Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The recent years have witnessed an even more critical condition when interpreting the climatic significance of δ18O in speleothem on decadal/multi-decadal to centennial timescales during the late Holocene. Sometimes, hydroclimatic changes inferred from different stalagmites even from a same cave

Below we provide the original responses to each of the reviewers’ comments that indicated our plans to revise the manuscript and subsequently the specific changes that we have made to the revised manuscript. Reviewer comments are shown in italic. Our original responses are shown in bold and the updated descriptions of how we have revised the manuscript are shown in bold blue text. Quotations from the original manuscript are shown in bold italics and quotations from the revised manuscript are shown in bold blue italics. Line numbers provided in black are from the original manuscript and line numbers in blue are for the revised manuscript.
Effect of Topically- Applied Hyaluronan on the Expression of Prolyl 4- Hydroxylase in Gingivitis of Diabetic Rats

Objective: To evaluate the effect of topically applied hyaluronic acid gel (hyaluranon) on gingivitis in diabetic rats. The evaluation based on clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis. Materials and Methods: The present study included seventy rats were included in this study, sixty rats were divided into two main groups according to treatment modality, group I involved thirty rats treated with topical HA, while group II involved thirty rats left untreated. Furthermore groups I and II subdivided into subgroups Ia, IIa were sacrificed on the seventh day, and subgroups Ib, IIb were sacrificed was sacrificed on the day fourteen, negative control compromised five healthy rats, and positive control group compromised five diabetic rats. Harvested gingival specimens were fixed in formalin, then embedded in paraffin wax, and serially sectioned at 4μm for immunohistochemical assessment using Prolyl 4 Hydroxylase A1(P4HA1). Results: Immunohistochemical evaluation using P4HA1 revealed a significant difference between all groups.
EMBEDDING DISTANCE INFORMATION IN BINAURAL RENDERINGS OF FAR FIELD RECORDINGS

Traditional representations of sound fields based on spherical harmonics expansions do not include the sound source distance information. As multipole expansions can accurately encode the distance of a sound source, they can be used for accurate sound field reproduction. The binaural reproduction of multipole encodings, though, requires head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) with distance information. However, the inclusion of distance information on available data sets of HRTFs, using acoustic propagators, requires demanding regularization techniques. We alternatively propose a method to embed distance information in the spherical harmonics encodings of compact microphone array recordings. We call this method the Distance Editing Binaural Ambisonics (DEBA). DEBA is applied to the synthesis of binaural signals of arbitrary distances using only far-field HRTFs. We evaluated DEBA by synthesizing HRTFs for nearby sources from various samplings of far-field ones. Comparisons with numerically calculated HRTFs yielded mean spectral distortion values below 6 dB, and mean normalized spherical correlation values above 0.97.
Development of a Virtual Input Device Using Stereoscopic Computer Vision to Control a Vehicle in a Racing Game

Nowadays, in the technological world is not hard to see the growing concern about the interaction between users and electronic devices, where the dynamism and the usability have been a decisive factor in the design of new projects and where new developments with ability to increase the experience of the users are in focus. In this light, a syst em was developed being capable of performing the interaction between the user and the computer using cameras as input devices. It was specifically designed to allow a car in a racin g game be controlled only by the user's hand movements without use of markers, where it is possible to turn left, to turn righ t, accelerate and to brake only moving the hands. For this, haar classifiers, stereoscopic vision and video card programmin g were used. A racing game was also created to perform tests and validate the proposal. All work was done on Linux environment using C++ with OpenCV , Ogre3D, ODE and CUDA libraries. The system called "virtual wheel" proved satisfactory, having good quality and speed of response, even on a home computer. Keywords-stereoscopic vision; human-computer interface; rac- ing game; computer vision.
VDR-AM: View-Dependent Representation of Articulated Models

We present a novel, View-Dependent Representation of Articulated Models (VDR-AM), and show its main beneﬁts in the context of view-dependent rendering integrated with occlusion culling for large-scale crowd scenes. In order to provide varying resolutions on each animated, articulated model, we propose to use a cluster hierarchy in the VDR-AM for an articulated model. The cluster hierarchy serves as a dual representation for both view-dependent rendering and occlusion culling. For a high-performance view-dependent rendering and occlusion culling, we construct each cluster of the cluster hierarchy to contain a spatially coherent portion of the mesh that also has similar simpliﬁcation errors. To achieve our goal, we present an error-aware clustering method for articulated models. We also identify a subset of animation poses that well represents the original pose data and perform the well-known quadrics-based simpliﬁcation to efﬁciently compute our representation, while achieving a high quality simpliﬁcation. At runtime, we choose a LOD cut from the cluster hierarchy given a user speciﬁed error bound in the screen space and render all the visible clusters in the LOD cut. We implement our method in GPU and achieve interactive performance (e.g., 40 frames per second) for large-scale crowd scenes that consist up to thousands of articulated models and 242 M triangles, without noticeable visual artifacts.
Finnish native grey partridge (Perdix perdix) population differs clearly in mitochondrial DNA from the farm stock used for releases

