Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insignificant effects of culm age on transpiration in a managed Moso bamboo forest, Kyoto, Japan

The expansion of Moso bamboo forests in Japan might change transpiration and therefore reduce the availability of water resources. Moso bamboo stands are often composed of culms with various ages and older culms may have lower sap flux density (Fd), which may in turn affect individual culm transpiration (Qt), probably because vascular bundles do not regenerate after sprouting. Information related to the differences of Fd and Qt between younger and older culms would be important for (i) understanding the effects of culm age structure changes on stand-scale transpiration (EC), and (ii) developing sampling strategies for EC estimates in Moso bamboo forests. We conducted sap flux measurements for 15 individuals from four culm age classes in a managed Moso bamboo forest in Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan. Differences in Fd were not significant among the four culm age classes with almost the same stem diameter at breast height (DBH). Qt was related to DBH across four age classes, indicating that culm age had no apparent effect on Qt in the forest. Our results suggest the effects of culm age structure changes on EC are small, and contribute to development of sampling strategy without considering culm age structure for EC estimates at this site.
Microsatellite primers for the Pacific Northwest conifer Callitropsis nootkatensis (Cupressaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Nootka cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis) to provide quantitative measures for gene conservation that can assist in guiding management decisions for a species experiencing climate-induced decline. Methods and Results: Using multiplexed massively parallel sequencing, we identified 136,785 microsatellite-containing sequences from 489,625 Illumina paired-end 80-bp reads. After stringent filtering, we selected 144 primer pairs and screened variation at these loci in five populations of C. nootkatensis. Loci show between three and 36 dinucleotide repeats per locus, with an average of 13. Screening of these markers in the Pacific Northwest relative Chamaecyparis lawsoniana demonstrated no marker transferability. This finding highlights the narrow taxonomic utility of microsatellite markers in Callitropsis. Conclusions: These microsatellites show high polymorphism and can be used for routine screening of natural variation in Callitropsis nootkatensis, and will be particularly helpful in identifying clones and inbred relatives at the stand-level.
Buying science and selling science: gender differences in the market for commercial science

Growing opportunities for academic scientists to commercialize their science has led to a new commercial marketplace. Recent evidence suggests that “commercial science” participation is characterized by gender stratification. Using interviews with life science faculty at one high-status university we examine the mechanisms that instituted, reinforced, and reduced the gender gap in commercial science between 1975 and 2005. We find gender differences from processes on both the demand—(opportunity) and supply—(interest) sides; of deeper significance are the intersections between these sides of the market. Specifically, explicit early exclusion of women left them with fewer opportunities in the marketplace, weakening their socialization and skills in commercial science. This uneven opportunity structure left senior/mid-career women with fewer chances to confront the ambiguities of this new practice, resulting in their greater ambivalence. Gender differences remain significant among junior faculty but we find their decline prompted by greater gender-equality in advisor mentoring and the presence of institutional support which together have started to reshape the supply-side of commercial science. Copyright 2007 , Oxford University Press.
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We present an architecture for peer-to-peer energy markets which can guarantee that operational constraints are respected and payments are fairly rendered, without relying on a centralized utility or microgrid aggregator. We demonstrate how to address trust, security, and transparency issues by using blockchains and smart contracts, two emerging technologies which can facilitate decentralized coordination between nontrusting agents. While blockchains are receiving considerable interest as a platform for distributed computation and data management, this is the first work to examine their use to facilitate distributed optimization and control. Using the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM), we pose a decentralized optimal power flow (OPF) model for scheduling a mix of batteries, shapable loads, and deferrable loads on an electricity distribution network. The DERs perform local optimization steps, and a smart contract on the blockchain serves as the ADMM coordinator, allowing the validity and optimality of the solution to be verified. The optimal schedule is securely stored on the blockchain, and payments can be automatically, securely, and trustlessly rendered without requiring a microgrid operator.
CS224n: Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning

Keyphrases: Natural Language Processing. Word Vectors. Singular Value Decomposition. Skip-gram. Continuous Bag of Words (CBOW). Negative Sampling. Hierarchical Softmax. Word2Vec. This set of notes begins by introducing the concept of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the problems NLP faces today. We then move forward to discuss the concept of representing words as numeric vectors. Lastly, we discuss popular approaches to designing word vectors.
Study to Determine Concordance between High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus DNA Detection in Self Collected First Voided Urine Samples and Health-Care Worker Collected Cervical Samples in a Subset of Women with Proven Histopathological Precancerous and Cancerous Lesions of the Cervix

