Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
rbcL Phylogeny of the Fern Genus Trichomanes (Hymenophyllaceae), with Special Reference to Neotropical Taxa

In order to estimate evolutionary relationships within the filmy fern genus Trichomanes (Hymenophyllaceae), we performed a phylogenetic analysis using rbcL nucleotide data from 46 species of Trichomanes belonging to all four of C. V. Morton’s subgenera: Achomanes, Didymoglossum, Pachychaetum, and Trichomanes. Outgroups included four species of Hymenophyllum in three different subgenera, plus the monotypic genus Cardiomanes, from New Zealand. We find high resolution and robust support at most nodes, regardless of the phylogenetic optimization criterion used (maximum parsimony or maximum likelihood). Two species belonging to Morton’s Asiatic sections Callistopteris and Cephalomanes are in unresolved basal positions within Trichomanes s.l. , suggesting that rbcL data alone are inadequate for estimating the earliest cladogenetic events. Out of the four Morton trichomanoid subgenera, only subg. Didymoglossum appears monophyletic. Other noteworthy results include the following: (1) lianescent sect. Lacostea is more closely related to sect. Davalliopsis (traditionally placed in subg. Pachychaetum) than to other members of subg. Achomanes; (2) sections Davalliopsis and Lacostea, together with species of the morphologically different subg. Achomanes, make up a strongly supported Neotropical clade; (3) all hemiepiphytes (but not true lianas) and strictly epiphytic or epipetric species (Morton’s subgenera Trichomanes and Didymoglossum) group together in an ecologically definable clade that also includes the terrestrial sect. Nesopteris; and (4) sect. Lacosteopsis (sensu Morton) is polyphyletic and comprises two distantly related clades: large hemiepiphytic climbers and small strictly epiphytic/epipetric taxa. Each of these associations is somewhat unexpected but is supported by cytological, geographical, and/or ecological evidence. We conclude that many morphological characters traditionally used for delimiting groups within Trichomanes are, in part, plesiomorphic or homoplastic. Additionally, we discuss probable multiple origins of Neotropical Trichomanes.
Working-class experiences of male unemployment in Darlington

This research is focused upon variety in working-class experiences of unemployment» It explores how such variety may reflect differentiation within the working-class in employment opportunities in the context of recent economic change. Experiences of unemployment are examined with regard to the implications for standards of living, and domestic and social relations. Particular attention is paid to the degree and nature of deprivation associated with unemployment and the consequent fall in income. Finally, given the electoral victories of the Conservatives despite high levels of unemployment, this research asks if unemployment constitutes a central political issue for the working-class and whether any variation in attitude is discernible according to the labour market positions of different sections of the working-class. Interviews with twenty working-class households with varied employment histories are utilised to explore these issues. An important conclusion is that the unemployed do not constitute a homogeneous group nor is unemployment a uniform experience. For many of the unemployed the experience is likely to be a temporary one, though their subsequent employment is likely to be less favourable than previous jobs in terms of wage levels and working conditions. There is nevertheless a section of the workforce who experience long term unemployment, unskilled manual workers being particularly disadvantaged. This group is likely to be subject to considerable hardship as a consequence of dependency on social security benefits as a main source of income. Yet it is past employment experiences rather than those of unemployment which tend to shape attitudes both to domestic relations and a range of political issues, hence the value of the concept of career history. Significant differences according to experiences of unemployment did exist, however, in attitudes to government measures aimed directly at the unemployed, such as its income maintenance measures.
Formal biholomorphic maps of real analytic hypersurfaces

Let f :( M, p) → (M ,p ) be a formal biholomorphic mapping between two germs of real analytic hypersurfaces in C n , p = f(p). Assuming the source manifold to be minimal at p, we prove the convergence of the so-called reflection function associated to f. As a consequence, we derive the convergence of formal biholomorphisms between real analytic minimal holomorphically nondegenerate hypersurfaces. Related results on partial convergence of formal biholomorphisms are also obtained.
Human Capital as an Asset Class: Implications from a General Equilibrium Model

This paper derives the value and the risk of aggregate human capital in a dynamic equilibrium production model with Duffie-Epstein preferences. In this setting the expected return of a risky asset is a function of the asset's covariance with consumption growth and a weighted average of the asset's covariance with aggregate wage growth and aggregate financial returns. A calibration of the model matching the historical ratio of wages to consumption in the United States (85% between 1950 and 2007) suggests that the weight of human capital in aggregate wealth is 87%. The results of the calibration follow from the relative size of wages and dividends in the economy and the dynamics of the ratio of wages to consumption, which are counter-cyclical. As a result, human capital is less risky than equity, implying that the risk premium of human capital is lower than that of equity.
Drivers of employee commitment: Evidence from the 2011 workplace employment relations survey of employees

