Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the removal of aboveground shrub biomass an effective technique to restore a shrub‐encroached grassland?

Encroachment of woody plants into grasslands is a global phenomenon that has substantial impacts on pastoral productivity and ecosystem services. Over the past half century, pastoralists and land management agencies have explored various options to control woody plants in order to improve ecosystem services in shrub‐encroached grasslands. We examined the effectiveness of controlling the encroachment of the shrub Caragana microphylla into grassland in Inner Mongolia, China. We cut and removed all of the aboveground biomass from 450 shrubs, predicting that the effectiveness of this technique to control shrubs would depend on shrub morphology. Specifically, we expected that larger shrubs with more biomass would be more difficult to kill by cutting than smaller shrubs. A year after treatment, we found that cutting killed only 11% of the 450 treated shrubs, and of these, three‐quarters of the locations that they occupied reverted to grasses and one‐quarter to bare soil. Shrubs that survived the cutting treatment produced more stems and leaf biomass, and therefore had a greater leaf to stem ratio. Shrubs that died after cutting had a lower crown area and basal area, and less stem biomass than shrubs that resprouted within 12 months of cutting. There were no effects of shrub height on the fate of treated shrubs. Cutting had no effect on understory plant cover or richness, but reproductive plants were taller under shrubs that were not cut. Overall, our study showed that removing aboveground shrub biomass by cutting is an ineffective technique for “restoring” the original grassland community unless shrubs are very small. Strategic targeting of small shrubs would be a more effective technique for controlling the spread of C. microphylla in the long term.
QUANTIFYING THE LEAN VALUE NETWORK SYSTEM ; THE LEAN METRICS OF CO-INVESTMENT AND CO-INNOVATION ON ORGANISATION LEVEL

Research about lean has been mainly focused on proc ess or product innovation. Innovation should not on ly be applied on product level but also on the way the value chain and system are organised. This researc h t kes the lean principles to a higher aggregation; to an organisation level. Adoption of lean principles and the 3C model – value chain innovation process – throughout the whole organisation should improve a company’s financial performance. By quantification of the lea n enterprise on organisation level it is possible t o point out the advantages of a lean organisation to a company’ s baseline and its lean value network system. Finan c al data of companies from various industries has been analysed and compared to the configuration of their value chain. As the value chain of a company is mor e canted this indicates the sophistication of lean within the enterprise. This should show in an improved fin ancial performance of the company.
Metabonomics as a tool to detect and monitor colorectal cancer

Abbreviations CRC, colorectal cancer; GC-MS, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; GC-TOFMS, gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry; TIC, total iron current; PCA, Principal component analysis; OPLS-DA, orthogonal partial least squares-discriminate analysis; FC, fold change; 5-HIAA, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid; 5-HTP, 5-hydroxytryptophan; VIP, variable importance; OSC, Orthogonal Signal Correction; FOBT, fecal occult blood test; BMI, body mass index; CEA, carcinoembryonic atigen; ECF, ethyl chloroformate.
NUMERICAL VALIDATION OF A κ-ω-κ θ-ω θ HEAT TRANSFER TURBULENCE MODEL FOR LOW PRANDTL NUMBER FLUIDS

In ordinary fluids with Pr ∼ 1 it is well known that a two equation turbulence model with a constant turbulent Prandtl number Prt ∼ 0.85 is usually sufficient to correctly predict heat transfer in fully turbulent flows. On the contrary, in heavy liquid metals the simple hypothesis of constant Prt cannot reproduce experimental data and the turbulent Prandtl number Prt has to be introduced as a function of state variables. In this work we introduce a four parameter turbulence model that may improve heat transfer prediction in fully developed heavy liquid metal flows. The turbulent heat flux transport equation is solved algebraically and an expression for the thermal eddy diffusivity αt is obtained. This quantity depends on the thermal and dynamical time scales of turbulence and their ratio. A four parameter turbulence model κ-κθθ for low-Prandtl number fluids has been already presented by the authors with satisfactory results. The main problem of the κmodels is the stability of the system since is a function of κ on the boundary. The introduction of the κ-ω system allows to calculate directly the time scale of turbulence as τ = ω−1 and to achieve a more stable and robust solution near the wall. Numerical results are obtained by using an in-house code with a standard finite element implementation of Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the four parameter turbulence model. The code allows multiple refinement of the mesh in order to improve the solution and to correctly impose the boundary conditions with a near-wall approach. Results from simulations of fully developed turbulent flows of heavy liquid metals are reported for the plane and cylindrical geometries, in particular for the heat transfer between a wall heated with uniform heat flux and the liquid metal flow. The results are compared with DNS data when available and with experimental heat transfer correlations for the prediction of the Nusselt number in order to evaluate the turbulence model.
Simulation of OPF Problem Using Modified PSO Incorporating with Various FACTS Devices

