Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of riffle length on the short-term movement of fishes among stream pools

Recent research has suggested that the within-habitat dynamics of fish populations and assemblages can be affected by the spatial distribution of habitats within streams. In this study, we determined the extent to which pool isolation (length of riffles connecting adjacent pools) influenced fish movement in two Arkansas streams. We marked individuals from 12 pools assigned to two treatment categories: pools separated by long riffles (>50 m) and those separated by short riffles ( 20%) and significant effects of riffle length. Total emigration from short-riffle pools was three times higher (29%) than movement from long-riffle pools (10%). Further, marked fish in short-riffle pools moved upstream and downstream with equal frequency, whereas fish in long-riffle pools moved twice as often downstream. Collectively, these results indicate significant effects of habitat spacing on short-term movement patterns by.
Opinion Summarization Using Entity Features and Probabilistic Sentence Coherence Optimization: UIUC at TAC 2008 Opinion Summarization Pilot

This paper talks about participation of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in TAC 2008 Opinion Summarization pilot. We mainly explored two ideas: (1) use of entity recognition and parsing to enhance a standard retrieval method for opinion retrieval, and (2) use of a coherence language model to optimize the ordering of sentences in a summary. Our result showed that use of entity recognition during retrieval led to mixed results and re-ordering with coherence language model was not as good as heuristic polarity-based ordering using guiding phrases. Our additional experiments showed that the performance of coherence language model can be different depending on probability function and word selection.
Rainfall scarcity and its impacts on subsistence farming: the role of gender and religious rituals in adaptation to change

abstract The study examined the impacts of rainfall scarcity on subsistence crop production. It describes the importance of religious rituals performed by women as adaptation measures to erratic rainfall patterns. This study is motivated by observations that unpredictable rainfall has diverse impacts on food security in rural communities that still depend on subsistence economies to supplement food sources. Focus group discussions with 50 women aged between 35 and 78 years revealed that the women draw on cultural knowledge as subsistence crop producers. They depend on rain-making, seed-dressing and crop maintenance rituals to adapt to rainfall scarcity hazards such as drought. These measures ensure food self-sufficiency in the face of climate change. The findings of this study could be used to improve the status of women by fostering their participation and use of their indigenous knowledge to increase food security in development programmes intended to end hunger and famine in the rural areas.
MicroRNA-383 Regulates the Apoptosis of Tumor Cells through Targeting Gadd45g

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules that inhibit gene expression at post-transcriptional level. Gadd45g (growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 gamma) is a stress-response protein, which has been implicated in several biological processes, including DNA repair, the cell cycle and cell differentiation. Results In this work, we found that miR-383 is a negative regulator of Gadd45g. Forced expression of miR-383 decreased the expression of Gadd45g through binding to the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR), whereas inhibition of miR-383 increased Gadd45g expression. The presence of miR-383 increased the cellular sensitivity to DNA damage in breast cancer cells, which was rescued by ectopic expression of Gadd45g without the 3′-UTR. miR-383 also regulates the expression of Gadd45g in embryonic stem (ES) cells, but not their apoptosis under genotoxic stress. miR-383 was further showed to negatively regulate ES cell differentiation via targeting Gadd45g, which subsequently modulates the pluripotency-associated genes. Taken together, our study demonstrates that miR-383 is a negative regulator of Gadd45g in both tumor cells and ES cells, however, has distinct function in regulating cell apoptosis. miR-383 may be used as antineoplastic agents in cancer chemotherapy. Conclusion We demonstrate for the first time that miR-383 can specifically regulates the expression of Gadd45g by directly targeting to the 3-UTR region of Gadd45g mRNA, a regulatory process conserved in human tumor cells and mouse embryonic stem cells. These two compotents can be potentially used as antineoplastic agents in cancer chemotherapy.
PASA finger: A novel parallel and self-adaptive underactuated finger with pinching and enveloping grasp

The traditional dexterous robot hand has always many grasping modes but it is difficult to control due to a lot of actuators and grasping tasks for different objects. A self-adaptive underactuated robot hand uses few motors to drive several joints, but is lack of the ability to pinch objects. In order to combine the abilities of dexterous hand and self-adaptive hand, this paper presents a novel design of a parallel and self-adaptive underactuated robot finger with pinching and enveloping grasp, called PASA finger. Due to its special structure, it can realize the pinching grasp or enveloping grasp, according to the different positions, shapes and sizes of the target object, which is a self-adaptive process. Analysis results show that an application force on the distal phalange keeps the parallel mechanism unchanged, while an application force on the proximal phalange destroys the parallel mechanism and leads the distal phalange move towards the target object, which is another self-adaptive process. The PASA hand is suitable for both industry and home application.
On the Discourse Functions of Syntactic Form in Yiddish: Expletive es and Subject-Postposing

