Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic exposure to forced swimming decreases anxiety in mice

Anxiety-like behaviors have been related to chronic stress in rodents and humans. In rats, forced swimming test (FST) is used as a chronic stress–inducing task. Here we test the validity of FST as an anxiety inducer in mice. We divided animals in two groups, FST (exposed to FST for 15 consecutive days) and control (handled in similar sessions). Plus-maze test was performed during the day 16. Surprisingly, FST led to a decrease in the anxiety parameters, including time and frequency in open arms. The results suggest that chronic FST does not promote anxiety in mice, but rather leads its overall decrease. This effect may be related to benefits of mild exercise, since mice display more flotation capacity than rats.
Salvage radiotherapy for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: experience of a single center

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes and prognostic factors of patients who underwent salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy (RP) at a single center. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 48 patients who underwent SRT for BCR after RP between January 2004 and December 2012. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the BCR-free survivals and the prognostic factors for BCR after SRT. Results: After a median follow-up of 68.7 months (range, 34.0–143.3 months). The BCR-free survival rates at 3 and 5 years for the 48 patients after SRT were 72.9% and 68.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that pre-RT PSA (prostate specific antigen) level >0.5 ng/mL, Gleason score at RP ≥8, and seminal vesicle invasion were signiﬁcantly predictive of PSA relapse after SRT (HR: 23.29, 7.92, and 21.73). The BCR-free rate at 5 years in the pre-RT PSA level ≤0.5 and >0.5 ng/mL group was 83.4% and 52.2% (P=0.007), respectively. No grade 3 or worse acute adverse events were noted. Conclusions: SRT was an effective treatment for BCR following RP with tolerable toxicities. Lower pre-RT PSA value, low Gleason score, and non-seminal vesicle invasion were significant predictors of favorable biochemical outcomes. Our results supported the current recommendations that SRT should be initiated before PSA reaches 0.5 ng/mL.
Reconstruction with blobby shapes

We investigates fitting a surface to an object using blobby models as a coarse level approximation. The aim is to achieve a given quality of approximation with relatively few parameters. This process involves an optimisation procedure where a number of blobs (ellipses or ellipsoids) are separately fitted to a cloud of points. Then the optimised blobs are combined to yield an implicit surface approximating the cloud of points. The results for our test cases in two and three dimensions are very encouraging. For many applications, the coarse level blobby model itself will be sufficient. For example, adding texture on top of the blobby surface can give a surprisingly realistic image. References J. C. Carr, R. K. Beatson, J. B. Cherrie, T. J. Mitchell, W. R. Fright, B. C. McCallum and T. R. Evans, Reconstruction and Representation of 3D Objects With Radial Basis Functions , pp.67--76 in SIGGRAPH 2001, ACM Press/ACM SIGGRAPH, 2001. Y. Ma, S. Soatto, J. Kosecka and S. Sastry, An Invitation to 3-D Vision: From Images to Geometric Models , Springer, 2004, Chapter 2. S. Bischoff and L. Kobbelt, Ellipsoid decomposition of 3D-models , 3DPVT Proceedings, 2002, pp.480--488. S. Liu, X. Jin, C. C. L. Wang and K. Hui, Ellipsoidal-blob approximation of 3D models and its applications , Computers and Graphics, 31(2), 2007, pp.243--251. doi:10.1016/j.cag. 2006.12. 004 P. D. Simari and K. Singh, Extraction and remeshing of ellipsoidal representations from mesh data , Proceedings of Graphics Interface 2005, 2005, pp.168. I. Soderkvist, Introductory overview of surface reconstruction methods , Research Report 10, Department of Mathematics, Lulea Univeristy, Sweden, 1999. X. Jin, S. Liu, C. C. L. Wang, J. Feng and H. Sun, Blob-based liquid morphing , Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds, 16 (3--4), 2005, pp.391--403. doi:10.1002/cav.84
Chapter 2 The Global Real Estate Investment Trust Market : Development and Growth

