Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of Alginite fertilization on selected tree species seedlings performance on afforested agricultural lands

Abstract Afforestation of marginal agricultural lands is an important issue in the land use changes running in Europe at present. The aim of the presented study is the documentation of effects of site improving material Alginite three years after afforestation of agricultural land in the locality with unfavourable hydrophysical regime. The impact was evaluated on growth parameters (height increment, mortality and foliar nutrient content) of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and a mixture of English oak (Quercus robur L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seedlings on former agricultural land in central Bohemia, Czech Republic. The research plot consists of 36 square sub-plots, each sub-plot is 400 m2 in size. Each sub-plot consists of 400 individuals, except Douglas-fir with 200 individuals. The following doses of Alginite were applied: control (variant A without Alginite), 0.5 kg of Alginite (B) and 1.5 kg of Alginite (C) on both conifers and broadleaves. The results showed that Alginite application had greater positive effect on height growth of seedlings than mortality, especially variant C. In most of the cases height increments were significantly positively affected (p < 0.05) by both variants of Alginite application only in the third year after planting. Alginite applications were also connected with differences in the foliar nutrient content, especially with higher magnesium and phosphorus values. The highest differences among Alginite variants were observed for Norway maple and English oak, while the lowest for red oak and Scots pine within all monitored parameters.
Mortality projection with demography and lifecontingencies packages

This paper applies mortality projection techniques (Lee Carter) to the evaluation of retirement costs. The main purpose of the paper is to show how R can be successfully used to perform life expectancy projections with practical actuarial applications for annuity insurances and social security issues. demography and lifecontingencies packages will be used. The analysis performed within this paper are mechanical and intended for didactic purposes.
Award Number: W81XWH-07-1-0300 TITLE: Alternate Splicing of CD44 Messenger RNA in Prostate Cancer Growth

Background: Dysregulated expression and splicing of cell adhesion marker CD44 is found in many types of cancer. In prostate cancer (PC) specifically, the standard isoform (CD44s) has been found to be downregulated compared with benign tissue whereas predominant variant isoform CD44v7-10 is upregulated. Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and paracrine calcitonin are two common factors linked to dysregulated expression and splicing of CD44 in cancer. Calcitonin has been found to increase proliferation and invasion in PC acting through the protein kinase A pathway. Methods: In androgen-independent PC with known high CD44v7-10 expression, CD44 total and CD44v7-10 RNA or protein were assessed in response to exogenous and endogenous calcitonin and to inhibitors of protein kinase A, MEK, JNK, or p38 kinase. Benign cells and calcitonin receptor-negative PC cells were also tested. Results: MEK or p38 but not JNK reduced CD44 total RNA by 40%-65% in cancer and benign cells. Inhibition of protein kinase A reduced CD44 total and v7-10 protein expression. In calcitonin receptor-positive cells only, calcitonin increased CD44 variant RNA and protein by 3 h and persisting to 48 h, apparently dependent on an uninhibited p38 pathway. Cells with constitutive CT expression showed an increase in CD44v7-10 mRNA but a decrease in CD44
A spatial model of household fuelwood extraction in northern Uganda

Previous studies have suggested that market failures are household-specific and not commodity-specific (de Janvry et al, 1991); transaction costs determine whether a household is a buyer, seller or self-sufficient for a given good and how much it is going to produce (Key et al, 2000). Focusing on fuelwood production in northern Uganda, this paper extends previous studies by introducing fixed transaction costs associated with reaching the market and the forest. We predict that households sort in space, with autarkic households being located closest to the forest and farthest from the market, buyer households located closest to the market and farthest from the forest and seller households located at intermediate distances from the market and forest. We show that the spatial predictions hold in partial and general equilibrium settings. We test the predictions of our model using data from northern Uganda and find evidence that supports the predictions from our theoretical model. The ensuing spatial-dynamic simulations based on the static allow us to make forecasts of where forest degradation is likely to occur as well as to model spillover effects resulting from the introduction of a conservation intervention like a protected area.
Hydrogen silsesquioxane mold coatings for improved replication of nanopatterns by injection molding

We demonstrate the replication of nanosized pillars in polymer (cyclic olefin copolymer) by injection molding using nanostructured thermally cured hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) ceramic coatings on stainless steel mold inserts with mold nanostructures produced by a simple embossing process. At isothermal mold conditions, the average pillar height increases by up to 100% and a more uniform height distribution is observed compared to a traditional metal mold insert. Thermal heat transfer simulations predict that the HSQ film retards the cooling of the polymer melt during the initial stages of replication, thus allowing more time to fill the nanoscale cavities compared to standard metal molds. A monolayer of a fluorinated silane (heptadecafluorotrichlorosilane) deposited on the mold surface reduces the mold/polymer interfacial energy to support demolding of the polymer replica. The mechanical stability of thermally cured HSQ makes it a promising material for nanopattern replication on an industrial scale without the need for slow and energy intensive variotherm processes.
Rheology of complex fluids from Molecular Dynamics

Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics were used to understand the relationship between the molecular structure and the rheological behavior of complex fluids. The analyzed systems were: i) Polymer (chains) solutions with different conformations (e.g. Linear, branched, hyperbranched, dendrimers, etc.), ii) Micelles consisting in surfactant molecules immersed into two types of solvent (oil and water like) and iii) Associative polymers. Some potentials were used, since simple FENE and Lennard-Jones [1] (for coarse-grained molecular models) until more complicated such as: COMPASS and PCFF [2] (for atomistic simulations). The equations of motion were solved for shear flow with SLLOD equations of motion integrated with Verlet’s algorithm [3]. A multiple time scale algorithm extended to non-equilibrium situations was used as the integration method. The structural properties include Static Structure Factor, Radius of Gyration and Anisotropy Factor. By other hand, the rheological parameter was mainly the shear viscosity as a function of shear rate; in this case we have observed three regions in the rheological response: i) Newtonian behavior, ii) Shear Thinning and iii) Shear thickening [4], depending on the system under study. All the simulations were performed using both Medea [5] and LAMMPS [6] softwares, as well as programming code developed in C++ and FORTRAN.
Geographic Distribution and Genetic Analysis of Physiological Racesof Setosphaeria turcica in Northern China

Five hundreds and forty-six isolates of Setosphaeria turcica, the causal agent of Northern Corn Leaf Blight, were collected in 61 corn-growing locations throughout six provinces of Northern China during 2000-2002, to determine their pathogenicity on two sets of host differentials: OH43/Huangzao4, OH43Ht1Huangzao4Ht1, OH43Ht2/Huangzao4Ht2, OH43Ht3/Huangzao4Ht3 and OH43HtN/Huangzao4HtN. The isolates were grouped into 13 different physiological races (0, 1, 12, 3, 13, 23, N, 1N, 2N, 12N, 3N, 23N and 123N) based on their infection types on the host differentials. Incidence analyses indicated that races 0 and race 1 were still dominant in Northern China and took 40.66% and 18.32% of total isolates tested respectively, while other races sparsely occurred from 1.28-6.59%. The emergence of race 123N that was toxic to corn lines woth all four existing major resistant genes implies the possibility of present hybrids to loss their resistance in some regions of China. Further analysis of race distribution in Northern China demonstrated that the occurrence and composition of physiological races of S. turcica varied among provinces. Genetic analysis of within and between pathogenic race groups by random amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers revealed high genetic diversity in S. turcica population. Relatively high genetic similarity (70.46-95.12%) was identified within race groups and the results suggested that race groups were genetically similar within one geographic locations, but genetic migration could possibly happen between some locations which might lead to relative high genetic diversity within one geographic location. The similarity indexes derived from 13 race groups varied from 20.31 to 82.81% indicating great genetic variation between race groups. The UPGMA dendrograms generated by NTSys software grouped the 13 races into two not very robust but relatively distinct clusters: cluster I (0, 1, N, 12, 1N, 2N and 12N) and cluster II (3, 13, 23, 3N, 23N and 123N) with 63.7 and 72.3% P value respectively. The cluster analyses suggested that the pathogen might have a great genetic change while mutating to be virulent Ht3 resistant gene, but the details about the mechanisms were remain unaware.
Too Many Graduates? An Application of the Gottschalk-Hansen Model to Young British Graduates between 2001-2010

There is an apparent inconsistency in the existing literature on graduate employment in the UK. While analyses of rates of return to graduates or graduate mark-ups show high returns, suggesting that demand has kept up with a rapidly rising supply of graduates, the literature on over-education suggests that many graduates are unable to find employment in graduate jobs and the proportion over-educated has risen over time. Using a simple supply and demand model applied to UK data that defines graduate jobs in terms of the proportion of graduates and/or the graduate earnings mark-up within occupations, we find that there has been a shift in the likelihood of young British university graduates being employed in non-graduate jobs in the recent years of our analysis. This finding is in contrast to existing studies.
Outcomes of Non-operative Management of Deep Gluteal Syndrome - A Case Series of Six Patients

