Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predator Effects in Predator-Free Space: the Remote Effects of Predators on Prey

Predators can have remote effects on prey populations that are connected by migration (i.e. prey metapopulations) because predator-mediated changes in prey behavior and abundance effectively transmit the impact of predators into predator-free prey populations. Behavioral changes in prey that might give rise to remote effects are altered rates of migration or activity in the presence of predation risk (called non-consumptive effects, fear- or µ-driven effects, and risk effects). Changes in prey abundance that may result in remote effects arise from changes in prey density due to direct predation (i.e. consumptive effects, also called N-driven effects and predation effects). Remote effects provide a different perspective on both predator-prey interactions and spatial subsidies, illustrating how the interplay among space, time, behavior, and consumption generates emergent spatial dynamics in places where we might not expect them. We describe how strong remote effects of predators may essentially generate "remote control" over the dynamics of local populations, alter the persistence of metapopulations, shift the importance of particular paradigms of metacommunity structure, alter spatial subsidies, and affect evolutionary dynamics. We suggest how experiments might document remote effects and predict that remote effects will be an important component of prey dynamics under several common scenarios: when predators induce large changes in prey dispersal behavior, when predators dramatically reduce the number of prey available to disperse, when prey movement dynamics occur over greater distances or shorter timescales than predator movement, and when prey abundance is not already limited by competitors or conspecifics.
Les déterminants de l’ampleur des bénéfices privés:un test sur données françaises

(VF)Notre objectif est d’etudier le lien entre le mode de controle d’une societe cotee et les benefices prives sur le marche francais, en definissant des canaux d’extraction de richesse, en mesurant ces derniers et en determinant les principaux beneficiaires. L’une des specificites de notre approche est de proposer une mesure des benefices prives au travers des conventions reglementees. (VA) Our objective is to study the link between corporate control and private benefits in the French market. We do so by detecting methods of ex-tracting private benefits, measuring the latter’s importance and determin-ing the principal recipients. As one specificity of our approach we pro-pose a measure of private benefits by related party transactions.
Crosstalk between Tumor Cells and Macrophages in Stroma Renders Tumor Cells as the Primary Source of MCP-1/CCL2 in Lewis Lung Carcinoma

The chemokine MCP-1/CCL2 is produced by a variety of tumors and plays an important role in cancer progression. We and others previously demonstrated that the primary source of MCP-1 in several mouse tumors, including 4T1 breast cancer, M5076 sarcoma, and B16 melanoma, was stromal cells. In the present study, we identified that tumor cells were the primary source of MCP-1 in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), because MCP-1 mRNA was highly expressed in tumors grown in both wild type (WT) and MCP-1−/− mice with elevated serum MCP-1 levels. Since LLC cells isolated from tumors expressed low levels of MCP-1 in vitro, it appeared that the tumor–stromal cell interaction in a tumor microenvironment increased MCP-1 expression in LLC cells. In fact, co-culture of LLC cells with normal mouse peritoneal macrophages or normal lung cells containing macrophages increased MCP-1 expression by LLC cells. Macrophages from TNFα−/− mice failed to activate LLC cells and anti-TNFα neutralizing antibody abolished the effect of WT macrophages on LLC cells. When LLC cells were transplanted into TNFα−/− mice, the levels of MCP-1 mRNA in tumors and serum MCP-1 levels were markedly lower as compared to WT mice, and importantly, tumors grew more slowly. Taken together, our results indicate that TNFα released by tumor cell-activated macrophages is critical for increased MCP-1 production by tumors cells. Thus, disruption of tumor–stromal cell interaction may inhibit tumor progression by reducing the production of tumor-promoting proinflammatory mediators, such as MCP-1.
Socioeconomic variation in injury in children and older people: a population based study

Objectives: To compare hospital admission rates for all causes and specific causes of injury in children and the elderly by a measure of economic deprivation. Study design: All emergency admissions for Welsh residents from 1997–99 were located to one of 865 electoral tracts, which were grouped into fifths using a measure of socioeconomic deprivation. Standardised admission rates for all ages and 0–14, 15–75, and 75+ year groups for each quintile were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Results: There were 90 935 admissions in a population of 2.84 million yielding a crude admission rate of 1601/100 000/year and a standardised rate of 1493/100 000. The ratio of admissions in deprived and affluent areas varied with category of injury and age group. In general, socioeconomic variations in injury rates were much smaller in older people than in children with the exception of pedestrian related injuries where the rates were similar. The largest variations were for injuries sustained in assaults or self inflicted. Conclusions: The relationship between socioeconomic position and injury varies by cause and age group. This should be considered when developing area based preventive interventions or monitoring the effectiveness of policies to reduce inequalities in injury occurrence.
IDEA: integrated distributed energy awareness for wireless sensor networks

Energy in sensor networks is a distributed, non-transferable resource. Over time, differences in energy availability are likely to arise. Protocols like routing trees may concentrate energy usage at certain nodes. Differences in energy harvesting arising from environmental variations, such as if one node is in the sun and another is in the shade, can produce variations in charging rates and battery levels. Because many sensor network applications require nodes to collaborate -- to ensure complete sensor coverage or route data to the network's edge -- a small set of nodes whose continued operation is threatened by low batteries can have a disproportionate impact on the fidelity provided by the network as a whole. In the most extreme case, the loss of a single sink node may render the remainder of the network unreachable. While previous research has addressed reducing the energy usage of individual nodes, the challenge of collaborative energy management has been largely ignored. We present Integrated Distributed Energy Awareness (IDEA), a sensor network service enabling effective network-wide energy decision making. IDEA integrates into the sensor network application by providing an API allowing components to evaluate their impact on other nodes. IDEA distributes information about each node's load rate, charging rate, and battery level to other nodes whose decisions affect it. Finally, IDEA enables awareness of the connection between the behavior of each node and the application's energy goals, guiding the network toward states that improve performance. This paper describes the IDEA architecture and demonstrates its use through three case studies. Using both simulation and testbed experiments, we evaluate each IDEA application by comparing it to simpler approaches that do not integrate distributed energy awareness. We show that using IDEA can significantly improve performance compared with solutions operating with purely local information.
Output feedback control of networked control systems

The control problem of networked control systems via output feedback is considered in this paper. In the system, a sensor is connected to a linear controller/actuator via a network. The plant is controlled alternately by an open loop controller and a closed loop controller. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of such systems are derived in terms of the network dwell times and the system parameters. Based on the results, a simple procedure for designing the output feedback controller is presented. Numerical simulation shows the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method.
Orthodontic mechanical tension effects on the myofibroblast expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin.

OBJECTIVE To detect myofibroblast formation on the tension side during orthodontic tooth movement in vivo and myofibroblast expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) induced by tension both in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty 6-week male rats were used in this in vivo study, and the right maxillary first molar was moved mesially, which served as the experimental group, and the left maxillary first molar served as the control. Rats were sacrificed at days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 14 after force loading. Myofibroblasts, identified with alpha-SMA, were examined through immunohistochemistry. For the in vitro study, human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts were obtained. Cyclic mechanical tension was applied to the fibroblasts for 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the ultrastructure of myofibroblasts. alpha-SMA mRNA gene expression was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of alpha-SMA was detected by immunofluorescence and quantified by Western blotting. RESULTS In vivo, the myofibroblasts expressing alpha-SMA were identified both in the experimental group and in the control group. The expressions of alpha-SMA were increased in the tension areas of the experimental group over time, and reached the maximum in day 14. In vitro, fibronexus junctions and actin microfilaments in the cells could be found with transmission electron microscopy. Cyclic mechanical tension could significantly induce alpha-SMA expression at 12 hours (P < .01) than the controls. CONCLUSIONS Myofibroblasts existed in the PDL. The expressions of alpha-SMA in the myofibroblasts were significantly up regulated under tension both in vivo and in vitro.
A Vacuum-Based Bonding Mechanism for Modular Robotics

We explore vacuum as bonding force for modular robotics. Vacuubes are a set of modules that propagate vacuum across their interfaces in order to generate adhesive forces to form and hold structures. We use analog circuits to simulate vacuum transients and understand critical design parameters and then validate these insights in experiments. A 49-module structure that employs vacuum bonding is demonstrated. We conclude that vacuum offers a relatively strong, simple, reliable, and power-efficient connection principle.
High-temperature high-pressure phases of lithium from electron force field (eFF) quantum electron dynamics simulations

We recently developed the electron force field (eFF) method for practical nonadiabatic electron dynamics simulations of materials under extreme conditions and showed that it gave an excellent description of the shock thermodynamics of hydrogen from molecules to atoms to plasma, as well as the electron dynamics of the Auger decay in diamondoids following core electron ionization. Here we apply eFF to the shock thermodynamics of lithium metal, where we find two distinct consecutive phase changes that manifest themselves as a kink in the shock Hugoniot, previously observed experimentally, but not explained. Analyzing the atomic distribution functions, we establish that the first phase transition corresponds to (i) an fcc-to-cI16 phase transition that was observed previously in diamond anvil cell experiments at low temperature and (ii) a second phase transition that corresponds to the formation of a new amorphous phase (amor) of lithium that is distinct from normal molten lithium. The amorphous phase has enhanced valence electron-nucleus interactions due to localization of electrons into interstitial locations, along with a random connectivity distribution function. This indicates that eFF can characterize and compute the relative stability of states of matter under extreme conditions (e.g., warm dense matter).
Low Self-Confidence and Diabetes Mismanagement in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mediate the Relationship between Behavioral Problems and Elevated HbA1c

Introduction. Previous studies indicated an association between behavior problems (internalizing, externalizing) and glycemic control (HbA1c) in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of this study is to examine if this association is mediated by self-confidence and mismanagement of diabetes. Methods. Problem behavior was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Mediating variables were assessed using the Confidence in Diabetes Self-Care-Youth and Diabetes Mismanagement Questionnaire. HbA1c was derived from hospital charts. Bootstrap mediation analysis for multiple mediation was utilized. Results. 88 youths with T1D, age 11–15 y, participated. The relation between both overall problem behavior and externalizing behavior problems and HbA1c was mediated through confidence in diabetes self-care and mismanagement (a 1 b 1 + a 2 b 2 path; point estimate = 0.50 BCa CI 95% 0.25–0.85; a 1 b 1 + a 2 b 2 path; point estimate = 0.73 BCa CI 95% 0.36–1.25). Conclusions. Increased problem behavior in youth with T1D is associated with elevated HbA1c and mediated by low self-confidence and diabetes mismanagement. Screening for problem behavior and mismanagement and assisting young patients in building confidence seem indicated to optimize glycemic control.
New strategies to deliver anticancer drugs to brain tumors

Background: Malignant brain tumors are among the most challenging to treat and at present there are no uniformly successful treatment strategies. Standard treatment regimens consist of maximal surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The limited survival advantage attributed to chemotherapy is partially due to low CNS penetration of antineoplastic agents across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Objective: The objective of this paper is to review recent approaches to delivering anticancer drugs into primary brain tumors. Methods: Both preclinical and clinical strategies to circumvent the BBB are considered that include chemical modification and colloidal carriers. Conclusion: Analysis of the available data indicates that new approaches may be useful for CNS delivery, yet an appreciation of pharmacokinetic issues and improved knowledge of tumor biology will be needed to affect significantly drug delivery to the target site.
Low-resource routing attacks against tor

Tor has become one of the most popular overlay networks for anonymizing TCP traffic. Its popularity is due in part to its perceived strong anonymity properties and its relatively low latency service. Low latency is achieved through Torâ s ability to balance the traffic load by optimizing Tor router selection to probabilistically favor routers with highbandwidth capabilities. We investigate how Torâ s routing optimizations impact its ability to provide strong anonymity. Through experiments conducted on PlanetLab, we show the extent to which routing performance optimizations have left the system vulnerable to end-to-end traffic analysis attacks from non-global adversaries with minimal resources. Further, we demonstrate that entry guards, added to mitigate path disruption attacks, are themselves vulnerable to attack. Finally, we explore solutions to improve Torâ s current routing algorithms and propose alternative routing strategies that prevent some of the routing attacks used in our experiments.
Helical Tomotherapy for Brain Metastases: Dosimetric Evaluation of Treatment Plans and Early Clinical Results

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and treatment plans of intensity-modulated radiation therapy using helical tomotherapy (HT) for brain metastases. Twenty-three patients with 1 to 4 brain metastases were treated with H T. In combination with whole-brain radiotherapy (simultaneous plans), metastatic lesions, and the whole brain were treated with 50 Gy and 30 Gy, respectively, in 10 fractions, with a simultaneous integrated boost technique. In patients treated for brain metastases alone (focal plans), metastatic lesions were treated with 35 or 37.5 Gy in 5 fractions. The treatment plans were compared regarding the conformation number (CN) and homogeneity index (HI), and differences in these indexes between simultaneous and focal plans were examined by Student's t-test. Seven and 16 patients were treated with simultaneous plans and focal plans, respectively. The mean ± SD of CN and HI values were 0.75 ± 0.13 and 0.063 ± 0.042, respectively, for simultaneous plans, and 0.73 ± 0.12 and 0.052 ± 0.023, respectively, for focal plans. The CN and HI between the two plans were not significantly different. Response rates in 13 patients with follow-up imaging were approximately 90% for both plans and the local control rate at 1 year was 69%. One patient with a huge tumor (34.0 cc) and WHO performance status 3 treated with focal plans experienced severe headache, requiring prolongation of the treatment time, and died at 8 days after completion of treatment. The exact cause of deterioration was uncertain as no radiological investigation was performed in this patient. No late complications were observed during follow-up periods up to 20 months. HT is a viable non-invasive technique for treatment of brain metastases and achieves high accuracy in terms of dose conformity and homogeneity.
When Keeping in Mind Supports Later Bringing to Mind: Neural Markers of Phonological Rehearsal Predict Subsequent Remembering

The ability to bring to mind a past experience depends on the cognitive and neural processes that are engaged during the experience and that support memory formation. A central and much debated question is whether the processes that underlie rote verbal rehearsalthat is, working memory mechanisms that keep information in mindimpact memory formation and subsequent remembering. The present study used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the relation between working memory maintenance operations and long-term memory. Specifically, we investigated whether the magnitude of activation in neural regions supporting the on-line maintenance of verbal codes is predictive of subsequent memory for words that were rote-rehearsed during learning. Furthermore, during rote rehearsal, the extent of neural activation in regions associated with semantic retrieval was assessed to determine the role that incidental semantic elaboration may play in subsequent memory for rote-rehearsed items. Results revealed that (a) the magnitude of activation in neural regions previously associated with phonological rehearsal (left prefrontal, bilateral parietal, supplementary motor, and cerebellar regions) was correlated with subsequent memory, and (b) while rote rehearsal did noton averageelicit activation in an anterior left prefrontal region associated with semantic retrieval, activation in this region was greater for trials that were subsequently better remembered. Contrary to the prevalent view that rote rehearsal does not impact learning, these data suggest that phonological maintenance mechanisms, in addition to semantic elaboration, support the encoding of an experience such that it can be later remembered.
Early retirees under Social Security: health status and economic resources.

Some proposals to change the Social Security program to ensure long-run solvency would reduce or eliminate benefits for early retirees. This article documents the health and financial resources of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) beneficiaries aged 62-64. It identifies a substantial minority of early retirees who might be economically vulnerable if either the early eligibility age or normal retirement age was raised. Attention is directed at the extent to which poor health limits work in this age group and the extent to which curtailment of early OASI benefits might lead to increases in the Disability Insurance (DI) program rolls. Using a set of comprehensive health measures, we estimate that over 20 percent of OASI beneficiaries aged 62-64 have health problems that substantially impair their ability to work. This finding implies that in this age range, as many severely disabled persons receive OASI benefits as disability benefits. In fact, 12 percent of early beneficiaries would meet a more stringent criterion for being classified "disabled"--SSA's medical standard for disability benefits. The evidence therefore indicates that OASI functions as a substantial, albeit unofficial, disability program for early retirees. Compared with those who have no health problems or are less severely impaired, early OASI beneficiaries who meet the medical criteria for disability benefits are more likely to be living alone and more likely to be poor or "near poor. " The great majority of the group--almost 80 percent--are women. Analysis of their earnings histories suggests that most of these beneficiaries do not satisfy the insured-status requirements for Disability Insurance benefits. The article considers the different roles of the OASI program and the DI program for health-impaired individuals aged 62-64. Disability modelers sometimes overlook an important aspect of program administration. Under customary screening procedures implemented in Social Security field offices, applicants for early OASI benefits who appear to be severely impaired simultaneously apply for DI benefits if they are disability insured. If they are found eligible for DI benefits, those applicants become DI beneficiaries. The implication is that raising the earliest entitlement age would have little impact on the DI rolls. Unless there are changes in eligibility criteria, the DI program would not serve as a safety net for many of the most severely disabled early retirees.
Cholinergic and Dopaminergic Activities in Senile Dementia of Lewy Body Type

SummaryAnalyses of brain tissue in a recently identified group of elderly demented patients suggest a neurochemical basis for some of the clinical features. Senile dementia of the Lewy body type (SDLT) can be distinguished from classical Alzheimer disease (AD) clinically by its acute presentation with confusion frequently accompanied by visual hallucinations, and neuropathologically by the presence of Lewy bodies and senile plaques (but not generally neurofibrillary tangles) in the cerebral cortex. Reductions in the cortical cholinergic enzyme choline acetyltransferase were more pronounced in individuals with (80%) compared to those without (50%) hallucinations and correlated strongly with mental test scores in the group as a whole. In the caudate nucleus, dopamine levels were related to the number of neurons in the substantia nigra, there being a 40–60% loss of both in SDLT—probably accounting for mild extrapyramidal features in some of these cases—compared with an 80% loss in Parkinson disease and no change in AD. The cholinergic correlates of mental impairment in SDLT together with the relative absence of cortical neurofibrillary tangles and evidence for postsynaptic cholinergic receptor compensation raise the question of whether this type of dementia may be more amenable to cholinotherapy than classical AD.