Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of ALOS PALSAR Data for High-Resolution Mapping of Vegetated Wetlands in Alaska

As the largest natural source of methane, wetlands play an important role in the carbon cycle. High-resolution maps of wetland type and extent are required to quantify wetland responses to climate change. Mapping northern wetlands is particularly important because of a disproportionate increase in temperatures at higher latitudes. Synthetic aperture radar data from a spaceborne platform can be used to map wetland types and dynamics over large areas. Following from earlier work by Whitcomb et al. (2009) using Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS-1) data, we applied the “random forests” classification algorithm to variables from L-band ALOS PALSAR data for 2007, topographic data (e.g., slope, elevation) and locational information (latitude, longitude) to derive a map of vegetated wetlands in Alaska, with a spatial resolution of 50 m. We used the National Wetlands Inventory and National Land Cover Database (for upland areas) to select training and validation data and further validated classification results with an independent dataset that we created. A number of improvements were made to the method of Whitcomb et al. (2009): (1) more consistent training data in upland areas; (2) better distribution of training data across all classes by taking a stratified random sample of all available training pixels; and (3) a more efficient implementation, which allowed classification of the entire state as a single entity (rather than in separate tiles), which eliminated discontinuities at tile boundaries. The overall accuracy for discriminating wetland from upland was 95%, and the accuracy at the level of wetland classes was 85%. The total area of wetlands mapped was 0.59 million km2, or 36% of the total land area of the state of Alaska. The map will be made available to download from NASA’s wetland monitoring website.
Holistic management – a critical review of Allan Savory’s grazing method.

Allan Savory is the man behind holistic grazing and the founder of the Savory Institute. Savory claims that holistic grazing can stop desertification and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to pre-industrial levels in a few decades. In this report, we review the literature on holistic grazing in order to evaluate the scientific support behind these statements.
Mouse Mast Cell Protease-4 Deteriorates Renal Function by Contributing to Inflammation and Fibrosis in Immune Complex-Mediated Glomerulonephritis

Mast cells exert protective effects in experimental antiglomerular basement membrane-induced glomerulonephritis (GN), yet the responsible mediators have not been identified. In this study, we investigated the role of mouse mast cell protease (mMCP)-4, the functional homolog of human chymase, using mMCP-4–deficient mice. Compared with wild type animals, mMCP-4–deficient mice exhibited lower proteinuria, blood creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels, indicating an aggravating role of mMCP-4. Kidney histology confirmed less severe renal damage in mMCP-4–deficient mice with reduced deposits, glomerular and interstitial cellularity, and fibrosis scores. High amounts of mMCP-4 were detected in renal capsules, but not in the whole kidney, from wild type mice. Its expression in renal capsules was markedly decreased after GN induction, suggesting that locally released enzyme by degranulated mast cells could contribute to the functional and physiopathological hallmarks of GN. Supporting a proinflammatory role, glomerular and interstitial macrophage and T cell infiltration, levels of proinflammatory TNF and MCP-1 mRNA, and the expression of the profibrotic peptide angiotensin II together with type I collagen were markedly downregulated in kidneys of mMCP-4−deficient mice. We conclude that mMCP-4 chymase, contrary to the global anti-inflammatory action of mast cells, aggravates GN by promoting kidney inflammation. These results highlight the complexity of mast cell-mediated inflammatory actions and suggest that chymase inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic target in GN.
Antecedents of Organizational Health in Southern Thailand

The purpose of this study was to develop a structural equation model of the causal relationships between organizational commitment, organizational justice and transformational leadership and organizational health among the local administrative organizations. The study found that the model was well-fitted to the empirical data. The results of the study indicated that organizational commitment had direct effects on organizational health; organizational justice had direct effects on organizational health and indirect effects on organizational health through organizational commitment. Transformational leadership had direct effects on organizational health and indirect influence on organizational health through organizational justice. Therefore, for local administrative organizations to have good organizational health, administrators must build justice perception among personnel in the organizations concerning decision-making, relationship, communication, and transformational leadership in terms of ideological influence, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and individuality. All of these factors can affect organizational health of local administrative organizations. Keywords : organizational health, organizational commitment, organizational justice, transformational leadership
Seasonal impacts on the storage capacity of EV parking lots