Introduction: An increased understanding of posterior hip anatomy and biomechanics has led to advances in the diagnosis and management of Deep Gluteal Syndrome (DGS). Currently, there is limited information detailing the successful conservative management of DGS. Material & methods: The detailed history, physical examination, imaging, diagnostic testing, and physical therapy of six subjects diagnosed with deep gluteal syndrome were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed. Conservative treatment included neuropsychiatry management, intra-muscular injections through CT guidance, intra-pelvic assessment/therapy, and a home exercise program. The Visual analog scale (VAS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) was utilized to measure outcomes of the non-operative treatment. Results: Improvement was obtained in (100%) of the subjects with the combination of home exercises program, intra-muscular CT Guided injection, physical therapy, and neuropsychiatric counseling. Average VAS scores decreased from 7.16 to 1.6, and average mHHS scores increased from 60.01 to 74. The average time in conservative therapy was 20 weeks (range: 6-36). Conclusion: The conservative management of DGS was successful with positive outcomes achieved through a multi-professional approach accessing and treating DGS with a combination of physical, mental and social factors. musculoskeletal, psychological and social factors. A multiprofissional approach may be necessary to manage DGS addressing these factors. DGS is a condition which patients frequently present with posterior hip pain associated to inability to sit for 30 minutes, radicular pain of the lower back or hip, and paresthesia’s of the affected leg. The feeling of motor weakness can also present during standing activities [2,3,8,9]. Due to the anatomical variability surrounding the sciatic nerve, the etiology of the DGS can result from multiple structures such as bone, fibrous scar bands, and muscles [10-12]. DGS can coexist with and may be misinterpreted by intra-articular hip pathologies, and intra/extra-pelvic nerves entrapments, which also may acts an isolated potential causes of posterior hip pain [4, 8,13]. Due to the difficult diagnosis, DGS commonly are associated to a chronic presentation with psychological and social disturbances. A comprehensive history, physical examination and imaging diagnosis are performed to precise the source of posterior hip pain, and rule out similar misinterpreted conditions [8]. The non-operative treatment of DGS is not well documented in the literature. The complexity of DGS, involving musculoskeletal, psychological and social components may require a multi-professional understanding and treatment strategy. The main objective in this study is to demonstrate the non-operative management of DGS through a case series of six subjects by a multiple approach to treatment.
Random Matrix Spectra and Relaxation in Complex Networks

We evaluate spectra of stochastic matrices deﬁned on complex random graphs, with edges ( i, j ) of a graph being given positive random weights W ij > 0 in such a fashion that column sums are normalized to one. The structure of the graphs and the distribution of the non-zero edge weights W ij are largely arbitrary. We only require that the mean vertex degree remains ﬁnite in the thermodynamic limit, and that the W ij satisfy a detailed balance condition. The main motivation for this work derives from the fact that knowing the spectra of stochastic matrices is tantamount to knowing the complete spectrum of relaxation times of stochastic processes described by them. One of the interesting new phenomena uncovered by our study is the appearance of localization transitions and mobility edges in the spectra of stochastic matrices of the type investigated in the present study.
Organisational Commitment and Turnover Intention ( A Quantitative Analysis of a Sri Lankan Apperal Firm )

Employee turnover has been developed as a painful challenge in any industry. Rapid competition in apparel industry pushes organization to minimize the turnover in order to save the cost. Action of turnover is a result of the initial intention which arises in the mind of the employee to leave the organization and Turnover Intention can be influenced by some other factors. Based on that, this study investigates the impact of Organizational Commitment on the Turnover Intention of the direct employees of apparel firm in Sri Lanka. Among the population of 325 employees, 169 Machine Operators were selected as the sample and the data were collected through a standard and validated questionnaire survey. Organizational Commitment was measured by using Meyer and Allen’s (1991) scale. The measurement scale relate to the Turnover Intention was developed by Mobley, Horner and Hollingsworth in 1978. Data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression method. The findings of the study revealed that all the three dimensions of organizational commitment (affective commitment, continuous commitment, and normative commitment) had a significant negative effect on turn over intention thus the study concludes organizational commitment reduce the turnover intention of the direct employees.
BIM model analysis on a structural design perspective

The increasing complexity of projects in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC), contributes to boost the development of methodologies and practices used and, additionally, stimulates the development of information technologies to support its implementation. Presently, this sector is still characterized by low levels of efficiency that affect its competitiveness and technological requirement. In the project development it is important to produce accurate and reliable information, based on a high level of interoperability between systems, and it is also necessary to establish good communication between those responsible for developing the project. The main objective of this dissertation consists of a comparative analysis between the traditional process and the Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology, focusing on the structural component of the project. The study allows the identification of limitations and problems resulting from the analysis of a specific case, and the proposed recommendations and best practices to promote achieving a higher degree of efficiency. The comparison made relatively to different transfer modes of information between systems, leads to the conclusion that the ability of the interoperability, in the used technological applications, is still a problem that requires significant research because it conditions the collaboration between the different project specialties, and therefore, the obtaining of a higher quality project. However, it has been verified that the work process based on the BIM concept brings obvious advantages to a fragmented and uncooperative industry. Therefore, despite of interoperability problems verified, the adoption of BIM methodology brings benefits to the AEC sector through technical improvements, reducing the duration of tasks and increasing their efficiency. These aspects, besides improving the transparency and quality of the project, reduce its cost, thus making the AEC industry more competitive.
Performance Analysis for Optimizing Hadoop MapReduce Execution

: The Apache Hadoop data changing writing computer programs is doused in an intricate situation made out of gigantic machine bunches, limitless data sets, and a couple taking care of vocations. Managing a Hadoop situation is time escalated, toilsome and obliges expert customers. Likewise, nonappearance of learning may include misconfigurations adulterating the gathering execution. To address misconfiguration issues we propose an answer completed on top of Hadoop. The goal is showing a tuning toward oneself segment for Hadoop businesses on Big Data circumstances. Late years have witness the improvement of distributed computing and the huge information period, which raises difficulties to conventional choice tree calculations. In the first place, as the measure of dataset turns out to be to a great degree huge, the procedure of building a choice tree can be very tedious. Second, on the grounds that the information can't fit in memory any all the more, some calculation must be moved to the outer stockpiling and hence builds the I/O cost. To this end, we propose to execute a normal choice tree calculation, C4.5, utilizing MapReduce programming model.
Aluminum – Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepato-Renal Impairment in Male Albino Rats : Possible Protective trial with Naringenin

Aluminum is widely distributed in the environment and present in various food additives, manufactured foods and therapeutic treatment. Also, it is added to drinking water during purification purposes, thus increasing human and animal exposure risk to this metal. A body of evidence has accumulated implicating the free radical generation with subsequent oxidative stress in the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity. Naringenin (NAR) is a naturally occurring plant bioflavonoid, which has been reported to have awide range of pharmacological properties and free radicals scavenging activities. Since liver and kidney considered critical organs for Al toxicity, so this study was conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of naringenin in alleviating Al-induced liver and kidney toxicity in rats. For this, forty male albino rats were allocated into four groups. Group I (control) received normal saline. Group II was administered NAR at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.wt. Group III was orally treated with AlCl3 at a dose of 34 mg/kg b.wt. Group IV was simultaneously treated with AlCl3 and NAR together at the same doses. All treatments were performed daily via oral route and maintained for 70 days. Hepatic and renal dysfunction was evaluated by investigating serum biomarkers. Liver and kidney GPx activity, GSH level and MDA level as indicator of lipid peroxidation were assayed. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney was conducted. Aluminum treatment resulted in a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP activities, billirubin concentration, urea and creatinine level with decreased serum total protein and albumin. AlCl3 significantly inhibited the GPx activity, reduced GSH level and increased MDA level in liver and kidney. Histopathological examination revealed deformities in hepatic and renal tissues due to aluminum exposure which augment the aforementioned results. Coadministration of NAR along with Al significantly restore the serum biomarkers to their near-normal levels and have the ability to overcome Al –induced oxidative stress, manifested by significant reduction in hepatic and renal MDA level, with enhanced cellular antioxidant defense particulary GPx and GSH and preserved normal hepatic and renal histological architecture. From these results, it could be concluded that NAR can mop up Alinduce toxicity, suggesting that the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential of NAR in aluminum toxicity may be owed to its antioxidant and metal chelating properties, which may be useful in achieving optimum effects in Al-induced hepatic and renal damage. [Tamer S. Imam, Hesham A. Khalifa, Mohamed M.A.Hussein and Haytham. A. Ali. Aluminum –Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepato -Renal Impairment in Male Albino Rats: Possible Protective trial with Naringenin. Life Sci J 2016;13(1s):93-104]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online) http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 10. doi:10.7537/marslsj1301s1610.