Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biocomplexity and restoration of biodiversity in temperate coniferous forest: inducing spatial heterogeneity with variable‐density thinning

Summary Single-species conservation and natural reserves seem insufficient for protecting biodiversity to scientists, and conventional forestry seems suspect in sustainability to much of the public. In northwestern USA, comparisons of natural and managed coniferous forests support the idea that both single-species conservation and conventional forestry are unlikely to be successful because biocomplexity is more important than individual habitat elements in maintaining the diversity of forest ecosystems and their capacity to produce useful goods and services. Experiments in inducing heterogeneity into forest canopies support the importance of biocomplexity to various biotic communities including soil organisms, vascular plants, fungi, birds, small mammals and vertebrate predators. Holistic management, however, requires a suite of techniques to direct developmental processes to useful trajectories.
Health and health care disparities among women in mainland China

Purpose Women’s health is considered a big public health issue, impacting personal well-being, family reproduction, and society’s development. Since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, major improvements in women’s social status and health have been made. However, far less has been achieved with respect to gender equality and women still face health disparities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of health and health care disparities among women and their determinants in China today. Design/methodology/approach This paper used the Statistical Yearbook of Health and Family Planning 2014, the 2010 Women’s Social Status Survey and 2010 census data from the National Bureau of Statistics to give an overall description of disparity in health care and health outcome facing women. Findings Progress in health is not equally shared by the female population, and the differences in women’s health by region and in urban and rural areas are considerable. The existing health disparities are still faced by women in terms of life expectancy, hazardous working environment, and health care services. As to gender differences among the elderly aged 60+, men have better health status compared to women. In addition, women are more financially dependent on other family members for the main source of daily living, reflecting their economic disadvantages. Originality/value This study gives a comprehensive and the latest overview of trends of women’s health progress, disparities in health care, and health outcomes both in female population and between genders by using three data sources.
The Effect of Supply Chain Absorptive Capacity on Customization , Product Innovation and Business Performance

This paper investigates the effects of supply chain absorptive capacity on customization, production innovation, and in turn, business performance. Building upon the organization and strategy literature, we constructed multi-item measurement scales that tap into five dimensions of absorptive capacity, which were adapted to supply chain management context. Using survey-based data gathered from 174 U.S. supply chain managers, we applied structural equation modeling to assess the influence of supply chain absorptive capacity on business performance and provide empirical insights regarding the mediating role of customization and product innovation capabilities between absorptive capacity and business performance. Our study provides empirical insights that the construct of absorptive capacity is relevant to supply chain management research and practice.
Regulation of an Autoimmune Model for Multiple Sclerosis in Th2-Biased GATA3 Transgenic Mice

T helper (Th)2 cells have been proposed to play a neuroprotective role in multiple sclerosis (MS). This is mainly based on “loss-of-function” studies in an animal model for MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), using blocking antibodies against Th2 related cytokines, and knockout mice lacking Th2-related molecules. We tested whether an increase of Th2 responses (“gain-of-function” approach) could alter EAE, the approach of novel GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3)-transgenic (tg) mice that overexpress GATA3, a transcription factor required for Th2 differentiation. In EAE induced with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35–55 peptide, GATA3-tg mice had a significantly delayed onset of disease and a less severe maximum clinical score, compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Histologically, GATA3-tg mice had decreased levels of meningitis and demyelination in the spinal cord, and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles immunologically, however both groups developed similar levels of MOG-specific lymphoproliferative responses. During the early stage, we detected higher levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, with MOG and mitogen stimulation of regional lymph node cells in GATA3-tg mice. During the late stage, only mitogen stimulation induced higher IL-4 and lower interferon-γ and IL-17 production in GATA3-tg mice. These results suggest that a preexisting bias toward a Th2 immune response may reduce the severity of inflammatory demyelinating diseases, including MS.
Parallel Solution of Covering Problems Super-Linear Speedup on a Small Set of Cores

