Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sedimentation Patterns of Toxin-Producing Microcystis Morphospecies in Freshwater Reservoirs

Understanding the annual cycle of Microcystis is essential for managing the blooms of this toxic cyanobacterium. The current work investigated the sedimentation of microcystin-producing Microcystis spp. in three reservoirs from Central Spain during the summer and autumn of 2006 and 2007. We confirmed remarkable settling fluxes during and after blooms ranging 106–109 cells m−2 d−1, which might represent 0.1%–7.6% of the organic matter settled. A comprehensive analysis of the Valmayor reservoir showed average Microcystis settling rates (0.04 d−1) and velocities (0.7 m d−1) that resembled toxin settling in the same reservoir and were above most reported elsewhere. M. aeruginosa settling rate was significantly higher than that of M. novacekii and M. flos-aquae. Despite the fact that colony sizes did not differ significantly in their average settling rates, we observed extremely high and low rates in large colonies (>5000 cells) and a greater influence of a drop in temperature on small colonies (<1000 cells). We found a 4–14 fold decrease in microcystin cell quota in settling Microcystis of the Cogotas and Valmayor reservoirs compared with pelagic populations, and the hypothetical causes of this are discussed. Our study provides novel data on Microcystis settling patterns in Mediterranean Europe and highlights the need for including morphological, chemotypical and physiological criteria to address the sedimentation of complex Microcystis populations.
Enhancing mathematical problem solving among third-grade students with schema-based instruction

The purposes of this study were to assess the effects of schema-based instruction (SBI) in promoting mathematical problem solving and to investigate schema induction as a mechanism in the development of mathematical problem solving. Twenty-four 3rd-grade teachers, with 366 students, were assigned randomly to conditions that provided instruction on 4 types of word problems. The 3 16-week conditions were contrast, SBI, and SBI with practice in sorting word problems into schemas. Students were pre- and posttested on mathematical problem-solving tests and were posttested on schema development. Students receiving SBI, with and without sorting practice, improved more than the contrast group on problem-solving measures. Concurrently, the SBI groups' schema development exceeded that of the contrast group, and schema development explained a substantial portion of unique variance in students' posttreatment problem-solving performance. Results also suggested the need for additional research testing the contribution of practice in sorting word problems.
Impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate based on plasma cystatin C and serum creatinine levels before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

ABSTRACT Background: No standard method for measuring renal function has been established in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 80 patients with hematological diseases who underwent allo-HCT at our center. We assessed renal function using creatinine clearance (Ccr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on creatinine (eGFRcre), eGFR based on cystatin C (eGFRcys), and the average of eGFRcre and eGFRcys (eGFRave). We then evaluated the impact of pre-transplant renal function on the exacerbation of renal function and non-relapse mortality after transplantation. Results: There was a significant correlation between Ccr and eGFRcre, eGFRcys, and eGFRave. eGFRave best predicted the exacerbation of renal function according to the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. The cumulative incidence of renal function exacerbation at 1 year was higher in the lower eGFRave group (<90 ml/min/1.73 m2) than in the higher eGFRave group (≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2; 0.85 vs. 0.39, p < 0.001), which was confirmed by a multivariate analysis (HR 2.75, p = 0.001). A lower eGFRave value was a marginally significant factor for non-relapse mortality (HR 3.29, p = 0.076). Conclusion: Among the four parameters, eGFRave best predicted the exacerbation of renal function in allo-HCT. Further, the marginal association between low eGFRave and high non-relapse mortality warrants further study in a prospective study in allo-HCT.
Power of Self-Reflection through Epistemic Writing

anagement education literature is replete with references to the criticisms leveled in Porter and McKibben (1988) that today's business school graduates lack competency in "soft" skills such as communications, leadership, and teamwork. Given this criticism, leading schools have moved toward training and assessing students in interpersonal skills (see for example, Brown, Hunt, Schiffman, and Weintraub 1997, Boyatzis 1994, or Alverno College Faculty 1994). I would like to discuss one experiment in student self-assessment of interperson al skills via the medium of self-reflection.
Connections of the Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus from the Forebrain Structures in the Rat

The dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) has been implicated as an area controlling autonomic activity. The aim of this study was to demonstrate connections of the anterior and posterior DMH to the forebrain structures, using a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde axonal transport technique in rats. The results of HRP labelling show that the anterior and posterior DMH indicate a number of differences in their connections. The posterior DMH has intense connections with the cortex (cingulate, frontal, parietal and insular), amygdala (lateral and basolateral) and hippocampus (CA1 and CA2), whereas the anterior DMH has faint connections with the cortex (cingulate, frontal and parietal) and prominent connections with the septal and bed nucleus of stria terminalis. These differences in connections of the DMH may provide sites for the specific autonomic function integrated by the DMH.
Minimizing lipid signal bleed in brain 1H chemical shift imaging by post‐acquisition grid shifting

