Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Livestock grazing impact on vegetation, soil and hydrology in a tropical highland watershedLength: pp.87-97

The aim of this research was to establish vegetation, soil and hydrologic responses to grazing pressure; and determine thresholds for optimum herbage utilisation of pastures and grazing land resources conservation. The treatments were no grazing (NOG, control), where animal grazing was excluded using 10 m by 10 m fenced enclosure, moderate grazing (MDG) and heavy grazing (HVG). During free grazing period (January–May) stocking rate on medium and heavily grazed plots depends much on the preference of grazing animals, and in some cases the stocking rate in controlled or medium grazing pressure exceeds that of the heavily grazed plots. The biomass yield on non-grazed plots varied from 2.84–4.13 t/ha, and on grazed plots from 0.84–2.25 t/ha. Grazing pressure increased the percentage cover of annual plant species and composition as compared with no grazing pressure. Particularly, in medium-grazing pressure annual plant species coverage has improved significantly. The soil loss at 4–8% slope was high in heavily grazed plots. Besides, the soil loss in grazed plots was below the soil tolerance limit for natural pasture. The infiltration rate was lower in heavily grazed plots.
Adoption of Internet Banking by Yemeni Consumers : An Empirical Investigation

The Internet banking service becomes more important for commerce. The success of this service is determined not only by banks or government support, but also by customers' acceptance of it. The main aim of this study is to examine empirically the factors that affect the acceptance of Internet banking. Although Internet banking has been widely adopted in various developed countries, consumers’ adoption of this service in developing countries has been slower than anticipated. That is, in developing countries, Internet banking services has not been used as much as they could or should have been. So far, there is sill a limited empirical research on Internet banking service in developing. There is a clear need to investigate the factors that influence customers' intention to adopt this service. Identifying influential factors that influence customer's intention to adopt Internet banking service is crucial. This study applied Innovation Diffusion Theory on 1286 respondents in Yemen. Structural equation modelling was used for data analysis. The results indicate that perceived relative advantage, perceived ease of use, perceived compatibility and perceived trialability have a significant effect on customers’ acceptance of Internet banking. The findings of this study provide several important implications for Internet banking adoption research and practice.
The primary visual cortex creates a bottom-up saliency map

It has been proposed that the primary visual cortex (V1) creates a saliency map using autonomous intra-cortical mechanisms. This saliency of a visual location describes the location’s ability to attract attention without top-down factors. It increases monotonously with the ring rate of the most active V1 cell responding to that location. Given the prevalent feature selectivities of V1 cells (many tuned to more than one feature dimension), no separate feature maps, or any subsequent combinations of them, are needed to create a saliency map. This proposal has been demonstrated in a biologically based V1 model. By relating the saliencies of the visual search targets or object (texture) boundaries to the eases of the visual search or segmentation tasks, the model accounted for behavioral data such as how task diculties can be inuenced by image features and their spatial congurations. This proposal links physiology with psychophysics, thereby making testable predictions some of which are subsequently conrmed experimentally.
Voltage control in low voltage grids: A comparison between the use of distributed photovoltaic converters or centralized devices

In this paper, three solutions for the control of voltage in Low Voltage (LV) grids with high photovoltaic (PV) penetration are simulated and compared. The first solution corresponds to the use of distributed PV converters to control voltage in their connection points. In other cases, a centralized control is performed, by using a Static Var Compensator or a transformer with On Load Tap Changer installed inside the MV/LV substation. Benefits on voltage profiles and reduction of losses are shown through simulations carried out on a real grid. The consumption and PV generation profiles come from accurate measurements performed in apartment and office buildings with 1-second time step.
Lamotrigine for HIV-associated painful sensory neuropathies

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lamotrigine (LTG) for the treatment of pain in HIV-associated sensory neuropathies. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind study, patients with HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) received LTG or placebo during a 7-week dose escalation phase followed by a 4-week maintenance phase. Randomization was stratified according to whether or not patients were currently using neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results: The number of patients randomized was 92 (62 LTG, 30 placebo) in the stratum receiving neurotoxic ART and 135 (88 LTG, 47 placebo) in the stratum not receiving neurotoxic ART. Mean change from baseline in Gracely Pain Scale score for average pain was not different between LTG and placebo at the end of the maintenance phase in either stratum, but the slope of the change in Gracely Pain Scale score for average pain reflected greater improvement with LTG than with placebo in the stratum receiving neurotoxic ART (p = 0.004), as did the mean change from baseline scores on the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain Intensity and the McGill Pain Assessment Scale and patient and clinician ratings of global impression of change in pain (p ≤ 0.02). The incidence of adverse events, including rash, was similar between LTG and placebo. Conclusions: Lamotrigine was well-tolerated and effective for HIV-associated neuropathic pain in patients receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy. Additional research is warranted to understand the differing response among patients receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy compared with those not receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy.
Joint Power and Admission Control: Non-Convex $L_{q}$ Approximation and An Effective Polynomial Time Deflation Approach

