Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LATERAL LINE CANAL PORES IN TWO SPECIES OF CICHLID FISHES WITH FUNCTIONALLY DISTINCT CANAL MORPHOLOGIES

The cranial lateral line system (LL) is composed of a series of bony, pored canals that are integrated within a conserved subset of dermatocranial bones. Neuromast receptor organs are located in the canals between positions of adjacent canal pores, which link the fluid within the canals to the fluid of the external environment. Among species the lateral line canals can be narrow, narrow with widened tubules, widened, branched, or reduced. The goal of this project was to examine ontogenetic trends in size and shape of canal pores within and between two cichlid species, Aulonocara stuartgranti (widened canals) and Tramitichromis sp. (narrow canals). Pore placement and size are thought to have functional implications for canal neuromast function, and therefore has implications on behavior. Thus, ontogenetic changes in pore number, size, and shape deserve study. Several hypotheses concerning ontogenetic trends in pore size, area, and inter-pore distance were tested using the pores of the supraorbital and mandibular canals. The data presented here are the first of their kind, showing ontogenetic trends of pore morphology from the larval stage (using histological analysis), through the juvenile and adult stages (using methylene blue stained and cleared and stained specimens). Results show differences in trends between species and within species among pore types (bony, epithelial) where bony pores are larger, in general, than epithelial pores and Aulonocara have larger pores than Tramitichromis. In most instances, similar trends are seen in larvae, juveniles, and young adults
Investigating Young Consumers' Perception on E-commerce: Malaysian Perspective

This research aimed to understand e-marketing aspects of luxury goods among Malaysian youth. A survey methodology using questionnaires was adopted to solicit the required information from 350 respondents. The data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis and multiple regressions to test the hypothesis. According to this research, social networking websites had a positive impact on the perception of young Malaysian consumers. The researcher concluded that social networking websites and mobile marketing are the main factors which positively influence consumers' perceptions.
Recherche de la connectivité de réseaux complexes. Application en fMRI

We consider random processes indexed by complex networks. A signal is recorded at each node of the network, and the problem adressed here is the recovery of the connectivity of the network from the signals measured. A first analysis consists in studying pairwise correlations to determine the nodes that share information. In a second step, correlated nodes are examined using partial correlation in order to eliminate cofounders. Moreover, all the analysis is performed on the wavelet coefficients for each band. The wavelet decomposition is adopted to eliminate the long memory property that characterizes the signals we study. To end, we apply the methodology to the analysis of data issued from functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
Measuring the Responsiveness of Agricultural Supply to Macro-Economic Environmental Factors: Evidence from Nigeria

Evaluating the responsiveness of agricultural supply to macro-economic environmental factors is an important step to implementing agricultural policies in Nigeria. This study investigated agricultural output responsiveness to the level of infrastructure, rate of Inflation, exchange rate volatility, and financial deepening in the sector using annual time series spanning from 1971 to 2008, and source from CBN statistical bulletin. The study through the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test of unit root shows that all variables were stationary and integrated of the same order (I(1)). Further, the Johannsen test of cointegration established the existence of a long-run relationship among the variables. Moreover, from the Vector Error Correction model estimated, aggregate agricultural supply was inelastic to the level of infrastructure, exchange rate volatility and financial development; while the rate of inflation appears elastic. Also, it was uncovered that exchange rate volatility and inflation rate affect the sector negatively. It was based on the findings that the researchers proffers improving and providing quality infrastructure facilities to rural communities and a well-coordinated and articulated monetary and fiscal policy to abate the effect of exchange rate volatility and soaring
Empirical versus policy equivalence scales: matching estimation

Properties of three types of equivalence scales obtained through the matching estimation are compared. They are derived by estimating the effect that demographic variables have on the household expenditures. The households are matched on common values of well-being covariates. Together with the earlier concept by Szulc (2009) two new types of covariates are examined: equivalent income − in this approach the scales minimise the deviation between the estimated and presumed values (solely empirical method), and covariates with imposed economy of scale on selected commodities (policy scales). The empirical part of the study is based on the Polish household budget survey data.
Mediating Role of Training on the relationship between Micro- Finance Factors and Women micro Entrepreneurs' business performance in Gombe Nigeria: a Conceptual Framework

