Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climatic and Economic Factors Affecting the Annual Supply of Wild Edible Mushrooms and Berries in Finland

Finnish non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are valued on the national and international markets. Yet, the annual marketed quantities vary considerably, causing instability in supply chains. Thus, climatic and economic factors affecting the annually aggregated supply of top-marketed mushrooms (ceps, milk caps, and chanterelle) and berries (bilberry, cowberry, and cloudberry) in Finland were studied. Data on mushroom and berry market prices (€/kg) and quantities (kg) were obtained from the statistics on annual quantities of berries and mushrooms bought by organized trade and industry in Finland (1978–2016). The species-specific supply functions were described as linear regression models, where annually aggregated quantities were predicted as a function of climatic and economic variables. Our results suggested that climatic variables influenced the marketed quantities of NTFPs through the biological yields of berries and mushrooms, and that the market price had a negative effect on the marketed quantities of ceps, milk caps, and berries. The markets for NTFPs have become more international at the second half of the study period (1999–2016), modifying the price-quantity relationships of ceps, milk caps and cloudberries. Additionally, the number of visas issued to Thai pickers increased the marketed quantities of bilberries and cowberries.
A human monoclonal anti‐D antibody which detects a nonconformation‐dependent epitope on the RhD protein by immunoblot

We describe the first human monoclonal anti‐D (LOR‐15C9) which reacts with a D‐specific motif exposed either on a native form on intact D‐positive red cells or on a denatured form of the RhD protein (33 kD), and detected by immunoblotting. LOR‐15C9 was able to precipitate RhD but not RhcE proteins produced by in vitro transcription‐translation assays. The reactivity of the antibody, using panels of red cells with various partial D phenotypes known to lack some D epitopes and corresponding in RHD gene variants, suggested that LOR‐15C9 reactivity depends on the portion of the RhD polypeptide encoded by the exon 7 (amino acids 314–358). These findings correlate well with the reactivity of LOR‐15C9 with erythrocytes of some nonhuman primates (Dgor‐positive gorillas), but not of chimpanzee and Old or New World monkeys.
Anisotropic kernel smoothing for change-point data with an analysis of fire spread rate variability

Wildland fires are natural disturbances that enable the renewal of forests. However, these fires also place public safety and property at risk. Understanding forest fire spread in any region of Canada is critical to promoting forest health, and protecting human life and infrastructure. In 2014, Ontario updated its Wildland Fire Management Strategy, moving away from “zone-based” decision making to “appropriate response” decision making. This new strategy calls for an assessment of the risks and benefits of every wildland fire reported in the province. My research places the emphasis on the knowledge and understanding of fire spread rates and their variabilities. To satisfy these needs for a forest fire risk-benefit assessment tool that incorporates the effects of ignition, extinction, and spreading rate, the research herein explores new methods for spread rate estimation with an emphasis on understanding spread rate variability, for use in stochastic forest fire models. In this research, we develop a novel anisotropic smoothing method for change-point data that uses estimates of the underlying data generating process to inform smoothing. We show that our anisotropic local constant and local linear kernel regression estimators are consistent with convergence rate O ( n−1/(q+2) ) . We demonstrate their effectiveness on simulated oneand two-dimensional change-point data that are motivated by fire spread data. We detail the design and experimentation procedure of a micro-fire spread apparatus. We consider these micro-fire experiments a mouse model for wildland fire spread. We apply the anisotropic smoothers as image processors for measured data, and as an estimator for ignition and extinction event times at the pixel resolution. Those event times are then used to estimate instantaneous and average fire spread rates, and residency times for burning cells.
Strategies for the adaptation of ERP systems

Given the significant impact of implementing enterprise resources planning (ERP), managerial adaptation of ERP offers a useful method of further maximizing the benefits of this system. This study employs a technology adaptation perspective and case research methodology to examine three dimensions of alignment between organization and ERP system. Four medium size electronic component manufacturers are selected, which are typical of domestic companies that could afford and implement ERP. From the findings of the case study, this research attempts to build a theoretical model of prescribing management strategies for implementing ERP. The findings indicated that the requirement for successful alignment between the system and organization falls into two categories. The alignment issues in the two categories help explain the working of process integration in the organization and also how to reduce the alignment gap. To summarize, this study proposes an adaptation framework containing a set of propositions and hypotheses to delineate the relevant research issues.
Period of onset and lack of clinical manifestation of hepatotoxicity after commencing highly active antiretroviral therapy.

