Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Avian Communities of the Northern Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada

Basic knowledge of the abundance and distribution of birds and their habitats and the relationships between them is limited for many parts of Arctic Canada, including montane regions. This information is important for conservation purposes as bird populations and habitats shift and as interest in development of northern areas increases. We characterized bird communities in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories by conducting point counts (n = 376) in June 2009 and 2010 and using community analysis metrics (multiple response permutation procedures, indicator species analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling) to statistically and graphically describe bird data in six habitat types: coniferous forest, deciduous forest, shrub (short and tall), alpine tundra, and open water wetlands. Distinct habitats had significantly different bird communities, as shown by using multiple response permutation procedures ( p < 0.005). Of 51 species, 32 had significant ( p < 0.05) indicator values for one habitat type (n = 15) or groups of habitats (n = 17) in an indicator species analysis. The tall shrub habitat type had the most indicator species (six species) followed by alpine tundra (five species), then the combined conifer, deciduous, and wetland habitat group (four species) and the deciduous forest habitat types (three species). Species richness was highest in the tall shrub (n = 37), alpine (n = 30), and conifer and short shrub (n = 29) habitats. We also observed eight bird species not previously known to occur in the area, or which were outside published ranges. Our results highlight the variability in bird community composition between the major habitat types in the Mackenzie Mountains, serve as a baseline for future bird studies in the region, and underscore the need for more research in the area with impending anthropogenic changes.
Research on Double-Fed Induction Generator Low Voltage Ride Through Based on Double Braking Resistors Using Fuzzy Control

The stator side of a double-fed induction generator (DFIG) is directly connected to the grid, so the DFIG is sensitive to a voltage drop caused by power system faults. A double resistors braking method based on fuzzy control is proposed to improve the performance of low-voltage ride through (LVRT) in this paper. Based on the mathematical model of DFIG, it analyzes the function of a series dynamical braking resistor (SDBR) theoretically. The series impedance value of the SDBR is determined by the variation of the rotor’s open circuit voltage, the voltage and current of the stator and the rotor, and also the heat capacity of the SDBR. In order to improve the LVRT capability of a DFIG under different fault grads, a double series resistors braking mode is presented. Through adopting a fuzzy control strategy, double series resistor switching is implemented. With the example system, the correctness and validity of the proposed method is verified.
Oro-dental characteristics in patients with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome compared to a healthy control group.

BACKGROUND Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue and collagen structures in the body characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the oro-dental characteristics including measurements of tooth size of 26 patients with hypermobile EDS (hEDS), differentiated by a genetic test, compared to 39 healthy controls. METHODS Interview, clinical, and radiological examination on panoramic radiograph and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scan were performed. Statistical analyses included Fishers Exact Test, paired t-test and multiple logistic and linear models adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS The experience of xerostomia (p=0.039), local anesthetic insufficiency (p=<0.001) and tooth extraction complications (p=<0.003) were significantly higher in hEDS compared to controls. The debris index was significantly higher in hEDS (p=<0.001) and the distance between the cement-enamel-junction (CEJ) and the bone level on the upper left first incisor and -molar and the lower right first molar were significantly larger in hEDS compared to controls (p=0.021,p=0.024,p=0.021, respectively). The crown heights of the upper and lower first incisors were significantly smaller (p=0.001, p=0.003, p=0.002, p=<0,001, respectively) in hEDS compared to controls. When adjusting for debris index only the distance between CEJ and the marginal bone level on the upper left -and lower right molar was associated with hEDS. CONCLUSION The results indicate that xerostomia, resistance to local anaesthesia, tooth extraction complications, poor oral hygiene, larger distance between CEJ and marginal bone level and small crown heights can be found in patients with hEDS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Family history of Alzheimer’s disease alters cognition and is modified by medical and genetic factors

In humans, a first-degree family history of dementia (FH) is a well-documented risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the influence of FH on cognition across the lifespan is poorly understood. To address this issue, we developed an internet-based paired-associates learning (PAL) task and tested 59,571 participants between the ages of 18–85. FH was associated with lower PAL performance in both sexes under 65 years old. Modifiers of this effect of FH on PAL performance included age, sex, education, and diabetes. The Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele was also associated with lower PAL scores in FH positive individuals. Here we show, FH is associated with reduced PAL performance four decades before the typical onset of AD; additionally, several heritable and non-heritable modifiers of this effect were identified.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Polymorphism Is Associated With the Development of Necrotic Acute Pancreatitis Via Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and the E-Selectin Expression Regulation Pathway.

