Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing Population Patterns to Processes: Abundance and Survival of a Forest Salamander following Habitat Degradation

Habitat degradation resulting from anthropogenic activities poses immediate and prolonged threats to biodiversity, particularly among declining amphibians. Many studies infer amphibian response to habitat degradation by correlating patterns in species occupancy or abundance with environmental effects, often without regard to the demographic processes underlying these patterns. We evaluated how retention of vertical green trees (CANOPY) and coarse woody debris (CWD) influenced terrestrial salamander abundance and apparent survival in recently clearcut forests. Estimated abundance of unmarked salamanders was positively related to CANOPY ( Canopy = 0.21 (0.02–1.19; 95% CI), but not CWD ( CWD = 0.11 (−0.13–0.35) within 3,600 m2 sites, whereas estimated abundance of unmarked salamanders was not related to CANOPY ( Canopy = −0.01 (−0.21–0.18) or CWD ( CWD = −0.02 (−0.23–0.19) for 9 m2 enclosures. In contrast, apparent survival of marked salamanders within our enclosures over 1 month was positively influenced by both CANOPY and CWD retention ( Canopy = 0.73 (0.27–1.19; 95% CI) and CWD = 1.01 (0.53–1.50). Our results indicate that environmental correlates to abundance are scale dependent reflecting habitat selection processes and organism movements after a habitat disturbance event. Our study also provides a cautionary example of how scientific inference is conditional on the response variable(s), and scale(s) of measure chosen by the investigator, which can have important implications for species conservation and management. Our research highlights the need for joint evaluation of population state variables, such as abundance, and population-level process, such as survival, when assessing anthropogenic impacts on forest biodiversity.
Defining and evaluating software project success indicators: A GQM-based case study

KPI (Key Process Indicators) and success indicators are often defined in a rather generic and imprecise manner. This happens because they are defined very early in the project's life, when little details about the project are known, or simply because the definition does not follow a systematic and effective methodology. We need to precisely define KPI and project success indicators, guarantee that the data upon which they are based can be effectively and efficiently measured, and assure that the computed indicators are adequate with respect to project objectives, and represent the viewpoints of all the involved stakeholders. A complete and coherent process for managing KPI and success indicators lifecycle-instrumented with specific techniques and tools, including the Goal/Question/Metrics (GQM) method for the definition of measures and the R statistic language and environment for analyzing data and computing indicators-was applied in the evaluation of the European research project MUSES. The MUSES case study shows that the proposed process provides an easy and well supported path to the definition and implementation of effective KPI and project success indicators.
The New Eastern Europe: social policy past, present and future

East European Welfare - Bob Deacon Past, Present and Future in Comparative Context Social Policy in the Soviet Union and its Successors - Nick Manning Social Policy in Bulgaria - Bob Deacon and Anna Vidinova Social Policy in Czechoslovakia - Mita Castle-Kanerova Social Policy in Poland - Frances Millard Social Policy in Hungary - Julia Szalai and Eva Orosz The Future of Social Policy in Eastern Europe - Bob Deacon
Consumption rigths: a market mechanism to redistribute wealth

In an exchange economy with only private consumption goods we propose acompetitive mechanism to reach any income distribution. We introduce the socalled consumption rights, which is a real parameter that modifies thebudgetaryconstraint of individuals but does not participate in the utility functions.Consumption rights can be traded in the market, which is the main diferencewith slack parameters, as fiat money or tax inflation, widely known asmethods tomodify the distribution of wealth. The policy maker control variables areboththe amount of rights assigned to each individual and a pricing rule thatdefines the rate of exchange between rights and wealth. The onlyintervention of the planner will be trough the definition of the policy,because the redistribution of wealth will be the consequence of thecompetitive exchange among consumers.
Neural Effects on Renal Blood Flow During Acute Hypotension Vary With Antihypertensive Drugs

