Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluvial processes in Puget Sound rivers and the Pacific Northwest [Chapter 3]

The variability of topography, geology, climate; vegetation, and land use in the Pacific Northwest creates considerable spatial and temporal variability of fluvial processes and reach-scale channel type. Here we identify process domains of typical Pacific Northwest watersheds and examine local physiographic and geologic controls on channel processes and response potential in the Puget Sound region. We also review the influence of different channel types on opportunities and limitations for channel restoration. Finally, we develop regime diagrams that identify typical combinations of channel characteristics associated with different alluvial channel types. These diagrams can be used to set target values for creating or maintaining desired channel types and associated habitats or to assess the stable channel morphology for imposed watershed conditions. Regime diagrams that are based on explicit physical models also can be used to predict likely trends and magnitudes of channel response to natural or anthropogenic disturbances (such as restoration activities). Moreover, spatial linkages of processes and the potential for distal disturbances to propagate through channel networks means that local restoration efforts that do not address larger scale watershed processes and disturbances may be ineffective or costly to maintain.
Use of procalcitonin for the diagnosis of pneumonia in patients presenting with a chief complaint of dyspnoea: results from the BACH (Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure) trial

Biomarkers have proven their ability in the evaluation of cardiopulmonary diseases. We investigated the utility of concentrations of the biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) alone and with clinical variables for the diagnosis of pneumonia in patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with a chief complaint of shortness of breath.
A Topology Control Approach to Using Directional Antennas in Wireless Mesh Networks

Directional antennas in wireless mesh networks can improve spatial reuse. However, using them effectively needs specialized protocol support at the MAC layer, which is always not practical. In this work, we present a topology control approach to effectively using directional antennas with legacy MAC layer protocols such as IEEE 802.11. The idea is to use multiple directional antennas on each node and orient them appropriately to create low interference topologies while maintatining network connectivity. Our approach is based on a well-known approximation algorithm to compute minimum degree spanning trees. We show via empirical studies that this approach can reduce interference significantly without increasing stretch factors to any appreciable extent. Detailed wireless network simulations also show that this approach improves end-to-end throughput of multihop flows relative to using omni-directional antennas. Three or four directional antennas per network node with only moderate beamwidths are sufficient to improve the saturation throughput of multihop flows by a factor of 3¿4.
Action research in procurement management; evidence from selected lower local government authorities in Tanzania

The aim of the paper was to show how opportunities provided by Action Research models could solve problems related to procurement management in three selected lower local government authorities in Tanzania. It builds on Marja Liisa Swantz’s participant research. Three phases of Action Research were adapted from Lewin’s spiral framework. Purposive technique was used to select members of Action Research groups for the lower local government authority. It was revealed that problems were mainly in planning, managing records, bid evaluation, knowledge on legal framework and contract management for works. Attitudes on transparency and accountability among actors were also not in line with principles of public procurement. Action plans developed were implemented and evaluated. Three components, i.e. research, actions and training were combined to improve procurement planning, records and contract management. There were remarkable improvements in planning, record keeping and contract management. Positive attitudes towards equality, transparency and accountability were also reported for villages which participated in Action Research. A need for integrating Action Research with lower local government authorities’ procurement activities is recommended. However, there are challenges such as building culture of self assessment, frequent transfer of personnel to other government departments and the temporary nature of village project committees.
Electrocorticographic correlates of cognitive control in a stroop task—intracranial recording in epileptic patients

The human brain executes cognitive control, such as selection of relevant information in the presence of competing irrelevant information, and cognitive control is essential for us to yield a series of optimal behaviors in our daily life. This study assessed electrocorticographic γ‐oscillations elicited by cognitive control in the context of the Stroop color‐naming paradigm, with a temporal resolution of 10 msec and spatial resolution of 1 cm. Subjects were instructed to overtly read a color word printed in an incongruent color in the reading task, and to overtly name the ink color of a color word printed in an incongruent color in the Stroop color‐naming task. The latter task specifically elicited larger γ‐augmentations in the dorsolateral‐premotor, dorsolateral‐prefrontal and supplementary motor areas with considerable inter‐subject spatial variability. Such Stroop color‐naming‐specific γ‐augmentations occurred 500 to 200 msec prior to overt responses. Electrical stimulation of the sites showing Stroop color‐naming‐specific γ‐augmentations resulted in temporary naming impairment more frequently than that of the remaining sites. This study has provided direct evidence that a critical process of cognitive control in the context of Stroop color‐naming paradigm consists of recruitment of neurons essential for naming located in variable portions of the dorsolateral premotor and prefrontal areas. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3-D biped walking over rough terrain based on the assumption of point-contact

