Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacts of fi re on forest age and runoff in mountain ash forests

Runoff from mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell.) forested catchments has been shown to decline significantly in the few decades following fire -returning to pre-fire levels in the following centuries -owing to changes in ecosystem water use with stand age in a relationship known as Kuczera’s model. We examined this relationship between catchment runoff and stand age by measuring whole-ecosystem exchanges of water using an eddy covariance system measuring forest evapotranspiration (ET) combinedwith sap-flowmeasurements of treewater use,withmeasurementsmade across a chronosequence of three sites (24, 80 and296years sincefire). At the 296-year old site eddy covariance systemswere installed above the E. regnans overstorey and above the distinct rainforest understorey. Contrary to predictions from the Kuczera curve, we found that measurements of whole-forest ET decreased by far less across stand age between 24 and 296 years. Although the overstorey tree water use declined by 1.8mmday 1 with increasing forest age (an annual decrease of 657mm) the understorey ET contributed between 1.2 and 1.5mmday , 45% of the total ET (3mmday ) at the old growth forest. Additional keywords: eddy covariance, Eucalyptus regnans, sap flow, transpiration.
Eta invariants and manifolds with boundary

Dans cette Note, nous etudions les invariants eta des operateurs de Dirac sur les varietes a bord. Utilisant des conditions aux limites spectrales du type de Atiyah-Patodi-Singer, nous definissons l'invariant eta d'un operateur de Dirac donne. Ensuite, nous comparons cet invariant eta a l'invariant eta L 2 de l'operateur de Dirac etendu sur la variete a bouts cylindriques associee
Rates of straying by hatchery-produced Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) differ among species, life history types, and populations

Here we ask whether straying differs among species, life history types, and populations of adult hatchery-produced Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Columbia River basin. Previous estimates of straying have been confounded by various factors influencing the probability of individuals returning to non-natal sites (e.g., off-station releases), whereas analyses undertaken here of nearly a quarter million coded-wire tag recoveries control for these factors. Our results revealed large and generally consistent differences in the propensity to stray among species, life history types within species, and populations. Paired releases indicated that (i) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) strayed more (mean population range 0.11%–34.6%) than coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) (0.08%–0.94%); (ii) ocean-type Chinook (5.2%–18.6%) strayed more than stream-type Chinook (0.11%–10%); and Chinook salmon (0.90%–54.9%) strayed more than steelhead (0.30%–2.3%). We conclude these patterns are largely the result of species-specific behavioral and endocrine factors during the juvenile life stages, but analyses also suggest that environmental factors can influence straying during the adult upstream migration. Résumé : Nous voulions savoir si l'égarement varie selon l'espèce, le type de cycle biologique et la population chez des saumons du Pacifique (Oncorhynchus spp.) et des truites arc-en-ciel (Oncorhynchus mykiss) adultes issus d'écloseries, dans le bassin du fleuve Columbia. Des estimations antérieures de l'égarement étaient limitées par plusieurs facteurs de confusion ayant une incidence sur la probabilité que les individus retournent à des sites non natals (p. ex. lâchers hors station), alors que les analyses que nous avons menées de près d'un quart de million de micromarques codées récupérées tiennent compte de ces facteurs. Nos résultats révèlent d'importantes différences généralement cohérentes entre espèces, types de cycle biologique au sein d'unemême espèce et populations sur le plan de la propension à l'égarement. Des lâchers appariés ont indiqué que (i) les saumons quinnats (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) s'égaraient plus (fourchette des moyennes par population : 0,11 % – 34,6 %) que les saumons coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) (0,08 % – 0,94 %), (ii) que les saumons quinnats de type océanique s'égaraient plus (5,2 % – 18,6 %) que ceux de type dulcicole (0,11 % – 10 %) et (iii) que les saumons quinnats (0,90 % – 54,9 %) s'égaraient plus que les truites arc-en-ciel (0,30 % – 2,3 %). Nous concluons que, si ces distributions découlent en bonne partie de facteurs comportementaux et endocriniens propres à chaque espèce durant les stades juvéniles du cycle biologique, les analyses suggèrent également que des facteurs environnementaux peuvent influer sur l'égarement durant la montaison des adultes. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Strain-speci¢c probiotic (Lactobacillushelveticus) inhibition of Campylobacterjejuni invasion of human intestinal epithelial cells

