Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape ecology: what is the state of the science?

▪ Abstract Landscape ecology focuses on the reciprocal interactions between spatial pattern and ecological processes, and it is well integrated with ecology. The field has grown rapidly over the past 15 years. The persistent influence of land-use history and natural disturbance on contemporary ecosystems has become apparent. Development of pattern metrics has largely stabilized, and they are widely used to relate landscape pattern to ecological responses. Analyses conducted at multiple scales have demonstrated the importance of landscape pattern for many taxa, and spatially mediated interspecific interactions are receiving increased attention. Disturbance remains prominent in landscape studies, and current research is addressing disturbance interactions. Integration of ecosystem and landscape ecology remains challenging but should enhance understanding of landscape function. Landscape ecology should continue to refine knowledge of when spatial heterogeneity is fundamentally important, rigorously test the .
The microtubule interacting drug candidate NAP protects against kainic acid toxicity in a rat model of epilepsy

NAP (NAPVSIPQ, generic name, davunetide), a neuroprotective peptide in clinical development for neuroprotection against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative indications, has been recently shown to provide protection against kainic acid excitotoxicity in hippocampal neuronal cultures. In vivo, kainic acid toxicity models status epilepticus that is associated with hippocampal cell death. Kainic acid toxicity has been previously suggested to involve the microtubule cytoskeleton and NAP is a microtubule‐interacting drug candidate. In the current study, kainic acid‐treated rats showed epileptic seizures and neuronal death. Injection of NAP into the dentate gyrus partially protected against kainic acid‐induced CA3 neuron death. Microarray analysis (composed of > 31 000 probe sets, analyzing over 30 000 transcripts and variants from over 25 000 well‐substantiated rat genes) in the kainic acid‐injured rat brain revealed multiple changes in gene expression, which were prevented, in part, by NAP treatment. Selected transcripts were further verified by reverse transcription coupled with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Importantly, among the transcripts regulated by NAP were key genes associated with proconvulsant properties and with long‐lasting changes that underlie the epileptic state, including activin A receptor (associated with apoptosis), neurotensin (associated with proper neurotransmission) and the Wolfram syndrome 1 homolog (human, associated with neurodegeneration). These data suggest that NAP may provide neuroprotection in one of the most serious neurological conditions, epilepsy.
Mechanical behaviour of as sprayed and sintered air plasma sprayed partially stabilised zirconia

Abstract The mechanical behaviour of free standing air plasma sprayed (APS) partially yttria stabilised zirconia (P-YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBC) at room temperature and at elevated temperatures up to 1050°C have been investigated. Creep tests under constant compressive load have been conducted as well as cyclic measurements of compressive stress – strain hysteresis loops with increasing maximum load, yielding Young's moduli of the porous partially yttria stabilised zirconia. Both mechanical parameters are needed for accurate modelling of the local stress fields of, for example, airfoils to identify critical regions where damage or even failure of the component may occur. Specimens in the as sprayed and sintered state were tested. The microstructural changes caused by sintering and mechanical loading at high temperature of the thermal barrier coatings have been characterised by porosity measurements made from metallographic cross-sections.
A New Specimen of Carroll’s Mystery Hupehsuchian from the Lower Triassic of China

A new specimen of an enigmatic hupehsuchian genus is reported. The genus was first recognized by Robert L. Carroll and Zhi-ming Dong in 1991, who refrained from naming it because of the poor quality of the only specimen known at the time. After more than two decades, we finally report a second specimen of this genus, which remained unprepared until recently. The new specimen preserves most of the skeleton except the skull, allowing us to erect a new genus and species, Eretmorhipis carrolldongi. The new species shares many characters with Parahupehsuchus longus, including the strange axial skeleton that forms a bony body tube. However, the body tube is short in the new species, being limited to the pectoral region. The vertebral count and limb morphology considerably differ between the new species and P. longus. The forelimb of E. carrolldongi is markedly larger than its hind limb as in Hupehsuchus nanchangensis but unlike in P. longus. The new species is unique among hupehsuchians in a list of features. It has manual and pedal digits that spread radially, forming manus and pes that are almost as wide as long. The third-layer elements of the dermal armor are unusually large, spanning four vertebral segments, yet there are substantial gaps among them. With the addition of the unique paddle, it is now clear that Hupehsuchia had diverse forelimb morphologies spanning from paddles to flippers, unlike ichthyopterygians that were taxonomically more diverse yet only had flippers.
Structural behaviou of neutron irradiated quartz

