Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Farm-size-specific technical efficiency: a stochastic frontier analysis for rice growers in Bangladesh.

The study was conducted during 2008-2009 to estimate the farm-size-specific technical efficiency of rice growers. The technical efficiency scores were estimated using stochastic production frontiers. The large farms received the highest yield (4772.83 kg) per hectare while marginal farms received the lowest yield (4610.53 kg). Gross return was found to be the highest for small farms and net return was the highest for marginal farms. The marginal farm experienced the highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) followed by small, medium and large farm respectively. The average technical efficiency for large, medium, small, marginal and all farms were respectively 0.88, 0.92, 0.94, 0.75 and 0.88. There was significant technical inefficiency in the production of rice for marginal farms indicating that production could be increased by increasing efficiency with the existing technology for marginal farms. Farm management could help in increasing production in marginal farms. For other farms,increased managerial capacity was not enough for increasing production. New investment and advanced technology were needed to increase production in these farms. Farmers could increase 12 percent output with application of inputs and production technology at the aggregate level. The costs of fertiliser, manure, irrigation, insecticide and area and experience were important factors to increase production. Age, education and family size had negative impact on technical inefficiency whereas land had positive impact on technical inefficiency.
Brown flax grown under different planting densities

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the planting system and population densities in the culture of flax. The experiment was conducted on the campus of the State University of Parana, in the year 2012, using the split-plot design, where the main plots were the planting systems (line and haul) and plots the densities (100, 150, 200 and 250 plants/m²). The characteristics evaluated were: plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of plant, number of capsules, fresh and dry mass of the capsules. Yield components of linseed showed a positive increase in the planting line, but did not fit the regressions tested. The increased density of plants/m² was detrimental when the crop was sown by broadcasting. Key words: Linum usitatissimum L. , competition, population increase.
Can the Subtropical North Atlantic permanent thermocline be observed from space?

The analysis of remotely sensed altimeter data and in situ measurements shows that ERS 2 radar can monitor the ocean permanent thermocline from space. The remotely sensed sea level anomaly data account for ∼2/3 of the temperature variance or vertical displacement of isotherms at a depth of ∼550 m in the Subtropical North Atlantic Ocean near 32·5°N. This depth corresponds closely to the region of maximum temperature gradient in the permanent thermocline where near semi-annual internal vertical displacements reach 200 to 300 m. The gradient of the altimeter sea level anomaly data correlates well with measured ocean currents to a depth of 750 m. It is shown that observations from space can account for ∼3/4 of the variance of ocean currents measured in situ in the permanent thermocline over a 2-y period. The magnification of the permanent thermocline displacement with respect to the displacement of the sea surface was determined as −×650 and gives a measure of the ratio of barotropic to baroclinic decay scale of geostrophic current with depth. The overall results are used to interpret an eight year altimeter data time series in the Subtropical North Atlantic at 32·5°N which shows a dominant wave or eddy period near 200 days, rather than semi-annual and increases in energy propagating westward in 1995 (west of 25°W). The effects of rapid North Atlantic Oscillation climate change on ocean circulation are discussed. The altimeter data for the Atlantic were Fourier analysed. It is shown how the annual and semi-annual components relate to the seasonal maximum cholorophyll-a SeaWiFS signal in tropical and equatorial regions due to the lifting of the thermocline caused by seasonally varying ocean currents forced by wind stress.
Financial Development and Economic Growth in Tanzania: An Empirical Investigation

Tanzania economy like of many other emerging market have seen rapid increase number of banks locally and foreign owned since financial sector liberalization in 1990’s even though clear impact of financial sector on economic growth is hard to be singled out. The paper investigates empirically the long run relationship between selected proxies of financial development and economic growth in the Tanzanian context. Using the vector error correction model (VECM), the study finds that financial development is cointegrated with economic growth. That is there is a long run relationship between chosen proxies of financial development and economic growth in the country. This paper used broad money supply M2, foreign direct investment, customer deposits in foreign and domestic banks, credit extended by foreign and domestic banks as percentage of GDP as proxies for financial development. While per capita growth rate used to measure economic growth. The results also show the need to develop even further the financial sector through appropriate regulatory and macroeconomic policies in order to ensure sustainable economic growth as well as economic development. For robustness of the results other test were also performed in this study such as Augmented-Dickey Fuller unit root test and Johansen cointegration test.
Glutamatergic Dysfunction of Lateral Habenula Promotes Depression

