Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Spatial Resolution Visual Band Imagery Outperforms Medium Resolution Spectral Imagery for Ecosystem Assessment in the Semi-Arid Brazilian Sertão

Semi-arid ecosystems play a key role in global agricultural production, seasonal carbon cycle dynamics, and longer-run climate change. Because semi-arid landscapes are heterogeneous and often sparsely vegetated, repeated and large-scale ecosystem assessments of these regions have to date been impossible. Here, we assess the potential of high-spatial resolution visible band imagery for semi-arid ecosystem mapping. We use WorldView satellite imagery at 0.3–0.5 m resolution to develop a reference data set of nearly 10,000 labeled examples of three classes—trees, shrubs/grasses, and bare land—across 1000 km 2 of the semi-arid Sertao region of northeast Brazil. Using Google Earth Engine, we show that classification with low-spectral but high-spatial resolution input (WorldView) outperforms classification with the full spectral information available from Landsat 30 m resolution imagery as input. Classification with high spatial resolution input improves detection of sparse vegetation and distinction between trees and seasonal shrubs and grasses, two features which are lost at coarser spatial (but higher spectral) resolution input. Our total tree cover estimates for the study area disagree with recent estimates using other methods that may underestimate treecover because they confuse trees with seasonal vegetation (shrubs and grasses). This distinction is important for monitoring seasonal and long-run carbon cycle and ecosystem health. Our results suggest that newer remote sensing products that promise high frequency global coverage at high spatial but lower spectral resolution may offer new possibilities for direct monitoring of the world’s semi-arid ecosystems, and we provide methods that could be scaled to do so.
Uber vs. Taxi: A Driver's Eye View

Ride-hailing drivers pay a proportion of their fares to the ride-hailing platform operator, a commission-based compensation model used by many internet-mediated service providers. To Uber drivers, this commission is known as the Uber fee. By contrast, traditional taxi drivers in most US cities make a fixed payment independent of their earnings, usually a weekly or daily medallion lease, but keep every fare dollar net of expenses. We assess these compensation models from a driver’s point of view using an experiment that offered random samples of Boston Uber drivers opportunities to lease a virtual taxi medallion that eliminates the Uber fee. Some drivers were offered a negative fee. Drivers’ labor supply response to our offers reveals a large intertemporal substitution elasticity, on the order of 1.2. At the same time, our virtual lease program was under-subscribed: many drivers who would have benefitted from buying an inexpensive lease chose to opt out. We use these results to compute the average compensation required to make drivers indifferent between ride-hailing and a traditional taxi compensation contract. The results suggest that ride-hailing drivers gain considerably from the opportunity to drive without leasing.
Rapid Modeling and Design in Virtual Environments

We discuss the evolution and current status of investigations at our Graphics, Visualization, and Virtual Environments Laboratory. The progression of user interface technology has led us from display systems evaluation, to performance studies of graphics workstations, stereoscopic and head-mounted displays, user-input devices, and interactive techniques for virtual environments. We have been involved in prototyping applications for terrain visualization, situation awareness for command and control, maintenance procedures training, and interactive design. Our current emphasis is on developing techniques for rapid modeling of virtual environments, to support mission planning, rehearsal, and interactive design and visualization. We discuss in detail three examples of these applications, and we present a set of guidelines that we have found to be useful for quickly constructing effective virtual environments.
An SH3 binding region in the epithelial Na+ channel (alpha rENaC) mediates its localization at the apical membrane.

