Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 10: Plants as indicators of soil chemical properties

It has long been known that the distribution of plant species in space depends on site factors. Humboldt and Bonpland (1807) described the dependence of plant species on altitude in tropical countries, i.e. across a temperature gradient. The year 2013 was the centenary anniversary of the publication of Braun-Blanquet’s first paper in the field of vegetation science (Braun-Blanquet 1913), in which he asserted that chemical properties of soils, specifically acidity and content of nutrients, are the prime factors that determine the distribution patterns of plant species. Based on these findings, Ellenberg (1950) developed a system to indicate soil conditions on agricultural fields based on the weed species growing between the crops. He assigned ordinal values ranging from 1 (little) to 5 (much) for weed species for five main site factor groups: soil acidity (pH), nitrogen (N) availability, water supply, temperature and continentality. The arithmetic mean of the indicator values for all weed species at a given place was used as an indication of site condition. Later, Ellenberg extended the concept to all Central European vegetation types and plant species, respectively, and based the system on a 9-point scale (Ellenberg 1974). This concept of indicator values has been improved in recent years (Ellenberg et al. 2001, 2003) and has been adapted for other countries, such as Switzerland
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR- Α (TNFΑ) GENE IN EGYPTIAN RIVER BUFFALOES

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) is a cytokine signaling protein which has an important role in the immune system regulation and affect female reproductive performance. The objective of this study was investigation the TNFα gene polymorphism and its potential effects in female buffaloes fertility. The DNA was extracted from the blood of 81 buffalo females and a 592 bp fragment contains the full coding region of TNFα-exon 4 was amplified by PCR which subsequently treated with RsaI restriction enzyme. The PCR-RFLP pattern showed that all the animals had fixed CC genotype and T allele was not detected. Sequencing of amplified fragment (GenBank accession No. KY885010) flowed by sequence alignment with GenBank database revealed that the river buffalo target sequence was homologues to cattle than goat, sheep, human and mouse on DNA and amino acids levels. Comparison of TNFα amplicon with homologues Bubalus bubalis records in the GenBank detected 3 SNPs in exon 4. Two of these SNPs were synonymous while the third located in the 3` UTR. Different effects of some of discovered SNPs on RNA cis-regulatory elements and hn mRNA and mature mRNA secondary structures were predicted.
A Re-Examination of the Interference Hypothesis on Dream Recall and Dream Salience

The interference hypothesis (Cohen, 1974; Cohen & Wolfe, 1973) was proposed to account for the difficulties in remembering dreams. Stimuli perceived on waking can either encourage activation of the waking brain or impair the transition from sleep to wake. The objective of the present study was to assess the validity of the interference hypothesis by discriminating between the natural decay of dream memories and enforced interference on dream recall and dream salience. Participants (N=42) were assigned to one of three groups: control, interference or demanding interference. Each participant completed a dream template and questionnaire to assess their dream recallability. The interference group recalled significantly more words and reported higher salience compared to the interference/task and control groups. Interference was thus demonstrated to influence dream recall failure. We propose that interference may interact with dream salience in accounting for much variance within dream recall.
The performance of externally managed

This paper examines the impact of free cash flow on the agency costs and how these free cash flow and agency costs affect the performance of REITs in Asia. Unlike previous studies that focus on conventional non-regulated industry, the Asian REIT industry being a highly regulated industry provides a new context for further research. The results indicate that free cash flow and agency costs persist over time in Asian REITs even though REITs are in a highly regulated industry. The findings also imply that REIT managers face substantial costs when they wish to adjust to the equilibrium level of agency costs, whereby the optimum level is always dynamic and not constant over time and moves with the changes in the determinants of agency costs. These agency costs persist over time and have significant impacts on the performance of REITs in Asia.
Notch signalling in T cell homeostasis and differentiation

The evolutionarily conserved Notch signalling pathway regulates the differentiation and function of mature T lymphocytes with major context-dependent consequences in host defence, autoimmunity and alloimmunity. The emerging effects of Notch signalling in T cell responses build upon a more established role for Notch in T cell development. Here, we provide a critical review of this burgeoning literature to make sense of what has been learned so far and highlight the experimental strategies that have been most useful in gleaning physiologically relevant information. We outline the functional consequences of Notch signalling in mature T cells in addition to key specific Notch ligand–receptor interactions and downstream molecular signalling pathways. Our goal is to help clarify future directions for this expanding body of work and the best approaches to answer important open questions.
Where is China's Place in the World Economy: Lessons from a Gravity Model 1

