Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of grazing intensity on performance of perennial grass mixtures in the alpine region of the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract Effects of grazing intensity on leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), specific leaf area (SLA), individual tiller density, sward leaf area index (LAI), harvested herbage DM, and species composition in grass mixtures (Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis, Elymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum and Elymus nutans + Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum) were studied in the alpine region of the Tibetan Plateau. Four grazing intensities (GI), expressed as feed utilisation rates (UR) by Tibetan lambs were imposed as follows: (1) no grazing; (2) 30% UR as light grazing; (3) 50% UR as medium grazing; and (4) 70% UR as high grazing. Leaf Pn rate and tiller density of grasses increased (P < 0.05), while sward LAI and harvested herbage DM declined (P < 0.05) with the increments of GI, although no effect of GI on SLA was observed. With increasing GI, Elymus nutans and Clinelymus nutans increased but Bromus inermis and Agropyron cristatum decreased in swards, LAI and DM contribution. Whether being grazed or not, Elymus nutans + Clinelymus nutans + Bromus inermis + Agropyron cristatum was the most productive sward among the grass mixtures. Thus, two well‐performed grass species (Elymus nutans and Clinelymus nutans) and the most productive mixture of four species should be investigated further as the new feed resources in the alpine grazing system of the Tibetan Plateau. Light grazing intensity of 30% UR was recommended for these grass mixtures when swards, LAI, herbage DM harvested, and species compatibility were taken into account.
STRATEGIC SATISFICING

Executives confront potentially conflicting pressuresto maximize shareholder wealth in the long term and to appease shareholders in the near term. Because near-term pressures must be addressed to preserve tenure and to realize the potential benefits of long-term strategies, executives are increasingly likely to rely on shareholder mollification initiatives. We develop a behavioral-agency theoretical framework to study how stock repurchase programs are used to help top managers appease shareholders. Analysis of 250 large U.S. firms suggests that stock repurchase programs are variously a function of information asymmetry, risky stock-based incentives, and performance expectations.
Timing of surgery in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: rebleeding is still the major cause of poor outcome in neurosurgical units that aim at early surgery

OBJECTIVE To investigate prospectively the proportion of patients actually operated on early in units that aim at surgery in the acute phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and what is the main current determinant of poor outcome. METHODS A prospective analysis of all SAH patients admitted during a one year period at three neurosurgical units that aim at early surgery. The following clinical details were recorded: age, sex, date of SAH, date of admission to the neurosurgical centre, whether a patient was referred by a regional hospital or a general practitioner, Glasgow coma scale and grade of SAH (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score) on admission at the neurosurgical unit, results of CT and CSF examination, the presence of an aneurysm on angiography, details of treatment with nimodipine or antifibrinolytic agents, and the date of surgery to clip the aneurysm. At follow up at three months, the patients’ clinical outcome was determined with the Glasgow outcome scale and in cases of poor outcome the cause for this was recorded. RESULTS The proportion of patients that was operated on early—that is, within three days after SAH—was 55%. Thirty seven of all 102 admitted patients had a poor outcome. Rebleeding and the initial bleeding were the main causes of this in 35% and 32% respectively of all patients with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS In neurosurgical units with what has been termed “modern management” including early surgery, about half of the patients are operated on early. Rebleeding is still the major cause of poor outcome.
PENGARUH HEDONIC CONSUMPTION DAN MEDIATOR EMOSI POSITIF TERHADAP PEMBELIAN IMPULSIF (Survei Pada Pembeli Produk Fashion Di Malang Town Square Kota Malang)

