Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Productivity growth and technology capital in the global agricultural economy.

The chapters of this volume have presented some of the latest and most comprehensive assessments of productivity growth for agriculture in various countries and regions of the world. As reviewed in the introduction to this volume, the global story is a mixed one. Industrialized countries have generally sustained relatively strong rates of total factor productivity (TFP) over the past several decades, although Australia and South Africa show signs of productivity stagnation. In transition countries there has been a fairly robust productivity recovery after more than a decade of economic reforms that forced a sharp contraction on the agricultural sectors of these countries. But just as the reform process has been uneven across these countries, so has the pace of their agricultural recovery. Among developing countries, several, most notably Brazil and China, have achieved remarkable productivity gains over the past several decades. Others, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, continue to lag far behind the kind of productivity growth most other countries are achieving.
A model-based evaluation of Marine Protected Areas: the example of eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua callarias L.)

The eastern Baltic cod stock collapsed as a consequence of climate-driven adverse hydrographic conditions and overfishing and has remained at historically low levels. Spatio-temporal fishing closures [Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)] have been implemented since 1995, to protect and restore the spawning stock. However, no signs of recovery have been observed yet, either suggesting that MPAs are an inappropriate management measure or pointing towards suboptimal closure design. We used the spatially explicit fishery simulation model ISIS-Fish to evaluate proposed and implemented fishery closures, combining an age-structured population module with a multifleet exploitation module and a management module in a single model environment. The model is parameterized based on (i) the large amount of biological knowledge available for cod and (ii) an analysis of existing spatially disaggregated fishery data. As the population dynamics of eastern Baltic cod depend strongly on the climate-driven hydrographic regime, we considered two production regimes of the stock. MPAs were only effective for stock recovery when they reduced overall fishing effort. The performance of MPAs needs to be evaluated relative to environmental regimes, especially for stocks facing strong environmental variability.
The Impact of Knowledge Sharing Systems on Strategic Integration between Business and Information Technology

The Recent concerns about knowledge sharing systems within an organizations have accentuated the need for more efficient and effective knowledge sharing to plays an increasingly significant role in order to enhance strategic integration between business and information technology, therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate the strategic alignment integration enablers and how it can be improved by the firms using knowledge sharing systems, strategic integration which addresses both how IT is in harmony with the business and how the business should, or could be in harmony with IT. The study population contains of selected Jordanian firms from industry sector. The study has reached to the following main conclusions: There is a positive relationship between knowledge sharing systems and strategic integration enablers and there is a significant statistical effect of knowledge sharing upon strategic integration enablers. In addition, the study recommended that the researched Jordanian firms should pay attention to the knowledge sharing systems and should give a specific care to the six enablers of strategic integration between business and information technology.
A Plant-Based Diet Prevents and Treats Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a major health care problem and slowing its progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has obvious clinical and economic benefits. [1-3] Diet is the largest risk factor for CKD patients for death and disability [4,5]. A lowprotein diet (LPD) as a therapeutic measure in chronic kidney disease (CKD) was suggested by Beale as early as 1869, [6] and the first attempt to experimentally evaluate an LPD in humans was done by Smith in 1926 [7].
PIANO STRING SCALE OPTIMIZATION ON THE BASIS OF DYNAMIC MODELING OF PROCESS OF THE SOUND FORMATION

Several different approaches are described to the problem of the design of the piano string scale, starting from physical models of hammer and string. Optim ization of piano scale can be carried out by comparison of the simulated spectra of the stri ng vibrations excited by the hammer. The string is assumed to be perfectly flexible. The nonlin ear hysteretic model describes the piano hammer. This model is based on the assumption tha t the mmer felt (made of wool) is a microstructural material possessing hi story-dependent properties, i.e. a material with memory. The parameters of the model were deter min d by numerical simulation of experimental data. The computer modeling is used for the syst matical approach of the structure of piano scale to its optimum value. The main attention is devoted to choosing of suitable linear mass density and tension of piano s tri gs, and determination of position of the striking point. The problem of a choice of a tension f or the neighbor strings terminated on the separate bass and treble bridges is considered in de tail.
A Linear Equation For Estimating The Body Surface Area In Infants And Children

