Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining Conservation-relevant Habitat seleCtion by tHe HigHly imperileD oregon spotteD frog , Rana pRetiosa

—We tested the degree of habitat selection at two spatial scales by captive-raised oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) individuals released at two sites in british Columbia to inform translocation and habitat-based recovery actions for this highly imperiled species. telemetry of captive-raised adults during the post-breeding season (2009 and 2010) suggests that oregon spotted frogs selected for herbaceous and shrub macrohabitats (delineated from high-resolution aerial imagery) that form continuous floating mats or mats interspersed with water. at the microhabitat level, frogs consistently selected for taller vegetation (= 122.9 ± 8.0 cm) and thicker submerged vegetation (= 23.5 ± 2.4 cm), based on comparisons with paired random locations (= 99.2 ± 9.4 cm, and = 13.8 ± 1.9 cm, respectively). Within two study wetlands, microhabitats with < 50% cover of semi-open herbaceous or shrub vegetation were also associated with higher frog presence. these results provide support for the hypothesis that oregon spotted frogs at these sites select for taller, less dense vegetation, irrespective of the floristic composition at the microhabitat scale, but not at the macrohabitat scale. these results from captive-reared animals corroborate findings from habitat-selection studies that used wild-collected animals. Differences in selection at the macrohabitat scale between years suggest that a wide range of wetland types could be considered as candidates for reintroduction efforts. our results emphasize the need for methods that transcend site-specific floristic differences among wetlands to inform potential reintroduction sites and guide habitat restoration activities.
Optimization of scanning Fabry–Perot interferometer in the high spectral resolution lidar for stratospheric temperature detection

Abstract. Although the optimization of a static Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI)—used as a Doppler shift discriminator in wind lidar—has been proposed, it cannot be applied to the scanning FPI used in the high-spectral resolution lidar for temperature detection. After a comparison, the optimal scanning implementation is chosen and a new optimization scheme is proposed. The free spectral range (FSR) of the FPI is determined by the width of the Rayleigh spectrum. Then, for analytical purposes, the transmission of Rayleigh backscattering through an FPI is simplified to be a superposition of a Gaussian function and a constant background. The maximum likelihood estimation and the Cramer–Rao bound theory are used to derive an analytic expression of the temperature error. Thus, the effective reflectance of the FPI can be optimized. Finally, assuming known atmospheric temperature–pressure–density profiles, backscattering raw signals are simulated using the optimized parameters of the FPI and some other key system parameters of our existing lidar system. Comparisons between the assumed and retrieved temperature profiles revealed that error <2 K can be achieved in the altitude range of 15 to 40 km, even with the disturbance of aerosol contamination.
Distributed Fault Detection for a Class of Large-Scale Nonlinear Uncertain Systems

Zhang, Qi. M.S.Egr. , Wright State University, 2011. Distributed Fault Detection for a Class of Large-Scale Nonlinear Uncertain Systems. In the distributed large-scale system, the behavior of any subsystem is not only influenced by variables belonging to it (local variables), but also by the variables in other subsystems during its interaction with neighboring subsystems. The effect of the fault in one subsystem will be quickly propagated to other subsystems due to their interconnections. Currently, most of the fault detection and diagnosis schemes are focused on centralized system which do not consider the interaction terms and can not efficiently detect the faults. In this thesis, a distributed fault detection scheme is developed for a class of large-scale nonlinear uncertain systems with unstructured modeling uncertainty. For each subsystem in the large-scale system, a fault detection estimator (FDE) is designed by utilizing local measurements and certain communicated information from neighboring FDEs associated with subsystems that are directly interconnected to the particular subsystem under consideration. Under certain assumptions, adaptive threshold for fault detection in each local subsystem is derived, and its robustness property with respect to modeling uncertainty and interactions among interconnected subsystems is also investigated. Also, the fault detectability conditions characterizing the class of faults in each subsystem that can be detected by this approach is analyzed. A simulation example of automated highway systems is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Interactive Parallelization of Embedded Real-Time Applications Starting from Open-Source Scilab & Xcos

In this paper, we introduce the workflow of interactive parallelization for optimizing embedded real-time applications for multicore architectures. In our approach, the real-time applications are written in the Scilab high-level mathematical & scientific programming language or with a Scilab Xcos block-diagram ap-proach. By using code generation and code parallelization technol-ogy combined with an interactive GUI, the end user can map appli-cations to the multicore processor iteratively. The approach is eval-uated on two use cases: (1) an image processing application written in Scilab and (2) an avionic system modeled in Xcos. Using the workflow, an end-to-end model-based approach targeting multicore processors is enabled resulting in a significant reduction in devel-opment effort and high application speedup. The workflow de-scribed in this paper is developed and tested within the EU-funded ARGO project focused on WCET-Aware Parallelization of Model-Based Applications for Heterogeneous Parallel Systems.
Muscle-tendon mechanics and energetics during walking, running and jumping.

In the human lower limb, muscles and tendon tend to interact in an efficient manner during common movements like walking, running and jumping. This pattern of interaction exploits the ability of muscles to produce forces efficiently at low shortening velocities, whilst tendons act as springs that help to store elastic energy during the contact phase, and return a large proportion of the energy in the pushoff phase. This pattern of muscletendon interaction can be disrupted in novel tasks or as a consequence of ageing or disease, resulting in a decrease in movement efficiency.
FBW7 suppresses metastasis of colorectal cancer by inhibiting HIF1α/CEACAM5 functional axis

F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) functions as a major tumor suppressor by targeting oncoproteins for degradations. FBW7 has been reported to be one of the most frequently mutated genes in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its roles and possible mechanisms in the development of CRC are still unclear. In the present study, we adopted immunohistochemistry staining in tissue microarray (TMA), consisting of 276 samples from stage I-IV CRC patients, and analyzed the correlation between FBW7 expression and clinicopathological parameters, as well as overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The impact of FBW7 on migration was further validated in vitro. Whole-genome expression microarray (GEO,accession numbers GSE76443), was then analyzed to find the possible target of FBW7. The results were verified by functional experiments in vitro and IHC staining of TMA. Finally, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were carried out to identify the possible mechanisms. The expression level of FBW7 in TMA was negatively correlated with serum CEA level, venous invasion, N stage and M stage, and positively associated with the survival of CRC patients(P<0.05). Ectopic FBW7 expression significantly suppressed migration of colon cancer cells in vitro. GEO analysis revealed that decreased FBW7 significantly correlated with increased level of CEACAM5, which encoded CEA. The correlation was verified by IHC of TMA and silencing CEACAM5 inhibited migration in vitro. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that CEACAM5 was a HIF1α target gene and that FBW7 regulated CEACAM5 in a HIF1α-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results revealed that FBW7 suppressed migration through regulation of the HIF1α/CEACAM5 axis in colorectal cancer. Therefore, our study sheds novel lights on the impact of FBW7 on HIF1α/CEACAM5 signaling axis and constitutes potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets for CRC.
Maternal Perception about Neonatal Jaundice in Eastern Nepal: A Qualitative Study

Background: Jaundice is a common problem in newborn babies and mothers have different misconceptions about it in Nepal. This study was conducted to explore mother’s perception about the causes, recognition, management and outcome of neonatal jaundice. Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 mothers of infants under six months of age with a history of jaundice in the neonatal period attending the outpatient department of Ilam District Hospital. Audio-taped data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results: Most of the mothers recognized jaundice in babies from yellow skin but some noticed it after being alerted by health workers or other people. They perceived jaundice in neonates as a serious condition. However, they were unclear about the cause and attributed it to breach in food restrictions, lack of hygiene or effect of evil spirits. Foods consumed by mothers during and after pregnancy were of concern, not only as a cause but also a remedial measure of jaundice. They usually resorted to traditional measures of avoiding certain foods and reported that health workers did not offer specific remedies and that some health workers even approved such practices. The perceptions of mothers were greatly influenced by family and societal beliefs and practices such as applying oil, sunbathing or avoiding various foods by mothers, often irrespective of advice from health workers. Mother-in-law and the health worker have had the prominent influence in mother’s perception. Conclusion: The perceptions of mothers regarding recognition, seriousness, causes and treatment of jaundice in their newborn babies were mostly guided by their own misconceptions and experiences. However, the family and societal beliefs apparently had a big influence.
Developing an Evaluation Framework for Blockchain in the Public Sector : The Example of the German Asylum Process

