Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicriteria Analysis For Water Productivity in the Jordan Valley

Abstract Multiple variables associated with agricultural sector, including crop water consumption, salinity tolerance, marketing, evapotranspiration and other factors related to industrial sector, were incorporated into a multi-criteria analysis (MCA). The MCA utilized Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) which resulted in the prioritization of water use for management in the Jordan Valley. The inputs to the MCA were generated through metrological variables for the Jordan Valley for the period 1980 to 1999. Soil data and crop data were evaluated using the EVAPOT program, the KCISA program, and the ISAREG model to estimate reference evapotranspiration, crop coefficiency, crop water requirement, and calculations of water productivity for agricultural and industrial sectors. The results of the MCA make recommendations for enhancing long-term sustainability of water resources in the Jordan Valley, while allowing for water utilization and economic growth. The MCA ranked the date palm as the highest priority crop with respect to the goal of sustainable agricultural use of water. Apparel manufacturing was the most sustainable industry. Overall, the industrial sector seems to perform better with regards to water productivity than the agricultural sector. It can be concluded that the MCA tool and ISAREG model are potentially positive contributions to the process of decision- making for selection and ranking of alternatives for help in solving problems that include conflicting criteria.
Trial of prevention and reduction of obesity through active living in clinical settings: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of physical activity with a healthful diet to reduce obesity is established; however, little is known about the translation of effective lifestyle strategies for obesity reduction in primary care settings. METHODS We assessed the effectiveness of a 2-year behaviorally based physical activity and diet program implemented entirely within clinical practices to reduce obesity. A total of 490 sedentary, obese adults were randomized to usual care (n = 241) or to the behavioral intervention (n = 249). The usual care group received advice from their physicians about lifestyle as a strategy for obesity reduction. The behavioral intervention included individual counseling from health educators to promote physical activity with a healthful diet. The primary outcome was change in waist circumference (WC). RESULTS A total of 396 participants completed the trial (80.8%). A significant main effect was observed for WC change within the intervention compared with usual care (P < .001) that was sustained at 24 months (mean [SE], -0.9 [0.4] vs 0.2 [0.4] cm; P = .05). Secondary analyses revealed significant main effects for change in WC in men (P = .009) and women (P = .02). In men, the mean (SE) reduction in WC at 24 months was greater with behavioral intervention compared with usual care (-1.6 [0.6] vs 0.1 [0.6] cm; P = .049). In women, the behavioral intervention was associated with differences in WC compared with usual care at 6 and 12 months (P ≤ .01) but not at 24 months (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS Behavioral intervention in clinical settings is associated with modest reductions in WC during a 2-year study in obese patients. However, the effectiveness of the intervention is restricted to men. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00665158.
The Human SWI-SNF Complex Protein p270 Is an ARID Family Member with Non-Sequence-Specific DNA Binding Activity

ABSTRACT p270 is an integral member of human SWI-SNF complexes, first identified through its shared antigenic specificity with p300 and CREB binding protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of p270 reported here indicates that it is a member of an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins distinguished by the presence of a DNA binding motif termed ARID (AT-rich interactive domain). The ARID consensus and other structural features are common to both p270 and yeast SWI1, suggesting that p270 is a human counterpart of SWI1. The approximately 100-residue ARID sequence is present in a series of proteins strongly implicated in the regulation of cell growth, development, and tissue-specific gene expression. Although about a dozen ARID proteins can be identified from database searches, to date, only Bright (a regulator of B-cell-specific gene expression), dead ringer (a Drosophila melanogastergene product required for normal development), and MRF-2 (which represses expression from the cytomegalovirus enhancer) have been analyzed directly in regard to their DNA binding properties. Each binds preferentially to AT-rich sites. In contrast, p270 shows no sequence preference in its DNA binding activity, thereby demonstrating that AT-rich binding is not an intrinsic property of ARID domains and that ARID family proteins may be involved in a wider range of DNA interactions.
Relationship Marketing and Information and Communication Technologies: Analysis of Retail Travel Agencies

The development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has had profound effects in goods and services marketing. In particular, the advent of electronic commerce has forced companies to face new types of competition and customer relationship management to survive in markets. This study analyzes the Internet's effect as a new distribution channel on traditional retail travel agencies and evaluates the opportunities it offers them, dispelling the idea that it is a threat. The effect of ICTs on customers' trust is also examined, and the results open ways to improve the management of business relationships with customers.
A Prospective Study Comparing Video Capsule Endoscopy with Double-Balloon Enteroscopy in Patients with Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding

OBJECTIVE:Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding from jejunal and ileal lesions remains undiagnosed using traditional imaging techniques (radiologic, endoscopic). This prospective study compares the diagnostic detection rate of small-bowel lesions using wireless video capsule endoscopy (VCE) with the detection rate using double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). Tolerance, adverse events, endoscopic interventions, and prognosis were described as secondary aims.METHODS:Thirty-five consecutive patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were evaluated (22 males and 13 females; mean age 63.2 yr; range, 19–86 yr). The detection rates of the Given M2A wireless VCE and DBE were compared.RESULTS:Small-bowel abnormalities were detected using VCE in 28 (80%) of the 35 patients with OGIB, compared with 21 (60%) of the 35 patients using DBE (P = 0.01). Both examinations were well tolerated, but VCE was more acceptable to patients. No major adverse event occurred after either examination. Biopsies (n = 27), argon plasma coagulation (n = 19), tattoo injection (n = 8), and polypectomy (n = 2) were feasible with DBE when indicated in 27 of the 35 patients (77%). During a median (range) follow-up period of 5 (2–12) months, 26 (74%) patients remained clinically stable and did not require blood transfusions after DBE procedures. Eighteen (51%) of those who remained clinically stable had received APC therapy.CONCLUSIONS:High detection rates of the causes of OGIB are feasible with VCE and DBE. Although the detection rate of VCE was superior, our results indicate that the procedures are complementary; an initial diagnostic imaging employing VCE might be followed by therapeutic and interventional DBE.
The Pricing of Contingent Claims in Discrete Time Models

return. A risk neutral valuation relationship depends only upon potentially observable parameters and it is extremely significant that such a relationship can be derived from only weak assumptions about investor preferences, for, as Merton [10] has observed: "An exact formula for an asset price, based on observable variables only, is a rare finding in a general equilibrium model . ". RNVRs have been derived from two quite different general classes of model: the first class places no restrictions on investor preferences beyond the assumption of non-satiety, but assumes that asset trading takes place continuously, while the second class of model places stronger restrictions on investor preferences but makes the more general assumption that asset trading takes place at discrete intervals.2 From the assumption of non-satiety alone, the only results which can be obtained are those which depend upon the absence of riskless arbitrage opportunities. In the case in which trading takes place continuously, both the underlying asset and the contingent claim are traded assets and at least one of them is infinitely divisible, and the price dynamics of the underlying asset can be de
International Comparisons of Supply Chain Management in Grocery Retailing

This paper discusses a neglected area of international retailing research, namely an international comparison of supply chain management practices. The focus of this research is on the grocery industry sector and the comparative analysis is between US retailers and their counterparts in parts of Europe. The research shows that the logistical environment differs markedly between and even within countries. The amount of stock held in the grocery supply chain varies from over 100 days in the US to 29 days in the UK. The main reasons for these differences can be attributed to the intensity of price competition, conflict rather than collaboration between suppliers and retailers, commodity purchasing and holding of promotional stock and the varying rates of adoption of information technology, especially EDI usage. No two countries are the same, however; and range of factors such as geography and distribution ‘culture’ will require the international rnarketeer to assess all these factors in developing a logistic.
Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-Sell?

Two prevailing views of ecotourism relate to conservation and marketing perspectives. Unfortunately, the latter often exploits growing consumer interest in "green" products, through "eco-sell. " Ecotourism would benefit from product and performance stan dards and an ethics-based orientation. Ifproperly managed, conservation and ecotourism can be compatible, complementary, and sustainable.
Mechanism of RNA polymerase II stalling by DNA alkylation

