Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invader Relative Impact Potential: a new metric to understand and predict the ecological impacts of existing, emerging and future invasive alien species

Summary Predictions of the identities and ecological impacts of invasive alien species are critical for risk assessment, but presently we lack universal and standardized metrics that reliably predict the likelihood and degree of impact of such invaders (i.e. measurable changes in populations of affected species). This need is especially pressing for emerging and potential future invaders that have no invasion history. Such a metric would also ideally apply across diverse taxonomic and trophic groups. We derive a new metric of invader ecological impact that blends: (i) the classic Functional Response (FR; consumer per capita effect) and Numerical Response (NR; consumer population response) approaches to determining consumer impact, that is, the Total Response (TR = FR × NR), with; (ii) the ‘Parker–Lonsdale equation’ for invader impact, where Impact = Range × Abundance × Effect (per capita effect), into; (iii) a new metric, Relative Impact Potential (RIP), where RIP = FR × Abundance. The RIP metric is an invader/native ratio, where values >1 predict that invader ecological impact will occur, and increasing values above 1 indicate increasing impact. In addition, the invader/invader RIP ratio allows comparisons of the ecological impacts of different invaders. Across a diverse range of trophic and taxonomic groups, including predators, herbivores, animals and plants (22 invader/native systems with 47 individual comparisons), high-impact invaders were significantly associated with higher FRs compared to native trophic analogues. However, the RIP metric substantially improves this association, with 100% predictive power of high-impact invaders. Further, RIP scores were significantly and positively correlated with two independent ecological impact scores for invaders, allowing prediction of the degree of impact of invasive alien species with the RIP metric. Finally, invader/invader RIP scores were also successful in identifying and associating with higher impacting invasive alien species. Synthesis and applications. The Relative Impact Potential metric combines the per capita effects of invaders with their abundances, relative to trophically analogous natives, and is successful in predicting the likelihood and degree of ecological impact caused by invasive alien species. As the metric constitutes readily measurable features of individuals, populations and species across abiotic and biotic context-dependencies, even emerging and potential future invasive alien species can be assessed. The Relative Impact Potential metric can be rapidly utilized by scientists and practitioners and could inform policy and management of invasive alien species across diverse taxonomic and trophic groups.
Games with a purpose for social networking platforms

The online games market has matured in recent years. It is now a multi-billion dollar business with hundreds of millions players worldwide. At the same time, social networking platforms have witnessed unprecedented growth rates and increasingly offer developer interfaces to leverage and extend their built-in core functionality. Benefiting from these trends, games with a purpose are a proven way of leveraging the wisdom of the crowds to address tasks that are trivial for humans but still not solvable by computer algorithms in a satisfying manner. This paper presents an application framework to develop interactive games with a purpose on top of social networking platforms, suitable for deployment in both mobile and Web-based environments. A set of analytic tools helps to evaluate the results and to pre-process the gathered data for use in external applications.
A Critical Role for IL-21 in Regulating Immunoglobulin Production

The cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) is closely related to IL-2 and IL-15, and their receptors all share the common cytokine receptor γ chain, γc, which is mutated in humans with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (XSCID). We demonstrate that, although mice deficient in the receptor for IL-21 (IL-21R) have normal lymphoid development, after immunization, these animals have higher production of the immunoglobulin IgE, but lower IgG1, than wild-type animals. Mice lacking both IL-4 and IL-21R exhibited a significantly more pronounced phenotype, with dysgammaglobulinemia, characterized primarily by a severely impaired IgG response. Thus, IL-21 has a significant influence on the regulation of B cell function in vivo and cooperates with IL-4. This suggests that these γc-dependent cytokines may be those whose inactivation is primarily responsible for the B cell defect in humans with XSCID.
The FaceReader: Online facial expression recognition

This paper describes our FaceReader system, which we presented at Measuring Behavior 2005. This system is able to describe facial expressions and other facial features online with a remarkable accuracy. In this paper we will describe the possibilities of such a system and will discuss the technology used to make the system work. Currently, emotional expressions can be recognized with an accuracy of 89% and it can also classify a number of other facial features.
Implementation of an embedded omni-directional mobile robot with active caster wheels

This work deals with a motion planning algorithm of an omni-directional mobile robot with active caster wheels. A typical problem occurred in the motion control, which has been identified through experimental experiences, is skidding of the mobile wheel. It sometimes results in uncertain rotation of the steering wheel. This is due to mismatching between the command and the mechanical hardware. To cope with this problem, a motion planning algorithm pursuing the natural configuration of the mobile wheel was mainly investigated, which resolves the skidding problem and uncertain motions of the steering wheel. Through simulations and experimentation, the feasibility of this algorithm was verified.
USAAR-SHEFFIELD: Semantic Textual Similarity with Deep Regression and Machine Translation Evaluation Metrics

