Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crop Planning and Water Management : A Survey

Agricultural systems pose many challenges and problems that can be formulated as optimization problems. Among these major challenges are crop selection and irrigation planning. That is, to decide on the proper set of crops to be cultivated and a proper irrigation scheme. Such decisions are made to achieve a certain objectives that typically include the maximization of net profit and/or the minimization of water waste. The problem is complicated by the existence of conflicting multiple objectives. In addition, water management represents one of the most critical problems that face the national interests in the current and near future, especially in the middle east, where, according to UNESCO, the main interstate conflicts over water occur/will occur in that region. Given that agricultural irrigation water accounts for 80% consumption of the world’s water resources, better agricultural systems management can play a critical role in the peaceful resolution of such crisis. This article presents an initial investigation of the recent work published in this field involving the mathematical formulation and the computational methods used to solve the resulting models.
A Distortion Metric for the Lossy Compression of DNA Microarray Images

DNA micro arrays are state-of-the-art tools in biological and medical research. In this work, we discuss the suitability of lossy compression for DNA micro array images and highlight the necessity for a distortion metric to assess the loss of relevant information. We also propose one possible metric that considers the basic image features employed by most DNA micro array analysis techniques. Experimental results indicate that the proposed metric can identify and differentiate important and unimportant changes in DNA micro array images.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 7-15-2012 Firm Website And Cost Of Equity

Websites have become an essential component in firms’ IT portfolios. Many business processes require website functionalities to operate smoothly. This study aims at investigating how firm website affects cost of equity, an important factor in firm valuation. We conducted a cross-sectional regression using a unique dataset consisting of 3,312 firm websites operated by US public firms. Firm website measures, including size, number of in-links, and traffic, were collected from public sources. Empirical results indicate that higher website traffic is associated with lower cost of equity after controlling for firm-specific characteristics. Improving website traffic ranking from the bottom 10% to the top 10% leads to a 3% decrease in annual cost of equity. The results are both statistically and economically significant. Other firm website measures, such as size and the number of in-links, have no effect on cost of equity.
Allozyme variation of populations of Castanopsis carlesii (Fagaceae) revealing the diversity centres and areas of the greatest divergence in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The genetic variation and divergence estimated by allozyme analysis were used to reveal the evolutionary history of Castanopsis carlesii in Taiwan. Two major questions were discussed concerning evolutionary issues: where are the diversity centres, and where are the most genetically divergent sites in Taiwan? METHODS Twenty-two populations of C. carlesii were sampled throughout Taiwan. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to assay allozyme variation. Genetic parameters and mean FST values of each population were analysed using the BIOSYS-2 program. Mean F(ST) values of each population against the remaining populations, considered as genetic divergence, were estimated using the FSTAT program. KEY RESULTS Average values of genetic parameters describing the within-population variation, the average number of alleles per locus (A=2.5), the effective number of alleles per locus (Ae=1.38), the allelic richness (Ar=2.38), the percentage of polymorphic loci (P=69%), and the expected heterozygosity (He=0.270) were estimated. High levels of genetic diversity were found for C. carlesii compared with other local plant species. Genetic differentiation between populations was generally low. CONCLUSIONS From the data of expected heterozygosity, one major diversity centre was situated in central Taiwan corroborating previous reports for other plant species. According to the mean FST value of each population, the most divergent populations were situated in two places. One includes populations located in north central Taiwan between 24.80 degrees N and 24.20 degrees N. The other is located in south-eastern Taiwan between 22.40 degrees N and 23.10 degrees N. These two regions are approximately convergent with the most divergent locations determined for several other plant species using chloroplast DNA markers published previously. An important finding obtained from this study is that unordered markers like allozymes can be used to infer past population histories as well as chloroplast DNA markers do.
The degrees of freedom of wireless networks

It is shown using electromagnetic wave theory and without relying on stochastic fading channel models, that the number of independent information channels available in planar wireless networks embedded in a three-dimensional propagation environment is limited by the spatial size of the cut that divides the environment into two parts. Specifically, in the case of propagation inside a cylinder of height h and base area n, containing n communicating source-destination node pairs, the number of available channels is at most proportional to h√n and hence, as the number of nodes increases, the per-user information capacity must follow an inverse square-root of n law.
Efficient Derivation of Multipotent Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells from Non-Human Primate Embryonic Stem Cells

