Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting site fidelity in a territorial animal,
 Perithemis tenera
 


This study investigated the factors aVecting the site fidelity of the eastern amberwing dragonfly, Perithemis tenera (Odonata: Anisoptera), following the framework and testing the predic- tions of a theoretical model (Switzer 1993; Evol. Ecol., 7, 533-555). Male amberwings defended territories around oviposition sites during the day and left the pond vicinity in the evening. Individuals were highly site-faithful between days: 32.5% of the time males returned to the same oviposition site, and 62.3% of the time males returned to within 3 m of their previous site. Mating success on the pond was temporally predictable and spatially variable. As the model predicted from these habitat characteristics, individuals were more likely to be site-faithful if they had obtained a mating at the site the day before, if their territory was of relatively high quality and when they were older. Males that voluntarily changed oviposition sites between days moved to higher-quality territories. In contrast to some other odonate and avian studies, territory evictions caused considerable site infidelity in amberwings both within and between days. Evictions caused most moves within a day, but the majority of moves between days were voluntary. 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Immunization with Neural-Derived Peptides as a Potential Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases

There is a nosological dilemma when it comes to classifying what comprises a neurodegenerative disease (NDD). Degeneration – purely speaking – is to go from a higher to a lower level of functioning; it is deterioration from normalcy. Neurons are the functional elements of the nervous system. Then degeneration of the nervous system consists of a decrease or loss in the function of neurons. Not necessarily an atrophy, which consists of the death of a particular population of neurons. Clinically, NDD are comprised of progressive dementias, progressive ataxias, disorders in posture and movement, muscle weakness, and progressive blindness. The common characteristic in all of these pathologies is their chronicity. Each and every one of the aforementioned diseases consists of a chronic progression towards the loss of a particular function. However, this definition does not include a limit on temporality. Nosologically speaking neurodegeneration could include several other pathologies from an acute time frame. NDD can further be divided into an acute and chronic classification. Chronic diseases such as: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) were the common conception of NDD. The latter was sustained until acute traumatic injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) were found to cause generalized inflammation and other phenomena that lead to degeneration. Examples of CNS injury that cause this secondary degeneration are: global or focal cerebral ischemia (stroke), spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The similarities in neurodegenerative processes between these and chronic NDD allows us to classify them within acute NDD. Neurodegeneration previously consisted of progressive atrophic disorders but has now expanded into the study of all pathophysiological processes that deteriorate the CNS. As a whole, NDD are the cause of many deaths around the world. In the US, stroke, traumatic injuries (such as: SCI and TBI), AD, and PD are within the top 15 causes of mortality, averaging 350,000 deaths per year (Xu et al., 2007). Although NDD have an elevated mortality their greatest impact is on morbidity, affecting 50 million Americans each year and generating a large amount of federal spending (Brown et al., 2005). Every year $144 billion USD are spent on AD alone, and that is excluding the spending required for the other 600 neurological disorders that have been described (Alzheimer’s Association, 2010; Meek et al., 1998). The elevated prevalence and incidence require a large initiative to research the hallmarks of these diseases. Until now, our understanding of NDD is quite
Recent Progress in Polymer Solar Cells: Manipulation of Polymer:Fullerene Morphology and the Formation of Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cells

Polymer morphology has proven to be extremely important in determining the optoelectronic properties in polymer‐based devices. The understanding and manipulation of polymer morphology has been the focus of electronic and optoelectronic polymer‐device research. In this article, recent advances in the understanding and controlling of polymer morphology are reviewed with respect to the solvent selection and various annealing processes. We also review the mixed‐solvent effects on the dynamics of film evolution in selected polymer‐blend systems, which facilitate the formation of optimal percolation paths and therefore provide a simple approach to improve photovoltaic performance. Recently, the occurrence of vertical phase separation has been found in some polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunctions. 1–3 The origin and applications of this inhomogeneous distribution of the polymer donor and fullerene acceptor are addressed. The current status and device physics of the inverted structure solar cells is also reviewed, including the advantage of utilizing the spontaneous vertical phase separation, which provides a promising alternative to the conventional structure for obtaining higher device performance.
Late Cenozoic and modern stress fields in the western Fars (Iran): Implications for the tectonic and kinematic evolution of central Zagros

The Zagros (Iran) developed during Mio‐Pliocene times in response to Arabia‐Eurasia convergence. The western Fars highlights a major bend of the deformation front and displays a remarkable set of nearly N‐S right‐lateral strike‐slip faults (the Kazerun‐Borazjan/Karebass/Sabz‐Pushan/Sarvestan faults) oblique at high angle to the belt. The region likely plays a major kinematic role by accommodating the change in shortening modes from partitioned in the western central Zagros to nonpartitioned in the eastern Zagros. The inversion of focal mechanisms from small and moderate earthquakes shows a consistent N020°–030° compression with a low ratio between differential stresses. This regime accounts for the combination of strike‐slip and thrust‐type mechanisms through likely σ2/σ3 permutations. Fault slip analysis reveals two successive late Cenozoic regional compressional trends, NE‐SW then N020°. The latter is in good agreement with the present‐day stress. The significance of the NE‐SW compression is discussed alternatively in terms of stress deviations or block rotations in relation to the strike‐slip fault system. Fieldwork and satellite imagery suggest that these faults behave first as transfer faults during folding of the cover and later as strike‐slip faults, in agreement with the succession of stress regimes and the evolution of the dominant deformation style from thin‐skinned to thick‐skinned. The first‐order stability of the collision‐related state of stress since ∼5 Ma supports that the Arabia‐Eurasia convergence did not give rise to partitioning in the western Fars but rather was (and is still) accommodated by distributed deformation involving both shortening and strike‐slip motion throughout the cover and the basement.
A comparative study of large-scale atmospheric circulation in the context of a future scenario (RCP4.5) and past warmth (mid-Pliocene)

Abstract. The mid-Pliocene warm period (~ 3.3–3.0 Ma) is often considered as the last sustained warm period with close enough geographic configurations compared to the present one associated with atmospheric CO2 concentration (405 ± 50 ppm) higher than the modern level. For this reason, this period is often considered as a potential analogue for the future climate warming, with the important advantage that for mid-Pliocene many marine and continental data are available. To investigate this issue, we selected the RCP4.5 scenario, one of the current available future projections, to compare the pattern of tropical atmospheric response with the past warm mid-Pliocene climate. We use three Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model (AOGCM) simulations (RCP4.5 scenario, mid-Pliocene and present-day simulation) carried out with the IPSL-CM5A model and investigate atmospheric tropical dynamics through Hadley and Walker cell responses to warmer conditions, considering that the analysis can provide some assessment of how these circulations will change in the future. Our results show that there is a damping of the Hadley cell intensity in the northern tropics and an increase in both subtropics. Moreover, northern and southern Hadley cells expand poleward. The response of the Hadley cells is stronger for the RCP4.5 scenario than for the mid-Pliocene, but in very good agreement with the fact that the atmospheric CO2 concentration is higher in the future scenario than in the mid-Pliocene (543 versus 405 ppm). Concerning the response of the Walker cell, we show that despite very large similarities, there are also some differences. Common features to both scenarios are: weakening of the ascending branch, leading to a suppression of the precipitation over the western tropical Pacific. The response of the Walker cell is stronger in the RCP4.5 scenario than in the mid-Pliocene but also depicts some major differences, as an eastward shift of its rising branch in the future scenario compared to the mid-Pliocene. In this paper, we explain the dynamics of the Hadley and Walker cells, and show that despite a minor discrepancy, the mid-Pliocene is certainly an interesting analogue for future climate changes in tropical areas.
Managing Diversity from a Strategic Perspective : A Competing Values Approach

Attempts at managing diversity have met with mixed, mostly weak results over the years. Organizations have invested a great deal of money, time, and emotion in trying to help their employees “value diversity” in vain hopes of positively impacting the organization’s bottom line. The present study argues that the failure to realize gains from managing diversity stem from a basic misunderstanding of the nature of diversity itself, resulting in the view that it is both inevitable and inherently good. Once freed of these assumptions, managers can begin to truly manage diversity from a strategic perspective, insuring that their diversity strategy is consistent with other aspects of their competitive strategy, culture, and structure. The Competing Values Approach (CVA) is suggested as a model that ties this new perspective to other organizational imperatives. The resulting model identifies four strategic approaches to managing diversity, Valuing, Exploiting, Reducing, and Rejecting. The model also forces management to answer the crucial question of why diversity is being introduced or increased in the organization. Different reasons reflect different goals, which should in turn lead to different managerial expectations. Realistically matching expectations to diversity strategies will go a long way in reducing the frustrations and disappointments with Managing Diversity programs in use today.
Tilburg University Emotional state and Market Behavior

We consider the relationship between the emotional state of traders and market prices. We create asset markets with the structure first studied by Smith, Suchanek and Williams (1988), which is known to generate price bubbles and crashes. We analyze participants' facial expressions with facereading software before and while the market is operating. We find that greater positive emotion in facial expressions before the market opens predicts higher prices and larger bubbles. Greater fear predicts lower prices and smaller bubbles. Those traders who remain the most neutral during periods of market volatility achieve the highest earnings. Loss aversion in decision making is correlated with fear, not with other emotions.
Education and Health : From a transcultural perspective ” Sources of work-related stress and their effect on burnout in midwifery

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine sources of occupational stress and their association with burnout in midwives. 100 midwives (mean age 54.62; SD=11.94) working in gynaecologic and obstetric clinics in Slovak hospitals were included in study. Expanded Nursing Stress Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory were employed. The respondents reported high, average and high levels of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment, respectively. A strong relationship was found between conflict with doctor, supervisor, as well as other midwives, work overload and emotional exhaustion. Positive relationship was found between conflict with both, doctors and other co-workers, work overload and personal accomplishment. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Encarnación Soriano, Christine Sleeter and María Antonia Casanova.
CIB 2007-473 The Systemic Nature of the Construction Industry

A worldview of the construction industry with its complexity provides a more realistic platform from where we can identify the elements that historically have influence industrial change and avoid the attraction and bias of reductionist models. This paper presents a better understanding of the complex nature of the building industry to answer the question: How can we postulate a type of system to be the right vehicle to study a phenomenon that cannot be extrapolated from past behaviour?
Hydrology of the Po River: looking for changing patterns in river discharge

Scientists and public administrators are devoting increasing attention to the Po River, in Italy, in view of concerns related to the impact of increasing urbanisation and exploitation of water resources. A better understanding of the hydrological regime of the river is necessary to improve water resources management and flood protection. In particular, the analysis of the effects of hydrological and climatic change is crucial for planning sustainable development and economic growth. An extremely interesting issue is to inspect to what extent river flows can be naturally affected by the occurrence of long periods of water abundance or scarcity, which can be erroneously interpreted as irreversible changes due to human impact. In fact, drought and flood periods alternatively occurred in the recent past in the form of long-term fluctuations. This paper presents advanced graphical and analytical methods to gain a better understanding of the temporal distribution of the Po River discharge. In particular, we present an analysis of river flow variability and persistence properties, to gain a better understanding of natural patterns, and in particular long-term changes, which may affect the future flood risk and availability of water resources.
Russo , Giuseppina ( 2017 ) Dual Routes from Social Identity to Collective Opposition against Criminal Organisations : Intracultural Appropriation Theory and the roles of Honour Codes and Social Change Beliefs

Italian criminal organisations (COs) are a serious global threat. Intracultural Appropriation Theory (ICAT) holds that such groups exploit cultural codes of masculinity and honour to legitimise and lower resistance to their actions. Such codes are an important feature of Southern Italian group membership. A large survey (N = 1173) investigated the role of two previously under-examined facets of honour cultures – personal concerns for reputation, and female honour ideology. In addition, drawing on social identity theory, and testing a dual route hypothesis, this research investigated the role of beliefs about the necessity of social change in the articulation between identification, honour, and collective action intentions. Consistent with ICAT, and with previous research, male-honour related values uniquely predicted collective action intentions against criminal organisations. In addition, consistent with the dual route hypothesis: a) regional identification positively predicted social change beliefs which in turn explained stronger intentions to oppose COs collectively, and, b) regional identification was also positively associated with masculine honour which in turn predicted weaker intentions to oppose COs. The evidence supports the idea that social identity can have opposing effects on collective action in the same context, depending on which beliefs are mobilised.
Adaptation of Reminiscence Functions Scale for Bangladeshi Population

Objective of the present study was to adapt the Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS) in Bangla to be used in the context of Bangladeshi culture and background. Data were collected from 300 adult participants using survey method. Among the participants 171 were male and 129 were female. Their age range was 17 to 90 (Mean = 37.69, SD=12.47). Psychometric analysis included item analysis, principal component analysis with varimax rotation, test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha. The 43-items were found to be psychometrically acceptable to construct this Bangla version of RFS by Webster (9). Data revealed eight factors, namely -Boredom Reduction, Death Preparation, Identity, Problem-Solving, Conversation, Intimacy Maintenance, Bitterness Revival, and Teach/Inform. Test-retest and internal consistency reliability of the instrument was found . 81 and . 89 respectively. Psychometric evidences indicate this self-report Likert instrument is both reliable as well as valid measure of reminiscence function and hence suggested to be usable in the context of Bangladesh.
Making Bureaucracy Work: Patronage Networks, Performance Incentives, and Economic Development in China

