Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Divided We Stand, United We Fall: The Hume-North-Jones Mechanism for the Rise of Europe

The “great divergence” in incomes between Europe and the rest of the world occurred relatively recently. Why was it that Western Europe, once a backward outpost on the fringes of the Eurasian continent, able to dominate in terms of income and technology the previously successful Eastern economies? Several mechanisms have been identiÞed to account for the rise of Europe. This paper formalizes one important mechanism, the intellectual origins of which can be traced back to Hume and Weber and which was fully, though informally, articulated by E.L. Jones. This mechanism emphasizes the contrast between the European states-system and the Eastern empires. Political competition for a mobile tax-base in a states-system forces rulers to expropriate less from their subjects and to supply relatively more “public services”. By effectively limiting the “exit” options of the ruled, an empire rewards its ruler with a captive tax-base that can be subjected to relatively higher levels of expropriation without a similar rise in “public services” provided. The states-system thus encourages higher levels of capital accumulation, while the empire stises it. The successes of the Eastern empires in their consolidation phase are due to the competition they initially faced from neighboring states. Since Europe escaped such consolidation, the process of accumulation there never faced the impediments its Eastern counterparts did. The paper, thus, also provides a structural explanation for the emergence of institutions in Europe that led to relatively secure property rights.
Advances in physiological and molecular aspects of plant cold tolerance

ABSTRACT Abiotic stress is one of the main causes of crop reduction globally. Among the different abiotic stresses, cold is an essential factor that limits crop productivity worldwide. Low temperature affects the growth, development and distribution of agronomic species throughout the world. Cold stress is a serious threat to the sustainability of crop yields. Indeed, cold stress can cause major crop losses. A significant number of researches have been reviewed and discussed in this study in order to improve the understanding of the physiological and genetic nature and function of plant cold tolerance. Recent developments in determining the mechanism of genes with roles in freezing tolerance and the systems involved in low-temperature gene regulation and signal transduction are described. The roles of a family of Arabidopsis transcription factors, the CBF/DREB1 proteins, have been described and its role in controlling the expression of a regulon of cold-induced genes (COR) that increase plant freezing tolerance has been explained. Moreover, this study has reviewed the recent application applied to improve the cold tolerance of plants such as molybdenum. The use of infrared camera to study the process of plant injuries caused by low temperature has also been reviewed.
Enterprise Users and Web Search Behavior April

This thesis describes analysis of user web query behavior associated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Enterprise Search System (Hereafter, ORNL Intranet). The ORNL Intranet provides users a means to search all kinds of data stores for relevant business and research information using a single query. The Global Intranet Trends for 2010 Report suggests the biggest current obstacle for corporate intranets is “findability and Siloed content”. Intranets differ from internets in the way they create, control, and share content which can make it often difficult and sometimes impossible for users to find information. Stenmark (2006) first noted studies of corporate internal search behavior is lacking and so appealed for more published research on the subject. This study employs mature scientific internet web query transaction log analysis (TLA) to examine how corporate intranet users at ORNL search for information. The focus of the study is to better understand general search behaviors and to identify unique trends associated with query composition and vocabulary. The results are compared to published Intranet studies. A literature review suggests only a handful of intranet based web search studies exist and each focus largely on a single aspect of intranet search. This implies that the ORNL study is the first to comprehensively analyze a corporate intranet user web query corpus, providing results to the public. This study analyzes 65,000 user queries submitted to the ORNL intranet from September 17, 2007 through December 31, 2007. A granular relational data model first introduced by Wang, Berry, and Yang (2003) for Web query analysis was adopted and modified for data mining and analysis of the ORNL query corpus. The ORNL query corpus is characterized using Zipf Distributions, descriptive word statistics, and Mutual Information. User search vocabulary is analyzed using frequency distribution and probability statistics. The results showed that ORNL users searched for unique types of information. ORNL users are uncertain of how to best formulate queries and don’t use search interface tools to narrow search scope. Special domain language comprised 38% of the queries. The average results returned per query for ORNL were too high and no hits occurred 16.34%.
Availability and Uptake of Cadmium , Copper , and Zinc by Radish Plant Grown on Contaminated Soils as Affected by Compost Amendment

Regional center for Food and Feed, Agricultural Research center, Alexandria, Egypt 2 Land and Water Technologies Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg Elarab, Alexandria, Egypt Environmental Studies Department, Institute of Graduation Studies and Research (IGSR), Alexandria University, Egypt. Received April14, 2016, Accepted May 8, 2016 ABSTRACT
Short-term effects of radiation in gliolalstoma spheroids

