Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of Surface Soil Hydrology to the Micro-Pattern of Bio-Crust in a Dry-Land Loess Environment, China

The specific bio-species and their spatial patterns play crucial roles in regulating eco-hydrologic process, which is significant for large-scale habitat promotion and vegetation restoration in many dry-land ecosystems. Such effects, however, are not yet fully studied. In this study, 12 micro-plots, each with size of 0.5 m in depth and 1 m in length, were constructed on a gentle grassy hill-slope with a mean gradient of 8° in a semiarid loess hilly area of China. Two major bio-crusts, including mosses and lichens, had been cultivated for two years prior to the field simulation experiments, while physical crusts and non-crusted bare soils were used for comparison. By using rainfall simulation method, four designed micro-patterns (i.e., upper bio-crust and lower bare soil, scattered bio-crust, upper bare soil and lower bio-crust, fully-covered bio-crust) to the soil hydrological response were analyzed. We found that soil surface bio-crusts were more efficient in improving soil structure, water holding capacity and runoff retention particularly at surface 10 cm layers, compared with physical soil crusts and non-crusted bare soils. We re-confirmed that mosses functioned better than lichens, partly due to their higher successional stage and deeper biomass accumulation. Physical crusts were least efficient in water conservation and erosion control, followed by non-crusted bare soils. More importantly, there were marked differences in the efficiency of the different spatial arrangements of bio-crusts in controlling runoff and sediment generation. Fully-covered bio-crust pattern provides the best option for soil loss reduction and runoff retention, while a combination of upper bio-crust and lower bare soil pattern is the least one. These findings are suggested to be significant for surface-cover protection, rainwater infiltration, runoff retention, and erosion control in water-restricted and degraded natural slopes.
Algebraic multigrid and algebraic multilevel methods: a theoretical comparison

We consider algebraic methods of the two‐level type for the iterative solution of large sparse linear systems. We assume that a fine/coarse partitioning and an algebraic interpolation have been defined in one way or another, and review different schemes that may be built with these ingredients. This includes algebraic multigrid (AMG) schemes, two‐level approximate block factorizations, and several methods that exploit generalized hierarchical bases. We develop their theoretical analysis in a unified way, gathering some known results, rewriting some other and stating some new. This includes lower bounds, that is, we do not only investigate sufficient conditions of convergence, but also look at necessary conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Look at the Institutional Component of Higher Education Finance: A Guide for Evaluating Performance Relative to Financial Resources.

Although state and local governments are working their way out of fiscal crises precipitated by the national recession of 2001 and the stock market declines of 2000 through 2002, public higher education remains in steep competition with other public sectors for continued state support. These are not entirely unusual times for public higher education. It has on several occasions throughout history dealt with—and recovered from—economic downturns that have squeezed many sources of revenue. However, the most recent recovery is accompanied by rising costs in healthcare, corrections, and sustained efforts to maintain support for K-12 education, leaving higher education as the largest discretionary item in many state budgets. Because of these constraints, there is a general feeling among many state policymakers that higher education is not likely to recover its support as quickly as it has in past economic recessions.
Elevated expression of Nrf2 mediates multidrug resistance in CD133+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem cells

Enhanced expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter protein ABC sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) in cancer stem cells (CSCs) plays a major role in chemotherapeutic drug efflux, which results in therapy failure and tumor relapse. In addition to downregulating apoptosis in CSCs, it has been reported that the transcriptional upregulation of the redox sensing factor Nrf2 is involved in the upregulation of ABCG2 expression and consequent chemoresistance. The current study investigated the presence of cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) samples, and evaluated the Nrf2 expression profile and multidrug resistance properties of HNSCC stem cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used for SP cells detection, while reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used for the analysis of Nrf2 expression. The present study identified ~2.1% SP cells present in HNSCC specimens, which were positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)133 expression and displayed significantly elevated messenger RNA expression of Nrf2, compared with non-SP cells. These data suggest that the ABC transporter ABCG2 is highly upregulated in SP cells, and this results in multidrug resistance. In addition, these CD133+ cells underwent rapid proliferation and exhibited high self-renewal and tumorigenic properties. Taken together, the present findings suggest that elevated expression of Nrf2 mediated drug resistance in HNSCC CSCs, which may be one of the causative factors for cancer treatment failure. Therefore, novel anti-cancer drugs that downregulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway could effectively improve the treatment and survival rate of patients with HNSCC.
Increased copeptin levels in metabolic syndrome from a Romanian population

