Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First Records and Microhabitat Assessment of Protostelids in the Aberdare Region, Central Kenya

ABSTRACT. A rapid assessment survey on the occurrence and distribution of protosteloid amoebae was carried out in central Kenya. Samples of dead plant materials were collected from 46 study sites (each 20 × 20 m) situated along an elevation gradient (1,785–3,396 m) that encompassed five major land use/cover types. Twenty‐four species and subspecific taxa were recovered and included 23 protostelids and one minute myxomycete, often included in surveys for protostelids. All of these were the first records for Kenya, and six were new for Africa. Numbers of taxa were highest in ground litter and aerial litter microhabitats (20 taxa each) and lowest on aerial bark (10) and ground bark (7). Relative species abundance was greatest in aerial litter, moderate in ground litter, and low on aerial and ground bark microhabitats. The most frequently occurring species on ground litter were Schizoplasmodiopsis pseudoendospora, Schizoplasmodiopsis amoeboidea, and Protostelium mycophaga var. mycophaga, whereas the most common species on aerial litter were P. mycophaga var. mycophaga and Soliformovum irregularis. Species richness and abundance decreased with increasing elevation.
Direct method of determination of the equivalent refractive index profile of the multimode optical fiber by measured impulse responses due to scanning output fiber end

This paper demonstrates the possibility of determining the equivalent, in terms of the coincidence of differential mode delay diagram, refractive index profile of the multimode optical fiber by direct method and responses to pulse action, which are measured at the output through single-mode optical fiber. As an example, by using the measured data of the refractive index profile of the sample of multimode optical fiber and based on Gaussian approximation model impulse responses at the output of a short length single mode fiber, which was jointed with multimode fiber, were calculated. Multimode and single mode fibers were jointed with axial misalignment. Responses to impulse action were calculated for several values of axial misalignment of single-mode and multimode fiber. From the responses by the direct method the equivalent refractive index profile was determined. Comparison of the results of calculations of the differential-mode delay diagram for the investigated and the equivalent refractive index profiles showed their good agreement.
Bank Mergers and Lending Relationships

This paper analyses the effects of bank mergers on bank firm relationships. Using matched bank-firm level data, I find that mergers disrupt lending relationships, specially to small borrowers of target banks. However, I find significant positive effects of mergers for borrowers that continue the lending relationship with the consolidated bank. On average, consolidated banks reduce loan interest rates. The most beneficial mergers from the borrower point of view are those involving two large banks and commercial banks. While the reduction in interest rates is larger when the acquirer and the target have some market overlap, the decline is much smaller when there is a significant increase in local banking market concentration. JEL Classification: G21, G34
Investigating the Emergence of Speech Sounds

This paper presents a system that simulates the emergence of realistic vowel systems in a population of agents that try to imitate each other as well as possible. The agents start with no knowledge of the sound system at all. Although none of the agents has a global view of the language, and none of the agents does explicit optimization, a coherent vowel system emerges that happens to be optimal for acoustic distinctiveness. The results presented here fit in and confirm the theory of Luc Steels [Steels 1995, 1997, 1998] that views languages as a complex dynamic system and the origins of language as the result of self-organization and cultural evolution.
Variational Monte-Carlo Approach for Articulated Object Tracking

In this paper, we describe a novel variational Monte Carlo approach for modeling and tracking body parts of articulated objects. An articulated object (human target) is represented as a dynamic Markov network of the different constituent parts. The proposed approach combines local information of individual body parts and other spatial constraints influenced by neighboring parts. The movement of the relative parts of the articulated body is modeled with local information of displacements from the Markov network and the global information from other neighboring parts. We explore the effect of certain model parameters (including the number of parts tracked; number of Monte-Carlo cycles, etc.) on system accuracy and show that ourvariational Monte Carlo approach achieves better efficiency and effectiveness compared to other methods on a number of real-time video datasets containing single targets.
Velocity and range identification of a moving object using a static-moving camera system

In this paper, an observer-based approach is proposed to asymptotically identify the velocity and range of feature points on a moving object using a static-moving camera system. Specifically, the system is composed of a static camera and a moving camera, and the approach is divided into two steps. Firstly, utilizing the static camera, a nonlinear observer is designed to identify the up-to-a-scale velocity of feature points. Secondly, with the moving camera and the estimated scaled velocity, the range of feature points is identified by an adaptive estimator. Owing to the introduction of the static-moving camera system, no motion constraint or a priori geometric knowledge is required for the moving object. Lyapunov-based analyses are used to prove that the estimators asymptotically identify the velocity and range of feature points. The performance of the proposed strategy is demonstrated by simulation results.
Exploiting auxiliary distributions in stochastic unification-based grammars

This paper describes a method for estimating conditional probability distributions over the parses of "unification-based" grammars which can utilize auxiliary distributions that are estimated by other means. We show how this can be used to incorporate information about lexical selectional preferences gathered from other sources into Stochastic "Unification-based" Grammars (SUBGs). While we apply this estimator to a Stochastic Lexical-Functional Grammar, the method is general, and should be applicable to stochastic versions of HPSGs, categorial grammars and transformational grammars.
Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and metabolites: Relation to circulating thyroid hormone and retinol in nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons are global contaminants that are often considered to be endocrine disruptors and include 1,1‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′‐DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The present study examined these compounds and their hydroxylated metabolites or analogues and relationships with circulating thyroid hormones and retinols in plasma from nestling and adult bald eagles in British Columbia, Canada, and California, USA. We also compared our results with published data. Thyroxine (T4) decreased with ∑PCB and CB153 in nestling bald eagles, which was congruent with results from nine of 14 other published avian laboratory and field studies. Free thyroid hormone levels also decreased with CB‐153 and hydroxylated PCBs (OH‐PCBs). Retinol increased with CB118 and CB180 in nestling eagles, decreased with OH‐PCBs in a subset of nestlings, and decreased in 7 of 12 PCB published studies. Thyroxine decreased with p,p′‐DDE for nestlings and with data reported in one of five other published studies. In our samples, plasma retinol, triiodothyronine (T3), and T4 were independent of ∑PBDEs, whereas ∑OH‐PBDEs were weakly but significantly correlated with increases in T3 and retinol. Adult bald eagles showed no relationship between contaminants and thyroid hormones, which is consistent with other studies of long‐lived birds, perhaps because adult birds have time to adjust to contaminant levels. Measurement of circulating thyroid hormones appears to be a more useful biomarker than retinols, given the more consistent response of T4 to PCBs here and reported in the literature. We conclude that current environmental exposures to PCBs in British Columbia and in southern California are associated with significant decreases in T4, suggesting a potential negative effect on the endocrine system of nestling bald eagles. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1301–1310. © 2010 SETAC
One size fits all: equilibrating chemically different polymer liquids through universal long-wavelength description

Mesoscale behavior of polymers is frequently described by universal laws. This physical property motivates us to propose a new modeling concept, grouping polymers into classes with a common long-wavelength representation. In the same class samples of different materials can be generated from this representation, encoded in a single library system. We focus on homopolymer melts, grouped according to the invariant degree of polymerization. They are described with a bead-spring model, varying chain stiffness and density to mimic chemical diversity. In a renormalization group-like fashion library samples provide a universal blob-based description, hierarchically backmapped to create configurations of other class-members. Thus large systems with experimentally-relevant invariant degree of polymerizations (so far accessible only on very coarse-grained level) can be microscopically described. Equilibration is verified comparing conformations and melt structure with smaller scale conventional simulations.
THE FATE OF BACTERIA WITHIN PHAGOCYTIC CELLS

The fate of a heat-stable Escherichia coli agglutinogen within three types of rabbit phagocytic cells was examined. A system is described whereby quantitative ingestion of viable E. coli by suspensions of PMN leucocytes, BCG-induced alveolar macrophages, and oil-induced peritoneal macrophages took place in vitro. After various periods of intracellular residence aliquots were injected intraperitoneally into NCS mice and the resulting agglutinins assayed. The loss of immunogenicity within phagocytes was estimated by comparison with a dose-response titration prepared with bacteria alone. Under these conditions no increase in immunogenic mass occurred in vivo or in vitro when viable organisms were employed. PMN leucocytes and alveolar macrophages destroyed the majority of the immunogen within 2 hours of intracellular residence. In contrast, the immunogenicity of E. coli was maintained within peritoneal macrophages for periods up to 5 hours. The use of heat-killed bacilli or specific immune serum did not significantly influence the intracellular fate of the immunogen. Residual immunogenicity was associated with a particle having the same centrifugal properties as the intact organism and essentially none was released in a soluble form. Intracellular residence within phagocytic cells did not influence the resulting temporal sequence of antibody formation nor the proportions of mercaptoethanol-sensitive and resistant immune globulins.
Investigation of environmental effects on coatings for thermal control

The objective of significantly advancing the state-of-the-art of white, spacecraft-radiator coatings has been realized in a comprehensive goal-oriented, pigmented-coatings research program. Considered were inorganic pigments and coatings, silicone polymers and coatings, the design and construction of a combined ultraviolet-plus-proton irradiation facility, the development of zinc orthotitanate pigment and coatings, and the effects on several low alpha sub s/epsilon paints of combined ultraviolet and proton irradiation.
Successful Topical Respiratory Tract Immunization of Primates against Ebola Virus

