Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploration of land-use scenarios for flood hazard modeling - the case of Santiago de Chile

Abstract. Urban expansion leads to modifications in land use and land cover and to the loss of vegetated areas. These developments are in some regions of the world accelerated by a changing regional climate. As a consequence, major changes in the amount of green spaces can be observed in many urban regions. Amongst other dependences the amount of green spaces determines the availability of retention areas in a watershed. The goal of this research is to develop possible land-use and land-cover scenarios for a watershed and to explore the influence of land-use and land-cover changes on its runoff behavior using the distributed hydrological model HEC-HMS. The study area for this research is a small peri-urban watershed in the eastern area of Santiago de Chile. Three spatially explicit exploratory land-use/land-cover scenario alternatives were developed based on the analysis of previous land-use developments using high resolution satellite data, on the analysis of urban planning laws, on the analysis of climate change predictions, and on expert interviews. Modeling the resulting changes in runoff allows making predictions about the changes in flood hazard which the adjacent urban areas are facing after heavy winter precipitation events. The paper shows how HEC-HMS was used applying a distributed event modeling approach. The derived runoff values are combined with existing flood hazard maps and can be regarded as important source of information for the adaptation to changing conditions in the study area. The most significant finding is that the land-use changes that have to be expected after long drought periods pose the highest risk with respect to floods.
Legal Representation and Reasoning in Practice: A Critical Comparison

Representation and reasoning over legal rules is an important application domain and a number of related approaches have been developed. In this work, we investigate legal reasoning in practice based on three use cases of increasing complexity. We consider three representation and reasoning approaches: (a) Answer Set Programming, (b) Argumentation and (c) Defeasible Logic. Representation and reasoning approaches are evaluated with respect to semantics, expressiveness, efficiency, complexity and support.
Herbivore damage along a latitudinal gradient: relative impacts of different feeding guilds

We present the first broad-scale test for a latitudinal gradient in herbivory made with consistent methods, in similar habitat type, over the entire lifespan of leaves (phyllodes). We assessed the degree of chewing, sap-sucking and mining herbivory on Acacia falcata along its entire coastal latitudinal range (1150 km) in Australia. We found no significant differences in the rate of herbivory among latitudes. Mature phyllodes had a higher rate of herbivory compared to young phyllodes, and mining was higher on mature phyllodes from the most tropical latitude. We found significant differences in phyllode toughness and specific leaf (phyllode) area among latitudes, but no significant differences among latitudes in carbon: nitrogen. This study provides a useful model for further testing of the generalisation that herbivory is more intense in tropical versus temperate regions.
The Effect of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 and Metabolites of Sodium Phenylbutyrate on Gene Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Antineoplastons are peptide and amino acid derivatives that occur naturally in the human body. They inhibit the growth of neoplastic cells without growth inhibition of normal cells. Phenylacetylglutaminate (PG) is an active ingredient of antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP) and is also a metabolic by-product of phenylbutyrate (PB). The formulation of antineoplaston AS2-1 is a 4:1 mixture of phenylacetate (PN) and PG. Antineoplaston A10 is a 4:1 mixture of PG and isoPG. This study investigates the molecular mechanism of action of PG and PN. The Human U87 glioblastoma (GBM) cell line was used as the model system in this study. A total human gene array screen using the Affymetrix Human Genome plus 2.0 oligonucleotide arrays was performed using mRNA derived from U87 cells exposed to PG and PN. Pathway analysis was performed to allow the visualization of effect on metabolic pathways and gene interaction networks. Our preliminary results indicate that PG and PN interrupt signal transduction in RAS/MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathways, interfere with cell cycle, decrease metabolism and promote apoptosis in human U87 GBM cells. The effect on multiple cellular pathways and targets, suggests that ANP and PB are promising candidates for clinical studies in GBM.
Phi-Delta-Diagrams: Software Implementation of a Visual Tool for Assessing Classifier and Feature Performance

In this article, a two-tiered 2D tool is described, called ⟨φ,δ⟩ diagrams, and this tool has been devised to support the assessment of classifiers in terms of accuracy and bias. In their standard versions, these diagrams provide information, as the underlying data were in fact balanced. Their generalization, i.e., ability to account for the imbalance, will be also briefly described. In either case, the isometrics of accuracy and bias are immediately evident therein, as—according to a specific design choice—they are in fact straight lines parallel to the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. ⟨φ,δ⟩ diagrams can also be used to assess the importance of features, as highly discriminant ones are immediately evident therein. In this paper, a comprehensive introduction on how to adopt ⟨φ,δ⟩ diagrams as a standard tool for classifier and feature assessment is given. In particular, with the goal of illustrating all relevant details from a pragmatic perspective, their implementation and usage as Python and R packages will be described.
Institutional Change: A Review and Evaluation of Research Designs from 1977-2007