This paper describes the USAARSHEFFIELD systems that participated in the Semantic Textual Similarity (STS) English task of SemEval-2015. We extend the work on using machine translation evaluation metrics in the STS task. Different from previous approaches, we regard the metrics’ robustness across different text types and conflate the training data across different subcorpora. In addition, we introduce a novel deep regressor architecture and evaluated its efficiency in the STS task.
Demonstrating Marketing Accountability

ABSTRACT Pressure on health care marketers to demonstrate effectiveness of their strategies and show their contribution to organizational goals is growing. A seven-tiered model based on the concepts of structure (having the right people, systems), process (doing the right things in the right way), and outcomes (results) is discussed. Examples of measures for each tier are provided and the benefits of using the model as a tool for measuring, organizing, tracking, and communicating appropriate information are provided. The model also provides a framework for helping management understand marketing's value and can serve as a vehicle for demonstrating marketing accountability.
Implementation of Point-of-Care Diagnostics Leads to Variable Uptake of Syphilis, Anemia and CD4+ T-Cell Count Testing in Rural Maternal and Child Health Clinics

Introduction Anemia, syphilis and HIV are high burden diseases among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in four health facilities in Southern Mozambique to evaluate the effect of point-of-care technologies for hemoglobin quantification, syphilis testing and CD4+ T-cell enumeration performed within maternal and child health services on testing and treatment coverage, and assessing acceptability by health workers. Methods Demographic and testing data on women attending first antenatal care services were extracted from existing records, before (2011; n = 865) and after (2012; n = 808) introduction of point-of-care testing. Study outcomes per health facility were compared using z-tests (categorical variables) and Wilcoxon rank-sum test (continuous variables), while inverse variance weights were used to adjust for possible cluster effects in the pooled analysis. A structured acceptability-assessment interview was conducted with health workers before (n = 22) and after (n = 19). Results After implementation of point-of-care testing, there was no significant change in uptake of overall hemoglobin screening (67.9% to 83.0%; p = 0.229), syphilis screening (80.8% to 87.0%; p = 0.282) and CD4+ T-cell testing (84.9% to 83.5%; p = 0.930). Initiation of antiretroviral therapy for treatment eligible women was similar in the weighted analysis before and after, with variability among the sites. Time from HIV diagnosis to treatment initiation decreased (median of 44 days to 17 days; p<0.0001). A generally good acceptability for point-of-care testing was seen among health workers. Conclusions Point-of-care CD4+ T-cell enumeration resulted in a decreased time to initiation of antiretroviral therapy among treatment eligible women, without significant increase in testing coverage. Overall hemoglobin and syphilis screening increased. Despite the perception that point-of-care technologies increase access to health services, the variability in results indicate the potential for detrimental effects in some settings. Local context needs to be considered and services restructured to accommodate innovative technologies in order to improve service delivery to expectant mothers.
Navigating from hippocampus to parietal cortex

The navigational system of the mammalian cortex comprises a number of interacting brain regions. Grid cells in the medial entorhinal cortex and place cells in the hippocampus are thought to participate in the formation of a dynamic representation of the animal's current location, and these cells are presumably critical for storing the representation in memory. To traverse the environment, animals must be able to translate coordinate information from spatial maps in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus into body-centered representations that can be used to direct locomotion. How this is done remains an enigma. We propose that the posterior parietal cortex is critical for this transformation.
On representing edge structure for model matching

We show how a novel, non-linear representation of edge structure can be used to improve the performance of model matching algorithms and object verification/recognition tasks. Rather than represent the image structure using intensity values or gradients, we use a measure which indicates the orientation of structures at each pixel, together with an indication of how reliable the orientation estimate is. Orientations in flat, noisy regions tend to be penalised whereas those near strong edges are favoured. We demonstrate that this representation leads to more accurate and reliable matching between models and new images, and leads to better recognition/verification of faces in an access control task.
Host-Specific Enzyme-Substrate Interactions in SPM-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Are Modulated by Second Sphere Residues