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and malignant primary brain tumor. The standard treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The limited efficacy of the current treatment has been explained by the existence of treatment-resistant stem-like tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of radiation of spheroids containing tumor-initiating stem-like cells. We used a patient-derived glioblastoma stem cell enriched culture (T76) and the standard glioblastoma cell line U87. Primary spheroids were irradiated with doses between 2 and 50 Gy and assessed after two and five days. We found a small reduction in primary spheroid size after radiation and an associated small increase in uptake of the cell death marker propidium iodide. Using immunohistochemistry, P53 expression was found to be significantly increased, whereas the Ki-67 proliferation index was significantly reduced. Both number and size of secondary spheroids formed after radiation were significantly reduced. In a limiting dilution assay, the spheroid formation capacity upon irradiation was higher for T76 compared to U87, but for both T76 and U87 irradiation led to a reduced spheroid formation capacity. Gene expression analysis of nine stem celland two hypoxia-related genes did not reveal any upregulation after radiation. In conclusion, this study suggests that a major short-term effect of radiation is pronounced reduction of tumor cell proliferation. We found no upregulation of stem cell-related genes. This may suggest a limited effect of targeting these genes within the first days after radiation therapy.
Influence of exogenous enzymes in presence of Salix babylonica extract on digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and performance of lambs fed maize silage

SUMMARY Sixteen Suffolk lambs with 29 ± 2·0 kg body weight were housed in individual cages for 60 days and allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of administration of Salix babylonica (SB) extract and/or exogenous enzymes (ZADO®) on lamb performance. Lambs were fed with 300 g/kg concentrate (160 g crude protein (CP)/kg, 13·4 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg dry matter (DM)) and 700 g/kg maize silage (80 g/kg CP, 11·7 MJ ME/kg DM) as a basal diet (control). Another three treatments were tested; the SB extract was administered at 30 ml/day (SB) and exogenous enzymes ZADO® (i.e. an exogenous enzyme cocktail in a powder form) directly fed at 10 g/day (EZ), while the last treatment contained ZADO® at 10 g/day + SB extract at 30 ml/day (EZSB). Lambs of the treatment EZSB had the greatest average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion throughout the period of the experiment. However, during the first 30 days SB was more effective for ADG than EZ and vice versa during the last 30 days of the experiment. Water consumption was greater for SB, followed by EZ and EZSB compared to the control. Intakes of DM and organic matter (OM) were the highest in EZSB followed by EZ, which had the greatest neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and nitrogen (N) intakes. The EZSB treatment had the greatest DM and OM digestibilities compared to the other treatments; however, SB had the greatest ADF digestibility. Combination of EZ and SB had the best N balance. Allantoin, total purine derivatives (PD), allantoin : -creatinine ratio, and PD : creatinine ratio were increased in EZSB compared to the other treatments. However, EZ supplementation increased uric acid concentration, whereas the microbial N (g N/day) and metabolizable protein (g N/day) were increased in EZSB versus the other treatments. It can be concluded that addition of 10 g ZADO® in combination with S. babylonica extract at 30 ml/day in the diet of lambs increased feed intake, nutrient digestibility and daily gain, with a positive impact on the use of N and microbial protein synthesis.
What traits make Swedish dairy cows survive

The ability of dairy cows to survive and the economic importance of this have been in-creasing in dairy cattle breeding lately. Increased longevity contribute to an increased pro-portion of cows that produce milk in more productive lactations and reduces the replace-ment costs together with a good health and fertility. Unfortunately it is often argued that longevity has been decreasing due to a strong selection for production traits in dairy cattle. The aims of this study were to find correlations between different longevity evaluations and between different estimates on longevity and other traits in the Nordic Total Merit (NTM) breeding value. The aim was also to compare different traits for cows of two differ-ent longevity groups. The data were Predicted Breeding Values (PBV) from Nordic HOL and SR bulls and records from Holstein (HOL) and Swedish Red (SR) cows estimated by the Swedish Dairy Association. The three Swedish longevity indexes were very highly correlated (>0.89) and the corre-lations between the Swedish official longevity index and the five Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation (NAV) longevity indexes varied between 0.73-0.83. In the sire evaluation part, the traits most negatively correlated with longevity for HOL were dairyness, protein and fat index. In SR, milk, protein, and fat index only had slightly positive correlations with longevity. The traits most strongly positively correlated with longevity for SR were different fertility traits, udder health, leg and hoof treatments and other diseases. These traits also had high positive correlations to longevity for HOL togeth-er with metabolic treatments and different calving and udder traits. Some traits were found to have intermediate optima in the correlation to longevity and the correlations have also been varying during the past 20 years. It was also found that the Swedish official longevity index has been increasing during these 20 years. In the cow record part all production traits in first lactation were significant positive re-lated to longevity together with udder traits, milking speed and temperament. They should also have posty and parallel legs with a steep foot angle and a fine bone and hock quality. A HOL cow should be shorter, shallower and narrower and have a strong top line, low pins and a coarse dairyness. SR should instead be deeper and more angular. Fertility problems were the most common culling reasons for first lactation cows and udder health traits were the most common culling reason for older cows. Herds decreasing in size had a higher amount of cows that were culled after one lactation than stable or increasing herds. Heifers were also found to live longer in loose housing barns and in organic systems. Heifers born or having their first calf during summer or autumn were more likely to live longer than cows born or having their first calf during winter or spring.
Machine learning approach to locate desert locust breeding areas based on ESA CCI soil moisture

