Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Web Citations Analysis of the JASSS: the First Ten Years

The aim of this research is to scrutinize the accessibility and decay of web citations (URLs) used in the refereed articles published by Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation (JASSS). To do this, at first, we downloaded all articles of JASSS from 1998 to 2007. After acquiring all articles, their web citations are extracted and analyzed from the accessibility and decay point of view. Moreover, for initially missed web citations complementary pathways such as using internet explorer and Google search engine are employed. Then, data collected are analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The study revealed that at first check 75% of web citations are accessible while 25% disappeared. It is notable that rate of accessibility increased to 94% and rate of decay decreased to 6% after using complementary pathways. The . edu/. ac.xx domain with the accessibility of 98% (decay, 2%) has the most stability and persistency among all domains, while the most stable files format was PDF with the accessibility of 99% (decay, 1%) and HTM/HTML files with 96% accessibility (4%). Finally, some suggestions and recommendations are presented to stop, or diminish, decay phenomenon.
Efficiency of IVUS guided procedures in center without previous experience

Introduction of IVUS procedures in the routine practice is not yet achieved nor there are significant studies that dealt with examining the success of IVUS guided PCI, showed a significant advantage over conventional angiography guided PCI. On the other hand a number of smaller studies give results for the benefit of IVUS. The aim of the research is to check the effectiveness of IVUS guided PCI in the center with no previous experience in performing intravascular ultrasound diagnostics.
Characterizing Transport Layer Behavior in the MeshTest Wireless Testbed

The MeshTest testbed enables real wireless nodes, real RF, and programmable attenuators to simulate controllable and repeatable mobile wireless experiments. MeshTes t provides realistic wireless conditions with variable link states and interference that are difficult to model in software based wireless simulators. In addition, MeshTest reduces the com plexity and lack of control introduced by wireless field tests with actual wireless devices. Previous work provides validatio n of the testbed’s ability to accurately simulate propagation lossthrough RF comparisons with actual wireless devices arranged at sim ilar distances. Similarly, this paper focuses on a comprehensiv e analysis and validation of the testbed’s transport layer behavior. In this paper, we conduct experimental scenarios which help to characterize TCP and UDP in the testbed. The result is a higher degree of confidence in the overall accuracy of the MeshTest wireless testbed. In addition, this work contributes to a more comprehensive DTN convergence layer design optimize d for mobile wireless networks.
Simple Prognostic Criteria can Definitively Identify Patients who Develop Severe Versus Non-Severe Dengue Disease, or Have Other Febrile Illnesses

Background Severe dengue disease (SDD) (DHF/DSS: dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome) results from either primary or secondary dengue virus (DENV) infections, which occur 4 - 6 days after the onset of fever. As yet, there are no definitive clinical or hematological criteria that can specifically identify SDD patients during the early acute febrile-phase of disease (day 0 - 3: < 72 hours). This study was performed during a SDD (DHF/DSS) epidemic to: 1) identify the DENV serotypes that caused SDD during primary or secondary DENV infections; 2) identify simple clinical and hematological criteria that could significantly discriminate between patients who subsequently developed SDD versus non-SDD (N-SDD), or had a non-DENV fever of unknown origin (FUO) during day 0 - 3 of fever; 3) assess whether DENV serotype co-infections resulted in SDD. Methods First serum samples, with clinical and hematological criteria, were collected from 100 patients during the early acute febrile-phase (day 0 - 3: < 72 hours), assessed for DENV or FUO infections by IgM- and IgG-capture ELISAs on paired serum samples and by DENV isolations, and subsequently graded as SDD, N-SDD or FUO patients. Results In this study: 1) Thirty-three patients had DENV infections, predominantly secondary DENV-2 infections, including each SDD (DHF/DSS) case; 2) Secondary DENV-2/-3 and DENV-2/-4 serotype co-infections however resulted in N-SDD; 3) Each patient who subsequently developed SDD, but none of the others, displayed three clinical criteria: abdominal pain, conjunctival injection and veni-puncture bleeding, therefore each of these criteria provided definitively significant prognostic (P < 0.001) values; 4) Petechia, positive tourniquet tests and hepatomegaly, and neutrophilia or leukopenia also significantly identified those who: a) subsequently developed SDD versus N-SDD, or had a FUO; b) subsequently developed SDD versus N-SDD; c) subsequently developed N-SDD versus FUOs, respectively. Conclusions This is the first report of simple definitively prognostic criteria for SDD patients, including the first assessment and confirmation of conjunctival injection. The three definitive clinical criteria used alone, or supported by the other four criteria, could be essential for specifically identifying those patients needing prompt hospital-based therapies to lessen or avert SDD, without unnecessary hospitalization of the other patients. Keywords Dengue virus; Severe dengue; Dengue fever; Diagnostic; Criteria; Hemorrhage; Shock
Effects of Crude Oil Spillage on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Ugborodo Community