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of enterocolitis in humans, leading to diarrhoea and chronic extraintestinal diseases. Although probiotics are effective in preventing other enteric infections, beneﬁcial microorganisms have not been extensively studied with C. jejuni . The aim of this study was to delineate the ability of selected probiotic Lactobacillus strains to reduce epithelial cell invasion by C. jejuni . Human colon T84 and embryonic intestine 407 epithelial cells were pretreated with Lactobacillus strains and then infected with two prototypic C. jejuni pathogens. Lactobacillus helveticus , strain R0052 reduced C. jejuni invasion into T84 cells by 35–41%, whereas Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 did not reduce pathogen invasion. Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 also decreased invasion of one C. jejuni isolate (strain 11168) into intestine 407 cells by 55%. Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 adhered to both epithelial cell types, which suggest that competitive could by probiotics. Taken together, these ﬁndings indicate that the ability of selected probiotics to prevent C. jejuni -mediated disease pathogenesis depends on the pathogen strain, probiotic strain and the epithelial cell type selected. The data support the concept of probiotic strain selectivity, which is dependent on the setting in which it is being evaluated and tested.
5 Decompressive Craniectomy for Refractory Intracranial Hypertension

Clinical and experimental data from the past two decades show that Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) is an effective treatment which reduces mortality within patients with refractory intracranial hypertension. Massive cerebral ischemic infarction and traumatic brain injury are the most frequent indication of DC. Since the conservative medical treatment of intracranial hypertension is ineffective in many patients, the idea of decompressive surgery of temporary release of swollen brain outside the cranium has been developed at the beginning of the last century. The first decompressive hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury was done in 1901 by Kocher. (Merenda & DeGeorgia, 2010) Harvey Cushing started using DC for the treatment in the cases on inoperable brain tumors and later also in the cases of traumatic diffuse brain edema and vascular malformations. (Kahar et al,2009) Decompressive surgery was first reported as a potential treatment for large hemispheric infarction in case reports as early as 1956. (Scarcella, 1956)
The Influence of Internet Experience on the Judgment of Mobile Web Design

Web design is a key factor in the success of e-commerce websites. Research has shown that it can be leveraged to achieve positive outcomes in online transaction and user behavior. However, there is limited knowledge on how internet experience influences the perception of mobile web design and user preferences. To bridge this gap, we conducted an empirical study among 115 subjects from China to investigate how internet experience influences the judgement of mobile websites and user preferences. Our results show that users with higher internet experience are more critical of mobile web design than those with lower internet experience. Moreover, users with lower internet experience are more likely to prefer colorful web design than those with higher internet experience. On the other hand, users with higher internet experience are more likely to prefer minimalistic web design than those with lower internet experience. We discuss the implications of our findings in the context of mobile website design.
Solving the Synergistic Team Composition Problem ( Extended abstract )

Co-operative learning is used to refer to learning procedures for heterogeneous teams in which individual and teamwork are organised to complete academic tasks. Key factors for team performance are competences, personality and teammembers’ genders. Here, we present a computational model to form heterogeneous teams that incorporates those key factors. In addition, we propose efficient algorithms to partition a classroom into teams of even size and homogeneous performance. The first algorithm is based on an ILP formulation. For small problem instances this approach is appropriate. However, this is not the case for large problems, for which we propose a heuristic algorithm. We study the computational properties of both algorithms in the context of student teams.
Comparison of the Hemodynamic Alteration in Cerebral Aneurysms of Different Size Using CT Perfusion

To study the relationship between the different size of unruptured ICA aneurysms and the perfusion change distal to the aneurysms. Sixteen patients were included for they had concomitant CT angiography and perfusion CT images for evaluation of cerebral aneurysm and cerebral perfusion. They were 7 males and 9 females (mean age 59.3 years old, range 44-80 years old). Perfusion maps are obtained with the deconvolution technique. The anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) or basilar artery (BA) can be selected as the input artery. Mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were calculated and analyzed at an imaging workstation with commercially available software. There are 3 giant aneurysms, 6 large aneurysms and 7 small aneurysms with a mean of 13.8 mm (range 2-30 mm) in maximal diameter. Three of them have concomitant carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). The average ΔCBF, ΔCBF% at MCA (-4.65, -7.79%) and basal ganglion (BG, -6.21, -12.46%) in large and giant aneurysm group are negative value. The average ΔCBV, ΔCBV% at MCA (0.20, 9.15%) and BG (0.05, 3.49%) in large and giant aneurysm group are positive value. The average ΔMTT at MCA (1.01) and BG (0.97) in large and giant aneurysm group are positive value. There is no statistic difference of the ΔCBF, ΔCBF%, ΔCBV, ΔCBV% between two groups at MCA territory. However, the value of ΔMTT in large and giant aneurysm group is larger than small aneurysm group with statistical significance (1.01 versus -0.09, P=0.048) at MCA territory. After three patients with CCF is excluded, the coefficient correlation up to 0.71 with strong positive correlation with simple linear regression model to compare the size of aneurysm and ΔMTT. Unruptured large or giant ICA aneurysms cause perfusion change with significant prolonged MTT at MCA territory as compared with small aneurysms.
MICRO-SHEAR BOND STRENGTH OF CURRENT RESIN CEMENTS TO ENAMEL AND DENTIN