Abstract X-ray and density studies have been made on single crystals of quartz irradiated with fast pile neutrons at approximately 100°C. The structural effects of the irradiation follow at least two processes with doses up to 1·2 × 1020 neutrons/cm2. Crystals irradiated with less than 3 × 1019 neutrons/cm2 expand anisotropically in a manner that is similar to the thermal expansion of unirradiated quartz. In this dosage range the volume increase is the same, as determined by x-ray and hydrostatic methods, and little or no distortion is observed in x-ray diffraction patterns. The model which seems to fit these results, best consists of point defects and slightly disordered regions which result in an elastic distention of the lattice. After doses in excess of 3 × 1019 neutrona/cm2 the damaging prom is more complex since the volume change indicated by x-ray measurements of the host lattice becomes larger than the bulk volume change determined hydrostatically. After irradiation with 8 × 1019 neutrona/cm2 an i.
Multimeric Soluble CD40 Ligand and GITR Ligand as Adjuvants for Human Immunodeficiency Virus DNA Vaccines

ABSTRACT For use in humans, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA vaccines may need to include immunostimulatory adjuvant molecules. CD40 ligand (CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily (TNFSF), is one candidate adjuvant, but it has been difficult to use because it is normally expressed as a trimeric membrane molecule. Soluble trimeric forms of CD40L have been produced, but in vitro data indicate that multimeric, many-trimer forms of soluble CD40L are more active. This multimerization requirement was evaluated in mice using plasmids that encoded either 1-trimer, 2-trimer, or 4-trimer soluble forms of CD40L. Fusion with the body of Acrp30 was used to produce the 2-trimer form, and fusion with the body of surfactant protein D was used to produce the 4-trimer form. Using plasmids for secreted HIV-1 antigens Gag and Env, soluble CD40L was active as an adjuvant in direct proportion to the valence of the trimers (1 < 2 < 4). These CD40L-augmented DNA vaccines elicited strong CD8+ T-cell responses but did not elicit significant CD4+ T-cell or antibody responses. To test the applicability of the multimeric fusion protein approach to other TNFSFs, a 4-trimer construct for the ligand of glucocorticoid-induced TNF family-related receptor (GITR) was also prepared. Multimeric soluble GITR ligand (GITRL) augmented the CD8+ T-cell, CD4+ T-cell, and antibody responses to DNA vaccination. In summary, multimeric CD40L and GITRL are new adjuvants for DNA vaccines. Plasmids for expressing multimeric TNFSF fusion proteins permit the rapid testing of TNFSF molecules in vivo.
Large‐scale expansion of pre‐isolated bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in serum‐free conditions

The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal or stem cells (MSCs) has generated tremendous interest for treating various degenerative diseases. Regulatory preference is to use a culture medium that is devoid of bovine components for stem cell expansion intended for therapeutic applications. However, a clear choice an alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) has not yet emerged. We have screened five different commercially available serum‐free media (SFM) for their ability to support the growth and expansion of pre‐isolated undifferentiated bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs) and compared the results with cells grown in standard FBS‐containing medium as control. In addition, based on initial screening results, BD Mosaic™ Mesenchymal Stem Cell Serum‐free (BD‐SFM) medium was evaluated in large‐scale cultures for the performance and culture characteristics of BM‐MSCs. Of the five different serum‐free media, BD‐SFM enhanced BM‐MSCs growth and expansion in Cell STACK (CS), but the cell yield per CS‐10 was less when compared to the control medium. The characteristics of MSCs were measured in terms of population doubling time (PDT), cell yield and expression of MSC‐specific markers. Significant differences were observed between BD‐SFM and control medium in terms of population doublings (PDs), cell yield, CFU‐F and morphological features, whereas surface phenotype and differentiation potentials were comparable. The BD‐SFM‐cultured MSCs were also found to retain the differentiation potential, immune‐privileged status and immunosuppressive properties inherent to MSCs. Our results suggest that BD‐SFM supports large‐scale expansion of BM‐MSCs for therapeutic use. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accelerated FPGA repair through shifted scrubbing

As critical systems make more and more use of high performance FPGAs, several reliability aspects of these devices come into play. Whenever SRAM-based FPGAs are used, upsets in the configuration memory become a major dependability threat, and must be removed as soon as possible. This is usually accomplished through a process called scrubbing. The traditional scrubbing technique, however, suffers from high energy costs and a long mean time to repair (MTTR). In this work we propose a novel approach to minimize these drawbacks through a triggered shifted scrubbing procedure. The proposed technique exploits the non-uniform distribution of critical bits in the configuration memory of the device to reduce the repair time. It provides an average MTTR reduction of 30% without any changes in the circuit implemented in the FPGA when compared to previous works.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Surgical Correction of Madelung’s Deformity with Conservation of the Distal Radioulnar Joint in Teenagers

Eleven wrists with painful Madelung deformity in seven patients were corrected during adolescence by a closing wedge osteotomy of the radius and a shortening osteotomy of the ulna, with conservation of the distal radioulnar joint. At late follow-up (9.7 years) function was considerably improved. When the ulnar head was correctly relocated during operation, a new distal radioulnar space developed. Shortening of the ulna must be generous and combined with slight flexion at the osteotomy.
Prevalence of Herpes and Respiratory Viruses in Induced Sputum among Hospitalized Children with Non Typical Bacterial Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Objective Few comprehensive studies have searched for viruses in infants and young children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of human herpes viruses (HHVs) and other respiratory viruses in CAP not caused by typical bacterial infection and to determine their prevalence and clinical significance. Methods Induced sputum (IS) samples were collected from 354 hospitalised patients (infants, n = 205; children, n = 149) with respiratory illness (CAP or non-CAP) admitted to Wenling Hospital of China. We tested for HHVs and respiratory viruses using PCR-based assays. The epidemiological profiles were also analysed. Results High rate of virus detection (more than 98%) and co-infection (more than 80%) were found among IS samples from 354 hospitalised infants and children with respiratory illness in this study. Of 273 CAP samples tested, CMV (91.6%), HHV-6 (50.9%), RSV (37.4%), EBV (35.5%), HBoV (28.2%), HHV-7 (18.3%) and rhinovirus (17.2%) were the most commonly detected viruses. Of 81 non- CAP samples tested, CMV (63%), RSV (49.4%), HHV-6 (42%), EBV (24.7%), HHV-7 (13.6%) and HBoV (8.6%) were the dominant viruses detected. The prevalence of several viral agents (rhinovirus, bocavirus, adenovirus and CMV) among IS samples of CAP were significantly higher than that of non-CAP control group. We also found the prevalence of RSV coinfection with HHVs was also higher among CAP group than that of non-CAP control. Conclusions With sensitive molecular detection techniques and IS samples, high rates of viral identification were achieved in infants and young children with respiratory illness in a rural area of China. The clinical significance of rhinovirus, bocavirus, adenovirus and HHV (especially CMV) infections should receive greater attention in future treatment and prevention studies of CAP in infants and children.
Fast compiler optimisation evaluation using code-feature based performance prediction

Performance tuning is an important and time consuming task which may have to be repeated for each new application and platform. Although iterative optimisation can automate this process, it still requires many executions of different versions of the program. As execution time is frequently the limiting factor in the number of versions or transformed programs that can be considered, what is needed is a mechanism that can automatically predict the performance of a modified program without actually having to run it. This paper presents a new machine learning based technique to automatically predict the speedup of a modified program using a performance model based on the code features of the tuned programs. Unlike previous approaches it does not require any prior learning over a benchmark suite. Furthermore, it can be used to predict the performance of any tuning and is not restricted to a prior seen trans-formation space. We show that it can deliver predictions with a high correlation coefficient and can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of search.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics a Multi-model Assessment of Pollution Transport to the Arctic

We examine the response of Arctic gas and aerosol concentrations to perturbations in pollutant emissions from Europe, East and South Asia, and North America using results from a coordinated model intercomparison. These sensitivities to regional emissions (mixing ratio change per unit emission) vary widely across models and species. Intermodel differences are systematic, however, so that the relative importance of different regions is robust. North America contributes the most to Arctic ozone pollution. For aerosols and CO, European emissions dominate at the Arctic surface but East Asian emissions become progressively more important with altitude, and are dominant in the upper tropo-sphere. Sensitivities show strong seasonality: surface sensitivities typically maximize during boreal winter for European and during spring for East Asian and North American emissions. Mid-tropospheric sensitivities, however, nearly always maximize during spring or summer for all regions. Deposi-tion of black carbon (BC) onto Greenland is most sensitive to North American emissions. North America and Europe each contribute ∼40% of total BC deposition to Greenland, with ∼20% from East Asia. Elsewhere in the Arctic, both sensitivity and total BC deposition are dominated by Euro-Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 5354 Multi-model assessment of pollution transport to the Arctic: D. T. Shindell et al. pean emissions. Model diversity for aerosols is especially large, resulting primarily from differences in aerosol physical and chemical processing (including removal). Comparison of modeled aerosol concentrations with observations indicates problems in the models, and perhaps, interpretation of the measurements. For gas phase pollutants such as CO and O 3 , which are relatively well-simulated, the processes contributing most to uncertainties depend on the source region and altitude examined. Uncertainties in the Arctic surface CO response to emissions perturbations are dominated by emissions for East Asian sources, while uncertainties in transport, emissions, and oxidation are comparable for Euro-pean and North American sources. At higher levels, model-to-model variations in transport and oxidation are most important. Differences in photochemistry appear to play the largest role in the intermodel variations in Arctic ozone sensitivity , though transport also contributes substantially in the mid-troposphere.
Drug dreams in mescaline and LSD addiction.

