Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A seed predator drives the evolution of a seed dispersal mutualism

Although antagonists are hypothesized to impede the evolution of mutualisms, they may simultaneously exert selection favouring the evolution of alternative mutualistic interactions. We found that increases in limber pine (Pinus flexilis) seed defences arising from selection exerted by a pre-dispersal seed predator (red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) reduced the efficacy of limber pine's primary seed disperser (Clark's nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana) while enhancing seed dispersal by ground-foraging scatter-hoarding rodents (Peromyscus). Thus, there is a shift from relying on primary seed dispersal by birds in areas without red squirrels, to an increasing reliance on secondary seed dispersal by scatter-hoarding rodents in areas with red squirrels. Seed predators can therefore drive the evolution of seed defences, which in turn favour alternative seed dispersal mutualisms that lead to major changes in the mode of seed dispersal. Given that adaptive evolution in response to antagonists frequently impedes one kind of mutualistic interaction, the evolution of alternative mutualistic interactions may be a common by-product.
Medium-Term Electricity Trading Strategies for Producers, Consumers and Retailers

Within a yearly time framework this tutorial paper describes stochastic programming models to determine the electricity market strategies pertaining to producers, consumers and retailers. A year-ahead forward market and a day-ahead pool market are considered. Hourly pool prices as well as the hourly demands of consumers and retailers are modeled as stochastic variables. Decisions pertaining to the forward market are made at the beginning of the year while decisions involving the pool are made throughout the year. The resulting large-scale decision-making problems of producers, consumers and retailers are formulated and characterized as large-scale mixed-integer linear programming problems, which can be solved using commercially available software. Conclusions are finally drawn.
Review of Ontology Matching Approaches and Challenges

Ontology mapping aims to solve the semantic heterogeneity problems such as ambiguous entity names, different entity granularity, incomparable categorization, and various instances of different ontologies. The mapping helps to search or query data from different sources. Ontology mapping is necessary in many applications such as data integration, ontology evolution, data warehousing, e-commerce and data exchange in various domains such as purchase order, health, music and e-commerce. It is performed by ontology matching approaches that find semantic correspondences between ontology entities. In this paper, we review state of the art ontology matching approaches. We describe the approaches according to instance-based, schema-based, instance and schema-based, usage-based, element-level, and structure-level. The analysis of the existing approaches will assist us in revealing some challenges in ontology mapping such as handling ontology matching errors, user involvement and reusing previous match operations. We explain the way of handling the challenges using new strategy in order to increase the performance.
Word Wins Over Face: Emotional Stroop Effect Activates the Frontal Cortical Network

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been implicated in higher order cognitive control of behavior. Sometimes such control is executed through suppression of an unwanted response in order to avoid conflict. Conflict occurs when two simultaneously competing processes lead to different behavioral outcomes, as seen in tasks such as the anti-saccade, go/no-go, and the Stroop task. We set out to examine whether different types of stimuli in a modified emotional Stroop task would cause similar interference effects as the original Stroop-color/word, and whether the required suppression mechanism(s) would recruit similar regions of the medial PFC (mPFC). By using emotional words and emotional faces in this Stroop experiment, we examined the two well-learned automatic behaviors of word reading and recognition of face expressions. In our emotional Stroop paradigm, words were processed faster than face expressions with incongruent trials yielding longer reaction times and larger number of errors compared to the congruent trials. This novel Stroop effect activated the anterior and inferior regions of the mPFC, namely the anterior cingulate cortex, inferior frontal gyrus as well as the superior frontal gyrus. Our results suggest that prepotent behaviors such as reading and recognition of face expressions are stimulus-dependent and perhaps hierarchical, hence recruiting distinct regions of the mPFC. Moreover, the faster processing of word reading compared to reporting face expressions is indicative of the formation of stronger stimulus–response associations of an over-learned behavior compared to an instinctive one, which could alternatively be explained through the distinction between awareness and selective attention.
Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake from Plasma Membrane Cav3.2 Protein Channels Contributes to Ischemic Toxicity in PC12 Cells*

