Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Enrichment Coupled with Sedimentation Favors Sea Anemones over Corals

Fine sediments, which account for the majority of total fluvial sediment flux, have been suggested to degrade coral reefs on a global scale. Furthermore, sediment impacts can be exacerbated by extreme rainfall events associated with global climate change and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment. We report the findings from a series of mesocosm experiments exploring the effects of short-term sedimentation and nutrient enrichment on the interactions between the hard coral Acropora muricata, the sea anemone Mesactinia ganesis, and the green macroalga Codium edule. Mesocosms were manipulated to simulate either unimpacted reefs or reefs exposed to elevated levels of fine sediments for 10 or 14 days to simulate the effects of heavy rainfall. The first and second experiments were aimed to examine the effects of inorganic and organic sediments, respectively. The third experiment was designed to examine the interactive effects of nutrient enrichment and elevated sediment loads. Neither inorganic nor organic sediment loadings significantly affected the physiological performance of the coral, but, importantly, did reduce its ability to compete with other organisms. Photosynthetic efficiencies of both the green macroalga and the sea anemone increased in response to both sediment loadings when they were simultaneously exposed to nutrient enrichment. While organic sediment loading increased the nitrogen content of the green macroalga in the first experiment, inorganic sediment loading increased its phosphorus content in the second experiment. The coral mortality due to sea anemones attack was significantly greater upon exposure to enriched levels of organic sediments and nutrients. Our findings suggest that the combined effects of short-term sedimentation and nutrient enrichment could cause replacement of corals by sea anemones on certain coral reefs.
Shigella boydii as cause of malacoplakia in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient.

SIR—We read with great interest the report by Raguin et al. [1] on Shigella boydii as a possible causative agent of colonic malacoplakia in an HIV-infected patient. In the absence of positive cultures, S. boydii was identified by means of universal bacterial 16S rDNA–based amplification and sequencing. Since malacoplakia is usually caused by Escherichia coli, a close relative of shigellae and genetically belonging to the same species (! ), despite being classified in 2 separate genera for reasons of different clinical and epidemiological significance, the reliable separation of these 2 organisms would be essential to accepting the conclusion made by the authors. On the basis of the data presented (highest relatedness of the sequence detected to S. boydii, with 459 [98%] of 468 nucleotides being identical) and the analysis shown below, this does not seem possible. When the fragment of the S. boydii 16S rRNA gene amplified with primers 91E and 13B [2, 3] is compared with the corresponding sequences deposited in the EMBL/Genebank databases, no differences at all are found between it and several other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, including E. coli, Escherichia vulneris, Salmonella paratyphi A, Salmonella weltevreden, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, and Hafnia alvei. Above the 98% identity level, there are also other organisms, such as Klebsiella planticola and Citrobacter diversus. Furthermore, intraspecies variation of 16S sequences has been described for various organisms [4, 5]. This illustrates that several species and genera within the family Enterobacteriaceae are so closely related to each other that their identification solely on the basis of partial sequences of their 16S rRNA genes is certainly not conclusive, even if the amplified fragments are repeatedly sequenced in both directions, thus resulting in absolutely reliable sequence data. On the basis of the above considerations, we think that it is rather unlikely (though not impossible) that malacoplakia in the patient described was indeed caused by S. boydii.
The Burst-Suppression Electroencephalogram

The burst suppression (BS) pattern of the EEG was originally described as a response to large dosages of anesthetics and sedatives. It was subsequently found over/in isolated cortex due to surgical procedures or lesions underlying the cortex. Around 1960 with the introduction of modern intensive care treatment (intubation, artificial respiration) the BS pattern has become a typical EEG correlate of cerebral anoxia. These obvious consequences of this therapeutic approach with their impact on the EEG picture are more or less inexplicable. The BS pattern is also typical in two rare and severe central nervous system (CNS) disorders in infants: early infantile myoclonic encephalopathy (EIME) and Ohtahara syndrome.
Non-parametric Learning to Aid Path Planning over Slopes

In this paper we address the problem of closing the loop from perception to action selection for unmanned ground vehicles, with a focus on navigating slopes. A new non-parametric learning technique is presented to generate a mobility representation where the maximum feasible speed is used as a criterion to classify the world. The inputs to the algorithm are terrain gradients derived from an elevation map and past observations of wheel slip. It is argued that such a representation can aid in path planning with improved selection of vehicle heading and velocity in off-road slopes. In addition, an information theoretic test is proposed to validate a chosen proprioceptive representation (such as slip) for mobility map generation. Results of mobility map generation and its benefits to path planning are shown.
Thalamic Control of Visceral Nociception Mediated by T-Type Ca2+ Channels