Low spatial resolution in conventional 1H brain chemical shifting imaging (CSI) studies causes partial volume error (PVE) or signal “bleed” that is especially deleterious to voxels near the scalp. The standard spatial apodization approach adversely affects spatial resolution. Here, a novel automated post‐processing strategy of partial volume correction employing grid shifting (“PANGS”) is presented, which minimizes residual PVE without compromising spatial resolution.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice: The Work of the Steering Team for the Child Welfare Research and Evaluation Translational Framework Workgroup

This article describes the framework developed by the Child Welfare Research and Evaluation Translational Framework Workgroup that was sponsored by the U.S. Children's Bureau for building evidence and bringing evidence-supported interventions to scale. The framework delineates five phases of implementation and evaluation: 1) identify and explore problem definitions and strength of evidence for promising interventions; 2) develop and test innovative interventions when evidence is suggestive; 3) compare and learn about alternative treatments where evidence is equivocal; 4) replicate and adapt better treatments when summary evidence is strong; and 5) apply and improve continuously the quality and integrity of evidence-based practice.
An integrated approach to the treatment of personality disorder

Background: Several treatments are effective in treating personality disorder and outcome does not differ substantially across treatments. These findings point to the importance of generic mechanisms and an eclectic approach that combines effective interventions from different models. Aim: To develop a framework for integrated, eclectic treatment using an array of interventions drawn from different treatment modes and delivered in an integrated way. Method: Literature review of treatment outcome and conceptual analysis of the nature of personality disorder and the process of change was used to identify principles for organizing treatment. Results: Four ideas are proposed for organizing treatment and coordinating interventions. First, treatment is based on generic change mechanisms. Second, interventions are divided into general and specific treatment strategies. General treatment strategies are used throughout treatment to build the alliance, ensure therapeutic consistency, provide validation, and build motivation. Specific interventions are added to this framework as needed to treat specific problems. Third, treatment is conceptualized as a series of phases, each addressing different problems and domains of psychopathology. This framework is used to coordinate the selection of specific interventions. Finally, change in specific behaviours is described using the stages of change model that also provides an orderly way to combine interventions. Conclusions: An integrated and eclectic approach to treatment is consistent with current empirical evidence on treatment efficacy and the limitations of current treatments.
Statistical analysis plan for the ‘Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischaemic Stroke’ (TARDIS) trial

Rationale Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyridamole are effective in reducing the risk of recurrence after a stroke. Importantly, the risk of recurrence is highest immediately after the index event while antiplatelets cause bleeding. Aims and/or hypothesis The ‘Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischaemic Stroke’ (TARDIS) trial is testing whether short-term intensive antiplatelet therapy is safe and effective in reducing the early risk of recurrence as compared with standard guideline-based therapy. Design TARDIS is an international multicenter prospective randomized open-label blinded-end-point trial, with funding from the UK Health Technology Assessment program. Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are randomized within 48 h to intensive/triple antiplatelet therapy or guideline antiplatelets taken for one-month. Patients or relatives give written informed (proxy) consent and all sites have research ethics approval. Analyses will be done by intention-to-treat. Study Outcome The primary outcome is shift in stroke recurrent events and their severity, assessed using the modified Rankin Scale, at three-months. Discussion This paper and attachment describe the trial's statistical analysis plan, as developed from the protocol during recruitment and prior to unblinding of data. The statistical analysis plan contains design and methods for analyses, and unpopulated tables and figures for the primary and baseline publications. The data from the trial will provide the first large-scale randomized evidence for the use of intensive anti-platelet therapy for preventing recurrence after acute stroke and transient ischemic attack.
A fast global motion estimation for moving objects segmentation using moment-preserving technique

This paper presents a fast segmentation of moving objects in video sequences using the moment-preserving technique. The emerging video coding standard MPEG-4 enables various content-based functionalities for multimedia applications. To decompose each frame of a video sequence into video object planes (VOP) is the first step for MPEG-4 toward supporting such functionalities, as well as improving coding efficiency. Each VOP corresponds to a single moving object in the scene. For this purpose, we propose a novel region-based segmentation method as a general VOP segmentation algorithm by estimating the motion vector of each region in a VOP using the proposed moment-preserving technique. An initial spatial partition of each frame is obtained by a fast, region-growing image segmentation algorithm. The solution to the motion vector of each region in a VOP is analytic. This algorithm can be performed very fast for content-based multimedia applications with no need for special hardware. Experimental results for several video sequences demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A Process for Predicting MOOC Attrition