Identity is a fundamental concept for the financial industry. In order to comply with regulation, financial institutions must verify the identity of their customers. Identities are currently handled in a centralized way, which diminishes users’ control over their personal information and threats their privacy. Blockchain systems, especially those with support for smart contracts (e.g., Ethereum), are expected to serve as a basis of more decentralized systems for digital identity management. We propose a design of a privacy-preserving KYC scheme on top of Ethereum. It would let providers of financial services leverage the potential of blockchain technology to increase efficiency of customer onboarding while complying with regulation and protecting users’ privacy. Author
Massification in Higher Education Institutions in Africa: Causes, Consequences and Responses

Most public higher education institutions in Africa, in response to historical conditions, have enrolled students in excess of their capacity, resulting in massification and negative consequences on educational quality. Increased enrolment has addressed issues of equity; but the equally important issue of ensuring equity in success for the enrolled students has received limited attention. Apparently graduation rates in higher education in Africa remain fairly low. Higher education institutions have taken several corrective measures to address the consequences of massification. Governments have also created new institutions and put quality assurance systems in place. There have also been continental responses. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest tertiary enrolment of any world region, a handicap in its development. It must also meet the demands of its rapidly increasing secondary school graduates. There is a compelling need to further increase tertiary enrolment, a situation that challenges both institutions and countries. The growth in private higher education, if regulated and quality-controlled, could relieve this pressure. Pour des raisons historiques, la majorite des etablissements d’enseignement superieur d’Afrique admet plus d’etudiants qu’elle ne peut en accueillir. Ceci conduit a la massification de l’enseignement superieur et a des consequences negatives sur sa qualite. L’augmentation de la participation a permis de repondre a des problemes d’equite, mais la tout aussi importante question de l’equite dans la reussite des etudiants admis a recu une attention limitee. Le taux de reussite dans l’enseignement superieur en Afrique reste faible. Les etablissements d’enseignement superieur ont mis en place plusieurs mesures visant a corriger les consequences nefastes de la massification. Les gouvernements ont aussi cree de nouvelles institutions et mis en place des systemes d’assurance qualite. Des reponses ont par ailleurs ete proposees a l’echelle du continent. Cependant, l’Afrique sub-saharienne a le plus faible taux d’inscription dans l’enseignement superieur du monde, un handicap pour son developpement. Elle doit aussi repondre aux demandes d’une population de diplomes du secondaire qui augmente rapidement. Il est impossible de nier la necessite d’augmenter les admissions dans l’enseignement superieur, une situation qui pose des problemes aussi bien aux etablissements qu’aux nations. La croissance des etablissements prives pourrait permettre de relâcher la pression, s’ils sont correctement regules et controles en termes de qualite.
application models of the individual heart : tools and Generation of histo-anatomically representative

, 2257-2292 367 2009 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A David Gavaghan and Peter Kohl Mason, Fahd Mahmood, Blanca Rodriguez, Vicente Grau, Jürgen E. Schneider, Miguel O. Bernabeu, Alan Garny, Anton J. Prassl, Christian Bollensdorff, Fleur Gernot Plank, Rebecca A.B. Burton, Patrick Hales, Martin Bishop, Tahir Mansoori, application models of the individual heart: tools and Generation of histo-anatomically representative
Development of Novel RF and Millimeter Wave Structures by Laser Direct-write

Abstract : In this work we describe the use of laser direct-write for the rapid prototyping of frequency selective Fresnel zone plate lenses. We describe a frequency selective surface which is patterned on two distinct length scales; a smaller scale that exhibits the patterning of a traditional frequency selective surface, and a larger scale that exhibits the structure of a Fresnel zone plate. We demonstrate that laser direct-write is an ideal tool for the rapid prototyping of such spatially varying or a periodic electromagnetic structures. We present experimental results for the electromagnetic characterization of a prototype frequency selective lens fabricated using non-lithographic, laser processing.
Tuberculosis in wild boar and the risk of human infection byMycobacterium bovis results of a study conducted in Southern Italy

The presence of tuberculosis infection in wild boar populations in a southern Italian territory was investigated, in order to discern any epidemiological and spatial correlations between the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolated in wild boar and humans who share the same territory. We also evaluated the presence and level of contamination by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in meat from wild boar killed during the hunting season. Although the presence of tuberculosis infection in wild boar has been amply demonstrated, little information is currently available regarding the risk of direct human infection through the handling and consumption of the meat of infected animals. Consequently, the risk of humans being infected through eating raw or insufficiently cooked meats contaminated during butchery, albeit deemed probable, has not yet been sufficiently proved. Culture tests were carried out on organs and lymph-nodes presenting suspected tubercular lesions from 250 slaughtered wild boars; spoligotyping tests were then conducted on the strains of Mycobacterium bovis obtained, in order to compare these with the strains of Mycobacterium bovis isolated from human patients. The results showed a genetic correlation between the SB1565 genotype isolated from wild boar and the same genotype isolated from a human patient with clinically manifested tuberculosis. Moreover, a genetic correlation was seen between the genotypes SB1565 and SB0120 and the strains of Mycobacterium bovis isolated from cattle.
Effects of essential oils supplementation on growth performance, IgG concentration and fecal noxious gas concentration of weaned pigs

Ninety six crossbred pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were used to determine the effects of essential oils (Fresta F Conc ® ) supplementation on growth performance, immune response and fecal noxious gas of weaned pigs. Treatments were 1) NC (negative control; basal diet without antibiotics), 2) PC (positive control; basal diet+CSP (CTC+Sulfathiazole+Penicillin) 0.1%), 3) NCF (basal diet+Fresta F Conc ® 0.03%) and 4) PCF (basal diet+CSP (CTC+Sulfathiazole+Penicillin) 0.1%+Fresta F Conc ® 0.02%). From d 0 to 14, ADFI was increased in pigs fed PCF diet (p 0.05). No statistical differences (p>0.05) were found in red blood cells (RBC) counts, white blood cells (WBC) counts, lymphocyte counts, total protein and albumin. Serum IgG concentration of PCF treatment was greater than that of other treatments (p 0.05). From d 14 to 28, digestibility of dry matter in pigs fed PC, NCF and PCF diets was higher than that of pigs fed NC diet (p 0.05) were found in volatile fatty acid (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations among treatments. On d 49, there was no significant difference in VFA concentration among the treatments (p>0.05). NH3-N concentration in pigs fed PCF diet was lower than in pigs fed other diets (p<0.05). H2S concentration in pigs fed diets with added essential oils was lower than others. In conclusion, the results suggest that the dietary addition of essential oils and antibiotics into diets for weanling pigs improved growth performance, IgG concentration and nitrogen digestibility and decreased noxious gas concentration. Essential oils can be used to partly replace antibiotics in diets for weaned pigs without negative affects on growth performance. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 1 : 80-85)
Using the Common Sense Model of Illness Self-Regulation to Understand Diabetes-Related Distress: The Importance of Being Able to 'Make Sense' of Diabetes

This study examines the relationships between illness perceptions and illness-related distress among adults with type 2 diabetes. Research participants (N = 615) were randomly selected from a primary care database in New Zealand. Data were collected through a mailed questionnaire survey and review of medical records. The primary outcome was diabetes-related psychological distress measured using the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale. Multiple regression analyses controlling for age, clinical characteristics, and mental health showed that illness perceptions accounted for 15% of differences in distress about diabetes (F change (4,462) = 35.37, p < . 001). Poor mental health and illness severity alone do not explain differences in diabetes-related emotional adjustment. Results suggest that ‘making sense’ of diabetes may be central to successfully managing the emotional consequences of diabetes.
Evidence for involvement of activated CD8+/HLA‐DR+cells in the pathogenesis of neutropenia in patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Abstract: B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) is often associated with peripheral blood cytopenias resulting, in most cases, from bone marrow infiltration, hypersplenism, or circulating autoantibodies. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible involvement of a cell‐mediated suppression of granulopoiesis in these patients. We studied two groups of patients, 8 neutropenic and 26 non‐neutropenic, defined by the arbitrarily taken cutoff count of 2000 neutrophils/μl. We found that neutropenic patients had higher numbers of peripheral blood CD3 +, CD8 +and CD57+cells, and higher numbers of activated CD8 +/HLA‐DR +cells than the non‐neutropenic ones. A negative correlation between CD8 +cells and circulating neutrophils, and a suggested negative correlation between CD8 +/HLA‐DR+cells and circulating neutrophils were noted in the patients studied. Furthermore, we investigated the capacity of immunomagnetically isolated CD8 +cells to inhibit in vitro colony formation by normal granulocyte/macrophage colony‐forming units (CFU‐GM) and we found that inhibition was more pronounced when CD8 +cells, added in the culture, were derived from neutropenic than from non‐neutropenic patients. The degree of colony inhibition correlated with the number of circulating neutrophils and the numbers of CD8+and CD8 +/HLA‐DR +cells in the patients studied. Since tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) has been reported to be involved in myelosuppression, we also investigated the capacity of isolated CD8+cells to release this cytokine into the culture supernatant fluids, and we found that comparable amounts of TNF‐α were produced after stimulation in both neutropenic and non‐neutropenic patients. Elevated serum TNF‐α concentrations were noted only in a number of neutropenic and non‐neutropenic patients. All these data taken together provide strong evidence that a T‐cell subpopulation of activated CD8 +/HLA‐DR+cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of neutropenia, at least in a subset of B‐CLL patients, suppressing myelopoiesis by a TNF‐α‐unrelated mechanism. Efforts to isolate this cell subpopulation by flow cytometry for further analysis and a better understanding of its effect on myelopoiesis in patients with B‐CLL are in progress in our laboratory.
Detecting and Characterizing Developer Behavior Following Opportunistic Reuse of Code Snippets from the Web

Modern software development is social and relies on many online resources and tools. In this paper, we study opportunistic code reuse from the Web, e.g. when developers copy code snippets from popular Q&A sites and paste them into their projects. Our focus is the behavior of developers following opportunistic code reuse, which reveals the success or failure of the action. We study developer behavior via a large, representative dataset of micro-interactions in the IDE. Our analysis of developer behavior exhibited in this dataset confirms laboratory study observations that code reuse from the Web is followed by heavy editing, in some cases by a rapid undo, and rarely by the execution of tests.
Assessment of Fungal Diversity in the Environment using Metagenomics: a Decade in Review

Fungi are ubiquitous inhabitants of soil and aquatic environments, and they establish and maintain either parasitic or symbiotic relationships with animals and plants. They are major players in nutrient cycling, especially in organic matter decomposition, and they are major sources of biologically active substances. However, their full metabolic potential is yet to be unveiled, and fungal enzymes could be of great use in myriad of applications from industrial processes to natural products. The global number of species in the fungal kingdom has been estimated in the range of one to a few million, but it is likely larger, as suggested by recent metagenomic studies that revealed the existence of fungal diversity hotspots. In this review, we describe the main advances in the study of fungal diversity, present statistics of the main metagenomic databases with regard to the representativeness of fungal phyla, and discuss the future directions in this field