Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
White Perch in Small North Carolina Reservoirs: What Explains Variation in Population Structure?

AbstractWhite Perch Morone americana have been introduced into many inland systems throughout the United States. To determine factors affecting White Perch abundance and size structure, we compared White Perch growth, timing of maturity, and trophic level; the abundance of a predator (Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides); the abundance of an ecologically significant mid-level omnivore (Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum); prey availability (chironomid and zooplankton abundances); and environmental variables (specific conductivity, Secchi depth, dissolved oxygen concentration, and temperature) among four reservoirs (two with high White Perch abundance and two with low abundance). White Perch size structure was closely tied to abundance, with truncated size structure as abundance increased. Among the other variables we tested, only Largemouth Bass abundance had a significant (negative) relationship with White Perch abundance. White Perch size structure appeared to be highly density dependent, and variables .
The B subunit of Escherichia coli enterotoxin helps control the in vivo growth of solid tumors expressing the Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 2A

Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) is expressed on almost all Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated tumors and is a potential target for immunotherapeutic intervention and vaccination. However, LMP2A is not efficiently processed and presented on major histocompatibility antigens class I molecules to generate potent cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes (CTL) responses capable of killing these tumors. The B subunit of Escherichia coli enterotoxin (EtxB), causes rapid internalization and processing of membrane‐bound LMP2A on EBV‐infected B cells, and facilitates loading of processed‐LMP2A peptides onto MHC class I. This re‐directed trafficking/delivery of LMP2A to the MHC class I machinery enhances recognition and killing by LMP2A‐specific CTL in vitro. To test the potential of EtxB to enhance immune targeting of LMP2A expressed in solid tumors, we generated a murine tumor model (Renca‐LMP2A), in which LMP2A is expressed as a transgenic neoantigen on a renal carcinoma (Renca) cell line and forms solid tumors when injected subcutaneously into BALB/c mice. The data show that in BALB/c mice which have only low levels of peripheral Kd‐LMP2A‐specific CD8+ T cells, merely a transient inhibition of tumor growth is achieved compared with naïve mice; suggesting that there is suboptimal LMP2A‐specifc CTL recognition and poorly targeted tumor killing. However, importantly, treatment of these mice with EtxB led to a significant delay in the onset of tumor growth and significantly lower tumor volumes compared with similar mice that did not receive EtxB. Moreover, this remarkable effect of EtxB was achieved despite progressive reduction in tumor expression of LMP2A and MHC class I molecules. These data clearly demonstrate the potential efficacy of EtxB as a novel therapeutic agent that could render EBV‐associated tumors susceptible to immune control.
Coverage Enhancement of Smart Grid Communication Systems with Binary Coding

This is predicted by the researchers that smart grid will replace the traditional electric power grid within next decade. This can be used to enhance efficiency, sensing and metering technologies. A pervasive communication infrastructure is a part and parcel for the flawless development of smart grid. One of the main issues for the deployment of the communication system for smart devices in a smart grid communication system is the high data rate and the service coverage. Binary coding has already been a proven technique to extend the cellular communication coverage by recovering lost native packets. In order to enhance the coverage area in smart grid communication systems, we propose a cellular infrastructure with binary coding. We also explain the suitability of using the binary codebook in smart grid communication and how it can upgrade the system performance. Simulation results show that using binary coding we can serve more users which results in increase in the coverage area of the smart grid communication system.
Psychopathologisches Befund-System für Kinder und Jugendliche (CASCAP-2)

