Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural Resource Ecology and Management 1-2006 Temperature Influences Carbon Accumulation in Moist Tropical Forests

Evergreen broad-leaved tropical forests can have high rates of productivity and large accumulations of carbon in plant biomass and soils. They can therefore play an important role in the global carbon cycle, influencing atmospheric CO2 concentrations if climate warms. We applied meta-analyses to published data to evaluate the apparent effects of temperature on carbon fluxes and storages in mature, moist tropical evergreen forest ecosystems. Among forests, litter production, tree growth, and belowground carbon allocation all increased significantly with site mean annual temperature (MAT); total net primary productivity (NPP) increased by an estimated 0.2–0.7 Mg C·ha−1·yr−1·°C−1. Temperature had no discernible effect on the turnover rate of aboveground forest biomass, which averaged 0.014 yr−1 among sites. Consistent with these findings, forest biomass increased with site MAT at a rate of 5–13 Mg C·ha−1·°C−1. Despite greater productivity in warmer forests, soil organic matter accumulations decreased with site MAT, with a slope of −8 Mg C·ha−1·°C−1, indicating that decomposition rates of soil organic matter increased with MAT faster than did rates of NPP. Turnover rates of surface litter also increased with temperature among forests. We found no detectable effect of temperature on total carbon storage among moist tropical evergreen forests, but rather a shift in ecosystem structure, from low-biomass forests with relatively large accumulations of detritus in cooler sites, to largebiomass forests with relatively smaller detrital stocks in warmer locations. These results imply that, in a warmer climate, conservation of forest biomass will be critical to the maintenance of carbon stocks in moist tropical forests.
Receiver design for MIMO OFDM transmission over time variant channels

This paper considers receiver design for space time block coded MIMO OFDM transmission over frequency and time selective channels. The receiver employs the expectation-maximization algorithm for joint channel and data recovery. It makes collective use of the data and channel constraints of the communication problem. The data constraints include pilots, the cyclic prefix, the finite alphabet constraint, and space-time block coding. The channel constraints include the finite delay spread and frequency and time correlation as well as spatial correlation. The channel estimation part of the receiver boils down to an EM-based forward-backward Kalman filter. To avoid the latency and storage associated with smoothing, we introduce a forward-only Kalman that performs channel (and data) recovery with no latency. Simulations show that the receiver outperforms other least-squares based iterative receivers.
The epidemiology of Leishmania donovani infection in high transmission foci in India

Objective Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is highly prevalent in Bihar, India. India and its neighbours aim at eliminating VL, but several knowledge gaps in the epidemiology of VL may hamper that effort. The prevalence of asymptomatic infections with Leishmania donovani and their role in transmission dynamics are not well understood. We report data from a sero‐survey in Bihar.
The Influence of Relational Knowledge and Executive Function on Preschoolers’ Repeating Pattern Knowledge

Children’s knowledge of repeating patterns (e.g., ABBABB) is a central component of early mathematics, but the developmental mechanisms underlying this knowledge are currently unknown. We sought clarity on the importance of relational knowledge and executive function (EF) to preschoolers’ understanding of repeating patterns. One hundred twenty-four children aged 4 to 5 years old were administered a relational knowledge task, 3 EF tasks (working memory, inhibition, set shifting), and a repeating pattern assessment before and after a brief pattern intervention. Relational knowledge, working memory, and set shifting predicted preschoolers’ initial pattern knowledge. Working memory also predicted improvements in pattern knowledge after instruction. The findings indicated that greater EF ability was beneficial to preschoolers’ repeating pattern knowledge and that working-memory capacity played a particularly important role in learning about patterns. Implications are discussed in terms of the benefits of relational knowledge and EF for preschoolers’ development of patterning and mathematics skills.
Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility on the Internet

The need for and benefits of proactive and transparent communication about corporate social responsibility (CSR) are widely acknowledged. This study examines CSR communication undertaken by the top 100 information technology (IT) companies in India on their corporate Web sites, with an analytical focus on the dimensions of prominence of communication, extent of information, and style of presentation. The findings indicate that the number of companies with CSR information on their Web sites is strikingly low and that these leading companies do not leverage the Web sites to their advantage in terms of the quantity and style of CSR communication. Although the findings do not necessarily imply absence of CSR action on the part of IT companies in India, they attest to a general lack of proactive CSR communication. The article concludes with managerial implications for CSR communication on corporate Web sites.
Legacy System Migration : A Legacy Data Migration Engine

