Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
British serial killing : towards a structural explanation.

Leyton (1986) argues that in order to understand the phenomenon of serial killing factors beyond the psychological tradition need to be analysed. His structural account using evidence of American serial killing and focusing on socio-economic factors provides a powerful contribution to a neglected area. How applicable, though, is Leyton's thesis of 'homicidal protest' to the British experience of serial killing? In focusing on known British serial killers since the 1960s, our results suggest that Leyton's work cannot be wholly applied to the modern British experience. While finding Leyton's analysis both limited and limiting, we support the general approach. However, we argue that the focus should be widened to include other social relations, such as patriarchy.
Effects of toxic Alexandrium tamarense on behavior, hemocyte responses and development of brown ring disease in Manila clams

In this study of short-term exposure of Ruditapes philippinarum from Brittany, France, to an Alexandrium tamarense isolate that produces high concentrations of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), the effects of the isolate on clam fitness, toxin uptake, and the response of hemocytes (respon- sible for internal defense in bivalves) were examined. Adults exhibited individual variability in resistance to the effects of PSTs, measured by their burrowing capacity. If genetically based, this may (1) indicate that resistance is under natural selection and (2) provide a new model to advance our understanding of the molecular basis for PST resistance in bivalves, so far determined only in Mya arenaria. Juvenile clams were more vulnerable to PSTs than adults, experiencing 100% burrowing incapacitation within 1 d of exposure to A. tamarense. They also experienced growth suppression and high mortalities following 4 d of toxification. Juveniles challenged with Vibrio tapetis, the cause of brown ring disease (BRD), and exposed to A. tamarense, developed significantly fewer BRD symp- toms relative to controls fed non-toxic algae, but suffered higher mortality. Adult clams exposed to A. tamarense showed a significant increase in hemocyte concentrations and a small, but significant, decrease in phagocytic activity, and no effect on hemocyte viability or other functional parameters. We speculate that the inhibitory effects on BRD progression may be attributable to toxicity of PSTs to V. tapetis, inability of juveniles to activate the shell conchiolin-deposition response, and/or an overall increase in phagocytic cells induced by A. tamarense. Harmful algae and pathogens may thus interact and modulate the effects of disease in bivalve populations.
Productivity Benefits from Plastic Mulch in Vegetable Production Likely to Limit Adoption of Alternate Practices that Deliver Water Quality Benefits: An On-Farm Case Study

Intensive tillage, high fertiliser inputs, and plastic mulch on the soil surface are widely used by vegetable growers. A field investigation was carried out to quantify the impact of alternate land management and fertiliser practices designed to improve offsite water quality on the productivity of vegetable rotations within a sugarcane farming system in a coastal region of subtropical northeast Australia. Successive crops of capsicum and zucchini were grown in summer 2010–2011 and winter 2011, respectively, using four different management practices. These were ‘Conventional’—the current conventional practice using plastic mulch, bare inter-rows, conventional tillage, and commercial fertiliser inputs; ‘Improved’—a modified conventional system using plastic mulch in the cropped area, an inter-row vegetative mulch, zonal tillage, and reduced fertiliser rates; ‘Trash mulch’—using cane trash or forage sorghum residues instead of plastic mulch, with reduced fertiliser rates and minimum or zero tillage; and ‘Vegetative mulch’—using Rhodes grass or forage sorghum residues instead of plastic mulch, with minimum or zero tillage and reduced fertiliser rates. During the second vegetable crop (zucchini), each management practice was split to receive either soil test-based nutrient inputs or a common, luxury rate of nutrient addition. The ’Trash mulch’ and ‘Vegetative mulch’ systems produced up to 43% lower capsicum and zucchini yields than either of the plastic mulch systems. The relative yield difference between trash systems and plastic mulch management systems remained the same for both the soil test-based and high nutrient application strategies, suggesting that factors other than nutrition (e.g., soil temperature) were driving these differences.
Astrophysics in relative units as the theory of a conformal brane

The latest astrophysical data on the Supernova luminosity--distance -- redshift relations, primordial nucleosynthesis, value of Cosmic Microwave Background--temperature, and baryon asymmetry are considered as an evidence of relative measurement standard, field nature of time, and conformal symmetry of the physical world. We show how these principles of description of the universe help modern quantum field theory to explain the creation of the universe, time, and matter from the physical vacuum as a state with the lowest energy.
INDUCED NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS BY ISCHEMIA IN ANIMAL MODELS

Research into necrotizing enterocolitis has evolved recently from the gross and microscopical level to the biochemical and genetic level. For this new type of research there are many animal models used mostly in rats and mice that use ischemia, hypothermia and feeding protocols, all associated or used in individual matter, as an inducing factors for necrotizing enterocolitis. Animal models of necrotizing enterocolitis suggest both indirect and direct participation of ischemia in tissue damage, among many other factors.
A importânciada dimensão do mercado de trabalho local para osdiferenciais de participação esalários entre gêneros: uma análiseempírica para os centros urbanos brasileiros