Rationale: Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is secreted under conditions of water deprivation. Since AVP has a low half-life in the plasma, the C-terminal fragment of AVP-precursor (copeptin) was used to estimate the AVP levels. High copeptin levels increase the risk for the development of diabetes mellitus. Aim: This study was aimed to measure copeptin levels in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Romanians using a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Methods and results: Patients prone to present MetS (n = 63) were compared to controls (n = 42). In the MetS group, the syndrome was confirmed in 93.6%. Affected patients displayed 85.7% obesity and insulin resistance (HOMAIR of 4.9 ± 0.4 versus 1.1 ± 0.8 in controls). Low HDL-cholesterol was less represented (47.5%). Copeptin levels were 0.6 ± 0.0 in MetS versus 0.42 ± 0.0 ng/ mL in controls (P < 0.004). Higher copeptin (0.79 to 1.83 ng/ mL) was associated with MetS, P < 0.0018, OR 20, 95%CI [3.03 – 131.7]. In ANOVA, high copeptin was equally explained by MetS or obesity (P < 0.05,α = 3.8). The best correlation was found with high triglyceride levels (P < 0.013,α = 6.3) while the correlation with HOMAIR remained not significant. Discussion: These data indicated a concordant correlation between increased copeptin and MetS or its components. In the light of epidemiological data, indicating that more than 50% of the European population has a lower daily water intake and a fraction of 25% displaying high copeptin, our data further sustained that copeptin may be a good biomarker for MetS and/ or obesity, which should be further investigated with other members of the osmoregulation pathway at both pathogenesis and genetic levels.
Trabectedin in the treatment of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and value of information

Background: To assess the cost-effectiveness of trabectedin compared with end-stage treatment (EST) after failure with anthracycline and/or ifosfamide in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (mSTS). Design: Analysis was carried out using a probabilistic Markov model with trabectedin → EST and EST arms, three health states (stable disease, progressive disease and death) and a lifetime perspective (3% annual discount rate). Finnish resources (drugs, mSTS, adverse events and travelling) and costs (year 2008) were used. Efficacy was based on an indirect comparison of the STS-201 and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer trials. QLQ-C30 scale scores were mapped to 15D, Short Form 6D and EuroQol 5D utilities. The outcome measures were the cost-effectiveness acceptability frontier, incremental cost per life year gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and the expected value of perfect information (EVPI). Results: Trabectedin → EST was associated with 14.0 (95% confidence interval 9.1–19.2) months longer survival, €36 778 higher costs (€32 816 using hospital price for trabectedin) and €31 590 (€28 192) incremental cost per LYG with an EVPI of €3008 (€3188) compared with EST. With a threshold of €50 000 per LYG, trabectedin → EST had 98.5% (98.2%) probability of being cost-effective. The incremental cost per QALY gained with trabectedin → EST was €42 633–47 735 (€37 992–42 819) compared with EST. The results were relatively insensitive to changes. Conclusion: Trabectedin is a potentially cost-effective treatment of mSTS patients.
Stochastic superparameterization in a one-dimensional model for wave turbulence

Superparameterization is a multiscale numerical method wherein solutions of prognostic equations for small scale processes on local domains embedded within the computational grid of a large scale model are computed and used to force the large scales. It was developed initially in the atmospheric sciences, but stands on its own as a nascent numerical method for the simulation of multiscale phenomena. Here we develop a stochastic version of superparameterization in a difficult one dimensional test problem involving self-similarly collapsing solitons, dispersive waves, and a turbulent inverse cascade of energy from small to large scales. We derive the nonlinear model equations by imposing a formal scale separation between resolved large scales and unresolved small scales; this allows the use of subdomains embedded within the large scale grid to describe the local small scale processes. To decrease the computational cost, we make a systematic quasi-linear stochastic approximation of the nonlinear small scale equations and use the statistical mean of the nonlinear small scale forcing (the covariance) in the large scale equations. The stochastic approximation allows the embedded domains to be formally infinite (unrealistically large scales are suppressed on the embedded domains). Further simplifications allow us to precompute the small scale forcing terms in the large scale equations as functions of the large scale variables only, which results in significant computational savings. The results are positive. The method increases the energy in overdamped simulations, decreases the energy in underdamped simulations, and improves the spatial distribution and frequency of collapsing solitons.
Description of a cranial endocast from a fossil platypus, Obdurodon dicksoni (Monotremata, Ornithorhynchidae), and the relevance of endocranial characters to monotreme monophyly