ABSTRACT Ebola virus causes outbreaks of severe viral hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact and by the aerosol route. These features make Ebola virus a potential weapon for bioterrorism and biological warfare. Therefore, a vaccine that induces both systemic and local immune responses in the respiratory tract would be highly beneficial. We evaluated a common pediatric respiratory pathogen, human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3), as a vaccine vector against Ebola virus. HPIV3 recombinants expressing the Ebola virus (Zaire species) surface glycoprotein (GP) alone or in combination with the nucleocapsid protein NP or with the cytokine adjuvant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were administered by the respiratory route to rhesus monkeys—in which HPIV3 infection is mild and asymptomatic—and were evaluated for immunogenicity and protective efficacy against a highly lethal intraperitoneal challenge with Ebola virus. A single immunization with any construct expressing GP was moderately immunogenic against Ebola virus and protected 88% of the animals against severe hemorrhagic fever and death caused by Ebola virus. Two doses were highly immunogenic, and all of the animals survived challenge and were free of signs of disease and of detectable Ebola virus challenge virus. These data illustrate the feasibility of immunization via the respiratory tract against the hemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola virus. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which topical immunization through respiratory tract achieved prevention of a viral hemorrhagic fever infection in a primate model.
Mapping paddy rice with multi-date moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data in China

The objective of this study was to obtain spatial distribution maps of paddy rice fields using multi-date moderateresolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data in China. Paddy rice fields were extracted by identifying the unique characteristic of high soil moisture in the flooding and transplanting period with improved algorithms based on rice growth calendar regionalization. The characteristic could be reflected by the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and the land surface water index (LSWI) derived from MODIS sensor data. Algorithms for single, early, and late rice identification were obtained from selected typical test sites. The algorithms could not only separate early rice and late rice planted in the same fields, but also reduce the uncertainties. The areal accuracy of the MODIS-derived results was validated by comparison with agricultural statistics, and the spatial matching was examined by ETM+ (enhanced thematic mapper plus) images in a test region. Major factors that might cause errors, such as the coarse spatial resolution and noises in the MODIS data, were discussed. Although not suitable for monitoring the inter-annual variations due to some inevitable factors, the MODIS-derived results were useful for obtaining spatial distribution maps of paddy rice on a large scale, and they might provide reference for further studies.
A comparison of manual neuronal reconstruction from biocytin histology or 2-photon imaging: morphometry and computer modeling

Accurate 3D reconstruction of neurons is vital for applications linking anatomy and physiology. Reconstructions are typically created using Neurolucida after biocytin histology (BH). An alternative inexpensive and fast method is to use freeware such as Neuromantic to reconstruct from fluorescence imaging (FI) stacks acquired using 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy during physiological recording. We compare these two methods with respect to morphometry, cell classification, and multicompartmental modeling in the NEURON simulation environment. Quantitative morphological analysis of the same cells reconstructed using both methods reveals that whilst biocytin reconstructions facilitate tracing of more distal collaterals, both methods are comparable in representing the overall morphology: automated clustering of reconstructions from both methods successfully separates neocortical basket cells from pyramidal cells but not BH from FI reconstructions. BH reconstructions suffer more from tissue shrinkage and compression artifacts than FI reconstructions do. FI reconstructions, on the other hand, consistently have larger process diameters. Consequently, significant differences in NEURON modeling of excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP) forward propagation are seen between the two methods, with FI reconstructions exhibiting smaller depolarizations. Simulated action potential backpropagation (bAP), however, is indistinguishable between reconstructions obtained with the two methods. In our hands, BH reconstructions are necessary for NEURON modeling and detailed morphological tracing, and thus remain state of the art, although they are more labor intensive, more expensive, and suffer from a higher failure rate due to the occasional poor outcome of histological processing. However, for a subset of anatomical applications such as cell type identification, FI reconstructions are superior, because of indistinguishable classification performance with greater ease of use, essentially 100% success rate, and lower cost.
Association of Expanded Disability Status Scale and Cytokines after Intervention with Co-supplemented Hemp Seed, Evening Primrose Oils and Hot-natured Diet in Multiple Sclerosis Patients(♦).

INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of limited efficacy and adverse side effects, identifying novel therapeutic and protective agents is important. The aim of this study is to examine the correlations between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and cytokines after intervention with co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils and hot-natured diet in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS We studied a group of 23 patients with clinically definite RRMS, with EDSS<6 who received co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with advising hot-natured diet. Clinically EDSS and immunological factors (plasma cytokines of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS Mean follow-up was 180±2.9 days (N=23, 7 Male and 16 Females aged 25.0±7.5 years with disease duration 6.26±3.9 years). After 6 months, significant improvements in extended disability status score were found in the patients in agreement with decrease cytokines of IFN-γ and IL-17 and increase cytokines of IL-4. Clinical and immunological parameters showed improvement in the patients after the intervention. CONCLUSION Our study shows that co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils with hot-natured diet can have beneficial effects in improving clinical symptoms in relapsing remitting MS patients and significant correlation was found between EDSS and immunological findings.
[Caenorhabditis elegans].

The ubc-2 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) homologous to yeast UBC4 and UBC5. UBC4 and UBC5 are individually dispensable class I E2 enzymes involved in the degradation of short-lived and abnormal proteins. Transgenic analysis using ubc-2-lacZ fusions and in situ immunofluorescence indicate that ubc-2 is abundantly expressed in most tissues of embryos and early larvae, but becomes specific to the nervous system in L4 larvae and adults. This suggests that the functions of this type of E2 are developmentally regulated in C.elegans. This hypothesis is supported by antisense analysis, which shows that blocking the expression of ubc-2 has a more severe effect in early developmental stages than in later stages. Through complementation of previously identified essential genes in the vicinity of ubc-2, we demonstrate that ubc-2 corresponds to let-70, a gene essential for C.elegans larval development. One let70(ubc-2) allele contains a His75-i7yr substitution, while another has an altered splice donor site.
Modeling the effects of residual stresses on cleavage fracture in welded steel frames

This study applies an advanced micro-mechanics model of cleavage fracture in ferritic steels to examine the fracture behavior of welded, moment resistant steel frames of the type widely constructed prior to the Northridge earthquake. The Weibull stress model for cleavage, coupled with 3-D analyses of connections containing cracklike defects, provides a quantitative estimate of the cumulative failure probabilities with increasing beam moment. The 3-D models incorporate the complex geometry of a typical welded joint. A set of previously conducted, 15 full-scale tests on T–connections of the pre-Northridge design provide fracture moments to calibrate parameters of the Weibull stress model. Once calibrated, the model is used to examine the importance of welding induced residual stresses in the lower-flange. The model predicts the cumulative failure probability as a function of beam moment.
Current regulated PWM-CSI induction motor drive system without a speed sensor

A current source inverter (CSI)-induction motor drive system without a speed sensor is considered. An input DC link current which is kept constant by a pulse-width-modulated converter with sinusoidal input current is supplied in the PWM inverter. The inverter output current with sinusoidal wave is directly regulated by employing the modulation index control of the PWM strategy. Experiments show that high-performance steady-state behavior and acceleration/deceleration characteristics with smooth drives and low noise of the motor have been obtained. It is demonstrated that the system with only the current sensor has the same steady-state and transient characteristics as the system with the voltage and the current sensors. <<ETX>>
Phase relations between climate proxy records: Potential effect of seasonal precipitation changes

Phase relations between climate variables are critical in order to ascertain the main mechanisms driving glaciation cycles. Proxy records from ice cores are commonly assumed to represent annual mean averages. These averages, however, may be biased toward a particular season due, for example, to a change in the distribution of precipitation. We demonstrate using a nine‐box model of the climate system that the phase relation between atmospheric CO2 and temperature can be opposite during different seasons and, moreover, that the phase relation can change during different stages of the glacial cycle. Ice‐core records may thus favor one phase relation during certain stages over another. Our model can explain the observed lag of several thousand years of atmospheric CO2 behind temperature upon entering a stadial, given reasonable assumptions about the precipitation‐weighted temperature record at Vostok.
MACEDON: Methodology for Automatically Creating, Evaluating, and Designing Overlay Networks

Currently, researchers designing and implementing large-scale overlay services employ disparate techniques at each stage in the production cycle: design, implementation, experimentation, and evaluation. As a result, complex and tedious tasks are often duplicated leading to ineffective resource use and difficulty in fairly comparing competing algorithms. In this paper, we present MACEDON, an infrastructure that provides facilities to: i) specify distributed algorithms in a concise domain-specific language; ii) generate code that executes in popular evaluation infrastructures and in live networks; iii) leverage an overlay-generic API to simplify the interoperability of algorithm implementations and applications; and iv) enable consistent experimental evaluation. We have used MACEDON to implement and evaluate a number of algorithms, including AMMO, Bullet, Chord, NICE, Overcast, Pastry, Scribe, and SplitStream, typically with only a few hundred lines of MACEDON code. Using our infrastructure, we are able to accurately reproduce or exceed published results and behavior demonstrated by current publicly available implementations.