The amiloride‐sensitive Na+ channel constitutes the rate‐limiting step for Na+ transport in epithelia. Immunolocalization and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that this channel is localized at the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells. This localization is essential for proper channel function in Na+ transporting epithelia. In addition, the channel has been shown to associate with the cytoskeletal proteins ankyrin and alpha‐spectrin in renal epithelia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytoskeletal interactions and apical membrane localization of this channel are largely unknown. In this study we show that the putative pore forming subunit of the rat epithelial (amiloride‐sensitive) Na+ channel (alpha ENaC) binds to alpha‐spectrin in vivo, as determined by co‐immunoprecipitation. This binding is mediated by the SH3 domain of alpha‐spectrin which binds to a unique proline‐rich sequence within the C‐terminal region of alpha rENaC. Accordingly, the C‐terminal region is sufficient to mediate binding to intact alpha‐spectrin from alveolar epithelial cell lysate. When microinjected into the cytoplasm of polarized primary rat alveolar epithelial cells, a recombinant fusion protein containing the C‐terminal proline‐rich region of alpha rENaC localized exclusively to the apical area of the plasma membrane, as determined by confocal microscopy. This localization paralleled that of alpha‐spectrin. In contrast, microinjected fusion protein containing the N‐terminal (control) protein of alpha rENaC remained diffuse within the cytoplasm. These results suggest that an SH3 binding region in alpha rENaC mediates the apical localization of the Na+ channel. Thus, cytoskeletal interactions via SH3 domains may provide a novel mechanism for retaining proteins in specific membranes of polarized epithelial cells.
Bistability and metastability of the gallium vacancy in GaAs: The actuator of EL2?

We have used the Green's-function technique to carry out electronic-structure and total-energy calculations for the gallium vacancy in GaAs and for the nearest-neighbor (arsenic vacancy)-(arsenic antisite) pair which results when an adjacent arsenic atom hops over and fills the gallium vacancy. The results are interpolated with a tight-binding model for intermediate positions of the moving arsenic atom. The system shows bistability and metastability, and seems to describe many properties of the $\mathrm{EL}$ 2 center.
Lead exposure and poisoning of songbirds using the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, Idaho, USA

Previous studies have found widespread Pb poisoning of waterfowl in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin in northern Idaho, USA, which has been contaminated by mining and smelting activities. We studied the exposure of ground‐feeding songbirds to Pb, sampling 204 American robins (Turdus migratorius), song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), and Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) throughout the basin. These songbirds had mean blood Pb concentrations (mg/kg, dry weight) of less than 0.19 at a reference area (25 mg Pb/kg soil), 1.09 at moderately contaminated sites (170 to 1300 mg Pb/kg soil), and 2.06 at highly contaminated sites (2000 to 5000 mg Pb/kg soil). Based on guidelines for evaluating blood Pb in birds, 6% of robins from the highly contaminated sites had background concentrations, 24% were subclinically poisoned, 52% were clinically poisoned, and 18% were severely clinically poisoned with Pb. Blood Pb concentrations were lower in song sparrows than in robins and lowest in Swainson's thrushes. More than half of the robins and song sparrows from all contaminated sites and more than half of the Swainson's thrushes from highly contaminated sites showed at least 50% inhibition of the activity of the enzyme δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), commonly used as a measure of exposure to Pb. The highest hepatic Pb concentration of 61 mg/kg (dry weight) was detected in a song sparrow. Using Al as a marker for soil in songbird ingesta, we estimated average soil ingestion rates as 20% in robins, 17% in song sparrows, and 0.7% in Swainson's thrushes. Soil Pb in ingesta accounted for almost all of the songbirds' exposure to Pb. Based on these results, it is recommended that ecological risk assessments of ground‐feeding songbirds at contaminated sites include soil ingestion as a pathway of exposure to Pb. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2011;7:587–595. © 2011 SETAC
Prospects and pitfalls in whole genome association studies

Recent large-scale studies of common genetic variation throughout the human genome are making it feasible to conduct whole genome studies of genotype–phenotype associations. Such studies have the potential to uncover novel contributors to common complex traits and thus lead to insights into the aetiology of multifactorial phenotypes. Despite this promise, it is important to recognize that the availability of genetic markers and the ability to assay them at realistic cost does not guarantee success of this approach. There are a number of practical issues that require close attention, some forms of allelic architecture are not readily amenable to the association approach with even the most rigorous design, and doubtless new hurdles will emerge as the studies begin. Here we discuss the promise and current challenges of the whole genome approach, and raise some issues to consider in interpreting the results of the first whole genome studies.
Wet decontamination‐induced stratum corneum hydration—effects on the skin barrier function to diethylmalonate

Decontamination of chemical agents from the skin uses both dry and wet decontamination processes. Recent studies have shown that wet decontamination frequently results in stratum corneum hydration. To evaluate the hydration effect of wet decontamination on the skin barrier function and hence on the decontamination efficiency, a series of comparative studies were carried out on human skin contaminated with the nerve agent simulant diethylmalonate, using decontamination media having different salinity and surfactants. The results showed that, compared to non‐decontaminated skin, remnant diethylmalonate on decontaminated skin penetrated at an accelerated rate in the immediate 2 h following decontamination. This transient enhancement effect, ranging from 20 to 98%, was depended on the nature of the decontamination media used and was more obvious in skin samples that were decontaminated 1 h post‐exposure. All decontamination media exhibited this effect, with the greatest enhancement observed in the following order: anionic surfactant > cationic surfactant > non‐ionic surfactant > deionized water > 0.9% saline > 9% saline. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing Cocoa Beans Quality through Improved Cultural Practices in Major Cocoa Producing States of Nigeria

In West Africa, low adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers has been partly due to the complexity of the innovation structure or new knowledge beyond the farmers’ socio-economic adaptive capacities. Different attempts have been made to improve cocoa beans quality in Nigeria among which was the recommendation of ‘improved cultural practices’ or ‘best known practices’ (ICMP). This had recorded little success because of the complexity and enormity of the ICMP. The present study, therefore, made an attempt to resolve this, in the major cocoa growing states of Nigeria, through farmers-researcher participatory approach with the aid of interview guide. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Principal Component Analysis procedures in SPSS to identify the minimum essential practices out of the overall ICMP for sustainable cocoa production. The result showed that cocoa farmers practiced 47 activities recognized as ICMP which were grouped as nursery, on farm, harvesting or post-harvest activities. The highest overall percentage use of any of these activities was 3 %, while the least being smaller than 1 %. It was found that 13 out of 47 activities contributed 71.45 % to the overall ICMP, whereas the current cumulative percent use of these 13 activities was 28 %. The individual percent use of each of the 13 activities was about 3 %. The highest contributors among the 13 activities were coded ba1 and ba11 while the least was bb4. Efforts to intensify the use of these 13 activities rather than the 47 activities should be encouraged among farmers for sustainable and high quality cocoa production.
Effect of Ingestion of Thermally Oxidized Sunflower Oil on the Fatty Acid Composition and Antioxidant Enzymes of Rat Liver and Brain in Development

Background: The current study was undertaken to assess the effects of oxidized sunflower oil ingestion (obtained by heating at 98°C with air insufflation during 48 h and incorporated at 5% in a fat-free diet) on liver and brain fatty acid composition, and some serum parameters and protective enzymes against peroxidation (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Results: The main results show that the oxidized oil contains 262 mmol/kg of hydroperoxides, 5.7% of the esters are oxidized and 50.4% are polymerized. In the liver, we noticed that oxidized oil exercises a toxic effect as confirmed by the increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration. In the same way, we noticed that vitamin E exercises a favorable effect in the preservation against free radicals and lipid peroxidation; however, it cannot ensure this protection alone. In the liver, only glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were positively correlated with the TBARS concentration. In the treated groups, we also noted changes in the fatty acid profiles of liver and brain homogenates, essentially by the appearance of trans fatty acid (18:1 trans) and an increase in arachidonic acid content.
How Small Banks Deal with Large Shocks