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region I (CR1) of 138 wild and 36 captive grey partridges (Perdix perdix) was sequenced. Representing two major mitochondrial DNA lineages that differed by 15 nucleotide substitutions (3.7%), the Finnish lineage dominated in the wild, whereas the European lineage dominated in the captive stock. Most individuals represented a single haplotype in each lineage. Nucleotide and haplotype diversities were high in mixed subpopulations with individuals of both lineages. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that when the captive stock was excluded, about 80% of the total variation could be explained by the variation within subpopulations. When captive stock was included, 67% of the variation was explained by the variation between subpopulations. According to Φ ST values, captive stock differed from the wild subpopulations. These results clearly show that the native stock in Finland differs in mtDNA CR1 from the farm stock. In the area of large-scale captive rearing and releasing, only one bird represented the same mitochondrial lineage as the farm stock. It is evident that released farm birds have left only minor marks in the native population in Finland.
Estimation of Extreme Flows in Nkana River to Verify the Adequacy of Naming’ongo Bridge Waterway

The response by the government of Tanzania to food security and poverty alleviation in the Naming’ongo area in Mbozi District has been to develop Naming’ongo irrigation scheme as well as construct a bridge across River Nkana to connect the farms and other parts of the district to facilitate a reliable transportation of the produce to the market. The Australian Water Balance Model that was calibrated by using 10 years data from a nearby sub-catchment of Mbarali. The Naming’ongo Sub-catchment was delineated form a 30 m digital elevation model. The observed rainfall was obtained from Mbozi Meteorological station. The study approximated the peak flows in River Nkana for a return period of 50 years to be slightly above 560 m3/s. This was considered to be adequate for the proposed structure. The study recommends that when undertaking human activities such as deforestation and cultivation an account for soil and environmental conservation should be considered. While it is necessary to establish a monitoring system within the catchment, the designs of future hydraulic structures should incorporate stream flow measuring facilities.
Fundamental Principles of Theoretical Physics and Concepts of Quantum Protectorate and Emergence

A concise survey of the advanced unifying ideas of modern physics, namely, spontaneous symmetry breaking, quasiaverages, quantum protectorate and emergence was presented. The interrelation of the concepts of symmetry breaking, quasiaverages and quantum protectorate was analyzed in the context of quantum theory and statistical physics. The main aim of this analysis was to demonstrate the connection and interrelation of these conceptual advances of the many-body physics and to try to show explicitly that those concepts, though different in details, have a certain common features. Some problems in the field of statistical physics of complex materials and systems e.g. foundation of the microscopic theory of magnetism and superconductivity were pointed in relation to these ideas.
Keeping up with the times: Lexical creativity in electronic communication

In the last decades mobile phones and the World Wide Web have revolutionized communication, providing fresh evidence that language is a dynamic instrument which can evolve with the times and adjust to new contexts. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the extent of that capability by examining a corpus of linguistic material used in electronic communication: on the one hand, ready-made text messages (AFAIK, CWOT) and widely-used vocabulary items (Gr8, B4, pls); on the other hand, lexical creations relating to the general field of electronic communication, for example, terms such as WiFi, blog or cyberslacking. The study covers three aspects: the morphological mechanisms used to create these novel formations, the motivations underlying creativity, and the implications of this fieldrestricted creativity for everyday language. The analysis shows that electronic communication is a fertile ground for new vocabulary, since it uses productive word-formation processes which already exist in the language (compounding, derivation and different types of shortening) and contributes to the popularization of new items which may eventually enter the lexicon (for example, to text: “to send a text message to”). Finally, as regards the reasons behind the use of the above mechanisms, two types of motives (system-derived and user-derived) are identified and discussed. The former refers to the need to speed up communication by saving time and space; it is related to the features and requirements of the message, the channel and the context. The latter combines ludic and sociolinguistic needs, and is in turn connected with the characteristics of the primary users of the system, in-groups that may be defined by age, occupation and interests.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems from Autonomous to Cooperative Approach

Abstract Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have been one of the most active areas of ITS studies in the last two decades. ADAS aim to support drivers by either providing warning to reduce risk exposures, or automating some of the control tasks to relieve a driver from manual control of a vehicle. ADAS functions can be achieved through an autonomous approach with all instrumentation and intelligence on board the vehicle, or through a cooperative approach, where assistance is provided from roadways and/or from other vehicles. In this article, recent research and developments of longitudinal control assistance systems are reviewed including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and avoidance, and platooning assistants. The review focuses on comparing between autonomous systems and cooperative systems in terms of technologies used, system impacts and implementation. The main objective is to achieve common understanding on ADAS functional potentials and limitations and to identify research needs for further studies.
Invasion dynamics of an introduced squirrel in Argentina