The widespread use of computer technology over several decades has resulted in some large, complex systems which have evolved to a state where they significantly resist further modification and evolution. These Legacy Information Systems are normally mission-critical : if one of these systems stops working the business may grind to a halt. Thus for many organisations, decommissioning is not an option. An alternative solution is Legacy System Migration which has recently become an important research and practical issue. This paper presents an approach to mission-critical legacy systems migration: Butterfly methodology. Data migration is the primary focus of Butterfly methodology, however, it is placed in the overall context of a complete legacy system migration.
Myocardial blood flow, glucose uptake, and recruitment of inotropic reserve in chronic left ventricular ischemic dysfunction. Implications for the pathophysiology of chronic myocardial hibernation.

BACKGROUND Previous work has documented that dysfunctional noninfarcted collateral-dependent myocardium, a condition typical of myocardial hibernation, exhibited almost normal resting perfusion. The present study was designed to test whether these observations could be extended to unselected patients with chronic dysfunction and a previous infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS Dynamic positron emission tomographic imaging with [13N]ammonia and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to assess myocardial perfusion and glucose uptake was performed in 39 patients with chronic anterior wall dysfunction undergoing coronary revascularization. Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography before (at rest and during low-dose dobutamine infusion) and 5 months after revascularization. At follow-up, wall motion was improved in 24 patients and unchanged in 15 patients. Before revascularization, absolute myocardial blood flow was higher (84 +/- 27 versus 60 +/- 26 mL.min-1 x 100 g-1, P = .007) in reversibly compared with persistently dysfunctional segments. In segments with reversible dysfunction, values of myocardial blood flow were similar to those in the remote segments of the same patients or in anterior segments of normal volunteers. During glucose clamp, FDG uptake was higher (69 +/- 17% versus 49 +/- 18%, P < .01) but myocardial glucose uptake was not different (38 +/- 20 versus 29 +/- 19 mumol.min-1.100 g-1, P = NS) in reversibly compared with persistently dysfunctional segments. A flow-metabolism mismatch was present in 18 of 24 reversibly injured but absent in 10 of 15 persistently dysfunctional segments. With dobutamine, wall motion improved in 17 of 24 reversibly dysfunctional segments and did not change in 13 of 15 segments with persistent dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that chronic but reversible ischemic dysfunction is associated with almost normal resting myocardial perfusion, with maintained FDG uptake, and with recruitable inotropic reserve. These data support the contention that chronic hibernation is not the consequence of a permanent reduction of transmural myocardial perfusion at rest.
Where to now for vocational education and training in Africa?

Abstract Vocational education and training (VET) has returned to the list of policy priorities for education in Africa after an absence of a quarter of a century, yet there has been no new research that overturns the existing orthodox position that such provision, whether during or after schooling, is inefficient and ineffective. This paper addresses this apparent contradiction. It revisits the existing arguments against African VET to consider whether they have continued salience. It suggests that what is needed is a new approach to thinking about VET in Africa that takes account of innovations in theory, policy and practice about VET in other regions and in the wider field of African development theory. It offers a discussion of three areas in which a new approach might develop: reviewing the international evidence on VET reform; reimagining the purpose of VET; and revisiting the head-hand division and its implications for vocationalism in schools.
Activation of Synaptic NMDA Receptors by Action Potential-Dependent Release of Transmitter during Hypoxia Impairs Recovery of Synaptic Transmission on Reoxygenation

