Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forestry Decentralization Policies and Community-based Forest Enterprises in Tanzania: A Literature Review

Forestry decentralization policies follow an inherent logic that centralized governance of forest resources cannot address the multifaceted nature of forest-related problems. It is through a diverse range of institutions and a combination of multiple partners consisting of state, non-state actors and rural communities, that such problems can be efficiently addressed. Central to decentralization policies is the argument that it envisions a triple win involving improved natural resource governance, improved rural livelihoods and improved biophysical conditions. However, an important and often overlooked consequence of these policies is that they also enable a growing commercialization of forests. In this context, increasing profits are constitutive for the governing logic. Based on a review of the state of knowledge on forestry decentralization and its impacts, and drawing on insights from Tanzania’s forestry sector, this literature review discusses the background of decentralization policies in Tanzania and how they have led to a proliferation of community-based forest enterprises with potentially adverse effects on both the sustainability of the forest and local livelihoods.
Cost-Benefit Tradeoff of Byzantine Attack in Cooperative Spectrum Sensing

Cooperative spectrum sensing is a promising technology of overcoming the inherent nature of wireless communications to solve the spectrum shortage and underutilization problem. However, the openness of cooperative spectrum sensing makes it susceptible to Byzantine attack, also known as spectrum sensing data falsification. Byzantine attack has been widely studied as a serious threat to cooperative spectrum sensing, which hugely degrades the cooperative sensing performance. Extensive studies have focused on how to mitigate the adverse effect of Byzantine attack on cooperative spectrum sensing. In this article, we first conduct a generic soft Byzantine attack on the basis of the soft combining. By analyzing Byzantine behavior, we provide a comprehensive investigation into attack cost and attack benefit from the malicious perspective, and propose the cost-benefit tradeoff problem under the generalized attack model. Then, we verify the existence of the tradeoff, which is a fundamental issue involved in Byzantine attack, however, ignored by most of the previous studies. Besides, an in-depth analysis on attack risk is done with taking into consideration trust value based cooperative spectrum sensing algorithm, in terms of covertness.
Molecular, immune and histopathological characterization of NSCLC based on PDL1 expression on tumor and immune cells and association with response to the anti-PDL1 antibody MPDL3280A.

3015 Background: Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells (TC) or tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC) is associated with OS, PFS and ORR in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with MPDL3280A (Spigel et al, Spira et al, ASCO 2015, pending). In a phase I study, high PD-L1 expression on TC or IC (TC3 or IC3) was associated with a 45% ORR (RECIST v1.1) compared to a 14% ORR in patients without TC3 or IC3 NSCLC (Horn et al, ASCO 2015, pending). Methods: NSCLC specimens from both pre-treatment tumor samples across MPDL3280A trials (n = 498) and a non-trial cohort (n = 706) were evaluated for PD-L1 expression in TC and IC using the SP142 IHC assay. The specimens were scored as TC 0-3 and IC 0-3 based on increasing PD-L1 expression. A subset of samples was further characterized by histopathologic review, gene expression and epigenetic modifications. Results: TC3 or IC3, TC2/3 or IC2/3, and TC1/2/3 or IC1/2/3 tumors represented ≈ 20%, ≈ 40% and ≈ 65% of NSCLC, respectively. TC3 and IC3 tumors .
A multigene phylogeny and timeline for Trichoptera (Insecta)

The Trichoptera, or caddisflies, are traditionally split into two taxonomic subdivisions: the ‘retreat‐making’ Annulipalpia and the ‘case‐making’ Integripalpia (sensu Ross). The monophyly of these groups is well documented; however, the establishment of a third subdivision, ‘Spicipalpia’, and the positions of the five ‘spicipalpian’ families is much debated. In contrast to previous molecular studies using nuclear ribosomal RNA, a recent trichopteran study (using nuclear protein‐coding genes) placed one of these ‘spicipalpian’ families, the free‐living predatory Rhyacophilidae, as the sister taxon to the rest of Trichoptera, a result that has significant implications for both the understanding of trichopteran evolution and its timing. This paper sets out to investigate the relationships of Trichoptera using several newly sequenced genes, together with previously published gene sequences. This dataset is the largest trichopteran dataset to date, covering six independent genes and > 10 000 nucleotides, and containing 185 species representing 49 families. With all data included, likelihood and Bayesian analyses support a monophyletic Annulipalpia and a monophyletic Integripalpia, which includes the ‘spicipalpians’ as a paraphyletic grade at the base of this clade. However, an analysis of the protein‐coding data alone using similar analytical methods recovers Rhyacophilidae as the most basal taxon in Trichoptera, with low support. A reanalysis correcting for nucleotide composition bias provides support for the placement of the ‘spicipalpian’ taxa as sister to the Integripalpia, consistent with the total data analysis, suggesting that the basal position of Rhyacophilidae in the uncorrected analysis could be (or is probably) an artefact of base composition. We find it likely that ancestral trichopterans made incipient cases and retreats, and these had independent origins as precocious pupal chambers. Molecular dating analysis in beast, using the birth‐death model of speciation, with a relaxed‐clock model of sequence evolution informed by 37 fossil constraints, suggests that the most recent common ancestor of Trichoptera appeared in the Permian (c. 275 Ma) in line with the first appearance of Trichoptera in the fossil record, and that vicariance explains the distribution of most trichopteran taxa. A new infraordinal name, Phryganides, is introduced for the tube‐case‐making families of Integripalpia.
Effect of magnetic and electric fields on plasma membrane of single cells: A computational approach

Cell membrane is a lipid bilayer that allows the flow of ions through their ionic pumping proteins. The ionic flow can be stimulated with external stimuli to activate specific signaling pathways intracellularly. Although studies have applied electric and magnetic stimuli to modify the cell function, the parameters to stimulate the cell membrane are unknown. Accordingly, a computational model to simulate the effect of electric and magnetic fields on the cell membrane was developed. Cells were stimulated with electric fields from 45 × 103 V/m to 12.6 × 105 V/m and magnetic fields of 2 mT, at frequencies of 60 kHz, 10 MHz, and 1 GHz. Results showed that the electric fields applied to the cell membrane tend to increase according to the frequency used, while magnetic fields do not have any effect on it. It was observed that electric fields generate a high voltage concentrator in the cell membrane of ellipsoidal cells when a frequency window from 1 kHz to 1 GHz was applied. These findings demonstrate that depending on the intensity of the field and frequency, it was possible to stimulate different cell membrane zones. This model is a promising tool to establish the adequate parameters to stimulate cells, and accurately predict if the stimulation modifies the cell membrane potential.
In Situ Growth of CVD Graphene Directly on Dielectric Surface toward Application

A technique for the in situ growth of patterned graphene by CVD has been achieved directly on insulating substrates at 800 degrees C. The graphene growth is catalyzed by a Ni-Cu alloy sacrificial layer, which integrates many advantages such as being lithography-free, and almost wrinkle-free, with a high repeatability and rapid growth. The etching method of the metal sacrificial layer is the core of this technique, and the mechanism is analyzed. Graphene has been found to play an important role in accelerating etching speeds. The Ni-Cu alloy exhibits a high catalytic activity, and thus, high-quality graphene can be obtained at a lower temperature. Moreover, the Ni-Cu layer accommodates a limited amount of carbon atoms, which ensures a high monolayer ratio of the graphene. The carbon solid solubility of the alloy is calculated theoretically and used to explain the experimental findings. The method is compatible with the current semiconductor process and is conducive to the industrialization of graphene devices.
Safety of Tranexamic Acid: Are Precautions Needed?