Women micro-entrepreneurs participated actively towards economic development of their families and communities but certain obstacles such as market and gender related discrimination, poor funding, weak management system, low business and managerial skills, low household income mostly in developing countries have hindered their effective performance of that role. It is revealed that micro-entrepreneurship could be an effective strategy for poverty reduction, employment, revenue generation, contribution to GDP and increase living standard, in a country; since women are the worst hit in such situation. Conversely, it is discovered that women micro-entrepreneurs, in developing countries, do not have easy access to microfinance services for their business activity and as such have low business performance than their men counterparts, whereas the rate of their involvement in the informal sector of the economy is higher than males, and microfinance factors could have positive effect on firm performance. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of motivation, network affiliation, on women micro-entrepreneurs' performance in Nigeria. The study involves a survey using structured questionnaire (SQ) and comprehensive interview is conducted to solicit responses from women micro-entrepreneurs. Secondary data was collected from cooperate affairs commission (CAC). Data was analyzed using Hierarchical regression.
Using task analysis to design intuitive online grocery systems

This paper presents a normative task model for modelling user interactions with online grocery stores. It is envisaged that using task models will aid system developers in building better systems to meet users’ needs, and hereby creating better system design processes. This paper will discuss the three main areas of user experience when completing the process of adding a product to an online trolley: attempting to retrieve the product, receiving the results of the retrieval attempt, and adding the product to the trolley. The normative task model presented is expected to help in the future design of online grocery systems by identifying the possible errors that users can encounter, and methods to reduce the occurrence of these errors.
Macroeconomic Modelling of Public Expenditures on Research and Development in Information and Communication Technologies

Since the 1990s, information and communication technology (ICT) has been an essential driver of economic growth. Between 1995 and 2010, the ICT sectors have accounted for over 20% of EU15 growth, even though they only constitute 5% of EU15 GDP. The high growth resulting from the ever-increasing pace of ICT-related innovation requires high levels of R&D to be sustained. Indeed, the European ICT sector accounts for over a quarter of overall business expenditure on R&D, which makes it the largest R&D investing sector. A set of EU policy initiatives emphasise the importance of ICT and the underlying R&D for boosting European performance and competiveness. In order to ensure that public policies create the right conditions for sustaining and increasing the support for R&D, an appropriate measuring framework based on the thorough review of the best available methodologies need to be devised. Such framework will serve as a tool for choosing the investment strategies of public spending that create a favourable climate for an increase of private spendings on ICT R&D, and to turn investments into economic growth and employment through innovation. This report aims to provide an overview of subjects and topics relevant for constructing a coherent framework for macroeconomic analysis of the impact of public spending on ICT R&D, and to set specific modelling requirements for such a framework. The overview is structured to resemble the sequential multistage causal process which links R&D policy intervention with the resulting economy-wide effects, and covers the following issues: relationship between public and private R&D expenditure, innovation and the R&D process, and diffusion and impact of ICT. Further, building on the theory reviewed and empirical evidence presented, the report identifies the general requirements for a modelling framework to be used for ICT R&D analysis. Since there are existing models which can be used as a base framework, the guidelines focus on the specific requirements for the development of an R&D module. This add-in module is called to provide specific initial solutions to account for economics of ICT R&D, and need to be fully integrated with the base CGE model.
The Relationship between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Different Types of Atrial Fibrillation in a Chinese Population

Objective: To explore the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and the different types of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Two hundred and eighty-five hospitalized patients with AF patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into five groups: Group 1, the initial-AF; Group 2, the paroxysmal-AF; Group 3, the persistent-AF; Group 4,the long-term persistent-AF; and Group 5, the permanent-AF. Patients in the first 3 groups were reclassified into the short-AF category and patients in the last 2 groups were reclassified into the long-AF category. All patients took the examination of 13C urea breath test, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and left atrial diameter (LAD), etc. tests and examinations. We analyzed the difference of these factors in all types of AF and explored the correlation between Hp infection and AF using logistic regression analysis. Results: The Hp value and the hs-CRP level in patients with permanent AF were higher than those in the initial- AF, the paroxysmal-AF, and the persistent-AF groups (For Hp value: P=0.005, 0.012, and 0.038; for hs-CRP level: P=0.000, 0.025, and 0.006, respectively). The LAD of patients in the permanent-AF group was significantly larger than those in the other four groups (P=0.001, 0.010, 0.014, and 0.034, respectively). The values of Hp, hs-CRP, and LAD in the long-AF category were significantly higher than those in the short-AF category (all P 5 mg/L, and LAD>36mm were significantly related to long AF. Conclusion: The values of Hp in patients with long-term persistent or with permanent AF were significantly higher than those in patient with initial, paroxysmal or persistent AF. Hp δ value≥4‰ is an independent predictor for long AF.
Abstract number: 015-0417 Title: Impacts of Lead Times Constraints on Global Supply Chain Decisions

number: 015-0417 Title: Impacts of Lead Times Constraints on Global Supply Chain Decisions Ramzi Hammami, Yannick Frein, Atidel B. Hadj-Alouane Toulouse Business School, 20, bd Lascrosses BP 7010 31068 Toulouse France. E-mail: hammami.ramzi@gmail.com. Tel: 00216 20 355 141. G-SCOP, Grenoble INP, UJF, CNRS, 46 Avenue Felix Viallet, 38031 Grenoble France. E-mail: yannick.frein@g-scop.inpg. fr. Tel: 0033 4 76 57 45 16 OASIS, ENI Tunis, B.P.37, Le Belvedere, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia. E-mail: atidel.hadj@enit.rnu. tn. Tel: 00216 71 874 700. POMS 21st Annual Conference
Physical Properties of an Alfisol Under Biofuel Crops in Ohio

There is an increasing need to develop renewable energy sources from biofuel crops to replace fossil fuels. Â Biofuel crops may also enhance ecosystem functions such as soil quality, water availability, and nutrient reserves. Â Therefore, the effects of four biofuel crops (corn ( Zea mays ), switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ), indiangrass ( Sorghastrum nutans ) and willow ( Salix spp.)) were evaluated on soil quality at three sites in Ohio to assess the effects ofÂ crop species on soil bulk density (I b ), soil moisture characteristics (SMC), water stable aggregate distribution (WSA), and aggregate tensile strength (TS) to 40 cm depth. Â Overall, results were site-specific, with most differences occurring for the clayey soil at the Northwest site. Â At the Jackson site, soil in the 0-10 cm layer under switchgrass had a higher moisture content (I¸) between 0 and 100 kPa than that under indiangrass. Â At the Western site, I¸ under corn at 1500 kPa was higher at 30-40 cm depth. Â At the Northwest site, soils under corn in the 0-10 cm depth tended to have the lowest I¸ at 0 and 3 kPa, while soils under switchgrass and willow had 50% more large macroaggregates and fewer small microaggregates than that under corn. Â Soil TS in the 0-10 cm depth under corn was nearly 160%Â more than that under other perennial crops. Â These results suggest that management of perennial biofuel crops can improve soil physical quality. Â Changes over seven years occur first in the surface soil layers, but further differences may evolve in subsoil layers with increase in time.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Family background and residential choice

Using Swedish register data, we analyze the influence of life course needs and sibling ties on the geographical dispersion of siblings. We argue that life course needs and siblings ties are influenced by siblings’ socio-demographic characteristics, by similarities and differences between them, and by their family background. The novel measurement of geographical dispersion, the nearest neighbour index, allows us to go beyond dyadic relationships and investigate entire networks. Results from the OLS-regression analysis show that life course needs clearly influence the dispersion of siblings, and that differences between siblings are associated with a greater geographical dispersion than similarities. Sibling ties developed during childhood also seem to influence dispersion.
میزان بروز HCV و HIV در اهداکنندگان بار اول انتقال خون استان تهران

Background and Objectives Recently a method was used for estimation of incidence rates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among first-time donors. Since there are no published data for HIV and HCV incidence rate estimation in Iran, we planned the present study. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, all first time blood donors (98810 donors) in two age categories (17-20 and 26-33 years old) were included for analysis. To estimate HIV and HCV prevalence rates in these age groups, the total confirmed positive test results for HIV and HCV were divided by the number of all donors at the same age group. To determine the incidence of HCV and HIV, the prevalence differences at the age groups were divided by the average age differences of the relevant groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.5. Results For HIV, incidence estimates were 1.47 and 1.21 per 100000 donations in 2009 and 2010, respectively (the average 1.37 per 100000 donations for 2 years of study). For HCV, incidence estimates were 15.69 and 11.83 per 100000 donations in 2009 and 2010 (the average 13.26 per 100000 donations for 2 years of study). Conclusions Data showed that the incidence rate of HIV of blood donors is comparable to developed countries, but HCV incidence rate is higher than that of developed countries. As a matter of fact we should manage blood safety by applying other technics like NAT.
High-throughput genomic technology in research of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms causing nosocomial infections

Most hospital-acquired infections are caused by organisms common in the general population, in which are relatively harmless. Infection by nosocomial pathogenic bacteria is increasingly becoming a major threat to the patients in the hospital. Molecular diagnosis of antibiotic resistant organisms such as Clostridium difficile Infections (CDI) Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli , Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella (CRK) among others is vital for prevention of healthcare-acquired infections in acute care facilities. DNA microarray besides being a promising diagnosis tool may also provide valuable information about the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of these bacteria. This review aims to highlight the prominence of high-throughput genomic tools in research of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms causing nosocomial infections.
NEER ENGI DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE LIPID-BASED MATERIALS FOR ENCAPSULATION OF BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS

This report is based on studies that were aimed at developing innovative emulsifiers for use in emulsion-based systems, which can deliver omega-3 rich oils into food products. The emulsifiers have been designed to have antioxidant properties, which can provide increased oxidative stability to the emulsified oil. The synthesis of the emulsifiers has been based on the use of saccharides originating from alginate; a cheap and abundant marine polysaccharide. The strategy has been to enzymatically depolymerize alginate, followed by modification of the alginate saccharides with hydrophobic moieties. In this study, the alginate saccharides have been characterized, and it has been found, that these saccharides have excellent antioxidative properties, making them good starting materials for the development of the desired emulsifiers. Work is ongoing to modify the alginate saccharides for the production of emulsifiers, which will be applied in the formation of oil-in-water emulsions. These emulsions will be characterized, with special focus on their physical stability and the oxidative stability of the emulsified oil.
Increased Cys-C Levels in Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Background : Serum cys-C is superior to serum creatinine as an index of GFR also it can be used to predict acute renal failure before the rise in serum creatinine. We aimed to investigate cys-C levels in pregnant patients with hyperemesis gravidaum because of volume loss of this common problem. Method : Thirty-seven patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 33 healthy controls were included the study. Serum cys-C and the other laboratory parameters compared with controls. Results : The hyperemesis gravidaum group had higher levels of BUN; AST and ALT. Groups did not differ in age, weight, gestational week, hemoglobin, glucose or creatinine levels. Serum cys-C levels were also higher in the hyperemesis gravidaum group (1.007 vs 0.63, P 0.002). Stepwise multiple regression analysis with the dependent variable “Cys-C”. The model had two independent predictors and an R ² of 63.7 %. Predictors for cys-C were the number of vomiting episodes and the duration of hospitalization. Conclusion : There is a significant correlation between both the number of vomiting episodes and the length of the hospital stay with cys-C levels in HG. Cys-C levels could serve as a beneficial marker (cys-C > 1 mg / L as a cut-off value) in the context of hospitalization criteria for HG in the outpatient clinic. doi:10.4021/jcgo4e
Cracking the MJO nut

The Madden‐Julian oscillation poses great challenges to our understanding and prediction of tropical convection and the large‐scale circulation. Several internationally coordinated activities were recently formed to meet the challenges from the perspectives of numerical simulations, prediction, diagnostics, and virtual and actual field campaigns. This article provides a brief description of these activities and their connections, with the motivation in part to encourage the next generation of physical scientists to help solve the grand challenging problem of the Madden‐Julian oscillation.
Incorporating technical uncertainty in real option valuation of oil projects

Real options are a way of valuing projects such as oil fields, which involve irreversible investment decisions subject to uncertainty. Whereas discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis is based on fixed estimates of costs and revenues, and a predetermined development scenario, real options focus on project flexibility (e.g., being able to defer starting a project, or conversely, to accelerate its development, etc.). Early applications concentrated on flexibility to overcome uncertainty on financial parameters and tended to ignore uncertainty on technical parameters (such as recoverable reserves). In some cases, companies can reduce the latter by acquiring additional information and sequentially updating parameter values and then the estimate of the project’s value. This paper addresses the question of how to evaluate the option to acquire more information. The natural way to incorporate the new data is by Bayesian analysis. Choosing a multivariate normal framework for this analysis considerably simplifies the computations but this distribution has symmetric upper and lower tail dependence. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel form of Bayesian updating based on Archimedean copulas. We present a case study on production enhancement that shows how to combine Bayesian updating and real options. In this study, the oil company has the option to gather information from a production logging tool (PLT) before carrying out a workover. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Trade Liberalization, Selection, and Productivity in a Supply Managed Economy

In this paper I use farm-level data from the Quebec dairy industry to estimate the relationship between productivity and participation in the Commercial Export Milk (CEM) program (2000-2003). Under the CEM program farmers could sell milk without production quota and faced a farm price that was approximately half of the domestic price under supply management. I find a positive correlation between participation in the CEM program and farm-level total factor productivity (TFP). I then use a difference-in-difference research design with inverse propensity weights to test for causality in the relationship between participation in the CEM program and TFP. I find evidence of a positive and statistically significant effect in two of four regression specifications. A number of economists have argued that the Canadian dairy industry could benefit from trade liberalization through export market growth and returns to scale in production. My results suggest that trade liberalization would also lead to additional productivity and welfare gains from farm-level selection and the direct effects from exposure to a competitive pricing environment.