The paper analyzes the research designs of empirical studies of institutional change published in leading management and sociology journals from 1977-2007. Generic institutional change research strategies are evaluated in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, rationale and appropriateness. Studies are further evaluated in terms of threats to their internal, external and construct validity; measurement types and classes; time scales; ethical considerations; and statistical conclusion validity. Overall, field studies, especially those drawing on archival data and event history analysis, are found to be the dominant research design. The discussion highlights four potential limitations of these prior institutional change studies related to (1) tensions between the theoretical and operational level of analysis, (2) data limitations with regard to understanding microprocesses of institutional change, (3) the possible misspecification of the effects of historical time on hazard rate independent of elapsed time, and (4) the reliance on archival measures which are themselves constituted by institutional pressures. Finally, the paper proposes a research design that would provide additional precision in the control and measurement of variables of interest.
A new method for the prediction of laser cut surface topography

Abstract The submitted contribution focuses on the clarification of a laser beam cutting technology especially from the point of view of created surface topography. It provides a new view on a deformation process caused by laser beam action and on possibilities of using the surface topography. The measurement and characterisation of surface topography was performed in depth traces using a contact profilometer Surftest SJ 401 and by and an optical-contact profilometer Talysurf CLI 2000 (measured from the top edge of the sample). Thanks to this procedure, it was possible to observe and to measure a development of the numerical values of the surface (profile) roughness parameter Ra. Based on the measurement of the surface topography, there were analyzed and interpreted data with a purpose to theoretically describe surface topography and to develop an analytical solution for the profile topographical function. By using the profile topographical function, it is possible to solve the practical problems the most engineers and users face in laser beam cutting technology (LBC) process, as well as to maximize LBC manufacturing system performance and to determine the values of the process parameters that will reach the desired product quality.
The Long-run Performance of Chinese Private Firm IPOs

This paper examines the three-year long run performance of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the Chinese stock markets from 2002 to 2012. We find that private firm IPO long-term returns are significantly higher than those of non-private firms, measured by both cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) and buy-and-hold abnormal returns (BHARs). Furthermore, the long-term performance of IPOs in the Chinese stock markets seems to have a significant upward tendency after the Non-tradable share (NTS) reform launched in 2005. However, private firm IPO long-run outperformance has experienced a diminishing increase after the NTS reform. This result indicates that state-owned enterprises turn to be more market-oriented after the NTS reform.
Blockade of LAG-3 Immune Checkpoint Combined With Therapeutic Vaccination Restore the Function of Tissue-Resident Anti-viral CD8+ T Cells and Protect Against Recurrent Ocular Herpes Simplex Infection and Disease

Recurrent viral diseases often occur after the viruses evade the hosts' immune system, by inducing exhaustion of antiviral T cells. In the present study, we found that functionally exhausted herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) -specific CD8+ T cells, with elevated expression of lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint receptor that promotes T cell exhaustion, were frequent in symptomatic (SYMP) patients with a history of numerous episodes of recurrent corneal herpetic disease. Similarly, following UV-B induced virus reactivation from latency the symptomatic wild-type (WT) B6 mice that developed increase virus shedding and severe recurrent corneal herpetic disease had more exhausted HSV-specific LAG-3+CD8+ T cells in both trigeminal ganglia (TG) and cornea. Moreover, a therapeutic blockade of LAG-3 immune checkpoint with antagonist antibodies combined with a therapeutic immunization with gB498−505 peptide immunodominant epitope of latently infected B6 mice significantly restored the quality and quantity of functional HSV-1 gB498−505 specific CD8+ T cells in both TG and cornea and protected against UV-B induced recurrent corneal herpes infection and disease. In contrast to dysfunctional HSV-specific CD8+ T cells from WT B6 mice, more functional HSV-specific CD8+ T cells were detected in LAG-3−/− deficient mice and were associated with less UV-B induced recurrent corneal herpetic disease. Thus, the LAG-3 pathway plays a fundamental role in ocular herpes T cell immunopathology and provides an important immune checkpoint target that can synergizes with T cell-based therapeutic vaccines against symptomatic recurrent ocular herpes.
Redefining the Border line of the Neka River's Watershed with Comparing ASTER, SRTM, Digital Topography DEM, and Topographic Map by GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques

The accurate and precise calculation of the area for land features has a key role in the estimating the change detection of land uses and the classification of geomorphologic units as well as in the evaluating of land use. In particular, the delineation of borders between watersheds is a base in hydrologic analysis. Recent advances in spatial tools of GIS environment and the availability of various remotely-sensed data make the reliable determining of topographical boundaries possible. So an integrated approach of data analysis and modeling can accomplish the task of delineation. The main aim in this research is to evaluate the delineation method of watershed boundary by using four different digital elevation models (DEM) including ASTER, SRTM, Digital Topography, and Topographic maps. In order to determine a true reference of boundary of watershed, sample data were also obtained by field survey and using GPS. The comparison reference points and the results of these data showed the average distance difference between reference boundary and the result of ASTER data was 43 meters. However the average distance between GPS reference and the other data was high; the difference between the reference data and SRTM was 307m, and for Digital Topographic map, it was 269m. The average distance between Topographic map and the GPS points differed 304 meters as well. For the statistical analysis of comparison, the coordinates of 230 points were determined; the paired comparisons were also performed to measure the coefficient of determination, R 2 , as well as the analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS. As a result, the R 2 values for the ASTER data with the Digital Topography and Topographic map were 0.0157 and 0.171, respectively. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in distances among the four means of the selected models. Therefore, considering other three methods, the ASTER DEM is the most suitable applicable data to delineate the borders of watersheds, especially in rugged terrains. In addition, the calculated flow directions of stream based on ASTER are close to natural tributaries as well as real positions of streams.
Salient characters of Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations in highly infested areas in Sri Lanka

Abstract. Weedy rice (WR) was first reported in 1990 and it is occurring with varying population densities in all agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka. The identification of WR eco-types using agro-morphological characters which vary with time and remains as a major problem among the farmers and the agronomists. The WR population possesses a number of pleisomorphic (primitive) and apomorphic (derived) characters. This study focuses on identification of primitive and derived characters observed in WR. The identification of the salient trends of specialization of characters in WR populations facilitates the understanding of the rate diversification of WR populations. Seeds of presumed WR eco-types were collected from five different locations in Kurunegala and Matara districts. Five replicates with three plants of each eco-type were planted in plastic pots with representative paddy soils from each location. Replicates were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Agro-morphological characterization (using thirty characters) of WR eco-types, wild rice and cultivated rice varieties were made using a Standard Characterization Catalogue. The collected data were separated into nominal and scalar variables and the nominal data were used to construct Classification and Regression Trees using CART algorithm. The long-fully awned and absence of awn were pleisomorphic characters and short-fully awned and long-partly awned characters were apomorphic in WR eco-type populations in Sri Lanka. These characters could be hypothesized as derived from mixing of germplasm either of cultivated or wild rice varieties indicating the possibilities of cross-pollination among wild, cultivated and weedy rice eco-types. Keywords. Agro-morphological, Oryza sativa f. spontanea , salient trends, Weedy rice.
Moderating Effect of Self-Efficacy in the Mediating Effect of Self-Regulation on Students’ Academic Performance

In this study, the mediating effect of self regulation on self-efficacy – academic performance relationship was proposed to be further moderated by self-efficacy. Four hundred and sixty seven secondary school students drawn from schools in an education zone of Ogun State, Nigeria took part in the study. Data were collected using three validated scales and academic records of students. Analysis was carried out on SPSS version 21 using the moderated mediation macro (model 1) developed by Hayes (2013). Results indicated that there were significant and positive relationships between self-efficacy, self-regulation and academic performance. Results indicated that the indirect effect of self-efficacy on academic performance through self-regulation is conditioned on self-efficacy. Implications for theory, research and intervention programmes were stressed. Key Words : Self regulation; Self-efficacy; Academic performance; Students; Moderated mediation effects
Evaluation of advanced wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines for stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) resistance and yield