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a small New World primate that has been used as a non-human primate model for various biomedical studies. We previously demonstrated that transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) derived from mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) promote functional locomotor recovery of mouse spinal cord injury models. However, for the clinical application of such a therapeutic approach, we need to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pluripotent stem cell-derived NS/PCs not only by xenotransplantation, but also allotransplantation using non-human primate models to assess immunological rejection and tumorigenicity. In the present study, we established a culture method to efficiently derive NS/PCs as neurospheres from common marmoset ESCs. Marmoset ESC-derived neurospheres could be passaged repeatedly and showed sequential generation of neurons and astrocytes, similar to that of mouse ESC-derived NS/PCs, and gave rise to functional neurons as indicated by calcium imaging. Although marmoset ESC-derived NS/PCs could not differentiate into oligodendrocytes under default culture conditions, these cells could abundantly generate oligodendrocytes by incorporating additional signals that recapitulate in vivo neural development. Moreover, principal component analysis of microarray data demonstrated that marmoset ESC-derived NS/PCs acquired similar gene expression profiles to those of fetal brain-derived NS/PCs by repeated passaging. Therefore, marmoset ESC-derived NS/PCs may be useful not only for accurate evaluation by allotransplantation of NS/PCs into non-human primate models, but are also applicable to analysis of iPSCs established from transgenic disease model marmosets.
Low Power Transceiver Based Approach to Extending Mobile Communication to the Rural Areas of Nigeria

The paper introduces a low power transceiver based approach at extending Mobile communication services to rural areas without the use of conventional base stations. A hamlet cell arrangement is proposed for the clusters or hamlets of the rural areas eliminating the need of having coverage in unpopulated areas like rivers, mountains and forest. The system utilized a low power transceiver designed to be powered by solar cells. The Transceivers provide coverage to the hamlets by the use of corner reflector antennas and these hamlets are linked to the nearest base station by directional antennas. The results show that this approach can enable communication between dwellers in the rural and the urban areas with the mobile units in the rural area transmitting at minimum power thereby extending the battery life of mobile units in the rural areas and it eliminates the conventional base station and reduces both the capital expenses and the operational expenses required to set up a mobile communication cell site in a rural area.
Rapid Synchronization for Noncoherent UWB Systems

In this paper, a novel rapid synchronization algorithm is proposed for UWB systems with noncoherent receivers based on an energy capture scheme, fully exploiting adequate multipath component. Only one symbol observation is required to acquire synchronization, which speeds up the overall synchronization process. And the lower complexity is achieved via not only the synchronization scheme but also the noncoherent receiver. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the promising performance of the presented algorithm.
Short-term retention of kleptoplasty from a green alga (Bryopsis) in the sea slug Placida sp. YS001

The capacity of sea slugs (sacoglossans) for retaining chloroplasts from food algae provides important insights into endosymbiotic relationships and kleptoplasty. A sea slug species was captured accidentally in the Yellow Sea and identified as Placida sp. YS001 based on phylogenetic analyses of the COX1 and 16S gene sequence. Its life cycle was recorded using microscope. Photosynthetic analysis by pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry during starvation revealed shortterm functional kleptoplasty. An ultrastructural comparison of the slug and alga showed that a change in the chloroplast structure and the phagosome might correspond to short-term endosymbiosis. The horizontally transferred genes, psbO and lectin, were not cloned in the adults or eggs. This study demonstrates the morphological adaptation that occurs during short-term endosymbiotic relationships and provides fresh insights.
The role of microRNAs in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease has become the main factor of death and birth defects in the world. There are some therapeutic structures and drugs for curative and palliative therapy of the disease, but to the aim of accessing reliable therapy or to postpone onset of disease, especially for individuals with heritable coronary artery disease in their pedigree Genetic engineering technologies are making advances in the field by identifying oligonucleotides with higher potencies which can be easily targeted against almost any gene, particularly interfering RNA (RNAi). Recently, the focus of RNAi approaches has encompassed the use of synthetic sequences to mimic or silence endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) that are abruptly dysregulated following cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in heart development and vascular system as two main factors of birth defects and adult morbidity and mortality and miRNAS as new therapeutic agents.
Fama-MacBeth Two-Pass Regressions: Improving Risk Premia Estimates

In this paper, we provide the asymptotic theory for the widely used Fama and MacBeth (1973) two-pass risk premia estimates in the usual case of a large number of assets. We demonstrate analytically and using simulations that the standard OLS and GLS estimators can contain large bias when the time series sample size is small, but our proposed OLS and GLS estimators can reduce the bias significantly.
An enhanced security authentication protocol based on hash-lock for low-cost RFID

It is difficult to implement a mature cryptography mechanism in the low-cost RFID system because of the limitation of available resources. Following the analysis of several kinds of typical authentication protocols, an enhanced authentication protocol is proposed to confront security defects in low-cost RFID systems. This scheme adopts a bi-directional authentication mechanism, and has resolved the data synchronization problem caused by IDspsila dynamic refreshment. Furthermore, the possibility of denial-of-service attacks can be reduced. This scheme is applicable to a system with a large number of tags and can meet the requirements of the users.
Drivers' car-following correlative behavior with preceding vehicles in multilane driving

