Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Topical Structure of Russian-Language LiveJournal: The Impact of Elections 2011

This study investigates the topical structure of the Russian-language blog-publishing service LiveJournal and the change in it that occurred in the course of the public activity after the State Duma elections in December 2011 as compared to a previous “control” period (November 27 – December 27 and August 15 – September 15 respectively). The data for both periods have been automatically obtained from 2000 top-rated blogs on the basis of ratings published by LiveJournal. Unsupervised topic modelling of the sampled posts was done using Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm. In December 2011 we found considerable growth in weights of all the topics closely associated with the discussion of voting results and protests, accompanied by a more moderate decrease in the majority of other social topics. the number of users who started posting texts that may be conventionally qualified as political according to LDA in December 2011, considerably outnumbers the number of those who ceased posting political items , which may indicate the existence of a blogger mobilization process in political topics.
An algorithmic framework for density estimation based evolutionary algorithms

The direct application of statistics to stochastic optimization in evolutionary computation has become more important and present over the last few years. With the introduction of the notion of the Estimation of Distribution Algorithm (EDA), a new line of research has been named. The application area so far has mostly been the same as for the classic genetic algorithms, being the binary vector encoded problems. The most important aspect in the new algorithms is the part where probability densities are estimated. In probability theory, a distinction is made between discrete and continuous distributions and methods. Using the rationale for density estimation based evolutionary algorithms, we present an algorithmic framework for them, named IDEA. This allows us to define such algorithms for vectors of both continuous and discrete random variables, combining techniques from existing EDAs as well as density estimation theory. The emphasis is on techniques for vectors of continuous random variables, for which we present new algorithms in the field of density estimation based evolutionary algorithms, using two different density estimation models.
SEAWEED SAP AS PRODUCTIVITY BOOSTER OF MAIZE

A field experiment conducted in the research farm of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi (JH) during kharif 2012-13 and 2013-14 with maize variety HQPM-1 in a randomized block design and replicated thrice, with two sources of seaweed sap namely Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria edulis at 6 concentrations (0.0, 2.5,5.0, 7.5,10.0 and 15.0% )with 100%RDF (150:60:40 kg N,P 2 O 5 andK 2 O ha -1 ) and 4 concentrations (0.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15%) with 50 % RDF,revealed that application of either 7.5% K sap or 5% G sap along with 100% RDF enhanced the grain yield by 34 and 30% respectively than application of 100% RDF alone (41.92 q ha-1). Application of 7.5% either of K sap or G sap along with 50% RDF produce similar grain yield (38.42 and 38.83 q ha-1 respectively) as that with 100% RDF alone and thereby saving 50% fertilizer need of the crop as well as maintained grain quality. Productivity of maize variety “HQPM-1” can be enhanced by more than 30% by the application of either 7.5%K sap or 5% G sap along with 100%RDF and can also save 50% fertilizer need of maize production with 50%RDF.
On l 4 : l 2 ratio of functions with restricted Fourier support

Given a subset A ⊆ {0, 1}n, let μ(A) be the maximal ratio between l4 and l2 norms of a function whose Fourier support is a subset of A. We make some simple observations about the connections between μ(A) and the additive properties of A on one hand, and between μ(A) and the uncertainty principle for A on the other hand. One application obtained by combining these observations with results in additive number theory is a stability result for the uncertainty principle on the discrete cube. Our more technical contribution is determining μ(A) rather precisely, when A is a Hamming sphere S(n, k) for all 0 ≤ k ≤ n.
"The "Advantage of Latecomer"in Abating Air-Pollution: The East Asian Experience" Revised in February 2004

Between the early 1970s and the mid-1980s, air pollution in Japan, in particular that caused by sulfur dioxide (SO2), was reduced to a remarkable degree. This reduction resulted from responses to mounting civil protest: governmental regulation policy on the one hand, and innovation of abatement technology and energy efficiency on the other. In large East Asian cities, despite rapid economic growth, air pollution is less severe than it was in Japan in the early 1970s. This is because both government and industry in East Asia took early initiatives to prevent environmental degradation, learning from the experiences of developed countries.
Assessment of salt tolerance and variability within some rice germplasm using microsatelittes