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess whether urinary samples for human papilloma virus (HPV) detection are a good predictive marker of cervical cancerous and precancerous lesions, by comparing against results from cervical scrapings as the gold standard test. Materials and Methods: The study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study wherein symptomatic women were screened at the colposcopy clinic. Paired samples-cervical scrapings/washings and urine samples were tested for hr-HPV for women who were found to harbor premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix in histopathological lesions, by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction and HPV genotyping. Diagnostic accuracy was tested by calculating concordance with Cohen's kappa with hr-HPV detection in cervical samples as the gold standard. Results: A total of 295 patients undergoing colposcopy were recruited in the study, out of which 54 had histopathological-proven premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. Overall, positivity rate in urinary samples for both HPV 16 and 18 combined is 64.81%, whereas for cervical samples is 68.51%. HPV 16 was seen in 30 (55.5%) and 32 (59.3%) cervical and urinary samples, respectively, whereas HPV 18 was seen in 7 (12.9%) and 6 (11.1%) samples, respectively. There was substantial concordance between the cervical samples and first-void urinary samples results with Cohen's k: 0.6988 (95% confidence interval: From 0.507 to 0.891). There was 85.96% agreement among all the tests that were performed with only 14.04% disagreement. Conclusions: The study showed that HPV DNA detection from the urine and cervical samples showed significant agreeability for the detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix among women with abnormal histology results. Thus, urinary sampling can be done as a potential replacement for cervical sampling methods with the added benefit as it can be used in females reluctant to provide cervical samples, if there is no availability of skilled workforce for collecting samples, for mass screening, and for the follow-up of vaccination programs.
Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Its Distribution among Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women from Northern India

ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and recognize its abnormal components in pre and postmenopausal women. We also aim to recognize the abnormal components in postmenopausal women with regard to duration since menopause. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was undertaken among pre- and post-menopausal women between 40 and 65 years. Women with MS were identified as per the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Results: A total of 220 women were enrolled comprising 112 premenopausal and 108 postmenopausal women, the prevalence of MS among them being 33% and 51.85%, respectively. Postmenopausal status was found to be independently associated with MS when adjusted for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratios = 14.77, 95% confidence intervals: 1.77–23.33). All the components were proportionately higher in postmenopausal group, the rise in blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.003) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.027) being statistically significant. The risk of MS, abdominal obesity, and high BP were highest in <5 years since menopause and decreased thereafter. The risk for low HDL and high triglyceride increased with the number of years since menopause, reaching the peak level in the 5–9-year group and then decreased while the risk of high fasting blood sugar increased reaching peak in the 10–14 years’ group. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS is significantly high in postmenopausal women. Screening of women in premenopausal period will give an opportunity to intervene and prevent the menace of MS in Indian women predisposed to abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular adverse events.
GCOE Discussion Paper Series Global COE Program Human Behavior and Socioeconomic Dynamics

The aim of this study is to develop a bias-correction method for realized variance (RV) estimation, where the equilibrium price process is contaminated with market microstructure noise, such as bid-ask bounces and price changes discreteness. Though RV constitutes the simplest estimator of daily integrated variance, it remains strongly biased and many estimators proposed in previous studies require prior knowledge about the dependence structure of microstructure noise to ensure unbiasedness and consistency. The dependence structure is unknown however and it needs to be estimated. A bias-correction method based on statistical inference from the general noise dependence structure is thus proposed. The results of Monte Carlo simulation indicate that the new approach is robust with respect to changes in the dependence of microstructure noise. JEL Classifications: C01; C13; C51
MEASURING GLOBALIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF TRANSITION PROCESS - THE CASE OF WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

There is no widely accepted definition or methods for measuring globalization and it is one of the most debatable phenomena in recent human history. The focus of this paper is, therefore, on globalization and methods of its measurement. The issue of measuring globalization inevitably involves numbers, and with the numbers one should always be careful, especially when dealing with something so complex and undefined. Also, the interpretation of results obtained by measuring globalization always requires additional interpretation. In this paper we examine the methods of measuring globalization from the macro aspect, i.e. at the level of countries, as well as the analysis of level of globalization in Western Balkan countries. As there is still an ongoing transition process in these countries, the application of globalization indices must be assessed in the overall context and complexity of transition process. The ultimate aim of this paper is to determine how to read and interpret globalization indices (indicators), and their informative power, as well as shortages in the case of transition countries such as the Western Balkans. Our results indicate that Western Balkan countries are not making sufficient progress in the transition process and they are thus not competitive. Therefore, a high degree of globalization does not imply that our countries a priori obtain the positive effects of globalization. We will try to define which additional indicators should be used when interpreting indicators of globalization for the countries of the region. The rationale behind this endeavor is the fact that the process of globalization and the process of transition present two interrelated processes for the countries of the region.
Comparisons of short-term outcomes of anastomotic methods of duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy: out-layer continuous suture versus modified Blumgart method

Purpose Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most troublesome complication after pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of 2 different methods of duct-to-mucosa PJ; out-layer continuous suture anastomosis (OCA) and the modified Blumgart method (mBM). Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent curative-intent, open PD between 2015 and 2020. In mBM, 2 transpancreatic U-sutures were performed between the pancreatic margin and jejunum, with reinforced sutures in the central region. Patient demographics, diagnosis, intraoperative factors, postoperative complications, and POPF defined by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula were investigated. Clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) included grades B and C POPF. Results A total of 184 patients underwent OCA, and 96 patients underwent mBM. The mBM group had more patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy. The fistula risk scores were comparable between the 2 groups. Both groups showed no significant differences in CR-POPF and overall surgical complication rates. The total operation time was comparable, although the operation time for PJ was shorter in mBM. Conclusion No significant differences were observed in the postoperative outcomes between each group; the operation time for PJ in mBM was shorter. Therefore, mBM may be considered for utilization in duct-to-mucosa PJ.
Snow squalls: Forecasting and hazard mitigation

The rapid onset of blinding snowfall, strong winds, and falling temperatures associated with snow squalls can result in hazardous and potentially deadly road surface conditions. Transportation disruptions and threats to personal safety can be greatly disproportionate to the modest snowfall accumulations observed in such events, making snow squalls an important forecast and communicative challenge. To identify favorable synoptic and mesoscale snow squall environments, a 10-yr climatology of snow squalls producing surface visibility 0.8 km (0.5 mi) associated with upper troughs and cold fronts was constructed for three sites over northern New York and Vermont. A total of 36 snow squalls was identified, including 21 at Burlington, Vermont (KBTV). The median duration of heavy (moderate) snow with the squalls was 17 (26) min, and—for the events affecting KBTV—the median snow accumulation was only 2.5 cm (1.0 in). A composite study based on these 36 events was performed using North American Regional Reanalysis data and a control dataset for winter 2005–06. All identified snow squall events occurred on the cyclonicshear side of a midto upper-tropospheric jet streak and within deep-layer cyclonically curved flow. Surfacebased instability [median convective available potential energy (CAPE) <50 J kg –1 ], high relative humidity in the 0–2-km AGL layer, frontogenetic forcing, and strong surface isallobaric (rise/fall) couplets often were found with the snow squalls. The isallobaric wind was found to add constructively to the background gradient flow, and when combined with steep near-surface lapse rates, acted to produce the squall conditions. The presence of CAPE was the best discriminator between the snow squall cases and the control. As a result of their convective nature, snow squalls were observed most often during the daylight hours, with 69% of the events occurring between 1300 and 2300 UTC. Results from the composite study were used to formulate a 4panel visualization display and a multivariate, non-dimensional snow squall parameter. Case examples are shown to demonstrate the utility of these forecasting aids. Strategies for mitigation of snow squalls as a transportation hazard also are discussed.
Title: A comparison of attitudes to laryngeal cancer treatment outcomes: a time trade‐off study Short title: A comparison of attitudes to laryngeal cancer treatment outcomes

Design Time trade-off choice experiment Setting Two large head and neck cancer centres Participants Patients who have received treatment for head and neck cancer and members of the head and neck cancer multidisciplinary team Main outcome measures Participants were asked to rank the outcome scenarios, assign utility values using time trade-off and rate the importance of survival on treatment choice Results 49 head and neck cancer patients and 73 staff members were recruited. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) optimal outcome was the most preferred health state (34/49, 69% patients and 50/73, 68% staff) and CRT with complications was least preferred (27/49 55% patients and 51/73 70% staff). Using time trade-off, mean utility values were calculated for CRT optimal outcome (0.73 for patients, 0.77 for staff), total laryngectomy (TL) optimal outcome (0.67 for patients, 0.69 for staff), TL outcome with complications (0.46 for patients, 0.51 for staff) and CRT with complications (0.36 for patients, 0.49 for staff). The average survival advantage required for a participant to change their preferred choice was 2.6 years Conclusions. We have demonstrated that a significant proportion of head and neck cancer patients and staff members would not choose CRT to manage locally advanced laryngeal cancer. Staff members rated the health states associated with laryngeal cancer treatment higher than patients who have experienced them, and this is particularly evident when considering the poorer outcomes. The head and neck cancer community should develop methods of practice and decision making which incorporate elicitation and reporting of patient values as a central principle.
Vax-Spiral ® . Trivalent Antileptospirosis Vaccine For Human Use ; Research , Development And Impact On The Disease In Cuba *

