Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing more informative plant–pollinator networks: visitation and pollen deposition networks in a heathland plant community

Interaction networks are widely used as tools to understand plant–pollinator communities, and to examine potential threats to plant diversity and food security if the ecosystem service provided by pollinating animals declines. However, most networks to date are based on recording visits to flowers, rather than recording clearly defined effective pollination events. Here we provide the first networks that explicitly incorporate measures of pollinator effectiveness (PE) from pollen deposition on stigmas per visit, and pollinator importance (PI) as the product of PE and visit frequency. These more informative networks, here produced for a low diversity heathland habitat, reveal that plant–pollinator interactions are more specialized than shown in most previous studies. At the studied site, the specialization index was lower for the visitation network than the PE network, which was in turn lower than for the PI network. Our study shows that collecting PE data is feasible for community-level studies in low diversity communities and that including information about PE can change the structure of interaction networks. This could have important consequences for our understanding of threats to pollination systems.
Properties of icephobic surfaces in different icing conditions

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master’s Degree Programme Materials Science STENROOS, CHRISTIAN: Properties of icephobic surfaces in different icing conditions Master of Science Thesis, 108 pages October 2015 Major: Surface engineering Examiners: Prof. Petri Vuoristo, Dr. Heli Koivuluoto
External cardiac resuscitation in a community hospital. A three-year experience.

During a three-year period in a community hospital, 237 patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Acute myocardial infarction was the leading cause of cardic arrest. Ninety-seven patients (41%) were restored to their prearrest cardiac and central nervous system status, and 52 (22%) were long-term survivors. No patients with pulmonary embolus survived and no patient survived when 30 minutes or more of continuous resuscitation was required. Follow-up data obtained on 49 of the 52 long-term survivors showed that 43 (89%) were alive 9 to 42 months after the cardiac arrest. Ninety percent of the short-term survivors died within one day. These results compare favorably with those reported by university hospitals. Vital to the success of the program was the swift recognition of cardiac arrest followed by immediate resuscitative measures administered by well-trained house staff, nursing personnel, technicians, and inhalation therapists.
A probability-amplitude transfer matrix model for distributed-feedback laser structures

Two different treatments of spontaneous emission in distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers were found in the literature, but adequate explanations for the different treatments were not found. Using an approach that allows comparison of the two different treatments of spontaneous emission, we show that the different treatments can lead to different spectral predictions. The difference in spectral predictions is negligible in Fabry-Perot lasers and index-coupled DFB lasers. However, in truncated-well gain-coupled DFB lasers, the difference between the two treatments is noticeable, and one treatment is markedly better at fitting to data. The treatment that best fits the data is also the treatment that makes sense quantum-mechanically.
Semiconductor‐to‐Metal Transition and Quasiparticle Renormalization in Doped Graphene Nanoribbons

A semiconductor‐to‐metal transition in N = 7 armchair graphene nanoribbons causes drastic changes in its electron and phonon system. By using angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy of lithium‐doped graphene nanoribbons, a quasiparticle band gap renormalization from 2.4 to 2.1 eV is observed. Reaching high doping levels (0.05 electrons per atom), it is found that the effective mass of the conduction band carriers increases to a value equal to the free electron mass. This giant increase in the effective mass by doping is a means to enhance the density of states at the Fermi level which can have palpable impact on the transport and optical properties. Electron doping also reduces the Raman intensity by one order of magnitude, and results in relatively small (4 cm−1) hardening of the G phonon and softening of the D phonon. This suggests the importance of both lattice expansion and dynamic effects. The present work highlights that doping of a semiconducting 1D system is strikingly different from its 2D or 3D counterparts and introduces doped graphene nanoribbons as a new tunable quantum material with high potential for basic research and applications.
Stem Cells as a Source of Regenerative Cardiomyocytes

The realization of regenerative cardiac medicine depends on the availability of cardiomyocytes in sufficient numbers for transplantation of cardiac tissue and the accompanying blood vessels. Embryonic stem (ES) cells, bone marrow (BM) stem cells, and tissue-derived stem cells are all potential cell sources. Although ES cells are highly proliferative and suitable for mass production, an efficient protocol is yet to be established to ensure selective cardiomyocyte induction using these cells. Recent advances in developmental biology have clarified the involvement of critical factors in cardiomyocyte differentiation, including bone morphogenic protein and Wnt signaling proteins, and such factors have the potential to improve the efficiency of stem cell induction. Initial studies of the intracoronary administration of BM mononuclear cells after myocardial infarction has yielded promising results; however, intensive investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms at play as well as double-blinded clinical trials will be necessary to establish the extent of both migration of the BM stem cells into the damaged cardiac tissue and their differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Several types of cardiac tissue stem cells have also been reported, but an accurate and extensive comparison of these cells with regard to their characteristics and multipotency remains to be done. An integrative study involving developmental biology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering is required to achieve the full potential of cardiac regeneration.
A stable finite element method for initial-boundary value problems for first-order hyperbolic systems

A nonstandard finite element method for initial-boundary value problems for first-order hyperbolic systems in one space dimension with general boundary conditions is analyzed. The method can be considered as a generalization of the box scheme. We first establish a stability result for the method and then derive several error estimates. u,(x, t) + A(x)ux(x, t) + B(x)u(x, t) = f(x, t), (1-1) |*o«(0, t) = g"(/), Kxu(l, t) - *,(/), u(x, 0) = u0(x), for (x, t) E I X J = (0, 1) X (0, (*), where t* > 0. Here Aix) and 5(x) are n X n matrices. We assume that Aix) has n real eigenvalues, Xx(x) > A2(x) > • ■ • > A"(x), and that there exist a constant t0 > 0 and an integer m, 0 T0 for all xG/. Furthermore, we assume that for each x E / there is a nonsingular matrix Qix) such that
Physiological Responses and Physical Performance during Football in the Heat

Purpose To examine the impact of hot ambient conditions on physical performance and physiological responses during football match-play. Methods Two experimental games were completed in temperate (∼21°C; CON) and hot ambient conditions (∼43°C; HOT). Physical performance was assessed by match analysis in 17 male elite players during the games and a repeated sprint test was conducted after the two game trials. Core and muscle temperature were measured and blood samples were obtained, before and after the games. Results Muscle and core temperatures were ∼1°C higher (P<0.05) in HOT (40.3±0.1 and 39.5±0.1°C, respectively) compared to CON (39.2±0.1 and 38.3±0.1°C). Average heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, body weight loss as well as post-game sprint performance were similar between the two conditions. Total game distance declined (P<0.05) by 7% and high intensity running (>14 km⋅h−1) by 26% in HOT compared to CON), but peak sprint speed was 4% higher (P<0.05) in HOT than in CON, while there were no differences in the quantity or length of sprints (>24 km⋅h−1) between CON and HOT. In HOT, success rates for passes and crosses were 8 and 9% higher (P<0.05), respectively, compared to CON. Delta increase in core temperature and absolute core temperature in HOT were correlated to total game distance in the heat (r = 0.85 and r = 0.53, respectively; P<0.05), whereas, total and high intensity distance deficit between CON and HOT were not correlated to absolute or delta changes in muscle or core temperature. Conclusion Total game distance and especially high intensity running were lower during a football game in the heat, but these changes were not directly related to the absolute or relative changes in core or muscle temperature. However, peak sprinting speed and execution of successful passes and crosses were improved in the HOT condition.
Diagnostic Accuracy and Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Methods for Detection of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in a Post-Treatment Setting in Western Kenya

Objectives This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the Kato-Katz and Mini-FLOTAC methods for detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in a post-treatment setting in western Kenya. A cost analysis also explores the cost implications of collecting samples during school surveys when compared to household surveys. Methods Stool samples were collected from children (n = 652) attending 18 schools in Bungoma County and diagnosed by the Kato-Katz and Mini-FLOTAC coprological methods. Sensitivity and additional diagnostic performance measures were analyzed using Bayesian latent class modeling. Financial and economic costs were calculated for all survey and diagnostic activities, and cost per child tested, cost per case detected and cost per STH infection correctly classified were estimated. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of various survey parameters on cost estimates. Results Both diagnostic methods exhibited comparable sensitivity for detection of any STH species over single and consecutive day sampling: 52.0% for single day Kato-Katz; 49.1% for single-day Mini-FLOTAC; 76.9% for consecutive day Kato-Katz; and 74.1% for consecutive day Mini-FLOTAC. Diagnostic performance did not differ significantly between methods for the different STH species. Use of Kato-Katz with school-based sampling was the lowest cost scenario for cost per child tested ($10.14) and cost per case correctly classified ($12.84). Cost per case detected was lowest for Kato-Katz used in community-based sampling ($128.24). Sensitivity analysis revealed the cost of case detection for any STH decreased non-linearly as prevalence rates increased and was influenced by the number of samples collected. Conclusions The Kato-Katz method was comparable in diagnostic sensitivity to the Mini-FLOTAC method, but afforded greater cost-effectiveness. Future work is required to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of STH surveillance in different settings.
Biologically Active Compounds in Seaweed Extracts - the Prospects for the Application

The paper covers the latest developments in research on the utilitarian properties of algal extracts. Their appli- cation as the components of pharmaceuticals, feeds for animals and fertilizers was discussed. The classes of various bio- logically active compounds were characterized in terms of their role and the mechanism of action in an organism of hu- man, animal and plant. Recently, many papers have been published which discuss the methods of manufacture and the composition of algal ex- tracts. The general conclusion is that the composition of extracts strongly depends on the raw material (geographical loca- tion of harvested algae and algal species) as well as on the extraction method. The biologically active compounds which are transferred from the biomass of algae to the liquid phase include polysaccharides, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids, pigments, polyphenols, minerals, plant growth hormones and other. They have well documented beneficial effect on humans, animals and plants, mainly by protection of an organism from biotic and abiotic stress (antibacterial activity, scavenging of free radicals, host defense activity etc.) and can be valuable components of pharmaceuticals, feed additives and fertilizers.
Hyper-Lapse From Multiple Spatially-Overlapping Videos

Hyper-lapse video with high speed-up rate is an efficient way to overview long videos, such as a human activity in first-person view. Existing hyper-lapse video creation methods produce a fast-forward video effect using only one video source. In this paper, we present a novel hyper-lapse video creation approach based on multiple spatially-overlapping videos. We assume the videos share a common view or location, and find transition points where jumps from one video to another may occur. We represent the collection of videos using a hyper-lapse transition graph; the edges between nodes represent possible hyper-lapse frame transitions. To create a hyper-lapse video, a shortest path search is performed on this digraph to optimize frame sampling and assembly simultaneously. Finally, we render the hyper-lapse results using video stabilization and appearance smoothing techniques on the selected frames. Our technique can synthesize novel virtual hyper-lapse routes, which may not exist originally. We show various application results on both indoor and outdoor video collections with static scenes, moving objects, and crowds.
The open University of Israel Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Effective Face Frontalization in Unconstrained Images

“Frontalization” is the process of synthesizing frontal facing views of faces appearing in single unconstrained photos. Recent reports have suggested that this process may substantially boost the performance of face recognition systems. This, by transforming the challenging problem of recognizing faces viewed from unconstrained viewpoints to the easier problem of recognizing faces in constrained, forward facing poses. Previous frontalization methods did this by attempting to approximate 3D facial shapes for each query image. We observe that 3D face shape estimation from unconstrained photos may be a harder problem than frontalization and can potentially introduce facial misalignments. Instead, we explore the simpler approach of using a single, unmodified, 3D surface as an approximation to the shape of all input faces. We show that this leads to a straightforward, efficient and easy to implement method for frontalization. More importantly, it produces aesthetic new frontal views and is surprisingly effective when used for face recognition and gender estimation.
Spatial Multi-LRU Caching for Wireless Networks with Coverage Overlaps

This article introduces a novel family of decentralised caching policies for wireless networks, referred to as spatial multi-LRU. Based on these, cache inventories are updated in a way that provides content diversity to users that are covered by, and thus have access to, more than one station. Two variations are proposed, the multi-LRU-One and -All, which differ in the number of replicas inserted in the involved edge caches. Che-like approximations are proposed to accurately predict their hit probability under the Independent Reference Model (IRM). For IRM traffic multi-LRU-One outperforms multi-LRU-All, whereas when the traffic exhibits temporal locality the -All variation can perform better.
Structure, Magnetic, and Electrical Properties of La2NiO $_{4+\delta }$ Compounds

We have investigated the structure, magnetic, and electrical properties, and the resistance switching effect (RSE) of La<sub>2</sub>NiO<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{{ {4+\delta }}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> compounds with different excess oxygen levels of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta = 0.004 - 0.031$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Our results showed the structure changes from tetragonal I4/mmm to orthorhombic Fmmm when reducing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> value from 0.011 to 0.006. The <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M(H)$ </tex-math></inline-formula> curves measured at several temperatures exhibit a coexistence of the weak ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. Two shoulders on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M(T)$ </tex-math></inline-formula> curves related to the spin and charge ordering have also been observed. These ordering temperatures depend strongly on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> value and they shift toward lower temperature with decreasing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>. All the samples exhibit a semiconductor behavior and their temperature dependences of the resistivity obey the variable-range-hoping model. Interestingly, the typical current–voltage characteristics of the samples show a hysteresis, which suggests an existence of the RSE. We have observed two different states of the resistance corresponding to high (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{H}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and low (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) values. The resistance change ratio of the samples defined as 100% <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times [R_{H} - R_{L}]/R_{L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is found to be about 18%–57%, which depends on the value of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> in the samples.
Akt‐induced promotion of cell‐cycle progression at G2/M phase involves upregulation of NF‐Y binding activity in PC12 cells

Akt is a key downstream effector of the PI3K signaling pathway and plays a role in cell growth and survival. Expression of a myristoylated constitutively active form of Akt (myr‐Akt) in PC12 cells could override cell‐growth arrest at G2/M phase and apoptosis that were induced by etoposide treatment. On the other hand, inactivation of Akt by expression of its dominant negative mutant form (km‐Akt) inhibited cell proliferation by arresting the cells at G2/M phase. Expression of myr‐Akt also led to an increase in the protein and mRNA levels of CDK1 and cyclin B1. Furthermore, EMSA data revealed that expression of myr‐Akt promoted the binding of NF‐Y to the consensus CCAAT promoter sequence, whereas expression of km‐Akt almost completely abolished it. Moreover, the Akt activity was minimal in the cells that were arrested at G2/M phase by nocodazole treatment, but reached to a maximal level as the cells progressed to mitosis and G1 phase upon removal of the drug. Treatment with Akt inhibitors, but not with those of MEK or p70S6K, blocked the release of the cells from the nocodazole‐induced G2/M arrest, further revealing that the Akt activity is required for G2/M phase transition. These results suggest that Akt facilitate cell‐cycle progression at G2/M phase in PC12 cells and this Akt activity is correlated with upregulation of NF‐Y DNA‐binding activity and cyclin B1/CDK1 gene expression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chandra Observation of PSR B1823–13 and Its Pulsar Wind Nebula

An observation of the Vela-like pulsar B1823–13 and its synchrotron nebula with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory allowed us to resolve the pulsar and the fine structure of the nebula. The pulsar’s spectrum fits a power-law model with a photon index ΓPSR ≈ 2.4 for the plausible hydrogen column density nH = 1 × 1022 cm−2, corresponding to the luminosity LPSR ≈ 8 × 1031 ergs s−1 in the 0.5-8 keV band, at a distance of 4 kpc. The pulsar radiation likely includes magnetospheric and thermal components, but they cannot be reliably separated, because of the small number of counts detected and strong interstellar absorption. The pulsar is surrounded by a compact, ~25″ × 10″, pulsar wind nebula (PWN) elongated in the east-west direction, which includes a brighter inner component ≈7″ × 3″, elongated in the northeast-southwest direction. The slope of the compact PWN spectrum is Γcomp ≈ 1.3, and the 0.5-8 keV luminosity is Lcomp ∼ 3 × 1032 ergs s−1. The compact PWN is surrounded by asymmetric diffuse emission (extended PWN) seen up to at least 2.4′ south of the pulsar, with a softer spectrum (Γext ≈ 1.9 for nH = 1 × 1022 cm−2), and the 0.5-8 keV luminosity Lext ∼ 1033-1034 ergs s−1. We also measured the pulsar’s proper motion using archival VLA data, μα = 23.0 ± 2.5 mas yr−1 and μδ = − 3.9 ± 3.1 mas yr−1 (in LSR), which corresponds to the transverse velocity v⊥ ≈ 440 km s−1. The direction of the proper motion is approximately parallel to the elongation of the compact PWN, but it is nearly perpendicular to that of the extended PWN and to the direction toward the center of the bright VHE γ-ray source HESS J1825–137, which is believed to be powered by PSR B1823–13.
TRANSIT: Ultrafast Shortest-Path Queries with Linear-Time Preprocessing

We introduce the concept of transit nodes, as a means for preprocessing a road network, with given coordinates for each node and a travel time for each edge, such that point-to-point shortest-path queries can be answered extremely fast. The transit nodes are a set of nodes as small as possible with the property that every shortest path that is non-local in the sense that it covers a certain not too small euclidean distance passes through at least on of these nodes. With such a set and precomputed distances from each node in the graph to its few, closest transit nodes, every non-local shortest path query becomes a simple matter of combining information from a few table lookups. For the US road network, which has about 24 million nodes and 58 million edges, we achieve a worst-case query processing time of about 10 microseconds (not milliseconds) for 99% of all queries. This improves over the best previously reported times by two orders of magnitude.
High-Density Genetic Linkage Mapping in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) Based on SNP Markers and Major Sex- and Growth-Related Regions Detection

This paper describes the development of a high density consensus genetic linkage map of a turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) family composed of 149 mapping individuals using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) developed using the restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing technique with the restriction enzyme, PstI. A total of 6,647 SNPs were assigned to 22 linkage groups, which is equal to the number of chromosome pairs in turbot. For the first time, the average marker interval reached 0.3958 cM, which is equal to approximately 0.1203 Mb of the turbot genome. The observed 99.34% genome coverage indicates that the linkage map was genome-wide. A total of 220 Quantitative Traits Locus (QTLs) associated with two body length traits, two body weight traits in different growth periods and sex determination were detected with an LOD > 5.0 in 12 linkage groups (LGs), which explained the corresponding phenotypic variance (R2), ranging from 14.4–100%. Among them, 175 overlapped with linked SNPs, and the remaining 45 were located in regions between contiguous SNPs. According to the QTLs related to growth trait distribution and the changing of LGs during different growth periods, the growth traits are likely controlled by multi-SNPs distributed on several LGs; the effect of these SNPs changed during different growth periods. Most sex-related QTLs were detected at LG 21 with a linkage span of 70.882 cM. Additionally, a small number of QTLs with high feasibility and a narrow R2 distribution were also observed on LG7 and LG14, suggesting that multi LGs or chromosomes might be involved in sex determination. High homology was recorded between LG21 in Cynoglossus semilaevis and turbot. This high-saturated turbot RAD-Seq linkage map is undoubtedly a promising platform for marker assisted selection (MAS) and flatfish genomics research.