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that affects rice production. It can reduce yield drastically and result in total crop failure. The objectives of this study are to determine the genetic diversity within thirty-six rice accessions and to identify genotypes that are tolerant to salinity. Thirty-six rice accessions including three check varieties were sown in experimental pots and their leaves harvested for DNA extraction. Screening was done with 31 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) primers, of which 14 were markers for salt tolerance, 2 primers did not produce any results. 28 out of the 31 primers were polymorphic. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were run and visualized on a 3% agarose gel matrix stained with ethidium bromide. Amplified bands were scored and analyzed with PowerMarker v3.25 and DARwin v5 software. The genetic diversity among the accessions assembled was high (He=0.6, I=0.516, PIC=0.471). Saltol primers RM10711 and RM10793 were the only primers able to completely discriminate tolerant genotypes from susceptible ones, hence they can be used in selections involving the genotypes. Accessions SR1, IR72, Sebota 337-1, Perfume (Short) type, Anyofula, Local Red, GR18Red, GH1580, GH1528, GH1575, NericaL23, NericaL24 and NericaL27 performed well under salinity stress in this study and were identified to be superior among the accessions used. These accessions should be incorporated into major breeding programs to improve the salt tolerance of existing commercial lines or for the production of new commercial lines. Key words: Rice, abiotic stress, agarose gel, genetic diversity, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers, salinity.
THE IMPACT OF HUMAN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON COMPANY PRODUCTIVITY: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Within the strategic human resource management (SHRM) perspective, psychology-based practices, especially empowerment, extensive training, and teamwork, are seen as vital to sustained competitive advantage. Other approaches, such as those of integrated manufacturing and lean production, place greater emphasis on operational initiatives such as total quality management, just-in-time, advanced manufacturing technology, and supply-chain partnering as determinants of organizational performance. We investigated the relative merits of these practices through a study of the productivity of 308 companies over 22 years, during which time they implemented some or all of these 7 practices. Consistent with SHRM theory we found performance benefits from empowerment and extensive training, with the adoption of teamwork serving to enhance both. In contrast, none of the operational practices were directly related to productivity nor did they interact with other practices in ways fully consistent with the notions of integrated manufacturing or lean production.
Evaluation of e-Health Literacy and Its Predictor Factors among Patients Referred To a Military Hospital in Tehran, Iran, 2017

Background and Aim: The rapid development of information and communication technology has impacted all areas including healthcare. Due to the proliferation of electronic sources that provide health information, adequate eHealth literacy of patients seems to be a necessity. The aim of this study was to assess the level of eHealth literacy of patients referred to a military hospital and identify factors related to e-Health literacy. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a military hospital in Tehran, Iran in August 2017. The tool for gathering data was the Persian version of the e-Health literacy scale (P-eHEALS) which completed by patients. Simple random sampling was used to select patients. Furthermore some additional personal and demographical variables were collected to explore their relation to e-Health literacy. The independent-sample T test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for comparison between groups. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression were used to assess the correlation between study parameters and eHEALS score. Results: A total of 223 patients participated in the study, including 118 men and 105 women. The mean score for eHEALS was 25.35 ± 8.256, which was considered low. Patients were aware of online health resources and knew how to search, locate and use these resources. However, patients lacked skills to evaluate and differentiate between high and low quality resources and did not feel confident in using the information they found to make
Int. J. Biosci

The use of biological antagonists is a promising technique for the protection of plants without having a fatal effect on the environment. The in vitro confrontation tests is an obligatory step for the selection of successful antagonistic agents, what has ends in our study to the selection of two rhizobacteria: Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, isolated from the rhizosphere of tomato healthy plants and which were tested for their in vitro inhibitive power against five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (Forl). The results of the direct confrontation on different culture media demonstrated that rhizobacteria have an inhibitive effect on the pathogenic, while noticing a performance of P. fluorescens with an inhibition which varies between 73,77 and 80 %, comparing with 56,36 and 60,46 % for B. subtilis. The inhibition by volatile substances of P. fluorescens varies between 25 and 39,53 %, compared with 18,86 and 32,55 % by volatile substances of B. subtilis. Rhizobacterial cell-free supernatant showed an inhibition from the first until the seventh incubation day against the five fungal isolates, when mycelia growth reaches 5±0,2 cm in presence of P. fluorescens cell free supernatant, and it reaches 5,9±0,3 cm in presence of B. subtilis cell free supernatant compared with 8,5 cm on control plates without rhizobacteria cell free supernatant. * Corresponding Author: Wassim Yezli  yezliwassim@gmail.com International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub. net Vol. 7, No. 1, p. 95-103, 2015
Article 14.indd

