Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life Stage Simulation Analysis: Estimating Vital-Rate Effects on Population Growth for Conservation

We developed a simulation method, known as life-stage simulation analysis (LSA) to measure potential effects of uncertainty and variation in vital rates on population growth (λ) for purposes of species conservation planning. Under LSA, we specify plausible or hypothesized levels of uncertainty, variation, and covariation in vital rates for a given population. We use these data under resampling simulations to establish random combinations of vital rates for a large number of matrix replicates and finally summarize results from the matrix replicates to estimate potential effects of each vital rate on λ in a probability-based context. Estimates of potential effects are based on a variety of summary statistics, such as frequency of replicates having the same vital rate of highest elasticity, difference in elasticity values calculated under simulated conditions vs. elasticities calculated using mean invariant vital rates, percentage of replicates having positive population growth, and variation in λ explained .
A 1.2-V 5.2-mW 20–30-GHz Wideband Receiver Front-End in 0.18-$\mu{\hbox {m}}$ CMOS

This paper presents a low-power wideband receiver front-end design using a resonator coupling technique. Inductively coupled resonators, composed of an on-chip transformer and parasitic capacitances from a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, and the transformer itself, not only provide wideband signal transfer, but also realize wideband high-to-low impedance transformation. The coupled resonators also function as a wideband balun to give single-to-differential conversion. Analytic expressions for the coupled resonators with asymmetric loads are presented for design guidelines. The proposed receiver front-end only needs a few passive components so that gain degradation caused by the passive loss is minimized. Hence, power consumption and chip area can be greatly reduced. The chip is implemented in 0.18-μm CMOS technology. The experimental result shows that the - 3-dB bandwidth can span from 20 to 30 GHz with a peak conversion gain of 18.7 dB. The measured input return loss and third-order intercept point are better than 16.7 dB and -7.6 dBm, respectively, over the bandwidth. The minimum noise figure is 7.1 dB. The power consumption is only 5.2 mW from a 1.2-V supply. The chip area is only 0.18 mm2 .
Does consumer scepticism negate the effects of visceral cues in weight loss advertising?

The theory of visceral influences posits that certain drive states are commonly associated with impulsive behaviour, and that cues that maximise a reward’s temporal and hedonic appeal can even persuade wary consumers. In this research we examine the effects of visceral cues in a weight loss advertising context on both sceptical and non-sceptical individuals, given that past examinations by the FTC had revealed the potentially visceral nature of weight loss advertising. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of visceral cues in a weight loss advertising context, and to examine whether or not ad scepticism can diminish the effects of visceral cues. Results from two experimental studies indicate that visceral cues that emphasise vividness of reward and provide a visual prime have attention-narrowing and impulse-inducing effects that persist regardless of ad scepticism. Implications and future directions of the findings are subsequently discussed.
Test Expectancy and Individual-Item versus Relational Processing

The effects of recall and recognition test expectancies were evaluated as a function of category size and type of memory test. Small categories were better recognized than large categories, and large categories were better recalled than small categories. However, the effects of category size and test expectancy were additive on both recall and recognition tests. In addition, a recall test expectancy led to greater organization in recall and a greater probability of recalling items from recalled categories than a recognition test expectancy. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that a recall test expectancy leads to greater relational and individual-item processing than a recognition test expectancy.
Processing of visual signals related to self-motion in the cerebellum of pigeons

In this paper I describe the key features of optic flow processing in pigeons. Optic flow is the visual motion that occurs across the entire retina as a result of self-motion and is processed by subcortical visual pathways that project to the cerebellum. These pathways originate in two retinal-recipient nuclei, the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) and the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, which project to the vestibulocerebellum (VbC) (folia IXcd and X), directly as mossy fibers, and indirectly as climbing fibers from the inferior olive. Optic flow information is integrated with vestibular input in the VbC. There is a clear separation of function in the VbC: Purkinje cells in the flocculus process optic flow resulting from self-rotation, whereas Purkinje cells in the uvula/nodulus process optic flow resulting from self-translation. Furthermore, Purkinje cells with particular optic flow preferences are organized topographically into parasagittal “zones. ” These zones are correlated with expression of the isoenzyme aldolase C, also known as zebrin II (ZII). ZII expression is heterogeneous such that there are parasagittal stripes of Purkinje cells that have high expression (ZII+) alternating with stripes of Purkinje cells with low expression (ZII−). A functional zone spans a ZII± stripe pair. That is, each zone that contains Purkinje cells responsive to a particular pattern of optic flow is subdivided into a strip containing ZII+ Purkinje cells and a strip containing ZII− Purkinje cells. Additionally, there is optic flow input to folia VI–VIII of the cerebellum from lentiformis mesencephali. These folia also receive visual input from the tectofugal system via pontine nuclei. As the tectofugal system is involved in the analysis of local motion, there is integration of optic flow and local motion information in VI–VIII. This part of the cerebellum may be important for moving through a cluttered environment.
Comparison of Techniques and Immunoreagents Used for Indirect Immunofluorescence and Immunoperoxidase Identification of Enteroviruses

Peroxidase-conjugated antibodies were found to be as sensitive as those conjugated to fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) for identification of selected enterovirus types by the indirect technique. Peroxidase conjugates, however, were found to give fewer nonspecific reactions. The reasons for the higher specificity of the immunoperoxidase technique appear to be related to the relative size, charge, and uniformity of the preparations. Monomers of peroxidase-conjugated globulin are larger than those of FITC conjugates, but the latter readily form aggregates. This was shown by chromatography on Sepharose 6B columns: various FITC-conjugated globulins eluted before those conjugated to peroxidase and before 125I-labeled immunoglobulin G. The net charge of the conjugates was determined by adsorption to ion-exchange columns. FITC-labeled globulins had a negative net charge, eluting at pH 5.1 from diethylamino-ethyl-Sephadex A-50 columns. Peroxidase conjugates were not retained by either cationic or anionic exchangers at pH values ranging from 4.0 to 10.5. Further, the fluorescein/protein ratios of FITC conjugates from different commercial sources and of those prepared in the laboratory were found to be variable; higher fluorescein/protein ratios (>2:1) give a higher degree of nonspecific reactions, whereas the peroxidase/protein ratio does not appear to affect specificity. These characteristics of peroxidase conjugates make the immunoperoxidase technique easier to standardize and more reliable for enterovirus identification than the immunofluorescence technique.
Men, women…who cares? A population-based study on sex differences and gender roles in empathy and moral cognition

Research on sex differences in empathy has revealed mixed findings. Whereas experimental and neuropsychological measures show no consistent sex effect, self-report data consistently indicates greater empathy in women. However, available results mainly come from separate populations with relatively small samples, which may inflate effect sizes and hinder comparability between both empirical corpora. To elucidate the issue, we conducted two large-scale studies. First, we examined whether sex differences emerge in a large population-based sample (n = 10,802) when empathy is measured with an experimental empathy-for-pain paradigm. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between empathy and moral judgment. In the second study, a subsample (n = 334) completed a self-report empathy questionnaire. Results showed some sex differences in the experimental paradigm, but with minuscule effect sizes. Conversely, women did portray themselves as more empathic through self-reports. In addition, utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas were less frequent in women, although these differences also had small effect sizes. These findings suggest that sex differences in empathy are highly driven by the assessment measure. In particular, self-reports may induce biases leading individuals to assume gender-role stereotypes. Awareness of the role of measurement instruments in this field may hone our understanding of the links between empathy, sex differences, and gender roles.
Using Electronic Storybooks to Support Word Learning in Children With Severe Language Impairments

Novel word learning is reported to be problematic for children with severe language impairments (SLI). In this study, we tested electronic storybooks as a tool to support vocabulary acquisition in SLI children. In Experiment 1, 29 kindergarten SLI children heard four e-books each four times: (a) two stories were presented as video books with motion pictures, music, and sounds, and (b) two stories included only static illustrations without music or sounds. Two other stories served as the control condition. Both static and video books were effective in increasing knowledge of unknown words, but static books were most effective. Experiment 2 was designed to examine which elements in video books interfere with word learning: video images or music or sounds. A total of 23 kindergarten SLI children heard 8 storybooks each four times: (a) two static stories without music or sounds, (b) two static stories with music or sounds, (c) two video stories without music or sounds, and (d) two video books with music or sounds. Video images and static illustrations were equally effective, but the presence of music or sounds moderated word learning. In children with severe SLI, background music interfered with learning. Problems with speech perception in noisy conditions may be an underlying factor of SLI and should be considered in selecting teaching aids and learning environments.
On deformed gauge theories and their string/M-theory duals

We present general formulae for the TsT transformation (T-duality, shift, T-duality) of type II string backgrounds and open string boundary conditions. The TsT transformation provides a systematic procedure to find string theory duals of gauge theories with deformed products of fields in the lagrangian, and the duals can be analyzed by using transformed D-brane probes. As examples illustrating some features of the deformed theories, we consider the known backgrounds dual to non-commutative, dipole and β-deformed N = 4 Super Yang-Mills as well as new backgrounds dual to deformations of the recently proposed N = 6 Chern-Simons-matter theory living on multiple M2-branes on an orbifold. © 2008 SISSA.
Race, Poverty, and Exclusionary School Security

