Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient and light availability regulate the relative contribution of autotrophs and heterotrophs to respiration in freshwater pelagic ecosystems

In this study, two main hypotheses were addressed. (1) Bacteria contribute proportionally less than autotrophs to ecosystem respiration as trophic status increases. This hypothesis was examined in a pond phosphorus‐fertilization experiment and two microcosm nutrient‐fertilization experiments. (2) The relative contribution of autotrophs to ecosystem respiration, at a given nutrient availability, increases as light availability increases. This hypothesis was tested in three light by nutrient factorial microcosm experiments. Rates of total plankton community, bacterial (≪1 µm fraction), and phytoplankton (total ‐ bacterial) respiration all increased as nutrient availability increased. The contribution of bacteria to community respiration ranged between ~10 and 90%, with the highest contribution occurring under the most oligotrophic conditions. As light availability increased within each nutrient availability treatment, there was a similar decline in the contribution of bacteria to community respiration. Under oligotrophic conditions bacteria are better competitors for nutrients that limit both autotrophs and heterotrophs, but as nutrient availability increases, conditions become increasingly favorable for larger celled phytoplankton that have higher maximal nutrient uptake rates. As light availability increases, the relative contribution of phytoplankton to ecosystem respiration also increases. Light and nutrient availability are important regulators of the relative contributions of autotrophs and heterotrophs to ecosystem respiration, but the observed patterns are primarily driven by changes in phytoplankton production rates.
Exploring How Canadian Voters Evaluate Leader Character in Three Cases: Justin Trudeau, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump

Abstract:In exploratory research, we investigate whether a recently developed framework of leader character, grounded in the business administration literature, has any utility for understanding how citizens value the character of modern political leaders. We are interested in whether the entire leader character framework, or only a subset of its dimensions, are valued by Canadians in political leaders. An opinion poll of 506 Canadians in the fall of 2016 examines how they responded to the framework, which dimensions of leader character they value highly, and how they employed it to evaluate three well-known politicians who were then in the media spotlight: Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau; and American presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The results suggest Canadians possess a clear, distinct set of preferences with respect to the ideal shape of leader character. This finding is salient toward understanding the modern political culture of Canada, as well as addressing speculation that the rise of populism in many countries suggests voters might embrace a leader in the mould of American president Donald Trump. Résumé:Dans cette recherche exploratoire, nous cherchons à comprendre si une technique récemment développée pour cadrer le caractère d’un leader, basée sur la documentation en administration des affaires, est utile dans la compréhension de la manière dont les citoyens donnent une valeur au caractère des leaders politiques modernes. Nous voulons savoir si le cadre entier, ou seulement une partie du cadre, est apprécié des Canadiens. Un sondage d’opinion effectué auprès de 506 Canadiens à l’automne 2016 examine la manière dont ils réagissaient au cadre, à quels aspects du caractère de leader donnaient-ils le plus de valeur et comment ils l’utilisaient pour évaluer trois politiciens connus qui étaient dans les médias à ce moment-là : le premier ministre canadien Justin Trudeau; et les candidats à la présidence américaine Hillary Clinton et Donald Trump. Les résultats suggèrent que les Canadiens possèdent des préférences nettes et distinctes en ce qui a trait à la forme idéale du caractère d’un leader. Ces résultats permettent de comprendre la culture politique moderne du Canada ainsi que d’adresser la spéculation que la croissance de populisme dans de nombreux pays suggère que les électeurs pourraient accepter un leader de la trempe du président américain Donald Trump.
Simulations of the Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclones: Contributions by the Midlatitude Upper-Level Trough to Reintensification

Abstract The extratropical cyclone development processes during the reintensification stage of an extratropical transition from a tropical cyclone (TC) are described using numerical simulations. Three control simulations without a tropical cyclone present examine the extratropical cyclogenesis associated with upper-level troughs that are characterized as weak, moderate, and strong. When no tropical cyclone is included in the simulation, the minimum surface pressures attained with the weak, moderate, and strong troughs are 1003, 991, and 977 mb, respectively. In all three cases, the low tilts northwestward with height during intensification, and the rainfall pattern and eventual occlusion are representative of classic extratropical cyclone development. The interactions of a tropical cyclone with each of the three midlatitude circulation patterns are compared with the control simulations to illustrate the contributions to the extratropical transition of the tropical cyclone. In the three trough-with-TC case.
An Exploratory Study Towards "Machines that Learn to Read"

This paper reports early results at the intersection of knowledge and language acquisition. Humans learn much by reading, a capability largely absent from machines. We assume that (1) some conceptual structure exists, represented in an ontology, (2) a handful of examples of each concept and relation is provided, and (3) the machine knows the grammatical structure and semantic structure of the language. The task is to learn the many ways that the concepts and relations are expressed so that a machine can automatically map from source text to the knowledge base. As a case study we looked at the relations invent(inventor, invention), employ(employer, employee), and locatedat(entity, location). Our results show that structural features, e.g., dependency parses and propositions (predicate argument structure), outperform non-structural features, e.g., strings of words.
An empirical approximation of the natural rate of interest and potential growth

The aim of this paper is to isolate the long run movements on equilibrium interest rate (or natural rate of interest) and potential growth. This estimations has been compute for US and Germany using a methodology developed by Laubach and Williams that is based on a Kalman Filter estimation of this two unobserved variables in a reduce structural model. The results match properly with the generally accepted periods of recessions and points to a reduced variation of the natural rate of interest, the potential growth and the business cycle during the last decade. This lower variation question the effects on the policy design from recent events like the "new economy". Moreover, we find that recently the natural rate of interest had rose in US and exhibits a moderate deceleration on Germany, that seems compatible with the different effect of new technologies for both economies. Moreover, the paper reached some aspects of the current monetary policy stance in both countries.
Lobomycosis: epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management options

Lobomycosis is a subcutaneous mycosis of chronic evolution caused by the Lacazia loboi fungus. Its distribution is almost exclusive in the Americas, and it has a particularly high prevalence in the Amazon basin. Cases of lobomycosis have been reported only in dolphins and humans. Its prevalence is higher among men who are active in the forest, such as rubber tappers, bushmen, miners, and Indian men. It is recognized that the traumatic implantation of the fungus on the skin is the route by which humans acquire this infection. The lesions affect mainly exposed areas such as the auricles and upper and lower limbs and are typically presented as keloid-like lesions. Currently, surgical removal is the therapeutic procedure of choice in initial cases. Despite the existing data and studies to date, the active immune mechanisms in this infection and its involvement in the control or development of lacaziosis have not been fully clarified. In recent years, little progress has been made in the appraisal of the epidemiologic aspects of the disease. So far, we have neither a population-based study nor any evaluation directed to the forest workers.
A Vision-Based Approach for Rail Extraction and its Application in a Camera Pan–Tilt Control System

Rail extraction, i.e., determining the position of the rails ahead of a train, is one of the basic tasks of vision-based driver support in railways. This paper introduces an approach that extracts rails by matching edge features to candidate rail patterns modeled as sequences of parabola segments. Patterns are precomputed in a semiautomatic offline stage for areas near the camera and generated on the fly for more distant regions. Our approach was designed to address the challenges posed by the open environment without requiring explicit knowledge about train speed or camera parameters/position and running fast enough for practical use without specialized hardware. Evaluation was performed on hours of video captured under real operation conditions, considering the requirements of a system in which a camera with zoom lens mounted on a pan-tilt unit captures images from the area ahead with increased resolution.
Temporal artery biopsy for giant cell arteritis: retrospective audit

Objectives Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is performed in suspected cases of sight-threatening giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aimed to determine the feasibility of TAB in patients who are suspected of having GCA. Design, setting and participants A retrospective audit of all patients undergoing TAB at a single teaching hospital between 2005 and 2011, identified from the histopathology database. Main outcome measures (1) Clinical profile and biochemical criteria associated with positive histology. (2) Proportion of negative histology patients who were commenced on steroid therapy. Results One hundred and fifty-three TAB were performed (mean age 70.8 years, men:women = 3:2, 110 Caucasian: 43 Asian). Thirty-two biopsies were positive for GCA and 121 were negative. In total, 68 (61%) of 112 negative TAB patients were clinically diagnosed with GCA despite histological findings (P < 0.001). Nine out of 153 biopsies were non-arterial. Histologically positive TAB patients were of higher mean age (77.1 [95% CI 74.5–79.7] versus 69.1 [95% CI 66.7–71.6]; P < 0.001) and had a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (60 [95% CI 46.1–73.9] versus 39.8 [95% CI 34.2–45.3]; P < 0.01)] than those with negative histology. Conclusions Raised ESR and higher age may be the most useful indicators of GCA. Many histologically negative individuals were nevertheless clinically diagnosed and managed as GCA.
Design Experience from Experience Design: Towards Strategies for Enhancements

Enterprises within the experience-based economy face big challenges when investing in IS applications for their products and services. Especially, organizations and services that offer different kinds of attractions and experiences have realized the emergent use of mobile technology. In this paper we explore in what way an IS (information systems) design can enhance experience-based activities conducted at a Swedish regional museum. The research presents an in-depth analysis of a case study along with requirements and design activities for a location-aware, auditory museum guide, primarily aimed for people with visual and language disabilities was developed. We argue that in order to keep in pace with the on-going growth of experience-based and IS design initiatives, enterprises and designer must consider its value for their businesses. Thus, we have developed a three-level strategy for valuing enhancements of a proposed IS application. The strategy proved to be particular fruitful for both designers and managers when assessing the potential of various enhancements to generate values for the different target groups.
Mid-infrared spectral evidence for a luminous dust enshrouded source in Arp 220

We have re-analyzed the 6-12 µm ISO spectrum of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy Arp 220 with the conclusion that it is not consistent with that of a scaled up version of a typical starburst. Instead, both template fitting with spectra of the galaxies NGC 4418 and M 83 and with dust models suggest that it is best represented by combinations of a typical starburst component, exhibiting PAH emission features, and a heavily absorbed dust continuum which contributes ∼40% of the 6-12 µm flux and likely dominates the luminosity. Of particular significance relative to previous studies of Arp 220 is the fact that the emission feature at 7.7 µm comprises both PAH emission and a broader component resulting from ice and silicate absorption against a heavily absorbed continuum. Extinction to the PAH emitting source, however, appears to be relatively low. We ten- tatively associate the PAH emitting and heavily dust/ice absorbed components with the diffuse emission region and the two compact nuclei respectively identified by Soifer et al. (2002) in their higher spatial resolution 10 µm study. Both the similarity of the absorbed continuum with that of the embedded Galactic protostars and results of the dust models imply that the embedded source(s) in Arp 220 could be powered by, albeit extremely dense, starburst activity. Due to the high extinction, it is not possible with the available data to exclude that AGN(s) also contribute some or all of the observed luminosity. In this case, however, the upper limit measured for its hard X-ray emission would require Arp 220 to be the most highly obscured AGN known.
A novel magnetic harmonic gear

Magnetic gears offer several advantages compared to mechanical gears, in terms of reduced maintenance, improved reliability and inherent overload protection, whilst having a high efficiency. The paper describes the principle of operation of a novel form of magnetic gear, which is particularly suited to applications for which a high gear ratio is required. The performance capability of such a magnetic gear is investigated, and it is shown that it transmits a ripple-free torque, and that a torque density of up to 110 kNm/m can be achieved when high- energy permanent magnets are employed.
Shareholders at the Gate? Institutional Investors and Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

We study the role of institutional investors in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (MA they build bridges between firms and reduce transaction costs and information asymmetry between bidder and target. We conclude that cross-border portfolio investments of institutional money managers and cross-border M&As are complements in promoting financial integration worldwide. The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Catastrophic out-of-pocket payment for health care and its impact on households : Experience from West Bengal , India

The present paper attempts to find out the major determining factors of catastrophic payment in health care, and the impact of such expenditure on household economic status. A survey of 3150 households in West Bengal, India, was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models to identify factors associated with catastrophic health expenditures, defined as household spending on health greater than 40% of non-food expenditure. The factors associates with catastrophic medical expenditures are: multiple spells of illnesses in the households, prevalence of chronic morbidity among the household members (Odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI), inpatient care (Odds ratio 1.4, 95% CI) and childbirth (Odds ratio 1.0, 95% CI). Other household characteristics, such as household size (Odds ratio 1.0, 95% CI) and rural/urban location (Odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI) are also important determinants of catastrophic spending. The analysis shows a common pattern of expenditure due to the treatment of minor illness on increasing the burden of catastrophe on the households, which overshadows the effects of one-time expenditures incurred for hospitalization. The cumulative amount incurred for minor ailments effects household’s current food consumption, children’s education, medical treatment of the other member, social recreation in a greater extent as compared to the hospitalization care or birth delivery. This study addressed the key findings to the policy maker to ensure better access and high degree of financial protection against the impact of illness.
Glutathione Status and the Renal Elimination of Inorganic Mercury in the Mrp2−/− Mouse

Multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) 2 and 4 are localized in proximal tubular epithelial cells and participate in the renal elimination of xenobiotics. MRP2 has also been implicated in the renal and hepatic elimination of mercury. The current study tested the hypothesis that MRP2 and MRP4 are involved in renal and hepatic handling of inorganic mercury (Hg2+). We examined the disposition of Hg2+ in Mrp2−/− mice and assessed the transport of mercuric conjugates in inside-out membrane vesicles containing human MRP4. Since MRP2 has been shown to utilize glutathione (GSH) for transport of select substrates, we examined renal concentrations of GSH and cysteine and the expression of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) in Mrp2−/− and FVB mice. The effect of Hg2+ exposure on renal GSH levels was also assessed in these mice. Our data suggest that MRP2, but not MRP4, is involved in proximal tubular export of Hg2+. In addition, GSH levels are greater in Mrp2−/− mice and exposure to Hg2+ reduced renal levels of GSH. Expression of GCL was also altered in Mrp2−/− mice under normal conditions and following exposure to HgCl2. This study provides important novel data regarding the transport of Hg2+ and the effect of Hg2+ exposure on GSH levels.
Urine Protein Level In Pregnant Women Trimester Second And Third In Singaran Pati District Of Bengkulu City

I. ABSTRACT Proteinuria in pregnancy screening focused on the detection of plasma and renal glomerular filtration rate, and changes in pre-eclampsia as the most common cause of proteinuria in pregnancy. Protein urine exceeded the normal values caused by the hormone estrogen aldosterone and increased in pregnancy which causes fluid retention by the kidneys. The older age of the pregnancy, it will aggravate the leakage of protein in the urine. This study aims to reveal the protein levels in the urine of pregnant women trimester II and III. This research method descriptive with laboratory tests. The samples in this study were 23 pregnant women trimester II and III in Puskesmas Jembatan Kecil Singaran Pati, Bengkulu province. This study used random technique sampling. They were collecting data by measurement of urinary protein levels using acetic acid 6%. The results of the 23 respondents obtained 13 the pregnant women second trimester showed urine protein positive (+) for 2 persons (15.3%) whereas 10 pregnant women third trimester showed urine protein positive (+) for 2 persons (20.0%) and double positive (++) for 2 persons (20.0%) having the risk of preeclampsia in pregnancy. The incidence of proteinuria is more common in the third trimester pregnant women with higher levels of proteinuria. So for pregnant women are expected to increase knowledge about pregnancy tests further regularly and have a healthy life.
The Natural Cytotoxicity Receptor 1 Contribution to Early Clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and to Natural Killer-Macrophage Cross Talk

Natural killer (NK) cells serve as a crucial first line of defense against tumors, viral and bacterial infections. We studied the involvement of a principal activating natural killer cell receptor, natural cytotoxicity receptor 1 (NCR1), in the innate immune response to S. pneumoniae infection. Our results demonstrate that the presence of the NCR1 receptor is imperative for the early clearance of S. pneumoniae. We tied the ends in vivo by showing that deficiency in NCR1 resulted in reduced lung NK cell activation and lung IFNγ production at the early stages of S. pneumoniae infection. NCR1 did not mediate direct recognition of S. pneumoniae. Therefore, we studied the involvement of lung macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) as the mediators of NK-expressed NCR1 involvement in response to S. pneumoniae. In vitro, wild type BM-derived macrophages and DC expressed ligands to NCR1 and co-incubation of S. pneumoniae-infected macrophages/DC with NCR1-deficient NK cells resulted in significantly lesser IFNγ levels compared to NCR1-expressing NK cells. In vivo, ablation of lung macrophages and DC was detrimental to the early clearance of S. pneumoniae. NCR1-expressing mice had more potent alveolar macrophages as compared to NCR1-deficient mice. This result correlated with the higher fraction of NCR1-ligandhigh lung macrophages, in NCR1-expressing mice, that had better phagocytic activity compared to NCR1-liganddull macrophages. Overall, our results point to the essential contribution of NK-expressed NCR1 in early response to S. pneumoniae infection and to NCR1-mediated interaction of NK and S. pneumoniae infected-macrophages and -DC.
Acquisition of Neural Learning in Cerebellum and Cerebral Cortex for Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements

We evaluated the emergence of neural learning in the frontal eye fields (FEFSEM) and the floccular complex of the cerebellum while monkeys learned a precisely timed change in the direction of pursuit eye movement. For each neuron, we measured the time course of changes in neural response across a learning session that comprised at least 100 repetitions of an instructive change in target direction. In both areas, the average population learning curves tracked the behavioral changes with high fidelity, consistent with possible roles in driving learning. However, the learning curves of individual neurons sometimes bore little relation to the smooth, monotonic progression of behavioral learning. In the FEFSEM, neural learning was episodic. For individual neurons, learning appeared at different times during the learning session and sometimes disappeared by the end of the session. Different FEFSEM neurons expressed maximal learning at different times relative to the acquisition of behavioral learning. In the floccular complex, many Purkinje cells acquired learned simple-spike responses according to the same time course as behavioral learning and retained their learned responses throughout the learning session. A minority of Purkinje cells acquired learned responses late in the learning session, after behavioral learning had reached an asymptote. We conclude that learning in single neurons can follow a very different time course from behavioral learning. Both the FEFSEM and the floccular complex contain representations of multiple temporal components of learning, with different neurons contributing to learning at different times during the acquisition of a learned movement.