Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expressing Bayesian Fusion as a Product of Distributions: Application to Randomized Hough Transform

Data fusion is a common issue of mobile robotics, computer assisted medical diagnosis or behavioral control of simulated character for instance. How- ever data sources are often noisy, opinion for experts are not known with absolute precision, and motor commands do not act in the same exact manner on the envi- ronment. In these cases, classic logic fails to manage efficiently the fusion process. Confronting different knowledge in an uncertain environment can therefore be ade- quately formalized in the bayesian framework. Besides, bayesian fusion can be expensive in terms of memory usage and processing time. This paper precisely aims at expressing any bayesian fusion process as a product of probability distributions in order to reduce its complexity. We first study both direct and inverse fusion schemes. We show that contrary to direct models, inverse local models need a specific prior in order to allow the fusion to be computed as a product. We therefore propose to add a consistency variable to each local model and we show that these additional variables allow the use of a product of the local distributions in order to compute the global probability distribution over the fused variable. Finally, we take the example of the Randomized Hough Transform. We rewrite it in the bayesian framework, considering that it is a fusion process to extract lines from couples of dots in a picture. As expected, we can find back the expression of the Randomized Hough Transform from the literature with the appropriate assumptions.
The Effects of Income on Birth Rates: The Case of a Universal Cash Transfer

Though the idea of a universal basic income has attracted attention around the globe of late, evidence about the possible impact of such a massive income transfer in high-income countries relies primarily on experiments conducted over fifty years ago in North America. We examine the effects of a universal cash transfer on childbearing, a site of inequality and a focus of commentators’ and experts’ concerns regarding the unintended consequences of social policy. We turn to the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which has provided all Alaskan residents with a substantial annual cash payment since 1982. The amount of the payment varies year to year and is exogenous to individual Alaskans’ behavior and the state’s economy. We find the payment increases short-term fertility, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged women. In supplementary analyses, we find no change in the proportion of births that are unintended. We conclude that there is limited, suggestive evidence that the increased fertility is due to increased fecundity. Altogether, these results imply that additional income removes economic constraints to reproductive health and autonomy. We empirically advance the evidence base for a universal basic income policy and knowledge of the relationship between income and childbearing.
THE APPLICATION OF GENERATIVE LEARNING MODEL TO ENHANCE CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This study is aimed to find out the effect of applying Generative Learning Model (GLM) on enhancement of students’ creative thinking, namely fluent, flexible, original, and elaborative thinking. To achieve that aim, quasi experimental study is conducted with pretest-posttest non equivalent group research design. There are two group of classes namely experiment group who are taught by using GLM and control group who are taught by using conventional learning model. The subjects of study are students of 8 th grade, SMP Muhammadiyah 44. The result of study shows that GLM give positive effect to enhancement of students’ creative thinking ability. There is significant difference (p-value less than 5%) between students who are taught by GLM and students who are taught by conventional learning in creative thinking ability elements, namely fluent, flexible, and original thinking. Whereas, there is no difference in elaborative element.
Cigarette Plain Packaging Perceptions on Intent to Abstain from Smoking among Thai Female Youth

This study examined the etiological model of cigarette plain packaging perception on intention to abstain from smoking among Thai female youth. The tested hypothesis proposed that the constructs of perception on plain packaging, perceived susceptibility and severity of smoking consequences and fear arousal from salient health warnings will predict intent to abstain from smoking. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data and variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select subjects from both high schools and vocational schools in Bangkok. Random sampling of 15to 24-year-old females was used to recruit a total of 438 subjects. The sample size included nonsmokers (86.3%), former smokers (5.48%) and smokers (8.22%). The SEM showed a good fit to the data (χ= 1.060, df=2, P-value=0.589, CFI=0.999, TLI=0.999 and RMSEA<0.001, SRMR=0.005). In the SEM showed that smokers and former smoker had significantly negative associations with intent to abstain (β=-0.49 and-0.087, p<0.001 and 0.026) while perceived severity and fear appeal were significantly positive association with intent to abstain (β=0.237 and 0.124, p<0.001 and 0.003). Nonetheless, SEM revealed that the effect of perception on plain packaging, perceived severity and age of smoker and former smoker subjects on intent to abstain was partly mediated by fear arousal from salient health warnings. In addition, the effect of smokers on intent to abstain was also partly mediated by perceived severity. This information could be useful in designing interventions to promote abstinence from smoking among female youth and advocating and implementing the plain packaging policy in Thailand.
A proline-rich peptide originating from decomposing mangrove leaves is one natural metamorphic cue of the tropical jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana

Planula larvae of the scyphozoan Cassiopea xamachana settle and metamorphose on degrading mangrove leaves of Rhizophora mangle that lie submerged in shallow water mangrove ecosystems. Our prior study (Fleck & Fitt 1999; J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 234:83-94) indicated that marine bacteria are involved in the release of at least 1 peptidic compound from such leaves. The goal of our present study was to isolate and purify at least 1 natural peptidic cue originating from deteriorating leaves by means of ultrafiltration, gel filtration and reversed phase HPLC and subsequently obtain characteristic data of this cue. The ultrafiltrate (≤10 kD) of the homogenate of decaying mangrove leaves was subjected to gel filtration on a Sephadex G 25 column, resulting in 3 fractions which were tested for their capacity to induce metamorphosis of planula larvae in bioassays performed in the laboratory. Fraction I (≥5 kD) was most effective in inducing metamorphosis of 75 % of planulae at 1 mg freeze-dried material ml -1 seawater within 24 h. Fractions II and III (both ≤5 kD) resulted in metamorphosis of only 1 % of larvae or less within 72 h when applied at 5 mg ml -1 . Isochratic HPLC separation of Fraction I with 24 % methanol yielded 2 biologically active fractions. One fraction (A/B), which induced 47 % of the larvae to metamorphose at 0.9 mg lyophilized material ml -1 seawater within 24 h, consisted of a mixture of at least 2 subfractions and was not further analyzed. The other fraction (C) effected metamorphosis of 85 % of larvae at a concentration of 0.5 mg ml -1 within 24 h. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of this fraction revealed a molecular weight of approximately 5.8 kD. Automated amino acid analysis showed that Fraction C was rich in proline (ca 44%) and glycine residues (ca 16%), corresponding to characteristic proline-rich cell wall proteins of plants. Automated sequencing of the natural inducer failed due to a blocked amino terminus. The results of our present study suggest that metamorphic inducers for C. xamachana may emerge nonspecifically as a byproduct of bacterial degradation of deteriorating, proteinaceous plant tissue in their habitat.
Pseudo but actually genuine: Rhodeus pseudosericeus provides insight into the phylogeographic history of the Amur bitterling

Geographic isolation and colonization events have been considered complimentary historical processes in shaping the contemporary structure of regional biotas and taxonomic diversity. Accordingly, insight regarding vicariance and geodispersal might be gained by the analysis of phylogenetic pattern of related but geographically isolated taxa. Here, we examined endangered Rhodeus pseudosericeus in the Korean Peninsula based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences to provide information regarding the evolutionary origin of Amur-European bitterlings, Rhodeus sericeus and Rhodeus amarus. Our data and the contemporary distribution of R. pseudosericeus indicate that founding individuals have colonized the western coast of the Korean Peninsula via the paleo-Huang He River and since been subdivided into populations isolated by drainage formation. Our phylogenetic analyses indicated that it was likely R. pseudosericeus had a sister relationship to the R. sericeus–amarus complex, indicating that the R. sericeus–amarus clade originated from the dispersal of either R. pseudosericeus or its ancestral lineage. The geodispersal scenario based on our phylogenetic analyses supports the previous hypothesis that the Amur River likely created confluences with some tributaries of the paleo-Huang He River. Overall, the present study offers new insight into the taxonomic entity of R. pseudosericeus and a more comprehensive understanding of the phylogeographic history of R. sericeus and European bitterling lineages.
Water translocation in Kalanchoë daigremontiana during periods of drought

Abstract.Kalanchoe daigremontiana strongly reduced daily water loss within 6 d of drought using CAM to restrict transpiration and net CO2 uptake to the dark period. Water translocation from old to young leaves of the plant was an additional mechanism which reduced the negative effects of drought on the water relations of young leaves. Excision of old leaves after 7–9 d of drought resulted in a decrease in the water content of young leaves. This was observed despite a decrease in transpirational water loss from young leaves. Water content in young leaves increased slightly in plants with all their leaves in place. The dry weight of young leaves clearly increased during the experimental period when old leaves were present, but it remained relatively constant in plants without old leaves. Obviously, in addition to water, solutes were transported from old to young leaves of the plant via the phloem. Xylem tension was higher in young compared to old leaves; thus, water translocation could have occurred via xylem elements. Since transport of organic matter in the phloem is also linked to water flow, phloem transport additionally may contribute effectively to the balance of the water budget in young leaves.
Making CSB+-Trees processor conscious