This paper presents a novel method for optimal location of FACTS controllers in a multi machine power system using Fuzzy Controlled Genetic Algorithm (FCGA). Using the proposed method, the location of FACTS controller, their type and rated values are optimized simultaneously. Among the various FACTS controllers, Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) and Unified power Flow Controller (UPFC) are considered. The proposed algorithm is an effective method for finding the optimal choice and location of FACTS controller and also in minimizing the overall system cost, which comprises of generation cost and investment cost of FACTS controller using Genetic Algorithm, Fuzzy Logic and conventional Newton Raphson’s power flow method. Optimal Power Flow (OPF) is one of the most important processes in power system, which improves the performance of system by satisfying certain constraints. There are so many methods were used in the literature to solve the OPF problem. Furthermore, to solve the OPF problems, several heuristic algorithms such as evolutionary programming (EP), Tabu Search (TS), Hybrid Tabu Search and Simulated Annealing (TS/SA), Improved Tabu Search (ITS) and Improved Evolutionary Programming (IEP) have been already proposed. In this paper, IEEE standard 14 and 30 bus systems are taken as the reference bus systems to obtain the optimal solution. Here various FACTS devices (SVC, TCVR) were incorporated to obtain the feasible solution of OPF Problem. Simulation results show that the obtained output is feasible and most accurate solution in the OPF solution. FACTS devices can direct the active and reactive power control and flexible to voltage-magnitude control simultaneously, because of their adaptability and fast control characteristics. With the aid of FACTS technology, namely Static Var Compensator (SVC), Thyristor Switched Capacitor Variable Reactor (TCVR) and Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) etc., the bus voltages, line impedances and phase angles in the power system can be controlled quickly and flexibly. 
Big Data, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality: technology convergence in visualization issues

The paper reviews the current situation of the Augmented Reality and Internet of Things markets. The implementing possibilities of AR for Big Data visualization from IoT devices are considered in this paper. The review and the analysis of methods, tools, products and data system of the visualization are presented. The paper provides an overview of the programs and devices of Augmented Reality, and an overview of development environments. The paper presents the existing classifications of computerized data visualization tools and proposes new classification, which takes into account interactive visualization, the purpose of the tool, the type of software product, the availability of ready-made templates, and other characteristics. The article proposes the architecture of the system for collecting data from IoT endpoint devices based on the Heltec modules. Experiments based on the developed experimental stand were carried out with Heltec devices of both versions to determine the number of losses with increasing distance between the sending device and the receiving device. The results of measuring the power consumption of these devices are presented in two modes: in standby mode and when sending a message to the Heltec endpoint device and in standby mode and when receiving a message for the base station. These studies were conducted using various data transfer protocols (LoRa, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). The paper presents the result of the development of a digital twin of a university building and the development of augmented reality software for receiving data from real-time data collection devices.
New Microsatellite Markers to Analyze Genetic Structure of Gray Mangrove , Avicennia marina ( Forsk . )

We developed SSR markers for improved genetic diversity analysis of Avicennia marina, the coastal Red Sea gray mangrove, and regional mangrove conservation. Twenty-nine new expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived primers and 12 previously reported primers were used to investigate polymorphism in 45 A. marina specimens from three natural populations along the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Polymorphisms were detected at five loci whose the number of alleles, heterozygosity, and polymorphic information content ranged 3-6, 0.561-0.756, and 0.459-0.715, respectively. The five loci showed allele frequency variation among the three stands, indicating their utility for genetic diversity analysis of A. marina.
econstor Make Your Publications Visible . A Service of zbw

The aim of this paper is to study whether schooling choices are affected by social interactions. Such social interactions may be important because children enjoy spending time with other children or parents learn from other parents about the ability of their children. Identification is based on a randomized intervention that grants a cash subsidy encouraging school attendance among a sub-group of eligible children within small rural villages in Mexico. Results indicate that (i) the eligible children tend to attend school more frequently, (ii) but also the ineligible children acquire more schooling when the subsidy is introduced in their local village, (iii) social interactions are economically important, and (iv) they may arise due to changes in parents’ perception of their children’s ability. JEL Code: C93, I21, I28.
A Review of Graphene-Based Electrochemical

The need to store and use energy on diverse scales in a modern technological society necessitates the design of large and small energy systems, among which electrical energy storage systems such as batteries and supercapacitors have attracted much interest in the past several decades [1]. Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors, or electrochemical capacitors, with fast power delivery and long cycle life, are playing an important role in complementing or even replacing batteries in many applications [1,2]. The first patent on supercapacitors was granted to Becker at General Electric Corp. in 1957 [3], in which he proposed a capacitor based on porous carbon material with high surface area. Later in 1969, first attempts to market such devices were undertaken by SOHIO [4]. Between the late 1970s and the 1980s, Conway successfully fabricated supercapacitors with high specific capacitance and low internal resistance using RuO2 as an active material [5]. In the 1990s, supercapacitors began to attract attention because of the emergence of hybrid electric vehicles [6]. Supercapacitors offered the promise to supplement batteries and fuel cells in hybrid electric vehicles in providing the necessary power for acceleration, and additionally to allow for the recuperation of brake energy. These promising studies prompted the U.S. Department of Energy to initiate supercapacitor development programs. A comprehensive review of the historical background, properties, and principles of supercapacitors has been provided by Conway [1]. Supercapacitors effectively fill the gap between batteries and conventional capacitors (e.g., electrolytic capacitors or metalized film capacitors) [6]. They provide higher power density than batteries and fuel cells and higher energy density than conventional capacitors, while offering long lifetimes. In recent years, much progress has been achieved in both theoretical understanding [7–12] and experimental design [2, 13, 14] of high-performance supercapacitors. Meanwhile, their low energy density and high production costs have emerged as major challenges for the future development [1,2, 6,13]. As the size of portable electronic devices becomes smaller, low-power integrated circuits in devices such as sensors, microprocessors and wireless communication chips will make increasing use of miniature embedded microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that operate in controlled/uncontrolled environments to gather, process, store and communicate information. Thus, there is a demand for integrated power sources to meet biological [15], medical [16] and environmental [17] applications. Micropower systems can be fabricated with length scales in the micrometer range and with improved performance by decreasing diffusion lengths to achieve this purpose. Among these micropower systems, microbatteries [18– 20], microsupercapacitors [19,21], microfuel cells [22]
The Relationship Between Conflict Management Styles and Organizational Commitment : A Case of Sana ' a University

This study aimed at examining the relationship between conflict management styles used by Sana'a university (forcing, cooperation, compromising, avoiding and accommodating) and organizational commitment at the three levels (individual, group and university). The study was conducted at Sana'a university on a random sample of employees (N=204) from different faculties, departments and centers. Questionnaires were designed for this objective to collect the data required; these data were used, through descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, to examine the relationship between conflict management styles and organizational commitment at the three levels, individual, group and university. The correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the five conflict management styles (forcing, cooperation, compromising, avoiding and accommodating) as independent variables and the dependent variable i.e., Organizational commitment (at the levels of individual, group and university). The findings showed that Sana'a university management uses the five styles of conflict management, which are in descending order, forcing, avoiding, cooperation, compromising and accommodating; the results indicated also that four of the five conflict management styles including cooperation, compromising, avoiding and accommodating were found to have positive relationship with organizational commitment at the levels of individual, group and university. This relationship is ranging from low positive, as it is in avoiding style, to positive high moderately correlation as in accommodating style. The researcher recommended, among others, that human resources departments should take responsibility to develop employees skills and knowledge on conflict management, as well as to increase their awareness on the conflict and its different styles, to improve the understanding of employees on the advantages and disadvantages, and strength and weakness of the five styles of conflict management and using the proper style depending on the situation; The use of forcing style should be reduced, instead cooperation style should be applied as it increases and enhances the organizational commitment at the levels of individual, group and university. Finally, This research contributes towards a contemporary issue of conflict management. 50 Abdul Fattah Farea Hussein et al.: The Relationship Between Conflict Management Styles and Organizational Commitment: A Case of Sana'a University
Optimal Priority Ordering for Imprecise Computation-A Utility-Based Approach

The deadline monotonic priority ordering is not optimal for schedulability when offsets are allowed in the task model. In addition, once schedulability is satisfied the maximization of system utility by scheduling tasks with higher values becomes important. This motivates the development of an optimal priority ordering algorithm, called UBPO, based on task utility by which higher priorities can be associated with more important tasks. The algorithm is optimal in the sense that it can find any feasible ordering whenever one exists, plus that its lexicographical distance relative to the optimal ordering is minimized, when priorities are ordered from the lowest to the highest priorities. Simulations show that the algorithm is much more efficient than another optimal algorithm in general, where although the measures being optimized are different, most of the time the final priority orderings are found to be the same. Further simulations demonstrate that the tractable schedulability test can be used with very small penalty on the priority orderings obtained. Together with previous works conducted in imprecise computation based on fixed priority scheduling, the package provides a more comprehensive set of scheduling theories and algorithms for supporting real-time AI systems.
PLANT CLOSURE AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN TAIWAN