Das Psychopathologische Befund-System für Kinder und Jugendliche (CASCAP-2) dient der Erfassung der wichtigsten Merkmale psychischer Störungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Mithilfe des CASCAP-2 können über 100 psychopathologische Merkmale klinisch beurteilt werden. Die Diagnostikerin bzw. der Diagnostiker nimmt die Einschätzung auf der Basis einer klinischen Exploration des Kindes bzw. Jugendlichen und der begleitenden Bezugsperson(en) sowie anhand eigener Beobachtungen in der Untersuchungssituation vor. CASCAP-2 besteht aus drei Komponenten: dem Befundbogen, dem Glossar und dem Explorationsleitfaden. Im Glossar werden die einzelnen Merkmale definiert, Beispiele für eine starke Symptomausprägung gegeben und abzugrenzende Merkmale aufgelistet. Der Explorationsleitfaden beinhaltet Beispielfragen und liegt in zwei Versionen vor, eine für die Exploration des Kindes bzw. des Jugendlichen und eine für die Exploration der Bezugsperson(en). Auf dem separat lieferbaren Befundbogen werden die klinischen Beurteilungen dokumentiert. CASCAP-2 ist der Nachfolger des CASCAP-D. Im Befund-System wurden einige psychopathologische Merkmale hinzugefügt. Entsprechend wurden das Glossar und der Befundbogen überarbeitet und der Explorationsleitfaden erweitert. Im Manual wurden weitere empirische Studien ergänzt und es wird ein neues empirisches Skalenmodell vorgestellt. CASCAP-2 ergänzt die kategoriale Diagnostik durch eine phänomenologische Beschreibung psychischer Störungen von Kindern und Jugendlichen auf der Ebene von Einzelsymptomen. Das für die Praxis konzipierte Instrument lässt sich sehr gut in klinische Routineabläufe integrieren.
Acinic‐cell carcinoma, papillary‐cystic variant: A diagnostic dilemma in salivary gland aspiration

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) plays a pivotal role as the initial diagnostic modality of choice when dealing with salivary gland (SG) lesions. Due to the heterogeneous nature of most SG neoplasms, cytologic interpretation on FNA can be quite challenging. This is particularly valid when dealing with rare tumor types, such as the papillary‐cystic variant of acinic‐cell carcinoma (ACC‐PCV), resulting in a high rate of false‐negative cytologic diagnoses. Seven cases of ACC‐PCV diagnosed on tissue resection with a prior FNA performed in cytology were studied. Material consisted of Diff‐Quik and Papanicolaou stained cytologic smears, as well as hematoxylin‐eosin stained cell block and histopathologic sections. In no case did the FNA performed prior to the surgical resection eventuate in a cytopathologic diagnosis of cancer. A retrospective morphologic review of the smears disclosed several characteristics common to all 7 cases, i.e., mostly tightly cohesive fragments of neoplastic epithelium seen as monolayered sheets or with a prominent papillary architecture, high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio ductal‐type epithelium, cystic material and degenerated cellular debris, histiocytes, cells with squamoid and metaplastic oncocytic changes, vacuolated and pigmented histiocyte‐like tumor cells, and lack of a predominant single‐cell component or naked neoplastic cell nuclei. ACC‐PCV represents a rare yet significant cause of false‐negative results for cancer on SG aspirations. An erroneous interpretation may occur due to lack of experience in dealing with this tumor type, the rarity of published literature on ACC‐PCV, and a predominantly cystic, somewhat variegated appearance of the tumor mimicking other benign and malignant SG lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;27:244–250. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Aging Neuroscience

Animal research on the effects of physical exercise suggests a crucial involvement of brain-derived neurotrophin factors and other nerve growth factors (Neeper et al., 1995; Churchill et al., 2002), which play a fundamental role in control and maintenance of syn-aptic connections and plasticity. On the other hand, it is now well-documented that age-related changes are not a simple reflection of degenerative processes, but a complex mix of plastic and adaptive and compensatory mechanisms (Godde et al., suggesting that brain plasticity is operational into old age. Therefore, new strategies for interventions such as training, exercising, practicing and stimulation, which make use of neuroplasticity principles, have been developed to maintain health and functional independence throughout lifespan. The effectiveness of stimulation and training procedures to ameliorate cortical and behavioral age-related degradation implies that aging effects are not irreversible but treatable Several years ago, we demonstrated that housing aged rats under enriched environmental conditions delayed and ameliorated age-related deterioration of brain organization and sensorimotor
How ICT can contribute to the use of impression-management strategies in a public organization

