Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term change of the littoral Cladocera in the Tatra Mountain lakes through a major acidification event

In our study, we focused on littoral Cladocera living and feeding in shallow shore parts of 46 mountain lakes in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia and Poland). The studied lakes underwent a major acidification event in the 1980s and are now in the process of recovery. Lakes were divided into three categories based on their sensitivity to acidification: 5 extremely sensitive (ES), 11 acid sensitive (AS), and 30 non-sensitive (NS) lakes. In our study, we included historical data from the literature, and data from sediment core and littoral samples, which together represent the evolution of the littoral communities from a pre-industrial period up to the present. In total, 11 littoral species were found belonging to three cladoceran families. Most of the species were members of the family Chydoridae: Alona affinis, A. quadrangularis, A. rectangula, A. guttata, Acroperus harpae, Alonella excisa, A. nana, Chydorus sphaericus, and Eurycercus lamellatus. One species belonged to each family Daphniidae (Ceriodaphnia quadrangula) and Polyphemidae (Polyphemus pediculus). The most numerous littoral taxa were Alona affinis, Acroperus harpae, and Chydorus sphaericus. All species reacted to decreased pH levels during peak acidification in the 1980s by disappearing from most of the lakes of all categories; the only persisting species was Chydorus sphaericus. Most species returned to the lakes when pH started to increase in the 1990s, although their return was noticeably slower in AS lakes. Alona quadrangularis decreased its distribution range over the studied period; Polyphemus pediculus was mostly detected in the 1910s only. The number of species was highest in all lake categories when dwarf pine was present in the lake catchment. On the whole, the littoral community was richest in NS lakes.
The Contributions of the Ombudsman to Human Rights in Latin America, 1982–2011

Abstract Democratic institutions, ranging from constitutional provisions and electoral rules to judiciaries, have been important in improving the rights of citizens across the world. If institutions matter for human rights, then it stands to reason that institutions built specifically to protect human rights, like the human rights ombudsman, should matter too. Using a comparative case study approach, this article examines the effect of the human rights ombudsman at the regional level on several human rights measures in Latin America between 1982 and 2011. The results suggest that the presence of an ombudsman, and some of its design features, have had effects on some social and economic rights, in keeping with the broad mandate given to this office.
ADAPTIVE DIVERGENCE IN MOOR FROG (RANA ARVALIS) POPULATIONS ALONG AN ACIDIFICATION GRADIENT: INFERENCES FROM QST–FST CORRELATIONS

Microevolutionary responses to spatial variation in the environment seem ubiquitous, but the relative role of selection and neutral processes in driving phenotypic diversification remain often unknown. The moor frog (Rana arvalis) shows strong phenotypic divergence along an acidification gradient in Sweden. We here used correlations among population pairwise estimates of quantitative trait (PST or QST from common garden estimates of embryonic acid tolerance and larval life‐history traits) and neutral genetic divergence (FST from neutral microsatellite markers), as well as environmental differences (pond pH, predator density, and latitude), to test whether this phenotypic divergence is more likely due to divergent selection or neutral processes. We found that trait divergence was more strongly correlated with environmental differences than the neutral marker divergence, suggesting that divergent natural selection has driven phenotypic divergence along the acidification gradient. Moreover, pairwise PSTs of embryonic acid tolerance and QSTs of metamorphic size were strongly correlated with breeding pond pH, whereas pairwise QSTs of larval period and growth rate were more strongly correlated with geographic distance/latitude and predator density, respectively. We suggest that incorporating measurements of environmental variation into QST–FST studies can improve our inferential power about the agents of natural selection in natural populations.
Experimental Demonstration of Optical Signal Detection Using Nonlinear Fourier Transform

The Ablowitz-Ladik-a mathematical tool for calculating the nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) of a time-domain signal-is applied to coherently detected short 16-GBd BPSK sequences after transmission over a few spans of standard SMF fiber in lab. Decision schemes are investigated, which compare the nonlinear spectrum of received signal blocks consisting of a sequence of four BPSK symbols with a set of calculated reference spectra. Decision on the continuous part of the NFT spectrum was successfully demonstrated. At higher signal power performance, degradation was linked to peaks in the continuous amplitude spectrum. They are emerging at large signal noise and change depending on the noise seed and lead to an increased variance of the minimum distance criterion which was applied for decision. Decision based on the discrete part of the nonlinear spectrum worked successfully at high signal power. In particular, the position of one or more eigenvalues in the complex plane, referred to as eigenvalue pattern, exhibited a low variance for signal with noise and enable low error rate. However, the measurements also show that with increasing signal power, link length, and noise, the reliability of the proposed detection is limited, and further refinement of decision criteria seems necessary.
Gait speed and cognitive score in elderly users of the primary care service.

