Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photoprotective Strategies of Mediterranean Plants in Relation to Morphological Traits and Natural Environmental Pressure: A Meta-Analytical Approach

Despite being a small geographic extension, Mediterranean Basin is characterized by an exceptional plant biodiversity. Adaptive responses of this biocoenosis are delineated by an unusual temporal dissociation along the year between optimal temperature for growth and water availability. This fact generates the combination of two environmental stress factors: a period of summer drought, variable in length and intensity, and the occurrence of mild to cold winters. Both abiotic factors, trigger the generation of (photo)oxidative stress and plants orchestrate an arsenal of structural, physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms to withstand such environmental injuries. In the last two decades an important effort has been made to characterize the adaptive morphological and ecophysiological traits behind plant survival strategies with an eye to predict how they will respond to future climatic changes. In the present work, we have compiled data from 89 studies following a meta-analytical approach with the aim of assessing the composition and plasticity of photosynthetic pigments and low-molecular-weight antioxidants (tocopherols, glutathione, and ascorbic acid) of wild Mediterranean plant species. The influence of internal plant and leaf factors on such composition together with the stress responsiveness, were also analyzed. This approach enabled to obtain data from 73 species of the Mediterranean flora, with the genus Quercus being the most frequently studied. Main highlights of present analysis are: (i) sort of photoprotective mechanisms do not differ between Mediterranean plants and other floras but they show higher plasticity indexes; (ii) α−tocopherol among the antioxidants and violaxanthin-cycle pigments show the highest responsiveness to environmental factors; (iii) both winter and drought stresses induce overnight retention of de-epoxidised violaxanthin-cycle pigments; (iv) this retention correlates with depressions of Fv/Fm; and (v) contrary to what could be expected, mature leaves showed higher accumulation of hydrophilic antioxidants than young leaves, and sclerophyllous leaves higher biochemical photoprotective demand than membranous leaves. In a global climatic change scenario, the plasticity of their photoprotective mechanisms will likely benefit Mediterranean species against oceanic ones. Nevertheless, deep research of ecoregions other than the Mediterranean Basin will be needed to fully understand photoprotection strategies of this extremely biodiverse floristic biome: the Mediterranean ecosystem.
The Atlas3D project - XXXI. Nuclear radio emission in nearby early-type galaxies

We present the results of a high-resolution, 5 GHz, Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array study of the nuclear radio emission in a representative subset of the ATLAS^(3D) survey of early-type galaxies (ETGs). We find that 51 ± 4 per cent of the ETGs in our sample contain nuclear radio emission with luminosities as low as 10^(18) W Hz^(−1). Most of the nuclear radio sources have compact (≲25–110 pc) morphologies, although ∼10 per cent display multicomponent core+jet or extended jet/lobe structures. Based on the radio continuum properties, as well as optical emission line diagnostics and the nuclear X-ray properties, we conclude that the majority of the central 5 GHz sources detected in the ATLAS^(3D) galaxies are associated with the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). However, even at subarcsecond spatial resolution, the nuclear radio emission in some cases appears to arise from low-level nuclear star formation rather than an AGN, particularly when molecular gas and a young central stellar population is present. This is in contrast to popular assumptions in the literature that the presence of a compact, unresolved, nuclear radio continuum source universally signifies the presence of an AGN. Additionally, we examine the relationships between the 5 GHz luminosity and various galaxy properties including the molecular gas mass and – for the first time – the global kinematic state. We discuss implications for the growth, triggering, and fuelling of radio AGNs, as well as AGN-driven feedback in the continued evolution of nearby ETGs.
Genes commonly deleted in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: association with cytogenetics and clinical features

In childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, cytogenetics is important in diagnosis and as an indicator of response to therapy, thus playing a key role in risk stratification of patients for treatment. Little is known of the relationship between different cytogenetic subtypes in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the recently reported copy number abnormalities affecting significant leukemia associated genes. In a consecutive series of 1427 childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, we have determined the incidence and type of copy number abnormalities using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. We have shown strong links between certain deletions and cytogenetic subtypes, including the novel association between RB1 deletions and intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21. In this study, we characterized the different copy number abnormalities and show heterogeneity of PAX5 and IKZF1 deletions and the recurrent nature of RB1 deletions. Whole gene losses are often indicative of larger deletions, visible by conventional cytogenetics. An increased number of copy number abnormalities is associated with NCI high risk, specifically deletions of IKZF1 and CDKN2A/B, which occur more frequently among these patients. IKZF1 deletions and rearrangements of CRLF2 among patients with undefined karyotypes may point to the poor risk BCR-ABL1-like group. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated in a large representative cohort of children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia that the pattern of copy number abnormalities is highly variable according to the primary genetic abnormality.
Myelin from MAG- deficient mice is a strong inhibitor of neurite outgrowth

Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) has potent neurite outgrowth inhibitory activity in vitro. To assess the importance of MAG in the neurite outgrowth inhibitory activity in CNS myelin, we used an in vitro bioassay to characterize neurite growth on CNS myelin derived from mice carrying a null mutation of the MAG gene. Myelin proteins from MAG-deficient mice inhibited neurite outgrowth to a similar degree to the wild-type CNS myelin. These results suggest that CNS myelin molecules other than MAG exert strong inhibitory effects on the growth of neurites.
Revisit of the Markov Model of IEEE 802.11 DCF for an Error-Prone Channel

This letter provides a saturation throughput analysis of DCF by extending the Tinnirello's model into the non-ideal channel. In contrast to the existing models which also analyze the DCF under the non-ideal channel, our model provides more accurate results owing to taking into account anomalous slots and the freezing of backoff counter.
Detecting deception in the brain: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study of neural correlates of intentional deception

Little is known about the neurological underpinnings of deliberate deception. Recent advances in the detection of deception have examined brain responses during experimental deception protocols. A consensus has begun to emerge across the handful of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies that have examined deception implicating areas of the dorsolateral and inferior prefrontal cortex as active during deliberate deception. The purpose of the current study was to determine the utility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR), a neuroimaging technique that allows reasonable ecological utility, for the detection of deception. Using a modified version of the Guilty Knowledge Task, participants attempted to conceal the identity of a playing card they were holding while dorsolateral and inferior frontal cortices were monitored with fNIR. The results revealed increased activation in bilateral inferior frontal gyri (BA 47/45) and middle frontal gyri (BA 46/10) when participants were lying. The results provide evidence that inferior and middle prefrontal cortical areas are associated at least some forms of deliberate deception. fNIR has the potential to provide a field-deployable brain-based method for the detection of deception.
The Role of Personality and Tastes in Determining Occupational Structure

Using a unique data set containing explicit measures of both personality and tastes, this study applies logit techniques to predict which of five broadly defined occupational groups an individual will enter. The addition of personality and taste factors to a conventional set of variables—gender, race, education, experience, and father's socioeconomic status—significantly increases the predictive accuracy of estimating equations. Also, the results are generally consistent with a well-functioning labor market that sorts workers into jobs satisfying their individual preferences. A specific finding is that gender differences in occupational structure are strongly linked to differences between men's and women's personalities and tastes.
Towards Large-Scale Collaborative Planning: Answering High-Level Search Queries Using Human Computation

Behind every search query is a high-level mission that the user wants to accomplish. While current search engines can often provide relevant information in response to well-specified queries, they place the heavy burden of making a plan for achieving a mission on the user. We take the alternative approach of tackling users' high-level missions directly by introducing a human computation system that generates simple plans, by decomposing a mission into goals and retrieving search results tailored to each goal. Results show that our system is able to provide users with diverse, actionable search results and useful roadmaps for accomplishing their missions.
The International Classification of Function Disability and Health (ICF) in adults visiting the HIV outpatient clinic at a regional hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract In 2005, 16.6% of South Africans between 15 and 49 years of age were HIV positive. The advent of anti-retroviral therapy has led to improved longevity, CD4 counts and clinical well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Physical impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions of PLWHA have profound effects on the Health-related Quality of Life and functional abilities of those with the disease, and understanding thereof may assist in the formulation of rehabilitation protocols, health care interventions as well as vocational and legislative policies. The International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) is a standardised tool, endorsed by the World Health Assembly for international use, which aims to classify functioning and disability. It is structured to assess body functions and structure, functional activities and associated personal and environmental factors.This study aimed to develop a profile of the level of functional activity, using the ICF Checklist, of an urban cohort of 45 South African individuals who are HIV positive attending an outpatient clinic at the Helen Joseph Memorial Hospital, Gauteng, South Africa. The results showed a high prevalence of physical impairments, participation restrictions and selective activity limitations and that environmental factors influence their level of ability. Specific impairments where patients had problems were mental functions (69% (n=31), sensory and pain – 71% (n=32), digestive and metabolic functions 45% (n=20) and neuromuscular 27% (n=12). Activity limitations included major life areas’ 58% (n=26), interpersonal relationships 56% (n=25), mobility 40% (n=18) and general tasks and demands 38% (n=17). Limitations in mobility were significantly associated with problems of sensory functions (p=0.05), pain (p=0.006), neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions (p=0.006), muscle power (p=0.006) as well as energy and drive functions (p=0.001). The study identifies the level of function and ability of PLWHA, clinical markers, and how these affect the physical, psychological and social functioning of this population.
Ontology-based Information Retrieval

