Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial carbon storage during the past 200 years: A Monte Carlo Analysis of CO2 data from ice core and atmospheric measurements

We have updated earlier deconvolution analyses using most recent high‐precision ice core data for the last millennium [Etheridge et al., 1996] and direct atmospheric CO2 observations starting in 1958 [Keeling and Whorf, 1994]. We interpreted nonfossil emissions, that is, the difference between the increase in observed atmospheric plus modeled oceanic carbon inventory and fossil emissions, as biospheric carbon storage (release). We have assessed uncertainties in the CO2 ice core data using a Monte Carlo approach and found a 2‐σ uncertainty for the nonfossil emissions (20‐year averages) of 0.2–0.4 GtC yr−1. Overall uncertainties of the nonfossil emissions were estimated to be 0.5 GtC yr−1 before 1950 and ˜1 GtC yr−1 during the last decade. We found a large and rapid change of −0.8 GtC yr−1 in the nonfossil emissions (approximate net air‐biota flux) between 1933 and 1943. Before 1933, the land biota acted as carbon source of order 0.5 GtC yr−1 in agreement with independent estimates of carbon emissions by land use changes [Houghton, 1993a]. After 1943, the land biota was a net sink of about 0.3 GtC yr−1. This implies an average biospheric sink of 1.5 GtC yr−1 during the last 5 decades to compensate estimated carbon emissions by land use changes. We could not attribute this sink to a single mechanism. We found that the temporal evolution of the required biota sink is not compatible with conventional modeling of CO2 fertilization. We estimated potential terrestrial carbon storage due to nitrogen fertilization to be 1 GtC yr−1 for 1960, that is, smaller than the required sink, and 1.5–3 GtC yr−1 for 1990. To assess the potential impact of climate variations, we deconvolved the preindustrial CO2 concentrations which fluctuated around 280 ppm. We found a maximum nonfossil sink of 30 GtC within 50 years. Thus it seems not likely that the cumulative sink of 76 GtC which is required to balance land use emissions during 1935 to 1990 can be explained by climate variations only.
A Learner-Centered Navigation Path Planning in Web-based Learning

The main issue addressed in this paper is how to help learners navigate in existing web-based learning resources. Towards this issue, we introduce a learner-centered navigation path planning. The key idea is to provide learners with a space, in which they can see through WWW pages to plan a navigation path. In this paper, we also demonstrate an assistant system, which is composed of hyperspace map, page previewer, and path previewer. The page previewer generates an overview of each WWW page in the map by extracting representative information from the HTML file. The path previewer helps learners make a sequence of the pages previewed as navigation path plan. These facilities help learners decide which page to visit and plan a navigation path without visiting hyperspace. This paper also describes a preliminary evaluation with the assistant system. The results indicate that the system facilitates learning and navigation in a more complicated hyperspace.
Relation of higher-frequency oscillatory activity to white matter changes and to core mechanisms of attention

Why does training on a task reduce the reaction time for performing it? New research points to changes in white matter pathways as one likely mechanism. These pathways connect remote brain areas involved in performing the task. Genetic variations may be involved in individual differences in the extent of this improvement. If white matter change is involved in improved reaction time with training, it may point the way toward understanding where and how generalization occurs. We examine the hypothesis that brain pathways shared by different tasks may result in improved performance of cognitive tasks remote from the training.
Identification and expression of the achaete‐scute complex in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Recently, the study of achaete‐scute (AS‐C) homologues has contributed enormously to understanding of gene duplication and function evolution, particularly in Diptera. We identified four AS‐C homologue genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, referred to as BmASH, BmASH2, BmASH3, and Bmase. The complex displayed tandem array structure in the genome. Analysis of spatial expression profiles showed that they all were expressed in obviously higher levels in wing disc than in other tissues, suggesting that they might play important roles in the development of the wing. Furthermore, we found that their expression profiles in the wing discs were mostly correlated with the development of the scales, especially the BmASH gene. RNA interference results further indicated that BmASH was necessary for scale formation in silkworm wing.
Modeling Affect in Student-driven Learning Scenarios

Much research has been done on affect detection in learning environments because it has been reported to provide better interventions to support student learning. However, students’ actions inside these environments are limited by the system’s interface and the domain it was designed for. In this research, we investigated a learning environment wherein students had full control over their activities and they had to manage their own goals, tasks and affective states. We identified features that would describe students’ learning behavior in this kind of environment and used them for building affect models. Our results showed that although a general affect model with acceptable performance could be created, user-specific affect models seemed to perform better.
IKs Protects from Ventricular Arrhythmia during Cardiac Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rabbits by Preserving the Repolarization Reserve