Background & Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the micro-shear bond strength of two kinds of resin-based cements with fluoride release with the usage of five adhesive systems to enamel and dentin. Materials & methods: Bovine flat enamel or dentin surfaces were used in this study. Micro cylinders of resin cement with Xeno Cem Plus (XCP) or Panavia Fluoro Cement (PFC) were bonded to enamel or dentin as followed: XCP or PFC as instructions prior to the usage of their own adhesive systems, Xeno CF II+XCP, SE Bond+PFC, or Clearfil Liner Bond II (CLB) + PFC. After the storage in 37 water for 24 hrs, micro-shear bond test was applied for all the test groups. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). After two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons with Fisher’s PLSD test were made. Results: Are given as follow (enamel and dentin, mean±SD in MPa); XCP, 13.7±4.0 and 15.5±9.2; PFC, 23.7±10.6 and 15.0±7.3; XCP+XCF II, 35.4±11.5 and 17.1±4.0; PFC+SE, 54.2±9.8 and 41.7±12.0; PFCCLB, 31.39±3.09 and 15.09±4.35. ANOVA (α=0.05) analyze revealed the usage of SE Bond under PFC significantly increased the bond strength to both enamel and dentin. Bonding of Xeno CFII was only improved the bonding to enamel with the application of XCP. Conclusion: Light-cure adhesive systems significantly improve the bonding of current resin cements. _______________________________________________________________________________
Discriminating against Captive Customers

We analyze a market where some consumers only consider buying from a specific seller while other consumers choose the best deal from several sellers. When sellers are able to discriminate against their captive customers, we show that discrimination harms consumers in aggregate relative to the situation with uniform pricing when sellers are approximately symmetric, while the practice tends to benefit consumers in sufficiently asymmetric markets. We also show how the asymmetry of markets may be affected by the information that firms have on consumer captivity. (JEL D11, D43, D83, L13)
Comparative effect of water extract of parthenium hysterophorus, Datura alba, Phragmites australis and Oryza sativa on weeds and wheat

Laboratory and pot experiments were conducted at the Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during fall 2011 and repeated in 2012. Allelopathic plants were used against wheat and associated weeds. Allelopathic plants showed significant activity against three selected species - Triticum aestivum, Avena fatua and Rumex crispus. Aqueous extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus and Datura alba showed significant effect against weeds of Triticum aestivum although aqueous extract of Phragmites australis possessed moderate activity. It was noted that aqueous extract of Oryza sativa and control were comparable for all parameters studied. Aqueous extract of P. hysterophorus and D. alba decreased seed germination, shoot length, fresh and dry biomass as compared to the rest of the treatments. The degree of toxicity of different treatments can be placed in the following order of inhibition: P. hysterophorus > D. alba > P. australis > O. sativa ≥ control. The present studies showed that the plants used contain water soluble allelochemicals that retard or inhibit the germination, growth and biomass of other species. These experiments suggests that P. hysterophorus, D. alba and P. australis extracts may have negative effect on major weeds like A. fatua and R. crispus. Thus there is a possibility of using these plant extracts for weed management. However, more extensive studies is required to identify the allelopathins responsible for inhibitory effects on seed germination and plant growth.
Astrophysical constraints on extended gravity models

We investigate the propagation of gravitational waves in the context of fourth order gravity nonminimally coupled to a massive scalar field. Using the damping of the orbital period of coalescing stellar binary systems, we impose constraints on the free parameters of extended gravity models. In particular, we find that the variation of the orbital period is a function of three mass scales which depend on the free parameters of the model under consideration; we can constrain these mass scales from current observational data.
Determinants for a generic mobile commerce transformation framework

Current technological advancement has given the necessary impetus for businesses to transform from traditional ways into to mobile business or m-businesses. This transformation has begun from the Internet era, where traditional businesses transformed to e-businesses by taking advantages of the facilities offered by the Internet. Recent development in wireless technology facilitated businesses to move further to m-businesses. Despite the development in the technical domain, it appears that businesses still struggle to comprehend the processes involved in the transformation because a proper framework is yet to evolve. This work-in-progress paper provides a background to such transformation with a method to achieve this transformation.
SYNTHESIS OF LOW-LOSS METAMATERIALS WITH NEGATIVE INDEX IN THE VISIBLE DOMAIN