A digital cranial endocast of the Miocene platypus Obdurodon dicksoni was extracted from high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography scans. This endocast represents the oldest from an unequivocal member of either extant monotreme lineage and is therefore important for inferring character support for Monotremata, a clade that is not well diagnosed. We describe the Obdurodon endocast with reference to endocasts extracted from skulls of the three species of extant monotremes, particularly Ornithorhynchus anatinus, the duckbill platypus. We consulted published descriptions and illustrations of whole and sectioned brains of monotremes to determine which external features of the nervous system are represented on the endocasts. Similar to Ornithorhynchus, well‐developed parafloccular casts and reduced olfactory bulb casts are present in the Obdurodon endocast. Reduction of the olfactory bulbs in comparison with tachyglossids and therian mammals is a potential apomorphy for Ornithorhynchidae. The trigeminal nuclei, ganglia, and nerves (i.e., trigeminal complex) are enlarged in Obdurodon, as evidenced by their casts on the endocast, as is the case in the extant platypus. The visibility of enlarged trigeminal nucleus casts on the endocasts of Obdurodon and Ornithorhynchus is a possible synapomorphy of Ornithorhynchidae. Electroreception and enlargement of the trigeminal complex are possible synapomorphies for Monotremata. J. Morphol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sperm Oxidative Stress Is Detrimental to Embryo Development: A Dose-Dependent Study Model and a New and More Sensitive Oxidative Status Evaluation

Our study aimed to assess the impact of sperm oxidative stress on embryo development by means of a dose-dependent model. In experiment 1, straws from five bulls were subjected to incubation with increasing H2O2 doses (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 μM). Motility parameters were evaluated by Computed Assisted System Analysis (CASA). Experiment 2 was designed to study a high (50 μM) and low dose (12.5 μM) of H2O2 compared to a control (0 μM). Samples were incubated and further used for in vitro fertilization. Analyses of motility (CASA), oxidative status (CellROX green and 2'-7' dichlorofluorescein diacetate), mitochondrial potential (JC-1), chromatin integrity (AO), and sperm capacitation status (chlortetracycline) were performed. Embryos were evaluated based on fast cleavage (30 h.p.i.), cleavage (D = 3), development (D = 5), and blastocyst rates (D = 8). We observed a dose-dependent deleterious effect of H2O2 on motility and increase on the percentages of positive cells for CellROX green, capacitated sperm, and AO. A decrease on cleavage and blastocyst rates was observed as H2O2 increased. Also, we detected a blockage on embryo development. We concluded that sperm when exposed to oxidative environment presents impaired motility traits, prooxidative status, and premature capacitation; such alterations resulting in embryo development fail.
Revisiting the Determinants of Students' Performance in an Undergraduate Accountancy Degree Programme in Singapore

The current study investigates the association of prior academic achievement, admission interview, critical thinking, mathematical aptitude and gender with successful academic performance in an undergraduate accountancy degree programme at a Singapore university. The purpose of revisiting the determinants of academic performance in the Singapore context is twofold. First, university accounting education in Singapore has changed greatly since Koh and Koh’s earlier study (1999); the current study examines if determinants previously identified as significant continue to be so in the new setting. Second, the study tests the usefulness of admission interview in identifying applicants who achieve subsequent academic success. Data on students’ performance throughout the whole accountancy degree programme are obtained from the university students’ records database. The current study shows that prior academic performance, mathematical aptitude and gender continue to be significantly associated with successful academic performance in the new style of accountancy degree programme; admission interview and critical thinking are also significant determinants of subsequent academic success. The results imply that university administrators may efficiently shortlist applicants based on prior academic performance, but should employ wider selection criteria including interviews and measures of critical thinking ability.
The Dot1 Histone Methyltransferase and the Rad9 Checkpoint Adaptor Contribute to Cohesin-Dependent Double-Strand Break Repair by Sister Chromatid Recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genomic integrity is threatened by multiple sources of DNA damage. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most dangerous types of DNA lesions and can be generated by endogenous or exogenous agents, but they can arise also during DNA replication. Sister chromatid recombination (SCR) is a key mechanism for the repair of DSBs generated during replication and it is fundamental for maintaining genomic stability. Proper repair relies on several factors, among which histone modifications play important roles in the response to DSBs. Here, we study the role of the histone H3K79 methyltransferase Dot1 in the repair by SCR of replication-dependent HO-induced DSBs, as a way to assess its function in homologous recombination. We show that Dot1, the Rad9 DNA damage checkpoint adaptor, and phosphorylation of histone H2A (γH2A) are required for efficient SCR. Moreover, we show that Dot1 and Rad9 promote DSB-induced loading of cohesin onto chromatin. We propose that recruitment of Rad9 to DSB sites mediated by γH2A and H3K79 methylation contributes to DSB repair via SCR by regulating cohesin binding to damage sites. Therefore, our results contribute to an understanding of how different chromatin modifications impinge on DNA repair mechanisms, which are fundamental for maintaining genomic stability.
Arsenic in Drinking Water and Lung Cancer Mortality in the United States: An Analysis Based on US Counties and 30 Years of Observation (1950–1979)

