Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 16 000‐year record of vegetational change in south‐western Alaska as inferred from plant macrofossils and pollen

Pollen and macrofossil analyses of a sediment core from Beaver Pond (60° 37′ 14″ N, 154° 19′ W, 579 m a.s.l.) reveal a record of regional and local postglacial vegetation change in south‐western Alaska. The chronology is based on five AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) 14C ages obtained from terrestrial plant macrofossils. Pollen and macrofossil records suggest that open herb and shrub tundra with e.g. Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Artemisia, Vaccinium and Salix prevailed on the landscape before ca. 14 000 cal a BP. The shift from herb‐ to shrub‐dominated tundra (Salix, subsequent Betula expansion) possibly reflects climatic warming at the beginning of the Bølling period at ca. 14 700–14 500 and around 13 500 cal a BP. Vegetation (Betula shrub tundra) remained relatively stable until the early Holocene. Macrofossil influx estimates provide evidence for greater biomass in Betula shrub tundra during the early postglacial period than today. Charcoal accumulation rates suggest tundra fire activity was probably greater from ca. 12 500 to 10 500 cal a BP, similar to results from elsewhere in Alaska. The pollen and macrofossil records of Beaver Pond suggest the prevalence of low shrub tundra (shrub Betula, Betula nana, Vaccinium, Ledum palustre, Ericaceae) and tall shrub tundra (Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, Salix) between 10 000 and 4000 cal a BP. This Holocene vegetation type is comparable with that of the modern treeless wet and moist tundra in south‐western Alaska. The expansion of Picea glauca occurred ∼4000 cal a BP, much later than that of A. viridis (ssp. crispa), whereas in central and eastern Alaska Picea glauca expanded prior to or coincident with Alnus (viridis). At sites located only 200–400 km north‐east of Beaver Pond (Farewell and Wien lakes), Picea glauca and Betula forests expanded 8000–6000 cal a BP. Unfavourable climatic conditions and soil properties may have inhibited the expansion and establishment of Picea across south‐west Alaska during the mid and late Holocene. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobile Mapping for Autonomous Navigation in Urban Areas

(used as landmarks) sensed by on-board sensors. For this purpose, the features have to be characterized in a learning stage called " mobile mapping " which consists in geo-referencing such information. This paper addresses this problem. We propose a strategy based on the use of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning and GIS (Geographical Information System). More precisely, we propose a strategy that consists in regrouping the features in local maps attached to the roads of a GIS layer in order to take benefice essentially of the very good connectivity of the road network structure. We illustrate our developments using visual landmarks made of key images and side walk impacts detected by a lidar (laser scanner). Real experiments are reported to illustrate the performance of this approach which is robust to GPS outages due to poor satellite visibility in urban areas.
Deciding Semantic Finiteness of Pushdown Processes and First-Order Grammars w.r.t. Bisimulation Equivalence

The problem if a given configuration of a pushdown automaton (PDA) is bisimilar with some (unspecified) finite-state process is shown to be decidable. The decidability is proven in the framework of first-order grammars, which are given by finite sets of labelled rules that rewrite roots of first-order terms. The framework is equivalent to PDA where also deterministic popping epsilon-steps are allowed, i.e. to the model for which Senizergues showed an involved procedure deciding bisimilarity (FOCS 1998). Such a procedure is here used as a black-box part of the algorithm. For deterministic PDA the regularity problem was shown decidable by Valiant (JACM 1975) but the decidability question for nondeterministic PDA, answered positively here, had been open (as indicated, e.g., by Broadbent and Goeller, FSTTCS 2012).
The design of an Omnimedia Release Operation Platform based on LAMP architecture

