Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adapting network interactions of a rescue service mobile application for improved battery life

Today, it is not unusual that smartphone devices can’t survive even one day of regular use until the battery needs to be recharged. The batteries are drained while using power hungry applications made by developers who haven’t taken their application’s energy impact into consideration. In this thesis we study network transmissions as made by a mobile application, and the impact these have on the battery life. The application was developed with the local rescue and emergency service as a hypothetical target group. We test how the mobile network technologies 3G and WiFi together with the device’s current signal strength and battery level affect the energy usage of the battery when uploading data to a server. We develop an adaptation mechanism on application level which uses a mathematical model for calculating a suitable adaptation of scheduling of network interactions. The adaptation mechanism makes use of burst buffering of packets, and adjusts for 3G tail times as well as for different priorities of incoming requests. Custom packet scheduling profiles are made to make consistent measurements, and with this implementation we are able to reduce the amount of energy consumed using 3G and WiFi with 67 % and 39 % respectively during tests.
DNA-based ionic conducting membranes

Deoxyribonucleic acid based gel solid electrolytes were prepared and their electric properties were characterized. Their ionic conductivity is in the range of 10−4–10−5 S/cm at room temperature and increases linearly in function of temperature, obeying an Arrhenius-like relationship. The present study, combined with the literature data, suggests that the electrical conduction mechanism in these membranes involve ion motion and/or charge hopping, promoted most likely by a significant interaction between the membrane components. The good conductivity results, as found here, together with the good transparency and good adhesion to the electrodes show that the DNA-based gel polymer electrolytes are very promising materials for application in various electrochromic devices.
Employment Effects of Unconventional Monetary Policy: Evidence from QE

This paper investigates the effect of the Federal Reserve's unconventional monetary policy on employment via a bank lending channel. We find that banks with higher mortgage-backed securities holdings issued relatively more loans after the first and third rounds of quantitative easing (QE1 and QE3). While additional volume is concentrated in refinanced mortgages after QE1, increases are driven by newly originated home purchase mortgages and additional commercial and industrial lending after QE3. Using spatial variation, we show that regions with a high share of affected banks experienced stronger employment growth after both, QE1 and QE3. While the ability of households to refinance mortgages after QE1 spurred local demand, the resulting additional employment growth was relatively weak and confined to the non-tradable goods sector. In contrast, the increase in overall employment after QE3 is sizable and can be attributed to the supply of additional credit to firms. To s upport this finding, we use new confidential loan-level data to show that firms with stronger ties to affected banks increased employment and capital investment more after QE3. Altogether, our findings suggest that unconventional monetary policy can, similar to conventional monetary policy, affect real economic outcomes.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE FOR SPLEEN AS BIOMARKER AGAINST OF Aeromonas hydrophila BACTERIAL IN Cyprinus carpio FISH

The present investigation included a study of Aeromonas hydrophila during the period from May 2012 until April 2014 using 140 fishes of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. The study also aimed to investigate the possible role of biotic and chemical materials as an immune adjuvant like bacteria, chitin, Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) and gelatin. According to the method of antigen dependent and combined antigen independent antigen dependent immunomodulation, fish in aquarium were immune preconditioned with bacteria, chitin 1, 2, 5 %; CMC 1, 2, 5 % and gelatin 1, 2 and 5 % supplemented in dietary pellets for four weeks then injected with three live LD50 doses of A. hydrophila. Spleen index, spleen cellular responses as lymphocyte density in white parenchyma and melanomacrophage centers MMC hyperplasia noted with various degrees in those treatments and being higher than control.
Targeted Vouchers, Competition Among Schools, and the Academic Achievement of Poor Students

In this paper I use detailed administrative data to study the effects of targeted school vouchers on the outcomes of poor children in Chile. A difference-in-differences analysis reveals that this reform raised the test scores of poor children significantly and closed the gap between these students and the rest of the population by one third. I estimate an empirical model of school choice to construct counter-factual simulations that allow me to isolate the different mechanisms through which this policy affected outcomes. In addition, the explicit modeling of schools’ choice of price and quality allows for the analysis of how the policy changed the nature of competition among schools. The model estimates imply that the observed policy effect is due mostly to the increase in the quality of schools in poor neighborhoods and not to a resorting of students to better schools or the entry of new higher-quality schools. The introduction of targeted vouchers is shown to have effectively raised competition in poor neighborhoods, pushing schools to improve their academic quality. † The author wishes to thank the Departamento de Estadisticas e Informacion de Salud del Ministerio de Salud (MINSAL), the Ministerio de Educacion (MINEDUC) of the government of Chile and DEMRE for facilitating joint work between government agencies that produced the data from Chile used in this study. The author also wishes to thank Joseph Altonji, Steve Berry, Sebastian Bustos, Prashant Bharadwaj, Ryan Cooper, Fabian Duarte, Francisco Gallego, Martin Hackmann, Phil Haile, Justine Hastings, Adam Kapor, Francisco Lagos, Paola Maino, Costas Meghir, Nicolas Rojas, Seth Zimmerman, and seminar participants at Yale for their comments and suggestions. I thank the Cowles Structural Microeconomics Program for financial support.
Targeted subfield switchgrass integration could improve the farm economy, water quality, and bioenergy feedstock production

