Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limnological characteristics of the water bodies of the Corutuba Nesting Site in Brazil’s Pantanal.

: Limnological characteristics of the water bodies of the Corutuba nesting site in Brazil’s Pantanal. The purpose of this research was to identify the changes in the limnological variables of the Corutuba nesting site, which are strongly influenced by the presence of thousands of colonial birds, according to the annual flood pulse. The Corutuba nesting site system comprises the Corixo Grande and Corixinho canals, the Cuiabá river and the Baía Ninhal Corutuba (Corutuba nesting site lake). Data were collected monthly, from October 1995 to September 1996. The physical and chemical characteristics of the water surface displayed variations between the flood and dry phases. The two phases showed significant differences in relation to the electrical conductivity and the concentration of nutrients in the water bodies, which were most pronounced in the Baía Ninhal Corutuba and the Corixo Grande canal. The highest values were obtained during the dry season, due to the concentration effect of disconnection from the river, low water levels, increased evaporation, decomposition of aquatic macrophytes, and the contribution of the birds present in this period. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that there were differences among the four studied environment, especially the dry season. However the Baía Ninhal Corutuba showed high spatial difference, i.e., it is more strongly controlled by flood pulses.
Labor Market Regulations in Low-, Middle- and High-Income Countries: A New Panel Database

This paper documents a new database of labor market regulations during 1980-2005 in 91 countries, including low-, middle- and high-income countries, and contains information on unemployment insurance systems, minimum wage regulations, and employment protection legislation. In this paper, we provide details regarding the data, methodology and sources. Descriptive statistics indicate that there exists substantial heterogeneity in labor market institutions across regions and income groupings, and that much of the sample variation is driven by institutional changes over time in low- and middle-income countries. All indicators are at an annual frequency, allowing for the dating of major changes in regulation, and are based on data from a variety of sources, including the ILO, OECD and national agencies.
Privacy-Personalization Paradox in Adoption of Mobile Health Service: The Mediating Role of Trust

With the emergence of electronic medical information, mobile health service has been becoming increasingly popular in healthcare. Customers usually have to disclose some of their personal information and preferences for personalized usage of mobile health service. Accordingly, as the negative consequences of the personalized services, consumers’ privacy concern has become an important predictor of individuals’ behavior intention. To address this so called “privacy – personalization” paradox, this study proposes that trust is a key mediator between privacy, personalization and behavioral intention. A survey with 492 subjects in China was conducted to test the proposed research model and hypotheses. The data analysis results show that: (1) Trust is positively associated with behavioral intention; (2) perceived personalization and privacy concern are respectively positively and negatively associated with trust; and (3) trust mediates the relationships between perceived personalization, privacy concern and behavioral intention. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
The Teleconnection of El Niño Southern Oscillation to the Stratosphere

El Niño and La Niña events in the tropical Pacific have significant and disrupting impacts on the global atmospheric and oceanic circulation. El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impacts also extend above the troposphere, affecting the strength and variability of the stratospheric polar vortex in the high latitudes of both hemispheres, as well as the composition and circulation of the tropical stratosphere. El Niño events are associated with a warming and weakening of the polar vortex in the polar stratosphere of both hemispheres, while a cooling can be observed in the tropical lower stratosphere. These impacts are linked by a strengthened Brewer‐Dobson circulation. Anomalous upward wave propagation is observed in the extratropics of both hemispheres. For La Niña, these anomalies are often opposite. The stratosphere in turn affects surface weather and climate over large areas of the globe. Since these surface impacts are long‐lived, the changes in the stratosphere can lead to improved surface predictions on time scales of weeks to months. Over the past decade, our understanding of the mechanisms through which ENSO can drive impacts remote from the tropical Pacific has improved. This study reviews the possible mechanisms connecting ENSO to the stratosphere in the tropics and the extratropics of both hemispheres while also considering open questions, including nonlinearities in the teleconnections, the role of ENSO diversity, and the impacts of climate change and variability.
EmiNet: Annotation Free Moving Bacteria Detection on Optical Endomicroscopy Images