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the new bilateral assets of evolving smart electricity grids. Depending upon the technical benefits or economic expectations, they can be considered as non-stationary loads or they can serve as distributed storage units. Moreover, their behavior may change more than once a day. Therefore, their integration is both a challenge and an opportunity for smart power systems. From the point of electricity grids, parking lots (PLs) provide an occasion of supporting the grid by aggregating meaningful number of EVs. Car arrival departure pattern dominates the storage capacity of the PL. However, this pattern is sensitive to seasonal effects. The objective of this paper is to investigate this seasonal impacts of the environment on the storage capacity of the PL. Simulations are performed using car arrival/departure data of a representative PL in Istanbul. Time-dependent car park storage capacity of the PL is determined for a weekday for several periods of the year. The results are discussed from the point of distributed-storage availability of the grid.
ASSESSING CONSUMERS ADOPTION OF SELF SERVICE BANKING IN INDIA: GENDER DIFFERENCES

Rate of adoption of technology based banking services has not been as per expectations of the marketers. Research indicates that individual differences like demographics, gender, age could offer plausible insights into slow rate of adoption of technology based banking services in India. It is within this background that the current study was undertaken to study the effect of gender on TAM (technology acceptance model). To test the proposed hypotheses, a survey was done and data were collected from 314 respondents. The sampling frame was defined as 26 Tier 2 cities of India. The results indicated that there were significant differences across gender in terms of technology discomfort which influenced the perceived usefulness and behavioral intention in terms of attitude to use self service banking decreased. Therefore, marketers need to address the aspect of technology discomfort especially in respect to females.
LPS In Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Of Ischemic And Non-Ischemic Origin.

BACKGROUND We decided to examine whether there are differences in the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in various groups of patients suffering from left ventricular dysfunction, requiring no intravenous therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 37 patients (ranging from 39 to 80 years, mean age of 59.8 years, SD 9.5) with left ventricular dysfunction caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease or chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. These patients were compared to 29 healthy subjects and 7 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. The LPS levels were analyzed and correlated to the echocardiographic index of left ventricular impairment and to the clinical parameters. RESULTS The plasma levels of LPS were lower in patients with a chronic LV dysfunction than in the control group but without reaching any statistical significance (chronic LV dysfunction patients 6.33±5.03 pg/ml, AMI patients 13.58±19.14 pg/ml, healthy controls 11.12±12.97 pg/ml). The values observed in AMI patients were similar to those of the control group, without any significant differences. No significant correlation of the LPS levels was obseved either with the echocardiographic index of left ventricular impairment or with the clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS It is probable that LPS does not play any major role in the progression of LV dysfunction. The possible role of LPS in critical heart failure should therefore be better evaluated.
A study of antecedents of luxury brands repurchase intention of Iranian Customers in Iran, Tehran

During last decades the consumption of luxury brand products has experienced a considerable growth of popularity in its market globally. People have become more fashion and brand conscious regarding the products and almost everyone nowadays knows globally famous brands. High number of middle class population in developing countries with a high level of interest are getting involved in purchasing luxury products, leading these companies to a more competitive market in these field. Therefore, it appears necessary for the businesses in this field to study the intention of concerned consumers in order to obtain sale volumes and in turn the profit by understanding the influential and potential factors leading the consumers purchase or repurchase such products. The purpose of this paper is to study factors affecting repurchase intention of Iranian customers in Tehran regarding luxury brand products by focusing on nine potentially influencing factors such as: luxury brands perception in terms of functional, experiential, and symbolic dimension, novelty lovers, perceived quality, social value in terms of status value and conspicuous value, personal value in terms of hedonism value and materialism value. The researcher applied descriptive analysis, along with the non-probability sample methods including judgment, convenience, and quota sampling procedure. The data was collected by using the questionnaire though the distribution of 450 number to Iranian shoppers who have the experience of using luxury brand products and were found in the three top luxurious shopping malls in Tehran, Iran. The results from the analyzing 423 valid samples by applying simple linear and multiple linear regression technique showed that novelty lovers has a significant influence on perceived quality. The researcher also found that novelty lovers and perceived quality both have significant influence on repurchase intention. Moreover, luxury brands perception in terms of functional, experiential, and symbolic dimension influences repurchase intention. In addition, as findings showed while personal value in terms of hedonism value and materialism value influences repurchase intention, social value however has a significant influence only in terms of conspicuous value on repurchase intention of luxury brands products of Iranian customers in Tehran, Iran.
Physical and developmental status of preschool small‐for‐gestational‐age children: A comparative study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the current developmental and physical status of preschool children identified from hospital records as being small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA)at birth. Sixty‐seven children were compared with a matched group of appropriately grown (AGA) children. Mothers of SGA children were more likely to have smoked during pregnancy, to have suffered pre‐eclamptic toxaemia (PET), and to have had shorter labours than the AGA group. They were less likely to have breast‐fed their babies, and reported higher incidences of eating problems and visits' to the general practitioner. On physical and developmental parameters the AGA group was significantly ahead of the SGA group. For all subjects breast feeding was correlated with higher Stanford Binet scores, and environmental factors appeared more salient for the progress of the SGA children at this age than biological factors. The results are discussed with regard to possible amelioration of the effects of being born small for gestational age.
Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Patients with Double Primary Cancer of the Colorectum and Stomach