An oil prone community were identified as the study area, and this community has three quarters which are Orgonoko, Kana and Arunton. Soil samples were collected at the depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30cm at each sampling point. Four (4) samples each were collected from each quarters. These soil samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties that reflect soil nutrient content and fertility status in the laboratory using standard methods and the results from these three areas compared. Evidence of severe hydrocarbon contamination was established by high average extractable hydrocarbon content of 66,034mg/kg in Orgonoko and 31,328mg/kg in Kana and was compared to that of Arunton having total hydrocarbon content of 882mg/kg. High electrical conductivity as well as high moisture content all provided evidence of reduced metabolic activities on the affected sites (Orgonoko and Kana) explains the relatively high total organic carbon values obtained. Also, there were increase in the salinity levels of 24ppm and 13ppm for Orgonoko and Kana quarters respectively when compared to 6ppm in Arunton quarter. From the data obtained, the average pH value in samples analysed in Orgonoko area was 5.3 and that obtained in Kana was 5.7. Both values shows that the soils in these areas are acidic compared to the pH in Arunton which has the average value of 6.1. A pH value between 6.5 and 7.5 is considered optimum for the growth of many plants. These high values means that Orgonoko and Kana soils (areas) are affected with oil spillage, therefore, it implies low soil fertility, which in turn implies low agricultural productivity and reduced source of livelihood in the affected areas.
Sensitivity of the pendulum test for assessing spasticity in persons with cerebral palsy

The sensitivity of the pendulum test to variation in spasticity in persons with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) was tested in 30 participants with CP and 10 participants without CP (controls) (mean age 13.8 years). The participants with CP were classified into three groups, with normal (mean age 15.9 years), mild/moderate (13.0 years), or severe (23.0 years) muscle tone, as assessed clinically using a modified Ashworth scale. Joint motion during the pendulum test was measured with an electrogoniometer. Muscle relaxation was confirmed using surface EMG. Outcome measures from the pendulum test were (1) number of oscillations, (2) duration of oscillations, (3) excursion of the first backward swing, and (4) relaxation index (first swing excursion/difference between the starting and resting angles). Data were assessed using one‐way analysis of variance. Outcome measures 1 to 3 differed significantly between control participants and participants with CP (p<0.05). The first swing excursion was the best predictor of the degree of spasticity in persons with CP, being significantly different between all groups (p<0.05). The number of oscillations and their duration differentiated between control participants and all participants with CP (p<0.05) but not between participants with CP who had mild/moderate versus severe spasticity (p>0.05). The relaxation index was not a sensitive measure (p>0.05 between most study groups). We conclude that the pendulum test is a valid tool for assessing spasticity in persons with CP and that the first swing excursion is the most sensitive outcome measure.
A Quantile Regression Neural Network Approach to Estimating the Conditional Density of Multiperiod Returns

This paper presents a new approach to estimating the conditional probability distribution of multiperiod financial returns. Estimation of the tails of the distribution is particularly important for risk management tools, such as Value-at-Risk models. Using daily exchange rates, a new approach is compared to GARCH-based quantile estimates. The results suggest that the new method offers a useful alternative for estimating the conditional density.
Induction of Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Colon Cancer Cells by Defined Factors

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be responsible for the dismal prognosis of cancer patients. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition and maintenance of CSC properties in cancer cells because of their rarity in clinical samples. We herein induced CSC properties in cancer cells using defined factors. We retrovirally introduced a set of defined factors (OCT3/4, SOX2 and KLF4) into human colon cancer cells, followed by culture with conventional serum-containing medium, not human embryonic stem cell medium. We then evaluated the CSC properties in the cells. The colon cancer cells transduced with the three factors showed significantly enhanced CSC properties in terms of the marker gene expression, sphere formation, chemoresistance and tumorigenicity. We designated the cells with CSC properties induced by the factors, a subset of the transduced cells, as induced CSCs (iCSCs). Moreover, we established a novel technology to isolate and collect the iCSCs based on the differences in the degree of the dye-effluxing activity enhancement. The xenografts derived from our iCSCs were not teratomas. Notably, in contrast to the tumors from the parental cancer cells, the iCSC-based tumors mimicked actual human colon cancer tissues in terms of their immunohistological findings, which showed colonic lineage differentiation. In addition, we confirmed that the phenotypes of our iCSCs were reproducible in serial transplantation experiments. By introducing defined factors, we generated iCSCs with lineage specificity directly from cancer cells, not via an induced pluripotent stem cell state. The novel method enables us to obtain abundant materials of CSCs that not only have enhanced tumorigenicity, but also the ability to differentiate to recapitulate a specific type of cancer tissues. Our method can be of great value to fully understand CSCs and develop new therapies targeting CSCs.
Iron-line and continuum flux variations in the RXTE spectra of the black hole candidate XTE J1650-500

