Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
People of mixed blood : ethnicity, personhood and sociality in East Java, Indonesia

The thesis is about the study of ethnicity as a classificatory system and a form of personhood and is based on fieldwork carried out in East Java, Indonesia, between October 1998 and March 2000. Its central concern is the understanding of the symbolism of mixed personhood and the elucidation of the cultural principles underlying the creation of a new ethnic category, that of orang pedalungan, in East Java. Theoretically, it takes issue with both essentialist and constructivist understandings of ethnicity as well as with recent calls for the abolition of the concept from the analytical vocabulary of the social sciences. In particular, it defines ethnicity as the activity of classifying human beings with respect to a culturally determined discourse on origins and growth and argues for an approach that seeks to unravel the meanings of the ethnic classification system from the native's point of view. It proceeds to do so by investigating the interrelationships pertaining amongst the classificatory systems of ethnicity, kinship and potency (in its dual capacity for harming and healing), challenging the tendency in anthropology to treat them as separate, mutually exclusive domains. The links between these three systems are explored through a consideration of three substances, namely, blood, potency and food, and of the place and relevance these substances have in the indigenous system of conceiving and locating difference. It is argued that although difference is emically conceived as located within the bodyperson and that each classificatory system is characterised by a pervasive essentialism, neither difference is construed as immutable nor identities as given or 'natural'. Both the historical production of new localities, the creation of new kinds of bodies-persons through marriage and the ritual flow of substances within such places and across distinct categories of bodies-persons are held as imbued with a specific transformative efficacy. Seen from an Eastern Javanese point of view, marital and other spatially based exchanges bring about profound alternations in the ontological make-up of personhood. Such alternations make the displacement of difference, implied by the concept of 'mixed personhood', a real cultural possibility. On another plane, the thesis suggests that indigenous discourses focusing on blood should be explored in all their metaphorical and metonymical breath and not simply construed as elaborations on bio-genetic material, directly comparable to Western notions of limited genealogy, it is argued that far from being seen as outside the domain of sociality, blood and its transmutations, namely potency and food, register social relations in the bodyperson while ideas of genealogy form the focus of indigenous understandings of sociality as generalised siblingship. To Hanafi, Atho, Rushdi, and Muklis, all 'friends of the heart'
Anchor-Guiding Mechanism for Beacon-Assisted Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

Localization is one of the most important issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In the most widely proposed range-free algorithms, nodes estimate location by employing the geometric constraints imposed by the location of the mobile anchor. However, none of them addresses how the mobile anchor moves to optimize the improvement of location inaccuracies and minimize the anchor's movement. This paper assumes that previous range-free algorithms have been executed for a period of time and the deployed sensors are of different location inaccuracies. According to the size of the estimative region of each static sensor, an anchor-guiding mechanism is proposed to determine the beacon locations and construct an efficient path for the mobile anchor. Experimental study reveals that the proposed anchor-guiding mechanism effectively guides the mobile anchor to move along an efficient path, thereby saving the time required for improving or balancing the location inaccuracies of all sensor nodes.
A scalable approach to using DNN-derived features in GMM-HMM based acoustic modeling for LVCSR

We present a new scalable approach to using deep neural network (DNN) derived features in Gaussian mixture density hidden Markov model (GMM-HMM) based acoustic modeling for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR). The DNN-based feature extractor is trained from a subset of training data to mitigate the scalability issue of DNN training, while GMM-HMMs are trained by using state-of-the-art scalable training methods and tools to leverage the whole training set. In a benchmark evaluation, we used 309-hour Switchboard-I (SWB) training data to train a DNN ﬁrst, which achieves a word error rate (WER) of 15.4% on NIST-2000 Hub5 evaluation set by a traditional DNN-HMM based approach. When the same DNN is used as a feature extractor and 2,000-hour “SWB+Fisher” training data is used to train the GMM-HMMs, our DNN-GMM-HMM approach achieves a WER of 13.8%. If per-conversation-side based unsupervised adaptation is performed, a WER of 13.1% can be achieved.
Reevaluation of Late Pleistocene loess profiles at Remizovka (Kazakhstan) indicates the significance of topography in evaluating terrestrial paleoclimate records