There are a numerous approaches to limit blood loss in orthopedic surgery, including meticulous surgical technique and hemostasis, use of tourniquets, hypotensive anesthesia, and pharmacologic methods such as tranexamic acid (TXA). TXA is an antifibrinolytic drug that has been found to effectively treat several bleeding-related conditions. It has also been used widely among surgical subspecialties because of its effects on hemostasis and ability to reduce transfusion rates. TXA is positively transforming blood management practices with respect to orthopedic surgery. The use of TXA in orthopedic surgery remains off-label use despite the numerous studies demonstrating the benefits of TXA in orthopedic patients. However, there are concerns over potential risks associated with the use of an antifibrinolytic agent during orthopedic surgery because of the inherent risk of thromboembolic events in the perioperative period. In this article, we review the use and safety of TXA in orthopedic surgery to guide clinical practice and blood product management. Complications and evidence for the contraindications of TXA administration are also examined to provide a clear picture of the risks and benefits of using TXA in orthopedic surgery patients.
Effects of Carbon-based Ablation Products on Hypersonic Boundary Layer Stability

One of the technical challenges that face designers of hypersonic vehicles is the high thermal loads that theses vehicles encounter in flight. The Thermal Protection System (TPS) is the main system which deals with these high thermal loads. The dominant factor affecting the TPS design is the predicted transition location and characteristics as turbulent boundary layers can produce up to ten times higher thermal loads than laminar boundary layers [1]. The heating rates of turbulent boundary layers and the length of flight time under turbulent boundary layer conditions drives the material choice and thickness of thermal protection system. The materials used for the thermal protection systems, along with many other factors, affects the stability and transition of the boundary layer. Many thermal protection systems use ablation as a means of dissipating thermal energy. These systems add new species to the boundary layer changing the chemistry and introduce instabilities with the blowing of mass into the flow. Carbon-based ablators in particular have gained popularity due to their ablative characteristics. The addition of carbon species, specifically CO2, into a hypersonic boundary layer has the known effect of damping out second mode instabilities at hypersonic flight conditions due to the ability of CO2 to absorb disturbance energy into the multiple vibrational modes. Using current gas-surface chemistry models and controlled freestream CO2 concentrations, the effect of CO2 on the stability was examined over both sharp and blunt cones. A concentration study was conducted to determine the required CO2 concentration in the boundary layer to effect transition characteristics. The boundary layer was saturated at a specific CO2 concentration, and it was held constant throughout the boundary layer. The results of the concentration study showed that, due to the
Visual motor integration delay in preschool children infected with HIV

Introduction : It is estimated that more than 200 000 children under the age of 14 years are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa. These children - including those on antiretroviral therapy - may present with neurocognitive delay and may find it difficult to participate in educational activities. This study aimed to determine the extent of the delay of visual motor integration (VMI) which correlates significantly with academic achievement in pre-school children with vertically transmitted HIV. Method : This was a descriptive quantitative study in which 71 children infected with HIV aged between 5 - 6 years, attending a HIV clinic in South Africa, were assessed using the Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (DTVMI). The results were compared to the normative DTVMI scores, and correlated with health factors related to HIV such as CD4 count and socioeconomic factors such as attendance at creche or preschool. Results : Results confirm that a delay exists in VMI and visual perception (VP) in the at risk category. Mean scores on the motor coordination (MC) fell in the average range. Visual perception was the most affected in this sample with an average delay of between 11 and 17 months found. Visual perception also showed a moderate positive correlation with CD4 count, while VMI had a moderate relationship to attendance at creche or preschool and mother’s level of education. Conclusion: This study confirms children with HIV are at risk for neurodevelopmental delay related to visual motor integration and visual perception, particularly in children with a low CD4 count. These aspects need to be assessed as part of routine neurodevelopmental monitoring. Key words : Neurodevelopmental delay, HIV, preschool children, visual motor integration delay, visual perception delay, motor coordination
Differences in berry primary and secondary metabolisms identified by transcriptomic and metabolic profiling of two table grape color somatic variants

