Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanding population edges: theories, traits, and trade‐offs

Recent patterns of global change have highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of species range shifts and expansions. Unique demographic features, spatial processes, and selective pressures can result in the accumulation and evolution of distinctive phenotypic traits at the leading edges of expansions. We review the characteristics of expanding range margins and highlight possible mechanisms for the appearance of phenotypic differences between individuals at the leading edge and core of the range. The development of life history traits that increase dispersal or reproductive ability is predicted by theory and supported with extensive empirical evidence. Many examples of rapid phenotypic change are associated with trade‐offs that may influence the persistence of the trait once expansion ends. Accounting for the effects of edge phenotypes and related trade‐offs could be critical for predicting the spread of invasive species and population responses to climate change.
Measuring preferential attachment in evolving networks

A key ingredient of many current models proposed to capture the topological evolution of complex networks is the hypothesis that highly connected nodes increase their connectivity faster than their less connected peers, a phenomenon called preferential attachment. Measurements on four networks, namely the science citation network, Internet, actor collaboration and science coauthorship network indicate that the rate at which nodes acquire links depends on the node's degree, offering direct quantitative support for the presence of preferential attachment. We find that for the first two systems the attachment rate depends linearly on the node degree, while for the last two the dependence follows a sublinear power law.
A network perspective on the virus world

ABSTRACT Viral evolution is characterized by high rates of horizontal gene transfer and fast sequence divergence. Furthermore, there are no universal genes shared by all viruses. As a result, distant relationships among viruses are better represented by a network than by a tree. Here we discuss 3 network representations of the virus world with decreasing levels of complexity, from a multilayer network that integrates sequence conservation and patterns of gene sharing to a classic genome similarity network. As new tools for network analysis are developed, we expect that novel insights into virus evolution will result from the study of more complex representations of the virus world.
A 288-GHz Lens-Integrated Balanced Triple-Push Source in a 65-nm CMOS Technology

A 288-GHz lens-integrated high-power source implemented in a 65-nm CMOS technology is presented. The source consists of two free-running triple-push ring oscillators locked out-of phase by magnetic coupling. The oscillators drive a differential on-chip ring antenna, which illuminates a hyper-hemispherical silicon lens through the backside of the die. An on-wafer breakout of the oscillators core achieves a peak output power of -1.5 dBm with a 275-mW DC power consumption. The radiated power of the packaged source is -4.1 dBm, which is the highest reported radiated power of a single CMOS source beyond 200 GHz. The source die including the antenna occupies only 500 x 570 μ m2.
Gender Differences in the Progression of Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease Induced by Chronic Nitric Oxide Inhibition

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered a public health problem, assuming epidemic proportions worldwide. In this context, the preponderance of CKD prevalence in male over age-matched female patients is of note. In the present study, we investigated the impact of the gender on the development of experimental CKD induced by chronic nitric oxide (NO) inhibition in Wistar male and female rats through the administration of L-NAME. CKD model induced by L-NAME is characterized by systemic vasoconstriction, resulting in severe hypertension, albuminuria, renal ischemia, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial expansion, and macrophage infiltration. After 30 days of CKD induction, male NAME rats exhibited remarkable albuminuria, augmented cortical histological damage, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis. Age-matched female NAME rats showed significantly lower albuminuria, diminished glomerular ischemia, and glomerulosclerosis, as well as a significant reduction in the expression of α-smooth muscle actin renal interstitial Ang II+ cells. Thus, the present study demonstrated that female rats submitted to the NAME model developed less severe CKD than males. Female renoprotection could be promoted by both the estrogen anti-inflammatory activity and/or by the lack of testosterone, related to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hyperactivation and fibrogenesis. However, the influence of sex hormones on the progression of CKD needs to be further investigated.
Dimensions of Women’s Mate Preferences

A large number of studies have assessed human mate preferences using lists of characteristics. To date, there is little data regarding mate preferences in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate dimensions in mate preferences among Iranian women and to validate a female-specific instrument in Iranian context. Three studies were designed and conducted. The first study was an interview-based qualitative analysis of women’s mate preferences. The second study provided a psychometrically sound list of 26 characteristics in a potential mate. The third study confirmed the five-factor structure of the instrument. In sum, five dimensions of mate preferences among Iranian women are kindness/dependability, status/resources, attractiveness/sexuality, religiosity/chastity, and education/intelligence, as measured by the newly developed 26-item scale.
Motor cognition: TMS studies of action generation

