Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Patagonia (Clothing): A Complicated Greenness

Abstract The Patagonia clothing company makes outdoor and casual clothing which is both functional and stylish. Although concerned with style and image, the company distances itself from any association with “fashion. ” They identify their “core-customer” as a very fit person who aspires to step outside mainstream society, and who engages in extreme sports through which they have transformative experiences in sublime wilderness landscapes. Patagonia's marketing strategies and business practices intentionally minimize environmental damage, promote sustainability, and encourage people to appreciate wilderness and what can be experienced in it. Even assuming that the company has the best of intentions, the fact is that their marketing practices, and the messages they convey—about the integrity of practices, and the sublime aesthetic that motivates them—in fact increase consumption well beyond the needs of their “core-customer. ” With today's movement towards eco and ethical production, companies will follow different paths in addressing, or appearing to address, “green” concerns. This article traces the trajectory of one company, Patagonia, over the past four decades. Patagonia's story illustrates the paradoxes that often arise when “green” practices actually increase consumption. I argue that Patagonia has a double greenness in its combined discourses of sustainability, and also of nature as place of transformation. This intermeshing of practicality and desire comprises what I call a complicated greenness. Customers buy what is “ecofashion” (despite the company's rhetorical distance from fashion) and in the process may literally “buy into” a process that carries forward the very economic and ecological trajectory they would ideally curtail.
Position list word aligned hybrid: optimizing space and performance for compressed bitmaps

Compressed bitmap indexes are increasingly used for efficiently querying very large and complex databases. The Word Aligned Hybrid (WAH) bitmap compression scheme is commonly recognized as the most efficient compression scheme in terms of CPU efficiency. However, WAH compressed bitmaps use a lot of storage space. This paper presents the Position List Word Aligned Hybrid (PLWAH) compression scheme that improves significantly over WAH compression by better utilizing the available bits and new CPU instructions. For typical bit distributions, PLWAH compressed bitmaps are often half the size of WAH bitmaps and, at the same time, offer an even better CPU efficiency. The results are verified by theoretical estimates and extensive experiments on large amounts of both synthetic and real-world data.
Entropy Generation Rates through the Dissipation of Ordered Regions in Helium Boundary-Layer Flows

The results of the computation of entropy generation rates through the dissipation of ordered regions within selected helium boundary layer flows are presented. Entropy generation rates in helium boundary layer flows for five cases of increasing temperature and pressure are considered. The basic format of a turbulent spot is used as the flow model. Statistical processing of the time-dependent series solutions of the nonlinear, coupled Lorenz-type differential equations for the spectral velocity wave components in the three-dimensional boundary layer configuration yields the local volumetric entropy generation rates. Extension of the computational method to the transition from laminar to fully turbulent flow is discussed.
Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement? A Synthesis of Research, 1987–2003

In this article, research conducted in the United States since 1987 on the effects of homework is summarized. Studies are grouped into four research designs. The authors found that all studies, regardless of type, had design flaws. However, both within and across design types, there was generally consistent evidence for a positive influence of homework on achievement. Studies that reported simple homework–achievement correlations revealed evidence that a stronger correlation existed (a) in Grades 7–12 than in K–6 and (b) when students rather than parents reported time on homework. No strong evidence was found for an association between the homework–achievement link and the outcome measure (grades as opposed to standardized tests) or the subject matter (reading as opposed to math). On the basis of these results and others, the authors suggest future research.
Use of Reconstruction Nails to Manage Ipsilateral Displaced Femoral Neck-Shaft Fractures: Assessment of a New Approach

Purpose. Owing to unpredictable femoral neck reduction, reconstruction nails are not suitable for fixation of group 3 ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures. We developed a new one-step fixation technique to overcome this problem. This study aims to assess this new technique at the Orthopaedic Department, Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center, Tainan. Methods. Of 31 consecutive patients with femoral fractures treated by reconstruction nails, five patients had group 3 ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures, 4 of whom were treated by a new surgical technique. Two 5.0-mm drills were firstly inserted to tether the trochanter fragment, and distal locking screws were secondly applied to immobilise the shaft fracture. The neck-shaft angle was then restored in a closed fashion and proximal cephalomedullary screws were attached. Patients were followed up by post-operative radiography. Results. All 5 cases of group 3 ipsilateral femoral -neck-shaft fracture obtained radiographic union without significant surgical sequelae. Three of the patients had implants removed. No patients presented with osteonecrosis at the 3-year follow-up. Conclusion. The new approach to manage ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures by using reconstruction nails obtains relatively good clinical results.
Pocket Protein p130/Rb2 Is Required for Efficient Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression and Viral Replication