The present study investigated the antinociceptive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) leaf essential oil (LEO) and (-)-linalool (LIN) in formalin (2%)-, glutamate (25 μM)and capsaicin (2.5 μg)induced orofacial nociception models in mice. The involvement of these substances was further evaluated on the neuronal excitability of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Male mice (n=8/group) were pretreated separately with LEO and by LIN (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and vehicle (saline + Tween 80 0.2%), before injection of nociceptive agent into the right upper lip (perinasal area). The LEO and LIN reduced the nociceptive face-rubbing behaviour in both phases on formalin test. LEO and LIN, at high doses, produced significantly antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. In hippocampal slices, LEO inhibited the population spike generated by stimulation of the hylus (antidromic stimulation), with an IC50 of 0.1±0.05 mg/mL. This response was reversibly blocked by lidocaine (0.5 mg/mL), a known voltage-dependent sodium channel antagonist and by LIN (0.5 mg/mL). Our results suggest that LEO and LIN modulate neurogenic and inflammatory pain in the tests of orofacial nociception induced by formalin, capsaicin and glutamate. Part of these effects may be associated with decreased peripheral and central neuronal excitability.
Evaluation of Lymphocyte Migration to Induced Paederus Dermatitis: An Experimental Study in Rats

Background: Paederus dermatitis (PD) is a blistering disorder that is caused by a small insect of the genus Paederus, especially Paederus fuscipes. This study aimed to investigate the reaction of the adaptive immune system regarding the recruitment of CD3, CCR4, and CCR10 markers, which are specifically expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female rats were divided into two groups: the test and the negative control. In the test group, PD was induced by making insects in contact with shaved rat skin. Biopsies were obtained 24, 72, and 120 h after induction. In the negative control group, physiological saline was applied. Specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining method. Antibodies against CD3, CCR4, and CCR10 were used. Distribution and staining intensities of CD3, CCR4, and CCR10 markers were estimated by the H-score index and findings were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon statistical tests. Results: Based on the results of immunohistochemistry, the expression of CD3, CCR4, and CCR10 in the test group at 24, 72, and 120 h compared to the control group showed significant increase (P = 0.0006, P = 0.001, and P < 0.0001), respectively. The peak of expression of all markers was at 72 h after exposure. Hematoxylin and eosin staining also confirmed the fact that the majority of the lymphocyte infiltration occurred at 72 h postexposure. Conclusion: The expression of CD3, CCR4, and CCR10 on cells present in PD lesions could indicate that T-lymphocytes are recruited to the site of inflammation by chemokine–chemokine receptor interactions and hence provide evidence for the response by the adaptive immune system following a PD.
Prediction of Gestational Diabetes from First Trimester Serum Adiponectin Levels in Indian Women

Introduction: The prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by serum adiponectin levels has shown promise in Western literature. This study looks at the first trimester serum adiponectin levels as a predictor of gestational diabetes in Indian women. Material and Methods: A total of 450 pregnant women were screened at 11--13 weeks of gestation and serum samples were stored. All the women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to diagnose GDM by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy study Group criteria at 24--28 weeks of gestation. Amongst these, 45 women who had developed GDM were compared with 45 controls. The first trimester serum adiponectin levels were compared between the two groups. Results: Mean first trimester adiponectin in GDM and non-GDM group was 7.21 ± 2.49 μg/ml and 12.20 ± 2.91 μg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that low adiponectin was the strongest independent risk factor followed by body mass index and HbA1c. Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that a cut-off value of adiponectin of 9.10 μg/ml in the first trimester was associated with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.6% in predicting GDM. Conclusions: This is the first study from India which has studied the prediction of GDM by first trimester adiponectin levels. First trimester serum adiponectin may be a strong predictor of GDM in Asian Indian women.
SITUATION ASSESSMENT THROUGH MULTI-MODAL SENSING OF DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTS TO SUPPORT COGNITIVE ROBOT CONTROL