OBJECTIVE to investigate the association between gait speed and the cognitive score of elderly patients enrolled in a Basic Health Unit. METHOD a quantitative cross-sectional study with 203 elderly, a sample calculated based on the estimated population proportion. Data were collected using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, gait speed test (GS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS the illiterate patients had a mean MMSE=19.33(±3.7) and GS = 0.76m/s (±0.3); those with low/medium education had a MMSE = 25.43(±2.8) and GS = 0.92m/s (±0.2); and the elderly with higher education had a MMSE = 27.33(±2.9) and GS=1.12m/s (±0.3). There was a weak correlation (R2=00354) between gait speed and cognitive score, with statistical significance (Prob>F = 0.0072) and a positive linear trend. CONCLUSION the better cognitive score the higher the gait speed; the illiterate elderly were those with lower gait speed, thereby indicating a poorer physical performance.
Prediction of Normal Ovulation by Sonographic Folliculometry Involving Natural Cycles among Women in Ojo, Southwest Nigeria.

Background Accurate prediction of ovulation is important in the management of female infertility. Aim To determine the sonographic sensitivity of reduction in follicular size and disappearance of ovarian follicle as predictors of imminent ovulation. Methods This was a longitudinal study involving 100 women between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Transvaginal sonography with 6.5 MHz probe frequency was performed with a General Electric (RT 2800) ultrasound machine. Dominant follicles were identified and measured in both the longitudinal and transverse planes and their disappearance was monitored prior to ovulation. Laboratory luteinizing hormone test strips were used to test serum samples collected daily from each patient to confirm the time of ovulation. Results Pre-ovulation follicular size among the subjects was in the range of 18-36 mm while the mean follicular size was 26.78 ± 4.03 mm. Prior to ovulation, disappearance and reduction in follicular size was noted in 59% and 41% of subjects, respectively. Luteinizing hormone test was also positive and peaked prior to ovulation in 92% of the subjects among whom follicles disappeared in 37% while their size reduced in 55%. There was no statistically significant difference between sonographic and laboratory findings (p > 0.05). Age, height, weight and body mass index do not have significant influence (p > 0.05) on follicular size and ovulation. Conclusion Sonographic observation of complete disappearance of a dominant follicle and reduction in follicular size of surrogate follicles after follicular rupture appeared to be a reliable predictor of imminent ovulation.
Minimal Patching Barrier Healing Strategy for barrier coverage in hybrid WSNs

Barrier coverage is a critical issue in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) for various battlefield and homeland security applications. In this paper, we address the problem of how to efficiently heal coverage holes in hybrid Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by relocating mobile nodes, and propose a hole recovery strategy called Minimal Patching Barrier Healing Strategy (MPBHS). In our strategy, a definition of Minimal Patching Barrier (MPB) is proposed, which can be healed by least number of nodes. Under this definition, our strategy can be divided into two steps: first is finding out the MPB among all possible barriers; second is dispatching the selected mobile nodes, which means moving mobile nodes to appropriate points in MPB to heal coverage holes, according to our Coverage Holes-Mobile Nodes Matching (CHNM). The experimental evaluation shows the efficiency of our proposed strategy with the respect of both sensor nodes' efficiency and low energy efficiency.
Ca2+ Channel Activators Reveal Differential L-Type Ca2+ Channel Pharmacology between Native and Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes provide new models for studying the ion channel pharmacology of human cardiac cells for both drug discovery and safety pharmacology purposes. However, detailed pharmacological characterization of ion channels in stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is lacking. Therefore, we used patch-clamp electrophysiology to perform a pharmacological survey of the L-type Ca2+ channel in induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and compared the results with native guinea pig ventricular cells. Six structurally distinct antagonists [nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, lidoflazine, bepridil, and 2-[(cis-2-phenylcyclopentyl)imino]-azacyclotridecane hydrochloride (MDL 12330)] and two structurally distinct activators [methyl 2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate (Bay K8644) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(phenylmethyl)benzoyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (FPL 64176)] were used. The IC50 values for the six antagonists showed little variability between the three cell types. However, whereas Bay K8644 produced robust increases in Ca2+ channel current in guinea pig myocytes, it failed to enhance current in the two stem cell lines. Furthermore, Ca2+ channel current kinetics after addition of Bay K8644 differed in the stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes compared with native cells. FPL 64176 produced consistently large increases in Ca2+ channel current in guinea pig myocytes but had a variable effect on current amplitude in the stem cell-derived myocytes. The effects of FPL 64176 on current kinetics were similar in all three cell types. We conclude that, in the stem cell-derived myocytes tested, L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist pharmacology is preserved, but the pharmacology of activators is altered. The results highlight the need for extensive pharmacological characterization of ion channels in stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes because these complex proteins contain multiple sites of drug action.
Vertical Trade Relationships: The Role of Dependence and Symmetry in Attaining Organizational Goals