Modelling and analysing drivers' behaviour are the foundation to develop advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). However, no matter what kind of model structure and expression form are applied, the current method of driver characteristics analysis only considers the driving state of preceding vehicle in the host lane, neglecting the driving state of vehicles in the adjacent lane. Based on experimental data from real-road tests, the traditional analysis of host-lane driving characteristics has many limitations. To address the uncertainty of drivers' behaviour, Grey System Theory is introduced, and the described method of car-following behaviour in multilane driving is established to analyse the difference when following a host-lane vehicle versus following an adjacent-lane vehicle. Results show that traditional car-following behaviour analysis is only applicable when the host-lane preceding vehicle has a small headway. When it is long distance, a driver's risk perception is subject to the combined effects of multiple preceding vehicles. Preliminary research into car-following behaviour in multilane situations shows that the result of multilane analysis is not entirely consistent with that of single-lane analysis, which indicates that it is necessary to explore drivers' behaviour rules in multilane driving to improve both adaptability and acceptability of current advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Environment and Trade: A Guide to WTO Jurisprudence

Introduction * Part I: Like Products * Background * Discussion of relevant WTO provisions * Selected literature * Selected jurisprudence relating to 'like products' under GATT Articles I and III * Part II: General Exceptions Clauses * Discussion of relevant WTO provisions * Selected literature * Part III: The Necessity Requirement * Discussion of Relevant WTO Provisions * Selected issues relating to the necessity requirement * Part IV: Processes and Production Methods * Eco-labelling * Discussion of relevant WTO provisions * Part V: Extraterritoriality * Discussion of relevant WTO provisions * Selected literature * Part VI: The Role of Science and the Precautionary Principle * Discussion of relevant WTO * Selected issues relating to the role of science and the Precautionary Principle * Part VII: The Relationship Between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD * Discussion of relevant provisions * State of play at the WTO and CBD * Part VIII: Participation in WTO Dispute Settlement: The Case of Amicus Briefs * Discussion of relevant WTO provisions * Authority of panels and the Appellate Body to accept and consider legal and/or factual information * Application of discretionary power * Selected jurisprudence relating to amicus briefs *
Low-Income First-Time Mothers

Background. Low-income mothers have greater challenges in accessing health care services due changes in the health care system and budget cuts. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to test a nurse practitioner (NP) intervention using cell phone and texting on maternal/infant outcomes. Methods. The sample included 129 mother-infant pairs. Intervention group mothers received NP 2-way cell phone follow-up intervention post–hospital discharge for 6 months. Results. Intervention mothers’ perceived social support was significantly higher. Intervention infants received their first newborn follow-up visit significantly earlier (6 vs 9 days); significantly more infants were immunized at recommended times (2, 4, and 6 months of age); and there were fewer infant morbidities compared to controls. The intervention saved between $51 030 and $104 277 in health care costs averted. Conclusion. This easy-to-use, safe intervention is an effective way to reach a wide range of populations and demonstrated improved maternal/infant outcomes and decreased cost.
Beyond Acceptance and Resistance: Entrepreneurial Change Agency Responses in Policy Implementation

This article explores how the implementation of public policy can differ from that mandated, and argues that such departures are not necessarily a problem. Organisational change faces theoretical tension between considering non-acceptance behaviours as ‘resistance’, and requiring change recipients to tailor and adapt change agendas to fit local contexts. This tension is particularly salient in the public sector, due to the mandated nature of much public reform. We compare the implementation of policy change in four hospital case studies in two countries (Ireland and the UK). Based on interviews with 68 staff across the four cases, we identify how change recipients can react to, translate and contribute to policy change initiatives. Our findings challenge straightforward distinction between change agents and change recipients, showing how ‘first-order’ recipients can act as ‘second-order’ change agents. Entrepreneurial second-order change agents use locally contextualized change agency to tailor and embellish policy mandates. We distinguish between ‘adapters’, who make appropriate local adjustments, and ‘extrapreneurs’ who add extra dimensions to mandated change. This evidence suggests replacing the traditional ‘acceptance-resistance’ dichotomy with a continuum of responses to mandated policy, identifying how public sector actors can variously avoid, abstain, adopt, adapt, or add to those agendas.
Moving Target Classification in Video Sequences Based on Features Combination and SVM

moving target classification plays a very important role in intelligent video surveillance system. A method for moving target classification in video sequences based on features combination and SVM is presented in this paper. In this method, single Gaussian background model based on the background difference method is used to achieve the motion detection, Hu moment features in moving target are extracted, and then Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to classify the moving target, human, animal(dog), vehicle and bike. To solve the problem of low classification ratio for human and animal, the other features, Area and euler number, are added, and classification ratio is improved.
CYSTINURIA: DEFECTIVE INTESTINAL TRANSPORT OF DIBASIC AMINO ACIDS AND CYSTINE.