We analyze some key technologies in this paper, including technological convergence of CDN-P2P, Operation and release platform technology, online video database, the realization of three-screen interaction, and RIA platform, etc. We also build a uniform data access layer for three-screen interaction. An architecture of Omnimedia Release Operation Platform based on LAMP architecture is proposed and the functional analysis and system design of online video database system, Content Management System, User Management System, Ad Management System, and Operations support management systems are completed in this paper. An Omnimedia Release Operation Platform that can meet all audio and video needs is constructed at the same time.
A Simplified Data Assimilation Method for Reconstructing Time-Series MODIS NDVI Data

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is the most widely used vegetation index due to its simplicity, ease of application, and wide-spread familiarity. Time-series NDVI products have been proven to be a powerful tool to learn from past events, monitor current natural-resource conditions, extract canopy biophysical parameters and forecast terrestrial ecosystems on different scales. However, the current NDVI product is still spatiotemporally discontinuous mainly due to cloud cover, seasonal snow and atmospheric variability. In this work, a simplified data assimilation method is proposed to reconstruct high-quality time-series MODIS NDVI data. Results indicate that the newly developed method is easy and effective in reconstructing high-quality MODIS NDVI time series.
TOTAL LEAST SQUARES REGISTRATION OF IMAGES FOR CHANGE DETECTION

: The first step of detecting changes between at least two temporal images is geometrically registering two images. After the registration had been performed, then the differences of the images are simply found by subtraction techniques. On the other side, registration task is performed in two steps. At first corresponding features from individual datasets are found with a search strategy based on image matching. Secondly, the datasets are geometrically aligned by using the found corresponding point sets. In order to register images there are various registration techniques. One of the effective matching technique is adaptive least squares matching (ALSM) technique, which is based on the minimization of the radiometric differences of the source and target image patches. The minimization of the radiometric differences, namely the errors between source and target patches are performed with the least squares (LS) adjustment technique. ALSM technique assumes that the source image patch is error free while the target is assumed to be erroneous. However, the source patch should also involve errors. When the errors of the source patch are ignored, these ignored errors reside as uncertainty in the model and thus this situation theoretically must affect the estimation results negatively. When TLS is used, both source and target patches are all assumed erroneous and thus the errors of the data matrix are also taken into account so that it removes uncertainties. We give the first results and discussions of our work on TLS matching.
Processing Scalar Implicatures: What Role Does the Question of Default Play for the Debate Between (Neo-)Griceanism and Relevance Theory?

Current empirical research on scalar implicature processing is yielding substantial support for the Context-Driven over the Default account of scalar implicatures (Noveck and Posada (2003), Breheny et al. (2006)). The Context-Driven model is taken to be on par with Relevance Theory, the Default model with Neo-Gricean accounts (Noveck and Posada (2003)). It is thus concluded by experimental researchers such as Noveck that Relevance Theory is more likely to provide a correct account of scalar implicatures, while Neo-Griceanism cannot account for the data. I show that the debate between Relevance Theory and (Neo-)Griceanism is unresolvable via predictions following from current empirical approaches. In particular the assumption employed e.g. by Noveck that being a Neo-Gricean implies defending a Default notion of scalar implicatures is not warranted. Further, I show that there is nothing to prevent NeoGricean theories in general from being compatible with the Context-Driven model.
PSICOLOGÍA DE LAS EMOCIONES POSITIVAS: GENERALIDADES Y BENEFICIOS Psychology of the positive emotions: generalities and benefits

This paper exposes a conceptual analysis about the psychology of positive emotions and its principal implications on the life of the persons. The positive emotions study has been limited; few investigations have been produced concerning the negative emotions studies. Although, the investigations and proposals produced until the present have been relevant enough to build premises and theories involved directly with this topic. This paper describes positive emotions states like flow, humor, elevation and well-being. Finally, diffe
Evidence for ablated flows in the shell of nova DQ Her