CONTENTS: Edward Stankiewicz, "The Yiddish Thematic Verbs. " Christopher Hutton, "Normative and the Notion of Authenticity in Yiddish Linguistics. " Ellen F. Prince, "On the Discourse Functions of Syntactic Form in Yiddish: Expletive ES and Subject Postposing. " Robert D. King, "Early Yiddish Vowel Systems: A Contribution by William G. Moulton to the Debate on the Origins of Yiddish. " Neil G. Jacobs, "Central Yiddish Breaking and Drawl: The Implications of Fusion for a Phonological Rule. " Jean Baumgarten, "Les Manuscrits Yidich de la Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris. " David Goldberg, "Fantasy, Realism, and National Identity in Soviet Yiddish Juvenile Literature: Itsik Kipnis's Books for Children. " Daniela Mantovan, "Der Nister's 'In vayn-keler': A Study in Metaphor. " Dahlia Kaufman, "The First Yiddish Translation of Julius Caesar. " Robert A. Rothstein, " 'Geyt a yid in shenkl arayn': Yiddish Songs of Drunkenness. " Jeffrey Shandler, '"We Can Read and Understand': A Semiotic Analysis of the American Yiddish Primer and the Transformation of Literacy. "
Role of PTPα in the Destruction of Periodontal Connective Tissues

IL-1β contributes to connective tissue destruction in part by up-regulating stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), which in fibroblasts is a focal adhesion-dependent process. Protein tyrosine phosphatase-α (PTPα) is enriched in and regulates the formation of focal adhesions, but the role of PTPα in connective tissue destruction is not defined. We first examined destruction of periodontal connective tissues in adult PTPα+/+ and PTPα−/− mice subjected to ligature-induced periodontitis, which increases the levels of multiple cytokines, including IL-1β. Three weeks after ligation, maxillae were processed for morphometry, micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. Compared with unligated controls, there was ∼1.5–3 times greater bone loss as well as 3-fold reduction of the thickness of the gingival lamina propria and 20-fold reduction of the amount of collagen fibers in WT than PTPα−/− mice. Immunohistochemical staining of periodontal tissue showed elevated expression of MMP-3 at ligated sites. Second, to examine mechanisms by which PTPα may regulate matrix degradation, human MMP arrays were used to screen conditioned media from human gingival fibroblasts treated with vehicle, IL-1β or TNFα. Although MMP-3 was upregulated by both cytokines, only IL-1β stimulated ERK activation in human gingival fibroblasts plated on fibronectin. TIRF microscopy and immunoblotting analyses of cells depleted of PTPα activity with the use of various mutated constructs or with siRNA or PTPαKO and matched wild type fibroblasts were plated on fibronectin to enable focal adhesion formation and stimulated with IL-1β. These data showed that the catalytic and adaptor functions of PTPα were required for IL-1β-induced focal adhesion formation, ERK activation and MMP-3 release. We conclude that inflammation-induced connective tissue degradation involving fibroblasts requires functionally active PTPα and in part is mediated by IL-1β signaling through focal adhesions.
Recreation Program Participation by Older Adults: Its Relationship to Perceived Freedom in Leisure and Life Satisfaction

