Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing land leveling needs and performance with unmanned aerial system

Abstract. Land leveling is the initial step for increasing irrigation efficiencies in surface irrigation systems. The objective of this paper was to evaluate potential utilization of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with a digital camera to map ground elevations of a grower’s field and compare them with field measurements. A secondary objective was to use UAS data to obtain a digital terrain model before and after land leveling. UAS data were used to generate orthomosaic images and three-dimensional (3-D) point cloud data by applying the structure for motion algorithm to the images. Ground control points (GCPs) were established around the study area, and they were surveyed using a survey grade dual-frequency GPS unit for accurate georeferencing of the geospatial data products. A digital surface model (DSM) was then generated from the 3-D point cloud data before and after laser leveling to determine the topography before and after the leveling. The UAS-derived DSM was compared with terrain elevation measurements acquired from land surveying equipment for validation. Although 0.3% error or root mean square error of 0.11 m was observed between UAS derived and ground measured ground elevation data, the results indicated that UAS could be an efficient method for determining terrain elevation with an acceptable accuracy when there are no plants on the ground, and it can be used to assess the performance of a land leveling project.
Effects of phylogeny and prey type on fatty acid calibration coefficients in three pinniped species: implications for the QFASA dietary quantification technique

Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) has been proposed as a technique for determining the long-term diet of animals. The method compares the fatty acid (FA) profiles of predators and potential prey items to estimate relative prey intake. We tested the assumptions of a key step in QFASA, the correction of predator FA signatures for metabolic processes through sets of calibration coefficients (CCs). We conducted long-term controlled feeding studies with captive Steller sea lions consuming herring and eulachon and northern fur seals consuming herring. We compared the results with data from harbour seals eating herring to evaluate the effects of phylogeny and prey type on individual CCs. Even within the limited extended dietary FA subset recommended for use by other researchers, we found that at least 41% of the CCs differed by family (otariid vs. phocid seals) and 58% differed by predator species (sea lion vs. fur seal), suggesting that CCs may be highly species-specific. We also found that 64% of the CCs differed by prey type (sea lions consuming herring vs. eulachon), which raises some fundamental implementation issues. We also found significant differences in diet predictions when the herringand eulachon-derived sets of CCs were applied to an actual multi-species diet. CCs are presently used as a simple mathematical attempt to describe potentially complex biochemistry. The results of this study raise questions regarding the validity of using CCs derived from an alternative predator species, and highlight some fundamental issues regarding QFASA methodology that need to be addressed through further controlled studies.
Thermal limits in young northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus

The thermoregulatory abilities of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus )d uring their first two years in the frigid waters of the North Pacific Ocean may limit their geographic distribution and alter the costs for exploiting different species of prey. We determined the thermoneutral zone of six young northern fur seals by measuring their metabolism in ambient air and controlled water temperatures (0°C‐12°C) from ages 8 to 24 mo. We found that the ambient air temperatures within our study (overall 1.5°C‐23.9°C) did not affect resting metabolic rates. Calculated lower critical temperatures in water varied between 3.9°C and 8.0°C, while an upper critical temperature in water was only discernible during a single set of trials. These thermal responses provide insight into the possible physiological constraints on foraging ecology in young northern fur seals, as well as the potential energetic consequences of ocean climate change and altered prey distributions.
Determinants of Interregional Mobility in Russia: Evidence from Panel Data

The Paper studies determinants of internal migration in Russia. Using panel data on gross region-to-region migration flows in 1992-99, we estimate the effect of economic, political and social factors. Although overall migration is rather low, it turns out that its intensity does depend on economic factors even controlling for fixed effects for each origin-destination pair. People move from poorer and job-scarce regions with worse public good provision to ones that are richer and more prosperous both in terms of employment prospects and public goods. Migration is, however, constrained by the lack of liquidity; for the poorest regions, an increase in income raises rather than decreases emigration. Our estimates imply that up to a third of Russian regions are locked in poverty traps.
An unusual presentation of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome with bilateral postaxial polydactyly

Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RSTS) is a rare multiple congenital anomaly syndrome. Only 250 cases have been described in medical literature. We hereby present a 10-month-old male child with characteristic facial features and hand and feet anomalies. The characteristic features of hands and feet typically described are broad thumbs and halluces and clinodactyly of the 5th finger, whereas polydactyly is a rarely reported feature in this syndrome. This case promotes awareness regarding this syndrome and emphasises rarely reported features that should raise high degree of suspicion in a child presenting with multiple congenital anomalies and have a great importance in diagnosis of a genetic syndrome like RSTS. Early detection is essential for prevention of morbidity, mortality and disability.
Performance Analysis of Skip-Glide Trajectories for Hypersonic Waveriders in Planetary Exploration

