Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying environmental controls on vegetation greenness phenology through model–data integration

Existing dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) have a limited ability in reproducing phenology and decadal dynamics of vegetation greenness as observed by satellites. These limitations in reproducing observations reflect a poor understanding and description of the environmental controls on phenology, which strongly influence the ability to simulate longer-term vegetation dynamics, e.g. carbon allocation. Combining DGVMs with observational data sets can potentially help to revise current modelling approaches and thus enhance the understanding of processes that control seasonal to long-term vegetation greenness dynamics. Here we implemented a new phenology model within the LPJmL (Lund Potsdam Jena managed lands) DGVM and integrated several observational data sets to improve the ability of the model in reproducing satellite-derived time series of vegetation greenness. Specifically, we optimized LPJmL parameters against observational time series of the fraction of absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (FAPAR), albedo and gross primary production to identify the main environmental controls for seasonal vegetation greenness dynamics. We demonstrated that LPJmL with new phenology and optimized parameters better reproduces seasonality, inter-annual variability and trends of vegetation greenness. Our results indicate that soil water availability is an important control on vegetation phenology not only in water-limited biomes but also in boreal forests and the Arctic tundra. Whereas water availability controls phenology in water-limited ecosystems during the entire growing season, water availability co-modulates jointly with temperature the beginning of the growing season in boreal and Arctic regions. Additionally, water availability contributes to better explain decadal greening trends in the Sahel and browning trends in boreal forests. These results emphasize the importance of considering water availability in a new generation of phenology modules in DGVMs in order to correctly reproduce observed seasonal-to-decadal dynamics of vegetation greenness.
Deficits in the mid‐brain raphe nuclei and striatum of the AS/AGU rat, a protein kinase C‐γ mutant

The AS/AGU rat carries a recessive mutation (agu) in the gene coding for the gamma isoform of protein kinase C. The rat is characterized by disordered locomotion and progressive dysfunction of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) system. This dysfunction begins with a failure to release DA within the striatum and culminates in cell loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta. The present study examines another midbrain aminergic system with input to the basal ganglia, the serotonergic (5‐HT) raphe–striatal system originating in the dorsal raphe nucleus. By 3 months after birth, there is a very substantial reduction in the extracellular levels of 5‐HT in the dorsal caudate‐putamen of the mutants compared with controls (c. 70%). This is accompanied by a proportional increase in the levels of the 5‐HT metabolite 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid (5‐HIAA). At a later age, there are reductions in whole tissue 5‐HT (and increases in 5‐HIAA) in both the striatum and the region containing the dorsal raphe nucleus, as well as numbers of 5‐HT‐immunoreactive cells in the dorsal raphe nucleus. The median raphe appears to be unaffected. The results are seen in terms of an initial dysfunction in transmitter release leading to cell death, perhaps through the formation of free radicals or neurotoxins.
Realities of private VET practice through VET teachers’ lenses: Learning contexts for international students in private VET in Australia

Abstract Since the introduction of the competitive vocational education and training market model in the Australia in the 1990s, the growth and participation of international students and private providers has led to sustained debates about training standards in commercial-for-profit, private registered training organisations. Much of this debate has been negative and critical, focusing on providers seen as ‘dodgy’ and international students’ permanent residence ‘PR’ reasons for participating in the Australian Vocational Education and Training sector (Smith, 2010; Tran & Nyland, 2013). This article argues that this focus has limited critical debates on other contextual factors, particularly the influence of teacher perceptions on learning experiences and the way vocational education and training is understood and practised.
The Emergence of Nano News: Tracking Thematic Trends and Changes in U.S. Newspaper Coverage of Nanotechnology

Mediated messages can influence awareness and nascent perceptions of novel or new issues. Nanotechnology is one such issue. This study explores descriptive and thematic characteristics of journalistic coverage of nanotechnology over a twenty-year span using computer-aided content analysis, finding an emphasis on research throughout the period with an increasing focus on both business and health aspects of nanotechnology. Later stories are more likely to address potential risks, while the regulatory dimensions, environmental implications, and uncertainty inherent in this emerging technology remain largely unaddressed.
A Brief Life‐Graph Technique for Work with Geriatric Patients *