Leptospirosis is one of the most widely spread zoonosis in the world, with a larger incidence in tropical regions. Its causing agents are pathogenic spirochetes belonging to the Leptospiras. In 1989 this disease started to show up in our country with a growing tendency, until it reached the magnitude of an epidemic at the end of the 1990-1995 five-year period. In search of a solution to this health problem, research was initiated for the production of a vaccine from autochthonous strains. The preconceived goals included formulating variants of a vaccine from inactivated cells, which is either not adsorbed or adsorbed in aluminum hydroxide; evaluating immunogenicity, power and innocuousness of the formulated vaccine variants by means of trials with hamsters, achieving its scaling and productive consistency, and demonstrating its safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in human beings. The preclinic results made it possible to choose the adsorbed vaccine variant, which proved innocuous, immunogenic and protectogenic. Productive scaling was achieved through fermentation, as well as in-situ sterilization of the protein-free cultivation medium that was used in the fermentator. The product’s concentration was achieved by means of tangential micro filtering for its aseptic processing. The clinical evaluation of the vax-SPIRAL ® adsorbed vaccine showed its safety, low reactogenicity, immunogenicity and a specific serogroup efficacy of 78.1%. Vax-SPIRAL ® was registered in 1998, was included within the National Leptospirosis Prevention and Control Program, and demonstrated its contribution to a morbilethality reduction of 82.1%.
Evaluation of engineering program elements by doctoral candidates in student assessment and program evaluation

Engineering Criteria 2000 requires faculty to define objectives for engineering programs, define and implement assessment processes to measure student knowledge and skill, and identify processes where feedback is used to achieve continuous quality improvement of instruction and learning. As part of the preparation for an accreditation visit under the new criteria, faculty in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Idaho partnered with doctoral students in the Assessment and Evaluation Center at Washington State University to review the technical elective component of the undergraduate curriculum. This paper describes the process undertaken by the clients and evaluators in designing, implementing, and conducting the evaluation.
The Impacts of Managerial Autonomy on Firm Outcomes

The allocation of decision rights within organizations influences resource allocation, expansion decisions, and ultimately outcomes. Using a newly constructed dataset, I estimate the effects of an earned autonomy program for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in India. The program gave managers (the board of directors) of profitable SOEs more autonomy over strategic decisions such as capital expansion and the formation of joint ventures. I find that autonomy allows SOEs to increase their capital stock and form more strategic partnerships which leads to greater sales and profits. I also find that the likelihood that a manager subsequently joins a board of a private firm is greater for managers of those SOEs which were granted autonomy, indicating that career concerns is a consistent explanation for these managerial decisions. Taken together, these results indicate that large gains in SOE performance are possible without privatization (by policies like earned autonomy) and may occur partly through managers' career concerns.
THE MONITORING OF RUBBLE MOUND BREAKWATER STABILITY USING A PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY METHOD

A method of surveying the above-water slope of breakwaters by means of photography has been developed at the National Research Institute for Oceanology. The method is simple and inexpensive and yet capable of detecting movement or displacement of a single armour unit on a breakwater. This poster paper describes the method and presents some examples of its application in the field.
Effect of the arousal state on automatic detection of cortical auditory evoked responses in neonates

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar a latência e amplitude do potencial evocado auditivo cortical P1i entre neonatos em estado de alerta e durante o sono leve. Métodos: Vinte e cinco neonatos com emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes presentes foram testados, por meio do potencial evocado auditivo cortical (PEAC), sendo dez em estado de alerta e 15 durante o sono leve. Para pesquisa dos potenciais corticais, utilizou-se o equipamento Hearlab System, de um canal, no módulo Cortical Tone Evaluation (CTE). O potencial P1i foi pesquisado de forma monoaural, na intensidade de 80 dBnNA, para as frequências de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000Hz. A detecção do P1i foi feita de maneira automática pelo equipamento. A marcação da latência e amplitude foi realizada por três juízes. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos de neonatos para os valores de amplitude e latência, nas quatro frequências testadas. Conclusão: Não houve influência do estado comportamental dos neonatos na avaliação do potencial cortical P1i.