Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of stone bunds on temporal and spatial variability of soil physical properties: A field study from northern Ethiopia

In the Ethiopian Highlands, stone bunds (SBs) are a common practice for soil and water conservation, influencing runoff and erosion processes from sloped agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to investigate how SBs affect spatiotemporal relationships of these processes to better understand their impacts on soil water development at the smallholder farmer's field level. Study area was the Gumara‐Maksegnit Watershed in northern Ethiopia, where two representative transects were investigated: One transect crossed a 71 m‐long field intersected by 2 SBs traced along the contour. The second transect crossed a similar hillslope without conservation structures at a length of 55 m representing baseline (untreated) conditions (no stone bund). During the rainy season of 2012, bulk density and volumetric water content were monitored, and tension disc infiltrometer experiments were performed to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity and to derive soil water retention characteristics. Our observations show that SB decreased significantly soil bulk density in center and lower zones of SB transect compared with no stone bund. No temporal change was observed. Results targeting the surface soil moisture indicate that infiltration was higher with SB and happened earlier in the rainy season in the zones around the SBs. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was positively affected by SB and increased significantly. Improved soil hydrology by SB fields may increase crop yields by higher soil water contents but also by extending the growing season after the rainy season. Therefore, SBs are a successful measure to establish climate‐resilient agriculture in the Ethiopian Highlands.
Manipulating Perceptions of Colorectal Cancer Threat: Implications for Screening Intentions and Behaviors

Affecting peoples' perceptions of the health threat of colorectal cancer (CRC), that is, the probability of the cancer's occurrence multiplied by the severity of the outcomes, has not been experimentally manipulated as a means to increase CRC screening intentions and behaviors. As an exploratory pilot study to inform a larger randomized trial on CRC screening, we used a four-group pre-post longitudinal design to test whether providing information about: 1) colorectal cancer risks (no/yes) and, 2) the severity of treatment and illness consequences (no/yes) affected CRC screening intentions (i.e., fecal occult blood test/sigmoidoscopy) and behaviors at a six-month follow-up. The sample consisted of 119 men and women aged 50 and older who were off schedule for having a fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Although perceptions of CRC risks were not affected by the experimental manipulations, perceived severity increased screening intentions for FOBT and lowered felt ambivalence towards FOBT. At the six-month follow-up, 31% participants had a FOBT. Participants who received severity information were significantly more likely to report having had a FOBT. These results suggest that: 1) more attention needs to be given to developing strategies to affect perception of CRC risk, and 2) increasing the perceived severity of CRC is an important construct to increase FOBT screening.
Quantitative analysis and fracture detection of pelvic bone X-ray images

Today bone fractures are very common in our country because of road accidents or through other injuries. The X-Ray images are the most common accessibility of peoples during the accidents. But the minute fracture detection in X-Ray image is not possible due to low resolution and quality of the original X-Ray image. The complexity of bone structure and the difference in visual characteristics of fracture by their location. So it is difficult to accurately detect and locate the fractures also determine the severity of the injury. The automatic detection of fractures in X-Ray images is a significant contribution for assisting the physicians in making faster and more accurate patient diagnostic decisions and treatment planning. In this paper, an automatic hierarchical algorithm for detecting bone fracture in X-Ray image is proposed. It uses the Gray level cooccurrence matrix for detecting the fracture. The results are promising, demonstrating that the proposed method is capable of automatically detecting both major and minor fractures accurately, and shows potential for clinical application. Statistical results also indicate the superiority of the proposed methods compared to other techniques. This paper examines the development of such a system, for the detection of long-bone fractures. This project fully employed MATLAB 7.8. 0 (.r2009a) as the programming tool for loading image, image processing and user interface development. Results obtained demonstrate the performance of the pelvic bone fracture detection system with some limitations.
General Relativistic Effects in the Core Collapse Supernova Mechanism