Increased levels of glutamate and the subsequent activation of NMDA receptors are responsible for neuronal damage that occurs after an ischemic or hypoxic episode. In the present work, we investigated the relative contribution of presynaptic and postsynaptic blockade of synaptic transmission, as well as of blockade of NMDA receptors, for the facilitation of recovery of synaptic transmission in the CA1 area of rat hippocampal slices exposed to prolonged (90 min) hypoxia. During hypoxia, there was a complete inhibition of field EPSPs, which was fully reversible if released adenosine was allowed to act. When adenosine A1 receptors were blocked with the selective antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), recovery of synaptic transmission from hypoxia was significantly attenuated, and this impairment could be overcome by preventing synaptic transmission during hypoxia either with tetrodotoxin (TTX) or by switching off the afferent stimulation but not by postsynaptic blockade of transmission with 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) or selective blockade of adenosine A2A receptors. When synaptic transmission was allowed to occur during hypoxia, because of the presence of DPCPX, there was an NMDA receptor-mediated component of the EPSCs recorded in CA1 pyramidal neurons, and blockade of NMDA receptors with AP-5 restored recovery of synaptic transmission from hypoxia. It is concluded that impairment of recovery of synaptic transmission after an hypoxic insult results from activation of synaptic NMDA receptors by synaptically released glutamate and that adenosine by preventing this activation efficiently facilitates recovery.
Quantifying the Effects of Prior Knowledge in Entry-Level Programming Courses

Computer literacy and programming are being taught increasingly at the K-12 level with more students than ever matriculating in college with prior programming experience. Accurately assessing student programming skills acquired in high school can inform college faculty about the range of competencies in introductory programming courses. The tool predominantly-used for assessing past CS knowledge and skills is a survey, which lacks quantitative rigor. This study aims to (1) quantify the effects of prior knowledge in entry-level programming courses and (2) compare the different measurement approaches of student prior knowledge in programming, including surveys and aptitude tests. The results of this study reveal that a discrepancy exists between the results of surveys and aptitude tests. Consistent with prior survey studies, our survey results showed that the effects of student prior programming knowledge faded gradually during the course period. In contrast, the aptitude test results indicated that the effects of student prior knowledge did not weaken over time. The accuracy of both measurements and implications for instructors were further discussed.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Relation to EC Legislation

The first part of the article is an outline of the nature of sexual harassment, its extent and the growing awareness of it. The second part considers why there was a need for a community initiative and looks at the extent of sexual harassment in the Member States, the consequences of sexual harassment, legal remedies and the impact it has on the community's principles, including health and safety at the workplace and the competitiveness of undertakings. The third part describes various legal instruments in the EC. The fourth part analyses the European Commission Recommendation and Code of Practice on Sexual Harassment. This section also looks at the status of the Code and why some kinds of sexual harassment are excluded from legal remedy by having sexual harassment related to the Equal Treatment Directive. Some comparisons are made between UK and US case law in this context. The fifth part concerns recommendations.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Breathing Complexity

Breathing is maintained and controlled by a network of automatic neurons in the brainstem that generate respiratory rhythm and receive regulatory inputs. Breathing complexity therefore arises from respiratory central pattern generators modulated by peripheral and supra-spinal inputs. Very little is known on the brainstem neural substrates underlying breathing complexity in humans. We used both experimental and theoretical approaches to decipher these mechanisms in healthy humans and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is the most frequent chronic lung disease in the general population mainly due to tobacco smoke. In patients, airflow obstruction associated with hyperinflation and respiratory muscles weakness are key factors contributing to load-capacity imbalance and hence increased respiratory drive. Unexpectedly, we found that the patients breathed with a higher level of complexity during inspiration and expiration than controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we scanned the brain of the participants to analyze the activity of two small regions involved in respiratory rhythmogenesis, the rostral ventro-lateral (VL) medulla (pre-Bötzinger complex) and the caudal VL pons (parafacial group). fMRI revealed in controls higher activity of the VL medulla suggesting active inspiration, while in patients higher activity of the VL pons suggesting active expiration. COPD patients reactivate the parafacial to sustain ventilation. These findings may be involved in the onset of respiratory failure when the neural network becomes overwhelmed by respiratory overload We show that central neural activity correlates with airflow complexity in healthy subjects and COPD patients, at rest and during inspiratory loading. We finally used a theoretical approach of respiratory rhythmogenesis that reproduces the kernel activity of neurons involved in the automatic breathing. The model reveals how a chaotic activity in neurons can contribute to chaos in airflow and reproduces key experimental fMRI findings.
Evaluation of a Mentoring Program for Elementary School Students at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders.

