Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of nutrients and shade on tree-grass interactions in an East African savanna

Savanna trees have a multitude of positive and negative effects on understorey grass production. but little is known about how these effects interact. We report on a fertilization and shading experiment carried out in a Tanzanian tropical city savanna around Acacia tortilis trees. In two years of study there was no difference in grass production under tree canopies or in open grassland, Fertilization, however, indicate that trees do affect the nutrient limitation of the grass layer with an N-limited system in open grassland to a P-limited system under the trees. The NT ratios of grass gave a reliable indication of the nature of nutrient limitation, but only when assessed at the end of the wet season, Mid-wet season nutrient concentrations of grasses were higher under than outside the tree canopy, suggesting that factors other than nutrients limit grass production. A shading experiment indicated that light may be such a limiting factor during the wet season when water and nutrients are sufficiently available. However, in the dry season when water is scarce, the effect of shade on plant production became positive. We conclude that whether trees increase or decrease production of the herbaceous layer depends on how positive effects (increased soil fertility) and negative effects (shade and soil water availability) interact and that these interactions may significantly change between wet and dry seasons.
The Network Structure of Successful Collaboration in Wikipedia

Wikipedia is one of the largest and most successful examples of decentralized peer-production systems currently in existence. Yet, the quality of Wikipedia articles varies widely with articles considered of encyclopedic quality (called featured articles) representing less than 0.1 percent of all articles. In this paper, we examine how article quality varies as a function of the network mechanisms that control the interaction among contributors. More speciﬁcally, we compare the network mechanisms underlying the production of the complete set of featured articles, with the network mechanisms of a contrasting sample of comparable non-featured articles in the English-language edition of Wikipedia. Estimates of relational event models suggest that contributors to featured articles display greater deference toward the reputation of their team members. Contributors to featured articles also display a weaker tendency to follow the behavioral norms predicted by the theory of structural balance, and hence a weaker tendency toward polarization.
To gamble or not to gamble: a domain-specific intention

Objective To explore whether an individual' s intention to gamble varied across different types of gambling. Methods A total of 373 Macau students completed a questionnaire survey on intention to gamble dealing with thirteen types of gambling,and exploratory factor analyses were conducted. Results The analyses showed two factors that had eigenvalues greater than one and explained a total of 59. 455 percent of the variance,with the largest factor explaining 32.59 percent. Participants' intentions to gamble were relatively lower in gambles of low counterparty with mean scores varying from ( 1.62 ± 1.13 ) to ( 2.20 ± 1.35 ), while the intentions were higher in gambles of high counterparty with mean scores varying from ( 2.34 ± 1. 39 ) to ( 3.02 ± 1.55 ). Conclusion Respondents' degree of intention to gamble was highly domain-specific, varying with the type of gambling.An individual' s intention to gamble is not consistent across all content domains, which implied that a potential gambler is not necessarily intended to gamble in all types of gambling. Key words: Intention to gamble; Domain specific; Exploratory factor analysis
Enabling Real-Time Indoor Tracking of IoT Devices Through Visible Light Retroreflection

Visible light communication (VLC)-based indoor localization approaches enjoy many advantages, such as utilizing ubiquitous lighting infrastructure, high location accuracy, and no interruption to RF-based devices. However, existing VLC-based localization methods lack a real-time backward channel from the device to landmarks and necessitate computation at the device, which make them unsuitable for real-time tracking of small IoT devices. In this paper, we propose and prototype RETRO, that establishes an almost zero-delay backward channel by retroreflection. RETRO localizes passive IoT devices without requiring computation and heavy sensing (e.g., camera) at the devices. Multiple photodiodes (i.e., landmarks) are mounted on any single unmodified light source to sense the retroreflected optical signal (i.e., location signature). We derive a closed-form expression, which is validated by experiments and ray tracing simulations, for the reflected optical power relative to the location and the orientation of the retroreflector. The expression is applied to a received signal strength indicator and trilateration based localization algorithm. Extensive experiments demonstrate centimeter-level location accuracy and single-digit angular error. For practicality concern, to mitigate the thickness problem of a single retroreflector, the capabilities of different retroreflector arrays are studied. The range of the localization system is theoretically evaluated for different light emission patterns.
Effect of iron and folic acid tablet versus capsule formulation on treatment compliance and iron status among pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Iron supplementation during pregnancy in programmatic settings has failed to produce desired results. Formulation of iron supplementation may have a role in compliance and hematological parameters. Objective: We did this study to compare the compliance to iron supplementation, change in mean hemoglobin and serum ferritin level after iron supplementation in capsule form and tablet form during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded (investigator blinded), active comparator, randomized controlled trial we enrolled pregnant women (aged ≥18 years) from May to November 2014 during second trimester to receive iron supplementation either as capsule (ferrous fumarate) or tablet (ferrous sulphate) during entire pregnancy. The outcome was compliance (good compliance ≥ 90%) to iron supplementation assessed by pill count and change in mean hemoglobin and serum ferritin. Statistical significance was tested using Chi-square test and Student's t test. Results: We enrolled and randomized 204 pregnant women for iron supplementation; capsule form (n = 100) and tablet form (n = 104). Out of which 52 (25.5%) women (23 in capsule arm and 29 in tablet arm) were lost to follow up. As compared to tablet arm, the capsule arm had higher good compliance (22% vs 16.8%), increase in mean hemoglobin (0.79 vs 0.44 gm/dL) and increase in mean serum ferritin (2.50 vs -2.14 ng/mL), but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pregnant women who received either of the formulation reported a low compliance. Iron supplementation in capsule formulation resulted in more increase in blood hemoglobin level, though clinically insignificant.
Understanding the Effects of the Neighbourhood Built Environment on Public Health with Open Data