Stem rust disease caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp tritici is a major challenge to wheat (Triticum aestivum) production in Kenya and other wheat growing countries of Africa and Asia. The current study aimed at evaluating sixty four wheat genotypes for stem rust resistance at seedling stage in a greenhouse; as well assessing the genotypes for stability in adult plant resistance to stem rust and yield across three sites in Kenya in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Seedling disease Infection Type (IT) ranged from “0” (immune) to “4” (susceptible), while adult plant infection assessed by disease Coefficient of Infection (CI) and Area Under Disease Progress Stairs (AUDPS) ranged from means of 0.2 to 1.7 and 30.2 to 1174.2, respectively. Mean grain yield ranged from 2.0 to 7.8 t ha -1 . Genotype, location and genotype × location interaction for the AUDPS, CI, and yield were significant (P  0.01). There was a significant (P  0.01) linear and inverse relation of grain yield to AUDPS and CI. Considering the disease response, yield potential, and yield stability, genotypes KSL 42 and KSL 3 were consistently well ranked. These genotypes are suitable candidates for utilization in yield and stem rust resistance improvement programs in Kenya and potentially in other major wheat growing areas in Kenya and potentially in other major wheat growing areas globally, where stem rust is significant.
Influence of the electrode gap separation on the pseudospark-sourced electron beam generation

Pseudospark-sourced electron beam is a self-focused intense electron beam which can propagate without any external focusing magnetic field. This electron beam can drive a beam-wave interaction directly or after being post-accelerated. It is especially suitable for terahertz radiation generation due to the ability of a pseudospark discharge to produce small size in the micron range and very high current density and bright electron beams. In this paper, a single-gap pseudospark discharge chamber has been built and tested with several electrode gap separations to explore the dependence of the pseudospark-sourced electron beam current on the discharge voltage and the electrode gap separation. Experimental results show that the beam pulses have similar pulse width and delay time from the distinct drop of the applied voltage for smaller electrode gap separations but longer delay time for the largest gap separation used in the experiment. It has been found that the electron beam only starts to occur when the cha.
An Irreversible Transition towards Multicore Platform in Safety-critical Domain for the Aviation Industries

In modern safety-related application domains, the shift from unicore to multicore processors is becoming inevitable to keep pace with the growing importance of computational capacity and to satisfy the functional consolidation trend while decreasing energy consumption and thermal hotspots. Nevertheless, typical multicore processors are mostly intended to enhance the system performance, whereas safety-critical systems (SCS) have very different demands in terms of safety, reliability, quality of service, predictability and timing correctness. Hence, the move towards multicore processors imposes many signiﬁcant challenges the computing industry has to tackle. These challenges are involved in designing of certiﬁable multicore architectures, the organization of common resources and assimilation of concurrent software. Hence, these are encountered at all phases of the specification, design, development, testing, and certification processes. Hence, both multicore industrialists and the real-time community have to fill the gap to meet the requirements enforced by SCS. The objective of this paper is to initiate such a discussion as an effort to fill the gap between the two domains and to substantially increase the cognizance of the obstacles and issues that need to be handled in the safety-critical domain.
Comparative In vitro study of antimicrobial activities of flower and whole plant of Jasminum officinale against some human pathogenic microbes

Jasminum officinale Linn. (Chameli / Yasmine; Oleaceae), is native to temperate region and cultivated in France, Italy, China, India and Pakistan. Plant is documented to possess beneficial effect in impotence, menstrual disorder, mental depression, analgesic, antispasmodic galactogogue, antiseptic and skin disease etc,. Although, previous studies have documented the antimicrobial study of this plant, while, this work is designated to evaluate and compare the specific antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts (methanol, DCM) of the flowers and whole plant (leaves, barks and roots), in order to know the best extract and plant part having the beneficial activity against specific microorganisms. In-vitro , antimicrobial tests were performed by adopting disc diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria species of both G +ve strains, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, G -ve strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae and two species of fungi ( Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger), on nutrient agar and sabouraud dextrose agar respectively, to analyze the percentage zone of inhibition at the concentration range of 100 mg/ml of the extract by comparing with various standard antibiotic discs (10 ? g/disc). Whole plant extract (methanol) showed significant antimicrobial activity with relative percentage of inhibition of 83.60 (G +ve), 70.25 (G-ve) and 61.15 (fungi) while flowers extract (methanol) showed 64.30, 51.88 and 51.97 relative percentage of inhibition against G +ve, G -ve and fungi respectively. Whereas, DCM extract of flowers and whole plant showed the moderate antimicrobial activity as compared with methanolic extract of flowers and whole plant respectively. Modified agar well diffusion method was adopted to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration. From the present study, it can be inferred that the antimicrobial activity varies from part to part of plant and solvent used, so whole plant extract can be further investigated to discover antibacterial agent for developing new pharmaceuticals to control studied human pathogenic bacteria for the severe illness. Keywords : Jasminum officinale , Methanol Extract, Dichloromethane Extract, Antimicrobial Activity, Disc Diffusion Method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration