Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential effects of climate change on ecosystem distribution in Alberta

We propose a new and relatively simple modification to extend the utility of bioclimatic envelope models for land-use planning and adaptation under climate change. In our approach, the trajectory of vegetation change is set by a bioclimatic envelope model, but the rate of transition is determined by a disturbance model. We used this new approach to explore potential changes in the distribution of ecosystems in Alberta, Canada, under alternative climate and disturbance scenarios. The disturbance model slowed the rate of ecosystem transition, relative to the raw projections of the bioclimatic envelope model. But even with these transition lags in place, a northward shift of grasslands into much of the existing parkland occurred over the 50 years of our simulation. There was also a conversion of 12%-21% of Alberta's boreal re- gion to parkland. In addition to aspatial projections, our simulations provide testable predictions about where ecosystem changes as a result of climate change are most likely to be initially observed. We also conducted an investigation of model uncertainty that provides an indication of the robustness of our findings and identifies fruitful avenues for future research. Resume´ : Nous proposons une nouvelle modification relativement simple pour etendre l'utilitedes modeles d'enveloppe bioclimatique a la planification et al'adaptation de l'usage des terres dans le contexte des changements climatiques. Dans notre approche, le changement de trajectoire de la vegetation est determine ´'par un modele d'enveloppe bioclimatique mais le taux de changement est determinepar un modele de perturbation. Nous avons utilisecette nouvelle approche pour ex- plorer les changements potentiels dans la distribution des ecosystemes en Alberta, au Canada, en fonction de differents scenarios concernant le climat et les perturbations. Le modele de perturbation a ralenti le taux de transition des ecosys- temes relativement aux projections brutes du modele d'enveloppe bioclimatique. Mais meme avec des periodes de transi- tion plus longues en place, les prairies se sont etendues vers le nord et ont envahi presque toute la foret-parc actuelle pendant la periode de simulation d'une duree de 50 ans. Il y a aussi eu une conversion de 12 % - 21 % de la zone boreale de l'Alberta en foret-parc. En plus des projections aspatiales, nos simulations generent des predictions qui peuvent etre testees quant aux endroits oules changements d'ecosysteme dus aux changements climatiques ont le plus de chances d'etre observes en premier. Nous avons aussi investiguel'incertitude associee au modele qui fournit une indication de la robustesse de nos resultats et identifie les pistes prometteuses de recherches futures. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Lernmotivation und Lernstrategien als Bedingungen der Studienleistung

Zusammenfassung: Die bisherige Forschung zur Vorhersage von Studienleistungen leidet unter einem Mangel an langsschnittlichen Studien und komplexen Modellen. Beide Defizite sollten in der hier berichteten Studie in erster Annaherung bearbeitet werden. Im Zentrum stand die Frage, welche Bedeutung die selbstberichtete Nutzung von Lernstrategien fur die Studienleistung hat und in welchem Ausmas Lernstrategien die Effekte anderer (vor allem motivationaler) Variablen auf die Studienleistung (Vordiplomsnote) vermitteln kann. Die Datenanalysen basieren auf einer Stichprobe von 285 Studierenden verschiedener Fachrichtungen, die uber einen Zeitraum von 7 bis 11 Semestern einmal pro Semester gebeten wurden, einen Fragebogen zu einer Reihe relevanter Lernermerkmale auszufullen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Anstrengungsmanagement als einziger Aspekt des erfassten Lernverhaltens eine wichtige Rolle fur die Erklarung der Vordiplomsleistungen spielt. Die Einflusse aller anderen Variablen auf die Studienleistung werde.
Vers une modélisation de l'accentuation du français: première partie

Abstract Nous proposons d'effectuer dans cette étude un large tour d'horizon des problèmes liés à l'interprétation de l'accent en général et de l'accentuation du français contemporain en particulier. Cet « état des lieux » (première partie) débouche sur l'esquisse d'une modélisation du cadre accentuel du français (seconde partie) fondée sur une classification fonctionnelle des catégories d'accentuation et la mise en œuvre généralisée du principe de bipolarisation accentuelle qui permet, selon nous, de rendre compte du caractère probabilitaire de l'accentuation du français et de la variabilité de ses des motifs rythmiques attestés dans les formes prosodiques de surface.
Psychometric Investigation of the Modified Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised in an Elderly Sample

Psychometric analysis of a modified version of the Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (mSIB-R) was done by obtaining self- and informant- (e.g., spouse) reports of participants' functioning. Both reports showed excellent reliability, but with lower scores on the informant-reports than on the self-reports. Factor analysis of the mSIB-R resulted in three factors: basic living skills, social/cognitive engagement, and physical/environmental engagement. However, the composition of the factors varied somewhat by report (self or informant). The basic living skills factor on both reports correlated with Lawton and Brody's IADL measure. Investigating the mSIB-R's utility in differentiating among five groups with mild cognitive impairment suggested that informants rated individuals with deficits in multiple cognitive domains (including memory) the lowest across all factors. Self-reports were dependent on the factor in question. These results support the usefulness of the mSIB-R with non-demented elderly adults.
Self-Assessment of Linguistic Skills by Bilingual Hispanics

This study examines the ability of bilinguals to judge their linguistic competence. Participants evaluated their Spanish and English language skills both before and after administration of the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey, which provided an objective measure of these skills. Self-assessments were more accurate for Spanish than for English and, in the case of English, varied with the skill being rated. Feedback from the objective test improved self-rating accuracy more for Spanish than for English. There was little support for the conclusion that the language in which the self-assessments are presented influences bilinguals’ self-ratings of their linguistic skills. Implications for the use of self-assessments in applied situations are discussed.
Interactive roles of fibroblast growth factor 2 and neurotrophin 3 in the sequence of migration, process outgrowth, and axonal differentiation of mouse cochlear ganglion cells

A growth factor may have different actions depending on developmental stage. We investigated this phenomenon in the interactions of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and neurotrophins on cochlear ganglion (CG) development. The portions of the otocyst fated to form the CG and cochlear epithelium were cocultured at embryonic day 11 (E11). Cultures were divided into groups fed with defined medium, with or without FGF2 and neurotrophin supplements, alone or in combination, for 7 days. We measured the number of migrating neuroblasts and distances migrated, neurite outgrowth, and axonlike processes. We used immunohistochemistry to locate neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and its high‐affinity receptor (TrkC) in the auditory system, along with FGF2 and its R1 receptor, at comparable developmental stages in vitro and in situ from E11 until birth (P1) in the precursors of hair cells, support cells, and CG cells. Potential sites for interaction were localized to the nucleus, perikaryal cytoplasm, and cell surfaces, including processes and growth cones. Time‐lapse imaging and quantitative measures support the hypothesis that FGF2 alone or combined with neurotrophins promotes migration and neurite outgrowth. Synergism or antagonism between NT3 and other factors suggest interactions at the receptor level. Formation of axons, endings, and synaptic vesicle protein 2 were increased by interactions of NT3 and FGF2. Similar experiments with a mutant overexpressor for FGF2 suggest that endogenous FGF2 supports migration and neurite outgrowth of CG neuroblasts as well as proliferation, leading to accelerated development. The findings suggest interactive and sequential roles for FGF2 and NT3. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE EFFECT OF SEX SIMILARITY ON RECRUITERS' EVALUATIONS OF ACTUAL APPLICANTS: A TEST OF THE SIMILARITY‐ATTRACTION PARADIGM

The present study examined the effect of sex similarity on recruiters' evaluations of actual applicants in campus interviews and tested whether perceived similarity and interpersonal attraction mediated this effect. Structural equation modeling was performed on data from 476 campus interviews. The results revealed complex effects of sex similarity on recruiters' decision processes. Perceived similarity and interpersonal attraction mediated the effect of sex similarity on female recruiters' assessments of applicants' qualifications. Unexpectedly, female recruiters saw male applicants as more similar to themselves and more qualified than female applicants. For male recruiters, interview outcomes were not affected by sex similarity. Social identity theory, which suggests that the status associated with demographic characteristics may influence the nature of demographic similarity effects, provides a possible explanation for the findings.
Alzheimer's disease a century later.

OBJECTIVE To provide a current survey of the clinical and pathologic features, known genetic and suggested pathogenic contributions, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related forms of dementia. DATA SOURCES PubMed was searched for specific indexing terms identified by the authors as relevant to the topic. Also included were diagnostic and consensus criteria and classic references long standing in the Alzheimer's disease literature. DATA SYNTHESIS AD is the most common form of disabling cognitive impairment in older persons, and its prevalence is rapidly growing as people live to older ages. Clinically, the disorder is characterized by a gradual but progressive decline in memory and other cognitive domains and the frequent occurrence of noncognitive behavioral symptoms. Neuropathologically, the cardinal features of AD include neuritic plaques, neuro-fibrillary tangles, and the loss of synapses and neurons. The clinical evaluation of AD includes a history and physical examination, laboratory tests, and structural brain imaging to exclude less common forms of dementia. The clinical management of AD includes medication and nonmedication strategies for addressing cognitive, behavioral, and other commonly associated symptoms of patients as well as lifestyle changes such as driving cessation and residential care. Genetic causes of familial Alzheimer's disease as well as genes that predispose to late-onset and sporadic Alzheimer's disease have led to greater understanding of the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative process. CONCLUSIONS While there has been great promise in the scientific understanding, early detection, and tracking of AD and in the discovery of promising disease-slowing treatments, there remains an unmet urgent need to identify effective primary and secondary prevention therapies in order to avert a financially overwhelming public health problem.
Patient-computer dialogue.

DIALOGUE between doctor and patient is a time-honored process revered by the medical profession. During conversation with his patient the doctor can establish rapport, evaluate his patient's ability to engage in productive discussion, observe his patient's nonverbal behavior and collect historical information of clinical relevance. In addition, he can dispense useful information and attempt psychotherapy. Verbal communication is perhaps more central to psychotherapy than to any other aspect of medicine. Yet doctors as interviewers are busy, expensive and sometimes hard to find. It seems reasonable, therefore, to look for substitutes that will serve at least some of the purposes of .
Association between the Glu298Asp polymorphism in the endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene and brain infarction. The GENIC Investigators.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by endothelial constitutive NO synthase (ecNOS) plays a key role in vascular regulation and atherosclerosis. Little is known concerning the role of the ecNOS gene (NOS3) as a risk factor for brain infarction (BI). Our aim was to investigate the relation between the Glu298Asp polymorphism in exon 7 of NOS3 with BI and its subtypes. METHODS Patients (n=460; cases) with BI were consecutively recruited and classified into etiological subtypes. Control subjects (n=460; controls) without a history of stroke were recruited among individuals hospitalized at the same institutions and individually matched on age, sex, and center. Genotypes of the polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The distribution of genotypes was significantly different between cases and controls (P=0.008); the GG genotype was more frequent in cases (46.1%) than in controls (35.4%; OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.04). Among subtypes, the frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in cases than in controls in the lacunar subtype (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.05 to 3. 80); in this group, the relation between BI and LDL level was stronger among carriers of the GG genotype than among noncarriers (P for interaction, 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Homozygosity for the G allele of the Glu298Asp polymorphism in NOS3 was associated with BI, and especially with lacunar stroke. Our findings suggest that genetic susceptibility and LDL cholesterol have a synergistic relation. Although these findings should be replicated in a larger sample of subjects and the functionality of the Glu298Asp polymorphism has not been established, these results may help us to understand the cause of the arteriolopathy underlying lacunae and have future implications in their treatment and prevention.
With the benefit of hindsight: Reflections on uses and gratifications research

Uses and gratifications research has had a history of over forty years, and shows continued signs of lively activity, despite a good deal of criticism and some disappointment amongst its own practitioners. This article, written from a position within, or close to, the tradition, expresses some regret at the failure to deal adequately with questions of “culture gaps” and “knowledge gaps. ” It suggests that the failure lies partly in the dominance of one behavioristic paradigm and suggests an alternative “culturalist” model of the media experience which might help re‐orient research to important, but neglected, matters.
Sex Offender Community Notification: Its Role in Recidivism and Offender Reintegration

This study investigated the effectiveness of Megan’s law in reducing recidivism among convicted sex offenders. The policy of making such offenders more visible to the public through officially notifying communities when they are returned to society is based on the premise that warning potential victims increases the public’s ability to protect itself against future victimization. The community would be better protected because those undergoing extensive notification will know that they are being watched and thus will be deterred from reoffending. Effectiveness was assessed by examining rates of return to prison for conditionally free offenders under correctional control. The study used a four‐and‐a‐half‐year follow‐up period and covered all those in one state who had undergone high level notification from September 1997 to July 1999. Their recidivism patterns were matched with a similar sample in the same state who, while meeting the state’s criteria for public notification, were not dealt with in this way. The results show that, after controlling for relevant demographic and criminal history variables, extensive community notification had no direct effect on the likelihood or unlikelihood of recommitment to prison. No significant differences were found between the high level and low level notification groups in their post‐release behavior culminating in rearrest and return to prison.
Influence des actionnaires institutionnels français et étrangers sur la performance financière des firmes