We examined the correlation between the expression of mismatch repair (MMR) gene proteins and the development of double primary cancer, and studied clinical implications of an MMR deficiency in 15 patients with double primary cancer of the colorectum and stomach, immunohistochemically. The results were compared between the double primary cancer group of 15 patients and the control group consisting of 155 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who had never developed other malignant diseases. Patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyiposis were excluded from both groups. The MMR deficiency in CRC was significantly more frequently detected in the double primary cancer group than in the control group (46.7% versus 20.6%, P < 0.05). Patients with MMR-deficient CRC of the double primary cancer group were significantly older, more frequently had poorly differentiated lesions, had less metastases to the liver and lymph node, and were more advanced in depth of invasion than those of the control group. We concluded that MMR deficiency might correlate with the development of double primary cancer of the colorectum and stomach. Patients with MMR-deficient CRC need periodical and intensive follow-up against the development of double primary cancer.
The effect from loss anticipation on debt shifting: empirical evidence from european multinational corporations

This thesis examines whether multinational companies consider the anticipation of losses when deciding upon their optimal capital structure and debt shifting strategies. It is important to understand how capital is optimally allocated since multinationals want to minimize their tax payments and tax authorities want to reduce the amount of tax avoidance. Several papers have studied debt shifting as an instrument to minimize tax payments. However, debt shifting strategies in loss-making affiliates have largely been ignored by both academics and policymakers. To study if loss anticipation matters for firms’ capital structure, we adjust the model for optimal capital structure of a multinational firm proposed by Møen, Schindler, Schjelderup, and Tropina (2011), for a loss probability variable introduced in Hopland, Lisowsky, Mardan, and Schindler (2015). Our model contains three tax mechanisms and assumes inflexibility of firms to adjust their capital structure, meaning that they have to decide on their debt shifting strategies ex-ante (before financial outcomes are known). The model predicts that adjusting for loss probabilities should reduce the effect the tax mechanisms have on the total debt-to-asset ratio of an affiliate. The predictions of our model are then tested on a data sample of majority-owned affiliates of European multinationals over the time period (2004-2014). Our empirical results suggest that the standard debt tax shield is reduced when firms consider the likelihood of experiencing losses. Furthermore, we find no evidence of internal debt shifting, while external debt shifting increase. Our results show a substantial change in tax effects from including the loss probability in our regressions, indicating that anticipation of losses does matter when firms have to decide on their debt shifting strategies ex-ante.
Relationship between Eicosanoids and Endothelin-1 in the Pathogenesis of Erythropoietin-induced Hypertension in Uremic Rats

Recent studies suggest a possible link between recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO)-induced hypertension and endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor autocoids. The current study was designed to evaluate the role of eicosanoids such as thromboxane (TX) A2 and prostacyclin (PGI2) and of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the relationship between these vasoactive substances in rhEPO-induced hypertension in uremic rats. Renal failure was induced by a two-stage 5/6 nephrectomy followed by a 6-week stabilization period. In protocol A, rats were divided into four groups: vehicle, rhEPO (100 u/kg, subcutaneously, three times per week), a selective ETA receptor antagonist (ABT-627, 10 mg/kg/d), and rhEPO + ABT-627 for 5 weeks. In protocol B, uremic animals were divided into two groups: rhEPO and rhEPO + a TX receptor antagonist and synthesis inhibitor, ridogrel (25 mg/kg/d), for 5 weeks. At the end of the study, immunoreactive eicosanoid metabolites (TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1&agr;, stable metabolites of TXA2 and PGI2), and ET-1 were measured in either the thoracic aorta or in the mesenteric arterial bed. After 5/6 nephrectomy, the animals developed uremia, anemia, and hypertension. rhEPO corrected the anemia but aggravated the hypertension. Both drugs were effective in preventing the progression of hypertension in rhEPO-treated rats although ABT-627 was more potent than ridogrel. rhEPO increased the concentration of ET-1 and TXB2 in blood vessels and ABT-627 decreased tissue levels of both vasopressors. The concentration of 6-keto-PGF1&agr; was not significantly changed. Ridogrel significantly decreased tissue TXB2 concentrations but had no effect on ET-1 levels. These results suggest that endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor autacoids (TXA2 and ET-1) are involved in the pathogenesis of rhEPO-induced hypertension in uremic rats. TXA2 probably serves as a mediator of the vascular effect of ET-1.
An Empirical Study on the Impact of Country of Origin Effect on Young Lithuanian Consumers’ Attitude towards Products

The country-of-origin ( COO ) effect is one of the most controversial areas of scientific marketing research because some studies results lead to different conclusions about the COO and its impact on consumer attitude and behavior. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of COO effect on consumer’s attitude to a product and how it depends on COO effect’s moderators in the Lithuanian market. Theoretical analysis reveals that COO effect on consumer’s attitude to a product depends on moderating effects of consumer experience and product knowledge, consumer ethnocentricity, consumer product involvement, consumer perceived product risk and a product brand . Three moderators like consumer ethnocentricity, product knowledge, and product involvement were chosen for our empirical research, as they were not deeply explored in previous empirical studies . Findings showed that a consumer's attitude to a product is strongly influenced by COO effect. A consumer's attitude to a product is also influenced by COO effect moderators, which are product knowledge and product involvement. Analyzing the results of empirical research it is also not ic ed that in this research case, when respondents evaluated their attitude to products made in foreign countries, one of COO effect moderators analyzed in theory, a consumer's ethnocentricity, did not have influence on a consumer's attitude to a product. The original contribution of this article, the study investigates moderating effects of consumer ethnocentricity, product involvement, and product knowledge to the relationship between COO effect and consumer‘s attitude to a product in an emerging market. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ee. 28.4. 17535
Proteomic approaches to uncovering virus–host protein interactions during the progression of viral infection

ABSTRACT The integration of proteomic methods to virology has facilitated a significant breadth of biological insight into mechanisms of virus replication, antiviral host responses and viral subversion of host defenses. Throughout the course of infection, these cellular mechanisms rely heavily on the formation of temporally and spatially regulated virus–host protein–protein interactions. Reviewed here are proteomic-based approaches that have been used to characterize this dynamic virus–host interplay. Specifically discussed are the contribution of integrative mass spectrometry, antibody-based affinity purification of protein complexes, cross-linking and protein array techniques for elucidating complex networks of virus–host protein associations during infection with a diverse range of RNA and DNA viruses. The benefits and limitations of applying proteomic methods to virology are explored, and the contribution of these approaches to important biological discoveries and to inspiring new tractable avenues for the design of antiviral therapeutics is highlighted.
What we know about Leadership

This article reviews the empirical literature on personality, leadership, and organizational effectiveness to make 3 major points. First, leadership is a real and vastly consequential phenomenon, perhaps the single most important issue in the human sciences. Second, leadership is about the performance of teams, groups, and organizations. Good leadership promotes effective team and group performance, which in turn enhances the well-being of the incumbents; bad leadership degrades the quality of life for everyone associated with it. Third, personality predicts leadership—who we are is how we lead—and this information can be used to select future leaders or improve the performance of current incumbents.
Maternal complications of fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) for treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

Abstract Aims: Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) has become standard therapy for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Data on adverse maternal events are rare. We performed a literature review to obtain data on maternal complications of FLP. Methods: Extensive literature review, searching MEDLINE and other databases from 1990 to 2009, using MESH-terms and further keywords. Data extraction was performed using the following criteria: (i) maternal complications reported as primary or secondary outcome parameters; (ii) any comment on adverse maternal events. Results: Of 321 publications found 40 were included, comprising 1785 patients. The overall rate of adverse maternal events was 5.4%. In studies with systematic assessment (n=3, 379 patients) the complication rate was significantly higher (17.4% vs. 2.2%, P<0.0001). Adverse events were classified and the rate was 1.0% (1.8% vs. 0.8%, P=0.12) for severe complications; 2.9% (11.9% vs. 0.5%, P<0.0001) for intermediate/minor adverse events; and 1.5% (3.7% vs. 0.9%, P<0.0001) for complications with undetermined relevance. Conclusions: High-quality data on maternal complications of FLP are rare. With systematic assessment, the rate of adverse events is significantly higher. Underreporting has to be assumed. Further studies are required to confirm these data.
Government-Backed Venture Capital as a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Instrument: A Chinese Perspective

This paper discusses government-backed venture capital as a science, technology and innovation (STI) policy instrument from the Chinese perspective. China aspires to overhaul its growth model by vigorously promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Like many other countries, however, funding gaps constrain new technology ventures in the early stages of venture development. To plug this gap, China attempts to use government-backed venture capital as a policy instrument. Super-size central government-backed VCs were set up and dozens of similar schemes are in operation at local levels. This paper provides a case study of such government-backed venture capital schemes in China. It documents the background conditions explaining the country’s need for public venture capital, describes the distinct features of program design in such schemes, and assesses the impact of government-backed venture capital.