Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling distribution of Phoneutria bahiensis (Araneae: Ctenidae): an endemic and threatened spider from Brazil

Phoneutria bahiensis Simo & Brescovit, 2001 is a large ctenid spider inhabiting the states of Bahia and Espirito Santo, Brazil. Considering that it is probably endemic, this species was included in the Brazilian red book of threatened species. Here, we predict the distribution range of P. bahiensis using 19 bioclimatic variables in the model design. The most septentrional record for this spider was indicated for northern Bahia. The model predicts that the distribution range covers the Atlantic Forest from the state of Paraiba to Rio de Janeiro, with the best suitable area in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia. The bioclimatic variable with the best contribution to the model was precipitation in the driest quarter. Based on collected data, the species inhabits Ombrophilous Forests and Restinga vegetation, two ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest biome. In the best-predicted area of distribution, eleven Conservation Units were included. This information could be considered for future conservation plans of this species.
Cysteinyl leukotrienes induce nuclear factor kappa b activation and RANTES production in a murine model of asthma.

BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that both cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) and cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism involved in the interaction between these 2 molecules has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of cysLTs on allergic airway inflammation and allergen-specific cytokine production in a murine model of asthma. METHODS Four groups of BALB/c mice (control mice, Dermatophagoides farinae allergen-sensitized mice, pranlukast cysLT receptor antagonist-treated allergen-sensitized mice, and dexamethasone-treated allergen-sensitized mice) were examined. RESULTS Allergen-sensitized mice exhibited increased airway responsiveness and inflammation. Pranlukast-treated mice showed significant attenuation of these changes concomitant with reduction of T(H)2 cytokine and IFN-gamma production by isolated lung mononuclear cells (MNCs). A much stronger inhibition of all cytokines was noted in dexamethasone-treated mice. Pranlukast also significantly inhibited production of RANTES and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in the isolated lung MNCs. Leukotriene D(4) stimulated isolated lung MNCs to produce RANTES but not any other cytokines and also activated NF-kappa B in these cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that cysLTs activate NF-kappa B and induce RANTES production from isolated lung MNCs, which in turn might cause migration of eosinophils and activated T lymphocytes into the airway.
Late biliary tract complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: Diagnostic and therapeutic role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Background : Biliary tract complications are frequent after orthotopic liver transplantation. Late biliary tract complications occurring after T‐tube removal mostly include stones and strictures which may be associated with sepsis and worsening of the liver function. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has a role in the diagnosis and therapy of these complications. The aim of our study was to report our experience of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of late biliary tract complications in liver‐transplanted patients.
A detection and isolation technique for a class of faults based on input estimation

Fault detection and isolation (FDI) is an integral part of monitoring the health of a plant. Any FDI technique is expected to be sensitive to faults, and insensitive to noise and modelling uncertainties. In this paper, we present a method based on input-estimation that is able to detect and isolate actuator faults. It naturally accounts for both process and measurement noise. By introducing multiple models, the technique is shown to handle reasonably well modelling uncertainties.
WhyAreSomeHysteresis Loops ShapedLike aButterfly? ⋆

The contribution of this paper is a framework for relating butterfly-shaped hysteresis maps to simple (single-looped) hysteresis maps, which in general are easier to model and more amenable to control design. In particular, a unimodal mapping is used to transform simple loops to butterfly loops. For the practically important class of piecewise monotone hysteresis maps, we provide conditions for producing butterfly-shaped maps and examine the properties of the resulting butterflies. Conversely, we present conditions under which butterfly-shaped maps can be converted to simple piecewise monotone hysteresis maps to facilitate hysteresis compensation and control design. Examples of preloaded two-bar linkage mechanisms and magnetostrictive actuators are used to illustrate the theory and its utility for understanding, modeling, and controlling systems with butterflyshaped hysteresis.
EverGraze: A partnership between researchers, farmers and advisors to deliver effective grassland management

The profitable and sustainable management of livestock production from grassland systems is challenging and it can be difficult to develop a research structure that addresses farmer’s needs and has acceptable rigour and on-ground impact. This paper describes the attributes of research, development and extension (RD&E) programs that are required for a successful partnership between researchers, farmers and advisors. Insights are provided from the EverGraze program that designed, tested and implemented farming systems based on perennial pastures across southern Australia. With this project farmers and advisors were involved in setting research direction, designing experiments, providing strategic guidance over the management of the systems experiments and then the synthesis of regionally applicable key messages. This involvement ensured the relevance of the research and aided in the extension and uptake of the information. The result has been an effective partnership between researchers, farmers and advisors that had a high level of impact across the high rainfall zone (HRZ) of southern Australia, with 1950 farmers or ~8% of those in the HRZ documented as having changed practice over an area of 816,000 ha over a five year period (2009 to 2014).
Study and Optimization of Self-Assembled Polymeric Multilayer Structures with Neutral Red for pH Sensing Applications