High-resolution longslit Halpha spectra of the shell of the old nova DQ Her have been obtained with the William Herschel Telescope using the ISIS spectrograph. An equatorial expansion velocity of 370+/-14 km/s is derived from the spectra which, in conjunction with a narrowband Halpha image of the remnant, allows a distance estimate of 525+/-28 pc. An equatorial ring which exhibits enhanced [NII] emission has also been detected and the inclination angle of the shell is found to be 86.8+/-0.2 degrees with respect to the line of sight. The spectra also reveal tails extending from the clumps in the shell, which have a radial velocity increasing along their length. This suggests the presence of a stellar wind, collimated in the polar direction, which ablates fragments of material from the clumps and accelerates them into its stream up to a terminal velocity of order 800-900 km/s.
Loss of SynDIG1 Reduces Excitatory Synapse Maturation But Not Formation In Vivo

Abstract Modification of the strength of excitatory synaptic connections is a fundamental mechanism by which neural circuits are refined during development and learning. Synapse Differentiation Induced Gene 1 (SynDIG1) has been shown to play a key role in regulating synaptic strength in vitro. Here, we investigated the role of SynDIG1 in vivo in mice with a disruption of the SynDIG1 gene rather than use an alternate loxP-flanked conditional mutant that we find retains a partial protein product. The gene-trap insertion with a reporter cassette mutant mice shows that the SynDIG1 promoter is active during embryogenesis in the retina with some activity in the brain, and postnatally in the mouse hippocampus, cortex, hindbrain, and spinal cord. Ultrastructural analysis of the hippocampal CA1 region shows a decrease in the average PSD length of synapses and a decrease in the number of synapses with a mature phenotype. Intriguingly, the total synapse number appears to be increased in SynDIG1 mutant mice. Electrophysiological analyses show a decrease in AMPA and NMDA receptor function in SynDIG1-deficient hippocampal neurons. Glutamate stimulation of individual dendritic spines in hippocampal slices from SynDIG1-deficient mice reveals increased short-term structural plasticity. Notably, the overall levels of PSD-95 or glutamate receptors enriched in postsynaptic biochemical fractions remain unaltered; however, activity-dependent synapse development is strongly compromised upon the loss of SynDIG1, supporting its importance for excitatory synapse maturation. Together, these data are consistent with a model in which SynDIG1 regulates the maturation of excitatory synapse structure and function in the mouse hippocampus in vivo.
Proteomic Profiling Identifies Cyclooxygenase-2-Independent Global Proteomic Changes by Celecoxib in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Celecoxib, a selective inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), has been shown to be a promising chemoprevention agent. The chemopreventive efficacy of celecoxib is believed to be a consequence of its COX-2-dependent and COX-2-independent effects on a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immunosurveillance. In an attempt to identify proteomic markers modulated by celecoxib that are independent of its inhibitory effect on COX-2, the colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116, a nonexpresser of COX-2, was treated with celecoxib. We used the powerful, state-of-the-art two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis technology coupled with mass spectrometric sequencing to compare global proteomic profiles of HCT-116 cells before and after treatment with celecoxib. Among the differentially expressed proteins identified following celecoxib treatment were proteins involved in diverse cellular functions including glycolysis, protein biosynthesis, DNA synthesis, mRNA processing, protein folding, phosphorylation, redox regulation, and molecular chaperon activities. Our study presents a comprehensive analysis of large-scale celecoxib-modulated proteomic alterations, at least some of which may be mechanistically related to the COX-2-independent chemopreventive effect of celecoxib. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(9):1598–606)
Factors controlling the dendritic arborization of retinal ganglion cells

Abstract The effects of changing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) density and availability of presynaptic sites on the development of RGC dendritic arbor in the developing chick retina were contrasted. Visual form deprivation was used to induce ocular enlargement and expanded retinal area resulting in a 20–30% decrease in RGC density. In these retinas, RGC dendritic arbors increased in a compensatory manner to maintain the inner nuclear layer to RGC convergence ratio in a way that is consistent with simple stretching; RGC dendritic arbors become larger with increased branch lengths, but without change in the total number of branches. In the second manipulation, partial optic nerve section was used to produce areas of RGC depletion of approximately 60% in the central retina. This reduction in density is comparable to the density of locations in the normal peripheral retina. In RGC-depleted retinas, dendritic arbor areas of RGCs in the central retina grow to match the size of normal peripheral arbors. In contrast to the expanded case, two measures of intrinsic arbor structure are changed in RGC-depleted retinas; the branch density of RGC dendrites is greater, and the relative areas of the two arbors of bistratified cells are altered. We discuss the potential roles of retinal growth, local RGC density, and availability of presynaptic terminals in the developmental control of RGC dendritic arbor.
Would the Elimination of Affirmative Action Affect Highly Qualified Minority Applicants? Evidence from California and Texas