This paper aims at better possibilities to solve problems of exponential complexity. Our special focus is the combination of the computational power of four cores of a standard PC with better approaches in the application domain. As the main example we selected the unate covering problem which must be solved, among others, in the process of circuit synthesis and for graph-covering (domination) problems. We introduce into the wide field of problems that can be solved using Boolean models. We explain the models and the classic solutions, and discuss the results of a selected model by using a benchmark set. Subsequently we study sources of parallelism in the application domain and explore improvements given by the parallel utilization of the available four cores of a PC. Starting with a uniform splitting of the problem, we suggest improvements by means of an adaptive division and an intelligent master. Our experimental results confirm that the combination of improvements of the application models and of the algorithmic domain leads to a remarkable speedup and an overall improvement factor of more than 35 millions in comparison with the improved basic approach.
Alternative Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease: Stress Response Triggers

Stress resistance capacity is a hallmark of longevity protection and survival throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Latent pathway activation of protective cascades, triggered by environmental challenges to tolerate heat, oxygen deprivation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), diet restriction, and exercise provides tolerance to these stresses. Age-related changes and disease vulnerability mark an increase in damage, like damage induced by environmental challenges. An alternative approach to immunotherapy intervention in Alzheimer's Disease is the use of mimetics of stress to upregulate endogenous protective cascades to repair age damage, shift the balance of apoptosis to regeneration to promote delay of onset, and even progression of Alzheimer's disease memory dysfunction. Mimetics of environmental stress, hormetic agents, and triggers, endogenous or engineered, can “trick” activation of expression patterns of repair and rejuvenation. Examples of known candidate triggers of heat response, endogenous antioxidants, DNA repair, exercise, hibernation, and telomeres are available for AD intervention trials. Telomeres and telomerase emerge as major regulators in crossroads of senescence, cancer, and rejuvenation responsive to mimetics of telomeres. Lessons emerge from transgenic rodent models, the long-lived mole rat, clinical studies, and conserved innate pathways of stress resistance. Cross-reaction of benefits of different triggers promises intervention into seemingly otherwise unrelated diseases.
Valuation of Convertible Bonds With Credit Risk

Applying the technology of option pricing and contingent claims modeling to credit risk is one of the major growth areas in derivatives research these days. It is an old idea to treat default as a firm's management rationally exercising the shareholders' option to go bankrupt rather than to make a required payment to the debtholders. But only in the last few years has this insight been extended and widely applied to practical bond valuation problems. Convertible bonds have also become much more popular in recent years, as the weak and volatile stock market has combined with low interest rates to create an environment in which the conversion option can be very attractive. One critical uncertainty in credit risk analysis that may not be fully appreciated by those who have not worked in this area, is what the payoff to bondholders will actually be in the event of a default. In this article, Ayache, Forsyth, and Vetzal explore the interactions among the multiple options embedded in convertibles that are subject to default risk, call provisions, and put provisions, in addition to the conversion option. Along with results that illustrate the interactions among these multiple options, the authors provide a straightforward valuation technique for convertibles, by applying principles of linear complementarity to the discretization of the fundamental PDE of contingent claims pricing.
Individual teaching methods: Work plans as a tool for promoting self-regulated learning in lower secondary classrooms?

To stimulate individualised learning and give students some autonomy and responsibility in relation to their own schoolwork, Norwegian teachers often use work plans as an instructional tool. A work plan is a document that describes different tasks students are supposed to complete within a certain time period, normally two to three weeks. This article explores whether the use of work plans can be used as a tool for promoting self-regulated learning (SRL). The analyses draw on data from the PISA+ video study. The data include video observations from five lower secondary mathematics classrooms (15-year-olds). Our analyses suggest the teachers rarely provided explicit instructions, cognitive feedback or autonomy-supportive learning strategies.
Hyperglycemia Determines Increased Specific MicroRNAs Levels in Sera and HDL of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients and Stimulates MicroRNAs Production in Human Macrophages

We aimed to determine the levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) in sera and HDL of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to stable angina (SA) patients with/without hyperglycemia, and evaluate comparatively the functional effect of these sera on the processing machinery proteins (Drosha, DGCR8, Dicer) and miRNAs production in human macrophages. MiRNAs levels in sera and HDL from 35 SA and 72 ACS patients and 30 healthy subjects were measured by using microRNA TaqMan assays. MiR-223, miR-92a, miR-486, miR-122, miR-125a and miR-146a levels were higher in the hyperglycemic ACS compared to normoglycemic sera. MiR-223 and miR-486 prevailed in HDL2, while miR-92a predominated in HDL3, all three miRNAs discriminating between ACS and SA patients; their levels were increased in HDL from hyperglycemic ACS patients versus normoglycemic ones. The incubation of human macrophages with sera from ACS and SA patients showed that all patients’ sera induced an increase of Drosha, DGCR8 and Dicer expressions and of selected miRNAs levels compared to control sera, the effect being higher in the case of hyperglycemic versus normoglycemic ACS sera. The addition of glucose to SA and ACS sera increased Drosha, DGCR8 and Dicer expression and miRNAs levels in the exposed macrophages. In conclusion, hyperglycemia is associated with increased miR-223, miR-92a, miR-486 levels in HDL, which discriminate between ACS and SA patients. Exposure of human macrophages to ACS compared to SA sera determines the upregulation of Drosha, DGCR8 and Dicer expression and the increase of selected miRNAs production, the effect being augmented by an increased glucose concentration.
Identification of a novel signal transduction surface molecule on human cytotoxic lymphocytes

In this study, we have used a newly generated monoclonal antibody (mAb C1.7) to identify a novel 38-kD signal-transducing surface molecule (p38) expressed by lymphocyte subsets capable of cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Virtually all CD16+/CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells and approximately half of CD8+ (T cell receptor [TCR] alpha/beta+) T cells and TCR-gamma/delta+ T cells express the p38 surface molecule. Stimulation of p38 on NK cells with mAb C1.7 activated cytotoxicity, induced lymphokine production, and initiated polyphosphoinositol turnover and [Ca2+]i increases. Unlike other NK cell surface molecules that activate cytotoxicity, p38 stimulation did not result in the release of the granule enzyme N-carbobenzoxy-L-thiobenzyl ester- esterase even under conditions in which mAb C1.7 induced NK cell- mediated redirected lysis of Fc gamma R+ target cells. Activated (recombinant interleukin 2 [rIL-2], 5 d) CD8+ T cells mediated non- major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxicity, and the CD8+/p38+ subset contained the overwhelming majority of this activity. F(ab')2 fragments of mAb C1.7 inhibited non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity mediated by resting NK cells and rIL-2-cultured T cells but did not affect spontaneous cytotoxicity mediated by activated, cultured NK cells. Taken as a whole, our results suggest that p38 may have a direct role in the recognition, signal transduction, and/or lytic mechanisms of non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity.
Representing Greenland ice sheet freshwater fluxes in climate models

Here we present a long‐term (1850–2200) best estimate of Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) freshwater runoff that improves spatial detail of runoff locations and temporal resolution. Ice discharge is taken from observations since 2000 and assumed constant in time. Surface meltwater runoff is retrieved from regional climate model output for the recent past and parameterized for the future based on significant correlations between runoff and midtropospheric (500 hPa) summer temperature changes over the GrIS. The simplicity of this approach enables assimilation of meltwater runoff into coupled climate models, which is demonstrated here in a case study with the medium‐resolution (1°) Community Earth System Model. The model results suggest that the decrease in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is dominated by warming of the surface ocean and enhanced GrIS freshwater forcing leads to a slightly enhanced (−1.2 sverdrup in the 21st century) weakening of the AMOC.
Extending Fitts' law to account for the effects of movement direction on 2d pointing

Fitts' law is the most widely applied model in the field of HCI. However, this model and its existing extensions are still limited for 2D pointing task especially when the effects of movement direction (Θ) remain in the task. In this paper, we employ the concept of projection to account for the effects of target width (W) and height (H) on movement time so that we seamlessly integrate the four factors, i.e. Θ, amplitude (A), W and H, into the new extension of Fitts' law, which can uncover not only the periodicity of the asymmetrical impacts of W and H with the variation of Θ but also their interrelation. Carrying out two experiments, we verify that the vertical projection of W and the horizontal projection of H in the line of movement direction can be viewed as the determinants of movement time. Finally, we offer recommendations for 2D pointing experiments and discuss the implications for interface designs.
IMPLEMENTASI PEMBELAJARAN SAINS DENGAN MEDIA FOTONOVELA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR SISWA SD/MI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan implementasi pembelajaran sains dengan media fotonovela untuk meningkatkan motivasi belajar dan pemahaman konsep peserta didik. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 24 peserta didik.Metode penelitian menggunakan Mixed Methods desain sequential explanatory . Tahap pertama metode kuantitatif, One-group Pretest-posttest design untuk memperoleh data keefektifan media fotonovela, motivasi belajar, dan pemahaman konsep. Tahap kedua metode kualitatif untuk memperdalam data kuantitatif. Data motivasi belajar dan pemahaman konsep dikumpulkan dengan kuesioner dan pretest-posttest. Uji validitas kuesioner dan tes dianalisis menggunakan validitas isi yang dikonsultasikan dengan ahli. Uji reliabilitas kuesioner dan tes dilakukan dengan menggunakan Alpha Cronbach dan KR-20. Uji hipotesis menggunakan one sample t-test dan uji gain ternormalisasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terjadi peningkatanmotivasi belajar dan pemahaman konsep peserta didik. Hasil uji hipotesis keefektifan media fotonovela diperoleh = 0.9105. Hasil uji gain motivasi belajar diperoleh = 0.05. Hasil uji gain pemahaman konsep diperoleh = 0.3. Hasil ini menunjukkan bahwa implementasi pembelajaran sains dengan media fotonovela efektif dapat meningkatkan motivasi belajar dan pemahaman konsep peserta didik.
On-set performance capture of multiple actors with a stereo camera

State-of-the-art marker-less performance capture algorithms reconstruct detailed human skeletal motion and space-time coherent surface geometry. Despite being a big improvement over marker-based motion capture methods, they are still rarely applied in practical VFX productions as they require ten or more cameras and a studio with controlled lighting or a green screen background. If one was able to capture performances directly on a general set using only the primary stereo camera used for principal photography, many possibilities would open up in virtual production and previsualization, the creation of virtual actors, and video editing during post-production. We describe a new algorithm which works towards this goal. It is able to track skeletal motion and detailed surface geometry of one or more actors from footage recorded with a stereo rig that is allowed to move. It succeeds in general sets with uncontrolled background and uncontrolled illumination, and scenes in which actors strike non-frontal poses. It is one of the first performance capture methods to exploit detailed BRDF information and scene illumination for accurate pose tracking and surface refinement in general scenes. It also relies on a new foreground segmentation approach that combines appearance, stereo, and pose tracking results to segment out actors from the background. Appearance, segmentation, and motion cues are combined in a new pose optimization framework that is robust under uncontrolled lighting, uncontrolled background and very sparse camera views.
An RGB Image Encryption Supported by Wavelet-based Lossless Compression

In this paper we have proposed a method for an RGB image encryption supported by lifting scheme based lossless compression. Firstly we have compressed the input color image using a 2-D integer wavelet transform. Then we have applied lossless predictive coding to achieve additional compression. The compressed image is encrypted by using Secure Advanced Hill Cipher (SAHC) involving a pair of involutory matrices, a function called Mix() and an operation called XOR. Decryption followed by reconstruction shows that there is no difference between the output image and the input image. The proposed method can be used for efficient and secure transmission of image data.
DSP-Based Control for Parallelism of Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverter

This paper describes a theoretical and experimental study on a control strategy for the parallel operation of three-phase voltage source inverters (VSI), to be applied to UPS. The proposed control system for each inverter consists of two main loops, which both use instantaneous values. The first (parallelism control) employs the feedback of the inductor currents from the output filter to modify the input voltages of the same filter and thereby control the power flow of each VSI to the load. Additionally, the second loop (voltage control) is responsible for controlling the output voltages of the LC filter, which coincides with the output voltages of the VSI. The proposed control strategy ensures the proper sharing of the load current and avoids current circulation among the inverters during transient and steady-state operation. The VSI and the proposed control strategy are analyzed in an orthogonal (αβ) stationary frame, and as a result, simple and effective models were achieved. The proposed control system was digitally implemented in a TMS320F2812 DSP and was verified through experimental results with a 10 kVA prototype, which has the parallel operation of two three-phase VSIs.
Traffic Analysis in Random Delaunay Tessellations and Other Graphs

In this work we study the degree distribution, the maximum vertex and edge flow in non-uniform random Delaunay triangulations when geodesic routing is used. We also investigate the vertex and edge flow in Erd\"os-Renyi random graphs, geometric random graphs, expanders and random $k$-regular graphs. Moreover we show that adding a random matching to the original graph can considerably reduced the maximum vertex flow.
Epidemiological and clinical aspects of invasive group A streptococcal infections and the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

In a retrospective study of invasive infections due to group A Streptococcus (GAS) in Stockholm during 1987 to 1995, the average incidence per 100,000 residents per year was 2.3, varying between 3.7 per 100,000 (in 1988) and 1.3 per 100,000 (in 1993). Incidence was 1.8 in the age group of 0-4 years but otherwise increased by age, from 0.48 in the age group of 5-14 years to 6.1 among those over 65 years of age. A review of 151 invasive episodes occurring in 1983-1995 showed cyclic increases of infections due to T1M1-serotype strains during 1986-1990 and 1993-1995. The T1M1 serotype accounted for 27 (20%) of 135 available GAS strains. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) developed in 19 (13%) of the 151 episodes. The case fatality rate was 11% overall but 47% among patients with STSS. In a multivariate logistic regression model, STSS was associated with a history of alcohol abuse (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; P = .004) and infection with a T1M1 strain (OR, 6.7; P = .007). Case fatality was associated with age (OR, 14.5; P = .08), immunosuppression (OR, 4.7; P = .02), and STSS (OR, 21.5; P < .0001) but not with T1M1 infection. Hypotension was significantly associated with a fatal outcome, regardless of whether STSS developed (P < .0001).
GTI at SemEval-2016 Task 4: Training a Naive Bayes Classifier using Features of an Unsupervised System

This paper presents the approach of the GTI Research Group to SemEval-2016 task 4 on Sentiment Analysis in Twitter, or more specifically, subtasks A (Message Polarity Classification), B (Tweet classification according to a two-point scale) and D (Tweet quantification according to a two-point scale). We followed a supervised approach based on the extraction of features by a dependency parsing-based approach using a sentiment lexicon and Natural Language Processing techniques.
Effective Link Capacity of Imperfect Reconfigurable Wireless Networks

This paper presents a model for the link service capacity that an imperfect adaptive radio link provides to upper layers. As the main contribution of this paper, the model includes a number of imperfections in the link adaptation chain, as well as implementation implications. The average goodput is expressed also in compact form and its dependence on the impairments is discussed using analytical, numerical, and simulations results. The model integrates physical channel, transceiver characteristics, and imperfections in a flexible way, by independent, separate matrices.