Progress on reducing nutrient loss from annual croplands has been hampered by perceived conflicts between short‐term profitability and long‐term stewardship, but these may be overcome through strategic integration of perennial crops. Perennial biomass crops like switchgrass can mitigate nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N) leaching, address bioenergy feedstock targets, and – as a lower‐cost management alternative to annual crops (i.e., corn, soybeans) – may also improve farm profitability. We analyzed publicly available environmental, agronomic, and economic data with two integrated models: a subfield agroecosystem management model, Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF), and a process‐based biogeochemical model, DeNitrification‐DeComposition (DNDC). We constructed a factorial combination of profitability and NO3‐N leaching thresholds and simulated targeted switchgrass integration into corn/soybean cropland in the agricultural state of Iowa, USA. For each combination, we modeled (i) area converted to switchgrass, (ii) switchgrass biomass production, and (iii) NO3‐N leaching reduction. We spatially analyzed two scenarios: converting to switchgrass corn/soybean cropland losing >US$ 100 ha−1 and leaching >50 kg ha−1 (‘conservative’ scenario) or losing >US$ 0 ha−1 and leaching >20 kg ha−1 (‘nutrient reduction’ scenario). Compared to baseline, the ‘conservative’ scenario resulted in 12% of cropland converted to switchgrass, which produced 11 million Mg of biomass and reduced leached NO3‐N 18% statewide. The ‘nutrient reduction’ scenario converted 37% of cropland to switchgrass, producing 34 million Mg biomass and reducing leached NO3‐N 38% statewide. The opportunity to meet joint goals was greatest within watersheds with undulating topography and lower corn/soybean productivity. Our approach bridges the scales at which NO3‐N loss and profitability are usually considered, and is informed by both mechanistic and empirical understanding. Though approximated, our analysis supports development of farm‐level tools that can identify locations where both farm profitability and water quality improvement can be achieved through the strategic integration of perennial vegetation.
Denitrification in the Upper Mississippi River: rates, controls, and contribution to nitrate flux

We evaluated patterns of denitrification and factors effecting denitrification in the upper Mississippi River. Measurements were taken over 2 years, during which river discharge ranged from record flooding to base flow condi- tions. Over the period of study, average denitrification enzyme activity was highest in backwater lakes and lowest in the main channel. Throughout the study reach, highest denitrification enzyme activity occurred during fall and lowest occurred in winter. Rates during spring floods (2001) were only slightly higher than during the preceding winter. Mean unamended denitrification rates ranged from 0.02 (fall 2001 in backwaters) to 0.40 µg N·cm -2 ·h -1 (spring 2001 in backwaters). Laboratory experiments showed that denitrification rates increased significantly with addition of NO3 - regardless of sediment C content, while rates increased little with addition of labile C (glucose). Denitrification in this reach of the upper Mississippi River appears to be NO3 - limited throughout the growing season and the delivery of NO3 - is strongly controlled by river discharge and hydrologic connectivity across the floodplain. We estimate that denitrification removes 6939 t N·year -1 or 6.9% of the total annual NO3 - input to the reach. Hydrologic connectivity and resultant NO3 - delivery to high-C sediments is a critical determinant of reach-scale processing of N in this floodplain system.
Patterns of heterosis in three distinct inbred populations of spring Brassica napus canola

Allelic diversity of the allied species of Brassica napus L. as well as of the winter form of this species has been demonstrated to be related with increasing productivity of hybrid spring B. napus cultivars. To compare potential value of the different gene pools of Brassica species three spring B. napus inbred populations were developed by use of a B. oleracea L. line, a spring B. napus breeding line, and a winter B. napus cultivar crossed to a spring B. napus ‘HiQ’; and test hybrids of these inbred lines were produced by crossing with Hi-Q as the common tester. Mid-parent heterosis (MPH) showed a negative correlation with seed yield of the inbred lines in all three populations; however, a positive correlation existed between seed yield of the inbred lines and heterosis over Hi-Q (HiQH) (or, inbred vs. hybrid yield). On average, the level of MPH in hybrid of the inbred lines derived from B. napus × B. oleracea cross was twice greater than the level of heterosis found for the inbred lines derived from spring × spring or winter × spring B. napus crosses. The inbred population derived from winter × spring cross gave highest seed yield, and this population also gave highest HiQH. The results suggested that B. oleracea and winter canola could be used in spring B. napus canola breeding for accumulating additive and non-additive effect genes for increased seed yield in hybrid cultivars. H. Rahman, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; R.A. Bennett, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada and Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W9, Canada; R-C. Yang, Crop Research and Extension Division, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6, and Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Canada. Received 19 Jan. 2016. Accepted 30 Mar. 2016. Assigned to Associate Editor Manjit Kang. *Corresponding author (habibur.rahman@ualberta.ca). Abbreviations: HiQH, heterosis over Hi-Q; IN, lines derived from B. napus × B. oleracea cross; MPH, mid-parent heterosis; NIRS, nearinfrared reflectance spectroscopy; SS, lines derived from spring × spring B. napus cross; SSR, simple sequence repeat; WS, lines derived from winter × spring B. napus cross. Published in Crop Sci. 56:2536–2545 (2016). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.01. 0041 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Published June 14, 2016
Testing a European winter surface temperature reconstruction in a surrogate climate