AIM The period of onset of hepatotoxicity varies between cohorts as do their clinical manifestations. Clinical manifestations of hepatotoxicity that have been previously reported include fatal portal hypertension, dress syndrome, and lipodystrophy syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the period of onset and clinical manifestation of hepatotoxicity after commencing HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was carried out on patients with HIV on HAART attending infectious disease clinic, gastroenterology clinic or admitted into the medical wards of University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Patients with HIV but not on HAART were used as controls. A clinical evaluation and relevant laboratory investigations were done. Hepatotoxicity was defined using a standardized toxicity grade scale. RESULTS A total of 84 cases and 42 controls were studied. The mean ages were 35.2 ± 9.9 years and 35.5 ± 9.0 years for the cases and the controls respectively. Over 70% of the study population and controls were females. The overall incidence of hepatotoxicity was 17.85% and severe hepatotoxicity occurred in 10.71% of the patients. Over 80% of liver enzyme elevations occurred within 3 months, most of which were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION This study shows that over 80% of enzyme elevations occurred within 3 months and were mostly asymptomatic. There is a need for regular monitoring of liver function tests at short intervals in HIV patients starting HAART since most of the cases of hepatotoxicity found in this study occurred early and were asymptomatic.
Evidence‐based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men – short version

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common hair loss disorder, affecting both men and women. Initial signs of androgenetic alopecia usually develop during teenage years leading to progressive hair loss with a pattern distribution. Moreover, its frequency increases with age and affects up to 80% Caucasian men and 42% of women. Patients afflicted with androgenetic alopecia may undergo significant impairment of quality of life. The European Dermatology Forum (EDF) initiated a project to develop evidence‐based guidelines for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Based on a systematic literature research the efficacy of the currently available therapeutic options was assessed and therapeutic recommendations were passed in a consensus conference. The purpose of the guideline is to provide dermatologists with an evidence‐based tool for choosing an efficacious and safe therapy for patients with androgenetic alopecia.
Vertical consolidation and financial sustainability: evidence from English local government

Proponents of the vertical consolidation of lower-tier units into a smaller number of single-tier local governments suggest that it improves the financial sustainability of governments by generating economies of scale and scope. However, critics suggest that such structural change is beset with disruptive and unanticipated costs that outweigh any potential efficiency savings. I investigate the validity of these contrasting arguments by analysing the expenditure and fiscal health of English county councils before and after the consolidation of the lower-tier units within several counties that took place in 2009. Levels of financial sustainability are modelled using a difference-in-difference estimator for the years 2003–2012. The results suggest that in the short run the consolidated governments have been able to realize administrative economies, but their fiscal health has weakened. These findings appear to be robust to the possibility of selection effects. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Transient Phytoextraction Agents: Establishing Criteria for the Use of Chelants in Phytoextraction of Recalcitrant Metals

The phytoremediation of recalcitrant metals such as lead and uranium rely on soil amendments to enhance metal availability within the rhizosphere. Because these amendments may persist in soils, agents that not only biodegrade rapidly but also are effective in triggering metal uptake in plants are needed for metals phytoextraction to be considered as an accepted practice. In this study, several biodegradable organic acids and chelating agents were assessed to determine if these amendments can be used in an effective manner, and if their activity and use is consistent with a proposed class of soil amendments for phytoextraction, here termed transient phytoextraction agents (TPAs). A TPA is proposed as an agent that would exhibit both effectiveness in triggering plant accumulation of the targeted metal while minimizing the risk of migration through rapid degradation or inactivation of the soluble complex. Eleven candidate TPAs (acetic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, dicarboxymethylglutamic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, BayPure® CX 100, and the siderophore desferrioxamine B) were tested in batch studies to evaluate their complexation behavior using contaminated soils, with uranium and lead as the target metals. A growth chamber study was then conducted with Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), and Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue) grown in a lead-contaminated soil that was treated with the candidate TPAs to assess phytoextraction effectiveness. For the soils tested, citric acid, oxalic acid, and succinic acid were found to be effective complexing agents for uranium phytoextraction, whereas Baypure® CX 100 and citric acid exhibited effectiveness for lead phytoextraction.
Sequential Functional and Morphological Alterations During Hepatocarcinogenesis Induced in Rats by Feeding of a Low Dose of 2-Acetylaminofluorene

