Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sheep and Goat Grazing Effects on Three Atlantic Heathland Types

Abstract Heathlands in the northwest of Spain have been traditionally used by domestic herbivores as a food resource. However, their abandonment in the past decades has promoted a high incidence of wildfires, threatening biodiversity. Sheep and goats exhibit different grazing behavior, affecting rangelands dynamics in a different way, but the botanical and structural composition may also affect such dynamics. The aim of this article was to compare the grazing effects of sheep and goats on three different heathland types: previously burned grass- or gorse (Ulex gallii Planchon)-dominated and unburned heather (Erica spp.)-dominated shrublands. Two grazing treatments (sheep or goats) were applied in each vegetation type in a factorial design with two replicates (12 experimental plots). A small fenced area was excluded from grazing in each plot (control treatment). The experiment was carried out from 2003 to 2006, and the grazing season extended from May to October–November. Plant cover, canopy height, and phytomass amount and composition were assessed in each plot. Results showed that goats controlled shrub encroachment, phytomass accumulation, and canopy height more than sheep in either burned grass– and gorse– and unburned heather–dominated shrublands. It was accompanied by a higher increase of herbaceous species under goat grazing. Nevertheless, plant dynamics showed different trends between the three vegetation types studied. Grazing effects were more important in previously burned grass-dominated heathlands than in unburned heather-dominated shrublands. At the end of the experiment (May 2006), shrub cover, height, and woody phytomass were significantly higher in the ungrazed enclosures than in the grazed plots. Small ruminant grazing, especially with goats, is proposed as an efficient tool to reduce shrub encroachment and woody phytomass accumulation in heathlands, thus reducing fire hazard, although these grazing effects depend on heathland composition.
Online Ventricular Segmentation System Based on Machine Learning

With the continuous expansion of China's medical rigid demand and the imbalance between supply and demand caused by insufficient medical resources, this gap provides an entry point for the combination of the Internet and the medical industry. As a result, network medical care has gradually entered people's attention. Therefore, this paper designs a network-based ventricular segmentation system that will be trained. The ventricular segmentation model is placed in the cloud, and the user only needs to input the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Image (CMRI) through the network terminal to obtain the detection result. The model introduces the Mask R-CNN algorithm based on deep learning into the research of nuclear magnetic image edge detection, trying to solve the problem of less image, difficult marking and low edge precision. Ventricular segmentation is performed through a deep learning network. Thereby it improves the accuracy of CMRI edge detection.
Comparison of donepezil and riluzole in improving spatial memory of male Wistar rats

Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder and the major cause of dementia and cognitive deficits in the elderly. Riluzole modulates glutamate concentration and improves memory performance in aged rats and may be of benefit in AD. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. In this study, we compared their effects on attenuation of learning and memory deficits in a rat model of AD. Materials and Methods: Scopolamine injection for 14 consecutive days induced memory impairment. Effect of riluzole on this impaired memory was evaluated by Morris water maze protocols: accusation phase and probe trial test. Adult male Wistar rats (250–300g) were trained for 4 consecutive days, 24 hours after last scopolamine injection. Spatial memory and learning index (%) were measured depending on the time taken to find the platform and the time utilized in the target quadrant (Q2). The time/distance was measured by the computer. Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc. Results: Riluzole was effective in the treatment of memory impairment of scopolamine-injected group. The riluzole-treated group, on test day, showed better spatial memory rather than scopolamine-treated group. Besides, learning index (%) improvement was significantly higher in the riluzole-treated group, rather than scopolamine-injected group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that riluzole administration at the same time with scopolamine injection or after it causes marked improvements in learning index during training days and the spatial memory on the test day. Therefore, this study strengthens the hypothesis that acute riluzole treatment is capable of treatment of diseases related to memory impairment such as AD.
An Econometric Analysis of the Operating Profit of Romanian Companies

This paper aims to contribute to the empirical literature by employing a panel data model for analysing the connection between operating profit of Romanian companies and the turnover, tangible assets, payrolls, stocks and cash. We find that the companies with a higher turnover recorded better economic results and an increased payroll is associated with a decline in economic performance. Likewise, companies that have the cash and / or tangible assets registered superior performance, while growth in stocks is accompanied by lower economic performance of the companies. Sectorial data confirm these results.
Measurement of the Wheelchair-Operating Time Spent by Stroke Patients Using a New Triaxial Accelerometer System