L’objectif de cet article est d’etudier l’incidence de la presence des investisseurs institutionnels sur la performance des firmes. Nous avons distingue ces investisseurs selon deux categories : francais ou etrangers, et differencions la nature des relations qu’ils peuvent developper avec les entreprises en portefeuilles. A partir d’un echantillon forme par les entreprises de l’indice SBF120, nos resultats indiquent un caractere plutot heterogene de ces acteurs. Nous n’avons egalement pu attribuer un role plus actif aux institutionnels etrangers par rapport a leurs homologues francais. Notre recherche semble dans ce cadre contredire l’orientation generalement passive attribuee aux institutionnels francais, surtout en cas de concentration de l’actionnariat entre les mains de ces acteurs.
Influences of contextual variables on the intention to use technology in education: A latent variable modeling approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of selected individual, technological and implementation variables on the intention to use technology, among a sample of primary school teachers in Singapore.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 385 teachers from 18 primary schools completed a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to six constructs that are categorized into in three contexts in which teachers’ intention to use technology was influenced. Latent variable modeling was used as the technique for data analysis.Findings – The results showed that teachers’ intention to use technology was not significantly influenced by the three contexts. However, each of the three contexts was significantly explained by their variables. The results suggest that the teachers in this study may have conceptualized the influences on their intention to use technology differently than commercial users of technology, as seen from the information sciences literature.Originality/value – This stu.
Identity and Emotional Competence as Mediators of the Relation between Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Adult Love Relationships

This study tested whether identity formation and emotional competence mediated the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and adult attachment styles, and tested the differential long-term effects of psychological abuse and neglect. The sample included 187 undergraduates in romantic relationships. Measures assessed the extent of childhood trauma, family expressiveness, alexithymia, self-esteem, self-concept, and adult attachment style. Results of path analysis showed that emotional competence, but not self-identity, mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment and adult attachment styles. Self-identity mediated the relationship between psychological maltreatment and emotional competence. Emotional abuse and neglect both were associated with lack of contentment, sense of worthiness and significance, alexithymia, and fearful adult attachment style. Results support the importance of emotional competence for forming adult romantic relationships.
Learning of Position Evaluation in the Game of Othello

Conventional Othello programs are based on a thorough analysis of the game, crafting sophisticated evaluation functions and supervised learning techniques with use of large expert-labeled game databases. This paper presents an alternative by training a neural network to evaluate Othello positions via temporal difference (TD) learning. The approach is based on network architecture that reflects the spatial and temporal organization of the domain. The network begins as a random network and by simply playing against itself achieves an intermediate level of play.
High Performance InAs/${\rm In}_{0.53}{\rm Ga}_{0.23}{\rm Al}_{0.24}{\rm As}$/InP Quantum Dot 1.55 $\mu{\rm m}$ Tunnel Injection Laser

The characteristics of 1.55 μm InAs self-organized quantum-dot lasers, grown on (001) InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy, have been investigated. Modulation doping of the dots with holes and tunnel injection of electrons have been incorporated in the design of the active (gain) region of the laser heterostructure. Large values of To=227 K (5<sup>°</sup>C ≤ T ≤ 45<sup>°</sup>C) and 100 K were derived from temperature dependent measurements of the light-current characteristics. The modal gain per dot layer is 14.5 cm<sup>-1</sup> and the differential gain derived from both light-current and small-signal modulation measurements is ~ 0.8×10<sup>-15</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>. The maximum measured -3 dB small-signal modulation bandwidth is 14.4 GHz and the gain compression factor is 5.4×10<sup>-17</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>. The lasers are characterized by a chirp of 0.6 Å for a modulation frequency of 10 GHz and a near zero α-parameter at the peak of the laser emission. These characteristics are amongst the best from any 1.55 μm edge-emitting semiconductor laser.
The politics of language and nation building in Zimbabwe

The politics of language and nation building in Zimbabwe, by Finex Ndhlovu, Bern and New York, Peter Lang, 2009, xvi + 227 pp., €37.80/US$56.95, ISBN 978-3-03911-942-4 The ostensible cultural-natio.
Effect of Low- and High-Virulence Yersinia enterocolitica Strains on the Inflammatory Response of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

ABSTRACT Pathogenic strains of Yersinia spp. inject a set of Yop effector proteins into eukaryotic cells by using a plasmid-encoded type III secretion system. In this study, we analyzed the inflammatory response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after infection with different Yersinia enterocolitica strains. We found that both expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and release of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 by HUVECs are downregulated in a YopP-dependent way, demonstrating that YopP plays a major role in the inflammatory response of these cells. Infection of HUVECs with several low-virulence (biotype 2, 3, and 4) and high-virulence (biotype 1B) Y. enterocolitica strains showed that biotype 1B isolates are more efficient in inhibiting the inflammatory response than low-virulence Y. enterocolitica strains and that this effect depends on the time of contact. We extended the results of Ruckdeschel et al. and found that on the basis of the presence or absence of arginine-143 of YopP (K. Ruckdeschel, K. Richter, O. Mannel, and J. Heesemann, Infect. Immun. 69:7652-7662, 2001) all the Y. enterocolitica strains used fell into two groups, which correlate with the low- and high-virulence phenotypes. In addition, we found that high-virulence strains inject more YopP into the cytosol of eukaryotic target cells than do low-virulence strains.