A performance analysis for skip and glide is being studied to investigate the potential usage of waverider technology for interplanetary explorations. While the skip and glide equations themselves were first explored by Eggers, this thesis will implement his equations, but then add waverider technology, to determine the possibility of using trajectory assist to navigate around four planets (Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Venus). All trajectory calculations will be based on the waverider lift-to-drag ratios for various planets to determine the maximum range distance. For this research, skip and glide trajectory will be handled separately to determine which is best suited in covering the most distance for a given planet. Ballistic trajectory will only be mentioned in reference to the derivation of the skip trajectory equation, but will not be covered by itself in this research. Hence, it is possible to study a total of 98 cases of skip trajectories, 12 cases of glide trajectories and any additional cases for the four planets. Even though the skip and glide equations bear no planetary effect, all results listed in this research are based on Earth with a waverider lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio of 8.61. For a skip trajectory, the maximum number of skips is set to be 3. A high velocity ratio of 1.0 results in a low incidence angle of 0.1 with the highest range parameter of 3.52 after 3 skips. A low velocity ratio of 0.2, on the other hand, would result in a high incidence of angle of 39.5 with the least range parameter coverage of 0.05. Applying the same velocity ratio and lift-to-drag to both skip and glide trajectory calculations result in a big percent difference. For example, a L/D = 8.61 and a velocity ratio (Vf) of 1.0 will have a skip range parameter of 3.52 (22,451.09 km) after 3 skips. The glide range parameter, on the other hand, comes out to be 20.60 (131,389.89 km). The percent increase turns out to be around 485.23%. Based on these numbers, it is clear that using a glide trajectory by itself would gain the most range distance for Earth.
Concepts and tools for nonlinear time series modelling

Tools and approaches are provided for nonlinear time series modelling in econometrics. A wide range of topics is covered, including probabilistic properties, statistical inference and computational methods. The focus is on the applications but the ideas of the mathematical arguments are also provided. Techniques and concepts are illustrated by various examples, Monte Carlo experiments and a real application.
Up-regulation of CB 2 receptors in reactive astrocytes in canine degenerative myelopathy , a disease model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Targeting the CB2 receptor afforded neuroprotection in SOD1 mutant mice, a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The neuroprotective effects of CB2 receptors were facilitated by their up-regulation in the spinal cord in SOD1 mutant mice. Herein, we have investigated whether a similar CB2 receptor up-regulation, as well as parallel changes in other endocannabinoid elements, are evident in the spinal cord of dogs with degenerative myelopathy (DM), caused from mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1). We used well-characterized post-mortem spinal cords from unaffected and DM-affected dogs. Tissues were used first to confirm the loss of motor neurons using Nissl staining, which was accompanied by glial reactivity (elevated GFAP and Iba-1 immunoreactivity). Next, we investigated possible differences in the expression of endocannabinoid genes measured by qPCR between DM-affected and control dogs. We found no changes in the CB1 receptor (also found with CB1 receptor immunostaining) as well as in NAPE-PLD, DAGL, FAAH and MAGL enzymes. In contrast, CB2 receptor levels were significantly elevated in DM-affected dogs determined by qPCR and Western-blotting, results reconfirmed in the grey matter using CB2 receptor immunostaining. Using doublelabelling immunofluorescence, CB2 receptor immunolabelling co-localized with GFAP but not Iba-1, indicating up-regulation of CB2 receptors on astrocytes in DM-affected dogs. In summary, our results demonstrated a marked up-regulation of CB2 receptors occurring in the spinal cord in canine DM, which was concentrated in activated astrocytes. Such receptors may be used as a potential target to enhance the neuroprotective effects exerted by these glial cells. D is ea se M o de ls & M ec ha ni sm s • D M M • A dv an ce a rt ic le
2-Year-Olds' Speech Understanding in Multitalker Environments.

