Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Changing Epidemiology of Murray Valley Encephalitis in Australia: The 2011 Outbreak and a Review of the Literature

Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is the most serious of the endemic arboviruses in Australia. It was responsible for six known large outbreaks of encephalitis in south-eastern Australia in the 1900s, with the last comprising 58 cases in 1974. Since then MVEV clinical cases have been largely confined to the western and central parts of northern Australia. In 2011, high-level MVEV activity occurred in south-eastern Australia for the first time since 1974, accompanied by unusually heavy seasonal MVEV activity in northern Australia. This resulted in 17 confirmed cases of MVEV disease across Australia. Record wet season rainfall was recorded in many areas of Australia in the summer and autumn of 2011. This was associated with significant flooding and increased numbers of the mosquito vector and subsequent MVEV activity. This paper documents the outbreak and adds to our knowledge about disease outcomes, epidemiology of disease and the link between the MVEV activity and environmental factors. Clinical and demographic information from the 17 reported cases was obtained. Cases or family members were interviewed about their activities and location during the incubation period. In contrast to outbreaks prior to 2000, the majority of cases were non-Aboriginal adults, and almost half (40%) of the cases acquired MVEV outside their area of residence. All but two cases occurred in areas of known MVEV activity. This outbreak continues to reflect a change in the demographic pattern of human cases of encephalitic MVEV over the last 20 years. In northern Australia, this is associated with the increasing numbers of non-Aboriginal workers and tourists living and travelling in endemic and epidemic areas, and also identifies an association with activities that lead to high mosquito exposure. This outbreak demonstrates that there is an ongoing risk of MVEV encephalitis to the heavily populated areas of south-eastern Australia.
International Survey of Peer Leadership (ISPL): An Emerging Snapshot of the Status of Peer Leadership in South Africa.

The power and importance of peer influence in educational settings has been well documented (Cuseo, 2010; Ender & Kay, 2001; Keup, 2010). In South Africa, research supports international trends that student involvement in peer-led activities contributes to student success and ultimate throughput (Layton & McKenna, 2015; Loots, 2009; Underhill & McDonald, 2010). A plethora of research exists attesting to the benefits for students who are the recipients of peer-led activities. In South Africa, however, knowledge gaps exist pertaining to a national perspective on the experiences and, to some extent, on the benefits of peer leadership activities for peer leaders themselves. The purpose of this study is to provide an initial national snapshot of the development and experiences of peer leaders at six South African institutions of higher education, using the International Survey of Peer Leaders (ISPL). The research design adopted was a non-probability purposive sampling technique, with a sample size of N=466. Data were analysed using descriptive analyses. Findings validate previous findings and provide a more comprehensive picture of the types of peer leadership positions held, the training and support peer leaders receive, levels of engagement, and the benefits of being involved in peer-led activities.
Understanding cognitive presence in an online and blended community of inquiry: Assessing outcomes and processes for deep approaches to learning

This paper focuses on deep and meaningful learning approaches and outcomes associated with online and blended communities of inquiry. Applying mixed methodology for the research design, the study used transcript analysis, learning outcomes, perceived learning, satisfaction, and interviews to assess learning processes and outcomes. The findings for learning processes and outcomes indicated that students in both online and blended courses were able to reach high levels of cognitive presence and learning outcomes. The results suggest that cognitive presence in a community of inquiry is associated with perceived and actual learning outcomes. It is recommended that future research efforts focus on quantitative measures to establish links between cognitive presence and the quality of learning outcomes.
Feasible region approximation using convex polytopes

A new technique for polytope approximation of the feasible region for a design is presented. This method is computationally less expensive than the simplicial approximation method. Results on several circuits are presented. It is shown that the quality of the polytope approximation is substantially better than an ellipsoidal approximation. <<ETX>>
Facilitating study abroad for psychology students

Study abroad in psychology promotes knowledge of other cultures, global–mindedness, the re–evaluation of one’s cultural identity, interest in civic engagement, and insight into the univesality or non–universality of psychological phenomena. Heightened recognition of these outcomes has led to increasingly larger numbers of psychology students studying abroad. Still, psychology staff who wish to direct a study abroad programme may find the process of organising and leading such a programme intimidating. They may also need practical strategies for responding efectively to mental health issues that arise while abroad, a charge for which professors of psychology are especially well suited. Additionally, psycholo y staff who advise students seeking study abroad opportunities need to be knowledgeable about the benefits of study abroad, options that exist for their students, and the basics of how to make study abroad administrati ely possible. In this paper we provide theory–, research–, and experience–driven strategies to guide psychology staff through the complex processes of advising students and directing study–abroad programmes.
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science Frustrated Appetitive Foraging Behavior, Stereotypic Pacing, and Fecal Glucocorticoid Levels in Snow Leopards (uncia Uncia) in the Zurich Zoo

