Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
North South Shared Aquatic Resource ( NS Share ) A review of the use of the littoral invertebrate communities of lakes for ecological classification

Assessing ecological quality of standing waters under the European Water Framework directive (2000/60/EC) requires inclusion of biological elements. For all surface waters this includes the “composition and abundance of benthic invertebrate fauna”. The use of benthic macroinvertebrates in river monitoring has a long tradition and is used routinely in many countries (Hellawell 1986; Metcalfe 1989; Rosenberg and Resh, 1993; Mason, 1996; Maitland, 1997). This reflects a view that invertebrates comprise a large number of species with a spectra of responses to environmental stresses; are principally sedentary, allowing effective spatial analyses of pollutants or disturbances; and have long life cycles conducive to assessment of short-term temporal disturbances (Reice and Wohlenberg, 1993). As well as direct toxic effects, invertebrate community structure can change with the addition of a pollutant at a sub-lethal concentration because of reduced competition, decreased resistance to predation and lowered reproductive success for the more sensitive organisms (Metcalfe, 1989). The tradition of including, or indeed relying, on metrics of the macroinvertebrate community for river monitoring programmes stems principally from a well established response to organic enrichment (Mason, 1996). In comparatively recent times this has included an assumed response to more general nutrient enrichment, as implicated from the use of BMWP water quality indices in the development of RIVPACS (River InVertebrate Prediction and Classification System) (Wright, 2000). In contrast to rivers, ecological assessment of lakes has focussed mainly on the response of open-water phytoplankton (usually measured as concentrations of chlorophyll a) to nutrient (mainly phosphorus) enrichment (O.E.C.D., 1982) and, to a lesser extent, that of profundal or sub-littoral invertebrate communities (Thienemann, 1931; Naumann, 1931; Saether, 1979; Lauritsen et al., 1985; Lang and Reymond, 1993, 1996; Dinsmore et al., 1999). The use of the profundal communities for lake assessment was the subject of an earlier review under NS Share and the profundal per se will not be addressed further in this review, other than where relevant to a particular point that is made in relation to the use of the littoral or sub-littoral fauna for lake assessment. Littoral invertebrates have also been used as a component in the assessment of acidification (Fjellheim and Raddum,
Dual cerebral processing of elementary auditory input in children

WE compared event-related responses (ERPs) to nonattended frequent and intermittent auditory input in school-aged children and in young adults. In adults, both inputs elicited prominent auditory N100 responses at vertex. In children, intermittent stimulation evoked vertex responses with similar latency and refractoriness, whereas frequently delivered identical tones evoked responses on average at 240 ms. Sensitization of a separate neuronal population at 260–300 ms was obvious during intermittent stimulation in children. The dual behaviour, simultaneous ‘habituation’ of one neuronal population response and sensitization of another, may reflect the process of redirecting the attention and setting up a neuronal model. Furthermore, results suggest that a simplistic interpretation of developmental ERPs in which shortening of latencies represents maturation is insufficient.
On reaching.

I deal in this review with behavioral and developmental aspects of arm movements aimed at targets in immediate extrapersonal space. In addition, neural mechanisms that may subserve this function are discussed on the basis of neuronal recording and brain lesion studies. However, this is not a comprehensive r view of each subject; thus, no exhaustive references are given, nor is a detailed tracing of the history of ideas underlying modern ~
An assessment of laser range measurement on marble surfaces

An important application of laser range sensing is found in the 3D scanning and modelling of heritage collections, and of sculptures in particular. Since a significant proportion of the statues in the world’s museums is composed of marble, the optical properties of this material under laser range sensing need to be understood. Marble’s translucency and heterogeneous structure produce significant bias and increased noise in the geometric measurements. Experiments on a sample of Carrara Statuario marble highlight the relationship between the laser spot diameter and the estimated noise levels in the geometric measurements. A bias in the depth measurement is also observed. These phenomena are believed to result from scattering on the surface of small crystals at or near the surface.
Standard Solar Models in the Light of New Helioseismic Constraints. II. Mixing below the Convective Zone

