Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing short and long-distance dispersal: modelling and field case studies

Dispersal is a factor of great importance in determining a species spatial distribution. Short distance dispersal (SDD) and long distance dispersal (LDD) strategies yield very different spatial distributions. In this paper we compare spatial spread patterns from SDD and LDD simulations, contrast them with patterns from field data, and assess the significance of biological and population traits. Simulated SDD spread using an exponential function generates a single circular patch with a well-defined invasion front showing a travelling-wave structure. The invasive spread is relatively slow as it is restricted to reproductive individuals occupying the outer zone of the circular patch. As a consequence of this dispersal dynamics, spread is slower than spread generated by LDD. In contrast, the early and fast invasion of the entire habitat mediated by power law LDD not only involves a significantly greater invasion velocity, but also an entirely different habitat occupation. As newly dispersed individuals soon reach very distant portions of the habitat as well as the vicinity of the original dispersal focus, new growing patches are generated while the main patch increases its own growth absorbing the closest patches. As a consequence of both dispersal and lower density dependence, growth of the occupied area is much faster than with SDD. SDD and LDD also differ regarding pattern generation. With SDD, fractal patterns appear only in the border of the invasion front in SDD when competitive interaction with residents is included. In contrast, LDD patterns show fractality both in the spatial arrangements of patches as well as in patch borders. Moreover, values of border fractal dimension inform on the dispersal process in relation with habitat heterogeneity. The distribution of patch size is also scale-free, showing two power laws characteristic of small and large patch sizes directly arising from the dispersal and reproductive dynamics. Ecological factors like habitat heterogeneity are relevant for dispersal, although its importance is greater for SDD, lowering the invasion velocity. Among the life history traits considered, adult mortality, the juvenile bank and mean dispersal distance are the most relevant for SDD. For LDD, habitat heterogeneity and changes in life history traits are not so relevant, causing minor changes in the values of the scale-free parameters. Our work on short and long distance dispersal shows novel theoretical differences between SDD and LDD in invasive systems (mechanisms of pattern formation, fractal and scaling properties, relevance of different life history traits and habitat variables) that correspond closely with field examples and were not analyzed, at least in this degree of detail, by the previously existing models.
In Vitro Characterization of Solvent/Detergent‐Treated Human Plasma and of Quarantine Fresh Frozen Plasma

Background and objectives: Plasma pools, solvent/detergent(S/D)‐treated plasma produced from plasma pools, and single donor fresh frozen plasma that had been quarantined for at least 6 months (QFFP) differ in their composition regarding clotting factors, inhibitors and other important plasma proteins. There are poor data concerning stability of important clotting factors after thawing of frozen plasma units. Materials and methods: 12 plasma pools, 12 batches of S/D plasma produced from these respective plasma pools, and 12 units of QFFP were extensively analysed. The stability of fibrinogen and factors V, VII, and VIII after thawing, storage at room temperature and at +4°C was also examined. Results: We extensively analysed plasma pools before and after solvent/detergent treatment as well as quarantined single donor plasma units for parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis. After the S/D step, all clotting factor activities and the activities of most inhibitors and other plasma proteins were in the normal range in all batches. Protein S and plasmin inhibitor activities decreased by 35% and 76%, respectively. S/D treatment partly activated factor VII (FVII). However, there were no marked increases of other markers of activated hemostasis. The interindividual variations of all proteins analysed were significantly lower in the S/D plasmas than in the single donor plasma units. An 8‐hour storage lead to a marked decrease of FVIII activity, whereas there was no significant influence on fibrinogen and factors V and VII. Conclusions: There are no critical reductions of the activities of clotting factors, inhibitors, and other important plasma proteins due to S/D treatment. Efficacy and safety of S/D plasma is not hampered by reduced activities of protein S and plasmin inhibitor. Dosage calculation and the evaluation of clinical response is simplified by usage of the more standardized S/D plasma compared to QFFP.
A deep sub-V, single power-supply SRAM cell with multi-V/sub T/, boosted storage node and dynamic load

The key issues in ultralow voltage SRAM design are a reduction in power supply voltage to a solar-cell voltage of 0.5V or less, single supply operation, and an increase in the cell voltage-margin. However, these problems remain largely unsolved. Even in most advanced cells an unavoidably high FET threshold voltage (V/sub T/) of the cell compared with the low stored node-voltage of supply restricts the supply to around 1V, although 0.5 V operation has been reported with no cell margin. Moreover, the negative pull down of the cell source line prevents single supply operation, since an on-chip negative voltage generator comprising charge pumping circuits never manages a heavy data-line capacitance. This paper describes an innovative circuit for overcoming these problems, demonstrating the feasibility of a single 0.3 V, 50 MHz, 0.25 /spl mu/m 8Kb SRAM. A multi-V/sub T/ cell, a boosted cell storage-node and a dynamic cell load contribute to the outstanding performance.
Developing a typology of customer experience management practice – from preservers to vanguards