The discovery and earliest applications of TMS both involved the motor system (Barker et al. 1985). Since then, TMS has been used in three quite different ways to study motor cognition. First, TMS can be used to provide a controllable and physiologically-specified input to the skeletomotor system. Several sensory studies, for example, have used TMS to generate muscle contractions in the absence of volition and movement preparation. This allows controlled psychophysical studies of the perception of bodily movement (Haggard et al. 2002; Ellaway et al. 2004; Haggard and Whitford 2004). In other studies, TMS-evoked movements are used as perturbations of the motor apparatus. Here the focus is on preparatory and reactive adjustment for the perturbation (Bonnard et al. 2003 2004). In this method, TMS is generally delivered over the primary motor cortex, but effects on the brain are less important than the effects on the body. Although this use of TMS has great value as a peripheral stimulus for studying kinesthesis, it is logically quite different from the use of TMS to study specific brain areas and processes, and so is not considered further here. A second, very important use of TMS has been as an online probe of cortical motor excitability. This is reviewed in detail elsewhere (e.g. Chapter 9, this volume). A TMS test pulse can provide a known, if artificial, input to the motor cortex. This will cause a twitch in target muscles (motor-evoked potential, MEP) whose amplitude can be precisely measured. It may also cause an inhibition of ongoing electromyogram (EMG) (silent period, SP). In cognitivemotor studies, the size of these excitatory or inhibitory effects is measured as a function of cognitive factors like task, expectancy and so forth. Changes in the motor output for a constant TMS input are interpreted in terms of differences between conditions, or across time, in motor system excitability. Importantly, this method can provide a completely implicit and on-line measure of the state of the cortical action system. Often a test pulse is preceded by a conditioning stimulus such as a sensory input or a conditioning TMS pulse to the same or another brain area. Third, TMS can be used to interfere with cognitive-motor processes involved in action control, and widely described throughout this volume. Because the brain processes involved in generating a simple action are essentially serial, a single TMS pulse delivered at an appropriate time over an actively involved brain area may disrupt action control. Such single-pulse effects tend to be highly informative, because of their temporal and spatial specificity. On the other CHAPTER 30
Computer modeling of graphene nanoribbon interconnects

In this paper computer models are developed of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) interconnects. A multilayer GNR interconnect model is created, as well as an accurate computer interconnect model based on ABCD parameters. Investigation in the frequency and in the time domain is performed. Computer SPICE models are also created taking into account the frequency effects in GNR interconnects. The results are compared to measured data obtained from referenced sources and thus have been verified.
Effects of Imposed Salinity Gradients on Dissimilatory Arsenate Reduction, Sulfate Reduction, and Other Microbial Processes in Sediments from Two California Soda Lakes

ABSTRACT Salinity effects on microbial community structure and on potential rates of arsenate reduction, arsenite oxidation, sulfate reduction, denitrification, and methanogenesis were examined in sediment slurries from two California soda lakes. We conducted experiments with Mono Lake and Searles Lake sediments over a wide range of salt concentrations (25 to 346 g liter−1). With the exception of sulfate reduction, rates of all processes demonstrated an inverse relationship to total salinity. However, each of these processes persisted at low but detectable rates at salt saturation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of partial 16S rRNA genes amplified from As(V) reduction slurries revealed that distinct microbial populations grew at low (25 to 50 g liter−1), intermediate (100 to 200 g liter−1), and high (>300 g liter−1) salinity. At intermediate and high salinities, a close relative of a cultivated As-respiring halophile was present. These results suggest that organisms adapted to more dilute conditions can remain viable at high salinity and rapidly repopulate the lake during periods of rising lake level. In contrast to As reduction, sulfate reduction in Mono Lake slurries was undetectable at salt saturation. Furthermore, sulfate reduction was excluded from Searles Lake sediments at any salinity despite the presence of abundant sulfate. Sulfate reduction occurred in Searles Lake sediment slurries only following inoculation with Mono Lake sediment, indicating the absence of sulfate-reducing flora. Experiments with borate-amended Mono Lake slurries suggest that the notably high (0.46 molal) concentration of borate in the Searles Lake brine was responsible for the exclusion of sulfate reducers from that ecosystem.
Study on Relationship Between Learning Achievement and Mental Health Status in Junior School Students

