Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Roost Selection by Formosan Leaf-Nosed Bats (Hipposideros armiger terasensis)

Abstract Patterns of roost use by Formosan leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros armiger terasensis) were studied from November 1998 to April 2000. Structural characteristics, microclimates, and disturbance levels of 17 roosts used by H. a. terasensis and 15 roosts either used by other bat species (2) or not occupied by any bat species were compared. Roosts used by these bats were significantly larger in size and had greater areas covered by water compared to unused roosts. Entrances of active roosts were more likely to be east-west oriented. Hibernacula had lower entrances and ceilings than did roosts used only in summer. Higher temperatures were recorded in non-breeding roosts than in breeding roosts, but temperature gradients in these two types of roosts did not differ. In winter, hibernacula were warmer, and the temperature fluctuated less than in non-hibernacula. The relative humidities in summer roosts and hibernacula were nearly 100%. Disturbance levels were significantly higher in non-breeding roosts than in breeding roosts, and in non-hibernacula than in hibernacula. These results suggest that the Formosan leaf-nosed bats are selective of their roosts, but the pattern of their roost selection differs from those reported for bats of temperate regions. The reasons for such differences may be related to differences in body size, behavior, and reproductive strategy of the Formosan leaf-nosed bats living in a subtropical climate in Taiwan.
Growth Signals, Inflammation, and Vascular Perturbations: Mechanistic Links Between Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cancer

Nearly 35% of adults and 20% of children in the United States are obese, defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. Obesity, which is accompanied by metabolic dysregulation often manifesting in the metabolic syndrome, is an established risk factor for many cancers. Within the growth-promoting, proinflammatory environment of the obese state, cross talk between macrophages, adipocytes, and epithelial cells occurs via obesity-associated hormones, cytokines, and other mediators that may enhance cancer risk and progression. This review synthesizes the evidence on key biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-cancer link, with particular emphasis on obesity-associated enhancements in growth factor signaling, inflammation, and vascular integrity processes. These interrelated pathways represent possible mechanistic targets for disrupting the obesity-cancer link.
Eficacia de la mnemotecnia de la palabra clave en personas adultas

Effi cacy of the keyword mnemonic method in adults. Two experiments were used to assess the effi cacy of the keyword mnemonic method in adults. In Experiment 1, immediate and delayed recall (at a oneday interval) were assessed by comparing the results obtained by a group of adults using the keyword mnemonic method in contrast to a group using the repetition method. The mean age of the sample under study was 59.35 years. Subjects were required to learn a list of 16 words translated from Latin into Spanish. Participants who used keyword mnemonics that had been devised by other experimental participants of the same characteristics, obtained signifi cantly higher immediate and delayed recall scores than participants in the repetition method. In Experiment 2, other participants had to learn a list of 24 Latin words translated into Spanish by using the keyword mnemonic method reinforced with pictures. Immediate and delayed recall were signifi cantly greater in the keyword mnemonic method group than in the repetition method group.
PELAKSANAAN PENGADAAN BARANG/JASA SECARA ELEKTRONIK (E-PROCUREMENT) PADA PEMERINTAH KOTA YOGYAKARTA

Yogyakarta municipality is committed to improve the quality of its procurement procedures by applying electronic procurement system, which finds its standing on Mayor Regulation Nr. 13 of /2009. Two issues are going to be addressed: first, whether the purpose of e-procurement has been served and second, what are the obstacles that occur in its implementation. Pemerintah kota Yogyakarta berkomitmen untuk meningkatkan kualitas pelaksanaan pengadaan barang dan jasa pemerintah dengan mengunakan sistem electronic procurement yang menggunakan Peraturan Walikota Yogyakarta No. 137 Tahun 2009 sebagai landasan hukum. Tulisan ini akan mengelaborasi pertanyaan apakah tujuan pelaksanaan e-procurement telah tercapai serta kendala apa sajakah yang menghambat pelaksanaan tersebut.
Exploiting Congestion Games to Achieve Distributed Service Chaining in NFV Networks

The network function virtualization (NFV) paradigm has gained increasing interest in both academia and industry as it promises scalable and flexible network management and orchestration. In NFV networks, network services are provided as chains of different virtual network functions (VNFs), which are instantiated and executed on dedicated VNF-compliant servers. The problem of composing those chains is referred to as the service chain composition problem. In contrast to centralized solutions that suffer from scalability and privacy issues, in this paper, we leverage non-cooperative game theory to achieve a low-complexity distributed solution to the above-mentioned problem. Specifically, to account for selfish and competitive behavior of users, we formulate the service chain composition problem as an atomic weighted congestion game with unsplittable flows and player-specific cost functions. We show that the game possesses a weighted potential function and admits a Nash equilibrium (NE). We prove that the price of anarchy is upper-bounded, and also propose a distributed and privacy-preserving algorithm which provably converges toward an NE of the game in polynomial time. Finally, through extensive numerical results, we assess the performance of the proposed distributed solution to the service chain composition problem.
Physical Activity and Health: Does Physical Education Matter?

Physical education has been an institution in American schools since the late 19th century, and today almost all American children are exposed to physical education classes. It has often been claimed that physical education provides important benefits to public health. The purpose of this paper is to determine if physical education increases students' physical activity levels, in the short and longer terms, and thereby provides important health benefits. We reviewed the literature to determine the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during physical education classes, as well as to determine if physical education classes increase students' overall daily physical activity, and if physical education classes provide short-term and long-term health benefits. Our conclusion is that the literature addressing the public health effects of physical education is limited. Given the significance of this issue to the future of school-based physical education, studying the short- and long-term health and fitness effects of physical education should be a high priority for future research.
Metformin‐associated risk of acute dialysis in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide cohort study

Recent guidelines governing anti‐diabetic medications increasingly advocate metformin as first‐line therapy in all patients with type 2 diabetes. However, metformin could be associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), acute dialysis and lactate acidosis in marginal patients. In a retrospective nationwide cohort study, a total of 168 443 drug‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes ≥50 years, initiating treatment with either metformin or sulphonyl in Denmark between 2000 and 2012 were included in this study (70.7% initiated treatment with metformin); calculation of 1‐year risk of acute dialysis was based on g‐standardization of cause‐specific Cox regression models for acute dialysis, end‐stage renal disease and death. One‐year risks of acute dialysis were 92.4 per 100 000 (95% CI, 67.1‐121.3) and 142.7 per 100 000 (95% CI, 118.3‐168.0) for sulphonylurea and metformin, respectively. The metformin‐associated 1‐year risk of acute dialysis was increased by 50.3 per 100 000 (95% CI, 7.9‐88.6), corresponding to a risk ratio of 1.53 (95% CI, 1.06‐2.23), and a number needed to harm of 1988, thus providing evidence of potential concerns pertaining to the increasing use of metformin.
Invasion of Aortic and Heart Endothelial Cells byPorphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT Invasion of host cells is believed to be an important strategy utilized by a number of pathogens, which affords them protection from the host immune system. The connective tissues of the periodontium are extremely well vascularized, which allows invading microorganisms, such as the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, to readily enter the bloodstream. However, the ability of P. gingivalis to actively invade endothelial cells has not been previously examined. In this study, we demonstrate that P. gingivalis can invade bovine and human endothelial cells as assessed by an antibiotic protection assay and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. P. gingivalis A7436 was demonstrated to adhere to and to invade fetal bovine heart endothelial cells (FBHEC), bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Invasion efficiencies of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% were obtained with BAEC, HUVEC, and FBHEC, respectively. Invasion of FBHEC and BAEC by P. gingivalis A7436 assessed by electron microscopy revealed the formation of microvillus-like extensions around adherent bacteria followed by the engulfment of the pathogen within vacuoles. Invasion of BAEC by P. gingivalisA7436 was inhibited by cytochalasin D, nocodazole, staurosporine, protease inhibitors, and sodium azide, indicating that cytoskeletal rearrangements, protein phosphorylation, energy metabolism, andP. gingivalis proteases are essential for invasion. In contrast, addition of rifampin, nalidixic acid, and chloramphenicol had little effect on invasion, indicating that bacterial RNA, DNA, and de novo protein synthesis are not required for P. gingivalisinvasion of endothelial cells. Likewise de novo protein synthesis by endothelial cells was not required for invasion by P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis 381 was demonstrated to adhere to and to invade BAEC (0.11 and 0.1% efficiency, respectively). However, adherence and invasion of the corresponding fimA mutant DPG3, which lacks the major fimbriae, was not detected. These results indicate thatP. gingivalis can actively invade endothelial cells and that fimbriae are required for this process. P. gingivalisinvasion of endothelial cells may represent another strategy utilized by this pathogen to thwart the host immune response.
Remarks on rhythmic stress in Modern Hebrew

In Biblical Hebrew, the tendency for rhythmic stress was primarily manifest in stress retraction, which moved word-final stress to the preceding syllable so as to avoid ‘stress clash’ with an immediately following word-initial stress, subject to certain restrictions. It was discussed in detail by the traditional grammarians of Hebrew; recent generative accounts include Prince (1975) and McCarthy (1979). In Modern Hebrew, the tendency for rhythmic stress can be realized in a variety of ways, of which stress retraction is by no means the commonest.
More diverse plant communities have higher functioning over time due to turnover in complementary dominant species

More diverse communities have been shown to have higher and more temporally stable ecosystem functioning than less diverse ones, suggesting they should also have a consistently higher level of functioning over time. Diverse communities could maintain consistently high function because the species driving function change over time (functional turnover) or because they are more likely to contain key species with temporally stable functioning. Across 7 y in a large biodiversity experiment, we show that more diverse plant communities had consistently higher productivity, that is, a higher level of functioning over time. We identify the mechanism for this as turnover in the species driving biomass production; this was substantial, and species that were rare in some years became dominant and drove function in other years. Such high turnover allowed functionally more diverse communities to maintain high biomass over time and was associated with higher levels of complementarity effects in these communities. In contrast, turnover in communities composed of functionally similar species did not promote high biomass production over time. Thus, turnover in species promotes consistently high ecosystem function when it sustains functionally complementary interactions between species. Our results strongly reinforce the argument for conservation of high biodiversity.
Activation of the NRF2 pathway and its impact on the prognosis of anaplastic glioma patients.

BACKGROUND Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) plays pivotal roles in cytoprotection. We aimed at clarifying the contribution of the NRF2 pathway to malignant glioma pathology. METHODS NRF2 target gene expression and its association with prognosis were examined in 95 anaplastic gliomas with or without isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1/2 gene mutations and 52 glioblastomas. To explore mechanisms for the altered activity of the NRF2 pathway, we examined somatic mutations and expressions of the NRF2 gene and those encoding NRF2 regulators, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and p62/SQSTSM. To clarify the functional interaction between IDH1 mutations and the NRF2 pathway, we introduced a mutant IDH1 to T98 glioblastoma-derived cells and examined the NRF2 activity in these cells. RESULTS NRF2 target genes were elevated in 13.7% and 32.7% of anaplastic gliomas and glioblastomas, respectively. Upregulation of NRF2 target genes correlated with poor prognosis in anaplastic gliomas but not in glioblastomas. Neither somatic mutations of NRF2/KEAP1 nor dysregulated expression of KEAP1/p62 explained the increased expression of NRF2 target genes. In most cases of anaplastic glioma with mutated IDH1/2, NRF2 and its target genes were downregulated. This was reproducible in IDH1 R132H-expressing T98 cells. In minor cases of IDH1/2-mutant anaplastic gliomas with increased expression of NRF2 target genes, the clinical outcomes were significantly poor. CONCLUSIONS The NRF2 activity is increased in a significant proportion of malignant gliomas in general but decreased in the majority of IDH1/2-mutant anaplastic gliomas. It is plausible that the NRF2 pathway plays an important role in tumor progression of anaplastic gliomas with IDH1/2 mutations.
World city topologies

This paper develops ideas from poststructuralism, actor-network theory, nonrepresentational theory and complexity theory to begin to produce a topological consideration of cities in global networks. In other words, the paper argues that fluids and flows, actant networks, performances and practices fold the spaces and times of cities in ways that question the privileging of geometrical space (near and far) and linear time (now and then) in explanations of global and world cities. To reach a conceptualization of world city topologies, the paper is in four parts. First, space is set free and rethought as everywhere and folded into everything. Second, time is rethought as non-linear, multiple and folded into everything. Third, these new conceptualizations of space and time are mobilized to challenge the spatialities and temporalities produced through the political-economy approach of a writer such as Saskia Sassen. Finally, my rethinking of space and time in globalization is worked through to portray global and world cities as ‘Bodies without Organs’. This spatial formation is seen to be one that connects and disconnects through networks and folds. Overall, my rethinking of space, time, globalization and cities produces a spatiotemporal pattern or topology that defies familiar geographical borders and temporal frames to point to the spaced and timed quality of relations that stretch.
The dynamic nature of motivation during the task: can it be captured?

Abstract As part of a larger longitudinal research study that investigated Spanish heritage language speakers' motivation in relation to the Spanish course they were enrolled in, the present study explores task motivation with a focus on (a) the occurrence of motivational processes and (b) motivational fluctuation throughout task performance. To investigate these issues, this study employed an innovative qualitative approach to task motivation based on Dörnyei's process model of motivation that included the use of think-aloud protocols. Twenty Spanish heritage language speakers completed a semi-guided writing task during which they had to think aloud. Qualitative analysis of the verbalizations revealed that appraisal and action control processes did indeed take place during the actional phase, as posed by the process model, and showed how participants cope with the task and the environment. As a result, these analyses exposed the motivational paths followed by participants in the task writing process and confirmed the dynamic nature of participants' motivation in relation to the task. These results confirm the validity of think-aloud procedures in the investigation of task motivation, the soundness of the process model, and the value of investigating the individual in context, all of which could be of use in both the second language and heritage language fields.
Intelligence‐related differences in the asymmetry of spontaneous cerebral activity

Recent evidence suggests the spontaneous BOLD signal synchronization of corresponding interhemispheric, homotopic regions as a stable trait of human brain physiology, with emerging differences in such organization being also related to some pathological conditions. To understand whether such brain functional symmetries play a role into higher‐order cognitive functioning, here we correlated the functional homotopy profiles of 119 healthy subjects with their intelligence level. Counterintuitively, reduced homotopic connectivity in above average‐IQ versus average‐IQ subjects was observed, with significant reductions in visual and somatosensory cortices, supplementary motor area, rolandic operculum, and middle temporal gyrus, possibly suggesting that a downgrading of interhemispheric talk at rest could be associated with higher cognitive functioning. These regions also showed an increased spontaneous synchrony with medial structures located in ipsi‐ and contralateral hemispheres, with such pattern being mostly detectable for regions placed in the left hemisphere. The interactions with age and gender have been also tested, with different patterns for subjects above and below 25 years old and less homotopic connectivity in the prefrontal cortex and posterior midline regions in female participants with higher IQ scores. These findings support prior evidence suggesting a functional role for homotopic connectivity in human cognitive expression, promoting the reduction of synchrony between primary sensory regions as a predictor of higher intelligence levels. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3586–3602, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Probability misjudgment and belief in the paranormal: A newspaper survey

In a newspaper survey with 6238 respondents 59 per cent were believers in the paranormal. There was a large sex difference: 70 per cent of females were believers but only 48 per cent of males. Respondents were asked whether a list of 10 statements were true for them, and to estimate numbers true for other people. The ‘probability misjudgment’ theories predicted that believers would underestimate the number of statements true for other people, more than non-believers. This was not found, but believers did claim that more statements were true for them. The ‘probability misjudgment’ theories are not supported.
Intrasaccadic Perception

Mammalian vision has a lowpass frequency characteristic that filters out fast temporal oscillations. Thus, fast-drifting gratings cannot be detected with static eyes, but the same gratings can easily be detected by executing saccades. Because these gratings are invisible under fixation, they are useful for isolating and studying intrasaccadic perception, which is normally masked by presaccadic and postsaccadic perception. We have conducted a number of psychophysical studies using these stimuli, and here we report that intrasaccadic visual processing allows for motion perception, that gratings drifting in the direction of a saccade are perceived as having more contrast than the same gratings drifting in the opposite direction, and that intrasaccadic contrast perception has sufficient grain to allow psychophysical matching of the perceived contrast of gratings drifting in opposite directions. The conditions in which these phenomena occur disprove a recent hypothesis that intrasaccadic motion perception occurs for stimuli processed by the magnocellular system, and our results can be explained by assuming that the temporal lowpass characteristic that accounts for flicker fusion phenomena under vision with static eyes is also operative during saccades.
Marketing Metrics That Contribute to Marketing Accountability in the Technology Sector

The marketing function is facing challenges to its existence and is losing influence and resources within organizations as it fails to demonstrate its accountability. This exploratory study identifies marketing metrics that can potentially contribute to marketing accountability in the technology sector. The findings suggest the marketing function could possibly benefit through using both financial and nonfinancial metrics when demonstrating to their finance colleagues the link between their activities and organizational outcomes. The study’s findings also suggest that in addition to an increase in influence within organizations, the marketing function could benefit from favorable resource allocation and timely approvals for new marketing initiatives when it is perceived as being accountable.
The effects of mental practice on motor skill learning and performance: A meta-analysis.

A longstanding research question in the sport psychology literature has been whether a given amount of mental practice prior to performing a motor skill will enhance one's subsequent performance. The research literature, however, has not provided any clear-cut answers to this question and this has prompted the present, more comprehensive review of existing research using the meta-analytic strategy proposed by Glass (1977). From the 60 studies yielding 146 effect sizes the overall average effect size was . 48, which suggests, as did Richardson (1967a), that mentally practicing a motor skill influences performance somewhat better than no practice at all. Effect sizes were also compared on a number of variables thought to moderate the effects of mental practice. Results from these comparisons indicated that studies employing cognitive tasks had larger average effect sizes than motor or strength tasks and that published studies had larger average effect sizes than unpublished studies. These findings are discus.