In previous work, we have shown that recent updated standard solar models cannot reproduce the radial profile of the sound speed at the base of the convective zone and fail to predict the photospheric lithium abundance. In parallel, helioseismology has shown that the transition from differential rotation in the convective zone to almost uniform rotation in the radiative solar interior occurs in a shallow layer called the tachocline. This layer is presumably the seat of a large-scale circulation and of turbulent motions. Here we introduce a macroscopic transport term in the structure equations that is based on a hydrodynamical description of the tachocline proposed by Spiegel & Zahn, and we calculate the mixing induced within this layer. We discuss the influence of different parameters that represent the tachocline thickness, the Brunt-Väisälä frequency at the base of the convective zone, and the time dependence of this mixing process along the Sun's evolution. We show that the introduction of such a process inhibits the microscopic diffusion by about 25%. Starting from models including a pre-main-sequence evolution, we obtain (1) a good agreement with observed photospheric chemical abundance of light elements such as 3He, 4He, 7Li, and 9Be; (2) a smooth composition gradient at the base of the convective zone; and (3) a significant improvement of the sound-speed square difference between the seismic Sun and the models in this transition region when we allow the photospheric heavy-element abundance to adjust, within the observational incertitude, as a result of the action of this mixing process. The impact on neutrino predictions is also discussed.
Intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and retinal blood flow autoregulation: a mathematical model to clarify their relationship and clinical relevance.

PURPOSE This study investigates the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal hemodynamics and predicts how arterial blood pressure (BP) and blood flow autoregulation (AR) influence this relationship. METHODS A mathematical model is developed to simulate blood flow in the central retinal vessels and retinal microvasculature as current flowing through a network of resistances and capacitances. Variable resistances describe active and passive diameter changes due to AR and IOP. The model is validated by using clinically measured values of retinal blood flow and velocity. The model simulations for six theoretical patients with high, normal, and low BP (HBP-, NBP-, LBP-) and functional or absent AR (-wAR, -woAR) are compared with clinical data. RESULTS The model predicts that NBPwAR and HBPwAR patients can regulate retinal blood flow (RBF) as IOP varies between 15 and 23 mm Hg and between 23 and 29 mm Hg, respectively, whereas LBPwAR patients do not adequately regulate blood flow if IOP is 15 mm Hg or higher. Hemodynamic alterations would be noticeable only if IOP changes occur outside of the regulating range, which, most importantly, depend on BP. The model predictions are consistent with clinical data for IOP reduction via surgery and medications and for cases of induced IOP elevation. CONCLUSIONS The theoretical model results suggest that the ability of IOP to induce noticeable changes in retinal hemodynamics depends on the levels of BP and AR of the individual. These predictions might help to explain the inconsistencies found in the clinical literature concerning the relationship between IOP and retinal hemodynamics.
Soluble CD40 Ligand Impairs the Function of Peripheral Blood Angiogenic Outgrowth Cells and Increases Neointimal Formation After Arterial Injury

Background— Recent work has revealed an essential involvement of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in inflammation and atherosclerosis. We investigated whether sCD40L functionally affects peripheral blood–derived angiogenic early outgrowth cells (EOCs) and neointimal remodeling after arterial injury. Methods and Results— Besides myeloid and endothelial markers, cultured human EOCs strongly expressed CD40 mRNA and protein. EOC adhesion to fibronectin, fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 under flow conditions, as well as their transmigration toward stromal cell–derived factor-1&agr;, was dose-dependently reduced after preincubation with recombinant human sCD40L for 24 hours. Integrin expression was unaffected by sCD40L, implying that integrin adhesiveness was attenuated. Surface-immobilized CD40L supported much lower adhesion of EOCs than fibronectin. Treatment of EOCs with sCD40L increased superoxide anion production and decreased viability and proliferation. Notably, CD40−/− mice displayed reduced neointima and improved re-endothelialization after carotid wire injury compared with wild-type mice, and therapeutic infusion of control EOCs but not EOCs pretreated with sCD40L attenuated neointimal growth after wire injury in nude mice. Furthermore, neointimal growth was more markedly diminished by infusion of spleen-derived CD40−/− mouse EOCs than by that of wild-type EOCs. Preincubation of wild-type EOCs but not CD40−/− EOCs with sCD40L before their infusion markedly aggravated neointimal formation. Treatment with sCD40L attenuated luminal incorporation of EOCs and accelerated neointimal progression. Conclusions— Endothelial dysfunction due to persistently elevated plasma levels of sCD40L may be attributable to an impairment of EOC function. Hence, in the context of arterial injury, therapeutic blockade of sCD40L may provide a novel strategy for accelerating endothelial regeneration and attenuating neointimal remodeling.
Corticotropin Releasing Factor Signaling in the Central Amygdala is Recruited during Binge-Like Ethanol Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice

A well established body of work indicates a crucial role for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in neurobiological responses associated with excessive dependence-like ethanol drinking in ethanol-vapor-exposed rodents. Recent evidence demonstrates a role for CRF in the modulation of binge-like ethanol consumption by nondependent mice, a behavior that can precede ethanol dependence. The CRF circuitry that is engaged by binge-like ethanol exposure, however, is unknown. Using converging approaches, we provide evidence that, similar to ethanol-vapor-induced increases in ethanol intake, CRF signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is engaged during binge-like ethanol consumption by C57BL/6J mice. Specifically, we found that binge-like consumption of an ethanol solution (20% ethanol v/v) was attenuated by pretreatment with the CRF1R antagonists antalarmin, 4-ethyl-[2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino-1-butanol, and NBI-27914 at doses (30 mg/kg, i.p.) that did not alter nonbinge-like ethanol consumption. Binge-like ethanol consumption resulted in significant increases of CRF immunoreactivity in the CeA immediately following ethanol drinking and 18–24 h following ethanol removal and also blocked the ability of CRF to enhance GABAergic transmission in the CeA 18–24 h following ethanol removal. Pretreatment with bilateral injections of antalarmin (1 μg/0.5 μl per side) into the CeA, but not the adjacent basolateral amygdala, significantly attenuated binge-like ethanol consumption. These findings suggest that CRF signaling in the CeA is recruited during excessive ethanol intake, before the development of dependence. We hypothesize that plastic changes in CRF signaling develop with repeated binge-like drinking episodes, contributing to the transition to dependence.
Pengaruh Insentif dan Locus of Control Terhadap Kinerja

Teori keagenan berasumsi bahwa adanya dorongan individu untuk mengesampingkan tindakan untuk memaksimumkan kemampuannya. Maka timbul pikiran untuk memunculkan insentif untuk memaksimumkan utility nya. Penelitian sebelumnya yang menunjukkan bahwa, insentif dan kinerja merupakan bagian dari pengelolaan yang kompleks untuk menunjukkan dan mempertahankan hubungan kerja antara perusahaan dan karyawan. Namun ada faktor lain yang mempengaruhi kinerja individu selain insentif, yaitu faktor keyakinan individu yang berupa locus of control yang merupakan faktor yang muncul dari dalam individu itu sendiri. Penelitian ini berusaha menguji faktor tersebut dengan mengajukan hipotesis “individu dengan insentif dan internal locus of control memiliki kinerja yang lebih tinggi daripada individu dengan insentif dan eksternal locus of control. ” Dari hasil studi eksperimental dengan menggunakan 50 mahasiswa Fakultas Ekonomi Jurusan Akuntansi Universitas Katolik Soegijapranata yang memenuhi syarat, menunjukkan bahwa pengujian hipotesis menggunakan ANOVA satu arah menunjukkan hasil locus of control bahwa signifikan pada 0,001. Hasil dari pengujian menggunakan ANOVA tersebut memberikan arti bahwa individu dengan insentif dan internal locus of control memiliki kinerja lebih tinggi daripada individu dengan insentif dan eksternal locus of control. Dengan demikian, hipotesis dalam penelitian eksperimen ini (Ha1) terdukung.
Attention web designers: You have 50 milliseconds to make a good first impression!