This study explores determinants of three measures of employee commitment - shared values with the organisation, loyalty, and pride in working for the organisation - using data from the 2011 UK Workplace Employment Relations Survey of Employees. Variables represent employees' attitudes towards the job, the workplace and working at the workplace. Outcomes of descriptive modelling (ordered probit analysis) are contrasted with predictive modelling (decision trees using Gini-index and Gain-ratio splitting measures). Findings show two types of influence: aspects that encourage employee involvement, and those that foster development of the employee's skills. Pay satisfaction has been found to be negatively correlated to commitment. Findings are discussed and specific opportunities for leaders to leverage these insights are provided.
An Expanded Set of Amino Acid Analogs for the Ribosomal Translation of Unnatural Peptides

Background The application of in vitro translation to the synthesis of unnatural peptides may allow the production of extremely large libraries of highly modified peptides, which are a potential source of lead compounds in the search for new pharmaceutical agents. The specificity of the translation apparatus, however, limits the diversity of unnatural amino acids that can be incorporated into peptides by ribosomal translation. We have previously shown that over 90 unnatural amino acids can be enzymatically loaded onto tRNA. Methodology/Principal Findings We have now used a competition assay to assess the efficiency of tRNA-aminoacylation of these analogs. We have also used a series of peptide translation assays to measure the efficiency with which these analogs are incorporated into peptides. The translation apparatus tolerates most side chain derivatives, a few α,α disubstituted, N-methyl and α-hydroxy derivatives, but no β-amino acids. We show that over 50 unnatural amino acids can be incorporated into peptides by ribosomal translation. Using a set of analogs that are efficiently charged and translated we were able to prepare individual peptides containing up to 13 different unnatural amino acids. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate that a diverse array of unnatural building blocks can be translationally incorporated into peptides. These building blocks provide new opportunities for in vitro selections with highly modified drug-like peptides.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Contain Calprotectin, a Cytosolic Protein Complex Involved in Host Defense against Candida albicans

Neutrophils are the first line of defense at the site of an infection. They encounter and kill microbes intracellularly upon phagocytosis or extracellularly by degranulation of antimicrobial proteins and the release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). NETs were shown to ensnare and kill microbes. However, their complete protein composition and the antimicrobial mechanism are not well understood. Using a proteomic approach, we identified 24 NET-associated proteins. Quantitative analysis of these proteins and high resolution electron microscopy showed that NETs consist of modified nucleosomes and a stringent selection of other proteins. In contrast to previous results, we found several NET proteins that are cytoplasmic in unstimulated neutrophils. We demonstrated that of those proteins, the antimicrobial heterodimer calprotectin is released in NETs as the major antifungal component. Absence of calprotectin in NETs resulted in complete loss of antifungal activity in vitro. Analysis of three different Candida albicans in vivo infection models indicated that NET formation is a hitherto unrecognized route of calprotectin release. By comparing wild-type and calprotectin-deficient animals we found that calprotectin is crucial for the clearance of infection. Taken together, the present investigations confirmed the antifungal activity of calprotectin in vitro and, moreover, demonstrated that it contributes to effective host defense against C. albicans in vivo. We showed for the first time that a proportion of calprotectin is bound to NETs in vitro and in vivo.
Feeny revisited: condensed tannins as anti‐herbivore defences in leaf‐chewing herbivore communities of Quercus

Abstract. 1. Community level oak–tannin–insect patterns have been largely unexplored since Paul Feeny's ground‐breaking research. Two hypotheses were tested for Quercus velutina and Q. alba in the Missouri Ozarks: abundance and richness of leaf‐chewing herbivores are negatively correlated with foliar condensed tannin concentrations and variation in condensed tannin concentrations explains variation in herbivore community structure.
Gene defect behind APECED: a new clue to autoimmunity.

The molecular background of human autoimmunity is poorly understood. Although many autoimmune diseases have a genetic basis, the actual disease appearance results from a complex interplay between genes and environment and thus these diseases represent typical multifactorial diseases. Even with molecular tools provided by the Human Genome Project, it still remains a challenge to identify the predisposing DNA variants behind such multifactorial traits. Two strategies have been suggested to provide short-cuts to the dissection of the genetic background of complex autoimmune diseases: (i) identification of genes in rare human diseases with a strong autoimmune component or (ii) unravelling loci causing phenotypes resembling autoimmune diseases in inbred mice strains. Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a monogenic autosomal disease with a recessive inheritance pattern, characterized by multiple autoimmune endocrinopathies, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophies. Since it is the only known human autoimmune disease inherited in a Mendelian fashion, it provides an excellent model to analyse the genetic component of human autoimmunity. The causative gene for APECED was isolated recently by a traditional positional cloning strategy by two independent groups. The cDNA for the APECED gene proved to originate from a novel gene, AIRE , which is expressed prevalently in thymus, pancreas and adrenal cortex. Multiple mutations in AIRE have been identified in APECED patients. The predicted proline-rich AIRE polypeptide harbours two PHD-type zinc finger motifs and contains a putative nuclear targeting signal suggesting its involvement in the regulation of transcription. In the future, functional analysis of the AIRE protein both in vitro and in vivo will provide valuable insight not only into the molecular pathogenesis of APECED but also into the aetiology of autoimmunity in general.
Realization of Nonlinear Acoustic Echo Cancellation by Subband Parallel Cascade Volterra Filter

In this paper, we propose low complexity realization of nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation. Generally, it is assumed that the acoustic echo path in hands free telecommunication systems is a linear system. However, the acoustic echo path in modern cellular phones has nonlinearity because the influence of nonlinear distortions of the low cost audio equipment is very large. In order to solve this problem, the nonlinear echo cancellation that includes the linearization system has been proposed. However, there is a problem of having huge computational complexity for convolution between the input signal and the 2nd-order Volterra kernel. Therefore, we propose a nonlinear echo cancellation which consists of subband parallel cascade realization of the 2nd-order Volterra kernel, and examine the validity through simulation results. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed realization can substantially reduce the computational complexity while maintaining the same echo return loss enhancement as the conventional one.
The use of flood regime information in regional flood frequency analysis

Abstract Understanding the hydro-climatological controls on floods is fundamental for estimating flood frequency. The river flood regime is a reflection of a complex catchment hydrological response to flood producing processes. Hence, the catchment similarity in a flood regime is a feasible basis for identifying flood frequency pooling groups used in regional estimation of design events. This study describes a focused pooling approach that is based on flood regime information. A flood regime descriptor that is sensitive to the modality of the underlying temporal distribution of flood occurrences, and depicts both flood seasonal pattern and flood regularity, was developed and tested. The approach was applied to peaks-over-threshold data from a number of essentially rural sites using a site-focused pooling framework. The relative performance of this approach was evaluated and compared with the performance of a pooling approach based on a previously used flood seasonality measure, using a regional bootstrap resampling technique. The regional bootstrap model was further used for quantifying the sensitivity of the proposed flood regime descriptor to the record length and the length of overlapping period. The results demonstrate that pooling based on the regime index proposed in this study out-performed the pooling based on the previously used seasonality measure in terms of both bias and RMSE of estimated flow quantiles. A detailed description of flood regime captured in the proposed index provides sufficient information for effective regional estimation of extreme flow quantiles for the study area.
FIRST-based survey of Compact Steep Spectrum sources IV. Multifrequency VLBA observations of very compact objects

Context. Evidence has been mounting recently that activity in some radio-loud AGNs (RLAGNs) can cease shortly after ignition and that perhaps even a majority of very compact sources may be short-lived phenomena because of a lack of stable fuelling from the black hole. Thus, they can fade out before having evolved to large, extended objects. Re-ignition of the activity in such objects is not rul ed out. Aims. With the aim of finding more examples of these objects and to in vestigate if they could be RLAGNs switched off at very early stages of their evolution, multifrequency VLBA observations of six sources with angular sizes significantly less than an arcse cond, yet having steep spectra, have been made. Methods. Observations were initially made at 1.65 GHz using the VLBA with the inclusion of Effelsberg telescope. The sources were then re-observed with the VLBA at 5, 8.4 and 15.4 GHz. All the observations were carried out in a snapshot mode with phase referencing. Results. One of the sources studied, 0809+404, is dominated by a compact component but also has diffuse, arcsecond-scale emission visible in VLA images. The VLBI observations of the “core” structure have revealed that this is also diffuse and fading away at higher frequencies. Thus, the inner component of 0809+404 could be a compact fading object. The remaining five sourc es presented here show either core-jet or edge-brightened double-lobed structures indicating that they are in an active phase. Conclusions. The above result is an indication that the activity of the hos t galaxy of 0809+404 may be intermittent. Previous observations obtained from the literature and those presented here indicate that activity had ceased once in the past, then restarted , and has recently switched off again.
Efficient Monopolies: The Limits of Competition in the European Property Insurance Market

This book presents startling evidence that state monopolies can produce better outcomes than the free market. It provides an empirical comparison of the property insurance market in five European countries: Britain, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Germany. The market and cost structures of insurers in each country are described, and particular features of each market and the outcomes for customers examined. The regulatory frameworks vary widely from country to country and so do the market outcomes, both in terms of premium level and in terms of available insurance cover. In view of the increase in major floods and other forms of natural damage (such as subsidence) over the last decades, the non-availability of insurance cover in many competitive insurance systems is likely to become a major political issue. This book shows that state monopoly is an adequate policy response. Competitive insurance systems are shown to provide incomplete cover at a substantially higher cost. In mixed systems, where the private sector can obtain reinsurance from the state (such a system is being tried in France) the state tends to end up paying most of the costs (it reinsures most of the bad risks) while the private insurance companies keep most of the premium income. The book will be of interest to academic economists interested in privatization, regulation, the theory of the firm, and insurance; Policy-makers concerned with regulation and privatization; Insurance companies, regulators, and analysts.
A contention-based MAC for wireless sensor networks including a mobile node

Wireless sensor networks with many inexpensive sensor nodes allow users to accurately monitor a remote environment. Usually one or several mobile nodes are used to collect and combine sensor data from each individual stationary node. These networks require robust wireless communication protocols that are energy efficient and provide low latency. Motivated by these applications, we develop a novel medium access control (MAC) protocol for this kind of applications. The sensor nodes are expected to remain inactive for most of time, but become active when a mobile node is nearby. A few techniques for energy saving are developed in our protocol, e.g., true-sleep and pseudo-sleep modes are introduced to reduce energy consumption. They are implemented by radio-triggered circuit which wakes up the stationary nodes as a mobile node moves into the stationary nodespsila reception range. The proposed protocol is simulated in OPNET Modeler 10.5. The simulation results show that the proposed protocol has better performance than S-MAC and EAR (Eavesdrop-And-Register) in terms of latency, energy efficiency, and throughput.
Clinical and service integration The route to improved outcomes

The King's Fund seeks to understand how the health system in England can be improved. Using that insight, we help to shape policy, transform services and bring about behaviour change. Our work includes research, analysis, leadership development and service improvement. We also offer a wide range of resources to help everyone working in health to share knowledge, learning and ideas.
DETERMINATION AND VERIFICATION OF ROBUST SPECTRAL FEATURES FOR AN AUTOMATED CLASSIFICATION OF SEALED URBAN SURFACES

Urban surface materials have an immense influence on ecological conditions of urban areas. In this context, frequent material-oriented identification of urban surfaces can support municipal authorities in planning processes. This requires hyperspectral remote sensing data that are characterized by high spectral and spatial resolution. For full exploitation of the information content, detailed spectral knowledge of urban surfaces is required and automated methods are needed for effective processing of those data. In this study, a methodology for the determination and validation of materials-specific spectral features has been developed that can be used for automated identification of urban surface materials. It is demonstrated for representative urban surfaces in the cities of Dresden and Potsdam, Germany. First, an urban spectral library consisting of field and image spectra was developed that has been analyzed in regard to typical spectral features and their variations. Based on a visual analysis, robust features that are highly independent of spectral variations caused by e.g. illumination and degradation have been selected. The quality of these features has been validated in regard to an improved separability of urban surface materials analyzing a confusion matrix within a classification process. For this purpose, the features were described numerically using adapted feature functions. The results of the classification show a very good separability especially for predominantly bright urban surfaces, but also for darker materials with weak reflectance features. Even differentiation between spectrally similar urban surfaces was feasible. The derived robust spectral features reduce the need for test-site-specific training information. This way, the developed methodology represents an important step towards fully-automated identification of urban surfaces.
Development and Validation of the College Admissions Knowledge Evaluation

This article describes the process used to develop a new measure of college knowledge and the findings from an initial study to examine the measure’s construct validity. We employed common test construction (item response theory, classical test theory) and factor analytic (exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis) approaches to analyzing the data from 519 graduating high school seniors; these analyses support the construct validity of the measure. We discuss the importance of college knowledge in the college decision-making process and implications for school counseling practice and research.