Anthocyanins are flavonoids responsible for the color of berries in skin-pigmented grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Due to the widely adopted vegetative propagation of this species, somatic mutations occurring in meristematic cell layers can be fixed and passed into the rest of the plant when cloned. In this study we focused on the transcriptomic and metabolic differences between two color somatic variants. Using microscopic, metabolic and mRNA profiling analyses we compared the table grape cultivar (cv.) ‘Red Globe’ (RG, with purplish berry skin) and cv. ‘Chimenti Globe’ (CG, with a contrasting reddish berry skin color). As expected, significant differences were found in the composition of flavonoids and other phenylpropanoids, but also in their upstream precursors’ shikimate and phenylalanine. Among primary metabolites, sugar phosphates related with sucrose biosynthesis were less accumulated in cv. ‘CG’. The red-skinned cv. ‘CG’ only contained di-hydroxylated anthocyanins (i.e. peonidin and cyanidin) while the tri-hydroxylated derivatives malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin were absent, in correlation to the reddish cv. ‘CG’ skin coloration. Transcriptomic analysis showed alteration in flavonoid metabolism and terpenoid pathways and in primary metabolism such as sugar content. Eleven flavonoid 3’5’-hydroxylase gene copies were down-regulated in cv. ‘CG’. This family of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductases are key in the biosynthesis of tri-hydroxylated anthocyanins. Many transcription factors appeared down-regulated in cv. ‘CG’ in correlation to the metabolic and transcriptomic changes observed. The use of molecular markers and its confirmation with our RNA-seq data showed the exclusive presence of the null MYBA2 white allele (i.e. homozygous in both L1 and L2 layers) in the two somatic variants. Therefore, the differences in MYBA1 expression seem sufficient for the skin pigmentation differences and the changes in MYBA target gene expression in cv. ‘Chimenti Globe’.
Inrush current estimation and hot-swapping for safe parallel battery pack

ABSTRACT Batteries used in electric vehicles and microgrid applications use battery modules connected in series to satisfy the voltage required for each system, and battery modules are connected in parallel to increase capacity. In this parallel connected system, in order to disconnect and reconnect a specific battery module or to reconnect a new battery module, the battery module to be newly connected should have a small state of charge (SOC) difference from the existing battery modules. In particular, when a new battery is to be connected under a load current, there is a problem that excessive inrush current may occur in a specific battery module due to the load current distributed to each module and the current due to the SOC difference. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a method of estimating the inrush current through an equivalent electrical modelling analysis for the case where a battery module is newly added in a system in which the battery modules are connected in parallel. In addition, the power management algorithm for the battery pack system with inrush current estimation is presented. The proposed method is validated through simulations and experiments of a battery pack system in which 10 battery modules of 710V and 120Ah are connected in parallel.
Travel agent’s tour selection and sightseeing bus schedule for group package tour planning

Two problems plague the tourism industry: (1) a scheduled group package tour (GPT) can be canceled if the number of reserved passengers does not reach a minimum number and (2) a customer’s request for a scheduled GPT will be denied once the number of reserved passengers has reached its maximum. Neither instance is desirable, because of both results in lost sales. To generate higher profit over the course of a sightseeing season, travel agent managers must schedule GPTs on suitable dates and determine the number of sightseeing buses needed. Viewing this as a portfolio selection problem, this research develops an integer programming model to arrive at an equitable solution. We offer several numerical examples to illustrate the model’s performance and the problem’s characteristics. The results show that the proposed model significantly increases revenues.
A Diagnostic Application of HEC– HMS Model to Evaluate the Potential for Water Management in the Ratnapura Watershed of Kalu Ganga Sri Lanka

Practicing water managers and engineers require watershed models that could be applied with confidence. This requires already calibrated and verified mathematical watershed models with transparent and rational guidance on the selection of model components representing watershed processes, identification of the objective function, evaluation criteria, data and data resolution etc. This work demonstrates the diagnostic development of a popular and free HEC HMS model for Ratnapura watershed (635 km2) while evaluating the potential for water management with respect to floods, water resources and dry weather flows, using rainfall of four stations, evaporation at one station and streamflow corresponding to the period from 2006-2014. Activities, such as model development, parameter optimisation, evaluation etc., were determined after a rational evaluation. Flood peak magnitude and time of occurrence matched well while water yield estimation, except for questionable data periods, was very good. This reflects that the developed HEC- HMS model with its optimised parameters can be used for flood management with confidence. Most critical flow components for water resources management showed a very good agreement between the observed and modelled streamflow values. High errors in low flow estimation indicated that this model cannot be recommended for environmental flow management.
Measuring the interstory drift of buildings by a smartphone using a feature point matching algorithm