The perspective that dependence on vertical trade partners should be avoided has been countered recently by the view that there are advantages to strong ties between firms. The author offers a framework from which trade partners can assess the potential costs and benefits of trade relationships and empirically investigates the impact of trade relationships on the firm's ability to realize performance goals.
Descriptive data mining of partial discharge using decision tree with genetic algorithm

Partial discharge (PD) is a common phenomenon which occurs in insulation of high voltage equipments such as transformers and has a damaging effect to the insulation. In this paper, the application of descriptive data mining on PD occuring in insulating system is shown. Experiments were set up to create three basic types of PD: corona, surface discharges and internal discharges. Partial discharge data were analysed using phase resolved analysis and pulse height analysis. Descriptive data mining was applied on the collected data using decision tree with genetic algorithm (GA) to mine the rules/relationships which can be used to differentiate the PD. These extracted rules are useful as input to predictive data mining such as fuzzy logics.
The Dynamic Correlation between Energy Commodities and Islamic Stock Market: Analysis and Forecasting

Our paper connects to the literature emphasising the importance of the links between Islamic capital markets and commodities. To this end, we focus on the dynamics of the correlations between commodities and Islamic indices. Using the approach of Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC), this paper attempts to shed light into the dynamic relationship between two strategic commodities (crude oil and natural gas) and the QE Al Rayan Islamic index, over the period from 15 March 2011 to 25 December 2014. The empirical evidence suggests that volatilities of commodity returns are strongly correlated to those of stock index. Notably, this result highlights the financialisation of commodity markets.
Specificity determinants in the attachment sites of bacteriophages HK022 and lambda

The Int proteins of bacteriophages HK022 and lambda promote recombination between phage and bacterial attachment sites. Although the proteins and attachment sites of the two phages are similar, neither protein promotes efficient recombination between the pair of attachment sites used by the other phage. To analyze this difference in specificity, we constructed and characterized chimeric attachment sites in which segments of one site were replaced with corresponding segments of the other. Most such chimeras recombined with appropriate partner sites in vivo and in vitro, and their differential responses to the Int proteins of the two phages allowed us to locate determinants of the specificity difference in the bacterial attachment sites and a central segment of the phage attachment sites. The location of these determinants encompasses three of the four core-type binding sites for lambda Int: C, B, and most importantly, B'. The regions corresponding to the C' core binding site and the arm-type binding sites of lambda Int play no role in the specificity difference and, indeed, are well conserved in the two phages. We found, unexpectedly, that the effect of replacement of an Int-binding region on the recombinational potency of one chimeric site was reversed by a change of partner. This novel context effect suggests that postsynaptic interactions affect the specificity of recognition of attachment sites by Int.
Ceramide Synthase-dependent Ceramide Generation and Programmed Cell Death

The sphingolipid ceramide has been widely implicated in the regulation of programmed cell death or apoptosis. The accumulation of ceramide has been demonstrated in a wide variety of experimental models of apoptosis and in response to a myriad of stimuli and cellular stresses. However, the detailed mechanisms of its generation and regulatory role during apoptosis are poorly understood. We sought to determine the regulation and roles of ceramide production in a model of ultraviolet light-C (UV-C)-induced programmed cell death. We found that UV-C irradiation induces the accumulation of multiple sphingolipid species including ceramide, dihydroceramide, sphingomyelin, and hexosylceramide. Late ceramide generation was also found to be regulated by Bcl-xL, Bak, and caspases. Surprisingly, inhibition of de novo synthesis using myriocin or fumonisin B1 resulted in decreased overall cellular ceramide levels basally and in response to UV-C, but only fumonisin B1 inhibited cell death, suggesting the presence of a ceramide synthase (CerS)-dependent, sphingosine-derived pool of ceramide in regulating programmed cell death. We found that this pool did not regulate the mitochondrial pathway, but it did partially regulate activation of caspase-7 and, more importantly, was necessary for late plasma membrane permeabilization. Attempting to identify the CerS responsible for this effect, we found that combined knockdown of CerS5 and CerS6 was able to decrease long-chain ceramide accumulation and plasma membrane permeabilization. These data identify a novel role for CerS and the sphingosine salvage pathway in regulating membrane permeability in the execution phase of programmed cell death.
MCC/Eisosomes Regulate Cell Wall Synthesis and Stress Responses in Fungi

