Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of tied-ridging on soil water status of a maize crop under Malawi conditions

Tied-ridging is being promoted in Malawi as a rainwater harvesting technique to reduce drought risk in maize (Zea mays L.) production. Before tied-ridging can be promoted to subsistence farmers as a viable rainwater harvesting technique, there is need to evaluate the likely impact of tied-ridging on soil water status and maize yield. A calibrated ®eld capacity-based water balance model (TIEWBM) was used to assess the impact of tied-ridging on soil water status of a maize crop under Malawi conditions. Effect of tied-ridging on soil water status was evaluated by simulating seasonal (140 days) changes in retained rainwater, surface runoff, drainage, soil moisture storage (SMS), waterlogging and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) for 5 soils and 12 rainfall regimes. The simulation results indicate that tied-ridging reduced surface runoff and this increased retained rainwater within the ®eld. Over 80% of the gained rainwater was lost as drainage while the remainder increased SMS and ETa in ®ne-textured soils (clayey texture) but not in coarse-textured soils (sandy texture). Tied-ridging is not likely to bene®t the maize crop in coarse-textured soils regardless of seasonal rainfall amount. Tied-ridging, however, is likely to bene®t the maize crop in ®ne-textured soils and for seasonal rainfall between 500±900 mm (drought or dry years). Below 500 mm, the rainfall is not suf®cient to meet maize crop water requirements (CWR) with or without tied-ridging. Above 900 mm (normal and wet years), rainfall is suf®cient to meet CWR without tied-ridging making them unnecessary. Furthermore, in normal or wet years, tied-ridging is likely to lead to waterlogging in ®ne but not coarse-textured soils. The results cast doubt on the bene®ts of tied-ridging in coarse-textured soils. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
A multiwatt all gas-phase iodine laser (AGIL)

The demonstration and characterization of a multiwatt All Gas-phase Iodine Laser (AGIL) are described. A 20-cm subsonic reactor was used to produce NCl(a1Δ) for a series parametric studies of the I*(2P1/2) - I(2P3/2) small signal gain and extracted power dependence on reactant flow rates and reaction time. A reduction in the flow channel height led to improved performance. The highest measured gain was 4.2 x 10-4 cm-1 and the highest power observed was 31 W.
Differential Regulation of Two Uridine Diphospho-Glucuronosyltransferases, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, in Human Prostate LNCaP Cells.

Although androgens are important regulators in the prostate, other effectors such as growth factors may also act to maintain normal function of the gland. Human prostate and human prostate cancer LNCaP cells express steroid conjugating uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes, and it was shown that the level of UGT activities and transcripts is down-regulated by androgens, especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In the present study, we examined the interaction between androgen, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and steroid UGT enzymes. The formation of DHT glucuronide (DHT-G) was inhibited by 47% when LNCaP cells were treated for 6 days with 10 ng/ml of EGF. Northern blot analysis also demonstrated a decrease in the steady-state level of UGT2B transcripts. Treatment with both DHT (0.5 nm) and EGF (10 ng/ml) caused a greater decrease of DHT glucuronidation and UGT2B messenger RNA levels than when the cells were treated with either compound alone. RNase protection assays showed that treatment wit.
Short Interest, Institutional Ownership, and Stock Returns

Stocks are short-sale constrained when there is a strong demand to sell short and a limited supply of shares to borrow. Using data on both short interest (a proxy for demand) and institutional ownership (a proxy for supply) we find that constrained stocks underperform during the period 1988–2002 by a significant 215 basis points per month on an equally weighted basis, although by only an insignificant 39 basis points per month on a valueweighted basis. For the overwhelming majority of stocks, short interest and institutional ownershiplevels make short selling constraints unlikely.
Changes in sexual problems over time in women with and without early-stage breast cancer

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether age-matched women with and without early-stage breast cancer differentially experience sexual problems over time and whether changes in patients' problems differ by type of surgical procedure. Methods: We conducted four interviews (4-6 wk, 6 mo, and 1 and 2 y) after tumor resection (patients) or after a negative/benign screening mammogram (controls). Mixed-effects models with repeated ordinal measurements tested the effects of time and diagnostic group (stages 0, I, and IIA vs controls) and, for patients, the effects of time and type of surgical procedure (mastectomy vs lumpectomy) using a newly developed nine-item sexual-problem measure. Two-sided P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Using data from 1,033 women (17.3% stage 0, 33.4% stage I/IIA, and 49.3% controls; mean age, 57.1 y; 23.1% nonwhite; 64.7% married), two factors measuring problems with sexual attractiveness and sexual interest/enjoyment emerged in exploratory factor analysis (&agr; ≥ 0.74 for each subscale and the nine-item measure). Patients and controls reported few sexual problems on average, but controls were more likely to report sexual problems on the nine-item measure over time and stage I patients were less likely to report problems with sexual attractiveness over time (each P < 0.05) compared with at baseline. Patients who underwent mastectomy (35.7%) were 2.7 times more likely to report sexual problems on the nine-item measure at 2-year follow-up compared with baseline (P = 0.0339). Conclusions: Patients and controls experienced few sexual problems over time, and in fact, controls were more likely to report sexual problems at subsequent interviews, whereas patients were not.
Robust gain-scheduling for smart-structures in parallel robots