When an earthquake strikes an area, unless the local infrastructure has a structural health monitoring system, it is difficult to obtain its health condition due to a lack of data. A smartphone could be competently used for many monitoring tasks to gather large amounts of data at a low cost. In this study, a smartphone is used as a sensor to obtain the interstory drift of buildings by recording a video of the ceiling with the front camera using a feature point matching algorithm. In addition, static and dynamic tests were carried out. In the static tests, the precision and error were investigated and compared with the reference sensor. In the dynamic tests, the displacement under a seismic wave was acquired by a smartphone and compared with the reference sensor, and the illumination condition was varied to test the robustness of the algorithm. The results indicated that feature point matching was suitable for calculating the displacement, and the smartphone was competent in monitoring the interstory drift during an earthquake.
HIV und Schwangerschaft

Noch bis in die 90er Jahre galt eine Schwangerschaft mit HIV als tabu. Betroffenen Frauen wurde aufgrund ihrer geringen Lebenserwartung eine Sterilisation und im Falle einer Schwangerschaft eine Abtreibung nahegelegt. Heute ist die einst tödlich verlaufende HIV-Infektion mit Kombinationstherapien behandelbar wie eine chronische Erkrankung. Das bietet die Chance zur Familienplanung. Was bedeutet das für die Hebammenarbeit? Was müssen Hebammen beachten, wenn sie eine HIV positive Frau in der Schwangerschaft, bei der Geburt oder im Wochenbett beraten und betreuen?
Dynamical Compact Objects in Numerical Relativity

Dynamical Compact Objects in Numerical Relativity Hyun Lim Department of Physics and Astronomy, BYU Doctor of Philosophy The work of this dissertation will study various aspects of the dynamics of compact objects using numerical simulations. We consider BH dynamics within two modified or alternative theories of gravity. Within a family of Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton-Axion theories, we find that the GW waveforms from binary black hole (BBH) mergers differ from the standard GW waveform prediction of GR for especially large axion values. For more astrophysically realistic (i.e. smaller) values, the differences become negligible and undetectable. We establish the existence of a well-posed initial value problem for a second alternative theory fo gravity (quadratic gravity) and demonstrate in spherical symmetry that a linear instability is effectively removed on consideration of the full nonlinear theory. We describe the key components and development of a code for studying BBH mergers for which the mass ratio of the binaries is not close to one. Such intermediate mass ratio inspirals (IMRIs) are much more difficult to simulate and present greater demands on resolution, distributed computing, accuracy and efficiency. To this end, we present a highly-scalable framework that combines a parallel octree-refined adaptive mesh with a wavelet adaptive multiresolution approach. We give results for IMRIs with mass ratios up to 100:1. We study the ejecta from BNS in Newtonian gravity. Using smoothed particle hydrodynamics we develop and present the highly scalable FleCSPH code to simulate such mergers. As part of the ejecta analysis, we consider these mergers and their aftermath as prime candidates for heavy element creation and calculate r-process nucleosynthesis within the post-merger ejecta. Lastly we consider a non-standard, yet increasingly explored, interaction between a BH and a NS that serves as a toy model for primordial black holes (PBH) and their possible role as dark matter candidates. We present results from a study of such systems in which a small BH forms at the center of a NS. Evolving the spherically symmetric system in full GR, we follow the complete dynamics as the small BH consumes the NS from within. Using numerical simulations, we examine the time scale for the NS to collapse into the PBH and show that essentially nothing remains behind. As a result, and in contradiction to other claims in the literature, we conclude that this is an unlikely site for ejecta and nucleosynthesis, at least in spherical symmetry.