Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating PAH Biodegradation Relative to Bacterial Carbon Demand in Coastal Ecosystems: Are PAHs Truly Recalcitrant?

Various techniques have been used to evaluate microbial metabolic activity in natural environments. In recent years, tracer additions of radiolabeled substrates coupled with short term, environmentally-relevant incubation experiments have become standard for assessing overall microbial growth rates as well as utilization rates for specific components of the bioavailable carbon pool. Using these techniques, microbial activities have been determined over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales in a variety of estuarine settings, providing valuable insight into carbon cycling in these dynamic systems. In this paper, we focus on patterns of microbial carbon consumption in estuarine sediments and relate these to the utilization of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a recalcitrant, yet microbially available component of the carbon pool. Drawing on extensive field studies and those published in the literature, we relate microbial metabolic activities to the utilization of specific carbon species, discuss the partitioning of carbon between bacterial production and respiration (utilization efficiency), address the substrate-activity relationship for utilization of recalcitrant organic carbon and identify seasonal effects on the utilization of natural and anthropogenic carbon pools. These studies elucidate the advantages, disadvantages and caveats of relating microbial consumption of bulk labile organic carbon to the utilization of specific components and improve our ability to predict the fate of organic contaminants in estuarine systems. No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services. Thomas J. Boyd, David C. Smith, Jude K. Apple et al. 2
MODELING THE TRANSFER FUNCTION FOR THE DARK ENERGY SURVEY

We present a forward-modeling simulation framework designed to model the data products from the Dark Energy Survey (DES). This forward-model process can be thought of as a transfer function—a mapping from cosmological/astronomical signals to the final data products used by the scientists. Using output from the cosmological simulations (the Blind Cosmology Challenge), we generate simulated images (the Ultra Fast Image Simulator) and catalogs representative of the DES data. In this work we demonstrate the framework by simulating the 244 deg2 coadd images and catalogs in five bands for the DES Science Verification data. The simulation output is compared with the corresponding data to show that major characteristics of the images and catalogs can be captured. We also point out several directions of future improvements. Two practical examples—star–galaxy classification and proximity effects on object detection—are then used to illustrate how one can use the simulations to address systematics issues in data analysis. With clear understanding of the simplifications in our model, we show that one can use the simulations side-by-side with data products to interpret the measurements. This forward modeling approach is generally applicable for other upcoming and future surveys. It provides a powerful tool for systematics studies that is sufficiently realistic and highly controllable.
The Goodwin model: simulating the effect of cycloheximide and heat shock on the sporulation rhythm of Neurospora crassa.

The Goodwin model is a negative feedback oscillator which describes rather closely the putative molecular mechanism of the circadian clock of Neurospora and Drosophila. An essential feature is that one or two clock proteins are synthesized and degraded in a rhythmic fashion. When protein synthesis in N. crassa (wild-type frq+and long-period mutant frq7) was inhibited by continuous incubation with increasing concentrations of cycloheximide (CHX) the period of the circadian sporulation rhythmicity is only slightly increased. The explanation of this effect may be seen in the inhibition of protein synthesis and protein degradation. In the model, increasing inhibition of both processes led to very similar results with respect to period length. That protein degradation is, in fact, inhibited by CHX is shown by determining protein degradation in N. crassa by means of pulse chase experiments. Phase response curves (PRCs) of the N. crassa sporulation rhythm toward CHX which were reported in the literature and investigated in this paper revealed significant differences between frq+and the long period mutants frq7and csp -1 frq7. These PRCs were also convincingly simulated by the model, if a transient inhibition of protein degradation by CHX is assumed as well as a lower constitutive degradation rate of FRQ-protein in the frq7/ csp -1 frq7mutants. The lower sensitivities of frq7and csp -1 frq7towards CHX may thus be explained by a lower degradation rate of clock protein FRQ7. The phase shifting by moderate temperature pulses (from 25 to 30 degrees C) can also be simulated by the Goodwin model and shows large phase advances at about CT 16-20 as observed in experiments. In case of higher temperature pulses (from 35 to 42 or 45 degrees C=heat shock) the phase position and form of the PRC changes as protein synthesis is increasingly inhibited. It is known from earlier experiments that heat shock not only inhibits the synthesis of many proteins but also inhibits protein degradation. Taking this into account, the Goodwin model also simulates the PRCs of high temperature (heat shock) pulses.
ontinuity and change in the American class structure : orkplace ownership and authority relations from 1972 to 2010 eoffrey