Abstract. Desert locusts have attacked crops since antiquity. To prevent or mitigate its effects on local communities, it is necessary to precisely locate its breeding areas. Previous works have relied on precipitation and vegetation index datasets obtained by satellite remote sensing. However, these products present some limitations in arid or semiarid environments. We have explored a parameter: soil moisture (SM); and examined its influence on the desert locust wingless juveniles. We have used two machine learning algorithms (generalized linear model and random forest) to evaluate the link between hopper presences and SM conditions under different time scenarios. RF obtained the best model performance with very good validation results according to the true skill statistic and receiver operating characteristic curve statistics. It was found that an area becomes suitable for breeding when the minimum SM values are over 0.07 m3 / m3 during 6 days or more. These results demonstrate the possibility to identify breeding areas in Mauritania by means of SM, and the suitability of ESA CCI SM product to complement or substitute current monitoring techniques based on precipitation datasets.
Synergistically curative effect of chicory extract and cisplatin against thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant form of primary liver cancer and is histologically and etiologically distinct from other forms of primary liver cancer. The objective of this study was to elucidate the synergistic effect and the role of chicory extract [inulin (IN)] as a chemo-sensitizer for cisplatin (CIS) treatment of HCC. Methods: Five groups of rats were treated for 4 months. These groups consisted of the control group, a group receiving thioacetamide (TAA) (200 mg/kg b.w) in drinking water, a group injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CIS (7.5 mg/kg b.w) in addition to TAA for 4 months, a group receiving oral doses of IN (10 mg/kg b.w) in addition to TAA for 4 months, and a group injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CIS (7.5 mg/kg b.w) and IN (10 mg/kg b.w) plus TAA for 4 months. Results: The current data exhibited increment of serum and liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase) activity, serum lipid profile levels (total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein), and a significant increase in β-fetoprotein and bilirubin, accompanied with reduced total serum protein and albumin levels in a HCC rat model. Histopathologically, numerous alterations were detected in hepatic tissues of HCC rats, such as lymphocytic cell infiltration, damage of hepatocytes, dilated congested central vein with degenerated endothelial cells, and congested blood sinusoids in addition to Masson's trichrome staining blue collagen fibers in hepatocytes and central vein indicating hepatic fibrosis. Treatment of HCC rats with CIS or IN improved such deleterious effects, where IN is more effective than CIS, and the best effect can be observed in rats that received both CIS and IN. Conclusion: It could be concluded that IN in chicory extract acts as a chemo-sensitizer to CIS for treatment in an HCC rat model.
The Social Impact of Information Systems at a Tertiary Institution

Tertiary educational institutes have had many Information Systems (IS) developed and implemented for the use of end-users. The problem is that more often than not, the impacts of IS on social communities of organisations have not been taken into account. This research explores the issues of the interface between IS and society, and addresses the social impact of these systems. A thorough investigation of the IS and users of those systems at the University of South Africa has been undertaken in this study. This research proposes a set of guidelines to help ensure that the social impacts of tertiary institutes’ IS are taken into account in the design and implementation of these systems, thereby increasing the chance of success of those systems.
Longitudinal Craniofacial Growth in Pierre Robin Sequence in Comparison with Isolated Cleft Palate and Unaffected children