In the past decade, the share of China in world trade has increased at an unprecedented speed. The aim of this paper is to better understand the factors behind the rapid integration of China in world markets using a gravity model. This model was estimated for a large dataset of bilateral trade flows across 60 countries over more than 20 years. A parsimonious specification relating bilateral trade with the economic size of the economies involved, the geographical distance between them and other policy-related factors influencing bilateral trade (such as free trade agreements or common cultural factors) successfully explains most of the variation in bilateral trade flows. The outcome of the model provides a natural benchmark against which observed bilateral trade flows can be assessed. Preliminary results based on a two-stage approach suggest that China is already well integrated in world markets, particularly with North American and most euro area countries, whereas it may still have scope to integrate more with other regions, especially other rapidly developing Asian countries.
68-2013 Considering Household Size in Contingent Valuation Studies

In many empirical Contingent Valuation studies one finds that household size, i. e. the number auf household members, is negatively correlated with stated household willingness to pay for the realization of environmental projects. This observation is rather puzzling because in larger households more people can benefit from an environmental improvement than in small households. Therefore, the overall benefit should be greater for larger households. A plausible explanation could be that household budgets are tighter for large families than for smaller families with the same overall family income. The fact that larger families can afford only smaller willingness to pay statements in Contingent Valuation surveys than smaller families with the same income and the same preferences might have consequences for the allocation of public funds whenever the realization of an environmental project is made dependent on the outcome of a Contingent Valuation study. In this paper we show how the use of household equivalence scales for the assessment of environmental projects with the Contingent Valuation Method can serve to reduce the discrimination of members of large families. JEL-Class. : D61, H43, Q51
Export Performance, Competitiveness and Commodity Composition

The study of export performance, especially for countries with serious external imbalances, is essential for economic decision-making. This study attempts to evaluate Greek export performance during the 1996-2001 period, using detailed panel data on bilateral trade by product. Factors explaining Greek export market shares are analysed with the method of Constant Market Shares. In addition, the dynamics of the specialization pattern of Greek exports and the effect of price competitiveness on export market shares are examined. The results show a considerable change in export structure, mainly the geographical structure, with a favourable effect on market shares. Although the pattern of comparative advantages and the technological intensity of Greek exports have improved, exports remain concentrated in low- and medium-technology sectors, while product variety and quality have declined. Finally, the results show heterogeneity among the panels. In the aggregate, export market shares are inelastic with respect to relative and absolute prices, which would call for focus on non-price factors to improve competitiveness in international markets. However, elasticities are greater than one for a considerable proportion of commodities.
PARHELIA :

The photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal is an important source of information for estimating heart rate (HR). However, the PPG signal could be strongly contaminated by the motion artifact (MA) of the subjects, making HR estimation a particularly difficult problem. In this paper, we propose PARHELIA, a PARticle filter-based algorithm for HEart rate estimation using photopLethysmographIc signAls. The proposed method employs a particle filter, and utilizes the simultaneously recorded acceleration signals from a wrist-type sensor, to keep track of multiple HR candidates. This achieves quick recovery from incorrect HR estimations under the strong influence of the MA. Experimental results for a dataset of 12 subjects recorded during fast running showed that the average absolute estimation error was 1.17 beats per minute (BPM) whereas that of the bestknown conventional method, JOSS, is 1.28 BPM. Furthermore, the estimation time of PARHELIA is 20 times shorter than JOSS.
Stigmatising the Poor without Negative Images: Images of Extreme Poverty and the Formation of Welfare Attitudes

In the past two decades, many studies have warned of the role the popular media might play in the stigmatisation of the poor. Media reports about poverty often include references to antisocial behaviour, which make the principle of deservingness particularly conspicuous and could also strengthen the effects of ethnic stereotypes. We argue, however, that it could be misleading to place all the blame for stigmatisation on direct references to ‘undeserving’ behaviour. Media images of extreme distress themselves could have a selective stigmatising effect. Thus, even benevolent portrayal of the poor could erode sympathy. This paper presents the results of a video-vignette experiment on a sample of Hungarian students. The subjects watched one of four versions of a video interview with a poor person (none of them contained any references to antisocial behaviour) and then expressed their attitudes towards welfare payments. We found that support for welfare was higher where a version highlighted signs of extreme distress. But this was only the case if there were no mention of ethnic minorities. If the video report emphasized that Roma (Gypsies), the largest disadvantaged minority group in Hungary, lived in the neighbourhood, signs of their extreme hardship lowered the support for welfare payments.
HST-ACS photometry of the isolated dwarf galaxy VV124=UGC 4879. Detection of the blue horizontal branch and identification of two young star clusters

We present deep V and I photometry of the isolated dwarf galaxy VV124=UGC 4879, obtained from archival images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope - Advanced Camera for Surveys. In the color-magnitude diagrams of stars at distances greater than 40″ from the center of the galaxy, we clearly identify a well-populated, old horizontal branch (HB) for the first time. We show that the distribution of these stars is more extended than that of red clump stars. This implies that very old and metal-poor populations dominate in the outskirts of VV124. We also identify a massive (M = 1.2 ± 0.2 × 104 M⊙) young (age = 250 ± 50 Myr) star cluster (C1), as well as another of younger age (C2, ≲30 ± 10 Myr) with a mass similar to classical open clusters (M ≤ 3.3 ± 0.5 × 103 M⊙). Both clusters lie at projected distances less than 100 pc from the center of the galaxy. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555. These observations are associated with program GO-11584 [P.I. : K. Chiboucas]. Photometry catalogue is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat? J/A+A/533/A37
GRANULE SHAPE EFFECT ON THE SHEAR MODULUS AND DAMPING RATIO OF MIXED GRAVEL AND CLAY

Gravel-Clay mixtures are abundant materials in nature and are frequently used in certain civil engineering projects such as earth dams, levees and landfills. The advantage of using these soils lies in their low permeability owing to clay fraction along with the high shear strength due to the presence of the non-cohesive granular part. Karkheh dam is an example where these soils were used as the impervious core of the embankment. To date, little research has been carried out to investigate the performance of these soils, and therefore, their behavior under cyclic loading is still not well known. In order to investigate the cyclic behavior of gravel-clay mixtures, 51 cyclic and monotonic triaxial tests were performed on specimens with 11 different mixtures and under various confining pressures. Two different types of gravel, i.e. angular and round grains, were utilized to prepare specimens with the same gravel content in order to investigate the effect of the granule shape on the cyclic behavior of the mixtures. All the specimens were prepared with a constant compaction effort. Normalized shear modulus and damping ratio data showed differences in the behavior of mixtures with different kinds of gravel. Based on samples of macro structure performance under cyclic loading, two different mechanisms for the behavior of angular and round granules at contact level were hypothesized. The importance of the sampling method and specimen size for intermediate soils was also noticed.
Maize in Vietnam: Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities

This is one of a series of seven in-depth country studies on maize production systems in Asia, funded by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is part of a project designed to promote sustainable intensification of maize production systems while ensuring equitable income growth and improved food security, especially for poor households that depend on maize. This study characterized the social and biophysical maize production environment of Thailand; examined its response to increasing maize demand; determined constraints to future productivity growth; investigated the potential environmental consequences, and examined the options available for promoting sustainable growth in maize production. Maize is the second most important food crop in Vietnam after rice. It is the substitute staple in periods of rice shortage, especially for people in rural areas and mountainous regions. Maize is also the primary source of feed for Vietnam’s poultry and livestock industry, and is therefore an important source of income for many farmers. Maize production has risen sharply since 1990, when the V ietnamese government began to strongly support and promote maize hybrid technology. Vietnamese farmers have widely adopted higher-yielding hybrid maize varieties. This was a timely response to Vietnam’s growing livestock and poultry industry, which in turn generates an increasing demand for more maize to use as feed. Rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization are expected to create an even higher demand for maize in Vietnam. This trend will lead to the intensification of current maize production systems, with more land being shifted to maize production, particularly in marginal areas. Vietnam’s challenge is to provide more maize for an expanding market, while preserving the natural resource base and the environment through careful agricultural planning. Ef fective policy design and implementation must be based on comprehensive, accurate data on the current state of maize-based farming systems.
Prejudice Reduction in Public Schools: A Dialogic Approach