Between 1996 and 1998 California and Texas eliminated the use of affirmative action in college and university admissions. At the states' elite public universities admission rates of black and Hispanic students subsequently fell by 30–50% and minority representation in the entering freshman classes declined. This study investigates whether the elimination of affirmative action changed minority students' college application behavior. A particular concern is that highly qualified minorities—who were not directly affected by the policy change—would be dissuaded from applying to elite public schools, either because of reduced campus diversity or because of uncertainty about their admission prospects. The authors use information from SAT takers in the two states to compare the fractions of minority students who sent their test scores to selective state institutions before and after the elimination of affirmative action. They find no change in the SAT-sending behavior of highly qualified black or Hispanic students.
Stochastic Nonlinear Galaxy Biasing

We propose a general formalism for galaxy biasing and apply it to methods for measuring cosmological parameters, such as regression of light versus mass, the analysis of redshift distortions, measures involving skewness, and the cosmic virial theorem. The common linear and deterministic relation g = bδ between the density fluctuation fields of galaxies g and mass δ is replaced by the conditional distribution P(g|δ) of these random fields, smoothed at a given scale at a given time. The nonlinearity is characterized by the conditional mean ⟨g|δ⟩ ≡ b(δ)δ, while the local scatter is represented by the conditional variance σ2b(δ) and higher moments. The scatter arises from hidden factors affecting galaxy formation and from shot noise unless it has been properly removed. For applications involving second-order local moments, the biasing is defined by three natural parameters: the slope b̂ of the regression of g on δ, a nonlinearity b̃, and a scatter σb. The ratio of variances b2var and the correlation coefficient r mix these parameters. The nonlinearity and the scatter lead to underestimates of order b̃ 2/b̂2 and σ2b/b̂2 in the different estimators of β (~ Ω0.6/b̂). The nonlinear effects are typically smaller. Local stochasticity affects the redshift-distortion analysis only by limiting the useful range of scales, especially for power spectra. In this range, for linear stochastic biasing, the analysis reduces to Kaiser's formula for b̂ (not bvar), independent of the scatter. The distortion analysis is affected by nonlinear properties of biasing but in a weak way. Estimates of the nontrivial features of the biasing scheme are made based on simulations and toy models, and strategies for measuring them are discussed. They may partly explain the range of estimates for β.
BioBrowser: A Framework for Fast Protein Visualization

This paper presents a protein visualization system called BioBrowser, which provides high quality images at interactive frame rates for molecules of extreme size and complexity. This is achieved by a shift in the tessellation approach: triangle meshes are not produced a priori on a 'just-in-case' basis. Instead, tessellation happens 'justin- time' given a certain camera position, image size and interaction demand. Thus, our approach is based on multiresolution meshes and on new extensions of graphics hardware. The paper shows how to reduce geometric data by using subdivision surfaces for ribbon structures and molecular surfaces and by using billboards instead of spheres consisting of triangles. It also shows how to use fragment shaders to create a three dimensional appearance and realistic sphere intersections. The combination of these approaches leads to an image quality not yet seen in interactive visualization environments for molecules of that size/complexity. All the above methods are combined to gain a high performance configurable visualization system on standard hardware.
MUSCULAR PERFORMANCE , CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES OF CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL INDICES DURING THE INCREMENTAL BICYCLE ERGOMETRY