Sensations from viscera, like fullness, easily become painful if the stimulus persists. Mice lacking α1G T-type Ca2+ channels show hyperalgesia to visceral pain. Thalamic infusion of a T-type blocker induced similar hyperalgesia in wild-type mice. In response to visceral pain, the ventroposterolateral thalamic neurons evokeda surge of single spikes, which then slowly decayed as T type–dependent burst spikes gradually increased. In α1G-deficient neurons, the single-spike response persisted without burst spikes. These results indicate that T-type Ca2+ channels underlie an antinociceptive mechanism operating in the thalamus andsupport the idea that burst firing plays a critical role in sensory gating in the thalamus.
Information technology for virtual enterprises meta-visualizations of document-structures

This paper describes the development of special visual interfaces to enhance distributed work on multi-threaded, project-oriented tasks. Since current tendencies in economic restructuring lead to the increased need for smalland medium-sized enterprises to join forces and form virtual enterprises, they also need special tools to support this kind of collaboration. These tools help mediate the increasing complexity of planning and building processes and the decreasing ability to oversee and understand ongoing processes distributed within virtual enterprises. The aim of the research project described in this paper is to develop tools that support information exchange, communication, and collaboration. These include meta-visualizations of processes and information to offer different levels of insights and transparency regarding the project. These holistic views support recognition of time and process-related aspects and reveal relations among documents and participants. By using the developed tools, users can explore information stored in the underlying document management system in a playful as well as purposeful way (HIR 98). As a result, the access to information can be facilitated and the communication and collaboration among participants improved, ultimately raising the quality of decisions and results.
Ongoing enterovirus-induced myocarditis is associated with persistent heart muscle infection: quantitative analysis of virus replication, tissue damage, and inflammation.

Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis in different immunocompetent mouse strains was used as a model to investigate interrelationships between virus replication and development of chronic enteroviral heart disease. Using in situ hybridization to detect enteroviral RNA, we show that heart muscle infection is not only detected in acute myocarditis but is also detected during the chronic phase of the disease. Coxsackievirus B3 could evade immunological surveillance in a host-dependent fashion, thus inducing a persistent infection of the myocardium in association with ongoing inflammation. Patterns of acute and persistent myocardial infection were quantitatively assessed in one representative mouse strain (A.CA/SnJ, H-2f) by applying computer-assisted digital image processing; these patterns were then related to the extent of myocardial tissue damage as well as to inflammation. We observed a strong correlation, both spatial and temporal, between viral replication and development of myocardial lesions, indicating that acute and chronic myocardial injuries are a consequence of multifocal organ infection. Analysis of strand-specific in situ hybridization revealed that viral replication in persistent infection is restricted at the level of RNA synthesis. The described procedure for quantitating organ infection provides a powerful tool for evaluating virus-host interactions and will be of particular interest to those studying human enterovirus-induced cardiomyopathies.
Ramsey Properties of Random Subgraphs of Pseudo-Random Graphs

Let $G=(V,E)$ be a $d$-regular graph of order $n$. Let $G_p$ be the random subgraph of $G$ for which each edge is selected from $E(G)$ independently at random with probability $p$. For a fixed graph $H$, define $m(H):=$max$\{e(H')/(v(H')-1):H' \subseteq H\}$. We prove that $n^{(m(H)-1)/m(H)}/d$ is a threshold function for $G_p$ to satisfy Ramsey, induced Ramsey, and canonical Ramsey properties with respect to vertex coloring, respectively, provided the eigenvalue $\lambda$ of $G$ that is second largest in absolute value is significantly smaller than $d$. As a consequence, it is also shown that $\displaystyle n^{(m(H)-1)/m(H)}/d$ is a threshold function for $G_p$ to contain a family of vertex disjoint copies of $H$ (an $H$ packing) that covers $(1-o(1))n$ vertices of $G$. Using a similar argument, the sharp threshold function for $G_p$ to contain $H$ as a subgraph is obtained as well.
The effects of compensatory workplace exercises to reduce work-related stress and musculoskeletal pain1

