Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrologic controls on nitrogen availability in a high-latitude, semi-arid floodplain

Abstract Past research shows a discrepancy between apparent nitrogen supply and the annual growth requirements for early successional plant communities along the Tanana River floodplain in interior Alaska. Because previous measurements of nitrogen fixation, mineralization, and deposition can only account for approximately 26% of these communities' nitrogen requirements, other mechanisms of nitrogen supply should be operating. This study examined the potential for subsurface hydrology to supply nitrogen to the rooting zones of early successional plant communities. Three transects of ground water wells were established along the floodplain, and hydrologic characteristics and soil/water chemistry were measured for 2 y. Hydrologic measurements were then used to model the potential nitrogen contributions from advective flow and capillary rise. Ion exchange membranes and stable isotope tracers were used to identify the use of hyporheic nitrogen by vegetation. Nitrogen accumulation on ion exchange membranes showed a large input of nitrogen during a period of high water in 2003. Plants showed uptake of hyporheic 15N-labelled nitrogen at 2 of 4 locations. Models of capillary rise and advective flow estimated that nitrogen supply from subsurface water equalled or exceeded total nitrogen supply from nitrogen mineralization and nitrogen fixation combined. These findings underscore the importance of hyporheic processes in controlling nutrient supply to early successional vegetation on the Tanana River floodplain.
Intensity Noise Properties of Mid-Infrared Injection Locked Quantum Cascade Lasers: I. Modeling

In this paper, we numerically investigate the effect of optical injection locking on the noise properties of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers. The analysis is carried out by means of a rate equation model, which takes into account the various noise contributions and the injection of the master laser. The obtained results indicate that the locked slave laser may operate under reduced intensity noise levels compared with the free running operation. In addition, optimization of the locking process leads to further suppression of the intensity noise when the slave laser is biased close to the free-running threshold current. The main factors that significantly affect the locking process and the achievable noise levels are the injected optical power and the master-slave frequency detuning.
Investigating the Applicability of current Machine-Learning based Subjectivity Detection Algorithms on German Texts

In the field of subjectivity detection, algorithms automatically classify pieces of text into fact or opinion. Many different approaches have been successfully evaluated on English or Chinese texts. Nevertheless the assumption that these algorithms equally perform on all other languages cannot be verified yet. It is our intention to encourage more research in other languages, making a start with German. Therefore, this work introduces a German corpus for subjectivity detection on German news articles. We carry out this study in which we choose a number of state of the art subjectivity detection approaches and implement them. Finally we show and compare these algorithms’ performances and give advice on how to use and extend the introduced dataset.
InfoSpect: using a logic language for system health monitoring in distributed systems

Dependable systems cannot be built without a monitoring and management component. In this paper we propose using a wide variety of information gathering tools coupled with custom scripts and a Prolog language engine to aggregate information from multiple sources. Complex queries, difficult to express in standard database languages, can then be used to answer questions about the system (e.g. the health of individual components) or to discover contradictions (e.g. inconsistent configurations). We describe our prototype implementation and present some early results.
Gentamicin‐loaded Plaster of Paris as a Treatment of Experimental Osteomyelitis in Rabbits

In this study, implantation of gentamicin-loaded plaster of paris after a debridement of the marrow cavity was tested in rabbits with established Staph-ylococcal osteomyelitis. The animals were observed for clinical and roentgenographic signs of infection after killing. The infections were evaluated by bone cultures and antibiotic levels. The implanted antibiotics alone resulted in only two of ten culture-proven cures. However, clinical and roentgenographic data showed overall improvement in the treated group as compared to controls. A valuable feature of gentamicin-loaded plaster of paris, warranting further investigation, is the elimination of dead space while the antibiotic is locally absorbed by the tissue fluids.
DIVIDEND POLICY, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MECHANISM, PROFITABILITY, SYSTEMATIC RISK, AND FIRM SIZE: A PANEL DATA ANALYSIS

This study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanism (CGM), profitability, systematic risk (beta) and firm size on the dividend policy in the financial industry, and determines which of those variables having powerful effects to the dividend policy. The study also interested to show the variables that investors rely on to take their investment decisions related to gain from dividends paid by the company. Those variables proposed to develop this research model were formed by a survey of literatures. To achieve the objectives of this study, a total of 18 listed firms of financial industry in Indonesia Stock Exchange was selected using purposive sampling technique from the period of 2009 to 2013. A panel data analysis method has been conducted to explain the impact of corporate governance mechanism (board of director, and institutional ownership), profitability, systematic risk and firm size on the dividend policy. The result shows that systematic risk and board of director have a positive and significant impact on the dividend policy. Firm size has a negative and significant impact on the dividend policy. Meanwhile, profitability and institutional ownership not significantly impact on the dividend policy which is contrary to the theory.
Infection with cytomegalovirus is not associated with premature mortality

Over 90% of the world's population acquires a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. This infection, although asymptomatic or self-limiting, is a major burden to the immune system. For this reason, and because CMV immunization is possible, determining whether CMV can cause reduced longevity, particularly among those with coronary artery disease, is important and previous reports have been conflicting. Thus our objective was to assess the association between CMV infection as defined serologically and antibody levels against CMV and long-term survival (18 years). We completed a prospective observational cohort study of 915 consecutive patients (mean age 58 years) undergoing coronary angiography. CMV immunoglobulin levels were measured at baseline using either a whole cell CMV antigen or a purified protein antigen (gB). After adjustment for potentially confounding variables (age, race, gender, body mass index, the presence or absence of coronary artery disease, the number of diseased vessels, diabetes, renal disease, hypertension, dialysis, congestive heart failure, and the maximum percent reduction in luminal diameter), Cox's proportional hazards models showed no association between CMV seropositivity or levels of antibodies against CMV by either assay and longevity for both patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD) nor for those under or over 70 years of age at baseline. Our observations suggest that universal immunization against CMV may not improve longevity.
Immunological relationships during primary infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematospiroides dubius): parasite specific IgG1 antibody responses and primary response phenotype

IgG1 antibody responses to Heligmosomoides polygyrus were measured in eight mouse strains supporting acute (< 8 weeks, SJL, SWR), intermediate (10–20 weeks, NIH, BALB/c) or chronic (> 25 weeks, C57BL/0, CBA, C3H, AKR) primary infections. Mice supporting acute or intermediate infections produced more intense antibody responses and total serum IgG1 concentrations were higher than in mice tolerating chronic infections. Positive correlations across mouse strains between the intensity of the antibody response and the percentage loss of worms in weeks 6 and 10 were established. No correlation was found between the response within mouse strains and loss of worms by individual mice. Heavy infections gave marginally higher antibody titres than low intensity infections, but few significant differences were detected and it was concluded that infection intensity did not markedly influence the magnitude of the antibody response. Male and female mice responded similarly despite the earlier loss of worms from females. No association was found between the primary response phenotype and recognition of particular antigens in Western blot analysis, nor did intensity of infection or host gender affect recognition. The possibility that immunomodulatory properties of adult worms may have had a differential influence on ability of strains of contrasting response phenotype to mount IgG1 responses was discussed.
Separating reflection components of textured surfaces using a single image

The presence of highlights, which in dielectric inhomogeneous objects are linear combination of specular and diffuse reflection components, is inevitable. A number of methods have been developed to separate these reflection components. To our knowledge, all methods that use a single input image require explicit color segmentation to deal with multicolored surfaces. Unfortunately, for complex textured images, current color segmentation algorithms are still problematic to segment correctly. Consequently, a method without explicit color segmentation becomes indispensable, and this paper presents such a method. The method is based solely on colors, particularly chromaticity, without requiring any geometrical parameter information. One of the basic ideas is to compare the intensity logarithmic differentiation of specular-free images and input images iteratively. The specular-free image is a pseudo-code of diffuse components that can be generated by shifting a pixel's intensity and chromaticity nonlinearly while retaining its hue. All processes in the method are done locally, involving a maximum of only two pixels. The experimental results on natural images show that the proposed method is accurate and robust under known scene illumination chromaticity. Unlike the existing methods that use a single image, our method is effective for textured objects with complex multicolored scenes.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Colour Mapping Threshold for Identification of Ventilation-Induced Brain Injury after Intrauterine Inflammation in Preterm Lambs

Purpose The aim of this study is to examine whether advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques can detect early brain injury caused by intrauterine inflammation and inappropriate initial respiratory support in preterm lambs. Hypothesis Neuropathology caused by intrauterine inflammation is exacerbated by mechanical ventilation at birth and is detectable with advanced MRI techniques. Methods Pregnant ewes received intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 7 days prior to delivery at ~125 days of gestation (85% of gestation), whereupon lambs were delivered and randomised to receive an injurious (LPS + INJ, n = 6) or protective (LPS + PROT, n = 6) ventilation strategy. MRI of the brain was conducted 90 min after preterm delivery, using structural, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques. A colour map threshold technique was utilised to compare distributions of low diffusivity voxels in the brains of LPS-exposed lambs with those not exposed to LPS (PROT, n = 7 PROT and INJ, n = 10). Results No overt cerebral injury was identified on structural MRI images of any lamb. However, on DTI, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity values were lower and significantly more heterogeneous in specific brain regions of lambs in the LPS + INJ group compared to the LPS + PROT group. Colour mapping revealed lower diffusivity in the thalamus, periventricular white matter, internal capsule, and frontal white matter in the LPS + INJ group compared to LPS + PROT group. The MRS peak area ratios of lactate, relative to those for the metabolites creatine, choline, and N-acetylaspartate, were not different between LPS-exposed groups. Lambs exposed to LPS had lower diffusivity within the white matter regions assessed than non-LPS-treated control lambs. Conclusion DTI colour map threshold techniques detected early brain injury in preterm lambs exposed to intrauterine inflammation and detected differences between injurious and protective ventilation strategies. DTI mapping approaches are potentially useful for early detection of subtle brain injury in premature infants.
On the Asymmetries of Extended X-Ray Emission from Planetary Nebulae

Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO) images have revealed that the X-ray-emitting regions of the molecule-rich young planetary nebulae (PNe) BD +30°3639 and NGC 7027 are much more asymmetric than their optical nebulosities. To evaluate the potential origins of these X-ray asymmetries, we analyze X-ray images of BD +30°3639, NGC 7027, and another PN resolved by CXO, NGC 6543, within specific energy bands. Image resolution has been optimized by subpixel repositioning of individual X-ray events. The resulting subarcsecond resolution images reveal that the soft (E < 0.7 keV) X-ray emission from BD +30°3639 is more uniform than the harder emission, which is largely confined to the eastern rim of the optical nebula. In contrast, soft X-rays from NGC 7027 are highly localized and this PN is more axially symmetric in harder emission. The broadband X-ray morphologies of BD +30°3639 and NGC 7027 are highly anticorrelated with their distributions of visual extinction, as determined from high-resolution, space- and ground-based optical and infrared imaging. Hence, it is likely that the observed X-ray asymmetries of these nebulae are due in large part to the effects of nonuniform intranebular extinction. However, the energy-dependent X-ray structures in both nebulae and NGC 6543—which is by far the least dusty and molecule-rich of the three PNe and displays very uniform intranebular extinction—suggest that other mechanisms, such as the action of collimated outflows and heat conduction, are also important in determining the detailed X-ray morphologies of young PNe.
Auroral Surge Currents and Electrodynamics With FAST and VIS

We analyze data from two FAST satellite passes in the vicinity of auroral surges (as seen in the VIS auroral imager on the Polar satellite) to study the large scale ionospheric electrodynamics of the surge, focusing in particular on the configuration of field-aligned and ionospheric currents. While most previous ground and satellite observations have found the surge to be a region of predominantly upward field-aligned currents (FACs), some satellite observations have found evidence for equal downward and upward FACs near the surge, suggesting that the FACs close locally as opposed to globally through the substorm current wedge. Our observations show that while regions of both upward and downward FACs are present near the surge, there is a significant net upward FAC in the northern portion of meridians passing through the surge and just east of the surge. Current continuity requires that these upward currents be fed by downward currents traditionally thought to be in the eastern portion the auroral substorm bulge. Such a current configuration requires a westward ionospheric current to connect the two FAC regions, and this is supported by our observations of a significant southward electric field in the high Hall conductance surge region, which drives a strong westward Hall electrojet connecting the upward surge FACs and the presumed downward FACs east of the surge.
Body Asymmetries: Incidence, Etiology and Clinical Implications

Symmetry is defined as correspondence in size, shape and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane. Although the human body has a symmetrical appearance when viewed externally, most internal organs are asymmetrical with respect to the left and right sides. Human body shows anatomical as well as functional asymmetries: some of these are of great clinical significance. This paper aims to integrate the general knowledge of incidence, etiologic factors, and clinical implications of body asymmetries. Knowledge and understanding of these asymmetries is important to achieve a good diagnosis and focus on an appropriate treatment and management plan.
Mechanism of action of Acanthamoeba profilin: demonstration of actin species specificity and regulation by micromolar concentrations of MgCl2

Acanthamoeba profilin strongly inhibits in a concentration-dependent fashion the rate and extent of Acanthamoeba actin polymerization in 50 mM KCl. The lag phase is prolonged indicating reduction in the rate of nucleus formation. The elongation rates at both the barbed and pointed ends of growing filaments are inhibited. At steady state, profilin increases the critical concentration for polymerization but has no effect on the reduced viscosity above the critical concentration. Addition of profilin to polymerized actin causes it to depolymerize until a new steady-state, dependent on profilin concentration, is achieved. These effects of profilin can be explained by the formation of a 1:1 complex with actin with a dissociation constant of 1 to 4 microM. MgCl2 strongly inhibits these effects of profilin, most likely by binding to the high-affinity divalent cation site on the actin. Acanthamoeba profilin has similar but weaker effects on muscle actin, requiring 5 to 10 times more profilin than with amoeba actin.
IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM vernonia amygdalina

Background: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties, but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components. Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract. Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4+-, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte- and high density lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phyto-constituents of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics. Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni-WC Thermal Sprayed Composite Coatings

Abstact The paper presents results of investigations of the microstructure and selected properties of improved composite coatings consisting mainly of nickel matrix reinforced by WC particles. The coatings were obtained by flame spraying of powders mixture on non-alloy steel substrates with following material remelting. Structural investigations were performed using both optical and electron microscopy. The distribution of microhardness and abrasion resistance of deposited coatings were also determined. The complex structure of coatings and resulting high wear withstand are the consequence of an intensive action of liquid matrix with dissolving tungsten carbide particles and formation of secondary phases.
Brief communication "Models for the exceedances of high thresholds over the precipitation daily totals in Athens, Greece"

Abstract. Extreme precipitation events have significant environmental consequences because they may cause considerable damages to urban as well as rural areas. The aim of this work is to construct a threshold model which will describe the exceedances over a threshold for the daily precipitation totals over Athens, Greece. The data used are daily precipitation totals recorded at the National Observatory of Athens, for a 115-year period (1891–2005). The generalized Pareto distribution is considered as the proper distribution for the study of the exceedances. The threshold of u=15.8 mm (10% upper limit) is used for the construction of the optimal return level function.
Skilled performance tests and their use in diagnosing handedness and footedness at children of lower school age 8–10

Previous research has shown that hand and foot preferences do not develop in parallel in children and it has been discovered that in children foot preference stabilizes later. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify whether the differences in stabilization will also be manifested through less consistent results of selected skilled foot performance tests in a comparison with selected skilled hand performance tests. A total of 210 8–10 year old children from elementary schools were recruited for this study. Hand and foot preferences were first tested using hand and foot preference observable measure tasks; consequently, all participants performed four skilled hand performance tests and three foot performance tests. Unlike in complex skilled hand performance tests, which showed a significant convergent validity 0.56–0.89 with hand preference tasks, in complex skilled foot performance tests a very low convergent validity 0.25–0.46 with foot preference tasks was detected. The only skilled foot performance indicator which showed an acceptable convergent validity with foot preference tasks was the “foot tapping” test 0.65–0.85, which represents rather a gross motor activity. Moreover, further results of the tests suggest that complex or fine motor performance tests used for diagnosing laterality of the lower limb that have a manipulative character probably do not represent suitable indicators for children in the given age category. The same trend was revealed in both females and males. This indicates that the level of laterality assessed as difference in skilfulness between the preferred and the non-preferred limb in children in the given age group probably develops in the same way in both genders.