Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Britain and the Arab Middle East: World War 1 and its Aftermath

that sectarianism reared its ugly head only (mainly? ) in 1979 if not, and perhaps all the more so, after 2003. But, what about the Shii villages of Bahrain that came under attack in the early 1920s? A good glance at the history of Iraq’s Dawa party, founded in the later 1950s and, especially, their confrontation with the Bath party in the 1960s attests to a sectarian dimension to Iraqi politics years before 1979. Those years receive a sentence on p. 228; a key work on Shiism in Iraq, F. Jabar’s important The Shiite Movement in Iraq (2003) is uncited herein. What were ‘the befores’ and ‘the afters’ of Lebanon’s 1932 census and its long civil war – starting in 1975 – about but sectarianism? As still obtains in all too many discussions of Shiism, so here Shiism in the Indian subcontinent receives very short shrift. On pre-twentieth century Shiism uncited is J. Jones’s masterful Shia Islam in Colonial India, Religion, Community and Sectarianism (2011). A work by A. Rieck, uncited herein, discusses sectarian rioting in Pakistan in 1963. This is not to suggest that sectarianism is endemic; indeed, most scholarly discussions of the above ‘cases’ situate such sectarianism as is visible within a complex, but specific constellation of internal and external events and trends particular to a given region/country. But it is to suggest that such sectarianism as did appear across the Islamic world after 1979/2003 did have roots. McHugo sets out to offer a take on Sunni/Shii history since the appearance of Islam. This approach means that he is obliged as much to offer as much a general history of the region since the seventh century as to discuss Sunnism, Shiism and their interactions over more than 1000 years. It might be argued that of necessity some things cannot be discussed. To this a reply might be might that they could have been ‘addressed’/‘noted’ and further sources thereon cited. To be sure, the above constitutes the reaction of a specialist, if I may be considered as such, where, as was suggested at the outset, ‘we’ have yet to produce a work on the subject as very readable – and brief, as compared with Momen – as this contribution. If McHugo whets his readers’ appetite for more, so much the better. If not, his general, overall understanding is spot on. McHugo’s audience is not, after all, the Boltons of this world. Their minds are made up. As I was putting the finishing touches to this review, I handed my copy to a friend, a retired, nonspecialist, professional. He read at the volume for some thirty minutes and asked me a few questions that I attempted to answer without, as is so easy, slipping into jargon, and then handed it back. ‘Would you buy this book? ’ I asked. ‘Yes’, he replied. Who am I to argue with that verdict?
Judgment Language Matters: Multilingual Vector Space Models for Judgment Language Aware Lexical Semantics

It is a common practice in the vector space model (VSM) literature to evaluate the models’ ability to predict human similarity scores for a set of word pairs. However, existing evaluation sets, even those used to evaluate multilingual VSMs, consist of English words only. In this paper we show that this practice may have significant undesired effects on VSM evaluation. By translating the popular wordsim353 evaluation set to three languages and training state-of-the-art VSMs on corpora of the corresponding languages as well as on English, we show that: (a) The judgment language in which word pairs are presented to human evaluators, all fluent in that language, has a substantial impact on their produced similarity scores; (b) Given the judgment language of an evaluation set, this judgment language is a good choice for the VSM training corpus language; and (c) Monolingual VSMs can be combined into multilingual VSMs that can predict human similarity scores for a variety of judgment languages better than any monolingual model. Our results highlight the impact of the judgment language on the human generated similarity scores and point on the importance of constructing judgment language aware VSMs.1
An extension of the ̄ ood pulse concept

The ̄ood pulse concept of Junk, Bayley and Sparks is a major contribution to our understanding of river± ̄oodplain interactions and has become an important paradigm in lotic ecology. The concept is based mainly on large tropical lowland rivers. Floodplains may, however, develop in all geographical areas and at dierent locations along a river corridor. We extend this concept to temperate areas by including information derived from near-natural proglacial, headwater and lowland ̄oodplains. Speci®c attention is directed to the role of temperature as a major determinant of ̄oodplain ecology. Further attention is directed to the importance of expansion± contraction cycles occurring well below bankfull (` ̄ow pulse' versus ` ̄ood pulse'). Selected examples are presented that highlight the complexity of expansion±contraction events and their consequences on habitat heterogeneity and functional processes. Habitat heterogeneity is mainly a product of shifting water sources, dierent ̄ow paths and the relative importance of autogenic processes. In dierent ̄oodplain systems, expansion may enhance habitat heterogeneity (e.g. glacial ̄oodplain) or create homogeneity (e.g. Danubian ̄oodplain). Further, the ecological consequences of episodic ̄ow and ̄ood pulses are discussed. Finally, a landscape approach is suggested in order to document expansion and contraction processes and to elucidate how these processes in ̄uence landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity patterns. Such a landscape-based ecosystem model can be applied to rigorously assess the ecological integrity of river± ̄oodplain systems. Copyright # 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietary Effects on Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Sexual Attractiveness in Drosophila

Dietary composition is known to have profound effects on many aspects of animal physiology, including lifespan, general health, and reproductive potential. We have previously shown that aging and insulin signaling significantly influence the composition and sexual attractiveness of Drosophila melanogaster female cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), some of which are known to be sex pheromones. Because diet is intimately linked to aging and to the activity of nutrient-sensing pathways, we asked how diet affects female CHCs and attractiveness. Here we report consistent and significant effects of diet composition on female CHC profiles across ages, with dietary yeast and sugar driving CHC changes in opposite directions. Surprisingly, however, we found no evidence that these changes affect female attractiveness. Multivariate comparisons among responses of CHC profiles to diet, aging, and insulin signaling suggest that diet may alter the levels of some CHCs in a way that results in profiles that are more attractive while simultaneously altering other CHCs in a way that makes them less attractive. For example, changes in short-chain CHCs induced by a high-yeast diet phenocopy changes caused by aging and by decreased insulin signaling, both of which result in less attractive females. On the other hand, changes in long-chain CHCs in response to the same diet result in levels that are comparable to those observed in attractive young females and females with increased insulin signaling. The effects of a high-sugar diet tend in the opposite direction, as levels of short-chain CHCs resemble those in attractive females with increased insulin signaling and changes in long-chain CHCs are similar to those caused by decreased insulin signaling. Together, these data suggest that diet-dependent changes in female CHCs may be sending conflicting messages to males.
Efficient reduced models and a posteriori error estimation for parametrized dynamical systems by offline/online decomposition

We address the problem of model order reduction (MOR) of parametrized dynamical systems. Motivated by reduced basis (RB) methods for partial differential equations, we show that some characteristic components can be transferred to model reduction of parametrized linear dynamical systems. We assume an affine parameter dependence of the system components, which allows an offline/online decomposition and is the basis for efficient reduced simulation. Additionally, error control is possible by a posteriori error estimators for the state vector and output vector, based on residual analysis and primal-dual techniques. Experiments demonstrate the applicability of the reduced parametrized systems, the reliability of the error estimators and the runtime gain by the reduction technique. The a posteriori error estimation technique can straightforwardly be applied to all traditional projection-based reduction techniques of non-parametric and parametric linear systems, such as model reduction, balanced truncation, moment matching, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and so on.
Thermographic assessment of skin prick tests in comparison with the routine evaluation methods

Introduction The skin prick test is still the first and basic procedure in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. The possibility of using a sensitive thermographic method supported by the mathematical model for the assessment of skin test results will be highlighted in the studies. Aim To compare the proposed approach with routine planimetric and thermographic methods. Material and methods A mathematical model of allergic reaction was developed. Simplifying assumptions of the IgE-mediated skin reaction is the essence of the model. Investigations were performed in a group of 40 patients. Results Using the spatio-temporal evolution of temperature distributions, the ratios of the histamine released from mast cells to the control histamine were determined. The obtained values very well correlate with the standard evaluation of skin prick tests (correlation coefficient = 0.98). Conclusions The proposed method of skin test evaluation presents several advantages. The continuous acquisition of data provides the monitoring of time course of the allergic response. The transport of mediator and its concentration were distinctly discriminated, which may be diagnostically useful, especially for abnormal cases. The high sensitivity of the method enables studying patients regardless of age and skin sensitivity.
Images Image Selection Whole HSV histograms Epitomes μ P ( τ ) Local Epitomes Generic Epitomes Asymmetry Segmentation Background Subtraction

We propose a novel appearance-based method for person re-identification, that condenses a set of frames of an individual into a highly informative signature, called the Histogram Plus Epitome, HPE. It incorporates complementary global and local statistical descriptions of the human appearance, focusing on the overall chromatic content via histogram representation, and on the presence of recurrent local patches via epitomic analysis. The re-identification performance of HPE is then augmented by applying it as human part descriptor, defining a structured feature called Asymmetry-based HPE (AHPE). The matching between (A)HPEs provides optimal performances against low resolution, occlusions, pose and illumination variations, defining state-of-the-art results on all the considered datasets.
A Performance Study of Query Optimization Algorithms on a Database System Supporting Procedures

relational model. POSTGRES allows fields of a relation to have procedural (executable) objects. POSTQUEL is the query language supporting access to these fields, and in this paper we consider the optimizing process for such queries. The simplest algorithm for optimization assumes that the procedural objects are executed in full, whenever needed. As a refinement to this basic process, we propose an algorithm wherein cost savings are achieved by modifying the procedural queries before executing them. In another direction of refinement, we consider the caching of the materialized results. Two caching strategiescaching in tuples, and separate caching-are considered. The fifth algorithm is flattening, where a POSTQUEL query is modified into an equivalent flat query, and then optimized through a traditional optimizer. We study the relative performances of these algorithms under varying conditions and parameters. Our results show that caching wins when updates do not occur with a high frequency, and that separate caching is, in general, better than caching in tuples. We further show that when the composition of the objects in the procedural field is predictable and parameterizable, flattening is a good option. However, a number of recent proposals which enhance Codd’s [CODD70] model require the modification of the existing algorithms to optimize the new set of queries that were not possible before. In this paper we study the query optimization problem in one such extended relational model, namely POSTGRES. We present a number of algorithms for optimization of queries in such an environment, and do a performance study of each. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In Section 2 we present the extensions in POSTGRES relevant to our study. We also discuss the previous work on optimization of queries on procedural objects. The optimizing paradigm and the details of the algorithms under consideration are then discussed in Section 3. In Section 4 we present the framework in which we compare the various algorithms. Section 5 presents the results of our study. Finally, this paper ends with the conclusions on the viability of each algorithm. 2. POSTGRES PROCEDURES
Time domain reciprocity and the transfer response of coupled antennas

A direct time domain based derivation of the transfer response of two parallel dipole antennas in close proximity is performed by using two types of reciprocity theorems: convolution type and correlation type. The two formulations differ in the temporal mutual action between the time dependent quantities involved in the reciprocity process. Using an approximate expression for the dipole's current gives a convenient expression for the transfer response that can further be used for the analysis of the roles of different delayed wave-field contributions and causality.
The critical role of lipid rafts nanodomains in the cross-talk between calcium and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in cerebellar granule neurons apoptosis by extracellular potassium deprivation

The apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) induced by low-potassium in serum free medium in vitro has become a widely used model for neuronal apoptosis during in vivo brain development. In this review we shall summarize first the basic features of this model for neuronal apoptosis. Next, we shall focus on the L-type calcium channels (LTCC) inactivation as the primary pro-apoptotic signal in low K + -induced CGN death. This apoptotic process can be split into two major and sequential cellular signaling phases: one reversible phase that offers a temporal window for therapeutic interventions to prevent neuronal death, and an irreversible later phase. Therefore, we shall comment next the critical role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and major ROS sources triggering the entry of CGN in the irreversible stages of low K + -induced apoptosis. Then, we shall present the experimental evidences showing clustering of LTCC and ROS producing enzymes in plasma membrane lipid rafts of CGN matured in vitro , which have opened new perspectives for cell signaling in the early and reversible phase of this apoptosis. The role of lipid rafts nanodomains as fast response calcium/nitric oxide transducers of the switch of CGN to low K + medium will be discussed next. The two major conclusions drawn from this review are: (1) deregulation of the pool of cytochrome b 5 reductase associated to plasma membrane-lipid rafts, at least in part due to overexpression of cytochrome b 5 , can account for the critical superoxide anion overshot which triggers the entry in the irreversible phase of low K + apoptosis of CGN, and (2) LTCC inactivation is rapidly transduced by lipid rafts nanodomains into a large drop of cytosolic calcium, a switch-off of nitric oxide production and subsequent inactivation of survival signaling pathways dependent on the activity of CaMKII, PKA and Akt/PKB kinases.
Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change Climate Change , Mortality , and Adaptation : Evidence from Annual Fluctuations in Weather in the U

This paper produces the first large-scale estimates of the U.S. health related welfare costs due to climate change. Using the presumably random year-to-year variation in temperature and two state of the art climate models, the analysis suggests that under a “business as usual” scenario climate change will lead to an increase in the overall U.S. annual mortality rate ranging from 0.5% to 1.7% by the end of the 21 st century. These overall estimates are statistically indistinguishable from zero, although there is evidence of statistically significant increases in mortality rates for some subpopulations, particularly infants. As the canonical Becker-Grossman health production function model highlights, the full welfare impact will be reflected in health outcomes and increased consumption of goods that preserve individuals’ health. Individuals’ likely first compensatory response is increased use of air conditioning; the analysis indicates that climate change would increase U.S. annual residential energy consumption by a statistically significant 15% to 30% ($15 to $35 billion in 2006 dollars) at the end of the century. It seems reasonable to assume that the mortality impacts would be larger without the increased energy consumption. Further, the estimated mortality and energy impacts likely overstate the long-run impacts on these outcomes, since individuals can engage in a wider set of adaptations in the longer run to mitigate costs. Overall, the analysis suggests that the health related welfare costs of higher temperatures due to climate change are likely to be quite modest in the U.S.
A New Algorithm for Detection of S1 and S2 Heart Sounds

This paper presents a new algorithm for segmentation and classification of S1 and S2 heart sounds without ECG reference. The proposed approach is composed of three main stages. In the first stage the fundamental heart sound lobes are identified using a fast wavelet transform and the Shannon energy. Next, these lobes are validated and classified into S1 and S2 classes based on Mel-frequency coefficients and on a non-supervised neural network. Finally, regular heart cycles are identified in a post-processing stage by a heart rhythm criterion. This approach was tested using sound samples collected from prosthetic valve implanted patients. Results are comparable with ECG based approaches
Feline acute intermittent porphyria: a phenocopy masquerading as an erythropoietic porphyria due to dominant and recessive hydroxymethylbilane synthase mutations.

Human acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), the most common acute hepatic porphyria, is an autosomal dominant inborn error of heme biosynthesis due to the half-normal activity of hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMB-synthase). Here, we describe the first naturally occurring animal model of AIP in four unrelated cat lines who presented phenotypically as congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP). Affected cats had erythrodontia, brownish urine, fluorescent bones, and markedly elevated urinary uroporphyrin (URO) and coproporphyrin (COPRO) consistent with CEP. However, their uroporphyrinogen-III-synthase (URO-synthase) activities (deficient in CEP) were normal. Notably, affected cats had half-normal HMB-synthase activities and elevated urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG), the deficient enzyme and accumulated metabolites in human AIP. Sequencing the feline HMB-synthase gene revealed different mutations in each line: a duplication (c.189dupT), an in-frame 3 bp deletion (c.842_844delGAG) identical to that causing human AIP and two missense mutations, c.250G>A (p.A84T) and c.445C>T (p.R149W). Prokaryotic expression of mutations c. 842_844delGAG and c.445C>T resulted in mutant enzymes with <1% wild-type activity, whereas c.250G>A expressed a stable enzyme with approximately 35% of wild-type activity. The discolored teeth from the affected cats contained markedly elevated URO I and III, accounting for the CEP-like phenocopy. In three lines, the phenotype was an autosomal dominant trait, while affected cats with the c.250G>A (p.A84T) mutation were homozygous, a unique recessive form of AIP. These animal models may permit further investigation of the pathogenesis of the acute, life-threatening neurological attacks in human AIP and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies. GenBank Accession Numbers: GQ850461-GQ850464.
Firm‐specific knowledge resources and competitive advantage: the roles of economic‐ and relationship‐based employee governance mechanisms

The resource-based view of the firm emphasizes the role of firm-specific resources, especially firm-specific knowledge resources, for enabling a firm to gain and sustain competitive advantage. However, since the deployment of firm-specific knowledge frequently requires key employees to make specialized human capital investments that are not easily transferable to other settings, employees with foresight may be reluctant to make these specialized investments. This paper explores both economic- and relationship-based governance mechanisms that potentially mitigate this under-investment problem. The appropriate use of these governance mechanisms enables firms to obtain greater performance from their efforts to deploy firm-specific knowledge resources. Empirical results further support these arguments.
Identification of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease following Pancreatic Surgery in a Western Cohort Using a Novel Radiographic Technique

Background and Aims: While traditional risk factors for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) relate to metabolic syndrome, several Asian studies have suggested a high rate of de novo NAFLD following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The aim of this study is to identify de novo NAFLD after pancreatic surgery and its associated risk factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients at a single center that underwent PD or distal pancreatectomy (DP) over 7 years was identified. Pre- and postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of the abdomen were reviewed, including attenuation measurements of the liver, spleen, and muscle. Primary outcomes included hepatic attenuation, liver to muscle ratio (LMR), and liver to spleen ratio (LSR). Results: Of the 96 patients (mean age 64.3) included, 70% underwent PD, and 30% underwent DP. The mean LMR decreased significantly from 1.81 to 1.66 (p=0.02), noted only in men. No interaction effect with LMR was observed with surgical type, chemotherapy, blood loss, pancreatic enzyme replacement, or transaminases. LMR decreased in 55% of subjects. Conclusions: Increased fatty infiltration, as evidence by decreased LMR, was found among men that underwent PD and DP within a year of surgery. This may be related to weight loss and malabsorption and deserves further investigation.
A Multi-Period Inventory Model of Component Commonality with Lead Time

Component commonality is highly emphasized and widely used as a method to lower inventory level and higher customization level. Based on the single-period inventory model, this paper set up a multi-period model of component commonality with lead time. From the analysis on the effects of lead time on the inventory system, this paper get some useful results which rectify the prejudice that the results derived from single-period model can be applied widely