This study aims to determine the effect of Hedonic Consumption variable on the Positive Emotion variable; to determine the effect of Hedonic Consumption variable on the Impulsive Buying variable; to determine the effect of Positive Emotion on the Impulsive Buying variable.This research used explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The amount of the sample is 116 respondents. That is the consumer who does impulsive purchases on fashion product at Malang Town Square. Data collection methods used in this research was a questionnaire. Data analysis using descriptive analysis and path analysis.The result of this research showed that: Hedonic Consumption variable has significant affect to the Positive Emotion variable, Hedonic Consumption variable has significant affect to the Impulsive Buying variable, Positive Emotion variable has significant affect to the Impulsive Buying variable. from the result of this research, The shop owner is expected to be more initiative to provide various fashion products that follow the trend. The shop owner should be up to date with the newest product. Beside that, the shop owner should makes the atmosphere in the store as comfortable. So, it can spark impulsive buying of the consumen. Keywords: Hedonic Consumption, Positive Emotion, Impulsive Buying ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan menjelaskan: untuk mengetahui pengaruh variabel Hedonic Consumption terhadap variabel Emosi Positif; untuk mengetahui pengaruh variabel Hedonic Consumption terhadap variabel Pembelian Impulsif; untuk mengetahui pengaruh variabel Emosi Positif terhadap variabel Pembelian Impulsif.Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian explanatory research dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Sampel yang digunakan berjumlah 116 responden yang merupakan konsumen yang melakukan pembelian impulsif pada produk fashion di Malang Town Square . Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah angket. Analisis data menggunakan analisis deskriptif dan analisis jalur.Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: variabel Hedonic Consumption berpengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Emosi Positif, variabel Hedonic Consumption berpengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Pembelian Impulsif, variabel Emosi Positif berpengaruh signifikan terhadap variabel Pembelian Impulsif. Dari hasil penelitian ini, pemilik toko diharapkan lebih inisiatif untuk menyediakan produk fashion yang bervariasi tentunya mengikuti perkembangan fashion. Pemilik toko sebaiknya selalu uptodate dengan produk fashion terbaru. Selain itu, pemilik toko juga sebaiknya membuat suasana dalam toko senyaman mungkin. Sehingga dapat memicu perilaku pembelian impulsif konsumen. Kata Kunci: variabel Hedonic Consumption , variabel Emosi Positif, variabel Pembelian Impusif
Locus-Wide Chromatin Remodeling and Enhanced Androgen Receptor-Mediated Transcription in Recurrent Prostate Tumor Cells

ABSTRACT Prostate cancers (PCas) become resistant to hormone withdrawal through increased androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Here we show increased AR-mediated transcription efficiency in PCa cells that have acquired the ability to grow in low concentrations of androgen. Compared to androgen-dependent PCa cells, these cells showed increased activity of transiently transfected reporters and increased mRNA synthesis relative to levels of AR occupancy of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene. The locus also displayed up to 10-fold-higher levels of histone H3-K9/K14 acetylation and H3-K4 methylation across the entire body of the gene. Although similar increased mRNA expression and locus-wide histone acetylation were also observed at another kallikrein locus (KLK2), at a third AR target locus (TMPRSS2) increased gene expression and locus-wide histone acetylation were not seen in the absence of ligand. Androgen-independent PCa cells have thus evolved three distinctive alterations in AR-mediated transcription. First, increased RNA polymerase initiation and processivity contributed to increased gene expression. Second, AR signaling was more sensitive to ligand. Third, locus-wide chromatin remodeling conducive to the increased gene expression in the absence of ligand was apparent and depended on sustained AR activity. Therefore, increased AR ligand sensitivity as well as locus-specific chromatin alterations contribute to basal gene expression of a subpopulation of specific AR target genes in androgen-independent PCa cells. These features contribute to the androgen-independent phenotype of these cells.
Jet bundles in quantum field theory: The BRST - BV method

The geometric interpretation of the Batalin--Vilkovisky anti-bracket as the Schouten bracket of functional multivectors is examined in detail. The identification is achieved by the process of repeated contraction of even functional multivectors with fermionic functional 1-forms. The classical master equation may then be considered as a generalization of the Jacobi identity for Poisson brackets, and the cohomology of a nilpotent even functional multivector is identified with the BRST cohomology. As an example, the BRST--BV formulation of gauge fixing in theories with gauge symmetries is reformulated in the jet bundle formalism.
Characterization of a Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Involved in Tubercidin Resistance in Leishmania major

Background Tubercidin (TUB) is a toxic adenosine analog with potential antiparasitic activity against Leishmania, with mechanism of action and resistance that are not completely understood. For understanding the mechanisms of action and identifying the potential metabolic pathways affected by this drug, we employed in this study an overexpression/selection approach using TUB for the identification of potential targets, as well as, drug resistance genes in L. major. Although, TUB is toxic to the mammalian host, these findings can provide evidences for a rational drug design based on purine pathway against leishmaniasis. Methodology/Principal findings After transfection of a cosmid genomic library into L. major Friedlin (LmjF) parasites and application of the overexpression/selection method, we identified two cosmids (cosTUB1 and cosTU2) containing two different loci capable of conferring significant levels of TUB resistance. In the cosTUB1 contained a gene encoding NUPM1-like protein, which has been previously described as associated with TUB resistance in L. amazonensis. In the cosTUB2 we identified and characterized a gene encoding a 63 kDa protein that we denoted as tubercidin-resistance protein (TRP). Functional analysis revealed that the transfectants were less susceptible to TUB than LmjF parasites or those transfected with the control vector. In addition, the trp mRNA and protein levels in cosTUB2 transfectants were higher than LmjF. TRP immunolocalization revealed that it was co-localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a cellular compartment with many functions. In silico predictions indicated that TRP contains only a hypothetical transmembrane domain. Thus, it is likely that TRP is a lumen protein involved in multidrug efflux transport that may be involved in the purine metabolic pathway. Conclusions/Significance This study demonstrated for the first time that TRP is associated with TUB resistance in Leishmania. The next challenge is to determine how TRP mediates TUB resistance and whether purine metabolism is affected by this protein in the parasite. Finally, these findings may be helpful for the development of alternative anti-leishmanial drugs that target purine pathway.
Coarse-grained Dynamic Taint Analysis for Defeating Control and Non-control Data Attacks

Memory corruption attacks remain the primary threat for computer security. Information flow tracking or taint analysis has been proven to be effective against most memory corruption attacks. However, there are two shortcomings with current taint analysis based techniques. First, these techniques cause application slowdown by about 76% thereby limiting their practicality. Second, these techniques cannot handle non-control data attacks i.e., attacks that do not overwrite control data such as return address, but instead overwrite critical application configuration data or user identity data. In this work, to address these problems, we describe a coarse-grained taint analysis technique that uses information flow tracking at the level of application data objects. We propagate a one-bit taint over each application object that is modified by untrusted data thereby reducing the taint management overhead considerably. We performed extensive experimental evaluation of our approach and show that it can detect all critical attacks such as buffer overflows, and format string attacks, including non-control data attacks. Unlike the currently known approaches that can detect such a wide range of attacks, our approach does not require the source code or any hardware extensions. Run-time performance overhead evaluation shows that, on an average, our approach causes application slowdown by only 37% which is an order of magnitude improvement over existing approaches. Finally, since our approach performs run-time binary instrumentation, it is easier to integrate it with existing applications and systems.
One-Trial Memory for Object-Place Associations after Separate Lesions of Hippocampus and Posterior Parahippocampal Region in the Monkey