The investigation of the effect of the built environment in a neighbourhood and how it impacts residents' health is of value to researchers from public health policy to social science. The traditional methods to assess this impact is through surveys which lead to temporally and spatially coarse grained data and are often not cost effective. Here we propose an approach to link the effects of neighbourhood services over citizen health using a technique that attempts to highlight the cause-effect aspects of these relationships. The method is based on the theory of propensity score matching with multiple 'doses' and it leverages existing fine grained open web data. To demonstrate the method, we study the effect of sport venue presence on the prevalence of antidepressant prescriptions in over 600 neighbourhoods in London over a period of three years. We find the distribution of effects is approximately normal, centred on a small negative effect on prescriptions with increases in the availability of sporting facilities, on average. We assess the procedure through some standard quantitative metrics as well as matching on synthetic data generated by modelling the real data. This approach opens the door to fast and inexpensive alternatives to quantify and continuously monitor effects of the neighborhood built environment on population health.
Effects of eutrophication on bottom habitat and prey resources of demersal fishes

Estuarine benthic habitats serve as essential feeding grounds for demersal finfishes and shellfishes and provide a link between the water column and demersal fisheries in coastal foodwebs. We hypothesize that the cascading linkages of water-column conditions to benthic invertebrates and from benthic invertebrates (as prey) to demersal fishes are a primary mechanism by which water- quality degradation affects sustainable production of demersal fisheries in coastal ecosystems. To evaluate these linkages, we related changes in water quality to changes in bottom-habitat quality for fishes (defined by the availability of prey resources) and assessed how changes in habitat quality affect fish diet. We examined the first link (water-column conditions to benthos) by intensively sam- pling the benthic community in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, during 2 summers (1997 and 1998) in which depletion of bottom-water oxygen occurred. Dramatic decreases in the abun- dance of benthic macroinvertebrates were evident after hypoxia/anoxia in both years. Abundances of the clam Macoma balthica, a key prey item for fishes and crabs and the biomass dominant in the benthos, decreased by over 90% in deep and mid-depth areas (>2 m) throughout the estuary after hypoxia/anoxia in 1997. Although summer decreases in benthic macroinvertebrates were also exhib- ited in 1998, a year of less frequent and less severe hypoxia, the magnitude of decline was less than that of 1997. To evaluate how these changes in prey abundance may affect demersal fishes, we ana- lyzed the diet of Atlantic croaker Micropagonias undulatus, the most abundant demersal fish in the system, prior to and after summer hypoxia of 1998. This analysis demonstrated a shift in croaker diet away from clams, an abundant item before hypoxia, to less nutritional items such as plant and detri- tal material afterwards. This dietary shift reflects the decreased abundance of clams as a result of hypoxia/anoxia. We conclude from our study of the Neuse River Estuary that hypoxia/anoxia events degrade essential fish habitat and that this degradation has the potential to reduce the capacity of the system to support production of demersal fisheries.
AIS in Australia: UTAUT application & cultural implication

Although the diffusion of information technologies has been widely considered in the Australian context, very few studies seem to have focus on the adoption and diffusion of information systems among individual accountants. This research investigates factors affecting the use of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) by Australian accounting practitioners. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model by Venkatesh et al. (2003) is adopted to investigate this issue. The model is extended by integrating the national culture theory by Hall (1973), with an emphasis on culture and communication. Data were collected from 190 accountants in Australia. The data collected were analysed using Structural Equation Modeling in association with the Partial Least Squares technique. The results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating condition and low context communication characterising the Australian culture positively influence behavioral intention and utilisation of AIS.
Epidemiology of constipation in adults: Why estimates of prevalence differ