Background: For healthy development, children need positive relationships with adults. Due to changes in family systems and shifting social norms, many children may be receiving less parental support than in the past and may be discouraged from forming natural mentoring relationships with other adults. Mentoring programs are designed to facilitate appropriate, meaningful relationships between children and adults leading to positive outcomes such as improved social skills and self-esteem. Mentoring programs are being more widely implemented in schools, though additional evaluation of the effects of these programs is needed. Aims: The purpose of this article is to describe and evaluate a school-based mentoring program in which adult volunteers were paired with elementary school students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders. A secondary question addressed how the school-based mentoring program was perceived by those involved (e.g., students, mentors, teachers, and parents). Sample: Primary participants were 16 students and their adult mentors located in a suburban elementary school in the western United States. Method: Students were selected for the mentoring program using a school-wide screening for emotional and behavior disorders. Evaluation focused on what impact the school-based mentoring program had on ratings of students' social competence, antisocial behaviors, academics, and attendance. Results: Quantitative analysis of data, based on parent and teacher ratings, indicated improvements in students' social competence and decreases in antisocial behaviors, teachers also noted improvements in students' grades. Qualitative analysis revealed that parents, mentors, students, and teachers were all generally pleased with the mentoring experience. Conclusion: Results suggest that participation in the mentoring program was associated with improved social skills, decreased antisocial behaviors, and improved academic behaviors, though teachers noted more of these improvements than did parents. Steps for those wanting to initiate school-based mentoring programs are provided.
Prevalence of Eimeria species in scavenging native chickens of Shiraz, Iran

The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species in native chickens reared under semi-scavenging system and were allowed to scavenge in the yard, in crop fields near water reservoirs. We studied 200 scavenging native chickens in villages around Shiraz City in Southwest Iran. These chickens had no history of vaccination against coccidiosis and had never been given coccidiostat drugs. The chickens were submitted for post-mortem and parasitological examinations. All the villages had chickens that were positive for different Eimeria spp. From a total of 200 native chickens examined, 128 (64%) were infected with coccidiosis. Eimeria tenella was the most prevalent species (24%) followed by Eimeria acervulina (18%), Eimeria necatrix (12%), and Eimeria maxima (10%). Prevalences varied by management and did not vary by flock size.
Alcohol consumption, social support, and risk of stroke and coronary heart disease among Japanese men: the JPHC Study.

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether the association between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease is affected by social support. METHODS The prospective data for 19,356 men aged 40 to 69 years who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study. Alcohol consumption was classified into 7 categories: never, past, occasional, 1 to 149, 150 to 299, 300 to 449, or > or =450 g ethanol/wk. Associations between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease were stratified by the median level of social support score, which was measured in emotional support score of this cohort study. RESULTS During an average follow-up of 9.9 years, 629 total strokes and 207 coronary heart diseases were documented. Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease and total cardiovascular disease, while heavy alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of total stroke, in particular hemorrhagic stroke. When stratified by social support score, the multivariable hazard ratios of total cardiovascular disease associated with light-to-moderate alcohol consumption (1 to 299 g/wk) were 0.99 (0.72 to 1.37) in the low social support group and 0.56 (0.44 to 0.70) in the high social support group (p for interaction = 0.002), while the multivariable hazard ratios of hemorrhagic stroke associated with heavy alcohol consumption (> or =300 g/wk) were 2.09 (1.03 to 4.27) in the low social support group and 1.25 (0.72 to 2.15) in the high social support group (p for interaction = 0.44). There was no interaction between alcohol consumption and social support in relation to risk of coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS Social support may enhance the beneficial effect of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption on risk of cardiovascular disease.
Linearly Polarized Shaped Power Pattern Synthesis With Dynamic Range Ratio Control for Arbitrary Antenna Arrays

This paper extends the semidefinite relaxation (SDR) method to be capable of synthesizing linearly polarized shaped patterns with accurate control of sidelobe level (SLL), cross-polarization level (XPL), and dynamic range ratio (DRR) of the excitation distribution for arbitrary antenna arrays. In addition, by using the vectorial active element patterns, mutual coupling and platform effect can be also incorporated into the proposed vectorial shaped pattern synthesis. Three examples for synthesizing linearly polarized patterns with different pattern shape requirements and different antenna array geometries have been conducted to check the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. Compared to the original vectorial shaped pattern synthesis without DRR control, the proposed method with the DRR control can significantly reduce the obtained DRR which is very useful in many antenna array applications.