Background: Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is defined at birth by the presence of mandibular micrognathia, glossoptosis and airway insufficiency with or without cleft palate. Objectives/hypothesis: Analyze craniofacial morphology and facial growth patterns in nonsyndromic PRS and compare them to isolated cleft palate (ICP) and unaffected children. Materials & Methods: Craniofacial characteristics were examined at three time points by comparing digitized tracings of subjects with PRS and ICP and unaffected class I subjects. Between-group and longitudinal differences across the time points were analyzed. Results: PRS and ICP groups had significantly small maxillas compared to the unaffected group and displayed a vertical pattern of growth. PRS group had the smallest mandibles (by 8%; 9.7mm) followed by the ICP group (by 4%; 4.2mm) when compared to the unaffected group. Conclusions: Craniofacial morphology and longitudinal facial growth in subjects with PRS and ICP are similar in many areas but differ significantly from comparable unaffected children.
Compact Generation of Airy Beams with C‐Aperture Metasurface

A novel method to launch finite power Airy beams based on a metasurface is presented. By tailoring the amplitude and phase of the transmitted fields from a metallic C‐aperture array, launching Airy beams is achieved in free space. The amplitude and phase of the Airy beam profile can be mapped and tailored by tuning only the tilt angles of the aperture. This structure has multifrequency characteristics, which facilitates Airy beam steering because the trajectory of Airy beams is dependent on the wavelength. In addition, the design method can generate Airy beams which have a very compact main lobe (≈2 µm). Computational and experimental results show that proposed metasurface can overcome some limitations of the traditional methods to generate Airy beams. The results can be used for potential applications in integrated optics, beam shaping, biosensing, and next‐generation holography.
Radial Growth Response of Abies georgei to Climate at the Upper Timberlines in Central Hengduan Mountains, Southwestern China

Climate change has an inevitable impact on tree radial growth, particularly at mountain timeberlines. To understand climate effects on conifer radial growth in the central Hengduan Mountains, and the potential impacts of future climate change on conifer forests, we studied the growth responses to climate variables in Abies georgei, the major tree species of conifer forest in the Hengduan Mountains. We collected tree ring samples from four sites near the timberlines and analyzed the relationship between principle components (PC#1) of four chronologies and climatic variables (monthly mean temperature and monthly total precipitation) by using response function analysis (RFA), redundancy analysis (RDA), and moving interval analysis (MIA). A. georgei growth was affected by both temperature (positive effects) and precipitation (negative effects). Specifically, the radial growth of A. georgei was significantly and positively correlated with current July (by 6.1%) and previous November temperature (by 17.3%) (detected by both RFA and RDA), while precipitation of current June (by 6.6%) and September (by 11.7%) inhibited tree growth (detected by RDA). More rapid warming in the most recent 20 years (1990–2010) clearly enhanced growth responses to July and November temperature, whereas the relationship was weakened for June and September precipitation, according to MIA. Under the climate trend of the study area, if the increasing temperature could offset the negative effects of excessive precipitation, A. georgei radial growth would likely benefit from warming.
Predispositions and symptoms of Agrilus borer attack in declining oak trees

Nous presentons les resultats d'une etude semi-quantitative portant sur le role du Coleoptere Agrilus biguttatus F. dans le deperissement de chenes en Belgique. Les larves de cet insecte s'attaquent au xyleme et au phloeme vivants. Plusieurs facteurs favorisant les attaques sont discutes. Parmi ces facteurs, la sante generale et les etats physiques et biochimiques locaux de l'arbre hote semblent etre decisifs pour permettre sa colonisation. Des larves, des galeries sous-corticales, des nymphes, des adultes et des trous d'emergence en forme de D d'A. biguttatus ont ete trouves uniquement dans des chenes deperissants ou morts recemment. Les attaques commencent dans les parties ensoleillees de l'arbre situees en dessous de la couronne et exposees vers le sud, avec une preference pour des arbres ou des zones de l'arbre qui sont affaiblis et qui ont une ecorce epaisse. Les larves juveniles endommagent le cambium vasculaire et provoquent ainsi une fissuration longitudinale dans l'ecorce. Les galeries des stades larvaires plus avances coupent des elements de xyleme et de phloeme fonctionnels et stimulent ainsi le deperissement. Pour conclure, les effets sur la qualite du bois et des mesures de controle adequates sont discutes.
Number 1-2 LASER INDUCED SHOCK WAVES IN HARDENING AND FORMING TECHNOLOGIES

Processes based on laser induced shock waves in forming technologies are reviewed in this paper. One widely used process is laser shock processing (LSP) for mechanical surface hardening, which is presented on the basis of a literature inquiry. Two further processes are laser stretch forming and assistance of laser induced shock waves in bending of hybrid blanks. These two processes are presented on the basis of own investigations and experimental results.