Depression is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders which can impair working capability of patients. However, the mechanism underlying the onset of depression remains to be elucidated. Traditionally, people pay much attention to monoamine system, but it was inadequate to understand pathophysiology of depression. Located in the dorsal dienchephalic conduction system, the habenula widely connects to brain regions associated with depression and has great impact on them. Accumulating evidence displays that lateral habenula (LHb) was hyperactive during depression in both clinic and preclinic studies. As a predominant excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate distributes extensively in habenula, especially LHb. Aversive state can activate habenula, which in turn inhibits monoamine neurotransmitter release and induce depression. Therefore, glutamatergic excitatory neurotransmission in habenula plays a key role in depression etiology. Recent studies revealed that dysfunction of the process of glutamatergic neurotransmission triggered depression. Here, we report the progress of studies and recent findings that glutamatergic dysregulation in LHb contributes to depression, including dysregulation of glutamate level and glutamate transport, GABA/ glutamate ratio and GABAA receptor, and AMPAR, CaMKII as well as NMDAR. This will help us to understand the important role of glutamate in onset of depression and provides knowledge to guide future studies.
Understanding database schema evolution

• Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.
The Effects of Regulating the Housing Short-Term Rental Market: Evidence From New Orleans

Municipalities across the world have regulated the short-term rental (STR) market in the recent years with however little comprehensive research on the effects of these regulations. This study exploits the enactment of regulations targeting Airbnb and other STR suppliers in New Orleans to identify its effects on market participants' behavior and housing value. I show that although new regulations reduced participation in the STR market as intended, STR usage increased in the neighborhoods adjacent to the properties the most affected by the amendments. I subsequently show that the new regulations depressed property values within the neighborhoods facing the tightest regulations implying that homeowners factor the option to participate in the STR market into their housing purchasing decision.
Dry care versus chlorhexidine cord care for prevention of omphalitis. Systematic review with meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the effect of dry care and the application of chlorhexidine to the umbilical cord of newborns at risk of developing omphalitis. Method: systematic review with meta-analysis. Clinical trials comparing dry care with the application of clorexidine to evaluate omphalitis were selected. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials. Results: the joint analysis of the studies shows a significant decrease in the risk of omphalitis in the chlorhexidine group compared to the dry care group (RR=0.58, CI: 0.53-0.64). However, in the analysis by subgroups, chlorhexidine umbilical cord care did not reduce the risk of omphalitis in hospital births (RR=0.82, CI: 0.64-1.05), in countries with a low infant mortality rate (RR=0.8, CI: 0.5-1.28), or at chlorhexidine concentrations below 4% (RR=0.55, CI: 0.31-1). Chlorhexidine acted as a protective factor at a concentration of 4% (RR=0.58, CI: 0.53-0.64), when applied in cases of home births (RR=0.57, CI: 0.51-0.62), in countries with a high infant mortality rate (RR=0.57, CI: 0.52-0.63). Conclusion: dry cord care is effective in countries with low infant mortality rate and in hospital births. However, 4% chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care protects against omphalitis in home births, in countries with a high infant mortality rate.
Comparative Study between Molecular Diagnosis and Different Diagnostic Methods of Schistosma haematobium in Gezira State Sudan

Over 650 million people globally are at risk of infection with Schistosomiasis, with more than 200 million people infected, and higher disease rates occur in children. Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the Molecular diagnostic method with different diagnostic methods (urine filtration, haematuria ultrasound). Methods :Eighty three students of Quran School for boys in Radwan village, Gezira state were recruited. Themean age was 12.45±3.2 with a range between 6 -20 years. Urine samples were collected. Different diagnostic methods were used. DNA was extracted from the eggs. Polymerase Chain Reaction was done for all samples. Results: Fifty-four percent of the cases were positive with uri ne filtration method ,of whom microhaematuria was seen in28%, while61.4% were positive by ultrasound. Using polymerase chain reaction 73.3% of the sampleswere positive forSchistosoma haematobium . The comparison between the different diagnostic methods and gold
The Effects of Entrepreneurship Orientation, Government Support and Internationalization on Malaysian SMEs Performance

