Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural or Artificial? Habitat-Use by the Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas

Background Despite accelerated global population declines due to targeted and illegal fishing pressure for many top-level shark species, the impacts of coastal habitat modification have been largely overlooked. We present the first direct comparison of the use of natural versus artificial habitats for the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, an IUCN ‘Near-threatened’ species - one of the few truly euryhaline sharks that utilises natural rivers and estuaries as nursery grounds before migrating offshore as adults. Understanding the value of alternate artificial coastal habitats to the lifecycle of the bull shark is crucial for determining the impact of coastal development on this threatened but potentially dangerous species. Methodology/Findings We used longline surveys and long-term passive acoustic tracking of neonate and juvenile bull sharks to determine the ontogenetic value of natural and artificial habitats to bull sharks associated with the Nerang River and adjoining canals on the Gold Coast, Australia. Long-term movements of tagged sharks suggested a preference for the natural river over artificial habitat (canals). Neonates and juveniles spent the majority of their time in the upper tidal reaches of the Nerang River and undertook excursions into adjoining canals. Larger bull sharks ranged further and frequented the canals closer to the river mouth. Conclusions/Significance Our work suggests with increased destruction of natural habitats, artificial coastal habitat may become increasingly important to large juvenile bull sharks with associated risk of attack on humans. In this system, neonate and juvenile bull sharks utilised the natural and artificial habitats, but the latter was not the preferred habitat of neonates. The upper reaches of tidal rivers, often under significant modification pressure, serve as nursery sites for neonates. Analogous studies are needed in similar systems elsewhere to assess the spatial and temporal generality of this research.
A Survey of Routing Protocols for Mobile Ad- Hoc Networks with Comprehensive Study of OLSR

Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) includes a collection of wireless mobile hosts forming a temporary network without the aid of any stand-alone infrastructure or centralized administration. MANET is a selforganized and self-configurable network in which the mobile nodes move randomly. In MANETs appropriate routing algorithm is necessary to find special routes between source and destination. The main goal of any ad-hoc network routing protocol is to meet the challenges from the dynamically changing topology and establish an efficient route between any two nodes with minimum routing overhead and bandwidth consumption. The protocols are different in terms of routing methodologies and the information used to make routing decisions. Therefore a several protocols are introduced for improving the routing mechanism to find route between any source and destination host across the network. In this paper we present a survey on routing protocols and we review OLSR protocol and improvements on this protocol.
THE CONNES-KASPAROV CONJECTURE FOR ALMOST CONNECTED GROUPS AND FOR LINEAR p-ADIC GROUPS

Let G be a locally compact group with cocompact connected component. We prove that the assembly map from the topological K-theory of G to the K-theory of the reduced C∗-algebra of G is an isomorphism. The same is shown for the groups of k-rational points of any linear algebraic group over a local field k of characteristic zero.
Thalamic neuron models encode stimulus information by burst-size modulation

Thalamic neurons have been long assumed to fire in tonic mode during perceptive states, and in burst mode during sleep and unconsciousness. However, recent evidence suggests that bursts may also be relevant in the encoding of sensory information. Here, we explore the neural code of such thalamic bursts. In order to assess whether the burst code is generic or whether it depends on the detailed properties of each bursting neuron, we analyzed two neuron models incorporating different levels of biological detail. One of the models contained no information of the biophysical processes entailed in spike generation, and described neuron activity at a phenomenological level. The second model represented the evolution of the individual ionic conductances involved in spiking and bursting, and required a large number of parameters. We analyzed the models' input selectivity using reverse correlation methods and information theory. We found that n-spike bursts from both models transmit information by modulating their spike count in response to changes to instantaneous input features, such as slope, phase, amplitude, etc. The stimulus feature that is most efficiently encoded by bursts, however, need not coincide with one of such classical features. We therefore searched for the optimal feature among all those that could be expressed as a linear transformation of the time-dependent input current. We found that bursting neurons transmitted 6 times more information about such more general features. The relevant events in the stimulus were located in a time window spanning ~100 ms before and ~20 ms after burst onset. Most importantly, the neural code employed by the simple and the biologically realistic models was largely the same, implying that the simple thalamic neuron model contains the essential ingredients that account for the computational properties of the thalamic burst code. Thus, our results suggest the n-spike burst code is a general property of thalamic neurons.
Fansmitter: Acoustic Data Exfiltration from (Speakerless) Air-Gapped Computers

