Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Malaysia's technology transfer model facilitated by national policies

The government of Malaysia has introduced several national policies to facilitate industrialisation and technology development in the country throughout the years. However, the effectiveness of this policy in facilitating technology transfer has never be measured quantitatively. The objective of this paper is to review the evolution of Malaysia's technology transfer model and process since Malaysia gained its independence. This paper will look into the past and current national policies that have facilitated the technology transfer process in the country. A literature review was conducted on various frequently used technology transfer model since 1940s and compare it to the technology transfer process evolution in the country. From the analysis, the national policies introduced over the years have a direct and indirect effect on the technology transfer process in the country. However, the effectiveness of technology transfer model that was facilitated by the policy was never measured quantitatively. Further study needs to be conducted in measuring the efficiency of the technology transfer process that facilitated by a specific policy introduced by the government. The factors and subfactors affecting the technology transfer process facilitated by this specific policy also need to be identified so that further improvement can be proposed.
Evaluation of the analytical performances of six measurands for thyroid functions of Mindray CL-2000i system

Background: Diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid diseases are based on laboratory testing of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4). Other thyroid markers, such as thyroglobulin (Tg), antibody against Tg (TgAb) and thyroperoxidase (TPOAb), are also widely utilized by physicians. The present study aimed to evaluate the analytical performances of the Mindray CL-2000i compared to other immunoassay systems. Methods: Analytical precision of CL-2000i was evaluated by using both third-part and manufacturer’s internal quality controls (IQC). One hundred fifty specimens were used for comparing TSH, FT3, FT4, Tg, TgAb, TPOAb in Mindray CL-2000i, Roche Cobas e601, Beckman Coulter Access Immunoassay system and LIAISON Diasorin systems. Method limit of detection (LOD) and linearity, as well as matrix exchange effects, were also evaluated. Results: At the most clinically relevant levels, Mindray CL-2000i repeatability results obtained by IQC were 3.52%, 1.29%, 3.62%, 2.07%, 4.31% and 4.34% for TSH, FT3, FT4, Tg, TPOAb and TgAb, respectively. Method comparison showed a full comparability between the Mindray CL-2000i and the Roche Cobas e601 for TSH and FT3, while a slight to moderate bias was present for the other measurands. Matrix effect was negligible for TSH and linearity assays demonstrated a good linearity for TSH and Tg. LOD were 0.0005 mUI/L (CV% =9.46) and 0.0936 (CV% =10.76) for TSH and Tg, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the current state-of-the-art of thyroid testing, the present study results support the comparability of the Mindray CL-2000i automated system with respect to other immunoassay methods. Additional features of CL-2000i were the good assays linearity and the very low LOD.
WEATHER REGULATED CATTLE BEHAVIOUR ON RANGELAND

Cattle behaviour depends both on internal factors (breed, age, oestrus, hierarchy, body homeostasis) and external factors (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, paddock size, grass quality and quantity). In our study we present how weather conditions modify behaviour and daily walked distance. Direct observations of Hungarian grey cows and calves were carried out in Eastern Hungary on a rangeland called Hortobagy. Meteorological, spatial and behavioural data were collected using weather stations, GPS collars and ethogram recordings. Data showed a positive correlation between daily walked distance and atmospheric pressure (r=0.389, P<0.05). Animals consistently used the same daily routes and resting sites. Moreover, frequency of metabolic behaviour (grazing, rumination, drinking, defecation, and urination) depended significantly on type of weather fronts experienced on the day following the examined day (r=0.445, P<0.05). These weather fronts were classified according to the system developed by Peczely. In summary, our study suggests that Hungarian grey cattle show specific behavioural patterns during low-pressure conditions. Therefore, understanding their behavioural responses to different environmental factors may help to improve the handling techniques of extensively farmed beef cattle. As behavioural adaptation is usually driven by the neuroendocrine system, we suggest that this type of regulation could also depend on environmental changes, therefore, this relationship needs further research.
Influence of Storage on Darkening and Hardening of Slow- and Regular-Darkening Carioca Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes

New carioca bean cultivars are being introduced into the market necessitating their evaluation under trade conditions, which often require storage under ambient conditions. We therefore evaluated the darkening and hardening processes of six carioca bean genotypes each representing regular and slow darkening trait during storage under ambient conditions for five months to elucidate their relationship as a breeding strategy. Storage time adversely affected color characteristics (L*, a*, b*, C* and ΔE) depending on bean genotype, whereas hardness and resistance to cooking increased during storage independent of the lignification process. Bean darkening and hardening occurred during storage at different intensities in each genotype and were not always correlated. BRSMG-Madreperola, a slow darkening genotype, was unaffected (resistant to storage conditions), whereas BRS-Pontal with regular tegument darkening, was highly susceptible to storage conditions reflected in extended cooking time and darkening (low L* values). Principal component and cluster analyses on 8 constituents analyzed in this study demonstrate the difference in color characteristics, cooking time and hardness as major factors in segregating the bean genotypes. Seed coat color is an important but inappropriate single parameter for predicting the resistance to cooking or hardness induced by storage of carioca beans under ambient conditions. Development of carioca bean genotypes resistant to storage conditions is essential in reducing food losses during postharvest.
Validating a new formula for weight estimation in pediatric cancer patients