We apply our recently developed code for spherically symmetric, fully general relativistic (GR) Lagrangian hydrodynamics and multigroup flux-limited diffusion (MGFLD) neutrino transport to examine the effects of GR on the hydrodynamics and transport during collapse, bounce, and the critical shock reheating phase of core collapse supernovae. GR effects were examined by performing core collapse simulations from several precollapse models in the Newtonian limit, in a hybrid limit consisting of GR hydrodynamics and Newtonian transport, and in the fully GR limit. Comparisons of models computed with GR versus Newtonian hydrodynamics show that collapse to bounce takes slightly less time in the GR limit and that the shock propagates slightly farther out in radius before receding. After a secondary quasi-static rise in the shock radius, the shock radius declines considerably more rapidly in the GR simulations than in the corresponding Newtonian simulations. During the shock reheating phase, core collapse computed with GR hydrodynamics results in a substantially more compact structure from the center out to the stagnated shock, the shock radius being reduced by a factor of 2 after 300 ms for a 25 M☉ model and 600 ms for a 15 M☉ model, times being measured from bounce. The inflow speed of material behind the shock is also increased by about a factor of 2 throughout most of the evolution as a consequence of GR hydrodynamics. Regarding neutrino transport, comparisons show that the luminosity and rms energy of any neutrino flavor during the shock reheating phase increases when switching from Newtonian to GR hydrodynamics. This arises from the close coupling of the hydrodynamics and transport and the effect of GR hydrodynamics to produce more compact core structures, hotter neutrinospheres at smaller radii. On additionally switching from Newtonian to GR transport, gravitational time dilation and redshift effects decrease the luminosities and rms energies of all neutrino flavors. This decrease is less in magnitude than the increase in neutrino luminosities and rms energies that arise when switching from Newtonian to GR hydrodynamics, with the result that a fully GR simulation gives higher neutrino luminosities and harder neutrino spectra than a fully Newtonian simulation of the same precollapse model.
Reaching Movement Onset- and End-Related Characteristics of EEG Spectral Power Modulations

The spectral power of intracranial field potentials shows movement-related modulations during reaching movements to different target positions that in frequencies up to the high-γ range (approximately 50 to above 200 Hz) can be reliably used for single-trial inference of movement parameters. However, identifying spectral power modulations suitable for single-trial analysis for non-invasive approaches remains a challenge. We recorded non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) during a self-paced center-out and center-in arm movement task, resulting in eight reaching movement classes (four center-out, four center-in). We found distinct slow (≤5 Hz), μ (7.5–10 Hz), β (12.5–25 Hz), low-γ (approximately 27.5–50 Hz), and high-γ (above 50 Hz) movement onset- and end-related responses. Movement class-specific spectral power modulations were restricted to the β band at approximately 1 s after movement end and could be explained by the sensitivity of this response to different static, post-movement electromyography (EMG) levels. Based on the β band, significant single-trial inference of reaching movement endpoints was possible. The findings of the present study support the idea that single-trial decoding of different reaching movements from non-invasive EEG spectral power modulations is possible, but also suggest that the informative time window is after movement end and that the informative frequency range is restricted to the β band.
Gauging the Threat: The First Population Estimate for White Sharks in South Africa Using Photo Identification and Automated Software

South Africa is reputed to host the world’s largest remaining population of white sharks, yet no studies have accurately determined a population estimate based on mark-recapture of live individuals. We used dorsal fin photographs (fin IDs) to identify white sharks in Gansbaai, South Africa, from January 2007 – December 2011. We used the computer programme DARWIN to catalogue and match fin IDs of individuals; this is the first study to successfully use the software for white shark identification. The programme performed well despite a number of individual fins showing drastic changes in dorsal fin shape over time. Of 1682 fin IDs used, 532 unique individuals were identified. We estimated population size using the open-population POPAN parameterisation in Program MARK, which estimated the superpopulation size at 908 (95% confidence interval 808–1008). This estimated population size is considerably larger than those described at other aggregation areas of the species and is comparable to a previous South African population estimate conducted 16 years prior. Our assessment suggests the species has not made a marked recovery since being nationally protected in 1991. As such, additional international protection may prove vital for the long-term conservation of this threatened species.
Comparison of Performance, Meat Lipids and Oxidative Status of Pigs from Commercial Breed and Organic Crossbreed

Simple Summary In recent years, the development of alternative rearing methods, capable of satisfying requests regarding product quality, yet also taking animal welfare and environmental protection into consideration, is becoming an increasingly important consumer demand. When pigs are reared in free range and organic systems, outdoor access is given to pigs; and such rearing conditions increases energy demand for activity and thermoregulation, which reduces growth rate, but improves some meat quality characteristics, such as leaner meat with lower C14:0 and higher C20:1n9, and oxidative stability. Abstract The aim of this research was to determine the effect of rearing systems for pig production, as concerns performance, meat lipid content, the fatty acid profile, histidinic antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, and TBARs. One hundred pigs were assigned to one of three treatments: intensively reared commercial hybrid pig (I), free range commercial hybrid pig (FR) or organically reared crossbred pig (O), according to organic EU Regulations. I pigs showed the best productive performance, but FR and O increased: C20:1n9, Δ9-desaturase (C18) and thioesterase indices in meat. Lipid, dipeptides and CoQ10 appeared correlated to glycolytic and oxidative metabolic pathways. We can conclude that all studied parameters were influenced by the rearing system used, and that differences were particularly evident in the O system, which produced leaner meat with higher oxidative stability. In this respect, the organic pig rearing system promotes and enhances biodiversity, environmental sustainability and food quality.
Testing global storm‐time electric field models using particle spectra on multiple spacecraft

