Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling thermal fl uxes at the soil surface

This paper investigates the impact that various representations of thermal fluxes at the soil surface have on the estimation of seasonal variations in temperature and stored thermal energy in the soil close to the surface. Three theoretical formulations representing turbulent, non-turbulent and vegetation-covered soil surface conditions are considered. The influence of shading from nearby objects (e.g. vegetation) has also been investigated. Numerical predictions of soil temperature and stored thermal energy are compared with experimental results from a large-scale field test (performed by others). The results of both one-dimensional and two-dimensional simulations are shown to be capable of representing specific aspects of field behaviour. Various sources of meteorological data have been used to define surface boundary conditions. In particular, simulations were performed using (a) data measured on-site, (b) data obtained from the British Atmospheric Data Centre and (c) data generated using analytical expressions from the literature. It was found that correct representation of the heat transfer processes occurring at the soil surface is of critical importance. In particular, it was found that the use of publicly available sources of data, or mathematical/ analytical expressions for meteorological data, may be adequate when on-site measurements are not available.
Estimating the Volatility of Brazilian Equities using Garch-Type Models and High-Frequency Volatility Measures

Financial markets require an accurate estimate of asset volatility for various purposes such as risk management, decision-making and portfolio selection. Moreover, for risk management, volatility estimation is critical in Value-at-Risk (VaR) calculation models. However, there is still no consensus on a model that performs best in estimating volatility. This study proposes comparing volatility measures based on high-frequency data, such as RV and RRV, with heteroskedastic volatility models that use squared daily returns and daily closing prices. Four GARCH type models were implemented to estimate heteroskedastic volatility for the two most actively traded shares on the Brazilian stock exchange, using skewed generalized t (SGT) distribution and allowing flexibility for modeling the empirical distribution of these asymmetric financial data. Performed tests indicated no differential between the GARCH models and the high-frequency volatility measures used to estimate the VaR, indicating that both measures could be utilized for risk management purposes.
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Larvicidal Activities of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam Fruits Essential Oil

Abstract The analysis by GC-MS, of the essential oil of the fruits from this species permitted the identification of nine chemical constituents, representing 86.99 % and having as majorities: trans β-ocimene (33.90 %), linalool (23.27 %) and undecanone (16.19 %). The essential oil was submitted to analysis for the verification of the antibacterial activity, by the method of diffusion in paper discs in Müller Hinton agar medium, where one bacteria were tested Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and four Gram negative (Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri and Salmonella choleraesuis), which demonstrated significant results. Assays for the verification of larvicidal activity were made with Aedes aegypti larvae with the oil being active.
Conservation and Development: Justice, Inequality, and Attitudes around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

ABSTRACT Do national parks promote development in their immediate surroundings? And is local development instrumental in the success of conservation goals? We investigated allocation of opportunities and burdens around a national park in Uganda. Our findings suggest that direct benefits from conservation and development projects may promote distributional justice by compensating for park-related damages, but are too limited in their coverage to impact development. Indirect benefits related to transportation, health, education, and security affect a far greater segment of the population. Furthermore, the benefits of conservation tend to increase local economic inequality. Contrasting tendencies in terms of distributional justice and economic equality can partly be explained by the human geography of national parks and this geography must be taken into account if broad development goals are to be achieved. Improved local attitudes towards the park seem to have resulted from a complex of effects rather than any single development initiative.
Word translation with Wikipedia

Wikipedia contains a large collection of articles which are connected across languages. In this research two models are proposed which use this structure to obtain word translations. The first model solely uses the link structure within and between two language projects. The second model uses cosine similarity between word embeddings and uses the first model as seed model. The second model uses two monolingual corpora and is based on the assumption that the most similar words in the source and goal language of a word are the same. The first model’s performance lies between 30-55% correct translations, the second model has a performance between 1-22% correct translations. The poor performance of the second model shows that the assumption that translation is possible based solely on similar words might be too naive.
Complex Perineal and Groin Wound Reconstruction Using the Extended Dissection Technique of the Gracilis Flap