OBJECTIVES Severe acute pancreatitis can lead to systemic complications. Here, we explore the mechanisms based on our previous study associated with the deregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and development of severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS Acute pancreatitis patients (n = 135) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 108) were studied. The polymerase chain reaction products were analyzed with an ABI 3130 genetic analyzer and GeneMapper software. A short allele was defined ≤27 dinucleotide (GT) repeats, whereas a long allele was defined >27 GT. Levels of 12 different cytokines in blood serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All samples in this study were consistently stored in -80°C. RESULTS Patients with the long long genotype expressed E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 at statistically significantly higher levels in serum compared with short short genotype or short long genotypes. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin serum levels significantly correlate with the total allele length of the HO-1 promoter region. CONCLUSION Polymorphism of the GT repeats in the HO-1 promoter region may be a risk factor for developing acute necrotizing pancreatitis due to deregulation of the immune response.
A Survey of Arsenic Level in Tube-Wells in Bam Province (Burkina Faso)

Groundwater is a main source of water supply for populations in Burkina Faso where there is a serious problem for drinking water access. However, water quality has not been always followed regularly. Recent studies showed that more than 50% of drillings in Yatenga province (north of Burkina Faso) have an arsenic concentration above the recommended WHO requirement. Preliminaries studies conducted in Bam (Center North of Burkina Faso) showed high arsenic level in certain localities. This work presents for the first time data on a large scale evaluation that had been performed in all the localities of Bam province in other to have a better assessment of contamination scale. A total of 707 drilling water samples have been selected randomly in 9 communes and analysed for the arsenic level using atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation. The results showed that 11% of drillings have an arsenic concentration above the recommended WHO requirements with Rouko commune having the highest rate of high arsenic level (22%).
Changes of some physiological parameters in rapeseed, mustard and turnip grown in the presence of Ni and Cd.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), white mustard (Brassica alba L.), black mustard (Brassica nigra L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa L.) were grown in the continuous presence of 10-6 M Cd or 10-5 M Ni, since sowing, with the aim to assess effects of Ni and Cd on plant growth, water regime and photosynthesis. Dry matter content increased, whereas leaf area, shoot/root dry weight and concentrations of chloroplast pigments and their ratios declined in the presence of Ni and especially Cd. An increase in transpiration intensity in the presence of Ni, concomitantly with the reduction in biomass production, suggests that the transpiration coefficient in those plants increased, which is highly undesirable.
Design and Simulating a Specialized Embedded Cores for UDP Network Interface Processing

The speed of Ethernet networks has increased to 40100 Gbps since the release of IEEE P802.3ba. Enhancing the protocol processing at the end node is essential to meet the demands of the increased network speeds. This research presents an enhanced pre-packet processing for inbound and outbound processing using a scalable Network Interface-based three-pipeline Embedded Processor. The designed Network Interfaces uses a specialized cost-effective 760 MHz embedded processor core can support a wide range of received UDP/IP packets, up to 100 Gbps. A 430 MHz Embedded Processor can be used for the send side. Furthermore, we have provided a processing methodology for Large Receive Offload and Large Send Offload that can contribute to pre-packet processing and work with fewer headers and data transfer from the network interface.
ALGORITHM TO BUILD FUZZY DECISION TREE FOR DATA CLASSIFICATION PROBLEM BASED ON FUZZINESS INTERVALS MATCHING

Nowadays, with the demand to reflect the real world, we have a number of imprecise stored business data warehouses. The precise data classification cannot solve all the requirements. Thus, the fuzzy decision tree classification problem is important for the fuzzy data mining problem. The fuzzy decision classification based on the fuzzy set theory has some limitations derived from its innerself. The hedge algebra with many advantages has become a really useful tool for solving the fuzzy decision tree classification. However, the sample data homogenising process based on the quantitative methods of the hedge algebra still has some restrictions because of errors evolved and the resulting tree is not truly flexible. So, the fuzzy decision tree obtained is not always highly predictable. In this paper, using fuzziness intervals matching with hedge algebra, the authors proposed an inductive learning method “HAC4.5 fuzzy decision tree” to obtain a fuzzy decision tree with high predictability.
Improving Location Prediction using a Social Historical Model with Strict Recency Context

Location-based Social Networks (LBSN) are a popular form of social media where users are able to check-in to locations they have visited and share these check-ins with their friends. An important problem in LBSNs is the prediction of a user's next check-in location, for purposes such as showing location-specific recommendations or advertisements. One state-of-the-art algorithm is the Social Historical Model (SHM) which utilizes a user's historical check- ins and social links to predict his/her next check-in location. Observing various LBSN user characteristics, we improve the SHM by exploiting the recency effect (where users are more likely to revisit places from their recent past than the more distant past) and place-links (where two friends share a common temporal check-in). Using two Foursquare datasets, we then demonstrate how these modifications improve the overall location prediction accuracy of the SHM.
Land and Resources in a Transfrontier Setting: The Case of the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project

Introduction It is often stated that nature knows no boundaries. But in Africa, the internationally recognised boundaries as we now know them are – more often than not – alien to people as well. Borders, after all, were imposed by European colonisers to reflect European interests and not those of African peoples. Or for that matter: that of Africa’s nature, as many boundaries neither show much respect for the integrity of ecosystems. This fact of imposed borders obviously also had implications for many traditional land tenure and common property natural resources management systems. Large areas that were once administered according to a certain system of land management suddenly found themselves torn in two, with both sides taking different directions. From there, land tenure regimes around border areas further developed into the complex and often overlapping and competing structures that we frequently see now. That this situation is conducive to neither conservation of nature, nor the development of local people on both sides of the border that often depend on their surrounding land and resources for their livelihoods, is easily recognised. But what to do about it is not always so clear. The recent hype in southern Africa around cross border co-operation for conservation and development through so-called transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) might provide opportunities to address these issues. TFCAs offer opportunities for nations to discuss and possibly even harmonise their land management regimes in order to smoothen and clarify the current complex land practices surrounding borders and so stimulate both conservation of nature and the enhancement of rural livelihoods. In fact, this is often one of their explicit aims. This policy brief seeks to give an overview of the issues involved in this process. It does so by focusing on recent developments in one specific TFCA: the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Amongst the many initiatives in legislative and policy change affecting land and common property resource management in southern Africa today, transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) seem particularly prominent because of their massive scale, huge political and donor support and the many (rural) livelihoods they are likely to affect. In general, TFCAs are large conservation and development areas across international borders that involve different land-use options such as biodiversity and cultural heritage conservation, range management and community-based natural resource management areas. These different land-use options also make for different legal and practical ownership arrangements in one TFCA, such as private, state-owned or common property management. This policy brief examines issues of legislative and policy change affecting land management and common property resource management brought forth by one specific TFCA: the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area between Lesotho and South Africa.
Skill Diffusion by Temporary Migration? Returns to Western European Work Experience in Central and East European Countries

This paper contributes to the debate on the effects of migration by providing evidence on the returns to working experience from western Europe in eastern European labour markets. In particular, using the 2003 Youth Central and Eastern Eurobarometer dataset, we test the hypothesis that there are differential returns to foreign as opposed to domestic work experience. Our analysis combines the Mincer wage equation framework and the Roy model of migration. The latter suggests that migration responds to net expected benefits. Hence, return migration is endogenous with respect to differential returns to foreign working experience. To allow for selectivity on observable or unobservable characteristics, we estimate an endogenous switching model in two steps. This procedure combines probit estimates of propensities to work and to acquire foreign work expericence respectively, and OLS estimates of earnings equations for stayers and movers, with the inclusion of nonselection hazards obtained in the first step. The expected wage increase is the difference between post-return migrants' wages and wages under similar conditions in the absence of migration. For any individual, only one of these measures can be observed. We impute the respective counterfactuals from the separate wage regressions. Our analysis shows that movers and stayers are rewarded for different human capital characteristics. We find an average earnings premium for foreign work experience of around 30%. This can be seen as partial evidence for international skill diffusion temporary migrants may upgrade their skills by learning on the job in countries with higher technological development, and subsequently bring human capital to their source country, thus adding to know-how diffusion and the catching-up of their economy. We perform additional empirical analyses to support this interpretation we show that the premium found for return migration does not primarily reward the language proficiencies of returning migrants, and we further provide indicative evidence that no earnings premium is obtained for work-related stays abroad in other central and eastern European transition countries.
Evaluation of Coffee Ground as a Feedstuff in Practical Diets for Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