Over the last decade, negative index media have attracted much attention due to their potential applications, especially the possibility of constructing superlenses. However, achieving high-performance negative-index metamaterials at visible frequencies, where this kind of media could find many applications, still remains a challenge. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the main routes for the implementation of metamaterials with negative index in this band, with a special focus on the so-called fishnet metamaterial. We pay particular attention to a specific fishnet configuration that recently allowed for the experimental demonstration of a low-loss and polarization-insensitive negative-index band in the visible regime.
BCG vaccine and pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important public health problems in the world and has been declared as a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is one of the first developed vaccines to prevent TB. Unfortunately, BCG vaccine has had a limited duration of protection and has shown controversial and variable levels of efficacy, especially against pulmonary TB. On the other hand, efforts in production of new forms of this vaccine have been in vain and revaccination is not considered as a suitable strategy to control the disease. Considering that TB affects adults mostly between the ages of 15 and 59, pulmonary TB is more common than disseminated TB and BCG vaccine has had a minimal effect on the global burden of pulmonary TB. Before introducing a new, safe and effective vaccine, combined strategies in the field of control and treatment of TB rather than vaccination are necessary.
Microvascular Free Flaps Reconstruction of Composite Resection Defects

Introduction: Buccal mucosa is a major sub site for oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the Indian subcontinent. The gold standard management of Buccal cancer is Composite resection which creates sometimes large defects. Reconstructive options for Composite resection defects are regional flaps to loco regional flaps to micro vascular free flaps. Currently, micro vascular free tissue transfer is considered as ideal choice for oral cavity reconstruction. This prospective study describes the outcome of Microvascular free flaps reconstruction of Composite resection defects. Materials and Methods: The current prospective study was conducted in the Department of Surgical Oncology at tertiary health care centre. Staging work up done with CECT Scan, X ray chest. Procedure was performed are Composite resection as per standard protocol. Outcome of the surgery with complications, cosmetic and functional outcomes were noted. Results: Total number of Buccal cancer included in our study is 140 and all patients underwent reconstruction by Pedicled (80) or Microvascular flaps (60). In our study, Majority 27 patients (45.0%) underwent radial free forearm flap followed by ALT flap. Cosmetic outcome and Functional outcome are better with all Microvascular flap. Conclusion: Reconstruction of Composite resection defects are challenging due to their complex three dimensional natures. For large complex defects, Micro vascular free flap provides better Cosmetic and Functional outcome.
Focusing on Two Different Aspects of Collaboration in Software Engineering : Supporting Collaborative Modeling and Specifications of Collaborative Activities

The paper discusses two aspect of collaboration in software engineering. The first one focusses on methodological support for collaborative modelling and the second one on the specification of collaborative activities and their simulation. For both aspects links to the literature are provided and existing tool support is discussed. The language CoTaL and their simulation environment CoTaSE are shortly introduced.
The Impact of Employee Wellness on "Corporate Wellness"

Corporate policy makers throughout the United States are providing their employees with an employee benefit known as Corporate Recreation/Fitness Programs. While doing so, many policy makers are investing great sums of money to enhance the wellness of the employees. The questions raised are: What is the anticipated return on the investment for these corporations? Does the provision of Corporate Recreation/Fitness Programs enhance corporate profits ("corporate wellness")? Is there a relationship between employee participation in Corporate Recreation/Fitness Programs and work task performance, absenteeism, turnover, stress levels, job satisfaction, and morale? This article presents research results aimed at answering these vital questions. THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE WELLNESS ON "CORPORATE WELLNESS" In the past several years, there has risen a concern regarding the wellness of employees within the corporate setting in the United States. Wellness in this sense generally refers to the physiological and psychological fitness of employees, including blood pressure, weight control, stress level management, cardiovascular efficiency, as well as emotional stability. In an effort to enhance the wellness of their employees, many corporate policy makers have provided recreation, fitness, health and education programs and services to their employees. Indeed, the growth in the number of corporate sponsored recreation, fitness, health, and education programs in the United States in the past ten years is impressive. Corporations such as Lockheed, Rockwell, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Intentions

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify the presence of various entrepreneurial traits present among the college students. This research will also relate the entrepreneurial self traits to their career intentions. Another aim is to find out if there exists any gender difference in entrepreneurial trait and entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative approach is being used. The data has been collected by administering a questionnaire including personal demographics and questions on Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, career choice, and intentions. Purposive sampling has been done. Findings – There exist no gender differences in Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career intentions among the accounting major students. The first choice of the students after completion of their study is to go for Government jobs, the second choice is private jobs, and the third choice is starting up their own business. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the Omani Accounting Undergraduate students only. Future researches can include students from all branches, i.e., management, marketing, economics, etc. It can also be extended to inter-discipline likePharmacy, Nursing, Engineering, and Arts & Science and across various countries. Originality/value –This research is first of its kind as it focuses on the accounting major students. Due to Omanisation, many accounting jobs are reserved for native Omanis‟ only. In such circumstances, this research helps to understand the student's career intention and preference of career.