Objective To study the relationship between learning achievement and mental health status in junior school students.Methods Students' general condition questionnaire,interpersonal testing scale and behavior problem questionnaire rated by teachers were conducted among 411 students who were in the first and second grades in the 21th Junior High School in Taiyuan.Results There was close relationship between learning achievement and mental health status.They were influenced and to be the cause and result each other.Conclusion The students who had better self understanding and interpersonal relationship were better students,and the students who had worse interpersonal relationship or more behavior problems were lower ones.
Quantum Dissipative Systems and Feedback Control Design by Interconnection

The purpose of this paper is to extend J.C. Willems' theory of dissipative systems to open quantum systems described by quantum noise models. This theory, which combines ideas from quantum physics and control theory, provides useful methods for analysis and design of dissipative quantum systems. We describe the interaction of the plant and a class of external systems, called exosystems, in terms of feedback networks of interconnected open quantum systems. Our results include an infinitesimal characterization of the dissipation property, which generalizes the well-known Positive Real and Bounded Real Lemmas, and is used to study some properties of quantum dissipative systems. We also show how to formulate control design problems using network models for open quantum systems, which implements Willems' “control by interconnection” for open quantum systems. This control design formulation includes, for example, standard problems of stabilization, regulation, and robust control.
Collaborating for community food security: Emerging scholar participation in a community–university partnership

In recent years, there has been rapid growth in community–university partnerships. As part of this trend, emerging scholars, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, have demonstrated significant interest in being part of community-engaged research projects. However, while there is a growing body of literature on the general subject of CU partnerships, the perspective of emerging scholars is not adequately addressed. In this paper, we aim to address that gap by presenting the case of a specific partnership – one that focused on the issue of community food security – and highlighting the role played by emerging scholars. We suggest that some of the challenges and opportunities characteristic of CU work affect emerging scholars, and the partnerships in which they are involved, in unique ways. Because we view emerging scholar participation in engaged research as valuable for both researchers and community partners, we argue in favour of developing institutional spaces that can support their involvement in CU partnerships by providing opportunities to do the work, facilitating skill building and creating communities of practice.
An ultra low-power Successive Approximation ADC using an offset-biased auto-zero comparator

This paper presents a new offset-biased autozero comparator for the design of an ultra low-power charge redistribution successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SA-ADC) dedicated to biomedical applications. The circuits are realized in CSM 0.18 mum CMOS technology. The simulated results have shown that the power consumption of the 10-bit ADC is only 6.2 muW at a single supply of 1.8 V whilst sampling at a frequency of 64 kHz, with conversion time of 187.5 vs. The energy per quantization level is less than 0.1pJ/level.
Greening the Supply Chain: When is Customer Pressure Effective?

Suppliers face increasing pressure from their customers to improve their environmental performance. When firms downstream in the supply chain seek to achieve such improvements themselves, they frequently request that their suppliers adopt greener practices. This paper investigates the rationale for suppliers to comply with or resist the mandate of their customers to adopt the international environmental management standard ISO 14001 in the North American automotive industry. We argue that the effectiveness of such a mandate will vary according to the characteristics of the relationship between suppliers and customers. We contrast and test hypotheses based on both transaction cost and information theories to suggest that suppliers, whether in a dependent or distant relationship with their customers, have incentives to comply with the requests of their customers but through different mechanisms. Our study analyzed the characteristics of 3,152 automotive suppliers located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the 2000–2003 period. Findings indicate that suppliers with highly specialized assets, as well as younger suppliers, suppliers headquartered in Japan, and those reporting to the Toxic Release Inventory, are more likely to respond to their customers' pressures to adopt the certified management standard ISO 14001.
Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

This document is not a formal publication of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all rights are reserved by the Organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced and translated, in part or in whole, but not for sale or for use in conjunction with commercial purposes. The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document, including tables and maps, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WHO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
Série Scientifique Scientific Series Aspiration Levels and Educational Choices an Experimental Study Aspiration Levels and Educational Choices an Experimental Study

Reproduction partielle permise avec citation du document source, incluant la notice ©. Short sections may be quoted without explicit permission, if full credit, including © notice, is given to the source. CIRANO Le CIRANO est un organisme sans but lucratif constitué en vertu de la Loi des compagnies du Québec. Le financement de son infrastructure et de ses activités de recherche provient des cotisations de ses organisations-membres, d'une subvention d'infrastructure du Ministère du Développement économique et régional et de la Recherche, de même que des subventions et mandats obtenus par ses équipes de recherche. CIRANO is a private non-profit organization incorporated under the Québec Companies Act. Its infrastructure and research activities are funded through fees paid by member organizations, an infrastructure grant from the Ministère du Développement économique et régional et de la Recherche, and grants and research mandates obtained by its research teams. Le CIRANO collabore avec de nombreux centres et chaires de recherche universitaires dont on peut consulter la liste sur son site web. Les cahiers de la série scientifique (CS) visent à rendre accessibles des résultats de recherche effectuée au CIRANO afin de susciter échanges et commentaires. Ces cahiers sont écrits dans le style des publications scientifiques. Les idées et les opinions émises sont sous l'unique responsabilité des auteurs et ne représentent pas nécessairement les positions du CIRANO ou de ses partenaires. This paper presents research carried out at CIRANO and aims at encouraging discussion and comment. The observations and viewpoints expressed are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily represent positions of CIRANO or its partners. Abstract The explanation of social inequalities in education is still a debated issue in economics. Recent empirical studies tend to downplay the potential role of credit constraint. This article tests a different potential explanation of social inequalities in education, specifically that social differences in aspiration level result in different educational choices. Having existed for a long time in the sociology of education, this explanation can be justified if aspiration levels are seen as reference points in a Prospect Theory framework. In order to test this explanation, this article applies the method of experimental economics to the issue of education choice and behaviour. One hundred twenty-nine individuals participated in an experiment in which they had to perform a task over fifteen stages grouped in three blocks or levels. In order to continue through the experiment, a minimum level …
The three‐dimensional structure of the RNA‐binding domain of ribosomal protein L2; a protein at the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome

Ribosomal protein L2 is the largest protein component in the ribosome. It is located at or near the peptidyl transferase center and has been a prime candidate for the peptidyl transferase activity. It binds directly to 23S rRNA and plays a crucial role in its assembly. The three‐dimensional structure of the RNA‐binding domain of L2 from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been determined at 2.3 Å resolution by X‐ray crystallography using the selenomethionyl MAD method. The RNA‐binding domain of L2 consists of two recurring motifs of ∼70 residues each. The N‐terminal domain (positions 60–130) is homologous to the OB‐fold, and the C‐terminal domain (positions 131–201) is homologous to the SH3‐like barrel. Residues Arg86 and Arg155, which have been identified by mutation experiments to be involved in the 23S rRNA binding, are located at the gate of the interface region between the two domains. The molecular architecture suggests how this important protein has evolved from the ancient nucleic acid‐binding proteins to create a 23S rRNA‐binding domain in the very remote past.
The long shadow of occupation: Volunteering in retirement

This article examines the extent to which the former occupation of an employee impacts the likelihood that he or she will decide to volunteer upon retirement. Following social production function theory, we assume that beginning with retirement, the status value attached to their former occupation fades. Because volunteering has the character of a collective good, it provides an opportunity to gain social status, offsetting the loss of occupational status. However, the extent of the incentive to volunteer will be distributed unequally across occupations: the higher the former occupational status value, the higher the perceived loss of status after retirement. Thus, a job with high status value increases the incentive to volunteer in retirement. This assumption is tested using data taken from the German Socio-Economic Panel 1992–2013. The gross sample contains 1,631 workers and 589 retirees, 271 of whom transitioned into volunteering during the observation window. Based on Kaplan-Meier failure estimates, complementary log-log hazard models, and conditional effects plots, findings show a positive effect of occupational status on the transition into volunteering. Thus, the loss of high occupational status can be compensated by the social status associated with volunteering. Formal volunteering in retirement follows, albeit to a lesser extent, the logic of the occupational social strata.
Pharmacokinetics of a New Proton‐pump Inhibitor, YJA‐20379‐8, after Intravenous and Oral Administration to Rats with Streptozotocin‐induced Diabetes Mellitus

Because physiological changes occurring in diabetes mellitus patients could alter the pharmacokinetics of the drugs used to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics of a new proton pump inhibitor, YJA‐20379‐8, were investigated after intravenous and oral administration of the drug (50 mg kg−1) to control rats and to rats with streptozotocin‐induced diabetes mellitus (SIDM).
A Token Economy Made Easy Through ClassDojo

Students with behavioral and emotional disabilities spend less time on academic instruction due to their behavioral disruptions, contributing to the academic difficulties these students face. Classroom management strategies, in the form of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), incorporate principles of applied behavior analysis to shape student behaviors through the use of motivation and positively reinforce good behaviors. A strategy often used in PBIS systems is a token economy. This column provides practitioners with a strategy for implementing a token economy using ClassDojo, a web-based classroom management program available for computers and mobile devices.