We evaluate the skill of a European winter surface air temperature reconstruction over the last 500 years using pseudoproxies obtained from the ECHO‐G and HadCM3 climate models. The emphasis is thereby on the effect of the reduction of available predictors back in time, an issue that has not yet been investigated in detail at continental and seasonal scale. It is found that the key factor in determining the reconstruction skill is the number of predictors and particularly their spatial distribution. However considering the usually insufficient spatial and temporal predictor availability in paleo‐reconstructions, the quality of the predictors becomes more important further back in time. Not surprisingly, the lowest reconstruction skill is found in the early period when the predictor network is reduced. Important differences between ECHO‐G and HadCM3‐based pseudoproxy reconstructions are discussed and implications for future analyses are presented.
New age data from the Lesnaya Group: A key to understanding the timing of arc‐continent collision, Kamchatka, Russia

Abstract The Lesnaya Group is part of a thick, poorly dated turbidite assemblage that sits in the footwall of a regionally extensive collision zone in which the Cretaceous–Paleocene Olutorsky island arc terrane was obducted onto continental margin basin strata. Nannoplankton from 18 samples from the upper part of the Lesnaya Group yield Paleocene through Middle Eocene assemblages. Detrital zircons from nine sandstone samples have a young population of fission‐track ages that range from 43.7 ± 3.4 to 55.5 ± 3.5 Ma (uppermost Paleocene to Middle Eocene). The deformed footwall rocks of the Lesnaya Group and the overlying thrusts of the Olutorsky arc terrane, are unconformably overlain by neoautochthonous deposits which are Lutetian (lower Middle Eocene) and younger. Together, these new data indicate that thrusting, which is inferred to have been driven by collision of the Cretaceous–Paleocene island arc with north‐eastern Asia, took place in the mid‐Lutetian, at about 45 Ma.
Clinical evaluation of plaque removal efficacy of three commercially available toothbrushes

Background: Efficient plaque removal methods aid in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health, avoiding periodontal diseases. Most important and frequently used tool to prevent periodontal disease is by mechanical plaque control and for that manual toothbrushes are used. Aim: The purpose of this clinical trial is to clinically evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of three commercially available tooth brushes. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of fifty seven subjects with age ranging from 15 to 28 years distributed into 3 different groups, Group A(multi angle cross bristled toothbrush), Group B(circular bristled toothbrush), Group C(z shaped bristles toothbrush). Study was single blinded, randomized clinical trial. Rustogi modified navy plaque index (RMNPI) and Sulcular bleeding index (SBI) were assessed at baseline, 7th day and 21st day. Results: All brushes showed significant reduction in plaque score over 3 weeks period. Comparison of mean plaque index and Average SBI between the three groups shows that Group C has the highest value of 0.9086(RMNPI) and 0.9204(SBI). However, the reduction of plaque scores is greater in Group C (oral B shiny clean) when compared to other groups. Conclusion: The data derived from this clinical trial shows that all the tooth brushes has shown decrease in plaque scores. In comparison, z shaped bristles toothbrush [Group C] has some beneficial effects in reduction of plaque scores.
Regional Business Cycles and the Emergence of Sheltered Economies in the Southern Periphery of Europe

Recent research has highlighted that in the last few years the evolution of regional disparities in many European states has become pro-cyclical. This represents a change with respect to the predominantly anti-cyclical pattern of the 1960s and 1970s. This paper addresses the question of whether and when this change has taken place in the southern periphery of Europe, before analyzing the factors that may have played a role in such a change. The analysis relies on a regional database that includes the evolution of the GDP per capita of NUTS II regions in five European countries (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) between 1980 and 2000. The results of the analysis support the hypothesis of a change towards a pro-cyclical evolution of regional disparities in the cases of Italy, Portugal, and Spain, but not in those of Greece and France. A relationship between these pro-cyclical patters and the emergence of less dynamic sheltered economies is also detected in peripheral regions. This lack of dynamism is related to the fact that numerous peripheral areas in southern Europe have become increasingly dependent on factors such as transfers or public investment and employment, and therefore are less exposed to changes in market conditions.
Uncovering Novel Features of Equity-Index Return Dynamics via Corridor Implied Volatility ∗