Prior studies on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia have focused on performance with inconclusive results. This paper contributes to the literature by examining variation in performance resulting from the synergistic role of entrepreneurial orientation, government support and internalization. It primarily explores three main industries: manufacturing, service and agriculture, generating data from 218 self-administered questionnaires. Using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression in testing the proposed hypothesis, it was uncovered that the mediating effect of internationalization between entrepreneurship orientation and firm performance was insignificant. In contrast, Government support was seen as a stronger predictor of firm performance. Furthermore, internationalization was shown to only partially mediate government support and firm performance. This study emphasizes the importance of Government support and will aid stakeholders in developing a robust understanding of the role of key factors in shaping SME performance in the global market.
PENGARUH PENGHINDARAN PAJAK, LEVERAGE, PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN DENGAN TRANSPARANSI PERUSAHAAN SEBAGAI VARIABEL MODERASI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruhPenghindaran Pajak, Leverage, Profitabilitas sebagai variabel independenterhadap Nilai Perusahaan sebagai variabel dependen, dengan TransparansiPerusahaan sebagai variabel moderasi. Penelitian ini dilakukan padaperusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia untuk periode2015-2017. Populasi dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 44 perusahaan. Pemilihansampel menggunakan teknik purposive sampling, sehingga total sampel 132 data diperoleh. Metode pengujian data yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier berganda. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, penghindaran pajak tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Nilai Perusahaan. Leverage berpengaruh positif pada Nilai Perusahaan. Profitabilitas tidak memiliki pengaruh positif terhadap Nilai Perusahaan. Transparansi perusahaan tidak dapat memperkuat pengaruhpenghindaran pajak terhadap nilai perusahaan. Transparansi perusahaan dapatmelemahkan pengaruh leverage terhadap nilai perusahaan. Transparansiperusahaan tidak dapat memperkuat pengaruh profitabilitas terhadap nilaiperusahaan. disimpulkan bahwa tidak ada pengaruh transparansi perusahaanterhadap nilai perusahaan.
Simulation-based search for hybrid system control and analysis

This dissertation explores new algorithmic approaches to simulation-based optimization, game-tree search, and tree search for the control and analysis of hybrid systems. Hybrid systems are systems that evolve with both discrete and continuous behaviors. Examples of hybrid systems include diverse mode-switching systems such as those we have used as focus problems: stepper motors, magnetic levitation units, and submarine detection avoidance scenarios. For hybrid systems with complex dynamics, the designer may have little other than simulation as a tool to detect design flaws or inform offline or real-time control. In approaching control and analysis of such systems, we thus limit ourselves to a black-box simulation of the system. In our optimization research, we present a stepper motor control design problem where the designer wishes to use simulation to efficiently detect rare stall scenarios in the space of possible system parameters and initial states if such scenarios exist. A survey of global optimization techniques and extensions of such techniques are made. We present novel information-based and multi-level optimization methods. In extending game-tree search for hybrid system control, we assume that controller action timing discretization is given. We pose a magnetic levitation control problem as an adversarial game for the purpose of robust control synthesis. Assuming a given action parameter discretization, we explore the use of game-graph (augmented cell-map) approximation and alpha-beta pruning for fast adaptive online control. Assuming that action parameter discretization must be computed dynamically in search, we present a new application of information-based optimization to alpha-beta search. In extending tree search for hybrid system control, we assume that action timing discretization is not given and must be computed dynamically. We present a submarine detection avoidance problem as a search problem for the purpose of fast, real-time tactical planning assistance. Assuming discretized actions, new iterative refinement techniques and a variant of best-first search are presented. Assuming that neither action discretization nor action timing discretization is given, we explore random, information-based, and dispersed dynamic discretization of actions in iterative refinement searches.
Design, synthesis, and biologic evaluation of novel chrysin derivatives as cytotoxic agents and caspase-3/7 activators

Background Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a widely distributed natural flavonoid found in many plant extracts, honey and propolis. Several studies revealed that chrysin possesses multiple biological activities including anti-cancer effects. It has been established that activation of apoptosis is the key molecular mechanism responsible for the cytotoxic potential of chrysin. The objective of this study was to design and synthesize potent chrysin analogues as potential cytotoxic agents. Methods A series of chrysin derivatives (3a-m) bearing N'-alkylidene/arylideneacetohydrazide moiety were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 by applying the MTT colorimetric assay. Selected compounds were tested for their ability to induce apoptosis through caspase 3/7 activation in MDA-MB-231 cells only since MCF-7 cells lack procaspase 3. Results Compounds (3a-m) were obtained as geometrical isomers (E/Z isomers) in good yields upon treatment of hydrazide 5 with different aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Most of the synthesized compounds demonstrated moderate-to-good activity against both cell lines. The cytotoxicity results revealed the importance of lipophilic moieties at C-4 position of ring D in imparting the cytotoxic activities to the compounds. Compound 3e with 4-benzyloxy substituent was found to be the most active among the synthesized compounds with IC50 3.3 µM against MDA-MB-231 and 4.2 µM against MCF-7 cell lines. The cytotoxic potential of compound 3e is comparable to that of the well-known anti-cancer agent doxorubicin. In addition, compounds substituted with fluoro (3b), nitro (3h), and dimethylamino (3j) exhibited good cytotoxicity with IC50 <6.5 µM against MDA-MB-231 and <12 µM against MCF-7. Selected compounds were able to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells as indicated by caspase-3 and/or -7 activation. Conclusion Our results show that the newly designed chrysin derivatives exert anticancer activity in human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Therefore, they can be considered as leads for further development of more potent and selective cytotoxic agents.
Spatial topological data retrieval based on sketch content