OBJECTIVES: to assess the effect of a compensatory workplace exercise program on workers with the purpose of reducing work-related stress and musculoskeletal pain. METHOD: quasi-experimental research with quantitative analysis of the data, involving 30 administrative workers from a Higher Education Public Institution. For data collection, questionnaires were used to characterize the workers, as well as the Workplace Stress Scale and the Corlett Diagram. The research took place in three stages: first: pre-test with the application of the questionnaires to the subjects; second: Workplace Exercise taking place twice a week, for 15 minutes, during a period of 10 weeks; third: post-test in which the subjects answered the questionnaires again. For data analysis, the descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistics were used through the Wilcoxon Test. RESULTS: work-related stress was present in the assessed workers, but there was no statistically significant reduction in the scores after undergoing Workplace Exercise. However, there was a statistically significant pain reduction in the neck, cervical, upper, middle and lower back, right thigh, left leg, right ankle and feet. CONCLUSION: the Workplace Exercise promoted a significant pain reduction in the spine, but did not result in a significant reduction in the levels of work-related stress.
Information Sharing Arrangements in the Credit Industry: Ownership and Coverage

We examine the conditions required for the existence of private credit bureaus, as well as their ownership and coverage. Our model implies that bank consortia will most likely be preferred by banks, but that they will lead to restricted coverage. Independent credit bureaus have higher coverage, but they require good institutions. This implies an important role for public credit registers in developing countries with weak institutions. Our empirical findings largely support the implications of our model.
Effects of Finger Counting on Numerical Development – The Opposing Views of Neurocognition and Mathematics Education

Children typically learn basic numerical and arithmetic principles using finger-based representations. However, whether or not reliance on finger-based representations is beneficial or detrimental is the subject of an ongoing debate between researchers in neurocognition and mathematics education. From the neurocognitive perspective, finger counting provides multisensory input, which conveys both cardinal and ordinal aspects of numbers. Recent data indicate that children with good finger-based numerical representations show better arithmetic skills and that training finger gnosis, or “finger sense,” enhances mathematical skills. Therefore neurocognitive researchers conclude that elaborate finger-based numerical representations are beneficial for later numerical development. However, research in mathematics education recommends fostering mentally based numerical representations so as to induce children to abandon finger counting. More precisely, mathematics education recommends first using finger counting, then concrete structured representations and, finally, mental representations of numbers to perform numerical operations. Taken together, these results reveal an important debate between neurocognitive and mathematics education research concerning the benefits and detriments of finger-based strategies for numerical development. In the present review, the rationale of both lines of evidence will be discussed.
Functional Outcomes among Premature Infants with Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Objective: This work evaluated the mortality and functional outcomes of premature infants sustaining intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). These outcomes were analyzed for their association with IVH severity, development of hydrocephalus and need for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of neonates at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario who sustained IVH (1989–2005). Logistic regression tested demographic predictors of IVH severity, development of hydrocephalus and mortality. χ2 analysis differentiated functional outcomes and mortality by IVH grade, development of hydrocephalus and intervention for cerebrospinal fluid diversion. All analyses used the 0.05 significance level. Results: Data were available for 284 patients with an average follow-up of 5.1 years. These were distributed as grade I (n = 135), grade II (n = 52), grade III (n = 43) and grade IV (n = 54), with lower gestational age and birth weight predicting disease severity. Hydrocephalus developed in 21% of patients, of whom 39% required VP shunt insertion. Overall mortality of 20% depended on IVH grade and was highest for grade IV patients (59%). Functional independence diminished with IVH severity, and patients with hydrocephalus fared worse than those without this sequel. Outcomes of patients developing hydrocephalus were similar whether or not they eventually required VP shunt insertion. Conclusions: This study describes a large cohort of neonatal IVH, describing how disease severity affects mortality and functional outcome. The overall mortality of nearly 1 in 5 patients is primarily of grade IV patients, with no difference between grade II and grade III. Further, patients surviving their hydrocephalus exhibited no worse functional deterioration if they required surgical intervention.
The chancellor-candidates and the campaign

The ‘presidentialisation’ of recent federal elections has made the selection and performance of the ‘chancellor-candidates’ for the SPD and CDU/CSU an increasingly important factor in German electoral politics. In the 2002 election, the chancellor-candidates assumed an unusually prominent role as their leadership and media skills were tested by the key events of the campaign, in particular the ‘flood of the century’ (Jahrhundertflut) and the Iraq question. This article explores the leadership race from the selection of the chancellor-candidates and their handling of the campaign to the dramatic photo-finish and campaign post-mortems. It examines the institutional context in which the campaign strategies were hatched and developed; the profiles and tactics of the two key players: Schröder and Stoiber; and press and public evaluation of their performance. In conclusion, it asks to what extent the 2002 election campaign has changed the perception and role of chancellor-candidates in federal contests.
Three-dimensional imaging of flat natural and cultural heritage objects by a Compton scattering modality