Background: T-type Ca2+ (Cav3.2) channel inhibitors prevent neuronal death during ischemia, but the cytotoxic signals have not been resolved. Results: Cav3.2 channels generate cytotoxic Ca2+ elevations in the cytosol and mitochondria of PC12 cells deprived of oxygen and glucose. Conclusion: Ca2+ transfer from Cav3.2 channels to mitochondria contributes to ischemic toxicity. Significance: Cav3.2 channels and the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) are potential targets for the treatment of stroke. T-type Ca2+ channel inhibitors protect hippocampal CA1 neurons from delayed death after global ischemia in rats, suggesting that Cav3.1, Cav3.2, or Cav3.3 channels generate cytotoxic Ca2+ elevations during anoxia. To test this hypothesis, we measured the Ca2+ concentration changes evoked by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in the cytosol and in the mitochondria of PC12 cells. OGD evoked long-lasting cytosolic Ca2+ elevations that were reduced by Cav3.2 inhibition (50 μm Ni2+) and Cav3.1/Cav3.2 silencing and potentiated by Cav3.2 overexpression. The kinetics of the sustained cytosolic Ca2+ elevations occurring during OGD directly correlated to the extent of cell death measured 20 h after reoxygenation, which was decreased by Ni2+ and Cav3.1/Cav3.2 silencing and increased by Cav3.2 overexpression. Ni2+ and Cav3.1/Cav3.2 silencing delayed the decline of cellular ATP during OGD, consistent with a reduction in the Ca2+ load actively extruded by plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps. The cytosolic Ca2+ elevations were paralleled by mitochondrial Ca2+ elevations that were also increased by Cav3.2 overexpression and decreased by Ni2+ but not by Cav3.1/Cav3.2 silencing. Overexpression and silencing of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, the major mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake protein, revealed that the cytotoxicity was correlated to the amplitude of the mitochondrial, rather than the cytosolic, Ca2+ elevations. Selective activation of T-type Ca2+ channels evoked both cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ elevations, but only the mitochondrial responses were reduced by Cav3.1/Cav3.2 silencing. We conclude that the opening of Cav3.2 channels during ischemia contribute to the entry of Ca2+ ions that are transmitted to mitochondria, resulting in a deleterious mitochondrial Ca2+ overload.
Managing Technical Debt in Software Engineering (Dagstuhl Seminar 16162)

This report documents the program and outcomes of Dagstuhl Seminar 16162, “Managing Technical Debt in Software Engineering. ” We summarize the goals and format of the seminar, results from the breakout groups, a definition for technical debt, a draft conceptual model, and a research road map that culminated from the discussions during the seminar. The report also includes the abstracts of the talks presented at the seminar and summaries of open discussions.
MiRNA-Mediated Control of HLA-G Expression and Function

HLA-G is a non-classical HLA class-Ib molecule expressed mainly by the extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVT) of the placenta. The expression of HLA-G on these fetal cells protects the EVT cells from immune rejection and is therefore important for a healthy pregnancy. The mechanisms controlling HLA-G expression are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that miR-148a and miR-152 down-regulate HLA-G expression by binding its 3′UTR and that this down-regulation of HLA-G affects LILRB1 recognition and consequently, abolishes the LILRB1-mediated inhibition of NK cell killing. We further demonstrate that the C/G polymorphism at position +3142 of HLA-G 3′UTR has no effect on the miRNA targeting of HLA-G. We show that in the placenta both miR-148a and miR-152 miRNAs are expressed at relatively low levels, compared to other healthy tissues, and that the mRNA levels of HLA-G are particularly high and we therefore suggest that this might enable the tissue specific expression of HLA-G.
[Time from motor symptoms onset to diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in Mexico].

INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms with an insidious onset. Identification of these symptoms by the patient as well as by the physician is determinant in order to achieve an early diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To determine the time from motor symptoms onset to the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and analyze the clinical and demographic factors related to it. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out including subjects with Parkinson's disease seen during the 2011-2012 period and belonging to the Mexican National Parkinson's Registry. Time from symptom onset to the diagnosis was collected; its relation with demographic and clinical characteristics was assessed. RESULTS A total of 1,062 subjects were included. Delay in diagnosis was 29.5 months. Predictive factors for a longer diagnostic delay were symptoms onset before 40 years of age (B: -0.350; p < 0.001) and a positive family history of Parkinson's disease (B: 0.224; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of Parkinson´s disease in Mexico is two and a half times greater than what has been reported for other countries.
Microwave‐Assisted Preparation of Hydrogel‐Forming Microneedle Arrays for Transdermal Drug Delivery Applications

1 A microwave (MW)‐assisted crosslinking process to prepare hydrogel‐forming microneedle (MN) arrays was evaluated. Conventionally, such MN arrays are prepared using processes that includes a thermal crosslinking step. Polymeric MN arrays were prepared using poly(methyl vinyl ether‐alt‐maleic acid) crosslinked by reaction with poly(ethylene glycol) over 24 h at 80 °C. Polymeric MN arrays were prepared to compare conventional process with the novel MW‐assisted crosslinking method. Infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate the crosslinking degree, evaluating the area of the carbonyl peaks (2000–1500 cm−1). It was shown that, by using the MW‐assisted process, MN with a similar crosslinking degree to those prepared conventionally can be obtained in only 45 min. The effects of the crosslinking process on the properties of these materials were also evaluated. For this purpose swelling kinetics, mechanical characterisation, and insertion studies were performed. The results suggest that MN arrays prepared using the MW assisted process had equivalent properties to those prepared conventionally but can be produced 30 times faster. Finally, an in vitro caffeine permeation across excised porcine skin was performed using conventional and MW‐prepared MN arrays. The release profiles obtained can be considered equivalent, delivering in both cases 3000–3500 μg of caffeine after 24 h.
Interdefining Causation and Intervention