Background: The purpose of this article is to review the applications of the extended-dissection technique of the gracilis flap in a high-risk patient population with complex wounds requiring more coverage than a standard gracilis flap may provide. To our knowledge, this is the first study applying the extended-dissection technique as described by Hasen et al. to pedicled gracilis flaps. Methods: A chart review conducted from 2003 to 2006 identified 19 consecutive patients as having undergone an extended gracilis dissection. Once the pedicle is identified on the medial border of the gracilis, dissection continues proximally, dividing the rich vascular network of perforators to the adductor muscles. The gracilis is then passed beneath the adductor longus and delivered adjacent to the sartorius, where dissection proceeds directly down to the profunda femoris. Results: All reconstructions were successful. There was one complication presenting as a late infection at the donor site. Mean patient age was 66 years and nearly all patients had multiple significant comorbidities, including diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and/or radiation therapy. Conclusions: The extended-dissection technique for gracilis harvest has significant benefits for use in pedicled flaps, including a greater arc of rotation and no restriction on postoperative ambulation or thigh abduction. These factors are particularly important in the challenging patient population represented in this study and add to the reliability and versatility of the gracilis flap. Anatomical illustrations for technical guidance in this procedure are also provided.
Nano-sized Indocyanine Green J-aggregate as a One-component Theranostic Agent

The development of biocompatiable efficient photothermal coupling agent (PCA) for image-guided photothermal therapy of cancer has gained increasing interests in recent years. Although various PCAs have been developed, the clinical translations of these materials have been largely hindered by the potential biosafety issues and challenges of scaling-up manufactures. In this research, we proposed nano-sized indocyanine green (ICG) J-aggregate (IJA) as a promising PCA which is fabricated by a very facile method using clinical-approved ICG as the only excipient. The as-prepared IJA remains stable in various solution and shows a ~115 nm red-shift in absorption peak compared to free ICG. Importantly, IJA can be disassociated into free ICG again after internalized into cells and exhibits high biosafety comparable to ICG. The IJA performs well for photothermal therapy both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the IJA can also be used as a good photoacoustic contrast agent and internalization-responsive fluorescence probe. The facile preparation, high safety and excellent theranostic performance indicated that IJA might be a promising one-component agent for cancer theranostics.
Long-term quality of life in cervical dystonia after treatment with abobotulinum toxin A: a 2-year prospective study

Background The short-term quality of life (QoL) in cervical dystonia (CD) after treating with abobotulinum toxin A (Abo-BTX A) and neubotulinum toxin A (Neu-BTX A) have been studied in Thai CD patients. However; the long-term study has not been published. Objective The aim of the present study was to determine long-term improvement of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after eight injections of Abo-BTX A over 2 years in CD patients. Patients and methods A 2-year prospective study on the QoL of CD patients, as measured by HRQoL, before and after receiving eight injections of Abo-BTX A at 3-month intervals over a 2-year treatment period was performed. The disease-specific HRQoL was assessed before and after the treatment by using the Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile-58 (CDIP-58) questionnaire. The general HRQoL was assessed by using the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), while depressive disorder screening was assessed by using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) questionnaire. The SF-36 and CES-D questionnaire were administered before treatment and every 3 months before the next injection for a 2-year period. Results A total of 20 CD patients were enrolled from January 2013 to December 2015. CDIP-58 showed a significant improvement after long-term injections of Abo-BTX A in all domains (P < 0.001). However, only vitality domain of SF-36, which assessed general HRQoL, showed a significant improvement after long-term injections (P = 0.037). There was no prevalence of depressive disorder in all patients (CES-D score <20) in this study. Conclusion The Abo-BTX A injections at 3-month intervals over a 2-year period improved the CDIP-58 scores, which assess disease-specific HRQoL, as well as an increased vitality domain of general HRQoL. No patient suffered from depression in this study.
A Semi-Supervised Network Embedding Model for Protein Complexes Detection

Protein complex is a group of associated polypeptide chains which plays essential roles in biological process. Given a graph representing protein-protein interactions (PPI) network, it is critical but non-trivial to detect protein complexes.In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised network embedding model by adopting graph convolutional networks to effectively detect densely connected subgraphs. We conduct extensive experiment on two popular PPI networks with various data sizes and densities. The experimental results show our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Enactment Of The National Credit Act And Its Implication On New And Improved Borrowers Rights In South Africa

The National Credit Act, 2005 (NCA) was introduced to create a more stable credit market and is applicable to all credit transactions. One of the main objectives of the Act is to establish new and improved rights for credit consumers. As a result, credit providers are obliged to comply with the NCA and enforce the new and improved rights. The purpose of this research paper is to determine if the NCA has established new and improved rights for home loan borrowers. The study utilised a mixed methods approach. Using a convenience sampling technique, a sample size of 250 respondents was used. The findings of the study revealed that borrowers’ rights are being enforced by credit providers by maintaining confidentiality, providing information to home loan borrowers on a regular basis and, most importantly, ensuring that home loan borrowers are well informed prior to entering the home loan credit agreement.
Who Uses Bottled Gas? Evidence from Households in Developing Countries