Patients aged 60 or older from the practice of a private physician (n = 32) and from a geriatric outpatient clinic (n = 132) responded to a questionnaire designed to assess perceived present and future health, treatment expectations, and general future projection. Of interest was the extent to which present health, as measured by a brief life‐graph technique, might be predictive of perceptions in these other areas. Results from the two samples were consistent in suggesting that present health ratings were related to anticipated future health, general future projection, and certain treatment expectations. However, expectations of when benefits from treatment would begin, and of the probable duration of treatment, were not predicted in either sample. The life‐graph technique seems useful for practitioners' interactions with older patients and for understanding these patients' extended views of their health.
Prevention of thermal degradation of red currant juice anthocyanins by phenolic compounds addition

The aim of this study was investigation of prevention of thermal degradation of the red currant juice anthocyanins by addition of different phenolic compounds (catechol, 4-methyl catechol, catechin, chlorogenic acid and gallic acid). Phenolic compounds were added in 50:1 and 100:1 copigment:pigment molar ratio. Red currant juice samples were heated at 30, 50, 70 and 90 °C for 1 hour. Thermal degradation of anthocyanins was investigated through determination of anthocyanin content and calculation of the reaction rate constant, half-life of degradation, activation energy and anthocyanin retention. Anthocyanin content ranged from 34.32 mg/100 mL to 47.97 mg/100 mL in a red currant juice, depending on temperature. When phenolic compounds were added anthocyanin content ranged from 34.94 mg/100 mL to 50.41 mg/100 mL, depending on both temperature and added phenolic compounds. In all cases when phenolic compound were added, anthocyanin content, half-lives of degradation increased and the reaction rate constants decreased. The thermal degradation of anthocyanins was lower when phenolic compounds were added due to copigmentation effect. With increase of temperature copigmentation effect was less pronounced. The most contributing phenolic compounds on anthocyanin stability at 30 °C was gallic acid, at 50 °C and 70 °C catechin, and at 90 °C 4-methyl catechol. Concentration of phenolic compounds also had influence on investigated parameters.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling Analysis of the Aux/IAA Gene Family in Medicago truncatula during the Early Phase of Sinorhizobium meliloti Infection

Background Auxin/indoleacetic acid (Aux/IAA) genes, coding a family of short-lived nuclear proteins, play key roles in wide variety of plant developmental processes, including root system regulation and responses to environmental stimulus. However, how they function in auxin signaling pathway and symbiosis with rhizobial in Medicago truncatula are largely unknown. The present study aims at gaining deeper insight on distinctive expression and function features of Aux/IAA family genes in Medicago truncatula during nodule formation. Principal Findings Using the latest updated draft of the full Medicago truncatula genome, a comprehensive identification and analysis of IAA genes were performed. The data indicated that MtIAA family genes are distributed in all the M. truncatula chromosomes except chromosome 6. Most of MtIAA genes are responsive to exogenous auxin and express in tissues-specific manner. To understand the biological functions of MtIAA genes involved in nodule formation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to test the expression profiling of MtIAA genes during the early phase of Sinorhizobium meliloti (S. meliloti) infection. The expression patterns of most MtIAA genes were down-regulated in roots and up-regulated in shoots by S. meliloti infection. The differences in expression responses between roots and shoots caused by S. meliloti infection were alleviated by 1-NOA application. Conclusion The genome-wide identification, evolution and expression pattern analysis of MtIAA genes were performed in this study. The data helps us to understand the roles of MtIAA-mediated auxin signaling in nodule formation during the early phase of S. meliloti infection.
Streptomyces capparidis sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinobacterium isolated from fruits of Capparis spinosa L.

A novel endophytic actinobacterial strain, designated EGI 6500195T, was isolated from fruits of Capparis spinosa. Growth occurred at 10-45 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum pH 7) and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain EGI 6500195T shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.74 %) with Streptomyces vitaminophilus DSM 41686T and less than 97 % sequence similarity with other members of the genus Streptomyces. The diagnostic amino acid in the peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained glucose, ribose, fructose and mannose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipid profile of strain EGI 6500195T included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, three unknown phospholipids, an unknown aminophospholipid and an unknown aminolipid. The cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 1ω9c, summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain EGI 6500195T was 74.1 mol%. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain EGI 6500195T and Streptomyces. vitaminophilus DSM 41686T was 14.1±3.5 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain EGI 6500195T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces capparidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 6500195T (=DSM 42145T=JCM 30089T).
Indicative Support Vector Clustering with Its Application on Anomaly Detection

In many learning scenarios, supervised learning is hardly applicable due to the unavailability of a complete set of data labels, while unsupervised model overlooks valuable user feedback in an interactive system setting. In this paper, a novel semi-supervised support vector clustering algorithm is presented, where a small number of user indicated labels are available as supervised information. We apply the clustering algorithm in the anomaly detection area, and show that the given labels significantly improve the recognition of anomalies. Moreover, the partially labeled data proliferates the information without extra computation but strengthening the robustness to anomalies.
An experimental comparison of multiple vocoder types

This paper presents an experimental comparison of a broad range of the leading vocoder types which have been previously described. We use a reference implementation of each of these to create stimuli for a listening test using copy synthesis. The listening test is performed using both Lombard and normal read speech stimuli, and with two types of question for comparison. Multi-dimensional Scaling (MDS) is conducted on the listener responses to analyse similarities in terms of quality between the vocoders. Our MDS and clustering results show that the vocoders which use a sinusoidal synthesis approach are perceptually distinguishable from the source-filter vocoders. To help further interpret the axes of the resulting MDS space, we test for correlations with standard acoustic quality metrics and find one axis is strongly correlated with PESQ scores. We also find both speech style and the format of the listening test question may influence test results. Finally, we also present preference test results which compare each vocoder with the natural speech. Index Terms: Speech Synthesis, Vocoder, Similarity, Quality
Structuring Feature Space: A Non-Parametric Method for Volumetric Transfer Function Generation

The use of multi-dimensional transfer functions for direct volume rendering has been shown to be an effective means of extracting materials and their boundaries for both scalar and multivariate data. The most common multi-dimensional transfer function consists of a two-dimensional (2D) histogram with axes representing a subset of the feature space (e.g., value vs. value gradient magnitude), with each entry in the 2D histogram being the number of voxels at a given feature space pair. Users then assign color and opacity to the voxel distributions within the given feature space through the use of interactive widgets (e.g., box, circular, triangular selection). Unfortunately, such tools lead users through a trial-and-error approach as they assess which data values within the feature space map to a given area of interest within the volumetric space. In this work, we propose the addition of non-parametric clustering within the transfer function feature space in order to extract patterns and guide transfer function generation. We apply a non-parametric kernel density estimation to group voxels of similar features within the 2D histogram. These groups are then binned and colored based on their estimated density, and the user may interactively grow and shrink the binned regions to explore feature boundaries and extract regions of interest. We also extend this scheme to temporal volumetric data in which time steps of 2D histograms are composited into a histogram volume. A three-dimensional (3D) density estimation is then applied, and users can explore regions within the feature space across time without adjusting the transfer function at each time step. Our work enables users to effectively explore the structures found within a feature space of the volume and provide a context in which the user can understand how these structures relate to their volumetric data. We provide tools for enhanced exploration and manipulation of the transfer function, and we show that the initial transfer function generation serves as a reasonable base for volumetric rendering, reducing the trial-and-error overhead typically found in transfer function design.
LTE wireless virtualization and spectrum management

Many research initiatives have started looking into Future Internet solutions in order to satisfy the ever increasing requirements on the Internet and also to cope with the challenges existing in the current one. Some are proposing further enhancements while others are proposing completely new approaches. Network Virtualization is one solution that is able to combine these approaches and therefore, could play a central role in the Future Internet. It will enable the existence of multiple virtual networks on a common infrastructure even with different network architectures. Network Virtualization means setting up a network composed of individual virtualized network components, such as nodes, links, and routers. Mobility will remain a major requirement, which means that also wireless resources need to be virtualized. In this paper the Long Term Evolution (LTE) was chosen as a case study to extend Network Virtualization into the wireless area.
Genetic Influences of Adiponectin on Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease

Recent evidence points to molecules secreted by the adipose tissue, or adipokines, as possible links between increased adipose mass and metabolic abnormalities. Among these molecules, adiponectin has drawn much attention because of its insulin-sensitizing and antiatherogenic actions, suggesting that genetic deficits in its production or action may contribute to insulin resistance and coronary artery disease (CAD). A meta-analysis of the data published to date supports this hypothesis. Two independent effects, corresponding to the two linkage disequilibrium blocks that can be identified at the adiponectin locus, appear to be present. In the 5′ block, the g. −11391G→A variant has a modest but significant effect on adiponectinemia, with a mean difference between genotypes of 1.64 ng/ml (95% CI 0.88–2.41). In the 3′ block, the g. +276G→T variant is a strong determinant of insulin resistance and CAD, with minor allele homozygotes having a lower homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) index (−0.36 units, 95% CI 0.24–0.47) and a lower cardiovascular risk (odds ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.80) than carriers of other genotypes. No consistent effect on BMI or risk of type 2 diabetes is evident. Polymorphisms in the genes coding for the adiponectin receptors may also influence the risk of insulin resistance and CAD, but data on these genes are still too sparse to draw firm conclusions. In summary, the studies published to date indicate that polymorphisms at the adiponectin locus are indeed predictors of circulating adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity, and atherosclerosis, highlighting the pivotal role of this adipokine in the modulation of metabolism and atherogenesis.
Induced bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue serves as a general priming site for T cells and is maintained by dendritic cells

