Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of Ovarian Function Significantly Influenced Sarcopenia in Postreproductive-Age Mice

Previously, transplantation of ovaries from young cycling mice into old postreproductive-age mice increased life span. We anticipated that the same factors that increased life span could also influence health span. Female CBA/J mice received new (60 d) ovaries at 12 and 17 months of age and were evaluated at 16 and 25 months of age, respectively. There were no significant differences in body weight among any age or treatment group. The percentage of fat mass was significantly increased at 13 and 16 months of age but was reduced by ovarian transplantation in 16-month-old mice. The percentages of lean body mass and total body water were significantly reduced in 13-month-old control mice but were restored in 16- and 25-month-old recipient mice by ovarian transplantation to the levels found in six-month-old control mice. In summary, we have shown that skeletal muscle mass, which is negatively influenced by aging, can be positively influenced or restored by reestablishment of active ovarian function in aged female mice. These findings provide strong incentive for further investigation of the positive influence of young ovaries on restoration of health in postreproductive females.
Fisher Information Properties

A set of Fisher information properties are presented in order to draw a parallel with similar properties of Shannon differential entropy. Already known properties are presented together with new ones, which include: (i) a generalization of mutual information for Fisher information; (ii) a new proof that Fisher information increases under conditioning; (iii) showing that Fisher information decreases in Markov chains; and (iv) bound estimation error using Fisher information. This last result is especially important, because it completes Fano’s inequality, i.e., a lower bound for estimation error, showing that Fisher information can be used to define an upper bound for this error. In this way, it is shown that Shannon’s differential entropy, which quantifies the behavior of the random variable, and the Fisher information, which quantifies the internal structure of the density function that defines the random variable, can be used to characterize the estimation error.
Local Enterprise Zone Programs and Economic Development Planning: A Case Study of California and Four Mid-Atlantic States

This dissertation explores the underlying concepts of enterprise zones, assesses their effectiveness, and seeks to identify conditions under which enterprise zones work. It covers 70 zones in California, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia (roughly one-tenth of the nation's locally administered zones established before 1987). It first reviews previous studies and exposes common methodological problems and theoretical weaknesses they confront. Pulling literature from industrial location, local economic development, and taxation studies, it develops and applies an analytical framework for classifying and evaluating zone performance. It measures zone performance in terms of the difference in the percent changes in employment and business establishment between zones and their regions. Next, it conducts a survey to investigate how zones are structured and managed. Combining survey results and zone performance data, it uses regression models to identify determinants of zone success. Finally, it includes case studies of three zones, all with an above-average performance to further validate previous statistical findings and to provide insights on the operation of 'successful' zones. This research finds that there is considerable variability among zones, but most of them do not adhere to the original laissez-faire conception of enterprise zones. In general, changes in employment and business establishment within a zone differ little from those of its region. However, active management and outreach by zone administrators tends to improve zone performance. Successful zones are typically those which are small, actively managed, with a simple program structure, located in a growing region, and with some basic location advantages. This dissertation research cannot link any specific economic development tool adopted in enterprise zones to their performance. Instead, regression models and case studies find that zone performance is determined by regional growth, initial zone conditions, and the employment size of the zone. Finally, income and employment levels in enterprise zone communities are found barely changing even when zones are experiencing rapid employment growth. Comments A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in City and Regional Planning in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. Copyright 1996 by Chun-cheung Sidney Wong. Sidney Wong was on the faculty of the Department of City & Regional Planning, University of Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2007. This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/penniur_papers/16 Local Enterprise Zone Programs and Economic Development Planning: A Case Study of California and Four Mid-Atlantic States
Volunteer-instigated connectivity restoration algorithm for Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks

Due to their applications, Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSANs) have recently been getting significant attention from the research community. In these networks, maintaining inter-actor connectivity is of a paramount concern in order to plan an optimal coordinated response to a detected event. Failure of an actor may partition the inter-actor network into disjoint segments, and may thus hinder inter-actor coordination. This paper presents VCR, a novel distributed algorithm that opts to repair severed connectivity while imposing minimal overhead on the nodes. In VCR the neighbors of the failed actor volunteer to restore connectivity by exploiting their partially utilized transmission range and by repositioning closer to the failed actor. Furthermore, a diffusion force is applied among the relocating actors based on transmission range in order to reduce potential of interference, and improve connectivity. VCR is validated through simulation and is shown to outperform contemporary schemes found in the literature.
Survey of the State of the Art in Natural Language Generation: Core tasks, applications and evaluation