As violence and crime within and around U.S. schools has drawn increased attention to school security, police, surveillance cameras, and other measures have grown commonplace at public schools. Social scientists commonly voice concern that exclusionary security measures are most common in schools attended by poor and non-White students, yet there is little empirical basis for assessing the extent of differential exposure, as we lack research on how exclusionary measures are distributed relative to school and student characteristics. To address this gap in the research, we use nationally representative school-level data from the School Survey on Crime and Safety to consider the security measures employed in elementary, middle, and high schools. Results indicate that while security measures are ubiquitous in U.S. high schools, those considered more exclusionary are concentrated in elementary, middle, and high schools attended by non-White and/or poorer students.
Management of cutaneous T cell lymphoma: new and emerging targets and treatment options

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) clinically and biologically represent a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome being the most common subtypes. Over the last decade, new immunological and molecular pathways have been identified that not only influence CTCL phenotype and growth, but also provide targets for therapies and prognostication. This review will focus on recent advances in the development of therapeutic agents, including bortezomib, the histone deacetylase inhibitors (vorinostat and romidepsin), and pralatrexate in CTCL.
A METHOD FOR DIGITAL IMAGE WATERMARKING USING ICA

Digital watermark technology has been developed quickly during the recent few years and widely applied to protect the copyright of digital image. A digital watermark is the information that is imperceptibly and robustly embedded in the host data such that it cannot be removed. This paper proposes a method based on the independent component analysis (ICA) for the digital image watermarking. The experimental results indicate that the presented approach is remarkably effective in detecting and extracting the digital image watermark. The problem of robust watermarking is also tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Effects of Career Barriers and Social Support on College Students` Career Self-Efficacy and Preparation Behavior

Career preparation behavior has become more important than ever for the successful career development of college students in this time of unemployment crisis. This study explored the relationships among college students' perception of career barriers, social support, career self-efficacy, and career preparation behavior. 1,197 students of 18 junior colleges and 4-year universities filled out self-administered questionnaires, and data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. The results are as follows. First, male students, freshmen, students of poor economic status, and junior college students vs. 4-year university students perceived that they have more career barriers. Male students, seniors, middle-class students, and 4-year university students showed higher scores in social support, career self-efficacy and career preparation behavior. Second, perceived career barriers and social support influenced college students' career preparation behavior in opposite ways; the higher the perceived social support, and the lower the perceived career barrier, the higher the career preparation behavior of college students. Third, career self-efficacy partially mediated the influence of career barriers and social support on career preparation behavior. The study results suggest that the understanding of the interaction between intra-personal and environmental factors is critical to reinforce college students' career preparation behavior.
Comparative Evaluation of Nephrotoxicity and Management by Macrophages of Intravenous Pharmaceutical Iron Formulations

Background There is a significant clinical need for effective treatment of iron deficiency. A number of compounds that can be administered intravenously have been developed. This study examines how the compounds are handled by macrophages and their relative potential to provoke oxidative stress. Methods Human kidney (HK-2) cells, rat peritoneal macrophages and renal cortical homogenates were exposed to pharmaceutical iron preparations. Analyses were performed for indices of oxidative stress and cell integrity. In addition, in macrophages, iron uptake and release and cytokine secretion was monitored. Results HK-2 cell viability was decreased by iron isomaltoside and ferumoxytol and all compounds induced lipid peroxidation. In the renal cortical homogenates, lipid peroxidation occurred at lowest concentrations with ferric carboxymaltose, iron dextran, iron sucrose and sodium ferric gluconate. In the macrophages, iron sucrose caused loss of cell viability. Iron uptake was highest for ferumoxytol and iron isomaltoside and lowest for iron sucrose and sodium ferric gluconate. Iron was released as secretion of ferritin or as ferrous iron via ferroportin. The latter was blocked by hepcidin. Exposure to ferric carboxymaltose and iron dextran resulted in release of tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusions Exposure to iron compounds increased cell stress but was tissue and dose dependent. There was a clear difference in the handling of iron from the different compounds by macrophages that suggests in vivo responses may differ.
Language Learning Strategy Use and Prediction of Foreign Language Proficiency Among Iranian EFL Learners

The purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly, it attempted to investigate whether language learning strategies (LLSs) can predict foreign language (FL) proficiency. Secondly, it examined what kind of LLSs Iranian learners of English use more frequently in FL institutes. To do so, 112 intermediate Iranian EFL learners participated in the study. Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (1990; SILL) was used to collect the data on the participants’ strategy use. Additionally, the participants’ scores on an achievement test were used as a measure of their language proficiency. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that FL proficiency is predictable through LLSs. Metacognitive strategies with the largest beta coefficient (0.302) made the strongest contribution to predicting FL proficiency. Furthermore, results indicated that the participants were medium strategy users ( M = 3.17) and used metacognitive strategies significantly more ( M = 3.80) than other categories.
Exploring Relationships Between Passion and Attitudes Toward Performance Enhancing Drugs in Canadian Collegiate Sport Contexts

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between passion and attitudes toward performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Participants were 587 male and female varsity and coed intramural athletes from four Southern Ontario universities. Athletes completed the passion scale (Vallerand et al., 2003) and the performance enhancement attitudes scale (Petroczi, 2006). Full sample regression analyze revealed that higher scores on obsessive passion items were associated with more permissive attitudes toward PEDs (B =, 26, p < .001), while higher scores on harmonious passion items were associated with less permissive attitudes toward PEDs (B = -.29, p < .001). Moreover, obsessive passion emerged as a significant positive predictor of attitudes toward PEDs in all study contexts (i.e., coed recreational athletes, male/female varsity athletes). Implications for sport administrators, study limitations, and possible avenues for future research are discussed.
The role of TWIST as a regulator in giant cell tumor of bone

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is an aggressive tumor consisting of multinucleated osteoclast‐like giant cells and proliferating osteoblast‐like stromal cells. Our group has reported that the stromal cells express high levels of the bone resorbing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐13, and that this expression is regulated by the osteoblast transcription factor Runx2. The purpose of this study was to determine the upstream regulation of Runx2 in GCT cells. Using GCT stromal cells obtained from patient specimens, we demonstrated that TWIST, a master osteogenic regulator, was highly expressed in all GCT specimens. TWIST overexpression downregulated Runx2 expression whereas TWIST siRNA knockdown resulted in Runx2 and MMP‐13 upregulation. Interestingly, cells obtained from a GCT lung metastasis showed a reverse regulatory pattern between TWIST and Runx2. In mutational analysis, we revealed a point mutation (R154S) at the Helix2 domain of TWIST. This TWIST mutation may be an essential underlying factor in the development and pathophysiology of these tumors in that they lead to inappropriate TWIST downregulation of Runx2, arrested osteoblastic differentiation, and the maintenance of an immature and neoplastic phenotype. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2287–2295, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic memory-based physically unclonable function for the generation of unique identifiers and true random numbers

We introduce a test setup for the extraction of unique identifiers and random bits using DRAM. By utilizing standard 512 MByte DDR3 modules, 400 bit/s of random bits can be generated and unique identifiers are extracted. We show that DRAM can be used as a physically unclonable function. In contrast to SRAM-based PUF, DRAM PUF allow for repeated operations without disconnecting supply voltage while still remaining fully functional for normal storage operations.
Discriminate-and-Rectify Encoders: Learning from Image Transformation Sets

The complexity of a learning task is increased by transformations in the input space that preserve class identity. Visual object recognition for example is affected by changes in viewpoint, scale, illumination or planar transformations. While drastically altering the visual appearance, these changes are orthogonal to recognition and should not be reflected in the representation or feature encoding used for learning. We introduce a framework for weakly supervised learning of image embeddings that are robust to transformations and selective to the class distribution, using sets of transforming examples (orbit sets), deep parametrizations and a novel orbit-based loss. The proposed loss combines a discriminative, contrastive part for orbits with a reconstruction error that learns to rectify orbit transformations. The learned embeddings are evaluated in distance metric-based tasks, such as one-shot classification under geometric transformations, as well as face verification and retrieval under more realistic visual variability. Our results suggest that orbit sets, suitably computed or observed, can be used for efficient, weakly-supervised learning of semantically relevant image embeddings.
On the topology of positively curved Bazaikin spaces

In this note we study the topology of the positively curved Bazaikin spaces. We show that the only Bazaikin space that is homotopically equivalent to a homogeneous space is the Berger space. Moreover, we compute their Pontryagin classes and linking form to conclude that there is no pair of positively curved Bazaikin spaces which are homeomorphic, at least if the order of the sixth cohomology group with integer coefficients is less than 10