Household surveys in Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were analyzed using a two-stage Heckman model to examine the factors influencing the decision to use liquefied petroleum gas (stage 1) and, among users, the quantity consumed per person (stage 2). In the first stage, liquefied petroleum gas selection in all six countries increased with household expenditure and the highest level of education attained by female and male household members. Electricity connection increased, and engagement in agriculture and increasing household size decreased, liquefied petroleum gas selection in five countries; urban residence increased selection in four countries; and rising firewood and kerosene prices increased selection in three countries each. In the second stage, the quantity of liquefied petroleum gas consumed increased with rising household expenditure and decreasing price of liquefied petroleum gas in every country. Urban residence increased and engagement in agriculture decreased liquefied petroleum gas consumption. Surveys in Albania, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, which did not report quantities, were also examined by calculating quantities using national average prices. Although fuel prices faced by individual households could not be tested, the findings largely supported those from the first six countries. Once the education levels of men and women were separately accounted for, the gender of the head of household was not statistically significant in most cases across the ten countries. Where it was significant (five equations), the sign of the coefficient was positive for men, possibly suggesting that female-headed households are burdened with unmeasured economic disadvantages, making less cash available for purchasing liquefied petroleum gas.
Adaptation of Cryptococcus neoformans to Mammalian Hosts: Integrated Regulation of Metabolism and Virulence

ABSTRACT The basidiomycete fungus Cryptococcus neoformans infects humans via inhalation of desiccated yeast cells or spores from the environment. In the absence of effective immune containment, the initial pulmonary infection often spreads to the central nervous system to result in meningoencephalitis. The fungus must therefore make the transition from the environment to different mammalian niches that include the intracellular locale of phagocytic cells and extracellular sites in the lung, bloodstream, and central nervous system. Recent studies provide insights into mechanisms of adaptation during this transition that include the expression of antiphagocytic functions, the remodeling of central carbon metabolism, the expression of specific nutrient acquisition systems, and the response to hypoxia. Specific transcription factors regulate these functions as well as the expression of one or more of the major known virulence factors of C. neoformans. Therefore, virulence factor expression is to a large extent embedded in the regulation of a variety of functions needed for growth in mammalian hosts. In this regard, the complex integration of these processes is reminiscent of the master regulators of virulence in bacterial pathogens.
High Serum Procalcitonin Concentrations in Patients With Hemorrhagic Fever With Renal Syndrome Caused by Hantaan Virus

Objective: This study analyzed the significance of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan virus. Methods: The demographics and clinical and laboratory data including PCT at hospital admission in 146 adults with HFRS were retrospectively analyzed. Results: PCT level was significantly higher in severe patients (n = 72) than in mild patients (n = 74, p < 0.001) and independently associated with disease severity (OR 2.544, 95% CI 1.330–4.868, p = 0.005). PCT had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.738 (95% CI 0.657–0.820, p < 0.001) for predicting severity. PCT level was significantly increased in patients with bacterial infection (n = 87) compared with those without (n = 59, p = 0.037) and associated with bacterial infection (OR 1.685, 95% CI 1.026–2.768, p = 0.039). The AUC value of PCT for predicting bacterial infection was 0.618 (95% CI 0.524–0.711, p = 0.016). PCT level was significantly elevated in non-survivors (n = 13) compared with survivors (n = 133, p < 0.001) and independently associated with mortality (OR 1.075, 95% CI 1.003–1.152, p = 0.041). The AUC value of PCT for predicting mortality was 0.819 (95% CI 0.724–0.914, p < 0.001). Conclusion: PCT concentrations at admission would be predictive of disease severity, secondary bacterial infection and mortality in patients with HFRS caused by Hantaan virus.
Molecular mechanisms of platelet‐mediated leukocyte recruitment during myocardial reperfusion

Leukocyte interaction with platelets and endothelial cells as cause of myocardial stunning was investigated. Mice were anesthetized and, after thoracotomy, the LAD was ligated for 20 min. Where indicated, rhodamine 6G for leukocyte labeling, fluorescence‐labeled platelets, and the GPIIb/IIIa antagonist Tirofiban wer infused at the onset of reperfusion in vivo. After 15 min, hearts were quickly excised and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy or assessed for left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP). After in vivo ischemia and reperfusion, leukocyte retention in the heart was 55 ± 5/field in wild‐type hearts, 38 ± 3/field in P‐selectin−/− hearts, and 23 ± 4/field in P‐selectin/intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1)−/− hearts. Postischemic LVDP (48±4 mmHg in wild‐type hearts) improved in P‐selectin−/− and P‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− hearts (58±4 and 79±6 mmHg). Tirofiban reduced platelet adhesion (23±4/field vs. 61±2/field in wild‐type hearts) and leukocyte recruitment (34±2/field), improving LVDP (63±4 mmHg). Whereas wild‐type platelets displayed similar adherence to P‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− hearts as platelets from the same genetic strain (63±3 vs. 61±4 platelets/field), wild‐type platelet infusion restored postischemic leukocyte recruitment in P‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− hearts (55±4/field vs. 23±4/field), an effect sensitive to Tirofiban inhibition (23±4 leukocytes/field, 22±3 platelets/field). We conclude that platelets contribute postischemic leukocyte adhesion in the heart via P‐selectin and GPIIb/IIIa.
Relationship between leaf characteristics, tree sizes and species distribution along a slope in a warm temperate forest