This review of over 80 articles published in the last 30 years shows that estimates of the prevalence of chronic constipation in community-dwelling adults varied widely from 2.4% to 39.6% in general adult populations and from 4% to 25.8% in older adult populations. Estimates of the prevalence of any constipation (including both chronic and sporadic constipation) also varied widely from 2.6% to 31.0% in general adult populations and from 4.4% to 44.5% in older adult populations. Apart from any country or regional differences, this wide range of estimated prevalence may be attributed to different definitions used for both chronic and any constipation as well as different data collection methods and sampling differences. Sampling issues include sample size, representativeness and age range of populations sampled. Further research is required to examine the impact of different definitions on prevalence estimates to help determine the best definitions for use in future epidemiological studies. If standard definitions can be universally agreed and used, along with appropriate sampling and data collection methods, more precise estimates of constipation prevalence should be attained. This would allow more meaningful comparisons between countries and may also provide the ability to pool results.
Variability of in vitro ruminal fermentation and methanogenic potential in the pasture legume biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.)

Abstract. Biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.) is an important annual pasture legume for the wheatbelt of southern Australia and has been found to have lower levels of methane output than other pasture legumes when fermented by rumen microbes. Thirty accessions of the biserrula core germplasm collection were grown in the glasshouse to examine intra-specific variability in in vitro rumen fermentation, including methane output. One biserrula cultivar (Casbah) was also grown at two field locations to confirm that low methanogenic potential was present in field-grown samples. All of the biserrula accessions had significantly reduced methane [range 0.5–8.4 mL/g dry matter (DM)] output compared with subterranean clover (28.4 mL/g DM) and red clover (36.1 mL/g DM). There was also significant variation in fermentability profiles (except for volatile fatty acids) among accessions of the core collection. Methanogenic potential exhibited 86% broad-sense heritability within the biserrula core collection. The anti-methanogenic and gas-suppressing effect of biserrula was also confirmed in samples grown in the field. In conclusion, biserrula showed variability in in vitro fermentation traits including reduced methane production compared with controls. This bioactivity of biserrula also persists in the field, indicating scope for further selection of biserrula as an elite methane-mitigating pasture.
Effects of farmers computer abilities and self-efficacy on their learning performance and adoption intention of the farming management information system

This study explores how farmer’s self-efficacy influences their performance to use the farming management information system, FMIS. Six instruments were developed to evaluate computer ability, self-efficacy, performance, acceptance and attitude of 23 farmers who were enrolled in a two-day training workshop on FMIS. The results of this study have shown the training program improved farmer’s self-efficacy in the FMIS, and perceived usefulness could increase participants’ usage motivation of the FMIS in the future. The results suggested farmer’s efficacy has no significant impact on their choices over tasks with different levels of difficulties, and performance of using FMIS. This could be attributed to the planning and limited duration of the training. This study contributes to the field of research by its genuine and systematic implementation of farming information system training. Several suggestions including the involvement of subject-matter experts, experience sharing activities as well as peer modeling strategies were proved to be effective to facilitate farmer’s self-efficacy and can be served as references for future practices and studies. Key words: Farmer, self-efficacy, training, farming management information system (FMIS).
Micafungin and caspofungin pharmacodynamics in patients with candidemia

Candidemia is an important cause of health care-associated bloodstream infections. Appropriate antifungal therapy is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. A previous randomized clinical trial compared the clinical effectiveness of caspofungin 50 mg, micafungin 100 mg (M100), and micafungin 150 mg (M150) in treating invasive candidiasis and candidemia. M100 treatment success was non-inferior to caspofungin, while M150 yielded less favourable clinical and mycological responses. Pharmacodynamic (PD) variables were explored to assess the effect of caspofungin, M100 and M150 on the following outcomes: mycological eradication, clinical success, days to eradication, recurrence, and emergent infection for cases of candidemia only from the aforementioned clinical trial. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the ratio of area under the concentration curve to minimum inhibitory concentration [AUC:MIC] for the treatment arms. AUC:MIC >1500 conferred better mycological eradication, but an inverse relationship between micafungin and mycological eradication based on an AUC:MIC ≥7500 was found. M150 required more days to eradication than M100 (p<0.03) and caspofungin (p<0.02). A correlation was also noted for days to eradication with several other risk factors, including race, Candida parapsilosis, and neutropenia. Key words: Micafungin and caspofungin, echinocandins,
Runner's diarrhea: what is it, what causes it, and how can it be prevented?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Runner's diarrhea is an acute exercise-induced diarrhea. Usually, this is not a pathological situation but it can affect performance. This review focuses on the discussion of the main causes of runner's diarrhea and nutritional recommendations to prevent it. RECENT FINDINGS Although based on limited data, multiple transportable carbohydrate intake during exercise instead of glucose alone can be recommended for preventing the urge to defecate and (possibly) diarrhea. Additionally, avoiding ingestion of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is related to a lower incidence of reported gastrointestinal problems. There is, however, still no study that associates FODMAPs and runner's diarrhea. Gluten-free diets seem to have no impact on exercise-induced intestinal damage and there is no evidence to recommend this diet for the prevention of diarrhea in nonceliac athletes. SUMMARY The main causes of diarrhea in runners are ischemic, mechanical, and nutritional factors. For the prevention of diarrhea, it has been recommended that dehydration and the ingestion of fiber, fat, protein, high concentrated carbohydrate beverages, FODMAPs, caffeine, bicarbonate, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs be avoided. However, the causes of diarrhea and nutritional strategies to prevent it are based on limited research and more studies are definitely needed.
Clinical Evaluation of Xylazine, Ketamine and Guaifenesin as Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Equines