This study investigates changes in the American class structure – defined in terms of workplace ownership and authority relations – and trends in status group disparities in class attainment from 1972 to 2010. Although theory and prior research suggest a variety of appreciable changes in class structure and class attainment, data from the General Social Survey indicate that the sizes of different classes remained fairly stable during this time period and that status group disparities in access to ownership and authority persisted largely intact. The 1970s witnessed a decline in the proportion of workers and growth in the proportion of managers and proprietors, but these trends reversed in the 1980s. As a result, by the late 2000s, the ownership and authority structure of the U.S. economy closely resembled that of the
Thulium doped fiber amplifier in the SIS + band Employing Different Concentration profiles By :

This work contains a comparative study for the signal gain of thulium-doped fiber amplifier (TDFA) in the S-Band. Different doping techniques are used to obtain different concentration profiles in silica fibers. The optimal one is found to be the step like profile. TDFA is investigated in new prepared glass hosts. These hosts include: silicate, bismuth, fluoride, tellurite, chalcohalide, and heavy metal oxide. The effect ofthe different parameters on signal gain of the optical amplifiers is studied, followed by a comparison to select the best glass host. Results showed that the highest gain can provide by bismuth (Bi) glass host and broad band gain from 1450 nm to 1520 nm with a peak wavelength around 1480 nm. A maximum gain above 28.5 dB is obtained with 11 m long Bi-TDFA. These characteristics indicate that Bi-TDFA is a very promising candidate for S-band amplifiers. Indlex Ternms: Thulium, Concentration Profile, Optical Fiber Amplifiers, Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WD:M).
IP-10 Expression in Patients with Chronic HBV Infection and Its Ability to Predict the Decrease in HBsAg Levels after Treatment with Entecavir

Interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), also known as chemokine C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL) 10, is closely associated with antiviral immunity and the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the value of baseline serological and histological IP-10 expression levels in predicting the efficacy of the antiviral response to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) is still unknown. In our research, intrahepatic and peripheral IP-10 expression levels were systemically examined before and after treatment with entecavir (ETV). Baseline serological and histological IP-10 expression levels were significantly increased in patients with CHB, particularly in patients with higher degrees of liver inflammation and liver fibrosis. Moreover, higher baseline intrahepatic IP-10 levels indicated better prognoses in patients with CHB after entecavir therapy. The baseline IP-10 level was also positively associated with several clinical parameters, including baseline levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and with the decrease in HBsAg levels after treatment. In addition, monocyte-derived IP-10 was expressed at higher levels in patients with CHB than in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and healthy controls (HC). According to the results of our in vitro experiments, IP-10 directly promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. Based on these findings, baseline serological and histological IP-10 levels might predict CHB severity and the decrease in HBsAg levels after entecavir therapy.
Coagulant plus ballast technique provides a rapid mitigation of cyanobacterial nuisance

Cyanobacteria blooms are a risk to environmental health and public safety due to the potent toxins certain cyanobacteria can produce. These nuisance organisms can be removed from water bodies by biomass flocculation and sedimentation. Here, we studied the efficacy of combinations of a low dose coagulant (poly-aluminium chloride—PAC—or chitosan) with different ballast compounds (red soil, bauxite, gravel, aluminium modified zeolite and lanthanum modified bentonite) to remove cyanobacterial biomass from water collected in Funil Reservoir (Brazil). We tested the effect of different cyanobacterial biomass concentrations on removal efficiency. We also examined if zeta potential was altered by treatments. Addition of low doses of PAC and chitosan (1–8 mg Al L-1) to the cyanobacterial suspensions caused flock formation, but did not settle the cyanobacteria. When those low dose coagulants were combined with ballast, effective settling in a dose-dependent way up to 99.7% removal of the flocks could be achieved without any effect on the zeta potential and thus without potential membrane damage. Removal efficacy was influenced by the cyanobacterial biomass and at higher biomass more ballast was needed to achieve good removal. The combined coagulant-ballast technique provides a promising alternative to algaecides in lakes, ponds and reservoirs.
Apparent sediment diffusion coefficients for oxygen and oxygen consumption rates measured with microelectrodes and bell jars: applications to oxygen budgets in estuarine intertidal sediments (Oosterschelde, SW Netherlands)