Non-reductive interventionist theories of causation and methodologies of causal reasoning embedded in that theoretical framework have become increasingly popular in recent years. This paper argues that one variant of an interventionist account of causation, viz. the one presented, for example, in Woodward (2003), is unsuited as a theoretical fundament of interventionist methodologies of causal reasoning, because it renders corresponding methodologies incapable of uncovering a causal structure in a finite number of steps. This finding runs counter to Woodward's own assessment and to other recent studies which presume that Woodward's version of interventionism is effectively applicable to uncover causal structures, e.g. Campbell (2007) or Shapiro and Sober (2007).
Classroom Climate, Rigorous Instruction and Curriculum, and Students' Interactions in Urban Middle Schools

In this study we investigated the relation of rigorous instructional practices and teachers' efforts to create a respectful, collaborative learning environment to students' positive behavior toward one another and to the rate and quality of students' participation in classroom discussions. Full class period (i.e., 50-minute) observations of English language arts and mathematics lessons were conducted in 34 sixth- and seventh-grade classrooms in five high-poverty, urban, public middle schools (N = 608 students, 64 observations). Raters coded each lesson for the affective qualities of the classroom environment, the rigor of curricular tasks including guidelines for student work, and the quality of teacher-student verbal exchanges. We applied multiple regression techniques to explain predictive relations between classroom climate, instructional quality, and student behavior. Results indicated that the degree of respect that teachers showed students significantly predicted students' behavior toward one another. The presence of explicit rules in the classroom for respectful, prosocial behavior also significantly predicted the number of students who participated in discussions. Further, the quality of students' participation in class discussions—that is, the degree to which they built on other students' contributions and explained and supported their responses—was predicted by teachers pressing students to explain their thinking in discussions and by the rigor of the questions posed to students in the discussion.
A study of performance on tests from the CANTAB battery sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction in a large sample of normal volunteers: Implications for theories of executive functioning and cognitive aging

Several tests from the CANTAB neuropsychological test battery previously shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction were administered to a large group of normal volunteers (N = 341) ranging in age from 21 to 79 years. The main tests included a computerized form of the Tower of London test of planning, a self-ordered spatial working memory task, and a test of attentional set formation and shifting. A computerized form of the Corsi spatial span task was also given. Age-related graded declines in performance were seen, sometimes in a discontinuous manner, especially for the attentional set shifting task (at the extradimensional shift stage). Patterns of deficits reminiscent of frontal lobe or basal ganglia damage were observed in the oldest age group (74–79). However, overall the data were only partially consistent with the hypothesis that frontal lobe functions are the most sensitive to effects of aging. Factor analyses showed that performance in the executive tests was not simply related to a measure of fluid intelligence, and their performance had a factor loading structure distinct from that for the CANTAB tests of visual memory and learning previously administered to the same sample. Finally, only limited support was found for the hypothesis that cognitive aging depends on slowed information processing. (JINS, 1998, 4, 474–490.)
Spindle assembly checkpoint signalling is uncoupled from chromosomal position in mouse oocytes

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) averts aneuploidy by coordinating proper bipolar chromosomal attachment with anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)-mediated securin and cyclin B1 destruction required for anaphase onset. The generation of a Mad2-based signal at kinetochores is central to current models of SAC-based APC/C inhibition. During mitosis, kinetochores of polar-displaced chromosomes, which are at greatest risk of mis-segregating, recruit the highest levels of Mad2, thereby ensuring that SAC activation is proportionate to aneuploidy risk. Paradoxically, although an SAC operates in mammalian oocytes, meiosis I (MI) is notoriously error prone and polar-displaced chromosomes do not prevent anaphase onset. Here we find that Mad2 is not preferentially recruited to the kinetochores of polar chromosomes of wild-type mouse oocytes, in which polar chromosomes are rare, or of oocytes depleted of the kinesin-7 motor CENP-E, in which polar chromosomes are more abundant. Furthermore, in CENP-E-depleted oocytes, although polar chromosomal displacement intensified during MI and the capacity to form stable end-on attachments was severely compromised, all kinetochores nevertheless became devoid of Mad2. Thus, it is possible that the ability of the SAC to robustly discriminate chromosomal position might be compromised by the propensity of oocyte kinetochores to become saturated with unproductive attachments, thereby predisposing to aneuploidy. Our data also reveal novel functions for CENP-E in oocytes: first, CENP-E stabilises BubR1, thereby impacting MI progression; and second, CENP-E mediates bi-orientation by promoting kinetochore reorientation and preventing chromosomal drift towards the poles.
Quality gaps identified through mortality review

Background Hospital mortality rate is a common measure of healthcare quality. Morbidity and mortality meetings are common but there are few reports of hospital-wide mortality-review processes to provide understanding of quality-of-care problems associated with patient deaths. Objective To describe the implementation and results from an institution-wide mortality-review process. Design A nurse and a physician independently reviewed every death that occurred at our multisite teaching institution over a 3-month period. Deaths judged by either reviewer to be unanticipated or to have any opportunity for improvement were reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee. We report characteristics of patients with unanticipated death or opportunity for improved care and summarise the opportunities for improved care. Results Over a 3-month period, we reviewed all 427 deaths in our hospital in detail; 33 deaths (7.7%) were deemed unanticipated and 100 (23.4%) were deemed to be associated with an opportunity for improvement. We identified 97 opportunities to improve care. The most common gap in care was: ‘goals of care not discussed or the discussion was inadequate’ (n=25 (25.8%)) and ‘delay or failure to achieve a timely diagnosis’ (n=8 (8.3%)). Patients who had opportunities for improvement had longer length of stay and a lower baseline predicted risk of death in hospital. Nurse and physician reviewers spent approximately 142 h reviewing cases outside of committee meetings. Conclusions Our institution-wide mortality review found many quality gaps among decedents, in particular inadequate discussion of goals of care.
CFD studio: An educational software package for CFD analysis and design

This paper presents the general characteristics of the educational user‐friendly “CFD Studio” package designed for teaching fluid mechanics and heat transfer process, including conduction, coupled conduction/convection, natural and forced convection, external and internal flows. Therefore, general aspects of the three main modules—pre‐processor, solver, and post‐processor—are discussed aiming to show the generality of the tool. These modules are integrated in the application by a so‐called “numerical problem project” to guide the student through the steps to obtain the solution. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 12: 20–30, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.10055
Plug repairs of marine glass fiber / vinyl ester laminates subjected to uniaxial tension

Glass fiber/vinyl ester composite laminates are currently being used and proposed for the hulls, bulkheads, and superstructures of large ships. This thesis examines the effectiveness of the repair of such laminates using glass fiber/vinyl ester chopped strand mat plugs to fill circular holes. The stress distributions around circular holes in various glass fiber/vinyl ester woven roving laminates subjected to uniaxial tension are calculated before and after repairs using plug materials of different fiber volume fractions. The orthotropic laminates ranged from balanced to unidirectional woven rovings, and the chopped strand mat plug fiber volume fractions ranged from 0 to 0.40. The effectiveness of the plug in reducing the laminate stresses increased monotonically with increasing fiber volume fraction, reducing the maximum laminate stress to about 60% of the unrepaired laminate stress at a plug fiber volume fraction of 0.40. Thesis Supervisor: James H. Williams, Jr Titles: School of Engineering Professor of Teaching Excellence, Charles F. Hopewell Faculty Fellow, Professor of Writing and Humanistic Studies Thesis Supervisor: Mark S. Welsh Title: Professor of the Practice of Naval Construction and Engineering Acknowledgments I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the following: * My thesis supervisor, Professor James H. Williams Jr., for his invaluable mentoring, guidance, support and patience. * My thesis supervisor, Professor Mark S. Welsh, for his advice and support. * My wife, Garyfallia Aikaterini Vlachou, for her love, understanding, patience and support. * My parents, Nikolaos Michelis and Eleni Micheli, and my sister, Maria Micheli, for their love and concern. * The Hellenic Navy for the financial support of my graduate studies at MIT. I am also grateful for the financial contribution of the DDG-1000 Program Manager (NAVSEA PMS 500) and the technical guidance of the DDG-1000 Ship Design Manager (NAVSEA 05D).
E-learning course design in teacher design teams: experiences in the Open University of Tanzania

Collaborative course design in teacher design teams (TDTs) is reported as a promising professional development strategy. This study explored the potential of this strategy in preparing teachers in course redesign for e-learning delivery in the context of the Open University of Tanzania. Three teachers from the Institute of Continuing Education worked in a design team and were supported on how to transform their traditional courses into e-learning courses. Sixty-seven foundation course students from the Institute of Continuing Education participated to study in an e-learning environment through offline Moodle Learning Management System and were supported by e-mails and mobile phones for a period of three months. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from teachers and students. This contribution discusses the experiences of teachers on collaborative course redesign in TDTs and presents students| experiences with the redesigned e-learning courses. The findings show, that despite its challenges, TDTs had a significant return in terms of professional development of teachers and improvement of student support.