In this thesis, we will present methods for introducing ontologies in information retrieval. The main hypothesis is that the inclusion of conceptual knowledge such as ontologies in the information retrieval process can contribute to the solution of major problems currently found in information retrieval. This utilization of ontologies has a number of challenges. Our focus is on the use of similarity measures derived from the knowledge about relations between concepts in ontologies, the recognition of semantic information in texts and the mapping of this knowledge into the ontologies in use, as well as how to fuse together the ideas of ontological similarity and ontological indexing into a realistic information retrieval scenario. To achieve the recognition of semantic knowledge in a text, shallow natural language processing is used during indexing that reveals knowledge to the level of noun phrases. Furthermore, we briefly cover the identification of semantic relations inside and between noun phrases, as well as discuss which kind of problems are caused by an increase in compoundness with respect to the structure of concepts in the evaluation of queries. Measuring similarity between concepts based on distances in the structure of the ontology is discussed. In addition, a shared nodes measure is introduced and, based on a set of intuitive similarity properties, compared to a number of different measures. In this comparison the shared nodes measure appears to be superior, though more computationally complex. Some of the major problems of shared nodes which relate to the way relations differ with respect to the degree they bring the concepts they connect closer are discussed. A generalized measure called weighted shared nodes is introduced to deal with these problems. Finally, the utilization of concept similarity in query evaluation is discussed. A semantic expansion approach that incorporates concept similarity is introduced and a generalized fuzzy set retrieval model that applies expansion during query evaluation is presented. While not commonly used in present information retrieval systems, it appears that the fuzzy set model comprises the flexibility needed when generalizing to an ontology-based retrieval model and, with the introduction of a hierarchical fuzzy aggregation principle, compound concepts can be handled in a straightforward and natural manner.
Intramax and other objective functions: The case of Slovenia

Abstract The use of different objective functions in hierarchical aggregation procedures is examined in this paper. Specifically, we analyse the use of the original Intramax objective function, the sum-of-flows objective function, the sum-of-proportions-to-intra-regional-flows objective function, Smart’s weighted interaction index, the first and second CURDS weighted interaction indices, and Tolbert and Killian’s interaction index. The results of the functional regionalisation have been evaluated by self-containment statistics, and they show that the use of the original Intramax procedure tends to delineate operationally the most persuasive and balanced regions that, regarding the intra-regional flows, homogeneously cover the analysed territory. The other objective functions give statistically better but operationally less suitable results. Functional regions modelled using the original Intramax procedure were compared to the regions at NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 levels, as well as to administrative units in Slovenia. We conclude that there are some promising directions for further research on functional regionalisation using hierarchical aggregation procedures.
Developing citizens and communities through youth environmental action

Although several studies have examined learning outcomes of environmental action experiences for youth, little is known about the aims motivating practitioners to involve youth in action creating positive environmental and social change, nor how practitioners perceive success. This research explored through phenomenological interviews practitioners’ purposes for using an environmental action approach. Practitioners in this inquiry, who engaged youth in action addressing a range of environmental issues in varied programmatic and community contexts in the US, expressed multifaceted aims motivating their educational practice. Interpretation of practitioners’ stories with respect to their purposes and perceptions of success contributed to a conceptual framework relating environmental action to the development of citizens and sustainable communities. Whereas others have described the stages and learning outcomes of environmental action, this inquiry illustrates the potential of environmental action for concurrently realizing individual and community level impacts.
Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces

We analyze a large-scale custom software effort, the Worm Community System (WCS), a collaborative system designed for a geographically dispersed community of geneticists. There were complex challenges in creating this infrastructural tool, ranging from simple lack of resources to complex organizational and intellectual communication failures and tradeoffs. Despite high user satisfaction with the system and interface, and extensive user needs assessment, feedback, and analysis, many users experienced difficulties in signing on and use. The study was conducted during a time of unprecedented growth in the Internet and its utilities (1991--1994), and many respondents turned to the World Wide Web for their information exchange. Using Bateson's model of levels of learning, we analyze the levels of infrastructural complexity involved in system access and designer-user communication. We analyze the connection between systems development aimed at supporting specific forms of collaborative knowledge work, local organizational transformation, and large-scale infrastructural change.
Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Subregions Differentially Regulate Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Activity: Implications for the Integration of Limbic Inputs

Limbic and cortical neurocircuits profoundly influence hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis responses to stress yet have little or no direct projections to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Numerous lines of evidence suggest that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) is well positioned to relay limbic information to the PVN. The BST comprises multiple anatomically distinct nuclei, of which some are known to receive direct limbic and/or cortical input and to heavily innervate the PVN. Our studies test the hypothesis that subregions of the BST differentially regulate HPA axis responses to acute stress. Male Sprague Dawley rats received bilateral ibotenate lesions, targeting either the principal nucleus in the posterior BST or the dorsomedial/fusiform nuclei in the anteroventral BST. Posterior BST lesions elevated plasma ACTH and corticosterone in response to acute restraint stress, increased stress-induced PVN c-fos mRNA, and elevated PVN corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and parvocellular arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNA expression relative to sham-lesion animals. In contrast, anterior BST lesions attenuated the plasma corticosterone response and decreased c-fos mRNA induction in the PVN but did not affect CRH and parvocellular AVP mRNA expression in the PVN. These data suggest that posterior BST nuclei are involved in inhibition of the HPA axis, whereas the anteroventral BST nuclei are involved in HPA axis excitation. The results indicate that the BST contains functional subdomains that play different roles in integrating and processing limbic information in response to stress and further suggest that excitatory as well as inhibitory limbic information is funneled through these important cell groups.
Poor Women in a Bind: Social Reproduction Without Social Supports

The current effort to use social policy to restore the traditional nuclear family reflects deep-seated fears about the changing structure of the middle-class family, as well as distrust of the caretaking capacity of the poor. The concepts of the family ethic and social reproduction are used to examine and explain the cutbacks in social welfare and the state's increasingly punitive treatment of poor women and their families.
Ultrafine Grained Low Carbon Steels Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation

The structure, mechanical and functional properties of ultrafine-grained low-carbon steels have been studied after severe plastic deformation (SPD) by high pressure torsion (HPT) and equalchannel angular pressing (ECAP). It is revealed that HPT of low carbon steels at a temperature below 0.3 Tm leads to the formation of nanocrystalline structure with a grain size of <100 nm or a mixture of oriented substructure and nanograins. ECAP under similar conditions leads to the formation of submicrocrystalline structure with a grain size of 200-300 nm. The initial martensitic state compared with the initial ferritic-pearlitic state of the low-carbon steels results in formation of finer structure after SPD and less intense grain growth upon heating, i.e., results in a higher thermal stability. Low-carbon low-alloy steels after ECAP are characterized by high strength (UTS > 1000 MPa) and plasticity (EL = 10-15%). The high-strength state after ECAP is retained upon tensile test testing up to a temperature of 500°C. The submicrocrystalline low-carbon steels after ECAP processing and subsequent heating is characterized by an increased impact toughness at test temperatures down to -40°C.
Generalized linear models in software reliability: parametric and semi-parametric approaches

The penalized likelihood method is used for a new semi-parametric software reliability model. This new model is a nonparametric generalization of all parametric models where the failure intensity function depends only on the number of observed failures, viz. number-of-failures models (NF). Experimental results show that the semi-parametric model generally fits better and has better 1-step predictive quality than parametric NF. Using generalized linear models, this paper presents new parametric models (polynomial models) that have performances (deviance and predictive-qualities) approaching those of the semi-parametric model. Graphical and statistical techniques are used to choose the appropriate polynomial model for each data-set. The polynomial models are a very good compromise between the nonvalidity of the simple assumptions of classical NF, and the complexity of use and interpretation of the semi-parametric model. The latter represents a reference model that we approach by choosing adequate link and regression functions for the polynomial models.