The characterization of nanostructured thin films is critical in the design and fabrication of optical sensors. Particularly, this work is a detailed study of the properties of layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembled multilayer (LbL) structures fabricated using poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and Neutral Red (NR) as cations, and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as polyanion. These LbL films, due to the colorimetric properties of the NR, are suitable for sensor applications such as pH sensing in the physiological range. In the (PAH
Liver transplantation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver transplantation is the best treatment option for selected patients with non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In many centers, patient selection is currently performed according to Milan criteria and allowing transplantation for patients with a single HCC ≤5cm or up to 3 HCCs ≤3cm. The present thesis demonstrates that patients with more advanced HCCs, with total tumor volume ≤115cm3 and alpha-fetoprotein ≤400ng/ml, can also benefit from liver transplantation and have similarly good post-transplant outcomes. Another way of allowing transplantation to patients with more advanced HCC, is to downstage HCCs prior to listing. This option is also discussed. Adjuvant post-transplant management should be performed with the use of sirolimus, an immunosuppression drug with anti-cancer properties. This drug has an appropriate side-effect profile and improves post transplantation survival in patients with HCC. Such strategies will help including more patients for transplantation, with maintained good post-transplant survivals.
Are Risk-Based Capital Requirements Detrimental to Corporate Lending? Evidence from Europe

In this paper, we first explore the main drivers of the differences in RWAs across European banks. We also assess the impact of RWA-based capital regulation on bank's asset allocation in 2008-2014. We find that risk weights are affected by bank size, business models, and asset mix. We also find that the adoption of internal ratings-based approaches is an important driver of bank risk-weighted assets and that national segmentations explain a significant (albeit decreasing) share of the variability in risk weights. As for the impact on internal rating on banks' asset allocation, we uncover that banks using IRB approaches more extensively have reduced more (or increased less) their corporate loan portfolio. Such effect is somehow stronger for banks located in Euro periphery countries during the 2010-12 sovereign crisis. We do not find evidence, however, of a reallocation from corporate loans to government exposures, pointing to the fact that other motives prevail in explaining the banks' shift towards government bonds during the Euro sovereign crisis, including the "financial repression" channel.
Vowels and tones in infant directed speech: hyperarticulation for both, but different developmental patterns

A number of studies have shown that mothers hyperarticulate vowels in their Infant Directed Speech to their 6-month-old infants. Here we investigate the possibility that such hyperarticulation might also occur for lexical tone for mother-infant dyads in tone language environments, and possible changes in mothers’ vowel and such tone hyperarticulation in IDS across the infant’s first year. IDS from a total of 22 native Cantonese speaking mothers was recorded, 11 when their infants were 3-, 6-, and 9-month-old, and another 11 when their infants were 6-, 9-, and 12-month-old, and mothers asked to use nine target words in their speech; one for each of the three corner vowels /i/, /a/ and /u/), and another six for each of the Cantonese tones on the vowel /i/. Vowel hyperarticulation was investigated using first and second formant values, and tones using fundamental frequency onset and offset [1]. Preliminary results for 5 mothers presented here indicate that both vowel and tone hyperarticulation occur, but that while vowel hyperarticulation emerges around 6 months and increases from 6 to 9 to 12 month, tone hyperarticulation occurs only at 6 and 9 months. The results suggest that, as for vowels, tone space is hyperarticulated in IDS, but returns to Adult Directed Speech levels earlier for tones than vowels. Possible reasons for this are discussed, as are future studies with other tone languages with smaller tonal inventories.
Status epilepticus produces chronic alterations in cardiac sympathovagal balance

Purpose: Status epilepticus (SE) activates the autonomic nervous system, increasing sympathetic nervous system control of cardiac function during seizure activity. However, lasting effects of SE on autonomic regulation of the heart, which may contribute to mortality following seizure activity, are unknown. Therefore, autonomic control of cardiac function was assessed following SE.
Designing controls for e-government in network organizations

Electronic markets are no longer limited to commercial businesses (e.g., B2B); currently, they also spread to the governmental sector. The governmental sector can benefit from collaborating and forming Network organizations (NOs) with businesses, for example in developing new Customs procedures for international trade. The EU is now realizing the potential benefits of G2B collaboration on e-Customs. An existing dilemma however, is that European governments would like on the one hand to increase security and control and on the other hand to reduce the administrative burden for businesses. In this paper, we apply the e-control design approach to a case study concerning the export of beer to investigate how Customs procedures can be redesigned while coping with business and administrative challenges. We extend e-control by proposing a combined approach including both value-base and process-based modeling during redesign.
Age and sleep modify finger temperature responses to facial cooling.