Plant closures are normal business activities in industrial society. They si gnify the total or partial closure of an establishment, a worksite, or a factory, whether multi-plant company or single-plant company, by the employer. The consequence of plant closure is the making of employees redundant collectively. Thus, plant closure and collective redundancy (or large-scale redundancy; mass lay-offs; large-scale workforce reduction) are fundamentally two sides of the same coin, even though it is possible to have collective dismissal for redundancy without plant closure.
Roles of the P 2 X 7 receptor in C 6 astroglioma : in vitro and in vivo studies

The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an ionotropic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) receptor which is closely linked with pathological conditions in the central nervous system (CNS). Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors with presently no cures. The roles of the P2X7R in these diseases have not been previously studied and in this work, I have used the rat C6 glioma as an experimental model system to investigate expression and function of the P2X7R in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro study has examined expression of the P2X7R in C6 cells and the involvement of this receptor in mediating cell functional responses. C6 glioma cells were found to express the P2X7R at both mRNA and protein levels. The P2X 7R agonist, 2', 3 '-(benzoy1-4-benzoy1)-ATP (BzATP) induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, an effect which was largely inhibited by periodate-oxidized ATP (OxATP), an irreversible P2X7R antagonist. BzATP treatment of C6 cells also resulted in ethidium bromide dye uptake indicating pore formation was induced by P2X7R activation. Chronic exposure of C6 cells to BzATP showed up-regulation of several pro-inflammatory factors including the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) suggesting the P2X7R in C6 cells is involved in mediating inflammation in tumors. In addition, BzATP treatment was found to enhance wound-induced cell migration, an effect which was inhibited in the presence of OxATP, or another P2X7R antagonist, Brilliant Blue G (BBG). The in vivo study examined whether pharmacological modulation of P2X7R with BBG altered tumor growth. C6 glioma cells were implanted into the striatum of rat brain and in situ P2X7R expression was shown to be associated with glioma cells and resident microglia. Preliminary results have indicated that inhibition of P2X7R leads to a reduced volume of brain tumors formed by transplanted C6 cells. The overall results from this study demonstrate the novel finding that C6 glioma cells express functional P2X7R and suggest pharmacological modulation of the P2X7R could serve as an effective strategy to inhibit the development and progression of brain tumors.
sEMG Based Human Motion Intention Recognition

Human motion intention recognition is a key to achieve perfect human-machine coordination and wearing comfort of wearable robots. Surface electromyography (sEMG), as a bioelectrical signal, generates prior to the corresponding motion and reflects the human motion intention directly. Thus, a better human-machine interaction can be achieved by using sEMG based motion intention recognition. In this paper, we review and discuss the state of the art of the sEMG based motion intention recognition that is mainly used in detail. According to the method adopted, motion intention recognition is divided into two groups: sEMG-driven musculoskeletal (MS) model based motion intention recognition and machine learning (ML) model based motion intention recognition. The specific models and recognition effects of each study are analyzed and systematically compared. Finally, a discussion of the existing problems in the current studies, major advances, and future challenges is presented.
GINS : a new tool for VLBI Geodesy

In the framework of the Groupe de Recherches de Géodésie Spatiale (GRGS), a rigorous combination of the data from five space geodetic techniques (VLBI, GPS, SLR, LLR and DORIS) is routinely applied to simultaneously determine a Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) and Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP). This analysis is conducted with the software package GINS which has the capability to process data from all five techniques together. Such a combination at the observation level should ultimately facilitate fine geophysical studies of the global Earth system. In this project, Bordeaux Observatory is in charge of the VLBI data analysis, while satellite geodetic data are processed by other groups. In this paper, we present (i) details about the VLBI analysis undertaken with GINS, and (ii) the results obtained for the EOP during the period 2005–2006. We also compare this EOP solution with the IVS (International VLBI Service for geodesy and astrometry) analysis coordinator combined results. The agreement is at the 0.2 mas level, comparable to that of the other IVS analysis centers, which demonstrates the capability of the GINS software for VLBI analysis.
PURCHASING POWER PARITY TESTS IN COINTEGRATED PANELS: EVIDENCE FROM NEWLY INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES

This paper examines the long-run purchasing power parity (PPP) by testing for unit roots in real exchange rates of 10 newly industrialized countries (NICs) during the period 1980-2013. Alternatively, this paper examines the long-run PPP by evaluating the cointegration between nominal exchange rates and price ratios of the NICs. The Pesaran (2007) unit root test results support the evidence of long-run PPP during the period 1980-1990; however, during the other sub-periods, the results invalidate the long-run PPP. We find that the evidence against the unit root hypothesis is stronger for larger than small samples, for monthly than quarterly data. Moreover, the results suggest the mere evidence of strong PPP and also suggest that the speed at which the real exchange rates restore to equilibrium is relatively slow during the period 1991-2000.