The goal of this shared task was to predict attrition in a MOOC through use of the data and logs generated by the course. Our approach to the task reinforces the idea that the process of gathering and structuring the data is more important (and more time consuming) than the predictive model itself. The result of the analysis was that a subset of 15 different data features did a sufficiently good job at predicting whether or not a student would exhibit any activity in the following week.
Group Buying Based Incentive Mechanism for Mobile Crowd Sensing

Mobile crowd sensing (MCS) has become a promising paradigm to perceive the environment with the help of smart phones. A monetary award is an effective method to incentivize participants to contribute good quality data. However, the reward for long-term data collection in the wide area could be unaffordable for a MCS requester. In this paper, we enable data requesters to recruit sensing workers in a group buying way. Requesters with similar data demand can form a group to share the payment and sensing data, which reduces cost and increases the coverage of sensing data. Agents from different groups compete in buying sensing data from sensing workers. We propose TGBA, a Two-phase Group Buying based Auction mechanism for MCS. In phase I, requesters submit bids to their group agent, the group agent decides the winners and clearing prices. In phase II, group agents attend the auction for recruiting workers. TGBA is computationally efficient and possesses good economic properties such as individual rationality, budget balance and truthfulness.
Modifiable risk factors predict injuries in firefighters during training academies.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether measures of physiologic function and fundamental movement are predictive of injury in firefighters during a training academy. PARTICIPANTS 108 firefighter trainees enrolled in the training academy. METHODS Baseline measures of physical performance and fundamental movement patterns were obtained in firefighters entering a training academy to determine predictors of injury. The physical performance measures were standardized tests of individual maximum performance on a set of four different total body tests and one firefighter specific performance test, the tower test. Measurements of fundamental movement patterns consisted of the seven tests of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) along with the composite score.Performance on each of the individual tests was examined to determine if any of the variables were predictive of injury. RESULTS ROC curve analysis established that a FMS cut score of ≤ 14 was able to discriminate between those at a greater risk for injury. In addition, the deep squat and push up component of the FMS were statistically significant predictors of injury status along with the sit and reach test. CONCLUSIONS Injury in firefighters during academy can be predicted by baseline measures of musculoskeletal movement and physiology.
Pigmented corpuscles in the midgut gland of Pomacea canaliculata and other Neotropical apple-snails (Prosobranchia, Ampullariidae): a possible symbiotic association.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Alfredo Castro-Vázquez, Fisiología Normal, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Casilla de Correo 33, (5500) Mendoza, ARGENTINA. Fax: (+54-261) 449 4117; E-mail: acv@fmed2.uncu. edu.ar / acastrovazquez@yahoo.com Received on November 29, 2000. Accepted on November 13, 2001. Pigmented intracellular corpuscles (“spherioles”) have been known to occur in the midgut gland of ampullariid snails for many years (Meenakshi, 1955; Andrews, 1965; Lutfy and Demian, 1968). Andrews (1965) described them in her morphological account of the midgut gland of P. canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822), and referred to them as “greenish spherules” and “brown concretions” (in this paper, they will be referred to as C and K corpuscles, respectively). She also adscribed a digestive-excretory function to C corpuscles and an excretory function to K corpuscles, since she found them associated with two distinct cell types in the gland acini: C corpuscles to the supposedly digestive (columnar) cells, and K corpuscles to the supposedly excretory (triangular or pyramidal) cells. However, we were intrigued by the “cellular” appearance of C corpuscles, and by the hard multilamellar structure of K corpuscles, that we could only dissolve in hot sodium hydroxide solutions and found that it contains proteins. Therefore, the fecal loss of these physiologically valuable material was intriguing, particularly if the snail ́s need of an adequate nitrogen and carbon balances were considered. So, we envisaged the possibility that they could be indeed the vegetative and kystic forms, respectively, of a prokaryotic symbiont that was living and reproducing within the glandular cells, and that was also eliminated to the external environment, where it could also undergo a free-living cycle. The results of our first efforts to test this hypothesis are presented here.
Images as orienting activity: using theory to inform classroom practices

Conceptualizations of teacher knowledge have shifted to focusing on the role of experiential rather than theoretical knowledge. There are different approaches to this, but the idea of an image that guides practice is widespread. One approach to images that has not been frequently investigated in studies of second language teachers is through sociocultural theory, specifically in the contribution of activity theory known as orienting activity. In this view, images mediate teaching actions by linking theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This article will use orienting activity to examine the role that images play in an English as a second language teacher’s personal practical knowledge by drawing on classroom observations, informal discussions, simulated recall interviews and documentary evidence collected over a nine month period. Analysis of the data shows that several key images mediated the teacher’s classroom actions. These emerged in the observations and in the teacher’s commentary on planned and spontaneous, routine and novel and successful and unsuccessful activities. The images appeared to have developed through both tacit knowledge associated with practical experience and theoretical knowledge associated with research and theory. This demonstrates the usefulness of orienting activity as a theoretical framework for exploring classroom practices and teacher development through the links it can make between theory and practice.
Effect of Co-segregating Markers on High-Density Genetic Maps and Prediction of Map Expansion Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Advances in sequencing and genotyping methods have enable cost-effective production of high throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, making them the choice for linkage mapping. As a result, many laboratories have developed high-throughput SNP assays and built high-density genetic maps. However, the number of markers may, by orders of magnitude, exceed the resolution of recombination for a given population size so that only a minority of markers can accurately be ordered. Another issue attached to the so-called ‘large p, small n’ problem is that high-density genetic maps inevitably result in many markers clustering at the same position (co-segregating markers). While there are a number of related papers, none have addressed the impact of co-segregating markers on genetic maps. In the present study, we investigated the effects of co-segregating markers on high-density genetic map length and marker order using empirical data from two populations of wheat, Mohawk × Cocorit (durum wheat) and Norstar × Cappelle Desprez (bread wheat). The maps of both populations consisted of 85% co-segregating markers. Our study clearly showed that excess of co-segregating markers can lead to map expansion, but has little effect on markers order. To estimate the inflation factor (IF), we generated a total of 24,473 linkage maps (8,203 maps for Mohawk × Cocorit and 16,270 maps for Norstar × Cappelle Desprez). Using seven machine learning algorithms, we were able to predict with an accuracy of 0.7 the map expansion due to the proportion of co-segregating markers. For example in Mohawk × Cocorit, with 10 and 80% co-segregating markers the length of the map inflated by 4.5 and 16.6%, respectively. Similarly, the map of Norstar × Cappelle Desprez expanded by 3.8 and 11.7% with 10 and 80% co-segregating markers. With the increasing number of markers on SNP-chips, the proportion of co-segregating markers in high-density maps will continue to increase making map expansion unavoidable. Therefore, we suggest developers improve linkage mapping algorithms for efficient analysis of high-throughput data. This study outlines a practical strategy to estimate the IF due to the proportion of co-segregating markers and outlines a method to scale the length of the map accordingly.
Exploring the development of an organisational culture of control and dependency from a systems psychodynamic perspective

Orientation: Globalisation and accelerating rates of change characterise the work environment. Research purpose: The aim of this research was to study the impact of the change process at a plant of a South African production company. Motivations for the study: Problems were experienced in terms of production and a need for transformation at different levels was expressed. Co-dependence in the environment necessitated exploration of intra-organisational dynamics. Research design, approach and method: The study focused on the management team at a specifc plant, but by applying the systems psychodynamic perspective it was possible to also explore the mutual effect of relationships with other systems in the organisation, the company as a whole and the environment. Respondents included the directors of manufacturing and of human resources, the general manager, an 11-member management team and staff representatives. Semi-structured one-to-one interviews, group interviews and a group consultation session were held. Main findings: Hypotheses were formulated regarding the change experienced in the company, the overemphasis of control in the various systems, efforts to move from dependency to interdependence, personal authority as a requirement for interdependent functioning and problems with interrelatedness. Practical/managerial implications: The study illustrates the application of the systems psychodynamic approach in exploring the interaction between and mutual infuence of various organisational systems, especially in times of change. Contribution/value add: At a broader level, the study contributes to the understanding of the application of the theory as well as suggesting the use of a methodology. Recommendations for an intervention of this nature were also made.
Starvation and Famine: Cross-Cultural Codes and Some Hypothesis Tests

This article provides a set of codes that rate the starvation and famine experiences of societies in the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample. The codes are used to test several theoretical generaliza tions regarding the underlying cultural causes of famine. The results indicate that several changes arising from world systems involvements increase the likelihood of famine. They suggest fur ther that the extent to which societies experience famine depends on cultural definitions of property and exchange rights. In addition, results confirm the understanding that famine is especially prone to break out in environments of chronic hunger and recurrent starvation.