Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal ecology and life-history strategy of the high-latitude predatory zooplankter Parasagitta elegans

Organisms residing in seasonal environments schedule their activities to annual cycles in prey availability and predation risk. These cycles may be particularly pronounced in pelagic ecosystems of the high-Arctic, where the seasonality in irradiance, and thus primary pro- duction, is strong. Here we report on the seasonal ecology and life strategy of a predatory plank- tivore in a high-Arctic fjord (Billefjorden, Svalbard ~78° N). We studied the chaetognath Parasagitta elegans (var. arctica), an abundant zooplankter of high-latitude seas, focusing on its age structure, seasonal vertical distribution, growth and timing of reproduction. The body-length data (range: 2 to 44 mm) revealed the presence of 3 size cohorts (Cohorts 0, 1 and 2), suggesting a 3 yr life span. Spring and early summer (May/June) was the main spawning season, as revealed by inspection of gonads and the presence of well-developed seminal receptacles prior to high numbers of newborns. Both Cohorts 1 and 2 reproduced, with male gonads maturing first in this hermaphrodite. Growth rates for all cohorts were highest in spring and early summer, and at this time of the year, the youngest year class (Cohort 0) was distributed near the surface where their feeding opportunities may peak. In winter, however, all cohorts were in deeper waters, suggesting seasonal migrations, possibly to follow the distributions of overwintering copepods. Scheduling of growth, maturation and reproduction in Arctic zooplankton populations is important baseline information for predictions of zooplankton responses to environmental change, particularly those associated with timing and phenology, pinpointing the need for more high-resolution studies on zooplankton annual routines.
ong-Term Effects of Surgical Septal yectomy on Survival in Patients With bstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

teve R. Ommen, MD, FACC* Barry J. Maron, MD, FACC,*‡ Iacopo Olivotto, MD,§ artin S. Maron, MD, Franco Cecchi, MD,§ Sandro Betocchi, MD, FACC,¶ ernard J. Gersh, MB, CHB, DPHIL, FACC,* Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PHD, FACC,* obert B. McCully, MB, CHB, FACC,* Joseph A. Dearani, MD,† Hartzell V. Schaff, MD, FACC,† ordon K. Danielson, MD, FACC,† A. Jamil Tajik, MD, FACC,* Rick A. Nishimura, MD, FACC* ochester and Minneapolis, Minnesota; Florence and Naples, Italy; and Boston, Massachusetts
Analysis and Design of AQM for stabilizing TCP

In this paper, we propose a unified AQM (Active Queue Management) framework and stabilizing optimal AQMs in stabilizing a given TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and a real-queue dynamics. Since we formulate the AQM design problem for the given TCP as state-space models, we get three important features. First, we propose a PD-type (Proportional-Derivative) control structure and by applying integral control action technique, a PID-type (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control structure. Second, we propose memory control structures to compensate explicitly delays in congestion measure by using memory control structures. Third, we propose stabilizing optimal AQMs by minimizing linear quadratic costs on the transients in queue length, aggregate rate, jitter in the aggregate rate, and congestion measure, which are called RHA (Receding Horizon AQM) in this paper. Conversely, we show that any AQM with an appropriate structure solves the same stabilizing optimal control problem with appropriate weighting matrices. Finally, we interpret existing AQMs such as RED (Random Early Detection), REM (Random Exponential Marking), PI (Proportional-Integral) and AVQ as different approximations of the unified AQM structures, and discuss the impact of each structures on performance from the results of the stabilizing optimal AQMs. We illustrate our results through simulation examples for the linearized system of a given nonlinear TCP and queue dynamical system.
Prevalence Of Periodontal Diseases In Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Patients- A Clinical Study.

Background: The sixth long-term complication of diabetes is periodontitis. The link between periodontal and systemic health is a two-way street. Patients with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing infections, and these infections can impair these patients' metabolic control. Patients with both diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease present the challenge of managing two chronic diseases, each of which may impact the other.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with type 2 DM in a single center Mauras College Of Dentistry, Oral Research Institute and Hospital at Arsenal in Mauritian population.Methods: A clinical study was carried out. A total of 2000 patients were included (980 diabetic patients and 1020 nondiabetic patients as controls). Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were dentate aged 40 years and above and with ≥ 6 remaining teeth were studied. The study period was 3 months. Results: Periodontal disease was seen in 49.9% of the subjects when both diabetics and controls were taken into consideration. Periodontal disease is prevalent in all diabetic patients.Conclusion: Mauritian subjects with Diabetes Mellitus had more prevalent periodontitis than healthy Mauritian subjects
Petroleum degrading potentials of single and mixed microbial cultures isolated from rivers and refinery effluent in Nigeria

The ability of three bacterial isolates (Bacillus spp, Micrococcus spp and Proteus spp.) and some fungal species (Penicillin spp., Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus spp.) isolated from two rivers and refinery effluent to degrade two Nigerian Crude oils was studied. The results showed changes in pH, optical density and total viable count for the bacterial isolates after a 17-day period. There was an increase in biomass for the fungal isolates after a 35-day period. It was observed that these organisms were able to utilize and degrade the crude oil constituents, with bacterial isolates showing increase in cell number and optical density as pH decreases. Single cultures were observed to be better crude oil degraders than the mixed cultures (bacteria or fungi). It was also observed that oil degraders could be isolated from a non-oil polluted environment, although those from oil-polluted environments have higher degradation potentials.
Prevalence of Lymphoma Cancer in Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan has a high magnitude of cancer from its independence. The burden of lymphoma cancer continues to increase in Pakistan. The low socioeconomic districts of Punjab such as those in Faisalabad most severely affected by lymphoma. The objective of this study was to analyze the lymphoma cancer registry record of patients from the districts in Faisalabad in order to achieve a net lymphoma incidence for use in raising future health program against cancer. The medical records of 110 patients registered at the Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine in Faisalabad were investigated. Information regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, affected sites and cancer type were obtained. Among 110 cases of lymphoma cancer, the male: female ratio was 3:1, with an age range of 5-85 years. Of the 110 patients, 74% were male and 26% were female. Similar to the subtype distribution of lymphoma in the different areas of Faisalabad and its surroundings, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) was more frequent, 74 cases (67%) than Hodgkin’s disease (HD), 36 cases (33%). The leading cancers were breast 36% (n=248), lymphoma 16% (n=110), and prostate cancer 10% (n=68). The growing burden of cancer especially lymphoma in Faisalabad is extremely alarming. Since the current work was an initial investigation, it could play a leading role in prevention and future planning regarding the battle against lymphoma in Pakistan. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 342-346 DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2. 12756
Promoting Student Engagement Using Social Media Technologies

Using social media in education provides learners with an informal way for communication. Informal communication tends to remove barriers and hence promotes student engagement. This paper presents our experience in using three different social media technologies in teaching software project management course. We conducted different surveys at the end of every semester to evaluate students’ satisfaction and engagement. Results show that using social media enhances students’ engagement and satisfaction. However, familiarity with the tool is an important factor for student satisfaction.
Special Considerations in the Management of HIV Infection in Pregnancy

In the industrialized world, significant development and interventions were made since the HIV epidemic and they contributed to improved maternal health and low perinatal transmission rates. However, not all questions about this infection in pregnancy were answered. At times, obstetric health care providers for HIV-infected pregnant women were faced with certain clinical situations where there was limited available data to help direct treatment planning. This chapter will discuss recent data on various special considerations encountered in the management of HIV infection in pregnancy.
Revealing additional preference heterogeneity with an extended random parameter logit model: the case of extra virgin olive oil

Methods that account for preference heterogeneity have received a significant amount of attention in recent literature. Most of them have focused on preference heterogeneity around the mean of the random parameters, which has been specified as a function of socio-demographic characteristics. This paper aims at analyzing consumers’ preferences towards extra-virgin olive oil in Catalonia using a methodological framework with two novelties over past studies: 1) it accounts for both preference heterogeneity around the mean and the variance; and 2) it considers both sociodemographic characteristics of consumers as well as their attitudinal factors. Estimated coefficients and moments of willingness to pay (WTP) distributions are compared with those obtained from alternative Random Parameter Logit (RPL) models. Results suggest that the proposed framework increases the goodness-of-fit and provides more useful insights for policy analysis. The most important attributes affecting consumers’ preferences towards extra virgin olive oil are the price and the product’s origin. The consumers perceive the organic olive oil attribute negatively, as they think that it is not worth paying a premium for a product that is healthy in nature.
The Prevalence of Cyberbullying and the Views of 5-12 Grade Pupils and Teachers on Cyberbullying Prevention in Lithuanian Schools.

This article analyses the views of cyberbullying prevention among 5-12 grade pupils and teachers in Lithuanian schools. It defines the concept of cyberbullying in the context of school pupils, and analyses the theoretical grounds for prevention of this form of bullying. The article also presents the results of the survey (which was conducted in 2009-2010) and reveals the views of 2064 pupils of 5 -12 grade and their 1062 teachers towards the prevention of cyberbullying. Based on the empirical research, it could be concluded that efforts to prevent cyberbullying among 5-12 grade pupils in school must be consistent, and permanent, and involve the whole school community. From the perspective of the pupils, the most effective measures to prevent cyberbullying should be oriented toward psychological conditioning (to strengthen pupil's self-esteem and to outline the consequences for pupils who are involved in cyberbullying).
MULTILEVEL TECHNIQUES FOR THE CLUSTERING PROBLEM

Data Mining is concerned with the discovery of interesting patterns and knowledge in data repositories. Cluster Analysis which belongs to the core methods of data mining is the process of discovering homogeneous groups called clusters. Given a data-set and some measure of similarity between data objects, the goal in most clustering algorithms is maximizing both the homogeneity within each cluster and the heterogeneity between different clusters. In this work, two multilevel algorithms for the clustering problem are introduced. The multilevel paradigm suggests looking at the clustering problem as a hierarchical optimization process going through different levels evolving from a coarse grain to fine grain strategy. The clustering problem is solved by first reducing the problem level by level to a coarser problem where an initial clustering is computed. The clustering of the coarser problem is mapped back level-bylevel to obtain a better clustering of the original problem by refining the intermediate different clustering obtained at various levels. A benchmark using a number of data sets collected from a variety of domains is used to compare the effectiveness of the hierarchical approach against its single-level counterpart.
Individual and Organizational Aspects of University-Industry Relations in Nanotechnology: The Turkish Case

Emerging nanotechnologies bring a new challenge for developing countries to improve knowledge and technology transfer between universities and firms. In developing countries, weaker ties between academia and the industry seem to be one of the main barriers to the dissemination of nanotechnology innovations. This study aims to understand individual and organizational factors affecting university-industry interactions in emerging nanotechnologies in a developing country context, namely Turkey. For this study, 181 questionnaires were collected from a sample of nano-science and nanotechnology academics who are currently employed by Turkish universities. The results provide that informal / interpersonal and research-related interactions are the most common forms of relationship between academics and firms. On the other hand, the study provides a useful insight to understand how human and social capitals of university-scientists as well as organizational resources/ capabilities influence the formation of links between universities and the industry.
Effects of forest management on density, survival, and population growth of wood thrushes.

Loss and alteration of breeding habitat have been proposed as causes of declines in several Neotropical migrant bird populations. We conducted a 4-year study to determine the effects of winter prescribed burning and forest thinning on breeding wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) populations at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (PNWR) in Georgia. We estimated density, adult and juvenile survival rates, and apparent aunual survival using transect surveys, radiotelemetry, and mist netting. Burning and thinning did not cause lower densities (P = 0.25); wood thrush density ranged from 0.15 to 1.30 pairs/10 ha. No radiomarked male wood thrushes (n = 68) died during the 4 years, but female weekly survival was 0.981 ± 0.014 (SE) fo lemales (n = 63) and 0.976 ± 0.010 for juveniles (n = 38). Apparent annual adult survival was 0.579 (SE = 0.173) Thinning and prescribed burning did not reduce adult or juvenile survival during the breeding season or apparent annual adult survival. Annual population growth (λ) at PNWR was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.32-1.63), and the considerable uncertainty in this prediction underscores the need for long-term monitoring to effectively manage Neotropical migrants, Population growth increased on experimental compartments after the burn and thin (95% CI before = 0.91-0.97, after = 0.98-1.05), while control compartment λ declined (before = 0.98-1.05, after = 0.87-0.92). We found no evidence that the current management regime at PNWB, designed to improve red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) habitat, negatively affected wood thrushes.
EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION IN DEPRESSION: A STUDY OF PREFRONTAL DYSFUNCTION

Depression is a serious and common psychiatric disorder that affects millions of people around the world. A growing body of scientific literature has correlated depression with dysfunction in the region of the frontal lobes and consequently, executive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine performance of executive functioning in patients with depression. We predicted impaired performance in executive function for depressed patients in comparison to healthy controls. 50 depressed patients (mean age = 43.46, SD = 10.71) and 35 from the control group (mean age = 40.91, SD = 10.46), of both genders were assessed with the Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop Test), and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Our results revealed that patients with depression have significant deficits in executive functioning when compared with healthy controls, which was confirmed in all the neuropsychological tests we used. Our results point up the need to implement programs of neuropsychological rehabilitation in patients with depressive disorder, since neuropsychological impairments predict an unfavorable outcome of antidepressant therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. It can also be assumed that an improvement in cognitive abilities will have a positive effect on therapeutic outcome.
Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions of a Biology Constructivist Learning Environment in Gem District, Kenya

This study investigated the teachers’ perceptions of actual and preferred constructivist biology learning environment. The study adopted a survey design. Data were collected from a sample of 41 biology teachers from Gem District, Kenya using a 20-item Teacher Perception Questionnaire (TPQ) which is a modified version of Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES), the teachers’ version. The TPQ consisted of two forms which are “Actual” and “Preferred”. While the actual form assessed the current biology learning environment, the preferred form assessed the teacher perception of a constructivist learning environment. The data were analyzed using paired t-test. The results showed that the teachers’ scores on the preferred form of some scales (Personal relevance, uncertainty and student negotiation) were significantly different from the actual form (p< 0.05). On the other hand the teachers’ scores for scales of critical voice and shared control scales of actual and preferred forms of TPQ were not statistically significant (p< 0.05). The implications of the study for practice and further research are discussed.
Impact of shareholder-value pursuit on labor policies at Japanese joint-stock companies: Case of Nikkei Index 400

Abstract This article aims at finding out how the shareholder-value pursuit has affected labor policies at large Japanese listed enterprises. It concentrates on the issue of labor bifurcation, whereby the proportion of nonregular employees has grown rapidly over the last two decades, currently approaching the numbers of regular employees. The externalities of increased returns to stockholders during the last two decades have been the changes in the related domains of management and labor, which I explain through the application of the political economic theory. This theory underlines the importance of inclusion into a “political bloc” for being eligible for economic benefits. Consequently, I argue that increased returns to politically privileged shareholders have been achieved at the expense of a growing proportion of unprivileged nonregular employees. The research corroborates the positive correlation between the total shareholder return and the proportion of nonregulars. On the other hand, foreign stockholding does not appear to be significantly correlated with the increase in nonregular employment. In turn, the study has found that the proportion of nonregular employees is significantly correlated with domestic ownership that characterizes higher managerial entrenchment.
Spatial and temporal variation of biomass in a tropical forest: results from a large census plot in Panama

1 We estimated the dry, living, above‐ground biomass (AGB) standing stock and its turnover in a 50‐hectare forest plot located in moist tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The estimates were obtained using inventory data collected every 5 years from 1985 to 2000, including measurements of all trees ≥ 1 cm diameter. 2 Four different allometric regressions relating trunk diameter and height with AGB were compared. Based on the most consistent method, we estimated that the Barro Colorado forest holds 281 ± 20 Mg ha−1 (1 Mg = 103 kg) of AGB, lianas included. A third of the AGB is stored in trees larger than 70 cm in diameter. 3 Stand‐level AGB increment (growth plus recruitment) was highest in the period 1985–90 (7.05 ± 0.32 Mg ha−1 year−1, mean ± 95% confidence limits based on samples of multiple hectares) and smallest in the period 1990–95 (5.25 ± 0.26 Mg ha−1 year−1), while AGB losses were similar during the three intervals (mean 5.43 ± 0.72 Mg ha−1 year−1). This resulted in significant differences in AGB change (defined as increment minus loss) among census intervals; including branchfalls, the AGB of Barro Colorado Island increased in 1985–90 (+0.82 ± 0.84 Mg ha−1 year−1), decreased in 1990–95 (−0.69 ± 0.82 Mg ha−1 year−1), and increased again in 1995–2000 (+0.45 ± 0.70 Mg ha−1 year−1). The 15‐year average was +0.20 Mg ha−1 year−1, but with a confidence interval that spanned zero (−0.68 to 0.63 Mg ha−1 year−1). 4 Branchfalls and partial breakage of stems had a significant influence on the AGB changes. They contributed an average of 0.46 Mg ha−1 year−1 to the AGB loss. About 5% of AGB increment was due to trees less than 10 cm in diameter. 5 To test whether the AGB of tropical forests is increasing due to climate change, we propose that in each forest type, at least 10 hectares of forest be inventoried, and that measurements of the small classes (< 10 cm diameter) as well as large size classes be included. Biomass loss due to crown damage should also be estimated.
Upper atmosphere differences between northern and southern high latitudes: The role of magnetic field asymmetry

The nondipolar portions of the Earth's main magnetic field constitute substantial differences between the two hemispheres. Beside the magnetic flux densities and patterns being different in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH), also the offset between the invariant magnetic and the geographic poles is larger in the SH than in the NH. We investigated the effects of this magnetic field asymmetry on the high‐latitude thermosphere and ionosphere using global numerical simulations and compared our results with recent observations. While the effects on the high‐latitude plasma convection are small, the consequences for the neutral wind circulation are substantial. The cross‐polar neutral wind and ion drift velocities are generally larger in the NH than the SH, and the hemispheric difference shows a semidiurnal variation. The neutral wind vorticity is likewise larger in the NH than in the SH, with the difference probably becoming larger for higher solar activity. In contrast, the spatial variance of the neutral wind is considerably larger in the SH polar region, with the hemispheric difference showing a strong semidiurnal variation. Its phase is similar to the phase of the semidiurnal variation of the hemispheric magnitude differences. Hemispheric differences in ion drift and neutral wind magnitude are most likely caused partly by the larger magnetic flux densities in the near‐polar regions of the SH and partly by the larger offset between the invariant and geographic pole in the SH, while differences in spatial variance are probably just caused by the latter. We conclude that the asymmetry of the magnetic field, both in strength and in orientation, establishes substantial hemispheric differences in the neutral wind and plasma drift in the high‐latitude upper atmosphere, which can help to explain observed hemispheric differences found with the Cluster/Electron Drift Instrument (EDI) and the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP).