Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOBILITY AND HABITAT UTILIZATION OF SMALL MUSTELIDS IN RELATION TO CYCLICALLY FLUCTUATING PREY ABUNDANCES

We examined the winter season mobility and habitat utilization of two mustelid predators, the least weasel (Mustela n. nivalis) and the stoat (M. erminea) in western Finland. Cyclically fluctuating abundances of voles offered an opportunity to compare speciesspecific behavioral adjustments to the density of main prey. Daily lengths of small mustelid snowtracks in different habitats were recorded during six successive winters covering two three-year population cycles of voles (field vole Microtus agrestis, sibling vole M. rossiaemeridionalis and bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus). Tracks of least weasels were longest in the low phase of the vole cycle indicating that least weasels as Microtus vole specialists increased mobility in searching for prey at low densities of voles. The mobility of stoats was highest in the early decline phase. Both small mustelid species preferred farmland habitats typical for Microtus species, in particular at high densities of voles. Stoats as semi-generalist predators may shift to alternative prey leading to changes in habitat utilization, when voles are decreased to low densities. This was observed when stoats utilized woodland habitats more in the low than in other phases of the vole cycle.
Molecular cloud distance determination from deep NIR survey extinction measurements

Using near-infrared United Kingdom Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Galactic Plane Survey data, we make extinction measurements to individual stars along the same line of sight as molecular clouds. Using an existing 3D extinction map of the inner Galaxy, that provides line of sight specific extinction-distance relationships, we convert the measured extinction of molecular clouds to a corresponding distance. These distances are derived independently from kinematic methods, typically used to derive distances to molecular clouds, and as such they have no near/far ambiguity. The near/far distance ambiguity has been resolved for 27 clouds, and distances have been derived to 20 clouds. The results are found to be in good agreement with kinematic measurements to molecular clouds where the ambiguity has already been resolved, using H I self-absorption techniques.
Inferring Interaction Across Multiple Contexts

Two competing psychological models of causal strength estimation make different predictions regarding when simple causal hypotheses will be rejected in favor of more complex ones. Two experiments tested these predictions, employing a novel method for indirectly assessing perceived causal strength. In both experiments, the task required a judgment regarding the existence of an interaction between a candidate cause and unobserved background causes. Results indicate that reasoners revise simple causal hypotheses based on the mental construct of causal power (Cheng, 1997).
Pré-ipo capital infusion and underwriting in Brazil: a study on conflicts of interests in the universal banking system

This research paper investigates the issue of pre-IPO capital infusion and underwriting. During the bullish market from 2004 to 2008, a great number of Brazilian companies decided to go public. In many of these issues, the issuing company had received capital from its underwriters through lending and/or equity ownership. Recent research papers in Brazil argue that these loans had the intention to inflate issuing companies and deceive investors. Through an analysis of Earnings Management and Price Stabilization our research found evidences that underwriters stabilize more and with higher intensity those IPOs in which they lent money or bought equity stake in issuing companies. When looking at Earnings Management the result shows no difference between firms that received capital and those that did not.
Groundwater data improve modelling of headwater stream CO 2 outgassing with a stable DIC isotope approach

Abstract. A large portion of terrestrially derived carbon outgasses as carbon dioxide (CO 2) from streams and rivers to the atmosphere. Particularly, the amount of CO 2 outgassing from small headwater streams is highly uncertain. Conservative estimates suggest that they contribute 36 % (i.e. 0.93 petagrams (Pg) C yr −1) of total CO 2 outgassing from all fluvial ecosystems on the globe. In this study, stream p CO 2 , dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and δ13 C DIC data were used to determine CO 2 outgassing from an acidic headwater stream in the Uhliřska catchment (Czech Republic). This stream drains a catchment with silicate bedrock. The applied stable isotope model is based on the principle that the 13 C ∕ 12 C ratio of its sources and the intensity of CO 2 outgassing control the isotope ratio of DIC in stream water. It avoids the use of the gas transfer velocity parameter ( k ), which is highly variable and mostly difficult to constrain. Model results indicate that CO 2 outgassing contributed more than 80 % to the annual stream inorganic carbon loss in the Uhliřska catchment. This translated to a CO 2 outgassing rate from the stream of 34.9 kg C m −2 yr −1 when normalised to the stream surface area. Large temporal variations with maximum values shortly before spring snowmelt and in summer emphasise the need for investigations at higher temporal resolution. We improved the model uncertainty by incorporating groundwater data to better constrain the isotope compositions of initial DIC. Due to the large global abundance of acidic, humic-rich headwaters, we underline the importance of this integral approach for global applications.
Contextualization of Children’s Drawings in the Perspective of Shape and Adaptation of Creation and the Model of Implementation on Learning Art at Elementary School

Abstract The research focused on the contextual problem contained in children’s drawing activity. The subjects of the research are the forms (themes, objects, media, and techniques) of drawings made by elementary school-aged children spread over four regencies of Yogyakarta Special Region. In addition, the research also discussed adaptation that influenced the selection of themes, objects, media, and techniques in the work. The study on form and adaptation were subsequently formulated into concepts that can be implemented in art education in elementary schools. The research implemented naturalistic inquiry approach with consideration of the social situation of children when drawing, which is the aspect of places, actors, and activities that interact synergistically. In addition, it also used qualitative method that is an interpretive approach that aims to gain an in-depth knowledge of a phenomenon that occurs at the time the research took place from various point of view of the known subject. The research found that objects drawn by children were drawn from direct and indirect experiences of mountains, beaches, planes, homes, trees, and humans. The themes that appear in children’s drawing are themes that are sourced from their daily life (micro cultural) such as playing at a friend’s house, fighting, taking a beach vacation, wildfire, and playing at the garden. This happens because of the various backgrounds of residential areas, preferences, television influences and electronic games. Based on these findings, the micro cultural concept becomes a part that should be prioritized in art education for elementary school students to maintain the child’s individualism attitude and instill local cultural values.
Fusarium infection and deoxynivalenol contamination in winter wheat.

In this paper, the incidence of Fusarium-infected grain of winter wheat and the content of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) was studied in two Serbian cultivars Simonida and NS40S, both harvested in 2014. The level of Fusarium contamination of wheat grain was determined using phytopathological techniques based on the standard methodology while DON was detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The incidence of Fusarium-infected grain ranged from 12 to 19% for Simonida and NS40S, respectively. Fusarium graminearum, as well-known producer of DON mycotoxin, was identified among Fusarium species. In addition, Alternaria spp. was isolated in high percentage, with an average incidence of 53% (Simonida) to 63% (NS40S). The average content of DON ranged from 424 μg kg-1 to 1101 μg kg-1 for Simonida and NS40S cultivars, respectively. Statistically insignificant negative correlation (r = - 0.18) was determined between Fusariuminfected grain and DON in the cultivar Simonida and statistically insignificant positive correlation (r = 0.11) in the cultivar NS40S. The mean levels of DON in studied wheat samples of both tested cultivars were not higher than the maximum permitted limit (1250 μg kg-1) although the level of Fusarium-infected grain of both cultivars was relatively high. These results indicate that both wheat cultivars are susceptible to Fusarium infection and DON mycotoxin production in agro-ecological conditions of Serbia, but the cultivar NS40S being more susceptible compared to cultivar Simonida. In view of all stated above, regular health check of grains and developing strategies for integrated monitoring of incidence of Fusarium head blight are necessary preventive measures in protection of winter wheat. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike SRbije, br. TR-31023, br. TR- 31053 i br. TR-46010]
Low Power Montgomery Modular Multiplication Using Carry Save Adder

This paper proposes a simple and efficient Montgomery multiplication algorithm such that the low-cost and high-performance Montgomery modular multiplier can be implemented accordingly. The proposed multiplier receives and outputs the data with binary representation and uses only one-level carry-save adder (CSA) to avoid the carry propagation at each addition operation. This CSA is also used to perform operand precomputation and format conversion from the carrysave format to the binary representation, leading to a low hardware cost and short critical path delay at the expense of extra clock cycles for completing one modular multiplication. To overcome the weakness, a configurable CSA (CCSA), which could be one full-adder or two serial half-adders, is proposed to reduce the extra clock cycles for operand precomputation and format conversion by half. In addition, a mechanism that can detect and skip the unnecessary carry-save addition operations in the one-level CCSA architecture while maintaining the short critical path delay is developed. As a result, the extra clock cycles for operand precomputation and format conversion can be hidden and high throughput can be obtained. Experimental results show that the proposed Montgomery modular multiplier can achieve higher performance and significant area–time product improvement when compared with previous designs.
Variation in leaf toughness and phenolic content among five species of Australian rain forest trees

Several leaf characteristics, including toughness and total phenols and condensed tannins, were measured in Australian rain forest leaves of different ages and related to observed herbivory rates. In most cases, toughness and chemical toxicity increased as leaves aged, and corresponding insect grazing decreased. Herbivory losses ranged from 4.8% to 32.5% leaf area losses, and were more positively correlated with toughness than with phenolics. It is suggested that a suite of factors, including physical and chemical characteristics of leaves as well as spatial and temporal factors, interact to create variation in grazing intensities.
Intelligent Chatter Bot for Regulation Search

Abstract This communication presents a functional prototype, named PTAH, implementing a linguistic model focused on regulations in Spanish. Its global architecture, the reasoning model and short statistics are provided for the prototype. It is mainly a conversational robot linked to an Expert System by a module with many intelligent linguistic filters, implementing the reasoning model of an expert. It is focused on bylaws, regulations, jurisprudence and customized background representing entity mission, vision and profile. This Structure and model are generic enough to self-adapt to any regulatory environment, but as a first step, it was limited to an academic field. This way it is possible to limit the slang and data numbers. The foundations of the linguistic model are also outlined and the way the architecture implements the key features of the behavior.
A new flyback-current-fed push-pull DC-DC converter

This paper introduces a new flyback-current-fed push-pull DC-DC power converter whose significant advantages in comparison with conventional designs are: reduction in the number of output diodes; and unified output characteristics to represent both the buck and the boost operation modes in the continuous conduction mode. Theoretical analysis, design methodology and experimental results taken from a 600 W, 25 kHz laboratory prototype are presented in this paper. The circuit introduced is suitable for switching mode power supply design as well as power factor correction applications.
Trend of the Esophageal Cancer Incidence in IRAN

Introduction: Cancer is one of the main causes for mortality and morbidity in the world. Identifying epidemiology and the trend of esophageal cancer may be highly effective in related planning. The present study has been carried out with the aim of exploring the morbidity and trend of esophageal cancer in Iran. Methods : The present study is a type of repeated analysis of the existing data. The population of this study consisted of the cancer registry data during the years (2003-2009) in Iran. The direct incidence rate was standard according to the World Health Organization (WHO) population. The incidence trend of this disease in this country was drawn by the means of the STATA software and the significance of the morbidity trend diagram was also derived via WINPEPI software. Results: The results indicated the increasing trend of esophageal cancer up to 2008 while this trend has been dropping during the years 2008-9. The 31914 cases of esophageal cancer which have been recorded throughout the country out of which this rate has been increased from 2759 cases in 2003 to 6210 cases in 2009 so this rate signifies 2 times in morbidity and the recording of cases. During this 7-year career, the maximum incidence rate was related to the Ardabil province with 19.03 per 100’000 cases in 2009 while the minimum incidence rate was related to Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari and also Booshehr provinces with 0.48 and 0.42% per 1000 cases in 2003, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence rate of esophageal cancer in Iran is increasing, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions of the country. It is recommended to employ screening programs and premature diagnosis in the regions and among high risk populations.
Fusarium , Aquillaria spp Growth rate and identification of Fusarium spp . assosiated with Aquillaria spp . from Nunukan regency , North

Fusarium spp is one of the fungi associated with Aquillaria spp. in producing agar wood as non-timber forest products. Agarwood formation is triggered by fungal infection or abiotic stress. Based on these facts, the formation process of agar wood in the stem is considered as chemically plant defense mechanisms against unfavorable condition. The aim of this study was to identify several Fusarium isolates associated with agar wood trees based on their morphological and molecular characters. Fusarium isolates were collected from Aquillaria spp. trees in four Districts of Nunukan, North Kalimantan, with different heights, ranging from 0 to 2000 m above sea level: South Nunukan (0 100 masl), Lumbis (100 500 masl), Krayan Induk (100
A REVIEW ON MAGNETIC MICRO/NANOPARTICLES

This review focuses on the recent advances in the preparation and application of magnetic micro/nanoparticles specially it covers (a) methods of preparation (such as by co precipitation, pyrolysis, hydrothermal, solvent thermal, sol-gel, micro-emulsion, sonochemical methods, and (b) application such as hyperthermic therapy, magnetic gene therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, diagnosis of cancer cells, magnetic separation, magnetorelaxometry, test of prothrombin time for leukemia, solid phase extraction, atherosclerosis imaging, nanomagnetic molecular sensing.
Optic Nerve and Retinal Diseases

The photopic negative response (PhNR) in response to a brief flash is a negative-going wave following the b-wave of the cone electroretinogram (ERG) that is driven by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The function of RGCs is objectively evaluated by analysing the PhNR. We reviewed articles regarding clinical use of the PhNR. The PhNR was well correlated with the visual sensitivity obtained by standard automated perimetry and morphometric parameters of the inner retina and optic nerve head in optic nerve and retinal diseases. Moreover, combining the PhNR with focal or multifocal ERG techniques enables the objective assessment of local function of RGCs. The PhNR is therefore likely to become established as an objective functional test for optic nerve and retinal diseases involving RGC injury.
What Does Methodology Mean for Learning Analytics?

The diversity of substantive expertise and analytical techniques encompassed by learning analytics can be a challenge for understanding and interrogating methodological choices. But active pursuit of methodological clarity is essential to productive multi-vocality. This was the focus of the LAK ’17 Methodology in Learning Analytics workshop from which the idea for this special section arose. Discussions were framed using a building metaphor of developing structurally sound bridges between disciplinary methods. Strong arguments are buttressed by supporting evidence and warrants but also engage with potential alternative explanations. Papers in this special section further the discussion and span a range of relevant approaches including sensitivity analysis, model evaluation and model fit, causal inference, and visualisation as a methodology. All advance the case of structural integrity in this bridge discipline and highlight the importance of adequate descriptions of methodological considerations to aid our interrogation of methodology and epistemology.
Autocovariance and Linear Transformations of Markov Switching VARMA Processes

We study the autocovariance structure of a general Markov switching second-order stationary VARMA model. Then we give stable finite order VARMA(p*, q*) representations for those M-state Markov switching VARMA(p, q) processes where the observables are uncorrelated with the regime variables. This allows us to obtain sharper bounds for p* and q* with respect to the ones existing in literature. Our results provide new insights into stochastic properties and facilitate statistical inference about the orders of MS-VARMA models and the underlying number of hidden states.
Learning from a design experience: Continuous user involvement in development of aging-in-place solution for older adults

Involving users during product development has been discussed as an important approach to user-centered design, in particular to avoid overemphasis on using âtechnology for technologyâs sakeâ. This paper presents a case study of the user-driven processes and methods involved in a product development research project, the e-Home for Seniors study. The case study maps the development activities to phases of a generic product development framework. The specific methods of continuous interaction with users, research experiences, and team characteristics are examined in detail, as well as mechanisms to allow user input to be easily incorporated throughout the development cycle. Insights for development of products targeted at older adults, many also relevant to the general population, are discussed to inform researchers and practitioners.
How massless neutrinos affect the cosmic microwave background damping tail

We explore the physical origin and robustness of constraints on the energy density in relativistic species prior to and during recombination, often expressed as constraints on an effective number of neutrino species, Neff. Constraints from current data combination of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) and South Pole Telescope (SPT) are almost entirely due to the impact of the neutrinos on the expansion rate, and how those changes to the expansion rate alter the ratio of the photon diffusion scale to the sound horizon scale at recombination. We demonstrate that very little of the constraining power comes from the early Integrated Sachs-Wolfe (ISW) effect, and also provide a first determination of the amplitude of the early ISW effect. Varying the fraction of baryonic mass in Helium, Yp, also changes the ratio of damping to sound-horizon scales. We discuss the physical effects that prevent the resulting near-degeneracy between Neff and Yp from being a complete one. Examining light element abundance measurements, we see no significant evidence for evolution of Neff and the baryon-to-photon ratio from the epoch of big bang nucleosynthesis to decoupling. Finally, we consider measurements of the distance-redshift relation at low to intermediate redshifts and their implications for the value of Neff.
INVESTIGATING PRACTITIONER'S UNDERSTANDING OF TQM IN SMALL AND MEDIUM CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

Generally, there is confusion as to what constitutes TQM, though it can be regarded as a set of concepts and tools for getting all employees focused on continuous improvement, various schools of thought have defined or classified the critical success factors as constructs, concepts and principles. Whereas a concept may be defined essentially as a business philosophy, a company ideal or a policy statement, the confusion in the terminology can lead to uncertainty, as noted by several authors. Furthermore what might be called core values such as customer focus, continuous improvement, or process orientation are one and the same thing as principles; dimensions; elements; or cornerstones and interventions. There is an obvious omission of a practical methodology of understanding the stated terminology. The main aim of this paper is to provide a practical approach for understanding the quality management terminology. Using the existing quality management measurement instruments available in literature, the terminology used is classified into constructs, practices and finally tools or techniques. Quality Management may then be viewed as a combination of the three sets of terminology. These four dimensions were deemed to be interrelated and mutually support each other. Drawing on the quantitative study which investigated the implementation of TQM within the SME, the critical factors of TQM as used in that study as used to demonstrate the practical approach or methodology for the understanding of the terms thus used. Having classified the broad areas of where SMEs can align their TQM applications, the study indicates that constructional related SMEs can align their TQM application into one of the following areas; Customer Oriented TQM, Supplier Oriented TQM; HRM Oriented TQM; or Process Oriented. For the benefit of practitioners within the Construction Management field, a bit of clarity is required as regards the terminology used. This study contributes to clarifying the conflicting results being reported in the quality management literature which inevitably leads to having different levels of analysis of Quality Management. Accordingly, the strength of quality management compared with other business philosophies should then focus on the practical methodology, namely the practices and techniques.