Purpose: We investigated the validity of a triaxial accelerometer system for measuring the time spent lying down, sitting, standing, walking, and operating a wheelchair by control subjects and stroke patients in a convalescence ward. Methods: Physical activities were measured using a new triaxial accelerometer system (A-MES; Activity Monitoring and Evaluation System) that consists of two sensors, a station, and analytical software used with a personal computer. In Experiment 1, the times that the healthy subjects (n = 12) spent operating a wheelchair, lying down, sitting, standing, and walking were measured both by the A-MES and by videotaping (video time). In Experiment 2, the amounts of time spent by the stroke patients not able to walk without support (n = 30) as they were lying down, sitting, standing, walking, and operating a wheelchair were measured by the A-MES. Results: The time spent operating a wheelchair measured with the A-MES was significantly correlated with the video time in the healthy subjects. The stroke patients’ average times (minutes) of total, operating a wheelchair, lying down, sitting, standing, and walking were 601.0 ± 18.1, 57.1 ± 28.8, 265.0 ± 86.3, 263.3 ± 60.6, 7.8 ± 7.0, and 7.7 ± 6.0, respectively. Conclusions: The A-MES accurately evaluated the stroke patients’ time spent operating a wheelchair. The stroke patients’ mean time spent operating a wheelchair over the course of one day was 57.1 ± 28.8 min in a Center for Rehabilitation.
A location-constrained crowdsensing task allocation method for improving user satisfaction

Mobile crowdsensing is a special data collection manner which collects data by smart phones taken by people every day. It is essential to pick suitable workers for different outdoor tasks. Constrained by participants’ locations and their daily travel rules, they are likely to accomplish light outdoor tasks by their way without extra detours. Previous researchers found that people prefer to accomplish a certain number of tasks at a time; thus, we focus on assigning light outdoor tasks to workers by considering two optimization objectives, including (1) maximizing the ratio of light tasks for different workers and (2) maximizing the worker’s satisfaction on assigned tasks. This task allocation problem is a non-deterministic polynomial-time-hard due to two reasons, that is, tasks and workers are many-to-many relationships and workers move from different places to different places. Considering both optimization objectives, we design the global-optimizing task allocation algorithm, which greedily selects the most appropriate participant until either no participant can be chosen or no tasks can be assigned. For the purpose of emulating real scenarios, different scales of maps, tasks, and workers are simulated to evaluate algorithms. Experimental results verify that the proposed global-optimizing method outperforms baselines on both maximization objectives.
Americas Conference on Information Systems ( AMCIS ) 8-2010 Product Uncertainty in Online Marketplaces in China : An Econometric Model Yili

Most studies on online marketplaces focus on seller uncertainty and rely on data from online marketplaces in the U.S. This paper extends this literature by focusing on product uncertainty and defining its two dimensions description uncertainty (identifying the product‘s characteristics) and fit uncertainty (matching product characteristics with the buyer’s needs). It also examines the distinction, relationship, and relative effects of the two dimensions of product uncertainty on actual product returns, and how online marketplaces can use IT-enabled mechanisms to mitigate product uncertainty. The proposed hypotheses are tested with data from 144 buyers in Taobao’s online marketplace in China using an econometric model. The results stress the role of product presentations in reducing description uncertainty and of online communication, both between the buyer and the seller and also among buyers, in reducing fit uncertainty. The paper draws implications for reducing product uncertainty in online marketplaces with the aid of IT.
Consumption of Green Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) Improves Lipid, Hepatic, and Hematological Profiles of Rats That Are Submitted to Long-Term Androgenic Stimulation

Indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids is associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and arterial obstruction. Furthermore, high levels of androgens increase hepatic toxicity and the risk of cancer. Contrastingly, green tea prevents and controls cardiovascular and hepatic diseases, as it can improve the lipid profile and reduce inflammation and effects of oxidative stress. This study will evaluate benefits of green tea consumption, to attenuate systemic damage caused by supraphysiological doses of testosterone, by analyzing the lipid, biochemical, and hematological profiles of 28 42-day-old male Wistar rats. Silicone pellets containing testosterone in proportion were surgically implanted and replaced in these rats every four weeks, and they received casein-based control feed and water or green tea for hydration. After 20 weeks, all the male rats were anesthetized and their blood samples collected for the analysis of their biochemical and hematological profiles. Although the high hormone concentration had a negative influence on the lipid profile of these animals, the groups that consumed green tea exhibited a reduction in serum triglycerides (62%), Low Density Lipoprotein (76%), and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (45%). Tea consumption also led to a significant reduction in total cholesterol (32% in the green tea control group and 45% in the green tea-induced group), without changing the High Density Lipoprotein fraction. Only the green tea-induced group manifested a reduction in the total concentration of serum proteins. A fall in serum albumin was observed in the green tea-induced groups (2.3 g/dL) compared to control groups (2.9 g/dL). The induced group presented elevation in hematocrit, erythrocytosis, and leukocytosis in contrast to the green tea-induced group. The green tea control group maintained erythrocytosis, but without any other potentially harmful effect. A 30% increase in lymphocyte population in the induced group was observed. There was no difference in the platelet count of these rodents. Hepatic enzymes were also shown to have increased in the induced group, indicating hepatic injury in this group due to exposure to testosterone. This effect was reversed in the tea groups. From this, its possible to reach the conclusion that consumption of green tea shields the lipid profile, proteins, liver enzymes and hematological profile, thus reducing risk factors related to the supraphysiological doses of testosterone.
School Leadership Role in a Conflict and Post-Conflict Environment School Reconstruction as a Professional Learning Community

Understanding the role school leadership plays in rebuilding schools as professional learning communities is a crucial step forward in tackling the numerous challenges of conflict and post-conflict school reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to find out the role school leadership plays in a conflict and post-conflict environment school reconstruction as a professional learning community. Qualitative research method was used and the data were collected using interviews. The major findings included a shared supportive leadership that worked collaboratively with other stakeholders to overcome its challenges, provided the needed supportive conditions and reforms and overcame its psychological challenges. This article challenges schools and all those involved in education in conflict and post-conflict societies to rethink their school improvement strategies.
YOGIC MANAGEMENT FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM: A CASE STUDY

The thyroid is butterfly shaped gland, and theÂ pituitary glandÂ (another gland located in the brain) regulates it. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) refers to any state in which a person'sÂ thyroid hormoneÂ production is below normal. In Modern medicine Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid, others). A patient might become dependent on these drugs for life. We present a case where a patient was suffering from hypothyroidism for the last 6 months and got positive results by integrated approach with yoga therapy. The Patient was suffering for hypothyroidism with TSH level of 36.6. After the end of the yoga therapy the TSH level was reduced to 5.82. The patient did not undergo treatment with modern medicine.
Recent advances in the improvement of enzyme thermostability by structure modification

Abstract Thermostability is considered to be an important parameter to measure the feasibility of enzymes for industrial applications. Generally, higher thermostability makes an enzyme more competitive and desirable in industry. However, most natural enzymes show poor thermostability, which restricts their application. Protein structure modification is a desirable method to improve enzyme properties. In recent years, tremendous progress has been achieved in protein thermostability engineering. In this review, we provide a systemic overview on the approaches of protein structure modification for the improvement of enzyme thermostability during the last decade. Structure modification approaches, including the introduction of non-covalent interactions and covalent bonds, increase of proline and/or decrease in glycine, reinforcement of subunit–subunit interactions, introduction of glycosylation sites, truncation and cyclization have been highlighted.
Design of 1-Bit Circularly Polarized Electronically Scanned Reflectarray Antenna at 100 GHz Based on Liquid Crystals

In this paper, the design method for a circularly polarized one-bit electronically scanned reflectarray antenna working at 100 GHz based on liquid crystal (LC) is proposed. The phase shifting element supporting circular polarization is first designed and investigated. Under the control of the driving voltage, the reflection phase of the array element can be switched between 0 and 180 degrees with the change of the LC molecules’ state. Consequently, a circularly polarized beam scanning reflectarray is realized by the phase shifting elements periodically arranged on a plane and illuminated by a feeding horn antenna. Numerical simulations are conducted to demonstrate the reflectarray antenna’s performance. Results show that, with the one-bit phase shifting resolution, the antenna achieves the beam scanning range from -30 degrees to -10 degrees while the gain reaches up to more than 20 dB and the axial ratio keeps less than 3 dB.
Detection of Trypanosoma spp. in Bandicota indica from the Thai-Myanmar border area, Mae Sot District Tak Province, Thailand

