Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dispersal of the European hare, Lepus europaeus in South America

Abstract. We provide an updated distribution and dispersal rate of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) introduced in South America, with georeferenced record localities. According to our results the current geographic distribution of the European hare, would cover practically all of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, southeastern Peru, southwestern Bolivia, southeastern Paraguay, and central part of southern Brazil. During the process of invading new areas, the hare has occupied very dissimilar environments, from the bushy steppes and Andean deserts of Bolivia and Peru to the dry and humid forests and wooded savannahs of Paraguay and Brazil. This would explain the variation observed in the dispersal rates that varied between 10 and 37 km/year.
Network Topology and the Efficiency of Equilibrium

Different kinds of networks, such as transportation, communication, computer, and supply networks, are susceptible to similar kinds of inefficiencies. These arise when congestion externalities make each user-s cost depend on the other users, choices of routes. If each user chooses the least expensive (e.g., fastest) route from the users" common point of origin to their common destination, the result may be inefficient in the sense that there is an alternative assignment of routes to users that reduces the costs of all users. However, this may happen only for certain kinds of network topologies. This paper gives several alternative characterizations of networks in which inefficiencies may occur. In particular, a necessary and sufficient condition for inefficiency is that one of several specific, simple networks is embedded in the network.
A Prefabricated Framing and Enclosure System : Economy , Flexibility , and Applications

This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master's thesis by John Hilgeman and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made. Date: ________________________________ In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree at the University of Washington, I agree that the Library shall make its copies freely available for inspection. I further agree that extensive copying of this thesis is allowable only for scholarly purposes, consistent with " fair use " as prescribed in the U.S. Copyright Law. Any other reproduction for any purposes or by any means shall not be allowed without my written permission. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dean Heerwagen for volunteering his time and extensive knowledge of all types of systems. I would also like to give my deepest gratitude to Mark Gross for expressing interest in my thesis and guiding me to a clarified and critical understanding of my own goals. In addition, Scot Carr and Dave Miller were instrumental in helping me evaluate the design in architectural terms. 1 PREFACE I initially became interested in building systems soon after my introduction to architecture. I observed that in any well designed building, there are a number of systems that work together. These systems include circulation, mechanical, electrical, spatial, and structural. Some buildings, I found, used systems in a manner that frustrated me, either by ignoring one in order to emphasize another or using traditional design methods for new materials and products. For example, I observed that in many buildings, structural systems are buried beneath and behind finishes and cladding. Mechanical and electrical systems are forced into leftover spaces and hidden behind finishes. It seems that spatial systems often take precedent and are completely isolated from other systems. These spatial systems become singular compositional moves that force other necessary systems into places and conditions that are inappropriate for their uses. This building system was inspired by my own desire to remedy some of these problems in affordable construction. 2 INTRODUCTION In the realm of construction types there are two very polar conditions. One condition is that of complete customization, where every material, space, and connection are designed specifically for the structure at hand. The opposing condition is that of complete standardization where …
Observation of a van Hove singularity and implication for strong coupling induced Cooper pairing in KFe2As2

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) have been investigated on single crystal samples of KFe2As2. A van Hove singularity (vHs) has been directly observed just a few meV below the Fermi level E_F of superconducting KFe2As2, which locates in the middle of the principle axes of the first Brillouin zone. The majority of the density-of-states at E_F, mainly contributed by the proximity effect of the saddle point to E_F, is non-gapped in the superconducting state. Our observation of nodal behavior of the momentum area close to the vHs points, while providing consistent explanations to many exotic behaviours previously observed in this material, suggests Cooper pairing induced by a strong coupling mechanism.
Magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging at 3.0 Tesla for the identification of myocardial ischaemia: comparison with coronary catheter angiography and fractional flow reserve measurements.

AIMS To assess image quality and diagnostic performance of 3.0 Tesla (3T) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging with a dual radiofrequency source to detect functional relevant coronary artery disease (CAD), using coronary angiography and invasive pressure-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) as reference standard. METHODS AND RESULTS We included 116 patients with suspected or known CAD, who underwent 3T adenosine myocardial perfusion CMR (resolution 2.97 × 2.97 mm) and coronary angiography plus FFR measurements in intermediate lesions. Image quality of myocardial perfusion CMR was graded on a 4-point scale (1 = poor to 4 = excellent). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by ROC analyses using a 16-myocardial segment-based summed perfusion score (0 = normal to 3 = transmural perfusion defect) and by determining sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value on the coronary vessel territory and the patient level. Diagnostic image quality was achieved for all stress myocardial perfusion CMR studies with an average quality score of 2.5, 3.1, and 3.0 for LAD, LCX, and RCA territories. The ability of the myocardial perfusion CMR perfusion score to detect significant coronary artery stenosis yielded an area under the curve of 0.93 on ROC analysis. Values for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value on a vessel territory level and the patient level were 89, 95, 87, 96% and 85, 87, 77, 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION In patients with suspected or known significant CAD, 3T myocardial perfusion CMR with standard perfusion protocols provides consistently high image quality and an excellent diagnostic performance.
Movements of Feral House Mice in Agricultural Landscapes

From September 1992 to May 1993 we radio-collared 155 house mice (Mus domesticus) on agricultural fields in southern Queensland to measure movements and to determine social organisation. During the breeding season most individuals were site-attached and home ranges of both sexes overlapped extensively. There was no sign of exclusive space use for breeding individuals. Breeding males had home ranges that were larger than those of breeding females (0.035 ha v. 0.015 ha), and moved about more. After breeding ended, home ranges increased over tenfold in area, and most mice became nomadic and not site-attached.
How Does Thymine DNA Survive Ultrafast Dimerization Damage?

The photodimerization reaction between the two adjacent thymine bases within a single strand has been the subject of numerous studies due to its potential to induce DNA mutagenesis and possible tumorigenesis in human skin cells. It is well established that the cycloaddition photoreaction takes place on a picosecond time scale along barrierless or low barrier singlet/triplet pathways. However, the observed dimerization quantum yield in different thymine multimer is considerable lower than might be expected. A reasonable explanation is required to understand why thymine in DNA is able to survive ultrafast dimerization damage. In this work, accurate quantum calculations based on the combined CASPT2//CASSCF/AMBER method were conducted to map the excited state relaxation pathways of the thymine monomer in aqueous solution and of the thymine oligomer in DNA. A monomer-like decay pathway, induced by the twisting of the methyl group, is found to provide a bypass channel to ensure the photostability of thymine in single-stranded oligomers. This fast relaxation path is regulated by the conical intersection between the bright SCT(1ππ*) state with the intra-base charge transfer character and the ground state to remove the excess excitation energy, thereby achieving the ground-state recovery with high efficiency.
Comparison of neurological health outcomes between two adolescent cohorts exposed to pesticides in Egypt

Pesticide-exposed adolescents may have a higher risk of neurotoxic effects because of their developing brains and bodies. However, only a limited number of studies have addressed this risk among adolescents. The aim of this study was to compare neurological outcomes from two cohorts of Egyptian adolescents working as pesticide applicators. In 2005 and 2009, two cohorts of male adolescents working as pesticide applicators for the cotton crop were recruited from Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The same application schedule and pesticides were used at both times, including both organophosphorus, and pyrethroid compounds. Participants in both cohorts completed three neurobehavioral tests, health and exposure questionnaires, and medical and neurological screening examinations. In addition, blood samples were collected to measure butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) activity. Pesticide applicators in both cohorts reported more neurological symptoms and signs than non-applicators, particularly among participants in the 2005 cohort (OR ranged from 1.18 to 15.3). Except for one test (Trail Making B), there were no significant differences between either applicators or non-applicators of both cohorts on the neurobehavioral outcome measures (p > 0.05). The 2005 cohort showed greater inhibition of serum BChE activity than the 2009 cohort (p < 0.05). In addition, participants with depressed BChE activity showed more symptoms and signs than others without BChE depression (p < 0.05). Our study is the first to examine the consistency of health outcomes associated with pesticide exposure across two cohorts tested at different times from the same geographical region in rural Egypt. This similar pattern of findings across the two cohorts provides strong evidence of the health impact of exposure of adolescents to pesticides.
Determination of Optimum Film Thickness and Composition of Cu(InAl)Se 2 Thin Films as anAbsorber for Solar Cell Applications

Cu(InAl)Se2 [CIAS] thin films have been prepared by chemical bath deposition [CBD] technique. X-ray diffraction [XRD] and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis [EDAX] spectra have been employed to confirm the structure and composition of the prepared films. The structural parameters have been estimated from XRD and EDAX spectra and their variation with film thickness and composition has been discussed in this paper in detail. From the discussion we enabled to find the optimum film thickness and composition of CIAS thin films for solar cell applications.
Lunar Pickup Ions Observed by ARTEMIS: Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Constraints on Species and Source Locations

[1] ARTEMIS observes pickup ions around the Moon, at distances of up to 20,000 km from the surface. The observed ions form a plume with a narrow spatial and angular extent, generally seen in a single energy/angle bin of the ESA instrument. Though ARTEMIS has no mass resolution capability, we can utilize the analytically describable characteristics of pickup ion trajectories to constrain the possible ion masses that can reach the spacecraft at the observation location in the correct energy/angle bin. We find that most of the observations are consistent with a mass range of ∼20–45 amu, with a smaller fraction consistent with higher masses, and very few consistent with masses below ∼15 amu. With the assumption that the highest fluxes of pickup ions come from near the surface, the observations favor mass ranges of ∼20–24 and ∼36–40 amu. Although many of the observations have properties consistent with a surface or near-surface release of ions, some do not, suggesting that at least some of the observed ions have an exospheric source. Of all the proposed sources for ions and neutrals about the Moon, the pickup ion flux measured by ARTEMIS correlates best with the solar wind proton flux, indicating that sputtering plays a key role in either directly producing ions from the surface, or producing neutrals that subsequently become ionized.
Auction like Task Allocation and Motion Coordination Strategies for Multi-Robot Transport Tasks

In this paper we present a task allocation method based on auction mechanisms that allows to find how many robots are needed to execute a task. This number is unknown and depends on several factors. There are also different types of tasks that must be executed using different skills of the robots. It is very difficult to find a correct allocation under this conditions and at present it is an open problem. We also propose two motion coordination methods to reduce the interference effect between robots. To test our system a modification of the well know foraging task has been used. This task introduces special characteristics, not directly studied in previous work, that our method try to solve.
How theories evolved concerning the mechanism of action of barbiturates

The barbiturate phenobarbital has been in use in the treatment of epilepsy for 100 years. It has long been recognized that barbiturates act by prolonging and potentiating the action of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABAA receptors and at higher concentrations directly activating the receptors. A large body of data supports the concept that GABAA receptors are the primary central nervous system target for barbiturates, including the finding that transgenic mice with a point mutation in the β3 GABAA‐receptor subunit exhibit diminished sensitivity to the sedative and immobilizing actions of the anesthetic barbiturate pentobarbital. Although phenobarbital is only modestly less potent as a GABAA‐receptor modulator than pentobarbital, phenobarbital is minimally sedating at effective anticonvulsant doses. Possible explanations for the reduced sedative effect of phenobarbital include more regionally restricted action; partial agonist activity; reduced propensity to directly activate GABAA receptors (possibly including extrasynaptic receptors containing δ subunits); and reduced activity at other ion channel targets, including voltage‐gated calcium channels. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in defining the structural features of GABAA receptors responsible for gating and allosteric modulation by drugs. Although the precise sites of action of barbiturates have not yet been defined, the second and third transmembrane domains of the β subunit appear to be critical; binding may involve a pocket formed by β‐subunit methionine 286 as well as α‐subunit methionine 236. In addition to effects on GABAA receptors, barbiturates block AMPA/kainate receptors, and they inhibit glutamate release through an effect on P/Q‐type high‐voltage activated calcium channels. The combination of these various actions likely accounts for their diverse clinical activities. Despite the remarkable progress of the last century, there is still much to learn about the actions of barbiturates that can be applied to the discovery of new, more therapeutically useful agents.
Proposed Theoretical Framework for Virtual World

Despite the fact that companies are seeking to gain competitive edge by spending on new ventures in Virtual Worlds, they are still unsure about the effective adoption and usage by the intended organizational members. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for user adoption of the threedimensional (3-D), internet-based simulated virtual space called virtual worlds (VWs). The proposed preliminary model is an extended diffusion of innovations (DOI) model with new constructs deemed significant in the domain of virtual world innovation. Thus, along with the DOI constructs of relative advantage, complexity and compatibility, the factors that emerged as salient predictors of VW adoption are perceived enjoyment, perceived critical mass and trust. The paper contributes to the existing research on VWs and adoption of new technologies by presenting a detailed description of the factors influencing VW adoption and by giving proposition for future research in this emerging area of research.
Progressive retinal degeneration in transgenic mice with overexpression of endothelin-1 in vascular endothelial cells.

PURPOSE Endothelin-1 (ET-1), synthesized in vascular endothelial cells, is a potent vasoconstrictor. ET-1-related vascular abnormality has been known to be important in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, especially in normal tension glaucoma. However, the long-term effect of increased vascular ET-1 on the retinal tissue is still unclear. METHODS The mice with overexpression of ET-1 in vascular endothelial cells (TET-1 mice) were examined with the profile of intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal layer thickness, numbers of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and axonal changes associated with blood vessel changes. RESULTS The TET-1 mice exhibited a significant progressive loss of RGCs and decrease of retinal thickness in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) as early as around 10-12 months. At 24 months, the retinal degeneration became more severe, with around 30% RGC loss associated with thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and there was an increase in neuronal loss and thinning of the INL and ONL. In the 24-month-old TET-1 mice, IgG leakage in the blood vessels and decrease in the occludin protein were observed. There was increased glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in the Müller cells. In addition, the astrocytic end-feet on blood vessels were enlarged. The IOP level was normal in all ages (1-24 months) of TET-1 mice. CONCLUSIONS These data suggested that TET-1 mice may be a useful model to address endothelial ET-1-related mechanisms in vascular-associated retinal degenerative diseases.
Obesity and Depression among Asian Indians in the United States: Findings from the MASALA Study

Background: Individuals of South-Asian origin have higher rates of abdominal obesity, and abdominal obesity plays an important role in cardio-metabolic disease even in the absence of elevated body mass index (BMI). Obesity is associated with depression, however the findings have been inconsistent. We aimed to determine the association between abdominal adiposity and depressive symptoms in a cohort of Asian Indians in U.S. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 150 Asian Indians between ages 45-84 years in San Francisco Bay Area without pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Adiposity was assessed by anthropometric and radiographic measures including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), total lean mass and total fat mass from whole body dual X-ray absorptiometry, and visceral fat area by abdominal computed tomography. Depressive symptoms were assessed by 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The odds for depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Elevated WHR (O.R, 1.88; C.I: 1.04-3.40) was significantly associated with symptoms of depression and the association remained robust after adjustment for socio-demographic and various lifestyle factors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that irrespective of normal BMI, South Asians are more likely to have overall and regional obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of depression. Thus, mental health status should be evaluated in obese and overweight South Asian individuals. Further studies will help to clarify the causal relationship.
Emergency Medicine Pharmacist Impact on Door-to-Needle Time in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Decreased door-to-needle (DTN) time with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke is associated with improved patient outcomes. Emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) can expedite the administration of tPA by assessing patients for contraindications, preparing, and administering tPA. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of EMPs on DTN times and clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke who receive tPA in the emergency department. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, cohort study of patients who received tPA between August 1, 2012, and August 30, 2014, was conducted to compare DTN times with or without EMP involvement in stroke care. Secondary outcomes included changes in neurological status as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 100 patients were included. The EMPs were involved in the care of 49 patients. The EMP involvement was associated with a significant improvement in DTN time (median 46 [interquartile range IQR: 34.5-67] vs 58 [IQR: 45-79] minutes; P = .019) and with receiving tPA within 45 minutes of arrival (49% vs 25%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.81 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-6.52]). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were significantly improved at 24 hours post-tPA in favor of the EMP group (median NIHSS 1 [IQR: 0-4] vs 2 [IQR: 1-9.25]; P = .047). Conclusions: The EMP involvement in initial stroke care was associated with a significant improvement in DTN time.
Atmospheric reactive nitrogen concentrations at ten sites with contrasting land use in an arid region of central Asia

Atmospheric concentrations of reactive nitrogen (Nr) species from 2009 to 2011 are reported for ten sites in Xinjiang, China, an arid region of central Asia. Con- centrations of NH3, NO2, particulate ammonium and ni- trate (pNH + and pNO 3 ) showed large spatial and seasonal variation and averaged 7.71, 9.68, 1.81 and 1.13 µg N m 3 , and PM10 concentrations averaged 249.2 µg m 3 across all sites. Lower NH3 concentrations and higher NO2, pNH + and pNO 3 concentrations were found in winter, reflecting seri- ous air pollution due to domestic heating in winter and other anthropogenic sources such as increased emissions from mo- tor traffic and industry. The increasing order of total concen- trations of Nr species was alpine grassland; desert, desert- oasis ecotone; desert in an oasis; farmland; suburban and ur- ban ecosystems. Lower ratios of secondary particles (NH + and NO 3 ) were found in the desert and desert-oasis ecotone, while urban and suburban areas had higher ratios, which im- plied that anthropogenic activities have greatly influenced lo- cal air quality and must be controlled.