A 10-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the feasibility of using spent coffee ground (CG) as a potential feed ingredient for olive flounder. Growth, feed utilization, body composition and antioxidant enzyme activity were examined. A control diet was formulated and three other diets were prepared to contain 5, 10 or 15% CG (designated as Con, CG5, CG10 and CG15, respectively) by replacing for wheat flour. At the end of the feeding trial, fish fed the CG5 diet exhibited significantly (P <0.05) higher growth performance than those fed the control diet. Also, fish fed the CG10 diet had a comparable growth to that of the control group, but further increase of dietary CG inclusion level to 15% resulted in significant decrease of growth performance. Fish fed the CG15 diet showed significantly lower feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio than other treatments. Significantly lower muscle protein content was observed in fish fed CG15 diet compared to the control. Significant reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration was found in fish fed CG15 diet compared to control. No significant changes were found in alkyle and superoxide radicals scavenging activities of plasma, muscle and liver among dietary treatments. Also, liver total protein, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not significantly influenced by dietary inclusion of CG. According to these results, we concluded that CG can be included up to 10% in the diet for olive flounder without any adverse effects on growth, feed utilization and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Energy-autonomous wake-up receiver using solar panel and visible light communication

One of the most promising energy-efficient communication methods is the use of wake-up receivers. In this work, we will develop a novel wake-up communication system that uses Visual Light Communication (VLC) and an indoor solar panel as the receiver of the wake-up signal. After the reception of the wake-up signal, an interrupt generated by the wake-up receiver wakes up the wireless device attached.
Gastro-Intestinal Response and Passage Time of Pelleted Diets in Digestive Tract of Broilers

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of pellet size and fibrous diet on intestinal passage time of feed in the digestive tract of broilers. A total of 64 day old chicks were used in a completely randomized factorial design with two different diets (copra meal and corn-soy based diets) and two pellet size (fine and coarse). On day 1-5 of week seven, the birds were fed the experimental diets. On day 6, after a 12 h feed restriction, all birds were orally administered with 85 mg chromium oxide in a gelatine capsule. Four birds per treatment were killed by cervical dislocation. Gizzard and small intestine were weighed and opened. The colour of the digesta observed to visually determine the location of the chromium oxide. The faeces were observed for first appearance of entire coloured faeces and then on an hourly basis up to the disappearance of coloured faeces. The experimental design was a two way factorial with two basal diets and pellet sizes. Data indicated that a copra meal diet moved in the digestive tract was slower than a corn-soy diet. The first appearance of the marker in the faeces of birds fed the copra meal diet was 52 min later than for those fed the corn-soy diet. The movement in the digestive tract of the fine ground diets was slower than that of the coarse diets. The effect of pellet size on feed passage time was only evident in the copra meal based diet.
Delivering the responsible management agenda – a framework for responsible mindful management

The global economic crisis has caused governments and charities to be squeezed in term of resources to meet social and environmental needs. In parallel, social enterprises, volunteering and the “big society” have stepped in to help fill the void. However, this is a smoke screen that covers a bigger problem – the lack of true social responsibility by large corporations. Too often, mention is made of the economic crisis recovery but the crisis is greater than this, it includes social and environmental crisis which quite simply is not recovering nor is it receiving the attention it deserves. This paper explores this contention and through a literature review proposes a holistic approach to better inform business as to its responsibility and how to meet a more responsible management agenda. We propose this through a model based on responsible management and mindful leadership and provide a brief description of a case study as to how mindfulness is starting being used by an Iberian Multi-national to recast the social responsibility agenda and move towards a more responsible management approach to business. Different coaching techniques combined with Nominal Group Technique were used to identify underlying deep values of participants (CEOs). The resultant values can be used by the multinational to construct a theoretical model of responsible management and mindful leadership. One outcome of this model applied to this multinational is the current strategy being developed by the company. This strategy embeds our thinking and considering the high influence of the case multinational in its sector, we believe the use of the Responsible Management and Mindful Leadership Model will be a tool which increases the multinational´s capacity to influence crisis recovery in the true sense, considering social and environmental aspects.
Evaluating the Utility of Passive Microwave-Derived Soil Moisture Estimates for Forecasting Canola Yields across the Canadian Prairies

I would like to give thanks to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Space Agency, the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology, and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund: Food From Thought Initiative for providing funding for the research completed in this thesis.