Recent studies have brought evidence suggesting that the impacts of cities on the participation and wages of individuals in the labor market differ between genders. The hypothesis claims that the urban size would stimulate women's participation in the labor market and reduce the losses caused by interruptions in her career and the lower spatial mobility. From the microdata from the 2000 Demographic Census and through probit models, ordinary least square, the standard Heckman (1979) approach dealing with sample selection and instrumental variable, with robust standard errors, this study verifies this hypothesis for urban areas of Brazilian municipalities with more than one hundred thousand inhabitants. The estimates suggest that the large urban centers stimulate more women to join the labor market, compared to men. Moreover, economies of agglomeration present a positive differential on wages favorable to women. Therefore, the evidence suggests that given the size of the labor market and the difference of wages and participation between genders were negatively related. Key-words: urban agglomeration, participation, wages differentials. Código JEL: R23, J16, J31.
Vertical stratification of leaf-beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in two forest types in Panama

To study vertical gradients of arthropod species richness in tropical forests, adult chrysomelids were surveyed with similar sampling effort by beating in four plots of 0.8 ha, representative of the canopy and understorey of one wet and one dry forest in Panama. Samples included in total 4615 individuals representing 253 species, and were of similar species richness at the two study sites. At both sites, chrysomelids were significantly more species-rich in the canopy than in the understorey. The proportion of species shared between the two study sites was 24%, whereas 16% and 28% of species were shared between the canopy and understorey of the wet and dry sites, respectively. Mature trees supported more and different chrysomelid species than conspecific saplings. A higher proportion of liana feeders vs. tree feeders occurred at the dry site than at the wet site. Multivariate analyses confirmed the faunal differences between the wet and dry sites and that stratification was more marked at the wet site than at the dry site. The latter observation may relate to differences in forest physiognomy (a tall and closed canopy at the wet site) and to the high interconnectivity via lianas between the understorey and canopy at the dry site.
On rotationally symmetric Kahler-Ricci solitons

In this note, using Calabi's method, we construct rotationally symmetric Kahler-Ricci solitons on the total space of direct sum of fixed hermitian line bundle and its projective compactification, where the curvature of hermitian line bundle is Kahler-Einstein. These examples generalize the construction of Koiso, Cao and Feldman-Ilmanen-Knopf.
Cambios radiculares en pacientes tratados ortodoncicamente

Introduccion y objetivo: La reabsorcion radicular apical externa (RRAE) asociada al movimiento dental ha sido tema de investigacion en el campo de la ortodoncia y la endodoncia. La deteccion temprana traeria un beneficio para el paciente y el profesional; ha sido descrita como una complicacion o secuela del tratamiento de ortodoncia que resulta en la perdida permanente de estructura radicular El dignostico eficiente es un aspecto esencial para definir la terapeutica adecuada y el exito del tratamiento. El proposito de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios en la longitud radicular y del conducto como consecuencia del tratamiento ortodoncico. Materiales y metodos: Se evaluaron 42 dientes , incisivos centrales superiores de 21 pacientes (12 mujeres, 9 hombres). Los cambios en la longitud radicular y amplitud del conducto fueron determinadas por medio de mediciones radiograficas obtenidas antes de iniciar el tratamiento (T1) y posteriormente a los 6 (T2), 12 (T3) y 18 meses (T4) utilizando un posicionador de tecnica paralela RINN® XCP® (DENTSPLY) y el Sistema de radiovisiografia CDR de SCHICK ®. las imagenes obtenidas se importaron y procesaron con el sistema DBS WIN®, aqui se llevaron a cabo las mediciones correspondientes. Resultados: Todos los Incisivos evaluados mostraron disminucion de la longitud y de la amplitud del conducto radicular durante los 18 meses de tratamiento. Conclusion: La RRAE se puede detectar en etapas tempranas del tratamiento de Ortodoncia, se presenta mas significativamente en los primeros 6 meses, parece estar relacionado con las fuerzas de la fase de alineacion y nivelacion.
Preoperative Anxiolysis and Postoperative Recovery in Women Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy

Background Every year, millions of patients receive sedatives for reduction of anxiety before surgery, but there is little objective data on the effect of this treatment on postoperative outcomes. To address this issue, the effects of benzodiazepine administration were evaluated in women undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods Patients were randomized to receive 1 mg of oral lorazepam the night before surgery and 5 mg of intramuscular midazolam on the morning of surgery (n = 34), or to receive a placebo the night before surgery and on the morning of surgery (n = 36). Postoperative pain (Visual Analogue Scale for pain, McGill Pain Questionnaire) and analgesic consumption (patient-controlled analgesia), and clinical recovery parameters such as time to discharge from hospital were evaluated after surgery. Results Patient-controlled analgesia use showed a marginal main effect of treatment group (F(1,51) = 2.8;P = 0.047). Post hoc analysis demonstrated that patient-controlled analgesia consumption was significantly lower in the treatment group only during the first 4 h of patient-controlled analgesia use after surgery (P = 0.027). There were no significant group differences at any later postoperative time points (P = not significant). There were no group differences in the cumulative Percocet (Pfizer, New York, NY) consumption in the postoperative period (P = not significant). Further, self-reported postoperative pain did not differ significantly between groups at any of the time points (P = not significant). There were also no group differences with regard to any postoperative clinical recovery parameters. Conclusions Benzodiazepines administered before surgery have minimal beneficial effects on the postoperative clinical course of women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.
Three-phase transformer modeling for forward/backward sweep-based distribution systems power flow algorithms

This paper provides a new approach for modelling of distribution transformer in the forward/backward sweep-based algorithms for unbalanced distribution systems. For the transformer modelling symmetrical components theory is used and zero sequence-voltage and -current updating for the sweep-based methods is shown. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by a simple two-bus balanced and unbalanced system for grounded wye-delta and delta grounded wye transformer connections. Results are in agreements with the literature and show that the proposed model is valid and reliable.
The Research on Issue and Countermeasures of Accounting Information of SMES

The accounting information is accompanied by the rapid development of information technology; the development is the further deepening of computerized accounting. The large-scale enterprises put more emphasis on development of accounting information, while accounting for the majority of SMES in China because of many problems, there is no implementation of the accounting information or the results are poor, which for economic development of China is a significant impact, thus improving the level of accounting information of SEMS is very necessary. This paper describes in detail the problems faced by accounting information of SEMS and how to resolve these issues to make it a betterservice for SMES
A Morphometric Analysis of Arceuthobium campylopodum and Arceuthobium divaricatum (Viscaceae)

Although the classification of pinyon dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium divaricatum, Viscaceae) has not been controversial to any extent since Engelmann described it in 1878, a recent taxonomic treatment has included this species in western dwarf mistletoe (A. campylopodum). While pinyon dwarf mistletoe is only known to parasitize pinyon pines (Pinus subsection Cembroides), western dwarf mistletoe as it has been known since the late 1800s is a principal parasite of Pinus ponderosa and P. jeffreyi and has never been observed parasitizing pinyon pines. With reservations about the recent classification of pinyon dwarf mistletoe and its treatment under A. campylopodum, we undertook this study to examine in detail the morphological characteristics of pinyon dwarf mistletoe and compare them with those of western dwarf mistletoe. Pinyon and western dwarf mistletoe populations were sampled throughout most of their geographic ranges and morphological traits including plant, flower, fruit, and seed dimensions were measured. Thereafter, we compared morphological characteristics between A. campylopodum and A. divaricatum using univariate and multivariate statistics to determine significant differences among morphologies of both male and female plants. Our analyses clearly demonstrated that pinyon and western dwarf mistletoe are morphologically distinct as originally proposed by G. Engelmann in the late 19 century. Furthermore, the host affinities of the two taxa clearly distinguish them from each other. Therefore, we recommend that A. campylopodum and A. divaricatum continue to be classified as separate species. Morphological differences between these species are summarized and a key is provided for use in their field identification.
The Performance and Challenges of Private Universities in Ghana and Nigeria

The role of private universities in Ghana and Nigeria in the last two decades cannot be overemphasised. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of private universities in Ghana and Nigeria, what has aided their development so far and what are their challenges. The study made use of questionnaire for primary data collection method. Forty Nigerians and Ghanaians studying at the postgraduate level in Babcock University (BU), Nigeria, were sampled. Data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics, hierarchical factor analysis and deductive inferences. The study revealed that the private universities were outstanding for their ability to provide uninterrupted academic calendar through the years; for production of the best quality graduates, as well as graduating highly ethical and well disciplined students. The study further showed that the major problem facing private universities in the two countries is largely financial - high cost of training and development of faculty and staff; lack of well-resourced libraries; inability to retain top quality faculty and staff; inadequate teaching and learning equipment and infrastructure. This study will be of immense benefit to higher education planners and managers.
Relative language exposure, processing efficiency and vocabulary in Spanish–English bilingual toddlers*