The relationships between some leaf characteristics, tree size and species distribution were investigated for evergreen tree species along a slope in a warm temperate forest in Japan. Tree species were classified into three groups based on their dominance on the slope: ‘ridge species’ that were aggregated in an uppersite, ‘valley species’ that were aggregated in a lowersite, and ‘uniform species’ that were distributed almost uniformly. The ridge species had a more positive leaf carbon isotope ratio than the valley species, which suggests that the ridge species have larger water use efficiency than the valley species. This may give some advantage to the ridge species over the valley species in the uppersite where water availability would be limited. However, the ridge species had smaller leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis and larger leaf mass per area than the valley species, which suggests that the ridge species had a smaller mass-based leaf photosynthetic capacity than the valley species. This may be disadvantageous to ridge species in the lowersite, because smaller leaf photosynthetic capacities cause lower leaf carbon gain and thus lower growth than the valley species. These differences in leaf characteristics between the ridge and the valley species were affected by microenvironments, and were also partly affected by the difference in species specific responses to microenvironments on the slope.
Predicting the Istanbul Stock Exchange Index Return using Technical Indicators: A Comparative Study

The aim of this study to examine the performance of Support Vector Regression (SVR) which is a novel regression method based on Support Vector Machines (SVM) approach in predicting the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) National 100 Index daily returns. For bechmarking, results given by SVR were compared to those given by classical Linear Regression (LR). Dataset contains 6 technical indicators which were selected as model inputs for 2005-2011 period. Grid search and cross valiadation is used for finding optimal model parameters and evaluating the models. Comparisons were made based on Root Mean Square (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Theil Inequality Coefficient (TIC) and Mean Mixed Error (MME) metrics. Results indicate that SVR outperforms the LR for all metrics.
Collagen and picrosirius red staining: a polarized light assessment of fibrillar hue and spatial distribution

Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining structural integrity and in determining tissue function. Therefore, methods to detect, quantify, and analyze collagen are valuable. Nevertheless, stains historically employed to detect collagen have disadvantages, principally a poor specificity for thin fibers. Conversely, picrosirius red, which has the capability to detect thin fibers, although frequently used, is seldom exploited to the fullest extent. Our goal was, using picrosirius red staining, circularly polarized light, and image-analysis software, not only to identify fibers and quantify collagen content, but also to assess fiber hue and the spatial distribution of the different colors. To assess collagen content, we used a subtraction technique to remove interstitial space and non-collagen elements from images of skin wounds, myocardial scars, and arterial tissue. The hue component of the resulting image was obtained, and the number of red, orange, yellow, and green (the colors of collagen fibers in order of decreasing thickness) pixels calculated. Finally, we assessed the spatial distribution of individual colors by the application of color threshold filters. Skin wound analysis demonstrated good inter-observer agreement for collagen content and fiber color. In myocardial scars, collagen content increased from 1 (61 por cento) to 5 weeks (95 por cento) after injury. The proportion of green (thin) fibers decreased (43 to 4 por cento), while the proportion of orange (thick) fibers increased (13 to 65 por cento). Color threshold application revealed regional variation in fiber color within subintimal arterial lesions. These methods increase the amount of structural information obtained from picrosirius red-stained sections.
Activating transcription factor 4 increases chemotherapeutics resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma

It has been reported that activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) increases the processes of tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance. However, the role played by ATF4 in chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Clarification of this role of ATF4 in HCC could greatly benefit the efficacy of clinical treatment of HCC. In this study, we found that ATF4 was overexpressed in about 50.7% of HCC tissues. In fact knockdown of ATF4 significantly increased the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in both in vitro and in vivo assays, while overexpression of this molecule dramatically decreased the sensitivity of HCC cell lines to cisplatin. Additionally, we found that synthesis of glutathione was significantly reduced in HCC cell lines subjected to ATF4 knockdown. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ATF4 can increase resistance to cisplatin in HCC by increased biosynthesis of glutathione, and that this may be a potent novel target for the future development of anti-HCC drugs.