The clinical manifestations of cystinuria are localized to the urinary tract and result from the formation of cystine calculi. The findings of increased excretion of cystine, lysine, arginine, and ornithine in the urine at a time when the plasma levels of these amino acids were normal or low suggested to Dent and Rose (2) that a renal tu-1)ular reabsorptive site, shared by the involved amino acids, was defective. Investigations from our laboratory (3), using slices of human kidney, failed to confirm the hypothesis of Dent and Rose. Cystine did not compete with the dibasic amino acids in vitro, and although the transport of ly-sine and arginine was defective in cystinuria, cys-tine transport was unimpaired. Although evidence had been accumulating for over 60 years (4-6), it was not until 1960 that the concept of an intestinal transport defect in cystinuria emerged. Milne, Asatoor, and co-workers (7, 8) noted that urinary and fecal ex-cretion of the diamines, cadaverine and putrescine, was elevated in cystinuric subjects fed lysine and ornithine, respectively. These diamines are formed by bacterial decarboxylation of the dibasic amino acids. Hence, it was postulated that lysine and ornithine were poorly absorbed from the small intestine in cystinuria and were presented to colonic bacteria in increased amounts, resulting in excessive diamine formation and excretion. These authors provided further evidence for de-A portion of this work was reported in a preliminary communication (1). fective gut absorption by showing that oral in-gestion of arginine in cystinurics was followed by minimal elevations of plasma arginine compared to results obtained with control subjects. We have previously reported a defect in the uptake of lysine and cystine by jejunal mucosa from cys-tinuric subjects (1), an observation made simnul-taneously by McCarthy and his associates (9). The present studies extend our previous observations and show that lysine and cystine are accumulated by saturable, energy-dependent processes in the human jejunum and that these two amino acids are mutually inhibitory in the gut. Furthermore, it is shown that some patients with cystinuria do not share the intestinal transport defect for cystine and lysine. Methods After an overnight fast, peroral biopsy of the intestinal mucosa was performed with a Rubin tube placed at the ligament of Treitz under fluoroscopic control. A total of 75 biopsies was performed on 18 normal volunteers and 12 patients with cystinuria. The 14 male and four female volunteers were between the ages of 18 and 36 …
A concept-based approach for indexing documents in IR

RÉSUMÉ . Ce papier traite de deux problèmes récents posés en Recherche d'Information (RI). Pour le premier, il s'agit de trouver une représentation satisfaisante de la sémantique des documents. Le deuxième, concerne l'intégration de cette représentation dans le processus "traditionnel" de RI. L'approche que nous proposons dans ce papier rentre dans ce cadre là. Il s'agit, étant donné un document, de le projeter sur une ontologie linguistique générale, en l'occurrence WordNet, et de construire en sortie le meilleur réseau sémantique que nous appelons noyau sémantique de document. Le processus se passe en deux phases. La première phase permet d'identifier les termes (simple ou composés) du document pouvant appartenir à au moins un nœud de l'ontologie et de les pondérer suivant une variante de TF.IDF, appelée CF.IDF. La deuxième phase permet de construire le meilleur réseau sémantique en effectuant une désambiguïsation globale des termes extraits par rapport au contexte du document. Ainsi les termes désambiguïsé (concepts) représentent les nœuds du noyau sémantique tandis que les mesures de similarité entre ces concepts représentent les arcs. Nous proposons d'utiliser les nœuds de ces réseaux sémantiques pour une indexation conceptuelle en RI. ABSTRACT . This paper addresses two important problems related to the use of semantics in IR. The first one concerns the representation of document semantics and its proper use in retrieval. The second is the integration of semantic-based retrieval with "traditional" keywords-based retrieval. The proposed approach aims to represent the document content by the best semantic network called document semantic core in two main steps. The first step extracts concepts (mono and multiword) from a document, driven by external general-purpose ontology, namely WordNet. The second step builds the best semantic network by achieving a global disambiguation of the extracted concepts regarding to the document. Thus, selected concepts senses represent the nodes of the semantic network while the similarity measure values between them represent the arcs. The resulted scored concepts senses are used for conceptual indexing in Information Retrieval.
Monte-Carlo algorithms for enumeration and reliability problems

1. Introduction We present a simple but very general Monte-Carlo technique for the approximate solution of enumeration and reliability problems. Several applications are given, including: 1. Estimating the number of triangulated plane maps with a given number of ver-tices; 2. Estimating the cardinality of a union of sets; 3. Estimating the number of input combinations for which a boolean function, presented in disjunctive normal form,