Examination of published human body surface area (BSA) data discloses a linear relationship between BSA and weight in infants and children weighing between 3 and 30 kg. Application of linear regression analysis to published data results in a formula relating BSA in square centimeters and weight in grams: BSA = 1321 + 0.3433* Wt.
Why Dyslexia Appears As It Does: The View of Interaction Dominant Dynamics on the Cognitive Deficit of Dyslexia

It has long been thought that there was a ‘hump’ in the distribution of reading performances of dyslexics and non-dyslexics. Reading ability would be bimodally distributed, with the specific, qualitatively distinct reading disorder appearing as the extreme lower tail. However, research shows that reading performance of dyslexic children and adults lies on a continuum with that of normal readers. Nevertheless, the large variety of theoretical accounts on the causes of dyslexia in distinct mental components in the brain implies that dyslexia is still seen as a qualitatively distinct disorder, contradicting the evidence for a continuum of reading performances. There is already evidence from research on skilled readers, that the assumption underlying the idea of distinct mental components in the brain – component dominant dynamics – does not hold (Holden, Van Orden, Turvey, 2009). Instead it is shown that skilled reading originates from interaction dominant dynamics. We hypothesize that this view is also applicable to the reading performances of dyslexics. This would ‘solve’ the contradiction present in current research and it could explain the continuum. The shape of response time distributions can supply information about the types of dynamics in a system. Therefore we looked at response time distributions from a word-naming task presented to 20 dyslexic children and 23 non-dyslexic children from 6 grade of primary school. Results showed that most dyslexic children generated inverse power-law distributions, which is indicative for complex and less-skilled behavior. Nondyslexics generated more lognormal behavior, which is indicative for more skilled behavior. Both types of distributions reveal the existence of interaction dominant dynamics during reading performance. The results imply that a fundamental revision is needed in the theoretical framework underlying the study of dyslexia.
Influence of reproductive cycle, sex, age and season on haematologic parameters in domestic animals: A review

Haematologic parameters play a pivotal role in clinical diagnosis, the evaluation of patient before surgical intervention and in monitoring responses to therapy. The paper reviews haematologic parameters as influenced by exogenous and endogenous factors, including reproductive cycle, sex,age and season, with emphasis on domestic animals reared in the tropics. It is concluded that reproductive cycle, sex, age and season modulate haematologic parameters, and that they should be considered in order to ensure accurate interpretation of the parameters in domestic animals. Key words: Haematology, reproductive cycle, age, sex and season.
Spatial variation of overbank aggradation rate and its influence on avulsion frequency

Abstract River avulsions are commonly considered to be driven by the aggradation and growth of alluvial ridges, and the associated increase in cross‐valley slope relative to either the down‐channel slope or the down‐valley slope (the latter is termed the slope ratio in the present paper). Therefore, spatial patterns of overbank aggradation rate over stratigraphically relevant time scales are critical in avulsion‐dominated models of alluvial architecture. Detailed evidence on centennial‐ to millennial‐scale floodplain deposition has, to date, been largely unavailable. New data on such long‐term overbank aggradation rates from the Rhine–Meuse and Mississippi deltas demonstrate that the rate of decrease of overbank deposition away from the channel belt is much larger than has been supposed hitherto, and can be similar to observations for single overbank floods. This leads to more rapid growth of alluvial ridges and more rapid increase in slope ratios, potentially resulting in increased avulsion frequencies. A revised input parameter for overbank aggradation rate was used in a three‐dimensional model of alluvial architecture to study its effect on avulsion frequency. Realistic patterns of avulsion and interavulsion periods (≈1000 years) were simulated with input data from the Holocene Rhine River, with avulsions occurring when the slope ratio is in the range 3–5. However, caution should be practised with respect to uncritical use of these numbers in different settings. Evidence from the two study areas suggests that the avulsion threshold cannot be represented by one single value, irrespective of whether critical slope ratios are used, as in the present study, or superelevation as has been proposed by other investigators.
FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF IMMUNIZATION SERVICES AMONG MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN AGED 12-23 MONTHS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF LALITPUR DISTRICT, NEPAL

Immunization is one of the most cost effective public health interventions. In public health, vaccines have a major contribution in eradicating dreadful disease for instance small pox. Currently by targeting children under 5 years, it has been trying to eradicate the poliomyelitis from the worldwide. However, still on account of some issues and factors, there is low immunization coverage in many countries. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe the factors affecting utilization of immunization services among mothers with children aged 12-23 months in the rural areas of Lalitpur district of Nepal. A total of respondents (n= 300) from five Village Development Committees (VDCs) were selected by using multistage cluster sampling. The results showed that most of respondent’s children (92 percent) were fully immunized with all eight vaccines as recommended by the WHO. While about 8% of respondent’s children were partially immunized with some vaccines. In addition, mothers with good knowledge on immunization were more likely to use immunization services than those mothers with poor knowledge. While mothers who had high perception towards immunization were more likely to use immunization services as compared to mothers with low perception. The results from multiple logistic regressions showed that maternal age (p=0.011), ANC visits (p=0.003) and maternal perception (p=0.017) were significantly associated with full immunization. One of the principles of primary health care is community participation and an effective primary health care relies on active participation. While this study also revealed that mothers who actively participated in their children's health by keeping the vaccination card were more likely to fully immunize their children than those mothers without card. In order to achieve complete vaccination, focus should be placed on education regarding vaccine preventable diseases and the consequences of incomplete immunization on specific vaccines. Community health education should be provided to motivate mothers for effective use of immunization services.
Effect of Dichloromethane-Methanol Extract and Tomentin Obtained from Sphaeralcea angustifolia Cell Suspensions in a Model of Kaolin/Carrageenan-Induced Arthritis

Abstract Cell suspension cultures from Sphaeralcea angustifolia produce compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, including scopoletin, tomentin, and sphaeralcic acid. Antiarthritic activity of scopoletin isolated from S. angustifolia and Erycibe obtusifolia wild plants was demonstrated in a complete Freud’s adjuvant-induced arthritis model. In this project, the dichloromethane-methanol extract and tomentin isolated from S. angustifolia cell suspension were evaluated in mice using a kaolin/carrageenan-induced arthritis model. After 9 days of treatment, the anti-inflammatory effect of S. angustifolia dichloromethane-methanol extract was 72% at a dose of 100 mg/kg, a recovery of 55% was observed with methotrexate (5.0 mg/kg), and the anti-inflammatory effect for tomentin was dose-dependent with a median effective dose of 10.32 mg/kg. The concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the left joint of groups treated with S. angustifolia dichloromethane-methanol extract and tomentin at different doses was significantly lower than that detected in the group damaged with kaolin/carrageenan, and the concentration of interleukin-10 and interleukin-4 (anti-inflammatory cytokines) was significantly higher. The drop in mean body weight of mice treated with methotrexate (−4.34±0.47 g) was higher in comparison with the kaolin/carrageenan group (−2.40±0.29 g). On the other hand, the mean body weight of mice treated with S. angustifolia dichloromethane-methanol extract (−1.19±0.17 g) was similar, and mice treated with tomentin (0.19±0.11 g) was lower. The dichloromethane-methanol extract and tomentin isolated from S. angustifolia diminished joint edema induced by kaolin/carrageenan, possibly by acting as an immunomodulatory of the inflammatory response.
Status assessment of the Persian leopard in Iran

We conducted a national survey to evaluate the recent status of the Persian leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor in Iran. Leopard presence records were investigated in 204 areas under the auspices of the Department of Environment DoE, i.e. in National Parks NPs, Wildlife Reserves WRs and Protected Areas PAs and elsewhere outside these areas within the leopard’s putative range from 2007 to 2011. Questionnaires were sent to DoE provincial and regional offices and we conducted interviews with hunters, local shepherds and villagers to investigate illegal killing and poisoning of leopards. Subsequently, records were classified into two reliability categories of confirmed C1 or probable presence C2. We plotted the most recent Persian leopard distribution map in Iran indicating the reliability of the records. Results show that leopard distribution is interrupted in a vast area covering about 6 provinces in the north-west of Iran, where formerly northern and southern leopard distributions were considerably connected. We therefore hypothesise that leopard distribution in Iran is splitting into a northern and a southern range, with the risk of fragmentation. Almost 70% of the leopard mortalities during the study period resulted from illegal killing and poisoning. While leopard occurrence is strongly related to wild goat Capra aegagrus densities, wild goat numbers are correlated with protection level, size and number of years under protection for each protected area. We recommend a number of research and conservation priorities such as field surveys to assess corridors connecting leopard main habitats particularly in the provinces located in the north-west of Iran to improve the current and planned conservation programmes. Further transboundary cooperation among the neighbouring countries is essential to improve the Persian leopard conservation in the region.
Upper limits to absorption enhancement in thick solar cells using diffraction gratings

The application of diffraction gratings to solar cells is a promising approach to superseding the light trapping limits of conventional Lambertian structures. In this paper a mathematical formalism is derived for calculating the absorption that can be expected in a solar cell equipped with a diffraction grating, which can be applied to any lattice geometry and grating profile. Furthermore, the formalism is used to calculate the upper limit of total absorption that can theoretically be achieved using a diffraction grating. The derived formalism and limits are valid when the solar cell thickness is greater than the coherence length of the illuminating solar spectrum. Comparison is made to the upper limit achievable using an angularly selective Rugate filter, which is also calculated. Both limits are found to be considerably higher than the Lambertian limit within the range of sunlight concentration factors practically employed in photovoltaic systems (1–1000×). The upper limit of absorption using the diffraction grating is shown to be equal to the thermodynamic limit for all absorbances and concentration factors. The limit for the Rugate filter is generally lower, but tends to the thermodynamic limit for lower cell absorbances. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the neurobiological underpinnings and structural characteristics which contribute to biased decision making.

iii Lay Summary . v Preface . vi Table of contents . viii List of tables . x List of figures . xi Acknowledgements . xii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Choice biases and the rBT . 1 1.2 Risky decision making and the rGT . 4 1.3 Salient win-related cues and the CrGT . 6 1.4 Regional contributions to gambling-like behaviour . 15 1.5 Experimental objectives . 24 Chapter 2: General methods . 26 2.1 Subjects . 26 2.2 Behavioural apparatus . 26 2.3 Behavioural testing . 26 2.4 Surgery . 30 2.5 Infusions . 31 2.6 Behavioural measurements . 31 2.7 Data Analysis . 32 Chapter 3: Dopamine D3 receptors modulate the ability of win-paired cues to increase risky choice in a rat Gambling Task . 36 3.
Antagonistic effects of 24 R ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 on L-type Ca 2+ channels and Na + /Ca 2+ exchange in enterocytes from Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua )

There is mounting evidence that vitamin D and its metabolites play important roles in regulating plasma calcium concentrations in teleost ﬁsh as in other vertebrates. The aims of the present study were to elucidate the possible cellular target mechanisms for the rapid actions of 24 R ,25(OH) 2 D 3 , 25(OH)D 3 and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in Atlantic cod enterocytes at physiological doses, and to establish the concentration and thus the physiological range of circulating 24 R ,25(OH) 2 D 3 , 25(OH)D 3 and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in the Atlantic cod. The plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D 3 , 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 and 24 R ,25(OH) 2 D 3 were 15·3±2·7 nM, 125·1±12·3 pM and 10·1±23·5 nM respectively. Exposure of enterocytes to 10 mM calcium (Ca 2+ ) evoked an increase in intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations ([Ca 2+ ] i ). This increase was suppressed by 24 R ,25(OH) 2 D 3 dose-dependently, with an EC 50 2 D 3 compared with circulating concentrations of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (130 pM) suggest that this effect is pharmacological, rather than of physiological relevance in enterocyte Ca 2+ homeostasis of the Atlantic cod. It is concluded that 24 R ,25(OH) 2 D 3 has a physiological role in decreasing intestinal Ca 2+ uptake via inactivation of L-type Ca 2+ channels, whereas the physiological role of 25(OH)D 3 is to increase enterocyte Ca 2+ transport via activation of Na + /Ca 2+ exchangers, concurrent with activation of L-type Ca 2+ channels.
FCC046: A CANDIDATE GASEOUS POLAR RING DWARF ELLIPTICAL GALAXY IN THE FORNAX CLUSTER

FCC046 is a Fornax Cluster dwarf elliptical galaxy. Optical observations have shown that this galaxy, besides an old and metal-poor stellar population, also contains a very young centrally concentrated population and is actively forming stars, albeit at a very low level. Here, we report on 21 cm observations of FCC046 with the Australia Telescope Compact Array which we conducted in the course of a small survey of Fornax Cluster early-type dwarf galaxies. We have discovered a ∼107 M☉ H i cloud surrounding FCC046. We show that the presence of this significant gas reservoir offers a concise explanation for this galaxy's optical morphological and kinematical properties. Surprisingly, the H i gas, as evidenced by its morphology and its rotational motion around the galaxy's optical major axis, is kinematically decoupled from the galaxy's stellar body. This is the first time such a ring of gaseous material in minor-axis rotation is discovered around a dwarf galaxy.
Extrusion Conditions Modify Hypocholesterolemic Properties of Wheat Bran Fed to Hamsters

ABSTRACT Wheat bran was extruded in a twin-screw extruder at five specific mechanical energy (SME) levels (0.120, 0.177, 0.234, 0.291, and 0.358 kWh/kg, dwb) and the cholesterol-lowering effects were compared with those of unprocessed wheat bran when fed to four-week-old male golden Syrian hamsters (n = 10/treatment) for three weeks. Diets contained 10% total dietary fiber, 10.3% fat, 3% nitrogen, and 0.4% cholesterol. Plasma total cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower with 0.120 kWh/kg extruded wheat bran diet compared with the unextruded wheat bran control. Total triglycerides were significantly lower with 0.120 and 0.177 kWh/kg wheat bran diets compared with those fed 0.291 and 0.358 kWh/kg extruded wheat bran diets. Cholesterol digestibility, total liver cholesterol, and total liver lipids were significantly lower with all the extruded wheat bran diets compared with the unextruded wheat bran control. Cholesterol digestibility for the 0.291 kWh/kg wheat bran .
NON-SYN VARIATIONAL AUTOENCODERS

Learning disentangling representations of the independent factors of variations that explain the data in an unsupervised setting is still a major challenge. In the following paper we address the task of disentanglement and introduce a new state-ofthe-art approach called Non-synergistic variational Autoencoder (Non-Syn VAE). Our model draws inspiration from population coding, where the notion of synergy arises when we describe the encoded information by neurons in the form of responses from the stimuli. If those responses convey more information together than separate as independent sources of encoding information,they are acting synergetically. By penalizing the synergistic mutual information within the latents we encourage information independence and by doing that disentangle the latent factors. Notably, our approach could be added to the VAE framework easily, where the new ELBO function is still a lower bound on the log likelihood px. In addition, we qualitatively compare our model with Factor VAE and show that this one implicitly minimises the synergy of the latents.