Up until the mid-1990s Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were largely confined to the United States and in Australia, where they were known until recently as Listed Property Trusts. Although in both markets a REIT type structure had been in existence for decades, they were, within the perspective of their broader equity markets, relatively small sectors. The last two decades has however seen large scale growth in REITs, not only in the pioneering markets of the USA and Australia but globally through the introduction of REIT regimes in the majority of large capital markets. Whilst the detailed exact structure of REIT vehicles does differ globally, as will be illustrated in this book, there are broad similarities in the rationale behind the introduction of REITs. REITs are broadly tax transparent closed-end funds. The key difference between REITs and conventional corporate structures is that dividends paid to share holders are exempt from corporation tax, thus providing tax transparency. In contrast conventional property companies pay dividends out of after-tax income like any other corporation. This can in many jurisdictions lead to tax slippage and a perceived relative disadvantage for a tax-exempt institutions of holding real estate indirectly through a property company in comparison to holding private real estate directly. This argument is however dependent on the institution managing their portfolio in such a way that this comparison is assessed. If the indirect real estate holdings are managed as part of their broader equity portfolio then the arguments relevance does reduce substantially. The second tax component is concerned with Contingent Capital Gains Tax. The assets underlying a property company are subject to the relevant Capital Gains Tax in place in that jurisdiction. This means that a conventional corporate vehicle cannot totally realise their
A sustainable alimentation system for our future: the passive greenhouse

The paper is analyzing the benefits of the extended use of the energetic passive greenhouses, that are independent of any conventional infrastructure: a fundamental sustainable alimentation resource and a global scale ecological reconstruction opportunity. We present a specific passive greenhouse structure, which has as main heating/cooling device a heat pump and as complementary energy sources a dc wind generator and a matrix of orientable amorph silicon photovoltaic panels. A mathematical model is provided.
A note on the dichotomy spectrum

In many ways, exponential dichotomies are an appropriate hyperbolicity notion for nonautonomous linear differential or difference equations. The corresponding dichotomy spectrum generalizes the classical set of eigenvalues or Floquet multipliers and is therefore of eminent importance in a stability theory for explicitly time-dependent systems, as well as to establish a geometric theory of nonautonomous problems with ingredients like invariant manifolds and normal forms, or to deduce continuation and bifurcation techniques. In this note, we derive some invariance and perturbation properties of the dichotomy spectrum for nonautonomous linear difference equations in Banach spaces. They easily follow from the observation that the dichotomy spectrum is strongly related to a weighted shift operator on an ambient sequence space.
Electronic thermal conductivity measurements in intrinsic graphene

The electronic thermal conductivity of graphene and two-dimensional Dirac materials is of fundamental interest and can play an important role in the performance of nanoscale devices. We report the electronic thermal conductivity Ke in suspended graphene in the nearly intrinsic regime over a temperature range of 20‐300 K. We present a method to extract Ke using two-point dc electron transport at low bias voltages, where the electron and lattice temperatures are decoupled. We find Ke ranging from 0.5 to 11 W/m K over the studied temperature range. The data are consistent with a model in which heat is carried by quasiparticles with the same mean free path and velocity as graphene’s charge carriers.
Essai préliminaire sur l'évolution des armures génitales des Scarabaeinae, par rapport à la taxonomie du groupe et à l'évolution du comportement de nidification [Col. Scarabaeidae]

Le comportement de nidification serait caracteristique au niveau de taxa de rang different, selon les situations et les divers comportements de nidification se regroupant en plusieurs modeles generaux. L'apparition de tel ou tel autre modele de comportement chez un taxon donne pourrait trouver une explication d'ordre evolutif non seulement si l'on connait sa valeur adaptative dans la situation du milieu ou il apparait, mais aussi si l'on a une vision reelle des relations phyletiques du taxon ou le comportement apparait et des modeles de comportement que suivent les taxa qui lui sont lies par des relations genealogiques
Decentralised velocity feedback control of a resiliently mounted panel using a triangular piezoelectric actuator

This report presents the study on the stability of the response of a direct feedback control loop using triangular piezoelectric actuators bonded on smart panels. Direct velocity feedback control systems allow a good reduction of the transmitted sound through light panels. However, their performance is limited by their stability at high frequencies. Several theoretical works have shown that the triangularly shaped actuators are more efficient than the squared ones and the effect of the dimension of the actuator on the stability has already been discussed, however the influence of boundary conditions has not been studied yet. In this work, the panel is considered resiliently supported by springs in rotation and translation so that we can modify their stiffness in order to simulate several boundary conditions from free to clamped or simply supported. The boundary conditions have a big influence on the response of the panel and therefore on the stability of the system. This study shows the effect of the boundary conditions on the stability and estimate the gain applicable to the system in order to have the best control without destabilising the system.
Residual Effect of Zinc Application Doses and Methods on Nutrition and Productivity of Corn

