Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil Biochemistry

Soil biochemistry is one of the branches of soil science dealing with the formation and decomposition of soil organic matter, biochemical reactions of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, metals and xenobiotics in soils, and biochemistry of the plant-root rhizosphere. This chapter is divided into eleven sections, the first of which provides a definition of soil biochemistry and its scope of influence. In section 2, the overall concept of soil organic matter and the formation mechanisms of humic substances are presented. Sections 3 and 4 discuss the characteristics of biomolecules in soils including the genetic material DNA and enzymes which are the catalysis of all biochemical reactions. Sections 5 to 7 deal with the cycling of the major microbial and plant nutrients. The biochemistry of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur divide the material into logical units of study.
Object-Oriented Frameworks for Network Programming

Object-oriented frameworks help reduce the cost and improve the quality of networked applications by reifying software designs and pattern languages that have proven effective in particular application domains. This chapter illustrates what frameworks are and compares them with other popular software development techniques, such as class libraries, components , patterns, and model-integrated computing. It then illustrates the process of applying frameworks to networked applications and outlines the ACE frameworks that are the focus of this book. These frameworks are based on a pattern language [POSA1, POSA2] that has been applied to thousands of production networked applications and middleware worldwide. Even as computing power and network bandwidth increase dramatically, the development of networked application software remains expensive, time consuming, and error prone. The cost and effort stems from the growing demands placed on networked software, as well as the continual rediscovery and reinvention of core software design and implementation artifacts throughout the software industry. Moreover, the heterogeneity of hardware architectures, diversity of OS and network platforms, and stiff global competition makes it increasingly hard to build high-quality networked application software from scratch. The key to building high-quality networked software in a time-to-market-driven environment is the ability to reuse successful software designs and implementations that have already been developed. Reuse has been a popular topic of debate and discussion for over 30 years in the software community [McI68]. There are two general types of reuse:
Sitagliptin may reduce prostate cancer risk in male patients with type 2 diabetes

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk of prostate cancer associated with sitagliptin use in Taiwanese male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by using the reimbursement databases of the National Health Insurance. Male patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus at an age ≥25 years between 1999 and 2010 were recruited. A total of 37,924 ever users of sitagliptin and 426,276 never users were followed until December 31, 2011. The treatment effect of sitagliptin (for ever versus never users, and for tertiles of cumulative duration of therapy) was estimated by Cox regression incorporated with the inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity score. Analyses were also conducted in a 1:1 matched pair cohort based on 8 digits of propensity score. Results showed that during follow-up, 84 ever users and 2,549 never users were diagnosed of prostate cancer, representing an incidence of 140.74 and 240.17 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) for ever users versus never users was 0.613 (0.493-0.763). The respective hazard ratio for the first, second, and third tertile of cumulative duration of sitagliptin use <5.9, 5.9-12.7 and >12.7 months was 0.853 (0.601-1.210), 0.840 (0.598-1.179) and 0.304 (0.191-0.483), respectively; and was 0.856 (0.603-1.214), 0.695 (0.475-1.016) and 0.410 (0.277-0.608) for cumulative dose <15,000, 15,000-33,600 and >33,600 mg, respectively. Findings were supported by analyses in the matched cohort. In conclusion, sitagliptin significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer, especially when the cumulative duration is >12.7 months or the cumulative dose >33,600 mg.
Are sleep studies worth doing?

AIMS To evaluate a sleep study service for children suspected of having sleep related upper airway obstruction (SRUAO). DESIGN Prospective survey. SETTING Paediatric and ear, nose, and throat clinics of the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust. SUBJECTS Consecutively referred children with SRUAO symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sleep study data, referring clinician's impression, and completed symptom questionnaires. RESULTS A total of 120 children (aged 6 months to 15.5 years) were studied. Study scores showed that 24 were classified as normal, 42 as mild, 33 as moderate, and 21 as severe SRUAO. In the 106 cases with matching data between clinician's impression and study score, 71 had good agreement, 18 were underestimated by the clinician, and 17 were over estimated. No cases reported as moderate or severe sleep apnoea by the study were referred by the clinician as normal. There were no important associations between parental symptom scores and sleep study scores. CONCLUSION In children with suspected SRUAO, sleep studies do contribute to assessing the need for operation, the likelihood of postoperative respiratory failure, or as a baseline or outcome measure in intervention studies.
Mass treatment and the effect on the load of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a trachoma-hyperendemic community.