—Pneumonia, a respiratory disease often caused by bacterial infection in the distal lung, necessitates prompt and precise diagnosis, particularly in critical care settings. Optical endomicroscopy (OEM) facilitates real-time acquisition of in vivo and in situ optical biopsies, thus expediting bacterial detection. Nonetheless, visually analysing the vast number of images generated by the OEM in real time can be challenging, potentially impeding timely intervention. In this regard, to rapidly segment and detect the bacteria, we propose EmiNet, a novel dual-stream network that integrates the capabilities of Transformer and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) within an encoder-decoder architecture that simultaneously captures local-global appearance and motion features. Within EmiNet, we introduce a multi-modal cross-channel attention module that facilitates the integration of motion features with appearance features. Furthermore, to compensate for the lack of annotated training data, we developed a synthetic dataset by simulating bacterial motion and integrating these models onto real backgrounds devoid of bacteria. The authenticity of this dataset was confirmed through a Visual Turing Test, where medical experts assessed a mixture of synthetic and real bacterial images. The results indicate that the synthetic images are almost indistinguishable from the real ones. EmiNet’s performance is evaluated on both real and synthetic datasets. Experiments show that EmiNet surpasses state-of-the-art segmentation models and leads to a 6 . 8 % improvement in detection correlation over the state-of-the-art bacteria detection algorithms.
Chemical and isotopic analysis in the investigation of glazes from northern China and the Middle East, 7th-14th centuries AD

Both Chinese and Islamic glazed ceramics played a significant role in the history of ancient ceramic production. Moreover, it was innovation in glazes that made the Chinese and Islamic ceramics constantly innovative in various categories with different manufacturing techniques. This study applies chemical and isotopic analyses to investigate the manufacturing techniques and provenances of different types of glazes from Northern China and the Middle East, and extends the use of Sr isotopic analysis to investigate raw materials and glaze recipes used to making lime/alkaline glazes in Northern China and the Middle East for the first time. By chemical compositions of the lead glazes, the glazing techniques used to produce Chinese Tang Sancai lead glazes and splashed lead glazes from the Middle East have been identified. The mixture of lead oxide plus quartz/quartz sand was used for making both Chinese Tang Sancai glazes and Islamic splashed lead glazes. Besides, for the Chinese lead glazes, the trace element and lead isotopic analyses of them have been effective in grouping glazes made in different production kiln sites, and hence associating the Tang Sancai wares excavated from archaeological sites of unknown origin with their production centres. Furthermore, by comparing the lead isotopic ratios of Islamic lead glazes and those of lead ore deposits, the possible sources of lead used for making lead glazes can be determined, although more than one source was suggested due to the overlap of Pb isotopic ratios of different lead ore sources in some cases. This study is the first time that Sr isotopic analysis has been applied to the lime/alkaline glazes from Northern China and the Middle East. It has revealed that Sr isotopic compositions of lime/alkaline glazes from Northern China and the Middle East have been very effective in providing information on the glaze recipes and characteristics of raw materials used for making them. Based on Sr isotopic compositions, the case study of Nothern Chinese lime glaze has identified that the Yaozhou celadon glaze was probably produced by local ‘Fuping glaze stone’ combined with botanic ash. Besides, the case study of the Middle East alkaline glaze has suggested that the Raqqa ware glaze was probably made by ‘Cenozoic sand’ containing a certain content of limestone grains and feldspar and that botanic ash was used as a flux.
The Metric Distortion of Randomized Social Choice Functions: C1 Maximal Lottery Rules and Simulations

The metric distortion of a randomized social choice function (RSCF) quantifies its worst-case approximation ratio of the optimal social cost when the voters' costs for alternatives are given by distances in a metric space. This notion has recently attracted significant attention as numerous RSCFs that aim to minimize the metric distortion have been suggested. However, such tailored voting rules usually have little appeal other than their low metric distortion. In this paper, we will thus study the metric distortion of well-established RSCFs. In more detail, we first show that C1 maximal lottery rules, a well-known class of RSCFs, have a metric distortion of $4$ and furthermore prove that this is optimal within the class of majoritarian RSCFs (which only depend on the majority relation). As our second contribution, we perform extensive computer experiments on the metric distortion of established RSCFs to obtain insights into their average-case performance. These computer experiments are based on a new linear program for computing the metric distortion of a lottery on a given profile and reveal that some classical RSCFs perform almost as well as the currently best known RSCF with respect to the metric distortion on randomly sampled profiles.
CYP3A5 Genotype Impacts Maraviroc Concentrations in Healthy Volunteers s