The early cellular events in liver carcinogenesis were studied in Fischer-344 male rats that either were fed 200 ppm 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) for up to 10 wk or were fed the carcinogen for 8 wk followed by maintenance for an additional 24 wk. By 1 wk of exposure, AAF caused a reduction in the number of glutamine synthetase (GS)-positive centrilobular hepatocytes, an increase in DNA synthesizing hepatocytes in the central areas of the hepatic lobules, and a shift from multinucleated to mononucleated hepatocytes, although overt hepatocellular necrosis was not evident. By 3 wk, altered hepatocellular foci characterized by deficiencies in iron storage (IS-) and collagen production and by expression of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT+) and placental-type glutathione transferase (PGT+) activity appeared. Single PGT+ cells were also found. During continued exposure, foci increased in number, size, and total area with the increases escalating between 8 and 10 wk of exposure. Cessation of AAF exposure at 8 wk resulted in a slight decrease in the number of foci after a further 6 wk of maintenance, but with continued maintenance for another 6 and 12 wk, the number again increased. IS- characterized the majority of foci during carcinogen administration, whereas after cessation of exposure, GGT+ and PGT+ foci predominated. None of the foci were positive for GS. After AAF exposure for 10 wk, a few neoplasms developed and greater numbers occurred after maintenance for a further 24 wk of rats exposed for 8 wk. We conclude the following: (a) the low dose of AAF caused subtle alterations in function and proliferation of normal hepatocytes and converted hepatocytes into focus cells; (b) reduction of the GS+ area is a sensitive indicator of cytotoxicity of AAF; (c) the development of some foci at an early stage depends on a promoting action of AAF, which ceased when the carcinogen was withdrawn, allowing some foci to undergo reversion; (d) a strong linkage exists in expression of IS-, GGT+, and PGT+ in foci; (e) the carcinogenic process accelerates in the absence of any indication of increased cytotoxicity by AAF; and (f) under the conditions of this study, no GS+ foci, adenomas, and carcinomas were found, indicating that no carcinogen-induced expression of GS occurred in these lesions and that GS expression is not linked to other phenotypic abnormalities.
Brugada syndrome: diagnosis, risk stratification, and management

Purpose of review Asymptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) have a small, but not trivial, risk of cardiac events. Their risk stratification and its impact on their management are controversial. The review focuses on the clinical aspects of BrS with special emphasis on the asymptomatic patient. Recent findings Emerging data suggest that drug and fever-induced type I Brugada patterns are more common than previously appreciated. Although preliminary, these data may imply that asymptomatic patients with induced Brugada pattern are at an even lower risk than currently estimated. The latest data regarding induced ventricular arrhythmias during electrophysiological studies support its use as an indication for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator; however, this issue remains highly controversial. Several new risk markers, such as presence of the Brugada pattern in infero-lateral leads or the concomitant finding of an early repolarization pattern, have recently been proposed. Summary Most asymptomatic BrS patients are at low risk of cardiac events. The presence of new risk markers in this population may prompt consideration of primary prevention measures; however, data supporting this approach are still limited.
A Novel Loop Gain Adaptation Method for Digital CDRs Based on the Cross-Correlation Function

Loop gain adaptation techniques that explore the dynamics of digital phase-locked loops, and clock and data recovery circuits through the autocorrelation function are becoming popular. This work proposes an adaptation technique based on the cross-correlation function between bang-bang phase detector and loop filter outputs instead. Filtering properties of the cross-power spectral density enhance the observability of loop dynamics allowing adaptation while maintaining the phase margin at a safe value. Compared to previously reported methods, the proposed adaptation technique directly tracks the CDR dynamics distinctively enhancing the gain adaptation algorithm.
Growth and bone health in pediatric intestinal failure patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND Children with chronic intestinal failure (IF) treated with long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) may present with low bone mineral density (BMD). The cause may reflect small body size or suboptimal bone mineralization. OBJECTIVE We assessed growth and bone health in children with severe IF. DESIGN Height, weight, and fracture history were recorded. The lumbar spine bone mass was measured in 45 consecutive patients (24 male subjects) aged 5-17 y receiving PN for a median of 5 y. BMD and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) [ie, adjusted-for-height SD scores (SDSs)] were calculated. RESULTS Diagnoses were short bowel syndrome in 12 patients (27%), intestinal enteropathy in 20 patients (44%), and motility disorder in 13 patients (29%). Mean (±SD) weight, height, and body mass index SDSs were -0.8 ± 1.3, -1.80 ± 1.5, and 0.4 ± 1.3, respectively. The height SDS was less than -2 in 23 children (50%). Patients with enteropathy or intestinal mucosal inflammation (associated with dysmotility or short bowel) were significantly shorter than patients without enteropathy (P = 0.007). The BMD SDS was -1.7 ± 1.6, and the BMAD SDS was -1.4 ± 1.5, independent of primary diagnosis or mucosal inflammation. Nineteen patients (42%) had low BMD (SDS less than -2.0), and 14 patients (31%) had low BMAD. In 25 patients studied at 1-2-y intervals, the BMD SDS fell significantly with time, whereas BMAD declined less, which suggested that a poor bone mineral accretion reflected poor growth. A total of 11 of 37 patients (24%) had nonpathologic fractures (P = 0.3 compared with the general population). CONCLUSIONS Approximately 50% of children were short, and one-third of children had low BMD and BMAD. Children with enteropathy or intestinal mucosal inflammation are at greatest risk of growth failure. Close nutritional monitoring and bespoke PN should maximize the potential for growth and bone mass.
Compulsory Voting in Australia: A Basis for a ‘Best Practice’ Regime