Awareness of emerging situations in a dynamic operational environment of a robotic assistive device is an essential capability of such a cognitive system, based on its effective and efficient assessment of the prevailing situation. This allows the system to interact with the environment in a sensible (semi)autonomous / pro-active manner without the need for frequent interventions from a supervisor. In this paper, we report a novel generic Situation Assessment Architecture for robotic systems directly assisting humans as developed in the CORBYS project. This paper presents the overall architecture for situation assessment and its application in proof-of-concept Demonstrators as developed and validated within the CORBYS project. These include a robotic human follower and a mobile gait rehabilitation robotic system. We present an overview of the structure and functionality of the Situation Assessment Architecture for robotic systems with results and observations as collected from initial validation on the two CORBYS Demonstrators.
Seed germination, vegetative growth and concentration of some elements in French marigold (Tageta patula) as influenced by salinity and ammonium nitrate

Marigold has special importance and application in landscape designing. Nowadays, various species and cultivars of this plant are grown in many climates, where different environmental stresses such as freezing, salinity and drought can lead to vegetative disorders. This study was carried out to investigate the interactions between salinity and ammonium nitrate on seed germination, vegetative growth and sodium and potassium concentrations in French marigold flowers (Tegeta patula). The experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with two factors: salinity (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mmos cm-1) and ammonium nitrate (0, 15 and 30 g l-1) with four replications. Based on the obtained results, different salinity concentrations were negatively influenced all studied parameters except germination rate. The application of ammonium nitrate recovered the studied parameters to the same level as the control plants. Plant height was decreased by increasing salinity concentrations. The tallest plant was observed in the control treatments. Salinity levels negatively influenced shoot fresh weight. Different levels of ammonium nitrate had significant effects on root dry weight and potassium and sodium contents. Ammonium nitrate led to reductions in root dry weight and potassium content, and an enhancement in sodium content in the shoot. Sodium and potassium levels were increased and root dry weight was decreased by increasing salinity. Enhancement of potassium ions in the marigold following salinity stress can improve its tolerance to salinity stress.
The Impact of the Internet on Earnings Announcements

This study examines the impact of the Internet on earnings announcements, in an Australian context, with relation to: (1) information content; (2) post-earnings announcement drift; and (3) information asymmetry. Our results for the pre-Internet (1996) and the post-Internet (2000) periods provide no evidence of significant changes in the information content of earnings announcements. However, we detect a reduction in both the magnitude and duration of the post-earnings announcement drift in the post-Internet period for the positive unexpected earnings decile. Further our results suggest that the introduction of the Internet has improved information dissemination and lessened information asymmetry surrounding earning announcements.
A comparison between the permanent deformation behaviour of a standard and a rut resistant HMA mix

Efficient road transport is dependent upon construction of high quality roads. It is important that Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) surfaced roads resist permanent deformation (or rutting) in order to provide a high level of service to the road user. In order to improve the resistance of HMA layers against permanent deformation, the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works (GDPTRW) has commissioned a multi-phase study into the behaviour of different types of HMA under typical traffic and environmental loading conditions. The study includes laboratory and field evaluation of a standard HMA mix, as well as different HMA mixes that were designed to be rut resistant. In this paper the focus is on the comparison between the permanent deformation behaviour of the standard HMA mix and one rut resistant HMA mix of which the grading differs from that of the standard HMA mix. The permanent deformation has been monitored under traffic loading with the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS), and the temperature under which the loading was applied was varied. Other parameters such as the binder type (of the HMA) and load levels (of the HVS) were kept constant to focus the attention on the effect of the change in grading of the HMA mix. The data presented in this paper indicate that the grading of the HMA mix can play a major role in the resistance to permanent deformation of the mix, even under severe temperature conditions. The potential rut resistant benefit of coarser grading for HMA mixes have been supported through HVS tests. Further tests are required (both in the laboratory and field) to evaluate the durability and fatigue properties of the coarser HMA mix against the standard reference mix. This paper forms part of studies towards a Masters degree in Technology at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) of the third author. The outcome of the overall research will contribute to road owners and design engineers’ better understanding the deformation mechanism and being able to plan, design and construct HMA pavements that are resistant to it. These results will also be incorporated into updated Guidelines for the Design of Hot-Mix Asphalt in South Africa.