Research with monolingual children has shown that early efficiency in real-time word recognition predicts later language and cognitive outcomes. In parallel research with young bilingual children, processing ability and vocabulary size are closely related within each language, although not across the two languages. For children in dual-language environments, one source of variation in patterns of language learning is differences in the degree to which they are exposed to each of their languages. In a longitudinal study of Spanish/English bilingual children observed at 30 and 36 months, we asked whether the relative amount of exposure to Spanish vs. English in daily interactions predicts children's relative efficiency in real-time language processing in each language. Moreover, to what extent does early exposure and speed of lexical comprehension predict later expressive and receptive vocabulary outcomes in Spanish vs. English? Results suggest that processing skill and language experience each promote vocabulary development, but also that experience with a particular language provides opportunities for practice in real-time comprehension in that language, sharpening processing skills that are critical for learning.
Nonlinear Precoding for Multipair Relay Networks With One-Bit ADCs and DACs

We consider a multipair half-duplex relay communication network, where the relay is deployed with one-analog-to-digital converters and one-bit digital-to-analog converters. To suppress the interpair interference and quantization artifacts, we propose nonlinear precoding schemes to forward the quantized signals at the relay. We first present a technique based on gradient projection, and then show how to refine the solution using ordered quantization and perturbation methods. For the single-user case with BPSK symbols, we obtain a closed-form solution for the optimal transmit vector. Numerical results verify that the proposed precoding design significantly outperforms quantized linear precoding strategies.
Time Prediction Using a Neuro-Fuzzy Model for Projects in the Construction Industry

This paper presents a prediction model based on a new neuro-fuzzy algorithm for estimating time in construction projects. The output of the proposed prediction model, which is employed based on a locally linear neuro-fuzzy (LLNF) model, is useful for assessing a project status at different time horizons. Being trained by a locally linear model tree (LOLIMOT) learning algorithm, the model is intended for use by members of the project team in performing the time control of projects in the construction industry. The present paper addresses the effects of different factors on the project time and schedule by using both fuzzy sets theory (FST) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) in a construction project in Iran. The construction project is investigated to demonstrate the use and capabilities of the proposed model to see how it allows users and experts to actively interact and, consequently, make use of their own experience and knowledge in the estimation process. The proposed model is also compared to the well-known intelligent model (i.e., BPNN) to illustrate its performance in the construction industry.
A novel method for automatic image registration based on wavelet and near fuzzy set

Automatic image registration is still a major challenge in many of the image processing applications, to name a few-remote sensing, medical imaging, industrial image analysis etc. In general, the problem of image registration can be identified as the determination of translations and a small rotation between the respective source images and generation of the resulting registered images. The most critical issue in regards to appropriate image registration is the variability in terms of the different image sensors in producing the source image, which can affect the accuracy in the resultant registered image. In this paper, we have proposed a novel image registration technique based on wavelet theory and near-fuzzy set approach. We have used five sets of test images for our experiment and the experimental results for the entire test sets are superior in terms of noise reduction and varied difference in the image content compared to the other related research works. To the best of our knowledge, our approach of image registration using near-fuzzy set approach is first of its kind and the superior quality of the resultant registered image can well justify its novelty.
A modification of the kummer's method for efficient computation of the 2-D Green's functions for 1-D periodic structures

A new modification of the Kummer's method of Mth order for 2≤M≤6 is proposed for efficient computation of the 2-D Green's function for 1-D periodic structures in homogeneous media. The modification consists in transformation of the auxiliary series constructed of asymptotic terms of the original spectral series into a new series which, unlike the previous one, allows its summation in closed form. The new representation of the Green's functions consists of a rapidly converging difference series whose terms decay as q−(M+1), as well a new rigorous expression for the sum of the transformed auxiliary series.
Near-field measurement of stochastic electromagnetic fields

Stochastic electromagnetic fields with Gaussian amplitude probability distribution can be fully described by auto- and cross correlation spectra of the field components. The cross correlation spectra have to be known for the pairs of field components taken at different spatial points. Integrated electric dipole and magnetic loop probes together with active electronics in AlGaAs/GaAs-HEMT and SiGe:C-HBT technologies are presented. While the probes allow for a spatial resolution in the 100 μm range, integrated amplifiers provide about 30 dB gain over a bandwidth of about 10 GHz.
Moisture-Dependent Thermal Modelling of Power Transformer

Hot-spot temperature (HST) is recognized as one of the key factors affecting the life expectancy of a transformer. In this study, a moisture-dependent thermal model (MDTM) for estimating the transformer hot-spot temperature is proposed. In this model, nonlinear thermal resistance is formulated by considering oil and cellulose (paper and pressboard) of the transformer. Especially, the effect of moisture concentration and temperature on the thermal resistance of cellulose is taken into account. The proposed MDTM is verified by using historical data, including moisture-in-oil measurements, temperature measurements, and loading profiles, which were collected from two in-service power transformers, that is, a vegetable oil-filled transformer and a mineral oil-filled transformer. Comparisons between the proposed MDTM and a number of existing thermal models were performed on the basis of adequacy and accuracy metrics.