[1] During a magnetic storm on 17–18 February 1998, several spacecraft sampled the inner magnetosphere over a wide range of L shells simultaneously and provided a unique opportunity to obtain particle spectra as a function of L shells, latitude, and local time. We present phase space modeling in a dipole magnetic field and with model electric fields during the recovery phase of that storm to explain the ion spectrograms obtained on three spacecraft (POLAR, EQUATOR-S, and FAST). The particle signatures studied are from the late recovery phase of the storm, but the particles are affected by the electric fields along their trajectories also during main phase. Our goal is to test and possibly improve global electric field models, which are crucial to the evolution of the storm-time particle distributions. We backtrace ion distributions from the satellite locations and keep track of charge exchange losses. We use the Volland-Stern, Weimer 96, Weimer 2000, and modifications of Weimer models to best fit instantaneous potential measurements made by the electric field instrument on POLAR and the ion drift meter instrument on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program fleet of satellites. We incorporate corotation and a simple, global axisymmetric inductive electric field due to the ring current changes. Significant differences with ion spectral observations do exist and cannot be accounted for simply by modification of existing models. Explaining those differences requires addition of local inductive electric fields or nightside injections.
Oxidant/antioxidant status, paraoxonase activity, and lipid profile in plasma of ovariectomized rats under the influence of estrogen, estrogen combined with progesterone, and genistein

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate whether estradiol (E2), E2 combined with progesterone (Prog) (E2/Prog), and genistein (Gen) treatment had antioxidative and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in the plasma of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Materials and methods Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Rats in all groups, except for those in a sham group, underwent bilateral ovariectomy under general anesthesia. The groups were as follows: sham group; control OVX group; group treated with estrogen (0.014 mg/kg 17-β E2); group treated with a combination of E2 and Prog (0.014 mg/kg 17-β E2 plus 0.028 mg/kg drospirenone), and group treated with Gen (10 mg/kg/day). Plasma of rats of each treatment group was analyzed to determine the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, paraoxonase activity, lipid profile, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-chol), total cholesterol (Total-C), triacylglycerols, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress index. Results Plasma Total-C levels and body weight increased in all the OVX groups compared with the sham group (P<0.005). The group treated with E2 had significantly elevated total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, LDL-chol, and Total-C compared with the control group (P<0.005). Gen treatment might lead to lower LDL-chol and Total-C levels compared with E2 treatment. Conclusions Gen treatment might be preferred to E2 treatment for treatment of menopausal symptoms in patients at risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, considering the small sample size of this study, larger studies are needed in this area.
How Rapidly Do Supermassive Black Hole “Seeds” Grow at Early Times?

We investigate the physical conditions for the growth of intermediate-mass seed black holes assumed to have formed from remnants of the first generation of massive stars. We follow the collapse of high σ halos with Tvir > 104 K using cosmological, smooth-particle hydrodynamic (SPH) simulations in the standard ΛCDM model. During the collapse of the parent halo, the seed holes are incorporated through mergers into larger systems and accrete mass from the surrounding gas. We include a self-consistent treatment of star formation, black hole accretion, and associated feedback processes. Even under optimistic assumptions for the seed black hole mass and for efficient merger rates, we find that seed holes in halos M ≤ 1010 M☉ never reach the conditions for critical Eddington growth. Most of the black hole growth in this regime is determined by the initial mass and the merger rates. Critical accretion rates are reached, albeit only after a significant delay, at the time of collapse (z ~ 7) for 3-4 σ halos of M ~ 1011 M☉. Our results imply MBH = 5 × 106 M☉ (Mhalo/1011 M☉)0.78 at the time of collapse. The required conditions of Eddington growth to explain the buildup of supermassive black holes (~109 M☉), as implied by Sloan quasars at z > 6, are therefore hard to meet in such a scenario. Without a "jump start," these conditions may be only achieved in extremely rare halos with Mhalo > 1013 that collapsed before z ~ 6. The sub-Eddington regime in which black holes accrete at early time implies a small contribution to the reionization by miniquasar but still sufficient to cause appreciable heating of the IGM at z ≲ 15-18.
Molecular analysis of 30 mucopolysaccharidosis type I patients: evaluation of the mutational spectrum in Italian population and identification of 13 novel mutations