| The present study was conducted to evaluate a total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) protocol in six thoroughbred horses undergoing different surgical and diagnostic procedures using Xylazine, Ketamine and Guaifenesin combination. Sedation of animals was done with intravenous injection of Xylazine hydrochloride 1.1 mg/kg followed by induction of anesthesia with Ketamine @ 2.0 mg/kg and diazepam @ 0.1 mg/kg. The anesthesia was maintained with Triple drip prepared by adding 25 gm of the Guaifenesin powder in 500 ml of 5% Dextrose solution, 500mg of Xylazine and 1 gm of Ketamine. Initially the Triple drip was given @ dose rate of 1 ml/kg/hr and subsequently adjusted depending upon the anesthetic depth of the horses. The mean arterial blood pressure was decreased after induction in comparison to initial pressure, which was subsequently increased after 40 minutes. Xylazine, Ketamine and diazepam combination produced smooth induction, excellent muscle relaxation and stable cardiopulmonary functions in all the horses under the study. The mean time of complete recovery was 85.0± 4.38 minutes indicating the safe use of Xylazine, Ketamine and Guaifenesin combination as short term anesthesia under field conditions.
The Effects of Regular Walking Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly with Diabetic Mellitus

【Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the effects of a regular walking exercise program on metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk factors, and depressive symptoms among the elderly with diabetic mellitus (DM) based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Methods: This study has randomized and stratified experimental design with experimental and control groups. We developed a regular walking exercise program suitable for the elderly with DM based on the guidance of AAHPERD. The experimental group participated in the regular walking exercise program, which contains walking exercise 3 times a week and 50 minutes each time for 3 months and education on controlling diet and preventing complications once a week and 20 minutes each time for 4 weeks. Post-test was conducted after 3 months to estimate metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk factors, and depressive symptoms. Results: The regular walking exercise program was effective for decreasing the waist size, the level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and triglyceride (TG), cardiovascular risk factors and the severity of depressive symptoms among the elderly with DM. Conclusion: The incidence of complications would be decreased by applying a regular walking exercise program. 】
Exposing End-to-End Delay in Software-Defined Networking

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) shows us a promising picture to deploy the demanding services in a fast and cost-effective way. Till now, most SDN use cases are deployed in enterprise/campus networks and data center networks. However, when applying SDN to the large-scale networks, such as Wide Area Network (WAN), the end-to-end delay of packet traversal is suspected to be very large and needs to be further investigated. Moreover, stringent time constraint is the cornerstone for real-time applications in SDN. Understanding the packet delay in SDN-based large networks is crucial for the proper design of switch architecture and the optimization of network algorithms such as flow control algorithms. In this paper, we present a thorough systematic exploration on the end-to-end delay in SDN which consists of multiple nodes, fully exposing the components which contribute to the long delay. We disclose that SDN switches cannot completely avoid the generation of flow setup even in proactive mode and conduct data mining on the probability of flow setup. We propose an analytical model for the end-to-end delay. This model takes into account the impact of the different rule installation time consumption on different switches. Considering the delay in switches contributes a large proportion to the entire delay, we conduct various measurements on the delay of a single switch. Results for the delay at different flow setup rates and with different rule priority patterns are presented. Furthermore, we study the impact on packet delay caused by ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) update. We measure parameters in the delay model and find that if SDN is deployed in all segments of WAN, the delay of packet traversal will be increased up to 27.95 times in the worst case in our experimental settings, compared with the delay in conventional network. Such high delay may eventually lead the end-to-end connections fail to complete if no additional measures are taken.