PURPOSE Trachoma remains a leading cause of blindness. Determining the most effective antibiotic treatment strategy is essential for the success of country-based trachoma control programs. METHODS Baseline and 2-month follow-up examinations were performed in a trachoma-hyperendemic village. All residents were offered azithromycin for trachoma after baseline was determined. Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydial load were determined by PCR. Clinical trachoma status was evaluated. A high chlamydial load was defined as a higher than median chlamydial load among those with infection. Risk factors were examined in multiple logistic regression models. Associations are presented as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS At baseline, 57% of participants were infected with C. trachomatis. Although clinical trachoma correlated with infection, 23% of participants with high chlamydial loads showed no clinical signs. Adults represented only 10% of the population with high loads. Treatment significantly decreased the proportion positive in the community and the load in the community. However, 27% of individuals with high loads at baseline who received treatment also were infected at 2 months. Of those, 93% with high loads at 2 months were aged < or =10 years. CONCLUSIONS Although most of the chlamydial load in this community resided in children, 10% of the high load resided in adults, most of whom did not have follicular trachoma and in whom the infection would be missed under treatment strategies that focus on clinical disease or children. These data support a mass treatment strategy for hyperendemic communities, at least as a first approach. In addition, treatment of children age < or =2 years should be reexamined, as >30% with high loads at baseline remained infected at 2 months, despite monitored treatment according to weight.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Associates with Maintenance of Stemness in Spheroid-Derived Stem-Like Colon Cancer Cells

Despite earlier studies demonstrating characteristics of colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) and the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor development, it remains controversial as to the relationship between CCSCs and EMT. In this study, in order to present an insight into this relationship in colon cancer, we developed HCT116 and HT29 sphere models, which are known to be the cells enriching cancer stem cells. Compared to their parental counterparts, spheroid cells displayed lower homotypic/heterotypic adhesion but higher in vitro migratory/invasive capacity, as well as higher tumorigenic and metastatic potential in vivo. The spheroid cells also demonstrated down-regulated E-cadherin and up-regulated α-SMA and Vimentin expression, which is the typical phenotype of EMT. In order to explore whether this phenomenon is associated to activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, we detected several key signaling molecules. Compared with their parental cells, HCT116 and HT29 spheroid cells demonstrated down-regulated expression of GSK3β, but up-regulated expression of Slug and Snail. And also, the up-regulation of nucleus β-catenin in spheroid cells indicated that the free β-catenin transferred from cytoplasm to cell nucleus. Our findings indicate that spheroid cells have the characteristics of colon cancer stem cells, and EMT may account for their stemness and malignancy. And persistent activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway may play an important role in the EMT of CCSCs.
Bayesian quantile regression: An application to the wage distribution in 1990s Britain

This paper illustrates application of Bayesian inference to quantile regression. Bayesian inference regards unknown parameters as random variables, and we describe an MCMC algorithm to estimate the posterior densities of quantile regression parameters. Parameter uncertainty is taken into account without relying on asymptotic approximations. Bayesian inference revealed effective in our application to the wage structure among working males in Britain between 1991 and 2001 using data from the British Household Panel Survey. Looking at different points along the conditional wage distribution uncovered important features of wage returns to education, experience and public sector employment that would be concealed by mean regression.
Effect of manurial schedules on growth and yield of different cropping systems under rainfed alley system

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1993-94 to 1995-96 at Jhansi, to study the different food-fodder cropping systems and manurial schedules under rainfed conditions. Significantly higher grain and stover yields of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were obtained in sorghum + pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. ] intercropping system as compared with other intercropping systems. Sorghum + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ] intercropping gave significantly more green fodder and dry-matter yields and sorghum grain-equivalent yield than the other intercropping systems. Among the different manurial schedules, combined application of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients resulted in significantly higher grain and stover yields of sorghum, green fodder and dry-matter yields of fodder crops and sorghum grain-equivalent yield as compared to 100% through inorganic fertilizers application.
The Cherednik kernel and generalized exponents

We show how the knowledge of the Fourier coefficients of the Cherednik kernel leads to combinatorial formulas for generalized exponents. We recover known formulas for generalized exponents of irreducible representations parameterized by dominant roots, and obtain new formulas for the generalized exponents for irreducible representations parameterized by the dominant elements of the root lattice which are sums of two orthogonal short roots.
Market timing behaviour, bankruptcy costs and capital structure decisions in MENA: the case of Egypt

This paper investigates the determinants of capital structure and in particular the influence of market timing behaviour and bankruptcy costs on leverage decisions in Egypt. Using a panel data model and a range of econometric techniques, it is shown that the effects of market timing on the capital structure of Egyptian listed firms are not consistent over the time. The findings also suggest that bankruptcy cost has a negative impact on leverage ratios and capital structure decisions in the Egyptian companies. In addition, through an analysis of the target capital structure, the paper shows that the Egyptian companies considered here are moving fairly quickly towards their target level of leverage.
Meridional Overturning as a “ Pump and Valve ” System

A three-dimensional analytical model of meridional overturning in a basin with a southern-hemisphere circumpolar connection is presented. The overturning circulation can be understood as a “pump and valve” system, in which the wind forcing at the latitudes of the circumpolar connection plays the role of the pump, and the surface thermodynamic exchange north of the connection plays the role of the valve. When the surface fluxes support deep-water formation, the valve is on, and the overturning circulation extends to the extreme northern latitudes of the basin. When the surface fluxes do not support deep-water formation, the valve is off; in that case, the basin north of the circumpolar connection fills to the sill depth with warm fluid, and the overturning circulation still exists, but is short-circuited and confined near the circumpolar connection. An intriguing implication of the model is that northern hemisphere wind and surface buoyancy forcing may influence the strength and structure of the circumpolar current in the southern hemisphere.
Aberrant activation of stress-response pathways leads to TNF-α oversecretion in Fanconi anemia. Commentary

Fanconi anemia (FA), an inherited syndrome that associates bone marrow failure, cancer predisposition, and genetic instability, is characterized by an overproduction of the myelosuppressive cytokine TNF-a through unknown mechanisms. We demonstrate here that FANC pathway loss-of-function results in the aberrant activation of 2 major stress-signaling pathways: NF-KB and MAPKs. These responses are independent on TNF-a expression. On the contrary, inhibition of the MAPK pathways normalizes TNF-a oversecretion in FA. Moreover, our data show that the overexpression of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-7 is the key event directly responsible for the high rate of TNF-a shedding and release from the cytoplasmic membrane in FA. TNF-a overproduction is, indeed, normalized by MMP-7 inhibition. Finally, MAPK inhibition impacts on MMP-7 overexpression. Evidence is provided of the existence of a linear pathway in which FANC mutations activate MAPK signaling that induces MMP-7 overexpression leading, in fine, to TNF-a oversecretion. TNF-α may, in turn, sustain or amplify both MAPKs and NF-KB activation. Aberrant expression or activity of NF-KB and/or MAPKs has been already involved in bone marrow failure and leukemia, and their inhibition offered clinical benefit for patients. In conclusion, our data provide a strong rationale for new clinical trials on FA patients.
Individual growth rates do not predict aphid population densities under altered atmospheric conditions

1 Altered atmospheric composition, associated with climate change, can modify herbivore population dynamics through CO2 and/or O3‐mediated changes in plant quality. 2 Although pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum genotypes exhibit intraspecific variation in population growth in response to atmospheric composition, the proximate mechanisms underlying this variation are largely unknown. 3 By rearing single (green, pink) and mixed (green + pink) pea aphid genotypes on red clover Trifolium pratense at the Aspen Free Air CO2 and O3 Enrichment (Aspen FACE) site, we assessed whether: (i) elevated CO2 and/or O3 concentrations alter aphid growth and development and (ii) individual aphid growth rates predict aphid population densities. 4 We showed that growth and development of individual green and pink aphids were not influenced by CO2 and/or O3 concentrations when reared as individual or mixed genotypes. Individual growth rates, however, did not predict population densities. 5 Reared as a single genotype, green pea aphid populations decreased in response to elevated CO2 concentrations, but not in response to elevated CO2 + O3 concentrations. Pink pea aphid populations reared as a single genotype were unaffected by augmented CO2 or O3. Populations of mixed genotypes, however, were reduced under elevated CO2 concentrations, irrespective of O3 concentrations. 6 Herbivore population sizes may not readily be predicted from growth rates of individual organisms under atmospheric conditions associated with global climate change.
Multivariate Statistical Model for Predicting Occurrence and Location of Broken Rails