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most virulent and resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative pathogens in the clinic. Unfortunately, P. aeruginosa has acquired genes encoding metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs), enzymes able to hydrolyze most β-lactam antibiotics. SPM-1 is an MβL produced only by P. aeruginosa, while other MβLs are found in different bacteria. Despite similar active sites, the resistance profile of MβLs towards β-lactams changes from one enzyme to the other. SPM-1 is unique among pathogen-associated MβLs in that it contains “atypical” second sphere residues (S84, G121). Codon randomization on these positions and further selection of resistance-conferring mutants was performed. MICs, periplasmic enzymatic activity, Zn(II) requirements, and protein stability was assessed. Our results indicated that identity of second sphere residues modulates the substrate preferences and the resistance profile of SPM-1 expressed in P. aeruginosa. The second sphere residues found in wild type SPM-1 give rise to a substrate selectivity that is observed only in the periplasmic environment. These residues also allow SPM-1 to confer resistance in P. aeruginosa under Zn(II)-limiting conditions, such as those expected under infection. By optimizing the catalytic efficiency towards β-lactam antibiotics, the enzyme stability and the Zn(II) binding features, molecular evolution meets the specific needs of a pathogenic bacterial host by means of substitutions outside the active site.
Enhancing software-defined RAN with collaborative caching and scalable video coding

The ever increasing video demands from mobile users have posed great challenges to cellular networks. To address this issue, video caching in radio access networks (RANs) has been recognized as one of the enabling technologies in future 5G mobile networks, which brings contents near the end-users, reducing the transmission cost of duplicate contents, meanwhile increasing the Quality-of-Experience (QoE) of users. Inspired by the emerging software-defined networking technology, recent proposals have employed centralized collaborative caching among cells to further increase the caching capacity of the RAN. In this paper, we explore a new dimension in video caching in software-defined RANs to expand its capacity. We enable the controller with the capability to adaptively select the bitrates of videos received by users, in order to maximize the number and quality of video requests that can be served, meanwhile minimizing the transmission cost. To achieve this, we further incorporate Scalable Video Coding (SVC), which enables caching and serving sliced video layers that can serve different bitrates. We formulate the problem of joint video caching and scheduling as a reward maximization (cost minimization) problem. Based on the formulation, we further propose a 2-stage rounding-based algorithm to address the problem efficiently. Simulation results show that using SVC with collaborative caching greatly improves the cache capacity and the QoE of users.
Evaluation of prehypertension and masked hypertension rate among clinically normotensive patients

Abstract Background: The present cross-sectional study was aimed to identify pre-hypertension and masked hypertension rate in clinically normotensive adults in relation to socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A total of 161 clinically normotensive adults with office blood pressure (OBP) <140/90 mmHg without medication were included in this single-center cross-sectional study. OBP, home BP (HBP) recordings and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were used to identify rates of true normotensives, true pre-hypertensives and masked hypertensives. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected in each subject and evaluated with respect to true normotensive vs. pre-hypertensive patients with masked hypertension or true pre-hypertensive. Target organ damage (TOD) was evaluated in masked hypertensives based on laboratory investigation. Results: Masked hypertension was identified in 8.7% of clinically normotensives. Alcohol consumption was significantly more common in masked hypertension than in true pre-hypertension (28.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.020) with risk ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 1.7–4.4). Patients with true pre-hypertension and masked hypertension had significantly higher values for body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic OBP and HBP (p < 0.05 for each) compared to true normotensive subjects. ABPM revealed significantly higher values for day-time and night-time systolic and diastolic BP (p = 0.002 for night-time diastolic BP, p < 0.001 for others) in masked hypertension than true pre-hypertension. Conclusions: Given that the associations of pre-hypertension with TOD might be attributable to the high prevalence of insidious presentation of masked hypertension among pre-hypertensive individuals, ABPM seems helpful in early identification and management of masked hypertension in the pre-hypertensive population.
Eliminating Negative‐SET Behavior by Suppressing Nanofilament Overgrowth in Cation‐Based Memory

Negative-SET behavior is observed in various cation-based memories, which degrades the device reliability. Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrate the behavior is caused by the overgrowth of the conductive filament (CF) into the Pt electrode. The CF overgrowth phenomenon is suppressed and the negative-SET behavior is eliminated by inserting an impermeable graphene layer. The graphene-based devices show high reliability and satisfying performance.
Evaluation of Institut Georges Lopez-1 Preservation Solution in Pig Pancreas Transplantation: A Pilot Study

Background Institut Georges Lopez-1 preservation solution (IGL-1) is an emerging extracellular-type electrolyte solution, low in viscosity, containing polyethylene glycol 35 as a colloid. Although IGL-1 has shown beneficial outcomes in kidney and liver preservation, this pilot study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of IGL-1 in pancreas transplantation (PT) compared with the University of Wisconsin solution (UW). Methods Sixteen Landrace pigs underwent allogeneic PT with 16 hr of cold ischemia. Grafts were preserved with IGL-1 (n=8) or UW (n=8). No immunosuppression was administered. We analyzed graft function, the acute-phase response, and oxidative stress in the pancreatic graft monitoring membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation. Results All eight grafts with IGL-1, but only six with UW, were functioning. Graft failures with UW resulted from graft thrombosis. There were no differences between the two solutions in the number of normoglycemic days (IGL-1: 11.5±6.2 versus UW: 8.5±4.4 days, P=0.1357), nor in lipid peroxidation during 16-hr cold ischemia (P=0.672), or reperfusion (P=0.185), but IGL-1 prevented changes in membrane fluidity after reperfusion when compared with UW (P=0.026). Conclusion IGL-1 offered the same degree of safety and effectiveness as UW in our model of pig PT with 16 hr of cold ischemia.
Prion propagation in mice lacking central nervous system NFk B signalling