In an interference limited network, joint power and admission control (JPAC) aims at supporting a maximum number of links at their specified signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) targets while using minimum total transmission power. Various convex approximation deflation approaches have been developed for the JPAC problem. In this paper, we propose an effective polynomial time non-convex approximation deflation approach for solving the problem. The approach is based on the non-convex ℓq (0 <; q <; 1) approximation of an equivalent sparse ℓ0 reformulation of the JPAC problem. We show that, for any instance of the JPAC problem, there exists a q̅ ∈ (0,1) such that it can be exactly solved by solving its ℓq approximation problem with any q ∈ (0,q̅). We also show that finding the global solution of the ℓq approximation problem is NP-hard. Then, we propose a potential reduction interior-point algorithm, which can return an ∈-KKT solution of the NP-hard ℓq approximation problem in polynomial time. The returned solution can be used to check the simultaneous supportability of all links in the network and to guide an iterative link removal procedure, resulting in the polynomial time non-convex approximation deflation approach for the JPAC problem. Numerical simulations show that the proposed approach outperforms the existing convex approximation approaches in terms of the number of supported links and the total transmission power, particularly exhibiting a quite good performance in selecting which subset of links to support.
Multiple kernel learning SVM and statistical validation for facial landmark detection

In this paper we present a robust and accurate method to detect 17 facial landmarks in expressive face images. We introduce a new multi-resolution framework based on the recent multiple kernel algorithm. Low resolution patches carry the global information of the face and give a coarse but robust detection of the desired landmark. High resolution patches, using local details, refine this location. This process is combined with a bootstrap process and a statistical validation, both improving the system robustness. Combining independent point detection and prior knowledge on the point distribution, the proposed detector is robust to variable lighting conditions and facial expressions. This detector is tested on several databases and the results reported can be compared favorably with the current state of the art point detectors.
Obesity and the Availability of Fast-Food: An Instrumental Variables Approach

This paper addresses the simultaneous determination of fast-food availability on obesity rates through the use of instrumental variables, specifically the number of interstate exits in the county of residence. Using the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and self-collected data on the density of various fast-food restaurants in US counties, I find that a ten percent increase in the number of restaurants from the mean would increase BMI by . 33 points, roughly 1.05kg for a male 1.78 meters tall and . 88kg for a female 1.64 meters tall. The results are robust to the selection criteria for counties and the method yields results comparable to previous work looking at rural counties, though the sample employed here is much more generalizable.
Mdm2 SNP309 G-Variant Is Associated with Invasive Growth of Human Urinary Bladder Cancer

Objective: Human mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) is essential in degrading p53 by acting as an ubiquitin ligase and therefore plays a vital role in cell cycle and survival. The G-variant of the Mdm2 SNP309, which is located within the promoter of the Mdm2 gene, increases expression of Mdm2 and thereby inhibits the p53 pathway. Several studies have investigated the influence of this SNP on disease risk and onset of various malignancies. The impact of Mdm2 SNP309 on bladder cancer is still to be established due to inconsistent data. Methods: In a case-control study we determined the distribution of Mdm2 SNP309 genotypes in 111 patients with an early-onset bladder cancer (diagnosis <45 years of age), in 113 consecutive bladder cancer patients and in a control group consisting of 140 patients without any malignancy. Results: There was no significant association between the allelic distribution of the Mdm2 SNP309 and tumor risk, early onset, gender or grade of the tumor. According to tumor stage we found a significant difference in the distribution of the Mdm2 SNP309 between patients with noninvasive and invasive (≥pT1) tumor growth (p = 0.016). In patients with invasive tumors a significant increase of the G allele was found (T/T vs. T/G + G/G; p = 0.023; OR 2.203, 95% CI 1.111-4.369). Conclusion: These data indicate that the G-variant of the Mdm2 SNP309 might influence the development of a more aggressive tumor phenotype in patients with bladder cancer without affecting the overall tumor risk.
A gas-expanded liquid nanoparticle deposition technique for reducing the adhesion of silicon microstructures

A gas-expanded liquid-based nanoparticle deposition technique was integrated with a critical point drying process to modify the surface of polysilicon microstructures in order to reduce the adhesion that ordinarily occurs due to dominant interfacial surface forces. Dodecanethiol-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were deposited onto arrays of cantilever beams using gas-expanded liquid technology in an effort to increase the surface roughness, thereby reducing the real contact surface area as well as changing the chemical constituents of the contacting areas. Both AuNP-coated and uncoated (native oxide surface) arrays were actuated electrostatically in order to determine the work of adhesion. The results of this study indicate that while cantilever beams with only their native oxide exhibit apparent adhesion energies of about 700 ± 100 µJ m−2, cantilever beam arrays coated with AuNPs exhibit an apparent adhesion energy of about 8 µJ m−2 or less. These results indicate that metallic nanoparticle coatings can be successfully applied to micromachines and provide a drastic reduction in apparent adhesion energy.
Robust Estimation of Multivariate Location and Scatter

Classical methods in multivariate analysis require the estimation of means and covariance matrices. Although the sample mean and covariance matrix are optimal estimates of multivariate location and scatter when the data are multivariate normal, a small fraction of atypical points in the data (outliers) suffices to drastically alter them. This article describes different approaches to the development of substitutes to sample means and covariances that are resistant to outliers. Keywords: M-estimates; S-estimates; MM-estimates; τ-estimates; Stahel–Donoho estimates; P-estimates; regularization; missing data; independent contamination; equivariance
A Modern Syllogistic Method in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Logic with Realistic Tautology

The Modern Syllogistic Method (MSM) of propositional logic ferrets out from a set of premises all that can be concluded from it in the most compact form. The MSM combines the premises into a single function equated to 1 and then produces the complete product of this function. Two fuzzy versions of MSM are developed in Ordinary Fuzzy Logic (OFL) and in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Logic (IFL) with these logics augmented by the concept of Realistic Fuzzy Tautology (RFT) which is a variable whose truth exceeds 0.5. The paper formally proves each of the steps needed in the conversion of the ordinary MSM into a fuzzy one. The proofs rely mainly on the successful replacement of logic 1 (or ordinary tautology) by an RFT. An improved version of Blake-Tison algorithm for generating the complete product of a logical function is also presented and shown to be applicable to both crisp and fuzzy versions of the MSM. The fuzzy MSM methodology is illustrated by three specific examples, which delineate differences with the crisp MSM, address the question of validity values of consequences, tackle the problem of inconsistency when it arises, and demonstrate the utility of the concept of Realistic Fuzzy Tautology.
NYEREREITE – PIRSSONITE – CALCITE – SHORTITE RELATIONSHIPS IN ALTERED NATROCARBONATITES, OLDOINYO LENGAI, TANZANIA

Samples of natrocarbonatite showing various degrees of alteration are preserved in an older carbonatite platform that existed before and until the 1917 explosive eruption at Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, in Tanzania. The carbonatite samples contain two mineral assemblages: the first consists of relict primary magmatic minerals: nyerereite, fluorite, apatite-(CaF), barite, magnetite and khanneshite. The second consist of low-temperature subsolidus minerals: pirssonite, calcite, shortite, nahcolite, trona, thermonatrite, jacobsite and barytocalcite. Observed relationships between key primary and subsolidus minerals show the following sequence of formation: nyerereite → pirssonite → calcite → shortite. Three major processes, mineral dissolution, metasomatic replacement and crystallization from solution, alter the natrocarbonatite to pirssonite carbonatite, shortite carbonatite and calcite carbonatite. Nyerereite – pirssonite – calcite relationships depend on variations in P(H 2 O) and P(CO 2 ).
Evaluating and identifying optimal BIM communication patterns within design and construction projects

The shift from paper based communication to exchange of electronic copies of documents and drawings has made project participants overloaded with information. Electronically exchanged information could be better supported through BIM and automation of routing information using workflow management technologies to improve information availability for decision making. However, it has been observed that BIM is currently being utilized as a number of disconnected models. The built-in intelligence in BIM allows automated updating and extraction of 2D drawings, documentation and other building information. Extracted documents create extra work to be communicated to project teams. Therefore more tasks and communications are created. Accordingly, this study identifies the impacts of BIM in project team communication. It also critically evaluates electronic communication patterns and people’s activities by data profiling to identify variables and project characteristics that have an impact on electronic communication level.
RISK FACTOR INFORMATION FOR SELECTED CANCER TYPES