The fungal plasma membrane is critical for cell wall synthesis and other important processes including nutrient uptake, secretion, endocytosis, morphogenesis, and response to stress. To coordinate these diverse functions, the plasma membrane is organized into specialized compartments that vary in size, stability, and composition. One recently identified domain known as the Membrane Compartment of Can1 (MCC)/eisosome is distinctive in that it corresponds to a furrow-like invagination in the plasma membrane. MCC/eisosomes have been shown to be formed by the Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain proteins Lsp1 and Pil1 in a range of fungi. MCC/eisosome domains influence multiple cellular functions; but a very pronounced defect in cell wall synthesis has been observed for mutants with defects in MCC/eisosomes in some yeast species. For example, Candida albicans MCC/eisosome mutants display abnormal spatial regulation of cell wall synthesis, including large invaginations and altered chemical composition of the walls. Recent studies indicate that MCC/eisosomes affect cell wall synthesis in part by regulating the levels of the key regulatory lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P2) in the plasma membrane. One general way MCC/eisosomes function is by acting as protected islands in the plasma membrane, since these domains are very stable. They also act as scaffolds to recruit >20 proteins. Genetic studies aimed at defining the function of the MCC/eisosome proteins have identified important roles in resistance to stress, such as resistance to oxidative stress mediated by the flavodoxin-like proteins Pst1, Pst2, Pst3 and Ycp4. Thus, MCC/eisosomes play multiple roles in plasma membrane organization that protect fungal cells from the environment.
Environmental and Structural Variables as Determinants of Issues in State Courts of Last Resort

The linkage between state socioeconomic and political environments and issues found in decisions of state courts of last resort is explored. It is found that, in general, state courts of last resort in rural, politically undifferentiated states tend to decide larger proportions of private litigation than courts within more highly industrialized, politically competitive states. These latter courts of last resort tend to focus upon criminal law, civil liberties, and economic regulation cases. Multiple regression analysis shows that the six environmental descriptors and one court system variable-the presence or absence of an intermediate appellate court-explain a substantial portion of the variance in the distribution of issues among the states. The study demonstrates that environmental variables are important predictors to the kinds of decisions rendered by courts, and underscores the need for more systematic, comparative analysis of state judicial systems. A considerable body of research published in the last several years has demonstrated the important effects of socioeconomic and political diversification upon political processes and policy outputs. (Dye, 1966; Sharkansky and Hofferbert, 1972). Yet little research has been conducted on the impact of environmental differences on judicial processes and policy. This is not to suggest, however, than the linkage between environmental conditions and courts has been totally ignored. On the contrary, most models of the judicial processes make some reference to this linkage, and the systems model in particular underscores the effects of the flow of demands and conflict from the environment towards the judicial system. (Sigler, 1968; Goldman and Jahnige, 1970). However, while reference is often made to these relationships, the literature is still devoid of empirical research that systematically examines the impact of environment upon judicial action. To remedy this omission, the present study will offer a comparative examination of the relationship between socioeconomic and political conditions within the fifty American states, on the one hand, and issues decided by state courts of last resort on
Energy assignment to prolong the lifetime in heterogeneous wireless sensor network

This paper focuses on prolonging the sensor network lifetime by assigning the sensor nodes with initial energy properly in the heterogeneous wireless sensor network. The initial energy assignment (IEA) strategy is proposed either the total initial energy is limited or unlimited. The location and energy level of sensors are given to optimize the load balance and prolong the network lifetime. When the total available energy of all the nodes is limited, the network life is 92% longer using the IEA strategy than using the uniform initial energy assignment strategy; when the total energy of all nodes is unlimited, the network lifetime on the IEA strategy will increase about 12 times longer than on the uniform energy allocation. The numerical approximation for the IEA strategy is presented in this paper, and the nodes density and the radius of deployment are also discussed to maximize the network lifetime.
Pathological characterization of the glioblastoma border as shown during surgery using 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐induced fluorescence

Thirty consecutive surgical patients with glioblastoma, were operated upon using fluorescence induced by 5‐aminolevulinic acid as guidance. The fluorescent quality of the tissue was used to take biopsies from the tumor center, from the invasive area around it and from adjacent normal‐looking tissue. These samples were analyzed with HE, Ki‐67 and nestin. Nestin expression in tissue surrounding glioblastoma cases was compared to tissue surrounding vascular lesions, metastasis and hippocampal sclerosis. The rate of gross total resection assessed by volumetric MRI was 83%. Using HE examination as the gold standard, fluorescence identified solid tumor with 100% positive predictive value, invasive areas with 97%, and normal tissue with 67% negative predictive value. Ki67 stained some cells in 69% of the non‐fluorescent samples around the tumor. There was always strong nestin expression around the tumor but it was similar to control cases in non‐glioma lesions with subacute expansion. 5‐aminolevulinic acid fluorescence guidance is very reliable and can help to study the tumor–brain interface. Nestin expression is strong and constant in the tissue around the tumor, but is mostly an acute glial reaction, not specific of the neoplasm. Nestin staining is not recommended as a tumor stem cell marker.