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS‐I orMPS1) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by a broad range of clinical symptoms. Molecular diagnosis of MPS‐I is important for analyzing genotype‐phenotype correlation and for selecting patients for innovative therapies. In this study we analyzed 30 Italian MPS‐I patients with different phenotypes (20 severe, 6 intermediate, 4 mild) in an attempt to recognize the mutational spectrum in our population and to identify major DNA alterations specific to our country. We identified 93% of mutated alleles (56 out of 60) with the reconstruction of the complete genotype in 26 patients out of 30. Twenty‐three different mutations were found, 13 of which are novel while the remaining 10 have been already described. Among the novel mutations we found 5 non conservative missense mutations (A160D, E178K, P183R, G197D, D349Y), one nonsense mutation (C53X), 6 deletions (468‐470del3, 486‐491del6, 755‐759del5, 1251delC, 1839‐1867del29, 1902‐1903del2), and one splice site mutation (IVS11+5G>A). No common mutation for MPS‐I is present in our country. Frequently (40% of the alleles), mutations were found in just one or two patients. However, Q70X, P533R, G51D, and W402X mutations were present in several patients (15%, 13.3%, 13.3%, and 11.6% of the alleles respectively) suggesting a Mediterranean origin of the P533R and G51D mutations. In most cases the patients' genotypes were unique combinations of mutations. The great heterogeneity found in our MPS‐I population hampers mutation detection and hinders the genotype‐phenotype correlation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The genomic landscape of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, with a markedly variable clinical course. Somatic alterations in DNA drive the growth of prostate cancers and may underlie the behavior of aggressive versus indolent tumors. The accelerating application of genomic technologies over the last two decades has identified mutations that drive prostate cancer formation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Here, we discuss exemplary somatic mutations in prostate cancer, and highlight mutated cellular pathways with biological and possible therapeutic importance. Examples include mutated genes involved in androgen signaling, cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, and development. Some genetic alterations may also predict the clinical course of disease or response to therapy, although the molecular heterogeneity of prostate tumors poses challenges to genomic biomarker identification. The widespread application of massively parallel sequencing technology to the analysis of prostate cancer genomes should continue to advance both discovery-oriented and diagnostic avenues.
Hierarchical approach to "atomistic" 3-D MOSFET simulation

We present a hierarchical approach to the "atomistic" simulation of aggressively scaled sub-0.1-/spl mu/m MOSFETs. These devices are so small that their characteristics depend on the precise location of dopant atoms within them, not just on their average density. A full-scale three-dimensional drift-diffusion atomistic simulation approach is first described and used to verify more economical, but restricted, options. To reduce processor time and memory requirements at high drain voltage, we have developed a self-consistent option based on a solution of the current continuity equation restricted to a thin slab of the channel. This is coupled to the solution of the Poisson equation in the whole simulation domain in the Gummel iteration cycles. The accuracy of this approach is investigated in comparison to the full self-consistent solution. At low drain voltage, a single solution of the nonlinear Poisson equation is sufficient to extract the current with satisfactory accuracy. In this case, the current is calculated by solving the current continuity equation in a drift approximation only, also in a thin slab containing the MOSFET channel. The regions of applicability for the different components of this hierarchical approach are illustrated in example simulations covering the random dopant-induced threshold voltage fluctuations, threshold voltage lowering, threshold voltage asymmetry, and drain current fluctuations.
Image Mining Using Directional Spatial Constraints

Spatial information plays a fundamental role in building high-level content models for supporting analysts' interpretations and automating geospatial intelligence. We describe a framework for modeling directional spatial relationships among objects and using this information for contextual classification and retrieval. The proposed model first identifies image areas that have a high degree of satisfaction of a spatial relation with respect to several reference objects. Then, this information is incorporated into the Bayesian decision rule as spatial priors for contextual classification. The model also supports dynamic queries by using directional relationships as spatial constraints to enable object detection based on the properties of individual objects as well as their spatial relationships to other objects. Comparative experiments using high-resolution satellite imagery illustrate the flexibility and effectiveness of the proposed framework in image mining with significant improvements in both classification and retrieval performance.
Integrative Semantic Dependency Parsing via Efficient Large-scale Feature Selection

Semantic parsing, i.e., the automatic derivation of meaning representation such as an instantiated predicate-argument structure for a sentence, plays a critical role in deep processing of natural language. Unlike all other top systems of semantic dependency parsing that have to rely on a pipeline framework to chain up a series of submodels each specialized for a specific subtask, the one presented in this article integrates everything into one model, in hopes of achieving desirable integrity and practicality for real applications while maintaining a competitive performance. This integrative approach tackles semantic parsing as a word pair classification problem using a maximum entropy classifier. We leverage adaptive pruning of argument candidates and large-scale feature selection engineering to allow the largest feature space ever in use so far in this field, it achieves a state-of-the-art performance on the evaluation data set for CoNLL-2008 shared task, on top of all but one top pipeline system, confirming its feasibility and effectiveness.