ABSTRACT We have reported previously that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection disrupts normal progression of the mammalian cell cycle, causing cells to enter a G1-like state. Infected cells were characterized by a decline in cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activities, loss of hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb), accumulation of E2F-pocket protein complexes, and failure to initiate cellular DNA replication. In the present study, we investigated the role of the pocket proteins pRb, p107, and p130 in HSV-1-dependent cell cycle inhibition and cyclin kinase regulation by infecting murine 3T3 cells derived from wild-type (WT) mouse embryos or embryos with deletions of pRb (pRb−/−), p107 (p107−/−), p130 (p130−/−), or both p130 and p107 (p130−/−/p107−/−). With respect to CDK2 inhibition, viral protein accumulation, viral DNA replication, and progeny virus yield, WT, pRb−/−, and p107−/− cells were essentially identical. In contrast, after infection of p130−/− cells, we observed no inhibition of CDK2 activity, a 5- to 6-h delay in accumulation of viral proteins, an impaired ability to form viral DNA replication compartments, and reduced viral DNA synthesis. As a result, progeny virus yield was reduced 2 logs compared to that in WT cells. Notably, p130−/−/p107−/− double-knockout cells had a virus replication phenotype intermediate between those of the p107−/− and p130−/− cells. We conclude from these studies that p130 is a key factor in regulating aspects of cell cycle progression, as well as the timely expression of viral genes and replication of viral DNA.
Profile of daily life in children with brain tumors: an assessment of health-related quality of life.

PURPOSE The survival of children with CNS tumors approaches 70%, yet health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated rigorously in this population. We aimed to show that universal assessment of HRQOL could be obtained easily by using the PedsQL 4.0 and to provide a composite profile of their daily lives. PATIENTS AND METHODS The PedsQL was administered to all patients seen in the neuro-oncology clinic at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (Palo Alto, CA) from December 2001, to September 2002. Patients were compared with healthy controls by using two-sided t tests to evaluate statistically significant differences. RESULTS One hundred thirty-four patients (73 male; mean age +/- standard deviation, 11.8 +/- 5.4 years; 55 had low-grade glioma, 32 had medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor/embryonal tumor, 17 had malignant astrocytoma, nine had germ-cell tumor, and 21 had other types of tumors) were assessed, each in less than 20 minutes. Scores on both child and parent-proxy reports for the total HRQOL, psychosocial, physical, emotional, social, and school-functioning scales were all significantly lower than controls (P < .01). Patients with low-grade glioma were reported to have the highest total HRQOL. Children receiving radiation therapy (XRT) but no chemotherapy had significantly lower total, psychosocial, emotional, and social functioning than those receiving other treatments, including XRT plus chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The PedsQL can be used to assess HRQOL rapidly and easily in children with CNS tumors, who have significantly worse HRQOL than healthy children. Children receiving XRT fare worse overall; chemotherapy added to XRT does not seem to worsen HRQOL. Assessment of HRQOL should be included as an outcome in future clinical trials.
Fuzzy Interpolative Reasoning for Sparse Fuzzy Rule-Based Systems Based on ${\bm \alpha}$-Cuts and Transformations Techniques

In sparse fuzzy rule-based systems, the fuzzy rule bases are usually incomplete. In this situation, the system may not properly perform fuzzy reasoning to get reasonable consequences. In order to overcome the drawback of sparse fuzzy rule-based systems, there is an increasing demand to develop fuzzy interpolative reasoning techniques in sparse fuzzy rule-based systems. In this paper, we present a new fuzzy interpolative reasoning method via cutting and transformation techniques for sparse fuzzy rule-based systems. It can produce more reasonable results than the existing methods. The proposed method provides a useful way to deal with fuzzy interpolative reasoning in sparse fuzzy rule-based systems.
Analysis of extended haplotype in Korean cattle (Hanwoo) population

Korean cattle (Hanwoo) are categorized into three breeds based on color: brown, brindle, and black. Among these breeds, brown Hanwoo has been subjected to intensive selection to improve meat traits. To identify genetic traces driven by recent selection in brown Hanwoo, we scanned the genomes of brown and brindle Hanwoo using a bovine SNP chip. We identified 17 candidate selection signatures in brown Hanwoo and sequenced four candidate regions from 10 individuals each of brown and brindle Hanwoo. In particular, non-synonymous SNPs in the ADSL gene (K88M, L189H, and R302Q) might have had mutational effects on protein structure as a result of altering the purine pathway during nucleotide breakdown. The ADSL gene was previously reported to affect meat quality and yield in livestock. Meat quality and yield are main breeding goals for brown Hanwoo, and our results support a potential causal influence of non-synonymous SNPs in the ADSL gene. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(9): 514-519]
NOC-centric Security of Reconfigurable SoC