Background. To examine whether the US EPA (2010) lung cancer risk estimate derived from the high arsenic exposures (10–934 µg/L) in southwest Taiwan accurately predicts the US experience from low arsenic exposures (3–59 µg/L). Methods. Analyses have been limited to US counties solely dependent on underground sources for their drinking water supply with median arsenic levels of ≥3 µg/L. Results. Cancer risks (slopes) were found to be indistinguishable from zero for males and females. The addition of arsenic level did not significantly increase the explanatory power of the models. Stratified, or categorical, analysis yielded relative risks that hover about 1.00. The unit risk estimates were nonpositive and not significantly different from zero, and the maximum (95% UCL) unit risk estimates for lung cancer were lower than those in US EPA (2010). Conclusions. These data do not demonstrate an increased risk of lung cancer associated with median drinking water arsenic levels in the range of 3–59 µg/L. The upper-bound estimates of the risks are lower than the risks predicted from the SW Taiwan data and do not support those predictions. These results are consistent with a recent metaregression that indicated no increased lung cancer risk for arsenic exposures below 100–150 µg/L.
Tolerance of Homosexuality in 88 Countries: Education, Political Freedom, and Liberalism

Researchers have repeatedly found a positive correlation between education and tolerance. However, they may be victims of an unrepresentative sample containing only rich Western liberal democracies, where political agendas have a liberalizing eﬀect on curricula. In this paper, we specify the relationship between education and liberal attitudes by analyzing data on educational attainment and tolerance of homosexuality (one dimension of liberalism) drawn from a heterogeneous sample of 88 countries over the period 1981 – 2014. We argue that nonliberal political agendas in some countries undermine the sup-posed universality of the positive relationship between educational attainment and tolerance of homosex- uality. In relatively free countries, education is indeed associated with greater tolerance. However, in relatively unfree countries, education has no eﬀect on tolerance and in some cases encourages intoler- ance. Speciﬁcally, our analysis demonstrates that education is associated with tolerance of homosexuality only when regimes energetically promote liberal-democratic values. The larger theoretical point is that the agendas of political regimes shape civic values partly via education systems. Especially in an era when democracy is at risk in many countries, it is important to recognize that education is not always a benign force.
Information Asymmetry in SME Credit Guarantee Schemes: Evidence from Japan

In this paper, we investigate whether adverse selection and/or moral hazard can be detected in credit guarantee schemes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Using bank-level data, we analyzed whether the subrogation rate is positively associated with the ratio of guaranteed loans to total loans, and found that the data are consistent with an adverse selection and/or moral hazard hypothesis. Further analyses show that the relationship is stronger for 100% coverage than for 80% coverage, indicating that "20% self-payment" mitigates the problem, but is not enough to eliminate it.
Creativity Assessment in School: Reflection from a Middle School Italian Study on Giftedness

The attention to Gifted students is a growing educational topic in Italy. This work is part of a broader doctoral study on giftedness assessment and education. In particular the contribute explores the usefulness of a teacher's instrument to test creativity in Italian lower secondary schools. For this purpose it was tested the concurrent validity of the Renzulli Subscale of Creativity [1] used by mainstream teachers and special educational needs teachers and the William Test of Divergent thinking [2] used by the Educational researcher and completed by the students. A total of 106 students and 9 teachers participated in the study. The quantitative analysis shows a positive correlation between the evaluations through the Williams test and the Renzulli Subscale of Creativity used by the whole group of teachers. Therefore, the study checked if there was a difference between teachers' characteristics in the evaluation of creativity, in particular between mainstream and special educational needs teachers. The results show that there is no statistical difference between the evaluations of the group of teachers. A reflection of the importance of a multidimensional approach on the study of creativity, and in general of giftedness, that considers multiple source of information in the identification and Education of Gifted students is carried out in the study.
Computational modeling of strand-based wood composites

A nonlinear stochastic model has been formulated to simulate the stress-strain behavior of strand-based wood composites based on the constitutive properties of the wood strands. Prediction models of this type save time and money in the development of wood composites by computationally gauging the effects of varying raw material characteristics with limited fabrication and testing of the full-scale product. The proposed model uses a stochastic-based materially nonlinear finite-element code with extended capacity to perform Monte Carlo simulations to predict the stress-strain behavior of [±15]s and [±30]s angle-ply laminates in tension and compression. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the wood strands is characterized within the framework of rate-independent theory of orthotropic plasticity, where the plastic flow rule is in accordance with the Tsai-Wu criterion. Shear strength and stiffness of the strands, as well as the interaction parameter of the Tsai-Wu criterion have been estimated through a min.
Heights and preperiodic points of polynomials over function fields

Let K be a function field in one variable over an arbitrary field F. Given a rational function f(z) in K(z) of degree at least two, the associated canonical height on the projective line was defined by Call and Silverman. The preperiodic points of f all have canonical height zero; conversely, if F is a finite field, then every point of canonical height zero is preperiodic. However, if F is an infinite field, then there may be non-preperiodic points of canonical height zero. In this paper, we show that for polynomial f, such points exist only if f is isotrivial. In fact, such K-rational points exist only if f is defined over the constant field of K after a K-rational change of coordinates.