Patron–client networks are widely found in governments of transitional societies and are often seen as an impediment to effective governance. This article advances an alternative view that emphasizes their enabling effects. I argue that patron–client relations can be used to improve government performance by resolving principal–agent problems within political hierarchies. I substantiate this claim by examining how patronage networks shape economic performance of local governments in China. Using an original city–level panel data set between 2000 and 2011, and a new method that identifies patronage ties based on past promotions, I show that city leaders with informal ties to the incumbent provincial leaders deliver significantly faster economic growth than those without. I conduct additional analyses to rule out several important alternative explanations and provide evidence on the incentive‐enhancing mechanism. These findings highlight the importance of informal institutions for bureaucratic management and authoritarian governance.
Identification of Novel Neurotensin Receptor 1 Inhibitors by Combinatorial Support Vector Machine

Neurotensin (NT) contributes to pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, and the signal of NT and neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) is closely associated with cancer, inflammation and immunomodulatory disease. So far, drug targeting NTR1 has not reached any primary endpoint in clinical trial or approval, and the number of reported active compounds against NTR1 is too small to provide any novel scaffold in facilitating NTR1-based lead identification. Thus, the search for new inhibitors is of great interest to current drug discovery. This work explored the use of support vector machine (SVM) combined with putative non-inhibitor generation method as a virtual screening (VS) tool. SVM developed by NTR1 inhibitors published before 2011 was verified by cross validation and by 20 independent test inhibitors published after 2011. By scanning large chemical libraries, low false-hit rates of 0.026% (3,452 out of 13.56M PubChem chemicals) and 0.065% (109 out of 168K MDDR chemicals) were identified. A further investigation of 115 compounds identified by this work found 17 novel scaffolds against NTR1, 29% of which have been reported to show CNS and cancer-related therapeutic effects. Therefore, SVM is effective in identifying novel NTR1 inhibitors, which can be a good starting point to facilitate CNS and anticancer drug discovery in the near future.
Silicosis: biomarkers and pathogenesis

The name of this disease “Pneumonoultra-microscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis”, first description by Ramazzini1 was changed due to the types of exposed dust.2 There are no reliable figures on the silica-inhalation exposed populations. Nevertheless, in 2000, the CAREX registry recorded 3.2 million silica-exposed people in the European Union.3 Silicosis is histologically characterized by hyalinized and fibrotic pulmonary nodules, accumulation of lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages, and thickening of pulmonary alveolar interstitium.4 The disease is caused by continuous inhalation of the silica dust (crystalline silica, SiO2 (Silicon dioxide)) with marked inflammation and irreversible scarring of the lungs with nodules in the upper lobes.5,6 Oxygen and silicon, together amount for 74.32% weight and 83.77% of crustal rocks are the two most occurring common elements on the surface of the earth.7 Silicon dioxide or silica is formed under the conditions of increased pressure and heat that exists in amorphous and crystalline (quartz, a typical component of rocks) form. The risk of developing silicosis is closely associated with the accumulated exposure of a person to respirable crystalline silica during his or her working lifetime. The intensity of accumulated respirable silica exposure can be calculated as the following: Accumulated silica dose = fraction of respirable dust X percentage of free silica in mg/m3 X number of years of exposure.8 Silicosis is the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis due to wide prevalence in the atmosphere and more common than the other types of dust.1,9,10 Both in Developing and developed world, silicosis is an occupational hazard with greater risk for workers engaged in stone crushing, stone cutting, cement industries, glass manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and construction. Pathogenesis
CHARACTERIZATION OF ADULT AND EMBRYONIC STEM CELL PROLIFERATION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND INTEGRATIONS IN VITRO AND IN NIGROSTRIAT

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy CHARACTERIZATION OF ADULT AND EMBRYONIC STEM CELL PROLIFERATION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND INTEGRATION IN VITRO AND IN A NIGROSTRIATAL SLICE CULTURE SYSTEM By Sean M. Kearns August 2006 Chair: Dennis A. Steindler Major department: Medical Sciences—Molecular Cell Biology Stem cell therapy holds great promise in repairing brain damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease. To fully use these cells, a better understanding is needed of the mechanisms and processes that control their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Our study used both in vitro and slice culture techniques to examine adult neural and embryonic stem cells. Our initial experiments showed that adult neural stem cells can generate hybrid cells (asterons) in culture. These asterons appear to be hybrid cells that express both markers of immature neurons and astrocytes, and appear to be the result of transdifferentiation from a neuron to an astrocyte. We also examined the effects of different extracellular matrix molecules on the migration of adult neurosphere derived cells. Our results showed that laminin and fibronectin are permissive for migration and enhance outgrowth. In contrast, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan inhibits migration and impedes outgrowth.