In the past years parallel robots demonstrated their capability in applications with high-dynamic trajectories. Smart-structures offer the potential to further increase the productivity of parallel robots by reducing disturbing vibrations caused by high dynamic loads effectively. To investigate parallel robots and their applications, including suitable control concepts for smart-structures, the Collaborative Research Center 562 was founded by the German Research Council (DFG). The latest prototype within this research center is called Triglide. It is a four degree of freedom (DOF) robot with three translational and one rotational DOF. It realizes an acceleration of 10 g* at the effector. In the structure of the robot six active rods and a tri-axial accelerometer are integrated to control effector vibrations in three translational DOF. The main challenge of this control application is the position dependent vibration behavior. A single robust controller is not able to gain satisfying performance within the entire workspace. Therefore a strategy for describing the vibration behavior by linearization at several operating points is developed. Behavior in-between is approximated by a linear approach. On a trajectory robust controllers in all operating points are smoothly switched by robust gain-scheduling. The scheduling parameters are fast varying and though a suitable stability proof is defined, based on Small-Gain approach. Several transformations enhance the results from Small-Gain Theorem and reduce the usual conservatism. Experimental data is used to show the improvements made.
Pelvic Peritoneum in Male Armadillo and Anteater (Xenarthra, Mammalia): A Comparative Survey

The literature supports the hypothesis that the pelvic excavation is the bottom of the abdominal cavity, which is covered by the peritoneal serous membrane in order to promote visceral dynamics. We studied the peritoneum in eight specimens of Xenarthra (Euphractus sexcinctus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla). The animals were fixed in formaldehyde (10%). For description and analyzes of the pelvic peritoneum, dissection and photo documentation were performed. We saw that the parietal serous membrane reflected, involving the pelvic viscera. The urorectal septum is the floor of the higher pelvis as a serosa reflection between the bladder and the rectum. The bladder and gonads are completely peritonized in adult armadillo. In anteaters and young armadillos, the testicles are in a position analogous to the uterus, joined by the conjunctive septum at the midline and along with the bladder, they partially project to the higher and lower pelvis. In Myrmecophagidae, vesicogenital, rectogenital and sacrorectal recesses were observed. In Dasypodidae, the recesses are similar to those of other recent vertebrates.
Parent-Child Conversations About Legal Inequalities in Gay- and Lesbian-Parent Families in Florida

ABSTRACT Due to legal restrictions on same-sex relationships and parenting, same-sex parents have the added responsibility of teaching their children how to function in a heteronormative society where their family status is devalued and, in some places, discriminated against through legislation. The current study uses qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of 22 same-sex adoptive parents regarding how they discuss legal discrimination with their children (age range = seven months to 18 years; M = six years, 10 months). Eight parents (36%) reported talking to their children; the remainder (n = 14; 64%) reported that they did not engage in conversations, typically due to their children's age. Participants who engaged in discussions with their children named a variety of reasons for doing so, some of which are consistent with the racial socialization literature: namely, preparation for bias and fostering pride. Several themes emerged that appear to be unique to same-sex adoptive parents. For example, some parents described using the discussions to ignite their children's interest in political or social activism. This study takes a first step in highlighting the reasons why same-sex parents engage their children in discussion about legal discrimination and point to areas for future research.
RUNX3 inhibits growth of HCC cells and HCC xenografts in mice in combination with adriamycin

Here, we report that a loss or decrease of RUNX3 expression was found in 73 cases of HCCs as compared with that in normal liver tissues (P < 0.001). Various human HCC cell lines also exhibited loss or decrease of RUNX3 expression. The introduction of RUNX3 by an adenovirus vector into HCC cell lines which had decreased expressions of RUNX3 inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, decreased anchorage-independent growth, and inhibited tumorigenesis in nude mice. Exogenous expression of RUNX3 sensitized HCC cells to cytotoxic drugs and to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drug adriamycin in vitro. Ectopic expression of RUNX3 in HCC cells enhanced caspase-8 and decreased Bcl-2 expression. Treatment of nude mice bearing subcutaneously established HCC tumors with a combination of an adenovirus expressing RUNX3 and adriamycin completely suppressed tumor growth. In conclusion, overexpression of RUNX3 might be a promising candidate as a treatment for HCC that would increase sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Endogenous tryptophan residues of cAPK regulatory subunit type IIβ reveal local variations in environments and dynamics