Lymphomas are cancers involving the cells of the lymphatic system. The majority of lymphomas involve the lymph nodes and spleen but the disease may also affect other areas within the body. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a classification of all lymphomas except Hodgkin’s disease. Thus NHL is a mixed group of diseases that is characterized by the malignant increase in specific cells of the immune system (B or T lymphocytes). B-cell lymphomas are more common than T-cell lymphomas, accounting for about 85% of all cases of NHL (ACS, 2003). The various types of NHL are thought to represent different diseases with different causes (Scherr and Mueller, 1996). NHL can occur at all ages, however, the average age at diagnosis is in the early 60s and the incidence of this disease generally increases with age. This disease is more common in men than in women and affects whites more often than African Americans or Asian Americans (ACS, 2003). The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 56,390 Americans will be diagnosed with NHL in 2005, making it the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. among women and the sixth most common cancer among men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers (ACS, 2005).
Outcomes and quality of life issues in the pharmacological management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease of the aging male population. BPH treatment includes a variety of pharmacological and surgical interventions. The goal of this paper is to review the natural history of BPH, outcomes of pharmacological management, effects on quality of life (QoL), future pharmacotherapies, and associated patient-focused perspectives. Materials and methods Medline searches for the keywords benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH, alpha blockers, 5 alpha-reductase, and quality of life were performed. Relevant literature was reviewed and analyzed. Results Alpha blockers, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, and phytotherapy are the three categories of pharmaceutical interventions currently available for BPH. Various clinical trials have shown that alpha blockers and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors are safe, efficacious, and improve QoL in patients with BPH. The evidence for phytotherapeutics is not as convincing. The current armamentarium of pharmaceutical interventions are encompassed in these three classes of medications. New pharmacotherapies based on novel mechanisms are on the horizon. Conclusion There are a variety of safe and efficacious medical therapies available for the management of BPH and it is important for the practicing physician to have an understanding of these pharmacotherapies and their potential impact on the patient. There is not enough evidence to make a recommendation regarding phytotherapy use. New classes of drugs for BPH will likely find their way into routine use.
Effects of plasma epinephrine on fat metabolism during exercise: interactions with exercise intensity.

This study determined the effects of elevated plasma epinephrine on fat metabolism during exercise. On four occasions, seven moderately trained subjects cycled at 25% of peak oxygen consumption (VO(2 peak)) for 60 min. After 15 min of exercise, subjects were intravenously infused with low (0.96 +/- 0.10 nM), moderate (1.92 +/- 0.24 nM), or high (3.44 +/- 0.50 nM) levels (all P < 0.05) of epinephrine to increase plasma epinephrine above control (Con; 0.59 +/- 0.10 nM). During the interval between 35 and 55 min of exercise, lipolysis [i.e., rate of appearance of glycerol] increased above Con (4.9 +/- 0.5 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)) with low, moderate, and high (6.5 +/- 0.5, 7.1 +/- 0.8, and 10.6 +/- 1.2 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1), respectively; all P < 0.05) levels of epinephrine despite simultaneous increases in plasma insulin. The release of fatty acid into plasma also increased progressively with the graded epinephrine infusions. However, fatty acid oxidation was lower than Con (11.1 +/- 0.8 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1)) during moderate and high levels (8.7 +/- 0.7 and 8.1 +/- 0.9 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1), respectively; P < 0.05). In one additional trial, the same subjects exercised at 45% VO(2 peak) without epinephrine infusion, which produced a plasma epinephrine concentration identical to low levels. However, lipolysis was lower (i.e., 5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.5 +/- 0.5 micromol. kg(-1). min(-1); P < 0.05). In conclusion, elevations in plasma epinephrine concentration during exercise at 25% of VO(2 peak) progressively increase whole body lipolysis but decrease fatty acid oxidation. Last, increasing exercise intensity from 25 to 45% VO(2 peak) attenuates the lipolytic actions of epinephrine.
Cyclin A2 promotes DNA repair in the brain during both development and aging

Various stem cell niches of the brain have differential requirements for Cyclin A2. Cyclin A2 loss results in marked cerebellar dysmorphia, whereas forebrain growth is retarded during early embryonic development yet achieves normal size at birth. To understand the differential requirements of distinct brain regions for Cyclin A2, we utilized neuroanatomical, transgenic mouse, and mathematical modeling techniques to generate testable hypotheses that provide insight into how Cyclin A2 loss results in compensatory forebrain growth during late embryonic development. Using unbiased measurements of the forebrain stem cell niche, we parameterized a mathematical model whereby logistic growth instructs progenitor cells as to the cell-types of their progeny. Our data was consistent with prior findings that progenitors proliferate along an auto-inhibitory growth curve. The growth retardation in CCNA2-null brains corresponded to cell cycle lengthening, imposing a developmental delay. We hypothesized that Cyclin A2 regulates DNA repair and that CCNA2-null progenitors thus experienced lengthened cell cycle. We demonstrate that CCNA2-null progenitors suffer abnormal DNA repair, and implicate Cyclin A2 in double-strand break repair. Cyclin A2's DNA repair functions are conserved among cell lines, neural progenitors, and hippocampal neurons. We further demonstrate that neuronal CCNA2 ablation results in learning and memory deficits in aged mice.
The effects of an educational programme on the anxiety and satisfaction level of parents having parent present induction and visitation in a postanaesthesia care unit

Background: In Hong Kong, some hospitals have established the practice of Parental Presence Induction (PPI) and visitation in Postanaesthesia Care Units (PACU) for children receiving surgery. The literature indicates that parents reported extreme anxiety and discomfort after being present at induction of anaesthesia and suggests that it would seem appropriate to devise a programme of education to reduce anxiety for parents.