Because computers may contain or interact with sensitive information, they are often air-gapped and in this way kept isolated and disconnected from the Internet. In recent years the ability of malware to communicate over an air-gap by transmitting sonic and ultrasonic signals from a computer speaker to a nearby receiver has been shown. In order to eliminate such acoustic channels, current best practice recommends the elimination of speakers (internal or external) in secure computers, thereby creating a so-called 'audio-gap'. In this paper, we present Fansmitter, a malware that can acoustically exfiltrate data from air-gapped computers, even when audio hardware and speakers are not present. Our method utilizes the noise emitted from the CPU and chassis fans which are present in virtually every computer today. We show that a software can regulate the internal fans' speed in order to control the acoustic waveform emitted from a computer. Binary data can be modulated and transmitted over these audio signals to a remote microphone (e.g., on a nearby mobile phone). We present Fansmitter's design considerations, including acoustic signature analysis, data modulation, and data transmission. We also evaluate the acoustic channel, present our results, and discuss countermeasures. Using our method we successfully transmitted data from air-gapped computer without audio hardware, to a smartphone receiver in the same room. We demonstrated the effective transmission of encryption keys and passwords from a distance of zero to eight meters, with bit rate of up to 900 bits/hour. We show that our method can also be used to leak data from different types of IT equipment, embedded systems, and IoT devices that have no audio hardware, but contain fans of various types and sizes.
Distribution of functional P2X1-like receptor in isolated rabbit arteries.

AIM To clarify the distribution of functional P2X1-like receptors in rabbit arteries. METHODS Isometric contractile responses to noradrenaline (NA) and alpha, beta-methylene ATP (alpha, beta-meATP) were observed in the arteries isolated from rabbit renal (Re), femoral (Fe), saphenous (Sa), mesenteric (Me), splenic (Sp), and ear (Ea). RESULTS The maximal responses to NA (E(max.NA)) varied among the arteries in an order of Re>Fe>Sa>Me>Sp>Ea. After standardization by the maximal response to KCl (E(max.KCl)), however, the values of E(max.NA)/E(max.KCl) in the six kinds of arteries were almost the same. EC50 values of NA in arteries were different, and the EC50 value of NA in Me artery was 54 times that of Fe artery (P<0.01). The maximal response to alpha, beta-meATP (E(max.alpha, beta-meATP) ) varied among the arteries in an order of Re>Sa=Fe>Ea>Sp=Me, and the values of E<inf>max.alpha, beta-meATP /E(max.KCl) were still different (Fe<Re<Sa=Ea=Sp=Me). The EC50 values of alpha, beta-meATP in regional arteries were almost the same (0.23-0.77 mmol/L). The vasoconstrictive responses induced by alpha, beta-meATP in the Re,Fe,Sa,Me,Sp, and Ea arteries were subject to tachyphylaxis. CONCLUSION There are functional P2X1-like receptors in the six kinds of arteries used, and the vasoconstrictive responses regulated via the receptors are Fe<Re<Sa=Ea=Sp=Me, which is consistent with the sympathetic innervation of the arteries.
Influence of recollection and plausibility on age-related deficits in associative memory

Age-related declines in associative memory are proposed to result from deficits in older adults’ ability to recollect the past. The present experiment investigated the ability of older adults to compensate for deficits in recollecting the past by using plausibility. Participants studied a list of word pairs that shared category or rhyme relations. To measure the processes used during the recognition memory test, participants provided self-reported explanations for their memory judgements. Older adults relied primarily on plausibility, and the younger adults relied on both plausibility and recollection. Older adults experienced both positive and negative consequences as a result of using a knowledge-based strategy to compensate for their decreased ability to recollect the past. Specifically, they were just as capable as younger adults at recognising previously studied items and correctly rejecting distractors that were inconsistent with the rule provided at study. However, they falsely recognised distractors that were consistent with that rule more often than younger adults.
Selective off-loading to Memory: Task Partitioning and Mapping for PIM-enabled Heterogeneous Systems

Processing-in-Memory (PIM) is returning as a promising solution to address the issue of memory wall as computing systems gradually step into the big data era. Researchers continually proposed various PIM architecture combined with novel memory device or 3D integration technology, but it is still a lack of universal task scheduling method in terms of the new heterogeneous platform. In this paper, we propose a formalized model to quantify the performance and energy of the PIM+CPU heterogeneous parallel system. In addition, we are the first to build a task partitioning and mapping framework to exploit different PIM engines. In this framework, an application is divided into subtasks and mapped onto appropriate execution units based on the proposed PIM-oriented Earliest-Finish-Time (PEFT) algorithm to maximize the performance gains brought by PIM. Experimental evaluations show our PIM-aware framework significantly improves the system performance compared to conventional processor architectures.
Proofreading genotyping assays and electrochemical detection of SNPs

The use of proofreading DNA polymerases in genotyping assays offers the prospect of improved performance. To this end, we have recently used compatible DNA polymerases, protected primers, and substrates to implement proofreading single base extension (P‐SBE) and proofreading allele‐specific extension (PRASE) assays. Key aspects of the P‐SBE and related proofreading assay formats are described here. For transduction of genotyping reactions into physical signals, electrochemical SBE implementations may offer simple, inexpensive assays in electrode array or electrophoretic formats. We have developed electrochemically‐labeled nucleotides and electrode detection methods with a view to these applications. Detection of electrochemically‐labeled SBE products on an oligonucleotide‐modified gold electrode surface is demonstrated. Hum Mutat 23:420–425, 2004 © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of encapsulated sodium butyrate on growth performance, energy digestibility, gut development, and Salmonella colonization in broilers

&NA; Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of an encapsulated sodium butyrate (Na‐B) with targeted releasing times on broiler performance, energy digestibility, intestinal morphology, and ceca Salmonella colonization. In experiment 1, 3 different Na‐B products (CMA, CMP, and CMS) were evaluated following a challenge with a nalidixic acid‐resistant Salmonella typhimurium (STNAR). Cobb‐Cobb male birds were placed 8 per pen into 6 replicates for each treatment. Treatments included 6 Na‐B treatments (500 and 1,000 ppm of each product) plus 2 control (non‐challenged and challenged). Birds were orally gavaged with 0.1 mL of 107 cfu/mL STNAR on d 4. Ceca and ileal samples were collected on d 11. In experiment 2, CMA and CMP products were evaluated for a full grow‐out period without an external challenge. Cobb‐Cobb male birds were distributed among 45 floor pens with 24 birds per pen. Treatments included 4 product treatments (500 and 1,000 ppm of each product) plus one control. Feed intake and pen weight were obtained on d 14, 28, and 42. Experiment 1 showed that CMP at 1,000 ppm had the highest value for BW and BWG on d 4 (P = 0.07). Adding CMA and CMP at 500 ppm increased ileal digestibility energy (IDE) compared to the challenged control (P ≤ 0.05). The Salmonella recovery data indicated that the challenge had a significant but mild impact, since it did not affect the performance variables but did result in a significant increase in log10 cfu/g cecal material between the non‐challenged and challenged control (1.42 vs 3.72). Experiment 2 showed that both products improved the villus height in the duodenum on d 21 (P = 0.08) and IDE on d 42, relative to the control (P ≤ 0.05). This study demonstrates that Na‐B has the potential to improve growth in broilers at an early age. The beneficial effects on intestinal morphology and IDE are affected not only by dosage level, but also by the product's releasing time.
Testosterone is associated with cooperation during intergroup competition by enhancing parochial altruism

The steroid hormone testosterone is widely associated with negative behavioral effects, such as aggression or dominance. However, recent studies applying economic exchange tasks revealed conflicting results. While some point to a prosocial effect of testosterone by increasing altruistic behavior, others report that testosterone promotes antisocial tendencies. Taking into account additional factors such as parochial altruism (i.e., ingroup favoritism and outgroup hostility) might help to explain this contradiction. First evidence for a link between testosterone and parochial altruism comes from recently reported data of male soccer fans playing the ultimatum game. In this study high levels of endogenous testosterone predicted increased altruistic punishment during outgroup interactions and at the same time heightened ingroup generosity. Here, we report findings of another experimental task, the prisoner's dilemma, applied in the same context to examine the role of testosterone on parochial tendencies in terms of cooperation. In this task, 50 male soccer fans were asked to decide whether or not they wanted to cooperate with partners marked as either fans of the subject's own favorite team (ingroup) or fans of other teams (outgroups). Our results show that high testosterone levels were associated with increased ingroup cooperation during intergroup competition. In addition, subjects displaying a high degree of parochialism during intergroup competition had significantly higher levels of testosterone than subjects who did not differentiate much between the different groups. In sum, the present data demonstrate that the behavioral effects of testosterone are not limited to aggressive and selfish tendencies but may imply prosocial aspects depending on the context. By this means, our results support the previously reported findings on testosterone-dependent intergroup bias and indicate that this social hormone might be an important factor driving parochial altruism.
Design of detection electrode on contactless conductivity detection in capillary electrophoresis microchip

Contactless conductivity detection has attained great attention in the last decade in capillary electrophoresis. But contactless conductivity detection is restricted by its sensitivity, how to improve detection sensitivity has become the key of contactless conductivity. In this paper a novel extended model for the detection cell consisting of a network of resistors and capacitors is proposed according to the structure of contactless conductivity detection. The effect of the detector geometry on the sensitivity of contactless conductivity is studied. By simulation, the optimal parameters are obtained. Sandwich electrode structure was established to improve the performance of the detector and minimize the stray capacitance between the electrodes. Using the optimal electrode structure, the two peaks corresponding to K+ and Mg2+ are clearly resolved with complete separation.
Effects of the "mentally retarded" label on adult judgments about child failure.

Retarded children show marked susceptibility to learned helplessness. Three experiments illustrate how adults may foster this helplessness. In Experiment 1, college students reported causal attributions for failure and expectancies of future success for either "a 6-year-old child" or "a 9-year-old mentally retarded child with a mental age of 6 years. " In Experiment 2, students reported attributions and expectancies for both children. In both experiments, insufficient ability was rated a more important cause of failure for the retarded than for the unlabeled child, insufficient effort was rated more important for the unlabeled child, and the retarded child was rated less likely to succeed in the future. In Experiment 3, students' responses indicated that either a low expectancy of success, an insufficient-ability attribution, or the retarded label alone would reduce the likelihood of their urging a child to persist after a failure. The results suggest a proposed attributional bias (overextension), a familiar attributional bias in a new context (discounting), and resultant helplessness-condoning behavior by adults.
High-Precision and Practical Localization Using Seawater Movement Pattern and Filters in Underwater Wireless Networks

Localization in underwater is challenging due to harsh communication channel. Although a number of researches have proposed localization for underwater environment, they did not fully consider practical issues affecting the localization accuracy. In particular, our research focus on the unreliable reference location caused by mobility of underwater sensor nodes and unpredicted time measurement error in TDoA(Time Difference of Arrival) calculation. Unfortunately, none of related papers dealing with those factors, they significantly reduce the localization performance though. For the more accurate and practical localization, we suggest a protocol called Localization with Seawater Movement Pattern and Filter (LSMF), for underwater sensor networks. Especially, LSMF utilizes feature of seawater movement and node deployment. Also, LSMF more accurately estimates the location with iterative data processing using Kalman filter or Averaging filter. Furthermore, Adopting of INS (Inertial Navigation System) relieves localization error caused by node mobility. As a result, the localization accuracy will be improved and error propagation problem in the multi-hop networks is naturally weaken. Finally, simulation results show that LSMF reduced localization error by 44.73% compared with previous multilateration in the same simulation environment.
Interferon-gamma produced by bone marrow-derived cells attenuates atherosclerotic lesion formation in LDLR-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the role of IFN-gamma produced by bone marrow-derived cells in atherogenesis in LDLR(-/-) mice using bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS AND RESULTS We generated IFN-gamma-deficient bone marrow transplanted LDLR(-/- )mice (IFN-gamma(-/-) BMT mice), and compared them with controls (IFN-gamma(+/+) BMT mice). These mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not differ between these two groups. After 6 weeks of HFD feeding, the atherosclerotic lesions of IFN-gamma(-/-) BMT mice were larger than those of IFN-gamma(+/+) BMT mice at the aortic sinus, aortic arch and abdominal aorta. After 12 weeks of HFD feeding, the significant differences between the two groups disappeared except for the atherosclerotic lesion in the aortic sinus. MOMA2, CD4, CD8 or alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were detected in the atherosclerotic lesions. The cellular composition of the lesions was identical between the two groups, but the cellular density showed decreased concomitant with the increased extracellular matrix deposition in IFN-gamma(-/- )BMT mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that IFN-gamma produced by bone marrow-derived cells delays the progression of atherosclerosis without any effect on plasma lipids, and this suppression may be due to decreased extracellular matrix deposition.
Coexistence of amelanotic melanoma and liposarcoma.

An amelanotic malignant melanoma is characterized by little or no pigment. It is frequently misdiagnosed because it is a rare entity in general, and because of its unusual clinical features. Liposarcoma is one of the most common adult soft tissue sarcomas. We encountered a case of amelanotic melanoma with a concurrent liposarcoma. A 68-year-old man presented with a single, 1.5x1. 5 cm round erythematous, eroded nodule on the left heel. A biopsy specimen showed atypical, pleomorphic tumor cells with little melanin pigment. The tumor cells were positive for S-100, HMB-45 and negative for cytokeratins. These findings were consistent with amelanotic melanoma. On positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), a hypermetabolic lesion was found in the left buttock. This lesion was excised and diagnosed as a well-differentiated liposarcoma. An association between sarcomas and other primary malignancies has been reported. However, an association between melanoma and liposarcoma is rare.
Beyond greed and grievance: the missing link in conflict management and peace building in Northern Ghana

Majority of conflicts across the world are explained using the greed and grievance theory. Specifically, the causes and repetitive escalation of conflicts in Northern Ghana is subsumed, albeit tacitly, into this broader analytical frame. Using mainly secondary data, this paper seeks to interrogate the greedgrievance theory and its implication for managing conflicts in Northern Ghana. It argues that the greedgrievance theory assumes an instrumentalist view of conflict that does not only miss its expressive dimension but tailors its resolution towards a win-lose outcome thereby making it difficult to manage when it fails. However, focusing only on the expressive dimension of conflict limits its resolution since it does not address the core issues at the heart of the problem but only provide practitioners the opportunity to examine psycho-social elements of the conflict. The paper concludes that managing conflicts in Northern Ghana requires an approach that examines both the subjective and objective dimensions of each conflict in order to achieve peace that is sustainable.