Zinc is the micronutrient that presents the greatest response in corn grain production. However, the mode of application and the dose used are decisive factors with respect to fertilizer efficiency in the crop. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the residual effect of zinc application methods and rates on corn nutrition and productivity. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Teaching, Research and Production Farm of the FCAV/UNESP. Soil in the area is classified as dystrophic Dark-Red Latosol (dRL). The experimental setup consisted of a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included three localized Zn doses applied to the soil (planting row); three Zn doses incorporated into the soil at depth of 0 - 20 cm; foliar application, seed application and treatment without addition of Zn. Two evaluations of growth during cultivation were performed. Grain productivity of the crop and the zinc content in soil, leaves and seeds were evaluated. Foliar spraying with Zn simultaneously promoted increased leaf Zn content and basal diameter of the plant. The Zn contents in grains and in the soil, as well as grain yield, were not affected by the Zn application methods or the applied doses. The residual effect of incorporated Zn doses was observed only in the basal diameter and number of leaves at 60 days after emergence.
Back to Bourgeois? French social policy and the idea of solidarity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the growing literature on the policy impact of ideas and related cultural and discursive processes by exploring the historical embeddedness of the idea of solidarity in French social policy debates.Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a qualitative, historical approach that traces the development of – and the relationship between – policy ideas and social programs over time.Findings – First, exploring the work of reformer and politician Leon Bourgeois, the paper investigates the emergence of this concept in nineteenth and early twentieth century France. Second, analyzing the work of centrist scholar and intellectual Pierre Rosanvallon, the paper studies the French debate on solidarity and welfare state reform in the late 1980s and 1990s.Originality/value – At the broadest level, this paper shows that contemporary social policy debates are grounded in long‐term historical as well as cultural processes and repertoires. Policy ideas that acqu.
MLS-assisted validation of WorldView-2 panchromatic image for estimating Pinus sylvestris crown height

High spatial resolution satellite imaging has the advantages of both fine scale and large coverage that indicate the potential for measuring forest morphologies. However, because of the aerial view, imaging has limited capacity of explicitly deriving the under-crown structural parameters. A possible solution is to explore the relationships between this kind of variables such as crown height (CH) and the feature parameters readily derived from the satellite images. However, field sampling of the training data is not a trivial task. To handle this issue, this study attempted the state-of-the-art remote sensing technology of vehicle-based mobile laser scanning (MLS) for collecting the sample data. Evaluation for the case of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees has preliminarily validated the plan. That is, MLS mapping enabled the parameter of CH to be estimated from WorldView-2 panchromatic images.
A CASE STUDY OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING NATIVE-BORN GERMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS’ EXPERIENCES WITH IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

Teachers worldwide are adapting to meet needs of multiple stakeholders in education caused by increased immigration. Germany has many immigrant students and ranks high in international education. This case study will seek to understand experiences of English-speaking native-born German educators in Germany’s public schools when responding to immigrant students. ‘Experiences when responding’ is how educators interact with immigrant students in school settings and perceive their own preparation and abilities to create desired outcomes using culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). Elements of Bandura’s (1977) social cognitive theory will explain how teachers use their experiences and training to identify problems, and then seek instruction or learn on their own to better implement CRP based on what they perceive is immediately relevant. German educators will be studied at Grundschulen, public schools for grades 1 through 4, in the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hessen. Data from the interaction of students and teachers will come from 12 to 16 educators via focus groups and in-depth interviews, and direct observations made at the school. Data analysis will use a holistic approach to evaluate the background conditions and describe the case, reading and memoing will help provide ideas and themes, and open coding will assist in the categorical aggregation to organize themes. This study will examine a) how some educators in Germany perceive the value of different cultures of immigrant students, b) the effectiveness of teachers’ own pre-service training when responding to immigrant students, c) how they perceive critical self-evaluation as a way to help immigrant students achieve academically, as well as to develop socio-emotional skills and coping strategies to avoid exclusion, and d) views held by some German educators regarding their country’s ability to educate immigrant students successfully.
IDENTIFYING FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF E-ASSESSMENT BY ACADEMICS IN SAUDI UNIVERSITIES

As assessment is one of the important pillars of the learning process, and E-assessment has become an essential part of education systems. E-assessment has developed to address some of the limitations and problems of a paper-test. In last the10 years, E-assessment has improved in developed countries such as the UK. In contrast, in Saudi Arabia, one of the developing countries, less attention has been paid to the usage of E-assessment and research which discusses E-assessment issues in Saudi Arabia is limited. Consequently, we investigate the factors that impact on academic’s use of E-assessment in Saudi universities. In order to examine these factors, the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior model (DTPB) is adopted with slight modification. Age and gender are added to the proposed model as moderating factors that affect attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. IT support is also added as a sub-factor under perceived behavioral control and technology facilitating conditions are included under resources facilitating conditions. Keywords : E-assessment, E-exam, electronic exam, online exam, online assessment.
Preference and Perceived Danger as a Function of the Perceived Curvature, Length, and Width of Urban Alleys

Herzog and Miller (1998) reported that people judged alleys with sharper curves as less dangerous than straighter alleys. The authors investigated the role of perceived alley length as a possible confounding influence. Raters judged a large sample of urban alleys for two target variables (preference and danger) and six predictor variables (setting care, mystery, shadow, curvature, length, and width). The partial correlation of danger and curvature, with length partialed out, was not significant. However, in regression analyses controlling for the entire set of predictors, curvature had a modest negative partial relation with preference and a tendency toward a modest positive partial relation with danger. Thus, when controlling for all predictors, the counterintuitive relation between danger and curvature disappears. In the regression analyses, the strongest predictors were setting care (positive for preference, negative for danger) and shadow (the opposite pattern). Mystery tended to be positively related to both target variables.
Segmentation by skills and wage discrimination in a trans-border labor market

Global markets, free mobility and political integration among nation states should have a relevant impact on key issues in regional labor market studies, such as immigration, segmentation and delimitation. This paper presents an economic analysis of the impacts on segmentation, salary and human capital of the tight Swiss regulation imposed in past on immigrant workers. The case studied is the canton Ticino, a labor market whose gravity center is located at 20 km form the Italian border and 50 km from the center of the agglomeration of Milan. This very specific location allows to study the differentiated impacts on salaries, contract duration and allocation to industries of trans-border commuters as compared to short and long term immigrants. First evidence indicates the presence of a relevant immigration surplus (Borjas 1995) for the Ticino economy in the case of commuters and seasonal immigrants on the lower scale of qualification. Concerning more qualified labor force, empirical analysis of wage functions indicate a segmentation with respect to duration of contracts, more stable contracts being offered to resident workers. Here, the benefits are reaped by the protected labor force while industry does not seem to realize a significant surplus. The paper end with a theoretical discussion of the possible changes provoked by the imminent change in regulation implied by bilateral treaties on free mobility with the EU entering in vigor this year and draws some conclusions on the future relevance of the concept of border regions in a labor market context.
Automatic IO Device Selection for Ambient Environments

Active and Assisted Living (AAL) aims at providing services for elderly or disabled people in their homes using modern smart home technology and AAL software. The accessibility of user interfaces for such systems is of particular interest. This article proposes a model-based solution for selecting the best device and modality for user interactions of AAL services using the Ambient Assisted Living user interfaces (AALuis) framework. The best device and modality for a given situation depends on context information provided by the AAL system. An exemplary household was modeled as a Bayesian Network, incorporating a selection of devices and their modalities, together with relevant context information regarding the user and the environment. Each entity of the network is assigned with a probability. For devices and modalities these probabilities represent a measure of their suitability for output for the user, given the context. This model was then used to simulate different scenarios, in order to review the results of this selection mechanism.
Formality of Sinha's cosimplicial model for long knots spaces and the gerstenhaber algebra structure of homology

Sinha constructed a cosimplicial space K N N that gives a model for the space of long knots modulo immersions in ℝ N , N ≥ 4. On the other hand, Lambrechts, Turchin and Volic showed that for N ≥ 4 the homology Bousfield-Kan spectral sequence associated to Sinha's cosimplicial space K N collapses at the E 2 page rationally. Their approach consists in first proving the formality of some other diagrams approximating K N and next deducing the collapsing result. In this paper, we prove directly the formality of Sinha's cosimplicial space, which immediately implies the collapsing result for N ≥ 3. Moreover, we prove that the isomorphism between the E 2 page and the homology of the space of long knots modulo immersions respects the Gerstenhaber algebra structure, when N ≥ 4.
Characterization and mapping of kimberlites and related diatremes using hyperspectral remote sensing

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and commercially-available HyMap hyperspectral data were used to study the occurrence and mineralogical characteristics of limberlite diatremes in the State-Line district of Colorado/Wyoming. A mosaic of five flightlines of AVIRIS data acquired during 1996 with 20-m resolution is being used to locate and characterize the kimberlite diatremes. Higher spatial resolution data (1.6 m AVIRIS and 4m HyMap acquired in 1998 and 1999, respectively) are being used to map additional detail. Poor exposures, vegetation cover, and weathering, however, make identification of characteristic kimberlite minerals difficult except where exposed by mining. Minerals identified in the district using the hyperspectral data include calcite, dolomite, illite/muscovite, and serpentine (principally antigorite), however, most spectral signatures are dominated by both green and dry vegetation. The goal of this work is to determine methods for characterizing subtle mineralogic changes associated with kimberlites as a guide to exploration in a variety of geologic terrains.