Significance RNA polymerase II (Pol II) catalyzes the transcription of DNA to RNA in the nucleus. DNA alkylating cancer drugs can stall transcription; however, the basis for Pol II stalling when encountering a DNA template with minor-groove alkylation adducts has remained elusive due to its inherent chemical instability. We characterized the behavior of Pol II in transcription over minor-groove alkylation adducts and uncovered a previously unobserved mode of Pol II stalling wherein clashes between DNA adducts and the mobile trigger loop of RNA Pol II prevent translocation of the enzyme after nucleotide insertion. These results provide a molecular basis for how DNA damage in transcribed portions of the genome initiates DNA repair contributing to drug resistance. Several anticancer agents that form DNA adducts in the minor groove interfere with DNA replication and transcription to induce apoptosis. Therapeutic resistance can occur, however, when cells are proficient in the removal of drug-induced damage. Acylfulvenes are a class of experimental anticancer agents with a unique repair profile suggesting their capacity to stall RNA polymerase (Pol) II and trigger transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair. Here we show how different forms of DNA alkylation impair transcription by RNA Pol II in cells and with the isolated enzyme and unravel a mode of RNA Pol II stalling that is due to alkylation of DNA in the minor groove. We incorporated a model for acylfulvene adducts, the stable 3-deaza-3-methoxynaphtylethyl-adenosine analog (3d-Napht-A), and smaller 3-deaza-adenosine analogs, into DNA oligonucleotides to assess RNA Pol II transcription elongation in vitro. RNA Pol II was strongly blocked by a 3d-Napht-A analog but bypassed smaller analogs. Crystal structure analysis revealed that a DNA base containing 3d-Napht-A can occupy the +1 templating position and impair closing of the trigger loop in the Pol II active center and polymerase translocation into the next template position. These results show how RNA Pol II copes with minor-groove DNA alkylation and establishes a mechanism for drug resistance.
Making literature reviews more reliable through application of lessons from systematic reviews

Review articles can provide valuable summaries of the ever‐increasing volume of primary research in conservation biology. Where findings may influence important resource‐allocation decisions in policy or practice, there is a need for a high degree of reliability when reviewing evidence. However, traditional literature reviews are susceptible to a number of biases during the identification, selection, and synthesis of included studies (e.g., publication bias, selection bias, and vote counting). Systematic reviews, pioneered in medicine and translated into conservation in 2006, address these issues through a strict methodology that aims to maximize transparency, objectivity, and repeatability. Systematic reviews will always be the gold standard for reliable synthesis of evidence. However, traditional literature reviews remain popular and will continue to be valuable where systematic reviews are not feasible. Where traditional reviews are used, lessons can be taken from systematic reviews and applied to traditional reviews in order to increase their reliability. Certain key aspects of systematic review methods that can be used in a context‐specific manner in traditional reviews include focusing on mitigating bias; increasing transparency, consistency, and objectivity, and critically appraising the evidence and avoiding vote counting. In situations where conducting a full systematic review is not feasible, the proposed approach to reviewing evidence in a more systematic way can substantially improve the reliability of review findings, providing a time‐ and resource‐efficient means of maximizing the value of traditional reviews. These methods are aimed particularly at those conducting literature reviews where systematic review is not feasible, for example, for graduate students, single reviewers, or small organizations.
Sustaining development through market orientation: a study of healthcare sector of United Arab Emirates

In recent years, the sustainability-based view of development has emerged as a major paradigm in the management literature (Rowe et al., 1994). At its most basic level, it is built upon a number of straightforward propositions. One is that it is the sustainability, which tips the balance between success and failure of a policy. A second proposition is that market orientation is an invaluable strategy and its heterogeneity leads to differential performance in the direction of sustainable development. In specific terms, market orientation can be used as a basis to explain sustainable development. A third proposition is that sustainability is not just about sustainable development of the environment. It is actually about ways to enable all people of the world to lead healthy, fulfilling, and economically secure lives without destroying the natural environment. Surely, all sectors of an economy ought to participate in the quest for attaining the avowed objective of sustainable development.
Toward a Theory of Nonprofit Institutions: An Economic Model of a Hospital

Abstract : A simple model of a hospital is developed, and its implications are considered. An attempt is made to justify the realism of the model, although it cannot be entirely realistic. To develop the model the assumption is made that hospital expenses are financed by the patient and not by a third party. Thus the model may prove applicable to other non-profit institutions where third party payments are not important, such as colleges and universities, the performing arts, and museums.
Implementation of Content Base Image Retrieval Using Clustering Technique

The purpose of this report is to describe our research and solution to the problem of designing a Content Based Image Retrieval, CBIR system. It outlines the problem, the proposed solution, the final solution and the accomplishments achieved. Due to the enormous increase in image database sizes, as well as its vast deployment in various applications, the need for CBIR development arose. Firstly, this report outlines a description of the primitive features of an image; texture, colour, and shape. These features are extracted and used as the basis for a similarity check between images. The algorithms used to calculate the similarity between extracted features, are then explained. Our final result was a built software application, with an image database, that utilized texture and colour features of the images in the database as the basis of comparison and retrieval. The structure of the final software application is illustrated. Furthermore, the results of its performance are illustrated by a detailed example.
Vermittlung von agiler Softwareentwicklung im Unterricht