Cache-conscious indexes, such as CSB+-tree, are sensitive to the underlying processor architecture. In this paper, we focus on how to adapt the CSB+-tree so that it performs well on a range of different processor architectures. Previous work has focused on the impact of node size on the performance of the CSB+-tree. We argue that it is necessary to consider a larger group of parameters in order to adapt CSB+-tree to processor architectures as different as Pentium and Itanium. We identify this group of parameters and study how it impacts the performance of CSB+-tree on Itanium 2. Finally, we propose a systematic method for adapting CSB+-tree to new platforms. This work is a first step towards integrating CSB+-tree in MySQL’s heap storage manager.
The effect of self-construal on self-relevant and other-relevant consumer choices

The effect of self-construal on self-relevant and other-relevant consumer choices Meesun Park College of Business Administration The Graduate School Seoul National University This paper focuses on how choices differ regarding differences in self-construal (i.e. independent self or interdependent self-construal) and choice recipients (i.e. self or in-group other). I suggest that the consumer who has an independent self-construal would more frequently choose self-expressive options (i.e. hedonic, enriched, and high price/quality options) as compared to the consumer who has an interdependent self-construal. More importantly, this effect can be manipulated by situational cues. In study 2, participants who primed with independence were more likely to choose self-expressive options as compared to the participants who primed with interdependence. Furthermore, the interaction effects of self-construal and choice recipient on choice dimensions have been founded. The independent selves more frequently chose self-expressive options when they made choices for themselves than they made choices for in-group others. However, interdependent selves did not show specific preferences. Finally, independent selves indicated more satisfaction and confidence in their overall choices than interdependent selves. Independent selves showed bigger differences in choice satisfaction and confidence in choices between choices for themselves and choices for in-group others than interdependent selves. However, there was no significant difference in choice difficulty between independent and interdependent self-construal.
Evolutionary relationships of Podarcis lizards from Sicily and the Maltese Islands

The electrophoretic variation at 26 presumptive gene loci was investigated in populations of the closely related species Podarcis sicula, P. wagleriana, P. raffonei, and P. filfolensis. Low values of proportion of polymorphic loci (P) and mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) were found in P. sicula (P= 0.10; Ho= 0.016), P. wagleriana (P= 0.13; Ho= 0.029), and P. raffonei (P= 0.08; Ho= 0.017), while higher levels of genetic variability were observed in P. filfolensis (P= 0.17; Ho= 0.054). In the latter species, a multiple regression analysis was carried out in order to analyse the geographic correlates of P and Ho. The results of this analysis were consistent with the predictions of the time-divergence theory of variation, supporting the conclusion that directional selection is the main force eroding genetic variation on small islands. Intraspecific values of Nei's (1972) standard genetic distance were relatively low in P. sicula (average D= 0.024), P. wagleriana (average D= 0.004), and P. filfolensis (average D= 0.012), while higher in P. raffonei (D= 0.040). The lizards from Pantellena Island, which were considered by BISCHOFF (1986) to be very similar to P. filfolensis from Malta on the basis of a superficial analysis of the coloration pattern, were shown to actually belong to P. sicula. This confirms that the range of P. filfolensis only includes the Maltese Archipelago, Linosa Island, and the islet of Lampione. Surprisingly, the samples of P. filfolensis from the Pelagie Islands (Linosa and Lampione) were very similar to those from the Maltese Archipelago (average D= 0.016). This could be explained by rafting or anthropogenic introduction of P. filfolensis on Linosa and Lampione. Podarcis wagleriana and P. raffonei were genetically related (average D= 0.152), confirming the results of previous electrophoretic investigations. Podarcis filfolensis, though showing some morphological affinity with P. wagleriana, was genetically highly differentiated from this latter species (average D= 0.526), while being more similar to P. sicula (average D= 0.306). This indicates a close relationship between P. sicula and P. filfolensis, suggesting that P. sicula and P. filfolensis probably diverged from a common ancestor, and that the apparent similarity between P. filfolensis and P. wagleriana could be merely due to morphological convergence.
Review : Glycine Receptors: Molecular Heterogeneity and Implications for Disease

The inhibitory glycine receptor is a ligand-gated chloride channel that exists in developmentally regulated isoforms. These oligomeric transmembrane proteins are composed of variants of the ligand binding α subunit and structural β polypeptides. The agonist and antagonist sites of the α subunits are formed by discontinuous sequence motifs. In the murine genome, the genes encoding the α1 ( Glra1), α3 (Glra3), and β (Glyrb) subunit are autosomally located, whereas the α2 (Glra2) and α4 (Glra4) genes reside on the X-chromosome. Mutations of glycine receptor genes have been found to underly hypertonic motor disorders in mice and humans. The mouse mutants spasmodic (spd) and oscillator (spdot ) carry recessive mutations of the Glra 1 gene. In the phenotypically similar mouse mutant spastic (spa), the intronic insertion of a LINE-1 transposable element into the Gyrb gene results in the aberrant splicing and a consecutive loss of glycine receptors. The human neurological disorder hyperekplexia (startle disease, stiff baby syndrome) is caused by point mutations within the α1 subunit gene (GLRA1) localized in the human chromosomal region 5q31.3. The Neuroscientist 1:130- 141,1995
INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF POMEGRANATE PEEL AND CAROB AGAINST BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM DIARRHEAL PATIENT IN KIRKUK HOSPITAL