BACKGROUND The increased incidence of hypothermia with age suggests that healthy 80-year-olds might show impaired responsivity to transient, localized thermal stimulation. Such a deficit might be particularly clear during sleep, when behavioral thermoregulation is less likely. METHODS We examined finger temperature cooling in response to local cooling of the face--a response presumed to be centrally mediated. Nineteen healthy 80-year-olds (12 female) and twenty-seven 20-year-olds (10 female) were exposed to repetitive 20-minute cooling and rewarming cycles across a night of sleep deprivation and a night of sleep occurring three nights later. We sought to determine whether thermal responsivity was altered by age and sleep, but by design avoided inducing core temperature hypothermia. RESULTS In response to facial cooling during sleep deprivation, finger temperature decreased significantly more in the young than in old. This suggested relatively greater heat retention in the young. During non-REM sleep the thermal responsivity of both groups decreased and age-related differences were no longer present. Changes in core temperature induced by the stimulation were minimal. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the capability of retaining heat via peripheral vasoconstriction while awake decreases with age. Despite this vulnerability, responsivity during non-REM sleep as well as average core temperature were comparable between age groups.
Impact of Job Satisfaction on Employees Performance : A Study of Nigerian Breweries Plc Kaduna State Branch , Nigeria

When employees feel dissatisfied with the nature of job they do, their level of commitment could be deliberately reduced and since employees are the engine room of an organization, their dissatisfaction with the nature of job they do could also pose a threat to the overall performance of the organization. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of job satisfaction on employees performance, with Nigerian Breweries Plc Kaduna as a case study. In view of the above cause, data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. 400 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents and 357 copies of questionnaire were returned successfully which was used as the bases for the research analysis. Ordinary least square regression was the statistical tool used in analyzing the data. Also, personal interviews and general observations were part of the source on information for this study. The research findings revealed that there is a linear relationship between job satisfaction (nature of job, job reward and job security) and employees performance proxy which is employees morale. It was concluded on the note that employees are dissatisfied with the working conditions of the organization, it is evident in their responses. It was recommended that the management of the company should provide good working conditions for its employees, so as to boost their morale.
The carpal tunnel.

The carpal bones are deeply convex anteriorly. This bony gutter is converted by the flexor retinaculum into a tube – the carpal tunnel, which conveys the median nerve, together with the long flexor tendons of the fingers and thumb, into the hand. It is of special interest to the surgeon because it is the site of a common nerve entrapment, the carpal tunnel syndrome.
Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of fluorouracil in polymeric nanoparticles

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e validar um metodo rapido de cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia (CLAE) para analise quantitativa de fluorouracila (5-FU) em nanoparticulas polimericas. Corridas cromatograficas foram realizadas sob uma coluna RP C18 com uma fase movel consistindo de acetonitrila e agua (10:90, v/v) a um fluxo de 1 mL/min. O 5-FU foi detectado e quantificado atraves de um detector de fotodiodos em um comprimento de onda de 265 nm. O metodo demonstrou ser especifico e linear na faixa de 0,1-10 µg/mL (r =0.9997). As precisoes (intra e inter dia) revelaram um desvio padrao relativo maximo de 3,51%. O metodo e robusto considerando mudancas realizadas no fluxo da fase movel, temperatura e marca da coluna. Os limites de deteccao e quantificacao foram de 10,86 e 32,78 ng/mL, respectivamente. O metodo cumpriu os requisitos para ser considerado confiavel e viavel para aplicacao na analise quantitativa de 5-FU em nanoparticulas polimericas.
Usability evaluation of a web-based patient information system for individuals with severe mental health problems.

AIM This paper is a report of a study conducted to compare service users', nursing students' and Registered Nurses' evaluations of the usability of a patient education website intended for individuals with severe mental health problems. BACKGROUND There is an obvious need for reliable mental health information on the Internet. When evaluating the usability of Internet-based patient education methods, the opinions of all parties need to be ascertained. METHODS An explorative descriptive design was used. Twenty-one service users, 20 nursing students and 35 Registered Nurses were recruited for the study in 2003 and 2004. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire on the content, structure and visual appearance of the website. RESULTS Service users had positive attitudes towards computer and Internet use but they needed support when using the computer and Internet. According to the evaluations, the content, structure and visual appearance of the website were good and it could be adopted for clinical practise after minor revisions. There were some differences in the evaluations between participant groups. Nurses were the most critical group, and the service user group was the most satisfied, although they were less experienced with using both computers and the Internet. CONCLUSION It is especially important to include service users' evaluations at the early stages of the development process of Web-based patient education systems. It is possible to produce an information technology-based patient education system for individuals with severe mental health problems. Nurses working in psychiatric services need to pay more attention to supporting service users in computer and Internet use.
Seasonal dynamics of the Cayenne tick, Amblyomma cajennense on horses in Brazil

Abstract. The population dynamics of all stages of the Cayenne tick, Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae) on horses was evaluated over a period of 2 years in the district of Pedro Leopoldo, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Every 14 days, the left side of 20 horses was brushed for collection of immature stages; counts of adults were also undertaken. Infestation by larvae was detected from April to August, whereas nymphs were observed from June to October. Infestation by adults was detected throughout the year, and the highest population density occurred from September to March. The number of males was always higher than the number of females, but with considerable reduction in the male : female ratio between April and July. It was observed that 25% of the horses carried 41% of the infesting ticks, and 20% carried only 10% of the ticks during the entire period of the study.
The infant larynx

An examination of the recent literature on the infant's larynx shows that the preponderance of research is in Embryology, upon the descent of the larynx, upon muscles and innervation and upon epithelial coverings in anatomy. Physiologists have concentrated upon deglutition and phonatioa Two previous Presidents of this Section made important contributions to our knowledge of the Anatomy of the child's larynx. I refer to Sir Victor Negus and to Mr. T. G. Wilsoa Their work was published some years ago and since that time there have been significant advances in photographic methods so that it is no longer necessary to rely upon drawings to make a particular point clear. Drawings need not be either unhelpful or inaccurate. They make it possible to demonstrate anatomy by selection of the structures recorded, and in this connection, both S. P. Steward's and Lady Negus's were an outstanding complement to Sir Victor's text
The Interaction of Human Resources and Managerial Systems as they Affect In-Store Replenishment Operations

This article reports on an exploratory study of in-store logistics processes at retail stores, focusing on the factors that influence interactions between store employees and managerial systems involved in in-store replenishment tasks and store-level operations. The study used a multiple case study approach and collected data through thirty semi-structured interviews at six European retailers with employees across three hierarchical levels: shop floor, store management, and headquarters. The study identified demand, supply, and environment and structural factors as the primary factors affecting human and managerial systems interactions in replenishment tasks operations of ordering, data, shelf fulfillment, and inventory. Although this study was exploratory it nevertheless identified important human resource factors affecting instore logistics tasks and operations, and it provides suggestions for analysing and designing these operations bearing in mind the human resource element.
Auditors’ Usage of Non-Financial Data and Information During the Assessment of the Risk of Material Misstatement for an Audit Engagement: A Field Study

Audit firms that fail to detect fraud or material misstatements in the financial statements of their audit clients may suffer substantial monetary penalties and negative publicity in the event of audit failure. The present study investigates auditors’ perception regarding the use of non-financial data and information to verify the validity of financial data and information reported by an audit client during an audit engagement. In addition, the current study considers the sources of information that auditors may depend on when searching for explanations for unusual trends in the financial statements of an audit client. The present study is based on a field study conducted in Egypt during the year 2014. Using a questionnaire supplemented by in-depth interviews, the present study showed that auditors are likely to make moderate use of non-financial data and information when assessing the risk of material misstatements during an audit. However, it seems that auditors prefer to depend on financial data and information more than non-financial data and information when developing expectations about account balances during an audit engagement. Furthermore, the present study pointed out that auditors appear to rely more on inquiries of audit client personnel than other sources of information when searching for explanations for unexpected trends in the financial statements of an audit client.
Iron availability: An updated review

Iron is an essential trace element in human nutrition and its deficiency is a world nutritional problem. Due to the high prevalence of anaemia in developing and industrialized countries, it is necessary to maintain a suitable iron intake through diet in order to achieve an appropriate status of this element in the body. For this reason, accurate knowledge of iron availability of foods is essential in order to plan intervention strategies that improve deficient situations of this nutrient. Regarding to the two forms of iron present in foods, heme iron has greater availability than non-heme iron. Beside this, non-heme iron availability is conditioned by several dietary factors, such as classic factors (meat, ascorbic acid, fibre, phytic acid, polyphenols) and new factors (caseinophosphopeptides and fructo-oligosaccharides with prebiotic characteristics). For that reason, the aim of this paper is to accurately review all investigations reported in the past decade related to dietetic factors that influence the bioavailability of different iron forms.