Child resuscitation requires actual weight measurement if possible. Multiple pediatric weight estimations are now available. Garwood and McEwen developed a new formula (age in months/4) +6. The aim of the study is to validate this formula versus advanced pediatric life support formula and Shann formula among pediatric cancer patients. Cross sectional study was conducted in 508 pediatric patients aged 1 to 16 years attending outpatient clinic at the children cancer hospital (57357 hospitals). Their age and actual weight were recorded. Accuracy of weight estimation was done using mean bias, 95% agreement, mean percent error, and estimation within 10 and 20% from actual weight. The mean bias from actual weight of the new formula was 1.3 kg versus -2 kg for Shann formula. The new formula outperformed the other two formulae in the age group 11 to 16 with a mean bias 0.8 kg and percent error -5.9% versus 8% for Shann formula. The new formula is among the more accurate age-based weight estimation formulae especially for older children. It is an acceptable option for estimating children's weight.
European Countryside MENDELU THE RURAL AS A RETURN MIGRATION DESTINATION

This paper investigates the phenomenon of return migration to rural areas through exploring how different conceptual approaches address issues of population return, and the significance of the rural as a return migration destination. Theories of migration have variously concentrated on economic, social, cultural and political understandings, with migration often thought of in terms of various forms of capital. Theories relating to the rural, in particular those that reflect the influence of globalizing processes, advocate a shift towards understanding it in relational, context-specific terms, implying that individual return migration experiences that are situated within a particular rural context will be complex and distinct. Using empirical evidence from the West of Ireland, this paper reviews some key conceptual approaches to understanding return migration on the one hand, and the impact of a rural context on the other. Drawing from a series of qualitative interviews conducted with return migrants, this paper reveals the complexity of contemporary return migration experiences in rural areas.
Musculoskeletal problems need more attention in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine factors of poor outcome by analyzing the outcomes of bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease after 3 years. Methods: We assumed that patients who could not manage independent life in their best stimulationon/medication-on condition after a defi ned period might not have been a good surgical candidate. A poor outcome is defi ned as a failure to maintain functional independence at three years during a stimulation-on/medication-on state. Results: A total of 84 patients underwent bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation and all were followed up for 3 years. We excluded one patient who had intracranial hemorrhage. Twenty-one patients of the 83 patients could not keep up independent life even during their best condition for the following reasons: freezing in 15 patients, dementia in 5, depression in 3, musculoskeletal problems in 7, and cancer in one patient. Conclusions: Many patients could not keep up independent life during their best condition as early as three years after deep brain stimulation. Musculoskeletal problems were one major cause of disabilities, as were freezing and dementia. We emphasize that musculoskeletal problems need more attention in the preoperative screening of deep brain stimulation candidates and during the follow up.
Month-Related Seasonality of Stock Price Volatility: Evidence from the Malta Stock Exchange

This study applies different statistical tests to investigate whether monthly volatility patterns prevailing in a cross-section of stock markets are present on the Malta Stock Exchange. A January effect is detected, together with a variant of the Turn-Of-The-Month effect, in that volatility tends to increase towards the end of the month. Whilst these effects may be attributed to sources identified in previous literature, it is also shown that this seasonality is related to announce- ment patterns of listed companies.
Effect of ionic strength on cadmium adsorption onto kaolinite in single- and multi-element systems.

Cadmium (Cd) adsorption on kaolinite was studied at three ionic strengths ( I) viz., 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 using NaNO 3 as a background electrolyte and at an equilibrium pH 6. Applied concentration of Cd ranged from 16.7 to 950.0 µ M in the single-element system, whereas, applied concentration of Cd and other metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) ranged from 4.2 to 237.5 µ M each in the multi-element system. Cd adsorption increased with increase in equilibrium concentration at any ionic strength and decreased with increase in ionic strength at any given equilibrium concentration in both single- and multi-element systems. At I = 0.5, the adsorption isotherm approached linearity, whereas, at I = 0.01, the adsorption isotherms reached a plateau at higher equilibrium concentrations in both single- and multi-element systems. The difference between Cd adsorption I = 0.5 and I = 0.1 was greater in the single element system than the multi-element system. A similar pattern was observed for difference between Cd adsorption at I = 0.1 and I = 0.01, however the magnitude of the difference was much greater in the latter case.
Effect of irrigation on soil water depletion, vegetative growth, yield and berry composition of the grapevine variety Touriga Nacional