To examine the neural effects of antihypertensive drugs on renal blood flow, we measured blood flow and renal sympathetic nerve activity simultaneously in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats aged 13 to 15 weeks. One to two days after surgery, intravenous administration of manidipine (calcium antagonist, n=10), doxazosin (α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, n=9), and clonidine (n=7) lowered mean arterial pressure by at least 20% from baseline levels. Manidipine initiated a reduction of renal blood flow when mean pressure decreased by 20±2 mm Hg. At the maximal decrease in renal blood flow (mean pressure, −33±2 mm Hg), percent decrease in flow (−27±2%) significantly correlated with percent increase in renal nerve activity (+205±40%, r=−.878). Doxazosin began to decrease renal blood flow at a level of arterial pressure similar to that in manidipine treatment, whereas the maximal decrease in flow (−19±2%; mean pressure, −33±2 mm Hg; nerve activity, +225±44%) was significantly less than that in manidipine treatment. Although clonidine decreased arterial pressure and renal nerve activity, renal blood flow did not decrease even at the maximal decrease in mean pressure of 29±1 mm Hg. The addition of clonidine to manidipine treatment suppressed reflexly enhanced renal nerve activity and restored blood flow to the pretreatment level despite pronounced hypotension. These results clearly demonstrate that antihypertensive drugs with blocking action on renal nerve activity are capable of maintaining renal blood flow and that those associated with reflex-induced enhancement of nerve activity exert deteriorating effects on renal blood flow. Furthermore, a decrease in renal blood flow induced by calcium antagonists is mainly attributed to reflexry enhanced renal nerve activity.
Using Bosentan to Treat Paraquat Poisoning-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Background Paraquat poisoning is well known for causing multiple organ function failure (MODS) and high mortality. Acute lung injury and advanced pulmonary fibrosis are the most serious complications. Bosentan is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist. It plays an important role in treating PF. There is no related literature on the use of bosentan therapy for paraquat poisoning. Objective To study the use of bosentan to treat acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis as induced by paraquat. Method A total of 120 adult Wister male rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the paraquat poisoning group (rats were intragastrically administered with paraquat at 50 mg/kg body weight once at the beginning); the bosentan therapy group (rats were administered bosentan at 100 mg/kg body weight by intragastric administration half an hour after paraquat was administered, then the same dose was administered once a day); and a control group (rats were administered intragastric physiological saline). On the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days following paraquat exposure, rats were sacrificed, and samples of lung tissue and venous blood were collected. The levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and hydroxyproline (HYP) in the plasma and lung homogenate were determined. Optical and electronic microscopes were used to examine pathological changes. Result The TGF-β1, ET-1, and HYP of the paraquat poisoning group were significantly higher than in the control group, and they were significantly lower in the 21st day therapy group than in the paraquat poisoning group on the same day. Under the optical and electronic microscopes, lung tissue damage was observed to be more severe but was then reduced after bosentan was administered. Conclusion Bosentan can reduce inflammation factor release. It has a therapeutic effect on acute lung injury as induced by paraquat.
Demand Response Management in Power Systems Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Price-based demand response is applied to electric power systems. Demand elasticity and consumer response enables load reduction. The methodology is implemented in the DemSi demand response simulator. Competitive electricity markets have arisen as a result of power sector restructuration and power system deregulation. The players participating in competitive electricity markets must define strategies and make decisions using all the available information and business opportunities.
Methodologies and algorithms for testing switch-based NoC interconnects

In this paper, we present two novel methodologies for testing the interconnect fabrics of network-on-chip (NoC) based chips. Both use the concept of recursive testing, with different degrees of parallelism in each case. Our test methodologies cover the logic switching blocks and the FIFO buffers that are the basic components of NoC fabrics. The paper concludes with test time evaluations for different NoC topologies and sizes.
Whole-Body Vibration Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives. To assess the effects of WBV exercise on patients with KOA. Methods. Eight databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched up to November 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of WBV for KOA were eligible. The outcomes were pain intensity, functional performances, self-reported status, adverse events, and muscle strength. A meta-analysis was conducted. Results. Five trials with 168 participants provided data for the meta-analysis. No significant difference was shown in pain intensity and self-reported status between WBV and other forms of exercise. Improvement in functional performance (evaluated by BBS; WMD, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.29 to 4.62; P = 0.0005) was greater in WBV group, but the other parameters of functional performance (including 6MWT and TGUG) revealed no statistically significant difference. Adverse events were only reported in one trial and no significant difference was discovered in muscle strength. The overall quality of evidence was very low. Conclusion. Currently there is only limited evidence that suggested that WBV is effective in the treatment of KOA. Large, well-designed RCTs with better designs are needed.
Gene Expression and Pathway Analysis of Effects of the CMAH Deactivation on Mouse Lung, Kidney and Heart