Infants and toddlers are often spoken to in the presence of background sounds, including speech from other talkers. Prior work has suggested that infants 1 year of age and younger can only recognize speech when it is louder than any distracters in the environment. The present study tests 24-month-olds' ability to understand speech in a multitalker environment. Children were presented with a preferential-looking task in which a target voice told them to find one of two objects. At the same time, multitalker babble was presented as a distracter, at one of four signal-to-noise ratios. Children showed some ability to understand speech and look at the appropriate referent at signal-to-noise ratios as low as -5 dB. These findings suggest that 24-month-olds are better able to selectively attend to an interesting voice in the context of competing distracter voices than are younger infants. There were significant correlations between individual children's performance and their vocabulary size, but only at one of the four noise levels; thus, it does not appear that vocabulary size is the driving factor in children's listening improvement, although it may be a contributing factor to performance in noisy environments.
The Effects of The StickTM on Hamstring Length A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of The College of Health Professions Florida Gulf Coast University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy

Decreased hamstring length is an underlying source of idiopathic low back pain and a frequent source of referral to physical therapy. Flexibility has been referenced for its role in prevention of injury, increasing athletic performance, and keeping muscles healthy. The Purpose of this independent research project is to determine if, over a 3 week period of time, The StickTM has any measurable effects on hamstring flexibility.
Pasture degradation modifies the water and carbon cycles of the Tibetan highlands

The Tibetan Plateau has a significant role with re- gard to atmospheric circulation and the monsoon in partic- ular. Changes between a closed plant cover and open bare soil are one of the striking effects of land use degradation observed with unsustainable range management or climate change, but experiments investigating changes of surface properties and processes together with atmospheric feed- backs are rare and have not been undertaken in the world's two largest alpine ecosystems, the alpine steppe and the Ko- bresia pygmaea pastures of the Tibetan Plateau. We con- nected measurements of micro-lysimeter, chamber, 13 C la- belling, and eddy covariance and combined the observations with land surface and atmospheric models, adapted to the highland conditions. This allowed us to analyse how three degradation stages affect the water and carbon cycle of pas- tures on the landscape scale within the core region of the
A Recent Updates on Zirconia Implants: A Literature Review

The most significant standard for dental implants’ success is choice of an appropriate implant biomaterial. Titanium and titanium alloys are used extensively for fabrication of dental implants. Due to potential immunologic and potential esthetic compromises with titanium implants, new implant technologies are being advanced. Conversely, such new technologies should preserve the characteristics which offer titanium implants having their high rates of success. As a substitute to titanium implants, Zirconia implants were familiarized into dental implantology. Zirconia appears to be an appropriate implant material due to its low plaque affinity, tooth like color, biocompatibility and mechanical properties. This study aims at reviewing research and clinical articles undertaken regarding zirconia dental implants, comparing them with titanium dental implants, and offer information about zirconia dental implant mechanical strength and osseointegration. Zirconia dental implants possess the potential to be substitute dental implants to titanium dental implants, however yet they are not routinely used clinically.
Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var.caprae in Goats of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was conducted to examine the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae in goats in and around Samina Sadat village of Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab province. The data regarding the effect of age, sex and breed of the hosts on the prevalence of skin disease was also studied. A total of 300 goats (72 males and 228 females) were examined. Depending upon the age, these hosts were divided into four groups viz, 3-23 (n=128), 22-44 (n=121), 45-65 (n=40) and 66-86 (n=11) months. Out of 300 hosts examined 84 were found infested with S. scabiei var. caprae showing an overall prevalence of 28%. The prevalence of S. scabiei var caprae in female hosts was 30.26% versus 20.83% in males, the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). In conclusion the sex and breed of host had significant effect on the prevalence of S. scabiei var caprae.
Genetic Studies on the Inheritance of Lip Prints in-Cleft Lip and Palate

The last few decades have seen the development of the exaggerated importance of lip prints as another skin impression, which may be useful in identification and diagnosis of congenital diseases and anomalies. Lip prints collected from 60 parents and 2 widow mothers of 62 children with cleft lip and palate presented to the Department of Plastic Surgery Assiut University Egypt. Our aim was to study the various pattern types of lip prints in parents of cleft lip and palate siblings to detect if any specific pattern can be considered as a genetic marker. It is also a trial to find out if certain patterns of lip prints in parents can be used for the expectance of this type of congenital anomaly. We identified a new pattern, named type “O”; it was significantly higher in parents of cleft lip and palate patients.
Enhancing agents with genetic programming An evaluation of hyper-heuristics in dynamic real-time logistics