Aiming to assess the effects of irrigation amount on vegetative growth, yield and berry composition of the red variety Touriga Nacional (Vitis vinifera L.) a fi eld trial was installed at the “Centro de Estudos Vitivinicolas do Dao”, Nelas, Portugal. The effects of three irrigation treatments (DI30 - 30% of ETc; DI50 - 50% ETc and FI - 100% ETc) were compared to a control non-irrigated (NI) during three growing seasons (2006- 2008). Irrigation affected signifi cantly the fraction of available soil water and the pattern of soil water extraction by the roots either in the row and interrow. Predawn leaf water potential was also infl uenced by irrigation amount being the main differences observed between FI (highest values) and NI (lowest values). Compared to NI, the full irrigation treatment (FI) induced a signifi cantly higher vigour while the defi cit irrigation treatments (DI30 & DI50) returned intermediate values. The FI treatment induced a signifi cantly higher yield as compared to the other treatments which returned similar values. Compared to the control non-irrigated, the defi cit irrigation treatments presented similar berry composition during all the three seasons while the FI treatment showed a signifi cantly higher total acidity, lower total soluble solids and anthocyanins concentration. With the exception of the higher yield observed in FI treatment, in these three seasons irrigation had no other agronomical advantages enabling us to conclude that, in the ecological and viticultural conditions of the experiment, irrigation seems to be not necessary. However, further studies are needed mainly in soils with lower water holding capacity and in dryer years which frequency are expected to increase in the near future as a consequence of the climate change.
Influence of Mean State Changes on the Structure of ENSO in a Tropical Coupled GCM

This study examines the response of the climate simulated by the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace tropical Pacific coupled general circulation model to two changes in parameterization: an improved coupling scheme at the coast, and the introduction of a saturation mixing ratio limiter in the water vapor advection scheme, which improves the rainfall distribution over and around orography. The main effect of these modifications is the suppression of spurious upwelling off the South American coast in Northern Hemisphere summer. Coupled feedbacks then extend this warming over the whole basin in an El Nino-like structure, with a maximum at the equator and in the eastern part of the basin. The mean precipitation pattern widens and moves equatorward as the trade winds weaken. This warmer mean state leads to a doubling of the standard deviation of interannual SST anomalies, and to a longer ENSO period. The structure of the ENSO cycle also shifts from westward propagation in the original simulation to a standing oscillation. The simulation of El Nino thus improves when compared to recent observed events. The study of ENSO spatial structure and lagged correlations shows that these changes of El Nino characteristics are caused by both the increase of amplitude and the modification of the spatial structure of the wind stress response to SST anomalies. These results show that both the mean state and variability of the tropical ocean can be very sensitive to biases or forcings, even geographically localized. They may also give some insight into the mechanisms re- sponsible for the changes in ENSO characteristics due to decadal variability or climate change.
A Genetic Assessment of the Recovery Units for the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii

ABSTRACT In the 1994 Recovery Plan for the Mojave population of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, the US Fish and Wildlife Service established 6 recovery units by using the best available data on habitat use, behavior, morphology, and genetics. To further assess the validity of the recovery units, we analyzed genetic data by using mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) sequences and nuclear DNA microsatellites. In total, 125 desert tortoises were sampled for mtDNA and 628 for microsatellites from 31 study sites, representing all recovery units and desert regions throughout the Mojave Desert in California and Utah, and the Colorado Desert of California. The mtDNA revealed a great divergence between the Mojave populations west of the Colorado River and those occurring east of the river in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Some divergence also occurred between northern and southern populations within the Mojave population. The microsatellites indicated a low frequency of private alleles and a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance among 31 sample sites, which was consistent with an isolation-by-distance population structure. Regional genetic differentiation was complementary to the recovery units in the Recovery Plan. Most allelic frequencies in the recovery units differed. An assignment test correctly placed most individuals to their recovery unit of origin. Of the 6 recovery units, the Northeastern and the Upper Virgin River units showed the greatest differentiation; these units may have been relatively more isolated than other areas and should be managed accordingly. The Western Mojave Recovery Unit, by using the new genetic data, was redefined along regional boundaries into the Western Mojave, Central Mojave, and Southern Mojave recovery units. Large-scale translocations of tortoises and habitat disturbance throughout the 20th century may have contributed to the observed patterns of regional similarity.
The Role of Soil Amendments on Population Dynamics of Insect Pests, Growth Parameters and Yield of Eggplant, Solanum melongena (L.) Moench