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of some plant extracts (pomegranate peel and carob) on bacterial species, causing diarrhea. We collected 52 stool samples from diarrheal patients in Kirkuk hospitals. They were cultured in selective circles and were identified using morphological traits, biochemical tests and API 20E, which included more isolates of bacteria E. coli, then Pseudomonas spp. , Proteus spp. and Klebsiella spp, of the total (52) samples. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed for isolates where E. coli was found more sensitive to anti-CTR and inhibition zone (22mm) compared to other antibiotics other bacteria are Proteus spp. sensitive to CIP inhibition (30 mm), Pseudomonas.spp is sensitive to CIP and inhibition (30mm), and the Klebsiella spp. are sensitive to IMP inhibition (40mm). The results of the water extracts of pomegranate peel and carob showed a clear inhibitory effect for the isolates of the studying as shown that the inhibitory effectiveness of aqueous extract of the carob more comparative with pomegranate peel extract against bacteria.
Welfare impact of wheat export restrictions in Argentina: Non-parametric analysis on urban households

The Argentine wheat value chain was subject to considerable policy interventions during the last decade. The measures adopted by the government included export duties from 2002 onward, quantitative wheat export restrictions since 2006, and domestic price ceilings and subsidies introduced in 2007. These policy instruments aimed to limit the increase in domestic prices of cereals during a period of high international prices and to keep an adequate provision of grains in the domestic market. Export restrictions implicitly intended to avoid an increase in the prices of basic consumption goods derived from wheat. However, these non-tariff measures could also distort farmers’ incentives to produce. Using non-parametric techniques, this study contributes to the policy discussion of the effects of non-tariff measures in the cereals market by evaluating the welfare impact of wheat export restrictions on Argentine urban households. Focusing on the effects of changes in prices of final consumption goods during 2006– 2011, the study finds that prices of wheat derivatives would be only 1 per cent higher in the absence of quantitative restrictions, with negligible welfare effects on consumers. If both export restrictions and subsidies to millers were removed, prices would be 6.4 per cent higher. This would imply modest welfare losses ranging from zero to 1.5 per cent, mainly affecting the poorest households. Paula Andrea Calvo * * The author would like to thank Raúl Auger from the National Senate of Argentina and Roberto Bisang from Universidad de Buenos Aires for their support in the preparation of this study. 120 Trade policies, household welfare and poverty alleviation
Naturalized, newly-associated microsporidium continues causing epizootics and expanding its host range

1 Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE), CCT La Plata CONICET Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Argentina 2 Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICPBA), Argentina 3 Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable (UNICENCICPBA), Tandil, Argentina 4 Museo de La Plata, División Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Argentina
The correlation of cytokines and sensory hypersensitivity in mild dry eye patients characterized by symptoms outweighing signs

Purpose To explore the correlation of tear and conjunctival cytokines and sensory hypersensitivity in mild dry eye (MDE) patients characterized by symptoms outweighing signs (DESOS). Methods The subjects comprised 39 patients with MDE characterized by DESOS, 18 patients with common MDE (CMDE), and 15 healthy controls. The patients with DESOS were randomly subdivided into two groups; the C-DESOS group received artificial tears only, and the G-DESOS group received artificial tears and 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops three times a day. Symptoms were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory modified for Eye (NPSI-E) questionnaire. Ocular examinations and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) were also employed. Tear and conjunctival cytokines were measured using Multiplex or RT–PCR on Days 0, 7, and 30. The correlation between the expression of cytokines and hypersensitivity status was analyzed. Results Compared with the CMDE and control groups, the DESOS groups showed a significant increase in symptom scores and in the ratio of symptoms versus signs. IL-1 β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in tears and conjunctiva increased in the DESOS groups compared to the CMDE and control groups, indicating a high correlation with hypersensitivity status in the DESOS groups. Glucocorticoid treatment significantly decreased the level of cytokines in tears and conjunctiva in the G-DESOS group and subsequently ameliorated the symptoms. Conclusions Tear and conjunctival cytokines, including IL-1 β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, were correlated with sensory hypersensitivity status in the DESOS groups, suggesting they play an important role in the discordance of symptoms outweighing signs.