CYP3A5 plays a prominent role in the metabolism of maraviroc, an approved drug for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 treatment and a candidate for HIV-1 prevention. We studied the effect of the CYP3A5 genotype on pharmacokinetics of maraviroc and a primary CYP3A5-dependent metabolite of maraviroc denoted as metabolite 1 (M1). Volunteers were screened for health status and CYP3A5 genotype (wild-type allele *1 and dysfunctional alleles *2, *3, *6, and *7) to obtain 24 evaluable subjects in three groups ( n = 8 each): homozygous dysfunctional (two dysfunctional alleles), heterozygous (one *1 allele and one dysfunctional allele), and homozygous wild-type (two *1 alleles). Subjects received 300 mg maraviroc orally followed by blood collection for 32 hours. The homozygous wild-type group exhibited lower mean plasma maraviroc concentrations at almost all sampling times. The median (interquartile range) maraviroc area under the plasma concentration-time curves from time 0 to infinity (AUC 0 – inf ) were 2099 (1422 – 2568) ng × h/ml, 1761 (931 – 2640) ng × h/ml, and 1238 (1065 – 1407) ng × h/ml for the homozygous dysfunctional, heterozygous, and homozygous wild-type groups, respectively. The homozygous wild-type group had 41% lower maraviroc AUC 0 – inf and 66% higher apparent clearance compared with the homozygous dysfunctional group ( P = 0.02). The AUC 0 – inf ratios of maraviroc to M1 in heterozygous and homozygous wild-type subjects were lower by 51 and 64% relative to the homozygous dysfunctional group, respectively ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, the lower maraviroc concentrations in the homozygous wild-type group indicate that maraviroc may be underdosed in people homozygous for the CYP3A5*1 allele, including almost one-half of African Americans.
Numerical Modelling of Salt-Related Stress Decoupling in Sedimentary Basins–Motivated by Observational Data from the North German Basin

A three dimensional (3D) finite element model is used to study the conditions leading to mechanical decoupling at a salt layer and vertically varying stress fields in salt-bearing sedimentary basins. The study was inspired by observational data from northern Germany showing stress orientations varying up to 90° between the subsalt and the suprasalt layers. Parameter studies address the role of salt viscosity and salt topology on how the plate boundary forces acting at the basement level affect the stresses in the sedimentary cover above the salt layer. Modelling results indicate that mechanical decoupling occurs for dynamic salt viscosities lower than 1021 Pa·s, albeit this value depends on the assumed model parameters. In this case, two independent stress fields coexist above and below the salt layer, differing in tectonic stress regime and/or stress orientation. Thereby, stresses in the subsalt domain are dominated by the shortening applied, whereas in the suprasalt section they are controlled by the local salt topology. For a salt diapir, the orientation of the maximum horizontal stress changes from a circular pattern above to a radial pattern adjacent to the diapir. The study shows the value of geomechanical models for stress prediction in salt-bearing sedimentary basins providing a continuum mechanics–based explanation for the variable stress orientations observed.
Computing Distributional Bayes Nash Equilibria in Auction Games via Gradient Dynamics

Auctions are modeled as Bayesian games with continuous type and action spaces. Computing equilibria in auction games is computationally hard in general and no exact so-lution theory is known. We introduce algorithms computing distributional strategies on a discretized version of the game via convex online optimization. One advantage is that the expected utility of agents is linear in distributional strategies. It follows that if our regularized optimization algorithms converge to a pure strategy, then they converge to a ε -equilibrium of the discretized game. We also show that the ε -equilibrium of the discretized game approximates an equilibrium in the continuous game. In a number of experiments, we show that the method approximates the analytical (pure) Bayes Nash equilibrium closely in a wide variety of auction games. This is remarkable, because in many games learning dynamics do not converge or are even chaotic. When agents have a low number of strategies or they are symmetric, we find equilibria in seconds. The method allows for interdependent valuations and different types of utility functions and provides a foundation for broadly applicable equilibrium solvers that can push the boundaries of equilibrium analysis in auctions and beyond.
Digital Commons @ DU Digital Commons @ DU

This study examines the conditions that facilitate domestic terrorism. Research on domestic terrorism has been sparse in comparison to studies that examine terrorism as a general phenomenon and transnational terrorism in particular. Most researchers find that a country’s level of economic development and religious composition do not help explain its experience with terrorism. I examine if these claims apply to terrorist activity at the domestic level to explore the extent to which domestic terrorism differs from other forms of terrorism. Specifically, I employ a negative binomial regression model with time-series, cross-sectional (TSCS) data in order to observe if economic development and religion can help explain levels of domestic terrorism while controlling for other factors, including political rights, population, education, and past domestic terrorist incidents. In line with much of the empirical evidence, I observe that poor countries are no more likely to suffer domestic terrorist attacks as wealthy ones. Since domestic terrorism can resemble civil war – a type of violence that does often emerge as a result of economic problems – this finding is especially noteworthy. Religious diversity in a country is correlated with a reduction in domestic terrorism, which stands in contrast to most research on transnational terrorism. Despite the international attention to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Muslim countries seem no more prone to domestic terrorism than others.
Impact of Classical Risk Factors on Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression: Insights from a Non-Diabetic Cohort

Background : Several markers have been proposed for the detection and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to analyse the impact of classical risk factors on the presence and short-term progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a non-diabetic, primary prevention cohort. Methods : This analysis included participants with completed visits at baseline and at 5-year follow-up (N = 141; 56.7% females, 43.3% males; aged 49.6 ± 4.7 years). Clinical and laboratory parameters, risk profiles, carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque presence were analysed. Results : There was a significant progression in mean CIMT (0.54 ± 0.09 mm–0.62 ± 0.10 mm; p < 0.001), prevalence of carotid plaque (4.8%–17.9%; p < 0.001) and age-and sex-adjusted abnormal CIMT (52.9%– 78.8%; p < 0.001) at the end of follow-up, compared to baseline. In multivariate regression analysis, among the classical risk factors, their number, metabolic syndrome and SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation) risk only the number of risk factors showed an independent and significant impact on the occurrence of a carotid plaque (Exp(B) = 1.71; p = 0.017) and 5-year CIMT progression. Conclusions : During a short follow-up, the significant progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was confirmed. The number of risk factors predicted the occurrence of carotid plaques and CIMT progression. The high prevalence and short-term progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis underly the rationale for its screening in personalized cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic middle-aged subjects over 50 years old, at low-to moderate cardiovascular risk, particularly with several risk factors.
The natural diterpenoid isoforretin A inhibits thioredoxin-1 and triggers potent 1 ROS-mediated antitumor effects 2 3

Authors’ Affiliations: 7 1 Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 8 Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, Jiangsu, China 9 2 Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of 10 Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, Jiangsu, China 11 3 State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, 12 Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, 13 Yunnan, China 14
Profitability Determinants in Indonesian Conventional Banking Companies

: This study was conducted to determine the factors that affect banking profitability. The number of samples used in this study were 14 conventional banks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The sample selection technique used is purposive sampling. The data analysis used is panel data regression analysis with the help of EViews 9 software. Based on the research results partially show that the Operating Expenses Operating Income (BOPO) and Loan to a loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) variables have a negative and significant effect on profitability (ROA). Variables that do not affect profitability are Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), and Non-Performing Loan Ratio (NPL).
Folia Linguistica

The Spanish word frente (O.Sp. fruente < Lat. frōns), meaning ‘forehead’, has changed gradually over time to be incorporated into a wide variety of modern forms that convey locative meanings and spatial relations as well as personal qualities. The purpose of the current study is to determine approximately when these new forms incorporating frente developed, the mechanisms for these various changes, and the cognitive ramifications of such developments. A total of 725 tokens of frente from works of fiction spanning three time periods (1200–1450; 1451–1750; 1751–2000) are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively according to collocation, meaning, and syntactic phrase. Each of these analyses, when viewed holistically, shows that the original source lexeme has largely decategorialized as a noun and has been abstracted of its locative/spatial characteristics to be gradually incorporated into prepositional and adverbial forms. It is shown that, conceptually, prepositions profile spatial relations between a trajector and a landmark whereas adverbs profile the location of a trajector alone. These grammatical uses of frente as well as other even more abstract uses denoting personal qualities have developed over time due to cognitive processes such as abstraction, synecdoche, metaphor, and inference. Cases such as the evolution of frente from concrete noun to uses in locative/ spatial forms as well as forms with even more abstract meanings give further justification for the need of a linguistic model that is cognitive-based.
Macroeconomic drivers e ﬀ ect on housing sale prices in China

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to conduct a thorough empirical investigation of the intricate relationship between urban housing sales prices and land supply prices in China, with the aim of elucidating theunderlyingeconomic principlesgoverning this dynamic interplay. Design/methodology/approach – Using monthly data of China, the authors use the asymmetry nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model to test for nonlinearity in the relationship between land supply priceandurbanhousing prices. Findings – The empirical results con ﬁ rm the existence of an asymmetric relationship between land supply price and urban housing prices. The authors ﬁ nd that land supply price has a positive and statistically signi ﬁ cant impact on urban housing prices when land supply is increasing. Policymakers should strive to strike a balance between safeguarding residents ’ housing rights and maintaining market stability. Research limitations/implications
The Inequality of Climate Change From 1.5 to 2°C of Global Warming

The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below 2°C above preindustrial levels with a preferred ambitious 1.5°C target. Developing countries, especially small island nations, pressed for the 1.5°C target to be adopted, but who will suffer the largest changes in climate if we miss this target? Here we show that exceeding the 1.5°C global warming target would lead to the poorest experiencing the greatest local climate changes. Under these circumstances greater support for climate adaptation to prevent poverty growth would be required.