This paper describes how the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can be an important factor in impression-management strategies in a public organization. It is often easier to obtain information with the help of ICT than by using other ways of collecting knowledge about an activity. The anonymous output, often at high aggregated levels, is in focus, not the quality of the input and the unique situation behind the information. This paper shows that there are good opportunities to use ICT for impression-management, which can be described as a process divided into four steps. The first step is about how data is generated and/or collected. The next step is linked to how data is registered. The third step is about output generated from ICT and the fourth step how output from ICT and ICT itself is used to produce presentations which create a good impression .
A Heuristic Search Algorithm for Solving First-Order MDPs

We present a heuristic search algorithm for solving first-order MDPs (FOMDPs). Our approach combines first-order state abstraction that avoids evaluating states individually, and heuristic search that avoids evaluating all states. Firstly, we apply state abstraction directly on the FOMDP avoiding propositionalization. Such kind of abstraction is referred to as first-order state abstraction. Secondly, guided by an admissible heuristic, the search is restricted only to those states that are reachable from the initial state. We demonstrate the usefullness of the above techniques for solving FOMDPs on a system, referred to as FC-Planner, that entered the probabilistic track of the International Planning Competition (IPC'2004).
A clinical evaluation of visual feedback-guided breath-hold reproducibility of tumor location

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of visual feedback-guided breath-hold using a machine vision system with a charge-coupled device camera and a monocular head-mounted display. Sixteen patients with lung tumors who were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy were enrolled. A machine vision system with a charge-coupled device camera was used for monitoring respiration. A monocular head-mounted display was used to provide the patient with visual feedback about the breathing trace. The patients could control their breathing so that the breathing waveform would fall between the upper and lower threshold lines. Planning and treatment were performed under visual feedback-guided expiratory breath-hold. Electronic portal images were obtained during treatment. The range of cranial–caudal motion of the tumor location during each single breath-hold was calculated as the intra-breath-hold (intra-BH) variability. The maximum displacement between the two to five averaged tumor locations of each single breath-hold was calculated as the inter-breath-hold (inter-BH) variability. All 16 patients tolerated the visual feedback-guided breath-hold maneuvers well. The intra- and inter-BH variability of all patients was 1.5 ± 0.6 mm and 1.2 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. A visual feedback-guided breath-hold technique using the machine vision system is feasible with good breath-hold reproducibility.
An Experimental Implementation of a Cross-Layer Approach for Improving TCP Performance over Cognitive Radio Networks

In cognitive radio networks (CRNs), the performance of the transmission control protocol (TCP) at the secondary user (SU) severely drops due to the mistrigger of congestion control. A long disruption is caused by the transmission of primary user, leading to the mistrigger. In this paper, we propose a cross-layer approach, called a CR-aware scheme that enhances TCP performance at the SU. The scheme is a sender side addition to the standard TCP (i.e., TCP-NewReno), and utilizes an explicit cross-layer signal delivered from a physical (or link) layer and the signal gives an indication of detecting the primary transmission (i.e., transmission of the primary user). We evaluated our scheme by implementing it onto a software radio platform, the Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP), where many parts of lower layer operations (i.e., operations in a link or physical layer) run as user processes. In our implementation, we ran our CR-aware scheme over IEEE 802.15. 4. Furthermore, for the purpose of comparison, we implemented a selective ACK-based local recovery scheme that helps TCP isolate congestive loss from a random loss in a wireless section.
Contextual Factors Related to Math Anxiety in Second-Grade Children

As the United States falls farther behind other countries in standardized math assessments, the author seeks to understand why U.S. students perform so poorly. One of the possible explanations to U.S. students’ poor math performance may be math anxiety. However, math anxiety in elementary school children is a neglected area in the research. The author aimed to close the gap in knowledge about math anxiety in children by examining contextual factors related to math anxiety in second-grade children. The author used the theory of triadic reciprocity as the theoretical model in this study in which children (n = 91) and their parents (n = 81) completed a series of self-report measures on math anxiety, math self-concept, reading self-concept, math self-efficacy, and aspects of the home math environment. Results indicated that the strongest predictor of math anxiety in second-grade children was their level of math self-concept. The addition of environmental factors did not significantly increase the amount of variance explained in math anxiety.
Higher order aberrations in children with Down syndrome.