In earlier studies of one-trial spatial memory in monkeys (Parkinson et al., 1988; Angeli et al., 1993), severe and chronic memory impairment for both object-place association and place alone was found after ablation of the hippocampal formation. The results appeared to provide the first clear-cut evidence in the monkey of the essential role of the hippocampus in spatial memory, but that interpretation neglected the inclusion in the lesion of the underlying posterior parahippocampal region. To determine the separate contributions of the hippocampus and posterior parahippocampal region to these spatial forms of one-trial memory, we trained 10 rhesus monkeys, as before, to remember the spatial positions of either two different trial-unique objects overlying two of the wells in a three-well test tray (object-place trials) or simply two of the three wells (place trials). Six of the monkeys then received ibotenic acid lesions restricted to the hippocampal formation (group H), and the four others received selective ablations of the posterior parahippocampal region (group P), comprising mainly parahippocampal cortex, parasubiculum, and presubiculum. Group H was found to be completely unaffected postoperatively on both types of trials, whereas group P sustained an impairment on both types equal in magnitude to that observed after the combined lesions in the original studies. Thus, contrary to the previous interpretation, one-trial memory for object-place association and, perhaps more fundamentally, one-trial memory for two different places appear to be critically dependent not on the hippocampal formation but rather on the posterior parahippocampal region.
Dexamethasone and insulin activate serum and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) via different molecular mechanisms in cortical collecting duct cells

Serum and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) is a protein kinase that contributes to the hormonal control of renal Na+ retention by regulating the abundance of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) at the apical surface of the principal cells of the cortical collecting duct (CCD). Although glucocorticoids and insulin stimulate Na+ transport by activating SGK1, the responses follow different time courses suggesting that these hormones act by different mechanisms. We therefore explored the signaling pathways that allow dexamethasone and insulin to stimulate Na+ transport in mouse CCD cells (mpkCCDcl4). Dexamethasone evoked a progressive augmentation of electrogenic Na+ transport that became apparent after ~45 min latency and was associated with increases in SGK1 activity and abundance and with increased expression of SGK1 mRNA. Although the catalytic activity of SGK1 is maintained by phosphatidylinositol‐OH‐3‐kinase (PI3K), dexamethasone had no effect upon PI3K activity. Insulin also stimulated Na+ transport but this response occurred with no discernible latency. Moreover, although insulin also activated SGK1, it had no effect upon SGK1 protein or mRNA abundance. Insulin did, however, evoke a clear increase in cellular PI3K activity. Our data are consistent with earlier work, which shows that glucocorticoids regulate Na+ retention by inducing sgk1 gene expression, and also establish that this occurs independently of increased PI3K activity. Insulin, on the other hand, stimulates Na+ transport via a mechanism independent of sgk1 gene expression that involves PI3K activation. Although both hormones act via SGK1, our data show that they activate this kinase by distinct physiological mechanisms.
Dust-enshrouded giants in clusters in the Magellanic Clouds

We present the results of an investigation of post-Main Sequence mass loss from stars in clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, based around an imaging survey in theL � -band (3.8 µm) performed with the VLT at ESO. The data are complemented with JHKs (ESO and 2MASS) and mid-IR photometry (TIMMI2 at ESO, ISOCAM on-board ISO, and data from IRAS and MSX). The goal is to determine the influence of initial metallicity and initial mass on the mass loss and evolution during the latest stages of stellar evolution. Dust-enshrouded giants are identified by their reddened near-IR colours and thermal-IR dust excess emission. Most of these objects are Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) carbon stars in intermediate-age clusters, with progenitor masses between 1.3 and ∼5 M� . Red supergiants with circumstellar dust envelopes are found in young clusters, and have progenitor masses between 13 and 20 M� . Post-AGB objects (e.g., Planetary Nebulae) and massive stars with detached envelopes and/or hot central stars are found in several clusters. We model the spectral energy distributions of the cluster IR objects, in order to estimate their bolometric luminosities and mass-loss rates. The IR objects are the most luminous cluster objects, and have luminosities as .
Bordetella pertussis Infection or Vaccination Substantially Protects Mice against B. bronchiseptica Infection