Abstract We report on a loess-paleosol sequence (LPS) near Remizovka, located in the northern Tian Shan piedmont of southeastern Kazakhstan. This site represents a key record for Late Pleistocene climatic fluctuations at the intersection of major northern hemisphere climate subsystems. This paper develops a synthesized dataset of previous conflicting studies at Remizovka by characterizing their (paleo)topographic context, which had remained previously overlooked. Digital elevation models, satellite images, and archival photography characterize recent topographic developments. Two well-developed pedocomplexes, which we investigate in detail and date by luminescence mark the paleotopography during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. Peak dust accumulation rates here occurred during the middle MIS 5 and MIS 4/early MIS 3. These are partially comparable with records from neighboring regions, but not in phase with global ice volume records. This discrepancy may be related to a distinct regional environmental response to larger-scale climatic drivers and local topographic influences on dust deposition patterns. Our findings confirm the potential of the LPS Remizovka to provide high-resolution paleoclimate data for the Late Pleistocene. The three-dimensional stratigraphic reconstruction reinforces the caution required to correctly interpret loess formation processes prior to their interpretation as paleoclimate archives, and provides guidelines for a more suitable approach.
Analysis of Vertical Profiles of Precipitable Liquid Water Content in a Tropical Climate Using Micro Rain Radar

In this paper, some distinctive features of the vertical profile of precipitable liquid water content (LWC) with considerable respect to rain rates (R) and radar reflectivity (Z) obtained in a tropical location are presented. Assessment of LWC allows applications in the specific area of flight icing severity, aviation safety as well as signals traversing through the atmosphere. The parameters were typically measured using vertically-pointing Micro Rain Radar (MRR) over a period of 2 years (2011-2012) at Akure, a tropical location of Nigeria. The radar scanned at every 10 seconds and integrated over one minute samples to reduce event logging error associated with the instrument. The vertical profile of the LWC typically reveals a prominent seasonal variation. However, majority of the LWC profiles has low LWC, less than 0.1 gm−3 while the maximum observed LWC is about 3.18 gm−3. A strong like hood relation was observed between the melting layer height and the LWC, with the LWC reaches peak at the considerable height of about 4160 m which coincides precisely with the freezing height level (rain height of ~4520 m) of the study location. Good correlation was also observed between the LWC and R in most of the heights considered. The results obtained will assist system engineers to assess the level of absorption, reflection and attenuation of electromagnetic signals as a result of precipitable LWC along the transmitting paths. The novelty of the present work is in the area of linking LWC and Z as against usual relation between Z and R.
Analysis of factors influencing the adoption of climate change mitigating measures by smallholder farmers in Imo State, Nigeria.

Due to its significant reliance on weather patterns, as well as other environmental factors, agricultural production is particularly vulnerable to changes in climate. Adoption of climate change mitigating strategies are key to coping and building resilience against the vagaries of climate change and hence, increasing agricultural poverty, and lifting rural smallholder farmers out of poverty and food insecurity. This study analyzed the factors influencing the adoption of climate change mitigating measures by smallholder farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used is selecting 60 respondents were used for the study. Primary data, collected using structured questionnaire, were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as frequency counts and percentages, mean, likert scale type analysis and probit regression. Results showed that unusual early rains followed by weeks of dryness, high temperature, incidence of diseases, heavy rainfall, decrease in soil fertility, increase in pest problems, erratic rainfall pattern, loss of forest resources, reduced harmattan, flooding, soil erosion, heavy winds, thunderstorms, heavy and long period of rainfall, weed infestation, overflowing of rivers and streams, and extinction of some crop species were some of the major effects or manifestations of climate change and they have severe effect on crop production. Also, climate change mitigation measures mostly adopted by the farmers were drainage/flood barrier construction, multiple cropping, mulching, use of improved varieties of crops, change of planting date, irrigation of crops, planting of cover crops, and tree planting. The probit regression showed that the significant variables influencing adoption of climate change mitigation measures were age of the farmer, farming experience, tenancy status, years of education, extension contact, income, access to credit and membership of farmers’ association. Education and training of farmers especially as it pertains adoption of good agricultural practices was recommended, as well as the provision of credit to enable them adopt mitigation measures to climate change.
N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic Peptide as a useful diagnostic marker of acute Kawasaki disease in children.

BACKGROUND Serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) is often elevated in patients with acute Kawasaki disease (KD), but the NTproBNP level in normal children is higher than in adults. Thus, characterization of the normal levels and cut-off values of NTproBNP according to age is warranted for proper diagnosis of acute KD in children. METHODS AND RESULTS Six hundred and fifty-five patients aged 1 month-15 years (median, 2.9 years) were included. Patients were admitted to the NTT East Japan Sapporo Hospital between October 2007 and October 2011. Serum NTproBNP level was examined in 149 patients with KD (median, 2.1 years) and 506 control patients with acute infectious disease (median, 3.2 years). In the control group, a Z-score curve of NTproBNP was generated for each age group using least mean square-based methods. The Z-score distribution of KD patients was then compared with that of the control group. The specificity and sensitivity of NTproBNP for diagnosing acute KD were 97.8% and 47.0%, respectively, at Z-score >2.0. Additionally, simple cut-offs every 100 pg/ml according to age were established for more convenient use at the bedside. CONCLUSIONS The Z-score curve for NTproBNP in children was characterized. A Z-score >2.0 or the cut-off for children may be used to diagnose acute KD.
Analysis of Sindbis virus promoter recognition in vivo, using novel vectors with two subgenomic mRNA promoters

Four types of Sindbis virus vectors, each carrying two promoters for subgenomic mRNA synthesis, were designed to measure relative promoter strengths and to survey potential contextual effects on promoter strengths. One of the promoters in each vector was used as the reference promoter, while the other was the one being tested. We used these vectors to measure the relative strengths of four promoters: the minimal promoter, an extended sequence believed to have full promoter activity, and two mutant promoters, one with an inactivating 3-nucleotide insertion called CR4.1 and the other with a 4-nucleotide deletion called delta 4. The strengths of the promoters were measured by quantitating the RNA transcribed from each promoter in vivo and also by assaying for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity encoded by one of the two transcripts. We found that the relative strengths of the promoters were similar in different contexts. The complete promoter was 6-fold more active, the delta 4 promoter was (surprisingly) about twice as active, and the CR4.1 promoter was 100-fold less active than the minimal promoter. At least two contextual effects were identified that can alter the activity of one or both promoters in the vectors. One effect is that given identical promoters, the 3'-proximal promoter on the minus-strand template can be more active than the 5'-proximal promoter. This may be due to preferential association of one or more components of the transcription complex for the 3' end of the minus-strand template. A second effect is promoter competition, particularly when the promoters are closely spaced.
Local inter-session variability modelling for object classification

Object classification is plagued by the issue of session variation. Session variation describes any variation that makes one instance of an object look different to another, for instance due to pose or illumination variation. Recent work in the challenging task of face verification has shown that session variability modelling provides a mechanism to overcome some of these limitations. However, for computer vision purposes, it has only been applied in the limited setting of face verification. In this paper we propose a local region based intersession variability (ISV) modelling approach, and apply it to challenging real-world data. We propose a region based session variability modelling approach so that local session variations can be modelled, termed Local ISV. We then demonstrate the efficacy of this technique on a challenging real-world fish image database which includes images taken underwater, providing significant real-world session variations. This Local ISV approach provides a relative performance improvement of, on average, 23% on the challenging MOBIO, Multi-PIE and SCface face databases. It also provides a relative performance improvement of 35% on our challenging fish image dataset.
Serotonin of mast cell origin contributes to hippocampal function

In the central nervous system, serotonin, an important neurotransmitter and trophic factor, is synthesized by both mast cells and neurons. Mast cells, like other immune cells, are born in the bone marrow and migrate to many tissues. We show that they are resident in the mouse brain throughout development and adulthood. Measurements based on capillary electrophoresis with native fluorescence detection indicate that a significant contribution of serotonin to the hippocampal milieu is associated with mast cell activation. Compared with their littermates, mast cell‐deficient C57BL/6 KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice have profound deficits in hippocampus‐dependent spatial learning and memory and in hippocampal neurogenesis. These deficits are associated with a reduction in cell proliferation and in immature neurons in the dentate gyrus, but not in the subventricular zone – a neurogenic niche lacking mast cells. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, reverses the deficit in hippocampal neurogenesis in mast cell‐deficient mice. In summary, the present study demonstrates that mast cells are a source of serotonin, that mast cell‐deficient C57BL/6 KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice have disrupted hippocampus‐dependent behavior and neurogenesis, and that elevating serotonin in these mice, by treatment with fluoxetine, reverses these deficits. We conclude that mast cells contribute to behavioral and physiological functions of the hippocampus and note that they play a physiological role in neuroimmune interactions, even in the absence of inflammatory responses.
The Werner Syndrome Protein Binds Replication Fork and Holliday Junction DNAs as an Oligomer*

Werner syndrome is an inherited disease displaying a premature aging phenotype. The gene mutated in Werner syndrome encodes both a 3′ → 5′ DNA helicase and a 3′ → 5′ DNA exonuclease. Both WRN helicase and exonuclease preferentially utilize DNA substrates containing alternate secondary structures. By virtue of its ability to resolve such DNA structures, WRN is postulated to prevent the stalling and collapse of replication forks that encounter damaged DNA. Using electron microscopy, we visualized the binding of full-length WRN to DNA templates containing replication forks and Holliday junctions, intermediates observed during DNA replication and recombination, respectively. We show that both wild-type WRN and a helicase-defective mutant bind with exceptionally high specificity (>1000-fold) to DNA secondary structures at the replication fork and at Holliday junctions. Little or no binding is observed elsewhere on the DNA molecules. Calculations of the molecular weight of full-length WRN revealed that, in solution, WRN exists predominantly as a dimer. However, WRN bound to DNA is larger; the mass is consistent with that of a tetramer.
Radiation therapy of squamous carcinoma of the floor of mouth and the lower alveolar ridge

Treatment for 139 patients with squamous carcinomas in the floor of mouth and the lower alveolar ridge, which accounted for one-third of all patients with intra-oral cancer, are evaluated and classified after UICC and AJC's TNM recommendations retrospectively, for cancer staging and End Result Reporting. The figures include 50% women with tumours and in lower alveolar ridge. Two treatment schemes: external cobalt irradiation and external irradiation in combination with intra-oral radium-mould have been used in spite of primary bone invasion. 30% had remnant tumours and 22% recurred locally. 70% of the recurrences were discovered within a year after treatment. The total crude survival for all patients was 32%, identical for both groups. Lymph node metastases lower the survival significantly. Less than one-third had difficulties in mucous healing after treatment and 9% developed osteoradionecrosis, but only half of those patients had symptoms.
Comparative analysis and genomic structure of the tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) gene in human and pufferfish.

Germ-line mutations of the TSC2 tumour suppressor gene have been identified in humans with tuberous sclerosis and in the Eker rat. Tuberin, the human TSC2 gene product, has a small region of homology with rap1GAP and stimulates rap1 GTPase activity in vitro, suggesting that one of its cellular roles is to function as a GTPase activating protein (GAP). We have undertaken a comparative analysis of the TSC2 gene in human and the pufferfish, Fugu rubripes. In addition to the GAP domain, three other regions of the proteins are highly conserved (peptide sequence similarity >80%). These regions are likely to represent further functional domains. To facilitate analysis of mutations within these domains we have determined the genomic structure of the human TSC2 gene. It comprises 41 exons, including exon 31 which was absent from the originally described spliceoform of the human TSC2 transcript and was identified following exon prediction from Fugu genomic sequence. These findings support the proposal of the Fugu genome as a tool for human gene analysis.
The role of deoxyribonucleic acid in ribonucleic acid synthesis. III. The inhibition of the enzymatic synthesis of ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid by actinomycin D and proflavin.

The synthesis of ribonucleic acid from ribonucleoside triphosphates by an enzyme system dependent on deoxyribonucleic acid has been described (2-7). The base composition of the RNA produced is identical with that of the DNA which is added. This result can be attributed, by an analogy with the complementary base model of DNA structure proposed by Watson and Crick (8), to hydrogen bonding by successive bases in the DNA with complementary bases of the ribonucleoside triphosphate substrates prior to their enzymatic incorporation onto the RNA chain. Using DNA primers that contained unequal amounts of the complementary bases, Hurwitz et al. (9) obtained support for such a mechanism. They showed first that polyriboadenylate was formed in a reaction primed by polydeoxyribothymidylate. Furthermore, they found that DNA from bacteriophage +X 174, which Sinsheimer (10) showed to contain more adenine than thymine and more guanine than cytosine, directed the synthesis of RNA containing more uracil than adenine and more cytosine than guanine. In support of such a role of hydrogen bonding during replication of DNA catalyzed by DNA polymerase, Bessman et al. (11) have shown that base analogues of the four common deoxynucleoside triphosphates are incorporated in place of the natural substrates provided that the chemical changes introduced do not affect the 6-keto, or amino, group that Watson and Crick had postulated to be involved in hydrogen bonding. We describe in this paper the preparation of a similar series of ribonucleoside triphosphates containing base analogues and show that the specificity of their incorporation by the RNA polymer&se is identical with that observed in the previously cited study of Bessman et al. Thus, a fundamental similarity exists between the mechanisms by which DNA primes the formation of either complementary DNA or complementary RNA. This study also relates to the role that RNA polymerase may have in the synthesis of different classes of cellular RNA. We