PURPOSE Down syndrome (DS) is associated with ocular abnormalities and reduced visual function. Studies report atypical optical structures in the DS eye such as thinner, steeper corneae and thinner crystalline lenses and, functionally, a degrading influence of the optics on acuity. This study further investigates optical quality in DS by comparing higher order ocular aberrations (HOAs) in DS and control eyes. METHODS Participants were 44 children with DS (6-16 years) and 209 age-matched controls. All participants were free from corneal or lenticular pathology. HOAs were measured following cycloplegia using Shack-Hartmann aberrometry. HOAs were analyzed over a 3-mm and 5-mm pupil using Zernike polynomials from third-sixth order. Optical quality was explored using Visual Strehl ratios (VSX) and equivalent defocus values. RESULTS HOAs were measured successfully from 68% of the DS group and 95% of controls. Root mean square of total combined HOAs, third, and sixth orders and coma were significantly greater in the DS group (P < 0.005). Significant differences were found between groups for Zernike coefficients Z3(-3), Z3(3), Z0(4), (P < 0.013). VSX and equivalent defocus values indicated significantly poorer optical quality in DS eyes (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Children with DS have greater HOAs and reduced central optical quality compared with typically developing children. Whilst the differences in HOAs between the groups reached statistical significance, they were not of pathological proportions and the DS eye maintains relatively good optical quality considering the degree of ametropia and atypical optical structures often found amongst these children. The subtle reduction in optical quality may, however, compound the visuocortical deficits previously reported in DS.
The Protective Role of Perceived Social Support Against the Manifestation of Depressive Symptoms in Peer Victims

Students who are victimized by their peers are at risk for developing depressive symptoms, which is detrimental for academic and social development. Social support may be a protective factor for peer victims, and the manner in which this occurs may vary according to gender, age, and other demographic variables. This study examined the main and stress-buffering effects of perceived social support from various sources against the manifestation of depressive symptoms for peer victims. A convenience sample of 544 seventh and eighth graders from three middle schools completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms, peer victimization experiences, and perceived social support from parents, teachers, classmates, and a close friend. Perceived social support from parents and from a close friend buffered the manifestation of depressive symptoms for male peer victims. Main effects, but not stress-buffering effects, were found for female peer victims across all sources of support. Implications of these findings, limitations of the study, and future directions are discussed.
Beryllium in Disk and Halo Stars: Evidence for a Beryllium Dispersion in Old Stars

The study of Be in stars of differing metal content can elucidate the formation mechanisms and the Galactic chemical evolution of the light element, Be. We have obtained high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) spectra of the resonance lines of Be II in eight stars with the High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS) on the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea. Abundances of Be have been determined through spectrum synthesis. The stars with [Fe/H] values greater than -1.1 conform to the published general trend of Be versus Fe. We have confirmed the high Be abundance in HD 94028 and have found a similarly high Be abundance in another star, HD 132475, at the same metallicity: [Fe/H] = -1.5. These two stars are 0.5-0.6 dex higher in Be than the Be-Fe trend. While that general trend contains the evidence for a Galaxy-wide enrichment in Be and Fe, the higher than predicted Be abundances in those two stars shows that there are also local Be enrichments. Possible enrichment mechanisms include hypernovae and multiple supernova explosions contained in a superbubble. One of our stars, G64-37, has a very low metallicity of [Fe/H] = -3.2; we have determined its Be abundance to look for evidence of a Be plateau. Its Be abundance appears to extend the Be-Fe trend to lower Fe abundances without any evidence for a plateau, as had been indicated by a high Be abundance in another very metal-poor star, G64-12. Although these two stars have similar Be abundances within the errors, it could be that their different Be values indicate a Be dispersion even at the lowest metallicities.
Diffusion Approximation Models for Transient States and their Application to Priority Queues

