Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opposing Sr / Ca response to reef scale sea surface temperature in Eastern Madagascar corals : implications for tropical paleothermometry

Massive corals offer continuous records of climate locked within their skeleton, with the most commonly applied paleo-thermometer being Sr/ Ca. Recently, however, problems with Sr/Ca thermometry indicate that the intrinsic variance of single-core Sr/Ca time series differs from core to core. Here, we compare the Sr/Ca records and growth parameters of two Porites lutea colonies sampled 0.72 km apart, with two gridded SST datasets, ERSST and HadISST, off NE Madagascar. Specifi cally, we address the seasonal and interannual variability as well as trend differences between records over the same 43 year period. The two gridded SST datasets showed strong seasonality and weak positive ENSO anomalies on a slow 43-year warming trend at slightly different rates. Both the coral Sr/Ca records showed the same clear seasonality and similar amplitudes in SST. However, on interannual timescales they displayed diverging 43-year Sr/Ca trends and opposite responses to weak ENSO anomalies. Moreover, their growth response also differed as one coral showed increasing extension/calcifi cation rates and Sr/Ca ratios (cooling) over the 43 years, while the other coral showed decreasing extension/calcifi cation rates and Sr/Ca ratios (warming). Further, during positive ENSO events the calcifi cation rates of the two corals were negatively correlated, while skeletal density anomalies were opposite. Possible explanations to why these corals are so different may be related to SST variability itself. The growth response of individual corals to rising SST seems to be opposite, which in turn may be related to biological factors, such as zooxanthellae genetic types. Consequently, coral growth responses likely explain much of the inter-colony Sr/Ca variability.
Using the information: incorporating positive feedback information into the testing process

Software testing is recognized as an essential part of the software development process. Random testing (RT), the selection of input test cases at random from the input domain, is a simple and efficient method of software testing. RT does not however make use of previously executed test case information; in particular, information about nonfailure-causing test cases is ignored. Intuitively, use of this positive feedback information can improve the failure-finding efficiency of a testing method. Adaptive random testing (ART) makes use of knowledge of general failure pattern types, and information of previously executed test cases, in the selection of new test cases. A failure pattern in a program's input domain is composed of the regions of failure-causing inputs. Previous research has categorized failure patterns broadly into three types: point; strip; and block, and has identified important implications for the failure-finding efficiency of test methods, depending on the failure pattern type. In particular, it has been found that for nonpoint type patterns, the efficiency of RT can be improved upon by simple modification of the basic approach: by ensuring a more even and widespread distribution of test cases over the input domain, the number of test cases required to find the first failure (F-measure) can be reduced dramatically. This insight has motivated several adaptive random testing methods, and produced convincing results. This paper introduces some of the research in this area and suggests areas of interest for future work.
The Effect of Compressive Cyclic Loading on the Retention of Cast Single Crowns Cemented to Implant Abutments.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the retention strength of three cements commonly used in implant-supported prostheses before and after compressive cyclic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS The working model consisted of five solid abutments, 7 mm in height and with a 6-degree taper, screw retained to five implant analogs secured in a rectangular block of self-curing acrylic. On the abutments, 30 metal Cr-Ni alloy copings were cemented using three luting agents: glass ionomer, resin urethane-based, and compomer cement (n = 10). Two tensile tests were conducted with a universal testing machine, before and after 100,000 cycles of 100 N and 0.72 Hz compressive cyclic loading in a humid environment. RESULTS Before applying the compressive load, the retention strength of the resin urethane-based cement was slightly higher than that of the compomer cement and 75% greater than the glass-ionomer cement. After compressive loading, the resin urethane-based cement showed the highest percentage of loss of retention (64.45%, compared with 50% for glass-ionomer and compomer cement). However, the glass-ionomer cement showed the lowest mean retentive strength with 50.35 N as opposed to 75.12 N for the compomer cement and 71.25 N for the resin urethane-based. CONCLUSIONS Compressive cyclic loading significantly influences the retention strength of the luting agents tested. All three cements may favor the retrievability of the crowns.
Utility of a Language Screening Measure for Predicting Risk for Language Impairment in Bilinguals.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the accuracy of an experimental version of the Bilingual English Spanish Oral Screener (BESOS; Peña, Bedore, Iglesias, Gutiérrez-Clellen, & Goldstein, 2008) for predicting the long-term risk for language impairment (LI) for a matched group of preschool-aged Spanish-English bilingual children with and without LI. METHOD A total of 1,029 Spanish-English bilingual children completed the BESOS before entering kindergarten. A subset of 167 participants completed a follow-up language evaluation in 1st grade. Twenty-one of these children were identified as having LI and were matched to a group of 21 typically developing peers from the larger sample. A series of discriminant analyses were used to determine the combination of scores on the BESOS that most accurately predicted 2 years later which children presented with and without LI. RESULTS The linear combination of the semantics and morphosyntax scores in the best language resulted in predictive sensitivity of 95.2% and predictive specificity of 71.4%, with an overall accuracy of 81% for predicting risk for LI. CONCLUSION A bilingual language screener administered before kindergarten can be useful for predicting risk for LI in bilingual children in 1st grade.
Expanding the Criteria for Evaluating Socio-Technical Software