Introduction The function of the repolarization reserve in the prevention of ventricular arrhythmias during cardiac ischemia/reperfusion and the impact of ischemia on slowly activated delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs) channel subunit expression are not well understood. Methods and Results The responses of monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) prolongation and triangulation were investigated following an L-768,673-induced blockade of IKs with or without ischemia/reperfusion in a rabbit model of left circumflex coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion and IKs blockade were found to significantly induce MAPD90 prolongation and increase triangulation at the epicardial zone at 45 min, 60 min, and 75 min after reperfusion, accompanied with an increase in premature ventricular beats (PVBs) during the same period. Additionally, IKs channel subunit expression was examined following transient ischemia or permanent infarction and changes in monophasic action potential (MAP) waveforms challenged by β-adrenergic stimulation were evaluated using a rabbit model of transient or chronic cardiac ischemia. The epicardial MAP in the peri-infarct zone of hearts subjected to infarction for 2 days exhibited increased triangulation under adrenergic stimulation. KCNQ1 protein, the α subunit of the IKs channel, was downregulated in the same group. Both findings were consistent with an increased incidence of PVBs. Conclusion Blockade of IKs caused MAP triangulation, which precipitated ventricular arrhythmias. Chronic ischemia increased the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias under adrenergic stimulation and was associated with increased MAP triangulation of the peri-infarct zone. Downregulation of KCNQ1 protein may be the underlying cause of these changes.
HotMatch results for OEAI 2012

HotMatch is a multi-strategy matcher developed by a group of students at Technische Universitat Darmstadt in the course of a hands-on training. It implements various matching strategies. The tool version submitted to OAEI 2012 combines different basic matching strategies, both element-based and structure-based, and a set of filters for removing faulty mappings.
A SVM control strategy for a direct matrix converter

Our paper proposes a Space Vector Modulation for a matrix converter which supplies an RL load. Firstly, a detailed study of the direct matrix converter is presented with the control technique used. Then, detailed results of the simulations are given. Finally, a thorough discussion of the results is presented, showing the attractive features of the matrix converter, from different simulations using MATLAB/SPS software.
Renal function and cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective. Cognitive impairment is a common problem in patients with liver cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and ammonia is considered to play a central role. Renal function has been shown to be important for ammonia metabolism in cirrhosis. Although renal dysfunction is common in cirrhotic patients, its effect on cognitive function is largely unexplored. Material and methods. A total of 128 consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively evaluated for the presence of cognitive dysfunction according to the West-Haven criteria and by means of two psychometric tests. Serum creatinine, sodium and potassium as well as plasma ammonia concentrations were assessed. Glomerular filtration rate was also measured by 51Cr- EDTA clearance in a subgroup of patients. Results. Forty-one patients (32%) were found to have cognitive dysfunction (clinical evaluation and/or psychometric tests). Sixteen patients (13%) found with serum creatinine levels above reference values had cognitive dysfunction more frequently than patients with creatinine within the normal range (69% versus 31%; p=0.001), but did not differ in aetiology or severity of cirrhosis (p>0.1). Patients with loop diuretics versus without did not differ in creatinine values (p>0.1). Multivariate analysis showed that cognitive dysfunction was related to hospital admission at inclusion in the study, international normalized ratio and serum creatinine (p<0.05 for all), but not to potassium or sodium levels. Plasma ammonia concentration was related to serum creatinine (r=0.26, p=0.004) and the glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.44, p=0.023). Conclusions. Renal dysfunction seems to be related to cognitive impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis and might be implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.
Single-Step Affinity Purification for Fungal Proteomics

ABSTRACT A single-step protein affinity purification protocol using Aspergillus nidulans is described. Detailed protocols for cell breakage, affinity purification, and depending on the application, methods for protein release from affinity beads are provided. Examples defining the utility of the approaches, which should be widely applicable, are included.
Late Presentation of Aortic Root Abscess in Endocarditis with Coronary Ischemia

Formation of a large aortic root abscess is an infrequent complication of aortic valve endocarditis in adults. Extrinsic compression of the coronary arteries by this abscess is still rarer. Here, we report a case of a 22-year-old male with aortic root abscess, who presented 2 months after the completion of treatment of endocarditis with exertional angina. Coronary angiogram revealed compression of proximal left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries by the abscess. The patient was successfully treated with pericardial patch exclusion of the abscess cavity and coronary artery bypass graft. The presentation of aortic root abscess with myocardial ischemia as a late complication of treated endocarditis has not been reported earlier.
Generalized Principal Component Analysis: Projection of Saturated Model Parameters