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of trypanosome infection and their phylogeny in Bandicota indica rats from the cadmium-contaminated area of Mae Sot and the Myanmar border. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 100 animals, and parasite infection was examined by light microscopy observation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies. Results: Trypanosoma spp. infection was found in 20% of the thin blood smear samples. PCR showed positive 623 bp DNA bands in 21 samples (21%). The sequencing analysis showed that all of the samples (100%) had the Trypanasoma lewisi 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these 16 isolates of Trypanosoma spp. were closely related to Trypanasoma lewisi. Conclusions: Molecular detection using PCR is as effective as conventional light microscopy analysis. This study confirms that trypanosomal infection in rodents is still high; therefore, fleas as their vectors need to be controlled in order to prevent transmission to humans.
Expression , purification , crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus P 1

Citation for published version: Sinchaikul, S, Tyndall, JDA, Fothergill-Gilmore, LA, Taylor, P, Phutrakul, S, Chen, ST & Walkinshaw, MD 2002, 'Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus P1' Acta Crystallographica Section D-Biological Crystallography, vol. 58, no. Pt 1, pp. 182-185. DOI: 10.1107/S0907444901015803
Do Guaranteed-Low-Price Policies Guarantee High Prices, and Can Antitrust Rise to the Challenge?

Price-matching policies can be highly anticompetitive. They allow firms to raise their prices above competitive levels by discriminating in price between informed and uninformed customers. The resulting high prices can persist even when new firms enter the industry, a fact that gives price matching the potential to be much more socially costly than an ordinary monopoly or cartel. At the same time, widespread entry implies that the agreement among sellers that is typical of a Sherman Act price-fixing case may be absent. This article argues that there is nonetheless an analogy between a seller offering (and agreeing) to match a price for a buyer and other buyer-seller agreements that violate the Sherman Act. This article also considers a wholly new avenue for attacking price matching, asking whether the price discrimination involved in matching violates the unfair-competition or price-discrimination laws. In so doing, this article examines whether price matchers should be able to protect themselves from such an attack with a "meeting competition" defense. Breaking with conventional wisdom, this article concludes that the defense should be rejected in cases in which meeting competition may significantly injure competition among sellers.
Joint learning of Siamese network with top-down modulation and hard example mining for visual tracking

Abstract. The development of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has facilitated a type of Siamese network-based tracking methods. Such kind of trackers generally include two basic modules, i.e., the appearance model for target representation and the discriminative classifier to determine the location. In the existing methods, much attention has been paid on feature fusion for more robust appearance representation. However, they ignore the intrinsic relationship between features from multiple layers. Furthermore, the problem of data imbalance between positive and negative samples in offline training limits the discriminative ability of the CNN-based classifier. We investigate the joint learning of representation and discriminative classifier under the Siamese network for robust tracking. We integrate the top-down modulation for feature fusion by considering the intrinsic relationship between features from different layers. To solve the data imbalance problem, we propose an advanced hinge loss objective function to mine the hard examples in offline training, which helps to improve the robustness of the similarity measure. Experimental results on the public tracking benchmark datasets show that the proposed method obtains favorable tracking accuracy against the state-of-the-art trackers with a real-time tracking speed.
Duisenberg and Trichet: Measures of their Degree of Conservatism

This paper suggests, on the basis of the New Keynesian model, a measure of the degree of conservatism of the European Central Banker. At first, we notice that the appointment of the President of the European Central Bank was made after substantive disagreements about the degree of conservatism (institutional and personal) of the candidates. Secondly, we apply this measure to the change of presidency (from Duisenberg to Trichet) in order to explore the possibility of a step change in the conduct of the ECB's monetary policy. Finally, our results show that once appointed, the two Central Bankers adapted to the institutional framework in which they made decisions.
ANALYSIS OF AIRPORT ACCESS MODE CHOICE: A CASE STUDY IN HONG KONG

The increasing demand on air traffic has resulted in a growing concern in ground access to the Hong Kong International Airport by the Airport Authority Hong Kong together with various types of transport operators. In this study, the ground access mode choices to the airport are examined with the objectives of categorising the service performance both expected and received by passengers. Focus is on air passengers departing Hong Kong, exclude arriving and transfer/transit passengers. In an attempt to understand their access mode choices, interview surveys have been conducted. A structural equation model has been calibrated to determine how various personal and trip characteristics affect departing air passengers' modal choices. Latent variables regarding departing air passengers' expectation and perception on selected service attributes of the modal choices are considered in the analysis. The gap between passengers' service expectations and the actual service perceived to be happening were examined, while importance-performance analysis was used to construct evaluation maps to identify those service attributes necessitating improvement. The results provide source information for various types of transport operators in their quest to improve their individual services and increase their share of the airport ground access market.