We present the results of spectral fits made to 57 pointed observations of the Galactic black hole candidate and X-ray transient XTE J1650−500, made with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) in 2001 when the source was in a transition from the hard state to the soft state. A strong and variable Fe Kα emission line is detected in these spectra. The line flux varies in a non-linear way with the hard X-ray flux, in apparent contradiction to the predictions of simple disc reflection models. We observe a change in the overall trend that coincides with changes in the continuum X-ray spectrum and the fast X-ray variability. The Fe-line flux versus hard X-ray flux variations are consistent with the predictions of reflection models that consider high disc-ionization states and with a model that considers gravitational light-bending effects. Indications for an anticorrelation between the Fe-line flux and the hard X-ray flux in the spectrally hardest observations and weak variations in the Fe-line energy (as observed with XMM–Newton and BeppoSAX) slightly favour the light-bending interpretation.
Reasoning in abstract dialectical frameworks using quantified Boolean formulas

Abstract dialectical frameworks (ADFs) constitute a recent and powerful generalisation of Dung's argumentation frameworks (AFs), where the relationship between the arguments can be specified via Boolean formulas. Recent results have shown that this enhancement comes with the price of higher complexity compared to AFs. In fact, acceptance problems in the world of ADFs can be hard even for the third level of the polynomial hierarchy. In order to implement reasoning problems on ADFs, systems for quantified Boolean formulas (QBFs) thus are suitable engines to be employed. In this paper we give complexity sensitive QBF encodings of ADF problems generalising recent work on QBFs for AF labellings. Our encodings provide a uniform and modular way of translating reasoning in ADFs to QBFs, that can be used as the basis for novel systems for ADF reasoning.
Physicochemical properties and origin of organic groups detected in boreal forest using an aerosol mass spectrometer

Abstract. An Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer (Q-AMS) was deployed in Hyytiala, a forested rural measurement site in southern Finland, during a 2-week measurement campaign in spring 2005. Q-AMS measures mass concentrations of non-refractory species including sulphate, nitrate, ammonium and organics from submicron particles. A positive matrix factorization method was used in identifying two oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA) groups from the measured total organic mass. The properties of these groups were estimated from their diurnal concentration cycles and correlations with additional data such as air mass history, particle number size distributions, hygroscopic and ethanol growth factors and particle volatility. It was found that the aged and highly oxidized background organic aerosol (OOA1 or LV-OOA) species have a wide range of hygroscopic growth factors and volatilization temperatures, but on the average OOA1 is the less volatile and more hygroscopic organic group. Hygroscopic properties and volatilities of the OOA1 species are correlated so that the less volatile species have higher hygroscopic growth factors. The other, less oxidized organic aerosol group (OOA2 or SV-OOA) is more volatile and non-hygroscopic. Trajectory analysis showed that OOA1 and the inorganic species are mainly long-range transported anthropogenic pollutions. OOA2 species and its precursor gases have short atmospheric life times, so they are from local sources. These results span the range of previous observations of oxygen content, volatility and hygroscopic growth factor, simultaneously coupling all three measurements for the first time.
Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) adaptively adjust information seeking in response to information accumulated.

Metacognition consists of monitoring and control processes. Monitoring has been inferred when nonhumans use a "decline test" response to selectively escape difficult test trials. Cognitive control has been inferred from selective information-seeking behavior by nonhumans ignorant of needed knowledge. Here we describe a computerized paradigm that extends previous work and assesses dynamic interactions between monitoring and control. Monkeys classified images as containing birds, fish, flowers, or people. To-be-classified images were initially masked, and monkeys were trained to gradually reveal the images by touching a "reveal button. " Monkeys could choose to classify images at any time or to reveal more of the images. Thus, they had the opportunity to assess when enough of an image had been revealed to support accurate classification. In Experiment 1, monkeys made more reveal responses before classifying when smaller amounts of the image were revealed by each button touch. In Experiment 2, to-be-classified images were shrunk and covered by 1 critical blocker among other blockers that did not provide information when removed. Monkeys made more reveal responses as the critical blocker was removed later in the trial. In Experiment 3, monkeys were presented with previously classified images with either more or fewer blockers obscuring the image than was the case when they chose to classify that image previously. Monkeys made more reveal responses when information was insufficient than when it was excessive. These results indicate that monkeys dynamically monitor evolving decision processes and adaptively collect information as necessary to maintain accuracy.
Oil Price Shocks: Causes and Consequences

Research on oil markets conducted during the last decade has challenged long-held beliefs about the causes and consequences of oil price shocks. As the empirical and theoretical models used by economists have evolved, so has our understanding of the determinants of oil price shocks and of the interaction between oil markets and the global economy. Some of the key insights are that the real price of oil is endogenous with respect to economic fundamentals and that oil price shocks do not occur ceteris paribus. As a result, one must explicitly account for the demand and supply shocks underlying oil price shocks when studying their transmission to the domestic economy. Disentangling cause and effect in the relationship between oil prices and the economy requires structural models of the global economy including the oil market.
Photosynthate translocation increases in response to low seawater pH in a coral–dinoflagellate symbiosis

This study has examined the effect of low seawater pH values (induced by an increased CO 2 partial pressure) on the rates of photosynthesis, as well as on the carbon budget and carbon translocation in the scleractinian coral species Stylophora pistillata , using a new model based on 13 C labelling of the photosynthetic products. Symbiont photosynthesis contributes to a large part of the carbon acquisition in tropical coral species, and it is thus important to know how environmental changes affect this carbon acquisition and allocation. For this purpose, nubbins of S. pistillata were maintained for six months at two pH T s (8.1 and 7.2, by bubbling seawater with CO 2 ). The lowest pH value was used to tackle how seawater pH impacts the carbon budget of a scleractinian coral. Rates of photosynthesis and respiration of the symbiotic association and of isolated symbionts were assessed at each pH. The fate of 13 C photosynthates was then followed in the symbionts and the coral host for 48 h. Nubbins maintained at pH T 7.2 presented a lower areal symbiont concentration, and lower areal rates of gross photosynthesis and carbon incorporation compared to nubbins maintained at pH T 8.1. The total carbon acquisition was thus lower under low pH. However, the total percentage of carbon translocated to the host as well as the amount of carbon translocated per symbiont cell were significantly higher under pH T 7.2 than under pH T 8.1 (70% at pH T 7.2 vs. 60% at pH T 8.1), such that the total amount of photosynthetic carbon received by the coral host was equivalent under both pHs (5.5 to 6.1 μg C cm −2 h −1 ). Although the carbon budget of the host was unchanged, symbionts acquired less carbon for their own needs (0.6 compared to 1.8 μg C cm −2 h −1 ), explaining the overall decrease in symbiont concentration at low pH. In the long term, such decrease in symbiont concentration might severely affect the carbon budget of the symbiotic association.
XLearning Object Organization Behaviors In a Home-Made Learning Content Management System

This study designed, implemented and evaluated a learning content management system to facilitate creating both standard based and free style learning objects. The system, BULeCoMas, also enabled users to tag learning objects with usage data and tools supported with components accommodated under a Global Activity Center, are Global Task Pool, Experience Repository and Learner Record Repository. This study examined whether the experience in information technology use affect e-learning object authors’; O use of assets, O organization of assets and O embedding of instructional elements into their content authoring. The system, enabling common standards of reusable learning objects, was tested for ease of use with thirty-four novice and experienced preservice teachers. The participants found the system easy to use in general, novice and experienced information technology users were able to develop learning objects similar in size and features. The study suggests some further work for using the same system in collaborative learning object authoring.
The interplay between the effectiveness of the grass-endophyte mutualism and the genetic variability of the host plant

Neotyphodium endophytic fungi, the asexual state of Epichloë species, protect cool‐season grasses against stresses. The outcomes of Neotyphodium‐grass symbioses are agronomically relevant as they may affect the productivity of pastures. It has been suggested that the mutualism is characteristic of agronomic grasses and that differential rates of gene flow between both partners’ populations are expected to disrupt the specificity of the association and, thus, the mutualism in wild grasses. We propose that compatibility is necessary but not sufficient to explain the outcomes of Neotyphodium‐grass symbiosis, and advance a model that links genetic compatibility, mutualism effectiveness, and endophyte transmission efficiency. For endophytes that reproduce clonally and depend on allogamous hosts for reproduction and dissemination, we propose that this symbiosis works as an integrated entity where gene flow promotes its fitness and evolution. Compatibility between the host plant and the fungal endophyte would be high in genetically close parents; however, mutualism effectiveness and transmission efficiency would be low in fitness depressed host plants. Increasing the genetic distance of mating parents would increase mutualism effectiveness and transmission efficiency. This tendency would be broken when the genetic distance between parents is high (out‐breeding depression). Our model allows for testable hypotheses that would contribute to understand the coevolutionary origin and future of the endophyte‐grass mutualism.