Broken rails are the leading cause of major accidents on U.S. railroads and frequently cause delays. A multivariate statistical model was developed to improve the prediction of broken-rail incidences (i.e., service failures). Improving the prediction of conditions that cause broken rails can assist railroads in allocating inspection, detection, and preventive resources more efficiently, to enhance safety, reduce the risk of hazardous materials transportation, improve service quality, and maximize rail assets. The service failure prediction model (SFPM) uses a combination of engineering and traffic data commonly recorded by major railroads. A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway database was developed in which the locations of approximately 1,800 service failures over 2 years were recorded. The data on each location were supplemented with information on other engineering and traffic volume parameters. A complementary database with the same parameters was developed for a randomly selected set of locations at which service failures had not occurred. The combined databases were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to identify the variables and their combinations most strongly correlated with service failures. SFPM accuracy in predicting service failures at specific locations exceeded 85%. Although further validation is necessary, SFPM is promising in the quantitative prediction of broken rails, thereby improving a railroad’s ability to manage its assets and risks.
Just Freedom: A Moral Compass for a Complex World

In this rigorous distillation of his political philosophy, Philip Pettit, author of the landmark work Republicanism, champions a simple standard for our most complex political judgments, offering a challenging ideal that nevertheless holds out a real prospect for social and democratic progress. Whereas many thinkers define freedom as the absence of interference-we are left alone to do as we please-Pettit demands that in their basic life choices free persons should not even be subject to a power of interference on the part of others. This notion of freedom as non-domination offers a yardstick for gauging social and democratic progress and provides a simple, unifying standard for analyzing our most entangled political quandaries. Pettit reaffirms the ideal, already present in the Roman Republic, of a free citizenry who enjoy equal status with one another, being individually protected by a law that they together control. After sketching a fresh history of freedom, he turns to the implications of the ideal for social, democratic, and international justice. Should the state erect systems for delivering mandatory healthcare coverage to its citizens? Should voting be a citizen's only means of influencing political leaders? Are the demands of the United Nations to be heeded when they betray the sovereignty of the state? Pettit shows how these and other questions should be resolved within a civic republican perspective. Concise and elegant in its rhetoric and ultimately radical in its reimagining of our social arrangements, Just Freedom is neither a theoretical treatise nor a practical manifesto, but rather an ardent attempt to elaborate the demands of freedom and justice in our time.
TAKING STOCK: WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE'RE GOING

Focusing on “where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going,” the authors examine minority women’s and White women’s progress in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) over the past decade. Starting from an exploration of participation and achievement data, the authors move on to cover the theories behind SMET gender differences, including those based on testing, biology, social-psychology, and cognitive sciences. Looking at practice as well as theory, the authors explore the impacts that interventions and contextual influences, such as societal change and education reform, have had on efforts to achieve gender parity in SMET. The article concludes with the recommendation of logical next steps to preserve and expand the gains made by women in these fields.
Internet Banking as Determinant of Pakistan Banking Sector Profitability: ROA & ROE Model

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has challenged a new infrastructure for the world economy to be truly competitive in this world of globalization, efficiency and accuracy. Internet or online banking system is one of those challenges given by ICT which has become fundamental technology compelled revolution in piloting financial transactions. However, banks have invested huge resources in this direction along with the validation to accept it by users as a useful way. Although, the purpose of this study is to investigate the waves of internet banking transactions on profitability as ROE and ROA of Pakistan banking sector by smearing regression analysis on quarterly collected financial data obtained from statistics department of State Bank of Pakistan for the period of 2004 to 2013. The results demonstrate a positive and significant impact of internet banking on ROE and ROA of Pakistan banking sector overall for the long run. Keywords: Internet Banking, ROE, ROA, Pakistan
Systematic Review/meta-analysis

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody-based therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of the effect of PIK3CA mutations in KRAS wild-type patients A b s t r a c t Introduction: We conducted a meta-analysis to dissect the association between PIK3CA mutations (exon 9 and exon 20) and resistance to anti-epider-mal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) in KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Material and methods: In 11 previously published studies, 864 cancer patients were treated with cetuximab or panitumumab-based therapy. Primary outcomes included objective response (complete response + partial response vs. stable disease + progressive disease), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). We calculated the odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the risk or hazard. We found consistent and clinically substantial risk or hazard for objective response, PFS, and OS in the cetuximab or panitumumab-treated mCRC patients. Results: PIK3CA mutations as a whole were associated with reduced response and poor PFS and OS in KRAS wild-type mCRC patients (objective response: PIK3CA exon 9 mutations had no effect, whereas exon 20 mutations were associated with a worse outcome compared with wild types, with an OR of 0.21 (95% CI 0.05–0.93). Conclusions: PIK3CA mutations as a whole might be useful prognostic factors for assessing clinical outcomes of anti-EGFR MoAb-based chemothera-pies in KRAS wild-type mCRC patients. In particular, PIK3CA exon 20 mutations were significantly associated with lack of response.