The article presents a diffusion approximation model applied to investigate the behavior of priority queues. We discusses the use of the diffusion approximation in transient analysis of queueing models in the case of a single station and of a queueing network presenting the solutions. We emphasize the numerical aspect of the solution and analyze the errors. In classical queuing theory, the analysis of transient states is complex and practically does not go far beyond M/M/1 queue and its modifications. However, the time dependent flows in computer networks and especially in Internet focus our interest on transient-state analysis, which is necessary to investigate the dynamics of TCP flows cooperating with active queue management or to see the changes of priority queues which assure the differentiated QoS. With the use of G/G/1/N and G/G/1/N/PRIOR models, we present the potentials of the diffusion approximation and in conclusions we compare it with alternative methods: Markovian queues solved numerically, fluid-flow approximation and simulation. Diffusion approximation allows us to include fairly general assumptions in queueing models. Besides the transient state analysis, it gives us a tool to consider input streams with general interarrival time distributions and servers with general service time distributions. Single server models can be easily incorporated into the network of queues. Here we apply the diffusion approximation formalism to study transient and steadystate behavior of G/G/1 and G/G/1/N priority preemptive models. The models can be easily converted to non-preemptive queueing discipline. The introduction of self-similar traffic is possible as well. The models can be useful in performance evaluation of mechanisms to differentiate the quality of service e.g. in IP routers, WiMAX, metro networks, etc. Index terms — diffusion approximation, transient states, priority queues.
Acute decompensated heart failure and the cardiorenal syndrome

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations in the United States. Concomitant and significant renal dysfunction is common in patients with heart failure. Increasingly, the syndrome of heart failure is one of cardiorenal failure, in which concomitant cardiac and renal dysfunctions exist, with each accelerating the progression of the other. One fourth of patients hospitalized for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure will experience significant worsening of renal function, which is associated with worse outcomes. It remains unclear whether worsening renal function specifically contributes to poor outcomes or whether it is merely a marker of advanced cardiac and renal dysfunction. Diuretic resistance, with or without worsening renal function, is also common in acute decompensated heart failure, although the definition of diuretic resistance, its prevalence, and prognostic implications are less well defined. The term cardiorenal syndrome has been variably associated with cardiorenal failure, worsening renal function, and diuretic resistance but is more comprehensively defined as a state of advanced cardiorenal dysregulation manifest by one or all of these specific features. The pathophysiology of the cardiorenal syndrome is poorly understood and likely involves interrelated hemodynamic and neurohormonal mechanisms. When conventional therapy for acute decompensated heart failure fails, mechanical fluid removal via ultrafiltration, hemofiltration, or hemodialysis may be needed for refractory volume overload. While ultrafiltration can address diuretic resistance, whether ultrafiltration prevents worsening renal function or improves outcomes in patients with cardiorenal syndrome remains unclear. Evidence regarding the potential renal-preserving effects of nesiritide is mixed, and further studies on the efficacy and safety of different doses of nesiritide in heart failure therapy are warranted. Newer therapeutic agents, including vasopressin antagonists and adenosine antagonists, hold promise for the future, and clinical trials of these agents are underway.
General Education Assessment at Private Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An Exploratory Study

The majority of research on general education assessment in recent years has focused primarily on predominately white institutions. Very little is known about general education assessment at historically black colleges and universities (<small class="caps">HBCUS </small>). Using descriptive analysis, this exploratory study examines the state of general education assessment at private, four-year <small class="caps">HBCUS </small>.