Background N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is generated by hydroxylation of CMP-Neu5Ac to CMP-Neu5Gc, catalyzed by CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (CMAH). However, humans lack this common mammalian cell surface molecule, Neu5Gc, due to inactivation of the CMAH gene during evolution. CMAH is one of several human-specific genes whose function has been lost by disruption or deletion of the coding frame. It has been suggested that CMAH inactivation has resulted in biochemical or physiological characteristics that have resulted in human-specific diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings To identify differential gene expression profiles associated with the loss of Neu5Gc expression, we performed microarray analysis using Illumina MouseRef-8 v2 Expression BeadChip, using the main tissues (lung, kidney, and heart) from control mice and CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase (Cmah) gene knock-out mice, respectively. Out of a total of 25,697 genes, 204, 162, and 147 genes were found to be significantly modulated in the lung, kidney, and heart tissues of the Cmah null mouse, respectively. In this study, we examined the gene expression profiles, using three commercial pathway analysis software packages: Ingenuity Pathways Analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, and Pathway Studio. The gene ontology analysis revealed that the top 6 biological processes of these genes included protein metabolism and modification, signal transduction, lipid, fatty acid, and steroid metabolism, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism, immunity and defense, and carbohydrate metabolism. Gene interaction network analysis showed a common network that was common to the different tissues of the Cmah null mouse. However, the expression of most sialytransferase mRNAs of Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen, sialy-Tn antigen, Forssman antigen, and Tn antigen was significantly down-regulated in the liver tissue of Cmah null mice. Conclusions/Significance Mice bearing a human-like deletion of the Cmah gene serve as an important model for the study of abnormal pathogenesis and/or metabolism caused by the evolutionary loss of Neu5Gc synthesis in humans.
Impacts of FTAs in East Asia: CGE Simulation Analysis

In light of the recent movement toward regional integration through bilateral/plurilateral FTAs in East Asia, this paper attempts to estimate the impacts of several FTA scenarios in East Asia, using a CGE model. Although most previous simulation studies on the impacts of FTAs focus only on the liberalization of trade in goods, our paper attempts to consider other possible aspects of FTAs such as various trade and investment facilitation and technical assistance to developing countries in the region. Our results suggest that the economic effects of FTAs with a larger number of members are likely to be greater. Moreover, for the establishment of FTAs among countries such as ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6, and APEC, a high quality of trade liberalization including the agricultural sector is essential. Furthermore, it is vital for an agreement to be comprehensive, covering not only intraregional trade liberalization but also other elements such as facilitation measures and technical assistance. The larger the coverage, in terms of membership and contents, the greater the benefits accrued to the members.
Is There A Desk With My Name On It?: The Politics Of Integration

Part 1 A segregated history - legacies for perceptions and practices in our schools: integration in Victorian schools - radical social policy of old wine? , J. Lewis divide and rule - a study of two dividing practices in Queensland schools, D. Meadmore. Part 2 Observations abroad - international perspectives on integration: the politics of integration - observations on the Warnock report, L. Barton and M. Landman special educational needs in a new context - micropolitics, money and "education for all", A. Gold et al hanging on by a thread - integration in further education in Britain, J. Corbetyt what is this "least restrictive environment" in the United States? , R.A. Henderson. Part 3 Politics and pedagogy - inclusive of exclusive schools? : schools and contests - a reframing of the effective schools debate? G. Fulcher inclusive learning initiatives - educational policy lessons from the field, R. Slee teacher education as a strategy for developing inclusive schools, M. Ainscow. Part 4 Compelled to speak - parents, students and integration: how disabling any handicap depends on the attitudes and actions of others - a student's perspective, B. Walsh a parent's perspective on integration, A. Lyons integration - another form of specialism, M. Rice.
Rna Three-dimensional Structure Determination Using Experimental Constraints 8.1 Introduction

RNAs function not only as bridges between the genetic information stored in DNA and the final protein products, as stated in the Central Dogma; recently, RNA has also been found to play diverse roles in almost every aspect of cell life (2007) to catalyzing mRNA splicing (spliceosome RNA or self-splicing introns; Vicens and Cech, 2006) and protein synthesis (rRNA). These newly discovered RNA functions either are encoded in their primary sequences, through complementarity to target sequences, or originate from their ability to form complex secondary and high-order tertiary structures. The 3D RNA structures, formed by packing of base-paired helices, allow specific interactions with themselves or other biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and small-molecule ligands. The well-defined 3D structures of RNAs also determine the accessibility of specific sequences important for function. These novel functions of structural RNAs have been uncovered and characterized by studying a small fraction of the known RNA world. Whereas only 2% of a typical eukaryotic genome is translated into proteins, ∼90% is transcribed into some kind of noncoding RNA, including antigene, long noncoding, small regulatory, and scaffolding RNAs (A large portion of these unknown RNAs form functional 3D structures, which remain to be characterized. The fact that RNAs adopt specific 3D structures in order to perform their functions also makes them potential drug targets CONTENTS 8.
Polytope codes for large-alphabet channels

Motivated by packet networks, we consider channels for which the blocklength is short, the input and output alphabets are large, and the transmitted symbols are subject to adversarial errors. Most work on channel coding for adversarial errors assumes that the number of errors is upper bounded by a known constant, and the code designs do not provide an improved performance guarantee should the actual number of errors be below this constant. We develop designs for which the source to be transmitted is recovered perfectly when there are no errors and partially, but correctly, when errors are introduced. Our main design is based on the polytope code design of Kosut, Tong, and Tse.
Protein Kinase A Regulates the Sensitivity of Spinal Commissural Axon Turning to Netrin-1 But Does Not Switch between Chemoattraction and Chemorepulsion

Bifunctional axon guidance cues have been grouped into two classes depending on whether changes in intracellular cAMP or cGMP switch the response of the growth cone between attraction and repulsion. According to this model, axons respond to netrin-1, a group I guidance cue, as a chemoattractant when cAMP levels are high in the growth cone but switch and are repelled when the intraneuronal concentration of cAMP is low. The model is complicated by the proposal that cAMP-dependent kinase, protein kinase A (PKA), functions as a downstream effector for several guidance cues, including netrin-1, suggesting a close inter-relationship between guidance cue signal transduction and mechanisms regulating the switch between attraction and repulsion. Here, we examine possible interactions between netrin-1-mediated axon guidance and cAMP signaling in embryonic rat spinal commissural neurons. We report that netrin-1 does not alter the concentration of cAMP or PKA activity in these neurons across a wide range of netrin-1 concentrations and time points after application, leading us to conclude that netrin-1 does not regulate PKA in these cells. In contrast to the cyclic nucleotide switch model, we report that, despite inhibiting PKA, embryonic spinal commissural axons were always attracted to netrin-1 and never repelled. Instead, manipulating PKA regulated the sensitivity of chemoattraction to netrin-1: PKA inhibition reduced, and PKA activation increased, the distance over which axons turn toward a source of netrin-1. These findings indicate that the mechanisms underlying cyclic nucleotide-regulated switching are separable from the signal transduction mechanisms required for chemoattraction to netrin-1.
Using I/O automata for developing distributed systems

This paper describes a new experimental programming language, IOA, for modeling and implementing distributed systems, plus designs for a set of tools to support IOA programming. The language and tools are based on the I/O automaton model for reactive systems, which has been used extensively for research on distributed algorithms. The language supports structured modeling of distributed systems using shared-action composition and levels of abstraction. The tools are intended to support system design, several kinds of analysis, and generation of eÆcient runnable code.
Attention Based Auto Image Cropping

Many images contain salient regions that are surrounded by too much uninteresting background material and are not as enlightening as a sensibly cropped version. The choice of the best picture window both at capture time and during subsequent processing is normally subjective and a wholly manual task. This paper proposes a method of automatically cropping visual material based upon a new measure of visual attention that reflects the informativeness of the image.
Nonlinear energy operators for defibrillation shock outcome prediction

Accurate prediction of shock success would avoid futile defibrillation attempts that may damage the myocardium, and would help optimizing treatment decisions for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. This work applies the Smoothed Nonlinear Energy Operator (SNEO) to analyze the energy content of the pre-shock ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveform adquired by automated external defibrillators (AED). A database of 419 shocks was analyzed and shock outcome predictors were calculated in the a 5-s pre-shock ECG segment. The SNEO was compared to some classical VF features. For each feature a detector of successful shocks was designed minimizing the Balanced Error Rate (BER). Finally, using SNEO as shock outcome predictor the minimun pre-shock segment duration was determined. The SNEO has proven to be a good shock outcome predictor even for 2-s segments and it could be used to optimize treatment decisions for OHCA patients.
Identifying Latent Semantics in High-Dimensional Web Data

Search engines have become an indispensable tool for obtaining relevant information on the Web. The search engine often generates a large number of results, including several irrelevant items that obscure the comprehension of the generated results. Therefore, the search engines need to be enhanced to discover the latent semantics in high-dimensional web data. This paper purports to explain a novel framework, including its implementation and evaluation. To discover the latent semantics in high-dimensional web data, we proposed a framework named Latent Semantic Manifold (LSM). LSM is a mixture model based on the concepts of topology and probability. The framework can find the latent semantics in web data and represent them in homogeneous groups. The framework will be evaluated by experiments. The LSM framework outperformed compared to other frameworks. In addition, we deployed the framework to develop a tool. The tool was deployed for two years at two places library and one biomedical engineering laboratory of Taiwan. The tool assisted the researchers to do semantic searches of the PubMed database. LSM framework evaluation and deployment suggest that the framework could be used to enhance the functionalities of currently available search engines by discovering latent semantics in high-dimensional web data.
On High-Order Denoising Models and Fast Algorithms for Vector-Valued Images

Variational techniques for gray-scale image denoising have been deeply investigated for many years; however, little research has been done for the vector-valued denoising case and the very few existent works are all based on total-variation regularization. It is known that total-variation models for denoising gray-scaled images suffer from staircasing effect and there is no reason to suggest this effect is not transported into the vector-valued models. High-order models, on the contrary, do not present staircasing. In this paper, we introduce three high-order and curvature-based denoising models for vector-valued images. Their properties are analyzed and a fast multigrid algorithm for the numerical solution is provided. AMS subject classifications: 68U10, 65F10, 65K10.