This study examined the contribution of several variables to the prediction of perceived freedom in leisure (PFL) and life satisfaction in older adults. Demographic, health and socioeconomic variables were compared with participation in recreation programs, church involvement and PFL. Church involvement was viewed as a leisure activity rather than a measure of religiosity. The survey instrument incorporated all these variables and was pretested and revised before use in the study. The sample consisted of 198 persons 60 years of age and older who were members of two Southern Baptist churches. Subjects were randomly selected, but persons considered by church staff members to be incapable of completing the survey were eliminated. Surveys were hand delivered and picked up by volunteer workers, and a 38 percent return rate was obtained. Alpha reliability for the church involvement, PFL and life satisfaction scales in the instrument were . 87, . 94, and . 77, respectively. Frequency counts and percentages or means and standard deviations were calculated for the demographic variables. Subjects were categorized by level of involvement in church and community recreation programs. Persons involved in community but not church recreation programs were underrepresented in the sample. A selective sampling procedure was utilized to obtain more respondents in this category, but the data from these individuals were analyzed separately. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were utilized to ascertain the impact of different variables upon PFL and life satisfaction. Three predictors of PFL emerged— participation in recreation programs, church involvement and satisfaction with health. Correlations between these variables and life satisfaction were consistent with the findings in the literature. Inclusion of church involvement, participation in recreation programs and, for the life satisfaction analysis, PFL raised the percentage of variance explained. Thus, greater predictive power emerged using these variables than when only demographic, health and socioeconomic variables were included.
FUZZY CONTROLLER FOR ELASTICITY PROBLEM IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Clouds provide an illusion of an infinite amount of resources and enable elastic services and applications that are capable to scale up and down (grow and shrink by requesting and releasing resources) in response to changes in its environment, workload, and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Elasticity allows achieving required QoS at a minimal cost in a Cloud environment with its pay-as-you-go pricing model. In this paper, we present our experience in designing a fuzzy elastically controller for a key-value store. The goal of our research is to investigate the feasibility of the control theoretic approach to the automation of elasticity of Cloud-based key-value stores. We describe design steps necessary to build a fuzzy controller for a real system, namely Voldemort, which we use as a case study in this work. The design steps include defining touch points (sensors and actuators), system identification, and controller design. We have designed, developed, and implemented a prototype of the fuzzy elasticity controller for Voldemort. Our initial evaluation results show the feasibility of using fuzzy control to automate elasticity of distributed key value stores.
Study on a true random number generator design for FPGA

One of the most debated category of random number generators designs implemented on FPGA is based on free running ring oscillators. This dissertation presents a method of speculating the properties of Galois ring oscillators following the idea that much higher entropy rates can be achieved using this kind of oscillators, in comparison with the classic ring oscillators. This is equivalent with phase jitter increase, which is the main source of randomness in a ring oscillator based random number generator.
Group communication potocol replacement for high availability and adaptiveness

This paper introduces a new group communication component designed to provide adaptiveness and high availability in a broad sense. The key element of the system is a switching protocol that enables replacing in runtime the currently used group communication protocol by a different one. Such an architecture can take advantage of the different features of various group communication protocols by selecting the most favorable one under particular circumstances and dynamically changing from the current one to it. The system we propose wraps a set of independent group communication protocols, offering to the user application a single group communication interface. A switching protocol implements the mechanism of replacing the currently used group communication protocol with another one, and policies to decide when a particular protocol change should take place are envisioned as separate components. This paper focuses on the architecture, shows its components and describes a basic switching protocol that serves as a proof of concept of runtime group communication protocol replacements.
A Formal Model Based on Affinity Among Elements for Describing Behavior of Complex Systems

The eld of studies on complex systems is becoming one of the most active research areas in computer science. Among those systems, there is a type of system that has the following characteristics: comprising a large number of unintelligent elements, composition and decomposition of groups of elements, and simple but various interactions among the elements. In this paper, we present a formal model for describing the behavior of such type of complex system. The presented model is based on pattern matching, recombination of elements, and nondeterminism. We give example descriptions for several systems, which include a simple self-replicating creature, Turing machines, and a solver of the 3SAT problem.
Thermospheric density structures over the polar regions observed with CHAMP

Abstract. We report on the unexpected detection of considerable structure in high latitude thermospheric densities, as derived from an accelerometer onboard the CHAMP satellite. The width of the structures, which can either be maxima or minima, varies between a few hundred km and 2000 km. The amplitudes of these density extrema can reach 50% of ambient. Maxima cluster around 75° (N and S), while minima are found closer to the poles. In a magnetic latitude-magnetic local time frame the maxima are found mainly around the cusp region. Overall, the observed structures somewhat resemble so-called density cells previously found in model calculations. However the models generate their cells around 140–300 km altitude and show little, if any remnant at 400 km or above. This has to be contrasted with the fact that the CHAMP observations were obtained near 430 km altitude. We have explored Joule heating as a possible mechanism for the generation of the structures, at least in density enhancement regions, using Hall currents measured on CHAMP and simultaneous incoherent scatter measurements with EISCAT. However, the electric fields were usually quite small during the period of observation, making the quest for an explanation for the structures all the more challenging. Keywords. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (Thermospheric dynamics) – Magnetospheric physics (Polar cap phenomena) – Atmospheric composition and structure (Pressure, density, and temperature)
Konsep diri pada masyarakat mentawai Yang memakai tato