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Cellular Interference Alignment with Imperfect Channel Knowledge

Interference alignment is evaluated as a technique to mitigate inter-cell interference in the downlink of a cellular network using OFDMA. The sum mutual information achieved by interference alignment together with a zero-forcing receiver is considered, and upper and lower bounds are derived for the case of imperfect channel knowledge. The sum mutual information achieved by interference alignment when the base stations share their information about the channels is shown to compare favorably to the achievable sum-rate of methods where the base stations do not cooperate, even under moderately accurate knowledge of the channel state.
Nonlinear Stability of Periodic Traveling Wave Solutions of the Generalized Korteweg-de Vries Equation

In this paper, we study the orbital stability for a four-parameter family of periodic stationary traveling wave solutions to the generalized Korteweg–de Vries equation $u_t=u_{xxx}+f(u)_x$. In particular, we derive sufficient conditions for such a solution to be orbitally stable in terms of the Hessian of the classical action of the corresponding traveling wave ordinary differential equation restricted to the manifold of periodic traveling wave solutions. We show this condition is equivalent to the solution being spectrally stable with respect to perturbations of the same period in the case when $f(u)=u^2$ (the Korteweg–de Vries equation) and in neighborhoods of the homoclinic and equilibrium solutions if $f(u)=u^{p+1}$ for some $p\geq1$.
The Fine-Structure Constant as a Probe of Chemical Evolution and Asymptotic Giant Branch Nucleosynthesis in Damped Lyα Systems

Evidence from a large sample of quasar absorption-line spectra in damped Lyα systems has suggested a possible time variation of the fine-structure constant, α. The most statistically significant portion of this sample involves the comparison of Mg and Fe wavelength shifts using the many-multiplet (MM) method. However, the sensitivity of this method to the abundance of heavy isotopes, especially Mg, is enough to imitate an apparent variation in α in the redshift range 0.5 < z < 1.8. We implement recent yields of intermediate mass (IM) stars into a chemical evolution model and show that the ensuing isotope distribution of Mg can account for the observed variation in α provided the early initial mass function was particularly rich in IM stars or that the heavy Mg isotope yields from asymptotic giant branch stars are even higher than in present-day models. As such, these observations of quasar absorption spectra can be used to probe the nucleosynthetic history of low-metallicity damped Lyα systems in the redshift range 0.5 < z < 1.8. This analysis, in conjunction with other abundance measurements of low-metallicity systems, reinforces the mounting evidence that star formation at low metallicities may have been strongly influenced by a population of IM stars. Such IM stars have a significant influence on other abundances, particularly nitrogen. We constrain our models with independent measurements of N, Si, and Fe in damped Lyα systems as well as C/O in low-metallicity stars. In this way, we obtain consistent model parameters for this chemical evolution interpretation of the MM method results.
High school students' images of an environmental scientist

Understanding the nature of science and how an environmental scientist works develops the abilities of the students in participating in environmental discussions and critically evaluating environmental problems. Therefore, it is important to work on the image of the scientist, as well as attitudes towards scientists. The purpose of this study is to investigate high school students' images of environmental scientists. In this respect, six questions were used to determine 227 high school seniors' images of environmental scientists. The students were asked to draw a picture of an environmental scientist. In addition, questions were asked on the age of the environmental scientist, his or her job, work setting, and sources of images. In the analysis of the data, firstly, the number of the drawings depicted by the students and the gender of the scientists in these drawings were determined. Then, each drawing was evaluated according to indicators of a standard image of a scientist determined in previous research. A description method was used in analyzing the data. The students' answers were coded and the frequency distribution shown. It was determined in this study that high school students generated drawings displaying both positive and negative images of a scientist. Some of those drawings showed similarities with stereotypical images of scientists reported in previous research.
Energy efficient system partitioning for distributed wireless sensor networks

A scheme for efficient system partitioning of computation in wireless sensor networks is presented. Local computation of the sensor data in wireless networks can be highly energy-efficient, because redundant communication costs can be reduced. It is important to develop energy-efficient signal processing algorithms to be run at the sensor nodes. This paper presents a technique to optimize system energy by parallelizing computation through the network and by exploiting underlying hooks for power management. By parallelizing computation, the voltage supply level and clock frequency of the nodes can be lowered, which reduces energy dissipation. A 60% energy reduction for a sensor application of source localization is demonstrated. The results are generalized for finding optimal voltage and frequency operating points that lead to minimum system energy dissipation.
Progress So Far And How One Might Go From Here

This paper begins by briefly indicating the principal, non-standard motivations of the author for his decades of work in Computability Theory (CT), a.k. a. Recursive Function Theory. Then it discusses its proposed, general directions beyond those from pure mathematics for CT. These directions are as follows. 1. Apply CT to basic sciences, for example, biology, psychology, physics, chemistry, and economics. 2. Apply the resultant insights from 1 to philosophy and, more generally, apply CT to areas of philosophy in addition to the philosophy and foundations of mathematics. 3. Apply CT for insights into engineering and other professional fields. Lastly, this paper provides a progress report on the above non-pure mathematical directions for CT, including examples for biology, cognitive science and learning theory, philosophy of science, physics, applied machine learning, and computational complexity. Interweaved with the report are occasional remarks about the future.
Use of Mesenchymal Cells to Modulate Immune Suppression and Immune Reconstruction in a Patient with Aplastic Anemia Complicated by Invasive Sino-Orbital Aspergillosis

Cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory and tissue regenerative properties. This report summarizes the result of post-transplant treatment with MSCs of a 26-year-old patient with aplastic anemia complicated by invasive sino-orbital aspergillosis. The patient was treated with MSCs to benefit from the dual effects of MSCs in immune reconstitution: suppression against alloreactive T cells and facilitation of the re-engraftment process. The patient did not develop acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease. The aspergillus infection healed completely. The engraftment failure was also ended without any complications. During his last visit in his fourth year after transplantation, the patient was in hematological remission. Human bone marrow-derived MSCs seem to have an important role in preventing or overcoming immunological complications in patients who undergo stem cell transplantation.
The Role of Leasing under Adverse Selection

Leasing contracts are extensively used in durable goods markets. These contracts specify a rental rate and an option price at which the used good can be bought on termination of the lease. This option price cannot be controlled when the car is sold. We show that in a world in which quality is observable, this additional control variable is ineffective. Under adverse selection instead, leasing contracts affect equilibrium allocations in a way that matches observed behavior in the car market. Consistent with the data, our model predicts that leased cars have a higher turnover and that off‐lease used cars are of higher quality. Moreover, the model predicts that the recent increase in leasing can be explained by the observed increase in car durability. We show that leasing contracts can improve welfare but that they are imperfect tools. We also show that a producer with market power can benefit from leasing contracts for two reasons: market segmentation and better pricing of the option. Moreover, despite the fact that lessors could structure contracts to prevent adverse selection, we show that this is not in their interest.
Model-based control of subsurface flow

Abstract An emerging method to increase the recovery from oil reservoirs is the application of measurement and control techniques to better control subsurface flow over the life of the reservoir. In particular the use of sensors and remotely controllable valves in wells and at surface, in combination with large-scale subsurface flow models is promising. Various elements from process control may play a role in such ‘closed-loop’ reservoir management, in particular optimization, parameter estimation and model reduction techniques.
Plant Growth Promotion Potential Is Equally Represented in Diverse Grapevine Root-Associated Bacterial Communities from Different Biopedoclimatic Environments

Plant-associated bacteria provide important services to host plants. Environmental factors such as cultivar type and pedoclimatic conditions contribute to shape their diversity. However, whether these environmental factors may influence the plant growth promoting (PGP) potential of the root-associated bacteria is not widely understood. To address this issue, the diversity and PGP potential of the bacterial assemblage associated with the grapevine root system of different cultivars in three Mediterranean environments along a macrotransect identifying an aridity gradient were assessed by culture-dependent and independent approaches. According to 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE, the structure of endosphere and rhizosphere bacterial communities was highly diverse (P = 0.03) and was associated with a cultivar/latitudinal/climatic effect. Despite being diverse, the bacterial communities associated with Egyptian grapevines shared a higher similarity with the Tunisian grapevines than those cultivated in North Italy. A similar distribution, according to the cultivar/latitude/aridity gradients, was observed for the cultivable bacteria. Many isolates (23%) presented in vitro multiple stress resistance capabilities and PGP activities, the most frequent being auxin synthesis (82%), insoluble phosphate solubilisation (61%), and ammonia production (70%). The comparable numbers and types of potential PGP traits among the three different environmental settings indicate a strong functional homeostasis of beneficial bacteria associated with grape root.
Technical feasibility of structual flakeboard made from mixed hardwoods and cypress from northern florida

Homogeneous and 3-layer flakeboard panels were fabricated from mixed hardwood species and baldcypress grown in northern Florida. All panels yielded adequate bending strength and stiffness and dimensional stability. For the homogeneous panels, the study indicates that only one panel condition, i.e., 5.5 percent resin content (RC) and 45 pcf, yielded internal bond (IB) values greater than 75 psi and thickness swelling (TS) equal or less than 25 percent. When comparing homogenous panels to 3-layer panels at similar RC and panel target density, all mechanical and physical properties were slightly more favorable in the homogenous panels. However, linear expansion and TS were slightly more favorable for the homogenous panels at 5.5 percent RC and 45 pcf than 3-layer panels produced at identical RC and panel target density. For the 3-layer panels, the large increase in IB and decrease in TS in response to the slight change in RC should provide the margin to produce acceptable flakeboards in plant conditions.
Imaging the retina ’ s response to electrical stimulation with genetically 1 encoded calcium indicators 2 3

34 Epiretinal implants for the blind are designed to stimulate surviving retinal neurons, thus 35 bypassing the diseased photoreceptor layer. Single-unit or multielectrode recordings from 36 isolated animal retina are commonly used to inform the design of these implants. However, such 37 electrical recordings provide limited information about the spatial patterns of retinal activation. 38 Calcium imaging overcomes this limitation, as imaging enables high spatial resolution mapping 39 of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) activity as well as simultaneous recording from hundreds of 40 RGCs. Prior experiments in amphibian retina have demonstrated proof of principle, yet 41 experiments in mammalian retina have been hindered by the inability to load calcium indicators 42 into mature mammalian RGCs. Here we report a method for labeling the majority of ganglion 43 cells in adult rat retina with genetically encoded calcium indicators, specifically GCaMP3 and 44 GCaMP5G. Intravitreal injection of an adeno-associated viral vector targets roughly 85% of 45 ganglion cells with high specificity. Due to the large fluorescence signals provided by the 46 GCaMP sensors, we can now for the first time visualize the retina’s response to electrical 47 stimulation in real time. Imaging transduced retinas mounted on multielectrode arrays reveals 48 how stimulus pulse shape can dramatically affect the spatial extent of RGC activation, which has 49 clear implications in prosthetic applications. Our method can be easily adapted to work with 50 other fluorescent indicator proteins in both wild-type and transgenic mammals. 51 52
Multiscale, Multigranular Statistical Image Segmentation

We consider a problem in image segmentation in which the goal is to determine and label a relatively small number of homogeneous subregions in an image scene, based on multivariate, pixelwise measurements. Motivated by current challenges in the field of remote sensing land cover characterization, we introduce a framework that allows for adaptive choice of both the spatial resolution of subregions and the categorical granularity of labels. Our framework is based on a class of models that we call mixlets, a blending of recursive dyadic partitions and finite mixture models. The first component of these models allows for the sparse representation of a spatial structure at multiple resolutions. The second component provides a natural mechanism for capturing the varying degrees of mixing of pure categories that accompany the use of different resolutions and for relating these to a user-specified hierarchy of labels at multiple granularities in a straightforward manner. A segmentation is produced in our framework by selecting an optimal mixlet model, through complexity-penalized maximum likelihood, and summarizing the information in that model with respect to the categorical hierarchy. Both theoretical and empirical evaluations of the proposed framework are presented.
Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Is Expressed by Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors of Childhood and Can Be Targeted for Somatostatin Receptor Imaging

Purpose: Although gliomas predominate among central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms in adulthood, embryonal tumors are the most common malignant brain tumors in children. Despite novel treatment approaches, including improved radiotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy, survival rates remain unsatisfactory. The timely diagnosis of residual or recurrent embryonal CNS tumors and thus the earliest possible time point for intervention is often hampered by inaccuracies of conventional imaging techniques. Novel and refined imaging methodologies are urgently needed. Experimental Design: We have previously demonstrated the use of somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) in the diagnosis of recurrent and residual medulloblastomas. Here, we evaluated somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst2) expression using an antibody in an array of CNS tumors of childhood. Eight high-grade gliomas, 4 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, 7 supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (stPNET), 1 medulloepithelioma (ME), and 8 ependymomas were screened. Tumors positive in vitro were additionally analyzed in vivo using SRI. Results: Abundant expression of somatostatin receptor type 2 in stPNET, a ME, and ependymomas warranted in vivo imaging of 7 stPNET, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, 3 ependymomas, 1 ME, and 1 glioblastoma. Although SRI was positive in 6/7 stPNET, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 ME, none of the ependymomas nor the glioblastoma could be imaged using SRI. In selected cases SRI was more sensitive in the detection of relapse than conventional imaging by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Conclusions: SRI should be considered in the evaluation of residual or recurrent embryonal CNS tumors, especially stPNET. The strengths of SRI lie in the differentiation of reactive tissue changes versus residual or recurrent tumor, the detection of small lesions, and possibly in the distinction of stPNET from gliomas.