Abstract Principal component analysis (PCA) is very useful for a wide variety of data analysis tasks, but its implicit connection to the Gaussian distribution can be undesirable for discrete data such as binary and multi-category responses or counts. We generalize PCA to handle various types of data using the generalized linear model framework. In contrast to the existing approach of matrix factorizations for exponential family data, our generalized PCA provides low-rank estimates of the natural parameters by projecting the saturated model parameters. This difference in formulation leads to the favorable properties that the number of parameters does not grow with the sample size and simple matrix multiplication suffices for computation of the principal component scores on new data. A practical algorithm which can incorporate missing data and case weights is developed for finding the projection matrix. Examples on simulated and real count data show the improvement of generalized PCA over standard PCA for matrix completion, visualization, and collaborative filtering. Supplementary material for this article is available online.
Maximizing Cache Performance Under Uncertainty

Much prior work has studied cache replacement, but a large gap remains between theory and practice. The design of many practical policies is guided by the optimal policy, Belady's MIN. However, MIN assumes perfect knowledge of the future that is unavailable in practice, and the obvious generalizationsof MIN are suboptimal with imperfect information. What, then, is the right metric for practical cache replacement? We propose that practical policies should replace lines based on their economic value added (EVA), the difference of their expected hits from the average. Drawing on the theory of Markov decision processes, we discuss why this metric maximizes the cache's hit rate. We present an inexpensive implementation ofEVA and evaluate it exhaustively. EVA outperforms several prior policies and saves area at iso-performance. These results show that formalizing cache replacement yields practical benefits.
Development of a biochip‐based assay integrated in a global strategy for identification of fusion transcripts in acute myeloid leukemia: a work flow for acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis

Three major types of rearrangements are involved in acute myeloid leukemias (AML): t(8;21)(q22;q22), inv(16)(p13q22), and 11q23/MLL abnormalities. Their precise identification becomes essential for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic choices. Resulting fusion transcripts (FT) are also powerful markers for monitoring the efficacy of treatment, the minimal residual disease (MRD) and could become therapeutic targets. Today, the challenge is to propose an individual follow‐up for each patient even for those with a rare fusion event. In this study, we propose a biochip‐based assay integrated in a global strategy for identification of rare FT in AML, after fluorescence in situ hybridization detection, as described by the World Health Organization classification. Using cell lines, we developed and validated a biochip‐based assay called the AMLFusionChip that identifies every FT of AML1‐ETO, CBFβ‐MYH11 as well as MLL‐AF9, MLL‐ENL, MLL‐AF6, and MLL‐AF10. The original design of our AMLFusionChip.v01 enables the identification of these FT wherever the breakpoint on the partner gene may be. In case of biochip negative result, our 3′RACE amplification strategy enables to clone and then sequence the new translocation partner. This AMLFusionChip strategy fits into the concept of personalized medicine for the largest number of patients.
Survey over Existing Query and Transformation Languages

A widely acknowledged obstacle for realizing the vision of the Semantic Web is the inability of many current Semantic Web approaches to cope with data available in such diverging representation formalisms as XML, RDF, or Topic Maps. A common query language is the first step to allow transparent access to data in any of these formats. To further the understanding of the requirements and approaches proposed for query languages in the conventional as well as the Semantic Web, this report surveys a large number of query languages for accessing XML, RDF, or Topic Maps. This is the first systematic survey to consider query languages from all these areas. From the detailed survey of these query languages, a common classification scheme is derived that is useful for understanding and differentiating languages within and among all three areas.
Discovering Bucket Orders from Data

The problem of ordering a set of entities which contain inherent ties among them arises in many applications. Notion of “bucket order” has emerged as a popular mechanism of ranking in such settings. A bucket order is an ordered partition of the set of entities into “buckets”. There is a total order on the buckets, but the entities within a bucket are treated as tied. In this paper, we focus on discovering bucket order from data captured in the form of user preferences. We consider two settings: one in which the discrepancies in the input preferences are “local” (when collected from experts) and the other in which discrepancies could be arbitrary (when collected from a large population). We present a formal model to capture the setting of local discrepancies and consider the following question: “how many experts need to be queried to discover the underlying bucket order on n entities? ”. We prove an upperbound of O( √ logn). In the case of arbitrary discrepancies, we model it as the bucket order problem of discovering a bucket order that best fits the data (captured as pairwise preference statistics). We present a new approach which exploits a connection between the discovery of buckets and the correlation clustering problem. We present empirical evaluation of our algorithms on real and artificially generated datasets.
HIV Self-Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the UK: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators, Intervention Preferences and Perceived Impacts

Introduction Innovative strategies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST), could increase HIV testing rates and diagnosis. Evidence to inform the design of an HIVST intervention in the UK is scarce with very little European data on this topic. This study aims to understand values and preferences for HIVST interventions targeting MSM in the UK. We explore the acceptability of HIVST among MSM in the context of known barriers and facilitators to testing for HIV; assess preferences for, and the concerns about, HIVST. Methods Six focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 47 MSM in London, Manchester and Plymouth. HIVST as a concept was discussed and participants were asked to construct their ideal HIVST intervention. OraQuickTM and BioSureTM kits were then demonstrated and participants commented on procedure, design and instructions. FGDs were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed thematically. Results Convenience and confidentiality of HIVST was seen to facilitate testing. Issues with domestic privacy problematised confidentiality. HIVST kits and instructions were thought to be unnecessarily complicated, and did not cater to the required range of abilities. The window period was the most important element of an HIVST, with strong preference for 4th generation testing. Kits which used a blood sample were more popular than those using saliva due to higher perceived accuracy although phobia of needles and/or blood meant some would only access HIVST if a saliva sample option was available. A range of access options was important to maintain convenience and privacy. HIVST kits were assumed to increase frequency of testing, with concerns related to the dislocation of HIVST from sexual health care pathways and services. Discussion Utility of HIVST arises from relatively high levels of confidentiality and convenience. Until 4th generation assays are available HIVST will be seen as supplementary in a UK context.
The Gas2 family protein Pigs is a microtubule +TIP that affects cytoskeleton organisation

ABSTRACT Coordination between different cytoskeletal systems is crucial for many cell biological functions, including cell migration and mitosis, and also plays an important role during tissue morphogenesis. Proteins of the class of cytoskeletal crosslinkers, or cytolinkers, have the ability to interact with more than one cytoskeletal system at a time and are prime candidates to mediate any coordination. One such class comprises the Gas2-like proteins, combining a conserved calponin-homology-type actin-binding domain and a Gas2 domain predicted to bind microtubules (MTs). This domain combination is also found in spectraplakins, huge cytolinkers that play important roles in many tissues in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we dissect the ability of the single Drosophila Gas2-like protein Pigs to interact with both actin and MT cytoskeletons, both in vitro and in vivo, and illustrate complex regulatory interactions that determine the localisation of Pigs to and its effects on the cytoskeleton. Summary: Detailed analysis of the ability of the Drosophila cytolinker protein Pigs to modulate its cytoskeleton-interacting functions (+TIP tracking, microtubule shaft binding, actin binding and actin–microtubule crosslinking).
On buffer-economical store-and-forward deadlock prevention

Store-and-forward deadlock prevention in communication networks is addressed. The approach adopted is that of establishing buffer classes in order to prevent cyclic waiting chains. This type of solution usually requires many buffers. The main contribution of the current study is in showing that the number of required buffers can be reduced considerably by using a hierarchical organization of the network. A novel hierarchical scheme for arbitrary networks is proposed, that features a trade-off between the communication overhead and the buffer requirements of the routing. This trade-off can be shown to be close to optimal. <<ETX>>
A model for teacher learning in the context of a curriculum renewal

Teachers play a crucial role in curriculum changes, as they are the ones to implement a new curriculum in class. Therefore, teachers need to bring their knowledge and beliefs (pedagogical content knowledge) in line with the new curricular demands. The reason for the study is the introduction of a context-based chemistry high school curriculum in the Netherlands, and the question was how to best prepare teachers for such a new curriculum. Teacher learning for two groups of teachers form the bases for this model. One group developed and subsequently class enacted student learning material for this new curriculum, and the other group only class enacted this learning material. The combination of developing student learning material and class enactment proves instrumental for teacher learning. In the model, an extension of the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth, teacher learning during the development phase and the class enactment phase becomes visible. The consequence of this model is that for teacher learning in the context of a curriculum renewal to take place, both a (re)development phase as a class enactment phase are essential. Especially the design of the External Domain facilitates initial teacher learning.
WLC29-6: On Fairness in Heterogeneous WLAN Environments

We analyze the fairness of IEEE 802.11 DCF in heterogeneous wireless LAN environments where users experience unequal channel conditions due to the mobility and fading effects. Previous works [3] [4] show that the 802.11 CSMA/CA can present fairness characteristics in both long- term and short-term. However, the conclusion is only valid under the condition of homogeneous link qualities, which may be impractical. In this paper, we consider heterogeneous channel conditions based on an analytical approach of extending a verified two dimensional Markov chain model of DCF proposed by Bianchi [10]. From our analytical results, it is shown that 802.11 CSMA/CA can present fairness among hosts with identical link qualities regardless of equal or different data rates applied, which is consistent with the observations of previous works. Our analytical results also demonstrate that the presence of heterogeneous channel conditions can pose significant unfairness of channel sharing even with a link adaptation mechanism since the MCSs (modulation and coding schemes) available are limited.