The amino terminal dimerization/docking domain and the two‐tandem, carboxy‐terminal cAMP‐binding domains (A and B) of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase regulatory (R) subunits are connected by a variable linker region. In addition to providing a docking site for the catalytic subunit, the linker region is a major source of sequence diversity between the R‐subunit isoforms. The RIIβ isoform uniquely contains two endogenous tryptophan residues, one at position 58 in the linker region and the other at position 243 in cAMP‐binding domain A, which can act as intrinsic reporter groups of their dynamics and microenvironment. Two single‐point mutations, W58F and W243F, allowed the local environment of each Trp to be probed using steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence techniques. We report that: (a) the tryptophan fluorescence of the wild‐type protein largely reflects Trp243 emission; (2) cAMP selectively quenches Trp243 and thus acts as a cAMP sensor; (3) Trp58 resides in a highly solvated, unstructured, and mobile region of the protein; and (4) Trp243 resides in a stable, folded domain and is relatively buried and rigid within the domain. The use of endogenous Trp residues presents a non‐perturbing method for studying R‐subunit subdomain characteristics in addition to providing the first biophysical data on the RIIβ linker region. Proteins 2003;51:552–561. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Public perceptions about HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes toward people living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Iran

Abstract Negative and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are one of the biggest experienced challenges by people suffering from HIV, and these attitudes have been regarded as a serious threat to the fundamental rights of all infected people who are affected or associated with this disease in Iran. This study aimed to determine the relationship between public perception about HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA . The present study was conducted using a descriptive and survey design. Data were collected from 450 patients (236 male and 214 female) in Tehran and Yazd cities. The research instruments were modified HIV-related knowledge/attitude and perception questions about PLWHA, and discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA. The results showed that prevalence of discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA in the studied population was 60.0%. There was a significant negative correlation between citizens’ awareness about HIV/AIDS, HIV-related attitudes, negative perception toward people with HIV/AIDS symptoms and their discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA (p < .01). The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that components of public perception about HIV/AIDS explained for 23.7% of the variance of discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA. Negative public perceptions about HIV/AIDS in Iran associated with discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA and cultural beliefs in Iran tend to stigmatize and discriminate against the LWHA.
Varifocal technologies providing prescription and VAC mitigation in HMDs using Alvarez lenses

We present a varifocal system for generating consistent accommodation cues and providing prescription correction in Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays (VR HMDs). The proposed approach mitigates the Vergence-Accommodation Conflict (VAC), a fundamental cause of discomfort in today’s VR, and eliminates the need for corrective eyeglasses inside head-mounted displays. We augment traditional objective lenses with a focus-adjustable optical system based on Alvarez lenses, and demonstrate a proof-of-concept integration into a commercial mobile VR headset. This paves the way to lighter, thinner, and more comfortable headsets, enabling the prolonged use of VR with minimal visual discomfort.
[Extremely low birthweight infants in iceland. Survival and disability.].

OBJECTIVE In recent years advances in medical care and technology have increased newborn survival rate, both fullterm and preterm. This is reflected in a low Perinatal Mortality Rate in Iceland. Survival of extremely low birthweight infants (ELBW with BW<1000g) has also increased, especially since the availability of surfactant therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity. The purpose of this geographically defined national study was to evaluate survival and longterm outcome of ELBW children in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information on all births in Iceland 1982-95 was collected from the National Birth Registry and Statistics Iceland with information on ELBW infants weighing 500-999g born in two periods 1982-90 and 1991-95, before and after the use of surfactant became routine therapy. Information on disability was obtained from records at the State Social Security Institute. Comparison was made between the two groups of ELBW infants. RESULTS In 1982-90 the proportion of ELBW infants was 0.3% of all births (116 of 38.378) and longterm survival at five years of age was 19 of 87 liveborn children or 22%. In 1991-95 ELBW infants were 0.5% of all births (102 of 22.261) and longterm survival was 35 of 67 liveborn children or 52%. Of the 19 ELBW children born in 1982-90 three are considered handicapped (16%) and 6 of 35 ELBW children born in 1991-95 (17%). CONCLUSIONS The study shows that at the same time that proportionally more children are of extreme low birthweight, the survival of ELBW infants has increased from 22% in 1982-90 to 52% in 1991-95. The proportion of ELBW children with disability is not increased significantly between the two periods.
Availability of global and national scale land cover products and their accuracy in mountainous areas of Ethiopia: a review

Abstract. A large variety of remote sensing-based land use/land cover (LULC) products are currently available on national and global scales. This literature review and in situ validation study evaluate the suitability of these products for local scale applications in the complex terrain of the Ethiopian mountains. For the review, 146 research papers are analyzed. Most studies (73%) have been published since 2013 and are based on individually computed maps. Not a single study relied on readily available LULC products. Nine readily available LULC products with 20-, 30-, 300-, 500-, and 1000-m spatial resolution have been identified at national and global scales. To complement and extend this body of research, the recent (since 2013) LULC products are validated using 185 ground truth points collected in the Bale Mountains National Park between 1500 and 4385 m a.s. l. The results indicate a rather poor overall accuracy (<50 % ).
High presynaptic dopaminergic activity in children with Tourette's disorder.