Three studies were conducted to ascertain how quickly people form an opinion about web page visual appeal. In the first study, participants twice rated the visual appeal of web homepages presented for 500 ms each. The second study replicated the first, but participants also rated each web page on seven specific design dimensions. Visual appeal was found to be closely related to most of these. Study 3 again replicated the 500 ms condition as well as adding a 50 ms condition using the same stimuli to determine whether the first impression may be interpreted as a 'mere exposure effect' (Zajonc 1980). Throughout, visual appeal ratings were highly correlated from one phase to the next as were the correlations between the 50 ms and 500 ms conditions. Thus, visual appeal can be assessed within 50 ms, suggesting that web designers have about 50 ms to make a good first impression.
Witchcraft, Witches, and Violence in Ghana

Prosecuting Authority has, to date, declined to press any charges and no officer has been held criminally responsible for the Marikana killings. Marinovich delivers a withering critique of mining giant Lonmin, the NUM, the police hierarchy and politicians – much of it based on evidence from the Farlam Commission of Inquiry. At the same time, he humanises the miners who risked all to go on strike. With great sensitivity, Marinovich explores the brutal underground working regimen, and squalid living conditions in the shacklands where most miners reside. The reader gains an appreciation for the sense of deprivation and betrayal that drove these men – who could ill-afford lost wages – to down tools, circumvent a hostile union, and confront a powerful employer backed by police and government. He situates the tragedy of Marikana in the context of the economic marginalisation that continues to affect so many black South Africans – even the relatively well-off minority that have waged work and benefits. These miners, and other workers, deal with the “black tax” wherein wage earners support a significant pool of unemployed and underemployed dependents. All too often the result is a ceaseless grind of debt, and despair for the future. As Marinovich observes,
Extremely low-loss vertically-tapered spot size converter in InP-based waveguide structure

Low-loss spot size converters (SSC) are important elements for coupling photonic integrated circuits to fibres. We have developed a Cl2-based inductively-coupled-plasma process to etch non-selectively InP and photo-resist (PR). This process was then used to transfer a vertically-tapered PR pattern into an InP/InGaAsP structure. The tapered PR pattern was made using a standard optical lithography combined with sliding-mask technique. One, 2 and 3-mm long SSCs were fabricated and characterized. Excess losses between 0.5-2 dB were measured for all SSCs. We also fabricated lateral SSCs using the same epi-structure, however these SSCs showed higher losses (>4dB/SSC).
Hybrid and bio-inspired Architecture approach for self-configuring behaviours in Cognitive Agents Student :

In this work, an hybrid, self-configurable, multilayered and evolutionary subsumption architecture for cognitive agents is developed. Each layer of the multilayered architecture is modeled by one different Machine Learning System (MLS) based on bio-inspired techniques such as Extended Classifier Systems (XCS), Artificial Immune Systems (AIS), Neuro Connectionist Q-Learning (NQL) and Learning Classifier Systems (LCS) among others. In this research an evolutionary mechanism based on Gene Expression Programming (GEP) to self-configure the behaviour arbitration between layers is suggested. In addition, a co-evolutionary mechanism to evolve behaviours in an independent and parallel fashion is used. The proposed approach was tested in an animat environment using a multiagent platform and it exhibited several learning capabilities and emergent properties for selfconfiguring internal agent’s architecture.
Testing animal models of human oculomotor control with neuroimaging

