Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male territorial aggression does not drive conformity to local vocal culture in a passerine bird

In many songbird species, young males learn songs from neighbors and then settle nearby, thus creating neighborhoods of conformity to local vocal culture. In some species males appear to postpone song learning until after dispersal, possibly to facilitate conformity to local dialects. Despite decades of study, we still lack a consensus regarding the selective pressures driving this delayed song learning. Two common hypothetical benefits to conformity, and thus delayed song learning, are rooted in male territorial interactions; males preferentially produce local song either to avoid detection as new arrivals (deceptive mimicry) or to be more effectively recognized as conspecific territory holders. The dickcissel (Spiza americana) is an ideal species in which to study these hypotheses. Males of this species appear to delay song learning until they arrive at their first adult territory, each individual sings a single song type, and conformity to the local song culture is high. Using playback, we contradicted both of the territorial hypotheses described above; male dickcissels did not respond differentially to local vs foreign song playback treatment. We are confident in this lack of difference because dickcissels clearly responded less strongly to a third treatment, neighbor song, than to the other two treatments, demonstrating sufficient power in our experimental design (and providing the first evidence of the dear-enemy effect in dickcissels). Our results raise the question of why dickcissels respond equally aggressively to both local and foreign songs when other bird species often show reduced aggression towards foreign song. If reduced aggression to foreign song is not ubiquitous in species that achieve conformity through delayed learning then selection from among-male territorial interaction seems unlikely to be a general explanation for such delayed learning. Reduced aggression in response to foreign songs in other species may be due to reduced exposure to the stimulus of foreign song or to different cost-benefit trade-offs when responding to songs that deviate from the local average.
ON THE COMPLETENESS OF MESHFREE PARTICLE METHODS

The completeness of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and its modiications is investigated. Completeness, or the reproducing conditions, in Galerkin approximations play the same role as consistency in nite diierence approximations. Several techniques which restore various levels of completeness by satisfying reproducing conditions on the approximation or the derivatives of the approximation are examined. A Petrov-Galerkin formulation for a particle method is developed using approximations with corrected derivatives. It is compared to a normalized SPH formulation based on kernel approximations and a Galerkin method based on moving least square approximations. It is shown that the major diierence is that in the SPH discretization the function which plays the role of the test function is not integrable. Numerical results show that approximations which do not satisfy the completeness and integrability conditions fail to converge for linear elastostatics, so convergence is not expected in nonlinear continuum mechanics.
Accounts of nature and the nature of accounts: Critical reflections on environmental accounting and propositions for ecologically informed accounting

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesise academic research in environmental accounting and demonstrate its shortcomings. It provokes scholars to rethink their conceptions of “accounts” and “nature”, and alongside others in this Design/methodology/approach - Utilising a wide range of thought from accounting, geography, sociology, political ecology, nature writing and social activism, the paper provides an analysis and critique of key themes associated with 40 years research in environmental accounting. It then considers how that broad base of work in social science, particularly pragmatic sociology (e.g. Latour, Boltanksi and Thevenot), could contribute to reimagining an ecologically informed accounting. Findings - Environmental accounting research overwhelmingly focuses on economic entities and their inputs and outputs. Conceptually, an “information throughput” model dominates. There is little or no environment in environmental accounting, and certainly no ecology. The papers in this Research limitations/implications - This paper outlines and encourages the advancement of ecological accounts and accountabilities drawing on conceptual resources across social sciences, arts and humanities. It identifies areas for research to develop its interdisciplinary potential to contribute to ecological sustainability and social justice. Originality/value - How to “ecologise” accounting and conceptualise human and non-human entities has received little attention in accounting research. This paper and
Recovering punctuation marks for automatic speech recognition

This paper shows results of recovering punctuation over speech transcriptions for a Portuguese broadcast news corpus. The approach is based on maximum entropy models and uses word, part-of-speech, time and speaker information. The contribution of each type of feature is analyzed individually. Separate results for each focus condition are given, making it possible to analyze the differences of performance between planned and spontaneous speech. Index Terms: rich transcription, punctuation recovery, sentence boundary detection, maximum entropy.
Increased Clearance of Reactive Aldehydes and Damaged Proteins in Hypertension-Induced Compensated Cardiac Hypertrophy: Impact of Exercise Training