This paper presents a first solution for NoC-based communication security. Our proposal is based on simple network interfaces implementing distributed security rule checking and a separation between security and application channels. We detail a four- step security policy and show how, with usual NOC techniques, a designer can protect a reconfigurable SOC against attacks that result in abnormal communication behaviors. We introduce a new kind of relative and self-complemented street-sign routing adapted to path-based IP identification and reconfigurable architectures needs. Our approach is illustrated with a synthetic set-top box, we also show how to transform a real-life bus-based security solution to match our NOC-based architecture
Exploring the Performance, Semantic, and Cognitive Dimensions of Orality

In this article I contend that particular characteristics of communication found in oral contexts are sufficiently different from those in literate ones to merit special consideration when ministering to oral audiences. My conclusions are based on my description, presented here, of the key features of narrative performance among the Digo people of Kenya's south coast. This description is derived from the application of two theoretical perspectives to a body of traditional Digo stories: Performance Theory and Semantic Structural Analysis. From my research I demonstrate how these features express aspects of orality and enhance the communicational impact of the narrative material.
The effects of shifting tasks from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel for providing antiretroviral therapy to people living with HIV: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Shifting selected antiretroviral therapy (ART) tasks from specialised healthcare workers to those with shorter or less formal training has been implemented in resource-limited settings to alleviate critical shortages of human resources for health. However, the specifics of shifting ART dispensing from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel have not been addressed in a systematic review, although this can potentially increase access to ART. We will assess the effects of shifting dispensing and distribution of ART and adherence assessment from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel in low and middle-income countries. Methods and analysis We will search PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, WHO Global Health Library and relevant grey literature for eligible controlled trials. Two authors will screen the search output, select eligible studies, assess risk of bias and extract data from included studies, resolving discrepancies by discussion and consensus. We will perform meta-analysis using both fixed and random effects models, investigate clinical and statistical heterogeneity, and assess our confidence in the overall evidence using standard Cochrane methods, including GRADE. Ethics and dissemination Only secondary data will be included in this review and ethics approval is not required. We will disseminate the review findings in various scientific fora, including peer-reviewed journals. The findings may help to inform policy makers in defining the scope of work of healthcare workers, and global recommendations for shifting the dispensing and distribution of ART from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel. Trial registration number CRD42015017034.
Event-Triggered Sliding-Mode Control for Multi-Area Power Systems

This paper solves the load frequency control problem and proposes a new event-triggered sliding-mode control (SMC) algorithm in multi-area interconnected power systems. First, we consider a three-area interconnected power system, and construct its corresponding mathematical model. The prescribed $\mathcal {H}_{\infty }$, or energy-to-energy, performance is utilized to test the effectiveness of the corresponding disturbance attenuation. Then, an appropriate discrete-time integral switching surface is designed for each subsystem, and the discontinuous controller is designed to guarantee the resulting subsystem asymptotically stable and robust. Using time-delay system analysis technique, the event-triggered scheme, sliding mode dynamics, and the network-induced delays are converted into a network dynamic system with time-varying delays. Thus, corresponding sufficient conditions are derived and an event-triggered SMC law for reaching motion is designed to ensure the reachability of the sliding mode surface in a finite time. Finally, examples and simulations are provided to illustrate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the developed event-triggered SMC scheme.
Estimating Potential Parallelism by Data-Dependence Profiling

With the rise of multi-core consumer hardware, today’s software developers face the challenging task of refactoring existing sequential code assets with a view to exploiting modern multi-core processors’ parallel execution capabilities. While there is a growing range of methods to support parallelism in software products, a software engineer nonetheless has to decide which parts of an already existing software are worth the effort of being modified. We propose an extensible data dependence profiling framework that facilitates the estimation of a software component’s inherent potential for parallelism. Our framework is based on the Low Level Virtual Machine (LLVM) compiler infrastructure. We use LLVM to perform a static analysis of a given code and instrument the code at the intermediate representation level to record memory accesses and control flow. The information recorded, together with the result of the static analysis, is used to estimate the parallelism inherent in the program. We evaluate our tool on a benchmark covering algorithmic problems like searching, sorting and numerical methods.
Mobility and memory training through movement interaction

Movement interaction devices offer important capabilities to create learning systems where students are able to interact with them through natural movements and gestures. In this paper, we present a system based on Kinect, whose main objective is to improve and train two important students' faculties: memory and motor abilities. The system is inspired on the Simon Says game where students have to repeat postures that the system shows previously. By means of this educational technique, young students and students with low disabilities may find the system an adequate environment to improve their memory and motor disabilities in addition to rehabilitation centers, such us hospitals and clinics. They can perform rehabilitation exercises in the same place and in the same way where their classmates train similar faculties.
Speaker turn tracking with mobile microphones: Combining location and pitch information

This paper considers the problem of using binaural microphones to track speakers in a situation where the microphones are themselves in motion (i.e. due to listener head movement). We present a general framework that applies particle filtering to combine sequential interaural time difference (ITD) cues with noisy sensor motion data. The framework is demonstrated in a meeting scenario applied to a moving-listener version of a speaker-diarization task. The paper extends previous work by investigating two potentially complementary ways of exploiting pitch track estimates in this framework, either, i) informing the time points at which speaker turn changes may occur, or ii) improving the ITD estimates by allowing integration over spectro-temporal regions grouped by pitch. Experiments using real meeting scenario recordings, made with in-ear binaural microphones, show that the latter approach leads to large and significant reductions in diarization error rate.
Using a Semantic Self-Organising Web Page-Ranking Mechanism for Public Administration and Education

— In the proposed method for Web page-ranking, a novel theoretic model is introduced and tested by examples of order relationships among IP addresses. Ranking is induced using a convexity feature, which is learned according to these examples using a self-organizing procedure. We consider the problem of self-organizing learning from IP data to be represented by a semi-random convex polygon procedure, in which the vertices correspond to IP addresses. Based on recent developments in our regularization theory for convex polygons and corresponding Euclidean distance based methods for classification, we develop an algorithmic framework for learning ranking functions based on a Computational Geometric Theory. We show that our algorithm is generic, and present experimental results explaining the potential of our approach. In addition, we explain the generality of our approach by showing its possible use as a visualization tool for data obtained from diverse domains, such as Public Administration and Education.
Impact of Farmland Abandonment on Water Resources and Soil Conservation in Citrus Plantations in Eastern Spain

Due to the reduction in the prices of oranges on the market and social changes such as the ageing of the population, traditional orange plantation abandonment in the Mediterranean is taking place. Previous research on land abandonment impact on soil and water resources has focused on rainfed agriculture abandonment, but there is no research on irrigated land abandonment. In the Valencia Region—the largest producer of oranges in Europe—abandonment is resulting in a quick vegetation recovery and changes in soil properties, and then in water erosion. Therefore, we performed rainfall simulation experiments (0.28 m2; 38.8 mm h−1) to determine the soil losses in naveline orange plantations with different ages of abandonment (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years of abandonment) which will allow for an understanding of the temporal changes in soil and water losses after abandonment. Moreover, these results were also compared with an active plantation (0). The results show that the soils of the active orange plantations have higher runoff discharges and higher erosion rates due to the use of herbicides than the plots after abandonment. Once the soil is abandoned for one year, the plant recovery reaches 33% of the cover and the erosion rate drops one order of magnitude. This is related to the delay in the runoff generation and the increase in infiltration rates. After 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years, the soil reduced bulk density, increase in organic matter, plant cover, and soil erosion rates were found negligible. We conclude that the abandonment of orange plantations reduces soil and water losses and can serve as a nature-based solution to restore the soil services, goods, and resources. The reduction in the soil losses was exponential (from 607.4 g m−2 in the active plot to 7.1 g m−2 in the 10-year abandoned one) but the water losses were linear (from 77.2 in active plantations till 12.8% in the 10-year abandoned ones).
Daring to tell: the importance of telling others about a diagnosis of dementia

ABSTRACT Learning to live with a diagnosis of dementia is a complex process. Being able to talk about the diagnosis to others represents a major challenge for some people with dementia. This study explores the experiences of people with dementia, and members of their families, around the task of informing others during the six months immediately following their diagnosis of dementia. Five people with dementia living in the community, and their immediate family members, were recruited into an ethnographic study. Data were collected through recorded interviews and participant observation, and were analysed through a grounded theory method within a continuing iterative process. Findings suggest that participants recognised the need to tell others about their diagnosis but these conversations were difficult to initiate and manage, and hindered the processing of emotions. Findings are discussed in relation to implications for practice.