Uber den Hype hinaus, der um agile Softwareentwicklung entstanden ist, zeigen verschiedene Umfragen, dass dieses Vorgehen in der Praxis in verschiedener Hinsicht tatsachlich zu Verbesserungen in der Durchfuhrung von Software-Projekten fuhrt. Firmen, die agile Methoden einsetzen, geben an, dass sie seither zufriedener mit ihrem Entwicklungsprozess sind und insbesondere der Umgang mit Anforderungsanderungen sich wesentlich verbessert hat.
A load capacitance identification algorithm for switched Mode Power Supplies

We present an algorithm for identification of the load capacitance for Switch Mode Power Supplies. The algorithm does not inject any disturbance that can cause additional noise on the output voltage of the power supply. The algorithm is computationally effective and is suitable for implementation in hardware or software. Experiments show an uncertainty of σ<inf>c</inf> = 100μF for the capacitance estimate using a current measurement with an uncertainty of σ<inf>I</inf> = 1A.
The Open Method of Coordination on Pensions: Does it De-politicise Pensions Policy?

Through the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) the EU has extended its role on pensions (that is a typical redistributive and nationally-rooted policy) while respecting national competencies and diversity. Such a governing mode is a hybrid: while OMC goes in many respects ‘beyond’ regulation, regulatory instruments are integrated in it. By shedding light on the normative and theoretical complexity of the OMC on pensions, the article analyses the conflicts of interest in the process and the main strategies for their management. The present study shows that three conflict dimensions (institutional, competence-based and ideological) are managed through two strategies: ‘participation control’ tends to structure the access to the process; ‘common knowledge production’ through reasoning and discursive decision-making tends to emphasise the role of experts. The eclectic use of both strategies confirms the hybrid nature of the OMC and the permanent tension between its supposed post-regulatory nature and the progressive specialisation and control of information that tend to exclude stakeholders and the large audience the process should mobilise.
Toward a theory of EU foreign policy-making: multi-level governance, domestic politics, and national adaptation to Europe's common foreign and security policy

The expansion of European foreign and security policy co-operation since the 1970s imposes unique requirements on European Union (EU) member states, and the co- ordination of these various obligations presents a major challenge to the EU's pursuit of a common foreign and security policy (CFSP). However, the past decade has also seen significant progress toward the multi-level governance of EU foreign policy, particularly when compared to the limited policy co-ordination of the 1970s and 1980s. This article examines the relationship between institutional development and the multi-level governance of EU foreign policy, as represented by the CFSP. In particular, it explores: (1) the extent to which the CFSP policy space can be described in terms of multi-level governance; (2) the processes by which governance mechanisms influence the domestic foreign policy cultures of EU member states; and (3) how the interaction of domestic politics and governance mechanisms produces specific policy outcomes.
Academic Casualization in Australia: Class Divisions in the University

Casualization of teaching has become a major issue in Australian universities. In 1990 casuals delivered about a tenth of all university teaching. By 2008 between a third and a half of university teaching was being delivered by casuals. Quantitative studies have assessed the scale of casualization; this qualitative study addresses the experience of casual academics. It documents a sharpening class divide among academics, which has become institutionally embedded. It reports on interviews with casual academics examining how the divide is experienced, and how it may be addressed. Academic casuals report underpayment and compromised quality; they experience persistent income insecurity; and they find themselves voiceless in the workplace. These experiences are interpreted as aspects of class subordination, and possibilities for addressing them are discussed.
Social Cohesion in Post-war Estates in the Netherlands: Differences between Socioeconomic and Ethnic Groups

In the Netherlands, the post-war housing estates are increasingly experiencing problems. Some of these relate to the concentration of households with a low socioeconomic status on these estates. The Big Cities Policy aims to improve liveability in deprived urban areas by increasing the number of high-income households and thereby decreasing the share of problem-causing households in the neighbourhood. The increased differentiation in education, ethnicity, income, home-ownership structure and lifestyle presents a challenge to social cohesion. This paper demonstrates how differences between socioeconomic and ethnic groups relate to different dimensions of social cohesion: social networks, common values and place attachment and identity. The issue is interesting since social cohesion can help enhance liveability and increase the tolerance between groups that is so often lacking in multiethnic neighbourhoods with residents from many different socioeconomic backgrounds. The paper is based on a fieldwork study undertaken on two estates in the cities of Utrecht and The Hague in the Netherlands. As expected, quantitative analyses show clear differences between native Dutch people and members of other ethnic groups. Contrary to expectations, socioeconomic characteristics do not lead on all dimensions of social cohesion to differences in the degree of social cohesion. The conclusion drawn is that increasing the diversity of socioeconomic or ethnic groups in deprived urban areas is likely to lead to less social cohesion.