This paper compares two evaluation criterion frameworks for sociotechnical software. Research on the technology acceptance model (TAM) confirms that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are relevant criteria for users evaluating organizational software. However, information technology has changed considerably since TAM's 1989 inception, so an upgraded evaluation framework may apply. The web of system performance (WOSP) model suggests eight evaluation criteria, based on a systems theory definition of performance. This paper compares WOSP and TAM criterion frameworks in a performance evaluation experiment using the analytic hierarchy process method. Subjects who used both TAM and WOSP criteria preferred the WOSP criteria, were more satisfied with its decision outcomes, and found the WOSP evaluation more accurate and complete. As sociotechnical software becomes more complex, users may need (or prefer) more comprehensive evaluation criterion frameworks.
c-Jun N-terminal Kinase but Not Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Is Sensitive to cAMP Inhibition in T Lymphocytes (*)

The molecular mechanism underlying the cAMP inhibition of nuclear activation events in T lymphocytes is unknown. Recently, the activation of fibroblasts and muscle cells are shown to be antagonized by cAMP through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases signaling pathway. Whether a similar antagonism may account for the late inhibitory effect of cAMP in T cell was examined. Surprisingly, extracellular signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) activation was resistant to cAMP inhibition in all the T lymphocytes tested. Different isoforms (ERK1, ERK2, and ERK3) of MAP kinase were poorly inhibited by cAMP. High concentration of cAMP also only weakly antagonized Raf-1 in T cells. The resistance of ERK and Raf-1 to cAMP clearly distinguishes T cells from fibroblasts. In contrast, another MAP kinase homologue c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was inhibited by cAMP in good correlation with that of IL-2 suppression. Moreover, JNK was antagonized by a delayed kinetics which is characteristic of cAMP inhibition. Despite that both ERK and JNK are essential for T cell activation, selective inhibition by cAMP further supports the specific role of JNK in T cell activation.
Detecting Errors with Configurable Whole-program Dataflow Analysis

In this paper, we present an automatic compiler-based approach for detecting programming errors. Our system uses a configurable and scalable whole-program dataflow analysis engine driven by highlevel programmer-written annotations. We show that our system can automatically detect a wide range of programmer errors in C programs, including improper use of libraries, information leaks, and security vulnerabilities. We show that the aggressive compiler analysis that our system performs yields precise results. Further, our system detects a wide range of errors with greater scalability than previous automatic approaches. For one important class of security vulnerabilities, our system automatically finds all known errors in five medium to large C programs without producing any false positives.
Representations for Scaffolding Collaborative Inquiry on Ill-Structured Problems.

The Belvedere software environment was designed to support students engaged in collaborative learning while solving ill-structured problems requiring integration of multiple sources of data to evaluate competing hypotheses or solutions. Students are posed with web-based “science challenge problems,” which present a recent or current debate in science along with on-line articles, data, and suggestions for hands-on data-gathering activities. Students use the Belvedere inquiry-diagramming facility to record hypotheses under consideration, information gathered, and the evidential relations between them. Preliminary studies with Belvedere suggest that the design of representational tools can have a significant effect on the learners’ knowledge-building discourse. However, these effects are insufficiently studied. After several years of laying the groundwork by building and deploying such software, the author and colleagues have begun such an in-depth investigation, examining the effects of textual, diagrammatic and tabular representational tools on the quality of knowledge-building discourse between learners. The paper describes the Belvedere work that led to this position, lays out a research agenda, and describes pilot studies now underway.
Endgame Analysis of DOU SHOU QI

Dou Shou Qi is a game in which two players control a number of pieces, each of them aiming to move one of their pieces onto a given square. We implemented an engine for analyzing the game. Moreover, we created a series of endgame tablebases containing all configurations with up to four pieces. These tablebases are the first steps towards theoretically solving the game. Finally, we constructed decision trees based on the endgame tablebases. In this note we report on some interesting patterns.
Identification of Iron-Responsive, Differential Gene Expression in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 with a Customized Amplification Library