Background. We previously reported that exercise training (ET) facilitates the clearance of damaged proteins in heart failure. Here, we characterized the impact of ET on cardiac protein quality control during compensated ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods and Results. SHR were randomly assigned into sedentary and swimming-trained groups. Sedentary SHR displayed cardiac hypertrophy with preserved ventricular function compared to normotensive rats, characterizing a compensated cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertensive rats presented signs of cardiac oxidative stress, depicted by increased lipid peroxidation. However, these changes were not followed by accumulation of lipid peroxidation-generated reactive aldehydes and damaged proteins. This scenario was explained, at least in part, by the increased catalytic activity of both aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and proteasome. Of interest, ET exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy, improved ventricular function, induced resting bradycardia, and decreased blood pressure in SHR. These changes were accompanied by reduced cardiac oxidative stress and a consequent decrease in ALDH2 and proteasome activities, without affecting small chaperones levels and apoptosis in SHR. Conclusion. Increased cardiac ALDH2 and proteasomal activities counteract the deleterious effect of excessive oxidative stress in hypertension-induced compensated cardiac hypertrophy in rats. ET has a positive effect in reducing cardiac oxidative stress without affecting protein quality control.
Exchange Rate Pass‐Through to Trade Prices: The Role of Nonlinearities and Asymmetries

A standard assumption in the empirical literature is that exchange rate pass-through is both linear and symmetric, implying that (a) large and small exchange rate changes and (b) appreciations and depreciations have an effect of the same magnitude, proportionally. This paper tests these assumptions for export and import prices in the G7 economies. It focuses on non-linearities in the reaction of profit margins to exchange rate movements, which may arise from the presence of price rigidities and switching costs. To this end, nonlinearities are characterised by augmenting a standard linear model with polynomial functions of the exchange rate and with interactive dummy variables. The presence of such non-linearities is confirmed by formal statistical tests. Overall, the results suggest that non-linearities and asymmetries in the exchange rate pass-through cannot be ignored, especially on the export side, although their magnitude varies noticeably across countries. JEL Classification: C22, C51, F14, F31
The role of people in information-sharing: perceptions from an analytic unit of a regional fusion center

Abstract Information sharing research has largely focused on capturing operational practices related to the exchange of information. A noticeable shortcoming of this developing literature is the lack of scholarly attention focused specifically on analytic personnel. The present study employs semi-structured interviews with 23 personnel that comprise the analytic unit within a regional fusion center located in a large metropolitan area in the United States. Findings indicate that there is significant ambiguity surrounding the organizational and geographic audiences to which intelligence products should be tailored. Moreover, it appears information sharing is sparse and reliant upon personal relationships between analysts and external organizations. Lastly, analysts do not receive feedback pertaining to the content and effectiveness of intelligence products created. These findings may be generalized to other analytical organizations whose primary goal is to gather, analyze and disseminate intelligence. Action steps for policymakers are provided.
Combined effects of ascorbic acid and phosphate on rat VSMC osteoblastic differentiation.

BACKGROUND Ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation has been suggested to afford erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness and high levels of ferritin in haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, little is known about the possible side effects of this policy on vascular calcification (VC). VC, induced by a high-phosphate and uraemic milieu, is characterized by a passive deposition of calcium-phosphate (Ca-P) and an active transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in osteoblastic-like cells. The aim of these studies was to characterize the combined effects of AA and P on VC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat VSMCs were challenged with inorganic P (Pi) and AA, and Ca deposition analysis was performed to quantify VC. To investigate VSMC osteoblastic differentiation, we analysed α-actin protein content and core-binding factor alpha-1 (Cbfα1/RUNX2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. RESULTS When incubated with 5 mM Pi, VSMCs showed a significant increase in Ca deposition compared to control cells. Interestingly, the addition of AA in the calcification medium resulted in a dose-dependent increase in Pi-induced Ca deposition. At the same time, the combined effect of AA and Pi on VSMCs resulted in the reduction of α-actin protein content and in a 4-fold increase of Cbfα1/RUNX2 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that AA combined with Pi increases Ca deposition in rat VSMCs. The role of AA as cofactor in osteoblastic differentiation was demonstrated by phenotypic changes in VSMCs and enhanced bone mineralization key gene expression. These in vitro preliminary data suggest a potential role for AA combined with Pi in worsening VC.
Cross-Domain Entity Resolution in Social Media

The challenge of associating entities across multiple domains is a key problem in social media understanding. Successful cross-domain entity resolution provides integration of information from multiple sites to create a complete picture of user and community activities, characteristics, and trends. In this work, we examine the problem of entity resolution across Twitter and Instagram using general techniques. Our methods fall into three categories: profile, content, and graph based. For the profile-based methods, we consider techniques based on approximate string matching. For content-based methods, we perform author identification. Finally, for graph-based methods, we apply novel cross-domain community detection methods and generate neighborhood-based features. The three categories of methods are applied to a large graph of users in Twitter and Instagram to understand challenges, determine performance, and understand fusion of multiple methods. Final results demonstrate an equal error rate less than 1%.
A Pair of Forbidden Subgraphs and 2-Factors

In this paper, we consider pairs of forbidden subgraphs that imply the existence of a 2-factor in a graph. For d ≥ 2, let d be the set of connected graphs of minimum degree at least d. Let F1 and F2 be connected graphs and let be a set of connected graphs. Then {F1, F2} is said to be a forbidden pair for if every {F1, F2}-free graph in of sufficiently large order has a 2-factor. Faudree, Faudree and Ryjáček have characterized all the forbidden pairs for the set of 2-connected graphs. We first characterize the forbidden pairs for 2, which is a larger set than the set of 2-connected graphs, and observe a sharp difference between the characterized pairs and those obtained by Faudree, Faudree and Ryjáček. We then consider the forbidden pairs for connected graphs of large minimum degree. We prove that if {F1, F2} is a forbidden pair for d, then either F1 or F2 is a star of order at most d + 2. Ota and Tokuda have proved that every $K_{1, \lfloor\frac{d+2}{2}\rfloor}$-free graph of minimum degree at least d has a 2-factor. These results imply that for k ≥ d + 2, no connected graphs F except for stars of order at most d + 2 make {K1,k, F} a forbidden pair for d, while for $k\le \bigl\lfloor\frac{d+2}{2} \bigr\rfloor$ every connected graph F makes {K1,k, F} a forbidden pair for d. We consider the remaining range of $\bigl\lfloor\frac{d+2}{2} \bigr\rfloor < k < d+2$, and prove that only a finite number of connected graphs F make {K1,k, F} a forbidden pair for d.
Security and Dependability Enhancement of Wireless Sensor Networks with Multipath Routing Utilizing the Connectedness of Joint Nodes

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of wireless nodes, which have relaying functions without the fixed communication infrastructures such as the base station. With WSNs, multiple paths are used for alternate paths against route breaks, ensuring bandwidth and security. However, the downside is that multiple paths have an elevated control packet count. The method of finding multiple paths is referred to as the multipath routing method. DART is a routing method that generates fewer control packets, however it is a single path routing method and cannot be applied directly to constructing multiple paths. In this paper, we propose a new multipath routing method to reduce the number of joint nodes on multiple paths with fewer control packets while managing the maximum degree of connectedness, defined by the number of paths connecting to a node, on the joint nodes. In addition, our proposed method improves upon the routing tables of DART. The proposed method introduces two values: joint count and connectedness. The former is for counting the number of joint nodes on a path and the latter is for finding the maximum degree of path connectedness on the joint nodes. Our method improves resilience against node capture attacks without the degradation of packet delivery ratios. We have implemented our proposed method on a network simulator, Qual Net, to confirm its effectiveness. We conducted simulation experiments to investigate characteristics such as the resilience against node capture attacks and the received data ratio on the destination nodes. In the simulation experiments, we compared three configurations: our proposed method with full specification, our proposed method without connectedness, and finally our proposed method without connectedness and joint count. The results were that our proposed method improved the resilience against node capture attacks without significant degradation of the data delivery ratio.
Preparation of the femoral bone cavity in cementless stems: broaching versus compaction

Background and purpose — Short-term experimental studies have confirmed that there is superior fixation of cementless implants inserted with compaction compared to broaching of the cancellous bone. Patients and methods — 1-stage, bilateral primary THA was performed in 28 patients between May 2001 and September 2007. The patients were randomized to femoral bone preparation with broaching on 1 side and compaction on the other side. 8 patients declined to attend the postoperative follow-up, leaving 20 patients (13 male) with a mean age of 58 (36–70) years for evaluation. The patients were followed with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) at baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 1, 2, and 5 years, and measurements of periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) at baseline and at 1, 2, and 5 years. The subjective part of the Harris hip score (HHS) and details of complications throughout the observation period were obtained at a mean interval of 6.3 (3.0–9.5) years after surgery. Results — Femoral stems in the compaction group had a higher degree of medio-lateral migration (0.21 mm, 95% CI: 0.03–0.40) than femoral stems in the broaching group at 5 years (p = 0.02). No other significant differences in translations or rotations were found between the 2 surgical techniques at 2 years (p > 0.4) and 5 years (p > 0.7) postoperatively. There were no individual stems with continuous migration. Periprosthetic BMD in the 7 Gruen zones was similar at 2 years and at 5 years. Intraoperative femoral fractures occurred in 2 of 20 compacted hips, but there were none in the 20 broached hips. The HHS and dislocations were similar in the 2 groups at 6.3 (3.0–9.5) years after surgery. Interpretation — Bone compaction as a surgical technique with the Bi-Metric stem did not show the superior outcomes expected compared to conventional broaching. Furthermore, 2 periprosthetic fractures occurred using the compaction technique, so we cannot recommend compaction for insertion of the cementless Bi-Metric stem.
EXCITOTOXICITY: A POSSIBLE CENTRAL MECHANISM IN FLUORIDE NEUROTOXICITY

SUMMARY: Recent evidence indicates that fluoride produces neuronal destruction and synaptic injury by a mechanism that involves free radical production and lipid peroxidation. For a number of pathological disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), excitotoxicity plays a critical role. Various studies have shown that many of the neurotoxic metals, such as mercury, lead, aluminum, and iron also injure neural elements in the CNS by an excitotoxic mechanism. Free radical generation and lipid peroxidation, especially in the face of hypomagnesemia and low neuronal energy production, also magnify excitotoxic sensitivity of neurons and their elements. This paper reviews briefly some of the studies that point to a common mechanism for the CNS neurotoxic effects of fluoride and calls for research directed toward further elucidation of this mechanism.
Klebsiella variicola Is a Frequent Cause of Bloodstream Infection in the Stockholm Area, and Associated with Higher Mortality Compared to K. pneumoniae

Clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae are divided into three phylogroups and differ in their virulence factor contents. The aim of this study was to determine an association between phylogroup, virulence factors and mortality following bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Isolates from all adult patients with BSI caused by K. pneumoniae admitted to Karolinska University Hospital, Solna between 2007 and 2009 (n = 139) were included in the study. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data. Testing for mucoid phenotype, multiplex PCR determining serotypes K1, K2, K5, K20, K54 and K57, and testing for virulence factors connected to more severe disease in previous studies, was also performed. Data was retrieved from medical records including age, sex, comorbidity, central and urinary catheters, time to adequate treatment, hospital-acquired infection, and mortality, to identify risk factors. The primary end-point was 30- day mortality. The three K. pneumoniae phylogroups were represented: KpI (n = 96), KpII (corresponding to K. quasipneumoniae, n = 9) and KpIII (corresponding to K. variicola, n = 34). Phylogroups were not significantly different in baseline characteristics. Overall, the 30-day mortality was 24/139 (17.3%). Isolates belonging to KpIII were associated with the highest 30-day mortality (10/34 cases, 29.4%), whereas KpI isolates were associated with mortality in 13/96 cases (13.5%). This difference was significant both in univariate statistical analysis (P = 0.037) and in multivariate analysis adjusting for age and comorbidity (OR 3.03 (95% CI: 1.10–8.36). Only three of the isolates causing mortality within 30 days belonged to any of the virulent serotypes (K54, n = 1), had a mucoid phenotype (n = 1) and/or contained virulence genes (wcaG n = 1 and wcaG/allS n = 1). In conclusion, the results indicate higher mortality among patients infected with isolates belonging to K. variicola. The increased mortality could not be related to any known virulence factors, including virulent capsular types or mucoid phenotype.
Rey AVLT: Developmental Norms for Children and the Sensitivity of Different Memory Measures to Age

Nine hundred and forty-three children (487 boys and 456 girls, age range 8 to 17 years, divided into 10 age cohorts) were administered the Hebrew version of the Rey AVLT. Separate norms for boys and girls in each age group are reported. Sensitivity to age for 14 memory measures extracted from the Rey AVLT was analyzed. One of the most consistent findings across the different scores is that memory changes in the 8- to 10- year-old age range are more dynamic than changes in the 11- to 17- year-old age range. The results also show a significant and consistent advantage for girls over boys on most of the verbal memory mea- sures. Detailed analyses of sensitivity to age of the different measures extracted from the Rey AVLT pro- vide very useful information for the diagnostician testing auditory-verbal memory in children.
Social Media Use and Conduct Problems in Emerging Adults

Social media use has become pervasive in the lives of emerging adults. Although social media may provide individuals with positive opportunities for communication and learning, social media sites also may provide an outlet for youth conduct problems, such as bullying, harassment, and intentional hostility and aggression toward others. Yet, the relationship between social media use and conduct problems remains unclear. This study investigated the association between conduct disorder (CD) symptoms before age 15 and social media use during emerging adulthood in a large, nationally representative sample. Concurrent associations between antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) symptoms and social media use in emerging adults also were examined. Data for this study were based on 567 emerging adults (50.2 percent female; Mage = 20.0 years). Self-report questionnaires were completed online. Results suggested that more childhood CD symptoms were significantly associated with greater daily social media use during emerging adulthood, and that more daily social media use was significantly associated with current ASPD symptoms. Possible directional and cyclical explanations for these findings are explored. Given the pervasiveness of social media in the lives of emerging adults, these results underscore the importance of considering nuanced methods for using social media sites to encourage positive social interactions and to displace the promotion of conduct problems.