This paper surveys the current state of the art in Natural Language Generation (NLG), defined as the task of generating text or speech from non-linguistic input. A survey of NLG is timely in view of the changes that the field has undergone over the past two decades, especially in relation to new (usually data-driven) methods, as well as new applications of NLG technology. This survey therefore aims to (a) give an up-to-date synthesis of research on the core tasks in NLG and the architectures adopted in which such tasks are organised; (b) highlight a number of recent research topics that have arisen partly as a result of growing synergies between NLG and other areas of artifical intelligence; (c) draw attention to the challenges in NLG evaluation, relating them to similar challenges faced in other areas of nlp, with an emphasis on different evaluation methods and the relationships between them.
Analysis of Structured Low Rank Approximation as an Optimization Problem

In this paper, we consider the so-called structured low rank approximation (SLRA) problem as a problem of optimization on the set of either matrices or vectors. Briefly, SLRA is defined as follows. Given an initial matrix with a certain structure (for example, Hankel), the aim is to find a matrix of specified lower rank that approximates this initial matrix, whilst maintaining the initial structure. We demonstrate that the optimization problem arising is typically very difficult; in particular, the objective function is multiextremal even in simple cases. We also look at different methods of solving the SLRA problem. We show that some traditional methods do not even converge to a locally optimal matrix.
ARE ENERGY DRINKS PHYSIOLOGICAL

Energy drinks are soft drinks promoted as boosting energy. They have become very popular all over the world since 1997. Energy drinks are fortified beverages with added dietary supplements. Like most of the soft drinks in the market these drinks are aggressively marketed but are not always transparent in providing ingredient information and quantities on their labels. The promotion of natural ingredients in energy drinks to supply increased energy, increased alertness, and improved athletic performance leave a Physiologist wondering if these drinks deliver what they claim
Improved establishment and development of three cactus species inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense transplanted into disturbed urban desert soil

Survival and development of cactus transplants in urban, disturbed areas of the desert near La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, was monitored. Young plants of three species of pachycereid cacti (Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, and Lophocereus schottii) inoculated with the plant growth promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense in an eroded area (a dirt road) had a high survival rate and developed more rapidly compared with uninoculated control plants during a 3.5-year period after transplantation. Soil erosion in the inoculated experimental area diminished. Small, but significant soil accumulated in association with the growth of cactus roots into the wind-deposited dust. One demonstrated mechanism for stabilizing dust was by the upward growth of small roots during the rainy season into the deposited dust. Azospirillum brasilense survived well in the rhizospheres of these cacti for 2 years, but not in root-free soil. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using bacterial inoculation of c.
Causation From Perception

Beginning with the research of Albert Michotte, investigators have identified simple perceptual events that observers report as causal. For example, suppose a square moves across a screen and comes to a halt when it makes contact with a second square. If the second square then begins moving in the same direction, observers sometimes report that the first square “pushed” the second or “caused it to move. ” Based on such reports, Michotte claimed that people perceive causality, and a number of psychologists and philosophers have followed his lead. This article examines Michotte’s hypothesis by comparing it with its chief rival: Observers possess representations of pushings, pullings, and other events in long-term memory. A Michottean display triggers one of these representations, and the representation classifies the display as an instance of pushing (or pulling, etc.). According to this second explanation, recognizing an event as a pushing is similar to classifying an object as a cup or a dog. Data relevant to this debate come from infant and animal studies, cognitive and neuropsychological dissociation experiments, and studies of context effects and individual differences. However, a review of research in these paradigms finds no reason to prefer Michotte’s theory over its competitor.
Supervised Learning with Complex Spikes and Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity

One distinctive feature of Purkinje cells is that they have two types of discharge: in addition to simple spikes they fire complex spikes in response to input from the climbing fibers. These complex spikes have an initial rapid burst of spikes and spikelets followed by a sustained depolarization; in some models of cerebellar function this climbing fiber input supervises learning in Purkinje cells. On the other hand, synaptic plasticity is often thought to rely on the timing of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic spikes. It is suggested here that the period of depolarization following a complex spike, combined with a simple spike-timing-dependent plasticity rule, gives a mechanism for the climbing fiber to supervise learning in the Purkinje cell. This proposal is illustrated using a simple simulation in which it is seen that the climbing fiber succeeds in supervising the learning.
Exploring Lesson Study as an Improvement Strategy at a High-Stakes Accountability School

This study addressed the problem of chronic low student achievement in language arts at a Program Improvement 5+ school by implementing two cycles of facilitated lesson study. Using action research to facilitate and monitor change in instructional practices at a school that is currently undergoing a teacher-initiated turnaround reform effort, this study put into practice a facilitation model with lesson study cycles with teachers in the third, fourth, and fifth grades. As facilitator and content expert, I guided teachers through the elements of lesson study including: (a) defining and problem, problem analysis, and goal setting; (b) designing and planning a lesson; (c) implementing, teaching, and observing the lessons; (d) evaluating and reflecting on lessons while analyzing student work; (e) revising and improving the lesson; (f) reteaching the revised lessons; and (g) re-evaluating the retaught lesson and analyzing student work for the second time. Through facilitating the lesson study cycles, I analyzed the process of teacher collaboration, changes to pedagogical practices, impact on student achievement, and the value of lesson study. Teachers reported an increase to their instructional capacity following the intervention. Teachers were able to engage in focused planning and develop explicit instruction and attend to student learning, and began to perceive themselves as facilitators of instruction. Teachers found that the lesson study process increased their motivation and confidence as educators. Further, the study found that the intervention impacted student learning through increased student achievement scores in the targeted standards and in the quality of writing. Lesson study, as a professional development model, was reported to provide consistency, accountability, and a safe environment for teachers. Teachers also reported that they valued the collaboration and cross-grade level articulation through the lesson study process. The study provides implications for other high-stakes accountability schools with chronic low student performance to change, build, and sustain the instructional capacities of teachers to impact student achievement.
The Measurement of Green Workplace Behaviors: A Systematic Review

The literature on the green behaviors adopted by individuals in workplace settings has grown significantly over the past decade. Many studies have examined the factors associated with individual actions. However, the comparability of the studies conducted on the subject is a common concern, mainly because of the wide range of measurement tools based on different sets of items used in such research. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the degree of methodological maturity of green workplace behaviors based on a systematic review of research published on the subject between 1977 and 2016. Five major trends were identified from the 53 papers reviewed as part of this research: (a) the predominance of scales for measuring “green office” behaviors, (b) the redundancy of certain items, (c) the limited efforts devoted to measuring counterproductive green behaviors, (d) the emergence of new subcategories of proenvironmental behaviors, and (e) and the abundance of scales measuring voluntary green behaviors (extra-role). Through an analysis of existing measurement tools, this article proposes a decision tree designed to help scholars choose appropriate items for their studies. This may, in turn, contribute to the literature on green workplace behaviors by reducing bias and limiting the unnecessary creation of new measurement scales.
No more failures : ten steps to equity in education

No More Failures challenges the assumption that there will always be failures and dropouts, those who can’t or won’t make it in school. In fact, initiatives in many countries demonstrate that it is possible to successfully tackle school failure and dropout rates – and to reduce the huge social cost of adults without basic skills. This book offers a valuable comparative perspective on how different countries have handled equity in education. Among the issues it explores:
X-ray bright groups and their galaxies

Combining X-ray data from the ROSAT PSPC and optical data drawn from the literature, we examine in detail the relationship between the X-ray and optical properties of X-ray bright galaxy groups. We find a relationship between optical luminosity and X-ray temperature consistent with that expected from self-similar scaling of galaxy systems, L B α T l . 6 γ 0 . 2 . The self-similar form and continuity of the L B : T relation from clusters to groups and the limited scatter seen in this relation, implies that the star formation efficiency is rather similar in all of these systems. We find that the bright extended X-ray components associated with many central galaxies in groups appear to be more closely related to the group than the galaxy itself, and we suggest that these are group cooling flows rather than galaxy haloes. In addition we find that the optical light in these groups appears to be more centrally concentrated than the light in clusters. We also use the optical and X-ray data to investigate whether early- or late-type galaxies are primarily responsible for pre-heating in groups. Using three different methods, we conclude that spiral galaxies appear to play a comparable role to early types in the pre-heating of the intragroup medium. This tends to favour models in which the pre-heating arises primarily from galaxy winds rather than active galactic nuclei and implies that spirals have played a significant role in the metal enrichment of the intragroup medium.
Endoscopic palliative treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer: thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy and laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy.

DESIGN Evaluation of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy and laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy as endoscopic palliative treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between November 1993 and September 1998 we performed 16 thoracoscopic splanchnicectomies and 6 laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies in patients with an advanced pancreatic cancer admitted to the Department of Surgery of University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt. These patients either did not achieve adequate pain control with medication or presented serious problems of gastric outlet obstruction, or both. RESULTS There were fourteen patients (9 men and 5 women) with mean age of 51.8 years (range 28-83), mean BMI of 21.1 (range 17.2-27.2), ASA score I in 2, II in 11, III in 1. We performed 2 left, 2 right and 4 bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomies, 4 laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies and 2 combined endoscopic procedures (bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy and laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy). The overall average operation ("skin to skin") time was 86 minutes (range 75-100) for bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomies, 63 minutes (range 60-65) for unilateral splanchnicectomies, 88 minutes (range 65-115) for laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies and 190 minutes (range 180-200) for the combined procedure. Blood loss was insignificant with a median of 50 ml (range 30-150). The conversion's rate to open surgery was 4.5%. There were no intraoperative complications. The overall average postoperative mobilization was in 1.9 days (range 1-4) and the overall median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (range 2-24). There was no mortality at 30 days after endoscopic procedures and the morbidity rate was 21.4%. The postoperative analgesic requirement was considerably reduced with a successful rate was 83.3%. The resolution of gastric outlet obstruction has been complete in all laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies. CONCLUSIONS Our results show the feasibility and safety of these minimally invasive approaches such as endoscopic palliative treatment of complications of advanced pancreatic cancer.
The Digital Divide in Native American Tribal Schools: Two Case Studies.

This study examined utilization of digital resources at two different Native American tribal schools, one located in the Southwest and another in the Northwest. Ethnographic methods were employed in the study to explore the cultural issues involved in the use of computers in the tribal schools. Site visits were conducted of the two schools. Observations on the reservations and in the schools provided a picture of reservation life and current computer usage. Extensive interviews with administrators and teachers in the schools revealed information about the deeper cultural issues underlying the reasons for tribal choices relating to computer use. Findings indicated that the most important issue affecting technology use in these two tribal schools involved the tribes' attitudes toward education. The biggest difference between the two tribes was observed to be the commitment from the administrators and each tribe's value of education. Administrators in the tribal high school at the Southwest reservation were committed to improving and bringing more resources to the school. With the exception of the one technology instructor, the same observation was not made at the Northwest reservation. The author concludes that the digital divide is not so much caused by lack of funds and materials as it is by difference in cultural values. (AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
Recent Advances in Particulate Matter and Nanoparticle Toxicology: A Review of the In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Epidemiological and clinical studies have linked exposure to particulate matter (PM) to adverse health effects, which may be registered as increased mortality and morbidity from various cardiopulmonary diseases. Despite the evidence relating PM to health effects, the physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms causing such effects are still not fully characterized. Two main approaches are used to elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity. One is the use of in vivo experimental models, where various effects of PM on respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems can be evaluated. To more closely examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind the different physiological effects, the use of various in vitro models has proven to be valuable. In the present review, we discuss the current advances on the toxicology of particulate matter and nanoparticles based on these techniques.