ABSTRACT We describe the use of a method called differential expression using customized amplification library (DECAL) to study the global changes in gene expression in iron-deficient versus iron-reconstituting cells of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. We identified a number of genes, such as isiA, idiA,psbA, cpcG, and slr0374, whose expression either increased or decreased in response to iron availability. Further analysis led to the identification of additional genes related to those identified by DECAL (e.g., psbC,psbO, psaA, apcABC,cpcBAC1C2D, and nblA) that were differentially regulated by iron availability. Expression of cpcG,psbC, psbO, psaA,apcABC, and cpcBAC1C2D increased, whereas that of isiA, idiA, nblA,psbA, and slr0374 decreased, in iron-reconstituting cells. S1 nuclease protection studies showed that increased transcript levels of psbA in iron-deficient cells was due to the increased expression of both psbA2 andpsbA3 genes, although the steady-state level ofpsbA2 remained higher than that of psbA3.
Dysregulation of Presynaptic Calcium and Synaptic Plasticity in a Mouse Model of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

The 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is characterized by cognitive decline and increased risk of psychiatric disorders, mainly schizophrenia. The molecular mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in cognitive symptoms of 22q11DS are poorly understood. Here, we report that a mouse model of 22q11DS, the Df(16)1/+ mouse, exhibits substantially enhanced short- and long-term synaptic plasticity at hippocampal CA3–CA1 synapses, which coincides with deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. These changes are evident in mature but not young animals. Electrophysiological, two-photon imaging and glutamate uncaging, and electron microscopic assays in acute brain slices showed that enhanced neurotransmitter release but not altered postsynaptic function or structure caused these changes. Enhanced neurotransmitter release in Df(16)1/+ mice coincided with altered calcium kinetics in CA3 presynaptic terminals and upregulated sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase type 2 (SERCA2). SERCA inhibitors rescued synaptic phenotypes of Df(16)1/+ mice. Thus, presynaptic SERCA2 upregulation may be a pathogenic event contributing to the cognitive symptoms of 22q11DS.
PTIME: Personalized assistance for calendaring

In a world of electronic calendars, the prospect of intelligent, personalized time management assistance seems a plausible and desirable application of AI. PTIME (Personalized Time Management) is a learning cognitive assistant agent that helps users handle email meeting requests, reserve venues, and schedule events. PTIME is designed to unobtrusively learn scheduling preferences, adapting to its user over time. The agent allows its user to flexibly express requirements for new meetings, as they would to an assistant. It interfaces with commercial enterprise calendaring platforms, and it operates seamlessly with users who do not have PTIME. This article overviews the system design and describes the models and technical advances required to satisfy the competing needs of preference modeling and elicitation, constraint reasoning, and machine learning. We further report on a multifaceted evaluation of the perceived usefulness of the system.
Friedel vs. Labusch: the strong/weak pinning transition in solute strengthened metals

Abstract Solute strengthening in substitutional alloys can be classified into two categories, strong-pinning (Friedel) and weak-pinning (Labusch), each with its own characteristic scaling with concentration and temperature. The transition between the two strengthening mechanisms as a function of solute concentration has previously been estimated at zero temperature. Here, the transition is investigated more completely, using a new model for the Labusch-type weak pinning model and considering finite temperature and strain rate. A parametric study of the transition as a function of solute concentration and dislocation core structure shows that the temperature dependence of the transition concentration greatly depends on the dislocation core structure and, in general, can differ significantly from the zero-temperature value. The zero-temperature transition concentration itself also differs from the standard estimate. Except for the most highly localized cores, the Labusch model controls the strengthening for concentrations greater than and temperatures greater than K. Using dislocation core structures and solute/dislocation interaction energies derived from first-principles, the transition concentration at finite temperature for Al–X (X = Mg, Si, Cu, Cr, Mn and Fe) and Mg–Al (basal) alloys is also predicted to be in the range of . Overall, at temperatures and concentrations relevant to engineering applications, the Labusch model is therefore expected to control the strengthening mechanisms for these alloys and for most dislocation core structures in metals.
Review of recent transgenic studies on abiotic stress tolerance and future molecular breeding in potato

Global warming has become a major issue within the last decade. Traditional breeding programs for potato have focused on increasing productivity and quality and disease resistance, thus, modern cultivars have limited tolerance of abiotic stresses. The introgression of abiotic stress tolerance into modern cultivars is essential work for the future. Recently, many studies have investigated abiotic stress using transgenic techniques. This manuscript focuses on the study of abiotic stress, in particular drought, salinity and low temperature, during this century. Dividing studies into these three stress categories for this review was difficult. Thus, based on the study title and the transgene property, transgenic studies were classified into five categories in this review; oxidative scavengers, transcriptional factors, and above three abiotic categories. The review focuses on studies that investigate confer of stress tolerance and the identification of responsible factors, including wild relatives. From a practical application perspective, further evaluation of transgenic potato with abiotic stress tolerance is required. Although potato plants, including wild species, have a large potential for abiotic stress tolerance, exploration of the factors responsible for conferring this tolerance is still developing. Molecular breeding, including genetic engineering and conventional breeding using DNA markers, is expected to develop in the future.
Incapacidade funcional para atividades básicas e instrumentais da vida diária em idosos Disability relating to basic and instrumental activities of daily living among elderly subjects

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of disability and associated factors in elderly, by focusing on basic and instrumental activities of daily living. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 598 subjects aged 60 years or over who were selected through two-stage cluster sampling in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, between 2007 and 2008. Basic and instrumental activities were evaluated using the Katz Index and the Lawton Scale, respectively. Disability relating to each domain was de ﬁ ned as the need for partial or total assistance to perform at least one activity of daily living. Poisson regression with robust variance was used in the crude and adjusted analyses, taking the cluster sampling into account. RESULTS: The prevalence of disability relating to basic activities was 26.8% (95% CI: 23.0; 30.8). The lowest proportion of independence was in relation to controlling the urination and/or evacuation functions. In relation to instrumental activities, the prevalence of disability was 28.8% (95% CI: 24.5; 33.1), particularly in relation to moving around using means of transportation. A high proportion of the elderly subjects (21.7%) presented more than one instrumental activity with disability. In relation to basic activities, the greatest proportion presented dependence for only one activity (16.6%). In the adjusted analysis, disability relating to basic activities was associated with non-white skin color (p=0.01) and increasing age (p<0.001). Disability relating to instrumental activities was only associated with increasing age (p<0.001).
Non-supervised classification of volcanic-seismic events for Tungurahua-Volcano Ecuador

In this paper we propose the use of self-organizing maps and archetypal analysis as an method of unsupervised classification of seismic signals. Using this method we analyzed the record of seismic events for Tungurahua-Volcano (Ecuador) for the year 2014, obtained by a permanent geophysical station from Instituto Geofísico EPN located at the volcano. In standard volcanic monitoring procedures there exists a classification for seismic events performed in a supervised manner (a human being assigns a class to each event based on perception and some fixed criteria). However, even if this classification yields some information on the possible ongoing volcanic processes inside a volcano, it is not determinant when used as a method to predict an actual volcanic eruption. The method proposed in this paper has several advantages over supervised classification by human or based on human classification of seismic signals, one is that it is fast and can be automatized without relying on human intervention, other is that correlates well with human classification for events that clearly mark a volcanic eruption, moreover it finds other cluster of events that could be examined further to established if they have a volcanic interpretation.
Fast and Robust 3D Terrain Surface Reconstruction of Construction site Using Stereo camera

This paper presents a fast and robust threedimensional (3D) terrain surface reconstruction system using a stereo camera. The local featurebased 3D terrain surface reconstruction algorithm consists of two major steps: matching and terrain surface reconstruction. In this paper, extracted corners are described by multi-scale descriptors (MSDs), and the matching precision is increased by a quadratic interpolation method. In the terrain surface reconstruction step, the construction terrain surface is modeled using a 3D regular grid plane for its computational efficiency and robustness. The precision of the 3D regular grid plane is improved by inferring the 3D grid vertices from a robustly matched nearest point cloud. The computational complexity of the proposed terrain surface is simplified using 2D and 3D triangle mesh structures. In order to evaluate the proposed method, different types of 3D reconstruction methods were compared under the conditions of a practical construction site. The results of the experiment show that the MSD-based 3D terrain surface algorithm performed well in terms of robustness and computational efficiency.
How does comprehension of passives develop? A comparison of actional and experiential verbs

ABSTRACT Experiment I required first, third, and sixth graders to identify the actor or experiencer from active and passive sentences with actional and three subclasses of experiential verbs. Actional passives were understood better than experientials, with no difference among the subcategories of experiential verbs, and no effect of verb frequency or regularity. Response distributions for each verb type did not show two populations of subjects – one knowing and the other not knowing the passive – but approximately unimodal distributions whose mean increased with age. Experiment II studied preschoolers. Again, the actional passives were systematically easier than the experientials, and again, for neither verb type did the response distributions show two distinct subject populations, one competent and the other incompetent. The forms of the distributions cannot be wholly accounted for by fluctuating attention to cues to passivization, but indicate that many children have partial knowledge of the passive (increasing with age). A hypothesis about the nature of this partial knowledge accounts for the gradual acquisition and the difference between the verb types.
Nash equilibria as a fundamental issue concerning network-switches design

We view the 'packet-switching problem' (from N inputs towards N outputs) from the perspective of game theory and we prove that, if the rates of flows are weighed then 'weighed max-min fair service rates' are the unique Nash equilibrium point of a natural strategic game in which throughput is granted on a 'least-demanding first-served' principle. We prove that a crossbar switching device with suitably randomized schedulers converges to this equilibrium point without pre-computing it.