Drug-addicted patients frequently report dreams, the contents of which are related to their craving for drugs.1–4 Drug dreams (ie, dreams about using or seeking drugs) have shown their usefulness as clinical and prognostic tools,5,6 and have been investigated in several forms of addiction (eg, heroin, cocaine, or alcohol). 1 However, there is no description of drug dreams in hallucinogenic drug addiction in the literature. Here, I briefly report an example of drug dreaming in the case of a mescaline/LSD-addicted patient: Ms. C. , a 23-year-old woman, had been using mescaline and LSD frequently for 3 years when she was admitted, with a diagnosis of drug dependence, to a psychological support program. She also used other drugs such as ecstasy/MDMA, benzodiazepine, and amphetamines. Although she showed a strong drug craving, during the first days of treatment she was able to cease using drugs. In the same period, she recalled a vivid dream in which she used LSD: “I was with friends at a rave party, the people offered various drugs and they gave me LSD and I used it. It was a pleasant dream. ” On awakening from this dream, she felt very disappointed because she realized that she actually could not have the drug and she wanted it. During the day after this dream, the patient had a relapse (she used benzodiazepine) and, in the following days, she abandoned the support program. This case report is largely compatible with previous literature on drug dreams in other forms of addiction.1,2,7 Particularly, it is confirmed that these drug dreams are the result of abstinence from drugs that provoke a drugcraving frustration.1,2,4,8 Drug dreams have been frequently considered as predictive of continued abstinence and as a good prognostic sign,1,2,8,9 but some authors have also underlined that some types of these dreams might precede a drug-craving increase in postdream reality and a possible relapse (ie, using drug). 1,3 This case report suggests that the drug dreams which predict a possible relapse could be
Impact of GDP, Spending on R&D, Number of Universities and Scientific Journals on Research Publications among Asian Countries

Objectives This study aimed to compare the impact of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, spending on Research and Development (R&D), number of universities, and Indexed Scientific Journals on total number of research documents (papers), citations per document and Hirsch index (H-index) in various science and social science subjects among Asian countries. Materials and Methods In this study, 40 Asian countries were included. The information regarding Asian countries, their GDP per capita, spending on R&D, total number of universities and indexed scientific journals were collected. We recorded the bibliometric indicators, including total number of research documents, citations per document and H-index in various science and social sciences subjects during the period 1996–2011. The main sources for information were World Bank, SCI-mago/Scopus and Web of Science; Thomson Reuters. Results The mean per capita GDP for all the Asian countries is 14448.31±2854.40 US$, yearly per capita spending on R&D 0.64±0.16 US$, number of universities 72.37±18.32 and mean number of ISI indexed journal per country is 17.97±7.35. The mean of research documents published in various science and social science subjects among all the Asian countries during the period 1996–2011 is 158086.92±69204.09; citations per document 8.67±0.48; and H-index 122.8±19.21. Spending on R&D, number of universities and indexed journals have a positive correlation with number of published documents, citations per document and H-index in various science and social science subjects. However, there was no association between the per capita GDP and research outcomes. Conclusion The Asian countries who spend more on R&D have a large number of universities and scientific indexed journals produced more in research outcomes including total number of research publication, citations per documents and H-index in various science and social science subjects.
Paediatric Meningitis and Hearing Loss in a Developing Country: Exploring the Current Protocols Regarding Audiological Management Following Meningitis

The purpose of this study was to establish audiology referral protocols for post meningitis paediatric populations in two academic hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa. Specific objectives of this study included determining if audiological assessment referrals were made following infection; determining the time of referral post meningitis diagnosis; establishing what audiological assessments were conducted on this population, as well as determining any correlations between signs and symptoms of meningitis and referrals for audiology assessments. Medical records of 47 children admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of meningitis between the ages of birth and 6 years were reviewed following a retrospective record review design. Data relevant to the current study were obtained from hospital records and this was captured in a data spreadsheet. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were implemented in analysis of the data. Inferential statistics in the form of logistic regression analysis was used to establish any significant factor that may predict referral for audiological assessment. The findings indicated that almost half (40%) of the cases were not referred for audiological services. Of those cases referred for assessment, 89% were referred as in-patients before hospital discharge, with minimal referrals occurring after discharge from hospital. Screening, rather than diagnostic audiology measures were conducted on a majority of the cases. Logistic regression analysis identified fever as the only predictor variable (p<0.01) for audiological assessment referral. Results from this study highlight the need for the establishment of audiology referral protocols for paediatric meningitis populations to ensure that early identification and early intervention occurs.