OBJECTIVE Tourette's disorder is characterized by chronic fluctuating motor and vocal tics. Despite extensive investigation of the neuropathophysiology of the disorder by a wide array of methodologies, its neurobiochemical substrate is still unclear. Converging evidence, however, suggests a primary role of the dopaminergic system, particularly within the basal ganglia. METHOD This study examined the integrity of presynaptic dopaminergic function in children with Tourette's disorder, using positron emission tomography and the tracer [18F]fluorodopa (FDOPA). Accumulation of FDOPA in synaptic terminals, a measure of DOPA decarboxylase activity, was quantified in caudate nucleus, putamen, frontal cortex, and midbrain (i.e., substantia nigra and ventral tegmentum). RESULTS Subjects with Tourette's disorder showed higher FDOPA accumulation than controls in the left caudate nucleus (by 25%; p = .03) and right midbrain (by 53%; p = .08). CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence of dopaminergic dysfunction in children with Tourette's disorder which affects both cell nuclei and nerve terminals. Based on the known regulation of DOPA decarboxylase activity by post- and presynaptic receptors, and by extracellular dopamine concentration, abnormal activity in this enzyme may reflect deficits in a variety of functional elements of the dopamine system. The precise mechanism underlying an up-regulation of DOPA decarboxylase activity needs to be identified in future studies.
Characteristic Alterations in Responses to Imposed Wrist Displacements in Parkinsonian Rigidity and Dystonia Musculorum Deformans

ABSTRACT: The amplitude and temporal modulation of the segmented EMG activity in flexor carpi radialis, evoked by imposed angular wrist extension, was studied with respect to the level of pre-existing background activity in rigid parkinsonian (PK) and dystonia musculorum deformans (DMD) patients. The interdependence of the evoked M1 and M2-3 segments on pre-existing background EMG activity and initial velocity of imposed displacement was established previously for a normal population. Individual responses of 21 parkinsonian and 12 dystonic patients were compared to the established normal “response volume”. The augmented magnitude of the M2-3 segment in rigid PK patients, which correlates to the measure of rigidity, could not be accounted for by the low level of pre-existing EMG activity. Therefore, increased descending facilitation does not impinge directly on alpha motoneurons. Paradoxical excitation in the shortened muscle and resetting of tonic tremor of the stretched muscle by the imposed wrist extension are two other demonstrated abnormalities which may also contribute to PK rigidity. In contrast, DMD patients demonstrated normal amplitude modulation of the M1 and M2-3 segments, but exhibited a disturbance of normal temporal mechanisms that result in constant duration of the M1 and M2-3 responses with imposed force step loads.
The relation between the mesio-distal crown widths of the deciduous second molars and the permanent first molars

Background: This study aimed to find whether there is a relation between the mesio-distal crown diameters of the deciduous second molars and the permanent first molars in an Iraqi sample from Baghdad city. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 54 Iraqi children aged 8-9 years at the mixed dentition stage. The measurements included the mesio-distal crown width of the deciduous second molars and the permanent first molars on the study casts using digital sliding vernier. Results: The results revealed absence of the side difference of the widths of teeth measured. High significant gender difference was detected for the permanent first molars and the deciduous second molars except mandibular permanent first molar. On the other hand, high significant difference was found between the maxillary and mandibular arches for the permanent first molars and the deciduous second molars except for the permanent first molar in males. A direct strong significant correlation was found between the width of the permanent first molars and the deciduous second molars. Conclusion: The findings of the present study may be used as predictive factor for tooth – jaw disharmony and the possibility for the crowding in the future.
A Conceptual and Operational Definition of Personal Innovativeness in the Domain of Information Technology

The acceptance of new information technologies by their intended users persists as an important issue for researchers and practitioners of information systems. Several models have been developed in the literature to facilitate understanding of the process by which new information technologies are adopted. This paper proposes a new construct that further illuminates the relationships explicit in the technology acceptance models and describes an operational measure for this construct that possesses desirable psychometric properties. The construct, personal innovativeness in the domain of information technology, is hypothesized to exhibit moderating effects on the antecedents as well as the consequences of individual perceptions about a new information technology. The construct was developed and validated in the context of the innovation represented by the World-Wide Web. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.