We know more about the primate oculomotor system than any other motor system. From numerous studies that have measured electrical activity in single neurons, applied electrical microstimulation, characterized the behavioral sequelae of lesions, and mapped the afferent and efferent connections in oculomotor areas, exquisite animal models of human oculomotor control have evolved. In this chapter, I review studies that have begun to test these animal models in humans using neuroimaging techniques. I hope to highlight the importance of this form of translational research by describing several successes involving our understanding of the roles of the frontal and parietal cortex in saccade control. Moreover, I will discuss several problematic methodological issues that have proven challenging to our efforts of translation. The primate oculomotor network-The superior colliculus (SC) is a phylogenetically ancient midbrain structure whose neural activity is synonymous with the conversion of sensory signals to commands used to control gaze (D.(see also chapter by White and Munoz in the current volume). Indeed, there are both visual and motor topographic maps within the SC's laminated intermediate and superficial layers, respectively. The SC is thought to reflect a convergence point where a variety of afferent cortical and subcortical signals are weighed, averaged, and compared to produce saccade commands The SC is particularly well positioned anatomically in the primate brain to integrate such signals (May, 2006). Importantly, in addition to visual signals from striate cortex that target the SC, a number of other cortical areas are known to influence neural activity in the SC. The frontal cortex contains over four distinct areas whose monosynaptic connections with the SC are thought to influence gaze programming. David Ferrier first reported that electrical stimulation of the monkey dorsal frontal cortex evoked contraversive eye movements (Ferrier, 1886). A dorsolateral portion of the large region he described has become known as the frontal eye field (FEF). With microstimulation, the FEF has been more precisely localized to the anterior bank of the arcuate sulcus in Brodmann's area 8 saccades can be elicited with very low current thresholds (< 50 µA). However, the boundaries of the functionally defined monkey FEF remain unclear and may extend into Brodmann's area 6 and Walker's area 45 The FEF contains an organized map of mostly contralateral visual space defined in eye-centered coordinates (Bruce, et al., 1985; Sommer & Wurtz, 2000). A rough progression of cells that code for large to short amplitude saccades can be …
Airborne Thermal Imagery to Detect the Seasonal Evolution of Crop Water Status in Peach, Nectarine and Saturn Peach Orchards

In the current scenario of worldwide limited water supplies, conserving water is a major concern in agricultural areas. Characterizing within-orchard spatial heterogeneity in water requirements would assist in improving irrigation water use efficiency and conserve water. The crop water stress index (CWSI) has been successfully used as a crop water status indicator in several fruit tree species. In this study, the CWSI was developed in three Prunus persica L. cultivars at different phenological stages of the 2012 to 2014 growing seasons, using canopy temperature measurements of well-watered trees. The CWSI was then remotely estimated using high-resolution thermal imagery acquired from an airborne platform and related to leaf water potential (ѰL) throughout the season. The feasibility of mapping within-orchard spatial variability of ѰL from thermal imagery was also explored. Results indicated that CWSI can be calculated using a common non-water-stressed baseline (NWSB), upper and lower limits for the entire growing season and for the three studied cultivars. Nevertheless, a phenological effect was detected in the CWSI vs. ѰL relationships. For a specific given CWSI value, ѰL was more negative as the crop developed. This different seasonal response followed the same trend for the three studied cultivars. The approach presented in this study demonstrated that CWSI is a feasible method to assess the spatial variability of tree water status in heterogeneous orchards, and to derive ѰL maps throughout a complete growing season. A sensitivity analysis of varying pixel size showed that a pixel size of 0.8 m or less was needed for precise ѰL mapping of peach and nectarine orchards with a tree crown area between 3.0 to 5.0 m2.
The influence of time on the decisions that students make about their academic reading

The study reported here investigated reading among students from the perspective of how students choose to use their time and whether they self-ration it. A survey of undergraduate students found that their self-reported allocation of time to academic activities other than reading was positively correlated to the reading that they did and that students’ reading was significantly correlated to their belief of being time constrained. Furthermore, the study found that students’ participation in nonacademic activities had a negative correlation to the reading they did for their courses. Finally, the study also found that students who allocated time for reading earlier than the day of class/lecture were more likely to complete these readings than those who allocated time closer to the day of class/lecture. This article argues that both students and faculty should have greater awareness of the choices students make in how they allocate their time and toward reading and other related activities.