After a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or flood, banks in the affected area experience a sharp rise in the demand for loans as property owners look to repair the damage. Recent research has focused on such events to study how small community banks adjust their typical way of doing business to respond to large shocks. The research finds that banks strategically adjust their business in three ways to meet the increased demand for capital. Two adjustments increase the funds available for lending, while one shifts lending from areas unaffected by the disaster to the affected area, a strategy that extends the negative impact of large shocks to distant areas otherwise untouched by the disaster.
Dose and Time Effects of Estrogen on Expression of Neuron-Specific Protein and Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein and Brain Region Volume in the Medial Amygdala of Ovariectomized Rats

Although estrogen has been shown to be neuroprotective, studies concerning its effect on some behaviors are contradictory, reporting both ameliorative and detrimental effects. A factor involved in hormone efficacy is the estrogen regimen. We reported an effect of 10 µg estrogen for 14 days on the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in rat medial amygdala (MeA). To determine the effects of estrogen on neuronal numbers and brain region volume in MeA and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), we used stereology to test the effect of various estrogen regimens on the number of neuron-specific protein (NeuN)-labeled neurons and brain region volume of MeA and CeA. Ovariectomized rats were injected with vehicle for 14 days, 2.5 µg estradiol benzoate (E2) for 4 or 14 days, or 10 µg estrogen for 14 days. Because NeuN-labeled neuronal number may be related to neuronal survival and upregulation of CREB signaling, we tested the effect of these regimens on levels of phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) labeling in the MeA and CeA. The 2.5 µg estrogen for 14 days regimen increased the mean number of NeuN-labeled neurons and pCREB-labeled cells in the MeA compared to vehicle or 2.5 µg for 4 days. There was an increase in volume of the MeA with 2.5 µg estrogen for 14 days compared to vehicle or 2.5 µg for 4 days. No differences in these parameters were seen in CeA. These data indicate a neuroanatomical heterogeneity of a time effect of estrogen on cells expressing NeuN and pCREB in the MeA versus CeA.
Osterix‐mCherry transgenic medaka for in vivo imaging of bone formation

Intramembranous and chondral bone formation by osteoblasts is found in all vertebrates. The genetic network controlling osteoblast differentiation is highly conserved and regulated by a small number of key factors, including the zinc‐finger transcription factor Osterix. Expression analysis of osterix in the teleost model medaka revealed a highly restricted expression in skeletal regions. For in vivo imaging, we generated transgenic medaka expressing mCherry under control of the osterix promoter. We show that the transgene becomes expressed in early osteoblasts, which have not yet mineralized bone matrix, and remains high in matured and mineralizing osteoblasts. Life imaging of transgenic larvae provided insight into the appearance and behavior of early osteoblasts during development of the teleost cranium, vertebrae, and caudal fin. In summary, osterix‐mCherry transgenic medaka enable us to analyze osteoblasts during different maturation phases in vivo and represent a unique tool to study osteoblast behavior in vertebrate embryos and adults. Developmental Dynamics 238:241–248, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of the Ga‐As laser irradiation on myonecrosis caused by Bothrops Moojeni snake venom

Viper snake envenoming induces in the victims systemic coagulopathy, and severe local tissue damage such as edema, hemorrhage, intense pain, and myonecrosis. Serumtherapy and other first‐aid managements are ineffective in neutralizing these local effects. The effects of the gallium‐arsenide (Ga‐As) laser irradiation on mice gastrocnemius injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with Bothrops moojeni snake venom were investigated.
Administration of Hematopoietic Cytokines in the Subacute Phase After Cerebral Infarction Is Effective for Functional Recovery Facilitating Proliferation of Intrinsic Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and Transition of Bone Marrow–Derived Neuronal Cells

Background— Hematopoietic cytokines, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and stem cell factor (SCF) were reported to show a neuroprotective effect or to support neurogenesis. These cytokines also mobilize bone marrow (BM) cells into the brain, and the BM-derived cells differentiate into neuronal cells. We administered these hematopoietic cytokines after focal cerebral ischemia and assessed their effects and the therapeutic time window for neuronal regeneration. Methods and Results— We induced permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice whose BM had been replaced with BM cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice. The occluded mice were treated with G-CSF and SCF in the acute phase (days 1 to 10) or subacute phase (days 11 to 20), and the brain functions and histological changes were evaluated. Separately, we injected bromodeoxyuridine during cytokine treatment to assess cell kinetics in the brain. Six mice were prepared for each experimental group. Administration of G-CSF and SCF in the subacute phase effectively improved not only motor performance but also higher brain function, compared with acute-phase treatment. Acute-phase and subacute-phase treatments identically reduced the infarct volume relative to vehicle treatment. However, subacute-phase treatment significantly induced transition of BM-derived neuronal cells into the peri-infarct area and stimulated proliferation of intrinsic neural stem/progenitor cells in the neuroproliferative zone. Conclusions— Administration of G-CSF and SCF in the subacute phase after focal cerebral ischemia is effective for functional recovery, enhancing cytokine-induced generation of neuronal cells from both BM-derived cells and intrinsic neural stem/progenitor cells. Because G-CSF and SCF are available for clinical use, these findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy for stroke.
ENTRY COSTS, FINANCIAL FRICTIONS, AND CROSS-COUNTRY DIFFERENCES IN INCOME AND TFP

This paper develops a model to assess the quantitative effects of entry costs and financial frictions on cross-country income and total factor productivity (TFP) differences, with a primary focus on the interaction between entry costs and financial frictions. The model is calibrated to match the establishment-level statistics for the U.S. economy, assuming a perfect financial market. The simulations based on the calibrated model show that entry costs and financial frictions together account for 55% and 46% of the cross-country variation in output and TFP in the data. Moreover, a substantial portion of the variation is accounted for by the interaction between entry costs and financial frictions. The main mechanism is that financial frictions amplify the effect of entry costs.
An Analog Front-End for a Multifunction Sensor Employing a Weak-Inversion Biasing Technique With 26 nVrms, 25 aCrms, and 19 fArms Input-Referred Noise

An analog front-end (AFE) for a multifunction environmental sensor is proposed. The AFE is designed to be able to sense 1 μV, 1 fC, and 1 pA level signals in a low-frequency band around DC, and consists of an instrumentation amplifier (IA), a charge amplifier (CA), and a continuous time delta-sigma (CTΔΣ) ADC. To reduce the low-frequency noise of operational amplifier (OPAMP) which is used for signal path, this paper proposes a weak-inversion biasing technique. The designed IA achieved 26 nVrms input-referred noise (IRN) in the band of 0.1-10 Hz with 0.22 mm2 die area. The designed CA achieved 25 aCrms IRN in charge sensing mode and 19 fArms IRN in current sensing mode in the band of 0.01-1 Hz, respectively, and occupies 0.12 mm2 die area. The AFE has been fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process with 4.5 mm2 die area. The current consumption at 2.56 kHz output data rate (ODR) is 2.5 mA, reducing to 2 μA at 0.01 Hz ODR.
Identifying the prevalence of influential factors on middle managers’ abilities to lead organizational change within the context of community nursing and therapy services

ABSTRACT United Kingdom healthcare organizations are tasked with improving standards of patient care alongside balancing finances resulting in large scale organizational changes being implemented. Change management models can guide strategies for most effective implementation; however these often only differentiate employees from the initiators of change. Middle managers have a vital organizational position of influence whilst also being subject to stressors from multiple directions. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, this study aimed to quantify the prevalence of influential factors on middle managers’ abilities to lead organizational change within the context of community nursing and therapy services in a National Health Service Community Trust in the East of England. Using a non-probability sampling technique of convenience sampling, an electronic questionnaire was sent to 59 middle managers. The 31 responses, a 53% response rate, were scored using the Likert scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics together with narrative analysis. The results substantiate existing evidence that middle managers leading organizational change are influenced by role clarity, senior management support, peer support, professional development, and ownership. This study suggests a new link between ownership and the frequency and methods of senior management support and that inconsistency in methods of senior management support can hinder middle managers’ leading in change.