Characterization and interpretation of flat ancient material objects, such as those found in archaeology, paleoenvironments, paleontology, and cultural heritage, have remained a challenging task to perform by means of conventional x-ray tomography methods due to their anisotropic morphology and flattened geometry. To overcome the limitations of the mentioned methodologies for such samples, an imaging modality based on Compton scattering is proposed in this work. Classical x-ray tomography treats Compton scattering data as noise in the image formation process, while in Compton scattering tomography the conditions are set such that Compton data become the principal image contrasting agent. Under these conditions, we are able, first, to avoid relative rotations between the sample and the imaging setup, and second, to obtain three-dimensional data even when the object is supported by a dense material by exploiting backscattered photons. Mathematically this problem is addressed by means of a conical Radon transform and its inversion. The image formation process and object reconstruction model are presented. The feasibility of this methodology is supported by numerical simulations.
A Novel Approach on Centralizing Networked Applications

Software model checkers can directly be applied to single-process programs, which typically are multithreaded. However, multi-process applications cannot be model checked so easily. One approach is the manual merging of several processes into one, removing interprocess communication which is usually network-based. This process is very labor-intensive and a major obstacle towards model checking of client-server applications. Previous work has addressed the merging of multiple applications but mostly omitted network communication. Remote procedure calls were simply inlined, creating similar results for simple cases but also removing much of the inherent complexities involved. Our approach is a fully transparent replacement of network communication, resulting in a program that is much closer to the original. This makes our approach suitable for testing, debugging, and software model checking.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SENSOR METADATA ON INTERNET

Recently, there is a large tendency toward using modern technologies specially those systems whose are intelligent and in hand, every where and every time. Sensor technology is one of the important technologies that were introduced in the recent years. In future, we may have a world wide network of sensing devices that collects all kinds of input from various environments, assesses that input, and then shares it with us humans over a worldwide computer grid. A network of sensors can perform as an extensive monitoring and sensing system that provides timely, comprehensive, continuous and multi-mode observations. This new earth observation system opens up a new avenue to fast assimilation of data from various sensors and to accurate analysis and informed decision makings. One of the critical components in developing a sensor web is to build a geospatial information infrastructure, a backbone that connects the heterogeneous in-situ sensors over the wired or wireless networks. Although, with the rising trend to using of sensors, it is too important to have powerful and fast access to their collected data and themselves either, at any time and place. For comply these needs, having standard metadata for sensors and their collected data is essential. In this way, by using metadata technology, sensors can be searched via their standard metadata. Moreover, for full access to wanted sensors and data, a web-based system would be the best alternative, in which accessing and sharing of data through the whole world, by using World Wide Web will be possible.
Update on World Health Organization's initiative to assess environmental burden of disease.

∗ This work was in part supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cooperative Agreement 82 6570 –01-0. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of this Agency, nor of the World Health Organization. Copyright © 2001 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. In August 2000, the World Health Organization organised an expert consultation on Methodology for the assessment of the environmental burden of disease (EBD) in Buffalo, NY, to further advance the agenda of quantifying health impacts caused by environmental factors. The consultation took place following the 12 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, which also dedicated a special symposium to the environmental burden of disease. This Symposium reported on the progress on estimating the health impacts of indoor air pollution, noise, lead and climate change. Current efforts build on previous results obtained in the 1997 consultation “Methods for Health Impact Assessment in Environmental and Occupational Health”, to which Epidemiology devoted a special section in the September 1999 issue (1). This consultation was part of WHO’s intensified effort to develop methods and support countries by providing guidance to assess their environmental burden of disease in a consistent way. The Consultation was part of an ongoing process aiming at the following:
Outlier Filtering for Identification of Gene Regulations in Microarray Time-Series Data

Microarray technology provides an opportunity for scientists to analyze thousands of gene expression profiles simultaneously. Time-series microarray data are gene expression values generated from microarray experiments within certain time intervals. Scientists can infer gene regulations in a biological system by judging whether two genes present similar gene expression values in microarray time-series data. Recently, a great many methods are widely applied on microarray time-series data to find out the similarity and the correlation degree among genes. Existing approaches including traditional Pearson coefficient correlation, Bayesian networks, clustering analysis, classification methods, and correlation analysis have individual disadvantages such as high computational complexity or they may be unsuitable for some microarray data. Traditional Pearson correlation coefficient is a numeric measuring method which gives novel effectiveness on two sets of numeric data. However, it is not suitable to be applied on microarray time-series data because of the existence of outliers among gene expression values. This paper presents a novel method of applying Pearson correlation coefficient along with an outlier filtering procedure on the widely-used microarray time-series datasets. Results show that the proposed method produces a better outcome compared with traditional Pearson correlation coefficient on the same dataset. Results show that the proposed method not only can find out certain more known regulatory gene pairs, but also keeps rational computational time.