The phenomenon of customer experience (CE) is of increasing interest to both academics and business executives. The current literature on the practice and management of CE, while multifaceted, lacks conceptual and strategic direction. Marketing research believes CE interactions and strategies have a positive influence on the customer perceived value since value is experiential, resulting in financial returns. In order to determine which one of these strategies and practices will have the most positive influence on organizational performance, we first have to understand current CE practice and develop a typology of such practices. Our paper submits a typology of these practices. Our proposed typology can help firms scope their ambition and establish a realistic development path for their investments in new experience-creating capabilities.
Both high level pressure support ventilation and controlled mechanical ventilation induce diaphragm dysfunction and atrophy

Objectives:Previous workers have demonstrated that controlled mechanical ventilation results in diaphragm inactivity and elicits a rapid development of diaphragm weakness as a result of both contractile dysfunction and fiber atrophy. Limited data exist regarding the impact of pressure support ventilation, a commonly used mode of mechanical ventilation—that permits partial mechanical activity of the diaphragm—on diaphragm structure and function. We carried out the present study to test the hypothesis that high-level pressure support ventilation decreases the diaphragm pathology associated with CMV. Methods:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups:1) control (no mechanical ventilation); 2) 12 hrs of controlled mechanical ventilation (12CMV); 3) 18 hrs of controlled mechanical ventilation (18CMV); 4) 12 hrs of pressure support ventilation (12PSV); or 5) 18 hrs of pressure support ventilation (18PSV). Measurements and Main Results:We carried out the following measurements on diaphragm specimens: 4-hydroxynonenal—a marker of oxidative stress, active caspase-3 (casp-3), active calpain-1 (calp-1), fiber type cross-sectional area, and specific force (sp F). Compared with the control, both 12PSV and 18PSV promoted a significant decrement in diaphragmatic specific force production, but to a lesser degree than 12CMV and 18CMV. Furthermore, 12CMV, 18PSV, and 18CMV resulted in significant atrophy in all diaphragm fiber types as well as significant increases in a biomarker of oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal) and increased proteolytic activity (20S proteasome, calpain-1, and caspase-3). Furthermore, although no inspiratory effort occurs during controlled mechanical ventilation, it was observed that pressure support ventilation resulted in large decrement, approximately 96%, in inspiratory effort compared with spontaneously breathing animals. Conclusions:High levels of prolonged pressure support ventilation promote diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction. Furthermore, similar to controlled mechanical ventilation, pressure support ventilation-induced diaphragmatic atrophy and weakness are associated with both diaphragmatic oxidative stress and protease activation. (Crit Care Med 2012; 40:–1260)
Knowledge brokers and the management of internal coopetition : The Ubisoft Case.

The phenomenon of coopetition, i.e. cooperation between competing actors, has gained wide ground in strategic management research. The primary focus of these studies is set on interfirm relationships, highlighting benefits, limits and configurational patterns of cooperative relationships between competing firms. Only a small, emerging group of studies seeks for extending the concept on the intra-firm level, stressing the existence and effects of competition between units which are part of the same organization. This paper contributes to this latter group by investigating the effects of internal coopetition on knowledge and innovation sharing. Based on a qualitative case study of the video game publisher Ubisoft, we analyze the tensions raised by the coopetitive setting and the way they limit knowledge sharing between competing units. We then identify the facilitating role of knowledge broker agents who actively contribute to weakening these tensions and to promoting knowledge and innovation transfer across units
National Differences in Performance-Dependent Compensation Practices:The United States Vs. The Netherlands

This paper describes the findings of a study aimed at providing an international replication of a U.S.-based study by Gibbs et al. (2004, 2006) focused on the performance-dependent compensation practices of firms in the automobile retailing industry. The purpose was to determine the extent to which these practices and their effects were similar across countries. We collected a set of data comparable to that of Gibbs et al. from Dutch automobile retailers. The findings reveal dramatic differences in practices across the two countries. As compared to the U.S. firms, the Dutch firms are much less likely to provide their managers with performance-dependent compensation in any form. Where Dutch firms do offer performance-dependent compensation, the payouts are smaller and their bonus awards are less likely to be based on profit measures of performance. But where the Dutch firms use performance-dependent compensation, their performance/reward functions are more complex. And, unlike in the U.S. firms, in the Dutch firms the effects of the use of performance-dependent compensation on net profit and pay satisfaction are negative.
Bound states and resonances in waveguides and quantum wires.

We present experimental and theoretical results on bound states in quantum wires (narrow, two-dimensional quantum channels). We study rectangular systems of constant width, varying the bend angle. This system is realized by propagation of TE-mode microwaves in flat rectangular waveguides; resonant frequencies for absorption of power are measured for various bend angles, and compared with theoretical results for bound-state (resonant) eigenvalues
An Analysis of Women Farmers in Rice Production in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State

The study focuses on Analysis of Women Farmers in Rice Production in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. A total of 120 Questionnaire were collected and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The study used purposeful sampling technique to choose two (2) wards out of the ten (10) political wards in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. The two (2) wards were Akate and Asibiti wards. Also, random sampling was used to distribute the questionnaires among the respondents in the two (2) wards selected. In each of the wards, twelve (12) households were randomly selected and five (5) questionnaires were distributed to each of the household. The Chi-Square(X2) test was used to ascertain the relationship between the factors affecting rice production by women rice farmers in Donga L.G. A of Taraba State. The study reveals that 41.7 percent of respondents purchase farmland for the cultivation of rice. And 40 percent obtain credit facilities from cooperative societies. Also, 42.5 percent of the respondents consider inadequate finance as the major factor affecting rice production by women farmers in Donga L.G. A of Taraba State. All stakeholders must give all necessary assistance to women farmers involve in rice production.
Method for Estimating Respiratory Surface Area of Mammalian Lungs from Their Physical Characteristics.∗

The surface area available for gas exchange in the lungs s an impotant factor in gas transfer between the alveoli and the blood 1 . , 2 Present estimates of this area are based on measurements of alveolar dimensions taken from fixed histologic specimens 3 , 4 , 5 . These estimates of total surgace area are made by measuring or calculating the area/volume ratio for a small portion of lung tissue and applying this ratio to an assumed total lung volume. The volume which must be assumed is uncertain because the degree of inflation represented in the particular specimen is difficult to determine, especially if the lungs are allowed to collapse before fixation is complete. Moreover, distortion of lung architecture inevitably occurs with standard histologic methods involving dessicatin and embedding, and such lobular subdivisions as the air-sacs and alveolar ducts, which contribute only slightly to the respiratory surface area, have in the inflated state a much larger volume than is generally realized 6 . for these reasons calculation by anatomic methods tend to result in overestimating the number of alveoli and the total lung surface. The method of estimating lung surface described in this report is based on physical measurements of the lungs and avoids any assumption of size or configuration of respiratory structures. The calculation depends on consideration of the changes in free energy of the lungs as they are deflated. During inflation, energy is stored by deforming elasitc elements. and by the creation of a large air-liquid interface If the lungs are diflatd by allowing volume equilibrium at successive pressure decrements, the stored energy released during deflation can be measured.
Assessing the Impact of Sustainable Practices on Organizational Performance

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing pressure on organizations to be fully responsible for their business operations in order to minimize their environmental impact. These pressures have evolved the green practice adoption procedures that companies are undertaking. In this thesis, we study the overall impact of adoption of various green practices on firms’ performance outcome. The green practices included in the study are: Internal environmental management, green design and product development, green purchasing and procurement, green distribution, investment recovery, reverse logistics and finally socially sustainable practices. The effectiveness of each of these seven practices is examined against environmental and financial performance of organizations. The influence level of different environmental drivers in form of regulatory pressure and other non-coercive pressures is also investigated. A survey among 45 Canadian firms is conducted for this purpose. The data obtained is subject to partial least square structural equation modeling using SmartPLS software for performing of statistical analysis. The model results show that internally oriented environmental practices such as internal environmental management and socially sustainable practices impact more the environmental and financial performance of companies than other practices. Furthermore, no significant relationship between product recovery practices and environmental and financial performance was observed. Keywords: Green supply chain management, environmental performance, green practices, PLS-SEM, survey questionnaire.
The Influence of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect on the Mainland China and Hong Kong Stock Markets

China has been intensively launching opening-up policies since November 2014. Among these policies, the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect offers international investors an approach to investing directly in Mainland China stock markets. At the same time, Mainland China capital can gain access to overseas markets via Hong Kong. This study investigates the influence of the policy by using the Vector Autoregressive and Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic framework. The results show that the new policy has different impacts on the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong stock markets due to their distinct market features and policy restrictions. The three markets also transmit the policy effects to one another due to their close linkages. It not only indicates that Mainland China financial centers (Shanghai and Shenzhen) integrate with one of international financial centers (Hong Kong), but also symbolizes the gradually increasing strength of Chinese policy effects on global capital markets
Characterization of novel SF 3 b and 17 S U 2 snRNP proteins , including a human Prp 5 p homologue and an SF 3 b DEAD-box protein

Mass spectrometry was used to identify novel proteins associated with the human 17S U2 snRNP and one of its stable subunits, SF3b. Several additional proteins were identi®ed, demonstrating that 17S U2 snRNPs are signi®cantly more complex than previously thought. Two of the newly identi®ed proteins, namely the DEAD-box proteins SF3b125 and hPrp5 (a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Prp5p) were characterized further. Immunodepletion experiments with HeLa nuclear extract indicated that hPrp5p plays an important role in pre-mRNA splicing, acting during or prior to prespliceosome assembly. The SF3b-associated protein SF3b125 dissociates at the time of 17S U2 formation, raising the interesting possibility that it might facilitate the assembly of the 17S U2 snRNP. Finally, immuno ̄uorescence/FISH studies revealed a differential subnuclear distribution of U2 snRNA, hPrp5p and SF3b125, which were enriched in Cajal bodies, versus SF3b155 and SF3a120, which were not; a model for 17S U2 snRNP assembly based on these ®ndings is presented. Taken together, these studies provide new insight into the composition of the 17S U2 snRNP and the potential function of several of its proteins.
Fitt?s law with a virtual reality glove and a mouse: effects of gain

The effects of gain on target acq uI sItion using the classic FillS' law paradigm with a mouse and a virtual reality glove were tested. The mouse was significantly faster and had significantly lower error rates. For both devices , increased gain decreased movement times. Errors and movement times increased for both devices as the index of difficulty increased . Target entries were found to be significantly higher for the mouse. A model is proposed whereby gain has an inverse multiplicative effec t upon Fitts' index of difficulty. The model accounts for 81 % of the mouse's variance and 48% of the glove's variance. The lower number for the glove shows that Fitts' law has difficulties predicting its performance. The glove appeared not to operate at Fitts' law's prediction s when gain was greater than one. The implications for the design of cyberspaces are discussed.
A Fast Multigrid Algorithm for Isotropic Transport Problems I: Pure Scattering

The authors present a multigrid method for solving the one-dimensional (1-D) slab-geometry $S_N $ equations with isotropic scattering and no absorption. This scheme is highly compatible with massively parallel computer architectures and represents a first step toward similar multigrid methods for the $S_N $ equations in curvilinear and multidimensional geometries. Extensive theoretical analyses are given for our scheme which indicate that it is extremely efficient. In fact, the method is so efficient that it very nearly represents an exact solution technique. Results from calculations are presented which validate the theoretical results. The case with absorption is treated in a sequel to this paper [Manteuffel et al., A fast multigrid algorithm for transport problems II: With absorption, SIAM J. Sci. Comput. , submitted].
Percepciones estudiantiles acerca del uso de nuevas tecnologías en instituciones de Educación Superior en Medellín

Introduction. Online education has grown exponentially in recent years worldwide, and Colombia has not been an exception. Objective. Describe the perceptions of students about the factors that affect the acceptance of online learning tools in Medellin. Materials and methods. A quantitative design by the use of self-managed questionnaires for 1032 students was used. Results. New information and communications technologies, faster transactions and exchanges and many other conditions have affected massification and flexibility strategies in some higher education institutions. Conclusions. The conclusion was that, even though online platforms help students feel more efficient in their learning processes, there are still many challenges to be faced concerning the implementation of new technologies as strategies to mediate in the teaching-learning process
Challenges in thermal interface material testing

Characterization of thermal properties of thermal interface materials (TIMs) has gained increasing importance as the relative percentage of overall semiconductor package material thermal resistance attributable to the TIMs has increased. The development of new TIM materials has increasingly focused on materials with very high performance and, in certain instances, with very thin in-situ application thickness. These trends have placed increasing focus on the characterization methods, characterization equipment, and accuracy and repeatability of results. This discussion focuses mainly on standardization aspects, standardized laboratory measurement methodology, and application-specific measurements
Accumulation of ceramide in slow‐twitch muscle contributes to the development of insulin resistance in the obese JCR:LA‐cp rat

What is the central question of this study? The aim was to determine whether the accumulation of ceramide contributes to skeletal muscle insulin resistance in the JCR obese rat. What is the main finding and its importance? Our main new finding is that ceramides accumulate only in slow‐twitch skeletal muscle in the JCR obese rat and that reducing ceramide content in this muscle type by inhibition of serine palmitoyl transferase‐1 halts the progression of insulin resistance in this rat model predisposed to early development of type 2 diabetes. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing insulin signalling/sensitivity and lipid intermediate accumulation in different muscle fibre types.