Biological invasions are one of the major threats to both ecosystem and economic functioning. Their management typically involves culling of the pest or removal of its habitat. The Asiatic red-bellied beautiful squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus is the first known introduction of a squirrel into South America. It established from five releases in 1973, using exotic trees to spread through Argentinean Pampas. It now causes substantial economic damage in agricultural and urban areas across >680 km2, and its continued spread threatens indigenous species. We developed a spatially explicit model of the invasion for the likely range of life-history parameters, matched against empirical data on patch occupancy in 2004. The two best-fitting models suggest the current population to be on the cusp of an explosive expansion. These models were used to predict future trends under alternative scenarios of strategic culling or habitat removal aimed at slowing the spread. The predictions for 18 yr into the future were that 1) the present lack of systematic management will lead to a 5-fold increase in area of occupancy, 2) removal of habitat down to half carrying capacity will thin the population but accelerate its spread, 3) 10 yr of culling above the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) will precipitate declines in abundance and patch occupancy towards extinction, but with immediate recovery upon cessation of the cull. We recommend continuous culling above the MSY in priority patches, aimed at slowing arrival to valuable conservation areas. This study demonstrates the need for prompt action to terminate invasions before they establish. The squirrel invasion is now irreversible after 30 yr of slow spread across fragmented habitat. Although culling requires public awareness campaigns and sustained governmental commitment, it is now the best feasible strategy for managing this invasion.
The CC Chemokine CKβ-11/MIP-3β/ELC/Exodus 3 Mediates Tumor Rejection of Murine Breast Cancer Cells Through NK Cells1

CKβ-11 chemoattracts T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophage progenitors, and NK cells and facilitates dendritic cell and T cell interactions in secondary lymphoid tissues. We hypothesized that expression of CKβ-11 in tumor cells may generate antitumor immunity through these interactions. After transduction with the retroviral vector L(CKβ11)SN, the murine breast cancer cell line C3L5 (C3L5-CKβ11) showed expression of retroviral mRNA by Northern analysis and production of functional CKβ-11 by chemotaxis of human NK cells to C3L5-CKβ11 supernatant. Only 10% of mice injected with C3L5-CKβ11 developed tumors, compared with 100% of mice injected with a transduced control C3L5 line (C3L5-G1N). Importantly, the in vitro growth characteristics of the CKβ-11-transduced cell line were unaffected, suggesting the difference in growth in vivo was a result of chemokine production. Vaccination with C3L5-CKβ11 partially protected animals from parental C3L5 challenge. Immunodepletion with anti-asialo-GM1 or anti-CD4 during C3L5-CKβ11 vaccination significantly reduced CKβ-11 antitumor activity compared with control and anti-CD8-treated groups. Splenocytes from NK-depleted animals transferred the acquired immunity generated with C3L5-CKβ11 vaccination, while splenocytes from the CD4-depleted animals did not. These results indicate, for the first time, that expression of CKβ-11 in a breast cancer cell line mediates rejection of the transduced tumor through a mechanism involving NK and CD4+ cells. Furthermore, CKβ-11-transduced tumor cells generate long-term antitumor immunity that requires CD4+ cells. These studies demonstrate the potential role of CKβ-11 as an adjuvant in stimulating antitumor responses.
Estimation of the HIV Incidence and of the Number of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Brazil, 2012

Introduction: In this study, statistical techniques were applied to reconstruct the historical HIV infection curve using all available surveillance data sources in Brazil, including AIDS reported cases, HIV incident cases in recent years, and AIDS deaths. Using this model, we estimated the HIV incidence and the number of people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) in Brazil, 2012. Methods: To estimate HIV incidence in the period 2005-2012, we used a new method based on a CD4 count depletion model. From SISCEL information, we estimated the time lag between HIV infection and the date of first CD4 count for each treatment-naive HIV infected case aged 15 years or older. To estimate the HIV incidence in past years, we used an extended back calculation method. Then, we used the back-calculating estimates of HIV incidence from AIDS reported cases together with the estimates of HIV incidence in recent years (2005-2012) to reconstruct the HIV incidence curve, in Brazil. To calculate the total prevalence in the middle of 2012, we used the accumulated incident cases and the total number of deaths up to the middle of year 2012. Results: By midyear 2012, 672959 AIDS cases have been reported, and from those, 336391 were alive. In the middle of 2012, the prevalence was 715003 and the prevalence rate 3.7 per 1000 population. The number of HIV cases infected in 2012 of 47573 represents 6.6% of the total prevalence, with an incidence rate of 24.5 per 100,000 populations. The number of prevalent cases with no CD4 count in the middle of 2012 was 240333, or 33.6% of the total number of PLWHA. Discussion: Currently, the Ministry of Health adopted the new policy of offering immediate treatment to those diagnosed with HIV and new challenges have to be faced. In this study, we estimated that around 715,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Brazil, from which one third do not have a CD4 count, and is not benefiting from the new policy. As patients who belatedly starting therapy have lower survival, consume more resources, and reduce the chances of therapy success, policies to eliminate structural barriers to HIV testing are essential in Brazil.
Paradigms, Metaphors, and Puzzle Solving in Organizational Theory.