Abstract: Self-concept Mentawai’s society that used tattoo. The purpose of this research was to investigate the tattoo tradition in Mentawai society. This research used a qualitative design with grounded theory. Criteria of subjects were indigenous tribe of Mentawai which used tattoo with salio motif. Data was collected through interview and non-participant observation. The obtained data analyzed and fully described in report form. Result of this research indicated that subject has a positive self-concept. It was characterized by the existence of self-acceptance, ability to cope with problems, feel equal with others, was able to repair themselves, as well as self-esteem and self-confidence. Keywords: Self-concept, tattoo, mentawai culture. Abstrak: Konsep diri pada masyarakat Mentawai yang memakai tato. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran konsep diri pengguna tato pada masyarakat suku Mentawai. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan grounded theory. Kriteria subjek penelitian ini adalah masyarakat asli suku Mentawai yang memakai tato dan dilengkapi dengan motif tato salio. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara dan observasi non partisipan. Data yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis dan dideskripsikan secara utuh dalam bentuk laporan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa masing-masing subjek memiliki konsep diri positif. Hal ini ditandai dengan adanya penerimaan diri, kemampuan mengatasi masalah, merasa sederajat dengan orang lain, merasa mampu memperbaiki diri, memiliki harga diri dan kepercayaan diri yang tinggi. Kata kunci: Konsep diri, tato, budaya mentawai.
Role of calmodulin and Spc110p interaction in the proper assembly of spindle pole body compenents

Previously we demonstrated that calmodulin binds to the carboxy terminus of Spc110p, an essential component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spindle pole body (SPB), and that this interaction is required for chromosome segregation. Immunoelectron microscopy presented here shows that calmodulin and thus the carboxy terminus of Spc110p localize to the central plaque. We created temperature- sensitive SPC110 mutations by combining PCR mutagenesis with a plasmid shuffle strategy. The temperature-sensitive allele spc110-220 differs from wild type at two sites. The cysteine 911 to arginine mutation resides in the calmodulin-binding site and alone confers a temperature- sensitive phenotype. Calmodulin overproduction suppresses the temperature sensitivity of spc110-220. Furthermore, calmodulin levels at the SPB decrease in the mutant cells at the restrictive temperature. Thus, calmodulin binding to Spc110-220p is defective at the nonpermissive temperature. Synchronized mutant cells incubated at the nonpermissive temperature arrest as large budded cells with a G2 content of DNA and suffer considerable lethality. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrates failure of nuclear DNA segregation and breakage of many spindles. Electron microscopy reveals an aberrant nuclear structure, the intranuclear microtubule organizer (IMO), that differs from a SPB but serves as a center of microtubule organization. The IMO appears during nascent SPB formation and disappears after SPB separation. The IMO contains both the 90-kD and the mutant 110-kD SPB components. Our results suggest that disruption of the calmodulin Spc110p interaction leads to the aberrant assembly of SPB components into the IMO, which in turn perturbs spindle formation.
Multilevel inverter modulation schemes to eliminate common-mode voltages

It is well known that conventional two-level pulse-width modulated (PWM) inverters generate high frequency common-mode voltages with high dv/dt. Similarly, commonly used multilevel inverter modulation schemes generate common-mode voltages. Common-mode voltages may cause motor shaft voltages and bearing currents and conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI). Premature motor bearing failures and electronic equipment malfunctions have been reported to be directly related to bearing currents and EMI. In this paper, approaches to eliminating common-mode voltage when using multilevel PWM inverters are presented. It is shown that inverters, which have an odd number of levels, will generate zero common-mode voltage by switching among certain states. Therefore motor bearing currents will be eliminated and conducted EMI will be reduced. Both sine-triangle intersection modulation (SPWM) and space-vector modulation (SVM) schemes are discussed and detailed comparative simulation results between conventional and novel modulation schemes are provided.
Three-Phase Push–Pull DC–DC Converter: Analysis, Design, and Experimentation

This paper presents a voltage-fed three-phase push-pull dc-dc converter. The main characteristics of the proposed converter are: small volume, low weight, reduced number of components, low voltage across the power semiconductors for duty cycles less than 1/3, and input current ripple cancellation when the duty cycle is equal to 1/3. Typical applications include battery chargers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. The paper presents a theoretical analysis, design example, and experimental data for a 650 W, 150-125 VDC input, 75 VDC output, and 42 kHz switching frequency laboratory prototype. The measured performance agreed well with the theoretical predictions. The measured efficiency for 125 VDC input at full load is 95%.