Mucosal vaccination via the respiratory tract can elicit protective immunity in animal infection models, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. We show that a single intranasal application of the replication-deficient modified vaccinia virus Ankara, which is widely used as a recombinant vaccination vector, results in prominent induction of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). Although initial peribronchiolar infiltrations, characterized by the presence of dendritic cells (DCs) and few lymphocytes, can be found 4 d after virus application, organized lymphoid structures with segregated B and T cell zones are first observed at day 8. After intratracheal application, in vitro–differentiated, antigen-loaded DCs rapidly migrate into preformed BALT and efficiently activate antigen-specific T cells, as revealed by two-photon microscopy. Furthermore, the lung-specific depletion of DCs in mice that express the diphtheria toxin receptor under the control of the CD11c promoter interferes with BALT maintenance. Collectively, these data identify BALT as tertiary lymphoid structures supporting the efficient priming of T cell responses directed against unrelated airborne antigens while crucially requiring DCs for its sustained presence.
Una instantánea movida de la investigación en procesos de traducción

This article offers an overview of some advances in cognitive and psycholinguistic approaches to translation and interpreting process research between 2006 and 2013, in order to provide context to the contributions to this volume. It provides some figures on publications and initiatives and then focuses on competence and expertise; writing; mental load and linguistic complexity; advances in research methods; revision and metacognition; cognition beyond conscious, rational thought; and recontextualized empirical research. The article closes with some notes on the overall trends in the area, within the sample of contributions, and on publishing.
Giant magneto resistance based eddy-current testing system

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new eddy-current testing system for subsurface crack detection based on giant magneto resistive (GMR) sensors. The optimized probes having small dimensions and high sensitivity to low magnetic fields enhances the spatial resolution of an ECT system. Experimental results of different frequencies and different liftoff distance are presented.
Using Videotaped Lectures for Testing Academic Listening Proficiency.

Abstract To provide authentic language use situations for classroom activities, videotaped materials have been introduced in teaching and learning settings. In language testing, these materials raise our expectations about the potential usefulness to measure academic listening ability of non-native speakers of English. In spite of this apparent superior authenticity of a videotape formatted listening test (VFLT), much more theoretical justification and experimental research are needed to support the usefulness of VFLTs. The purpose of this study was to investigate validity evidence for the VFLT usefulness as a measure of academic lecture listening ability. Validity evidence was assessed with 83 ESL students enrolled at a midwestern university. Concurrent validity evidence, empirical item analysis, and experimental manipulation were tested. Analysis of the test results provided convincing support of the validity evidence of the VFLT. Moreover, the strong relationship between test performance and aspects of.
Calling Where It Counts: Subordinate Pied Babblers Target the Audience of Their Vocal Advertisements

For territorial group-living species, opportunities to reproduce on the natal territory can be limited by a number of factors including the availability of resources within a territory, access to unrelated individuals, and monopolies on reproduction by dominant group members. Individuals looking to reproduce are therefore faced with the options of either waiting for a breeding opportunity to arise in the natal territory, or searching for reproductive opportunities in non-natal groups. In the cooperatively breeding Southern pied babbler, Turdoides bicolor, most individuals who achieve reproductive success do so through taking up dominant breeding positions within non-natal groups. For subordinate pied babblers therefore, searching for breeding opportunities in non-natal groups is of primary importance as this represents the major route to reproductive success. However, prospecting (where individuals leave the group to search for reproductive opportunities within other groups) is costly and individuals rapidly lose weight when not part of a group. Here we demonstrate that subordinate pied babblers adopt an alternative strategy for mate attraction by vocal advertisement from within their natal territories. We show that subordinates focus their calling efforts on the edges of their territory, and specifically near boundaries with neighbouring groups that have potential breeding partners (unrelated individuals of the opposite sex). In contrast to prospecting, calling individuals showed no body mass loss associated with this behaviour, suggesting that calling from within the group may provide a ‘cheap’ advertisement strategy. Additionally, we show that subordinates use information regarding the composition of neighbouring groups to target the greatest number of potential mating partners.