The paper explores the relationship among paradigms, metaphors, and puzzle solving showing how organization theory and research is constructed upon a network of assumptions that are taken-for-granted. The metaphorical nature of theory and the implications of metaphor for theory construction are examined. A theoretical and methodological pluralism which allows the development of new perspectives for organizational analysis is suggested. While orthodoxy is based upon a few metaphors characteristic of the functionalist paradigm, metaphors characteristic of other paradigms, which challenge the ground assumptions of orthodoxy, are shown to have much to offer.
Association Rule Mining using Path Systems in Directed Graphs 793

A transaction database (TDB) consists of a set I of items and a multiset D of nonempty subsets of I, whose elements are called transactions. There are several algorithms for solving the popular and computationally expensive task of association rule mining from a TDB. In this paper we propose a data structure which consists of a directed graph D (loops and multiple arcs are permitted) and a system of directed paths in D to represent a TDB. We give efficient algorithms for generating the data structure, for extracting frequent patterns and for association rule mining. We also propose several graph theoretic parameters which lead to a better understanding of the system.
Emotion Work and its Mediating Role on Employees Health

In recent years, the major focus of health psychologists is to understand the role of individual differences in the performance of emotion work and its health outcome. Individual difference in temperament and emotional intelligence appear to play an important role in predicting emotion work, which largely influences the physical and psychological health of customer service workers. The literature indicates that workers who experience frequent negative emotions and emotional dissonance may suffer from physical health problems which in turn, impair their cognitive health leading to a sense of stagnation towards work life. By using cross sectional descriptive survey on 400 customer service workers across the country, the study examines the mediating role of emotion work between (a) emotionality and emotional exhaustion, and (b) emotional intelligence and psychological wellbeing. The subjects were assessed on temperament, emotional intelligence, emotion work, psychological wellbeing and on emotional exhaustion. Correlational analysis showed that negative emotions and emotional dissonance were significantly positively related with both emotional exhaustion and emotionality followed by its negative association with psychological wellbeing and emotional intelligence. Mediation analysis revealed that emotional dissonance mediates the relationship between emotionality and emotional exhaustion. Also, negative emotions mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological wellbeing. The study highlights the need for assessing the emotionality of individual, as a potential source to guide and refine employee selection along with development of methods and techniques to buffer the negative effects of emotion work.
Molecularly-imprinted polyaniline nanoparticles for detection of aldrin

iv ACKNOWLEGEMENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xiii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Statement of Problem . 3 1.3 Significance of Study . 3 1.4 Objectives . 3 1.5 Specific objectives . 4 1.6 Dissertation outline . 4 CHAPTER 2 : THEORETICAL BACKGROUND . 5 2.
Composición Factorial de la Escala de Locus de Control de Rotter en Universitarios Mexicanos

espanolSe analiza la composicion factorial de la Escala de Locus de Control de Rotter en Universitarios Mexicanos y se compara con otros resultados presentados en la literatura. La muestra total fue de 1537 alumnos de las licenciaturas de Educacion Fisica y Motricidad Humana que se ofrecen en la Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua en Mexico, con una edad media de 20.56 anos. La estructura factorial del cuestionario se analizo a traves de analisis factoriales confirmatorios. Los analisis, muestran que una estructura tetra factorial es adecuada. La estructura de cuatro factores (suerte, poder politico, destino y relaciones interpersonales) ha mostrado adecuados indicadores de ajuste de validez. Ademas, los resultados de los analisis factoriales llevados a cabo con las submuestras, indican la existencia de fuertes evidencias de la estabilidad de la estructura factorial. EnglishThe factor structure of the Rotter's Locus of Control Scale in Mexican university students is analyzed. The sample consisted of 1537 participants; all of them students of the degree of Physical Education and Human Motricity offered at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua in Mexico, with a mean age of 20.56 years. Psychometric analysis showed that a tetra-factorial structure was adequate. The factorial structure of the questionnaire was analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. The structure of the four factors (luck, political power, destiny and interpersonal relationships) showed adequate indicators of validity adjustment. In addition, factor analysis conducted with subsamples indicated the presence of strong evidence of factor structure stability.