Loss of soil fertility as a result of continuous cropping on the same piece of land has necessitated the need to improve soil fertility for better crop yields. Inorganic and organic fertilizers have been used to improve soil fertility, however, excessive use of soil amendments improve vegetative growth of plants thereby attracting large numbers of insect pests. Cow dung and poultry droppings were used as soil amendments in a field experiment using eggplant Solanum melongena. The effects of these organic manures were compared with inorganic fertilizer (NPK) and a control where there was no application of soil amendment in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Parameters studied were pests’ and their numbers, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, stem girth and yield. The major insect pests identified on the plant were Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii, Leucinodes orbonalis and Eublemma olivacea. Bemisia tabaci and Aphis gossypii scores were significantly larger on cow dung and poultry manure plots. Leucinodes orbonalis and Eublemma olivacea numbers were not significantly different on the treated and control plots. Mean plant height, number of leaves and yield differed significantly among the soil amended plots. Even though soil amendments improve the nutrient content of the soil and the yield of crops it could lead to increase in pests numbers and damage caused to plants.
Bass Enhancement Settings in Portable Devices Based on Music Genre Recognition

The paper presents a novel approach to the Virtual Bass Synthesis (VBS) applied to mobile devices, called Smart VBS (SVBS). The proposed algorithm uses an intelligent, rule-based settingofbasssynthesisparametersadjustedtotheparticularmusicgenre.Harmonicgeneration is based on a nonlinear device (NLD) method with the intelligent controlling system adapting to the recognized music genre. To automatically classify music genres, the k-Nearest Neighbor classifier combined with the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is employed. To fine tune the SVBS algorithm, the MUSHRA test is performed. Subjects are presented with music excerpts belonging to various genres, unprocessed and also processed by SVBS and a conventional bass boost algorithm. Listening tests show that subjects in most cases prefer the SVBS strategy developed by the authors in favor of both the conventional bass boost algorithm and the unprocessed audio file. Furthermore, the listeners indicated that perception of the SVBS-processed music excerpts is similar for several types of portable devices.
Progress in Polycrystalline Thin-Film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

For some time, the chalcopyrite semiconductor CuInSe2 and its alloy with Ga and/or S [Cu(InGa)Se2 or Cu(InGa)(Se,S)2], commonly referred as CIGS, have been leading thin-film material candidates for incorporation in high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. CuInSe2-based solar cells have shown long-term stability and the highest conversion efficiencies among all thin-film solar cells, reaching 20%. A variety of methods have been reported to prepare CIGS thin film. Efficiency of solar cells depends upon the various deposition methods as they control optoelectronic properties of the layers and interfaces. CIGS thin film grown on glass or flexible (metal foil, polyimide) substrates require p-type absorber layers of optimum optoelectronic properties and n-type wideband gap partner layers to form the p-n junction. Transparent conducting oxide and specific metal layers are used for front and back contacts. Progress made in the field of CIGS solar cell in recent years has been reviewed.
Adaptive multiresolution methods for problems of computational geodynamics

Double subduction is a geodynamic process in which two plates following each other are synchronously subducted. Double subductions are known for both modern (Izu-Bonin-Marianas and Ryukyu arcs) and ancient (West Himalaya collision zone) plate tectonics. However, our knowledge about this process is limited to conceptual schemes and some restricted analogue experiments. In order to fill this gap we performed 2D numerical experiments using a coupled petrological-thermomechanical approach based on finite differences and marker-in-cell techniques combined with thermodynamic database for the mantle. We investigated the influence of convergence rate, intermediate plate length, activation volume of the mantle dislocation creep and age of the lithosphere. Based on these experiments we conclude that: (A) Subduction rates at two zones running in parallel differ and vary in time even when the total convergence rate remains constant. Supremacy of either subduction zone depends on physical parameters such as (i) relative rates of the plates, (ii) slab ages and (iii) length of the middle plate. (B) Subduction dynamics of the double subduction system involves several processes unknown in simple subduction systems, such as (i) eduction (i.e. “un-subduction”), (ii) subduction re-initiation, (iii) subduction flip triggered by shallow slab breakoff and (iv) turn-over of detached slabs to up-side-down attitudes. (C) Simulated tomographic structures related to slab propagation account for both penetration and non-penetration of the 660 km discontinuity. Non-penetration is favored by (i) low convergence rate, (ii) faster relative movement of the overriding plate, (iii) young age of the subducting slab and (iv) up-side-down turn-over of detached slab. This chapter was published in: Mishin, Y. A. , Gerya, T. V. , Burg, J.-P., Connolly, J. A. D. , 2008. Dynamics of double subduction: Numerical modeling. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 171 (1-4), 280-295. CHAPTER 2. DYNAMICS OF DOUBLE SUBDUCTION