Compulsory voting can effectively prevent declining voting rate in established democracies experiencing a voter turnout problem by enhancing representativeness, legitimacy and political equality. Benefits of compulsory voting are analysed, with respect to the Australian system, whereby recommended changes include reforms aimed at expanding the franchise and limiting the coercive aspects of the practice and measures to counter the charge that compulsion limits democratic choice.
The invasive alien leaf miner Cameraria ohridella and the native tree Acer pseudoplatanus: a fatal attraction?

1 The horse‐chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella is an invasive moth in Europe and a serious pest of horse‐chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum. The moth also occasionally attacks sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus, when situated beside infested horse‐chestnuts. 2 The main objective of the present study was to provide an overview of the relationship between C. ohridella and A. pseudoplatanus and to determine whether C. ohridella has the potential to shift to this native tree. 3 In the field, females oviposit on different deciduous tree species. Although less frequently attacked than A. hippocastanum, A. pseudoplatanus was clearly preferred for oviposition over 12 other woody species investigated. 4 Surveys in Europe demonstrated that the majority of A. pseudoplatanus trees found beside infested A. hippocastanum had mines of C. ohridella, even though more than 70% of the larvae died within the first two instars. Attack rates and development success greatly varied from site to site. Attack levels on A. pseudoplatanus were not always correlated with those on A. hippocastanum, and mines on A. pseudoplatanus were sometimes observed beside weakly‐infested A. hippocastanum. 5 Field observations, experimental exposure of A. pseudoplatanus saplings and rearing trials in a common garden study showed that individual trees may vary in their susceptibility to C. ohridella, whereas there was no evidence that C. ohridella populations vary in their performance on A. pseudoplatanus. 6 To date, there is little evidence that C. ohridella represents a major risk for A. pseudoplatanus.
Higher serum carotenoid concentrations associated with a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults

The association between serum carotenoids and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains uncertain, and little is known about this relationship in the Chinese population. The present study examined the association between serum carotenoid concentrations and the MetS in Chinese adults. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in which 2148 subjects (1547 women and 601 men) aged 50–75 years were recruited in urban Guangzhou, China. Dietary data and other covariates were collected during face-to-face interviews. Blood pressure, waist circumference, blood lipids, glucose and serum carotenoids (α-, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin) were examined. We found dose–response inverse relationships between individual serum carotenoid concentrations and total carotenoids and the prevalence of the MetS after adjusting for potential confounders (P for trend < 0·001). The OR of the MetS for the highest (v. lowest) quartile were 0·31 (95 % CI 0·20, 0·47) for α-carotene, 0·23 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·36) for β-carotene, 0·44 (95 % CI 0·29, 0·67) for β-cryptoxanthin, 0·39 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·58) for lycopene, 0·28 (95 % CI 0·18, 0·44) for lutein+zeaxanthin and 0·19 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·30) for total carotenoids. Higher concentrations of each individual carotenoid and total carotenoids were significantly associated with a decrease in the number of abnormal MetS components (P for trend < 0·001–0·023). Higher serum carotenoid levels were associated with a lower prevalence of the MetS and fewer abnormal MetS components in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.
Antioxidants and other novel cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis in a large population sample.

OBJECTIVE To compare antioxidants and other novel and traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA controls in a large population sample. METHODS The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) was a cross-sectional population survey in which subjects ages >or=60 underwent a musculoskeletal examination. RA subjects were defined as those who met >or=3 of 6 available 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Non-RA subjects were defined as those who met no ACR criteria. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses of the association between RA and each novel and traditional CVD risk factor in RA versus non-RA subjects. RESULTS The sample included 5,302 subjects ages >or=60, with 131 (2.5%) RA and 4,444 (84%) non-RA participants. A total of 727 subjects were excluded. Plasma levels of antioxidants alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene were significantly lower in RA subjects compared with non-RA subjects in multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with non-RA participants, RA subjects were more likely to have increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. RA and non-RA participants had similar prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors and previous CVD. CONCLUSION In this large population study, RA subjects had similar prevalence of previous CVD and traditional CVD risk factors as controls. Among novel CVD risk factors, plasma carotenoid levels were significantly lower and CRP level was significantly higher in RA compared with non-RA subjects after adjustment for potential confounders. Further research should evaluate whether these differences account for the observed increased incidence of CVD in individuals with RA.