A number of fundamental questions regarding the equity-index return dynamics are difficult to address due to the latent character of spot volatility. For example, it is hard to discern much about the nature of volatility jumps or the features of the negative (spot) return-volatility correlation. We show that, in theory, the VIX index can be useful in addressing such issues. Unfortunately, in practice, the high-frequency VIX series is plagued by idiosyncratic biases and noise which severely distort the measure. Instead, we exploit high-frequency option quotes to compute a novel “Corridor Implied Volatility” index (CX) with superior properties. Exploiting the CX index, we obtain striking new empirical findings regarding the nature of volatility jumps and the return-volatility asymmetries. Finally, we document that the CX index is robust and performs admirably, even during turbulent market conditions. In contrast, the existing VIX measure is particularly unreliable during periods of market stress, exactly when a “fear gauge” is most valuable. JEL Classification: G13, C58
The Role of Id2 in the Regulation of Chromatin Structure and Gene Expression

Chromatin structure is an essential part of the regulatory mechanisms for gene transcription. Moreover, chromatin has been revealed as a dynamic structure exquisitely regulated through multiple mechanisms including histone modifications and chromatin remodeling complexes that finally, will give rise to an open or closed structure changing the accessibility of specific transcription factors to nucleosomal DNA. Therefore, the protein complexes involved in the modulation of chromatin remodelers and histone acetyltransferases (HAT) or deacetylases (HDAC) could be somehow considered as part of a previous sensitization process necessary for a full and specific biological response.
Prescribing of bisphosphonates and antibiotics in Pakistan: challenges and opportunities for the future

The management of patients with osteoporosis and the rational use of antibiotics are growing concerns in Pakistan. The first step is to assess utilisation patterns, prescribing behaviour and the potential rationale among a range of medicines including bisphosphonates and antibiotics, and subsequently use the findings to suggest potential future policies for all key stakeholders to improve patient care in the future.
It takes two: potential therapies and insights involving microglia and macrophages in glioblastoma

Microglia and macrophages, two myeloid cell lineages with different origins, make up the majority of immune cells present in glioblastoma (GBM). However, much of the literature does not distinguish between microglia and macrophages, despite a growing body of evidence that demonstrates key structural and functional differences between the cell types. Furthermore, the current M1/M2 paradigm used to sub-classify microglia and macrophages has proven to be incomplete at best, with the growing amount of in vivo and genomic data incompatible with this dichotomy. Finally, a number of studies have already established that in the setting of the GBM tumor microenvironment, both microglia and macrophages are complicit in tumor progression. This review highlights the differences between microglia and macrophages, particularly in the context of GBM, and discusses at length several potential therapeutic strategies made possible by understanding specific pro-tumor and anti-tumor pathways in these myeloid populations. Ultimately, investigating the differences between microglia and macrophages offers insight into the progression of GBM, its marked resistance to current immunotherapy regimens, and future directions for new treatment modalities.
TRANSFER FROM A REGIONAL VARIETY OF ENGLISH INTO SPANISH

Language teachers agree that the phonetic/phonological distance between a learner’s L1 and L2 is of vital importance in mastering the sounds of the L2; however, no attention is given to the phonetic/phonological distance between the regional variety of the speaker’s L1 and the L2. After comparing linguistic peculiarities of English, and of Welsh English in particular, with Castilian Spanish, the author proceeds to study the interlanguage of advanced students of Spanish from Wales. This helps to explain positive and negative transfer from this variety of English into Spanish and assists in producing a catalogue of the interferences to be corrected. Finally, using coarticulatory processes, the author presents a list of exercises to eliminate some of the interferences found in Welsh learners of Spanish. A descriptive analysis of the learners’ interlanguage shows that the
The illusion of transparency: the geography of mortgage lending in Great Britain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the geography of mortgage lending in Great Britain. It uses a new mortgage dataset as a way to shed light on the spatial distribution of mortgage finance and to highlight the different lending patterns of seven major UK banks. It also examines the relationship between the distribution of mortgage finance and socio-economic status at the local level. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on simple quantitative techniques, including spatial analysis, location quotient analysis and socio-economic classification. Lending data for Great Britain’s 10,000 postcode sectors are the basis for analysis here. Findings – The results suggest that some banks lend significantly less than others in poorer areas, but, owing to a lack of data, it is not possible to say why. It is possible to identify banks that appear to change their lending patterns in areas with different socio-economic characteristics. The paper concludes by re.