Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postharvest regeneration, sciurid abundance, and postfledging survival and movements in an Ovenbird population

ABSTRACT Several studies have emphasized the importance of postfledging survival when estimating avian population growth rates, yet high variation exists in reported estimates. Mechanisms influencing postfledging survival also remain poorly understood. The influences of local habitat quality and landscape context on postfledging movements also remain largely undocumented. We measured daily postfledging survival and movements in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) in selection cut plots (30–40% basal area removal) and controls. Specifically, we tested predictions from the “concealment” hypothesis (higher survival/shorter movements with increased fledgling concealment), “body condition” hypothesis (higher survival/longer movements with increased body mass), and “predator abundance” hypothesis (higher survival/shorter movements when predator abundance is low) by monitoring fledgling survival (n = 55) and movements (n = 41) during the first 2 weeks postfledging. Fledglings were monitored over 2 breeding seasons in 5 pairs of experimental plots, 25 ha each (1 control and 1 treated plot per pair), located in mature hardwood stands. We found support for an effect of predator abundance on survival (i.e. effects of plot-level abundance of red squirrels and year). Models including habitat variables or body mass received weak support. A positive trend for effect of body mass on movement between successive locations was found but no evidence for an effect of predator abundance or habitat variables. These findings indicate that spatiotemporal variation in predator abundance was a key factor determining daily postfledging survival rate in this Ovenbird population; however, predator abundance did not influence movement rate, suggesting that fledgling Ovenbirds were unable to respond to predation risk.
The effects of salt reduction on characteristics of hard type cheese made using high proteolytic starter culture

The effects of salt reduction on characteristics of a hard cheese prepared using high proteolytic starter cultures were investigated. Cheeses were made with 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5% salt and analysed for composition, starter bacteria count, proteolysis, ACE-inhibitory activity, texture profile, and microstructure before and after storage for 8 weeks. Salt reduction significantly increased proteolysis (p < 0.05) and ACE inhibition, decreased hardness and increased compactness of cheese matrix. No differences in the sensory attributes were noted after storage for 8 weeks in cheeses made with 1.5% and 2% salt compared to the control (2.5% salt).
Cultural Olympiad : The Legacy of the Olympic Games Athens 1896 , 2004

This paper examines the institution of the Cultural Olympiad as well as the legacy of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and 2004. The Cultural Olympiad, as an institution, was developed in the context of the Olympic Games and, therefore, expresses the Olympic spirit and the humanitarian values of antiquity, which are briefly explained in the paper. The Olympic Games are connected to a program of cultural activities, which is developed during the four years between the Games. The basic aims of the Cultural Olympiad are to designate values for the development of human relations and also to add a permanent value to the Olympic Ideal. The legacy of the Cultural Olympiad for every Olympic City is a stable spiritual and economic value. The Olympic Games of 1896 contributed significantly to the designation of the Greek cultural legacy, whereas the Cultural Olympiad of 2004 was greatly extended and its cultural program covered the period before, during, and after the Games.
Distribution of Zinc in Selected Benchmark Soils of South Western Nigeria

The Understanding of the different fractions of Zinc in soils is important to effectively manage fertilizer resources due to the low availability of Zinc in the native soil worldwide. Bioavailability, uptake of Zinc by plant and its fractions depend largely on the soil parent material, the type of chemical transformation the soil has been expose to over times and some anthropogenic intervention. This study examined five different Zn pools. The distribution of Zn in soil fractions was determined for seven selected soils of South Western Nigeria. A sequential batch extraction which had been modified was used to identify Zn fractions and were separated into: the extractable zinc (Ex-Zn), zinc associated with the carbonate (CO 3 -Zn), the organically bound zinc (Org-Zn), sesquioxide (Ox-Zn) and residual (Res-Zn) in each soil. Total Zn was estimated as a sum of all the pools. Result showed that Zinc fractions in the soils were in this order: extractible pool (3.8%) < organic pool (13.6%) < carbonate pool (14.8%) < sesquioxide pool (22.8%) < residual pool (45.1%). The residual pool amounts for almost half of the zinc that made up the total zinc in the soil. The distribution of zinc into these pools were determined by selected physical and chemical properties of the soil; the pH, organic carbon, clay, CEC, and phosphorus. However, soil phosphorus and pH had the highest influence on the zinc in the experimental soils. The stable fraction that dominated the soil was evident in the low extractable Zn fractions in the soil. Which is an indication of the inherently low levels of the bioavailability of Zn in the selected soils used in this study.
The influence of Tropical Indian Ocean SST on the Indian summer monsoon

Abstract The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is one of the main components of the Asian summer monsoon. It is well known that one of the starting mechanisms of a summer monsoon is the thermal contrast between land and ocean and that sea surface temperature (SST) and moisture are crucial factors for its evolution and intensity. The Indian Ocean, therefore, may play a very important role in the generation and evolution of the ISM itself. A coupled general circulation model, implemented with a high-resolution atmospheric component, appears to be able to simulate the Indian summer monsoon in a realistic way. In particular, the features of the simulated ISM variability are similar to the observations. In this study, the relationships between the ISM and tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) SST anomalies are investigated, as well as the ability of the coupled model to capture those connections. The recent discovery of the Indian Ocean dipole mode (IODM) may suggest new perspectives in the relationship between ISM and TIO SS.
P o S ( A P C S 2 0 1 8 ) 0 3 8 Ultraluminous X-ray sources

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) represent a class of binary systems that are more luminous than any black hole in our Galaxy. The nature of these objects remained unclear for a long time. The most popular models for the ULXs involve either intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) or stellar-mass black holes accreting at super-Eddington rates. In the last few years our understating of these objects was significantly improved, which made the model of super-Eddington accretion much preferable. Both the X-ray and optical spectra provide evidence for the strong outflows coming from supercritical accretion disk. Another surprising result was discovery of pulsations in four ULXs, which claims that these systems must host neutron stars. Besides the presence of pulsations, there is no sharp difference between ultraluminous pulsars and normal ULXs. This fact implies that significant number of known ULXs might eventually be neutron stars.
Emerging categories of urban shared sanitation

With 2.6 billion people without access to improved sanitation facilities and with a growing urban population globally, shared sanitation in the form of public or community latrines is a pragmatic way of increasing coverage, but it is currently not deemed ‘improved’. This paper explores the variety of facilities that currently exist in order to identify what would enable some of these latrines to be classed as acceptable and to ensure that future shared sanitation facilities meet minimum standards. The categories mostly relate to issues of ownership, management, location and finance rather than technological considerations. An extensive literature review reveals that the users' perspective of acceptability is largely absent from current discussions.
The Perception of Government Bonds and Money as Net Wealth: An Integrated Approach

Although much work examines whether government bonds constitute net wealth, little attention focuses on whether government money does. Most analysts merely assert that government money is net wealth. In an inflationary environment, however, money experiences "expected-inflation discounting" just as bonds experience "tax discounting. " Indeed, Chiang and Miller (1988) find empirical evidence suggesting that the private sector discounts money more heavily than bonds. This paper provides the theoretical underpinnings for the two types of discounting in an integrated approach, where both new money and new bonds can finance the interest on outstanding bonds.
Fish Larvae Response to Biophysical Changes in the Gulf of California, Mexico (Winter-Summer)

We analyzed the response of fish larvae assemblages to environmental variables and to physical macro- and mesoscale processes in the Gulf of California, during four oceanographic cruises (winter and summer 2005 and 2007). Physical data of the water column obtained through CTD casts, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll a satellite imagery were used to detect mesoscale structures. Zooplankton samples were collected with standard Bongo net tows. Fish larvae assemblages responded to latitudinal and coastal-ocean gradients, related to inflow of water to the gulf, and to biological production. The 19°C and 21°C isotherms during winter, and 29°C and 31°C during summer, limited the distribution of fish larvae at the macroscale. Between types of eddy, the cyclonic (January) registered high abundance, species richness, and zooplankton volume compared to the other anticyclonic (March) and cyclonic (September). Thermal fronts (Big Islands) of January and July affected the species distribution establishing strong differences between sides. At the mesoscale, eddy and fronts coincided with the isotherms mentioned previously, playing an important role in emphasizing the differences among species assemblages. The multivariate analysis indicated that larvae abundance was highly correlated with temperature and salinity and with chlorophyll a and zooplankton volume during winter and summer, respectively.
A review of gastrointestinal physiology and the mechanisms underlying the health benefits of dietary fiber: Matching an effective fiber with specific patient needs

A primary function of the gastrointestinal tract is to provide the body with water, electrolytes and nutrients. It accomplishes this by ingestion, mechanical shearing, mixing and movement of the food through the gastrointestinal tract (motor events), secretion of digestive juices (≈ 6 liters per day) for degradation of complex nutrients into simple nutrients (e.g. complex carbohydrate into simple sugars), absorption of simple nutrients, water and electrolytes, and bacterial degradation of residue in the large bowel / elimination of waste. The small bowel is ≈ 7 meters long with a mucosa that is studded with millions of villi (each with microvilli), giving the small bowel a surface area approximately the size of a tennis court. Most digestion/absorption normally occurs early in the proximal small bowel. Non-digested/absorbed chyme arrives as a liquid in the cecum, and, under normal conditions, is gradually dehydrated as it slowly passes through the large bowel until it is eliminated as formed stool. Different types of dietary fiber can exert specific mechanical effects on each of these gastrointestinal functions, which can lead to local benefits (e.g. relief of constipation) as well as systemic benefits (e.g. cholesterol lowering, improved glycemic contro l ). Three characteristics of fiber (solubility, viscosity and fermentation) are predictive of the health benefits of different fiber types. Based on these three characteristics, dietary fiber can be divided into four clinically meaningful designations that support recommendations to address the specific healthcare needs of each patient. This review will describe the four clinically meaningful designations for dietary fiber, and provide a summary of the clinical studies that support the health benefits for each.
Outcome of Drug Counseling of Outpatients in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinic at Thawangpha Hospital

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The main underlying cause of the disease is tobacco smoking, which destroys the patient’s bronchi and alveoli. COPD is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. There is much evidence to suggest that drug counseling may improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of drug counseling of COPD patients in experimental (received drug counseling) and control groups. The outcomes were knowledge about COPD, frequency of exacerbation, and quality of life. Patient knowledge was evaluated by a 10 item knowledge test about COPD, treatment and self-management. The frequency of the disease exacerbation was recorded. Patient quality of life was measured by the THAI version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire which contains 26 items of five domains including physical, psychological, social relationship, environment, and quality of life overview. Knowledge about COPD, treatment and selfmanagement of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The frequency of the disease exacerbation in the experimental group was significantly less than the control group (p < 0.05). The overall of quality of life between two groups was not different. However, the experimental group had higher scores than the control group, in physical domain (p < 0.05) and quality of life overview domain (p < 0.05). The study showed that the experimental group had better outcomes than the control group in terms of knowledge about COPD, treatment and self-management, frequency of the disease exacerbation, and two domains of the qualities, physical domain and the quality of life overview domain. ©All right reserved.
Urban/Rural Gap During Epidemiological Transition

The prediction of cardiovascular risk profile trends in low-income countries and timely action to modulate their transitions are among the greatest global health challenges. In 2005 we evaluated a nationally representative sample of the Mozambican population (n 3323; 25 to 64 years old) following the Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance. Prevalence of hypertension (systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg and/or antihypertensive drug therapy), awareness (having been informed of the hypertensive status by a health professional in the previous year), treatment among the aware (use of antihypertensive medication in the previous fortnight), and control among those treated (blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg) were 33.1% (women: 31.2%; men: 35.7%), 14.8% (women: 18.4%; men: 10.6%), 51.9% (women: 61.1%; men: 33.3%), and 39.9% (women: 42.9%; men: 28.7%), respectively. Urban/rural comparisons are presented as ageand education-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Among women, hypertension (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.0) and awareness (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.9 to 9.5) were more frequent in urban areas. No urban/rural differences were observed in men (hypertension: OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9 to 2.0; awareness: OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.5 to 4.7). Treatment prevalence was not significantly different across urban/rural settings (women: OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.5 to 4.4; men: OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.4). Control was less frequent in urban women (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0 to 1.0) and more frequent in urban men (OR: 78.1; 95% CI: 2.2 to 2716.6). Our results illustrate the changing paradigms of “diseases of affluence” and the dynamic character of epidemiological transition. The urban/rural differences across sexes support a trend toward smaller differences, emphasizing the need for strategies to improve prevention, correct diagnosis, and access to effective treatment. (Hypertension. 2009;54:77-83.)
Error Analysis of Two Round Plane Circular Sensors Arrays based Acoustic Positioning System

The passive acoustic locating technology is used widely in many fields. The lower locating accuracy of long distance targets location is one of the key problems that always affect its applications. In order to locate the long distance acoustic target passively, a scheme of two round plane circular arrays is presented. Each array is equate to a Vector-Sensor, could locate the direction of the target. The error source of the system is analyzed in detail. The effects of errors on the accuracy of the location are given, and then the simulation is made.
Expression Analysis of CTHRC1 in the Murine Embryo during Mid-facial Development

Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1) has been shown to regulate collagen expression, cell migration and interact with the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway. Objective: Determine CTHRC1 expression in the midface of mouse embryos during craniofacial development. Methods: qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of Cthrc1 at embryonic (E) days of development E8.5-E13.5. Results: CTHRC1 expression was in the notochord and neural tube at E8.5, mesenchyme of the midface at E9.5E10. 5 and areas of cartilage formation at E11.5-E13.5. Conclusions: The expression of CTHRC1 in the developing craniofacial region suggests a role of CTHRC1 in migration of cranial neural crest cells and in chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. We speculate the functions of CTHRC1 during craniofacial development are via its interactions with the Wnt/PCP pathway, shown previously to play a significant role during craniofacial development. Support: Donald G. Woodside Fund and NSERC.
Identifying key policy options for growth and gainful employment in Ghana

Farm inputs subsidies have been a major component of agricultural sector policies in many developing countries, including Ghana. In this study, we examine the economy-wide impact of the fertiliser subsidy programme in Ghana with a focus on agricultural sector productivity, overall economic growth, employment, and welfare. We adopt a modified version of the standard PEP-1-t model. Our results suggest that the fertilizer subsidy programme improves GDP growth and sectoral productivity, notably, the main agricultural sub-sectors and the food industry. Specifically, compared to the business as usual scenario, the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy programme improves the productivity of the maize, sorghum and rice sub-sectors by about 8.3%, 4.5% and 3.8%, respectively, in 2017. These impacts are however about four-times, three-times and six-times higher in 2020 than their 2017 levels, respectively. Also, we observe important positive impacts on the value added of the food industry, indicating the presence of a backward linkage with the agricultural sector. The unemployment rate among skilled labour (except urban skilled labour engaged in agricultural activities) falls under the programme and the decline in unemployment is relatively more pronounced for rural skilled labour engaged in nonagricultural activities. In addition, we find evidence of positive impacts on household consumption and hence on welfare. Based on these findings, we recommend that the fertilizer subsidy programme should be implemented as planned and if possible extended beyond its planned implementation period. JEL: C68; D24; I32; Q18.
Variational formulas for immersions into 3-manifolds

In this thesis we introduce the S-theory. We apply the S-theory to variational problems of immersed Riemann surfaces, Elasticity theory and Spin theory. From classical mechanics it is known that geometric problems can be substantially simplified by symmetry considerations. The Noether theorem describes in this case how to find conservation laws from the invariance property of the observed energy. At first, the motivation was to give the space of immersions M = {f : M → R}, for an oriented Riemannian manifold M of dimension less than or equal to three, an Euclidean invariant description. For geometric energies, i.e. energies which are invariant under Euclidean transformations, one would be able to derive conservation laws for the respective variational problems. It is a well known fact that immersed space curves are uniquely determined by their curvature functions (κ1, κ2, τ) up to Euclidean transformations. In the case of immersed surfaces and immersed 3-manifolds the situation becomes more complicated and leads to a non conformal deformation theory (S-Theorie). The S-Theory builds the foundations of this thesis. Starting from a Riemannian manifold M and a reference metric ⟨ , ⟩ one can modell any other Riemmanian metric g through a positive definite and self adjoint operator S via g = ⟨S, S⟩. The operator S is an isometry, i.e. g = S∗⟨ , ⟩. From this point of view we compute the LeviCivita connection with respect to g out of Levi-Civita connection of the reference metric and the operator S. Further we introduce Spin bundles over two and three dimensional oriented Riemannian manifolds. Thereby Spin bundles, in contrast to most of the literature, have additionally a quaternionic structure. Many formulas become clearer and more accessible. We show that any Spin bundle Σ over (M, ⟨ , ⟩) has a unique Spin connection and compute via the S-Theory the deformed Spin connection with respect to the metric g. Eventually we consider the induced Spin bundle of an immersion f : M → R and compute the corresponding Spin connection and find a new interpretation of the Gauss-Codazzi equation. We introduce the Dirac operator and compute its deformation with respect to the metric g. We are now able to give the space of immersed surfaces M = {f : M → R} the desired geometric description. We compute the normal space of M and formulate the Noether theorem. As an application we compute conservation laws for the Willmore functional. Finally we introduce the intrinsic version of the famous distance-squared energy on a n-dimensional Riemannian manifold. We introduce the corresponding stress tensor and show that it’s closeness is a characterization for critical points of the energy. Thereby the S-theory provides a fundamental concept for the understanding of the stress tensor. In the case of a Riemann surface, the S-theory provides a canonical harmonic rotation 1-form for critical points of the distance-squared energy.
The Effect of Globalization on Poverty in Iran : Urban And Rural Area Separately

This paper, examines the impact of globalization on poverty in Iran, urban and rural area separately, based on time series data during 1986-2009. The index is based on the globalization index proposed by A.T. Kearny/foreign policy magazine. The index is composed of four sub indices, namely: economic integration, personal contact, technological connection and political engagement. In this paper globalization index is used (economic integration) and poverty index is FGT. Result shows that, globalization decreases percentage of poverty and severity of urban poverty and has no significant impact on the poverty gap of urban, and decreases gap and severity and percentage of people of poverty in rural area.