Although B. bronchiseptica efficiently infects a wide range of mammalian hosts and efficiently spreads among them, it is rarely observed in humans. In contrast to the many other hosts of B. bronchiseptica, humans are host to the apparently specialized pathogen B. pertussis, the great majority having immunity due to vaccination, infection or both. Here we explore whether immunity to B. pertussis protects against B. bronchiseptica infection. In a murine model, either infection or vaccination with B. pertussis induced antibodies that recognized antigens of B. bronchiseptica and protected the lower respiratory tract of mice against three phylogenetically disparate strains of B. bronchiseptica that efficiently infect naïve animals. Furthermore, vaccination with purified B. pertussis-derived pertactin, filamentous hemagglutinin or the human acellular vaccine, Adacel, conferred similar protection against B. bronchiseptica challenge. These data indicate that individual immunity to B. pertussis affects B. bronchiseptica infection, and suggest that the high levels of herd immunity against B. pertussis in humans could explain the lack of observed B. bronchiseptica transmission. This could also explain the apparent association of B. bronchiseptica infections with an immunocompromised state.
Learning to Lead: Listening to the Voice of St. Lucian Youth

An exploratory, qualitative multiple case study approach was used to investigate perceptions of leadership through the voice of young (ages 18-24) citizens of St. Lucia, West Indies. Specifically, investigators were interested in better understanding the young peoples’ leadership beliefs, experiences, and people of influence. Participants perceived leadership to be about helping other people, communication, teamwork, and morality. The most valuable leader development experiences were experiences that the young people perceived were connected to leadership. Participants viewed familiar adults, rather than famous foreigners or youth peers as the most important people to aid in youth leader development.
A New Framework for Leadership Preparation

The authors describe how teams of faculty and district leadership development directors used an appreciative organizing in education (AOE) framework using appreciative inquiry (AI) scholarship to promote a more sustainable architecture for the preparation and development of leaders. The AOE framework is introduced and a description is provided of the ways in which one university program utilizes an AOE framework and AI strategies in three programs that serve individuals in different career stages—aspiring Assistant Principals, Aspiring Principals, and experienced Principals. The article concludes with examples of AOE projects and discussion of AOE’s promise as a leadership preparation approach.
The Intermediary Role of Self-Efficacy in Relation with Stress, Glycosylated Haemoglobin and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type2 Diabetes

Background Stress is not always a direct result of stressful conditions, but rather the way they are perceived. Thus individual variables that may be associated with perceived stress should be examined in stress studies. This study investigates the intermediary role of self-efficacy in relation with stress, glycosylated haemoglobin and health-related quality of life in patients with type2 diabetes. Methods: All women with diabetes in Yazd Diabetes Research Centre, in 2012, were considered and 80 women were selected by random sampling. They completed Shirer’s self-efficacy scale questionnaire, depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS), and ADDQ0L19 questionnaire. Then they were introduced to the lab for blood test. Data were analysed by SPSS software and stepwise regression method. Results: Pearson correlation test results showed that the hemoglobin A1c (r = 0.35) and Quality of Life (r = −0.22) are associated with stress (P <0.05). As so hemoglobin A1c (r = 0.83) and Quality of Life (r = 0.37) with variable of self efficacy are associated positively and significantly (P <0.05). Results of stepwise regression also showed that self efficacy and stress scales 0.697 of variance hemoglobin A1c and 0.140 of variance of Quality of life explaining to do. Conclusion: The impact of stress on blood sugar and patients’ health-related quality of life can be influenced by their self-efficacy; therefore it is suggested that an educational intervention is done to increase patients’ self-efficacy to better cope with stress in their life.
Fabrication of freeform objects by principal strips

Current CAD modeling techniques enable the design of objects with aesthetically pleasing smooth freeform surfaces. However, the fabrication of these freeform shapes remains challenging. Our novel method uses orthogonal principal strips to fabricate objects whose boundary consists of freeform surfaces. This approach not only lends an artistic touch to the appearance of objects, but also provides directions for reinforcement, as the surface is mostly bent along the lines of curvature. Moreover, it is unnecessary to adjust the bending of these orthogonal strips during the construction process, which automatically reforms the design shape as if it is memorized, provided the strips possess bending rigidity. Our method relies on semi-isometric mapping, which preserves the length of boundary curves, and approximates angles between boundary curves under local minimization. Applications include the fabrication of paper and sheet metal craft, and architectural models using plastic plates. We applied our technique to several freeform objects to demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms.