Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Woody debris research : Overview CTFS Global Forest Carbon Research Initiative Version : November 2008

Fallen woody debris, standing dead trees (taller than 1.3 m) and stumps (shorter than 1.3 m) constitute a large portion of total above-ground carbon in tropical and temperate forests (Keller et al. 2004; Rice et al. 2004). In addition to being an important carbon pool, aboveground necromass is important in nutrient cycling, water retention, fuel load, and as resources for many organisms. Despite its importance and possible sensitivity to global change, relatively few studies have evaluated stocks of woody debris or standing dead trees in tropical ecosystems and even fewer have quantified their fluxes (Figure 1). Inputs from branchfall and outputs due to fire are particularly poorly quantified. Data collection has been much more extensive in temperate ecosystems (Harmon et al. 1986).
Risk-Averse Optimization in Two-Stage Stochastic Models: Computational Aspects and a Study

We extend the on-demand accuracy approach of Oliveira and Sagastizabal to constrained convex optimization. The resulting method is applied to risk-averse two-stage stochastic programming problems. We present a survey of risk-averse models. The appropriate oracle is formulated for the case of a conditional value-at-risk constraint. We discuss computational aspects and compare different approaches in a study.
Mapping the development of applied critical thinking skills in engineering , technology & computing majors

Many universities have efforts related to infusing the teaching and learning of critical thinking, particularly for engineering, technology and computing related majors. This paper describes an applied critical thinking initiative at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The ability to think critically is not only developed and demonstrated in a classroom or course. Since employers are seeking critical thinking skills, this paper discusses the assessment of that competency through experiential learning opportunities for students. Mapping and analysis of the progression of the competency through academic program, student, and employer data showed a developmental path through ‘problem solving’ and ‘design’ related opportunities in many forms for students to demonstrate applied critical thinking skills.
Etude des systèmes d'horodatage

This paper is a survey of the state of the art in electronic time-stamping. Time- stamping of electronic documents is a cryptographic technique which is used to prove that a document was created at a certain date and that it has not been modified since then. The development of secure time-stamping systems represents a significant challenge for our societies which are increasingly using new communication and information technologies. In this paper, we classify and study the various existing time-stamping schemes and present some implemented systems. We particularly focus on the constraints which are to be satisfied when developing a secure time-stamping system. MOTS-CLES : Horodatage, confiance, systeme centralise, systeme distribue, schema de liaison, arbre binaire, accumulateurs.
Effects of low level lead exposure on cognitive function in children: a review of behavioral, neuropsychological and biological evidence.

Low level lead exposure, at levels currently found in significant numbers of children in the U.S., has been associated with decreases in IQ and other cognitive test scores in children, as well as with decreases in developmental test scores in infants. The precise nature of the cognitive deficits is not clear. This paper reviews epidemiological and developmental neurocognitive effects of lead and addresses methodological issues that may have contributed to differences in interpretation of previous research. In an attempt to provide a rationale for the lead-related deficits reported for humans, we have reviewed studies of lead-related behavioral and electrophysiological effects seen in animals as well as findings from studies that have examined the effects of lead exposure on neurochemical subcellular and cellular mechanisms. Based on these data, future strategies are suggested for determining the possible effects of low-level lead exposure on neurocognitive functioning in children.
Integration and intelligent control of micro-grids with multi-energy generations: A review

A typical micro-grid with multi-energy generators (MGMEG) is composed of renewable energy generation systems including wind, photovoltaic, biomass etc., and fuel cells, energy storages and local loads. The most important feature of a MGMEG is its ability to separate and isolate itself from the utility system, during a utility grid disturbance. Power electronic interfaces, typically voltage source inverters (VSIs) for the grid side, play a key role in the integration and intelligent control of MGMEG to insure its operation as a single aggregated system to be connected to or disconnected from grid seamlessly and reliably with high power quality. This paper gives a review on recent significant research initiatives carried out regarding operation and control strategies of the MGMEG all over the world. The results show that so far, power vs. frequency droop characteristic control strategy of VSIs is validated to be a fundamental and effective control method to accomplish the ldquoplug and playrdquo capability for installing future distributed energy resource units and loads in different MGMEGs in Labs. However, there is a need for more intelligent control strategies for VSIs from the perspective of the whole MGMEG to make the VSI perceptive and self-adaptive to the change of the MGMEG, the loads and the market to add value to the MGMEG. And the multi-agent technique is one of promising control methods for the MGMEG.
Current perspectives on glycopeptide resistance

In the last 5 years, clinical isolates of gram-positive bacteria with intrinsic or acquired resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics have been encountered increasingly. In many of these isolates, resistance arises from an alteration of the antibiotic target site, with the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine moiety of peptidoglycan precursors being replaced by groups that do not bind glycopeptides. Although the criteria for defining resistance have been revised frequently, the reliable detection of low-level glycopeptide resistance remains problematic and is influenced by the method chosen. Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci have emerged as a particular problem in hospitals, where in addition to sporadic cases, clusters of infections with evidence of interpatient spread have occurred. Studies using molecular typing methods have implicated colonization of patients, staff carriage, and environmental contamination in the dissemination of these bacteria. Choice of antimicrobial therapy for infections caused by glycopeptide-resistant bacteria may be complicated by resistance to other antibiotics. Severe therapeutic difficulties are being encountered among patients infected with enterococci, with some infections being untreatable with currently available antibiotics.
The impact of environmental factors on quality of life and symptoms of children with allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by exposure to allergens, which impairs the cognitive capabilities of the affected. Objective To correlate the mean scores of quality of life of children and adolescents with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the presence of household environmental factors described in the literature as allergy triggers. Method This cross-sectional retrospective cohort study included 120 children and adolescents presenting clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the number of allergy-triggering environmental factors seen in their households. Scale PedsQL 4.0 was used to quantify quality of life and allow further comparisons between groups. Results No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were seen in the PedsQL mean scores when participant quality of life was analyzed vis-a-vis triggering environmental factors. However, the incidence of allergy manifestations was higher in children exposed to more environmental factors. Conclusion The studied environmental factors were not correlated with patient quality of life. However, the analysis of patient households and symptoms indicates the environment played a role in the onset of allergy events.
Fatigue and fatigability in neurologic illnesses

Fatigue is commonly reported in many neurologic illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, myasthenia gravis, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Fatigue contributes substantially to decrements in quality of life and disability in these illnesses. Despite the clear impact of fatigue as a disabling symptom, our understanding of fatigue pathophysiology is limited and current treatment options rarely lead to meaningful improvements in fatigue. Progress continues to be hampered by issues related to terminology and assessment. In this article, we propose a unified taxonomy and a novel assessment approach to addressing distinct aspects of fatigue and fatigability in clinical and research settings. This taxonomy is based on our current knowledge of the pathophysiology and phenomenology of fatigue and fatigability. Application of our approach indicates that the assessment and reporting of fatigue can be clarified and improved by utilizing this taxonomy and creating measures to address distinct aspects of fatigue and fatigability. We review the strengths and weaknesses of several common measures of fatigue and suggest, based on our model, that many research questions may be better addressed by using multiple measures. We also provide examples of how to apply and validate the taxonomy and suggest directions for future research.
Intermittency in tokamak edge turbulence.

We report the observation of a key feature of intermittency in the tokamak edge turbulence. The probability distribution functions of broadband plasma density and potential fluctuations in an Ohmically heated tokamak plasma are measured and shown to be non-Gaussian. The intermittency is observed on scales large compared to the dissipation scale and it is found to evolve during the flattop current phase of the discharge.
The Effects of Body Mass on Lung Volumes, Respiratory Mechanics, and Gas Exchange During General Anesthesia

We investigated the effects of body mass index (BMI) on functional residual capacity (FRC), respiratory mechanics (compliance and resistance), gas exchange, and the inspiratory mechanical work done per liter of ventilation during general anesthesia.We used the esophageal balloon technique, together with rapid airway occlusion during constant inspiratory flow, to partition the mechanics of the respiratory system into its pulmonary and chest wall components. FRC was measured by using the helium dilution technique. We studied 24 consecutive and unselected patients during general anesthesia, before surgical intervention, in the supine position (8 normal subjects with a BMI <or=to25 kg/m2, 8 moderately obese patients with a BMI >25 kg/m2 and <40 kg/m2, and 8 morbidly obese patients with a BMI >or=to40 kg/m2). We found that, with increasing BMI: 1.FRC decreased exponentially (r = 0.86; P < 0.01) 2.the compliance of the total respiratory system and of the lung decreased exponentially (r = 0.86; P < 0.01 and r = 0.81; P < 0.01, respectively), whereas the compliance of the chest wall was only minimally affected (r = 0.45; P < 0.05) 3.the resistance of the total respiratory system and of the lung increased (r = 0.81; P < 0.01 and r = 0.84; P < 0.01, respectively), whereas the chest wall resistance was unaffected (r = 0.06; P = not significant) 4.the oxygenation index (PaO2/PAo2) decreased exponentially (r = 0.81; P < 0.01) and was correlated with FRC (r = 0.62; P < 0.01), whereas PaCO2 was unaffected (r = 0.06; P = not significant) 5.the work of breathing of the total respiratory system increased, mainly due to the lung component (r = 0.88; P < 0.01 and r = 0.81; P < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, BMI is an important determinant of lung volumes, respiratory mechanics, and oxygenation during general anesthesia with patients in the supine position.Implications: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body mass on lung volumes, respiratory mechanics, and gas exchange during general anesthesia. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:654-60)
Inhibition of Polo-like Kinase-1 by DNA Damage Occurs in an ATM- or ATR-dependent Fashion*

Polo-like kinases play multiple roles in different phases of mitosis. We have recently shown that the mammalian polo-like kinase, Plk1, is inhibited in response to DNA damage and that this inhibition may lead to cell cycle arrests at multiple points in mitosis. Here we have investigated the role of the checkpoint kinases ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (ATM- and Rad3-related) in DNA damage-induced inhibition of Plk1. We show that inhibition of Plk1 kinase activity is efficiently blocked by the radio-sensitizing agent caffeine. Using ATM−/− cells we show that under certain circumstances, inhibition of Plk1 by DNA-damaging agents critically depends on ATM. In addition, we show that UV radiation also causes inhibition of Plk1, and we present evidence that this inhibition is mediated by ATR. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ATM and ATR can regulate Plk1 kinase activity in response to a variety of DNA-damaging agents.
Fructose overconsumption causes dyslipidemia and ectopic lipid deposition in healthy subjects with and without a family history of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Both nutritional and genetic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the effects of fructose, a potent stimulator of hepatic de novo lipogenesis, on intrahepatocellular lipids (IHCLs) and insulin sensitivity in healthy offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes (OffT2D)--a subgroup of individuals prone to metabolic disorders. DESIGN Sixteen male OffT2D and 8 control subjects were studied in a crossover design after either a 7-d isocaloric diet or a hypercaloric high-fructose diet (3.5 g x kg FFM(-1) x d(-1), +35% energy intake). Hepatic and whole-body insulin sensitivity were assessed with a 2-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (0.3 and 1.0 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)), together with 6,6-[2H2]glucose. IHCLs and intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) were measured by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS The OffT2D group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher IHCLs (+94%), total triacylglycerols (+35%), and lower whole-body insulin sensitivity (-27%) than did the control group. The high-fructose diet significantly increased IHCLs (control: +76%; OffT2D: +79%), IMCLs (control: +47%; OffT2D: +24%), VLDL-triacylglycerols (control: +51%; OffT2D: +110%), and fasting hepatic glucose output (control: +4%; OffT2D: +5%). Furthermore, the effects of fructose on VLDL-triacylglycerols were higher in the OffT2D group (group x diet interaction: P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A 7-d high-fructose diet increased ectopic lipid deposition in liver and muscle and fasting VLDL-triacylglycerols and decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity. Fructose-induced alterations in VLDL-triacylglycerols appeared to be of greater magnitude in the OffT2D group, which suggests that these individuals may be more prone to developing dyslipidemia when challenged by high fructose intakes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00523562.
Choledochotomy in live liver donors

We read the report by Testa et al. with great concern. They harvested 40 right livers from living donors and reported a new technique for bile duct evaluation. The key, in their opinion, is that the hepatic duct should be divided prior to dissection of the liver parenchyma. They hypothesized that when the liver parenchyma is resected prior to dividing the hepatic duct, instruments, such as the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator, that are used in the proximity of the hepatic duct, might disrupt its vascular supply. They emphasized that an intraoperative cholangiogram was not sufficient for the “first” hepatic duct division because it did not provide 3-dimensional images of confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts during the operation. An alternative technique is the probe technique, which necessitates a “small” choledochotomy to introduce a probe to the confluence of bile ducts. It is important to remember, however, that bile duct complications are the most common serious problem encountered in patients undergoing right liver donation and that the impact of invasive manipulation of the biliary system on the long-term risk for developing further bile duct–related complications is unknown. The significance of this issue is highlighted in a recent report of a case of secondary biliary cirrhosis occurring as late as 2 yr after right liver donation due to biliary stricture most likely caused by an ischemic insult to the bile duct. Although we do not deny that this technique might be useful in selected cases, we feel that extreme caution is required before accepting it as a possible option in live donor hepatectomy. Unnecessary invasive maneuvers should be avoided in living donor operation and the technique of Testa et al. might be contrary to this basic premise.
The Shaping of the Scandinavian Socio-Technical IS Research Tradition. Confessions of an accomplice

This paper relates stories instrumental in shaping the career of an individual and which have also contributed to shaping of the IS field in general and the ‘Scandinavian So - cio-Technical (S/T) Information Systems Research Tradition’ in particular. The method in this paper is an autoethnography (Lanamäki 2015) of Niels Bjørn-Andersen from Copenhagen Business School (CBS), an S/T researcher who started his career in Information Systems at CBS on 1 September 1969, at a time when the IS field for all practical purposes did not exist. It is written as a dialogue that includes both the confessional voice of the autoethnographer and the questioning voice of a younger researcher, the second author, who wants to bridge S/T into the future. The main contributions of this paper are to provide: 1) insights into ca - reer development in IS in general and in one of the Scandinavian IS pioneers in particular; 2) a historic account of some of the key events in the early days of S/T IS in Scandinavia; 3) an ac - count of the experiences and the challenges in creating a new research field such as IS; and 4) a summary of Niels’s key learnings hopefully relevant to young and mid-career IS researchers.
Admissions to Skilled Nursing Facilities From Assisted Living Facilities

Minimum Data Set data from 15,977 residents were analyzed to investigate the reasons older adults were admitted to skilled nursing facilities from assisted living facilities. Residents admitted from assisted living facilities, private homes, hospitals, and hospitals with previous assisted living facility residence were compared. Findings suggest that residents admitted from assisted living facilities are more likely to be older, to have diagnoses of dementia and depression, and to be placed in Alzheimer's special care units.
Acute treatment costs of intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke in Argentina

Background and purpose – Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Argentina, yet little information exists on the acute treatment provided for stroke or its costs. This study estimates the national costs of the acute treatment of first‐ever intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke (IS) in Argentina.
Preservation of topography in the connections between the subiculum, field CA1, and the entorhinal cortex in rats

In order to examine whether the entorhinal‐hippocampal‐entorhinal circuit is reciprocal and topographic, the connections between the subiculum, the CA1 field, and the entorhinal cortex were studied with the carbocyanine dye (Dil), which moves in both retrograde and anterograde directions. We investigated the organization of reciprocal connections revealed by injections of Dil in the entorhinal cortex along the rhinal sulcus. Anterograde fluorescent labeling showed the same pattern reported in previous studies of the dorsal hippocampus. When the injection site of DiI extended into the deep layers (IV–VI) of the same cortical column, the anterograde labeling of the perforant path was accompanied by retrograde labeling of the subicular neurons and the CA1 neurons. The distribution of labeled cells overlapped the distribution of labeled fibers, and the distribution of labeled cells paralleled that of the labeled fibers in the CA1 field. DiI injection into the medial entorhinal cortex revealed fewer retrogradely labeled subicular neurons than injection into the lateral entorhinal cortex, whereas the number of labeled CA1 neurons was not dependent on the injection site. The number of labeled CA1 neurons was always several times greater than the number of subicular neurons. Thus, the amount of information conveyed by the CA1 projection might be higher than that conveyed by the subicular projection. These results indicate that the entorhinal cortex, CA1, and the subiculum are connected reciprocally and topographically. We believe that the framework of the major hippocampal circuit proposed in previous studies should be reconsidered. We propose that the CA1 projection, rather than the subicular projection, is the main projection that feeds back information from the hippocampus to the entorhinal cortex. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental bacterial endocarditis. IV. Structure and evolution of very early lesions

The vegetations of experimental sterile and bacterial endocarditis in rabbits were studied using light, immunofluorescent and electron microscopy. At an early stage, both lesions were composed chiefly of masses of platelets supported in a scaffolding of fibrin strands. In previous studies, this structure has often been described merely as "fibrin". After i.v. injection of Thorotrast, sterile vegetations showed remarkable accumulations of mononuclear phagocytes containing this substance, on surfaces projecting into the bloodstream. Sections fixed 30 min. after i.v. injection of streptococci also showed these phagocytes, which contained large numbers of bacteria. The possibility that BE is initiated by phagocytosis of circulating bacteria has been raised. Smaller numbers of circulating streptococci reached the vegetation by direct adhesion to exposed surfaces. In contrast, a majority of Proteus and Staphylococcus albus adhered directly to vegetations, without phagocytosis. Subsequently, these first settlers multiplied rapidly to form rounded colonies surrounded by capsules of fibrin, which apparently provided protection from phagocytosis. The vegetations grew by accretion of layers of fibrin and platelets, with colonies sandwiched between them. This suggested that a cycle of thrombosis and reseeding by circulating bacteria was a factor in their growth. Colonies showed morphological changes consistent with ageing after two days. Healing occurred by endothelialisation and organisation, and was greatly accelerated by penicillin treatment.