Muscle activity is the factor which may change cardiovascular system activity at the highest degree and the most rapidly. Changes in cardiovascular function shift in accordance with the alteration of physical load to the maximum. The aim of this study was to find out the differences in dynamics of central and peripheral cardiovascular parameters in dependance of functional preparednes during the incremental bicycle ergometry. All the subjects underwent a computerized bicycle exercise stress test. Participants was devided into two subgroups: of higher and lower physical performance: sub-group A of subjects, who were able to perform the load of 250 W and higher (sub-group A of higher physical performance); and sub-group B of subjects, who were able to perform the load of less than 250 W (sub-group B of lower physical performance). A computerized ECG analysis system “Kaunasload” was employed for continuous 12 synchronous lead ECG recording and analysis. Heart rate (HR) were analyzed. Indirect arterial blood pressure (ABP) measurements were taken from the arm with a sphygmomanometer and standard-size arm cuff before, at the end of each minute during the workload and recovery. Oxygen saturation (StO ) and blood flow in muscle (m. 2 vastus lateralis) was recorded by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Conclusion. During stepwise incremental workload to failure, the differences of functional preparedness can be observed only during the initial stages of exercising (dosed workload), but when the load became subjectively heavy, i. e. at the last testing stages (maximum workload), differences between central cardiovascular functional parameters were not found, and in contrast, differences between peripheral cardiovascular functional parameters were more observable oncoming to the maximum load: increasing workload decreased the blood flow and oxygen saturation of active muscle.
Multiple robots plume-tracing in open space obstructed environments

Plume-tracing mobile robots have the potential to detect emissions caused by dangerous sources, such as early stage fire, toxic gas and explosives, without endangering human life during the detection and source localization process. So far, most researchers have focused on odour source localization using a single mobile robot; however, using a single robot to locate an odour source has limitations. In this study, multiple robots were adopted and cooperated with a supervisory program to locate an odour source in open space, wind-varying, obstructed environments. The supervisory program collected information from individual robots and designated different control commands to individual robots. Based on the information provided by individual robots, the supervisory program was able to determine a region where the odour source was located. A series of simulations has been conducted and the simulations outcomes showed that the proposed strategies for multiple robots are successful in locating an odour source.
Metagenomic Analysis of the Indian Ocean Picocyanobacterial Community: Structure, Potential Function and Evolution

Unicellular cyanobacteria are ubiquitous photoautotrophic microbes that contribute substantially to global primary production. Picocyanobacteria such as Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus depend on chlorophyll a-binding protein complexes to capture light energy. In addition, Synechococcus has accessory pigments organized into phycobilisomes, and Prochlorococcus contains chlorophyll b. Across a surface water transect spanning the sparsely studied tropical Indian Ocean, we examined Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus occurrence, taxonomy and habitat preference in an evolutionary context. Shotgun sequencing of size fractionated microbial communities from 0.1 μm to 20 μm and subsequent phylogenetic analysis indicated that cyanobacteria account for up to 15% of annotated reads, with the genera Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus comprising 90% of the cyanobacterial reads, even in the largest size fraction (3.0–20 mm). Phylogenetic analyses of cyanobacterial light-harvesting genes (chl-binding pcb/isiA, allophycocyanin (apcAB), phycocyanin (cpcAB) and phycoerythin (cpeAB)) mostly identified picocyanobacteria clades comprised of overlapping sequences obtained from Indian Ocean, Atlantic and/or Pacific Oceans samples. Habitat reconstructions coupled with phylogenetic analysis of the Indian Ocean samples suggested that large Synechococcus-like ancestors in coastal waters expanded their ecological niche towards open oligotrophic waters in the Indian Ocean through lineage diversification and associated streamlining of genomes (e.g. loss of phycobilisomes and acquisition of Chl b); resulting in contemporary small celled Prochlorococcus. Comparative metagenomic analysis with picocyanobacteria populations in other oceans suggests that this evolutionary scenario may be globally important.