Traditional spatial data query and retrieval cannot be efficient for dealing with complex spatial scenes,because highlevel topological semantics are not used.In order to overcome this limitation,sketch-content based spatial data retrieval was presented.In this algorithm,many topological invariants based on 9-intersection model with invariant moments are defined to represent the complex spatial scenes.Mutually high-order independent component analysis(ICA) features are used to train fuzzy support vector machine(SVM) classifiers,which reduce the high dimension of spatial scene topological relations and construct independent topological vectors.The spatial scene can be retrieved based on the trained SVM and tf×idf modal.The experimental results showed that statistical learning supported spatial data retrieval has good retrieval performance under few samples,which can be the basis of content-based spatial data retrieval.
Deliberate reasoning is not affected by language

Background Millions of people use a second language every day. Does this have an effect on their decision-making? Are decisions in a second language more deliberate? Two mechanisms have been proposed: reduced emotionality or increased deliberation. Most studies so far used problems where both mechanisms could contribute to a foreign language effect. Here, we aimed to identify whether deliberate reasoning increases for problems that are devoid of any emotional connotation when using a second language or having to switch between native and second language. Method We measured deliberate reasoning with items from the cognitive reflection test, ratio bias, a probability matching task, and base rate neglect items. We recruited over 500 participants from Norway and the Netherlands that had English as their second language. Participants were randomly assigned to either the native, switching or second language condition. We measured: number of correctly answered items–deliberate reasoning score, perceived effort, perceived accuracy or confidence, and language proficiency. Results Deliberate reasoning was not increased when using a second language or when having to switch between native and second language. All three groups performed equally well. Significant predictors of deliberate reasoning were age, gender, education, perceived effort, and confidence but not the language context. Participants with low English proficiency spent more time reading compared to more fluent speakers. Conclusion There is no advantage of second language on deliberate reasoning in the absence of time pressure. Deliberation was not increased by providing items in a second language, but through the willingness to spend cognitive effort and time to read carefully.
Roma, gypsies, travellers and infant feeding

 Annie Crocker, Gypsy and Traveller Team, Bristol City Council  Members of the Gypsy and Traveller project steering group (Linda Vousden, Professor Debra Salmon, Jessica Williams, Nicki Symes, Francesca Harris, Glenys Hook, Louise Ford and Dr Nick de Viggiani)  Kate Din, Ellen Tyrer, Luiza McCrae and Raluca Popu, link workers and interpreters  Professor Robin Means and Dr Amanda Longley of the University of the West of England
Relationship between dementia and ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide, population-based, retrospective longitudinal cohort study

Among a variety of comorbidities of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the association between dementia and AS by using an extensive dataset from the Korean National Health Insurance System was evaluated in this study. We extracted 15,547 newly diagnosed AS subjects among the entire Korean population and excluded wash-out patients (n = 162) and patients that were inappropriate for cohort match (n = 1192). Finally, 14,193 subjects were chosen as the AS group, and through 1:5 age- and sex-stratified matching, 70,965 subjects were chosen as the control group. We evaluated patient demographics, household incomes, and comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of overall dementia (1.37%) and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) (0.99%) in the AS group was significantly higher than in the control group (0.87% and 0.63%), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio of the AS group for overall dementia (1.758) and AD (1.782) showed statistical significance also. On the other hand, the prevalence of vascular dementia did not differ significantly between the two groups. Subgroup analyses revealed the following risk factors for dementia in the AS group: male gender, greater than 65 years in age, fair income (household income greater than 20% of the median), urban residency, no diabetes, and no hypertension. From the nationwide, population-based, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, AS patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of overall dementia and Alzheimer’s dementia. Comprehensive patient assessment using our subgroup analysis could help to prevent dementia in patients suffering from AS.