This paper describes a 3-D biped walking over rough terrain. The robot is modeled as the special 3-D inverted pendulum that can change the length. The dynamics of the 3-D inverted pendulum is modeled as 2-D autonomous system by applying the Passive Dynamic Autonomous Control (PDAC) that is based on the assumption of point-contact of the robot foot and the virtual holonomic constraint as to robot joints. We analyze the stability of the 2-D autonomous system by use of Poincarée map, and derive the stable range over rough terrain. By applying the virtual compliance control to an actual robot “Gorilla Robot III”, the angle of the pendulum is modified. Finally, the 3-D biped walking over rough terrain is realized by use of the Gorilla Robot III.
Multi‐scale modeling of moving interface problems with flux and field jumps: Application to oxidative degradation of ceramic matrix composites

Problems involving reaction and species diffusion involve field and flux jumps at a moving reaction front. In multi‐scale problems such as carbon fiber composite oxidation, these effects need to be tracked at the microscopic scale of individual carbon fibers. A multi‐scale model is derived in this paper for predicting species distribution in such problems using a fully coupled multi‐scale homogenization approach. The homogenized fluxes from the micro‐scale are derived using Hill's macro‐homogeneity condition accounting for both flux jumps and species density field jumps at the reacting interface in the micro‐scale unit cell. At the macro‐scale, the competition between the transport of reacting species (oxygen) and the reaction product (carbon dioxide) is modeled using homogenized mass conservation equations. The moving reaction front in carbon fibers at the micro‐scale is tracked using level set method and an adaptive meshing strategy. The macroscopic weight loss of the composite when exposed to oxygen is simulated as a function of time using a coupled finite element methodology at various locations in a validated macroscopic model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laminarly Orthogonal Excitation of Fast-Spiking and Low-Threshold-Spiking Interneurons in Mouse Motor Cortex

In motor cortex, long-range output to subcortical motor circuits depends on excitatory and inhibitory inputs converging on projection neurons in layers 5A/B. How interneurons interconnect with these projection neurons, and whether these microcircuits are interneuron and/or projection specific, is unclear. We found that fast-spiking interneurons received strong intralaminar (horizontal) excitation from pyramidal neurons in layers 5A/B including corticostriatal and corticospinal neurons, implicating them in mediating disynaptic recurrent, feedforward, and feedback inhibition within and across the two projection classes. Low-threshold-spiking (LTS) interneurons were instead strongly excited by descending interlaminar (vertical) input from layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, implicating them in mediating disynaptic feedforward inhibition to both projection classes. Furthermore, in a novel pattern, lower layer 2/3 preferentially excited interneurons in one layer (5A/LTS) and excitatory neurons in another (5B/corticospinal). Thus, these inhibitory microcircuits in mouse motor cortex follow an orderly arrangement that is laminarly orthogonalized by interneuron-specific, projection-nonspecific connectivity.
Ontogenetic changes in jaw-muscle architecture facilitate durophagy in the turtle Sternotherus minor

SUMMARY Differential scaling of musculoskeletal traits leads to differences in performance across ontogeny and ultimately determines patterns of resource use during development. Because musculoskeletal growth of the feeding system facilitates high bite-force generation necessary to overcome the physical constraints of consuming more durable prey, durophagous taxa are well suited for investigations of the scaling relationships between musculoskeletal growth, bite-force generation and dietary ontogeny. To elucidate which biomechanical factors are responsible for allometric changes in bite force and durophagy, we developed and experimentally tested a static model of bite-force generation throughout development in the durophagous turtle Sternotherus minor. Moreover, we quantified the fracture properties of snails found in the diet to evaluate the relationship between bite force and the forces required to process durable prey. We found that (1) the static bite-force model accurately predicts the ontogenetic scaling of bite forces, (2) bite-force positive allometry is accomplished by augmenting muscle size and muscle pennation, and (3) the rupture forces of snails found in the diet show a similar scaling pattern to bite force across ontogeny. These results indicate the importance of muscle pennation for generating high bite forces while maintaining muscle size and provide empirical evidence that the allometric patterns of musculoskeletal growth in S. minor are strongly linked to the structural properties of their primary prey.
Classification Accuracy Is Not Enough

A recent review of the research literature evaluating music genre recognition (MGR) systems over the past two decades shows that most works (81%) measure the capacity of a system to recognize genre by its classiﬁcation accuracy. We show here, by implementing and testing three categorically different state-of-the-art MGR systems, that classiﬁcation accuracy does not necessarily reﬂect the capacity of a system to recognize genre in musical signals. We argue that a more comprehensive analysis of behavior at the level of the music is needed to address the problem of MGR, and that measuring classiﬁcation accuracy obscures the aim of MGR: to select labels indistinguishable from those a person would choose.
Cervical Musculoskeletal Impairments and Temporomandibular Disorders

ABSTRACT Objectives The study of cervical muscles and their significance in the development and perpetuation of Temporomandibular Disorders has not been elucidated. Thus this project was designed to investigate the association between cervical musculoskeletal impairments and Temporomandibular Disorders. Material and Methods A sample of 154 subjects participated in this study. All subjects underwent a series of physical tests and electromyographic assessment (i.e. head and neck posture, maximal cervical muscle strength, cervical flexor and extensor muscles endurance, and cervical flexor muscle performance) to determine cervical musculoskeletal impairments. Results A strong relationship between neck disability and jaw disability was found (r = 0.82). Craniocervical posture was statistically different between patients with myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and healthy subjects. However, the difference was too small (3.3º) to be considered clinically relevant. Maximal cervical flexor muscle strength was not statistically or clinically different between patients with TMD and healthy subjects. No statistically significant differences were found in electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid or the anterior scalene muscles in patients with TMD when compared to healthy subjects while executing the craniocervical flexion test (P = 0.07). However, clinically important effect sizes (0.42 - 0.82) were found. Subjects with TMD presented with reduced cervical flexor as well as extensor muscle endurance while performing the flexor and extensor muscle endurance tests when compared to healthy individuals. Conclusions Subjects with Temporomandibular Disorders presented with impairments of the cervical flexors and extensors muscles. These results could help guide clinicians in the assessment and prescription of more effective interventions for individuals with Temporomandibular Disorders.
Chronic Vitamin C Deficiency Promotes Redox Imbalance in the Brain but Does Not Alter Sodium-Dependent Vitamin C Transporter 2 Expression

Vitamin C (VitC) has several roles in the brain acting both as a specific and non-specific antioxidant. The brain upholds a very high VitC concentration and is able to preferentially retain VitC even during deficiency. The accumulation of brain VitC levels much higher than in blood is primarily achieved by the sodium dependent VitC transporter (SVCT2). This study investigated the effects of chronic pre-and postnatal VitC deficiency as well as the effects of postnatal VitC repletion, on brain SVCT2 expression and markers of oxidative stress in young guinea pigs. Biochemical analyses demonstrated significantly decreased total VitC and an increased percentage of dehydroascorbic acid, as well as increased lipid oxidation (malondialdehyde), in the brains of VitC deficient animals (p < 0.0001) compared to controls. VitC repleted animals were not significantly different from controls. No significant changes were detected in either gene or protein expression of SVCT2 between groups or brain regions. In conclusion, chronic pre-and postnatal VitC deficiency increased brain redox imbalance but did not increase SVCT2 expression. Our findings show potential implications for VitC deficiency induced negative effects of redox imbalance in the brain and provide novel insight to the regulation of VitC in the brain during deficiency.
Functional characteristics of parvalbumin‐ and cholecystokinin‐expressing basket cells

Abstract Cortical neuronal network operations depend critically on the recruitment of GABAergic interneurons and the properties of their inhibitory output signals. Recent evidence indicates a marked difference in the signalling properties of two major types of perisomatic inhibitory interneurons, the parvalbumin‐ and the cholecystokinin‐containing basket cells. Parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells are rapidly recruited by excitatory synaptic inputs, generate high‐frequency trains of action potentials, discharge single action potentials phase‐locked to fast network oscillations and provide fast, stable and timed inhibitory output onto their target cells. In contrast, cholecystokinin‐containing basket cells are recruited in a less reliable manner, discharge at moderate frequencies with single action potentials weakly coupled to the phases of fast network oscillations and generate an asynchronous, fluctuating and less timed inhibitory output. These signalling modes are based on cell type‐dependent differences in the functional and plastic properties of excitatory input synapses, integrative qualities and in the kinetics and dynamics of inhibitory output synapses. Thus, the two perisomatic inhibitory interneuron types operate with different speed and precision and may therefore contribute differently to the operations of neuronal networks.
Osmoregulation and immunolocalization of Na+/K+-ATPase during the ontogeny of the mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Grapsoidea)

The ontogeny of osmoregulation was studied in laboratory-reared early developmental stages of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis from the Elbe estuary (North Sea, Germany). At salinities ranging from 0.16 to 44.3‰, survival rate was quantified, hemolymph osmolality was mea- sured, and osmoregulatory capacity was calculated as the difference between osmolality of the hemolymph and that of the external medium. Zoea larvae hyper-regulated in dilute media, but osmo- conformed in seawater and at higher salinities (≥32.2‰). Megalopae and Stage I-II juveniles hyper- regulated at low salinities and hypo-regulated at ≥32.2‰, with an ontogenetic increase in osmoreg- ulatory capacity. Survival at ca. 10 to 32‰ was generally high (90 to 100%), while complete mortality occurred in all zoeal stages (except for zoea I) at 0.16 to 5.3 ‰. By contrast, nearly 50% of the mega- lopae and all juvenile crabs survived at such low salinities. The expression of Na + /K + -ATPase and the development of transporting epithelia were studied by means of immunofluorescence light microscopy (ILM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In early (stage I & II) zoeae, fluores- cence staining was observed along the inner epithelium of the branchiostegites, and epithelial cells showed typical features of ionocytes. In the megalopa and juvenile crab stage I, ionocytes and immunolabeled Na + /K + -ATPase were located in the filaments of the most posterior gills, while no immunolocalization occurred in the anterior gills. Comparison of histological and physiological results shows a close relationship between the ontogeny of osmoregulation and the expression of Na + /K + -ATPase within the transporting epithelia of the branchial chamber. In conclusion, the adult pattern of osmoregulation develops in E. sinensis through 2 molts, (1) from a moderately hyper-iso- regulating zoeal phase to the moderately hyper-/hypo-regulating megalopa, (2) from the megalopa to a strongly euryhaline, hyper-/hypo-regulating first juvenile crab stage. The results of this study are consistent with an export strategy in this holo-euryhaline crab species.
Filtering by movement in visual search.

Search for a target defined by a conjunction of movement and form (e.g., an X moving up in a display of intermingled Os moving up and stationary Xs) is parallel. This result is also found if (a) the moving Os and target X move in unpredictable directions so that the moving stimuli do not form a clear perceptual group or (b) the nontarget Xs also move but in a known, different direction from the Os and target X. In contrast, search is slow and serial if the target may be unpredictably among either moving or stationary stimuli. These results suggest that a component of the visual system operates as a movement filter that can direct attention to stimuli with a common movement characteristic. The filtering cue can be moving (vs. stationary), or movement in 1 particular direction. The results do not support the view that attention can only be directed to groups defined by common fate.
Frequency distributions of phytoplankton single‐cell fluorescence and vertical mixing in the surface ocean

Because of photoacclimation, frequency distributions of phytoplankton single‐cell fluorescence reflect variation in light histories among individual cells. As a result, phytoplankton can be used as biological tracers for vertical mixing. A time series of Prochlorococcus single‐cell fluorescence distributions in the Sargasso Sea revealed changes that were qualitatively consistent with changes in water‐column physical dynamics. Applying a photoacclimation‐diffusion model to Prochlorococcus fluorescence from the time series yields a vertical diffusivity near 30 cm2 s−1 for a remnant mixed layer beneath a diurnal thermocline, which is consistent with estimates obtained by other means. This estimate results from an integrated view of how Prochlorococcus responds to changes in light intensity induced by vertical mixing and therefore, may be an appropriate measure of vertical diffusion rates for productivity models that include photoacclimation dynamics. This approach provides a novel way to examine vertical mixing on time scales relevant to phytoplankton physiological responses.
Industry Interdependencies and Cross-Industry Return Predictability

We use the adaptive LASSO from the statistical learning literature to identify economically connected industries in a general predictive regression framework. The framework permits complex industry interdependencies, including both direct and indirect sectoral links. Consistent with gradual information diffusion across economically connected industries, we find extensive evidence that lagged returns of interdependent industries are significant predictors of individual industry returns. Using network analysis, we detect a significant relation between an industry’s importance in the U.S. production network and the pervasiveness of the predictive power of the industry’s lagged return. We also compute out-of-sample industry return forecasts based on the lagged returns of interdependent industries and show that crossindustry return predictability is economically valuable: an industry-rotation portfolio that goes long (short) industries with the highest (lowest) forecasted returns exhibits limited exposures to a variety of equity risk factors, delivers substantial alpha, and performs very well during the recent Global Financial Crisis.
Characteristic classes in the Chow ring

We study the ring of characteristic classes with values in the Chow ring for principal $G$-bundles over schemes. If we consider bundles which are locally trivial in the Zariski topology, then we show, for $G$ reductive, that this ring is isomorphic to the Weyl group invariants in the algebra generated by characters of the maximal torus. For general principal bundles the same isomorphism holds after tensoring the coefficients with ${\Bbb Q}$. As a corollary, we show that any (non-torsion) topological characteristic class is algebraic when applied to Zariski locally trivial bundles over complex algebraic varieties.