Correspondence A. Aguzzi adriano.aguzzi@usz.ch Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA Department of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
COMPRESSIVE SENSING FOR SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) imaging with high axial resolution and a large imaging depth requires a large number of sampling points in the spectral domain. This requires a high-resolution spectrometer with a large linear array camera which leads to a large amount of k-space measurements and a long data acquisition time that makes the imaging susceptible to unavoidable motion artifact. Furthermore such devices can be expensive and require high-speed electronics. In this dissertation, compressive sensing (CS) SD OCT that reconstructs the images using only a portion of the k-space measurements required by the classical Shannon/Nyquist rate was proposed and studied. Several advanced CS SD OCT algorithms have been developed and evaluated. First, modified non-uniform discrete Fourier transform (MNUDFT) matrix was proposed, which enables CS SD OCT using under-sampled non-linear wavenumber spectral data. Second, the noise reduction using Modified-CS was studied which shows that the averaged Modified-CS SD OCT results in better image quality in terms of SNR, local contrast and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), compared to the classical averaging method. Third, a novel threeii
Bile Acids Regulate Gluconeogenic Gene Expression via Small Heterodimer Partner-mediated Repression of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 and Foxo1*

Bile acid homeostasis is tightly controlled by the feedback mechanism in which an atypical orphan nuclear receptor (NR) small heterodimer partner (SHP) inactivates several NRs such as liver receptor homologue-1 and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4. Although NRs have been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of gluconeogenic genes, the effect of bile acids on gluconeogenic gene expression remained unknown. Here, we report that bile acids inhibit the expression of gluconeogenic genes, including glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and fructose 1,6-bis phosphatase in an SHP-dependent fashion. Cholic acid diet decreased the mRNA levels of these gluconeogenic enzymes, whereas those of SHP were increased. Reporter assays demonstrated that the promoter activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and fructose 1,6-bis phosphatase via hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, or that of G6Pase via the forkhead transcription factor Foxo1, was down-regulated by treatment with chenodeoxicholic acid and with transfected SHP. Remarkably, Foxo1 interacted with SHP in vivo and in vitro, which led to the repression of Foxo1-mediated G6Pase transcription by competition with a coactivator cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which bile acids regulate gluconeogenic gene expression via an SHP-dependent regulatory pathway.
Performance of multiple-access TH-UWB system: chaotic vs classical codes sequences

As any code based multiple access system, the choice of code sequences in TH-UWB system is very important to minimize the effect of Multi Users Interference (MUI) and enhance the performance in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER). In this contribution we propose to highlight the influence of TH-codes on the performance of the system by defining a criteria to select TH-codes then by computing the BER of correlating receiver for chaotic and classical code sequences.
Locus-specific ChIP combined with NGS analysis reveals genomic regulatory regions that physically interact with the Pax5 promoter in a chicken B cell line

Chromosomal interactions regulate genome functions, such as transcription, via dynamic chromosomal organization in the nucleus. In this study, we identified genomic regions that physically bind to the promoter region of the Pax5 gene in the chicken B-cell line DT40, with the goal of obtaining mechanistic insight into transcriptional regulation through chromosomal interaction. Using insertional chromatin immunoprecipitation (iChIP) in combination with next-generation sequencing (NGS) (iChIP-Seq), we found that the Pax5 promoter bound to multiple genomic regions. The identified chromosomal interactions were independently confirmed by in vitro engineered DNA-binding molecule-mediated ChIP (in vitro enChIP) in combination with NGS (in vitro enChIP-Seq). Comparing chromosomal interactions in wild-type DT40 with those in a macrophage-like counterpart, we found that some of the identified chromosomal interactions were organized in a B cell–specific manner. In addition, deletion of a B cell–specific interacting genomic region in chromosome 11, which was marked by active enhancer histone modifications, resulted in moderate but significant down-regulation of Pax5 transcription. Together, these results suggested that Pax5 transcription in DT40 cells is regulated by inter-chromosomal interactions. Moreover, these analyses showed that iChIP-Seq and in vitro enChIP-Seq are useful for non-biased identification of functional genomic regions that physically interact with a locus of interest.