Increasingly, students are facing hostility and violence as a result of one or more of their social group memberships. Such prejudicial attitudes and actions contribute to antagonistic intergroup relationships in public schools (i.e., K–12). This article examines dialogic approaches to prejudice reduction, with a specific emphasis on intergroup dialogue in public K–12 schools. Evidence-based steps and strategies that educators can use to develop intergroup dialogue competencies and cultivate a more dialogic environment in their schools and classrooms are also introduced.
An Opportunistic Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Birds on prey are excellent indicators of healthy ecosystem, as they are top predators occupying multiple trophic levels and various ecological niches. Predatory birds are especially best bio-indicators of bio-accumulative compounds such as methyl mercury because these compounds bio-concentrate in their prey. The use of feathers to evaluate exposure of birds to heavy metals like mercury is a common method. Early formed feathers are molted up to several times per year, and new feather growth quickly followed by replaced molted feathers. In the present experiment the opportunistic samples of dead house sparrows were collected and analysed for the accumulation of lead, zinc, cadmium and mercury by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. From the results it was found that the level of these heavy metals are higher in the samples collected from the urban areas than the rural areas and also higher when compared with permissible limits of FAO.
Effects of Antiplatelet , nticoagulant , or Combined Therapy in Patients ith Valvular and Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Randomized Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVES This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of antiplatelet and moderateintensity anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation associated with recognized risk factors or mitral stenosis. BACKGROUND Warfarin was more effective than aspirin in preventing stroke in these patients; combined therapy with low anticoagulant intensity was ineffective. Mitral stenosis patients were not investigated. METHODS We performed a multicenter randomized trial in 1,209 patients at risk. The intermediate-risk group included patients with risk factors or age 60 years: 242 received the cyclooxygenase inhibitor triflusal, 237 received acenocumarol, and 235 received a combination of both. The high-risk group included patients with prior embolism or mitral stenosis: 259 received anticoagulants and 236 received the combined therapy. Median follow-up was 2.76 years. Primary outcome was a composite of vascular death and nonfatal stroke or systemic embolism. RESULTS Primary outcome was lower in the combined therapy than in the anticoagulant arm in both the intermediate(hazard ratio [HR] 0.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 0.91]; p 0.02) and the high-risk group (HR 0.51 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.96]; p 0.03). Primary outcome plus severe bleeding was lower with combined therapy in the intermediate-risk group. Nonvalvular and mitral stenosis patients had similar embolic event rates during anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS The combined antiplatelet plus moderate-intensity anticoagulation therapy significantly decreased the vascular events compared with anticoagulation alone and proved to be safe in atrial fibrillation patients. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;44:1557–66) © 2004 by the American ublished by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc. 2004.05. 084
role of Beclin 1 expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma : a meta-analysis

and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). OncoTargets and Therapy 2018:11 2387–2397 OncoTargets and Therapy Dovepress
Unravelling supply and demand factors in work-related training

This paper attempts to unravel supply and demand factors of work-related training by exploiting information from workers who wanted to receive such training but did not get it. Worker's willingness to receive training varies with their level of education, background characteristics, and job characteristics. Firms' gains from training vary across industries and with worker's gender and age. Half of the untrained workers are not trained because the net returns to the worker would be negative, while the net returns to the firm would be positive. For another third of the untrained workers, exactly the opposite is the case. Copyright 1998 by Royal Economic Society.
Cell Autophagy and T-Cell Apoptosis Inhibits Gastric Carcinogenesis by Inducing Epithelial

IFN-g mediates responses to bacterial infection and autoimmune disease, but it is also an important tumor suppressor. It is upregulated in the gastric mucosa by chronic Helicobacter infection; however, whether it plays a positive or negative role in inflammation-associated gastric carcinogenesis is unexplored. To study this question, we generated an Hþ/Kþ-ATPase-IFN-g transgenic mouse that overexpresses murine IFN-g in the stomach mucosa. In contrast to the expected proinflammatory role during infection, we found that IFN-g overexpression failed to induce gastritis and instead inhibited gastric carcinogenesis induced by interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) and/ or Helicobacter infection. Helper T cell (Th) 1 and Th17 immune responses were inhibited by IFN-g through Fas induction and apoptosis in CD4 T cells. IFN-g also induced autophagy in gastric epithelial cells through increased expression of Beclin-1. Finally, in the gastric epithelium, IFN-g also inhibited IL-1band Helicobacterinduced epithelial apoptosis, proliferation, and Dckl1þ cell expansion. Taken together, our results suggest that IFN-g coordinately inhibits bacterial infection and carcinogenesis in the gastric mucosa by suppressing putative gastric progenitor cell expansion and reducing epithelial cell apoptosis via induction of an autophagic program. Cancer Res; 71(12); 4247–59. 2011 AACR.