Oxygen fluxes in shallow marine sediments exceeded calculated oxygen fluxes based on molecular diffusion of oxygen. Oxygen fluxes measured with bell jars in a stagnant lagoon, combined with oxygen gradients measured with microelectrodes (bell jar/microelectrode method), resulted in apparent sediment hffusion coefficients 2 to 3 times higher than the molecular coeff~cient. We have developed a new method to calculate the apparent sediment diffusion coefficient from oxygen gradient measurements and independently measured downward-directed oxygen production fluxes, both measured with microelectrodes (microelectrode gradientlproduction method). Diffusion coefficients calculated In this way differed at most 13 % from the apparent sediment diffusion coefficients calculated using the bell jar/microelectrode method. The microelectrode gradient/production method was applied to emerged sediments of the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands), and apparent diffusion coefficients for these sediments exceeded molecular diffusion by 2 to 5 times. Dark oxygen gradients measured with microelectrodes were used to calculate the oxygen consumption rate of the sediment. The Q l o value for this rate ranged from 1.3 to 2.7. Two types of oxygen consumption rates were distinguished. A light-independent oxygen consumption rate depending on diffusion from the overlying water or air was found, varying between 0.63 to 3.65 mm01 O2 m-2 h-' at different stations. This consumption increased by 12 to 14 % of the gross oxygen production during the emersion period in light, in the presence of benthic microalgal production. A net outflux of maximum 45 mm01 O2 m-2 was found for the entire emersion per~od, whereas over a 24 h period production and consumption of oxygen were in equilibrium. Thus, mineral~zation and respiration processes within the sediment consume most of the oxygen produced by benthic microalgae on a daily basis.
“Just Don’t Bore Us To Death”: Seventh Graders’ Perceptions of Flipping a Technology-Mediated English Language Arts Unit

This mixed methods study aimed to assess student engagement during the flipped model of instruction in two seventh-grade English language arts (ELA) classrooms. Implementation of the flipped model required students (n=183) and teachers (n=2) to use digital technology via a website and teacher-made videos. It compared student perceptions during a flipped unit to those same students’ perceptions during a traditionally taught unit. A hybrid embedded design and case study interviews were used to assess students’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement. Data analysis revealed that overall student engagement decreased in the flipped unit and that students were divided in their reactions to the flipped method with one student poignantly writing on the survey, “Just don’t bore us to death. ” This work is significant in that it is among the first to examine whether course content matters when utilizing the flipped method and whether student engagement in the traditional ELA curriculum is unique due its emphasis on discussion and holistic assessment.
Demand System Estimation and its Application To Horizontal Merger Analysis

The past decade has witnessed remarkable developments in the quantitative analysis of horizontal mergers. Increases in computing power and the quantity and quality of data available have substantially reduced the costs of estimating demand systems using econometric methods. Good estimates of retail demand elasticities can make an important contribution to assessing the potential effects of a manufacturer merger on consumer prices. While estimates of demand relationships can make substantial contributions to merger analysis, it is much like every other area of empirical economics, in that practitioners invariably are forced to confront and resolve a series of difficult econometric and conceptual issues. The purpose of this paper is to identify a number of these issues that we believe researchers and practitioners should address, as a general matter, and in specific applications in which these issues are pertinent, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of antitrust analysis. † This paper is a draft version of a paper that will be forthcoming in “The Use of Econometrics in Antitrust,” American Bar Association Section on Antitrust, J. Harkrider, ed. * We would like to thank Hajime Hadeishi, Christopher Taylor, Aileen Thompson, Shawn Ulrick, Matthew White, and members of the Department of Justice’s Economics Analysis group, particularly Greg Werden and Scott Thompson for their comments on the paper, and Sara Harkavy for excellent research support. We would like to thank Orley Ashenfelter, Luke Froeb, John Geweke, Jerry Hausman, Ariel Pakes, and David Weiskopf for their consultations on demand estimation. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the FTC or its individual Commissioners.
Hot forming and superplastic forming performance of high-temperature BTi-62421S titanium alloy

Experiments including crimping,cold pressing,hot pressing,hot bulging,hot forming were carried out to achieve the hot deforming performance of BTi-62421S alloy.The tensile tests under superplastic temperature were also carried out to determine the optimum parameters of superplastic forming.Furthermore,a BTi-62421S alloy frame and a rudder were superplastic deformed.The results show BTi-62421S alloy tube can be hot-bulged at(620±10)℃for 20-25 min,and a big cage part can be hot-formed at about 750℃although the alloy is anisotropic.BTi-62421S alloy has the optimal superplastic performance with the elongation of 448.5%when being deformed at the temperatuire of 920℃and the strain rate of 1.5×10~(-4) s~(_1). A BTi-62421S titanium alloy frame and a rudder satisfying with the design requirements can be formed successfully under this condition.
Small-diameter malignant melanoma: a common diagnosis in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND The "ABCDE" guide developed at the New York University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School has proved useful in the detection of early malignant melanomas. This guide stipulates that melanomas usually are more than 6 mm in maximal diameter and are elevated. OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to determine whether these size criteria applied in Australia. METHODS The records of 1150 melanoma patients at the Sydney Melanoma Unit between June 1989 and September 1991 were reviewed. RESULTS Almost one third of the 1150 melanomas (358) were 6 mm or less in maximal diameter, and the median thickness of these 358 melanomas was 0.8 mm. CONCLUSION The "ABCDE" guide to the signs of early melanoma may have to be modified to include smaller diameter, clinically impalpable melanomas. There appears to be a close correlation between patient age at diagnosis and both lesion diameter and thickness. Because increases in diameter occurred more rapidly than increases in thickness, subtle increases in lesion diameter may provide a better clue to earlier diagnosis.
Attitude-Trajectory Estimation for Forward-Looking Multibeam Sonar Based on Acoustic Image Registration

This work considers the processing of acoustic data from a multibeam forward-looking sonar (FLS) on a moving underwater platform to estimate the platform's attitude and trajectory. We propose an algorithm to produce an estimate of the attitude trajectory for an FLS based on the optical flow between consecutive sonar frames. The attitude trajectory can be used to locate an underwater platform, such as an autonomous underwater vehicle, to a degree of accuracy suitable for navigation. It can also be used to build a mosaic of the underwater scene. The estimation is performed in three steps. First, a selection of techniques based on the optical flow model is used to estimate a pixel displacement map (DM) between consecutive sonar frames represented in the native polar (range/bearing) format. The second step finds the best match between the estimated DM and DMs for a set of modeled sonar sensor motions. To reduce complexity, it is proposed to describe the DM with a small parameter vector derived from the displacement distribution. Thus, an estimate of the incremental sensor motion between frames is made. Finally, using a weighted regularized spline technique, the incremental interframe motions are integrated into an attitude trajectory for the sonar sensor. To assess the accuracy of the attitude-trajectory estimate, it is used to register FLS frames from a field experiment data set and build a high-quality mosaic of the underwater scene.
Stable isotopes evaluate exploitation of anthropogenic foods by the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)

Abstract The unprecedented rate of urbanization over the past several decades is a major concern for conservation globally and has given rise to the multidisciplinary field of urban ecology. This field explores the direct and indirect effects of human activities on food-web dynamics, community structure, and animal behavior in highly modified urban ecosystems. Urban ecosystems are typically characterized by reduced species diversity but increased abundance of a few species able to exploit anthropogenic food sources. For many urban mammalian and avian species direct resource subsidization is difficult to assess using traditional means such as scat analysis. Here we show how stable isotope analysis can be used to assess the exploitation of anthropogenic foods in an endangered carnivore, the San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inhabiting the southern San Joaquin Valley in California. Examination of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope data shows that kit foxes living in urban Bakersfield, California, extensively exploit anthropogenic foods, which sharply contrasts with dietary data derived from scat analysis. Urban kit foxes had significantly higher δ13C and lower δ15N values than foxes from adjacent nonurban areas and had similar isotope values as Bakersfield human residents, which suggests a shared food source. In contrast, examination of isotopic data for nonurban kit foxes shows that they largely consume the most abundant natural prey species found in their scats. Stable isotope analysis offers a rapid and cost-effective means of evaluating the degree to which urban wildlife populations exploit anthropogenic foods in areas where native C4 vegetation is relatively uncommon or absent, important in assessing the direct impacts of human activities on food-web dynamics in urban ecosystems. We anticipate that the isotopic gradients used here will be useful in assessing the exploitation of anthropogenic foods in other urban wildlife populations.
Looking through the Eye of the Mouse: A Simple Method for Measuring End-to-end Latency using an Optical Mouse

We present a simple method for measuring end-to-end latency in graphical user interfaces. The method works with most optical mice and allows accurate and real time latency measures up to 5 times per second. In addition, the technique allows easy insertion of probes at different places in the system I.e. mouse events listeners - to investigate the sources of latency. After presenting the measurement method and our methodology, we detail the measures we performed on different systems, toolkits and applications. Results show that latency is affected by the operating system and system load. Substantial differences are found between C++/GLUT and C++/Qt or Java/Swing implementations, as well as between web browsers.
Multispectral imaging in the extended near-infrared window based on endogenous chromophores

Abstract. To minimize the problem with scattering in deep tissues while increasing the penetration depth, we explored the feasibility of imaging in the relatively unexplored extended near infrared (exNIR) spectral region at 900 to 1400 nm with endogenous chromophores. This region, also known as the second NIR window, is weakly dominated by absorption from water and lipids and is free from other endogenous chromophores with virtually no autofluorescence. To demonstrate the applicability of the exNIR for bioimaging, we analyzed the optical properties of individual components and biological tissues using an InGaAs spectrophotometer and a multispectral InGaAs scanning imager featuring transmission geometry. Based on the differences in spectral properties of tissues, we utilized ratiometric approaches to extract spectral characteristics from the acquired three-dimensional “datacube”. The obtained images of an exNIR transmission through a mouse head revealed sufficient details consistent with anatomical structures.