Dynamic pickup and delivery problems (PDPs) require online algorithms for managing a fleet of vehicles. Generally, vehicles can be managed either centrally or decentrally. A common way to coordinate agents decentrally is to use the contract-net protocol (CNET) that uses auctions to allocate tasks among agents. To participate in an auction, agents require a method that estimates the value of a task. Typically this method is an optimization algorithm. Recently, hyper-heuristics has been proposed for automated design of heuristics. Two properties of automatically designed heuristics are particularly promising: 1) a generated heuristic computes quickly, it is expected therefore that hyper-heuristics heuristics perform especially well for urgent problems, and 2) by using simulationbased evaluation, hyper-heuristics can learn from the past and can therefore create a ‘rule of thumb’ that anticipates situations in the future. In the present paper we empirically evaluate whether hyper-heuristics, more specifically genetic programming (GP), can be used to improve agents decentrally coordinated via CNET. We compare several GP settings and compare the resulting heuristic with existing centralized and decentralized algorithms on a dynamic PDP dataset with varying levels of dynamism, urgency, and scale. The results indicate that the evolved heuristic always outperforms the optimization algorithm in the decentralized MAS and often outperforms the centralized optimization algorithm. Our paper shows that designing MASs using genetic programming is an effective way to obtain competitive performance compared to traditional operational research approaches. These results strengthen the relevance of decentralized agent based approaches in dynamic logistics.
Potential application of Shared Space principles in urban road design: effects on safety and amenity

‘Shared space’ is an approach to road design that is growing in popularity around the world. The idea is that instead of being segregated into their own sections of pavement, vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are free to move through the space more or less at will, negotiating right of way with other road users via eye contact and social norms. In theory, the increased perceived risk of such a situation causes road users to slow down and be more aware and considerate of other road users. However, concerns have been raised that vulnerable pedestrians (particularly those with visual impairments) are not able to negotiate such spaces safely, and may be forced to avoid them, thus reducing their mobility. The limited data available so far on shared spaces that have been constructed in the Netherlands and UK suggest that crash rates are no higher than comparable traditional environments, and in some cases may be lower. However many crash evaluations suffer from problems such as limited data collection times and the lack of a comparison site, thus running the risk of biased data. There is also limited information on whether vulnerable pedestrians are able to use these areas safely. It is important to understand the usage of such shared spaces and the behaviour of road users in more detail before large amounts of public space are converted to this style of design.
Polymer optical fiber sensors—a review

Polymer optical fibers (POFs) have significant advantages for many sensing applications, including high elastic strain limits, high fracture toughness, high flexibility in bending, high sensitivity to strain and potential negative thermo-optic coefficients. The recent emergence of single-mode POFs has enabled high precision, large deformation optical fiber sensors. This article describes recent advances in both multi-mode and single-mode POF based strain and temperature sensors. The mechanical and optical properties of POFs relevant to strain and temperature applications are first summarized. POFs considered include multi-mode POFs, solid core single-mode POFs and microstructured single-mode POFs. Practical methods for applying POF sensors, including connecting and embedding sensors in structural materials, are also described. Recent demonstrations of multi-mode POF sensors in structural applications based on new interrogation methods, including backscattering and time-of-flight measurements, are outlined. The phase–displacement relation of a single-mode POF undergoing large deformation is presented to build a fundamental understanding of the response of single-mode POF sensors. Finally, this article highlights recent single-mode POF based sensors based on polymer fiber Bragg gratings and microstructured POFs.
[18F]FDG PET imaging evaluation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma model treated with sorafenib

Aim: Evaluate the effect of sorafenib in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantifying the correlation between changes in glucose metabolism on PET imaging and degree of tumor differentiation. Methods: NAFLD related HCC was induced by the combination of high fat and choline deficient diet with diethylnitrosamine (100 mg/L) for 16 weeks. Then carcinogenic stimuli were suspended, liver nodules were identified by abdominal ultrasound and two groups were randomized: control (n = 10) and sorafenib (n = 20). Rats received daily gavage administration of 1 mL saline or sorafenib (5 mg/kg/day) for more 3 weeks. After treatment, [F]FDG PET scan was performed on animals. Results: [F]FDG uptake was lower in the sorafenib group than that in the control group (3.3 ± 0.48 vs . 5.5 ± 1.5, P = 0.01). Direct correlation was found between poorly-differentiated HCC and TumorSUVmax/MuscleSUVmax ratio (R = 0.54, P = 0.006). Treatment was associated with significantly more residual tumors that were well differentiated (Grades I/II) than in the untreated control group (39% vs . 5%, respectively, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Sorafenib shows promise as a treatment for reducing the aggressiveness of HCC as demonstrated by [F] FDG PET and immunohistochemistry.