective framework for analyzing the role of the major life events and personality structure in the realization, and either development or regression of giftedness. The results of the experiments confirmed the relevance of the technique and the validity of the method itself. Students, who reached the highest levels of cognition in the experiment, also made significant discoveries in their professional activities. Conclusion. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) The method of Creative Field has predictive value. (b) The theory developed by authors is productive.
SAMOD: an agile methodology for the development of ontologies

In this paper we introduce SAMOD, a.k. a. Simplified Agile Methodology for Ontology Development, a novel agile methodology for the development of ontologies by means of small steps of an iterative workflow that focuses on creating well-developed and documented models starting from exemplar domain descriptions. How to cite this paper: Peroni, S. (2016). SAMOD: an agile methodology for the development of ontologies. figshare. http://dx.doi. org/ 10.6084/m9.figshare. 3189769